Recap: Ran is going to go home, Izou is stirring up trouble. Ace is confused whether or not Ran likes him or not.

Key: "..." Ran is speaking in her mother tongue, or when someone else is talking in the same language as her.

Italics means thoughts

Ace woke up fully awake, wiping the drool from his cheek, he grumbled and wiping the sleep from his eyes. He looked up at the ceiling, groaning, he felt an intense pain in his cheek. He tenderly touched his cheek, wincing a little. His brows furrowed in confusion, he didn't remember getting hit. The memories from last night got a little fuzzy towards the end of the night, and he didn't remember anyone decking him, so it was a mystery. He looked around his room sleepily, and saw his boots neatly put against the wall next to the door. How strange, he usually kicked them off when he was about to go to bed, and let it strewn around, since he didn't really care, so it was strange his stuff was neatly put away.

Was someone in here cleaning?

But who would come into Ace's room, no one would go into Ace's room if they had to, because it was incredibly messy. But someone did, in fact Ace didn't remember taking off his clothes, he didn't even remember walking to his room. He huffed as he dressed himself and freshened himself up as he walked up to the deck looking for breakfast. He saw everyone chomping down on breakfast, Ace took his usual spot next to Thatch and Marco.

"Mornin'" he greeted them.

"Stop shouting." Thatch groaned, trying not faint from the major hangover.

"What happened to your face-yoi?" Marco asked, as he ignored Thatch. Marco didn't seem at all affected by last night's drinking.

"I don't know. I woke up like this."

"That's what I tell everyone." Izou chimed in, sitting down as well, also very unaffected from last night's drinking.

"Well I definitely didn't hit you-yoi" Marco ensured Ace. "Thatch was the first one to go in, so it must have been the last people to go to their rooms."

"Ran was definitely last." Izou remembered, he already hypothesised what happened.

"Did you make her mad-yoi?"

"I can't think of a reason if I did." Ace mumbled, rubbing his head.

"Speak of the devil." Izou whispered as Ran came out onto the deck. However not in her usual brown trench coat, she was in a large hoodie and some shorts, her hair not even put up in her usual hairstyle, yawning a lot.

"So Ran-Ran how are you coping?" Izou asked innocently. Ran replied with some unintelligible mutter as she sat down, starting to stretch. She sleeping grabbed a bun and stuffed it into her mouth as she continued stretching her leg.

"So morning really isn't your time of day-yoi?" Marco asked innocently. Ran nodded sleepily, still stretching, alternating legs. She began to stretch her back, letting her bones crack satisfying, as she continued to stretch her body.

"Why are you all so quiet?" She asked, still stretching.

"We were wondering-"

"Nothing." Ace cut off. Ran looked up at Ace, her eyes widened in shock, signifying to the rest of them that she probably wasn't to blame, since her expressions were too honest.

"W-what-?"

"Nothing. I woke up like this." Ace grumbled, still puzzled over he got hit.

"You want some medicine?" She offered.

"YES! Ran please make that special hangover soup." Thatch interrupted, rubbing his temples.

"No."

"Why? I'm your commander." He demanded, he was desperate for some alleviation.

"No, Izou-sama is my commander." She corrected him, challenging his demand.

"Izou do something~"

"She can do whatever she wants." Izou smirked, shrugging. Thatch groaned as he laid down, his head throbbing. They all smirked as they began to chatter very loudly, almost shouting, teasing their friend. Ran smiled as she continued her stretching and eating, enjoying this friendly banter.

"INTRUDER!" they heard someone call from above them. Marco, Izou, Ace and Thatch looked to where their watchmen was pointing to, which was behind Ran. They grew defensive, glaring angrily at the stranger behind Ran.

"Lam Ou Ran, you've finally appeared." The stranger said, drawing a blade, pointing it at the back of Ran's head. All of the Whitebeard pirates drew out their weapons, glaring at this stranger, waiting for him to make a drastic move. The four commanders Ran was sitting with, looked at Ran, calmly drinking her hot tea, not even remotely afraid. She sighed, closing her eyes, yawning.

"I'm waiting." She replied, all of them were confused as to what she meant. They watched her head move as the sliver of sliver darted around her face, her bored expression didn't change a bit. All of them still waiting to assist their comrade.

"Still sloppy as always." She commented as she pushed the flat side of the blade down, ending the little sword dance. He didn't say anything as the metal clanged against the deck. He lunged towards her, Marco Ace and Izou all fired at the attacker. However before they knew it, the attacker was brutally thrown to the side of the ship, rolled flat on his face. The blue and orange flames were extinguished, Izou's bullet lodged into the ship.

