So far so good, been successful with this. Chapter 3 on the way! Alright, so I missed something from the last chapter, the (1) back there was for Marek's hands turning silver and being called "Silver Hand" Marek. Marek's armament Haki, at least for the first half of the story, will be silver. That'll change around Marineford and once he gets his devil fruit. NO, there will not be any suggestions for his devil fruit, I already have it picked out. But you can try and guess it if you would like, just leave a comment as to what you think it is! Subtle hints will be given in later chapters, until Marineford so there is plenty of time to guess!
We also saw a few changes in plot, such as Marek being the one to save Luffy instead of Shanks, Garp visiting sooner, as well as Marek seeing Robin's bounty and official "brothering" between Ace, Sabo, Luffy and Marek. Shanks having his arm may or may not play a part in another couple of plot changes I have intended, but I'm kinda rolling with the flow here. Now then, enough wasting time, onto the story!
(Months later in the South Blue)
Marek was filling out reports to send to the nearest marine base, to send to Marine HQ. He sat on his ship, feeling it rock back and forth as he heard a sharp crack. He looked around for what could possibly be the cause of it, seeing his compass fall to the ground. He picked up and what he saw brought a smile to his face, before shock kicked in. There was a picture within, a picture of him, Ace, Sabo and Luffy before he left to go patrol the Blues. The crack that he heard, was a small one but over the face of Sabo.
He shouted out, "Get me a Den-Den, now!"
(Meanwhile, at Marine HQ, Garp's office)
Garp was munching on rice crackers, two pictures on his desk. One was of him and Marek, when Marek got promoted to Marine Captain, the other was of the old man, Luffy, Ace and Sabo. He was trying to shoo off his paperwork to one of the rear admirals when he heard a crack. He dropped his papers, causing the rear admiral to yell comically before the Hero went over to his desk, eyes widening at the photo of the boys. Like Marek's compass, the picture of Sabo had a crack on it.
Shortly thereafter, his den-den Mushi rang and he picked it up. "Vice Admiral Garp speaking."
"Gramps… call it a hunch but- "
"It's Sabo, isn't it?" Garp said solemnly, closing his eyes. It happened once before, the day he caught Roger. His rice cracker bag that he bought that day suddenly split open, and ever since, he knew there was a force that told them when something bad happened.
Marek was shocked. "H-how?" Garp responded, "My picture of him cracked. I assume your compass cracked as well?"
The little snail just nodded, it's face replicating Marek's of numbness and shellshocked. "G-Gramps, he's only 10. H-how? Who would even do something like that?"
Garp sighed softly, looking many years older than he was. "I'll go tell Tsuru, let her know what's happened. I'll also tell Sengoku, let him know I'm taking a few days off from training recruits. He'll understand. Finish up there in the South and head home, Ace and Luffy are going to need you."
Marek, speechless, just nodded dumbly as the mushi replicated the action as he hung up, sliding down against the wall of the ship. "M-men… h-head back to East Blue. Vice Admirals' orders." The men, seeing their captain distraught and taking the best course of action, just nodded and started sailing home. Marek in the meantime, just sobbed softly, at the loss of his brother. (1)
(East Blue, Fooscha Village, a few days later)
Marek left his marine cap on the ship, this wasn't a marine matter, this was family. He ordered the men to restock the ship, they had to go to the West Blue afterwards he learned from Sengoku but had a week or so to grieve for Sabo. He walked down the gangplank, a somber feeling in the air.
He looked up at the Gray Terminal, shocked that it was burned as he looked back up the hill to where Ace and Luffy lived with Dadan and trekked up there, looking for answers. After a few minutes, he knocked on the door softly, but loud enough to be heard. Dogra opened the door and saw that it was Marek, his eyes softened as Marek looked down.
"Where's the boys, and where's mom?" He whispered softly, only barely loud enough for Dogra to hear as he clenched his fists tightly. Dogra nodded and told Dadan that Marek was there.
Dadan walked out, closing the door as she had a somber look on her face. "Marek….." He looked up at her with anger and sadness. "Tell me everything mom."
