Hi guys Azza here!

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Thomas MCF – So the most basic rundown of the series I can give you is this.

Gol D Roger basically ignited the Golden Age of Pirates by declaring that he left behind a legendary treasure known as the One Piece but never specified where it was. The entire series centres around Monkey D Luffy who aspires to be the next Pirate King after Gol D Roger as he goes through all sorts of crazy adventures across a massive world full of diverse characters and monsters as he journeys toward Raftel, the island the One Piece is said to be on.

If I say anything more than that it starts to go into spoiler territory but I'll say that the Marines are technically the good guys but they also technically aren't and the same could be said about the Pirates so the series definitely has a number of conflicting themes going for it.

I've already slowly begun addressing some of these themes early like Shanks saying don't join the Marines for example but also saying he doesn't have to be a Pirate either if he doesn't want to even though he will naturally get a bounty for his actions which in the eyes of the world either makes him a Pirate or a member of the Revolutionary Army who are another whole can of worms, worms being spoilers I can't talk about haha!

Anyway on with the story!

I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.

The Straw Hat Pirates

/Natsu's POV/

"So this is the entrance to the palace," Natsu asked prompting Mordred to shrug in response.

"Not sure, this is where the staff came out to greet me after I saved their asses so I assume it is."

"Lucky for you Mordred this is the front entrance," Seilah responded with a quick shake of the head. "I happened to learn that from a Marine."

"Yeah well some of us were busy wiping out the local Baroque Works infestation," Mordred snapped back as the gates opened and a rather tall man with strange curls in his blonde hair ran out to greet them.

"You must be the ones King Cobra said would likely stop by, Ma Ma Maaaaa!"

All three looked at the man with varying expressions on his face at the outburst toward the end of his sentence but made no comment.

"Uh … yeah I'm the guy that saved him from those ruins and this is the one who took out the Baroque Works troops that were attempting to attack the palace," Natsu replied trying not to laugh at the man's obvious verbal quirk.

"Ma Ma Maaaa! Excellent, his majesty will be pleased that you have decided to join his fellow saviours in the palace so if you would kindly follow me to the dining hall you can get acquainted with the others who fought so hard for us!"

"Thank you sir …"

"My apologies my name is Igaram," the man replied quickly with a short bow. "I am in direct service to his Majesty King Nefertari Cobra and his wonderful Daughter Princess Vivi!"

"Nice to meet you Igaram my name is Natsu Dragneel and this here is Seilah Dragneel my … well she's kind of just adopted my name for the moment so we'll leave it at that, and this is Saber."

"A pleasure to meet you all," Igaram replied as he motioned for the group to follow him as he led them through the veritable rabbit warren of corridors until they finally reached a dining room where several people sat at a long dining table with Cobra at its head.

"Ma Ma Maaaa! Your Majesty I am pleased to present Natsu and Seilah Dragneel as well as Saber who have come to speak with you as you had foreseen!"

"That verbal tick is already annoying, do you think he's actually using it to clear his throat or something," Ahnkseram mused prompting Natsu to snicker internally.

"So your name is Natsu," Cobra said as he rose from his place at the table and walked over to greet them. "I simply must thank you for saving both myself and Luffy, I fear that we may have both perished had you not been there to get us to the palace using that extraordinary method of travel."

"That's quite alright King Cobra," Natsu replied as his eyes briefly glanced over the curious ones seated at the table until they met with two sets of familiar ones.

"Hang on its you guys!"

Cobra spun around as Usopp rose from the table and pointed at them in an overly dramatic way. "You're the guys who destroyed Mr Four and Miss Merry Christmas like they were nothing!"

"Well Saber did that but yes that's us," Natsu replied with a grin. "Usopp was your name right?"

"That's Captain Usopp of the Ten Million Strong Usoppian Armada!"

"Ignore him he's a compulsive liar," an orange haired girl said punching him in the back of the head slamming it straight onto the table.

"Yeah I kind of figured that," Natsu chuckled when he sensed a presence shift right next to him as a man wearing a black pin striped suit with a light blue undershirt and black tie extended a rose to Seilah.

