"Hm? Oh Saul hey." Ann perks up at the sight of the lone admiral astonishing her to see him all alone on the ground holding a meal of sorts while the lunch hall was right behind him.
"Hey Ann alone today?" Saul smiles down at his friend.
"Yeah Rosi got a mission what are you doing out here though?" Curious, Ann quirks her head to the side.
"Ah the wall…" Shyly, Saul points to the cracked wall noting some segment of cement trying to fix a familiar cracked crater.
"The wall?" Ann eyes it brow furrowing from the strange sense of familiarity.
"The guys said the wall's a bit weak from the fight, my tall statue could cause trouble to the others inside so…" Sadly, Saul bows his head.
"What about the other giants?" Ann argues brow furrowed.
"The rest are on missions it's just me." Meekly, Saul smiles.
"…Oh…sorry." Apologetic, Ann rubs the back of her neck.
"It's alright it's not your fault." Saul argues as anxiously, Ann laughs.
"Yeah about that…" Tense, Ann begins but…
"It is her fault." Firmly, a familiar voice curtly cuts her off.
"Oi Kuzan!" Agitated, Ann glares glowers up at the taller male simply staring down at her.
"Your fault? How so?" Saul queries.
"Moron here decided to fight Garp." Bluntly, Aokiji continues gesturing to Ann glaring back.
"You fought your grandfather?!" Surprised, Saul says shocked.
"He was rejecting another promotion." Ann tries to defend her.
"Because he didn't need it." Aokiji asserts as Ann rolls her hues at the fanboy.
"Yeah well why is it I'm the one who has to deal with the lectures from the guy demanding for me talk him into it?" Agitated, Ann demands from the two.
"So you fought him…" Aokiji furrows her brow by his reasoning.
"It's the only real well you can get your point across in our family." Frankly, Ann admits as Saul couldn't hold it in anymore watching the two bicker smiling softly at them unable to not find the bickering between both of them endearing.
"Dereshishishishi!" Tears freely fall from the laughing giant as both Aokiji and Ann share a look before she sighs.
"You want us to join you?" Ann asks.
"You don't mind?" Saul raises a brow by the offer.
"I don't Mr nippy he might." Mischievously, Ann points to Kuzan.
"I don't really care." Curtly, Kuzan deadpans.
"That's a yes then." Ann states smirking as the two head off to get their lunch coming back the three easily return to conversing, her pointing her fork at the unamused Kuzma for saying something stupid before cursing at the ass for plopping his head on her lap falling asleep as she glares at him but doesn't do anything as Saul smiles at the two…
"Now this is much better…" Blissfully, Ann leans back in her seat smiling pleased by the still silence hanging heavily in the air as she swirls about in her chair moving from left to right before finally plopping her feet down upon her desk, happy to feel no eyes on her, no hassle, no nothing…
"It is?" Rosi and Bell share a look lost towards the unnerving happy Ann.
"Yeah the girls aren't glaring at me seriously I swear they were going to get the pitchforks and all that from that stupid rumour." Amused, Ann chuckles coyly at the thought.
"…I think they're planning on it…" Rosi warns his friend.
"They couldn't have, he's talked to them." Aloofly, Ann dismisses.
"So…?" Bell scoffs shaking her head at her friend.
"So? The rumour's done end of." Ann asserts stating the fact firmly now she could be left alone.
"…I don't know about that." Tentatively, Rosi sighs.
"What do you mean?" Ann arches a brow by the blonde and mohawk girl.
"The betting pool is still going on it got even popular with Kuzan telling the girls to back off." Bell tells Ann.
"…He did what?" Ann seemingly freezes flinches from her words.
"He told them to back off. Everyone's going crazy about it…" Bell confirms calmly.
"…" Silently, Ann stares, her hue twitching tense, something seemingly snapping within her.
"Ann?" Concerned, Rosi furrows his brow at the still silence of his friend until…
"I'mma kill him…" Murderously, Ann angrily swears it vows it glaring up at the ceiling above.
"E-Eh!?" Both Bell and Rosinante chorus confused taken aback at the sheer seriousness of her words while she heads off leaving the two aloe and worried for their friend…
"Hiyaaahhh!" Tashigi yells rushing forward, blade in hand however as she goes to strike…
"Not this time!" Ann easily deflects said strike.
"How ... about ... this!?" Tashigi goes for another strike but…
"Too slow!" Smirking, Ann avoids said strike smoothly.
"You're mine now!" Tashigi rushes forward furiously.
"Not quite!" Ann smirks smugly swiftly kicking the girl in the gut pushing her back on her behind as she hisses from the harsh hit below.
"Hahh ... Hahh ... Aaah! Why can't I do it!?" Tashigi curses cross, her fingertips digging deep into the gritty grains of sand below hearing the harsh ring of metal as her blade is impaled into the side but before she could reach she once again felt the teasing tip of Ann's blade upon her throat.
"What's wrong Tashigi? Worn out already? You said you wanted to keep going until you managed to hit me." Mused, Ann reminds the girl smirking down at her noting the sweat slithering sliding down her tense temple as she heaves huffs.