After a sit-down talk out in the woods, she told him about the Gray Terminal incident, how it was Sabo's father that had ordered it from the Bluejam Pirates. How it was in preparation for the World Noble's arrival and when he had pulled into dock, Sabo had left early for his journey and cut across the ship and they blew it out of the water.
Marek growled softly, tearing up as his hand started to bleed with how hard it was clenched. "T-those bastards, killed a 10-year-old child, BECAUSE HE WAS SAILING BY THEM?!" He roared angrily, punching a tree and leveling it.
"They had Luffy and Ace set up the explosives and gasoline in the Terminal as well." Dadan said somberly. "We had to save them, they were going to kidnap them and make them their crew."
Marek stood up. "A-Are they still here? The pirates." His eyes were narrowed in rage. Dadan nodded softly. "Marek, what do you plan to do?"
"I can't go after Sabo's dad, or the World Noble, that's a fast track of joining my father. So I'm going after those bastards that would harm my little brothers. Someone will be held accountable; I'll be back to comfort the boys, but someone needs to bring justice to Sabo." He started to leave before he felt Dadan hug him.
"I've never been too supportive of you boys, since Garp dumped you three on us. But please, this one time I'll support this justice that you marines are famous for. Make Bluejam pay for what he's done." She said softly, crying at the death of Sabo and almost losing Ace and Luffy.
Out of the four brothers, Marek was always closest to Dadan, the only one she'd let call her mom. Once she had heard how the young boy lost his mother at sea, she took him and Ace in with only a bit of reluctance.
Marek nodded his head softly, remembering his training with Vice Admiral Sakazuki as he walked down the hill.
(Flashback)
Marek was sent flying into the wall, lodged firmly in it from a blow from the Vice Admiral. "You want to be a marine Marek? You need to show me your fire! Your pursuit of Justice! Only then do you stand a chance at laying a hand on me!" Sakazuki barked as Marek was stuck in the wall.
Vice Admiral Borsalino and Kuzan watched, Kuzan scratching his cheek. "Ara, he's really laying into the kid. He does know if he hurts him beyond what is acceptable for training, Garp's going to have his head, along with Admiral Z?"
Borsalino just watched with some interest as he looked at Kuzan out the corner of his eye. "Ohhhh I'm sure Sakazuki is just trying to bringgggg the best out of himmmm."
Marek just pulled himself out of the wall, panting. 'I haven't even gotten the Vice Admiral to take me seriously. He's a magma man I know that much, and apparently he's not kicking my ass too seriously or else the other two would've stepped in.' He took a minute to look up at the other two vice admirals, Kuzan having put on his sleep mask and Borsalino looking dead to the world.
He deadpanned internally, 'Never mind, I'm dead. Sorry Grandpa, I wanted to be a Marine, but it looks like I'm going to be pummeled into the ground.' He landed on the ground, as he pushed off it weakly, standing tall causing Sakazuki to raise an eyebrow as even Borsalino looked on in curiosity.
"Ohhh, interesting…" Borsalino droned on as Kuzan wasn't actually sleeping but watching with his Observation Haki.
"You think just because you took one of my weaker punches and it implanted you in the wall, and you can stand from it means I'm impressed?" Sakazuki stated, stalking towards Marek. "I've taken down strong pirates, underling crews of Big Mom, Whitebeard and Kaido. You are nowhere near their level Marek."
Marek spit out a bit of blood, looking up at Sakazuki. "Not yet, I'm not there yet Vice Admiral Sakazuki." He grinned, "But I will be one day! I'll be strong enough to stand at the peak like you three, like Gramps, and like Fleet Admiral Sengoku." He saw a few seconds into the future with his Observation, a fist coming from Sakazuki towards his face.
"That is the point of this training! I don't tolerate weak marines who don't follow the path of Justice!" He roared, sending out the first towards Marek's face, just as he foresaw as Kuzan slipped off his mask, going to step in. 'He's taking this too far; he's going to kill the kid!'
But what happened next, surprised all three vice admirals, including Sengoku who was watching from above them, and Z watched on with a smile. 'That a boy.' Marek dodged the fist, letting it past his face and over his shoulder as his fist shined with silver and sent the strongest punch he could muster into the gut of Sakazuki.