"Never before have I seen such a specimen of absolute perfection before, might I know the name of such a ravishing young woman such as yourself?"

"Oh great," the orange haired girl sighed again.

"My name is Seilah," was the reply as she hesitantly took the rose from the man's outstretched hand.

"Seilah, what a beautiful and utterly unique name! Truly it is a testament to a gem such as yourself!"

"Master I feel rather uncomfortable," Seilah said inching closer to his side as the orange haired girl marched over and delivered a similar punch to the back of the blonde man's head.

"Stupid womanizing bastard," the girl snapped as she kicked him sending him back over toward his place at the table though it appeared to have done no damage as he lazily flipped in the air landing perfectly in his seat with all the grace of a gentleman.

"I truly am sorry Nami my precious flower but the beauty of Miss Seilah was simply too much to behold and I couldn't go another minute without speaking to her!"

"Can you both shut up I'm trying to drink over here," a green haired man wielding three swords groaned as he shuffled around in the corner of the room.

"You've been drinking since we got here Zoro, you didn't even bother going to get all of those wounds treated instead choosing to hit the bottle so shut up," Nami snapped as she turned to face the trio looking like a frazzled Mother hen.

"Sorry about them you guys they're just kind of …"

"Odd," Natsu supplied as the girl grinned nodding profusely.

"Yes that's exactly right! You probably already figured it out from our banter but my name is Nami, nice to meet the people who helped out Luffy and Vivi's Father."

"Likewise," Natsu replied with a grin. "That Igaram guy announced us but just for the record my name is Natsu, this here is Seilah and that's Saber."

"It's nice to meet you all," Nami replied cheerfully. "The perverted one in the suit over there is Sanji, the useless drunk in the corner is Zoro, the idiot face down at the table is Usopp and that there is Chopper."

"Thanks again for your help earlier today by the way," Chopper said running toward them in his small form which even Natsu could admit was adorable.

"Hey no problem though I do wonder how things would've turned out had Saber not interfered since you weren't too far behind Usopp, perhaps you could've won without our help?"

"I don't know …"

"Hey come on now you can transform into that crazy reindeer form so you must be pretty strong," Natsu said encouragingly almost immediately noticing the almost timid nature of the little guy. "Can I ask you a question though?"

"Sure I guess," Chopper replied with a slight nod.

"Did you by any chance end up eating a Devil Fruit because, and I mean no offence when I say this, I can't tell if you are a human or something else and I don't want to offend you?"

"Oh, well you see I'm a reindeer who ate a Devil Fruit you see," Chopper replied. "I ate the Human Human Fruit, a Zoan Class Devil Fruit that turned me into a reindeer/human hybrid."

"A Devil Fruit that turned you into a human you say," Natsu mused finding such an ability fascinating to consider. "So you were just a regular old reindeer until you ate it?"

"More or less yes," Chopper replied slightly uncomfortable.

"That's really interesting, I wonder what would happen if a regular human ate that fruit?"

"Perhaps we should all have a seat," Igaram suggested once the room fell into silence as Natsu, Seilah and Mordred took their seats several places down from a blue haired girl who Natsu assumed was this Princess Vivi he'd heard mentioned several times.

"So where's the kid, Luffy I mean," Natsu asked as the others seemed to tense slightly.

"Luffy is recovering from his fight with Crocodile," Vivi sniffed. "He fought so hard against that monster he resorted to using his own blood just to be able to land blows against him!"

"I'm guessing Crocodile was also a Devil Fruit User," Seilah asked as servants began to line the table with food and drink with Seilah quickly accepting tea along with Natsu.

"We're not sure what his fruit was called specifically but he could manipulate sand, though the domain of sand being his Devil Fruit is questionable," Vivi said as Natsu raised an eyebrow curiously.

"The first time Luffy fought him Crocodile grabbed hold of his arm and drained the water out of it causing it to shrivel up as if he'd been lost in the desert for months," Sanji explained noticing his look.

