Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece
"IIIII'MMM HUUUUUNNGGGRRRRYYYYYY!" Came a familiar yell, Aiko's ears perking up at the sound. There was a sudden loud crash, bickering, fighting, some more yelling, before a high pitched male voice yelled. "Hey! Who's that?!"
Aiko reluctantly let her gaze trail to the large ship beside them, leaving the Phoenix Commander who still stood staring at the Vivre Card. The piece of paper that was steadily growing smaller with each passing second. It was as if he couldn't see or hear anyone else. Trapped within his own little world as he stood stock still, eyes only for the burning paper before him. The woman's eyes traveled to the much larger ship. It was an impressive sight, it looked like the kind of ship a child would own. With its bright colors and almost playful design. Her eyes trailed up to the sail, honey eyes widening at the sight of the Jolly Roger that was proudly displayed.
Was that…?
She looked to the inhabitants of the ship, only seeing two women and a strange animal looking right back at her with curious gazes. Aiko wanted to try and get Marco out of his trance, but decided that she had to first deal with this crew. She opened her mouth to speak, raising her one good arm in the universal gesture of surrender.
"We mean no harm. Our ship was wrecked when we left the fog." She said loudly, she could tell that the two women weren't buying what she was saying. They were sharp, they probably thought she was trying to pull some sort of trap, so Aiko quickly said, "We don't need your assistance either, so move along."
Their eyes widened in surprise at the woman's blunt words, the orange haired woman was the one to speak. "Hah?! It looks like you could use our help."
"Oi, Nami!" Some long nosed man called out, he was practically shaking in his boots. "They said they don't want our help! Let's just leave them alo-!"
He was cut off by a blue haired man wearing nothing, but a speedo and an unbuttoned shirt. The weird man removed expensive looking sunglasses that framed his dark eyes and placed them on the top of his forehead, taking one look at their wrecked ship, before offering kindly, "Oi! Do you guys need help?!"
"FRANKY!" The long nosed man yelled again, this time he had some sort of raccoon panicking alongside him. "THEY DON'T WANT OUR HELP!"
Aiko lifted an eyebrow.
Did these guys want to help them or not?
She waved a hand in the air in a gesture telling them to move along.
"We can handle this just fine." She said with a sigh, all she wanted to do was take a nap. Too many things had happened today. Garp, flying, the Florian Triangle, Fire Fist Ace's burning Vivre Card. It was a bit much to take in, especially with her current injuries. Her eyes moved back to the Phoenix who was clenching his fist so tightly that his knuckles had become a stark white. A clear contrast to his naturally tan complexion.
"It doesn't look like it." Came the blue haired man's voice. His crewmates were arguing in the background, but he didn't care. His eyes genuinely wanting to help the two currently stranded pirates.
Aiko smiled at his kindness, but still declined the offer. "I'm pretty experienced with a hamm-"
"STOP!" An angry yell cut her off, before a blur of red and blue was kicked with blinding speed right into their direction. "THIS ISN'T FOR YOU, DUMBASS! WAIT FOR YOUR FOOD!"
The ball was about to crash right into their ship, it would have to if it hadn't been for Marco who had finally escaped his sudden trance. The Phoenix Commander's face and body was tense with rare anger, his features forming an impressive scowl that Aiko never wanted to see. His face was frightening. Black eyes that lit up dangerously as the blond squeezed the Vivre Card in his hand tightly and with all the fury of an enraged brother he kicked the red-blue mass right back to the larger ship with all his might. Anger, frustration, rage and pure unrestrained wrath rolling off of him in waves. The ball moved back so fast, breaking the railings of their ship, before the ball continued moving a few leagues away. The sea had split from the force of Marco's impressive rage filled kick, she could see the occupants of the much larger ship suddenly tense.
"This idiot." Said a green haired man who suddenly yawned loudly. He held his arm up high for everyone to see, in his hand was a… hand? "I got him." A minute later, the red blue blur came flying back. The green haired man quickly letting go of the appendage he was holding moments before the blur collided with him, instead the blur collided roughly with the railing of the ship.
"UUUUHHHHHHH…" Came the sudden dead voice as the two more experienced pirates finally got a good look at just what - who the blur was.
