Chapter 6: Intrigue in the Misty Harbor

SWORD's ship laid anchored in the dim moonlight, two hundred feet away from a small, run-down harbor nesting in the shadow of a mountain. If one looked closely one could see two silhouettes outlined against the moonlight: a young boy jumping forward, one flying forward like a cloud holding a woman. They landed right outside the harbor and Smoker let Hina go.

-Oh, damn it, Hina forgot her purse, Hina swore.

-Spider Zipline!

She sent out black chains from her hands and grabbed the mast of SWORD's ship and zipped back to it.

-Why the hell did she want me to carry her over here? Smoker scratched his head.

-Ehm, should we go through the plan once more? Koby blushed seeing his boss unable to notice Hina's flirting.

-Our targets are the Von Sally's, the mafia of Longarms. They reside here on Bon Lisse, where they can produce the drug Lovey-Dovey and sell it for massive amounts of cash. In terms of firepower they are the weakest of the four still remaining on the sea, but they make up for that by being sneaky and cunning, which is why we need to go undercover for this mission.

"Undercover" meant that Hina was dressed in an extremely stylish red jacket with a miniskirt, Koby in street-fashion attire carefully picked out by Helmeppo and Smoker, sticking out like a sore thumb, in cargo shorts and a tropical shirt.

-We're meeting up with a man named Nikola, an old smuggler for the Von Sally's who wants to come clean, and we're meeting him down by the docks. Since Drake's still in critical condition after his fight on Koi Island, he's residing back on the ship together with Tashigi and your friend, who are cleaning up after that party that they threw. Got it?

Koby screamed as Hina landed right next to him like nothing had happened.

-The meeting time is at twelve sharp. Let's go.

Hina and Smoker walked next to each other, carefully observing any movement in the thick fog. Koby was walking around happily observing his environment and had to remind himself to not take pictures as he usually did whenever he and Helmeppo visited a new island.

The journey took them down a pier to an old, rusty ship with "Lady" crudely painted on the side. Smoker took one step onto the boat and knocked on the door to the captain's cabin, followed by the sound of a table falling over and a gun being cocked.

-Come in!

Behind the door Smoker was met by the barrel of a shotgun.

-Relax, we're with the…

The gun was fired and Smoker quickly turned into smoke, dodging the shot.

-Okay, are we going to do this the easy or the hard way? Smoker continued, more annoyed than angry.

The man stood up from behind the table. He had sunken eyes basking in the shadow of a beret; in a picture hanging on the wall he was a strapping seaman, but now he was thin and pale. His hands were constantly shaking with fear and, based on the twenty cups stained with coffee piled up in his sink, caffeine.

When he noticed Hina, he relaxed.

-I told you to come alone, it was quite clear in his voice that he felt betrayed.

-Smoker here is a friend; he's working for a Navy unit that operates internationally, so he definitely isn't bought out.

Smoker turned to Hina.

-This man is Nikola?

-Yes, but he seems to have been compromised. Please, fill us in on what has happened these last months.

After lifting up the table they sat down and listened to Nikola's story.

-W-well, as you already know, I was a smuggler for the Von Sally's. I helped them deliver that drug, Lovey-Dovey, in broad daylight under the pretense of tobacco, entirely for free as I was indebted to them. Right before I met Hina, I had been forced to witness the murder of a young man and then hide his body out to sea, and right then and there I decided that I'd had enough.

-I understand, Koby's voice was filled with empathy, trying to get the man to open up more.

-What was this young man's name?

Nikola struggled to say, but eventually he managed to get something out.

-He was a Longleg, named Ric…

There was a flash of light and not a sound. Nikola stared out in silent shock and fear before falling over on the table. Koby was paralyzed by the shock, but Smoker was quick to check the man's pulse.

-He's dead! A Von Sally assassin! Koby, follow him!

Smoker's voice snapped Koby back into reality and he ran out of the cabin and Moon Walked after the long-armed shadow escaping away.

-In the name of the Navy, I command you to…

The shadow turned around and pointed some kind of gun barrel at Koby. Instinctively he used Iron Body to protect himself from the blast, but even then he was immediately knocked unconscious and crashed to the ground.

-Oh, you've woken up! Helmeppo declared seeing Koby sitting up in bed, deep in a book. He swiftly walked over to deliver a tray of warm tea and cookies, making sure to avoid the aura of danger emenating from the bed where X Drake was sleeping.