"I'm gonna hit you! Just ... just let me catch my breath. Losing to you over and over again is exhausting." Tashigi huffs as Ann removes the blade allowing her to crawl over to her blade using it to steady herself, help her up as she heaves swiping her tense temple feeling the sweat smother slide against her tense temple.
"That's because you rely on sheer power. You're moving around more than you have to, and it's a waste of energy. You need to start using your head, or you'll never even land a blow." Ann explains to Tashigi helping her up.
"Well, you were taking some pretty big swings yourself, you know!" Tashigi huffs leaning over her sword slightly panting like some sort of dog.
"I have more experience than you. I can use my energy more efficiently." Ann explains to the tired Tashigi.
"Yes, I guess that makes sense. You are the famous proud petal, after all. Wait. I just realized something. I get to train with the legendary wielder of Nioci!" Excitedly, Tashigi gushes giddily eyeing the blade sheathed strapped to Ann's side.
"So you know of Nioci then?" Amused, Ann draws out her blade showing said sword to the gushing girl, her hues shining shimmering from the sword aloe.
"I know they are one of twenty-one Great Grade Blades, they are among the highest-quality blades in the world, second only to the twelve Supreme Grade swords. These blades are well known for their incredible power and outstanding balance in strength, sharpness, and durability. In the hands of capable swordsmen, they can even stand up to the Supreme Grade Swords in combat." Eagerly, Tashigi tells Ann adjusting her lenses gushing over said blade, in awe of it almost as Ann couldn't help but smile slightly at the endearing nerdiness of her student.
"You know your swords." Smirking, Ann praises her impressed even.
"It's my dream to remove all meito grade swords from the hands of those that would use them for selfish purposes." Tashigi admits to Ann as she slides said sword back into its sheath strapped to her waist while watching the girl state the fact firmly as Ann's hues narrow at her words.
"And selfish purpose would that be?" Ann asks her smile silently faltering furrowing her brow by her words, a blank look upon her face, a stone stoic mask almost as she watched Tashigi perks up at the mention of her dream.
"Killing plundering…pirating." Offhanded, Tashigi lists from the top of her head, using her fingertips to gesture to it.
"…Tell me Tashigi what makes us different from them? " Tiredly, Ann sighs softly sadly even as she turns her back to Tashigi taking the swordswoman aback at her words.
"…Pardon?" Tashigi whispers weakly astonished alarmed almost at the question proposed to her.
"You mentioned killing as a reason one must not use such blades but how are we the marines any better than the pirates when we use such blades to kill." Ann points out as Tashigi simply silently stares at Ann attempting to decipher if this was a joke if she was lying, if she was challenging her to see her conviction her resolve yeah that had to be it, Tashigi assumed in her head.
"We don't kill innocent lives." Resolved, Tashigi states the fact firmly.
"Not that we know." Aloofly, Ann argues.
"What are you getting at?" Tashigi furrows her brow by her mentor's words.
"Dracule Mihawk is he worthy of his blade?" Ann asks making Tashigi furrow her brow by her words.
"He is the worlds greatest swordsman." Simply, she answers.
"As he was the marine hunter…" Fairly, Ann coolly counters.
"I…" Tashigi trails off brow furrowed.
"The world is not black and white why you think you can deem who is fit and who is unfit to wield such blades baffles me." Honestly, Ann confesses to Tashigi.
"I have studied…!" Scowling, Tashigi attempt to argue however…
"You may have studied but you clearly haven't applied it to the real world." Strictly, she cuts Tashigi off.
"The real world?" Tashigi whispers weakly.
"The real world is not black and white Tashigi, there are those that deserve such blades even if the path they fall upon is not as pure as you believe yours to be." Ann informs Tashigi her hues widening when hearing her words, swearing she heard disappointment almost.
"I…I…" Tashigi furrows her brow by her words.
"I think we're done for the day." Ann turns to leave.
"Y-Yes…" Tashigi turns towards the stone steps sadly however as she does turn to leave…
"Tashigi." Ann calls out to her.
"Hm?" Tashigi turns her head towards her mentor.
"Consider my words but don't let it consume you. It's up to you whether you wish to consider my words or not but know this, the world is not as black and white as the world wants it for you to believe…" Briskly, Ann tells Tashigi her hues widening when hearing her words before bowing her head in silent thanks for both the training session and her words while she leaves…having much to think about.
"If I had just killed him before none of this would be happening…" Huffing, Ann grumbles under her breath brow furrowed as she returns to her office, too tired to even deal with what she may have let loose from her tongue too tired from it all.
"…That doesn't sound very marine of you Ann…" Amused, Rosi remarks.
"Then help me out here." Annoyed, Ann grumbles glaring to the side.
"You know, for people who apparently hate each other, you spend an awful lot of time getting up close and personal." Playfully, Bell remarks perched upon Ann's desk, one leg over the other.
"We went on a few missions together that's all." Annoyed, Ann reminds the two.
"He also keeps coming over to your office to find some place to sleep." Rosi argues.
"You make it out as if I'm happy he does that. I can't work when he does that and I…I don't hate him." Sighing, Ann rubs the back of her neck brow furrowed conflict clear on her furrowed features.
"You don't?" Both Bell and Rosi perk up at her words.