"Oi, oi, oi. That was an impressive kick." The long nosed man muttered, shaking more as he hugged himself and looked at the two pirates on the broken down ship warily. "Who are they?"
All those on board kept their attention on the two now, they had mixed faces of surprise and distrust. Clearly not knowing how a simple kick could split the sea like that. Marco was giving them a fierce glare, making a few of them cower in absolute terror. The Phoenix was angry beyond belief and they had the misfortune of being the one's he directed his pent up rage at. Aiko, though, only kept her eyes on the young boy huffing over the ships railing. He was trying to catch his breath as he held onto a familiar looking strawhat on his head, so that it wouldn't fall into the ocean. He had a red vest and blue trousers and as he lifted up his head to show her a pouting scarred face, Aiko found herself smiling widely, despite the current unknown situation with Ace.
"What the hell happened?" Luffy said stupidly, looking at the faces of his crew for answers. Once he spotted a smoking man donning a suit though, he immediately dropped the inquiry. "SANJIIII! FOOOOODDDDDD!"
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Everyone turned at Aiko's sudden fit of laughter. She was doubled over, holding her stomach at the familiar whining. She was worried about Ace, she wanted to somehow help Marco, but right now, all she could do was smile in joy. Eyes shining with unconcealed mirth. She wiped her eyes as she finally calmed down and directed her next words to the only one not currently staring at her. "Should I call Captain?"
She watched the young boy suddenly stiffen, turning his head slowly around. His eyes widening as he saw the woman standing before him with a large grin that he hadn't seen in ten years. He grabbed the railing, his eyes shining with unrestrained excitement as he mirrored her large smile, before yelling, "AIKO! IS THAT YOUUU?! AIKO!"
"LUFFY!" She yelled right back with a stunning smile.
Marco eyed the boy, seeing the same eyes as Ace, except his looked to be at least ten times slower. At that realization, his anger subsided a bit, enough for him to reign it in as he let out his own grin, despite recent events. He had heard enough of the young boy from his brother. Enough to make him sick. Once he saw the boy's grinning face, he could tell right away that he and Ace were definitely brothers.
"They have the same smile." He muttered, Aiko looking at him, with somewhat surprised eyes because of his anger that he had so expertly reigned in, in the span of half a second. He gave her a grin that made her heart flutter as he clarified, "Ace and his younger brother, yoi."
After surprisingly quick repairs had been done to Tofu by the Strawhat Pirates' shipwright, they had attached a rope connecting their ship to the Thousand Sunny as the blue haired cyborg called it. They were all now gathered on the grass deck of the ship that seemed more like a floating paradise than an actual pirate ship. Aiko and Marco stood side by side as they answered the questions thrown at them. Marco back to his listless gaze and smug smirks, though Aiko could tell that he was a bit on edge. Wondering what could have happened to Ace for his Vivre Card to be like that.
Luffy had taken the time to introduce his crew to them, excitement ringing clear in his voice. "This is Aiko, she's a part of Shanks' crew!" He told his mates excitedly and they stared at her in shock.
"Shanks?! You mean… Red-haired Shanks?!" Nami, the orange haired navigator yelled out, exasperated at the rubber man's vague explanations. Their empty-headed Captain hadn't even told them just how he knew the easy going Yonko. "Just how do you know Shanks again?!"
"Killer Punch Aiko of the Red Hair Pirates and Phoenix Marco, first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates." Everyone turned to a dark haired woman, her voice was mysterious and she had all knowing eyes that were practically smirking at the duo. "Quite the powerful pair. You two have been making headlines all over the world by your mere travelling together."
The Strawhats jaws dropped.
"OI! SHOULD WE LET SUCH DANGEROUS PEOPLE ON THE SHIP?!" Usopp yelled out. Body trembling all over as he turned to Luffy, who only grinned stupidly in return.
"Ora~? That's SUPAAAAHHHH!" Franky suddenly said with interest as he combed his blue hair and posed for the two New World pirates. The cyborg was curious about the ship his mentor had built. "Have you two seen the Oro Jackson in your lifetime?"
