Willow Island was lively as usual, the sun was shining and its businesses booming during this fair afternoon. This Island was popular as it was a small, summer Island. The laughter and chatter of the island's citizens and tourists, and the shouting from the street vendors filled the summer air.
"Get your fresh vegetables right here!"
"Fresh fruit picked straight from the garden!"
"You don't want to miss out on this once and a lifetime sale on jewelry!"
"Come and try our new anti-aging cream. It's guaranteed to reduce ages off your skin!"
Briar Hunters walked through the crowded streets. Why did this Island have to be so popular? She just hoped no one here would recognize her and call the Marines. She was wearing a simple turquoise tank top with a pair of shorts, completed with tan sandals. She pulled down her white baseball cap to hide her face. All the girl had on her consisted of the backpack slung over her shoulder and the clothes on her back. This island must be very popular during this time of year, Briar Hunters wondered to herself as it was the exact same as yesterday, except there were much more people out today.
A hand grabbed her wrist. "This necklace would look stunning on a girl like you. I'll tell you what, I will sell you this necklace for only $3,000" A female's voice spoke. Without looking at the sales woman or the necklace, she ripped her wrist from the woman's hand.
"No thanks." Briar muttered as she continued to walk through the crowds with her head held down as she tried to avoid bumping into people. She couldn't believe its already been two months since she miraculously escaped from her imprisonment from the Marines. Guess time flies by fast when you're constantly on the run from Marines and she would like to keep it that way. Anything was better than being with them. As a downside she had to resort to a life of crime for a living since she couldn't afford to stay on one island for too long in case someone recognized her and called the Marines. People couldn't be trusted, especially when she had a bounty of $100,000,000. It was like Sengoku was trying to make her life a living hell for trying to live her life the way she wanted. Instead of sitting there and being the good, little obedient Marine soldier he and the whole World Government wanted her to be. All because she had a rare Logia Devil Fruit.
This Island as Briar recalled was known throughout the New World for its beautiful willow trees which in some way reminded her of her home island, in turn also bringing up memories of the past she so badly wanted to forget. The only reason she was on this island in the first place was because Willow Island also served as a port for pirates and sailors alike. And pirates had lots of treasure she could steal from, she needed that treasure more than they did. Why did pirates bother having treasure if they were going to steal from innocent civilians anyways? She wondered.
She ran towards the port, hoping there were at least some unguarded ships for her to steal from. When she arrived at the port she couldn't believe her eyes. One of the ships there was massive, as well as beautiful. What amazed her was that the whole figurehead looked exactly like a whale. It must've taken the shipwrights months, even years to build it. Being in the Grand Line her whole life she has seen plenty of huge ships but nothing like this one before. These pirates must have lots of treasure she thought to herself with a grin. Boarding the ship was surprisingly easy seeing as there was hardly anyone aboard the ship. Most of the crew must have left to explore or gather supplies on the island. After searching for hours on end she finally found the treasure room. Her eyes widened and her smile grew big. She pinched her arm to make sure this wasn't a dream. The treasury was a gigantic room filled to the brim with everything you could imagine, gold, diamonds, jewelry, there were even bejeweled weapons. The girl opened her bag and started to grab handfuls and handfuls of golden coins, shoving them inside her bag. After she was satisfied with the amount, she walked out of the room. Briar figured this would at least last her two or three months worth of food and supplies. She should probably not waste a second longer than necessary on the ship she thought, heading out the door.
"Who are you and what were you doing in the treasure vault yoi?" Briar jumped and turned around to see a tall, lean man with a small tuft of blonde hair on his head. His hair and face strongly resembled a pineapple. She quickly realized he was a member of the crew when she saw the jolly roger tattooed on his chest. So much for this ship being empty. The man had his arms crossed over his chest as he looked at her with narrowed eyes. Oh crap, she had to come up with an excuse and quick.
"The name's Emma, sir. I just joined the crew two weeks ago" Briar lied, not wanting to give him her real name. The man looked her up and down. "I don't recall seeing you here before. Which division do you belong to?" Division?, since when did pirate crews have divisions? Briar put a hand on her chest as she looked at him with a wounded expression. "I'm part of the first division. I'm wounded, you would forget a member of your own crew, sir." Briar prayed he would believe her man just raised an eyebrow. "How is it possible for me to forget a crew member that doesn't even exist?. I'm the first division commander and I don't recall having anyone with the name Emma in my division, yoi."
Why did she have such bad luck? Can luck just be on her side for once in her life?. Briar just shrugged her shoulders casually as she took a couple steps back. "Well, you caught me, commander. The truth is I'm just a petty thief trying to make a living." She admitted truthfully with a grin on her face. "Did anyone ever tell you that your face resembles that of a pineapple?." The man paused for a minute trying to process what she said. Briar took the chance and without thinking stomped on his foot as hard as she and punched the commander in the face before bolting. This had to be one of the most stupidest things she's ever done in her whole life but it was too late to correct her stupidity now.
It didn't take long before Briar reached the deck as she headed toward the ship's railing. She took a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure no one was there before she jumped off the railing. Years of brutal Marine training had actually paid off for once. So long suckers she thought as she ran back to the town from which she came from. If the commander wanted the treasure so badly then she would make him work for it. She wasn't going to give in so easily, after all she stole this treasure fair and square. Unbeknownst to the girl, this simple interaction would result in changing everyone's lives forever.