Hi guys Azza here!
Reviews
DarkFireCat – Depends, if we're talking about Gudako then she was broken before she even started aha! But for real he's going to have an … interesting time moving forward that's for sure.
Erasenpai946 – To be fair Kuma was stronger than Moria and if you remember the Government didn't send Kuma alone he had General Makenshi with him who has power on par with Kaze. Had Kuma actually ended up in a position of losing Makenshi would've stepped up and engaged them though his power will be displayed during the Marineford Arc.
But I do get where you are coming from, Kuma alone would inevitably lose to Natsu by himself however not because Kuma isn't more powerful but because even if Kuma has the ability of teleportation Natsu has God Tier Perception and even slight Precognition so he could predict where Kuma would appear and avoid being touched. The issue arises though when you throw others into the mix alongside him where he wouldn't be able to focus entirely on Kuma. That I feel would lead to Kuma being able to successfully touch Natsu, especially if the person who is aiding Kuma is an Admiral or something but that's as far as I'm willing to discuss it for reasons you obviously know since you know One Piece's story and what is coming.
Anyway on with the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.
Encounter With A Mermaid
/Natsu's POV/
It had been a week since the Straw Hats had departed Thriller Bark, leaving the rather dark and depressing landscape behind with as much speed as the Thousand Sunny could muster. Most of the crew had more or less returned to their usual selves over the course of the week however there was still traces of the same tension and paranoia present.
Sitting under the tangerine tree, Natsu looked down on the goings on below with a tired gaze. He could feel the emotions reeking from those gathered below as a seemingly endless fount of depression wafted its way directly into his senses.
Disappointment in being unable to combat the threat they'd come up against.
Embarrassment at how easily many of them had been so easily defeated or tossed aside, considered little more than nuisances.
Rage at how they had been able to do so little to aid their friends.
But more importantly, at least in Natsu's opinion, the most serious emotion of all …
Fear. Fear of encountering Sut-Typhon, or any other powerful entity like him again and how quickly it would destroy them again.
"Are you really so surprised that they're going through this," Ahnkseram chimed in prompting Natsu to sigh audibly. "Imagine this then. You've just arrived in Scarlione only for me at the height of the Alvarez War to show up and begin slaughtering everyone around you without so much as a care in the world. Then imagine that Achnologia turns up and defeats me similarly to how he actually did right before your very eyes before making his intentions of consuming not only you but all of Scarlione known. How would you feel if that happened?"
"Achnologia sucks though," Aava scoffed with Natsu barely stifling a snort of amusement. "Did you know that he could only count to the number nine hundred and ninety-seven before getting confused, what a loser!"
"We aren't talking about Achnologia's numerical prowess though, are we," Ahnk replied bluntly, the annoyance at her comment clearly evident. "I'm trying to talk about-!"
"Stuff that Dad already knows," Aava groaned childishly. "Man, its like you forgot that he's gonna be a century old soon or something! No way he hasn't dealt with similar feelings before so sit down and shut up, your creepy old mentor role isn't necessary for this bit!"
"Why you little-!"
"You seem troubled," Seilah said from his right as Natsu's gaze drifted toward her. "Is something approaching?"
"No, nothing so sinister. I'm sure you can feel all that mess down there, no?"
"Ah, yes that is rather vexing to feel after a week or so at sea," she admitted as Natsu slowly rose to his feet and picked a tangerine from above him.
"If it were up to me I'd train them all up, forge them into powerful warriors the likes of which these seas have scarcely known," Natsu said with a determined tone. "It's obvious that most of them could become monstrous if given proper guidance but …"
"But what?"
"It honestly is the same issue I had with Naruto," Natsu sighed as he examined curiously. "There are powers at work within this world that I cannot instruct them in. From Haki to the inner workings of Devil Fruits, these things are mysteries even to me for the moment so how can I teach them to become stronger in those regards when I know so little?"
"A fair consideration."