Aiko shook her head, unfortunately only her Captain had had the pleasure of sailing in the legendary ship of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger. He had told her much about his experience as a cabin boy on the Pirate King's ship, but he had never gone into detail about the layout or materials of the Oro Jackson. She was usually too enraptured by his stories to ask such seemingly mundane things anyway.
"I have, yoi." Marco spoke up, his hand fiddling with the golden accessory Aiko had given him. He had seen the legendary pirate ship quite a few times back when he was younger and still a newbie on Pops' ship. "It was an impressive sight."
"Hmmm…?" The cyborg was smirking, glad to have actually found someone who had seen it with his own eyes. "Can you tell me about it?"
"Sure, yoi." Marco shrugged broad shoulders, prepared to answer any questions the cyborg had. The blue haired man had repaired their ship for them, after all. It was only proper that he answer his inquiries. "I don't know much though."
"Yea!" Franky nodded his head, thinking of all the questions he would ask later, once things calmed down more. Everyone was too excited at their sudden arrival for them to have a proper conversation. That was only further proven when suddenly, a green haired man that Luffy introduced as Zoro came jumping down from the crow's nest.
"Fight me." Zoro said to the two with a battle hungry grin.
Usopp immediately smacked the first mate over the head. Clearly there was no sense of respect for ranking on this ship. Though that was to be expected, since there were so few of them. Something like rank didn't really matter if the crew was only made up of nine people. It was just like Luffy to have a small crew. If some random Whitebeard Pirate had tried to smack the Phoenix commander over the head, his face would have been a bloody mess, his body completely wrecked.
"STOP!" He yelled at the swordsman, who only snarled angrily at him. The two getting into a sudden argument. Marco couldn't help, but notice the trembling of the long nosed man and the small doctor that hid behind the large cyborg.
"We won't hurt you, yoi." Marco quickly said, eyes moving to watch with slight apprehension at the sight he saw from the corner of his eyes. A swirly-browed blond brought out a tropical drink for Aiko. The man had hearts in his eyes as if he had never seen a woman before, the Phoenix was sorely tempted to pull the woman towards him, but decided against it. Instead focusing on speaking, his next words had his mind once again whirring, wanting to know what had happened to his fiery tempered brother. "Ace is nakama, he's family. Making your Captain family by extension, unless Ace says otherwise."
They all had surprised faces again, as if just realizing that the Phoenix Commander was in the same crew as their Captain's world renowned brother. Were they this dense? Marco wanted to roll his eyes at the crew and their forgetfulness of such an important detail. They were beyond lucky that their Captain's brother was a part of their crew, it gave them a connection to Whitebeard, himself. A connection they would most definitely benefit from, especially since they were so close to the New World. Plus, their Captain also seemed to be on friendly terms with Shanks, judging by the familiar headwear on the rubber boy's head. That was two Emperor's they had a connection with and they weren't even in the New World yet. He had no doubt that they'd quickly make a name for themselves once they entered.
The Phoenix's only worry was if their current power level was good enough for such a dangerous sea. Marco had an eye for potential, he could see at a glance those that would become great and that was how he got such powerful rookies to join Whitebeard's crew. His observant eyes were also the reason why he could so easily judge the strength of the ones before him. If they didn't get stronger then they'd have to do so while in the New World. But that was a huge gamble. In the New World, pirate ships being completely wiped out was an everyday occurrence.
The long nosed man and their pet let out a sigh of relief.
"Big brother is so reliable, unlike this one." They said simultaneously, before glaring at Luffy who was busy eating a large chunk of Sea King meat. Completely ignoring everything else around him, much like a certain freckled man the Phoenix knew.
Marco smirked, if only they knew how troublesome Fire Fist really was.
"Excuse me Miss…" Aiko turned with slightly wide eyes at the talking skeleton. Luffy had introduced him as Brook, their musician, but Aiko thought the boy was joking. She couldn't help, but notice how tall the skeleton was. He stood taller than Marco, which was saying something, since the Phoenix easily towered over most people she had met. "May I see your panties?"
…
…
…
"Ask the Phoenix." Aiko responded casually with a grin, taking the bizarre, finely dressed skeleton in stride.
