Author's Note:
Greatly appreciate everyone's patience.
If you read my other story, you've already heard this, but I no longer trust my cable company… I'll openly rant about this if I continue so without further ado…
March 16, XX99, 7:00 A.M, North Blue, Marine Outpost
Captain Sewell stood perfectly still. Of all the admirals to be out of the Blues and at this Outpost, if he could have, he would have wished it be anyone, but the man behind him.
"Admiral Yang," Sewell began. "It's good to see you."
Sewell had turned to face the admiral and found himself peering up at the taller man. He stood nearly 8 feet tall and had menacing green eyes. But other than that, not much could be told about his appearance. From head to toe he was wrapped in musky, white bandages. Each limb was individually wrapped so he still moved unhindered. He had an admiral's coat draped on his shoulders and wore a pair of black dress shorts with matching slippers. The bandages had been wrapped tightly around his body to allow for an accurate reimagining of his tall, muscular form. However, with no more than his eyes revealed, no one knew for sure what he looked like.
At Sewell's greeting, the admiral had begun laughing hysterically. "You know it's not a pleasure to see me," said Yang, the bandages around his face moving as a sign of the devilish grin he was likely wearing.
Sewell grimaced at the admiral's disposition. "So what brings you out here to North Blue?" asked Captain Sewell.
"Fleet Admiral Kiria's ordered me to handle some delicate business," said Yang.
"I can't imagine there was anyone more suited for delicate business," Sewell said sarcastically.
"Hahaha," laughed Yang. "You're still quite funny, Sewell. I'm glad you're not dead."
A Marine private walked up to the group, holding drinks for each of them. The tray was shaking in his hands as he approached the group.
Kisaro, Sewell and Yang each took a glass, but before the private could leave, Yang placed an arm around the private's shoulders.
He took a sip from the drink and wrinkled his nose as if it was bitter.
"This was pretty good," he said as he eyed the Private. "A bit sour for my tastes, but still good. Did you make it?"
Kisaro watched as the Marine's skin slowly discolored and stretched thinner and thinner. He was struggling to breathe, let alone answer the question
"I- I didn't," he finally managed.
"Oh," said Yang. "Then you're useless. Go be useless somewhere else."
He pushed the man away from him, but it was as if the marine had dried up. His whole body struggled under its own weight and he eventually fell to the floor, crying out in pain.
"So, why did you let those pirates go?" Yang asked nonchalantly.
"Why did he- Why did you almost kill a man?!" shouted Kisaro.
Yang eyed Kisaro as if he had seen him for the first time. "If he was worth anything, he'd have been fine. The better question is, who are you to question me?"
"I'm Kisaro Ryuden," Kisaro said as he tried to remain unmoving.
"Wako's brat?" asked Yang. "I guess I see the resemblance."
The tall man moved quickly. Faster than anything Kisaro had ever seen. In an instant he had Kisaro pinned to the wall, his fist a foot away from Kisaro's eyes. Then ever so slightly, three blades protruded from between Yang's knuckles until they came to a stop just before Kisaro's face.
The holes caused by the blades now leaked drops of sand, but Kisaro's eyes were frozen on the bandaged man before him.
"Is it you?" asked Yang. "Are you the man who will fight me to the death?"
"I-I-I," was all Kisaro managed.
"Wako promised me that one of his own would kill me one day. So I've been looking forward to that," said Yang as he looked Kisaro up and down. "But clearly that isn't you."
He released Kisaro and retracted the claws in his hands.
"I'd prefer if you didn't butcher my subordinates," said Sewell as he walked over to the two.
"Oh, I see," said Yang. "You managed to get a Wako on your ship. That's impressive. He'll probably be worth something in a few years, if he doesn't get himself killed."
"Now about those pirates?" continued Yang.
"It was a misunderstanding," said Sewell. "I'm under the suspicion that the Asuachi ordered those bounties in order to cover up a series of heinous crimes.
"Hmm," said Yang. "That sounds like something they'd do. Now if one of those dirty bastards wanted to fight. Haha. I'd be more than willing to oblige."
"I don't believe it was any of the saints, though it's more than likely one of them had a hand in managing their businesses out here," said Sewell.
"Hmm," began Yang. "It' sounds like you've gotten yourself wrapped up in something interesting here Sewell. That's good. Since I was also given another mission."
