So… this happened. Much longer than expected, I decided to just write the whole thing in one chapter rather than splitting it like I was going to. Made more sense with how I wanted the future chapter narrations to go. So, over 7,000 words it is. You're welcome. Or I'm sorry, however you like it.
To everyone who followed, favorited, and/or reviewed: Thank you!
The villagers of Windmill weren't stupid, by any means. Their easygoing nature was almost a trademark, but they had a widespread understanding that, being a port town, the less they knew the better. Still, when it came to happenings in the village, there were generally no secrets.
After the Marineford war, when Garp visited and was beaten bloody by the boss mountain bandit, they pieced together that the Pirate King's son had had some connection with Luffy and the elderly marine. It had certainly explained the depressed and tearful aura that had surrounded Makino and the mayor when they heard the news.
Then the Red-Hair pirates had shown up. The familiar flag had appeared at their docks with almost no warning, but the crew was remembered for saving their dear boy so no protests were made. They did warn them that Garp had officially put the island under his protection, though. Red-Hair had just laughed, however, and muttered something about Garp's long absences. He then strode towards the Party Bar, oddly alone, as his crew unloaded their tradable cargo. No one had thought much of it, at the time. They were just glad that, at the renewed business, Makino's spirits seemed to lift somewhat. Sometimes a villager would pass by the tavern when it was oddly quiet, but still lit, and see the bartender and captain talking quietly, comfortably. Still, that wasn't so strange, was it? Even the walks they would sometimes take through town or the surrounding fields; they always seemed to be in each other's company.
…Okay, maybe they shouldn't have been so surprised by the news.
But there was trouble brewing on the Grand Line and Red-Hair had responsibilities out there too. News like a new, tyrannical, Emperor and a renewed crowd of bloodthirsty pirates in circulation.
After that they would often catch him and Makino arguing in hushed voices, the more her stomach grew. To their knowledge, he never won once. From the little they heard, it seemed like he wanted her to leave with him but she was consistently adamant about staying for some reason.
He stayed for the birth but came up with increasingly feeble excuses to prolong their stay. His crew never objected though, ever since Makino gave the news they probably half expected him to announce his retirement. So it was Makino herself that dragged him by the ear to their ship one day and practically threw him at Beckman, infant still firmly cradled in her other arm.
The dock workers couldn't hear exactly what was said, but it seemed to be amusing at first (at one point Makino burst into laughter so loud that it drew everyone's attention), then serious, and lastly romantic as the captain kissed Makino's hand before surging to his feet and taking his son in arm one last time. His crew, which had been staring as if transfixed, scampered around at an order from Beckman and hurried to make preparations for departure while their captain said goodbye.
And, within the hour, they were a dot on the horizon.
Makino scrubbed the bar's countertop again, noting with annoyance that it was wearing down to splinters in some places. 'Well, If I'm going to re-varnish, now would be the time to do it.' She sighed and moved out into the room to put up the chairs and generally make preparations to close shop. Most of the guest ships had left days ago and the town had returned to its sleepy, quiet state.
She leaned on her mop and let her mind wander a bit, wondering how everyone was. Luffy was such a troublemaker, she worried about him the most and hoped he wasn't overtaxing himself. She glanced back over at the wanted posters and smiled. Well, hopefully he's found friends to look after him. She nodded to herself, convinced of this fact and returned to her chore with renewed energy.
It was a little after midnight when the marine ship docked just outside of town, blocked from view by a piece of land jutting out over the water and leading to the large forest that covered most of the island. Conveniently it provided the perfect height to comfortably disembark and the soldiers hastened to do just that.
They weren't to make their presence known, not for a few more hours, and they had a lot of ground to cover before daybreak. The soldiers hurried into the forest.
"Makino! Wake up, quick!"
Makino sprung out of bed, instantly alert, at the urgent knocking on her door downstairs. She quickly pulled on her dressing robe and hurried down the stairs to the back door. One of the fishermen was there, sweaty and with a very worried look on his face. Her heart clenched.
"What happened?"
"There are marine ships on the horizon, Makino! Two or three, by the look of it, so far. I- I don't think Garp's with them." She inhaled sharply. He looked to be on the verge of panic and she could tell where his line of thinking was going.
