Title: Of Dreams and Desires
Pairings: Smoker x Ace, Sanji x Zoro, and other side pairings
Ratings: T - NC-17
Chapter: 58 of ?
Summary: The road to One Piece is a dangerous one and each individual begins at different times and places. Some paths cross for a fleeting moment but the encounter could be so great that it can alter the initial direction. Every meeting is important and is planned by the souls long before the bodies see each other. Follow everyone's story and see what path they take.
Disclaimer: I do not make any profit from this story; all props go to Eiichiro Oda.
Author Note: Arrrgghhh, so many good movies out at the theater! Saw Wonder Woman and was totally amazed. Still gotta catch Alien, Pirates, All Eyez On Me, and The Mummy.
Shout Outs: Thank you to Em-em-chan and weirdblackgirl for adding ODD to your favorites and alert list! Yamidori thank you for the alert!
Beta Reader: descriptionsalive21, thank you so much!

Smoker Tensa

It'd been four days since he'd last seen Ace.

Four days, eight hours, forty-seven minutes, and thirty-two seconds to be exact—not that he was keeping count or anything.

Smoker sighed around the thick cigars dangling from between his lips as his fingers traced the lines across the seashell he grasped tightly in his hand. It was the only item Ace had left behind—one of those dials he'd heard come from some island in the sky. They weren't commonly seen on the ground, but the recorder dial was the most sought after. It was simple to use; all you had to do was press the button in the center of the shell and the recording would start playing.

As simple as it was to function, Tensa couldn't bring himself to listen to whatever was on it. Multiple times he would hover his finger over the button, only to back out of his decision at the last second. That following morning when he'd awoken alone, tangled in the sheets with the smell of sex still lingering heavily in the air, he'd resolved himself not to get any further involved with Portgas. If he listened to the dial, it would only deepen any feelings he had for the pirate. It would bring forth emotions he'd been trying to suppress and with the war just around the corner... he couldn't afford the weakness.

But still...

Don't you want to know what he had to say?

Tensa closed his eyes; Moku hadn't given him even a moment's rest as of late. He'd been ignoring the devil for a few days now, but recently, Moku had been overwhelming his senses so much so that he couldn't dismiss him. Every breath he took made him feel like he was suffocating—and that was saying something, considering his smoking habit.

A hand on his shoulder pulled him from his musing and his gaze lazily traveled to the face of his fellow Marine. He nodded his head to Hina and the pair sat in silence for a while, relishing in the beautiful sounds Mother Nature had to offer before the cries of battle were to fill the air.

"Have you seen Kuzan around?"

Hina leaned her elbows on the rail in front of them, puffing on the cigarette hanging from her painted lips, "Not in almost a week. I'm sure they have him doing all kinds of preparations before the battle." She glanced over at the man, "What's been going on with you, Tensa?"

"Not much," was the gruff reply as the commodore took a drag of his own smokes.

The captain sucked her teeth, "Well, you've been distant... grumpier than normal. Hina concern. What's on your mind?"

Moku engulfed his airways again, making Smoker choke as he answered, "Nothing."

Hina glanced over at the man, her eyebrows raising when she noticed the shell in his hand. She hummed softly as she took in his haggard appearance. She'd seen him countless times with that dial since he'd docked at Marineford Port, but with how busy she'd been, she had never gotten the chance to ask about it. Tapping off the ashes of her smoke over the rail and watching them float to the ground below, she questioned, "What's on it?"

Tensa hurriedly pocketed the device before glaring at the nosey woman next to him, "Mind your own business, alright, Hina?"

Ori bristled and Hina huffed, but before she could respond, a banging noise near them halted their conversation. The Marines turned their attention to the roof's door and not a moment later, Kuzan appeared, sauntering towards them with a small smile on his face, "Sup?" he questioned as he shoved his way between the pair, sighing, "What are y'all doing up here?"

Smoker grunted, "Normally, no one comes up here, but apparently that's not the case today."

Hina turned to Kuzan, waving her hand, "Don't mind him. He's being an asshole today."

Kuzan adjusted his slipping sleeping mask, "He's got every right to be. You ever heard the expression 'caught between a rock and a hard place'?" he hiked his thumb up at Smoker, "That's his problem."