"It would be more accurate to say Crocodile represents the Desert rather than the element of Sand but then again he was a Logia and Logia Class Devil Fruits can only be natural elements so maybe he's just that skilled with it," Nami added as Natsu pondered the information.

"Saber, feel free to eat and drink," Natsu sighed noticing she hadn't removed her helmet yet. "I'm sure that no one here is going to try anything so you can relax."

Mordred nodded and removed her helmet shocking everyone present with her being a woman since her armor makes her appear more masculine both in design and the fact that her helmet alters her voice slightly.

"Before you leap across that table Sanji I would ask do you value what makes you a man," Natsu asked as he saw the man move to try the same thing he did to Seilah earlier.

"Mordred isn't as tolerant as I am when it comes to advances of the … flirtatious kind," Seilah added as she took a sip from her tea gracefully.

"I like the sound of that, maybe you can beat some sense into him," Nami said with a savage grin that prompted Sanji to pale slightly.

"My blade is good for cutting things down to size Nami so if lover boy over there wants to give me his best shot he's more than welcome but he'd best be prepared for the consequences."

"Ahem!"

"What is it Igaram," Cobra asked slightly annoyed that he was putting an end to the amusing show.

"Sorry to bother you your Majesty but I have just received word that the Marines are on their way here to arrest the Straw Hats and demand the location of our three guests here."

"What did you three do," Zoro asked with a raised eyebrow interested that the three had drawn the attention of the Marines as much as they had.

"Well I went around interrogating the Marines for the location of the ship used by their commanding officer and destroyed their files on you lot," Seilah replied as the entire table, Cobra and Vivi included openly gaped at her.

"THAT WAS YOU," Igaram shouted after several moments. "We could see that fire from the palace; the Marines still haven't put the flames out yet since they refuse to cease burning!"

"Did you use my black flames Seilah," Natsu asked prompting Seilah to nod. "Guess I should put them out then."

With a snap of his fingers Natsu released the flames and although no one actually saw the effects of what he'd done they found themselves believing that he had indeed stopped the flames.

"So what did you do," Nami asked Mordred who simply grinned and gestured to her bloodstained armor.

"When Master came down to save the King and Luffy I stayed back and killed off most of the Marines under that Smoker guy's command alongside Seilah who showed up mid way through the fight."

"Hold on did you say Smoker," Zoro said as his eyes narrowed remembering the silver haired Marine Captain. "The guy who can turn himself into smoke right?"

"Yeah that's the one," Mordred replied with a grin. "And out of the three of us Master will likely be the most wanted since he put him in his place before going to save Cobra."

"You actually managed to fight him," Zoro said impressed. "How did you manage to touch him when he's made of smoke?"

"It actually isn't too hard to hit a Logia since you can either figure out their weakness, catch them off guard whilst using an element or … well you get the idea. Point being I managed to mess around with him for a bit before trapping him in a trap in one of the courtyards in the city."

"You must be crazy strong to pull off something like that," Usopp said still shocked. "Of course I could have easily done something like that too had I been there but-!"

"It's likely that the three of you will receive bounties for what you've done," Cobra said sadly. Though I am not opposed to the Marines being put in their place every once and awhile anyone who attacks them is automatically made an enemy of the World Government."

"That doesn't really bother me," Natsu replied dismissively. "If they try to attack me or anyone I care about I'll just crush them."

"You know I think I'm starting to like you," Zoro said with a grin which Natsu quickly reciprocated. "Too many people bow down and lick the boots of the World Government these days but you're like Luffy and seem to not give a shit about what they think, an attitude worthy of a strong warrior."

"You can tell?"

"Well the scars kind of gave it away," Zoro replied indicated to the scars littering his exposed chest and the smaller ones on his face.

"Fair enough but yes I have power which allows me to make such a claim but make no mistake I've got no intention of abusing my gifts against the innocent. Should I be branded a Pirate in this world I'll take it in stride but I won't ever harm an innocent."

Everyone seemed to smile at his words with some even nodding in approval, not that he needed their approval of course but it was nice to see they were obviously on the same page despite also being Pirates.

