HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I have to seriously apologise for how long this chapter has taken to get to you guys. I'm sorry! I have a list about a mile long of excuses but my main issue has been a lack of inspiration and information.
The Whitebeard commanders that we will be encountering from here on in only have a limited amount of information about them available, meaning that I have to be a bit more creative then with a commander like Marco who we know more about.
However I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed/faved/followed Strays and everyone who has continued to offer their support despite my absence. A big thank you needs to go to Justa Little Puppy who really motivated me to get this chapter finished.
So all that being said, I hope you enjoy the following chapter! Please let me know what you think :)
"Please?"
"No."
"Please Marco!?"
"No."
"Marcooooo!"
"No."
"Vista! You said you would!"
"Sorry Haruta, but that was before Marco said no."
"Thatch?"
"Ah, com'on Marco, Vista's only teaching her the basics. What could possibly go wrong?"
"She cut herself on one of your kitchen knives yesterday."
Thatch paused as he wavered under the weight of Marco's accusation. It might have possibly been his fault that the knife had been left sitting on the kitchen bench, rather than in the draw it should have been in… but it had only been a small cut!
A crease formed between Haruta's eyebrows as she lost the support of another of her brothers.
They were all such pansies.
As soon as Marco had said 'no', all of her previous supporters had disappeared around her.
'Cowards.'
"Fine. I'll ask Oyaji."
"Whatever floats your boat."
With renewed hope, Haruta bounced out of the cabin and down the length of the ship to where she knew Pops spent most of his unoccupied time.
Marco trailed behind at a more sedate pace, Vista walking beside him.
Two months on board and the little imp had managed to twist herself comfortably around everyone's little finger (Marco's own included).
But that didn't mean he could give in to her every whim like the others. She wanted chocolate, Thatch gave it to her – even Izo, who Marco thought would never be parted from his chocolate, willingly gave a potion of it up if he was asked.
If she wanted a better vantage point when they were sailing, then Jozu's shoulders were always available. When she wanted to learn how to fish, Namur had taught her.
Hell, he'd been convinced to take her flying –actually flying– once he'd finally got the hang of it (he had and it was amazing!).
This, however, was where he was drawing the line.
Pops could re-draw it if he wanted, but until she had his approval, Marco wasn't going to budge.
"Oyaji! Marco's bullying me!"
Vista snorted at the accusation as the pair finally rounded the corner to see Haruta scrambling up to sit on Pops' leg.
Haruta may get away with many things, but Pops was unwavering in his fairness.
A wide grin split across Newgate's face as he took in the forms of his children. Marco had exasperation leaking from his posture, even if his face gave nothing away.
"Really now? Why would he do that?"
Newgate listened silently as Haruta rambled on exactly how Marco was the 'worst brother that had ever roamed the existence of brotherhood', until she eventually ran out of breath, ending in a huff.
"Say yes."
Bringing one hand up to stroke his moustache, he hummed in contemplation.
On one hand he understood, and to an extent agreed with Marco, that Haruta was perhaps not ready to properly start learning to use a sword. The need to shelter her, even living the lifestyle they did, was almost overwhelming.
However, there would come a time where Haruta would need to defend herself. A time where the hand to hand combat she was learning wouldn't be enough. A time that was likely to come sooner than later.
"Vista can start your sword training–"
"Yes!"
Haruta sprang off his lap, her fist pumped high in the air as she stuck her tongue out at Marco.
"–But, not until you have a practice sword to use, and only if someone is free to supervise."
"But Oyaji!"
"Otherwise you have to wait until Marco says it's okay."
Pouting slightly, Haruta nodded her head in agreement. It wasn't what she wanted, but it was the closest she was going to get.
Pop's word was final.
"Guararara!"
Haruta would never admit to jumping in shock at the sound of Pop's laughter (but she may have flinched – just a little) as his big hand came to rest on her head.
"It's not a race. Don't rush."
Marco frowned at the sound of a door shutting not too far away. Moving in closer to the wall Marco looked to Thatch who was currently decorating a Marine notice board with their mark.
"Thatch, we really shouldn't be here."
"C'mon Marco. All Pops said was 'be careful'. That was totally an invitation."