"Brook," Natsu said whilst inclining his head slightly to the skeleton who had ascended the stairs without so much as a sound.
"Your story, or what little of it you have managed to tell me so far, most certainly qualifies you to the rank of teacher however it is as you say," Brook continued as he moved over to the railing and leant against it. "I don't really know much about this … Haki, but I can tell you with certainty that even at my age I still discover new ways to utilize my own Devil Fruit. To believe that you have learned all that there is to know regarding one's own abilities is rather foolish."
Natsu could only dip his head slightly in agreement knowing full well that such a statement most certainly applied to him. After all he was supposedly a Master of the Fire, Gravity, Divine and Demonic elements yet he'd watched them fail to obliterate his foes time and again.
His flames, despite their potency, did not instantly annihilate the Ice Titan despite such an overwhelming advantage. His Gravity could be countered by others despite it being one of the fundamental forces of countless realities. His Divine power could be countered by those with Demonic power and vice versa should they be powerful enough and even his Crash Magic could be countered despite how far he'd come with it.
You're right," Natsu replied quietly as the skeleton took a sip from his cup of tea. "Even I, a Godlike entity who should be able to coast through the world of mortals is not removed from such a thing. True, many of the foes I've faced thus far in this world have indeed been powerful. From Enel wielding God's Aura, Rai-Jin being the Titan Of Thunder to Sut-Typhon being a Beast. All these entities were indeed each unique in their set of circumstances …"
Natsu paused as his mind went through several other key engagements he'd had so far in this world.
"However, Aokiji was a mortal who managed to hold his own whilst also holding back considerably. Granted I also held back but the point is that he HELD BACK, against ME! Then there was the fact that Robin managed to slip away from my grasp despite her power being less than a speck of dust to mine. Likewise, Cipher Pol managed to also impede me slightly with that wall surrounding Enies Lobby …"
"Master …"
"My greatest flaw ever since I returned from Scarlione to find my ranking in the power hierarchy of Fiore has been complacency. I've always put off my training in favour of training others, held myself back believing that my own power would always be good enough to get the job done."
"But?"
"But when Achnologia got me during the war it reminded me of why I trained and once I'd awakened, I earnestly did want to train … until I met Naruto and learnt of his circumstances. Once that happened, I fell back into that complacency and focused on that boy rather than myself and time and again foes who should have been nothing to me managed to find ways to counter me."
"Master, the Elemental Nations were different to our home. To believe yourself solely responsible for being unaware of concepts from there isn't fair!"
"I should have known Seilah," Natsu snapped back as he crushed the tangerine in his hand. "I should have sent you out immediately to gather intel on everything important like I did here! I should've focused more on my own training-!"
"Master, stop putting yourself down like this-!"
"These are my failings Seilah and its time I finally owned up to them," Natsu replied firmly as he clenched his fists. "Sut-Typhon would've obliterated us if we didn't have the help of Kaze, Kupo, Carter, Abigail, Anderson and-!"
"Finally remembered me?"
"I never forgot about you," Natsu replied with a frown as another Servant astralized before him. "You were arguably just as pivotal to the success as anyone else, Liz."
"Well its good to see you know that," Liz replied with a sultry smile. "After all, I worked rather hard to help out, even changed my class for you, so no credit would have hurt my feelings."
"I figured giving you a ride to the next island was payment enough Liz," Natsu sighed as the Servant shrugged. "You didn't want to get to Eden the quick way so that was the next best thing I could think of."
"This world is interesting and I want to experience much of it before I link up with the rest of the Servants," Liz replied as she took a seat next to Seilah. "Besides, hanging out with you guys for a while I figured wouldn't be bad but the doom and gloom is starting to get on my nerves."
"I'm surprised you aren't pissed at almost dying either," Natsu replied with a slight grin. "I know I'm not happy about how things went down."
Liz couldn't even respond, her mouth left gaping like a fish at how blunt Natsu had been. It took her several seconds to reboot, a retort barely reaching her lips when she noticed Natsu's entire body tense up.