-Y-yes. It seems like I'm trapped in this bed for the rest of the mission, but I can't just sit back while a man is dead, so I'm doing some research about Lovey-Dovey.

Koby showed a picture of a thin man with dried-out red eyes.

-Apparently it also makes you quick to anger, constantly sleepy and grow a large ego. It's made from a strong-smelling flower that grows best in swamps, which explains why the Von Sally's have made their base here, since half of the island is swamp.

-Ewww. Well, talk to Smoker and Hina when they get back. Apparently they found some lead on the boat.

-Okay, recap me on the situation, Hina ordered Smoker.

-All traders have to note down the ports that they travel too and what they're trading with. In one of these, Smoker held up a leather-bound notebook, which is called a portbook. As a worker for the Von Sally's Nikola obviously couldn't write down what he actually was trading, but he could write down where he was traveling.

Hina pulled Smoker with her through the crowd of harbor workers as he got lost in his explanation.

-Now, the only nation that could ever produce a weapon like the one that killed Nikola is the Germa Kingdom, who actually were here in the West Blue on a nearby island called Forgefly six months ago. And what would you know, around that time Nikola made a journey between Forgefly and Bon Lisse.

-And that's why we're going to this trading company?

-Yes. For you see, in this notebook one also has to write who buys the wares that one ships, which shockingly is the biggest company in Bon Lisse, Al and Co.

Smoker tilted his head up to look at the massive factory looming over him.

-Well, let's get in there!

-The director will be able to see you soon, after he's taken his midday nap, the receptionist said. She was a very sweet old lady, but was nearly impossible to hear in the middle of hundreds of wares being moved around and people shouting.

-A big wave gap? One of the workers looked at Smoker, worried that he was having a stroke.

-Let's just sit down and wait, Hina pulled Smoker down and they both sat silently inspecting the scene around them.

One quickly noticed the sheer abundance of Longlegs the company had as workers which peaked Smoker's interest.

-Oh, I see you've noticed all the Longies we have working here, Smoker was shocked as the receptionist appeared on the bench beside him.

-Y-yeah, how come?

-Well, because Forgefly, one of Bon Lisse's neighbors, was the center of yet another needless conflict between the two sides, a ton of Longlegs immigrated here, Hina explained.

The receptionist nodded vigorously.

-Oh, I'm so happy that such a young girl is interested in the history of this little town. You know, I've been working at this company right from the start, and I'll tell you, when the Longlegs first came to Bon Lisse, no one wanted to hire them! But the director, such a kind-hearted man, took them in and just like that! Business was booming, and now you can see our logo all the way out on the Grand Line!

Hina continued, ice cold.

-But with those Longlegs came the Von Sally mafia, no? Wasn't it that their power in town was the thing that stopped Longlegs from being hired? I've done my research, you know.

The receptionist's expression soured.

-Y-yes, I'm afraid that those criminal scum still threaten the innocent workers on this fine island, despite the work of the Longleg Preservation Comittee. Just a few weeks ago one of our workers, a sweet man named Allen, disappeared without a trace, and we're afraid that he might have been…you know…

-Oh, visitors from the navy? An obviously tired, annoyed voice called out from the office door, interrupting the conversation. Director Al Duck, a tall, ridiculously thin man with thick bangs covering his eyes, stood in the door frame, inviting the two of them in.

While Hina took care of introductions and the flimsy cover story that they were investigating pirates on trade lines Smoker observed the room they were in On an imported ivory table filled with important documents stood a golden name plate: Director Al Duck, and it smelled strongly of a flowery perfume. Right behind the director hung a portrait of himself, though it was hard to recognize him as he was much, much fatter in it and his hair didn't cover his eyes.

-Mr Duck, I actually have one more question, Smoker continued.

-And what may that be? The director answered.

-Well, as you know, Bon Lisse is known to have an organized crime problem. We have evidence here, Smoker pulled out Nikola's handbook, that your company may have done work for the Von Sally family, and if that is the case…

In a flash the director stood up, shaking with anger.

-I am shocked! Do you think that I, a proud ally of the Longlegs, who values his workers, would let criminal scum into my company? To answer your question, the one time a Von Sally goon showed his face here he was kicked out on the spot! If it came to my attention that any of my men were in cahoots with criminals, they would be fired in an instant! Now, before I call on my men to kick you out, leave!

