Tashigi sighed and looked across the field. There were many bodies strewn across it, and amazingly none were of her crewmates. The bodies, most of which were moaning in pain, belonged to the crew of the Wigbold Pirates, a group that had been terrorizing a group of islands in western east blue.
It had been a hard fight, but Tashigi was able to lead her men against the main force of the Wigbold Pirates, which outnumbered her and the rest of Smoker's crew four to one. While she was busy dealing with the army, Smoker had gone after the captain of the Wigbold Pirates, Michael Gotfreed. Gotfreed was a strong man but thanks to Smoker and his ability given to him by the Plume-Plume Fruit, he was able to handle Gotfreed with no issues.
While looking over the field Tashigi went into her pocket and pulled out a cigar ready to smoke it. As soon as it reached her lips, she heard the sound of a lighter being lit and turned over to her assistant Nami.
The feedback loop the pair had fallen into had continued since Nami had been promoted to lieutenant commander, whether it was a positive or negative one was up for debate.
For example, Tashigi had been able to lead the Marines under her that were part of her crew with no one even dreaming of disobeying her. This level of trust and obedience from her subordinates made this rout of the Wigbold Pirates possible, on the other hand however...
Nami looked down and smiled as Tashigi took a few puffs from the cigar and let it light. She then took the lighter away and slunk back down, almost invisible. At this point, Nami had almost no presence and was just there to follow Tashigi's orders, her own will nearly stamped out. Not that Nami minded of course, the only reason this was possible was because Nami allowed it to. At first, it was a means to an end, if she obeyed orders, it would be easier to make more money later due to getting promoted but now...
"You may have one too if you wish Nami." Tashigi said, not even looking at Nami, instead, continuing to stare at the field full of injured pirates. Nami took this chance to reach into Tashigi's pocket and pull out a cigar for herself, having previously been given permission by Tashigi to do that if Tashigi allowed Nami to have a cigar.
"Thank you Tashigi-san", Nami said with a blush. Tashigi was now the only person who ever even noticed her. Even Smoker found himself sometimes barely noticing that Nami was around, something that didn't bother Nami, but was bothering Tashigi.
Tashigi heard her assistant's delicate voice and sighed through the cigar. She scratched her head like she had seen Smoker do and wondered what she was going to do with Nami.
Nami had proven to be efficient at firearms, and even showed some surprising skill with a yari but was at her best when she was mopping up opponents to the sides of Tashigi.
Tashigi stood up and looked one final time at the field, then looked over at Nami who was barely making a sound smoker her cigar. "Nami, order the men to start bringing the wounded to the ship. I feel like they have suffered enough, and make sure the doctors on board know that there is going to be an influx of injured men." Tashigi then chuckled to herself. "Make sure you tell them that none are ours."
"Yes Tashigi-san", Nami said while saluting.
"I am going to see if Smoker needs any help interrogating Gotfreed." Tashigi finished, then walked off, her heels somehow clicking on the ground.
Nami watched Tashigi walk off, impressive as always, then walked over to the men who were moving some treasure the Wigbold Pirates had stolen to the Marine's ship.
"Tashigi-san says to concentrate on, on the injured now. You can handle the treasure later." Nami told the men, barely able to get her voice above a whisper. The Marines knew to obey her orders though, otherwise they would answer to Tashigi.
The first time a Marines ignored an order that Nami had delivered from Tashigi, Tashigi ensured that no one would ever ignore one again.
Nami had told a group of Marines to clean a meeting room for a meeting that Smoker was going to have with a local councilman. The meeting was the next day so instead of doing it the Marines that had been ordered goofed around. An hour later when Tashigi, a cigar in her mouth as seemingly always, came to check on the progress she found the Marines had not even started.
"Who amongst you decided it would be a good idea not to follow Nami's orders?" Tashigi asked calmly.
One of the Marines, who was still annoyed that Tashigi had been promoted so fast, decided he would volunteer and raised his hand.
By the time his hand was fully raised Tashigi was on him and had her blade drawn and against his neck. "An order from Nami is an order from me, and you will obey orders from me."
"Yes Tashigi", the Marine barely got out, which caused light to reflect off her glasses, showing Tashigi's annoyance.
"That is yes sir." Tashigi followed up.
"Yes sir." The Marine said meekly.
Tashigi smiled and stared at the Marine. "Good, don't you forget it ensign."
Tashigi walked in into a single room building where Smoker was talking to a tied up Gotfreed. Gotfreed was a slim, tall man. He had black hair and blue eyes that would almost be considered cute if they were on a less evil man. He had thin arms and legs which showed his lack of fighting, being much more the planner of the Wigbold Pirates. Smoker was currently about ready it seemed like, to kill him.
"Where is the rice?" Smoker was asking, the tone of his voice seemed to imply he had asked this question numerous times before.
In addition to stealing treasure from the islands, the Wigbold Pirates had also taken parts of a local island's rice harvest. The rice was part of what allowed the islanders to survive over the winter and with winter only a few months away, Smoker and the Marines were determined to get the islanders their food supply back.
"What is the problem Smoker?" Tashigi asked while walking in on the pair.
'Ah, Tashigi", Smoker answered back. "This asshole will not tell me where the rice is. The people of Chawal need their rice to eat." Smoker scratched his head and pulled out his Nanashaku Jitte and started to poke Gotfreed with it.
Gotfreed only laughed in response. "I didn't eat a devil's fruit captain, that doesn't bother me at all." Gotfreed laughed again, "I have told you; I will tell you where the rice is if you let me go and let me keep my treasure."
Smoker seemed annoyed and was about to punch him when Tashigi grabbed his arm. Smoker looked at Tashigi who had a small grin on her face.
"There is no reason for you to get your hands dirty Smoker, I can handle this." Tashigi puffed from her cigar and blew the smoke into Gotfreed face. "Just give me five minutes."
Smoker looked at his vice-captain and smiled, happy to see how much she was taking the initiative. He figured it was worth a shot, and if Tashigi failed, he would just beat the answer out of Gotfreed.
"You have five minutes." Smoker said, while looking at a pocket watch he had on him.
As he was leaving he heard Tashigi getting started, "hello, do you mind if I call you Michael?" The next thing he heard was someone spitting then he walked out of the room he tied up and put Gotfreed in.
About a minute later, Smoker was leaning against a wall enjoying his cigars when he heard a blood curling scream come from the room. He knew right away it was not Tashigi's so he exhaled some smoke and continued to wait, wondering if the rest of his crew could hear the scream.
Less than a minute later Tashigi walked out with a smile on her face. She took out the cigar she was still smoking and looked at Smoker.
"There is a cave about a half mile that way", Tashigi pointed in an eastward direction, "that is where the rice, and their other provisions are."
"And Gotfreed?" Smoker asked Tashigi, his eyebrow raised.
"He's alive", was Tashigi's response. "Now, Smoker, if you do not mind, I would like to go back to the ship and get Nami and a few Marines with me so I can go find that cave and get the people of Chawal back their food."
"Go ahead." Smoker ordered, then watched Tashigi walk off. He had wanted her to be strong and independent, but now he was a little worried he had created a monster. He sighed, looked up, took the cigars out of his mouth to exhale, then put them back in. He hoped that Gotfreed was still in one piece.
