You know, I'm oddly disturbed with the fact that I didn't seem too unfazed with the fact that Robin just strangled a man to death within our vicinity. By the way, I still can't get over the fact that Nico Robin has stayed this long with us—not that I'm complaining or anything. This woman deserves a safe place where people care for her. It's gotten to the point where she just broke down because everyone was telling her that they wouldn't let the Marines take her away without a fight and so on.
While I might seem like my usual, happy-go-lucky self, on the inside, my feels were all over the place. My heart felt like it was being torn to pieces, and I honestly felt scared with the fact that I now lived in a world where anyone's life, such as Robin's, could easily get fucked over by the World Government. This is seriously some dystopian bullshit they're pulling. Though, the question is…which dystopian novel can I apply the most to this situation?
Well, books almost got burned (I'm getting huge Library of Alexandria vibes from the Tree of Knowledge), so I'm guessing Fahrenheit 451 is definitely a good place to start, but I'm not too familiar with it as I am with Nineteen Eighty-Four (Big Brother is watching you…) and Brave New World (where do I even begin with this one—soma?)… Speaking of Nineteen Eighty-Four, I already know, based on how things went with Robin and what really happened on Ohara, that censorship is definitely a thing. I mean, I saw through the lies they were trying to pass off in that newspaper article of Fisher Tiger.
Indentured servants my ass—they are totally depriving people of information.
By the way, English seems to be the official written language of this world, while Japanese is the spoken language. It's rather strange, but I'm not complaining since I'll be doing well in one area that would benefit me in the long run. Meanwhile with the Japanese language, I can barely read and write…I just recently got a hang of actually talking in sentences—and that was only because Robin was here. Robin is the best teacher to ever exist. I'm so grateful to her and she's just a gem over all that I'm going to bite anyone that makes her cry…in sorrow. Right now, those are tears of joy she's crying.
And I will protect that joy she is experiencing…as soon as I am capable of defending myself without the need of someone else to protect me (because I am not fit to defend myself just yet in my current form). That's going to take a while—especially with how small I am. I have no idea how tall I actually am in inches or centimeters (whatever the frick this world's system of measurement is), but everyone and I mean everyone is taller than me. Sure, I'm only three, but the height gap is freaking jarring and then there's Robin who seems to be getting taller with each passing day.
Hell, everyone in the world of One Piece seems to be hella tall—I guess there's a chance for me to actually be tall for once (which means I won't be mistaken for a twelve-year-old for once, huzzah!). At the same time, there's also a chance I'm gonna be extremely busty and I'm not comfortable with that thought.
Nope, nope, nope, nope!
Weirdly enough, the proportions of women in this world aren't exactly as weird as they appeared on paper (and by weird, I mean exaggerated hourglass figures). It seems almost natural—probably because their waists aren't as small as they appeared in the series, which is still strange because I'm not used to seeing well-proportioned women from this once-fictional world.
…
I'm still not too proud of my short attention span (but I'd be lying if I said I didn't like what I was seeing—like damn).
…
…
One thing that changed after Robin's breakdown is that she started smiling a bit more often. Another thing that also changed was, for the time being, Dad wasn't allowing Robin and I to leave the inside of the ship for reasons that I couldn't even begin to ask. Something about coursing through dangerous territory—I don't know. Everyone was being rather vague in an attempt to keep Robin calm (she's done enough worrying).
Whatever was going on, it was how Dad and the others had lost the Marines after chasing them off the ship. We weren't told anything until like almost a week later, when we were finally let outside and holy crap, the sun is a bright, glowing orb that makes me want to hate it! Geez, I forgot how bright it can actually get after staying inside for so long!
"Welcome to the North Blue!" is what Dad first tells us upon coming out and—wait, what?
Are you…are you messing with me? We were in the West Blue about a week ago, how the fuck did we get to the North Blue and—oh…oh shit… Holy shit, how did we make it through the Calm Belt without dying?! Well, at least that explains how we shook off those Marines, ahaha…
Well, this is more surprising than finding the Marine that Robin strangled to death two days after the incident. All I can say, is that it was probably the most surprising thing ever to find a corpse falling out of the broom closet, when all you wanted to get is a broom to clean up the mess you made by dropping a plate. It is also quite possibly the most hilarious thing ever because it was like something out of a black comedy skit.