Marco seemed to do the same, even though they were curious, the two had seen much stranger things in their lifetime. The blond replied listlessly, "Do you want me to kick you into the ocean?"
"OI! OI!" Most of the Strawhat Pirates yelled, "BE MORE SURPRISED!"
"HAH?!" Sanji came out of nowhere, kicking the skeleton harshly into the ship's deck as he yelled angrily. "DON'T ASK AIKO-CHWAN THOSE STUPID THINGS, YOU DUMBASS SKELETON!"
"YOHOHOHOHOHO!" The skeleton laughed loudly, completely delighted, despite his sorry state. "Stop it Sanji-san, you're bruising my skin." The skeleton paused for a moment, before, "Ah. But I don't have any skin."
Brook suddenly stood, clearing his throat and exclaiming in a loud voice, "SKULL JOKE! YOHOHOHOHO!"
Luffy, Usopp and Chopper fell down in laughter. Even Aiko was grinning at the sheer stupidity, everyone else seemed to have a look of exasperation. Marco though, was as listless as ever, the man not able to keep Ace and his burning Vivre Card out of his mind. Aiko set aside that matter for a bit, she'd help the Phoenix hammer out a plan after they spoke with their mates to see if they had any information regarding Fire Fist. Right now, she just observed Luffy and his rather… unique choice in mates. She couldn't wait to tell Shanks all about it, get him jealous over her encounter with the boy who had promised to give him back his prized strawhat.
"He ate the Yomi Yomi no Mi." Nami explained simply to the two.
They raised an eyebrow at the navigator. Did such a fruit really exist? A fruit that had the ability to bring someone back to life? Even as a skeleton? Well… apparently there was, because the living proof was right before them. But, it was still a strange sight. A living, breathing skeleton. It made Aiko wonder just what other kinds of fruits there were out there, just waiting to be found. She had so many questions for him, like 'Can you eat?' 'Do you get hungry?' 'How do you see?' 'Do you poo?' 'How do you hear?' 'What was dying like?' But she reigned in her curiosity, remembering to ask her questions another time once things had calmed down.
"Aiko!" Luffy abruptly called with a huge grin as he began jumping up and down on the balls of his feet. His crew already knowing what their rubber Captain was going to say next. "Are you gonna be our nakama?"
"Hah?!" Aiko replied, looking incredulously at the young boy. He had gotten so much bigger, but he was still somehow very much the same as he was ten years ago. The same empty headed kid that followed her and her mates all over Windmill Village, the same kid that bothered her Captain to no end about taking him out to sea and the same kid that firmly believed his punches were stronger than hers. "A kid like you?!"
"I'M NOT A KID!" Luffy yelled at her, all the times Shanks and the rest of the Red Hair Pirates calling him that coming to the forefront of his mind. "I'M A REAL PIRATE NOW AND I'M GONNA BECOME THE PIRATE KING!"
"No one asked you that, idiooooot~!" Aiko replied, sticking her tongue out at the much younger boy who was making a face at her. "As if I'd leave Captain for someone as weak as you!"
"I'M STRONG!" Luffy defended, holding up a skinny arm and placing a hand on his bicep. "MY PUNCH IS LIKE A PISTOL!"
"A pistol?" She teased, "Haven't I heard that once before?"
"IT'S TRUE NOW!" She could see that Luffy still had a problem using his indoor voice. He got into a stance and threateningly showed her his teeth in a way that made her want to laugh. "I'LL SHOW YOU MY PUNCH IS STRONGER! YOU WANNA FIGHT?! HAAAH?!"
"Oi, Oi…" Usopp began, trying to get his Captain to quiet down and see reason. "She's injured. Calm down, Lu—"
Aiko grinned, holding up her only good arm. Her hand balled into a fist as she challenged the rubber boy. "Let me see that pistol of yours, boy."
Marco rolled his eyes at the woman who was childishly pulling the young boy into her pace, she was good at that. He would know best, since she always did it to him. He saw the surprised faces of the rest of Strawhat's crew when they saw such a big shot pirate playing around with their Captain in such an immature manner. Clearly their expectations were let down. The Phoenix yawned loudly, wanting to stretch out somewhere and take a long nap. Preferably, undisturbed.