The shock of the dodge and the force of the punch made Sakazuki spit up saliva before he felt himself crash into the wall on the opposing side from where he launched Marek. Marek just grinned, blood trailing out from the corner of his lips. "How's that for a strong pursuit of justice, Sakazuki-sama?" Borsalino just chuckled softly as Kuzan let out a sigh of relief.
"Ohhh, how scary Marek!" Borsalino complimented, causing the lad to look up at them, grinning cheekily as he did a thumbs up. "You actually hit him, despite the limitations that Saka-kun had to not use his devil fruit. And as a recruit nonetheless! You'll be an interesting, and a very scary, individual." Kuzan looked over at Borsalino, shocked that he had talked so much, and just chuckled.
"What he said kid. You've made Borsalino speak more than a sentence, so you've done well today. Just be careful though, now that we know that you can hit us, even if it was just two hits today, the training will be much harder." Z stated from the observatory, as Sengoku nodded in approval.
Marek just grinned, before proceeding to fall back on the ground, exhausted. Sakazuki came up from the wall, wiping blood off his lip, smirking softly. 'So this is how it feels, pride in someone else. Any other time I'd be thrown into unyielding rage, but he's a kid. Observation huh? Seems like he woke that one up there. And apparently Armament too, from how hard those two felt.'
(Flashback end)
Marek cracked his knuckles as he saw a pirate ship docked near the castle of Outlook II, Sabo's father. He may not have been able to touch Sabo's father, due to his status as a noble, and his own as a marine, but that doesn't mean he wasn't going to let the pirates get away scot free for what they did.
He spotted a nearby boulder, smirking. "Time to send them a warning shot." He lifted up the large boulder, easily a ton, as he chucked it at the Bluejam Pirates' ship.
One of the newer crewmates was minding his business as he looked up to see a boulder flying at him. "Um Captain Bluejam?" "What is it Charles?" He asked. "Are we expecting any giant rocks in the forecast today?"
"What the hell kind of question is that?!" He demanded before looking up, seeing the giant rock flying towards them. "Oh, now I see. That's a boulder." He nodded sagely, before his eyes widened. "Wait, that's a flying boulder coming at our ship! Oh shi-!" was all he could get out before the rock went through their ship. Bluejam and a few of his crew got onto the dock before the ship sunk. He sobbed at the loss of his ship, causing a few members of the crew to step back. He suddenly got up in anger. "Alright! Who has the fucking balls?!"
Marek had walked up to them with a hatred filled grin. "Hey." They snapped around and turned at him. "Holy shit, where the fuck did you come from?!" Charles responded.
Marek just smirked. "So, which one of you dead men is Bluejam? Oh and please do lie to me, I've been itching to put down some pirates, especially ones that kidnap children and make them plant explosives."
Bluejam stepped up, smirking. "Oh we have a righteous crusader from that village huh. What are those boys to you huh? Playthings?" "Um sir." Charles tried to speak, "Not now Charles. What, did we break your little toys? We heard about the one who sailed in front of the World Noble and got blasted out of the water for it. Kid deserved it, sailing while a world noble came through."
"Sir…" "Damn it Charles, what is it?!" He turned and lashed out at him. "He's wearing a marine coat, and I believe he's a captain." Charles responded meekly.
Bluejam turned and saw that he was. "Oh shit he is. OH SHIT HE IS!" Bluejam became panicked as he went to order his men, when he heard thuds behind him. "And…. You wiped out all my men while I was talking didn't you?"
Marek smirked, "With malicious intent. Those three boys you were talking about, no they aren't my playthings or slaves. They're my brothers." Bluejam paled. "And on top of it all, this is the home of Vice Admiral Garp, who I'm the grandson of. Do I need to paint a bigger picture for you?" Bluejam became deathly pale, a color that a certain, recently promoted, Shichibukai would be jealous of.
"Oh and those words you said about them, what you made them do?" Marek asked, before disappearing from sight, making Bluejam's eyes widened before felt a strong force in his gut, looking down to see Marek with his fist lodged into it.
Marek smirked, letting out a breath of pure rage. "You shouldn't had done that." The force of the impact blew out a hole from Bluejam's back, causing the remaining crew members gasp in horror as their captain fell dead.
"Now then, I want you all to be good little scumbags and tie yourself up, so that I can take you to the nearest marine base where you can be executed for your crimes. That's Choice A."
