Chapter 9 - ...And Its Thorns


The restaurant went silent for a second before this new comer spoke up again, "Aki was it? Forgive me but would you mind not calling me Miss Lovelace it makes me feel old. Arabella will do just fine." The woman now identified as Arabella said to Aki giving her a small bow of her head and a cheery smile.

Aki responded with a small title of her head toward Arabella as she took up a plate of food and a drink that was handed to her by her husband, who had just appeared at the entrance to the kitchen, clearly having heard everything thus far. For one, the food smelt great, if this was what was coming to the others they got a real good deal for simply doing some heavy lifting.

"Here you are dear, hope it's too your liking." Aki lay the plate and drink before her, Arabella had taken a seat just across from Itzal and the others, laying the enormous ax against the table. You could hear the table strain and groan at the weight of this ax. Everyone's attention seemed to be on this Arabella woman for the moment.

"Cheers Aki!" Aki smiled softly at the woman before turning back to Itzal. She rejoined the group at their table. Zarina and Francis turning back to Aki, it was clear that she wanted to know more about their plans as privateers. With that little distraction it had given Zarina time to come up with a more appropriate answer. Zarina didn't want to lie, in fact Zarina hated lying. She preferred to hit people with the honest hard truth but she knew better than to scream to the world that she was traveling with a pirate. She could easily be mistaken for being one if she associated herself with one. Well two…

"Well," Zarina began quietly but stopped as she glanced over to Itzal. This in turn got Francis and Aki to stare at Itzal as well. He was still looking at Arabella with a curious expression plastered across his face.

Just as Arabella was about to dig into her food she paused, her eyes flicked over to Itzal. She could feel when someone was watching her.

"Can I help ya?" She slightly yelled across the room, her tone didn't sound threatening, it sound more calm and soft. She was probably just wondering why this kid was staring at her. Which was completely fair.

"What did you deliver to this island?" Itzal asked bluntly, which got Zarina and Francis to raise an eyebrow at him. Arabella didn't say anything, she just raised an eyebrow at Itzal herself.

What was that all about?

"Uh Itzal? What are you doing?" Francis asked, "You might be disturbing her meal by asking questions to a stranger, besides it's rude to stare." Francis leaned back in his chair eyes going between the two, what caught his attention exactly. Was it the big ax? Who knew? At this point Francis understood one thing, Itzal did what he wanted regardless of consequences. Luckily he was a nice guy even if a bit blunt.

"I know but I got curious is all, there was a lot of effort into hauling all that cargo around last night right?" Itzal defended himself, he jumped over his seat so now he was sitting on the chair backwards, facing Arabella. "I just want to know what all that stuff was exactly." He leaned forward in his chair, waiting for a reply.

Arabella cut right to the chase, "How did you know I was involved in all that last night in the first place?" Not that she really cared, she could sense this kid wasn't going to try anything dodgy. Although as she examined his appearance as well as his two colleagues she could tell Itzal was stronger than he looked. Much stronger.

"Guess you can't judge a book by its cover after all," She said out loud, not caring if anyone heard her. The others didn't know what she meant by that but they didn't need to. "So you're going to answer my question right?" She smirked at Itzal, leaning back in her seat, arching her back slightly against her chair.

"You stand out in a crowd." A rather blunt, simple but honest answer, couldn't be faulted for that.

"So you saw me among all the workers I assume. You've got good eyes buddy." She smiled at the group, "But still, why so curious? Curiosity killed the cat they say." She didn't mean anything hostile by it but it was a good piece of advice. Some things should just be left alone in the world.

Her response didn't seem to reach beyond Itzals ears though, "I'm sure I can handle anything that could kill a cat." Judging by the smirk on his face he found the thought funny. Which got a small chuckle from Francis and Arabella, a giggle from Aki and an eye roll from Zarina.

Of course Itzal wouldn't take such a warning to heart, as Zarina and Francis understood from their short time with him, Itzal wasn't someone that could be stopped very easily when it came to anything he wanted to know or do.

"Fair enough pal but don't say I didn't warn you! After all I won't be there to save your ass." Her cheeky grin and confident posture showed how much faith she had in herself. Clearly a person that could handle herself if needed but still her senses kept saying something was off about Itzal. He had a strong presence here, he must be strong but just how strong was he?

"If you really want to know I was delivering supplies to sailors in this area. I hear the ships that leave here sail for far waters so they need the supplies to last." A brief explanation from Arabella's part. However, Itzal could have sworn he heard Aki shift suddenly, which Zarina and Francis also happened to notice. Arabella and Itzal both noticed the husband, Lucius, look away due to the conversation from his place by the counter, his body tensing up uncomfortably.