"Attacking a girl before she even gets changed out her pyjamas is a little rude. I mean you didn't even greet me." She tsked disapprovingly, looking over at the strange attacker with a raised eyebrow.

"So you know the guy?" Izou asked, staring at him as well.

"Yeah, he's a real tool." She sighed, grabbing another bun and stood up. "Could you guys keep an eye on him please? He won't do anything, and he won't wake up until I make him get up anyways. So don't worry, I'll explain when I come back." She walked back, her hands behind her hair, still stretching. The rest of them resumed eating, curious.

All the Whitebeard pirates had finished breakfast, packing away the things getting ready for today's adventure. They had placed the attacker in the centre of the deck as everyone was leaning on the ship's edge, surrounding him. Ran came out fastening her hair ribbons walking out, and straightening her mask.

She bent down next to the attacker and flicked his forehead.

"Oi." He moved with a groan stretching.

"I forgot you can use acupuncture." He rubbed his head, groaning.

All of them looked at each other in confusion.

"Garararara! You guys are far too slow. Ran used acupuncture, touching pressure points as she grabbed a hold of her attacker before she threw him at the boat's edge. It needs the utmost precision and speed to utilise such a skill." Whitebeard explained to his sons.

"Well you're an idiot for walking onto an Emperor's ship and flat out trying to attack me." She sighed, pulling up the guy.

"Well when I heard a woman with our kingdom's signature hat jumping onto Whitebeard's ship, I couldn't miss an opportunity to find, the mythical woman Lam Ou Ran."

"Is that what they call me nowadays?"

"They're calling you a lot worse. Believe me." He mumbled rubbing his head, Ran patting him down. Ace gritted his teeth a little.

"Oi Ran, is he your boyfriend or something?" Thatch called, before he knew it, there were small daggers lodged in the ship next to his feet, dangerously close.

"No." She answered back.

"Although what happened to your eye? Why is it-"

"Shut up" She threatened, muttering. The others interested in what he had to say about Ran's eyes. They looked normal, but apparently not.

"Why have you covered up your eyes? It's a sign of your bloodline."

"Because it's way too noticeable. If anyone one saw me, pirate or non-pirate, I'm trying to keep it on the down low."

"They'll find out sooner or later."

"I'm hoping for the latter."

"You can't hide it forever, they're going to find out."

"I know, the right time will come." She assured him, nodding. The rest of them still watching, curious as to what they were discussing.

"You know you can't come home with these pirates. It's going to be way too noticeable, your plan is not going to work. You have to be under disguise."

"Let's discuss it at another time." They reverted back, the man gave her a strange look, but nodded.

"Fine." He kneeled down in front of the pirates his head bowed "I'm sorry for intruding on my trip. I was so caught up in catching Lam Ou Ran that I was rudely intruding on your ship. I meant no harm to Emperor Whitebeard and his subordinates. "He apologised elegantly.

"Seems like extreme politeness is a condition where Ran is from." Thatch commented, chuckling.

"No you're just an impolite Neanderthal." Izou whipped back,

"Hey!" putting his hand on his chest feeling a little hurt. The rest of them chuckling.

"Do you care for a duel, Lam Ou Ran?" the strange man offered with a strange look in his eyes.

"I highly doubt that now is the right time for a-"

"Gararara there is never a wrong time for a duel. I think all my sons are wondering what your fighting prowess is like." Whitebeard chimed in with a grin, the rest of them cheering in agreement. It was a hot topic among the pirates wondering what the mysterious new recruit truly fought like. Ran looked around to see them watch in interest, she sighed, pursing her lips behind her mask. Looking at her 'friend' with a little annoyance.

"Fine." She muttered. "Two battles, one no weapons second round with weapons." She added.

"Fine. No conqueror's haki is to be used by you."

"Fine"

"No hiding either, only on this deck."

"Fine then." She agreed and the nodded. Both of them walked away from each other and started to stretch. The man practiced some moves, raising his legs and arms in artistic strict movements. Full concentration on his movements. Ran was still yawning, rubbing her eyes, moving comically and stretching her legs, touching her toes a couple times and doing slow back bends. It was quite amusing to see such different styles. The man was doing masculine practicing, with aggressive moves and rhythmic breathing. They looked on the other side to see Ran showing off her flexibility, pulling her leg over her head with ease and holding the pose while she continued to crack her bones. Then doing the same on the other leg, bending it over her shoulder, the others seemed a little impressed, with both them.

