Note: Thanks for all the love this story has been shown so far! I appreciate all that take their time to read, favorite, alert, and review. This chapter's a bit short, clocking it at a few hundred words over 3,000, but BIG things are coming in the upcoming chapters. ;)
Enjoy!
Chapter 19
"Tell me again why we're picking a fight with the locals?" Ashina asked Marco, hands on her hips.
Marco rolled his eyes. "Some of the locals are thugs pretending to be pirates who are taking advantage of the actual locals. Pops is going to place the island under his protection."
"Claim the island as his territory?"
"Yes."
Ashina made a low hum of agreement, her mind momentarily lost in thoughts of her father. She wondered what islands in the vast sea of the New World belonged to him.
"Well, will you help. Slip in and find the leader?"
Ashina nodded. "Yes. I'll find him."
"Good. We'll infiltrate from the front. You sneak in and find the leader, and hopefully this goes pretty quickly."
"Let's just hope it goes smoothly. Do the locals appear to like these thug pirates?"
Fossa shook his head. "No. Looks like they are being used and abused."
"How'd they get to the island?"
"Most likely," Vista answered, "they couldn't make it out in the open seas of the New World, so they'd landed on an island that wasn't already under someone's control."
"Bunch of pussies," Rakuyo mumbled. His eyes flicked to Ashina. "Oh, sorry, Missus."
Ashina just rolled her eyes and and dismissed the comment with a wave of her hand. "Whatever. What am I supposed to do with the leader once I find him? Do I kill him?"
Thatch chuckled out a "yes", but Marco thumped his shoulder and turned to Ashina. "No. Leave that to Pops. He'll decide their final fate."
"Other than the ones that stupidly attack, right? What if he attacks?"
"Then kill him," Pops answered, coming to stand with the group.
Ashina was always amazed by the sheer size of Pops. He towered over most of the men on his crew, only a few Commanders tall enough to near his height. Ashina, already several inches shorter than Ace and Haruta who were the shortest of the Commanders, felt like a dwarf compared to Pops.
"Ready?" Pops asked. The Commanders nodded. "Let's go then. The people of this island have suffered long enough."
Most of the crew was to hang back on the main ship. The few men from each division that would be joining their Commander on shore were already aboard the smaller vessel, preparing to row the rest of the way to shore. Ashina followed Ace onto the smaller vessel and stood beside him as the rest of their adventure crew boarded. His arm wrapped around her hip and he pulled her closer.
"Have your kunai on you?" he whispered in her ear.
She nodded, patting the pouch that was attached to her hip. "Of course. I have to blend in, it's not like a can swing them around in the open."
Ace bumped her hip with his. "Smart mouth, I know you have to blend in, but with that hair you stand out." He dropped a kiss to her forehead and then caught her eyes in a serious gaze. "You be careful," he said, giving her a wink as Marco and Pops approached them.
"What?" she asked just as Marco looked at her and asked, "You ready?"
"For what?"
Pops chuckled. "Marco's flying you in first so you aren't seen with us."
Ashina's mouth fell open and then closed with an audible snap. She leveled Marco with a deadly stare. "I think you left out that tidbit of information in the briefing."
Marco chuckled. "I was worried you wouldn't agree, seeing as you aren't fond of heights."
Ashina sighed, turning to look at Pops. "I'm not getting out of this am I?"
Pops grinned down at her. "Nope. Marco will take you in and come back, meeting us as we land on shore. You are to find the leader of these thugs. Bring him to me, but you are free to use deadly force if you must."
Ashina sighed again and nodded. "Fine." She turned to Ace and reached up on her tip toes to press a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth. "See you in a little bit."
She turned her sharp gaze back to Marco. "I hate you right now for this. Wipe that smug look off your face."
Ashina leapt onto his back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his waist.
"You need to eat more."
"Shut up and let's go. At least I can say I've ridden a phoenix now."
Pops laughed with Ashina, as Marco scowled.
