"Seriously, you're enjoying this way too much!" A feminine voice exclaimed in exasperation and annoyance as its owner, a certain silver haired girl, swiftly tilted her head to the right to avoid a swing, just barely dodging it.
"What do you mean? It's training," An obviously amused voice replied in what he believed to be an innocent tone, swinging the Haki-coated sheath again. The female moved her head to the back to dodge the blow. "You're getting better at this,"
The man, Shanks, could practically feel Aella roll her eyes from behind her blindfold. "Yeah, I kinda have to if I don't want my face turning into freaking plum."
Shanks laughed, "All you have to do is dodge five hundred consecutive blows. So far, you've managed to do one hundred and three before getting hit, which isn't all that bad considering you only started training six months ago."
"What a long, painful six months they were. And you aren't even letting me touch my swords."
"As soon as you get this aspect of Kenbunshoku down, we can move on to Busoshoku, which is when you'll get your swords back."
"Yeah, yeah. Let's get this over with already,"
Aella focused her senses and ducked her head under another swing, determined to not let Shanks get another hit in before she at least reached one hundred ten. This was how her training had been since she boarded the Red Force; either Shanks, Benn or Yasopp would swing at her while she's blindfolded and trying to dodge, each blow being faster than the last. Though she is much better using Haki to locate and sense things than to evade attacks, but she's getting there.
She sure preferred Benn over the other two, though; Shanks didn't hold back at all (the guy even incorporates Haoshoku Haki to add more pressure on her. Calmness is needed to use Kenbunshoku, and with a superior willpower pressing down on her, it was really hard to concentrate. She was that close to passing out the first few times) and Yasopp held back too much- but she was still grateful for the training, no matter how hellish it could be at times.
And don't get her wrong, getting used to this new world was by no means easy. She missed some of the accommodations her old provided her, namely the internet and technology in general, but Aella was good at adapting and sailing with a Yonko -even if it is temporary- reassured her and gave her some confidence she didn't realize she needed.
She was grateful for having met the Red Hair Pirates.
The Red Hair Pirates were at a winter Island, hanging out in one of the caves in the mountains. Aella, who had finished her Busoshoku Haki training for the day, was outside the cave in a thick fur jacket while reading a book with a hot cup of coffee in her hand.
Suddenly, her senses started prickling, Color of Observation alerting her to someone approaching where the crew was. She closed her book, put her coffee mug on the snow and turned to the slope of the mountain to check who it was, seeing as she was on watch duty at the moment.
Her lower half disappeared as she flew up and forward (getting used to how weightless her legs were was damn hard, by the way), making sure to stay out of sight. As the girl scoped out the terrain, her eyes locked on an orange spot trekking through the snow with at least ten other blobs following it. She quickly realized that the orange thing was a cowboy hat, a hand holding it in place to keep it from flying away in the harsh chilly winds.
Aella's eyes widened when she acknowledged the fact that she recognized who it was and she wanted to smack herself for not noticing sooner, seeing as the signs were all there; this is a winter island with a snowy mountain terrain, and a certain pirate crew had been making a name for themselves over the last few months.
Instead, a small smirk made its way to her face as she turned back, heading to the caves, picking up the now freezing mug of coffee from the snow
"Shanks," She called when she entered the crew's current base, catching everyone's attention, "Someone's here to see you."
"Another rookie aiming for my head?" The redhead asked, eyes shining in amusement.
The silver haired eighteen year old walked over to the wall, leaning against it. "I'm not so sure about that. It's the Spade Pirates."
"Spade Pirates, huh? Is that the crew led by that super rookie you told me about? Fire Fist Ace?"
"Yup," Aella chirped, "Ah, they're almost here."
When the pirates heard that, they all put down whatever they were doing and either sat around their captain or leaned against the wall, all eyes on the cave entrance. This was something they usually did for fun, since the unnerved expressions that rookies donned were amusing to no ends, in their opinion.
Aella thought it was stupid; they were a Yonko crew -have been for about a year now- and their presence alone tended to intimidate and discourage normal rookies who came in hopes of taking down Shanks, but who was she to stop them from having fun?
Footsteps were heard at the mouth of the cave and a bunch of people walked in, led by a black haired, freckled male, he looked about seventeen years old. Portgas D Ace, future Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates and son of the former Pirate King.
The members of the Spade Pirates stayed at the entrance while Ace walked forward. The only female present picked up on the mild excitement coming off from the guy as he introduced himself to Shanks.
A small grin played at the redhead's lips as he responded, teasingly flicking his saber out of its sheath a bit in an intimidating manner, his slowly leaking Conqueror's Haki not helping. "The Spade Pirates? The famous Super Rookies... have come for me?"