"Imagine how flexible she can be in bed." Thatch roughly chuckled, Izou smacked him round the head, rolling his eyes.

Ace was watching avidly, his interest was peaking, he hadn't actually seen Ran fight in combat, he had only use her techniques, but never seen her use her fists. He wondered what the mysterious young woman fought like, would she be better than Ace? He hadn't seen a lot of woman fighters, although there was the legend of the woman warriors on the woman only island, however in his years as a pirate he hadn't fought a lot of woman. Which applied to a lot of other men in the Whitebeard crew, were they going to experience a spectacle?

"First one to be tossed out to the sea loses." She stated, walking back to the centre of the ship, waiting for him to finish.

"That would be too easy, first one to break someone on this ship loses."

"Fine." They stared at each other. The pirates stopped talking, all interested in the start of the fight, they were excited to see how this mysterious female veteran fighter was going to act. She raised her arms and hands in a defensive stance, the stranger only smiled, leaving his arms by his sides.

Then she started with a sequence of explosive fast paced punches which he deflected with ease, he ended her sequence by grabbing her forearm, causing her to hiss, pulling her towards him and trying to slam her to the ground. Before she hit the ground, she swiped her leg around to trip him onto his back, and kicked his chest to make him release his grip, flipping back onto her feet, but not before he grabbed her sleeve ripping it off, revealing her bandaged arm.

Ace was surprised to see her bandaged arm, since she didn't have any injuries since yesterday, so what could have hurt her in the last twelve hours? She looked at her arm, making sure there was no bleeding.

"Hurts doesn't it?" He taunted, standing up and throwing her ripped sleeve to the side.

"Yes, so I prefer for you to not use it for your benefit. It's still healing."

"I'll try not to, but I can't promise anything." They took their stances again, they watched the expression on her face change again, a more serious colder look. The stranger struck his leg trying to hit her vulnerable spots, which she deflected with ease, pushing him back with force. Once again at a standstill. Ran started her aggressive attack, pummelling him, kicking him and swiping at him, whilst he defended himself, letting a very few hits reach him. However due to the speed and type of attacks Ran was using in combination with her strength and stamina the pirates could see the stranger having trouble with keeping up his defence.

"Maybe I stop waking her up in the morning." Thatch said a little apprehensively, watching Ran attack ruthlessly. Marco chuckled at the fourth commander's worry, shaking his head, he couldn't quite take his eyes off the furious attack she demonstrating. Ace's lips quirked up a little, he enjoyed seeing her exhibit such strong spirit and mind, he remembered how indifferent and robotic she was, although she was still just as powerful then, this exhibition of skills and spirit seen today was making Ace like her more and more. He thought the way she was fighting was incredible, she was graceful and swift, Ace was watching her in slow motion, thinking she was tremendously beautiful and powerful it was making her even more attractive to him and his heart beat faster with adrenaline. In fact he really wanted another sparring match with her, which ended in a variety of ways in Ace's mind.

The stranger managed to grab both of her wrists, trying to hold her straight for him to aim at, however she used his strong grip to her advantage, kicking his attacks, then kicking the man in the face with both feet, both of them falling to the ground.

"You're holding back." He commented, looking at her evenly.

"There is a reason, I think you know why." She said, dusting herself off. The others looking a little worried at the stranger's comment. He huffed at her retort. As she started again, with even more fury and ruthlessness, with almost an unstoppable sequence of kicks and punches, however the stranger had managed to flip her on her back, clapping her ears to confuse her and keep her still for seconds as he tried to body slam her, however she kicked him back, but still hadn't broken anything on the boat.

The other pirates watched with avid anticipation, holding onto what they were sitting or leaning on. Barely saying anything to each other. Watching each move by the two, almost entranced, and inspired.

They started again, both growing more furious, Ran kicked him heavily in a succession of vulnerable spots (not his crotch) rendering him defenceless and locked in a headlock. Both of them struggling, Ran tossing him up, and before he reached the ground she wiped her leg to kick him sideways straight into the side of the boat. The boat tipping towards the man displayed the amount of power and force Ran exerted, causing splinters and cracks to form in the wood, ending the fight.

"Hey uh Ran." Ran was in a defensive stance waiting for the attacker to rise.

"Yeah?" Not noticing anything looking at the attacker for any signs of movement.

"Your top." Izou mentioned. She looked down to see her bandaged chest, holding her bust in place. Her trousers covering her stomach, bunched around her waist. Her cheeks a little flush, but covered by her mask. She looked at the attacker to see the torn material of her top.

