8.) Hope of Morning

Jimbei grunted as he looked across the group of prisoners from Ivankov's underground kingdom and a few other prisoners who didn't look like they'd been in the prison for long.

They were in a sealed off room next to the Warden's quarters where Luffy and Ace still slept under the dome. Apparently the warden had sent the Queen to get her kingdom of Obama and wait with them.

The warden had sighed and stood not long after Jimbei and Ace's talk and disappeared, reappearing with the group not long afterward.

Apparently the warden had a plan and wanted to free all of them to throw the marines off slightly from Ace's path when the raven haired pirate disappeared from the cell as well.

He had told them to wait patiently while he got their transport ready and disappeared once again. Not all the ones set to escape were so trusting or calm about the situation and were protesting loudly.

Jimbei sighed and entered the bedroom behind him, again, closing the door behind him and reclaiming his vigil next to the glowing dome.

All they had to do know was wait.

It was several hours later that he noticed the distinct lack of voices from the other room.

Before he could stand to question it or investigate the warden appeared in the room. Looking slightly haggard and irritated. "Ok. Everything's ready. We need to leave now."

Jimbei nodded and stood watching as the warden stepped forward to the dome and placed a hand on it. It disappeared after a moment and Jimbei was finally able to see the battered form of his friends once again.

Luffy popped up quickly after it disappeared. "We're gonna leave?"

Kurosaki nodded before pausing and looking towards Jimbei. "Jimbei, I've given the other prisoners a ship that I sailed away from the docks, I told them they can sail wherever they decided. I'm going to take Ace and Luffy directly to the Whitebeard's. Where do you wish to go?"

Jimbei blinked in surprise at the warden. "You're giving me the choice?"

Kurosaki nodded, "Of course."

Jimbei considered him for a moment before closing his eyes and deciding. "If you could take me to the ocean I'll be able to get there myself."

Kurosaki nodded and looked to Luffy as he nudged the other off the sleeping form of fire fist. "Luffy, get on my back. Tie your arms around my neck."

The uncharacteristically quiet teen nodded and did as he was told.

As soon as the younger raven haired boy got situated Kurosaki leaned down and lifted Ace into his arms bridal style, who went like a limp doll. Kurosaki made sure he was secure against his chest before looking the Jimbei. "Grab on to my arm and hold on as tight as you can. I mean that literally."

Jimbei paused before complying surprised when the warden didn't flinch at the full strength of a fishman's palm wrapped around his bicep.

It was instant. It felt like a tugging rushing feeling and when the world came back into focus no more where they surrounded by stone walls but instead they were outside.

Standing on thin air.

He heard Luffy laugh loudly and saw his eyes sparkle in amazement.

Kurosaki smirked in amusement of Luffy's actions before addressing the Fishman. "You sure you don't want me to take you to Whitebeard myself?"

Jimbei nodded, still baffled at the feat being performed. "I'm sure. Ace neededs medical attention as soon as possible and I'll slow you down. I can get there perfectly fine myself"

Kurosaki make a sound suspiciously like a snort and nodded. "It wouldn't be any trouble, but if you're sure. Let go when you're ready and you'll drop into the water."

Jimbei nodded and nodded to the other. "Thank you for everything."

Kurosaki stayed silent and nodded.

A second later Jimbei let go of the warden's arm and he found himself falling to be met with the swirling and comforting feeling of the ocean enveloping him.

He hoped that with this stroke of luck in finding an alley, that this meant everything would be ok.