"How does 'be careful' translate into 'you can raid a marine base'! You totally misread this. And stop drawing on the walls! That is not being careful."
Thatch raised an eyebrow at his brother in challenge of his words.
"Stop being such a spoil sport. Haruta's acting less like a chicken then you are."
"HARUTA!"
Thatch leapt towards Marco, trying –unsuccessfully– to wrap a hand around his brother's mouth.
"Shhh! Someone will hear you!"
"You brought Haruta into this! Where the hell is she?!"
"Here I am! Look! I swiped these really cool maps!"
Marco's shoulders drop in defeat as he quickly swept over the content of the maps. They were pretty much priceless in making sure they made it safely on the next few legs of their journey.
"You are to stick with me at all times, understand."
"Jeesh! You're my brother not my father."
"So you want me to tell Pops that you joined us in a raid of a Marine base, after I told you explicitly not to join us."
Haruta's bottom lip quivered gently at being chastised. She was only trying to help.
Marco tilted his head back in despair.
"Ugh..."
Why is it always me?
"Okay come on short stuff."
Puffing out her cheeks in annoyance Haruta quietly accepted the piggy back ride she was being offered. She hated being treated like a kid. Sure she'd abuse it to get what she wanted, but she hated it when it was used against her. At the moment though, she knew that pushing Marco any further would earn her a one way ticket back to the ship.
Raiding a marine base was way too cool to pass up on, so she suffered in silence.
Namur wandered up on to the deck, puzzlement gracing his features as he scanned his surroundings.
Vista and Izo had their weapons spread out on towels that had been laid down, checking them over for any damage that they could have sustained during their sparing match.
The pair bantered lightly over the advantages and disadvantages of their weapons and fighting styles. Jozu sat nearby injecting pieces of commentary every now and then as he lifted his training weights.
Yet there was no sight of the object of Namur's search.
"Has any seen Haruta? Pops asked me to give her swimming lessons, but I can't find her."
The three swiveled to look at Namur, before Vista answered.
"Hmm? Oh yes, she went into town with Marco and Thatch."
Bolting to his feet Jozu ignored the barrel he'd knocked over in his haste.
"What?"
Startled by the abruptness, Vista struggled to repeat himself.
"They went into town?"
Izo frowned delicately at the statement turned question.
"Why would they go into town? The only thing interesting in town is the Marine base…"
The four crewmates froze.
Glancing at each other warily their eyes all widened at the shared implication.
"POPS!"
Marco paused as the door handle didn't give way to allow him access. Jiggling the handle once more to test the lock, he and Thatch shared a smirk.
Shifting Haruta off his back and onto the ground, Marco knelt down in front of the lock, extracting his lock picks from his pocket.
"Keep an eye out Thatch. Haruta, come closer, you've got to watch what I'm doing."
Marco passed Haruta one of his tools, showing her quickly where to hold it so he could use another to unpick the lock.
Haruta flicked a hurried look over her shoulder, before returning her focus onto what Marco was doing.
"Why are we doing this? Aren't we wasting time?"
Marco's tongue slipped out the side of his mouth as he slightly adjusted where her tool was positioned.
"The best things are always kept behind the best locks. This is the first door that has been locked, therefore…?"
"It's got the best stuff behind it."
Marco smiled as she cottoned on.
"Not always, but usually."
He gave her a smirk as the previously locked door popped open to admit them entrance.
Edgy about having to spend any great length of time in an exposed corridor, Thatch interrupted his moment.
"Come on then. Get a move on Magpie."
At that, the three shuffled behind the door.
Marco reached out to catch Haruta by the scruff of her collar as she made to wander off in front of them.
"Stay close."
"But you said that the good stuff would be in here."
"That just depends."
"On what?"
Thatch leaned down to Haruta's eye level, as he spoke in a conspiratorial voice, his fingers wiggling in a spooky manner.
"On whether the lock was trying to keep us out… or something else in."
Scanning the empty corridor they were now in, Marco pulled the door closed behind them, flicking the lock back on, as everything appeared clear.
Taking the lead, Thatch led the small group towards the flight of stairs, winding down to a dark level below.
"What is this place?"
"This, little Missy, is the local holding cells."
