SailorStar9: So, with Chapter 329 uploaded, I present Chapter 330 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Pairings: Married!Ace/Sasha, Sibling!Luffy/Sasha, Sibling!Sabo/Sasha, Background Protector!Law/Sasha

Disclaimers: One Piece belongs to Oda Eiichirō-sensei. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except my OC, the pairing and the fic idea.

Chapter 330: Arc 18: Yamato's Past - The Man Who Came for an Emperor of the Sea


With Sanji...

"When a man makes up his mind, don't try to hold him back." Sanji had freed himself and was escaping from Black Maria.

"He's walking out on us." Black Maria chuckled.

"Stop." Sarahebi chased after Sanji in her snake for with Tenjo-Sagari in tow.

"Even if you tell me to wait, I'm sorry, but I can't do that." Sanji continued fleeing.

"Stop fighting like that." Black Maria cooed, wrapping Sanji's legs with her web. "Bad boy, don't try to run. You said you loved me. Stay here forever. You'll be my pet."

"Don't be silly." Sanji snapped. "I gotta go."

"You're so cute." Black Maria giggled. "As a reward for that, I'm gonna open heaven's door for you."


With Luffy and Sasha...

"Stop!" a group of Gifters chased after the siblings.

"You'll get hurt if you don't get out of the way." Luffy launched a 'Gomu Gomu no Giant Pistol' at their pursuers.


With Jinbe...

"Straw Hat and Thalassa went ahead." Who's-Who noted. "It's gonna give Kaido-san trouble. Could you stop bullying my subordinates? You're a former Warlord of the Sea, 'First Son of the Sea', Jinbe. How can you be so selfish?"

"I'm the helmsman of the Straw Hats." Jinbe retorted. "Can't you use that worthier title instead?"

"My bad." Who's-Who remarked. "I've seen you at one point when you were a Warlord. Sometimes, people completely change their positions. So maybe I used to be on our side. Forget it."

"Who are you?" Jinbe frowned.

"Who knows?" Who's-Who shrugged. "I wonder who I am."

"If I take off your mask, I might be able to recognize you." Jinbe readied his battle stance.

"That won't happen." Who's-Who drawled.


In the abandoned warehouse where Yamato's group was hiding in...

"There you go." Yamato finished bandaging Shinobu.

"Why are you laughing?" Momonosuke was confused when Yamato started giggling.

"This brings me back." Yamato recalled. "Of the memory of the wounds I inflicted on him."

"So, you fought and beat him?" Momonosuke asked.

"No," Yamato shook her head. "I lost. But it didn't matter if I had won or lost. The meaning of life, it was him, without a doubt, who taught me that. It was Ace." she related how Ace had led the Spade Pirates on a raid to Onigashima to free several captured children. After sending the attacking Yamato into a wall with a blast of fire, Ace took out the attacking guards with a 'Hibashira'. After sending his crew forward to rescue the captured children, he renewed his fight with Yamato. After fighting Yamato to a standstill after his crew freed the children, Ace had his crew take the captives back as he faced down Yamato once more. He then became enraged when Yamato blamed her father for her not being able to set out to sea, her accusations giving him flashbacks about his own father, about him questioning his right to be born. He then reminded Yamato on the actual reason why she wanted to become strong; Yamato then flashing back to the instances of when she found Oden's diary and her desire to become Oden. Her resolved hardened, she struck down the dragon entrance gates. It was after that impromptu fight the two became kindled buddies.

"What an awesome friend." Momonosuke gushed.

"The truth was, I was the one who broke this dragon statue first." Yamato admitted. "But he said 'This is a warning from me to Kaido that I'll come back again.'"

"I did not know there was a pirate who tried to save Wano." Momonosuke noted.

"That made my father angry." Yamato added. "But in the end, he never met Ace."

"Father?" Shinobu echoed.

"Didn't I say Kaido is my father?" Yamato blinked. "Don't be so scared." she flustered at the frightened Momonosuke and Shinobu. "I hate him; I told you I was Oden, didn't I?"

"That confuses us even more." Momonosuke snapped. "But, Yamato, where is the man who tried to save Wano now?"

"I'd think he just returned with his new crew." Yamato replied.


SailorStar9: Any OOC-ness is regretted. *Sighs* Don't you just hate plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.