"For the love of God, can people stop ripping my clothes? It's not as if these clothes are easy to find or buy, I actually like these clothes. First Izou now this guy." She complained, she realised the guy wasn't going to attack. She whined, scratching her head.

"All my other clothes are dirty, and I don't want to wear a hoodie when fighting." She complained. Izou offered some of his clothes but Ran declined the offer, saying she didn't want to ruin his clothes as well wear long baggy clothing when fighting.

"You could borrow Marco's jacket that should fit you right?" Izou offered, smirking as he watched Ace's gritted teeth.

"Or you could borrow Ace's shirt, I mean they're both big guys and you're a medium girl so it should fit you fine, or just a little baggy, right?" Izou grin stretched even wider at Ace's blush.

"Uh sure as long as they don't mind." Ran looked at them both with questioning eyes. Ace looked away as he took off his shirt and shoved it in her face, making her smell his natural musk, which was calming and appealing at the same time. She smiled and thanked Ace as she pulled on his shirt, doing it up all the way. He looked at her.

"You look like an idiot."

"What?"

"Why can't you wear a shirt cool? You look like such a dweeb." Noticing her do the collar up.

"I admit, you look dorky and cute at the same time." Izou commented.

"Well it's only a fight, not a looks contest." She retorted back. Ace blushed a little bit more, why did she have to look so cute? He tried to hide it, by acting a little mad.

"Come here." Ace commanded, Izou looked at Ran, who stood before Ace, biting the air and winking at her. Ran rolled her eyes, as Ace tried to make her shirt fit and look better. His face was still blushing, and his hands a little shaky with nervousness. He has touched girls, naked and clothed, usually ripping them off, but this was a little different since he was moving it around not taking it all off. He licked his lips as undid a collar button, trying not to reveal his excitement and them some top buttons, sweating a little under his hat, so the collar opened up showing her throat and collarbones, her bandages just peeping behind the opened shirt buttons. God why did it feel like forever as he was fixing her shirt, Ace was growing even more nervous. God why was she so small, and why was he so tall? He could clearly see down her cleavage and it looked way too tempting, Ace's eyelids fluttered trying to focus on fixing her collar, however she was so still so he could easily see her tan skin flawless skin, how he wanted to see if was as sweet as it looked. He gulped.

"Ace I think you've done enough." Izou patted his arm, smiling, wanting to roll over with laughter at this turn of events.

"Told you it would look better." He mumbled, patting her shoulder, and then turning her around, so she wouldn't face him, watching her pull her long thick wavy black hair from under her shirt.

"Thanks Ace." She smiled, practicing some moves in the shirt. Izou watched Marco stare at her, with his sleepy expression, noticing her bare arms.

"You can borrow my jacket-yoi." He shrugged it off handing it too her, "Ace's shirt looks a little thin, so you can wear it on top, if you like-yoi. And will cover your bandaged arm-yoi." Izou's mouth agape that his first commander was seriously offering his jacket to a woman. Ace frowning a little.

"Oh sure thank you Marco." She tried it on, but found that it was just too big, the sleeves longer than her actual arms and the jacket almost like a dress on her.

"Aren't you two going to be cold?" She looked at the both of them, realising who she was asking.
"Never mind then." She tried folding the arms, so she could actually see her arms. Then gave up and took it off, handing it back to Marco. Making Ace grin a little, watching her take off the purple jacket that obstructing his view of Ran wearing his shirt, literally. He felt a little happy that she took it off, and kept his shirt on.

"It's a little too big for me, Marco thank you though." Bowing, as Thatch was laughing at the subtle innuendo. She walked to the stranger, clapped her hands.

"Oi wake up, second round dumb ass." She bent down to get her torn shirt and walked off to get something from her room. Returning a few moments later with a large heavy case.

They watched the stranger crack his bones whilst standing up. Ripping off his shirt, indicating to the other men that he wasn't ripping shirts out of attack, he just did it out of convenience, apparently. Showing off his tough, scar ridden body, if there were many girls, it would have been a fanworthy moment, however since it was a ship full of men with extremely few women, they only compared their own bodies with that man, for better and for worse. He picked out his long, curved dangerously sharp blade, with nine metal rings along the back edge that jingled with every move*1. They all have seen varieties of different weapons, but this one looked particularly ominous, and the weather agreed with their opinion as the sky began to darken. The looked over at Ran to see her open her trunk to bring out two large brightly coloured balls on sticks, closing the trunk*2. They looked confused at her, was she going to defend herself with some plastic balls on a stick?