…
Yes, I am disturbed that I took in that shock in stride, but not too much, because I mean, c'mon, it's the dead body of a Marine that tried to shoot Robin and me. Plus, when Dad found out about the scenario (which he did quickly because everyone heard me scream), he went on and on about how Buggy did the same damn thing when he first killed someone. I have never been so interested to hear about a man's first kill—especially since it was Buggy's first kill.
It certainly got Robin feeling better, since she was still hung up about killing a person in front of me and the fact that it was I who had found the body she had forgotten about. Of course, this isn't the first time I've seen a dead body, so the shock wasn't as huge and considering the new piece of information I've gained about Buggy…it's not so bad.
So yeah, the North Blue…this is our new location on the map, and I have no idea how to feel about it. Hell, I had no idea how to feel about being in the West Blue for the past three years, but hey, I got to meet Nico Robin and managed to find her a place with the Red Hair Pirates, so it isn't that bad.
I mean, I'm actually learning shit with her around and that is just…it's a great feeling, being able to do something you weren't able to previously, because of lacking knowledge. Though, I do have a growing concern in regards to how this is going to affect the future. I try not to think too much about it, because otherwise I'm going to fret about whether or not I'm going to be the reason that the Red Hair Pirates will never get to the East Blue and reach Dawn Island, docking at Foosha Village, where Luffy lives.
I did the math, which took a while since Yasopp never does seem to talk about Usopp around me, and that's probably because I am a girl and not a boy like Luffy…or because Yasopp thinks I'll feel jealous, which isn't far from the truth since I do seem to get worked up about the most random of things. Like books…and origami—have you seen these complicated folds?! I will slap a bitch who thinks my work is subpar!
Anyways, I did the math, using Robin's current age as a basis and found out that Luffy is five-years-old right now. While he was seven-years-old at the start of the manga, the Red Hair Pirates docked at Foosha a year before, making Luffy six at the time. Luffy (and Usopp, to that extent) is like two years older than I am, so in order for the meet up to match up, there is like less than a year for the Red Hair Pirates to get to the East Blue in order for that life-changing meet-up to occur.
I think too much and I really wished I didn't know so much to be this concerned… So I'm just going to not think about this for a good amount of time because I'd rather not stress over such things at my current, physical age. Like, nope—did enough of that during college.
…
So I'm going through my head for any information I know of in regards to the North Blue, and the first thing that pops up in mind is Montblanc Noland, which, through that extension, brings up Sanji, Bellamy, and other characters who were born in the North Blue. I made a face when I recalled Flevance and the tragedy that befell it. Seriously, this just reminds me even more of how much the World Government is shit—wait, a second.
My brain just thought of something…we're in the North Blue. Aren't like…Donquixote Doflamingo and his pirate crew currently terrorizing the North Blue?
…
…
Shit.
Well, this is freaking lovely! My heart's starting to pound so hard within my chest and I'm already feeling feelings that a three-year-old probably shouldn't—that being anxiety and immense fear. Just knowing what the Donquixote Pirates are capable of made me turn to Robin, who was smiling. She seemed so happy, just looking out at our current surroundings. After all, this was the first time in sixteen years that she has ever been outside of the West Blue.
I'm scared…because what if the Donquixote Pirates come after Robin for her bounty? What if they come after Shanks's bounty as well?! They're going to ruin our lives if they ever catch us!
Considering what happened about a week ago, there is a huge chance that our bounties went up because of our affiliation with Nico Robin, and, through that extension, because the Red Hair Pirates attacked the Marines in defiance when demands were made to give up Robin. Hell, I have a sinking feeling we've become rather infamous because of that.
Oh man, this kinda sucks.
Swallowing hard, I did the first thing that popped up in my head and latched onto Robin's leg. My body was trembling at this point and I could feel the tears pricking my eyes. I didn't want to cry, but…
I'm scared…
"What's wrong, Mako?" Robin asks as she picks me up, holding me close to her chest.
"Scared…" This isn't fair…this isn't fucking fair!
Out of the frying pan and into the fire…that's what happened.
"I wouldn't blame you." Robin smiled wistfully as she started to stroke my hair. "I was scared too…"
No, you don't understand…
It's more than that. I don't think I'll ever be able to tell anyone. And that's just so frustrating, but I don't know what to do. I don't even know if I can do anything. And just knowing that…made me cry.
I'm scared for all of us.
