The next chapter is now here dear readers! I feel you have waited long enough! I'd like to thank some of my fellow writers, people who have written FANTASTIC stories on this site (some which I REALLY wish I had thought up myself, but we can't ALL be that clever) for their reviews. It means a lot after all the chapters they worked so hard on, to put up here which I reviewed for them. Thanks very much you guys!
I also want to apologize in advance if anyone in this story is out of character…nobody is perfect you know. Also, I'm going to try and be fair and use the Japanese/English names for things like Devil Fruits etc.
(By the way…all flames and flamers will be ignored thank-you. I'll make an exception for CONSTRUCTIVE reviews on what needs an adjustment or suggestions for other chapters/stories, for they are most welcome. Remember if you don't like my work then don't read or review it! NO-ONE is forcing you to! Just remember this site is here for fans and creative to people to ENJOY themselves. This is FICTION after all, a piece of written creativity NOT to be taken so seriously.)
Disclaimer: I sadly DON'T own anything from One Piece, not the people OR the places (except my OWN characters, places and so on) they all belong to Funimation, Toei Animation, Fuji TV, Shueisha, Shonen Jump Manga and that blessed genius Odo Eiichiro.
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
PART TWO:
Somewhere on Conomi Island a pair of Fish-men were standing guard on a dock looking out to sea.
"Hey," the first Fishman said to his friend. "There's an unfamiliar ship coming in."
"Is there now?" the second Fishman replied. "We're not expecting any other visitors except for Nami, so better go out and greet them and see what's this is about huh?" As he spoke, said ship suddenly appeared on the horizon approaching them rapidly. With a chuckle the two Fish-men dived into the water and swam out to confront their unexpected intruder.
"Wait a minute," the first Fish-man said to his friend as the got nearer to their objective. "I know that ship, that's 'The Enlightenment.' Belongs to that PEW character who's in Arlong's pocket."
"Oh yeah," the second Fish-man said slapping his head as he and his friend climbed up onto 'The Enlightenment's' deck. "I forgot we were told to keep an eye out for PEW about a week ago as Arlong's been waiting for him all this time!"
"Oh brother," PEW said sarcastically to his two visitors as he came out to meet them. "You guys are real bright and observant," he went on not at all intimidated at how the two Fish-men towered over him. "Nothing gets by you two huh?"
"Whatever," the first Fish-Man said dismissively. "You're here now and that's what matters."
"Indeed I am," PEW nodded. "So if you'd like to help me dock my ship you can then take me to Arlong."
With the two Fish-men's help PEW was able to bring 'The Enlightenment' into the west part of Conomi Island where Arlong had settled himself in with his fellow Fish-men followers.
"'Arlong Park' at last," PEW said to himself as 'The Enlightenment' docked.
Following his Fish-man escort into the park, PEW saw numerous Fish-men hanging around the docking area not doing much at all. They then walked up to Arlong himself, who was sitting at a table by the sea pool under a large sun umbrella. As they approached they saw Arlong handing over a thick wad of Berries to a Marine Captain who had a rat like face, complete with rodent like whiskers and a pair of rodent ears on his officer's hat.
"Here's this month's take," Arlong said to his smiling Marine guest while his escort stood silently to attention behind him. "I hope you enjoy it."
"Ah Arlong," the Marine Captain chuckled as he took the Berries and placed them in his pocket. "You're so much smarter than your average run-of-the-mill pirate. You know how the world works!"
"Like wise!" Arlong laughed evilly. "There aren't many Marines Captains who know that befriending me is a good way of milking the East Blue for eternity!"
'Except Captain Nezumi of the Navy's 16th Branch it seems,' PEW thought to himself in disgust at what he was seeing.
"The fact that you understand," Arlong said to Nezumi. "Makes you more like me than any other Marine out here."
"Thank-you very much," Nezumi replied dryly not sure whenever to take Arlong's last comment as a compliment or an insult.
"Don't thank me," Arlong laughed again. "Thank money! It's the only thing you can count on in this world! It's more reliable than people that's for sure!"
"Even more reliable than me?" PEW spoke up deciding to join in the conversation at last. "I'm hurt," he said in mock disappointment.
"Ah, I stand corrected!" Arlong said cheerfully as Nezumi turned around in surprise at the unexpected voice, while his men respectfully parted around the hooded man. "Here comes the only other person that understands like you and me, PEW!"
"PEW?" Nezumi said in puzzlement to the hooded man. "What are you doing here?"
"My job," PEW replied bluntly. "'My services are available to ALL who can afford me' it's my slogan remember?" he went on as he produced a note book and placed it on Arlong's table. 'Which is unlike your motto 'If the money is there I just don't care!' he added mentally. "There you go Arlong, information on all of your girl Nami's activities as you requested."
"Great!" Arlong laughed taking the note book. "This'll be a fun read! You see Nezumi," he went on pocketing the notebook before producing another wad of Berries. "Turns out information is just as powerful as money, well that's what PEW taught me and he's right. It really does pay to have information in your pocket as well as money."
"Speaking of money," PEW spoke up as he took Arlong's Berries. "This is the amount I agreed on?"