Charles whimpered softly, "W-what's Choice B?"
Marek smiled. "Oh nothing special, just immediate execution."
They screamed in horror and began tying themselves up. "Good choice." He smirked softly, lugging Bluejam's body onto his shoulder, noting that he'll need to get his coat dry-cleaned after this and dragging the surviving pirates back to Fooscha.
(Later)
Marek was in a pitch-black suit, compared to his usual white Marine uniform, as he walked up to the site that the village had used for Sabo's burial spot. They didn't have a body, thankfully since he doesn't think he'd be able to handle it, but a tombstone with his little top hat on it.
He tried to keep a calm demeanor, but he couldn't. Tears trailed down his face, hands on Ace's and Luffy's shoulders as the village had a small funeral service. Past his left shoulder were Dadan and her bandits, past his right was Garp and Tsuru, alongside his marine crewmates.
Garp looked down as Tsuru had a few small tears down her face, Dadan was trying her hardest not to cry as Ace tried to keep a strong façade, but it was cracking.
Luffy himself was just sobbing wildly, asking where Sabo was and why he wasn't there with them. Marek just cried softly, not having an answer for his littlest brother. The death of Bluejam and the capture of his crew felt good, but it did little to fill the void that was left in Marek's heart with the death of Sabo. Once the funeral service was over, Marek led Luffy and Ace over to Tsuru, introducing her as their grandmother. She took them as Marek and Garp headed into the village.
"Bluejam and his crew have been taken care of, no one will suffer from them again. But I still feel empty grandfather." Marek said in a somber tone, taking a drink of whiskey.
Garp, not in the mood to fight him over it, and feeling the same way, just nodded softly. "Ay, it's good that you took care of him. He was too dangerous to be running around here. No devil fruits in his crew, but a pirate so willing to work with the nobles is a dangerous man."
Marek sniffled, "Why? Sabo was only 10. What's the point of blasting a ten-year old kid out of the water and prematurely ending his dreams? I was supposed to protect them damn it!" Marek slammed his fist down on the bar in rage, splintering it.
"It's my job as their older brother! To keep them safe, watch them fulfill their dreams! And now, I can't even do that because Sabo's gone! What's next? Ace is gone? Luffy afterwards? Do they both die together?! I can't lose them gramps! Neither of them!" Marek ranted, hyperventilating as he sobbed.
Garp patted Marek on the back, getting his breathing back in control. "There's not a day in my life I have regretted being a marine Marek. Even with Dragon's defection, I don't regret what he's done. If it comes to the point I have to choose between the marines and my family, I don't know what I'll do." Garp said somberly, unknowingly foreshadowing the future.
"Gramps," Marek started, tears running down his face as Garp looked at him. "If it ever comes down to that choice, I'm always going to pick my family. Roger made me promise him to always look out for Ace, and I plan to do that. Come hell and high water, I will do everything in my power to keep them safe."
Marek finished, eyes narrowed in determination as he wiped away the tears and got up, ready to continue his given assignment given to him: Stop a arms trade between one of the five families and an unknown party. He knew what this was, a test to see if he was ready for the promotion to Commodore. He would not fail, not for his family, for Sabo, or his men.
(2 weeks later)
Marek was on his Den-Den mushi. "Vice Admiral Garp, we are approaching the location for the trade. Standby, please." He looked out to the island, an uneasy feeling sitting in his gut. "Men be prepared for anything. This could get really messy in a hurry."
They nodded as they sailed towards the island, towards the two ships docked at the bay. Marek looked through the spyglass and paled quickly. "Shit… that's a Big Mom flag! Turn the ship around! We're not ready for this fight." He pulled out the mushi before seeing the snail asleep. 'Shit, a blocker. We're all alone out here.'
"Captain Marek sir! The pirate ship is sailing at us!" One of the recruits said, causing him to pale more. "Prepare for battle stations! They're blocking communications, so it's just us boys!" They all yelled aye and prepared the ship for battle.
He sat, cross legged as he reached out to see who was on the ship with his observation haki. His eyes snapped open as he had a panicked look on his face. 'Oh shit, that's a person stronger than even Jinbe! We're beyond screwed, even me. I can only pray that this will be fast, and that gramps realizes that I haven't checked in or else none of us are making it out of here alive.'