What kind of reaction was that?

The restaurant went awkwardly silent but why? Everyone could feel the tiniest change in Lucius and Akis demeanor and posture.

So Itzal being Itzal decided to find out, turning to face Lucius at the counter. "Hey Lucius, why'd you react weird to what Arabella said? What are the supplies used for? You's have lived her awhile right?" Francis turned to face Lucius as well. Zarina, on the other hand, turned to Itzal, she had to admit, Itzal wasn't afraid to ask questions to find answers. An admirable trait to have.

Itzal lead the way once again, a reoccuring theme no doubt, "Was there something wrong with what Arabella said?"

Lucius didn't respond, he even seemed to ignore the question all together, hoping it might just go away. Aki almost did the same but something seemed to be pulling at her mind, guilt perhaps? But what could she be guilty about?

"Listen," Aki began, "You youngsters shouldn't stay on this island longer than you have to. There are some things that should just be avoided by any means." She stood from her seat and began to move toward her husband heading toward the kitchen beyond him. All eyes were on her for the moment, "You're all very pleasant people but this island can be dangerous if you're not careful." With that she disappeared into the kitchen leaving Lucius, Arabella and the others in silence, if only for a brief moment.

Arabella leaned back in her chair, seeming to contemplate what Aki said. Now she knew she was capable of handling herself but she wasn't stupid to ignore a piece of advice. She gently placed her hand on her ax handle, lightly grasping it. She was going to have to investigate further, she smirked to herself. There was a trace of adventure in the air and she wasn't going to ignore it.

Breaking the silence, "Lucius, please, explain what's going on on this island." This time it was Zarina that was leading the questioning. "Are all those rumors true? People disappearing once they come to this island?"

Everyone awaited the answer from Lucius but one person in particular among the group was more surprised. Arabella hadn't heard any rumors like that before, specifically about this island anyway. Now she was suspicious about her job here, the details seemed fine at first glance but with this new information it changes things. The first place she'd check would be the docklands, more so the ships that followed her here when she was leading this delivery convoy.

"Young lady, please, some things should just be left alone." Lucius' expression showed genuine regret but that clearly wouldn't stop Zarina, nor Itzal and Francis for that matter.

"Sorry Lucius but I'm not afraid of the truth." Itzal smiled to himself hearing that, it was good to hear Zarina talking like that, moving forward despite being told not to.

Lucius shook his head in disappointment, "Looks like I'm not getting out of this without explain everything right?" Once he didn't get an answer, just the gazes of the four people in the restaurant. "Guess that answers my question…"

He sighed, "Those rumors of people disappearing off this island are true but those rumors are somewhat foggy when it comes to the reasons." He sat himself down on a bar stool, "Some people say it's because this island is so good that they don't want to leave others say it's because people use this island to disappear and escape their dull mundane lives. They're both wrong."

You could see the painful truth on Lucius' expression, "This town, this island is a peaceful place to live in the East Blue, nobody here would ever get violent it's not in our nature. We take the punches and carry on in life. The only violent place on this island are the rough bars by the docks for the stressed sailors. It's due to that fact, that we don't defend ourselves that this island is abused by Slavers on a regular basis."

That word, Slavers, hit everyone in the room, shaking them from their thoughts.

"Wait, you're telling me there are slavers on this island? How the hell has nobody been able to confirm that?" Francis began, somewhat skeptical of this story. It makes sense with the rumors but Francis has been in the East Blue for years, he was a Marine during that time and he heard no such sightings of slavers.

"Did you hear about anything like this when you were in the Marines Francis?" Itzal looked over his shoulder at Francis. Now it was Lucius' turn to be surprised, he'd never actually thought he'd see a Marine in the East Blue but apparently he was wrong.

Even Arabella was surprised to hear this Francis guy was a Marine she's only seen a few Marines on the high sea, even though they were considered a legend by some of the islands in the East Blue, or the four blue seas in general, but to hear she was sitting in the same room as one. Hell, she had a bounty and yet he was just sitting there.

'Does that mean those two with him are Marines?' Looking between each member of the trio in front of her she came to a quick resolution. 'The woman could be marine, she has more of a refined appearance similar to this Francis guy.' Her sight finished on Itzal and she completely shook the thought of them being marines from her head. With how he had acted thus far and his appearance there was no chance he was a marine.

"Nah, I never heard about slavers in the East Blue and if anyone was to hear about that within the marines it would have been me." He had a point, Francis was always good finding out secrets and the like so for him to hear nothing about this was unusual for him.

