"Again!" Shanks called, and Ash pushed with all her might. It was exhausting, this mental pushing, trying to use her haki in different ways. She knew she would never be able to do what Shanks could, since he had the conqueror's haki, but he was insistent that if she could use her own haki to sense others, then she should be able to use it to wrap around herself, like a shield against his.

She didn't need to be stronger than he was, he wasn't trying to overpower her. She just needed to be strong enough to withstand what he would cloak himself in when he boarded Whitebeard's ship. He had warned her that it wasn't what she was used to, and while he had control of it, they would be on a ship of enemies… technically.

She was sure that Benn had gone easy on her during their spar- until she had gotten in the first hit, and then immediately trounced her without mercy. But, she now had a chance to meet other pirates- strong and powerful pirates, and several that had devil fruit powers.

She could feel deep down that she'd eventually be facing a fight against a devil fruit user without having someone strong to protect her. She had to get stronger- she had to be the one to protect her family.

She was sweating, her hands in fists and resting on her legs as she tried to do something that back home would have been insane.

"Here it comes," Shanks warned her.

She felt her body wanting to fall over, but internally she was shouting, NO! I WILL NOT PASS OUT! It felt like hours, the battering against her psyche tiring her just as much as any physical strain would. Eventually, she felt a hand on her shoulder, and she opened her eyes, seeing Shanks' smiling face looking down at hers. She held on to her haki, just in case, but she focused in on him.

"That's it," he said with a grin. "Now you have to be able to keep it up for longer than a few minutes." He chuckled as she fell back to lay on the deck in weariness.

"I'll keep working, Captain Shanks," she told him, feeling feeble.

"You'll get it," he told her encouragingly. "But for now, it's time for a break."

She waved him on, continuing to lay there, needing the rest before she felt she could move.

She gave it just until she had her breath back, and then sat up to try again.

Shanks turned back, shaking his head, and moved over to have a drink with his friends. He was feeling the need to brag just a bit- I mean, technically, she's part of my crew, even just temporarily, he told himself.

"Dru!"

Dru looked up as Hamlet burst through the door. She frowned- as hard as she worked on her observation haki, she wasn't close to where she wanted to be.

"Hamlet? What's wrong?"

"Come on, we've got to go!" he gestured, to the still open door behind him. "I'll explain on the way!"

Dru didn't hesitate, trusting that if the usually calm man was this worked up, it had to be serious. She moved quickly to thrust her feet into her boots and followed him out the door, shutting it behind her.

"I take it you found Tatsuya?"

"I found him," Hamlet replied, as he hurried off. "He was in a tavern, drinking with a pirate crew. He looked drunk, and they were giving him more and more, asking all sorts of questions. And they kept saying something about him joining them."

She glanced over to him, seeing the grim expression he wore. "What kinds of questions?" she asked.

"I don't think he would willingly betray us, but he hinted at being a part of the revolutionary army. It's only a matter of time before they get important information out of him." He looked over at her, then turned back forward. "I don't know why they want to know about us, but they could easily sell any information to the Navy. It could be detrimental to our entire operation."

"I see," she replied, both of them hurrying a little faster, knowing that an all-out run would attract too much attention in this place. "With the Marine outpost here, it could all happen before we even knew it."

"Exactly," Hamlet nodded. "We've got to stop him, get him away from them."

"Lead the way," she said, as she pulled a snail out of her pocket. "I'll give a report."

She wondered what was happening back home, as the snail rang and rang. Finally it picked up, and she spoke quickly as soon as Sabo greeted her.

"We found him, but there's trouble," she panted, as she hurried after Hamlet. "It looks like he's joined a pirate crew, and they're pumping him for information. We're headed there now to stop him from sharing anything. Call you back soon."

Without waiting for a response, Dru hung up as they had reached their destination and Hamlet put his hand up. She tucked the snail away in her pocket, and she and Hamlet took a few moments, then calmly walked into the place and headed over to the bar.