"Natsu?"
"Something's coming …"
Everyone present froze in place. After what occurred on Thriller Bark NONE of them would be taking any chances with any potential foes. The Servants, Seilah and Brook had barely managed to move in the time it took Natsu to appear at the centre of the deck, startling the rest of the already on edge crew.
"N-Natsu," Nami gasped, spilling her drink as she had been the closest to him when he'd seemingly warped next to her.
"Something's coming from below, something BIG," Natsu growled as he brought his hands together and began releasing what reserves he'd managed to accumulate over the course of that week.
Many of the group were shocked at how serious Natsu was, his body erupting with power as the sea immediately surrounding the ship began to rise up around it like a protective barrier.
"OI, WHAT THE HELL ARE WE FIGHTING," Luffy snapped as the water continued to rise higher and higher.
"I think he's dragging whatever it is above us," Sanji pointed out as a massive shadow shot up through the water, eventually coming to loom over the ship itself.
"What the hell is that," Usopp gasped. "I thought we were done with scary monsters!?"
Raising his hands, Natsu suddenly parted the water to reveal a massive lagomorph based on a rabbit and a fish. The rabbit portion was its top half and as a result the massive creature's teeth were on full display as it began to open its mouth to consume the entire ship whole.
"Gum Gum: Rifle!"
Luffy acted the moment the creature was revealed and moved to strike it, attempting to down it with one blow as he punched it right in the stomach. The sea creature lurched forward before throwing up, Natsu diverting the bile off to the side to reveal two living beings having been vomited up with it.
The sea beast fell back into the ocean and fled, surprised at how easily it had been hurt by what it assumed was prey, leaving everyone to look out at the endless expanse of ocean in shock.
"Seems even you're jumpy today, eh," Mordred sighed as she placed a hand on Natsu's shoulder. "How much power have you got back anyway?"
"About half so far," Natsu replied as he returned to a relaxed stance. "I've grown stronger from our last few engagements but my core takes forever to refill once I basically empty it."
"Half is better than nothing," Seilah chimed in as Natsu grinned toward her. "Plus, if it becomes necessary then my power is at your disposal as always."
"Yeah yeah, can we save the flirting for later," Liz said dismissively before pointing behind Natsu. "Did you all just forget about these two?"
All eyes darted toward the two creatures on the deck, the more humanoid of the two slowly rising into a sitting position.
"A girl?"
"Ngh … how many times is this gonna happen," the girl whined before opening her eyes. "Oh? Hello!"
"…"
"Uh … AHA! Would you all like to buy some Takoyaki!?"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Um … I guess that's a no then?"
"Excuse me," Natsu said as he took a cautious step forward. "Are you all righ-?"
The girl was startled as Sanji seemingly teleported in front of her, already down on one knee with a flower in his hand.
"My apologies for the rest of the trash aboard this ship and their disgusting stares," Sanji cut in smoothly as the girl shuffled backward slightly in discomfort. "I just know that you and I were brought together by fate to-AGH!"
Sanji suddenly collapsed unconscious as Robin appeared behind him holding a mallet, twirling it with an emotionless gaze directed down toward him.
"Uh … Sanji's antics aside," Natsu coughed as he knelt down before the now scared girl and extended his right hand toward her. "Are you alright there?"
"Oh," the green haired girl blushed as she shakily extended a hand out toward him and took it, smiling slightly as he slowly helped her to her feet. "Th-thank you for your concern but I'm alright."
"Are you sure? Didn't that thing eat you," Zoro asked with a raised eyebrow, a genuine question considering where she had appeared from.
"Oh yes, Pappag and I get eaten by the bigger sea creatures all the time!"
"Pappag," Natsu asked confusedly only for the other thing that fell out of the Sea Rabbit's mouth to begin to stir.
"Ouch … anyone catch the number on that Sea Train …?"
"It talks," Usopp gasped in an overly dramatic way that had everyone else rolling their eyes.