"Hate is a strong word…I just… I hate losing to them." Tense, Ann attempts to explain, she never really hated him more so was annoyed at the idea of him being her handler, she didn't like being handled she didn't like…
"Losing?" Rosinante's voice snaps Ann out of her thoughts.
"He keeps stealing my seat and he knows that I need his signature to complete my work it's like he taunts me with his laziness besides everyone know closeness is used to establish physical dominance." Drained, Ann huffs frustration flowing through her at the thought of the ass.
"That so?" Smirking, Bell and Rosi share a look.
"Yeah it's a fact duh." Ann huffs twirling in her seat scowling.
"Yeah, yeah, sure. And what do the longing looks establish?" Bemused, Bell leans into her hand haughty.
"They establish my hatred for him come on Bell catch on." Obviously, Ann huffs at her friends oblivious to them both sharing a look smirking, shaking their head at their friend's antics…
"Hey…" A familiar voice calls out as Ann arches a brow by the voice as she sits before her desk looking over at the paperwork presented before her trying to file them however her brow soon furrows from the soft sound of snoring making her look towards the sleeping figure of Aokiji sleeping on her sofa…once again.
"Hey Saul." Ann warmly welcomes Saul entering her office.
"What's with the papers?" Perplexed, Saul eyes the stack upon stacks of papers.
"Doing work." Aloofly, Ann shrugs twirling the pen in her hand.
"During lunch?" Saul raises a brow by her decision.
"I finished." Ann gestures to the lunch box by her side, a similar box by the sleeping side of Aokiji as well.
"I didn't see you at the lunch hall…" Saul furrows his brow befuddled.
"Nah Kuzan brought it." Ann answers as she looks down at the paperwork below.
"Ah that's practically become his primary nap spot." Smiling, Saul spots Aokiji softly smiling at the sleeping state of the vice admiral.
"You mean hiding spot." Scoffing, Ann huffs.
"Yeah he does tend to try to avoid people like Sakazuki." Smiling, Saul adds.
"Or his fans." Frowning, Ann grumbles glaring to the side scowling.
"You sure you should be working though? It's lunch your break?" Saul reminds her.
"You sound like him. Look Saul if you want to eat in here go ahead, at least you've asked unlike some." Sighing, Ann assures him as she looks towards Kuzan furrowing her brow by his words, she didn't mind so long as he was careful.
"Ah you don't mind?" Saul smiles hopeful.
"Nah go ahead." Ann gestures with her hand.
"You know…I haven't seen Kuzan this relaxed for quite some time." Saul admits, he had to admit since Kuzan and Ann began spending more time together, his fried was more work oriented of course he would hide that from Ann as Ann herself began taking more breaks or at the least Kuzan would tell her to or brig her food…
"…We talking about the same guy right?" Ann furrows her brow befuddled eyeing the sleeping slumbering male.
"We are I mean normally when we wakes up he gets all angry but when you wake him up he's fine." Saul points out recalling his temper when it came to any other person but her.
"Maybe because he knows I'll hit him if he's being an ass." Ann deadpans.
"Dereshishishishi! Maybe! Still he seems to trust you if he keeps coming to your office to nap!" Saul laughs as the pen in Ann's hand seemingly snaps.
"Saul…" Scowling, Ann's hues darken.
"Hm?" Humming, he raises a brow by her cold curt tone.
"Are you in on this Anzan thing too?" Tense, her hues narrow at her friend.
"What's Anzan?" Saul quirks his head to the side lost.
"The betting pool practically everyone's in it." Astonished, Ann furrows her brow befuddled.
"Never heard of it." Saul confesses.
"…Eh?" Ann blurts out.
"Probably cause I'm vice admiral they don't think they can tell me that sorta stuff." Shyly, Saul bows his head.
"…My old man is in on it." Ann admits ignoring the guilt gnawing away at her.
"H-He is? O-Oh…" Saddened, Saul bows her head.
"Excuse me for a moment." Ann arises from her seat.
"Hm? Sure…" Surprised, Saul allows as Ann leaves unaware of Aokiji watching on from beneath said shades smirking.
"So I said…" Bemused, Bell 'mere places her leg over her other perched upon the desk dubiously conversing with the other marines.
"Bell…" Ann strides in scowling.
"Hm oh hey what's…?" Warmly, Bell turns to greet her however…
"Include Saul in on this betting pool of yours!" Sternly, she orders.
"I thought you wanted nothing to do with it." Befuddled, Bell argues scratching the shaved side of her hair.
"I don't but don't exclude Saul!" Sternly, she snaps at Bell.
"Who said I was?" Bell hollers as Ann turns on her heel leaving the stunned soldiers to their business.
"Um pardon me…" Meekly, the shy slide of the door makes the three turn towards the familiar redhead.
"Oh Isuka what is it?" Ann perks up at the sight of the surprisingly shy girl.
"Can…can we talk?" Tentatively, she asks anxiously as Ann looks towards Bell and Rosi simply shrugging.