…
…
After my little breakdown, everyone seemed to be a bit more careful around me, as so not to set me off. I try to ignore my current concern by immersing myself in origami. It seemed to be working, so far…but I'm still worried. I don't want to lose everything that I have right now, but I doubt I'll even be able to do anything about it…
Then Dad walked up to me as I was working on what was the fortieth origami rose I had folded (when I am on a roll, I am on a roll) and knelt down to my level. I looked up from my work as Dad smiled at me.
"You okay, Mako?" he asked me.
I stared at the redhead for a good minute before going back to my work. "I guess…"
"What's wrong?" Dammit, Dad wants an actual answer.
I puffed up my cheeks as I finished folding the origami rose I was working on. I took a minute to think very carefully about what I was going to say next before actually saying it. "I'm scared Robin will get taken away."
…
"Is that it?" Dad sounded relieved before he placed his hand on top of my head. "Look, Papa will make sure that they don't take Robin away…okay?"
I sniffed before nodding my head. Almost immediately after that, Dad picked me up in an embrace and I ended up crying again for the second time. I don't know about you, but just hearing Dad like this—it's reassuring. It reminds me just what type of person he is…and that I shouldn't underestimate him.
After all, my father was Red-Haired Shanks.
…
…
It took us three months to reach a destination point—three months, and that was only because we were playing it safe by making the world think we were dead. I mean, the most recent News Coo brought us a newspaper talking about the incident, putting out a "what if" scenario in the case the Red Hair Pirates did in fact make it through the Calm Belt (they think we're dead, ahahaha). That scenario is basically our bounties going up, so hey, guess who's now worth ten-thousand beri?
I might as well try to be optimistic about something since I still have to deal with the fact that the Red Hair Pirates are pretty screwed (to an extent) if the Donquixote Pirates ever find us. Like, I doubt we'll get out of that encounter without some casualties, at the least. I don't want anyone on this ship dying.
I especially don't want to die, either—once was enough! I deserve a long life this time around, with a death that is more dignified than dying in a restroom! I will never let that go…
Anyways, as it's been three months (a bit more than that in total, but who's keeping track?) since we've last docked, the very first thing I did was get off the ship in order to stretch my legs. I had my cloak on, ready to keep myself from getting recognized.
Freedom!
Oh man, I am totally gonna explore the shit out of this town…as soon as I can either convince Dad or Robin to take me. I wonder if they have a library…
…
Well, there was a library and I did get to read some books, but…I'm currently disgusted with this children's picture book called, Liar Noland. Like, this is bullshit. I know what really went on—hell, I even cried when I found out. And seeing this fabrication that was passed off as a children's book…I'm done.
"Is something wrong, Mako?" Robin seemed to have noticed my annoyance with the book I was reading. "Did you not like the ending?"
Riiippp!
"I hate it," I said as I started to rip out the pages of this piece of trash.
"M-Mako!" Shanks did not like what I was doing. "That's not your book!"
I know very well that this isn't my book, but I am just so mad right now, that it's taking every fiber of my being to not cry. This book is a freaking punch to the stomach to those who know the truth…
"People lie…" For various reasons, as they are unable to admit the truth. Reasons can stem from selflessness…or selfishness, such as a king who acted to rashly because of greed. "And sometimes, lies can hurt people…like you, Robin."
This caught Robin off-guard, as she realized that I was talking about how the World Government put up so many lies in regards to the people of Ohara and, through that extension, her. It was because of their lies that she could never have a chance at a normal life.
"What if Noland was telling the truth?" I hate knowing information and not knowing a way to tell it without proof. If there was one thing I've learned writing papers for college, it's that I need references to support my claims. I have cited too much shit and stayed up late too many times to ignore all of that. "What if he was like you, Robin?"
I should not be saying stuff like this…like at all. I'm only physically three, and yet, here's all that education, from my past life and now, actually showing that I've learned. I might act like an idiot…but that doesn't mean I am one.
"I want to find the truth," I said as I ripped another page out of the book. "The actual truth…no more lies."
No more lies…
…
"Well, would you mind if I helped you?" I blinked when Robin suddenly asked me that question. "I'm also interested in finding out the truth."
I stared at Robin for a few seconds before nodding my head and smiling, which is something I shouldn't do when I have to keep my appearance under wraps. "Okay."