"What do those two things have to do with each other?" asked Sewell.
"Kiria also told me to pass on some orders to you," responded Yang.
"Directly from the Fleet Admiral?" exclaimed Kisaro.
"Yup," said the Admiral. "You're to sail into the Grand Line and launch an investigation into the slave trade which had extended to the Blues."
Sewell and Kisaro's eyes went wide in shock. "Are you serious?" asked Sewell. "If that's the case, I'll likely need more help to launch that investigation. People who can assist in stealth based issues. People who can help get us into places and collect information. There's no way I can just dive into something like that."
"She thought as much. So she put together this dossier with useful names and likely recruits to bolster your odds. Good luck," said Yang.
He handed over the folder of names and pictures and left Kisaro and Sewell alone.
"It looks like we'll be heading into the Grand line," said Sewell as he turned to Kisaro.
March 16, XX99, 7:00 A.M, North Blue, Camilla Castle
The group sat around the large dining room table, each enjoying a meal. Lullaby had been invited to join them at the castle for the night before they set out. Cain and Ash not taking no for an answer after all she had done the night before.
Cain was stuffing his face with some concoction out of the kitchen once more.
Amber had a book in her left hand and a spoon full of soup in her right hand.
Auron had been out since early morning and Zak was inspecting his meal, since he had been ousted from the kitchen earlier.
Jabari was tearing through a piece of fish.
Lullaby was gleefully drinking from her flask and Ash was staring intently at everyone before him.
"Isn't it a little early to be drinking?" asked Amber as she peered over at Lullaby.
The white haired woman peeked over her flask and with a smile said, "It could just as easily be 7 in the evening."
"It's definitely not good to drink so much," said Amber with a final thought on the matter.
"I'm back everybody!" shouted Auron as he burst into the room and dropped several maps onto the table. "I got those maps you asked for Jabari."
"Oh good," said the Eagle as he took one final bite out of the fish and flew over to the maps. Amber quickly moved her seat to get a better look at the maps and they both began charting out the next course of action.
"So where are you all headed?" asked Lullaby as she took another sip.
"South of this island is another island called Tulvise," said Auron. "They were infamous for sending slaves to Varys Island. For some reason they stopped, which must have prompted the attempts to find slaves elsewhere. We're going to see why."
"Why?" she asked as a confused look crossed her face.
"Because we want to," said Cain.
"You want to?" she continued. "What, are you indebted to someone there?"
"Nope."
"Do you like being a hero or something?" asked Lullaby.
"Nope."
"Do you like danger?" she asked again.
"Not particularly."
"Do you even know what you're going to find there?" She pushed further still.
"Not a clue."
"Then why go?" she asked.
"Because," smiled Cain. "We want to."
"It's kind of hard to explain," said Auron. "So that's pretty much the best way my brother can put it. But it just doesn't feel right knowing that someone else could be locked up somewhere while we sail freely. That's my reason."
"So what? You guys plan on freeing every slave everywhere?" asked Lullaby.
"Yeah, I guess," said Cain simply.
This caused laughter to bubble out of Ash who sat across from them and Lullaby to spit out her drink in shock.
"Is that weird?" asked Cain as he laughed nervously.
Lullaby was quiet while Ash continued his laughing. "No, I guess not," she said before taking another drink.
"That's great!" shouted Cain. "So would you like to come with us?"
Everyone's eyes went wide in shock and Lullaby spit out her drink once more.
Her eyes scanned the room to make sure she wasn't the only one who had been shocked by Cain's offer.
She pinched herself to make sure she wasn't imagining things and then stared Cain down to make sure he was serious.
Once she realized he was she simply said, "No."
The room's eyes went wide once more as they half suspected her to say yes.
"Oh come on," laughed Cain. "Why not? We're a decent group of people."
"Yeah, I'm sure. But it's not what I want to do. I've got complimentary drinks down at the bar for a year. That's not a commitment I'm willing to give up on yet," said Lullaby.
"So you'll stay here?" asked Cain. "No. I don't think that works for me. You're better off coming with us."
"Wait," said Lullaby. "Didn't you just give a speech on the importance of doing as one pleases?"
"Exactly," said Cain. "So I'm gonna have you join us."
The group stared at him for a moment as they tried to follow his logic. "That doesn't make any sense!" they all shouted once they got to the end of his train of thought.