"Don't let her personality and lack of Devil's Fruit fool you." Marco told them, their attention focusing on him as he watched with observant eyes as Ace's younger brother spun his rubber fist to build up some momentum. The blond commander didn't know if the kid knew how to use Bunsoshoku Haki or not, but if he didn't coat his fist with it then there was no way he was going to hurt someone like Aiko. A woman who coated her entire body in it out of instinct while fighting. "Despite her looks, she's a boss on an Emperor's ship and a part of Akagami's main fighters, yoi."
They looked back at the fight, all saying their own opinions as they talked amongst themselves. Marco watched the woman carefully, was it really okay for her to hit the rubber boy? Her gauntlet that helped control her Haki was nowhere in sight. His eyes then tried to see if Aiko was in any pain from her recent injuries. He could see that she wasn't breathing as easily as she should have been and that her mangled hand was beginning to stain her bandages red again. He'd have to fix her up again. The Phoenix sighed loudly, with all that had happened, they both could use some well-deserved rest.
"GOMU GOMU NOOOO…" Luffy threw his punch with a battle cry, "PISTOL!"
Aiko dropped into an immediate crouch at the fist shot her way, her injured body aching in protest. She didn't try to punch back, with her gauntlet gone and with Luffy not having the same capabilities as Marco, she was afraid of the outcome. Luffy immediately brought back his long arm, preparing to punch her again, before Marco's cool voice interrupted.
"Aiko." The Phoenix called, it was about time they had a serious talk about their next course of action and questioned Luffy about whether or not he had seen Ace recently. They needed to contact their crews and ask if they had heard anything regarding Ace's current condition. "That's enough, yoi."
Aiko stopped at his serious tone, eyes locking with Marco's at the sound of her name leaving his lips.
"LUUUFFFFYYYY!" Sanji yelled out in reluctant agreement to the man's words as he kicked his rubber captain on the side of the head with a flaming leg. In a great display of just how much he had mastered his Haki. "DON'T HIT AIKO-CHWAN! YOU DUMBASS!"
Aiko sat in the doctor's office of the Thousand Sunny, Chopper tending to her wounds with the utmost care. She found out that Chopper, the Strawhats doctor, was actually a reindeer that had eaten the Hito Hito no Mi. It was incredible. Unlike Marco or other Zoan, she was actually talking to what was once just an ordinary animal. Devil Fruits were just… absolutely remarkable.
Aiko had just finished asking Luffy if he had heard or seen Ace recently. The boy only saying that he had not seen his brother since his time in Alabasta. After, the rest of the Strawhats had gone to eat, while Chopper brought the woman to his medical bay. The reindeer had kindly offered to tend to all of her injuries. Once he tended to her fractured bones and already fading bruises, –thanks to Rho's special salves- he began removing the bandages wrapped around her arm. Exposing a mangled shoulder and hand that was still in the beginning process of healing.
"When did you get this?" Chopper asked, eyeing the deep marks as he quickly began the routine disinfection process.
Aiko winced at the uncomfortable feeling, before answering. "Last night."
His large, doe like eyes widened. If she had gotten it last night then why did it look as if it had had a good three days to heal? His small hooves inspected the green salve that surrounded the injury. Was it because of this? He rubbed a bit of it off her skin, before asking, "Where did you get this ointment?"
"Hmm…?" Aiko watched the small doctor rub the green ointment on his hands. "The Doctor on my ship makes it. He's an expert when it comes to tonics and salves."
"This is… amazing." Chopper said, continuing to eye the thing.
Just then, a knock was heard, before the door to the small infirmary was pushed open. The two watched Marco walking inside with a somewhat irritated air, though his face remained as impassive as ever. Aiko noticed the somewhat aggressive way he knocked on the door and the way his footsteps were heavier than usual. The man had on his trademark purple jacket, having sewed it back up himself, before leaving to go to Aiko. His usual lethargic eyes moved to the injured woman who occupied the small bed in the room, her wounded hand and shoulder fully exposed for all the world to see.
