Report
Sitting down, slamming his fist across the table sat an inflamed, Sakazuki. The cigar in his mouth lit brightly as he mugged at the recording. Crumbling up the Pirate Empress bounty he scorched the paper in anger. He agreed for the elders to take over the Capture of the Pirate Empress but he didn't expect them to lose her body.
"Why are we freaking out she's only an 80 million bounty?" Momousagi inquired. She didn't comprehend the issue. What was the point of the meeting? Why were the elders so hell-bent on having a body?
"I agree. That was her first and only bounty. She's probably dead swallowed by some creature." Another vice Admiral, Yamakaji stated.
The elder marines present shook their head. Tsuru glared at the yelling Admirals. They couldn't even see the issue with a missing body.
"A bounty is given to those who pose not only power but a threat. The pirate Empress held only one bounty because we quickly found a way to control her. Her power is immense." Sengoku answered sitting down, eating a bag of rice crackers as he looked over the young Admirals.
"With the Kuja Island being no more we now have nothing to keep her under wraps." Tsuru glared folding her arms as she scolded the Admirals.
"What are you old coons talking about she's dead." Sakazuki glared. Slamming his fist down he marked the new bounty on his desk. Large red letters read 'DECEASED'.
As everyone nodded they left the room as a chuckling Akainu sat.
"If only a beast like her could die so easily," Sengoku stated quietly as he walked away his goat following closely behind.
It had been two weeks since they searched for a body on the sea bed. Declaring her dead was the rational choice but he couldn't help but fear the mistake they were making.
It was a normal sunny day for the Strawhats. The crew was happily lazing around. Nami and Robin sunbathed on the upper deck as they subconsciously heard the sleeping swordsman snore. Jinbe and Chopper were tending to the garden harvesting the readied herbs.
Sanji fixed everyone's snacks as he was serenaded by Brook's practice tunes. Usopp was in a solidarity corner working on blueprints with Franky. They discussed together their plans for future weapons and the best outcome of the process. Lastly their captain, Luffy was lying quietly on top of the lion-shaped helm. It was a normal unexciting day for the Strawhat crew one that everyone seemed to love all but the growing bored captain.
"USOPP LET'S HAVE A FISHING CONTEST," Luffy yelled excitedly only to be met with a nod from the curly-haired sniper.
"In a minute Luffy. We're on to something here." Dismissing his captain Usopp chuckled softly feeling the pout that was on the boy's face. Luffy groaned ready to plop back down as he noticed how busy everyone else was.
The ship moved slowly with the waves. Luffy sat atop the lion head basking in the sun as his crew enjoyed the quiet atmosphere.
CAW CAW
A news coo flew above them dropping a newsletter to the ship. Not landing for their pay it continued onward.
"That's weird," Nami stated as Robin picked up the paper. Falling out was a pike of new bounties. Seeing the wanted papers Luffy immediately moved towards them searching for his own. As the crew, each searched for their bounty they sulked only finding their allies.
"Maybe we're old news now." Usopp thought aloud hopefully. Robin chuckled as she read the head Line only to gasp aloud.
"Robin?" She stared shocked at the paper only moving when Nami moved to take the bundle from her.
"Pirate Empress deceased." Nami read aloud shocked. Her eyes stung with tears as she continued reading.
"After the destruction of the Kuja Pirates, the Marines ordered a buster call at the island of women. The Pirate Empress was turned over to Cipher Pol where she was soon seen battling against an agent. She fell to her death at sea. Leaving no Survivors of the Kuja race." Looking up they all turned to their captain as his face darkened.
"Luffy?" Ignoring them he ran inside the dining area.
"Luffy!" They called again rushing behind him as he stop in front of the transponder snail. Calling the Empress he listened as the snail refused to connect. Trying again he was met with the same dead tone. He kept trying, slamming the speaker down as he redialed the number. He shook as he thought shaking he dialed another number.
"Hello."
"Is it true?" Luffy's voice was cold. He heard shuffling as he listened to the person take a deep breath.
"Luf-"
"Is it true, Rayleigh?"
"They didn't find a body...so maybe not." Rayleigh's voice sounded broken, not a millimeter of hope behind it. Like he was trying his hardest to keep it together but Luffy knew the feeling of losing someone you view as a family was hard.
"I'm on my way." Hanging up he didn't give the man enough time to argue. He sat down quietly thinking everything over.
"Luffy." Jinbei walked in holding a small video snail.
"This was two weeks ago. It's now been taken into Marine custody so only a few people could get a hold of the broadcast. It's a recording." Sitting the snail down he pressed play.
The snail's eyes opened as footage of Lucci smiled at them. Behind him was a Chained Hancock. There wasn't any sound but he could tell she was laughing at something before he struck her across the face. Lucci stomped off. They now could see the full damage the Empress endeared. Covered in her blood her cheeks were a little sunken in.
She looked up at the camera quickly tears in her dull blue eyes. She turned to her left side looking out to sea. Her neck turned black as she breathed in breaking the collar around her neck.
Taking deep breaths she stared at the collar before pulling her arms towards her. The veins in her arms pulsed as she pulled at the chains ripping them from the Masts. She stared at the sea prison breaking it from the hilt as she stood up. Turning to Lucci.
They watched the fight. Amazed at how the devil fruit user was moving with the strong limitations.
"She had to be held captives for months before this," Nami answered sitting the paper down. She was comparing the information released to the public with the video. Luffy stayed quiet watching for the fifth time as she fell off the ship. Robin watched confused as Lucci seemed to try to stop her.
"If she made it alive it was a miracle," Franky stated aloud, hearing everyone else's hums.
"Sabaody."
Standing Luffy left the room going back to his spot as the crew nodded. Leaving to travel back to Sabaody.
Robin stayed, watching the video again. She was confused at Lucci's behavior and what exactly Boa was saying. Where was he taking her? Why didn't he just kill her like the others? What could he have possibly been planning when he first decided to broadcast this? Robin questioned everything as she continued to watch the video looking for any answer.