"…Sure." Ann heads out of the door following her as they go get some space where as soon as they do…
"I MESSED UP!" Isuka screams sobs snatching the alarmed Ann by her shoulders shaking the stunned and clearly confused Ann. Messed up? What had she done?! Did she stab someone? Did she harm someone? Set someone on fire!? Frowning, Ann couldn't help but furrow her brow by the numerous possibilities floating in the air as anxiously, she tries to keep calm for the worrisome marine. If she freaked out, Isuka would freak out…
"…Whoa calm down what do you mean you messed up?" Astonished, Ann grabs Isuka by her shoulders steadying the shaking mess, steadying her own nerves at that as she smiles softly at Isuka attempting to cheer the girl up.
"Today they were short on staff in the dining hall, so I offered to help out... But I sort of...messed up—big." Miserably, Isuka reveals pain pouring out of her tense tone, sliding her hands over her face furrowing her brow by it.
"Oh no. What happened?" Ann sighs holding her head preparing herself for what was to come…
"All of the plates in the kitchen went flying through the air. And the pots started giving off this weird blue steam." Isuka's voice cracks breaks before Ann.
"Wow, sounds more like art than cooking to me." Ann remark attempting to lighten the mood but…
"The people in the dining hall saw the chaos and started panicking, and then the soldiers came running... Finally, Catherine appeared and shut everyone up with a slash of Thunderbrand. All I was trying to do was help out. But in the end, I just ended up making more work for everyone. I'm awful like that." Isuka cries holding her head in her hands, her tone muffled.
"I wouldn't worry about it too much. Accidents happen. It's not like you were trying to make a mess." Ann argues attempting to cheer her up.
"I know. The women in the dining hall laughed and forgave me. But..." Isuka bows her head holding her arm.
"Was anybody hurt?" Ann asks Isuka.
"Well, no. But..." Isuka begins but…
"Well, there you go! No need to dwell on it and keep moping around. You had a bad day, but I'm sure you'll do better tomorrow." Ann claps her shoulder.
"You know what? You're right! I guess all I can do is try harder next time. Thanks, Caspar. That really did help me feel better. I can't keep moping around! I've got to work on my cooking skills! And I can count on you to be my taste tester, right? Right!" Hopeful, Isuka asks as Ann furrows her brow by it.
"Uh...sure. Just as long as you're not making any new art projects." Ann mutters deciding to go with it before patting her shoulder, letting her go to continue her training as Ann goes back to her office hoping to finish her paperwork...
"Yo…" Ann jolts up at the voice, furrowing her brow by the man causing chaos, his hand casually leant over the top of the door almost taunting her to not being able to lean against the top of the door, she didn't ask to be this small, she would like some height…
"You…what the fuck is wrong with you?!" Angry, Ann jolts up from her seat scowling at the ass.
"Wow, you could start with a 'good morning'." Casually, Kuzan bows his head slightly as he leans forward briefly to get inside the office greeting the mad marine.
"Good morning. What the fuck is wrong with you?! What the hell are you playing at?" Angrily, she demands from him.
"Hm? What did I do this time?" Tiredly, Kuzan sighs at Ann.
"You talked to the girls!" Ann crosses her arms over her chest.
"…I did. Like you told me to." Tiredly, Kuzan reminds her.
"And what did you tell them exactly?" Ann asks her hues narrowing quirking her head to the side.
"I spoke to them like you said." Simply, he shrugs.
"Urgh is this some sort of joke to you? Do you think you're funny?" Fuming, she scowls demanding to know what he was playing at? Was it some joke to him? It wasn't as easy as it was for him to get to where she was, to get this position...Ann could feel her blood boil, bubble, burn even…why was it when Kuzan flirted it was okay it was nothing normal Kuzan but if she decided to play along for once it would blow up…!?
"Who knows?" Kuzan shrugs glancing to the side.
"W-Who knows!?" Ann stammers shocked at his laid-back response.
"Reacting like this is what they want." Kuzan reminds Ann angrily releasing a strangled sound of frustrating from his valid words.
"Then how else am I supposed to react?" Whining, Ann huffs plopping her head down on his chest.
"Like a normal adult." Kuzan sighs wrapping his arms around Ann bringing her into a hug feeling her tense-tired form become at ease from his hold alone.
"Ugh, I hate you." Ann huffs grumbling it into Kuzan's shirt scowling, how could she just…she just…urgh…
"It's not good so lie to yourself." Smirking, Kuzan leans down, his head on top of hers, holding hers feeling the stress soon seep away as a still silence of comfort hangs heavily in the air between both of them.
"Don't tell me as if I'm lying to myself!" Mumbling, Ann lightly hits his shoulder only making him smirk shaking his head at her.
"So you admit you're lying." Kuzan remarks as Ann steps back brow furrowed.
"…I will end you." Lightly, she glares up at him.
"I'm sure so tell me did it hurt? When you fell from heaven?" Amused, Kuzan leans in.
"Did it hurt? When I kicked you in the shin?" Smirking, Ann reels her leg back before bashing it, kicking him in the shin surprising him as he raises a brow by it but before he could say much more, she storms out done….
"I can't believe you did that…" Rosi slaps his head to his face furrowing his brow by his friend's latest feat of chaos.
"Really? That seemed pretty consistent for me." Honestly, Ann admits as the two sit around her office, her twirling about slumped sat on her chair while retelling the tale to the groaning Rosinante, his head in his hands towards his friend's animated antics.
"Ann you're already in trouble as it is." Worriedly, Rosinante reminds Ann anxious for his friend.