"How about a bet?" asked Cain as a huge grin took root on his face.
Lullaby's eyes narrowed. She didn't care to be sailing around with anyone at the moment, but the idea of winning a bet seemed to catch her interests.
Cain seemed to notice this and continued, "If I win, you come with us to at least Tulvise. Afterwards, you're free to do as you please."
The white haired girl thought over the offer and said, "And if I win. You double my free drinks."
"Deal!" shouted Cain. "Now what'll the challenge be?"
"Oh, I've got something in mind," said Lullaby as she got up to leave. "Wait here, I'll be back in a bit."
It took close to an hour, but eventually she returned and with her an army of men carrying in barrel after barrel of beer.
"We'll have a drinking contest," she said triumphantly. "The first person to pass out loses."
A mischievous grin grew upon Cain's face as he sat in front of Lullaby and they each had a drink poured for them.
"I'm betting on the Lullaby," said Amber. "She smells like a distillery."
"I agree," said Jabari. "She seems experienced in the art."
"My money's on Cain," said Zak after thinking about his odds.
"If I bet it's cheating," said Auron. Prompting many of the chefs and the men who had brought in the barrel's to get in on the betting.
"Make sure to at least give it a good try," said Lullaby
"Begin!" shouted one of the men around them and Cain and Lullaby quickly grabbed their mugs and downed the drink.
They repeated this process a few more times and lullaby was quickly impressed by Cain's fortitude.
"Not bad lightweight, let's see you put this technique to work," she said.
They drank half a dozen more and both of them remained unfazed.
"You're really something," hiccupped Cain. "Most people would be at least a little woozy at this point."
"Speak for yourself," said Lullaby. "This is light."
Another 10 minutes passed and they had each cleaned up a dozen drinks.
"This isn't normal," said Amber. "Neither of them should be able to breathe much less laugh and drink like that."
At this point Cain and Lullaby had jumped on top of the royal table and gotten the people around them to start drinking. Even Ash had joined them. Each time they took another drink, the group around them celebrated and took one as well.
With almost 30 minutes having passed since they started, the people around them began to drop like flies, each one blacking out.
"It's not even 9 and their black out drunk," said Auron as he shook his head in disbelief. "This is a new low."
Zak had joined in and quickly fallen out as he now sat in a chair with someone else's hat covering his face as he slept.
Another 15 minutes passed and only Lullaby and Cain remained standing.
"This is insane," hiccupped Lullaby. "I don't think I've ever drunk so much at once in my life."
Jabari looked around at the hundred or so bottles that only belong to the two people standing and inwardly hoped she was telling the truth.
"Another!" cheered Cain as he handed her a drink and picked up his own.
They downed the drinks and Lullaby suddenly felt her legs give out from under her.
She fell off the table and crashed into Zak's sleeping body.
"Argh," he grumbled as he pushed the now sleeping woman off him and curled up in the corner by himself.
"I won?" asked Cain as his senses seemed to have dulled a bit over the last hour.
"Yeah you won," said Auron. "Now do the thing."
"Oh right," said Cain.
He breathed in deeply and then opened his mouth and waited.
Burrrrrp!
His burp seemed to shake the castle slightly as most of the sleeping people even stirred in their sleep.
"Whew," smiled Cain. "That was fun."
"You're okay?" asked a surprised Amber.
"Yup," said Cain. "I can't get drunk."
"You're definitely a monster," said Amber.
"Yeah. He's definitely something," said Lullaby who had quickly gotten up.
"You're no better!" shouted Amber and Jabari. "How are you up?"
"Oh that," said Lullaby. "I just needed a little nap. I can keep going, but something tells me we'll run out of barrels long before you or I crash."
"Probably," laughed Cain. "But a bet's a bet, right?"
"Yeah, yeah," said Lullaby as she took a drink from her personal flask. "I'll come with you to Tulvise, but I won't be sticking around. Free drinks isn't something easily given up."
"She's drinking again?" Amber half shouted. "Fine. Welcome aboard."
"Welcome aboard!" cheered a drunken Zak from where he slept.
March 16, XX99, 7:00 P.M, Camilla Island's Port
Cain, Auron, Amber, Jabari, Zak, and Lullaby were all brought down to the port later that night.