Smoker and Hina wandered out into the evening light with a disappointed sigh. Before returning to the ship they wandered into a local bar to "reflect" and drink their sorrows away.

-We know that he has connections to the Von Sally's, but what the hell would a man with such riches gain from associating with a relatively weak mafia like that, that also threatens his business? Smoker mulled between sips on his whiskey.

-Consider his power and stature, we aren't going to get any answers from him or his company directly, so I guess we're stuck, Hina gulped down some beer.

While they both sat in silence, searching around their minds for any clues at all, slurred shouting began to arise from a corner of the bar.

Smoker turned around to see what was happening and found a Longleg, dressed in worn-out clothes with a shaggy beard, walking on unsteady legs and screaming at random customers.

-He'sch took eversching from m-me! *Hick* Why doshn't any'one belive me!?

-Who's that? Hina asked the barkeep.

-That's old Kudo. Used to work for Al and Co. until the death of his son drew the man insane. Now he just comes here to ramble conspiracy theories and get drunk. Real bad for business.

Smoker and Hina looked at each other and nodded before approaching Kudo.

-E-ey, who 're you? Smoker laid a comforting hand on the confused Kudo's shoulder.

-I'm Smoker and this is Hina, and we would like your help with an investigation.

-M-me? What do you need me for?

-Well, follow us, we'll give you somewhere to sleep for the night, and then we'll talk tomorrow, Smoker invited, trying his best to not sound like a kidnapper.

Kudo's eyes widened and resting against Smoker's shoulders he followed them out of the bar and over to the cliff from which they could see SWORD's ship.

-Should we really show off our abilities to this guy? Hina asked.

-He ain't gonna remember them tomorrow, Smoker lifted Kudo up and carried him off across the sea.

-It's a longshot, but this may be a break-through witness, so just go along for now, okay? Smoker assured the rest of the crew who looked on in confusion and terror as Hina helped a random drunk to some food, a bath and a warm bed next to Koby. As the moon stood high upon the night sky, SWORD slowly but surely fell asleep.

Early the next morning, while the rest of the crew was eating breakfast the main members except for Koby and Drake gathered to interrogate Kudo.

-W-why am I here? Did I do something while I was blacked out? He nervously asked, noting the woman carrying a sword.

-No, mister. We have gotten hold of you as a key witness against the Von Sally's, Hina's words made Kudo obviously upset.

-Oh, really? What can I, a simple drunk, be a witness to?

-The murder of your son, Smoker abruptly stated.

Kudo was taken aback but then faced forward, boiling with fury.

-No way in hell I'm telling men of the navy shit! You and everyone else ignore my pleas for half a year, and now you call me in from out of nowhere to testify! Like you're here to do anything else than line your own pockets with drug money!

-We're here to help you! If you refuse to help, you're dooming the rest of the island! Tashigi objected.

-Like I care about this godforsaken island, scum!

In just a few seconds a loud argument had blossomed up between Kudo and Tashigi that threatened to absorb the entire interrogation, but it was stopped by Helmeppo standing up and screaming.

-SHUT UP! The room turned quiet.

-Give me and Mister Kudo here one minute to talk things through!

Helmeppo left the room and took Kudo with him out on the quarterdeck. Looking out over the rolling, blissful sea, Helmeppo took the first step.

-I apologize for my companions' bluntness, but you see, we're a special force of the Navy. We know that the West Blue marines are terribly corrupt, and we want to help.

Using his Observation Haki, Helmeppo noticed that Kudo was surprised.

-Have you heard that the Yangu family has fallen? Yes, that was largely the work of Tashigi in there, Helmeppo smiled as Kudo's aura turned the bright yellow of joy.

-Now, the reason they were so blunt is that a man named Nikola Mumrik has recently been killed, maybe by the same people that took your son.

Kudo's aura was now sad, but not aggressive.

-We know that your cries for help have been ignored for far too long, but if you are willing to tell us what you know…Then I promise that we can do something about it.

Kudo stared out into the sky, a tear forming in his eyes. Triumphantly he turned around walking with heavy steps back into the room.

-I see. Very well, I put my trust in you to use my knowledge to fight back.

SWORD regathered, and Kudo began telling his tale.

Every arc in this Saga will focus on one of the core members of SWORD, with Drake and Hina playing a part in each one. This one is Smoker's, and completely based on vibes I decided to make him play a sort of detective role. This is my first tangle with the mystery genre, and writing such a tone shift was a lot of fun!