"Relax I'll just say he's been harassing me which he has…" Honestly, Ann argues waving Rosinante off.
"You really think that'll work?" Rosinante raises a brow by his friend's words.
"It'll be fine besides I prevented a murder today." Ann argues almost acting proud of it.
"Really? How'd you do that?" Rosinante raises a brow by her words.
"Self control." Cheerily, she smiles only making Rosinante groan, further sinking slumping in his seat just as the door to the office smoothly slides open to…
"You really think you could take on vice admiral Aokiji?" Amused, Bell-mère leans against the side of the door, raising a brow bemused by the thought.
Sometimes Bell all we need is spite to do what needs to be done." Determined, Ann asserts as the two simply sigh at their friend's way of reasoning…
Why am I so off? Yesterday wasn't like this. Some days, I just can't seem to hit anything." Isuka sighs sadly slumping her shoulders at her target noting her nailing technique not even hitting the target taking her aback at it all sadly staring at it.
"Your mind, body, and technique are not synchronized. Find harmony between the three. You lack experience. You'll improve if you practice." Surprised, Isuka perks up at her words, turning towards Ann as she smoothly saunters over towards the training session.
"Now that you mention it, Vice Admiral Portgas, how come I've never seen you train? Do you keep odd hours? Or are you just so good that you don't even need it anymore?" Amazed, Isuka ponders out loud brow furrowed she had never really seen her train alone…
"I am always training. Look here." Ann takes out from her sleeve.
"A dagger?" Isuka perks up at the singular dagger.
"Watch." Ann flicks the dagger between her fingertips, Isuka's hues widening when seeing such smoothly flooding between her fingertips similar to a card trick almost before tossing it…
"Wow, nice throw! That was a long one! But does throwing knives at pillars really count as shooting practice?" Isuka gushes in awe of said throw.
"Look closely." Ann advises Isuka who does so, her hues widening when seeing where it landed.
"Is that—a centipede?! You pierced it clean in half! How did you even see that?!" Taken aback, Isuka gawks gapes at the sheer skill of the woman vice admiral before her.
"I train everything. Eyes. Speed. Accuracy. Watch as the bird flies. Feel the wind. Recognize the distance between objects. Not all training requires a weapon. Integrate training into your daily routine." Resolved, Ann explains to Isuka taking the blade back before turning back to the awestruck redhead.
"My daily routine, huh? That's great advice! Thanks. I'll do my best." Beaming, Isuka promises perkily.
"Very good. Just be cautious." Sternly, she pats Isuka's back before heading back to her office having much paperwork to do...
"PORTGAS D. ANN!" Angrily, the stern shout of Sengoku alarms Ann jolting her up stopping her from her way to the office as next she knew…
"EEP!" Ann releases a small squeak shocked as she was dragged into a familiar office, her hues darting towards the ass of a tall towering figure standing slumped over the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.
"You kicked your superior in the shin!" Sternly, Sengoku strides over to his chair cross.
"…I can only reach so high sir." Sighing, Ann argues earning a curt chuckle from the ass of her grandfather happily munching on his rice cake offering one to Ann however she waves it off, not exactly hungry right now.
"Ann be serious!" Scowling, Sengoku slams his furious fist on his desk.
"Fine! He was harassing me!" Mad, Ann argues pointing at the unfazed stoic statue of Aokiji against the wall.
"Harassing?" Sengoku raises a brow by her words.
"He's been saying shit that isn't true." Tense, Ann accuses agitated.
"I'm not the one saying it." Aokiji waves her hand off.
"But you're not the one ending it." Ann reminds Aokiji.
"Reacting is only going to fuel the fire." Firmly, Aokiji states the fact frankly.
"So what? I should just let them continue making crap up about me!?" Mad, Ann scowls seething.
"You shouldn't care about the crap they make up about you." Aokiji argues.
"He's right Ann." Sengoku nods his head.
"Right? Right? I have girls glaring at me looking like they are going to murder me while having my men who should respect me think I'm with that moron!? I'm trying to do my job how can I when they're running a betting pool behind us!? How can I be taken seriously by my men when they are asking me shit they shouldn't be!" Mad, Ann argues scowling, she hated how they were betting on it, teasing her about it, joking about a relationship that not even she knew…
"This moron dealt with those girls." Aokiji reminds the angry Ann.
"You don't deal with them Kuzan wow for a womanizer you're a moron, just continue flirting with them is it that hard!?" Haughty, Ann demands from Kuzan.
"…" Quietly, Akoji's hues narrow at Ann behind his shades.
"Urgh forget this you may not care about your position or hell about anything but I do got that? I actually do care about shit, about my job about how people see me because unlike you I can't just freeze people saying shit about me!" Mad, Ann turns away angrily from Kuzan fuming, turning towards the door.
"Ann!" Sengoku stands from his seat however…
"I'm outta here!" Ann raises her hands in the air angry as she swiftly slams the door shut storming off as Aokiji simply sighs adjusted to Ann's animated behaviour but Sengoku…not so much.
"Garp…" Growling, Sengoku snarls seething scowling at the cackling Garp happily munching his rice cracker.
"You didn't think she'd be easy did you? Gahahahaha!