Aella watched in mild amusement as the young pirate captain waved his hands in front of him denyingly with a grin. "No, no, that's not why I'm here! My little brother owes you his life and is always talking about you," Fondness had seeped into his voice when he mentioned his brother. "I just wanted to meet you and say thanks."
A genuine smile lit up Shanks' face as he pieced together what the younger pirate had said, and Aella smirked at the surprise on his face and in his voice. "You mean Luffy? I never knew he had a brother." A subtle, accusatory glare was sent in the silverette's direction before the redhead continued, "I see. I'm glad you came. Please, tell me more!"
And just like that, all the tension from earlier disappeared as if it had never even been there in the first place.
"Let's have a party!"
Shaking her head good-naturedly, Aella pushed herself off the wall and walked in the direction of the entrance of the cave, "I'll bring some more booze from the ship then,"
"Yeah, you do that please. There isn't enough here for everyone, though I could've sworn there was at least double this much last night."
"You're the one who drank through most of it last night, if I remember correctly." She pointed out, raising an eyebrow at the Yonko, expertly ignoring the heart eyes that were directed at her from some of the Spade Pirates.
Yasopp laughed, "She's right, Captain!"
"She always is," Shanks huffed, "But don't act like you didn't drink any, Yasopp!"
As the captain and his sniper started bickering, almost as if they forgot they were in the presence of another crew, Aella continued walking but was stopped once again when someone's from Ace's crew asked, "Do you need help, Miss?"
"Nah, I've got it."
With that, she raised the hood of her cloak and disappeared into the blizzard outside. Her entire body tuned into air as she flew down the mountain towards the shore, where the Red Force was docked. A few minutes later, she was walked up the stairs from the storage unit with two barrels of booze in the air behind her, encompassed in an air ball to keep them levitating.
Her heart ached when she thought about the fact that in three years' time, the cheerful pirate that had come to meet an Emperor would be dead because of a magma fist through his chest. She wasn't sure she could change that, she wasn't even sure she wanted to involve herself in the plot at all yet. A part of her understood that her presence alone had probably started changing something in the plot; that she has already involved herself.
Aella would like to change things for the better, but was she willing to risk her life for people she didn't even know? Was she willing to take the risk that she might change things for the worse instead of for the better? Was she strong or significant enough to actually change things? Was she willing to risk throwing away what she knew about the future?
She knew she wasn't going to stay with Shanks and his crew forever. She wanted to sail around the world and have adventures and fight. She wanted to fight. She loved the thrill and adrenaline that a good fight gave her.
Cassidy Aella wasn't an idiot. Far from it, really. She realized it was dangerous, she realized that she could end up dead. But, frankly, that was what she liked about this world. The freedom to do something dangerous and risky without restraints, without caring what the society would think of her, without having to consider the consequences that her family would face if she did something reckless.
On top of that, here, in this world, she actually had a chance -albeit a small one- to fulfill a promise she made to an old friend a as kid. It was too childish and naïve of her to make that promise, she had realized that once she had grown up a bit, so she had given up on it years ago (because seriously? Becoming the strongest woman in the world? Why had she even wanted to do that in the first place? She really couldn't remember.) But... she had wondered what she would be like if she hadn't discarded that promise, that goal, she had made to herself and her best friend all those years ago.
In this world, though, there were people with dreams and goals just as crazy as hers, if not even crazier. And while there were those sane folks who would laugh her goal off as a child's fantasy -an impossible, unreachable dream- there were also those who would actually believe her if she dared say it out loud.
The first person like that who came to mind was her elder sister. Her deceased sister, who wasn't even in this world with her. The second was Shanks, though she wasn't at all willing to ask him about it for now.
The next person who came to her mind from this world was a certain, straw hatted young pirate captain who hadn't even set sail yet, and wouldn't for another three years.
Aella may have not actually met the future Pirate King, but simply watching his insane crusades through her laptop screen or reading about them on the pages of a manga had left a strong impression on her. Monkey D Luffy was a strong-willed, determined young man with a carefree and laid back attitude and a big, nigh impossible, dream. Yet he was willing to set out to sea on a tiny dingy in order to become the next King of the Pirates.
If he could do that, why couldn't she? She had grown up in a place where there were expectations that she had to live up to. A place where your public image and reputation actually mattered. A place where she had to act like a polite woman who didn't like fighting -even if she ignored that last part most of the time- because women were expected be be these weak, fragile creatures that could be taken advantage of. Who were supposed to sit in their houses or work in the kitchen all day. Who couldn't do what they really wanted.