"…Ok, calm down." She paused to think; it was obvious what they were here for. Her blood ran cold and she struggled to keep her hands from shaking. 'No!' she scolded herself, 'You have to keep calm too! Think this through!' She took a long breath and returned her attention to the man. "Tell everyone to act normal. Nothing's wrong. They don't know anything. There is no child here." Just getting those words out was painful.
He looked concerned, but not surprised. "But if they search…"
"Oh, I'm sure they will. But they won't find anything." She had made sure of that.
He seemed convinced and turned after reassuring her that he'd let the others know.
She closed the door and leaned her forehead against it. She really was shaking now. 'It's fine, the only inhabitations on this island are Windmill and Goa. They won't have time to find Dadan's house, even if they think about scouring the forest. And if they do… well, I know the way, I could get there much sooner. It will be okay, they won't find him.' She pushed herself away from the door and went upstairs to change and open the bar. She had to keep up appearances but, even so, she couldn't help but feel frustrated and jittery over the task; she knew there was more she needed to be doing.
Woop Slap peeked in a couple times over the next hour and passed a look over the place before giving an approving nod. He didn't say anything, probably believed she had enough on her mind, but his signature grumpy banter would have been welcome.
"This is Dawn Island, Vice-Admiral?"
Smoker glanced over at Tashigi, and back at the land mass that was slowly growing closer. "Yeah, doesn't look like much from this side, does it? The Goa Kingdom lies on the other end, this is Windmill Village."
Shouts could be faintly heard from the other vessels flanking them; another vice-admiral and his officers that Smoker had been sent to 'aid' on the mission. 'As if. Those bastards at HQ just don't trust me.' He thought in irritation.
"…Smoker-san, is it true? Strawhat grew up on this island?"
"Seems that way. I confirmed with Garp, although he didn't seem too happy to hear why I wanted to know."
"You told him?" She sounded surprised.
He snorted. "Not like it's a big secret. Those bastards are making a show of it being one but they've been dropping hints around like a leaky old bucket. Probably trying to lure Red-Hair out." He turned and sat against the railing, fixing her with a steely gaze. "What do you think of all this?"
She stiffened. "Sir?"
"You're obviously uncomfortable with the notion of why we're here. Nothing slows a warrior like doubt, you know this. So speak up!"
She flinched minutely, but it was more out of habit than anything else. She was used to Smoker barking orders and scolding, especially her. "This child- if it even exists- it can't be much more than a year old, if the sightings and absences of Red-Hair are anything to go by." Her eyes narrowed. "I know the Emperors are a great threat and the Navy must do whatever they can to protect the people from them but- this- I understand! I do! But this child has no fault!" She seemed to catch herself raising her voice and subsided, taking a breath. "And, with everything that happened during the war, well-" She bit her lip. "I've heard stories… of after Gold Roger's execution… when they suspected he had a child. What the government did then- I'm not saying it will be repeated! But…" Her hands were clenched painfully.
"It's the precedent." He finished.
She remained silent.
He released a stream of smoke, keeping it away from his subordinate, and glanced back at the island. "Our orders are to investigate and, if any incriminating evidence is found, to bring it in for further scrutiny. Even if we find the kid, and his mother, there is nothing that says we're to harm them while bringing them in." Nothing that says we can't either. A sudden wolfish grin came on his face, as he noted the accompanying vessel approaching the island with them. "It would be quite a nuisance for those old geezers at HQ if something were to happen to them before they got there. Better make sure some idiots don't get any funny ideas, wouldn't you say?"
She seemed a little confused, but understood and trusted Smoker to avoid civilian bloodshed. "Yes, sir."
He got up and walked away. "Don't worry, just trust your sense of justice."
She stood there for the rest of the voyage, alternating concerned looks from the island to the ships accompanying them.
Woop Slap, the town's mayor, was the one to greet the vice-admirals at the docks.
"Eh, Garp's not with you all? That's unusual." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You're all still working him to death, huh? I thought he retired, he should just come back to relax."
Smoker saw his peer was about to reply, a tall, slim, man with unnaturally linear features, and swiftly interrupted him. "That old man? Never; he'll be hunting pirates and beating up new recruits until the day he dies." The vice-admiral (Clark?) gave him an annoyed look.