"So we heard from King Cobra that you were looking for Luffy to deliver a letter or something," Nami said changing the subject as all eyes returned to him once more.

"Yeah I've got a message for him from the guy who gave him his straw hat, Red Hair Shanks," Natsu replied as several people at the table began to choke on whatever they were eating or drinking.

"You mean one of the Four Emperors Red Hair Shanks," Cobra gasped after recovering from his initial shock.

"Yeah that's the guy, not sure about all this Emperor business though."

Cobra's eyes narrowed for a moment and he decided not to elaborate instead simply digesting the information as he watched the Straw Hats return to their line of questioning as to Natsu's business with their Captain.

"So you came all this way and got tangled up in our mess just to deliver a letter," Nami asked in disbelief. "Are you perhaps related to Luffy like a third Brother he's failed to mention?"

"Would make sense I mean Ace is the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates so Natsu being tied to the Red Hair Pirates seems plausible," Zoro added prompting Natsu to snort in amusement.

"Shanks and I are friends and I'm doing this as a favour for him," Natsu replied waving off their wild conspiracy theories. "Speaking of obligations I just realized I should probably check to see if Smoker got out of my trap, Saber and Seilah will stay here I'll only be a few minutes."

Vanishing Natsu appeared on a rooftop overlooking the courtyard and was amused to see Smoker still confined within his trap.

"I honestly expected him to have broken out of that by now."

"I'm not surprised, even if he can become the element of his Devil Fruit your Gravitational Barrier that lines the edges of the trap won't let even the tiniest bit of smoke leave that spot. I'll admit that as far as abilities go his isn't all that bad since he doesn't really have a weakness save for his smoke being completely dissipated so this is a really nice counter should we face any enemy like him again in the future."

"Guess I should go free the poor guy, give him a little warning too," Natsu sighed as he jumped off of the rooftop right into the centre of the courtyard shocking all the Marines present who hadn't expected him to come back.

So naturally the first thing that happened was that they all pointed their guns and swords at him.

"Ah ah, if you want your Captain free then I would suggest lowering your weapons and lining the edges of the courtyard like the good little government dogs that you are."

"We don't take orders from Pirate scum!"

"Well that's a shame because if you don't do as I say I'll kill him and the rest of you right now and there won't be a thing anyone can do about it," Natsu replied with a cold smile that sent the message across well enough.

It took less than thirty seconds for the Marines to comply with his demands as Natsu walked in front of the trap, watching as the purely smoke form of the Logia User struggled to reform due to the intense pressure being channelled through the confined space.

Snapping his fingers he lessened the level of Gravity within the trap to allow the man to reform with Smoker appearing on one knee panting heavily, his cigars having been chewed to the breaking point.

"Not looking too good there Smoker, you know in some places they say smoking is bad for your health but for people like you and I that isn't exactly the case," Natsu said in amusement as he reached through the trap and took one of the many cigars lining Smoker's Marine coat and placed it in his own mouth, lighting it with a small flame in the end if his right index finger.

"Who the hell are you," Smoker growled between breaths as Natsu inhaled the first bit of smoke before beginning to chew.

"Natsu Dragneel, nice to meet you Captain Smoker."

"What did you do to me?"

"Imprisoned you within a chamber of Gravity that is five hundred times the standard of this world," Natsu replied as he spat a solidified piece of smoke at Smoker which actually pierced his shoulder. "Interesting."

"I don't know what your game is but I'm not gonna tell you jack shit so you either kill me or let me go."

"Interesting choice of words Captain Smoker especially considering your current circumstances," Natsu replied gesturing to the trap he was stuck in. "Now I'm not a bad person and I'm willing to let you go on one condition."

"What's that?"

"When the Straw Hats go to leave this island you do not pursue them."

Smoker's eyes narrowed as Natsu inhaled more smoke and began chewing again to form another one of those strange grey pellets that hit him in the shoulder. Looking at his shoulder he was able to exorcise the pellet from his body so that he could regenerate but it was strange being wounded by the element that he was supposed to embody.