"I've been expecting you, Rosi…" Ann turns the chair to face her friends swerving it towards the door, her leg over the other calmly greeting warmly welcoming her friend, a stern face on her facial features.
"How did you do that without turning around?" Rosinante sweat drops at Ann's strict stern face noting her stern strict facial features.
"... To be perfectly honest, the first couple of people I did that to were not you." Ann admits grimacing at the murky memory of it the befuddled Bell, amused Aokiji who she swiftly kicked out with throwing a pillow at him as he simply gave the paperwork needed before heading off…
"Were things okay?" Rosinante asks worriedly, concern clear on his furrowed features towards his friend.
"Yeah just had to set some things straight." Smirking, she reassures Rosinante.
"W-Well that's good." Rosinante smiles shyly softly sitting down by her side taking out a cigarette pack, offering one to Ann as she waves it off, refusing it politely.
"No Rosi no it was not." Ann answers as she watches him try to light the cigarette before fumbling as said lighter soon ignites his back.
"…It was not?" Rosi raises a brow watching Ann as she softly pats said fierce flames feasting upon his back.
"It was not." Ann confirms as Rosi nods his head thankful for her aid.
"…What did you do?" Rosinante sighs softly at Ann exhaustion etched into his single sigh.
"Why are you pinning it on me?" Mystified, Ann asks brow furrowed from it all.
"…Because I love you and I also know you." Rosinante states the fact firmly.
"Urgh…Kuzan thought he could act all cool you know being like why are you reacting? It's what they want just act indifferent like I can do that icehole!" Ann berates rants roaring, fury flowing through her veins.
"…Ice…hole?" Rosinante raises a brow by her words.
"It's something I workshopped." Ann admits smiling sheepishly.
"Of course you did." Rosinante sighs holding his head.
"Now…here's my idea." Ann smirks smugly leaning in.
"You have another idea?" Rosinante raises a brow.
"Just listen if I act like I do like the creep the maybe just maybe they'll se it as a liability or it would break conduct." Calmly, Ann argues.
"So…you're willing to pretend to like the guy." Rosinante gathers.
"…That's the worst case scenario we have." Ann answers.
"So what will you do?" Rosinante presses perplexed.
"Simple, avoid him." Honestly, Ann answers.
"…Avoid him?"" Rosinante raises a brow by her words.
"I've done it before in the past I can do it again." Ann states the fact firmly.
"But isn't he your handler?" Rosinante furrows his brow befuddled.
"Not if I work really hard." Ann argues.
"Don't you think you work hard enough?" Rosinante exclaims.
"Clearly not enough if I need a handler." Huffing, Ann grumbles glaring to the side scowling.
"I feel as if you have a handler for different reasons." Rosinante remarks.
"Exactly, reasons we are going to prove wrong." Ann smirks smugly.
"That so?" Rosinante exclaims.
"Rosi you are my friend you keep me grounded I'm sure we can do this, now come on we got a lesson to do." Ann assures her friend before heading off, having to go teach a lesson…
"Right so the higher ups think you got the capabilities of harnessing haki any questions you want to know before I demonstrate this?" Ann furrows her brow at the group of marines before her, crossing her arms over her chest, Rosinante by her side.
"What is haki?" A Marine raises his hand up in the air.
"Haki is a mysterious power that allows the user to utilize their own spiritual energy for various purposes. It can be used to sense people's spiritual energy and predict their actions, give the user a protective coating of spiritual energy, and, for a certain group of "chosen ones", overpower the willpower of others. All living beings in the world are capable of learning Haki; however, most people do not notice it or fail to awaken it. You guys however have shown signs of awakening it." Ann explains to one of the marines.
"What haki can you use?" Another voice in the marine attire asks.
"Observation, armament and conquerors." Calmly, Ann lists off from the top of her head, gesturing to the countdown with her fingertips.
"You can? W-Whoa your hand!" Horrified, one of the men gawk at the sleek steelish tint to her hand soon shifting upon her hand.
"This is armament, a iron coating of sorts that can which allows the user to use their own spiritual energy as armor to defend against attacks, as well as make their own attacks more potent. It can also be used to bypass Devil Fruit defense's, such as Logia intangibility. A person can apply the armament to a section of their body, over their entire body, and even imbue it onto their weapons. An advanced level of Busoshoku allows the user to emit the armament a short distance without a medium. A higher grade of advanced Busoshoku allows the user to make the emitted armament flow into a target's body and destroy it from the inside out." Ann shows said hand to them displaying to it.
"Uuh…" The group trails off uneasily.
"I think you may have overwhelmed them." Rosinante whispers to Ann.
"You're kidding right?" Ann furrows her brow by her rather simplistic explanation.
"Do those faces look like they're kidding?" Rosinante gestures to the crowd.
"Urgh…Rosi think you could come over here?" Ann asks him.
"Okay…" Rosi steps forward only to falling face first into the group below tripping as with a slick move she catches him by his collar.
"Whoa…" The marines gush in awe at said slick move.
"See that? That's my observation haki it allowed me to see him falling and predict where he was going to fall so I could catch him, you can also use observations in other ways such as to avoid hits and predict your opponent's next move." Ann helps steady Rosinante.
"Whoa…" The marines continue gushing in awe at it.
