Disclaimer:I don't own One Piece or any of the characters, actions, words that were bold in here.
As expected, a Den Den call came in from him, telling the rest to convene at the bedroom. It is probably to wring the information from this thing here. I had no issues with the rest of them meeting here although the last command had me struggling.
I wanted to shoot him, to end his life right now. As both a mercy act and a selfishness on my part. He had insulted so many of the things that I held dear. And it's not like I had many of those in the first place. On the other hand, the CP9 will probably manhandle him so much that he wished he were dead.
I got to admit though, that I admire him for coming up with such a plan. It had such a low chance of success but he found the courage to carry on with it and rebel against them. Even if it was just a small act.
Furthermore, his Foreman trusted him enough to carry out his instructions without any questions.
I got to give it to him though, he had very nice conviction for someone who was breathing heavily. Not that having a strong determination helps. Since all assassins were required to learn the mechanics of torturing someone to the brink of death. I had full confidence that the CP9 will be able to get the required information out from him.
I was amused when he started saying that he will kill me if I was going to go ahead and translate the Poneglyph for the Government. After all, the only instrument of murder laid a few metres away from his reach. I, also clearly, had the upper hand in this situation. So why would he still be so determined?
The desire of letting him know that the Poneglyph was not only destructive, made me revealed a small part of my goal. I hope that by having it viewed in a different light, his hatred would lessen.
And…then…maybe he could-
I interrupted my own thought process, not wanting to invest too much hope in such a situation. Informing him that I wasn't after the Poneglyph to revive the weapon seemed to placate him a bit. Getting comfortable with the conversation despite the situation, I continued.
"I just want to know our history." This off-hand remark was a big mistake though. He replied with so much ferocity that I was unsettled and let him rose a bit. Apparently, I had hit a sore spot.
Willing myself to look at those furious and accusing eyes, I nearly missed his next sentence. "There's no guarantee that something so dangerous won't be used for evil! "
His words ring true but nothing ventured, nothing gained. There's no way of knowing for sure that it will be used for evil. Nothing is set in stone. There's nothing in the world that is firmly rooted in Good or Evil. It only depends on how Man uses it.
And Man always abused the uses of such items…
Besides, if you weigh the probable bad consequences with the good useful knowledge waiting to be gained, I'm quite sure I made the right choice. Even, if the right choice does occasionally frustrate me. Not that I'm going to let him know about it.
The next sentence he spoke was one that was spoken to me countless times. I had already lost count of how many times people wanted me dead. The only difference this time round, was that he wanted me dead not because of some personal gain. Rather, it was because I was a danger to the world, the world that he loved dearly.
I simply had no idea how to reply to that. Yet one of the rare times that I was rendered speechless. What answer can I give to this selfless intent? It doesn't feel right not to answer such a conviction. However, even with all the knowledge that I had amassed, an answer failed to come to my mind.
All I could do was to stare at him, wondering when would this painful flow of words stop. I was actually hoping that the other members would arrive soon, that this mission would be over.
Then I wouldn't have to deal with the internal and silent rebukes, pangs of guilt, accusing looks, hurtful words and constant thinking.
I might, also finally, be able to put down this heavy burden and rest.
Partly confused at the many thoughts that my mind had, I opted to stay silent and chose to wait. I'm not too sure as to what I'm waiting for. Perhaps I'm waiting for the ceiling to suddenly collapse and snuff out my life, for an enemy to come by and kill me or for a heart attack to suddenly happen to this, healthy me.
Or, to be truthful, I was waiting for th-
Cutting off that train of thought before it goes off to somewhere that I liked, I returned my full attention to the seething guy in front of me.
Unfortunately, the previous period was the calm before the storm.
I can pretend that I understood the reason behind this outburst and I'm even willing to let it slide. Even with the fact that he insulted my dream and ideals. When he himself is in a no better position.
What I couldn't ignore and even try to comprehend was his next infuriating words.
"You're still pursuing that history, even after witnessing the fate of the Ohara demons?"
