I do not own One Piece.
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Beta read by the wonderful rose7anne101, who has written some pretty amazing stuff for One Piece.
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Rise from the Ashes
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Chapter 14: Looking for Marco
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"If indeed he still lives," assured Master Nekomamushi, "I have a bit of an idea where our friend Marco might be."
After all, both he and Duke Inuarashi, the leaders of the Minks of Zou, were friends of the man. Indeed, after joining their beloved Lord Oden in sailing aboard the Moby Dick under Whitebeard, they were all nakama with Marco. Moreover, they had all loved Oden, and doubtless would be interested in hearing out a way to avenge their 'uncle.'
To say nothing of how Izo would be there.
And on a more practical note, weakened as the Whitebeard Pirates were, Kaidou was a threat to them as well.
So once they had taken care of the drama of Jack's return, Nekomamushi and some of his most trusted Guardians —barring the ones left behind to help out the Musketeers— sailed off.
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At a small, mountainous island with one large one towering over the rest, the Guardians had landed. They chatted amongst themselves as they awaited their leader.
"Master Nekomamushi has amazing sailing skills!"
"As expected of the man who was on the Pirate King's ship!"
". . . So . . . how much longer do we have to wait here in these ruins?" asked Blackback, a Gorilla Mink.
Scoffing, Roddy the Bull Mink said, "Until he comes back with Marco the Phoenix! We got told to wait here, because-gara's faces are too scary."
"Would our faces really scare Marco, though?"
"There's a village here, remember!? Don't move from this spot!"
Indeed, behind a waterfall, the gigantic Cat Mink was talking to the locals. It had taken a little work for him to reassure the populace there, but he was well aware how cute his smile could be, and saw no shame in using it.
Unfortunately . . .
"Not even a den-den number?" bemoaned Nekomamushi.
"Sorry," the village headman with genuine apology. "Marco did drop by here a few weeks ago, but he said they were going to be busy again, and wouldn't be heard of for a while. And we've no den-den so as to remain secret."
With a heartfelt sigh, Nekomamushi rubbed his face, yet accepted this had been a wild goose-chase. What mattered now was getting to Wano without further delay.
"However . . ." A cheeky glint to his eye, the old man pulled out a letter that he offered up. "He did say to give this to any friends who may be dropping by."
Releasing an amused huff, Nekomamushi accepted it, and read aloud, "We're off to find Straw Hat Luffy. Get ready to watch the fireworks-yoi!
"The Whitebeards are back! First Division Commander Marco, Whitebeard Pirates"
Cat Viper could only laugh as he rolled on the ground.
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Author Notes:
Yeah, loads of rewriting for this one as we better understand the Whitebeard Pirates from the Wano arc, and what the Minks all ended up doing. Opening dialogue from the second scene is directly from chapter 909.
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Next chapter: 'Guard or Seek'
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