"First one to submit loses."

"No Haki."

"Stop ripping off my clothes."

"One type of weapon, even if it breaks. If it breaks you have to fight barehanded." The men were looking at Ran with worry, a dangerously sharp curved blade against what seemed like children's' toys.

"Fine by me" They looked at each other evenly, the other men looked worried, gulping. Was Ran perhaps too proud to show weakness, was she just that stubborn?

They started at the middle again, holding their weapons out. Holding the attention and tension of the ship, focusing purely on their fight. The stranger began swinging his heavy sword from the side, but she pushed back the heavy sword with ease with her weapon. They were all surprised to hear the sound of clashing metal.

"They look like toys, but they're made of metal." Izou whispered, just as surprised as the rest of them.

She easily deflected his strikes, the pirates almost felt their blood drain from their system as they saw the stranger raise his sword, the metal gleaming in the last ray of sunlight and striking it down, however it was stopped by her weapon, although it seemed that the sword should have cut through her weapon with great ease, but surprisingly to the pirates it didn't. Ran held her ground, not worried at all about the blade, staring straight at the man.

"Tell me why you really came to find me."

"To take you home."

"I can get home by myself thank you very much" She snipped back, the sky was turning dark. Ace and Marco were worried, seeing their friend's expression grow steely, and their angry talk in their foreign tongue.

"I know that, but you seem to be taking an awful long time getting back."

"I am going home."

"Are you really? Or are you scared?"She growled at that remark, showing that he was obviously getting to her, and pushed his sword off and swiping her heavy weapon, slamming him into the ground. The skies seemed to open up, pouring down on the sea and the ship.

"I am not scared. I was lost and now I'm going back home." She watched him get back up, letting him pick up his sword.

"You've been lost for a real long time. I think you got scared, and are trying to hide in this pirate ship, trying to forget your past." He taunted, his anger clearly present.

"Shut up!" She swiped at him, blocking his sword strikes, knocking his wrists and flipping over him and swinging her weapon again slamming him into the ship side. "If I was trying to forget my past then I wouldn't be going home would I?" Her anger reflected in the sudden intense downpour. He groaned, his shoulder a little out of place. He looked at the guys who were close to him, and the pirate helped picked up his sword, as the snapped his shoulder back in place by slamming his shoulder against the ship, testing his shoulder. All of them looked at Ran with a little bit of fear and admiration. Just how strong were those childishly coloured weapons, or just how powerful was Ran?

"Such strong anger. Did I hit a nerve, am I making you lose control?" He teased, taking his sword back from the pirate holding it for him.

"Are they arguing or falling in love?" Thatch questioned, noting the heat, passion and anger between the two of them. Unfortunately he wasn't the only one noticing.

"I SAID SHUT UP." She attacked him, the metal clanging, not noticing the heavy downpour, attacking him, and making him defend himself against her attacks, not able to get any strikes in. She struck his wrists making him drop his sword, she kicked it away in mid-air, the metal clanged against the wooden deck. She pummelled him to the ground, getting him flat on his back, stepping on his body, on various pressure points so he wasn't able to move, holding his arms out flat, her dual weapon holding each hand out with excessive pressure keeping him flat.

"You're afraid aren't you? Afraid of what's waiting for you, it's driving you insane isn't it?" He sneered.

"You don't know what you're talking about! I am facing it by going home!"

"Why aren't you going home directly, why are you staying with these pirates? It's because you don't know if you want to go home yet. You coward."She hissed, increasing her power, crushing his hands under her weapons, making him a little infuriated growled at her in anger. The sky was rumbling as the rain continued to pour down on them in an intense session.

"Seriously guys are they having eye sex or something, look at them." Thatch commented quietly, however no-one was disagreeing. They all looked in pure curiosity, Ace noticed her wet hair that was miraculously made darker, than it already was, the rain dripping off her face, as if she was crying. They watched her slowly put her foot on his throat, making him croak. They all looked incredibly worried, for the stranger now, however they didn't want to intervene, unsure of what might happen.

"You're losing your anger and control because I'm right. You're a traitor and a coward." The rain thundered down, with a force that was unnatural and the waves were rolling and crashing dangerously. She held her weapons even stronger, pushing his hands into the wood of the deck, almost denting it.

"I AM IN CONTROL." She roared majestically, crushing his throat with her foot, making him gasp desperately. They all stood up in attention, wiping the rain from their faces.

But there was no more rain coming down. It was held still, the droplets held still, even the ones that were about to hit the floor, didn't. All of them stared at the droplets, their mouths a little open at the magnificent skill displayed to them.