"I hope you have some sort of plan," Dru said as they sat down at the bar. The bartender came over and Hamlet ordered drinks, waiting for him to walk away before responding.

"No, unfortunately," he replied, giving her a sheepish smile. "I just knew that we needed to get here as soon as possible. And of course, he knows who I am, which will make it even more difficult."

"Hmm," she mused, turning to face him in her chair, and using the angle to glance around the room. "Better face me then, and keep your face hidden. Which one is he?" she asked quietly.

"Behind me, and to your left," he replied as they leaned into each other slightly in order to not be overheard. The bartender came and dropped off their drinks, saying, "Two ales, for you and your lady friend."

Dru looked over and gave him a nod, hearing him mutter something about fancy ladies in his place. She frowned, looking down at herself. She didn't think her simple blouse and pants were any sort of fancy, but perhaps in comparison to what others were wearing, they could be considered as such.

Realizing that she was not fitting in as intended, she turned back to the bar, and her drink, quickly undoing the top two buttons on her shirt, and pulling it tightly at her back and making a knot in the fabric. It made her slightly uncomfortable, but she knew it would be the easiest way to get Tatsuya's attention.

It was a classic for a reason after all… she thought mirthfully.

"Dru, what are you doing?!" Hamlet hissed at her, and she turned, seeing the embarrassed color on his face.

"We're going to fight, and I'm going to throw my drink on you, and you'll leave," she explained, looking over at Tatsuya again, seeing one of the pirates that was sitting with him notice her.

"W-what?!" Hamlet spluttered.

"Do you have a better idea?" she spoke in a hushed voice.

"Yes!" he whispered emphatically. "We wait until they're ready to leave, and we follow them!"

"And if he tells them things about us before then?" she replied, looking uncertain of her plan.

She watched the war of emotions on his face, until he finally settle on acceptance. "I don't like this," he muttered. "You'll attract much more attention than you are wanting."

She was the one to rethink now, and asked, "Will they listen if I say no?"

He gave her an incredulous look. "These are pirates…" he stated, as if that said it all.

Though, she supposed it did.

"Well, at least my training won't go to waste," she murmured, throwing her head back and laughing. She raised her voice, though not enough that those far away would understand. "That's sweet, but I only came for a drink."

Hamlet frowned, not liking it, but playing along all the same. "Come on honey, it would be fun!" he suggested, his voice a little louder in order to be heard over the din of the bar.

"It probably would, but I can't stay out long," she replied. She raised her glass in a toast to him. "But I appreciate the drink."

"Suit yourself," he said, picking his own up and downing it. He stood and leaned over her ear and murmured, "I'd rather not get ale all over me, so I'll take my leave." He told her that he'd be keeping a lookout, and to be careful, then headed out of the tavern.

Dru took a deep breath, and let it out. She was grateful that he thought of keeping an eye on her, as she would have been nervous otherwise. Not that I'm supremely confident here… she laughed to herself, as she picked up her mug to drink again. She set it down, and stood, giving a smirk over to the pirates as she walked towards the door.

"Hey baby, if you're looking for free drinks, you should come drink with us!"

She stopped in her tracks, glad that the simple gesture had worked. She turned her head, cocking her hip slightly. It's a character, she told herself, trying to gain the confidence she was supposedly portraying. "Sorry honey, but you look like you want more than a drink," she replied saucily.

"Me?" the man feigned surprise at her words. "I'm a perfect gentleman, ain't that right, Captain?" he looked to his right at the huge man that was taking up one side of the six person table on his own.

Dru took the moment to observe, wanting to remember everything about the man. Being the man in charge, she figured that he was also the mastermind- wanting the information about the revolutionaries. She wasn't surprised to see that he was sober, and looked at her with calculating eyes.

She caught herself before she gave a full smile, but saw one of his eyebrows go up in response to the small genuine curve of her lips. With a gesture of his head, he offered her a place at their table.