Thick tentacle-like clouds danced around the commodore and a coughing fit overcame him before he was inundated with smoke. Tensa felt his mind being invaded and he quickly lost sight of the world around him. Wind rushed past him and his body felt light as he traveled to Moku's domain. The pleasant floating sensation didn't last long as his gut sank and he instantly began to free fall. Smoker twisted and flipped around as he descended deeper into his inner being. He saw a white light out of the corner of his eye and he angled his body towards it. Not moments later, he was back on the rooftop, but the building—hell, everything from the trees of the island to the water crashing against the bluffs—had taken the form of smoke. Thick white and gray clouds blew past Smoker as he pivoted on his heels and walked over to Moku. The man could feel the devil's annoyance through their bond and he ground the cigars between his teeth before he spoke, "I was in the middle of a conversation."

Moku turned slightly towards his partner, the smoke surrounding them swirling violently, "Then stop fucking ignoring me, boy."

"What do you want?" Smoker demanded.

The spirit tensed at the disrespect, "Sit."

Tensa looked behind him at a chair made of smoke waiting for him to occupy it. The Marine shook his head, "Look, I got work to–"

"I SAID SIT!" Moku roared, bashing wave upon wave of smoke into Smoker's chest, forcing him back into the chair. The spirit looked out at the ocean, watching the monochrome waves smash against the shore, "Your acts of insolence irritate me."

Tensa sighed heavily as he looked over his shoulder to the stilled forms of Aokiji and Hina as he asked again, "What do you want?"

Moku let the silence settle between them before inquiring, "Do you know how long I've existed?"

Smoker opened his mouth to reply, but the devil's abilities wrapped around his neck, rendering him silent. "Thousands of years. I've had numerous hosts over that time, but you, my friend, have been my favorite by far." He tilted his head at Smoker, "I like you because you remind me of myself; and because your line of work allows me to run into other devils. Ori and Hie are good allies of mine; it thrills me that I have found a partner who has connections to them." Moku paused, running his long, boney fingers through a wisp of smoke. He chuckled softly, "We devils run into each other all the time, but do you know how often we come across our significant other?"

The pressure weighing on Tensa's body was removed suddenly, causing him to grunt, "There's nothing I can do, I've told you this."

Moku's voice softened and he continued as if the man hadn't spoke, "Four hundred years... that's how long it had been until that moment we met Mera in Alabasta." Smoker couldn't see the devil's face due to the cowl over his head, but he still felt his longing through their connection. "It must have been fate at work because you found an attraction in his partner, and with the right persuasive methods, all the pieces fell together. Mera and I were finally together again."

"Now, after four hundred years and only a few measly months together, you want me to stand by idly and lose him again." The devil spun around, amalgamating his form with the smoke surrounding them, creating a makeshift whirlwind that quickly flowed towards his partner. He reappeared in front of the male, so close that Smoker could see into his once-hidden old gray eyes. Moku leaned in until their noses touched and growled, "You would let Ace die?"

Tensa made a noise of disagreement, "If there were something I could do, I would've done it by now!"

Moku's head shook as he distanced himself from his human, "Yet you will fight against those coming to save him?"

Smoker ground his teeth, glaring at the devil, "It's my job."

"Bullshit!" Moku yelled, his anger so fierce that the domain quaked, "You've broken every rule thrown your way up until this point. Now all of the sudden you want to be the perfect Marine?!"

"Me playing the perfect Marine will keep us alive! If I'm dead, you're gone too. What good does us being dead do for anyone?!"

Moku grumbled under his breathe for a moment before sighing, "I am powerful, yet there is nothing I can do alone..." his shoulders drooped, "At least let me see him again. I know you want to see Ace one more time too."

Smoker looked up at the darkening gray sky, "I do."

The devil waved his hand, whisking away the chair Tensa sat in, chuckling darkly when the commodore fell onto his butt, "Then what are you waiting for?"

Before he could respond, Smoker was thrusted out of the devil's realm and back into reality.

"–dangerous to rely on the Shichibukai."

The Marine stumbled back a few steps, gasping in fresh air into his lungs. Kuzan gripped him by his sleeve and pulled him back towards the rail, "Welcome back."

After catching his breath, Tensa patted himself down for some cigars, "I need a favor."

Kuzan stuck his pinky up his nose before flicking out a booger, "Gotta do a favor to get one. What can I do?"

Smoker rolled the cigar between his fingers in thought before whispering, "I need to see him."