"Guys look." Thatch motioned to the waves, they weren't calm, and they were held still at the highest height, about to crash back down on the sea surface. They looked at the droplets, the waves, and lastly at Ran who still held her pose. However she slowly took off the weapons, and stepped off him. The droplets still hanging in mid-air like decorations, the waves not moving at all.

"I will be back, I don't need you or anyone to escort me. Just go back and wait for me. I promise I will be back." She said confidently, looking at him as he was coughing.

"I'm sorry I called you a traitor and a coward. It was unnecessary. I am obviously outmatched and I was out of line." He genuinely apologised, got on his knees bowing, towards her, his face mortified and guilty, but also in awe at her power.

"I said shut up." She cut him off, sighing, holding her weapon on her shoulder, the water dripping off her hair and clothes. He did as he told, meekly finding his weapon, and bowed apologising for the ruckus that he had caused. He bowed deeply once again, not saying a word, heeding her words, and left, taking his own boat and sailed away. She looked at everyone who was staring at her, her expression unreadable.

"I'm sorry I caused this rain storm." She apologised, as she moved her weapon to clear the rain drops and pushed the high waves far away, the sea resumed its normal tempo. Her lips pursed.

"I didn't mean for it get that intense, and get everyone soaked." No one could really say anything. They couldn't say anything.

"I'll take my leave." She answered quietly, grabbing her trunk in her left hand, as well as holding her dual weapon, one in each hand. The rain drops falling off the rounded colourful surface, walking off in the direction of her room.

"Ran." She turned at the call of her name, her hair quickly making a puddle on the deck, as she stood still facing the direction of the call. Her face also had rain drops on her face, falling from her soaked hair, also soaking her mask.

Marco walked up to the drenched girl, taking her weapons from her hands, well almost wrestling it from her hands, and her trunk. Patting her shoulder, noticing her intensely angry expression, feeling her cold wet skin. Placing them on the floor and gave her his jacket.

"You're freezing, take this jacket, otherwise you're going to get ill-yoi." He warned her, and then pushed her in the direction of her room, watching her walk off. They all watched her undo her hair ribbons and her mask stuffing it into her bra, her hair sticking to her back, resembling an almost shiny, stream of liquid black ink, her soft footsteps disappearing.

"Remind me not to get her angry ever again." Thatch remarked, still looking at the sea, making sure it wasn't still. The men walking to Marco, looking at her weapons and trunk.

"Holy shit, she was insane. She flipped in the second round. That guy didn't have a chance in hell."

"Yeah. What do you think that guy was saying to her to get all riled up?"

"I don't know and frankly I want to know so I know what not to say to her."

The opened the trunk to see a mess of random weapons, obviously aged and traditional, but there were barely any scratches and the colour was just fading, but obviously well cared for, and well forged.

They picked up a couple swords, trying out what they were like. Ace picked up one of the weapons she had used during the fight, but only just managing with one hand, and had to grip it with both hands to hold it comfortably.

"This is kinda heavy." He remarked, a little surprised that something that seemed so innocent was actually so deadly. Izou and Thatch tried the other one, their eyes widened at the sheer weight of this one weapon.

"Shit man, its fucking heavy." Thatch commented, trying it out, gently pushing it against Ace and asking him if he felt heavy on him. Ace tried to push it off, but found it was a little hard to push it off, since it was just so incredibly heavy.

"She was carrying each one in each hand, and swinging it around as if it was nothing, even with ease and finesse." Izou remembered.

As they were packing up her weapons, one question was going through their minds.

Just who was Lam Ou Ran?

After Ran had taken a long hot shower, washing her hair thoroughly enjoying the sting of hot water against her skin. She felt herself becoming calmer, after she put on a fresh set of under garments and her sleep wear on she sat at her desk, casting her hallucinogen dome, locking her door before taking out her contact lens, seeing her golden eye, as the guy's words were repeated again and again.

"Everyone will see the real me." She told herself, it wasn't wavering in fright, it was a confident statement and she nodded believing in herself. She took out the colourful vials looking at them, she had worked up to the last vial, and she had mastered it in the last few days. However she was always doubting herself, so she took the very last vial, unscrewed the top.

"I am going home."

And downed the vial.

It seemed as if Ran's mysterious intruder and attacker was forgotten as Ran had stayed in her room, no one disturbing her at all. Despite Ace and Marco having the urge to knock on her door, but refrained from doing so.