"Oi, Tanuki. I brought the salve, yoi." He said, showing a large jar. The Phoenix handed it to the small reindeer who looked at the green gel approvingly, before gently applying it on the woman's grotesque wound. Marco looked over at Aiko, now addressing her. "Are you alright, Hon?"
"You worried about me, love?" Came the expected reply. She was all bite. Marco suddenly took out a shirt from the inside of his jacket, which apparently had some huge pockets if he was able to stuff a shirt somewhere in there.
"Always." He replied, showing her the purple shirt he was wearing a while ago. Tossing it carelessly into the woman's lap. "Get changed, your shirt is filthy, yoi."
"I don't want to hear the word filthy from a man that slept with fifty something women." Aiko muttered with a pout. The Phoenix raised his eyebrows at her in a threatening way that just dared her to say more about his history with women.
Chopper began bandaging Aiko's arm, ignoring the banter of the two as he began asking his own questions. "What happened to your arm?"
"A flaming turkey did that." Aiko said seriously.
"EHHH?!" The small reindeer exclaimed with wide eyes.
"Shut up, yoi." Marco muttered in that bored way of his, slight hostility creeping into his tone at the insult. "Your fists completely shattered my bones, yoi."
He let a hand travel up to his sternum as if he could still feel the pain of having it broken.
She grinned cheekily up at him. "You have no proof."
He only smirked in reply.
"Wait…" Chopper suddenly said, his large eyes going to Marco as he began trembling. The reindeer's mouth opening wide in shock. "HE DID THIS?!"
"Our crews wanted us to decide on something important." Aiko explained vaguely as she switched the shirt she was wearing for the one Marco had given her. "And the Phoenix was eager to fight."
"EHHH?!" Chooper stared up at the Phoenix in shock as said man only shrugged broad shoulders.
"She broke my leg, yoi." Marco told the reindeer that was looking at him like he was some sort of super monster. "It's only fair that I break her arm."
"You can heal." Aiko bit out, the blond only smirking in reply.
"How is she, yoi?" He asked the reindeer this time about her condition, seeing as how he'd never get a straight answer form the woman, herself. He took a seat at the foot of the bed as Chopper began putting away his medical supplies.
"She just needs rest and proper care until her arm heals." Chopper advised with a grin. "Don't overdo it and keep applying that salve. If you do that it should be all healed in two or three weeks."
"Thanks, Doc." Aiko replied with a smile.
The small reindeer suddenly blushed, his whole body swaying in pleasure at her words. "Oh stop it you, idiot!" He said with a grin. "I don't like your stupid praise~!"
The two pirates grinned in amusement at him.
"Will this leave a scar, yoi?" Marco suddenly asked as he eyed her bandages.
"Ah. Yes." Chopper suddenly became serious again as he answered the Phoenix's question. "Were those… talon marks?"
Marco didn't answer, only stared at her bandaged arm. Even though it would mark her body, he was somehow glad for it. Something he'd never tell her, of course. What sane person would tell someone that they were happy that their attack would scar them for the rest of their lives? In all honesty, he was a bit jealous. If he could get scars would he also have something to remember their time together by? Something that would never disappear. Proof that they had actually been together and that he wasn't just dreaming their time up.
"Tanuki-kun." Aiko suddenly called, "I'm sorry, but is it alright if I go now? We have much to discuss."
He nodded his small head as he handed her back the jar filled with salve. "Yes. Thank you for letting me see something like this, I'd really like to meet your doctor if we ever run into each other again."
Aiko nodded at the small reindeer and with a smile, placed a hand over his pink hat in a way that had the small animal blushing. The Phoenix helped her up, placing a hand on the small of her back to lead her back into the direction of their ship.
They were careful to not run into anybody, using their Kenbunshuku Haki to head back to their ship that was still being pulled along by the Thousand Sunny. They had urgent matters that they needed to discuss, especially since Ace's Vivre Card was still slowly burning away. They needed to know why that was and as they entered their small mess hall, the atmosphere around them quickly changed. Becoming urgent and serious.
"Did you call Whitebeard?" Aiko asked right away as she took out some fish and started the process of frying it.
Marco was quick to break out some well-deserved booze. They unfortunately still had a long day ahead of them.