Dru shrugged, and walked over slowly, making sure to sit next to Tatsuya, which was also across from the captain. She kept her gaze on the huge man, hoping that his observation of her wouldn't give her motives away.

He was easily six or seven times her own size, with his black hair cut into a short mo-hawk, and red flames tattooed over his eyebrows. He looked like he could squish her easily, so she decided to be polite.

"Thank you for inviting me," she said, nodding her head to the man, even as another called out for more drinks. "I was always warned against drinking with pirates, though I admit to being curious."

"Not all pirates are the same, though that's good advice," the man on her left spoke up, giving her a wicked looking smirk. "But while we enjoy a good fight, we just enjoy living on the open ocean." He turned and spoke louder. "Ain't it so, Captain?"

"Doesn't stop the marines from calling us criminals though," another man cackled. "Or raising the captain's bounty."

Dru glanced at the huge captain again. "A wanted man huh?" she asked. "So would I have heard of you and your crew?"

"If not now, then soon enough!" another crew member called out. "Everyone will know Captain Jean Bart and the Breakaway Pirates!"

Dru's eyebrow rose. "Breakaway?" she asked, a little confused at the odd name. She felt bad, as all the men seemed to deflate.

"Everyone says that," one said glumly.

"I told ya we needed an easier name," another accused the captain.

"It's exactly the right name," the captain rumbled. "We're breaking away from the world."

Dru thought it over, and realized she got it. "Oh! Like away from society and their unreasonable expectations?" she asked.

Jean Bart eyed the tiny woman again, knowing with certainty now that she was more than she appeared to be. He gave her a nod, and determined a test was in order. It could be just what he was looking for, or she could be a spy and they'd have to run.

Worth the risk… he decided.

"That," he agreed, even as he leaned in. "And away from the rule of the world government."

There was silence as his men all turned in shock to their captain, and Dru's eyes went wide. She chose her next words very carefully.

"So… that's why you wanted to talk to Tatsuya?" she asked in a hushed voice, looking at the drunk and sleeping man on her right.

The man on her left turned and gave her a suspicious look. "All right, who are ya missy?!" he demanded. "You're definitely not just some bar wench!"

"True," she admitted. While it seemed that these men were actually allies of sorts with her, she couldn't trust them, and decided to use a different name. "My name is… Kiana Cooper," she said, wishing she was better at making things up on the spot. Well at least Kiana won't ever meet these people… she thought.

"And I came to find Tatsuya, and discover what has delayed him," she added.

"I'm not going back!"

Dru looked on in amazement as Tatsuya jumped up, and ran out of the tavern before she realized what was happening. She sighed, but stayed where she was, hoping that Hamlet would be able to stop him. "I guess he wasn't as drunk as I assumed."

"I'd let that one go, if I was you," Jean Bart murmured in his deep, rumbling voice. "He's been offering information in exchange for money to just about every one that is willing to listen, marine or pirate." He saw the dark look on the girl's face and felt his luck was still running strong.

"Though if you're a part of what I think you are, I have a proposal."

Dru glanced up at him, knowing she should leave, but her curiosity was burning now. "Oh?" she asked. "I'm not a part of anything, sorry." She held up her mug, and smiled. "I'm just here for a drink."

"Men, go get the ship ready," the captain suddenly barked, and the men all around them jumped up to obey. The noise of grumbling men, drinks being guzzled, and people all around the pair packing up and leaving covered her squeak of surprise.

Dru wondered if she should try to make a break for it, but she didn't feel any sort of danger from the captain. Not that he wasn't dangerous, just that it wasn't aimed at her. She wondered again what his proposal was, and decided that it couldn't hurt her to stay and at least hear him out.

She put her hand in her pocket, dialing all but the last digit to connect to Hamlet, and waited.

Captain Jean Bart wasn't slow as most people assumed because of his size and temperament. He was the captain of his crew, as well as the navigator. He knew everything about his ship, and trained each of his crew members individually.