"Now go fight each other if you feel even a hint of something else a gut feeling act out on it." Ann advises the group.
"Right!" The marines salute swiftly dispersing partnering up as they start sparring…
Quietly, the soft ring of metal echoes throughout the dining hall as Ann and Rosinante sit down, calmly enjoying their lunch or at the least trying to. Ann hears the soft sound of knives and forks scraping against the porcelain plate below, her ears hearing the chatting conversing voices echoing throughout the room.
"I will never get this hatred of bread of yours…" Ann furrows her brow by her friend's distaste for the food seeing him enjoying the rice below.
"And I will never get this texture thing of yours…" Rosinante retorts.
"Not my fault my body is protective about what I eat…still I guess out of all the carbs bread is the worst." Ann considers calmly, brow furrowed from the thought, bread was rather fattening, she supposed she never really knew understood her friend's hatred towards the bread but she could understand she supposed, bread although the most practical and most easiest to find it can be the most blandest carb out of them all, not to mention it did tend to just make her feel fat or well bloated at least.
"I know right! It's all soggy and just…" Rosinante grimaces shudders slightly from it as Ann arches a brow by the sheer severity and intensity of his words.
"I don't know what bread you had I just mean when I eat bread I sorta feel fat." Frowning, Ann attempts to describe gently tapping the fork against the petite plate below brow furrowed from it all as she couldn't help but ponder what was her favourite carb…maybe rice? Though she liked what came with it the same thing with pasta she supposed, it was the sauce or what came with it…maybe potatoes, they did tend to produce carbs, Ann enjoyed like chips, roasted potatoes she supposed maybe potatoes would be her favourite carb…?
"Feel fat?" Rosinante raises a brow by Ann's words.
"Yeah like you know when you have a real greasy meal it makes you feel like shit." Sighing, Ann attempts to explain, gently tapping her fork against her chin at the thought. Maybe she was thinking too much about it…Ann considers calmly gently tapping the end of the knife against her chin…
"Hm I guess…" Rosinante shrugs.
"Though it depends on the type of bread I guess I mean brown bread is vile, the seed stuff urgh my brain can't get behind the texture it's like stuff with pulp in it urgh…" Ann grimaces at the thought repulsed even at the thought, her throat tensing up clamping almost as she squirms slightly from the tense thought. She hated stuff like that, stuff with pulp made her heave, she couldn't get to it, she just couldn't, it was like alarm bells or something in her head went off and made her heave it out. Of course she would never show that sorta face to anyone hence her tendency to avoid such foods but still…it was why she didn't like smoothies either, the pulpiness just made her skin crawl.
"Hmm…" Rosinante hums as soon enough lunch ends and the two go their separate ways to file their own respective paperwork…
"She couldn't believe she was doing this but the guilt gnawing away at her make it worse…she supposed she was acting rash once again and had done something stupid. She hated he was right, truly she did, she shouldn't have to take her frustration out on Aokiji, he did talk to them how was he supposed to stop them even if he did talk to them…he couldn't stop everyone and he had a point reacting to their teasing would be what they want, they were vice admirals they couldn't act on their words, on their taunts…they had to be better, they had to…
"Hm?" Ann furrows her brow as she returns to her office only then to take note of the open door making Ann falter from her steps, taking note of the familiar office. Quietly, Ann holding a box of sorts peers in, her hues narrowing noting a familiar sleeping figure at her desk. Ann sighs as she approaches the desk, taking note of the comfy seat and blue sign behind the slumped sleeping state of Kuzan. She sighs down at the mess below, softly setting the box down on the desk below brow furrowed, she still couldn't believe she was doing this but the guilt gnawing away at her made it worse…she sets the box of food down upon the desk before turning to leave however as she turns to leave…
"How long are you going to keep ignoring me?" Surprised, she jolts up at the voice.
"Holy shit! Stop scaring me like that!" Tense, Ann places her hand over her chest.
"Says the girl sneaking into my office." Aokiji crosses his arms over his chest.
"I did not sneak and what are you doing?" Ann eyes the figure below brow furrowed.
"Work." Aokiji states the obvious.
"Urgh… I swear one of these days I'm gonna have a heart attack or something." Sighing, Ann grumbles under her breath brow furrowed fatigued.
"Thanks for the food." Aokiji takes the box.
"Don't mention it. Sorry about before." Ann sighs softly.
"It's fine…Oh and I just thought I'd give you a heads up. I'm going off for a bit I won't be long." Aokiji tells Ann.
"…Why are you telling me this?" Ann arches a brow at him.
"…In case you miss me." Aokiji smirks slightly.
"You're a real comedian aren't you?" Ann scoffs smirking shaking her head at him.
"And you're a real delusional mess aren't you?" Aokiji retorts.
"Excuse you!? O-Oi!" Angry, Ann begins but soon falters, her hues widening when he slowly stands sauntering over, placing his lips to her temple taking her aback at the heavy hue of ruby red and crimson crashing down upon her flustered facial features.
"Thanks for the food." Aokiji smirks down at the flustered Ann.
"I-I just…I was told to." Ann glances to the side shyly.
"I'm sure. Don't miss me too much." Aokiji sees through the lie before heading off.