"What about slavery groups in general? Any notable ones that might venture out into the East Blue?" Zarina asked, maybe it wasn't an East Blue organization to begin. What if this was simple a common route they took.

Lucius didn't say a word while Arabella was listening as closely as possible. If there was think that she wouldn't tolerate it would be slavers, there were never any good kinds of slavers. All of them were scum.

"Well two spring to mind but one of them operates in the New World so for them to come to the East Blue is unlikely but the other one operates in the early stages of the Grandline so they can easily capture any gullible travelers that pass through." Francis explained, "That one is known as the Shattered Titans."

The Shattered Titans, most people knew their reputation as a group that could take on pirates and marines due to their sheer numbers and connections, people generally knew to stay away from such a group. Now of everyone in the room there was only one person who hadn't heard of the group before and I'm pretty sure you can guess who that is exactly.

"So if you know of this slaver group why haven't they been caught?" Asked Itzal, not understanding how slavers could operate the way they did. If the marines knew how could they still be in operation.

Francis continued his explanation, he sighed, "That would be because they're very well connected. They catch wind of raids on their ports before anyone can actually try stop them. They get information from somewhere that allows them to escape if a large threat comes their way. Like a Ghost comes and whispers in their ear to warn them of something nobody should know about."

Now Arabella leaned back in thought, 'Could it be Anonymous? It sounds like how they'd operate but would they really work with slavers? Especially ones so public about their name and actions?' This was starting to eat away at her thoughts, she wasn't sure about that sort of rumor before but now things start to add up.

"Other than that I'm not too sure what else they're up to. For them to retreat to the East Blue to hide might be their motive to come here." With that Francis couldn't really add much else to figure this out.

"So it seems they operate with other organizes, so perhaps they have connections in the East Blue? Information isn't cheap so they obviously have to trade something for it. So maybe they come here to trade with someone?" Zarina hypothesized, this actually managed to get a curious look from Arabella.

'Clever woman, she figured that out like it was the easiest thing in the world…' She had to admit it, that was well put together. Information wasn't cheap so her theory made perfect sense which unfortunately meant that the theory of Anonymous being involved is even more likely.

Once Arabella was drawn from her thoughts she was greeted by Itzal once again looking at her, "Can I help you?" She asked, wondering why Itzal decided to suddenly stare at her.

"If they come here to trade does that mean you delivered the information? Or could you have traded with them?" This got an odd flinch of irritation from Arabella but Itzal didn't mean anything by it. It's just odd to him how she arrived her to deliver something to this island specifically.

"I'd never associate with slavers, I'd sooner die than work with that kind of scum." She clarified, although she was highly suspicious of her of job here. "But," She began, getting the attention of everyone else in the room. "I'm suspicious of my delivery here with everything that's been said." The room got a bit more tense with each word, "And if I find out that this job is in any way connected to slavers I swear there will be hell to pay."

Luckily for everyone in the room that threat was directed at whoever might have tricked her but it still didn't stop Zarina, Francis and Lucius from becoming very uncomfortable, slightly frightened by her sudden change in demeanor.

But then she relaxed and sighed, "But that's only if any of it true." She smiled, tilting her head slightly. Everyone except Itzal sweatdropped at her second change in demeanor in the space of three seconds.

Mental note, this one is slightly unstable.

"Well, we're going to look around town to see what we can find, want to join us?" Itzal offered his invitation out to Arabella.

She just smiled at him before standing from her seat, hand on her ax, "You're so straightforward aren't you? Sure, I'll give ya's a hand this time. Common objective and all that."

Zarina and Francis just sighed audibly, leave it to Itzal to not only ask the ax wielder to join them but also ask for help dealing with slavers like it's nothing.

"We're being dragged into his ordeals aren't we?" Francis asked Zarina, loud enough for her to hear but not so Itzal or Arabella could hear. All she replied with was a slow tired nod of the head.

"Lets go check out the docks!" With that, Itzal stood up and took off walking toward the door, leading them all toward the town to begin their search.

Arabella paused for a moment before picking up her pace to catch up to Itzal, "Hey! Who said you'd be leading this group huh?! You're not the boss here!"

Arabella and Itzal had now left the restaurant to head further into the town and dock leaving Francis and Zarina sitting at their table.

"Do they even know what they're going to do if they find any slavers or slaves?" Francis asked Zarina, those two didn't even make a plan after all.

"I seriously doubt either of them have any plan whatsoever, a trait I also found in Rob as well." Zarina stood up, hand resting on her rapier the other in her pocket, "Itzal will probably try to free the slaves as soon as he can, I'd find it hard to believe someone who chases freedom as much as he does would let others have their freedom stolen."