A jolt of surprise ran through me and I stopped processing after the mention of Ohara. How did he know about that town? Could it be he had visited the town before, if so did he visit the library before or could he was an inhabitant of the town before? Did he know of the Professors at that time? Did he know my mother? A thousand questions ran through my mind before my mind managed to connect the dots.
Instantly, my eyebrows furrowed and fury started to course through my veins as I realized the other reason that he might have heard of that town before.
Of course, everyone ate up the Government's explanation of the situation. The lies that, they had fabricated were flawless. Seeing that the only survivor would probably be jailed for slander, if she had told anyone the truth.
And obviously, if he were one of the masses of people who had read that article, he would call them by that label.
My ire kept rising as I recalled the faux article that the Government had released. The article that stained the hard work of all the researchers, no matter if it was past or present ones, related or not. These research papers don't just appear overnight, they were the cultivation of a large amount of sweat, blood and tears!
And a single measly news article destroyed it all.
Unable to keep a lid on my wrath any longer, I glowered at this thing in front of me. "What do you know about Ohara?" I practically shouted those words at him, wanting to do it ever since I had heard discussions carried out by people around me. No one, not a single person knew what went on in Ohara and they were happily defiling the name.
Who gave them the right to do that? To spin wilder stories of a town that they do not even know about? To declare in loud tones of the misdeeds of the town? Everything links back to the so-called 'World Government'. Who were portrayed as heroes saving the public from the 'demonic people of Ohara'.
In my fury, I tightened my grip on the gun's handle, trying to find a semblance of the cool calm that I was known for. For all that the gun shook, it was to no avail, my calm fled. Chased by all the bittersweet memories that the name brought.
As my anger fled, all that was left was weariness. Bone-deep weariness of the life I'm leading, of the struggle to survive and the painful memories and words from everyone.
My shoulders slouched and my head bowed as I became tired of putting on a mask. I gave up reining my feelings, gave up in trying to hide from the world what I truly felt. Opening my mouth to utter the words, I was instantly aware of the consequences.
"You have no idea how much I've suffered at the hands of the World Government!"
I felt like I had aged tremendously with the confession. While I had known that it was true, saying it out loud gave it more power, made it more real. The action made these words, an inescapable fact of my life.
For a few seconds, my heart soared as I thought he actually believed my words without any suspicion. Giving me the same free trust that Luffy had given me.
However, as his tone grew harsher, reality forced my heart to be grounded and reminded me that Luffy was one of a kind. It reminded me that the whole world out there is jaded, except for a boy with a straw hat.
Chiding myself silently as the track of my thoughts unavoidably led back to the Strawhats again, I raised my head and looked straight on into the accusing black irises of my prey-turned-interrogator.
I stated clearly and monotonously, "Because I still have a wish to fulfill, even if I lose everything." I chose to release my Devil Fruit powers to ease a part of my mind from maintaining my 'limbs'. After all, if Death chose to claim me now, I won't mind at all. My death is an overdue charge anyway.
I moved my hands to push myself off his body, feeling the need to pace around the room. My body was stringent from all the tension, hopes, wishes and feelings that I had. And walking around would help to burn some of it off.
Moving a slight distance away, I started my explanation of the true story behind my actions.
"If you do that, your life is over!" I sighed as he pointed out the obvious. It's not that I don't value my freedom but I rather give it up if I can prevent history from repeating itself. To stop running away from the Government was a very easy condition for a greater reward.
"Why would a woman on the run for twenty years agree to that?" I mentally shrugged at his words. Why not? A dog will ravage even the gentlest owner if it was backed into a corner, a human will turn to cannibalism if that was what it takes to survive, so why wouldn't a fugitive stop fleeing Justice?
"A Buster Call?" It was not surprising that you had never heard of this Government technique at all. After all, the Government wouldn't let you know that it can alter a town's existence at anytime. They don't like to be feared, they prefer admiration from the public.
It wasn't the force of the fleet that bothered me, rather it was the person who gave the authority was the one that ticked me off. Aokiji…. I supposed that my fate would forever be entangled with his, so even if we miraculously managed to avoid the Buster Call, we still will have him to deal with.
Therefore, no, I don't mind that I had to sacrifice my freedom to avoid un-needed bloodshed and future betrayal.