"We've seen all kinds of crazy shit yet you think a talking starfish is insane," Franky asked with his head cocked to the side. "You really are a scaredy cat, huh?"
"YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH FRANKY!"
"Pappag!"
"C-Camie," the starfish cried as it leapt into the girl's waiting arms. "Oh man I was sure we were goners that time!"
"Well we might have been if it weren't for these guys," Camie replied as she motioned for the starfish to look out at the group assembled before it.
"Huh? Who're these guys?"
"They're-! Uh … actually, who are you guys?"
"We're the Straw Hat Pirates," Luffy replied with a grin. "And I'm the Captain, Luffy!"
"P-P-Pirates," Pappag gasped as he tried to hide behind Camie's arms. "W-we don't have anything of value on us so just let us go!"
"Oh come on and relax Pappag," Camie sighed as she placed the starfish on her shoulder. "They don't look so bad, right?"
"Not yet they don't," Pappag snapped as he looked over at Luffy with a scowl. "They're just trying to figure out our worth!"
"You're really loud and annoying," Luffy replied bluntly as the starfish openly gaped at his brutal response. "So Camie, how'd you end up in the mouth of that Sea Rabbit?"
"Well it's a bit of a long story but Pappag and I decided to come up from Fishman Island to visit our good friend Hachi but on our way we were attacked by many larger beasts!"
"You're lucky to have survived so long without a ship," Robin pointed out as her gaze seemed to drift off into space. "To have one's body be crushed by the pressure of the ocean … how grim."
"Oh, we didn't have a ship," Camie replied dismissively as the entire group cocked their heads to the side as one unit.
"Are you sure you're alright," Natsu asked the girl who simply nodded cheerfully. "You do realize that Fishman Island thousands of feet below the ocean surface, right?"
"Yup!"
"Then how would you have been able to get all the way here if you had no ship to take you?"
"I swam of course!"
"You … swam?"
"Yep!"
"Alright," Natsu replied as he pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly confused by all of this. "Exactly HOW did you manage to survive something like that?"
"Well I'm a Mermaid so of course I survived silly!"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"WHAT," was the collective cry from all present as the girl took a step back in shock.
"D-did I say something wrong?"
"What do you mean you're a Mermaid," Natsu asked confusedly as he examined the girl's lower body. "You have all the faculties of a human being!?"
"Ah … yeah, so about that."
There was a slightly audible 'poof' sound and suddenly Camie no longer had legs but rather a lower body resembling that of a Mermaid. Pink and purple scales shone brilliantly under the sun as the girl entered a comfortable sitting position, a slightly embarrassed look escaping her at all the attention she was receiving.
"In all my years … I've never seen a Mermaid before," Natsu replied breathlessly as many openly gasped at this rather interesting piece of info about him.
After all, Natsu was old and had been to many places so to discover something he hadn't encountered before was a real treat in of itself.
"Can I ask you a few questions about being a Mermaid," Natsu asked as Camie nodded. "Awesome! Okay, uh … AH! What's it like having scales such as yours!?"
"Scales such as mine? Well … these have always been my scales but I suppose if you mean what is it like to maintain them then all I can say is it takes dedication to keep them clean and healthy!"
"I see," Natsu muttered as he wrote something down in a rather worn looking book. "And what about your diet?"
"My diet?"
"What do you eat as a Mermaid?"
Belebelebelebele … Belebelebelebele …
"Oh," Camie gasped as she fumbled around until finally pulling out a Transponder snail and eagerly answering it. "Hachi!"
"Your tentacle armed friend ain't able to answer at the moment," a voice jeered on the other end of the snail as both Camie and Pappag's eyes showed signs of shock.
"Wh-who are you!?"
"Never you mind," the voice replied with several laughing in the background. "What matters is that we captured your stupid friend and handed him over to the Flying Fish Riders!"
"Oh no," Camie gasped as the voices began to laugh once again. "How could you do such an awful thing!?"