The mayor snorted. "I shouldn't be surprised, he's done too good of a job to stop now." He gave them a curious look. "So what can we do for you gentlemen?" The slim man stepped forward.
"I am vice-admiral Clarkson, this is vice-admiral Smoker, we're here on official business to conduct an investigation for allies to one of the four Emperors." He stated imperiously.
Woop Slap looked genuinely surprised to hear this. "Emperors? You mean the pirate Emperors? Why would someone like that be here?"
Clarkson was a little taken aback at the surprise, but quickly rallied. "That doesn't need to concern you. We just need to take a look around town, perhaps in some houses. It's all for the public's safety, you understand."
"Of course." He turned to one of the townspeople nearby and gestured with his cane to the ships docked. "Let everyone know the Navy's going to be looking around some of the houses. Don't want to startle anyone." He added with a chuckle to the vice-admiral.
He nodded, "Of course. Men! Let's move out!", and started directing his soldiers.
Smoker stepped up to the mayor. "We're gonna need to resupply too, who do I talk to for that?"
The mayor turned and pointed out a warehouse slightly down the gangplank, a couple employees standing outside and staring curiously. "They'll sort it out."
Smoker barked some orders himself and a couple of his subordinates went rushing away. "So, where can I get a drink around here?"
Woop Slap looked startled and Clarkson whipped around at the question in irritation. "Smoker-"
"Don't get your panties in a wad, Clark. You've got this thing under control. Me and my men are just backup." He looked around at the town and people and grinned. "But I don't think you'll need it."
"Still, this is highly-"
"Vice-admiral Smoker! We're still on duty!" Came Tashigi's scandalized exclamation.
"And a tavern is the best place to gather information. Lead on mayor." He turned to the man with an expectant stare.
Woop just huffed and started down the street briskly. Smoker followed with an annoyed Tashigi on his heels.
"I don't know if it will be open. We don't have any outside ships visiting, beside yours, so she's been cutting her hours."
"'She'?" Tashigi asked in surprise.
"Yeah, Makino, she's the owner of the only tavern in town." He led them to a small building with green paint and swinging doors, there was a large sign outside labeled 'Party's Bar' in big, cartoonish, writing.
"'Party'? Someone had high hopes for this place?" Smoker deadpanned, the street was practically empty. But, maybe he was imagining it, he felt tense stares on their small group as they approached the establishment.
The mayor grunted, unamused. "A former owner, the bar's been passed down from apprentice to apprentice."
Just then a young woman bustled out and abruptly stopped in surprise when she saw them on her doorstep. She had a basket on her arm. "Oh! Um, hello mayor, what can I do for you?" She nodded to the other two with a smile.
"This is vice-admiral Smoker and-" He turned to Tashigi.
"Captain Tashigi, sir and ma'am." She bowed.
"They're here on an investigation of one of the pirate Emperors and they want to ask some questions."
"I want a drink." Tashigi gave the speaker an annoyed glare.
Makino just chuckled, though, and stepped back into the bar. "I see. Well, I was on my way out to buy a few things so the place isn't exactly ready for guests." She smiled apologetically.
"S'fine, we can wait."
She nodded and hurried behind the bar. "What would you like?"
"Whatever you suggest."
She nods and looks at Tashigi. "And you, miss?"
"Uh, water is fine, thank you." She continues frowning at Smoker's back, who is now sitting at the bar. Something on the right hand wall seemed to have caught his attention because he continues to stare at it, even as Makino puts the glasses down. "Vice-admiral?"
"Take a look, Tashigi."
She twitches at the informality, especially on official business (But then, he's drinking during official business, so what would he care?) and steps closer to look. She almost trips back in surprise. "The Strawhats!"
Makino looks up sharply, but smiles. "Oh, you've heard of them? How nice."
Smoker snorts loudly, but Tashigi answers her. "Nice?! We've been trying to track them down since they left Logue Town over two years ago!" Impossibly, she gets even more flustered. "So it's true then; Strawhat Luffy came from this island?"