He stood up, having some of the newer recruits that he was given, pull a couple of carts of cannonballs to him. He might not have been as strong as Garp, but he could still throw them harder and faster than the normal cannons could. That's when all hell broke loose. As the ship approached, they could see that it was a massive galleon, much larger than their own.
"Whatever happens here men, know that we do this to protect the lives of the innocent and for justice." Marek stated, grabbing a cannonball in each hand.
"Aye Captain Marek!" they shouted in response, causing Marek to frown on the outside, but smile internally. 'If any of them survive this, I'm taking them as my permanent crew. They've all got good heads on their shoulders.'
"They're not firing sir!" Marek nearly fell forward but put the cannonballs back. "What?! They're not firing at us?" "No sir! In fact, they seem to be hailing us!"
Marek cupped his chin softly. 'Why would they hail us? It does make sense though as they might not see us as a threat.' "Fine, let them approach. No one fire if you value all of our lives."
"Why's that sir?" Tanner, the newest recruit asked. Marek sighed softly. "Because we won't have a chance at making this out alive if you do, that pirate flag is the flag of the Big Mom pirates." All of the crew screamed in horror. "Yes, the Yonko Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin."
He looked up at the ship, narrowing his eyes. "I'm going to parlay. A marine captain, even with my reputation, is more valuable than you men." "But Captain Marek!" They all shouted in horror, "You can't leave us sir! You've brought us all together and have improved us so much!"
Marek just smiled, the plank lowering from the Big Mom's ship as he walked up it. Upon boarding, he recognized some of the members of the Big Mom pirates, the unranked members, as well as a few from the crime family they were sent after. Now on the ship, he could sense two that were stronger than him, and a third that was above them in levels of strength.
He saw the captains of the ship, yes captains, and narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms. Before him stood Capone Bege, the maker of the deal he guessed, and two unknown people, before he saw the taller man with a scarf around his face.
He chuckled mirthlessly, "We really had no chance of stopping the deal did we?"
Capone just smirked. "A smart lad you are. Compared to the other marine captains at least. No, you didn't have a chance. Let me introduce you to my beautiful wife, Charlotte Chiffon. This is her older sister, Charlotte Smoothie."
Marek just looked up at the way taller woman, feeling a sense of familiarity from her as she looked down at him with a sad smile, almost a frown if he couldn't tell.
"And this is." "Shut it Capone, I don't need the introduction for the big man himself. I know exactly who he is." Marek smirked, uncrossing his arms as Capone scowled softly from being interrupted.
"You're a far way from home, Charlotte Katakuri." Marek stated, looking eye to eye with, what he assumed, was the strongest son of the Charlotte family.
Katakuri raised an eyebrow. "Impressive, not very many people outside of the Grand Line know who I am. How do you know of me, little captain?"
Marek grinned, "It's my place to know who I have no chance of beating, at least at my current level. I could've easily ended this trade deal, but seeing as you're here, I would've had no chance of even surviving the fight."
Katakuri stood for a second, sensing his intentions, before nodding. "Indeed. You're skilled, "Silver Hand" Marek but even vice admirals would have difficulty with me. Does Kuzan still have the scar from our last battle?"
Marek smiled. "Of course he does. He may be the father I look up to in Marine HQ, but you kept him bedridden for weeks. Once he was able to move again, he surprised everyone and started some seriously hardcore training. Think that's the most anyone ever saw him enthused about besides sleeping since he first joined."
While the conversation was going on, Smoothie gripped her brother's arm. "Since you have me and my crew dead to rights, and our communications blocked, impressive by the way Capone." Capone just smirked, knowing that it was indeed him, a signal blocker for Den-Den inside his fortress body. "I only ask that you spare my crew. Most of them are new recruits that have only started their journey. The youngest of course being me, but some are just 16."
"I've already lost a brother, two weeks ago in fact, and I don't want to lose the crew that I'm starting to see as a family." Marek finished somberly as Smoothie let out an inaudible gasp as Katakuri's eyes widened slightly, tugging on Katakuri's arm and nodded at him.