Hina smushed her spent cigarette against the rail, "Is that you talking or your devil?"

He glanced over at her, "Does it matter?"

Aokiji smacked his lips together, "I can make that happen; but you'll have to do something for me."

Smoker tsked, "What is it?"

S.T

Tensa had never been on this side of the Marine Headquarters before. It was so clean and... pristine. Kuzan's favor involved Smoker talking to the head of the whole Marine operation: Commander in Chief Kong. He'd never seen the man in person before; he'd only ever heard about his great war skills and even greater mind. The commander wasn't spoken about anywhere near as much as Vice Admiral Garp was, but rumors say back when he was doing field work, he took on an entire division of men by himself and still had enough strength to carry his fallen comrade's body forty miles back to base.

Kuzan abruptly stopping at a pair of double wide doors almost made Smoker bump into him. Black eyes looked down into red, "You ready?"

"You still haven't told me what I'm talking to him about," Smoker replied.

The admiral shrugged, "He'll be doing the talking. You just listen."

He entered the room before Smoker could respond, dragging a huff from the man when he followed. When they entered, voices from the grandfather mushi sitting on the desk ahead filled their ears.

"How long have you known about this?!"

"Why didn't you take action?!"

"This is a disaster."

Kong rolled his eyes towards the clock hanging on the wall. He was going to be late to the strategy meeting because their holinesses decided to argue into one snail. Sengoku had reported his findings of Portgas's lineage, and ever since then, he hadn't been able to leave his room. The Gorosei called him, instantly firing questions that lead to the "gods" confronting each other, which all added up to their current state of bickering. Not only were they arguing, but it wasn't even with him! Apparently, one of the Elder Stars knew before today that Ace was Roger's son and had kept it to himself all these years.

Feeling more so than seeing the visitors in his room, Kong motioned towards the plush leather chairs in front of him. Once his eyes fell on Smoker, they never left him, even as the Marine sat before him and stared straight into his eyes, challengingly. The commander in chief grinned as he calmly picked up the receiver and dropped it onto the snail's shell, promptly hanging up on the quarreling Gorosei. He linked his fingers together atop the desk, "You must be Tensa."

"Call me Smoker."

The commander smiled, "Right, Commodore Smoker. What can I do for you?" When Smoker looked out of the corner of his eye at Kuzan, Kong chuckled at the commodore's wariness, "Anything you say in this room is confidential."

He hesitated before saying, "I need to see Portgas."

"Why?" Kong questioned, "He's a pirate up for execution—he has no visitation rights."

Tensa's jaw clenched and his fingers tapped against his thigh; he needed his hourly dose of nicotine and the urge to reach for the cigars in his jacket pocket was becoming overwhelming. When he didn't respond, Kong chuckled, "I can get you a moment with him, but it'll cost you."

"What do you want?" The commodore questioned.

Kuzan, who was sculpting the ball of ice in his palm, answered, "Your consideration."

Black eyebrows furrowed, "Consideration?"

Kong nodded, "The elections are coming up soon, which means there are promotions and vacant positions that need to be filled. There is an opening that the organization needs to hold and I want you in it."

The response perplexed Smoker, "The organization? What are you talking about? What position?"

Those questions silenced the other men, and Smoker's only answer was the sound of ticking from the clock on the wall. Kuzan set the now-sculpted icy peacock on the windowsill and walked over to the beverage bar, pouring himself a drink. He took a sip, savoring the taste of the liquor before he questioned, "Have you heard of Sapientes ad Iustitia?"

"Sapi-who?"

Kong pulled a black box from his drawer, opened it, and handed Smoker a cigar and a lighter, "We are an old faction, one of many within the Marines whose goal is to right the wrongs of the Gorosei and return proper order to the world. The only one to survive the Gorosei's purging."

Tensa lit the smoke, drawing in a few much needed puffs before asking, "Purging?"

Kuzan interjected, waving his hand dismissively, "It's part of the void century."

Still confused, Smoker shook his head, "I don't know what any of this has to do with me."

"I need to know that I can trust you," Kong replied.

Red eyes looked to his friend then to the commander, "Trust me with what?"

"I've been keeping up with you," he slid open his desk drawer and revealed a thick file, "ever since you left your post in Loguetown. You are a highly trained operative with a keen sense of justice. You choose moral justice over absolute. Tell me why."

"In short, there's a gray area in every situation," Tensa answered.