Makino starts drying a glass. "Oh, yes, not that it's a secret. It's a well known fact that he's vice-admiral Garp's grandson, and this island is under his protection as his hometown, after all." She chuckles fondly. "Not that we'd hide it anyway, we're all very proud of our little Pirate King."
Tashigi can't seem to come up with a reply to that. She wants to deny it, pirates are cruel scum, after all. But she can't get the events of Alabasta and Punk Hazard out of her mind. Never mind the whole Dressrosa incident. She ends up muttering lamely, "You should be careful who hears that, they might take you as pirate allies or spies."
Woop Slap takes this chance to enter the conversation. "That wouldn't be what you're here about, would it?! Sure, Luffy might have gone and started picking fights with the Emperors, but he's not one of them!"
"Oh, yeah, old man? How do you know that?" Smoker fixes him with a piercing stare, but the mayor is unfazed. He lifts his cane and jabs it at the posters.
"Do those hooligans look like they're capable of ruling the New World?! There are nine of them! Nine! I don't know how they even got that far with so few, that boy is going to get himself killed! And now this! Unseating pirate emperors and I bet he thinks this is all a game! The next time I see that boy, I'm gonna-" He continues ranting, waving his cane around, and Makino asks them if they'd like something to eat, apparently used to this sight. Tashigi is actually relieved someone here disapproves of piracy, if only out of concern for the pirate.
Smoker accepts and the barmaid starts pulling out ingredients for a light snack. "What the mayor means is, Luffy has much higher ambitions than becoming an Emperor. He won't stop for anything else."
"Especially since Red-Hair is one of the remaining Emperors." Smoker stated matter-of-factly, looking up at the woman.
Makino froze for a second but, again, the mayor stepped in. "Red-Hair Shanks? Why would that matter?"
He turned to Woop Slap. "Well, just rumors, mostly. But he did step in at Marineford and basically stopped the war. Probably saved Strawhat's life."
"You were there?" Makino whispered in a strange tone. Her smile was gone and she was staring at Smoker with frightened interest.
"Of course, I even clashed with Strawhat on the battlefield." Makino opened her mouth to say something, expression dangerous, but he held up a hand. "It was only for a moment, I was soon… distracted." He frowned. "Do you want to know?"
She seemed torn, wanting both to yell at him for treating it like a good story and feeling like she should share Luffy's pain. But what more did she need to know? The only thing that mattered was…
"No. …Not from you, anyway." It was completely without malice, he knew, but she seemed too lost in thought to clarify that. She sighed and placed the food on plates. "I apologize for lowering the mood, did you need anything else?"
"No."
"Yes."
Tashigi looked at Smoker in surprise, but his attention shifted slightly to the entrance. Marching could be heard, getting louder.
"Do you have any children, Makino?"
There was a tense pause, but when Tashigi looked at her she only saw confusion and surprise. "Um, no. Why do you ask?"
He let out a breath of smoke. "You'll see."
Just then, a group of soldiers walked into the bar. The senior officers, a couple of commanders under Clarkson, were twins with matching blue dress shirts under their Navy jacket. The only thing distinguishing them was that the elder, Karter, did not wear a tie, while the younger, Walter, did. They seemed to be capable swordsmen, Tashigi had noticed, but never seemed interested in practicing with anyone but each other. She was not bitter at all.
The commanders paused a bit at seeing Smoker and Tashigi and quickly explained that they were to search the building. Makino consented, but Woop Slap made loud protestations and insisted on going with them to 'supervise.' Tashigi attempted to make small talk with Makino, awkward as it was, until they heard furniture being moved around upstairs and Woop's subsequent ranting.
"I apologize for the inconvenience." Tashigi offered.
"Oh, no, I understand-"
"If anyone should be apologizing, it's these two." Smoker stuck a thumb at the twins, who straightened in indignation. "They're supposed to be supervising." He turned to them fully, but they kept quiet so he continued. "Though they are doing a remarkably thorough job. I'm impressed you got all the way in here so quickly if you're combing each house like this." He stated.
Now Tashigi and Makino were looking at them in interest too.
"Just doing our job, Vice-admiral." Karter stated coldly, he gave a pointed look to Smoker's glass. "Perhaps you should do the same."