"I was able to stay on the run these past twenty years because I had nobody to protect. I betrayed others and used them as shields. " I finally revealed, my method for avoiding capture. It was a simple solution, one that even a child could think of. However, as jaded adults, they wouldn't believe it till someone actually confirmed for them. Besides, they were pirates themselves, betrayal and deceit is part and parcel of their life.
"But now, there's no way I can do that anymore." The Strawhats, I simply owed them too much to abandon them to a grisly fate.
"The life I threw away…" I will never forget the day that Luffy rescued me from my soon-to-be-sandy burial.
While he hoists me up, I was mildly surprised at his fast recovery, until I remembered that his power came from his need to help people. People regardless the fact that they were unrelated to him, enemies or just simply acquaintances. He rescued me too, this broken woman who seek death. It still amuses me, as I thought of his reply. He chose denial over acceptance of my refusal to be rescued.
"The happiness that I had forgotten…" Being at a Strawhats' celebratory party for the first time, I was surprised that they really enjoyed themselves. And shared the feelings with anyone. Not giving a care to what the future holds and just enjoyed in the now.
Looking at the sight, it warmed my heart. The cold heart, which had long ago stop searching for the good in this evil world, finally shook its frost away after a 20-yearlong blizzard.
"The dream that I had given up on…" I had thought that my trail had gone cold with the unveiling of Alablasta's Poneglyph.
A black hole of despair threatened to swallow me at that time. While I was contemplating suicide, even in the Strawhats' company, I never actually expected to wander back onto the trail. Shockingly, not only did I manage to find a Poneglyph in Skypiea, I also found words that led to the next clue. It made the dying embers of finding my dream flare up again.
Lost in my memories, I turned away, not wanting to show my tears. They were the ones who returned all those to me. The small crew gave it all back, only expecting my company in return. Sadly, I can't fulfill that small exchange. I can't even keep the unspoken promise to them…
His next question, "So, what's your wish?" made me feel like laughing bitterly. After all these, if he still suspects that I had a selfish wish, I must have had a very wicked public persona.
I stopped and wondered for a moment, what answer was he expecting?
Since I had tread on the path, I might as well see to the end of it. I bit my lip and clenched my teeth before turning around. Proclaiming confidently and almost accusingly, "To allow the other six Strawhats to leave the island unharmed!"
There, was this the answer that you least expected? Did it really not cross your mind that I might choose them over me?
Apparently, I did manage to blindside him with my wish. After a second of silence, he began to test my resolve. "That involves resurrecting the weapon. Don't you care about what will happen to the World?" I did profess my dislike for resurrecting it but that doesn't mean that I won't do it. Besides, the World had only treated me harshly. Everyone that behaved kindly to me was dead. That was the fate that awaits the Strawhats if I had gone against their conditions, if I chose them.
Making eye contact with him, I pronounced the words angrily and to the point. "I do not!" I don't give a damn to the World if the only reasons for my survival were swallowed by the darkness. The World itself never gave me a reason before, to view it in a neutral or good light.
Standing resolutely and firmly in my decision, I stared down at him, not breaking the eye contact. Daring him to shoot me, to do away with me.
To prove that my image of the World is correct…
Author's note: Firstly, I would like to offer my prayers and condolences to Japan and other countries who were affected by the recent natural disasters.
Secondly, sorry for the delayed chapter D: I was reluctant to break up this chapter (hence the increased amount of words.) Yet, it wasn't done to my satisfaction. Some parts flowed easier, while others had to be written over several days. I do hope that you will enjoy this chapter all the same. I'm not particularly happy with some parts but I couldn't find a better way to express it.
Next, I think I will be updating weekly from now on. As other obligations are starting to make itself known. Anyway, it will probably be about 2-3 more chapters before I bring this story to an end. I didn't intend to write Enies Lobby Arc in the first place. :/
Lastly, thank you Rea for reviewing again :) Your review really made me happy xD And thank you Ruby890 for fav-ing ^^ Thanks to you for reading my story :]
Ps: I'm currently reaching 8.5k words... Woots~