He preferred observation over words, and as such was an excellent judge of character, and prided himself in knowing fairly quickly who was worth his time, and who wasn't. He hadn't thought much of the man named Tatsuya, but he hadn't had much choice.

His crew was preparing to go to Fishman Island, and he needed funds in order to get the best for his ship's coating. Since arriving in Sabaody, he had heard too many horror stories about ships that got under the water, only for the cheap coatings to fail, and the entire crew drowning.

Many people made their living from scavenging the remains from ships that eventually came back to the surface.

Being unwilling to sell people into slavery as most did on this archipelago, his crew had gone looking for treasure that they could sell to make the needed funds. And that's when his luck had turned golden.

Jean Bart waited for his men to leave, glancing down at the small box at his feet, then back to the woman. If he was right, this woman could be his way in to bartering the item for the money his needed. It would be a win- win situation. After all, it isn't like I can sell it to the marines… not that I'd want to.

He continued to take small drinks from his large mug of ale, observing the woman's mannerisms. She was most definitely young, and seemed to be excited instead of nervous as he expected. For which he was grateful, since that would make negotiations easier.

His own excitement was growing, thinking that he could soon be meeting with someone to have his ship coated in order to continue his journey to the New World.

He waited a few extra moments, pulling berri from his jacket in order to keep the bartender from worrying that they would be skipping out on their bill. He didn't want the man coming over and interrupting them. He smiled slightly, glad the woman was waiting for him to speak. It said much to calm his own nerves, to know that she was cautious.

"You should probably come closer," he suggested. "I don't want to be overheard."

"Very well, but I have my snail at the ready, if you should try anything," she warned, and he gave a nod.

"Good," he stated, and she seemed a little suspicious. "If you were too agreeable, I would think this a trap. But feel free to lose the disguise. I can tell you're uncomfortable."

"My thoughts exactly," she muttered, even as she moved over to sit next to him, pulling out the knot in her shirt, and buttoning it back up. She put her snail up on the table with her hand on it. A quick movement would connect her to Hamlet and made her feel even better. "What is it that you want?"

"I don't know what group you belong with, and honestly, it doesn't really matter," he said, holding up a hand before she could protest again. "I have a devil fruit that I want to sell, and I'm sure you can understand why I can't sell it to the marines or the slavers myself."

"They would take the fruit, and you," she said nodding. "But that has nothing to do with me."

"You could be a go between," he suggested. "With whoever you work for." He nodded knowingly as she realized what he was asking. "I did the research, and I know exactly what fruit it is. If you agree to this, I will provide the information for you to take to your superior, along with my price."

"Why me?" she asked, feeling like her entire world had turned sideways. She really had no idea what to do.

He gave her a smile that showed all his teeth. "I don't want to sell it to slavers, or the marines if I can help it," he said, and left it at that.

She thought it over, realizing that Dragon may actually entertain the idea, especially if the devil fruit was a powerful one. "I'll have to make a call-" she stopped, feeling uneasy suddenly. "Do you feel that?" she asked, and his head whipped to the door.

"We have to go," he ordered, pulling her up to her feet, and pushing her towards the door. She looked back, seeing a small box in his hand.

"You brought it with you?!" she hissed.

"I keep it with me at all times," he said, pulling her across the road. "Move!" he demanded. "Faster!"

"STOP!"

Dru turned, seeing a group of marines that had been coming to the tavern had spotted them and were giving chase. Before she could say anything, Jean Bart had picked her up and was running at full speed away.

"Where are we going?!" she cried.

"My ship," he replied, not even out of breath. "We have to get away now, but I'll circle and let you off at another part of the archipelago."

"But they don't want me, do they?" she asked, horrified.

"Stop, you pirates!"

"That answer your question?" he snapped, as he continued to run, twisting and turning through the streets.

"But why would they think that?" she said, though she was thinking to herself. She looked down at her lap where she still clutched onto the snail, and decided she had better call Hamlet.

But she found herself dialing another number instead, even as Jean Bart started walking nonchalantly so as not to gain attention.

"Hello?"