Smoker stepped off his stool, making the twins flinch visibly, but just turned and dropped a couple notes on the counter. Makino started to protest but he overrode her with a 'for the trouble.'
By coincidence or not, a soldier came down then to report findings. He saluted and proceeded to tell the commanders that they found nothing out of the ordinary.
"Are you sure?" Walter asked scathingly, as if questioning the man's intelligence.
"Yes sir, there isn't much, the lady seems to live alone." He nodded politely at Makino, who smiled back.
Both twins seemed to become speechless but quickly regained themselves and ordered the soldiers to continue to the next house. They complied but the two men held back a bit, uncertain. It seemed they were about to say something when a soft 'buruburuburuburu' was heard from Karter's inner coat pocket. Smoker's baby Den Den Mushi started ringing at the same time. They answered them to hear the exact same voice issuing from them.
"Rejoin us at the port, it seems we have a situation."
Smoker replied with a 'sure thing' and switched his off, but Commander Karter asked: "Is something wrong?"
Tashigi frowned at him in disapproval, 'they were still in civilian presence, after all, and he was asking for details to a potentially sensitive subject?!' She glanced at Makino and Woop Slap, who had come down with the soldiers, but they were looking at the commander curiously. Before she could say anything, the other line replied.
"Seems we've uncovered a disturbance in the forest of Mr. Corvo, this mission has been put on hold until it's sorted out."
"Oh? Anything dangerous?"
Tashigi gritted her teeth, the mayor tensed, and Makino went completely still.
"Unconfirmed, but the Vice-admiral is requesting backup just in case."
"I see, we'll be there soon." He switched off his snail and turned to flinch at Tashigi's scathing glare.
"You do not discuss sensitive information in front of civilians, Commander." She stated coldly; her gloved hand was gripping Shigure threateningly. Even Smoker inched back a bit.
He glanced at Makino and Woop Slap. "Don't worry, ma'am, it wasn't anything revealing. Just-"
"That doesn't matter." She hissed, silencing him. She would have gone on but Smoker cut her off.
"That's enough. Commanders, go catch up with Clarkson. And, by the way." He added, stopping them as they turned to the door. "You'll address the Captain by her title, understood?"
He didn't say it in any different way than he usually spoke, but both men shivered and quickly made a retreat with firm assents.
Smoker sighed and muttered something that sounded remarkably like 'cowards,' then walked out of the bar. Tashigi fumbled to keep up with his abrupt departure, calling a goodbye over her shoulder. The mayor did not follow them out, though. Once in the street, Smoker stopped and patted his jacket pockets absently.
"Hmm, that's strange. Can't find my lighter. Don't think I set it down in there, do you?" He looked at her.
She sighed and muttered, "Smoker-san, you're a terrible actor." But she spun around to reenter the bar.
It was empty of course, the back door ajar. She was just surprised that Smoker really had left a lighter on the counter.
Woop Slap scurried down the back street as quickly as he could. He was almost to the edge of town, just five minutes from the bar, but he was already fighting for breath. A sharp pain was developing just beneath his ribs and he pounded his cane into the ground with every stride. 'Dammit, I'm too old for this!' He finally reached the last house, overlooking the fields between town and forest, but, even with the gentle hills between them, he couldn't see anyone on the road. He cast a worried gaze to the section of forest closest to his location, which was much farther from the clear path they usually took to Mt. Corvo. It was not an easy trek.
"That foolish girl…! Don't do anything stupid!" He gritted out, before heading back to stall the marines.
The vice-admiral grinned to himself, walking up the crude path. He was so much closer to his goal now, if all his information was correct. And it would be. His men had already confirmed the shack's location early that morning and informed him over the Den Den Mushi, all that was left to do was apprehend those bandits and take the Red-Hair's son into custody. Fleet Admiral Sakazuki would be pleased, not that he had any reason to worry over failure, of course. It had long since been confirmed that the bandits of Mt. Corvo raised the Pirate King's devil spawn, Fire-Fist, and Strawhat, who was just as bad.