Kong hummed quietly, "I expected that from you. The way you've dealt with the Straw Hats is my main reason for wanting to recruit you. You have a keen ability of adhering to the commands given to you all while rebelling with your own moral justice. I like that in a Marine. You will technically still work for the Marines, but you will report to me before your superiors."

Annoyance crossed over Tensa's face; the old man was going around in circles, not answering any of his questions. He closed his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose before giving a stern look to the commander, "Look, I just need to see Portgas. Tell me what needs to be done and I'll do it."

Kuzan pushed himself off the wall, "Slow down, Smoker. Just listen."

"The job is being vice admiral of the G-5 naval base."

Smoker's cigar drooped slightly, shock written across his face, "Vice admiral?"

"Yes." Kong stood and walked around his desk, "You will be promoted to vice admiral and work missions for us through the naval base. You will complete any assignments given to you by me, which will include infiltrating otherwise unauthorized areas and completing any data gathering missions, all while fulfilling any duties required of you by the Marines. You'll then report back to me before drawing up your official Marine record."

The hunter mulled over the information before responding, "I'll be a puppet."

Kong gave a predatory grin, showing off his canines, "We're all puppets, boy."

Heavy doors behind them burst opened and Kong's assistant hurriedly walked over to him, whispering her message in his ear before leaving. The older man ran a hand down his scarred face, "Give your answer to Aokiji after you've thought about it. I have to go." He snagged his jacket off the coatrack and yelled "Show yourselves out" over his shoulder before leaving the Marines behind.

With a quick request to reschedule his afternoon appointments, Kong rushed off to the strategy meeting. After navigating through the maze of halls, the commander arrived at the Constellation Conference Chamber. The muffled chatter that filled the large corridor came to an abrupt halt when he entered the room. Sengoku, who sat at the head of the large oval-shaped table, glared down his nose at Kong, "How nice of you to join us. As you were saying, Vice Admiral Tsuru."

She nodded, pointing towards the world map in the center of the table, "The civilians have already begun evacuating the island. They will be temporarily placed in the housing facilities on a naval base near the entrance of the New World."

"Why in the New World?" Kong questioned as he swiped the program off a nearby desk and made his way to the empty seat next to Sengoku.

"It is the only Marine controlled island that can hold that many evacuees safely," Sakazuki answered.

Tsuru walked over to a large map of Marineford that was hanging up on the wall, "More importantly, we already have a battalion dispatched and ready to protect them at all cost. Speaking of protection, we need to discuss the security of the island."

Borsalino stood from his seat at the table, turning as he spoke so he could look the men surrounding him, "There are sixty warships stationed around the island and five more stationed every one-thousand nautical miles for the next six-thousand miles. We'll see the pirates before they get close, and we'll intercept them upon first sight. There will be two companies aboard each ship, that gives us roughly fifteen thousand men securing our sea," Borsalino answered.

Sengoku tested the pen he held in his hand on a blank sheet of paper and when it produced ink he inquired, "Who's leading the warships?"

"Rear Admiral Catacombo will take lead with the assistance of Commodore Brannew."

"Who does the sea defense report to, Kizaru?"

All heads turned toward the voice and the admiral in question hummed, "They'll report to me. When did you get here, Aokiji?"

"I just walked through the door. The outer defense needs to report to someone who can easily step away from the battlefield," black eyes glanced at his colleague, "and if I know you, Kizaru, you'll be on the front lines."

"Who do you suggest then?" Ronse asked, his voice muffled by his helmet.

Aokiji glanced at the map, eyeing the different colored pins sticking out of it, "Where have you placed yourself on the battlefield, Tsuru?"

"At the podium's defense."

"The warships will be under Catacombo and Brannew, who will report to Vice Admiral Tsuru," Kong concluded, "Have you started on the protection of the execution stand?" He waved his hand, "Just tell me the entire setup."

Tsuru glanced at the map and then to Kong, "Yes." She picked up three purple pins and stuck them into the map, "Kizaru, Aokiji, and Sakazuki will take stand at the base. Then," she grabbed eight orange pins, "the Giant Squad will be ahead of them."

"Who commands the giants?"

Lacroix stood from his seat on the floor, "It would be my honor to take that responsibility."