Who were restrained by society and expectations.
Sure, the situation had gotten infinitely better over the centuries, but women were still generally looked down upon.
Here, though, no one knew who she was. No one had a set of preset expectations for her to live up to. Here, not many really cared about your gender. (Not out on the open sea, anyway. She didn't really know about islands and civilians.)
Here, nothing was holding her back.
If she wanted to accomplish all of her dreams and goals, this was the perfect world to do so. During the year she had spent with the Red Hair Pirates, she had grown accustomed to a pirate's lifestyle. And she liked it. Though with her goal, she wouldn't be able to stay with this particular crew for too long.
The eighteen year old also knew that she wouldn't make a good captain -not that she even wanted to be one- she lacked the charisma needed for that. She wasn't like Shanks or Luffy. People didn't just instinctively gravitate towards her.
From watching the anime, Aella knew that the one perfect place for her would be with the Straw Hat pirate crew; the crew of dreamers. They were trustworthy and loyal, all of them willing to lay down their lives for each other; all of them determined to live their lives the way they wanted to; die the way they chose to. All of them were free. At least they would be, once they met and joined Luffy.
She wanted to be like that. She wanted to join their adventure when it started. She wanted to accomplish her goal with a bunch of people she could call her nakama by her side, whom she could trust with anything and everything.
Yes. She wanted that. She longed for that. A life like that. Wasn't that one of the reasons she even left her world and everything she knew behind in the first place? To start a new life that she would live to the fullest the way she wanted to?
It was.
And Aella was determined to make it happen. She didn't want to force herself onto the crew, though. Though, from what she knew about Luffy, he would probably ask her to join if he took a liking to her. And if, if, she couldn't join his crew... well, she supposed there were always other crews she could try to join; another Supernova's. The Straw Hats were much more preferable though.
She could count on that.
When she arrived back at the cave with the booze, it was also with a newly steeled mindset and a determined smile. She was going to get stronger; strong enough to achieve her goals; strong enough face off against any and all monsters in this insane world; strong enough to protect the people she would come to care about. No one she loves would die if she had something to do about it. Not again.
"Is that so? Then let's make a bet,"
"A bet?"
"Five thousand beli that he's going to beat you then ask you to join his crew,"
"That's not gonna happen," Ace scoffed. "I already told you, I'm going to beat him and make the world recognize my strength."
Aella smirked, "I know you did. So, are you in or not?"
"Sure. Better have my money ready the next time we meet," he said confidently.
"I should be the one saying that, Flame Brain."
"We'll see about that, Airhead."
The bet might have been unfair, what with Aella's foreknowledge and all, but she didn't particularly care; the look on Ace's face when she demands the money from him the next time they met would no doubt be priceless.
Shanks laughed as he watched the pair, amused to no end. He knew of Aella's unfair advantage and couldn't help but think of how devious she could be at times; she was definitely related to Andrew-san.
Ace and Aella got along fairly well, with both of them being almost the same age. Aella had spent the last year with a bunch of grown men, so it did her some good to talk to someone her own age.
Ace had mentioned that he was aiming to take Whitebeard's head, and Aella bluntly stated that he wouldn't be able to do it. That led Ace's competitive nature to come out, and they ended up betting on the results of the fight, both teens confident about their theories.
When the Spade Pirates left, it was with a promise to meet the silver haired woman again.
Shanks and Benn looked at Aella something akin to shock shock while she shifted uneasily under their gazes.
"What?!" She finally asked, unable to take their staring any longer
Benn shook his head, finally coming out of the daze her previous words put him into. "Nothing. You're just even more insane than I thought. I knew you were reckless when you said that you travelled between worlds with no real plans or precautions whatsoever, but I didn't think you were this far gone."
Aella pouted, Shanks laughed. "Guess I shouldn't be too surprised. I don't think it's impossible; you do have a lot of potential. You'll just need to train harder if you wanna beat that old hag." He grinned at her, "And I already told you that you can do whatever you want once I say you're competent enough to handle yourself out there,"
"Correction, once I say she's competent enough. You'll probably keep her here, training, until she surpasses you before you let her go." Benn pointed out playfully.
"Eh... maybe. Anyway, you want to join Anchor's crew?" Shanks asked, turning to look at the girl.
"Yeah," She confirmed, "Sailing with him would be too much fun for me to miss. Besides, who knows? Maybe I can help him and the crew get stronger before reaching Sabaody, though their two-year is still gonna be necessary."
The captain hummed before smirking at Aella, "You can do that. But you're not leaving until you're strong enough, even if it takes more than three years."