Katakuri nodded softly in return. "It is agreed then. In exchange of you, we will let your crew go. Be happy that my sister was here, or else I wouldn't have shown any mercy to you and your crew."
He walked away as Smoothie smiled sadly, looking down at Marek. "What happened to your younger brother Silver Hand?"
Marek, confused by the question, answered. "He was shot down by a Celestial Dragon when he went out to sea. He was only 10 years old. I was in South Blue when it happened."
Smoothie gasped and hugged him tightly, smothering him. "Oh my poor baby! Going through that already, and you're only 15!" She narrowed her eyes, "Which one was it? I'll make them pay for making my son hurt!"
Marek flailed wildly, trying to get out of her grip. "C-crazy woman! L-let me- "he stopped and looked up at her with wide eyes. "S-son? W-wait. Mom?" She sniffled slightly and nodded. "You've grown so much my little Mare Mare."
Marek stiffened, remembering that his mother only called him that. "M-mother…. I-I thought you died. Dad and Grandpa told me you did." The short, seven-foot captain said softly, hugging his even taller mother tightly as he sobbed into her chest.
He sniffled slightly. "But I do understand, dad was a rear admiral, you're one of Big Mom's commanders. At the time the publicity would be bad for all three of us, especially because of certain people in the marines like Vice Admiral Sakazuki."
Smoothie smiled, before frowning. "Wait, what do you mean your father was a rear admiral?"
Marek frowned. "He left them, he found out the truth, of which I don't know yet, of the Ohara incident."
"Mom….. does anyone from your family know about us? The fact that me and Luffy are your sons?" Marek asked softly.
Smoothie smiled lightly. "Just mama, and I'm sure Katakuri knows now since your Haki is similar to everyone in our family. So… "Silver Hand" Marek huh? How'd you get that title?"
Marek chuckled, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment. "I don't know why, but my Armament Haki is Silver. Guess it was the only thing I could remember about you, your snow-white hair." He smiled softly in response before getting serious.
"Mother." He started, Smoothie straightening up as well. "My observation Haki… Gramps showed me the bounty for Nico Robin, and I had a vision of the future. D-do you think Katakuri could help me make sense of it?"
Smoothie hm'd in response, cupping her chin. "I've never heard of it from papa or mama, but I know he can see a few minutes into the future, and it's helped us quite a lot. His visions have been 100% accurate."
(A week later, after family bonding)
Garp was at the 80th branch Marine base, rampaging throughout it. "You mean to tell me that you idiots lost the ship that Captain Marek was on?! Not even that, the ship returned, but the whole crew minus my grandson managed to return!" Garp roared.
The marines at the base were cowering in fear of the angry vice admiral. Tanner stepped up. "V-vice admiral sir, it was his choice. H-he recognized the threat and went to parlay with them. He asked for them to let us go free. He said that it was the only way any of us were getting out alive."
Garp narrowed his eyes. "There's not many threats in the west blue who could scare him. Who was it!" Garp yelled, shaking the young recruit.
Tanner gulped in nervousness as he was being shook by the vice admiral. "We don't know sir! H-he only said that it was one of the Big Mom pirates!" Garp dropped the recruit, coiling in fear.
"Oh no…. AND NONE OF YOU THOUGHT TO CALL FOR BACK-UP!" "We couldn't sir! They had a Den-Den Mushi blocker!" Garp scowled softly before heading out.
"V-vice admiral sir, where are you going?" Tanner asked. "I'm going to make sure my grandson is alive, that's where I'm going!" "Vice Admiral sir!" One of the cadets at the 80th branch called out to him.
"What is it cadet?!" Garp growled out. The cadet shook in terror. "T-there's a rowboat heading towards us! It looks like the missing captain!"
Garp's eyes widened as he jumped up and took the spyglass from him, looking at the approaching rowboat. He sighed in relief, handing him back the spyglass as he jumped down.
Marek panted as he rowed, having discussed at length with his mother and uncle about how to keep his mother's side a secret, as well as meeting his uncle in a more favorable position, and his vision. They let him take a rowboat as to ensure that the Marines didn't find out about how he was the son of a famous pirate, yet alone a grandchild of one of the Yonko.