"I tried, yoi." He bit out, frustration seeping into his tone. "No response. I even tried Akagami using your Den Den Mushi."
Aiko raised an eyebrow.
Shanks not picking up her calls? That meant that something must've happened. She had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. They weren't able to pick up any recent newspapers for the past two days, what with everything that had suddenly happened. They had spoken to both of their Captain just last night and now they weren't picking up. She was curious to know what extremely drastic event could have happened for Ace's Vivre Card to be like that, for their Captains to not be picking up their calls. She was on edge and as she watched Marco down his drink, she could tell that he was as well.
"Did you ask Ace's brother, yoi?" Marco asked.
"I did." She responded with a nod. "He hasn't seen him since Alabasta. Luffy also saw the state of Fire Fist's Vivre Card, but decided against going after him." Aiko couldn't help, but remember the troubled look Luffy had when he said those words. He had told her that Ace would just be angry at him for worrying, since he was his own pirate who had his own adventures, so there was no need for someone like Luffy to go after him.
Marco nodded slightly, letting Aiko continue. "We're on the other side of the Florian Triangle, which means Sabaody Archipelago should be just up ahead. Let's try and get a hold of Whitebeard or Captain before we get there."
"Yea." He agreed as he downed another drink. "We need to pick up a newspaper from a passing seagull late—"
Purupurupurupurupuru.
Purupurupurupurupuru.
They looked up at the soft, familiar sound. Was that…?
Purupurupurupurupuru.
Purupurupurupurupuru.
The two pirates instantly abandoned what they were doing to run into their room when they heard the soft ringing sound echo softly through the silent halls of their ship. They thanked whatever God out there for their keen senses. Marco was the first to get there, the man seeing that it was Whitebeard's Den Den Mushi ringing away. He grabbed the receiver so quickly that the snail almost toppled over.
Purupurupur—
Kacha.
"Pops." Marco said hastily into the receiver. "What's going on, yoi?! Have you seen Ace's Vivre Card?!"
"Yea." Came Whitebeard's gruff voice, the first division commander could hear how displeased the man was. "Where are you now, Marco? We need you, son."
"We're at the Florian Triangle, yoi. Near Sabaody Archipelago." Marco met Aiko's eyes for a moment, the two wanting to know what happened already. The Phoenix could hear voices in the background, meaning that the crew was listening in on the conversation. The fact that they weren't teasing him meant that Pops must've had something really important to say.
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow, the transponder snail mimicking the action. The two had been nowhere near the Florian Triangle when they had spoken last night. For them to be so close again to the New World, just what had happened?
"The Florian Triangle?" The emperor asked.
"We had an unexpected run in with Garp." Marco elaborated, frowning slightly at the thought of the Marine hero.
"Garp?" Whitebeard said the name with distaste, before letting the topic go. "Oh well. It doesn't matter, this works out in the end. We'll be meeting you at Fishman Island."
Marco wanted to ask why, but he didn't dare interrupt his Captain. He already had a pretty good guess about what happened anyway. The only time Pops mobilized was when something happened to one of his brothers.
"I just spoke with Akagami." Whitebeard continued, answering their previous question about why there was no response from their Captains for so long. "He has his crew out, the ones supposed to get the Devil Fruit. They'll pick up the woman at Sabaody."
"Yea." Marco said into the receiver, letting his Pops know that they knew just what their orders were. It seems his time with Aiko was about to end. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he wondered when they'd get to meet again.
"Prepare yourself, Marco, and finish up whatever you need to do. We'll be heading to Marineford for war." Marco and Aiko's eyes widened at the statement.
War?
They were going to war?
Just what the fuck happened?
"The Marines are going to execute Ace."
There was a moment of stunned silence, before angry blue flames erupted throughout the small ship.
A/N: I got messages saying why the hell Luffy wouldn't go after Ace. So, if you people don't KNOW the end of the thriller bark arc then I'll tell you. Luffy saw the state of Ace's Vivre Card and decided not to go after him, he only went after him when he found out that Ace was going to be executed. So that is not OOC because he really did that in canon! Btw, the Strawhats won't be appearing in any more chapters.
Wanna see what happens next?
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