"20,000,000 Berries," Arlong nodded in confirmation. "When it comes to money I keep my word. Don't you agree?" he grinned at Nezumi.
"Oh of course," Nezumi smiled back nervously.
"As a rule," Arlong went on. "I hate all humans but you and PEW here are the tolerable exceptions I've found."
"Well," Nezumi said getting up out of his chair. "If you'll excuse me I'd better get going."
"Why not stay a while and have a drink with me?" Arlong asked suggestively.
"I'll have a lemonade before I go," Pew said casually pocketing his money. "With plenty of ice in it please."
"Coming up," Arlong said nodding to one of his Fishmen who approached with a glass and lemonade jug filling it up for the Information Broker.
"I would stay," Nezumi said hastily to Arlong as this was going on. "But the longer a Marine Cruiser stays docked at a Pirate Island, the quicker we get unwanted attention.
"Oh yes," PEW said scornfully as he took his now full glass before taking a quick sip of lemonade. "You wouldn't want to spoil your reputation of a respectful Marine officer, now would you?"
"Hey I'll kill anyone who reports you Nezumi, everyone knows that," Arlong reassured his Marine friend.
"Thank-you but we still must be leaving," Nezumi said as he and his escort started to head off.
"Sadly I got to go too Arlong," PEW said finishing off his lemonade in a large gulp. "Being an Information Broker makes me a busy guy."
"Hey Hachi," Arlong called out at the sea pool in front of him. "My guests are leaving escort them back to their ships."
At Arlong's command a large Octopus Fishman emerged from the sea pool dragging a large sea pod, big enough to carry several people at a time.
"Yes sir," Hachi said jabbing his thumb over his shoulder. "The pod's back this way, hop in."
"Thank-you again," Nezumi nodded in appreciation. "That's most kind of you."
"You know when I see you face," Hachi said thoughtfully to Nezumi. "It always makes me want to laugh, it's funny! You look just like a rat," he chuckled before bursting into laugher.
"You hit the nail right on the head there Hachi," PEW chucked before joining in with the laugher.
"Hey you two," Arlong called out to Hachi and PEW cutting their laughter short. "Remember the Captain is our honoured guest."
"Oh right," Hachi said in sudden realization. "Sorry about that," he went on steadying the sea pod for his guests to hop in it.
"Don't worry about it," Nezumi said getting into the sea pod with his Marine escort and PEW.
"Okay," Hachi said jumping into the water and grabbing the sea pod with one pair of his six arms. "Here we go men!"
"See you around Arlong," PEW called over his shoulder as the sea pod drew away from the shore. "You have my number if you need anything off me."
"You got it PEW!" Arlong called back cheerfully getting out his newly acquired note book and began flipping through its pages.
"Oh boy," Nezumi said quietly to himself as Hachi continued to drag their sea pod back to his ship. "These Fishmen are such a despicably vile group. But they sure do pay well!"
"They certainly do," PEW suddenly spoke up in an equally quiet voice so nobody but Nezumi could hear him. "Which is why you're going to pay me half of what Arlong just paid you."
"What?!" Nezumi exclaimed in disbelief as PEW held out his hand in expectation. "Are you insane?!" he hissed furiously as he didn't want Hachi or his men to hear him. "Why the hell should I give you half of my take?"
"So your superiors don't find out you're taking bribes from a wanted pirate instead of trying to arrest him," PEW said in a voice like steal.
"You wouldn't dare," Nezumi suddenly smirked confidently. "Arlong said he'd kill anyone who'd reported me, you wouldn't stand a chance!"
"I am an Information Broker," PEW said carelessly. "I know things which includes all the strengths and weaknesses of Fishmen, so Arlong doesn't scare me at all. Neither do you for that matter Nezumi," he went on. "Because you are nothing more than an annoying little 'Ratkins,' who has no right being a Marine at all!"
"How dare you talk to me like that!" Nezumi snapped furiously to PEW. "You know I can have you arrested for being abusive to a Marine officer?!"
"You could arrest me Nezumi," PEW said admittedly. "Like most of your fellow Marines you could make a perfectly good trumped up excuse like that for my arrest. I could escape of course, but then that would give you an even better excuse to make me a wanted criminal. Or you might just let me go, so you could tell Arlong who ratted you out on being in his pocket and he can do your dirty work for you. But taking all that into consideration," PEW said thoughtfully. "I think you're still going to give me half of your take."
"After all the things you listed I could do to you," Nezumi said smugly. "Give me one good reason WHY?"
"By all means," PEW said reaching into his pocket and produced a folded up sheet of paper. "Read that."
Puzzled but obliged, Nezumi unfolded the paper and read what was written on it.
"Fascinating reading isn't it?" PEW chuckled as he watched the colour drain from the Marine Captain's face. "It's from your personal file and what you're reading there? That's just the first page!"
"Just how the hell did you get access to this?!" Nezumi demanded to know with restrained fury.
"Quite easily," PEW replied smugly.
