Disclaimer: I do not own the Anime/Manga One Piece or any of its characters. All OCs though are mine.

The Pirate, Ghost

By: Ani-Mimi

Prologue

As the inhabitants of Water 7 and the Marines watched the Thousand Sunny fly out of sight carrying the Straw Hat Pirates along with her, Kokoro and Iceberg stood together deep in contemplation, letting the horizon guide their thoughts into the possible future for those who had just left.

"Where are they headed?" Iceberg asked.

"Towards the Florian Triangle, Mermaid Island and the Archipelago."

"That's a hard and dangerous path, but if anyone could do it, they can."

Kokoro nodded, "Aye, and at the very least they'll be able to rest there; at her place, under her protection."

"'Her' Granny?" Chiminy asked looking up, awe painted across her face.

"That's right, 'Her', the Pirate Ghost," Kokoro answered before taking a swig of sake and laughing knowingly.

(Sometime later… Elsewhere in Grand Line…)

The sky split as two beings of immense strength and power clashed. It wasn't the first time, nor would it be the last, but this particular argument had been going on for days with no apparent end in sight. What was the argument you ask? The argument completely centered on a particular set of orders that had been given to one of the individual's subordinates. However, before they could come to blows once more, a harsh wind blew, its intensity nearly matching that which split the sky not moments before, and swept among those standing on the decks of the two ships before settling just behind the red haired pirate in the form of a young woman.

"Captain, cease this fighting, it is pointless and completely unnecessary now."

Her sudden arrival and manor of address, in which she seemed to completely ignore the elder of the two before her, bothered many belonging to the Pirate Whitebeard's crew, putting them instantly on the defensive, while her words commanded the attention of Whitebeard himself and the one she had identified as her Captain.

"Explain," Shanks said, lowering his sword and turning to face her.

"No less than 48 hours ago, one pirate, Portugas D. "Fire Fist" Ace, was handed over to the World Government Head Quarters by individuals belonging to the pirate Blackbeard's crew. His delivery was payment for Blackbeard's promotion into the Shichibukai as Crocodile's replacement."

All those within hearing distance, all those who called Ace "Comrade" and "Friend", were struck with horror and surprise at the mere thought of such a thing happening to him. Though, if it were true, would give them one more reason to dislike and wish for the death of Marshall D. Teach. Shanks himself shook in anger for a moment, before withdrawing into silent contemplation.

"How hard would it be for you to get into there?" Shanks asked the woman, looking up from his thoughts.

"I'm not sure Captain. Impel Downs is the most heavily guarded stronghold in the world and I have yet to attempt anything with that level of security, but I can certainly try," she answered, frowning in frustration while her mind had already begun planning.

"Then do what you can. Find out everything regarding the situation and report to me regularly."

"Yes Sir."

The immediate members of Whitebeard's crew watched the entire exchange with growing anger and annoyance. Those two were completely ignoring their Captain and the fact that Ace was a part of their crew, not the Red-Haired Pirates. Finally one of them had had enough…

"Hey! Just who do you think you are? You come here as if you belong; ignore our Captain; speak in his presence as an equal; and finally bring us lies regarding our Commander! Give you superiors the respect they deserve and bring us proof about what you speak. If you can't then scram or face the consequences!" yelled one of the younger and more hotheaded of Whitebeard's crew.

Throughout his tirade, the woman had listened with only half an ear, instead she focused the majority of her attention on Whitebeard, who had locked eyes with her as soon as the guy had started. When he had finished, and since she had not received whatever possible response she had been waiting for from the Yonkou Captain, she began to stalk towards the man, as a predator stalks their prey.

With every step she took, bringing her ever closer the pirate that was now beginning to regret his decision to confront the woman, a wind picked up and surrounded her, ever increasing in its intensity; such that those standing nearby could feel the power and strength contained in that wind. Granted it wasn't anywhere near the level of the two Captains present, but it was enough to cause those who had fainted earlier, due to Shanks' Spiritual Presence, to suffer from serious migraines, a fact that brought looks of surprise to a select few of those present.

As she moved to take the last step that would bring her face to face with the pirate that had dared to question her, and that was now shaking in his boots in fear…

"GHOST!"

And she was instantly back where she had started, looking for the world like she had never even moved.

"Sorry Captain."

Shanks nodded, accepting her apology, before shooting the woman, now identified as Ghost, a name that had caused a surprised stir of recognition among the more uninformed pirates present, a look that clearly said 'Get going'. At which point she disappeared entirely, as quickly and as silently as she had appeared.

Both Whitebeard and Shanks watched a seemingly innocent breeze blow overhead before disappearing to the four winds. They stood facing off into the horizon for a moment in silence, and then Whitebeard turned and addressed the other…

"She's strong Brat, there's no doubt about that, but Ace was no pushover either. Are you sure she won't let her anger get the best of her and attempt to take him on by herself?"

"I'm sure; she's too smart to make a mistake such as that. Ghost would leave Blackbeard alone, I can't say the same for his crew though," Shanks answered with a knowing smile.

Whitebeard accepted his answer with a nod before speaking again, "As much as I hate to acknowledge it," he sighed, "I think she is stronger than either of us gives her credit for."

Shanks shrugged, "Whatever you say Old Man."