"You expect me to just go along with your plan of letting the Straw Hats go?"

"On the contrary Captain Smoker you'll find you'll have no choice in the matter," Natsu replied with the same cold smile. "You see my assistant informed me that someone set fire to your vessel, a real shame but it seems that it confines you to dry land for the foreseeable future."

"Then why bother offering to let me go on the condition that I leave the Straw Hats?"

"Because I've got a pretty good idea about you based on what the Straw Hats told me but I'll ask to clarify this information. Did you in fact pursue them all the way from Loguetown in the East Blue Sea just to try and arrest Straw Hat Luffy?"

"Yeah," Smoker replied not seeing the harm in sharing such information.

"Why?"

"That's my business kid."

"I could argue that it is also my business but I suppose I'll let you keep a few secrets, at least for the moment."

"You're a real angel …"

"Aren't I just," Natsu replied with a beaming smile that was anything but nice. "Now then Captain Smoker I'm extending you a lifeline here, the alternative is I leave you in my trap until it shuts itself off or someone happens to come by with the level of power necessary to disable it. Seeing how both those scenarios are next to impossible for a place like this I'm going to assume you want out, no?"

"If I agree to this … you will make sure no more of my Marines get hurt by either the Straw Hats or your little gang?"

"I swear it, on the condition that should your Marines strike first I am not liable for any retaliation by the Straw Hats."

"Done," Smoker sighed as Natsu reached in and swiped three more cigars and placed them in one of his pockets as the Marine Captain caught sight of Fou whose head was poking out of one of his pockets.

"Just a few more for the road, experiments and all that," Natsu replied with a grin as he turned around only to see the sword of a Marine inches from his neck.

"I'll overlook this one Smoker since I can tell she's currently a bit on the emotional side," Natsu chuckled as he voluntarily walked into the blade as it drew blood.

"Stand down Tashigi," Smoker said quickly as the blue haired girl tensed but didn't remove the blade.

"But Captain I can end his life here and now!"

"Could you really," Natsu asked as his hand snaked around her neck with her eyes catching up to register he was no longer in front of her but behind her as fingers gently traced their way across her jugular.

"What-!"

"Neither of you are strong enough to face someone like me, no offense intended but you really aren't. The world is full of monsters ready and waiting to chew you up and spit you out so when one offers you and out you accept it with a smile."

"Tashigi will stand down Dragneel now let her go!"

"I never had her in the first place Natsu replied now back on top of the building where he first arrived. "Nice doing business with you Smoker, see you out on the high seas eh?"

Natsu spat another pellet at the barrier causing it to shatter freeing the Marine who stood stock still for several moments in case it was a trap of some kind.

"Since you lot are most likely gonna brand me as a Pirate I won't bother saying I'll pay you back for these cigars but perhaps we'll share another one somewhere down the line. Now if you'll excuse me I've got places to be and people to speak with."

Vanishing again Natsu appeared back in the hall where the members of Luffy's crew, Cobra and Vivi were gathered shocking everyone as he appeared in his chair like nothing had happened.

"So where were we?"

"Don't do that," Usopp snapped looking like he'd just had a heart attack.

"Is that a variation of the portal ability you used earlier Natsu," Cobra asked after getting over his brief shock.

"Yeah it is," Natsu replied not elaborating any further since it would require him to explain at least a little bit about how Aura worked and he wasn't ready to go that far with these people, not yet.

"So have you eaten a Devil Fruit too," Chopper asked as Natsu shook his head. "Then how can you do the teleporting thing?"

"It is a natural ability I can use, Seilah can use it too."

"How can you use such abilities if you aren't a Devil Fruit User," Nami asked as Natsu sent a smirk in her direction.

"You'll find as you journey further into the Grand Line that there will be people who can do all sorts of things, my friend Shanks hasn't eaten a Devil Fruit and yet he's arguably one of the strongest in this world so who is to say my abilities are abnormal?"

"He's got a point Nami," Sanji conceded. "Remember how in the East Blue even Devil Fruits were the stuff of mere myth and legend until Luffy came along since most users head toward the Grand Line in search of fame or fortune."