******Flashback******
"Ok PEW," Fleet Admiral Sengoku said to the guest in his office at Marine Headquarters. "Here's what I summoned you for." Sengoku dropped three folders onto his desk one black, one grey and one white. "As you know the Navy and its Marines are a force of law and order in all the Blues, the Red and Grand Line. However there are officers out there who abuse their authority sullying the Marine's reputation as well as the Navy. Now then," he went on putting a hand on the Black Folder. "This Black Folder has the names and records of Marine officers and personnel who have been arrested, tried, imprisoned or executed for betraying everything the Marines stand for."
"Stuff like abuse of authority, extortion and bribery…etcetera etcetera?" Pew asked getting the picture.
"Exactly," Sengoku nodded as he moved his hand to the White Folder. "Now this White Folder contains the names and records of the Marine officers and personnel who have made an effort to change. They have been pardoned and considered to have redeemed themselves by long and faithful duty to the service."
"So I take it," PEW said catching on with a smile appearing on his hidden face. "That the Grey Folder contains the names and records of Marine officers and personnel who's fate is yet undecided?"
"That's right," Sengoku said in confirmation. "Periodically I send out an Inspector General to review the people on this folder. The report brought back helps me take action, on which of the other two folders they eventually will end up on. Unfortunately," he sighed wearily. "Many of the officers on the Grey Folder have become experts of late. They end up fooling my official Inspectors with very convincing performances, despite their less than sterling reputations, which makes me even more suspicious of them. That is why I'd like you to handle this task PEW."
"Really?" PEW said casually leaning back in his chair. "What makes you think I'm inclined or capable of doing this little task of yours?" he asked absently, patting the Fleet Admiral's goat while it was chewing up the paper in the wastepaper basket. "You know I don't think real highly of you Marines and the World Government."
"Yes I know," Sengoku said admittedly. "However, like me, you'd rather have good decent Marine officers out on the seas. Marines like Captain Smoker and Vice Admiral Garp, Marines who can and actually want to help people that need assistance when there's no one else to turn to."
"That's true," PEW nodded. "Okay Sengoku," he sighed in defeat. "I'll do your little task for two reasons."
"Which are?"
"The fact I get to put the fear of God into those jerks on your behalf and the other is you'll have to pay me what price I set for this job."
******End Flashback******
"So after we settled on a price for my services," PEW finished explaining to Nezumi. "I read through the Grey Folder, memorized it, and wrote down all its contents in triplicate. So don't even think that you can keep yourself clean by killing me, or sinking my ship, as I still have an extra copy in my permanent and well hidden files! Oh and by the way…before going to meet all the officers on the Grey Folder, I call up Sengoku. If the Fleet Admiral doesn't hear from me in an hour's time of my first call, he knows who the prime suspect will be in his investigations to my disappearance! So that's the reason why you'll be giving me half of your take Nezumi," Pew said hardening his voice in anger. "As you know nobody's name and file stays in the Grey Folder forever hey Captain?!"
Glaring at PEW in heavily restrained fury, Nezumi took out the wad of Berries that Arlong had given him and passed it to the Information Broker.
"Thanks," PEW said casually as he carefully counted out half of the money for himself. By the time he'd finished Hachi had reached Nezumi's ship.
"Here you are gentlemen," Hachi said steadying the sea pod so Nezumi and his Marine escort could board their ship without falling in the water.
"Thanks…" Nezumi muttered angrily as he got out of the sea pod while glaring daggers at PEW.
"Nice doing business with you," PEW said patting Nezumi's cheek in mock affection infuriating him even further. "See you around 'Ratkins' oh and one more thing," he added grabbing Nezumi so he could whisper in his ear. "Be aware that I will be reading the newspapers and checking the wanted posters thoroughly after this little meeting. As long as you keep your word I keep mine!"
"Alright! Alright! I get the message!" Nezumi yelled angrily.
"Great!" he turned to Hachi. "You can take me back to 'The Enlightenment' please."
"You got it!" the Octopus Fishman said obediently and started to drag the sea pod away from the Marine ship. "Hey," Hachi asked his passenger as swam through the water. "What was wrong with that Marine guy? He was all smiles when he left 'Arlong Park', now he looks real mad."
"I'm not sure Hachi," Pew chuckled in fake ignorance. "But I think it was due to a sudden paycut he received. You have to make a lot of sacrifices being in the Navy I'm told, it's not all Back and White you know."
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
And there's the second chapter done dear readers! As you discovered, being an Information Broker REALLY pays off for PEW! He did a job for Arlong, and THEN managed to put the fear of God into the crooked Marine Captain Nezumi to hand over HALF of his bribe money! *Chuckles* And all THAT from doing a job for the Marines! Nice huh?
By the way there's a reason as to WHY PEW doesn't think very highly of the Marines and the World Government, but it will be revealed in LATER chapters. Suffices to say that PEW WILL do jobs for the Marines and World Government, IF they can pay his prices, but he doesn't LIKE it. The same is for other Pirates and individuals he does business with that he despises. However he makes exceptions for the decent pirates, Marines and people out there…which are far and few between!
So where will PEW go now? You'll find out next chapter, so in the meantime DON'T BE AFRAID to read and review! Also please remember once again, if you don't like my work then don't read or review it! NO-ONE, is forcing you to! Good Health, Clear Body, Strong Mind!