Coil had always thought of himself as a patient man. Today, he did not feel like being patient. He ordered his Tattletale and his Undersiders to rob a bank in the middle of the day, in broad daylight. They specialized in escaping, which was why Coil left them to their devices while he focused on acquiring a new asset, a power precog. It didn't matter if the Undersiders were caught, he only needed his Tattletale after all, and he had several moles planted in the PRT, ready to spring her, or put a few bullets in her should the need arise.

Everything was going according to his plan. The Protectorate were out of town, New Wave was busy dealing with Purity, so he had his mercenaries chase Miss Alcott through some mostly deserted streets. Those that stopped his men were told the cover story that Miss Alcott had run away from home. Coil had multiple squads, all ready to corner her when that van full of Marines arrived.

He split the timeline. In one, he immediately ordered his men to start shooting, while in the other they cautiously walked up to his new pet. In the first time line, a woman armed with a blade quickly sliced her way through his mercenaries.

He closed that timeline and split it again. Miss Alcott was now hiding behind the Swordswoman in a tropical shirt with a blue jacket. A few of her fellow Marines started approaching, armed with pistols and swords.

His men reached the Swordswoman first, and they exchanged some words. His Lieutenant pulled out his gun, only for his Pet's Savior to slice it in the same motion as she unsheathed her blade. In one timeline, he ordered them to hold fire, and in the other, they fired.

Somehow, the Swordswoman managed to dodge the bullets and managed to cut down half of his men, before her fellow Marines quickly managed to evacuate his Pet.

He collapsed that timeline and ordered his men to retreat. Coil opened another one. In one, his men retreated to their vehicles, and feigned a retreat in the other. That attack failed too.

The Swordswoman and her Marines easily killed all of his men. Coil snarled and collapsed that timeline too. It wasn't supposed to be this way!

"Follow them Lieutenant." He ordered. He split the timeline again. Calls to other men were made, and Coil opened up his PRT database. Coil may not have much information on these Marines, but Thomas Calvert might.

Lets see, Marines. What? Only Emily, Armsmaster, a few Directors, and the Chief Director had access? This was...not what he expected. Not at all.

Coil turned his attention back to his men. Three vans, two suvs, and four cars full of men who owe their loyalty to him. A quarter of his forces that he currently had on hand. In any other situation, this would have been overkill. Here, it might not be enough. They surrounded the Marine base.

"Beta Squad, Alpha Squad, breach the garage. Sigma, Delta, begin assault." He ordered in one timeline. His men started their move. Not even a few seconds after they began, gunfire started coming from opening in their defences.

Three mercenaries went down within seconds, the others attempting to rush the Marines defences.

None managed to reach the building's interior. Balling his fist, he smashed his keyboard and collapsed that timeline. Another timeline split.

"Sigma, Delta, Foxtrot, flanking maneuver. Epsilon, Beta, rush the front door." Coil will expose all of their tricks.

Another failure, another timeline collapsed. Cape support would be needed to breach the building. Hmm, maybe if the Undersiders escaped in time he could manipulate their way towards this location.

He turned his attention towards the Bank robbery, using his cameras he had installed beforehand.

What!

All of them captured? There's no way that-

Coil let out a frustrated scream. These 'Marines' were more of a nuisance that he thought they would be. He should have planned in case they got involved.

His negligence just cost him his Tattletale and new Pet.

It was time...to be patient again.

Marine reinforcements were arriving when he ordered his men to fallback.

Coil needed to make a few calls.

They stood in that position for a few minutes, with Amy's arms still wrapped around him, Smoker felt only a little bit uncomfortable. Eventually, she pulled away and wiped away a few tears with her sleeves. Her bloodshot eyes met his own.

"Sorry about that." She said, her voice hoarse. Smoker simply gave her a small smile and patted Amy on her shoulder.

"Dont worry about it." She gave a weak smile back, before her face formed one of horror.

"I-I don't think I can go back home tonight." She pulled out her phone, most likely filled with missed calls and text messages.

"You can stay at Marine HQ if you wish." Smoker said, causing the smoke around them to disappear. "Im sure Tashigi wouldn't mind if you stayed in her old room." Plus it could also give Weaver a chance to socialize with someone else close to her age. She stayed at Marine HQ when she wasn't dealing with issues in her civilian life.

Amy nodded slowly. "That...would probably be for the best for now."

"You can stay as long as you need to." Smoker said as he led her to his Billower Bike.

The drive back to Marine HQ was in silence.

Once Amy was settled in Tashigi's old room, Smoker made his way to his office to receive Tashigi's report.

Three figures were sitting on his couch when he walked in.

"Captain Smoker sir." Tashigi stood up with a salute. Weaver remained seated with a little girl napping on the couch, her head on Weaver's lap.

"Tashigi, Weaver." Smoker nodded.

So this was the kidnapping victim.

"Did you call the PRT and her family?" He asked. Tashigi nodded. Apparently, the young girl was a thinker.

"Director Piggot has been informed and is waiting for our arrival with Miss Alcott's parents. Armsmaster has already returned."

That was good. Smoker turned to Weaver.

"There was something you wanted to tell me?"

"I-It can wait!" Weaver held Miss Alcotr's head. "She should be safe first." She said softly.

"Very well." Smoker looked at Tashigi from the corner of his eyes. "Gather Squad One." He looked back at Weaver. "You can come if you want." It has been a long day after all.

Weaver nodded. "I'll go."

Smoker smiled. At least she was getting more confident. Tashigi was being a good mentor it seemed.

"Let's bring Miss Alcott home."

A/N

Last chapter for the month.

I never thought I would have written this much when I decided to start writing again. It's more...fun to write than chimera. Whenever I see Chimera, I see all of the mistakes I made.

For those questions about whether anyone else from the One Piece universe will or will not arrive, that's some spoiler territory.

Feel free to guess or theorise, but I doubt anyone will get it. Cookie if you do manage tho.

That's if not lying about anyone else coming.

I hope my writing has been enjoyable so far.