Chapter 11
A man sitting in the corner of a bar drained his mug. He never drank in excess. He preferred to keep his wits about him. After several months at sea on the Grand Line, anyone would agree to a change of scenery and a hearty drink. He walked to the bar waiting to be served. Letting his eyes wander over the wanted posters that lined the wall of the pub. The pub's name 'The Bounty' was famous for decorating the walls with wanted posters issued by the world government. The most wanted wall on the right side rarely changed. That wall was reserved for those of the highest bounty or the most elusive of criminals who had escaped the world government for years or decades. Two of the other walls were for small time criminals and small bounties. Several were taken down every month when word of their capture would reach the bar owner. The left wall however was constantly changing. This was where the newest bounties were posted days after the world government had issued them. His eyes roved over a few small time bounties and their faces. His eyes landed on one of the newest posters, still crisp and clean.
His eyes widened at the familiar face. He tore the poster down holding it for a closer inspection. A new bounty for a young woman he had known almost 19 years ago. But this woman was too young and something was different about her than he remembered. Her eyes stared directly at him as if the poster could see him alone. An uneasy feeling settled in his gut. It was too easy to tell the difference from this woman and the woman he remembered. Her eyes. Familiar green eyes that pierced into his soul and twisted his heart. Ignoring the bartender's attempts to get back the poster he clutched it hard in his hand and ran out of the bar to his ship.
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The next few days were uneventful for the straw hat crew. They set sail for the next island the same night they had revealed Mezumi's new room. They felt a little uneasy. They usually found trouble on every island they visited. They couldn't help but feel like they were due for some sort of trouble. Nami explained that they were sailing so easy because of the climate. On this stretch of the Grand line everyone took the opportunity to relax due to the perfect weather and ideal sailing conditions. They quickly reached the next island with the wind being in their favor.
They docked the ship and everyone went in separate directions. Robin stayed on deck to watch the ship. Zoro however was resting on deck. Mezumi approached him.
"Zoro-kun would you come with me while I do some shopping on the island?" Zoro only grunted. "Come on... I'll buy you lunch!" Zoro sighed and stood up.
"Fine. But I am not going to wait for you if you are buying clothes." He had already been tortured enough by Nami.
"No clothes. I promise." They headed off into town. Mezumi was suddenly glad she brought Zoro with her. The island was a resort for sailors and the like. The word 'resort' should conjure up a metal image of a pleasant town with spa's and fancy restaurants. However, this town was used to pirate business. Brothels sat on every street corner and prostitutes stood outside stores and inns ready to entice their next customer. The market right by the docks looked to be the only wholesome part of this island. Seeing a few men leering at her from a street corner she walked closer to Zoro. Their eyes roved over her from head to toe, alighting on a few places she suddenly felt needed to be covered with her hands as well as her clothes. She had the feeling that these men were looking for new 'recruits' in the business of pleasure.
"You'll protect me right?" She looked up at him frightened. Zoro nodded to her. Not wanting to get separated, Mezumi wrapped her hand around Zoro's arm and stuck closer to him than white on rice. They were in and out of a few shops where they bought nothing. But seeing a weapons shop they walked right in. Zoro was looking at a few swords to pass the time while Mezumi looked around. There were many weapons but she still favored her titanium stick that she always had attached to her leg. It would be pointless to buy a weapon if she could just make one herself. She bought a sharpening stone and handed it to Zoro.
"Sharpen your swords more often. That one I fixed was getting dull." Once again they were in and out of shops still not buying anything.
"What the hell are you looking for in all of these stores?" Zoro seemed impatient.
"I was going to get something for Sanji to thank him for everything he has done for me."
"Why don't you just make him something?"
"Well I... I didn't even think about it."
"I'm sure the shit cook would like anything you made for him."
"Oh. I guess I just have to think of what to make him."
"Great. That means we are done shopping. Can we go eat now?" Zoro really hated shopping for anything but weapons.
"Sure Zoro let's go get lunch." She grabbed his arm again. She was grateful that he agreed to accompany her despite the fact he knew he would hate it. She smiled up at him. "You know Zoro-kun I think that underneath that grumpy exterior you are a real gentleman." Zoro scowled and mumbled something under his breath about women.
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Robin sat on deck enjoying the sun while she read a new history book.
"Ahoy! Straw hat crew!" Robin set her book down after placing the page number in her memory. She stood and walked to the edge to see who was yelling for her crew members. One man stood where the ramp to the ship met the dock. The man looked to be middle aged. The light brown of his scruffy beard had slowly been consumed by gray hair through the years. The lines on his face and flecks of gray in his hair also gave away his age. His skin had tanned, most likely from many years at sea. He wore a plain red shirt under a grey jacket and black cargo pants with black boots.
"Hello. How can I help you?"
"I am looking for a woman."
"From the look of this town, you could have your pick of many women for the right price. I can assure you that you will find no such ladies of the night on this ship."
"That is not what I meant. I am looking for a woman by the name of Mezumi."
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Walking into a tavern, they sat down at the bar. Mezumi ordered them two of the best meal they had, giving the barman a gold bar she brought out of her pocket. They sat in comfortable silence till someone pulled Mezumi off her chair by her arm. She was met with the sight of a greasy bearded man that looked like he hadn't bathed in a year. She could smell the alcohol emanating from him from her position already and she was horrified to see him move closer to her face.
