I do not own One Piece

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Beta read by the wonderful rose7anne101, who has written some pretty amazing stuff for One Piece.

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Rise from the Ashes

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Chapter 14: Looking for Marco

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"If indeed he still lives," assured Master Cat Viper, "I have a bit of an idea where our friend Marco might be."

After all, both he and Duke Dogstorm, the leaders of the Minks of Zou, were friends of the man. Indeed, after joining their beloved Lord Oden in sailing aboard the Moby Dick under Whitebeard, they were all nakama with Marco.

Allying together to take down Kaido would benefit them all, as destroying an Emperor would prove to the world that the Whitebeard Pirates were once more a force to be feared. On a more practical note, it would provide resources and remove a threat to their rear when they inevitably aimed to kill the treacherous Blackbeard again.

And both Minks understood such motivations well. If they were to avenge Lord Oden and fulfil his cherished dream, then his former retainers needed the legendary might of the surviving Whitebeard Pirates. Skilled veterans who had battled against Kaido's forces in the past.

And of course Cat Viper and Dogstorm would be right there beside them going after Blackbeard afterwards. No one got away with killing a man like Whitebeard!

Doubtless Straw Hat would be happy –nay, enthusiastic!— to get in on that action!

So once they had taken care of the drama of Jack's return, Cat Viper and some of his most trusted Guardians –barring the ones left behind to help out the Musketeers— sailed off.

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Carefully Cat Viper stalked his way throughout the island. With equal care his subordinates followed, wary for enemies. If Marco went to ground, this'd be it, he knew.

The island was hidden away by natural hazards from all but the most skilled of navigators and helmsmen, even if you knew it existed. Whitebeard had discovered it shortly after he had first become Captain of his own crew, and Teach had neither joined at that point, nor attained sufficient seniority before his defection. However as valued allies, both Cat Viper and Dogstorm had been informed of the island's existence and location. Just as a precaution.

Still, this was the New World, and for all of his gusto, the Mink King knew the folly of acting without caution. If the Whitebeard Pirates were still the souls he had known them to be, Marco would not attack if they detected any intruders until they knew who it was. Yet if Teach, the marines, or someone else was here, then the Guardians needed to be wary of any ambush.

Consequently, it was rather anti-climactic to find the island deserted.

"Huh," Cat Viper sighed as he lit his pipe, "not even a booby trap!? What a waste of time!"

They had gambled and lost. Believing that Marco and the rest were here, the oversized feline had brought his men for nothing. Oh sure, there was evidence that they had been here at least once in the last year or so, but they were gone now.

There was no telling where the Whitebeard Pirates had disappeared too—the New World was just too vast. Moreover, Cat Viper had no other idea on where to start, as Marco and the rest had totally vanished from the seas following their escape from Blackbeard. There simply were no more clues, and the isolationist Minks, and their allies, had barely any contacts to ask for information. Given the enemies they were already facing, and the timeline they were under, a prolonged search was simply out of the question.

While Cat Viper remained tall and proud for the sake of his men's morale, he felt the burden on his shoulders grow. Now they would have to confront the full force of Kaido's wrath without the help of the Whitebeard Pirates.

With a heavy heart, the Mink King turned to leave.

"Sire!" Roddy the bull Mink cried. "Over here!"

In a flash of speed that defied his bulk, Cat Viper was at the far wall, reading the note pinned to it by a knife.

"If friends, we're off to find Straw Hat Luffy. If enemies, watch out for what's to come!

"The Whitebeards are back!"

-First Division Commander Marco, Whitebeard Pirates

Cat Viper could only laugh as he rolled on the ground.

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Author Notes:

This is me hoping that the Whitebeard Pirates are indeed on the move, but we will have to wait to see what comes.

In the meantime, I do have a few more ideas, but suggestions are always welcome! :-D

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Recommended fics:

"Sabo's Wanted Poster" by Thisisarealtagwhy

"A Slight Hope That this could be Real" by Adkop

"One Piece Novel: 麦わらストーリズ"by MasterQwertster

"For Better or For Worse" by Syluk

"Brother Complex and How It Traumatizes Others" by Alsheon

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Next chapter: 'Guard or Seek'

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Please Review, and I will get back to you!