"Hey," she said, saying as little as possible. "I … I screwed up."

"I'm sure you're being too hard on yourself," Sabo consoled her. "Did you find our friend?"

"Yeah, though he's done with us. Says he wants to be a pirate," she replied, not using names or any information that could lead anyone listening in as to what their true purpose was.

Jean Bart glanced down at her, though he stayed quiet.

"I did meet someone that was selling a devil fruit," she said, trying to sound like it was a joke. "I had to tell him that I would never have enough berri for that."

Sabo laughed back, though she knew it was an act, as she could see the face of the snail looking calculating. "Did you get to see it?" he asked. "My boss likes to purchase rare items, maybe he would be interested."

"Probably, but I doubt the man wants to travel around the world to deliver it," she said, chuckling, and he joined her again.

"Well at least your vacation wasn't a total loss," he said to her. "Even if we lost a friend, you could pick up a couple a souvenirs to remember your trip."

"True," she replied, able to read between the lines. She'd have to get the information about the devil fruit and the price Jean Bart wanted for it, and call Sabo back another time. Sounds like they do want the fruit. "I'm actually getting ready to board the ship, but I'll look for a present for you on the way back."

"Shit."

It wasn't just the word that Jean Bart uttered, it was the fact that he stopped suddenly that had Dru gasping in surprise. "What is it?" she asked, looking around them.

"The ship's gone," he mumbled.

"They're over there!" came a shout, and Jean Bart turned looking for a new way out.

"We're surrounded…" Dru said, starting to panic. Didn't the marines execute pirates?! We can't get captured!

All at once, Jean Bart crashed to his knees, and dropped her to the ground. As she hit, she dropped the snail, and let out an "oof!"

She looked up at him, and grabbed his arm. "We can't give up, we have to fight our way out!"

"We will," he answered, as he shoved the small box into her hands. "But first, you have to eat this."

"What?!"

He grabbed her shoulders, looking at her seriously. "You can have them pay me later, but it's more important that the marines don't get their hands on it. Now! Stuff it in your mouth and climb on my back!" he urged her.

She didn't have time to think, and definitely didn't have time to argue. She knew most of the top officers had devil fruits, but it wasn't something that was only reserved for them. It was whoever procured it that had the choice of eating it. Sabo had even said that he may eventually eat one, if he found one he liked well enough to be worth losing the ability to swim.

And right now, survival was more important.

Dru dropped the box, her mouth stuffed full of the small light blue fruit, as she grabbed her snail and jumped up on his back. It had reminded her of a peach, and so she chewed carefully so as not to chomp into the pit.

She stopped, her eyes crossing as she made a disgusted noise. This tastes like garbage!

"Eat it all!" Jean Bart snapped as he took off again, keeping her from spitting it out. She held on to him with one hand, putting the other hand over her mouth to prevent herself from losing the fruit. She held her breath as she chewed and swallowed, finally finishing and taking a mouthful of air, hoping to lose the taste on her tongue.

"I… I think it was rotten…" she mumbled, feeling like she'd be sick.

"I hear they all taste disgusting," he replied as he turned again. He was getting worried, as there were no more directions to take that didn't have marines closing in on them. "But I have never heard of someone spitting it back out."

"I'll be the first then…"

She looked over his shoulder, seeing the marines coming towards them. "Are we surrounded?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered. "So we fight. Hold on."

She gripped his jacket, as he jumped forward, punching his large fist into the ground with a growl, toppling the marines that were near.

Hearing a loud rumbling, she turned to the right, and gaped at the giant that was coming towards them.

"We're in trouble!" she shouted, and Jean Bart looked over.

"Double shit."

Dru jumped down, not wanting Jean Bart to have to worry about holding onto her when he was fighting. She was worried- it was a literal giant he was up against, not to mention the marines that were closing the circle around them with their guns raised.

"So- we die here then?" Jean Bart muttered. "Bring it on."

Dru looked up at him like he was crazy, and he gazed down at her in confusion. "What?" he asked.

