To be my nakama, Ace has to approve it first, and it means being respected and in charge of protecting the other crewmates. It's not to be taken lightly. Once I would have said it means understanding Pops is Pops, but that's not -- [Chokes up a little given he just watched his Dad's corpse sink beneath the water.]
I-in this case, I have [Rubs the back of his neck thinking of how to explain.] other categories? Family of nakama I protect the same as my brothers... in some cases more. [Distant look again and a small frown. He saved Luffy but not Ace. And even knowing Ace wouldn't have had it any other way, it's not something he can take lightly.] It's a form of adoption for us. But being nakama, or even family of nakama, means a lot less forgiveness for betrayals, and a lot more expectation of one's ability to hold their own and help out when necessary. Luffy protected my Pops' back and I protected his. It's like that. Not a normal friendship.
[voice]
I-in this case, I have [Rubs the back of his neck thinking of how to explain.] other categories? Family of nakama I protect the same as my brothers... in some cases more. [Distant look again and a small frown. He saved Luffy but not Ace. And even knowing Ace wouldn't have had it any other way, it's not something he can take lightly.] It's a form of adoption for us. But being nakama, or even family of nakama, means a lot less forgiveness for betrayals, and a lot more expectation of one's ability to hold their own and help out when necessary. Luffy protected my Pops' back and I protected his. It's like that. Not a normal friendship.