"Oi, Ashina!" Ace shouted, making Pops, and some of the others nearby who heard the exchange laugh harder.
Marco sighed and shook his head. "Hold on tight." His wings fanned out and with one powerful beat they were in the air.
Marco took them into the clouds, hidden from any eyes that might spot them in the sky. They were flying in the direction of the island, but with the hazy clouds all around her, Ashina couldn't see if they were over water or land.
"Can you even see?"
"Yes. I'm going to land us in a small patch of trees."
Ashina felt the sensation of dropping as Marco glided lower, coming out of the clouds and skimming the treetops. He slowed and carefully dropped onto one tree branch.
Marco assisted her in keeping her balance as she climbed off his back and stood beside him on the branch.
"The town is to the west, only a couple yards from here. I'm sure you'll know when we make land. Good luck."
He pumped his wings, taking flight once more. He moved much faster than he had flown with her. Ashina surveyed the area around her before carefully making her way down the tree. She strolled through the trees, heading west like Marco said, and as the trees began to thin, she started to hear the voices and noises of the village.
Ashina wandered until she found a secluded side street. She followed the street into the town, using all of her senses to explore the town. As she waited for the signal that the crew had landed, and while searching for this leader, she took in all the town had to offer.
The village was a decent size, and from their understanding the only one on the small island. There was a small market along the street of businesses including a few small shops and places to eat. The market sold a variety of goods, but mostly produce, grains, meats, and some dairy products. Based on the market, the village's outskirts boasted several farms, which were the livelihood of the island.
The villagers were kind as she interacted with a few, asking questions about locations of a dress store, or where to find a good drink, but Ashina picked up on the undercurrent of fear, apprehension, and overall nervousness. Ashina left the market, turning down a side street. She slowed as she saw a group of men walking in front of her.
The trio all carried swords and dressed in shabby clothes, giving the appearance of recently returning from a long, hard sea journey. They were large men, tall and wide with thick muscles.
"Boss is waiting," one of them said.
"We should tell him about the ship that's coming in."
Bingo. Ashina waited for them to enter the small building to see their boss, the leader. She moved to crouch beside the stairs, hidden beneath the railing.
It was Ace's hiken that sparked the attention of the wannabe pirates. While she heard many others rush off to direction of the blast, the three that were inside came out, along with two more men. None of the men caught site of her as they too headed for the sounds of fighting. Ashina waited for a moment before slipping up the stairs and inside the building.
The inside was home to a lounge. A long, curved bar was to the left, and plush seating with four tables scattered the front of the right side of the room. In the back was another, more casual seating area with a couch and two large chairs.
Sitting on the couch was a was rotund, with tufts of gray hair on the top of his head and a salt and pepper beard. Ashina raised her eyebrow as she slowly approached.
"Who are you woman? This is a private establishment. You're pretty, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
Ashina hummed as she smiled. "You can call me Red."
"Well, Red. You should leave now. You have no business here."
"But you see, I do. Pops doesn't like how you're treating the people of this island, and frankly, after seeing them, I don't like it either. So, we're going to go see Pops. You can choose how you go."
The fat man guffawed, large belly laughs that shook the couch he was sitting on. "You cannot make me go anywhere girl."
Ashina slipped a hand into her pouch, withdrawing the two kunai. She threw the first with a flick of her wrist. It flew past the man's face, nicking his cheek before striking and sticking into the wall behind his head. While he was still momentarily shocked, Ashina flew forward, landing a solid kick to the man's gut, before twisting to deliver a blow to the cheek with her fist. She stepped up on his knee, clamping a hand on his shoulder as she flipped around, landing behind him. The second kunai held to his throat.
"I can make you go, or I can kill you now. Pops said I could if I had too. I'm not sure if Pops will kill you or not. You can take your chances with him, or I can kill you now."
Then man groaned, clutching his stomach in his large, chubby hands. "I'll go," he whined. "Please don't kill me."
Ashina scoffed. Keeping her eyes on the man, she reached back with her free hand to retrieve her kunai. She shoved his shoulder. "Get up. Starting walking."