"I can't die here, I have people waiting for me," she told him, as she brought her fists up activating her haki, hoping it would be enough. "Surviving is all that I care about," she told him. "If I can't get away now, then I'll escape later. But I'm going to survive."

"If they catch us, we'll either be executed, or sent to Impel Down," he replied raising his own fists. "Which is as good as death, since there is no escape."

"Then we'd better get away now," she replied. She took a deep breath as she glanced around, remembering her training and then moved into action.

She ran directly for the marine that seemed the weakest- one that didn't hold his gun as high, and appeared somewhat sympathetic to her. He seemed surprised, and fumbled with his weapon, dropping it as he reached for his sword.

Dru ducked under his swing, grabbing the rifle as she rolled, and coming back to her feet behind him. She blocked his next attack with the gun, almost imagining that he was Sabo, and she was merely going through a training course.

She stayed close as she swung towards him, backing him closer to the next marine before clocking him in the head with the rifle. She moved through several this way, ensuring that they wouldn't fire on her since she was too close to their comrades.

She did her very best, but it still wasn't enough. She dodged a couple of swings from the marines, causing distance and the shot rang out. The pain in her arm had her dropping her weapon, and she clutched her hand to the bleeding hole.

The rifles all pointed around her had her dropping her head as she panted and slowly raised her good arm in surrender. She had tried, but she wasn't going to keep fighting now. The marines were rough as they pushed her face down on the ground, and put handcuffs on her.

"Better make 'em sea prism, just in case," one of them said, and she wilted. She wasn't sure what she ate, but sea prism stone handcuffs ensured that she was weak and unable to use her powers- whatever they were.

"Yeah, better safe than sorry," another replied. "We'll need extra large ones for that one!" he called out.

Dru struggled to pick her head up, and finally twisted in order to see Jean Bart. She was surprised to see that he was alive, she had thought he would fight to the death. But he lay several meters away, cuffed and face down as she was.

"Time to go, pirates," one of the men around her spoke. "On your feet."

She didn't bother correcting them… she'd save that for later, just in case.

Kuzan hadn't appreciated the fact that he was sent to Sabaody. He most especially didn't like the fact that the Vice Admiral had insisted that he be standing at the helm of the ship, like some sort of icon. He just wanted to sit and enjoy the journey that was forced on him.

Since arriving, he kept himself in his office, and had made stacks of paper on his desk so that if anyone came in, he could be "busy" with all sorts of things. He didn't mind being an Admiral, nor the things he needed to take care of in order to serve the common man. He just thought there was more than one way to do that, though others around him didn't tend to agree.

This however… this he felt wasn't part of keeping people safe, nor capturing and punishing criminals. That was most likely why he detested it so much.

He had been sent to Sabaody, because St. Roswald was visiting, with his family. Which meant bad things were bound to happen anywhere in the archipelago. His job was to be seen, so that there would be no chance of fighting or rioting. After all, who would dare take on a Navy Admiral? he thought.

"Admiral!"

The door slammed open, the vice admiral saluting even as Kuzan fell over in his chair in surprise. He groaned, rubbing his head, and pushing his mask up. I don't have a chance to look busy now, he thought, grumbling.

"What is it?" he asked slowly as he used his desk to stand.

"We caught Jean Bart, and one of his crew members, though the others got away. Do you want to have an execution, or simply send them to Impel Down?" the vice admiral asked.

"Who?" Kuzan asked, frowning. The government wanted all famous pirates to be executed to help keep up the Navy's image of keeping the common people safe. He thought it made sense, though he wasn't fond of executions himself. Too messy, and too much fuss. However, he didn't recognize the name.

"He's a pirate captain, and has a sizeable bounty," the vice admiral showed him the wanted poster, and he was correct- the bounty was hefty enough for an infamous pirate trying to go to the New World, but Kuzan had never heard of him.