Francis only smiled at her statement, it was right on the nose. Itzal did seem obsessed with freedom so he was sure as hell going to fight for it. Even Zarina had to smirk at her own statement, it was inspiring to see someone fight for something like that.

"Come on, we'll need to catch up with those two. I'm certainly not going to be staying on this island on my own when there are apparently slavers about." Francis had to agree, it wouldn't be wise to stick around for long so they'd be better off sticking with Itzal until this is all over.

Zarina rubbed one of her temples softly, 'Every chance I have to leave I seemed to get pulled right back in…' Itzal just seemed to have this ability to keep people around through his antics alone, impressive and frustrating at the same time.

Zarina and Francis both hurried after the two troublemakers, both of them thinking of a plan for if they end up in a confrontation with any slavers on the island.

The restaurant went silent, everyone had left behind a stunned Lucius. He'd heard the whole conversation. What could possess someone to attack one of the biggest slavery organisations on the Grandline? Why are those youngsters helping out this island for no apparent reason?

Just who were these young self proclaimed pioneers? Pioneers, unlikely but just who were these crazy youngsters?


Rob strolled casually along the beach whistling to himself, a small smirk on his face, right up to the tide mark only a few inches away from being touched by the waves, heading toward what he learned was a shore camp. He'd kicked the shit out of some more slavers back at the docks and found out they'd set up camp somewhere along the coast line.

Rob doubted the guy was lying to him, he'd regret it if he did anyway, so he followed the beach hoping to eventually come across the camp were some slaves were being held for transport. Not that they were going to be taken if Rob had anything to do with it.

Truth be told Rob had caused quite the stir back in town by the docks, he left a considerable amount of devastation at the docks. Lets just say he found one or two ships with the slavers emblem on them so he reacted as anyone else would do and trashed the place. The place being the ships of course.

A reasonable reaction right?

Rob wasn't a gambling man but even he'd put money on the fact someone will respond to the destruction of two ships in the harbor so that might help lower the numbers in the camp for him so the slaves are less likely to be caught in the crossfire.

Just as he rounded a series of rocks on the beach he stopped in his tracks. Eyes open in both shock and disbelief.

Standing only ten meters away stood a very large muscular man. This man stood at 7 foot, 3 inches and was of a muscular build, he stood way taller than Rob. He wore black boots, black shorts with red stripes along all the edges, a maroon vest with a dark orange and yellow hawaiian pattern on them. His face was sharp and well defined, chiseled. His eyes were a dark grey, his hair a dull blonde color, clearly having been wore out by the sea air from years on the oceans. He carried with him a huge greatsword on his back. A cold, dull grey steel blade, nothing extremely fancy to look at but it was still a dangerous weapon regardless, especially in this guys hands. His posture and expression told Rob everything he needed to know, he had been waiting for him.

Rob widen his stance ready to make a move if it required it.

The man laughed at the sight of Rob standing there in a battle stance, "I know it's been awhile Red but is that any way to greet me? Harsh but then again what would we expect from ya." His voice rough but coherent. He stood there watching Rob with a large smirk plastered across his face.

"What the hell are you doing here Zeko?!" Robs facial expression turned into a scowl as he faced the man now known as Zeko.

He laughed again, "Steady on Red, come on. Aren't ya glad to see me?" Zeko stepped closer to Rob as he spoke much to Robs displeasure.

"What are you doing in the East Blue? What reason would my old man have to send you here?" Rob wasn't too interested in having a conversation with Zeko, he'd rather not be speaking to him at all if he had the choice.

"Red, you know your old man so why don't you tell me." He smirked as he stopped right in front of Rob, looking down at him.

Rob paused for a moment, debating something in his head before coming to his answer. "The slaves, you're here for the slaves aren't you…" Rob said with distaste in his mouth, he should of figured.

"Well, yay and nah lad." Zeko began, turning his back o Rob, "Yeah I was sent here to scout the slavers but we weren't here to purchase slaves or shit like that. I'm here to see if anyone here would like to join me and get the fuck outta here, fuck paying for anything." Zeko looked over his shoulder to Rob to see his reaction. "And maybe find some valuables along the way if ya catch my drift. You know what yer old man is like."

To be honest there really wasn't much of a reaction at all, this sounded exactly like something Robs father would do.

"But another reason popped up." Zeko interrupted Rob from his thoughts, "I heard you've been getting into trouble Red. Messing with marines are we? What's that all about?"

Rob didn't say a word for two reasons, he didn't really want to answer Zeko but he also knew Zeko didn't need an answer, he damn well knew. It would be harder to believe that he didn't.

