Starting with two Kamui, they raised the flag of rebellion in One Piece.

In One Piece fanfiction, authors often set up a ban on going to sea, and anyone who goes to sea without permission will automatically become a pirate.

However, this is not actually the case.

Those who frequently read comics should know that such a ban has never been mentioned in the main One Piece storyline, and many of the characters in One Piece who appear on the seas roam freely without being wanted criminals.

Zoro is a prime example.

He had been at sea for several years, wandering around as a pirate hunter, and had never been wanted until he joined forces with Luffy, who claimed to be a pirate, and his identity became that of a pirate.

Similar cases include "Knife God" Joseph and Johnny, the sea chef Zeff and his crew, and so on.

There were countless such characters even before they entered the Grand Line, and even more so after they entered the Grand Line.

In the world of One Piece, even if you set sail, as long as you don't plunder or call yourself a pirate, you won't be treated as one. In fact, as long as you don't cause trouble, the Navy and the World Government will have no idea you're at sea. After all, there are plenty of unregistered people in the One Piece world. If they don't make a sound, who will know where they are, let alone come to check their identity?

Therefore, acting as a bounty hunter allows one to enjoy adventure without being wanted, essentially making him much like Zoro before he met the Straw Hat crew.

Li Mingyuan's invitation to Ace was a perfectly feasible and reasonable proposal.

After saying that, Li Mingyuan calmly waited for Ace's reply.

Having said all that, given his feigned level of understanding, this was already a sufficient reason to recruit him. He could even appear confident that he could persuade Ace with this reason.

however……

"If it were that easy to recruit them, that would be great."

Li Mingyuan thought to himself.

After listening to Li Mingyuan's second proposal, even Ace couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Given Li Mingyuan's relationship with him and the perfect proposal he offered, Ace's initial doubts were dispelled. Logically and emotionally, he seemed to have no reason to object.

If, for him, being a pirate is truly just a matter of a title...

After a few minutes of thought, Ace finally let out a long sigh.

"It seems you've thought this through seriously. It's not just about me, but also about my companions. I apologize for my previous offense, Li Mingyuan. Your invitation is indeed a sincere one."

Ace looked at Li Mingyuan solemnly, bowed and politely apologized.

"So that means?"

Li Mingyuan said with surprise.

"I'm sorry, but I still can't agree to your proposal."

Ace looked regretful and shook his head slightly at Li Mingyuan.

Ultimately, he firmly declined Li Mingyuan's invitation.

"Li Mingyuan, if it were true, as you said, that we would not have been wanted and chased by the Navy if we became pirate hunters together, right? I can totally imagine that if we were on the same ship, our time together would be just like this, and every day would be very happy."

"However, there is one thing you are wrong about."

Ace said in a heavy tone, "Becoming a pirate is my dream, and it's also the reason I set sail."

"We may encounter difficulties and dangers in the future, but even so, I still have no intention of giving up this identity!"

Upon hearing this, Li Mingyuan stopped his invitational gestures, and the composure on his face gradually faded.

He raised an eyebrow and looked at Ace in front of him.

"Why are you so fixated on the title of 'pirate,' Ace? What special meaning does 'pirate' hold for you?"

Li Mingyuan sighed and asked, "To be honest, Ace, this is the only thing I really don't understand. You are clearly just an adventurer. From the beginning, you didn't need to bear the identity of a pirate. Couldn't you just enjoy going to sea?"

Even when he read the manga and watched the anime, he didn't understand why. Li Mingyuan always thought that people like Luffy and Ace were just adventurers, and not the same kind of people as so-called pirates.

To some extent, it is their act of forcibly calling themselves pirates and going to sea that makes many people think that there might be some kind of prohibition in the One Piece world view that anyone who goes to sea will become a pirate, and that adventurers like Ace and Luffy who call themselves pirates are actually doing so out of desperation.

However, the numerous counterexamples in the comics show that this is not the case.

Li Mingyuan was truly puzzled by this.

"Knowing it's impossible, yet still doing it anyway, that's what makes a pirate."

Ace straightened his body and said without hesitation, "A bounty hunter like you probably wouldn't understand, would you? But this is the way of survival I've chosen, and it's the same path chosen by countless men who go out to sea."

"I will find the One Piece and become a man who surpasses the Pirate King, Roger!!"

The resolute words echoed through the forest.

Ace did not display Conqueror's Haki, but his face revealed an even stronger aura than before.

"If anyone tries to block my path, I will plow them without hesitation. If the whole world stands in my way, I will never back down, even if it means becoming an enemy of the entire world. As a true pirate, what else do I need to prove my identity?"

"Whether I am hurt by others or hurt others, I am prepared for that."

For a moment, Li Mingyuan stared blankly at Ace, then suddenly seemed to realize something.

The great treasure, "One Piece"?

"If that's the case, then indeed, as long as we keep sailing with this goal in mind, one day we will still be wanted by the World Government and become pirates in the truest sense."

Li Mingyuan gave a wry smile and muttered to himself, "For someone like me who isn't interested, it is indeed a bit difficult to understand."

As he said this, Li Mingyuan showed a somewhat relieved expression.

He slightly raised his head, looking at the moonlight in the sky, seemingly lost in thought.

"Oh? What, are you not going to invite me anymore?"

Seeing this, Ace couldn't help but probe.

"After being told this much, there's no point in me inviting you again."

Li Mingyuan glanced at Ace and said calmly, "Or what should I say? Would you be happier if I kept pestering you?"

Upon hearing this, Ace scratched his cheek and gave an awkward smile.

"There's nothing I can do. You seem like the kind of person who's difficult to deal with. You won't give up until we get to this point, will you?"

"So, is the topic of whether or not to join your ship now considered over?"

Ace chuckled and said, "How about we go back and have dinner?"