Haruta jumped at the gravelly voice coming from the darkness, not even complaining as Marco pushed her behind him.
Thatch grabbed one of the lit torches off the wall bringing it closer to the voice.
"You don't look much like a pirate." Thatch commented, as he took in the man resting against the mould covered walls.
The man scoffed at the statement.
"Who said anything about being a pirate? The base command here just aint willing to listen to advice when it's given."
As the man spoke Haruta crept closer to the cell, her hands wrapping around the metal bars that were keeping the prisoner contained.
"It musta not been very good advice if ya got arrested for it."
"Eh. Apparently telling the Captain 'is ship is sunk if he sails it any longer, and quoting him the cost of a new ship is grounds for treason."
Haruta, frowned as she peered up at Marco.
Why would the navy do that to a civilian?
Sure, she didn't have a love for the navy, she was a pirate! But this man was not. It wasn't very fair, or very just, if anything the last marine she had heard spouting off nonsense was anything to go off.
"We can't leave him here."
Marco and Thatch shared a glance but were saved from responding when the man spoke up.
"It's okay little Missy. Ya better off getting outta here whilst you can. Food drops not far off and they'd notice if–"
The man cut himself off as the sound of the approaching footsteps echoed down from the top of the stairs.
"Hide." He hissed at them in a low tone.
Thatch quickly put the torch back in its holder, as the three pirates hustled in the furthest corner. There was nothing to hide in but the shadows. Marco just hoped that would be enough.
The footsteps soon gave way to the bodies creating them, revealing three marines. Two 'grunt' level marines shouldering riffles, and judging by the cloak of the third, the base's second commanding officer.
"No meal today scum."
Unrolling an official looking scroll, the Marine began to read.
"Shipwright contractor Blenheim, for deliberately attempting to sabotage Marine vessel 'Britannia' by not providing repairs, and for attempted extortion, you have hereby been sentenced to death."
"No."
Haruta, threw her hands over her mouth as the soft exclamation escaped her.
The boys didn't wait to see if the Marines had heard her or not.
Leaping out of the darkness, Marco thrust his fist into the Commander's jaw. Swiftly he swept the Marine's legs out from underneath him, the marine's head hitting the ground with a 'crack'.
Thatch meanwhile disposed of the two petty officers that had been stunned into stillness by their appearance.
Sighing at the scene, Marco started unpicking the cells lock, talking to Blenheim as he worked.
"You know, we're about due for a new ship. Don't suppose you'd be interested." He deadpanned.
Blenheim stretched out his limbs, groaning in satisfaction at the popping noises of his vertebrae.
"We won't have much time. We've got to get out of here now."
Nodding in agreement, Marco motioned for Thatch to take the lead once more.
The group carefully twisted their way through the still empty halls, not wanting to reveal their presence.
They were out of luck as a siren started blaring through the building.
"Shit! What should we do?!"
Marco grabbed Haruta's hand as they passed Thatch's stressing form.
"Run!"
Following a conveniently marked exit sign, Marco sprinted towards the door, not stopping as he pushed through it into an open courtyard.
Marco skidded to a halt.
Guns.
Lots and lots of guns.
Stopping just behind Marco, Thatch quickly turned to cover Marco's back, wedging an increasingly fearful Haruta between them.
Blenheim stood close to their right side as the marines encircled them, guns raised.
Tilting his head slightly towards Thatch, Marco muttered out of the side of his mouth.
"Thatch?"
"Yeah, Marco?"
"Pops totally gave us permission when he said 'be careful', right?"
Oh dear, they boys have got themselves into trouble this time ;)
A couple of fun facts from the chapter that you may/may not have known...
1. Thatch calling Marco a magpie is a reference to the belief that magpies like to collect shiny things (...this has recently been disproved though).
2. According to the One Piece Wiki, Blenheim is the name of several ships in the British Navy. This is what influenced Blenheim's position as the Whitebeard Pirate's shipwright, as well as influencing the name 'Britannia' for the Marine's ship.
To my guest reviewers:
G - Thank you! I hope you enjoyed this one just as much!
Guest - Fossa will be making an appearance at some point. At the moment I don't have a set order for which commander comes when, but if you want to see Fossa I will see what I can do :)