"Capturing that one was easy, handing him over to the Flying Fish Riders was even easier! Once he gets to Sabaody he'll end up being sold at the Auction and we'll make a nice hefty profit for ourselves!"
The voices roared with laughter as several members of the Straw Hats tensed, Mordred, Robin and Seilah specifically since all three knew just how much Natsu abhorred slavery of any kind.
"NO! YOU WON'T GET AWAY WITH THIS," Camie screeched into the receiver as the laughter increased. "I'LL SAVE HACHI, I SWEAR IT!"
"You think you've got what it takes to save him," the voice asked, trying to stifle its laughter. "Then come to Grove Forty-Four at Sabaody Archipelago and take him back!" the voice jeered before thunderous roars of laughter drowned out anything else.
The Transponder Snail went quiet as Camie looked to Pappag pleadingly, the starfish as equally as lost as she was.
"What do we do Pappag?"
"I-I don't know … We're not strong enough to fight the Flying Fish Riders!"
"You guys might not be … but we are," Luffy cut in as both Camie and Pappag looked at them with shocked expressions. "I can tell the guys who took your friend are bad news so we'll help take out these Flying Fish Riders and save your friend!"
"Wh-why would you guys do that," Pappag gasped, clearly not trusting the group at all. "We don't have anything of value to give you in return!"
"I get the fact that you don't trust us," Natsu sighed as he walked up and placed a hand on Luffy's shoulder. "But this guy, along with all the rest of us here, aren't just gonna stand by as someone gets sold into slavery. Right guys?"
The crew all agreed in unison as Camie and Pappag's eyes darted across each of them, the sincerity clearly not something they were used to.
"Th-thank you," Camie sniffed as Sanji began to stir.
"S-so … that guys said they were at a place called Sabaody, right?"
"Where's that," Usopp asked as Camie seemed to consider her answer.
"Well I can't give you a specific direction but Sabaody is the gateway to the New World," Camie replied with a short smile.
"What do you mean by that Camie," Nami asked confusedly as she looked toward the Log Pose attached to her arm. "I thought that the Log Pose determined where you ended up?"
"That's true," Pappag replied with a grin. "But no matter where you start from on the Grand Line you'll always end up at Sabaody."
"Think of it as a sort of mark to show you that you've come so far!"
"So, what comes after Sabaody then," Natsu asked with his notepad out once again. "Do the paths of the Log Pose re-branch out again?"
"Nope!"
"Why?"
"Well you see, everyone has to go past Fishman Island as well," Camie replied as the entire group began to realize why she'd appeared. "But in order to get there you need to get your ship coated in Sabaody first so that it can survive the journey down there."
"Journey down," Natsu asked with an interested look. "You mean that there's a means of coating ships so that they can go underwater to such depths that even many fish would find it hard to survive?"
"Of course there is," Camie replied as Pappag suddenly gasped.
"Of course!"
"Hm? What is it Pappag?"
"That's how we'll repay them for saving Hachi!"
"OH! You're right Pappag!"
"What's going on," Nami asked as Pappag bounced on the Mermaid's shoulder.
"If you guys help us save Hachi then we can hook you guys up with a free ship coating by our friend in Sabaody!"
"FREE," Nami gasped, her eyes having converted into Berries. "I like free!"
"I'm sure he would be happy to help after hearing about you guys saving Hachi!"
"Well then," Luffy grinned as Usopp ran toward the helm. "Let's head out on a rescue mission guys!"
Everyone cheered as Natsu stood back and smiled, the rather moody atmosphere having all but evaporated as the taste of adventure seeped back into the group. Of course, he wouldn't be forgetting what happened on Thriller Bark however he couldn't help but also be excited to learn not only of the method to coating ships but also witnessing the marvel that was Fishman Island for himself.
After all, he didn't expect to see his first ever Mermaid so the place itself must be full of wonder … right?
Chuckling to himself, he watched as the group began to move about the ship and decided he could ease up a little. He'd let the group enjoy themselves for now but would be ready to face whatever came at a moment's notice.