"Hello sweetheart. How about you leave skinny here and come have a party with us. Your boyfriend can't even pay for your meal but we will show you a time you will never forget." She cringed away from his breath invading her nostrils. She looked behind him to see several other greasy men leering at her in what they must have thought was an attractive manner. Mezumi tried to pry the man's hand from her arm. She smiled nervously at him.
"No that's okay. I'm just passing through really. I'm just here to eat and be on my way. I'm not interested in parties or times I will never forget even with years of psychotherapy." His face darkened
"Come on girl. Don't be a bitch about it."
"She said no. Now let go of her." Zoro glared at the man.
"Who is going to stop me? You?" The man laughed. Mezumi winced at how hard he was holding her. She blinked and suddenly noticed Zoro was holding a sword to the man's throat. It took the man a few seconds to realize that he was being threatened. He must be very slow.
"How about this? You leave us alone and I won't turn your balls to lead." She glared. Every man within earshot winced at the possibility. The man let go of her. "Zoro I think we should seek better company." She grabbed onto Zoro's arm again. She didn't care if anyone thought they were together. She would easily sacrifice personal space if it meant she would be safe. They left the tavern before Zoro decided it was safe enough to put his sword away.
The man glowered at the door they just exited. "If they think this is over they are dead wrong."
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Arriving back at the port that Sunny was docked at they saw a stranger ascending the ramp onto their ship.
"Hey, who are you and what are you doing on our ship?" Zoro demanded answers from the man. Robin smiled at Zoro from her position at the railing.
"Not to worry swordsman-san. I invited him on deck for answers already. Although he did tell me he was looking for our dear Mezumi-chan." The man hadn't said a word yet. He was too busy staring at Mezumi. She had not yet relinquished her hold on Zoro's arm and she held it tighter under the stranger's gaze. She let go of him as they stepped on deck but she didn't step too far away from her friends.
"You're Mezumi?" His voice sounded choked and breathless.
"Yes."
"Can I... talk to you alone please?"
"Anything you have to say to me can be said in front of my friends." After her last run in with a man a few moments ago she was understandably wary. The stranger nodded.
"I saw this in town just a few days ago." He rustled inside of his jacket for a folded piece of paper. "This was how I knew about you." He held it up for them to see. A picture of her the day she left Arch Island adorned the wanted poster for her. He read a short description from the back. "'Wanted dead or alive Alchemist Mezumi, 18. Rumored to be a witch, Alchemist Mezumi can change any available substance into anything else. Last seen on her home town of Arch Island. She is considered armed and extremely dangerous.' Bounty 25 million Beri.' When I asked around town I heard you were part of the Straw Hat crew."
"If it is her bounty you are after, I should inform you we will not make it easy for you." The threat was present in Robin's words. Zoro grabbed the handle of one of his swords to emphasize the meaning.
"No. I'm not here to hurt anyone or take any bounties. I just wanted to confirm a few details." He tucked the wanted poster away in his jacket.
"You already know much about me. I think it is fair that you tell us who you are before I answer any of your questions."
"That is fair. I am the first mate of the Shadow Pirates. Second in command of their forces after Captain Eiji. The men call me Hiro."
"Nice to meet you Hiro. Now what did you need to ask me?"
"Can you tell me about your mother? You look very similar to a woman I met years ago on Arch Island."
"She is dead. She died giving birth to me. I don't know much more than that."
"Oh. I'm sorry." He seemed genuinely grim when he heard of her fate. "Was her name Youko?" Mezumi's eyes widened as she looked at him intently.
"Yes... it was." He took a deep breath and shook his head as he let it out.
"No, no. It's too much for it to be a coincidence." He spoke more to himself than to her.
"What are you talking about? Did you know my mother? Did you meet my father?"
"I certainly knew your mother and I... I am your father." She recoiled and took a step back.
"My name is Yoshihiro. I was on Arch Island almost 19 years ago. I developed a relationship with a local named Youko. I knew from this poster you must have been her child. You look exactly like her except for the eyes. You have my eyes. Her eyes..."
"Stop!" She shouted loud enough to make her ears ring. Mezumi gritted her teeth so tight she could have sworn a tooth cracked. She balled her fists and narrowed her eyes at Yoshihiro. "How..." She lifted her left fist in the air. "Dare..." She took a step forward. "You?" The trio around her could feel the waves of malice rolling off of her. "How dare you come find me after all these years? You left both of us to rot on that fucking piece of rock they call an island. You knocked her up and left her with that bastard Katsuo! You couldn't handle your responsibilities then and you sure as hell don't deserve them now. How dare you find me after you ran out on my mother the second you knew about me? 18 years! 18 fucking years on that hell of an island you left me on!" Her vision was clouded in red. She drew Kouki, settling it in both hands like a sword. If she had been in her right mind, she would have thought to change it into a useful weapon. But she could only think of the torture she had been subjected to on that island. She felt the injustice of her mother being left alone and scared with a monster like Katsuo. "I should beat you into a bloody fucking pulp!" Her muscles were locked up from the force of her rage. But she forced a foot forward towards her target. He held his hands up in a non threatening manner.
"I didn't know about you till I saw your wanted poster." Mezumi stopped in her tracks. He took the opportunity to explain himself. "I had no idea I left Youko to raise our child alone. If I had known, I would have given up on being a pirate and stayed with her."
"Did you know about Katsuo?" Her ire had only dimmed slightly.
"I only met him once. He was a bastard back then too." She stood up straight after sheathing Kouki. She was still wary of Yoshihiro but she wanted answers and he was the only one that could give them to her.
"Follow me. I'm taking you up on your offer to talk alone." They proceeded down the stairs to her room.