"So you've decided to become a pirate huh? And now you're off to the Grandline with your crew I bet. As all pirates do." Zeko took a few steps back, walking backwards away from Rob while facing him, looking him dead in the eyes.

"So you think you're tough enough for the Grand Line Red?" Zeko laughed even louder this time before drawing his sword from his back, "Don't make me laugh like that again Rob, it might hurt.". This made Rob flinch instinctively before readying himself, he knew what was coming.

Zeko grinned sinisterly at Rob, "Time for some well deserved tough love Red."


Itzal lead the others through the town heading toward the docks, much to Arabella's dismay, she prefered to be her own boss but here she was following behind Itzal, Zarina and Francis a foot behind her.

Thus far nobody had asked anything about slavers to any of the townsfolk, they didn't want to draw attention until they got to the docks. While Itzal was just going to dive head first into asking about the slavers Zarina and Francis advised him it would be better to investigate the ships Arabella had lead to the island. She personally wanted to know if her company was involved in this and if they were trouble was coming their way and its name was Lovelace Arabella.

As the group advanced through the town the group noticed small crowds and groups huddled together. All of them mirrored the same expression, one of concern, worry and confusion, all of them whispering between each other for some reason. Something must have happened for everybody to be acting like this.

"Something happen," Zarina began, before deadpanning, "And I have a feeling I might know who's involved." Itzal just chuckled while Francis shook his head, he still have an amused smile on his face, both of them knowing who they were referring to. The only one missing the joke was Arabella but surely she'd eventually the missing member.

As the dock came into view the group understood at once why the town were acting the way they were.

At the dock at the opposite end to where Itzal and the others has docks were two destroyed ships. One of which was basically shattered to pieces of wood stacked in the water, broken masts and torn sails. The other ship, that was a tiny bit offshore away from the dock itself, was simply on fire slowly burning to nothing but charcoal and ash.

Zarina sighed audibly, what had she been expecting?

Francis leaned over to Zarina, "For someone who hasn't spent a lot of time with either Itzal or Rob you can read them like a book. Impressive." He had to admit her intuition was spot on. His response to her only got a weary head shake in return.

Itzal didn't really react to the destruction, he assumed it was Robs handy work but he was also curious as to why he'd destroy those two ships. He knew Rob wouldn't destroy a random civilian ship, at least he hoped not, so he figured the ships belonged to slavers. Although he had no idea how exactly Rob figured there were slavers on the island, he'd have to ask him about this later.

What got the group's attention was Arabella's reaction, firstly it was a moderately impressed whistle, "Admirable handy work, good destructive capable, a friend of yours did this?" She asked curiously.

Zarina spoke up before anyone else, "You could call him that, I'd prefer to call him a troublemaker." She whispered the next part, "Or a walking bomb…"

Arabella smirked after hearing Zarina, "Well I'd very much like to meet the person who caused that wreck." It reminded her of the ships she's destroyed before, good times.

Her reaction only got a deadpan from Zarina and a sweat drop from Francis. It seems they have another trouble maker in this mitst.

As the group stood in the middle of the street watching the chaos at the dock they heard yelling coming from behind them further down the road.

"What the fuck is going on here?!" A loud piercing voice called out.

The group turned to the source of commotion. Coming down the street was a group of fifteen men, among them there was a few fishmen as well.

They all had black trench coats but other than that they were all dressed differently. They mostly wore the darker shades to give them a tough exterior but they were failing miserably.

Our group of pirates were not impressed in the slightest.

Leading the group was one average sized man, dressed in nearly all black with an eye patch and a bald head, a furious facial expression plastered across his face, he carried a pair of knuckle claws on his hands. The second one behind him was a fishman, a combination of a squid or octopus fishman to be exact. These two were obviously the two leaders of this group. Their presence was more significant than any of the others around him.

Itzal looked over to the others, "I'm going to assume they're the owners of those ships right? They might also be the slavers we're looking for too."

Once he got a nod from the others Itzals turned back to face the advancing slavers.

Judging from how pissed off the group looked Itzal knew a fight was inevitable.


Sorry for the late chapter, no long chapter this time, I was just busy with other parts to my life. Hopefully the next chapter will be out on time but don't hold me to that.

If you have questions you'd want answered about characters, the story world and anything else you'd like to know just ask in reviews or PMs and I'll have them answered in the author's notes at the bottom of the next chapter. I might make a short chapter but answer questions instead, I haven't decided yet.

Thanks for all the support on this story, I'm continually grateful to you all.

Disclaimer, I obviously don't own One Piece (For Shame). All OC' go to their respective owners and such.

AlcatrazDGold - Till the next chapter…