He had to chuckle at the villager's attempts to confuse them, it had certainly sent him reeling for a bit and might have even worked if it hadn't already been known they were very pro-pirates. It hadn't been very difficult to link events together, especially after checking the birth records over the last couple years. He hadn't met the woman in question but he planned to change that, he wanted the complete set after all. His subordinates had informed him that she had suddenly vanished after hearing the report over the baby Den Den Mushis; well, no matter, he'd track her down from wherever she was hiding after getting the brat.
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't notice the forest growing restless around him and, out of nowhere, a tiger the size of a horse jumped at them from the shade surrounding them. Some soldiers screamed, while others readied their weapons. They were caught unguarded, however, and the cat lunged for the first line of men.
"Out of the way!"
A wave of smoke burst through the ranks and enveloped the tiger, which gave out a startled and confused roar, and lifted it off the ground. The man behind the power materialized and swung the tiger around before chucking it over the trees, far away. He half turned then and beckoned them all to resume walking, which they did, shakily.
The vice-admiral finally found his voice and sped up to walk beside his peer. "What the hell was that?! And why didn't you kill it?! Now it could come back!" His soldiers were now giving the forest uneasy looks, but at least they had their weapons prepared now.
Smoker gave the man a disdainful look. "Obviously, it was a tiger. And I'm sure there will be more where that came from, no need to go on a killing spree, this forest is full of dangerous and over-sized animals, from what I hear."
Clarkson looked shocked. "Really?" But the man didn't deign to respond.
"You don't have to worry, Smoker-san and Tashigi-chan are more than capable of dealing with anything that gets in our way. Right, Captain?" The G-5 soldier cackled confidently, turning to his superior.
Tashigi frowned at the man, but it was more out of annoyance for the under-formal titles. "Do not slack off just because the vice-admirals are with us, we're all responsible for the group's safety!" She rebuked sternly, giving a once-over to all the G-5 soldiers in their midst. "Everyone understand?"
There were many cheerful, and eager, assents to that.
Smoker, unbeknownst to them all, smiled. "Well, don't you all get too eager for a fight, now. We don't want to jeopardize any civilians."
There were some surprised mutterings. "There will be civilians? I thought we were going to raid a bandit den!" They sounded extremely disappointed.
"We are." He shot a meaningful glance at Clarkson. "But we should still be careful. None of the villagers down there seemed to mind the bandit's presence, after all."
Clarkson gave a condescending laugh. "What, the White Chaser shying away from arresting criminals?! Is your reputation just for show? You had a nearly unbroken record of pirate captures back in Logue Town, I heard you were extremely thorough. Has the last two years softened you?" He sneered, completely missing the murderous looks being shot at him from half the crowd.
Smoker just shrugged, like he'd let something so petty get to him. "Even in Logue Town, I made sure to distinguish between mere reputation and actual deeds. There's a big difference."
"Is there?"
"There is." And they crested the hill into a clearing.
True to descriptions, there was a large, run-down, house off to the side in the clearing. Clarkson and his men stroke up to it while Smoker and Tashigi took in their surroundings. Tashigi's curiosity was peaked by two small shacks adjacent to the house, which looked like they used to have engraved signs on them but it had worn away. Smoker frowned at a few colorful baby toys on the ground.
"Bandits! This is Vice-admiral Clarkson, of the Marines! Come out peacefully and none will be harmed! You are under arrest!" Clarkson raised his voice in an impressively authoritative manner that carried through the clearing and into the woods. There was silence for a moment and then several shuffling sounds were heard inside before the door was slowly opened and people started to walk out. The soldiers gave several outraged gasps.
Well, there certainly was a group of bandits living here, if the people's appearances were anything to go by, and they all gave the soldiers mocking sneers and chuckled darkly as they stepped into the clearing. The soldiers wavered, rifles raised, and looked at their superior who was glaring hatefully at the large redhead that seemed to be the group's boss. It was what the woman(?) held in her arms that had enraged the marines, though.
In one hand she held a baby, firmly cradled at her side, in the other, a bound and gagged green-haired woman, who was glaring up at her captor with tears in her eyes.
"Makino-san!" Tashigi exclaimed, taking a step forward with her hand on Shigure.
The bandit snapped her attention to her instantly. "Not so fast, there!" And two other bandits were there, a sword to the woman's throat and a dagger hovering above the infant. Makino closed her eyes with a resigned whimper, but didn't move.