Dad looked rather confused with what was going on, but he seemed relieved that I was no longer tearing out pages from the book. The first thing he did was snatch out the book from my hands and quickly placed the pages I had ripped out back as discreetly as possible. He then put the book back on the shelf and told us to, and I quote, "Book it."
My soul hurt from hearing that pun, but I couldn't help but laugh as Robin and I followed Dad out of the library. We are totally not going to come back to this town's library after what I've done, ahaha. I wish I had pen to at least write "LIES" all over each and every page…of course, ripping out the pages was good enough, for now…
…
…
We were only supposed to stay docked at this town for a couple of days, but we ended up staying a week and that was because some of the crew was gathering information on this town. It didn't really occur to me as to why any of the Red Hair Pirates would want to learn about a town we weren't going to return to—especially since we had to make sure we didn't linger too long in a location, what with us being so infamous now, for protecting Nico Robin.
On the day we were supposed to leave town, I found out why they were gathering information on this town when Dad took me to this town's hospital. It was huge and oh gosh, it looked so damn fancy and sophisticated. The architecture was just—and the courtyard was just so…someone did a mighty fine job on this area, because I am absolutely speechless.
"I think it's time we got you check out, don't you think?" Dad asked me as I continued to stare in awe at the size of the building.
It took me a couple of seconds to process what Dad had just finished asking me. And it was at that moment that I realized that I went three years without ever seeing a doctor. How the hell am I still alive?
…
Herd immunity, I guess—holy shit, if that is the case, then I am fucking lucky! Geez, that's honestly scary…
…
…
For such a huge hospital, it sure is taking a while for Dad and I to get called up…of course, we are walk-ins who aren't from this town. They have a specific waiting room for that, by the way, which is actually cool since we don't have to put up with that false sense of hope that the person getting called next is you, when it's really the person across the room. It also helps that it is rather early in the morning, so it's going to take a while…
In the meantime, I am totally acting like my physical age, just messing with these building blocks. Though, I usually prefer those wooden bead and wire maze rollercoasters I usually find in the waiting rooms of certain locations. I will immerse myself in them for like a good ten to twenty minutes.
…
They're colorful and pique my interest—that's all I really need to say and yes, I am aware I get easily distracted, but I am bored. That is why I am trying my best to do something with these building blocks that are around. And then I am totally going to demolish what I've worked on for the hell of it!
I am so destructive, ahahaha~!
"Mako, you're smiling." Oops…thanks, Dad!
You know, thinking of it now, I'm probably gonna give the doctor a nasty shock once the cloak comes off…well, let's not think too much about that. Let's just focus on these building blocks (I'm making a pyramid!) and—
BAM!
I jolted when I heard the loud noise that came from the person who had just finished kicking the door open. It was so sudden—my heart was racing. Oh god, I can feel my pulse…and it looks like it isn't just Dad and I anymore. Yay for more people—not. As much as I wanted to look up, I'd rather not, because then I might make eye contact and that's hella awkward.
I am not a social person around strangers.
"I said I don't want to go to the hospital!" Well, it looks like whoever is with the person who just kicked open the door was a kid. Don't know how old—don't care to find out, either.
I'm just going to stay focused on what I'm doing right now. I want this to be the biggest three-dimensional pyramid I have ever built!
"Too late, we're here." And I believe that to be the adult with the child…lovely. Let's hope this doesn't make this once quiet room all loud, because I'm honestly not in the mood for loud noises right now—I need to focus, dang it! "If you're going to keep acting like a child, then why don't you play with this kid?"
Before I could even process what was going on, a child—a boy, to be precise—was literally dropped on top of my pyramid made of wooden blocks. I made a face as I watched every little block I had tried my best to angle right as I made this pyramid tumble down under the weight of the child that had been dropped on top of it. Well, one thing's for sure, this kid is older than I am—by how much, I don't know, but I'm just annoyed and I wanna touch his hat.
…
It looks so soft and furry—shut up!
"Sorry about that." Well, at least the man apologize for dropping his kid—fuck it, I'm gonna be a little shit.
I pushed a bunch of blocks in the guy's way as he started walking, hoping to see if he can feel them through his shoes when he stepped on them. I hope they feel like Legos!
THUD!
I…honestly wasn't expecting him to trip (how can someone be so damn clumsy?!) and holy shit—that was way too fucking close! The guy landed right next to my side when he tripped—or at least, his legs did and damn, he's tall. It was like watching a tree fall. Ahaha, that's a funny image…
"Mako!" Oops, busted by Dad! "Are you okay?!"