"That's a fair point but I still don't really get how he can just teleport around, where did you even go?"

"I went and freed our good friend Smoker," Natsu replied as the Straw Hats as well as Cobra and Vivi looked at him like he was insane.

"WE'RE GONNA DIE," Usopp screeched as he and Chopper began running back and forth crying.

"Why the hell would you free Smoker he's gonna be coming right for us," Nami snapped seemingly growing angrier as Natsu waved off her concerns.

"I freed him only on the condition that he let all of us leave in peace."

"And you really think he'll just honour that, he's a Marine Captain," Sanji replied more interested in Natsu's reasoning than angry.

"He doesn't have a choice because I gave him an ultimatum. Either he could be released and let us go or I could leave him sealed and wipe out the Marines to the last man before killing him."

"And what'd he say to that," Zoro asked with a raised eyebrow not even phased at the brutality of the threat.

"He complied of course, might be a bit addicted to his job but he cares about the men under him so he wouldn't dare back out especially since he knows I'll follow through on my threat."

"I know some of the others might not agree but as far as I'm concerned you did the right thing."

"What the hell Zoro," Nami growled. "Did you not hear what he said-!"

"Nami," Sanji said drawing a cigarette from his pocket and lighting it before taking a quick drag. "The Marines are charged with capturing or killing us all since we're Pirates, Natsu simply responded in kind. Remember he gave them a mercy option most Pirates wouldn't do that instead they'd just kill the Marines and be done with it."

"Yeah but …"

"I've never killed because I enjoy it Nami," Natsu said firmly looking her in the eyes. "Yes I've killed before and I've killed a LOT of people but all were committed in order to protect or to circumvent a situation from spiralling out of control."

"Remember Nami Sanji and I killed people today," Zoro added as the orange haired girl's neck snapped toward the pair. "You didn't think me slicing someone with my three swords was always going to merely wound did you?"

"I often try to avoid it but sometimes when I get surrounded by Marines I have to start aiming for vitals," Sanji said as he took another drag. "None of us enjoy killing Nami but it's the way of the world, the way of the Pirate."

"They're right Nami …"

"You too Chopper!"

"Today because I hesitated Usopp was almost killed, if Natsu and Saber hadn't show up Usopp might have died. That situation for us was a kill or be killed scenario and although killing is wrong … I'd rather they be dead than my friends."

"I-you're right," Nami sighed. "You'd think I'd be more accepting of such a thing what with my time with Arlong's Crew and all …"

"Arlong was scum Nami and his pathetic band of Pirates were supremacist filth," Sanji growled. "The fact you are as sane as you are despite being stuck with that bastard for so long is a testament to your resolve and kind heartedness and-!"

"I think she gets the point Sanji," Natsu said softly as the table fell into a comfortable silence. "Back to the matter of the Marines although I was able to get Smoker off of our backs we should really move as soon as Luffy is ready otherwise we could draw unwanted attention onto King Cobra and Vivi here who have obviously been through enough with Baroque Works and Crocodile trying their little hostile takeover and all."

"Luffy probably won't wake up for at least three days," Chopper sighed. "Can we wait that long?"

"I don't think so," Natsu replied shaking his head. "Though I got Smoker to back off there really isn't anything stopping him from calling in backup from the Marine Headquarters."

"Perhaps you could open one of those portals and get us back to the Merry," Usopp suggested as Natsu raised an eyebrow.

"Merry?"

"Oh right you don't know," Usopp said slightly embarrassed. "The Merry is our ship."

"Ah …"

"Could you do it without disturbing Luffy too much," Chopper asked as Natsu directed his full attention toward the little reindeer human.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Uh …"

"Are you by any chance a Doctor?"

"W-well yes I'm the ship Doctor," Chopper spluttered prompting Natsu to grin.

"Sorry it's just when you asked me that you had the whole 'serious medical discussion face' on and I was genuinely caught off guard. You must be pretty skilled to be a Doctor at your age?"