Tsuru gave a firm nod, "Then it will be. If Vice Admiral Lacroix falls in battle, Vice Admiral Ronse will take his place." Her assistant handed her some more pins, "The six Shichibukai will be placed in front of the Giant Squad."

"Five," Akainu corrected, "Kizaru took Jinbe to Impel Down."

"And after the Shichibukai?" Vice Admiral Strawberry questioned.

"The rest of the ranked and unranked men will be placed in and around Oris Plaza. Vice Admiral Yamakaji and Rear Admiral Sicily will place men throughout Marineford Town and guard the underground entrances." Tsuru stepped back to look at the map, "There are some aspects of the island's defenses that we can use." She plucked a black marker from the cup near her and begin tracing the bay, "If the pirates manage to break past the warships, we can put up the encircling wall Sengoku had installed after Shiki's attack."

Sengoku made a noise of disagreement, "The wall will only be used in case of an emergency. It will block the inner wall's cannons, leaving our foot soldiers without support. With everything that has been said being taken fully into account, is there anything else in our defenses that we're overlooking?"

Kong stood and walked over to one of the windows looking out towards the ocean, "We have no idea when Whitebeard will show. It will be one hundred thousand Marines verses some forty-odd number of Whitebeard's allies. The news coo has sent out the headlines of Ace's capture and the broadcasting of the execution. In closing, aside from Whitebeard, I want everyone to keep his right hand, Marco the Phoenix, in sight. Because of his devil, he won't be easy to kill or restrain. He will be one of the main key players on the battlefield." The commander let the silence stand before turning to face his subordinates, "Are there any other questions or suggestions?"

"If we're worried about the pirate devil users, why not use seastone bullets?"

He smiled, "Excellent question, Vice Admiral Dalmatian. Unfortunately, we don't have time to mass-produce seastone bullets for every gun on the battle field. On top of that, it'll be detrimental to our forces if a Marine with a devil's ability were to get shot by a stray bullet. As useful as seastone bullets are, it'll cost us more harm than good to use them." Kong rubbed his tired eyes, "The plan we have will do for now. If anything happens during battle, we'll have to think on our feet. Sakazuki, you and Vice Admiral Doberman will inform the lower ranked Marines of their roles. Meeting adjourned, men."

S.T

It was musty in the auditorium; most of the Marines had been working in the fields for countless hours and the sweat and stench of the day had built up on their bodies. The smell was so foul that Hina could taste it on the tip of her tongue. She shifted in her seat, crossing her legs and lighting her smoke, inhaling deeply in hopes to replace the taste in her mouth with something more pleasing. Just as she clicked her Zippo lighter closed, it and the smoke disappeared from her grasp. She blinked twice, staring at her hands in confusion, "Huh?"

"The Golden Auditorium is a nonsmoking room."

Brown eyes glanced to their left and a grin broke out on the owner's face, "Tashigi, it's always my pleasure to see you." Hina looked her favorite Marine from toe to crown, "You're looking good, as always."

The ensign pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, "Flattery gets you nowhere, Captain Hina."

A snort from behind them pulled Hina's attention a man nearby, "Come on, Glasses. Give the chick a chance!"

Hina nodded and another solider chimed in, "Yeah, she makes googly eyes at you every time she sees ya. It wouldn't hurt to get laid every so often."

Perry belted a laugh, shoving Jesse, "Damn right it doesn't!"

Tashigi huffed at the chuckling Hina, "Don't laugh at them." She turned redder the louder Hina's laughs became and she glared at her subordinates, "Aren't you supposed to be looking for Commodore Smoker?"

Jesse propped his feet up on the back of Hina's chair, "Eh, he's a grown man, Sheila. I'm sure he'll find his way here."

A vein pulsed on Tashigi's forehead and she slowly withdrew Shigure from her sheath with a deadly gleam in her eyes, "Are you ignoring a direct order?"

Thinking back to the ass whooping they got when they disobeyed her orders back on Molder Island, Perry and Jesse let out nervous chuckles, "No ma'am." They stood, clanking their heels together and saluting before quickly exiting the theater.

During the exchange, Hina took back her smoke and she now sat puffing on it, observing her fellow Marine, "The rookie's got a point, Hina think."

Tashigi settled back into her seat, sighing, "What do you mean?"

Hina leaned closer to Tashigi, whispering, "When are you going to let me take you on a date?"

"Stop antagonizing my ensign."