"Hmm," Kuzan mused, wondering which way he should go, then decided he'd let the man choose. He gave a nod, and moved to the door. "I'll go talk to him first," he declared.

The vice admiral saluted, though his face showed his confusion. "Talk to him?" he asked, even as he moved aside so the Admiral could get out of the office. "Why?"

"Why not?"

He watched the back of Admiral Aokiji, wondering not for the first time how a man such as this became one to be feared throughout the world. He seemed far too laid back.

"Captain?" Ashley asked as the usually smiling man took a seat next to her on the deck.

"I just wanted you to hear it from me first," he said seriously, and she wondered if something had happened to Mihawk.

"Hear what?" she asked in trepidation.

He glanced down at her, seeming to understand her fear and gave her a smirk. "Nothing like you're thinking," he replied. "We're going to stop at the next island for a few days."

"We are?" she asked, confused. "Okay, but why did I need to hear that from you first?" she asked.

He laughed then, putting his arm around her shoulders. "I guess I worried for nothing then!" he hooted. "I was dreading telling you. I thought you'd try to gut me!"

Now she was really confused. "But… why?!" she asked, feeling horrible that he would think that of her.

He gave her a squeeze and then released her, turning slightly to look her in the eyes. "Because we're not heading to Whitebeard… yet."

She suddenly gained clarity, and her eyes narrowed, demanding answers.

Shanks gave a nod. "And there's the look I was expecting," he said, giving her a smile.

"You did say, yet," she reasoned, nodding. "So, what's happening?" she asked. She wasn't mad, but she supposed she could understand why he thought she would be.

What he didn't know, was that she trusted him, and knew he'd have reasons for decisions he made. He always put his crew first- she knew that after the first day she met him, even though he tried to act like he was a selfish party boy.

"The Navy may not like the Emperors, but it's the balance of power between us all that keeps things in an uneasy truce of sorts." He saw her confusion so he explained a little more. "The four emperors that basically rule here in the New World are powerful," he said, and she nodded. "Powerful enough that trying to take one of us down would basically be starting a war."

"And nobody wants to do that," she surmised.

"It wouldn't be worth it," he replied. "Everyone would lose, and a new pirate would step in to take our place. There's plenty out there willing to try to replace us now, they just aren't able to," he gave her a grin now.

"I guess it's nice sitting at the top," she teased him.

He gave a little shrug that made her giggle, and they laughed together for a few moments before resuming. "But, one thing they worry about, is all four of us coming together to take them down." He snorted, the idea so ludicrous. "It won't ever happen, but they still worry. And they've placed men and battleships on the lines between our territories to prevent just that."

"Ah," she replied, finally understanding. "So we'd have to break through that line in order to go see Whitebeard, which could get people hurt."

"Exactly," he said, glad that she not only understood the situation, but felt the weight of the decision as well. "I'm not going to just let it go, but I thought I'd try something else first."

"Oh?" she asked, wondering what he had in mind.

"I've got a captain that sails under my jolly roger, who joined not too long ago. He's always trying to prove himself, and he's in Whitebeard's territory right now," Shanks explained. "So I had him write my words down from over the snail, and he'll take it to Whitebeard."

"Are you asking in the letter, or just asking him to contact you?" she asked, curiously.

Shanks smirked again, though without mirth this time. "The old coot doesn't like me much," Shanks admitted. "We've been rivals for too long, though we're not enemies. I honestly don't know what he'll do, but I doubt he'll even look at the letter. But we'll try this first."

"I think that's a good plan," she replied, tucking her hair behind her ear. It was growing out, but was only long enough for a stubby ponytail that several pieces would fall out of. "You gotta try at least, right?"

"Yeah," he replied, any tension gone now, and he leaned back, his hand on the deck behind him to keep himself up. "But if this doesn't work, then we're going to meet with Whitebeard. No matter what the Navy throws in our path."

"Good," she answered, hitting a fist into her open palm. "I'll hope for the easy way, but train for a fight," she continued, smiling at him. "My luck isn't good enough to get the easy way."