Random Headcanons
This time about Ace and his narcolepsy.
I’m no expert and while there’s probably a proper name for his sleep attacks , I’ve always called them drops in my head .
I’ve noticed that his narcolepsy never acts up during fights or dangerous/ serious situations.
In albasta he drops before smoker shows up. As for buggy … well comparative wise buggy isn’t much of threat to ace power wise.
So My headcanon is that Ace’s narcolepsy only acts up when he’s safe and is a very accurate indicator for when things are safe.
Why? Ace grew up exploring what’s probably one the most dangerous Forrest’s in the east blue( like the gaint animals are what you normally see in the grandline) and fighting adults in place like grey terminal. So maybe his bodies survival instincts developed as an unconscious self-defense mechanism that wards off his narcolepsy until it’s deemed safe. Even when he’s eating he stays awake and alert.—- because eating can induces a narcoleptic attack/ drop ,( yes I did do some research and it’s when he’s eating that we see Ace actually drops in the anime)
As to How the body knows when it’s safe or not , probably an unconscious use of observation haki. Again ace is basically a feral jungle child I wouldn’t be surprised if he unlocked a little bit of haki while in survival mode. If unlocked conquers haki at ten it might not be far of stretch he unconsciously unlocked and used observation haki.
It doesn’t take long for he’s brothers , specifically Sabo, to notice. He starts using it to gauge situations or whether they’re in the clear or not. Like after hunting a tiger or stealing from a bunch of thugs.
Sabo calls it the drop gauge.
The drop gauge is effective enough that his brothers (and later his crew) trust it implicitly.
Seriously they could be captured or and held at gun point by someone like a yanko ,warlord, or admiral but if Ace drops they instantly relax.
because if it’s safe enough that Ace dropped it probably means that whatever the situation is isn’t dangerous so there’s not a lot a lot to worry about.(and usually means that they can get out of the situation easily).
( whether or not ace aware that he’s used as a gauge is up to interpretation)
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Bonus Scene: The spades also use the drop gauge especially for after a big fight or a rough storm, everyone keeps their guard up until Ace drops , meaning they’re in the clear , then they can relax.
Spade pirates just finished raiding a marine base or rival pirate crew.
Despite being over an hour since they’ve seen any enemies and probably a safe distance away The whole crew are on alert. Weapons ready and everyone is in position to defend or to get the ship ready to make a quick getaway.
Deuce who’s going over a map with A newer member of the crew.
Deuce: We can head towards this island here if they catch up us.
New crew members: um deuce do we really need to make another escape route? think we can relax now.
Deuce glancing at their captain ,who was talking with skull: no not yet.
Newer crew member: But it’s been an hour already and we haven’t seen anything. I think we’re pretty safe now.
Deuce, knowing that the other more senior members were keeping subtle eye on their captain turns back to the map in his hands:Not until the captain shows us it’s safe. Until then stay vigilant and be ready for anything.
And few minutes later is when the captain ‘shows’ it’s safe.
Ace drops mid conversation, skull catching him before he face plants on the deck.
None of the crew panic when their captain suddenly slumps over ,They’re all to used to the logia suddenly dropping out of nowhere, that they’d normally continue with what they were doing like nothing happened. Unless it it was after a battle.
Anytime Ace drops after a fight he’s always properly checked over.(there have been false drops before like when ace lost to much blood or that one time he got poisoned).
Deuce a little concerned ( because his captains an idiot who doesn’t tell him when he’s injured until he passes out from his wounds) :Well?
Skull looks up after evaluating the logia , who’s already starting to snore, giving the first mate a thumps up.
Deuce smiles and turns back to the rest of the crew. They were all waiting, had been the moment bone and ace stopped talking. they all look in direction waiting for the verdict.
Deuce:Alright captain dropped we’re all clear!
There’s a cheer as the crew finally relaxes.some even start making they’re way to retrieve the booze they managed to steal along with lots treasure.
Ace wakes up: Why is everyone Cheering?
If i got something wrong about narcolepsy and how it works please let me know.