Hina let out an overdramatic sigh upon recognizing the voice, "My god! Must you always cock block me?"

Smoker snorted, "Gotta have a cock to get cock blocked." Hina opened her mouth but the commodore cut her off, "And I don't mean those strap-ons you have either."

Face flushed beyond recognition, Tashigi stood from her seat, stuttering an excuse as she all but ran from the pair. Hina flicked the butt of her smoke at Tensa, "I hate you."

Tensa took a seat next to his friend, stating, "She's not ready for all that nasty you're trying to put on her."

The captain scoffed, her eyes slowly sliding over to the man beside her, "Did you seriously just say 'all that nasty'?"

Smoker puffed on his smoke in thought, "Those are the only words I know how to describe that with."

Hina threw her head back, cackling. After she'd calmed down, she questioned, "How did it go with Kuzan?"

"It went fine." He glanced around the balcony as more men began filling the auditorium, "I'm sorry about earlier."

"What? When you were being a total asshole?" she waved her hand, "Don't apologize, Hina used to it."

He grunted softly before commenting, "Don't go after Tashigi if your intentions aren't good."

Hina took the cigar from Smoker and used it to light a fresh cigarette, then handed it back to him, "I want her, Tensa. She's smart, beautiful, loyal…" A smug grin broke out across her face, "Do I have to get daddy's approval? I promise I'll do right by her."

"She can take care of herself." Red eyes bored into Hina's, "I just don't want to have to kill you if you hurt her. Besides, don't you have those two fools running around after you?"

"Who? You mean Fullbody and Jango?" Smoker nodded his head, making her to snort, "Never in their dreams would I bed either of them."

A bump to Hina's shoulder pulled her attention to the brunette sitting beside her, "Tashigi's one of a kind, but she's a hard one to get. I've been trying to get her to go out with me for the last year and I've still got nothing."

Hina raised an eyebrow, "Have you ever thought that maybe you weren't her type?"

Roy's face straightened, "Actually… no, I haven't."

"You haven't what?"

The woman of the hour followed by Jesse and Perry sat behind their commodore. Smoker glanced over his shoulder, "Hush, it's starting."

With bright spotlights hitting the stage, Vice Admiral Doberman walked out in front of the crowd, taking his place behind the podium and adjusting the mic before he spoke, "Thank you all for being here today. I will be informing you of your point of contact when the battle begins. You should have all gotten mailers regarding where you will be stationed. If you were assigned to the sea and your last name starts with letters A through G, then you will report to Commodore Brannew; H through M will report to Rear Admiral Catacombo; M through Z will report to Vice Admiral Tsuru. Those of you assigned to Oris Plaza with a last name starting with A through G, you will report to Vice Admiral Momonga; H through M will report to Vice Admiral Lacroix; and M through Z will report to Admiral Kizaru. Those stationed around Marineford Town whose last names start with A through G will report to Rear Admiral Sicily; H through M will report to Vice Admiral Yamakaji; and M through Z will report to Admiral Sakazuki. You are to keep all mushi near during the battle as orders are subject to change. Drills will be conducted tomorrow at zero five hundred hours. If you are tardy, expect to be severely punished. I will now turn it over to Admiral Sakazuki."

Thunderous applause erupted as the Marine known as Red Dog took the stage. He let the cheers fill the room for a moment before holding up his hand, silencing the noise, "My fellow Marines, I come here before you today to inform you of your great roles in this upcoming war. You brave men and women are the material which binds together the entire fabric of our global system of defense. From your ranks have come proficient admirals, vice admirals, and captains who will lead you into battle; but only you, as an individual, hold the destiny of our Government in your hands. I ask you, can we forge against these pirates a grand alliance? Whether you're from the North Blue, the South Blue, East or West, you are a Marine!" The men roared and he raised his voice to speak over them, "You made an oath to protect all life that exists in our world. Right now, on our very seas, there is a tyrant heading this way. His goal: to free the scum we have in custody. We must not let that happen! I have confidence in you men! If everyone does their part, if no piece of the plan is left neglected, and if the best of strategic arrangements are made, as they have been, we shall be able to defend our home island from these invaders and carry out the justice that we've pledged to! I want every Marine in this auditorium to remember: nothing worth gaining is ever gained without effort. I will not lie to you here today. Many of you will die on the battlefield, but do not be frightened! Take courage! Forget all other fears and march forward with firm steps and embrace your duty, your honor, and your justice! For historians will look back on this battle and say, 'This was their finest hour'! This is one of the many steps we take to end the uprising of pirates! To end the villainy that has terrorized our people for far too long!"