I stared blankly at Dad as he helped the rather clumsy man I just finished tripping. I blinked when I saw a dark purple feather suddenly float in front of my face. My mind was screaming at me to catch it, but I did the next best thing and swatted it away, suppressing a smile when I saw it twirl around in the air. I wonder where that feather came from—oh, I see. It came from the feather coat the man was wearing. How weird…it made him look like a fluffy tree…
Ahaha, he's like a Truffula Tree!
"Sorry about that—Mako's a bit of a troublemaker." I'm right here, Dad…I can hear you loud and clear—wait a second…
We're in the North Blue…in a hospital…with a really tall, clumsy guy wearing a feather coat, who brought a kid with him that's wearing a fur hat and has white splotches on his otherwise pale skin.
…
…
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!
I quickly turned to the boy who had been dropped on top of my pyramid and soon found myself staring into a pair of yellow eyes. I blinked once…then twice…and then a third, for a good measure.
"Stop staring at me!" the boy suddenly snapped.
Oh fuck me sideways, how the hell did we come across Donquixote "Corazon" Rosinante and Trafalgar D. Water Law?!
…
Well, at least it ain't Donquixote Doflamingo, ahahaha—oh god, someone, help me!
…
…
…
A/N So all of that just happened—whatchu gonna do about it? Ahahahaha…
And really, if anyone needs to know how the Red Hair Pirates got across a Calm Belt, just recall that this is Shanks we're talking about—owner of Haoshoku Haki. He used it to scare off a Sea King in the very first chapter—I think he's very capable of defending his own crew against them in a Calm Belt.
And if anyone is wondering why they went through a Calm Belt, it was to shake off the Marines, because they were after Robin and considering that the world thinks they're currently dead at the moment…all is going according to plan—except Mako is aware of the Donquixote Pirates currently reigning terror against this quadrant. Considering what Doflamingo is capable of and the cliffhanger Mako read before she died…you can totally understand why she is horrified. She is both lucky and unlucky.
Also, more world building at the side, and yes, Mako has shown quite a lot of attention to the female figure, but she'll do that to anyone that falls into what she considers aesthetically attractive—by the by, in case you haven't figured it out, Mako is asexual. She does not experience sexual attraction, but she does experience romantic attraction and while she is asexual, she is not blind… So do expect her to get distracted by people and their appearances. Think somewhere along the lines of, "Stupid, sexy Flanders"…there you go!
Or in the case of Law, "I want to touch your hat!" and stuff like that.
So yeah, did you guys know that Corazon and Shanks were born in the same year? I did some checking on the World Timeline on the One Piece wiki and came across that tidbit of information. I am also aware that Mako and Chopper are the same age—except Mako is older by like half a year (six months—she's a June baby).
Since we're on the subject of timelines, it's getting really close to the time Shanks is supposed to meet up with Luffy in Foosha and you can totally see why Mako is feeling uncomfortable. Oh, and the reason why there's a sudden interest in getting Mako to a hospital is because she hasn't been vaccinated or checked out and one of the things I've noticed about One Piece is the importance of doctors, so I can't exactly ignore that. Of course, an issue that's probably popped up is the fact that Mako is half-fishman, and well…let's see how that plays out in the next chapter.
Oh, and by the way, I posted up another SI OC fic for Naruto because I finally caught up with the series. About fucking time, I say! If you wanna check the story out, then by all means, do. I just can't believe it took me this long to catch up to Naruto—I'm so happy, you don't even know! DX Also, I wasn't lying about the multi-tasking of stories. ^^
Let's move onto the shout-outs and shout-out goes to nic611 for being reviewer #30! Honorable mentions go to Sceonn, Reaganbrie (that's a mighty cool name!), and avaiaal! Oh, and before I forget, there was an anonymous reviewer who wanted to know what type of mergirl Mako is and before I can even answer that, let me just clear things up… Mako is half-fishman, not mermaid, fishman and there is a huuuge difference, as Fishman Island has shown. And while I'm not going to judge, it was revealed in the second chapter that Mako's father is a mako shark fishman, which is something that carried over to her—hell, it's where her name came from, Mako. I hope that clears things up and thanks to everyone who took the time to review! ^^
Well, this A/N is getting too long for my tastes, so I'm going to end it here. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter, because I sure did! Until next time, everyone! KD out! XD