"My sons, we're going to be docking at a very special island in a few days' time." He smiled.

"Where old man?"

"The main island of the Yuht Kingdom, Ran's homeland!" he cheered, the others too.

"Don't tell her yet, I want to surprise my daughter." He made the others promise their father to not ruin his surprise for her.
(Extra fight scene, you can skip it, if you want, I just wanted to for fun.)
Later on she came out on the deck, her hair in her usual updo, and a plain short traditional dress. She walked up to Marco, handing him his jacket, whose upper half was naked, taking in the warm sun rays, thanking him quietly. Ruffled her hair playfully, hoping that Whitebeard's surprise was going to cheer her up. Then walking over to Ace, who was also bare chested, she tried to hide her blush, thanking her mask that hid her blush, thanking him for his shirt that was neatly folded and ironed, which surprised him.

"Oi Ran!" She heard someone call, twirling around to see the other subordinates come up to her, with her weapons trunk.

"Y-yes?" a little nervous, oh god were they going to ask about the fight?

"We want a battle."

"Wha-why?"

"Because we want to see how strong you are."

"I don't want to-"

"Come on, some friendly sparring." They tried to ease her out of her defence shell, they smiled at her genuinely, really wanting to try out their skills with someone who was clearly very powerful.

"Mhmm okay, weapons only." She softly demanded. They all nodded. She smiled as she rummaged through her trunk.

"So is it one vie one?"

"More like one vie twenty." Her head turned up at the drastic change in number. She grumbled, but accepted it, since she assumed that they were all too impatient to have their turn, and wanted to see if she could defeat twenty strong men.

"Do I get two weapons?" She asked, picking up long thick curved sword that coloured cloths hanging at the edge of the handle, and a long, heavy straight sword that had intricate designs carved on the middle. Both sword ends pointy, and edges gleamed in the sunlight.

"Nope. Unless it's those ball weapons. But you're restricted to one weapon." They set the rules. She smiled, picking the straight sword, packing away her trunk and walking to the centre. Not taking the sword out of its sheath.

"Fifty berries that she wins."

"Why don't I just give you my money?"

She held the attention, then they started to bring their weapons down on her. She drew her sword out of its sheath, already knocking down at least five weapons to the ground, blocking the other attack with her sword's sheath. After a few war cries and a couple more clangs of metal, the men had backed away, weapons on the ground, and Ran without a disturbed hair, she finished with a flourish, in an impressive martial arts pose, her sword and body held up in high pride and confidence.

The all kneeled down, calling her their master and realigning their loyalty to her as their master and guide, to self-improvement. She laughed a little, bowing at them, hoping they were joking.

"Now you had a warm up, how about for the main fight?" Ace grinned, cocking a smile, tipping his hat, at the confused lady.

"What do you mean?"

"He's saying that Ace and I are going to fight you now, we want to see what you're really made of-yoi." Marco walked out from the men who were standing at the edge, spectating.

"Why?"

"Like I said, we want to see what you're really made of. You were holding back the first time we met, now you can have free reign, we want to see how you fare against two devil fruit users." Ace explained, grinning, standing next to Marco in front of Ran.

"Do I get to use weapons?"

"You can use whatever you want."

"Good deal." She mused, wondering how she should play it out. She put her sword back in its sheath and into the trunk, leaving the trunk open.

She stood in front of them, weapon- less ready to fight.

"No weapons?" Ace smirked

"I managed to defend myself with no weapons didn't I? First time we met, Portgas. D Ace."

"Sure, but just know that your little water trick won't extinguish my fire." He added cockily, he could feel the adrenaline pump his excited heartbeat.

"We'll see."

"Stop this trash talking, and let's fight-yoi." He tsked, he was eager to see how she was going to cope with the top two Whitebeard commanders, planning to show her and the others that being a commander wasn't just a title.

Before she could even draw water Ace started.

"Hiken!" (Fire-fist) directing the destructive fire power straight at her, travelling extremely fast, so Ran wouldn't be able to draw up her water barrier. However it didn't hit her. She held her palm out redirecting the stream of powerful flames. He grinned.

"Water isn't my only trick" However before she could start, she was caught off by a strong kick from a majestic blue flame bird, quickly bracing her arms above her head countering the kick. However it was strong, too strong that she fell down on her butt, at the sheer force.

"I told you to stop talking-yoi" he grinned, flying off. "Impressive-yoi." He flew back to his original position "Doesn't your arm hurt-yoi?" He nodded at her covered arm, she pulled her sleeve back, showing her metal armlet, smirking.