/Sabaody Archipelago – Grove 44/
"So, you're saying you've spotted the Straw Hats coming this way?"
"That's correct."
A rather tall figure let out a growling noise as his hand rose up to an Iron Mask that covered his face, gripping the mask rather forcefully as his mind began to wander.
"Good. I want to know when they arrive," the man snapped as the two lackeys flinched at the tone. "I'll finally make that bastard pay for what he did to me …"
"Of course, we'll let you know the second they arrive Boss!"
The two lackeys fled leaving the man alone to ponder his current predicament. Thinking more about that certain person made his blood boil, the glass in his hand shattering as his rage began to overtake him.
"Soon … I'll kill you for what you've done to me!"
/Elsewhere On Sabaody – Grove 19/
The area was silent, abandoned buildings lay crumbling with nature slowly moving to reclaim the area. Packs of wild dogs and other hostile creatures ran rampant through the deserted streets, all that dared to disturb the permanent mist that had set into the area as a direct result of the climate.
At the centre of the abandoned town, several sparks flared up. These were followed by several more until suddenly a momentary pillar of light erupted from the ground and manifested two people, both stumbling forward in shock.
"Ah … that was weird," the male voice groaned as the female quickly moved to the male's side.
"Are you alright, Senpai?"
"What did Natsu call that again?"
"Project MNEMOSYNE … I think?"
"Well, whatever that was it was rough," Ritsuka sighed as he examined himself. "Man, I feel so light!"
"Da Vinci did say that these clothes were designed so that you would be able to hold your own against many of the foes we'd face during our time here," Mash replied as the duo began to look around. "Where are we?"
"Sabaody Archipelago, remember?"
"W-well yes," Mash blushed before shaking her head. "What I meant to ask was where specifically have we ended up?"
Ritsuka couldn't help but agree with Mash's question. From the way Natsu had described the place it was full of people and yet this place appeared to be long since abandoned.
"Hmm …"
"S-Senpai!"
"What is it …"
Ritsuka froze as he turned around to see a wolf the size of a house accompanied by a dozen or so regular sized ones padding toward their position, snarling at them with clear hostility.
"Wh-what should we do?"
"They don't feel particularly powerful," Ritsuka began as his eyes landed on the abnormally large wolf. "But considering the fact that we don't know anything yet and can't establish contact with Chaldea … maybe we should run?"
"Agreed," Mash replied as they both began to inch toward the nearest side street. "Senpai, we might need to thin the numbers of the smaller ones as we go."
Ritsuka nodded as the massive wolf growled and motioned for the smaller wolves to begin circling them. At that very moment, Mash charged as much Mana as she could toward her legs and closed the distance between herself and the wolf that was blocking the side street.
The wolves all seemed shocked as Mash summoned her shield, smashing the beast's head into the ground as it exploded into chunks of flesh mixed with bone fragments.
"RUN!"
Ritsuka darted down the side street alongside Mash as the massive wolf howled, its cry echoing across the abandoned area. As they ran, Mash kept an eye on the ones pursuing them until they reached the end of the street.
"Left," Ritsuka called out as his Servant obeyed, digging her feet into the ground and skidding around the corner whilst ripping up the dirt, kicking up dust in the process to cloud their movements.
"Good thinking Mash," Ritsuka grinned only to suddenly be tackled from the side by a wolf that had been waiting in a side alley.
"SENPAI!"
To his own surprise, Ritsuka easily managed to grab the wolf by the throat and snapped its neck with one hand. Looking at the hand he'd just used he could only gape in shock until Mash's shouts brought him back to his senses.
"Wha-?"
"Senpai, move!"
Following Mash's gaze, Ritsuka looked upward and saw the massive wolf leering down at him from one of the nearby rooftops. How such an old and decrepit building could support its weight he had no idea.