When he didn't move, she delivered a hard blow to his ear. "You're all talk. Such a pathetic man, using other brainless brutes to harm people and make them fear you and then pay you. You're nothing but a faceless name, and a pathetic man."
He reached out to strike her, but he moved too slowly to be any threat to her. Ashina laughed as she easily dodged his punch. She ducked, and twisted around, delivering a jarring kick to his chest. She moved in quickly, before he could recover, and struck with a strong hook, her kunai gripped in her fist, blade resting parallel to her forearm. As she struck, the blade sliced into his cheek.
He screamed and jerked back, holding his cheek as he started to whimper.
"Walk. Now. Or I will kill you in this shitty lounge."
He whimpered, but moved as fast as he could for the door, leaving drops of blood on the carpet in his wake. She followed him to the door and they exited.
"You hear the fighting?" She waited for him to nod before she continued. "Go toward it. That's where we'll find my crew."
Her crew was only a few streets over, finishing the fight with the last of the failed wannabe pirates. The large man stopped walking, shaking in his boots as he took in the four Commanders in front of him. He stepped back, tripping over his own feet, when he caught sight of Whitebeard coming up the street. He fell to the ground and Ashina giggled.
"Pathetic." She gave him a disgusted look as she passed before turning her attention to Ace and smiling brightly.
"Looks like you had a little fun with him," Ace said, smirking as he took in the blood and bruises on the man's face.
"He didn't want to come along, so I had to make him."
Ace chuckled, as he slipped a hand around her waist, pulling her closer to his chest. Her arms encircled him as he dropped a kiss to her lips. "Good job, Missus."
Pops reached the man and scowled down at him. "Marco, you Thatch, Ace, and Ashina go check the town for any stragglers. Fossa and I will take care of him."
"Yoi, got it, Pops."
They set off down the road, walking past the defeated leader and continuing down the street.
"It's a nice little town," Ashina commented as they walked, looking around to check for any remaining thugs.
"It's quaint," Thatch teased.
"It'll be better without those thugs," Marco added.
They reached the forest where Marco first dropped her off, so they turned around, circling around a building before heading back down a different street. As they rounded a corner, two boys ran out in front of them.
"Take us with you!"
"You're pirates! Please, we want to go!"
"We'll do anything!"
"Anything you ask!"
They shouted over each other eagerly, big eyes pleading as they stared up at the four of them. The blond-haired boy was slightly taller with hazel eyes while the shorter boy had copper colored hair and sky-blue eyes. They were both too thin, all knees and elbows with no meat on their ribs.
They waited a moment, and when no one replied, the blond boy added, "We saw you fighting earlier. You took out the men that took over the island so easily! We want to go with you! We'll do anything! Be cabin boys! Clean! Anything! Please take us with you!"
"How old are you boys?" Marco asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Fifteen!" The copper hair boy shouted.
"Sixteen!" The blond boy added.
Thatch, Ace, and Marco chuckled. Marco gave them a critical stare. "You don't look much older than twelve, yoi."
Ashina giggled, earning a glare from the two young boys. She covered her mouth with her hand and continued to watch as the Commanders eyed the two prospective cabin boys.
"They don't look like their balls have even dropped," Thatch commented.
Ashina snickered again and Ace wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her in to his chest to muffle her mirth.
"They have!" The blond boy shouted.
The Commanders shared a chuckle at that before Marco sighed, uncrossing his arm. "Yoi, no need to prove it. Now how old are you really?" His hands rested on his hips and he leaned forward slightly.
Under Marco's hard gaze both boys shifted nervously. The copper haired boy finally found his courage and spoke up.
"I'm eleven. He's twelve."
Marco hummed. "You're both young, but Pops has taken on younger before."
Thatch chuckled and mumbled, "You'd know all about that."
A knowing glance passed between Marco and Thatch before Thatch shrugged. "Why not?"
