Hope everyone is having a great day! Here's another chapter and hope everyone enjoys it. A little foreshadowing. Anyways thanks for the support and see you guys in two days!
It had been three days since Katie had been informed she was to go to the Kingdom of Germa on a formality that her grandfather Sengoku and a man named Judge, set up. The young woman and Garp had stated their discontent with the situation and did so loudly but in the end, she caved. The responsibility of being the granddaughter of the two heroes wasn't just for namesake only.
At least the day was clear and the sun shone from above, the brunette thought. It was noon and most of the marines on Momonga's ship had begun eating. This left the vice-admiral, Zephyr, and Katie at the front. Due to the high amount of sea kings under the surface of the Calm Belt, the ship remained rocked at the edge where the currents were unpredictable.
Katie stood at the front behind the railing of the ship, gazing down at the distinctive line between the two bodies of water. She could smell the salt, the moisture from the warmer currents mixing with the cooler, and the scent of metal. It wasn't the ship. It buzzed with its own set of aromas. This was coming from ahead of them, getting stronger with every moment that passed.
In that instant, she let out a deep ragged sigh. Zephyr who stood next to her put a gentle hand on her shoulder. The brunette responded by clasping her smaller hand over his own. On a day like today, the officer wore his trademark lavender suit with a lighter color button-up underneath. Due to his worry over Katelyn's safety, his nerves were getting a little better of him. The man fidgeted with his red polka-dotted tie, which stylish matched this ensemble. Once he calmed himself, the marine put his hand back into his pocket and gave a distinctive appearance of seriousness with the sun somewhat shimmering off the thin wired spectacles perched on his nose.
The abnormally tall human's dark grey eyes shifted downwards towards the smaller female who donned a powder blue sundress and a wide-brimmed sunhat to match it. A dark naval blue ribbon belt wrapped around her waist and tied into a large bow in the back. Zephyr didn't want to admit it but he was taken back by her beauty. Her dress was stylish with a slightly low cut neckline that wasn't so low to be considered trashy but a bit more to be called conservative with her appearance. One could already see her athletic form under the clothing and spot just how gifted her bust really was.
"You know... If I wasn't married already, I'd think I'd be asking you out for the evening", Zephyr complimented.
"Your wife would be upset if she heard you", Katie kindly reminded with a gentle tone. She knew he was just paying his respects and helping clear some of the awkward air about her.
"And if I were twenty years younger I'd have my say as well", Momonga stated with a light chuckle. His serious demeanor had relaxed some as to not add to Katelyn's nerves. The marine could see she was under a lot of pressure and trying to keep it together. Just like both her grandfathers, whom he highly respected, she was honest with her expressions and probably didn't realize how worried she appeared to be.
"Thanks... I mean it", the long-haired brunette continued before wrinkling her nose.
"Can you smell them coming?" Zephyr was truly curious as her sunny disposition seemed to have faded.
"Yeah", the young woman added while she tied her hair into a large bun from a blue ribbon she plucked from a hidden pocket designed into the skirt of her dress. "Is it wrong to be nervous", she asked with her eyes focused onto the horizon.
"No. Not at all", Zephyr confirmed before gazing over at his colleague in a purple and white pin-striped suit. The man with the long dark auburn mohawk and mustache relaxed his hand on the hilt of his katana. In agreement, Momonga nodded.
"I'm just worried about that violent streak I kept hearing about and their abusive nature towards their servants. I was warned not to try and recruit or get myself involved but I don't know if I can stand by and watch someone get hurt", Katelyn voiced with concern.
"Don't worry... I'm sure you'll think of something. If the rumors are true do what your heart tells you. I'll support you where I can", the retired admiral tried to comfort. He'd seen first-hand Judge's temper and violence. There was no way he'd let her be alone with that family nor let them put a hand on her, no matter the reason.
As the colossal snails appeared in the distance, Katie felt her shoulders crawl up to her ears. "Ok...", she breathed. "I guess play time's over", the female muttered. The butterflies in her stomach increased and she was nearly sick. All she could think about was Luffy and Ace. The woman wondered how her brothers would handle this situation and the moment she did, a snicker cracked through the sea's air.
"Sorry", she smiled nervously. "Was just wondering what my brothers would tell me in this situation." It earned a light chuckle from the violet haired man. What he didn't know would save her a scolding later. Luffy and Ace would just ditch the whole ordeal and go hunting sea kings for excitement. Just one would be enough food but it would have to be big for her kid brother's sake. The thought of hunting one just so she could brag back home was terrifyingly tempting. If it was just her reputation on the line, she would but alas it wasn't.
Instead, dread filled Katie's chest. She could feel the pressure growing around her heart as it beat faster and faster while their kingdom closed the gap between the sea and the marine's ship. Zephyr watched the young woman's grip on the iron railing, tighten. Her dark blue visions locked onto the snails growing in size.