Those who filled the room began chanting "justice" and Smoker rose from his chair, pushing Hina's feet off the balcony rail before storming out of the auditorium. Hina shared a look with Tashigi and shrugged, "Just give him some time. He'll be ok."

S.T

"I want to ask you something."

Kuzan sighed before lifting his sleeping mask, "What?" The admiral had come back to the commander's office to hide away and catch a few hours of sleep. It was the only place his subordinates would never think to look.

"What are your ambitions in the Marines?"

The silence stretched before he responded, "Is this about the elections?"

"Yes."

Aokiji laced his fingers behind his head, staring up at the tan coffered ceiling, "I'm satisfied with the admiral position that I've been blessed with. It allows me the freedom to successfully complete my missions for the organization and keep my responsibilities as a Marine."

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear." Kong stepped into his line of sight, dropping a folder on his chest, "This is your next assignment. I wouldn't suggest opening it until after the battle, but it's your choice."

The sound of glassware clinking filled Kuzan's ears as he pulled the documents out of the folder and scanned them. After a while, he sat up, whispering "Arara" under his breath. He looked up from the papers to see a glass of dark liquor being held out to him. Regarding his superior, Aokiji took the drink with curiosity dancing in his eyes, "What is this?"

"Cognac."

"You know damn well I'm not talking about the drink."

Kong took a sip out of his glass, "The mission's summary says it all, does it not?"

"Why do you want me to go to Tequila Wolf?"

"Why else do I tell you to go places? I need more information. Without the supervision of the Marines or any organization within the Marines, the World Nobles have delegated numerous slaves to build a bridge, but for what? What is this bridge supposed to be connecting? They've been building it for seven hundred years. Where the fuck are they going with it? I need you to get answers to those questions. You're not there to free any slaves or dish out any justice, you're simply there to observe and report back to me, that's it."

Aokiji downed his beverage, then set the glass as well as the folder onto the table before lying back down, covering his eyes with the sleeping mask, "When do you want me to go?"

"Should nothing else come up after the battle and you don't get yourself killed, I say the sooner the better."

Kuzan hummed, "Is this mission the reason I don't have any subordinates reporting to me for the battle?"

"Indeed."

"Noted."

"Do you think Commodore Smoker will take the position?" the commander asked.

"Dunno," Aokiji yawned out, "Gotta wait and see."

"The World Military Draft is coming up; it seems to be too perfect in its timing considering everything."

With slumber creeping over his consciousness more and more as every second passed, Kuzan muttered, "It's the Gorosei, they have everything planned out."

Kong opened his mouth to ask another question, but the other's snores filling his ears forced him to drop the conversation. The commander sighed and went to pour himself another drink. The world was the Gorosei's chess board and everyone on it was a pawn to manipulate. Having a draft right after the war was no coincidence. All the bodies the Marines would lose in the battle would be efficiently replaced with younger, fresher ones; that way, it wouldn't affect the overall number of soldiers they had at their disposal. He had to get ahead of the Elder Stars, figure out their next move before they could make it. It would be the only way they could defeat them. He had men willing to fight and die for the cause, but he needed minds. Great strategic minds that would even the odds against this five against one war path he'd decided to go on.

I just have to see where the pieces fall after the war and make my move from there.

Speaking of pieces…

Kong pulled out a baby mushi, quickly pressing in a code on the side of its shell and waiting. It only had to ring once before the call was answered. The lone sound of breathing came from the snail and Kong asked, "Bear?"

"Commander."

"I have a question for you and I don't care how you have the knowledge to give me an answer, just understand that I want a serious response."

The creature's eyebrows furrowed, "Continue."

"Do I need to worry about the revolutionaries getting involved in the war?"

Kuma's silence was deafening until he responded with a quiet "No" before disconnecting the call. Kong pocketed the mushi and plopped down in the cool leather chair behind his desk. Setting an alarm to go off within the next two hours, he settled into a comfortable position and with his mind a little more at ease, the commander followed his subordinate's lead, letting his body fall into a deep slumber.

The End...

Nah, just fucking with ya. I hope everyone enjoyed and please say tune for the next chapter: Marco - Huredhiel