Marco turned back to the two boys. "You'll be cabin boys not fighting crew, understood?" They nodded eagerly as he continued. "You'll do chores and answer with respect to anyone older than you and that includes Missus Giggles over here."
Ashina sobered instantly. "Missus Giggles?"
Marco tossed her a teasing wink over his shoulder. "Yes. You."
"But she's a -"
Thatch cut off the older boy. "Damn good kunoichi and Pops' only female fighter on the main crew. Better give her the utmost respect because she can kick your ass before you even know your ass has been kicked."
Ashina gave a friendly smile and a wave. The younger boy started to wave back but was elbowed into submission by the older boy. The whole interaction made Ashina titter again.
"Fine. We agree," the older boy said, standing up straight.
Marco nodded. "Come on then. Tell me a bit about yourself as we go."
As they were walking through town back toward the docks, where a smaller version of the Moby Dick was anchored, a woman came running out of a building.
"There you two trouble makers are! I've been looking all over for you! You have chores to do! Work to be done!"
"But Ma'am we finished all our chores!"
The woman scoffed and crossed her arms. "Well you can have more to do."
One of the boys went to speak again and the woman's hand shot out to backhand him across the cheek.
Ace felt Ashina tense under his arm as she stopped walking.
Marco stepped forward and spoke before Ashina could. "You boys said you didn't have a mom."
The woman sneered. "They don't. Raggedy, troublesome bunch of idiots. Orphans the two of them. Nothing but backtalking, rude, troublesome, stealing, no good…"
The words faded into jumble as Ashina's blood boiled. She felt Ace's muscles tense beside her and her rage burned hotter as she realized Ace would have felt all of those words aimed toward his younger self.
Marco must have picked up on it to, or he'd had enough of the woman's word vomit and he interrupted her. "That's enough of that, madam. I think I get the picture your painting perfectly. As it so happens the boys are going to be coming with us."
"The hell they are! They're my two best workers."
"Are they your slaves?" Ashina sneered.
The woman snapped her cold gaze to Ashina and frowned. "No. I run the orphanage."
"Good. Then since they are not your slaves, they can come with us and it will be two less mouths for you to feed."
"You cannot take them. They are needed here."
"You don't feed us or take care of us!" The younger boy shouted.
He ducked, ready for the next strike as she raised her hand, but the blow never came. Ashina placed herself between the woman and the boy in an instant. Her fingers wrapped painfully tight around the woman's wrist as she glared at her. "Judging from his reaction, I'd say beating is a common punishment, yes? The boys are coming with us."
Ashina let go, pushing the woman's hand down and stepping back, daring the woman to disagree.
The woman went to say something else but stopped as she looked at the three large men over Ashina's shoulder.
She scowled as she met Ashina's cold stare. "Fine. Take the brats. I hope they drown in the sea for all their worth."
The resounding slap echoed across the street and for a moment everyone stood silent and still.
Ashina took several deep breaths, calming her rage before she leveled the woman, clutching her reddened cheek, with a cold stare. "Not on my watch they won't. Have a nice day, madam." Giving a fake smile, she turned and placed a strong hand on each of the boy's shoulders and steered them toward the docks. "Let's go, boys."
Marco frowned at the woman while she glared at Ashina's retreating back.
Marco cleared his throat, catching the woman's attention. "This island is under the protection of Whitebeard now. Someone will be back to check on the island. See to it that the children under your care are well-clothed and fed properly from now on. Chores are one thing; slave labor is another." Marco tossed her a small bag of money and gave her a pointed stare. "Have a good day, madam."
When they met up with the rest of the crew, Pops eyed the two new additions with a critical eye and then guffawed. After a moment he returned to his calm seriousness and looked the boys over once more. "Two new cabin boys, eh? What are your names boys?"
The older boy spoke first. "Tenshin."
"Yukichi," the younger spoke, eyes wide as he stared at Pop's with shocked awe.
"Welcome to the Whitebeard Pirates, Tenshin and Yukichi. Commanders, let's board ship, looks like these boys could use a bath and some food."