"Grab my arm", the retired admiral suggested under his breath. His voice was sterile but it didn't bother the brunette. She knew he was in work mode. There was no room to argue. The young woman did as she was told and slipped both hands over his forearm while he left his elbow relaxed so that she could reach it. He took note of her iron grip. It wasn't something to take lightly but this way he could hide her white knuckles by placing a large hand over her own as a gentleman escorting a lady should. He knew the family to be quite observant and if they sensed any weakness in her, they'd go after her like sharks.
"Everything will be alright", he soothed under a gentle tone. "It's just for two days and we'll be retiring here, on this ship. Don't let your nerves get the better of you and keep telling yourself that it's just for two short days." Zephyr hoped that would be enough. He was a little lost on these things considering he had never had to go through what Katie was about to be thrown into.
Being royalty of a moving kingdom with advanced technology at their disposal, the Marines were forced to pay their respects by entertaining the idea but nothing further than that. He was sure from Garp's prior demands and protests, there wasn't going to be a marriage of any sort. In the back of Zephyr's mind, he wondered if those five old bastards forced Sengoku to put on this tiring show.
As the purple-haired vice-admiral instructor gazed forward, his dark grey visions peered up at the extensive size of the snails that approached. He had to give it to the Vinsmokes; they were tactically sound and furthermore, knew how to intimidate people. He could hear the worried tones and whispers from the crew members on Momonga's ship. Neither officer admonished the men. This wasn't the first time seeing such a sight but for many of the lower ranks, it was.
"It looks like we're going to have to jump", Katie sighed while she slipped off her white sandals. Though they were easy to maneuver in, long jumps like the one she had suggested, were done barefoot to avoid slippage.
Dark blue orbs spotted the spiked golden hair of Judge as he stood at the edge of his fortress, just above the gate. From what she could see, he was a tall man. Very broad in the shoulders with a black pointy mustache and a golden helmet on top of his head. His outfit consisted of a dark grey suit and a golden colored cape that covered his left shoulder, exposing the right arm and shoulder.
Before Katie could argue, Zephyr had plucked the tiny female and placed her smaller frame on his own robust shoulder. With her sandals in her hand, the young woman wasn't able to even push his arm off. Instead, the fleet-admiral's granddaughter watched in confusion as the officer curled his bicep over her thighs and tucked his hand half under her person to secure her to his shoulder.
"You're in a dress. Besides, there are only two things these bastards respect and that's power and strength." Zephyr's voice cut off as he bent at the knee. Momonga stepped away while wishing both "good luck". With a single leap, the marine's ship tilted before bouncing among the waves. The instructor landed on top of the first snail's head before the violet haired man recoiled his legs and took another leap. In a blink, he landed next to Judge who seemed shaken a bit before settling himself down.
"Zephyr", he growled under his breath.
"Judge", the retired admiral acknowledged simply while he slipped Katie off his shoulder and set her down next to him like a parent would their child.
"I didn't expect you of all people to escort Sengoku's granddaughter", a barreled tone snapped into the air.
"Why not", the lavender haired man asked calmly. "Fleet-admiral Sengoku and Garp are both my colleagues and friends. It would only be natural for me to accompany her or would you rather have someone like admiral Akainu or Kizaru, who would fiercely protect her as to protect the image of the Marines she represents?" The vice-admiral arched a brow. He deliberately used the fearful images of the admirals to his advantage. In return, he got what he wanted. Judge bared his teeth as the man clenched his jaw.
"Tch... Very well, follow me." It was clear as day the man wasn't up for dealing with the likes of the vice-admiral. He had miscalculated the situation and underestimated Sengoku. The blonde assumed the head of the formidable world power would send some vice-admiral, not someone who carried the title Admiral in the past but it did cement his suspicion of her value. He could use this to his advantage, the king thought while he led the two visitors down to his throne room.
Katie hadn't flinched while she continued to walk at Zephyr's side. She had been around her grandfathers a bit too much. The king's outburst accompanied his size but the rest fell flat. Being around large and loud men most of her life, made her a bit immune to the intimidation that Judge was trying to exude. Instead, as the man with the long blonde hair had walked by she bowed in respect. He paid no mind to her presence which struck her odd since she was here on his invitation. Instead, the man was focused solely on Zephyr who shrugged everything off and offered his arm once again to the smaller female.
The once admiral, now vice-admiral, knew this would happen. He and Judge never saw eye to eye but of course, none of the marines the officer knew did. His place next to Katelyn was perfect. Sengoku wanted to show power even with a man who feared for his family's safety more than he did his own career. Being bumped down to vice-admiral with instructor duties gave the lavender haired marine more time with his family and the ability to act as he saw fit. A freedom which he could say he cherished far more than he knew until the demotion of sorts.
This brought the man's thoughts to the brunette who stood next to him. She was a precious friend to his wife and his friends' granddaughter. There was going to be no doubt she would start trouble but the officer had zero doubts that things would get out of his control. People like the Vinsmokes didn't mix well with people who were kind and considerate like Katie.