Heyhey:) Sorry I haven't posted in two weeks! I was on a trip! So I hope you like the third chapter:) I barely had the time to check for mistakes because I wanted to post the new chapter as fast as possible, so, sorry if there are any! Reviews are appreciated!:)
P.S. Not my best chapter, but I still think it'll be enjoyable!:)
Chapter 3
Ace was bored. Very, very bored. The fight with the Whitebeard's pirates had happened seven days ago, and the Rear-Admiral really wished for another round or at least something to keep him occupied. He was sitting at his desk, doing some paperwork, when someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"Rear-Admiral, we will be arriving at the island in a few minutes."
"Finally!"
Ace got up his chair and rapidly went to the front of the ship, ignoring all the officers trying to talk to him. He closed his eyes while enjoying the ocean breeze coming in and out of his lungs and the wonderful smell of the sea. Ace silently wished he could feel this free every single second of his life.
"Rear-Admiral! We are starting the landing* procedure for Well's island. As I'm sure you already know by reading the report, this island has had a lot of visits from pirates in the last few months. There were no injuries or casualties caused by the criminals, but we still have orders to reassure the civilians that we, the Marine, will do our best to lessen these "visits" from those pirate scum."
"Huh?", Ace gracefully replied.
"…"
The officer, Jeff something, stared at his superior with hidden annoyance.
"Did you understand what I just told you, sir", the poor officer said.
"Well yeah, but I don't see why the people need reassuring. You said that the pirates didn't harm anybody, right? Then what's the problem?"
"Well, sir, the people are still scared of the pirates. It's not because nothing bad has happened yet that nothing bad ever will."
"I guess", the logia user grunted.
The officer left the Rear-Admiral alone and went back to his post. Ace still wasn't convinced that he had to waste his time on such an unimportant mission, but he knew that he still had to do it. Stupid Grandpa. The ship officially accosted, and the men gathered around Ace, waiting to receive their orders.
Ace sighed and started telling each group of marines where to start their "reassuring mission". After having dispatched all the officers, the brown-haired boy started making his way to the village. While walking towards his destination, the Rear-Admiral heard voices coming from the forest next to him.
Must be a group of fishers or something.
The marine was about to continue on the main path when he distinctly heard one of the men say, "Those marines sure put up a fight hahaha!". Ace quickly took a step back and tried focusing on their conversations, but he could hardly make out any words unless the men were shouting.
Should I call for backup and wait until they arrive to get closer? Although we'll be less discreet if we're moving in a large group. Ok, I'll do some recon to check if they're really pirates and then I'll call for backup if it turns out they are. Yep, good plan.
Ace slowly made his way towards the voices as steadily as he could, silently pushing back the palm leaves and bushes in his way.
"Hey! Where's the beer!"
"You drank it all, idiot!"
"What'd 'you say to me, shit head!"
Ace raised an eyebrow in confusion and sighed at the display of stupidity in front of him. He got close enough to hear the group of men, but he still couldn't see them.
They're definitely pirates, but I can't make out who they are. If I could just get a glimpse. I guess I should go higher if I want to get a good enough view without being too close to them.
The Rear-Admiral stopped in front of a palm tree and started climbing it. After a few seconds, Ace was already at the top trying to identify the pirates in front of him. One of the men, wearing a chef outfit, came out the boat with a giant piece of meat, making the rest of the crew shout in anticipation.
Wait… That dude with the weird hairdo and the chef outfit… Fuck. Fucking. Whitebeard. Pirates. Now would be a good time to call backup, Ace!
"Who are you calling, yoi?"
"Hmh? Backup. These are the Whitebeard pirates", Ace answered automatically.
Wait what?
Only realizing now that there was someone behind him, the fire user instantly turned his head.
"Hey hotshot", Marco grinned.
"WHAT THE FUCK?! MARCO THE PHOENIX?!"
"Just Marco is fine, yoi", Whitebeard's first commander replied in amusement.
Ace, having gotten over the shock of finding the wanted criminal right behind him, jumped off the tree, only to land in the middle of Whitebeard's crew. The Rear-Admiral widened his eyes in shock and started laughing awkwardly.
"Heeeyyyyy, what's up guys?", Ace squealed.
"What are you doing here, marine?", one of the men demanded.
"Marine? Where? I don't see any marine."
"…"
"Oohhh, you mean me! Cause of my uniform, right? Yeah, no, that's just a disguise, guys", Ace babbled.
"And why are you disguised as a marine again?", Marco giggled.
"Well um for fun? No, wait! For my sister's birthday! Yeah like she really really loves pirates, and um she wanted me to play the bad marine", the Rear-Admiral sputtered.
"What should we do with this clown, commander?", another man asked.
"Hmmm, I don't know", Marco smiled evilly. "We could give him a good beating for trying to spy on us and for last time."
Huh. So that's how I die. Beaten up by a bunch of pirates. Hell no!
"Or", the first commander grinned, "we can play a game."
Ace gulped.
"So, a beating it is, yeah?", the fire user tried.
Marco smiled wickedly and came closer to Ace.
"Let's try the game, shall we?"
Fuck.