"Not bad rookie-yoi" his arms still blue flamed wings. "Good now I don't feel bad about kicking you on your bad arm."

"STOP FLIRTING." Izou shouted, smiling devilishly at them. Ran rolled her eyes, as she still was thinking about what move she should use. These two were incredibly powerful and she was wondering if she could take two out at the same time, because if she took one out, she would be vulnerable to the other, and she couldn't just keep a defence all the time, she had to attack. However she didn't know what to do. However for now she could hold them off.

She watched small green balls of light surround Ace, like fireflies, she looked worried, and Marco was already out of sight.

"Hidaruma!" (Firey Doll) Sending the balls of fire in my direction, however they couldn't reach her, for some reason, they had deflected back, as if there was a wall. Marco also couldn't penetrate this strange barrier as well.

Ace grinned, she had put up a major wall, by solidifying the air, enough to protect herself. She had yet to attack, he could see her still a little worried, and he knew she was worried because she didn't know how to attack.

"So you put up another barrier eh? You still don't know whether to attack right?" he smiled as he got no response, knowing he hit the nail on the head. She released the barrier, and drew made some waves so the water would get on the ship, she would need it in a few seconds. She ran towards them, jumping up to gain some height hopefully it would draw them to her.

As she expected, Marco was faster and counteracted before she could try and attack. She braced her arm position, knocking her backwards and at a height. As Marco landed and called for Ace to finish her off. He grinned, standing still, charging his element, holding his fingers in a cross shape. Tipping his hat as he released a cross shaped column of fire at her, steam released as well. Pushing her to the back of the deck, face down.

"It's not that surprising that she got beat, I mean Marco has regeneration powers and Ace is just all round powerful, fire is the most destructive element."

"It's not over." Izou called, Ace and Marco who were grinning at each other and smiling turned to see that where Ran was face down on the deck, she had disappeared and they couldn't sense her presence at all.

Before they knew it they had blades against their throats, and Ran was in between them, pushing Ace's head with her foot to make more space and form another impressive stance. The entire crew was surprised, the commanders of the first and second divisions were evenly matched it seemed, by one woman, even when they were in their element, in their prime. Their eyes widened in surprise, as they had been duped.

"How-"

"Look at your feet." She told them, taking her foot down, and her swords. They both looked at their feet, to see small kunai and other small daggers securely holding down his sandals. For Marco it was next to his big toe and his little toe and all around his heel. Literally making him immobile if he did try to move. Ace had none, but looked over at Marco's his eyebrows raised in surprise.

"When I kicked you-yoi. No you made me kick you so could gain some height and time and threw your kunai, shadow stitching me-yoi. But how did you survive Ace's attack-yoi?"

"Water barrier." Ace realised, remembering the steam.

"Hehehe. I knew drawing some water onto the boat would come in handy." She grinned as she undid the kunai, smiling up at the two commanders.

"I have to admit I was shit out of luck. That was really last minute, and I didn't even know if it would work. I had to assume that you guys would think it was over once I was face down, and start celebrating. " She shrugged, packing her weapons trunk, as they both laughed. "But I admit, you guys could have easily beaten me. Devil fruit users aren't my speciality."

"Not yet anyways." Izou whispered, loud enough for Ran to pick up and shoot evil looks at him. Ran was about to walk off to put away her trunk.

(End of extra scene)

"Ou Ran." Whitebeard called her over. She walked over to the central lowered platform area

"I see you're settling in here, better and better." Whitebeard chuckling, enjoying watching her fights, he felt so proud that he had a talented and beautiful daughter in his large family.

"Mhmm!" She smiled, even though she was pensive a lot of the time, she couldn't be sad in front of her father.

"I have good news for you! The next destination is your home land, the Yuht Kingdom. We'll be reaching the main island in three days." He waited for her reaction, happy he could visit his child's homeland.

Ran didn't know how to say anything after she heard that. Her body felt hollow, this was not to plan. She didn't plan for this at all, they weren't supposed to be coming to her kingdom at all. However she saw Whitebeard's happy face, and didn't have the heart to break his heart, since he was so happy to give her this news. She should have been happy, she did want to go home, but this isn't what was supposed to happen. So she ended up crying. Crying in front of Whitebeard, in tears of happiness and sadness.

"I'm glad you're so happy my child."

*1- The weapon is a Dao (chinese broadsword) It has rings on the back of it, variant of the dao (I think so anyways)

*2- The weapon is called Chui, two metal balls one the ends of thick wooden poles, usually black but for this story I made them deceptively innocent.