The wolf leapt off the roof and lunged at Ritsuka however it was intercepted by Mash who had launched herself from her current position and kicked it in the face, knocking it into a nearby building as she landed next to her Master.
"Senpai, we need to move!"
"Right," Ritsuka replied shakily as the pair began to run again.
As they headed toward what appeared to be the edge of the town a chilling howl echoed all around them again as dozens of wolves began to charge out from the brush surrounding the town.
"We're surrounded!"
"How many of these annoying things are there!?"
Skidding to a stop, the pair were shocked to see a second massive wolf appear and stand alongside the first. No doubt these two lead the rest who eagerly surrounded the two teens, snarling and gnashing their teeth in anticipation.
"What should we do Senpai?"
"I don't-?"
To the shock of both Ritsuka and Mash, a single aerial slash attack came tearing through the forest from their right, slicing apart both the massive wolves in the process as the rest began to whimper and flee.
The duo were about to capitalize on this when a rather intimidating man seemingly popped into existence before them, a grin plastered on his face as he stabbed the nearest wolf through the head.
"I thought I sensed something from this place earlier," the man laughed as he effortlessly sliced apart the wolves. "And to think it was just two kids!"
"S-Senpai …"
"I know," Ritsuka replied with a frown. "I can feel his power …"
The man sliced the last wolf in half before turning to face them, the first notable feature of the man was a large scar that ran down the left side of his face. The next thing they noticed was the eyepatch the man wore over his right eye, a sign that he had most likely lost it at some point.
The man was overly tall with well defined muscles, his hair adding to it so that he appeared rather wild and aggressive. His single green eye examined them as they too examined the man, his rather rugged and worn white haori blowing in the wind.
"So," the man said after several moments. "Two teens hanging out in an abandoned part of the Archipelago and a massive surge of power …"
"…"
"That can only mean one thing …"
"Mash," Ritsuka said quietly as the Servant nodded in preparation.
"You two love birds really should find better places to do that sort of stuff," the man said as both teens faces went completely blank.
What?
"I mean sure, Sabaody isn't exactly the cleanest of places but you'd probably catch something hanging out in the abandoned groves," the man continued as Ritsuka blushed slightly and looked away leaving Mash to go a rather bright shade of red.
"THAT MOST CERTAINLY IS NOT WHAT WE WERE DOING!"
"Oho, the shy type," the man grinned as he sheathed his rather worn blade. "Take it from me kid, the shy ones are usually the freakiest in-."
"Who are you," Mash asked sharply, still looking thoroughly embarrassed as she avoided Ritsuka's gaze with everything she had.
"Heh, alright then," the man chuckled as he walked toward the pair. "I guess I can leave you two be for now. As for who I am I'm afraid that my Master has ordered me not to reveal my name without his permission first."
"You're a Contracted Servant," Ritsuka gasped as Mash tensed.
"Yeah," the man grinned. "So I guess for the sake of it you guys can call me … Saber Of Nozarashi."
Saber Of Nozarashi," Ritsuka repeated as the man grinned down at them.
"Don't forget it kids, that name is just as important as my real one!"
"W-we won't Saber," Mash replied as the man laughed again.
"Alright, enough teasing for the two of you. I'll escort the two of you back to the slightly more lawful section of this shitty island."
"You don't like it here?"
"Like it? I mean it's a stock standard hub for all sorts of crap," Saber replied with a slight frown.
"You seem annoyed by that," Ritsuka pointed out as the man seemed to consider his words for a moment before leaning in.
"Look, I can tell you kids aren't from here so a friendly word of warning …"
"A warning?"
"Stay away from Grove One and any Groves that house the World Government," Saber muttered darkly before pulling away and motioning for the pair to follow. "Most of the Groves might seem like shit but they're paradise compared to those ones …"
"Th-thank you for the information Saber," Mash replied with a slight bow as Saber looked back at the pair with a small smirk.
"Don't apologize to me, just stay away from those places and we'll be even," Saber responded as the trio made their way back toward the more populated sections of the Archipelago.
Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!