"Oh geez I'm not that skilled and I definitely don't think your compliments are great you bastard," Chopper replied doing a strange dance as Natsu looked to the others a little lost.

"He does that whenever someone compliments him, a character quirk of his," Usopp replied amused at the weird dance.

"Well to answer your question if I can take the entire bed then yes I can move him without disturbing him," Natsu said as Cobra nodded.

"You lot saved my Kingdom so if you take a single bed who am I to complain."

"Well then yes I can have all of us on the Merry in the next few minutes, assuming we're allowed to come of course?"

"Since Luffy is out for the next three days that technically makes Zoro acting Captain so it's up to him," Nami said as Zoro looked at Natsu for several moments before shrugging.

"They helped us out so I see no reason not to let em on, no doubt Luffy will want words with Natsu at the very least about Shanks once he wakes up."

"Then it's decided," Natsu said as he rose to his feet with Mordred and Seilah silently following his lead. "Thank you for the food and drink King Cobra but if you could show me where Luffy is I'll send him over first?"

"Of course," Cobra replied quickly as he rose to his feet. "On behalf of the people of Alabasta I thank you all for what you have done and will consider you all friends!"

Everyone bowed slightly at the King's statement, Natsu saw Vivi had something to discuss with the Straw Hats and decided to take his leave with Cobra as the duo walked toward the infirmary.

The Straw Hats seemed nice enough perhaps Shanks' idea of travelling with them wouldn't be so bad?

/Elsewhere In Alabasta/

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M GETTING THE CREDIT!"

"Due to your outstanding actions in the field Captain Smoker High Command has decided to offer you an official promotion to Commodore for successfully defeating the former Warlord Crocodile and saving Alabasta-."

"I TOLD YOU ALL IT WAS THE STRAW HATS," Smoker snapped. "STRAW HAT LUFFY BEAT CROCODILE WHILST THE NAVY SAT AROUND WITH ITS THUMB UP ITS ASS!"

"In light of your recent promotion you will be required to return to Marineford for debriefing and to assign you a new vessel; Captain Hina will be escorting both yourself and Lieutenant Tashigi-."

"ARE YOU BASTARDS EVEN LISTENING TO ME-!"

"Enough Smoker!"

Gritting his teeth Smoker looked up to see a pink haired woman standing over him shaking her head though there was clear understanding in her eyes.

"Do you understand Commodore Smoker?"

"Yes," Smoker replied through grit teeth.

"Congratulations on your promotion," was the last thing heard through the Transponder Snail before it fell silent as Smoker resisted the urge to hurl the poor thing at a wall.

"You know there isn't any use arguing this point with them Smoker so why bother?"

"Because it isn't right, damn it they're covering the whole incident up to save face Hina!"

Officer Of The Marines

The Black Iron Cage

Captain Hina

"Hina knows but there isn't anything that can be done about it Smoker, the World Government would never acknowledge that a Pirate crew did the Navy's job for it."

"It's not right," Smoker growled. "We're taking credit for an incident that could have been prevented if the whole damn Warlord system didn't bloody exist!"

"You know why the Warlord system is in place Smoker Hina can't stress enough how important of a role it plays in our world, the balance of power is too delicate to remove it."

"I know … and I hate it."

"Hina thinks that if you work hard enough one day you'll have the clout to really change things, to stand up and declare to the world the truth without fear but right now there is nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut and bear it."

"This promotion feels hollow Hina," Smoker sighed. "Tashigi and I were played by Crocodile and this country suffered as a result. Let's just get the hell out of here already so we can get this farce of a promotion over with!"

"As you wish," Hina sighed unable to argue against Smoker's points since she too believed in them.

The World Government was covering up Crocodile's defeat and spinning it to suit their own purposes Sure Pirates shouldn't get the credit but to actually try to say that they saved these people … definitely not a good idea, not in Hina's mind.

Sighing she ordered for her crew to prepare to set sail as they prepared for the long journey back to Marineford, she only hoped Smoker would snap out of his funk otherwise it would be a very depressing trip indeed.

Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!