Marek pulled up to dock as he heard a distinct yell. "MAREK!" He paled white as a ghost. 'Oh crapbaskets, I forgot about how I'd discuss this with gramps.'
He turned and saw the old man marching down to the dock in anger. He looked up to him, staring eye to eye with him, not backing down when the vice admiral hugged him suddenly. "Thank god you're okay…. When they told me what had happened, with the trade deal, I was worried sick. They were going to send Issho, since he was the closest, but I had to come, to make sure you were okay."
Marek, stunned again, just hugged him back. "I-I'm fine Gramps, I managed to escape them." He gave his grandfather a stern look, as if saying 'We have a lot to talk about' before Garp nodded softly.
"Your crew, they were loyal to a fault. Even standing up to me and the rest of HQ, they wanted to be the ones to come and rescue you but Issho talked them out of it. He told them that your sacrifice would've been for nothing if they had gotten themselves killed." Garp said with a smile.
Marek gave a teary smile and nodded. "I want them as my permanent crew Vice Admiral sir. We've been through thick and thin; I've had their backs and they've had mine."
Garp just laughed. "I think Sengoku will allow it. Now come on, your grandmother's worried about you and Sengoku will need the report on what happened there." Marek nodded, looking a little worse for wear for rowing for hours.
After Marek talked on length about what had actually happened to his grandfather, about reuniting with his mother and talking to Katakuri about his vision and Haki, he went to the main office where there was a Den-Den Mushi labeled for Marine HQ.
He picked it up. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, please."
The snail nodded before it rang for a bit. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, what is it 80th branch?"
Marek smiled. "Fleet Admiral, sir, this is Marine Captain Monkey D. Marek reporting in about the trade deal."
A visible sign of relief came from the snail. "Marek my boy, it's good to hear you made it back safe and sound. How are you feeling?"
Marek chuckled. "Feels like Vice Admiral Garp threw me into a mountain and proceeded to throw a mountain at me sir."
Sengoku smiled softly before turning serious. "Report captain, what happened out there?"
Marek sighed softly. "We arrived too late sir. The trade deal had already occurred, and the pirates were waiting for us. Fleet admiral sir, the pirates were led by two of Big Mom's Sweet Commanders, "Dogtooth" Katakuri and Charlotte "Juicer" Smoothie."
Sengoku had a stern and serious expression. "That's serious, what were they doing there?"
"I'm not sure sir. I bargained my own life to save my crew, they're good men and didn't need to have their careers ended prematurely. They kept me prisoner and were going to marry me off to one of Linlin's kids or grandkids after seeing my silver colored Haki sir. Naturally sir, I managed to escape and fled on a rowboat back here to the 80th branch."
Sengoku sighed, "Is that all captain?"
Marek thought about it for a quick second. "I believe the crime family boss, Capone Bege, is in league with them sir. I could see many different weapons that Bege had on his ship. He's preparing for a war, but it's only pure speculation beyond that point."
Sengoku stayed silent for a second, thinking on what he was told. "Normally, this mission would be classified as a failure, especially with you being taken captive and we were unsure if you were dead or alive. But since you were able to provide us valuable information, as well as making it back in one piece, I'll classify it as a success."
Marek stood slightly shocked as he heard the news. "B-but sir." "No buts Commodore, I expect you to be in Marineford in two weeks for your promotion." Sengoku smiled softly. "Consider it an early birthday present from your uncle Marek. You've done a great job as a Marine thus far, and I'm proud of you. I'm sure Kuzan is, and maybe even Borsalino and Sakazuki is. Take this extra week to recover from your wounds and tell your lazy ass grandfather to get his ass back up here! He up and left without permission, especially since Issho was already on his way to West Blue!"
Marek just laughed softly and tiredly, "I'll let him know sir. Thank you for the promotion and I'll keep up the good work sir."
The snail stopped the call as Marek gave it a small treat in gratitude before sitting back in the chair, sighing softly. 'Mom, I'll make you proud. You, Uncle Roger, Sabo, all of them.'
He smiled before being swarmed by his crew, answering any and all questions they had about how he survived and what it was like. He laughed it off and smiled, this crew of his… he shook his head, it wasn't his crew, it was his family. A family that he would do everything to protect, and a family that would do everything to protect him.