Ash had decided to keep his wits about him and drank less than most people that morning. From the time he met the group, he knew there was something special about them. They were something innately different than most of the people he'd met through politics, trade and even simply protecting his country.
So in his mind, the little secret he'd been holding onto since the morning was little to repay the hundreds, no thousands of people they'd helped.
Ash turned to the group and said, "I don't know how to put into words all you've done for my country and the rest of North Blue."
"No need to thank us Ash," said Cain. "We're just doing what we want to do."
"I had a feeling you'd say something like that," chuckled Ash. "So I went ahead and had this fixed up for you all."
He pointed to his right and all of the group instantly looked up and peered into the open sky.
"I don't see how you could have made the sky Ash," said Cain as Auron nodded in agreement
"No it's not the s-"
"Yeah, are you still drunk?" asked Amber before Jabari added, "I do believe he is."
"I get Cain, but you guys can't hones-"
"We drank over a hundred drinks and neither of us is that delirious," said Lullaby.
"I'm not talking abou-"
"Hmm, If you give me 13 minutes. I can whip up something to cure that hang over Ash," said Zak.
Each of their comments further aggravated the monarch and eventually he shouted, "I'm not talking about the damn sky! Who the hell could make that mistake? I get Cain, but all of you. Seriously! I'm talking about the god damned ship!"
His face was flush with anger and he was breathing heavily.
"Geez," said Amber. "Someone's an angry drunk."
His eyes widened, but before he could explode again, Auron stopped him. "Did you say you got us a ship?"
"Yes!" shouted Ash before he composed himself again. "Yes."
The group's eyes went wide and then like a kid at the candy store, Cain broke the line first and jumped onto Ash, throwing him to the ground.
"You got us a ship!" he shouted. Wooooooooo!"
He was back on his feet, holding Ash above his head. "We got a ship! He got us a ship! Our very own ship! Wait I can't sail a huge ship like this!"
"I can," called Amber as she was already aboard the ship.
"Yay!" shouted Cain.
He stepped back with Ash in one hand and his arm slung around Auron's shoulder. "It's beautiful," said Cain.
The ship was the size of a caravel ship. The outside of the ship was had been painted a dark blue color with a bright white trim. There was one massive sail in the center of the deck and on the top deck at the back; Zak could already be seen inspecting what was clearly a miniscule garden.
However, Cain's happy, teary eyes were locked on the figureheads which rested at the front and back of the ship. Towards the front was a dark blue lion's head and towards the back was an all-white lion's head.
Ash seemed to catch Cain's expression and said, "Yeah. I had a feeling you'd appreciate that. It felt right. Two lions circling each other is the Wako symbol, right?"
"Yeah," said Auron. "It is."
He was certain his brother was thinking the same thing. With one lion looking one way and the other opposite it, it almost seemed to feel like they were fighting with their backs to one another.
"Does she have a name?" asked Cain.
"Yup," said Ash as he looked from brother to brother. "It's called the Twin Wako."
"Alright, alright," chuckled Cain. "That's about as much as I can take and still keep a straight face. I can't thank you enough Ash."
They got on board the ship Zak could be heard hurling pots and pans from beneath them.
"You think he's alright?" asked Auron.
"I hope so," said Cain. "I'm starving."
"You're a bottomless pit," Lullaby nearly gagged once she thought over the countless meals Cain had eaten that day.
To their right was a wall with two windows and a door in the center. Above the room was the back of the deck where the blue lion and the miniature garden sat.
They entered the room under the deck towards the back of the ship and found it was made of a wood with white tiled floors.
It had a small dining table pressed against the wall on the right, a couch, windows to the back and sides of the room and in the center was a steering wheel. Amber bounced up the stairs leading down below and quickly announced that there were rooms down below. Everyone's eyes narrowed at the red head before they burst past her. Jabari stayed behind with Amber and Ash, while he continued to explain where more substantial parts of the ship rested.
Cain, Lullaby and Auron each searched for rooms, running past an already cooking Zak as they did so.
They passed a door with a claw mark in it and assumed it was Zak's. They passed another which said 'Enter at your own peril' and moved passed it as none of them dare cross that boundary.
Cain and Auron quickly found rooms afterwards and Lullaby entered one herself.
"What's the matter? You don't like it?" asked Cain when he noticed the odd look on her face.