"Urgh….ass." Ann grumbles glaring lightly at the back of Aokiji heading off…
"Hey, Tashigi. You look more troubled than usual…" Ann takes note of the brow furrowed Tashigi trying to practice on her own noting the sweat sliding down her tense temple trying to practice on her lonesome as Ann notes of her fatigued facial features and her struggling legs.
"Yeah, I've been thinking a lot about the last time we talked. I really admire your strength, and I want to be like you on the battlefield, but I don't agree with you." Tashigi admits to Ann as she softly sits down upon the stone steps sweat slithering down her tense temple hitting the training ground, slamming said blade into the gritty ground below, the sandy shore softly crunching crisping beneath her feet as she leans against it almost as if she were using it to steady herself to hold herself up.
"Agree with what?" Ann asks as she quirks her head to the side raising a brow at Tashigi's words.
"With your idea of justice. If that's the case, is it bad for me to look up to you? I'm not sure how to feel anymore." Anxiously, Tashigi ponders to herself, brow furrowed from it all as she sighs sadly her fingertips fidgeting around the blade brow furrowing from it all.
"I can't answer that. You'll need to find the answer on your own. I can offer one piece of advice, however." Ann admits to the torn Tashigi noting her furrowed frown seeing the confliction clear as she adjusts her lenses.
"What is it?" Tashigi asks as she looks up at Ann.
"No matter where you go people will see you as weak." Honestly, Ann confesses, hating having to say this but she had to, she just had to be honest with the girl.
"...because I'm a woman." Tashigi bows her head.
"…yes." Pained, Ann bows her head sadly.
"Is that what you faced?" Frowning, Tashigi queries.
"I still do sometimes…" Sighing, Ann confesses as a kid she was teased by Buggy but she always shut him up however when it came to fighting on board she was often underestimated but Rayleigh's training helped her a lot and she learnt to take advantage of that underestimation.
"What do you do then?" Tashigi pries curiosity clear in her tone towards her.
"I make use of it." Ann confesses shrugging stating the fact firmly. It was true, it was what she did, it was what she learned to do, to take advantage of those that looked down at her.
"Use of it?" Tashigi raises a brow at her.
"While men may say they are the stronger sex due to their strength you can easily beat them with your speed to make up for it or better yet with the right practice you can take your opponent back by your strength. Those that hesitate to cut you down, those that look down at you for being a woman are the weaker ones they have not won for them to not see through such means shows who the stronger person is…" Earnestly, Ann explains to Tashigi her hues widening in awe almost at her words while Ann tries to tell her brow furrowed from it all.
"…Thank you." Tashigi bows her head gratitude clear in her tone towards Ann.
"Tell me Tashigi what do you know of Ace?" Ann asks curiosity clear on her furrowed features towards Tashigi.
"…Ace?" Alarmed, Tashigi jolts up at the name.
"That's right." Pleased, Ann smirks slightly.
"It's one of the twelve Supreme Grade Blades they are the twelve highest-quality blades in the world. The blades have displayed incredible feats through their usage, such as being exposed to the harshest elements without losing their edge and slashing through enormous structures. No one has seen the sword since…" Easily, Tashigi answers as she soon falters furrowing her brow trailing off uneasily.
"The pirate king's death." Dutifully, Ann crosses her arms over her chest coolly cutting her off.
"…Yes….Vice Admiral. I wanted to tell you I've decided to do things my own way." Tashigi declares determined.
"Your way? So you've come up with your own justice, good for you…" Ann nods her head in approval at the girl.
"…I spent a lot of time thinking, but it was tough to figure out ...Then I realized I was wasting my time. I decided I should keep fighting the way that feels right to me!" Earnestly, Tashigi reveals to Ann looking down at her blade brow furrowed from it all, her grip tightening around it, her fidgeting fingertips drawing patterns into the blade brow furrowed.
"Hm. I thought that might be your decision." Ann crosses her arms over her chest.
"I've still got something important to ask you though." Tashigi bows her head almost begging beseeching pleading to the astonished Ann.
"Something important, huh? Let's hear it." Ann allows curious to hear what else she has to say.
"Could you ... you know, keep an eye on me?" Hopeful, Tashigi asks taking Ann aback.
"What? Why?" Ann furrows her brow befuddled baffled by Tashigi's plea.
"I may have decided to do things my own way ... But I'm sure I'll still mess up sometimes. I might be able to avoid any real damage if a vice admiral has my back!" Earnestly, Tashigi bows to the furrowed frown of Ann.
"I see. Then I refuse." Resolved, Ann refuses easily.
"Great! Thanks so much! I knew you'd - Wh-what?!" Tashigi beams brightly before faltering furrowing her brow by her words.
"After deciding to take your own path, you ask someone else to watch over you? It's like you can't think for yourself. Your simple mindedness is kind of reckless, a typical traitor of a swordsman I suppose." Sighing, Ann scolds the girl below brow furrowed.
"I really thought you'd say yes ... Now what am I supposed to do?" Tashigi furrows her brow by the thought.
"I don't know. I'm not your babysitter. You want someone to watch after you? Become the type of man people can't look away from and form your own justice…" Ann asserts telling Tashigi how it is smirking slightly.
"My own justice…" Tashigi whispers weakly brow furrowed from the thought of her own justice.