"It probably won't take even that. She's only been training for a little over a year and she's already improved significantly; having awakened Busoshoku Haki and can use Kenbunshoku well enough, even if she hasn't exactly mastered it yet. Her swordsmanship is improving with every spar, too. Two more years and she'll probably master basic Haki, which can then be improved through battles and personal experience."
"So... You think I can actually do it?" Aella questioned the two men.
"If you push yourself and test your limits, I don't see why not." Benn answered, making her smile.
Shanks grinned, pulling her into a headlock and rubbing his knuckle against her head, causing the girl to scowl, willing her head and shoulders turn to air to escape the Yonko's hold. "Then let's get to training, we have a lot to do."
Shanks stared at Aella. Aella stared at Shanks. Benn watched the two from the side, amusement dancing in his orbs while a black haired man looked on in boredom.
"Aella, spar with him."
"Seriously? We both know I'm not strong enough to even scratch him yet."
"So you need to get stronger. Sparring with him is a good idea."
"Against the World's Greatest Swordsman. Yeah. Great idea."
"It's good training for you, he can help you improve."
"Shanks. I haven't mastered completely mastered Hardening yet."
"Another reason why this is a good idea."
"You're so unreasonable. Fine, I'll do it. If I end up dead, it's your fault."
That is why Aella is currently standing in front of freaking Dracule 'Hawk-Eyes' Mihawk with her swords drawn, senses sharp and Kenbunshoku Haki tuned in and focused solely on the man in front of her. Said man had his small knife -if it can be even called that- in his hand, looking totally relaxed and confident. Rightfully so.
She couldn't sense him using Armament Haki, and she had no idea how to feel about that. On one hand, she was somewhat relieved to know that she wasn't dying any time soon; on the other... well, this was definitely a blow to her pride and she did not like it.
She knew with certainty that she had no chance against the master swordsman, and that he could beat her effortlessly with that tiny blade. Still, it stung her pride that she was being taken as a joke, though she was determined to make Mihawk see her potential- she may not be all that strong now, but she was definitely going to get much stronger, more experienced.
And even though she was undoubtedly going to lose here, she'll be damned if she doesn't give it her all to at least remotely impress the man.
The young woman reached for the hidden power in her, concentrating on it and drawing it out. The blades in her hands flickered black for a couple of seconds, turned back to silver, then black again as she forced her Busoshoku to stay activated, unwavering.
Heterochromatic eyes set on this World's Greatest Swordsman (ignoring how handsome he looked. Seriously, what right do many of this world's males have, being so damn hot?) , studying his stance, his posture, paying attention to his every move. When it was clear that Mihawk wasn't going to attack first, Aella took initiative and launched forwards, right katana swinging down at her opponent.
Predictably, the strike was blocked with the tip of the knife, which then moved to block the other sword after pushing the first one back.
Aella pushed down a grunt at the force that was behind that tiny blade and jumped back, stance taken, swords ready and mind calm and focused. Holding Yorukaze and Excalibur parallel to each other over her left shoulder, she swung down diagonally, sending a flying slash at Mihawk, her Ea Ea no Mi* only enhancing the attack.
She didn't want to rely on her Devil Fruit too much while in the New World until she was confident of her ability to handle herself a bit without the use of her power; since any Haki user would be able to penetrate her Logia defenses, no problem. She especially wanted her skills with a blade to improve, hence only minor help from the surrounding air.
She honestly didn't like how casually her attacks were deflected, but that thought got thrown right out the window when Mihawk came at her. She quickly crossed her black blades in front of her, stopping the knife from piercing her. Once again, it was a bit surprising how much force the tiny blade could take without breaking.
Doing what she could to push back her opponent (which wasn't much, really), she jumped and flipped above Mihawk's head, landing behind him.
Piercing yellow eyes turned to her and their owner smirked slightly, aura shifting to something a little more serious.
Author's note:
And cut! I wanted to get this out there, and I've been planning on having Aella meet Mihawk for quite a while. Though I had no clue how to write his interactions with her, so I resorted to 'actions speak louder than words'.
I honestly don't think it's that bad, considering I'm just writing this for fun. Anyhow, what are your opinions?
This is undoubtedly the longest chapter I've written, ever, but I like it. There are bound to be some longer chapters, specially since I plan on writing each canon arc in one chapter (only the East Blue and early Grand Line ones, mind you).
I have some things planned for Aella from when she leaves the Red Hair Pirates (next chapter) and before East Blue Saga, so stay tuned.
As always, feedback is greatly appreciated, as are suggestions.
Thanks for reading.