"Why does it matter? You said you weren't staying," added Auron.
She took a drink, smiled and said, "Would you prefer I stay with you in the mean time?"
"No no. Carry on," said Auron as he left them.
It was quiet for a bit longer before Cain added, "If you decide you want to stay or if you leave and want to come back, this room will still be yours."
She smiled without turning to him, but once she had turned she quickly said, "I want that rematch."
"When did we agree to a rematch?" he shouted out.
This forced a laugh from her again and she took off towards the kitchen and began rummaging for something to drink.
March 16, XX99, 7:00 P.M, Grand Line, Asuachi's Alpha Headquarters
"To think they'd have me come all the way back to Paradise for a meeting," said an older man. "These children have gained some nerve."
The older man was walking down a brightly lit hallway. Most of the Asuachi in the hall way practically through themselves out of his way in an attempt to avoid him.
He was tall and muscular and even though he was nearly 60, his body remained in peak condition. His hair had faded to white, but its original tint of red could be seen just barely. His face held a few wrinkles, but other than that it was only the look of disgust which bared significance. His thick moustache had greyed as well. He wore a black Asuachi coat, which covered an extremely dark red suit. His shoes were a pearly white shade though.
Each step seemed to bring fear to those around him, but he'd soon be out of their hair as he was nearing a large pair of double doors, he was sure would house a circular room and the usual 10 seats.
He pushed the doors and he felt 9 pairs of eyes shoot towards him.
"Hmm, I'm the last one here," said the old man.
"Of course you are," cackled a voice from across the room. "The Omega Headquarters is so far away."
A grunt could be heard from across the room as a pale blue hand slammed down on the table.
"No matter how far away you were, you should have been more prudent," hissed a woman with a scar sitting on her collar bone.
"You've all gotten full of yourselves," said the older man. His hand pressed down on the table and soon the circular table split in half followed by the entire room.
Each of the 9 occupants could be heard cursing at the man before them.
"Now that we've come to an understanding," said the man. "Someone get a new table because I, Noe Raze, call this Saint's meeting to order.
March 16, XX99, 10:00 P.M, Camilla Island's Port
The group waved good bye to Ash as they sailed out of the port. The excitement had gotten the better of them and they decided to set out immediately.
Zak had finished cooking his meal and the group decided to sit out in the middle of the ship and eat outside.
They had been mostly taking in the night and laughing about different things when Lullaby brought out a small guitar from her belongings.
She wrinkled her nose as she was sure the others were now curious to see if she was actually gonna play something.
Then from the first strum to her first note, they sank back into their meal happily. Their ship sailed through the night and they listened to her gentle strumming.
"The drunkards got some use after all," teased Amber for which she received a smile from Lullaby. "I'm gonna go check the charts," she added.
She was gone for no more than a moment before she burst back onto the deck.
"Guys," she began nervously. "I forgot the charts back in Camilla."
They all eyed her in silence.
"Is that all?" shouted Cain. "Come sit and eat."
"How the hell are we supposed to get there now?" asked Amber. "We have to turn back."
"Ahh, it'll be fine. We'll get there," laughed Cain.
Author's Note:
Special Thanks to MyDearWatson for giving me Lullaby Vrona and for the quick appearances of some of the Saints.
Thanks to all of my readers for being patient with me.
How's it Going?
If there are any issues at all with how I'm portraying your OCs, please let me know.
If any of the scenes were confusing, feel free to tell me and I'll try my best to improve the clarity or answer questions.
My apologies, but I shut off my laptop during the first writing of this chapter and I forgot to save... So I managed to erase pretty much a scene a half. I recovered the half, but left the other scene for a later chapter as it suddenly fit better that way.
Fun Fact #1: So I decided to give this a try. Every now and then I'll give a fun fact about something related to the story. When I was thinking of a direction to go in for the story, I passed over many ideas for the character that would be Auron. I had him with several Logia fruits. I had him with Chopper's fruit as Oda mentioned something interesting about it. I even had him with Kilo-Kilo fruit… When I couldn't decide I called up a friend and asked for a fruit suggestion. All they said was Moriah's and then they hung up, granted it was late. However, after I got to thinking of how I could use Moriah's fruit and thus Auron was born.
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There's a forum for people who want to know when something delays the story.
Thanks for reading.