"What is the meaning of this, bandit?!" Clarkson roared.
The woman was undeterred, she barked out a laugh. "You think we're idiots? We knew you were coming so we got ourselves some shields!" The other bandits joined in and laughed.
A few soldiers swore. Clarkson was reeling. How would he get out of this now?! He wanted to bring the suspects in alive, but…? He was sure that Red-Hair's woman was allied to the bandits, at least enough to entrust the child to them, so why?! Dammit, did they betray her when they heard the marines were after them? Trying to use them as a bargaining chip? Well, that could be arranged…
He glared at the bandit. "I assume you want to trade the woman and child for your freedom? Well, as much as I hate-"
"Again, do you think we're idiots? The minute we let go of these two you'll be on us in a second. No, we're not going to let 'em go just yet."
"What do you want?" Smoker asked, a frown on his face like he was trying to work something out.
"Smoker! Do not negotiate with the criminal, this is my mission!" Perhaps sounding a bit shrill.
Smoker turned to him, annoyed. "It's my unit's job to maintain security. This is my mission."
The bandit smirked. "We want a fully stocked ship. And no following! We'll drop these two off a few islands away, so we'll need a Den Den Mushi to let you all know where."
The bandits started chuckling. Their humor caught the attention of the baby who also started giggling loudly, startling the bandits who turned to him as one. It was the smallest drop of guard, but more than enough for a vice-admiral.
"Finger Pistol!"
The boss bandit screamed and fell to one knee, suddenly finding her hands empty and she pressed a hand to the hole in her shoulder. She glared up at Clarkson, now a few feet away, holding the baby precariously around the middle with one arm. The bartender had been snatched away by Tashigi at the same moment, they were now on the other side of the clearing as well. She bit down a curse as Clarkson started to laugh.
"Didn't expect to run into a former Cypher Pol agent here, did you? Serves you right, bandits, now you have nothing. And we did say you weren't to resist…" His soldiers raised their rifles at the group.
"NO!"
Everyone turned to the green-haired woman, Makino, with mixed expressions. Tashigi had cut her bonds and the woman was staring at the scene in horror. "Please, don't hurt them!"
Clarkson raised a brow, outwardly perplexed but inside he was howling in triumph. "Oh? Why not? They were about to hurt you and this poor child." He looked down at it in concern. "They probably kidnapped it from some poor mother for ransom; we'll have to look into this. Keep it with us until she's found."
The bandits were glaring murderously at the marine. Being extremely proficient in lying, they could discern a poor attempt when they heard one.
Makino flinched at the proposal, but quickly steeled herself and thought fast. "They were only protecting me!"
Now it was the bandits' turn to look horrified, several even gasped.
"What are you talking about, Makino-san?" Tashigi asked.
She never looked away from the vice-admiral as she continued her story. "You were right, Red-Hair did have a connection on this island. It's me. We were lovers while he was docked here." She said it all very calmly. Honestly. No one could doubt her words.
The man looked down at the child, a widening smile on his face. "So, then this child is-"
"No." She startled him out of his implied question. "He's an orphan Dadan found in the Grey Terminal. I've been bringing supplies up from town for the last few months to help her since the villagers don't take kindly to bandits. We've known each other for a long time, she was only trying to help me." She was almost pleading now. "You can arrest me if you want, but leave-"
"Are you trying to make a fool out of me?!" Clarkson suddenly exclaimed.
Makino's eyes widened at the ferocity of the demand. She shot a frightened glance at the infant in his arm. A few bandits stepped towards the man, only to retreat as weapons were again turned on them.
"I've had enough of this charade! I know you're that pirate's woman, I know these criminals are guilty of not only sheltering you and your son but also the sons of the Pirate King and the head of the Revolutionaries!" His temper was visibly rising and they all became frightened for the child's wellbeing. "And I also know that this br- child is Red-Hair Shanks' son! We have plenty of evidence, I just thought I'd give you lot the chance to confess and soften your sentence. What a shame." He sneered.
Dadan stepped forward, regardless of the guns turned on her. "And how can you be so sure he's the one you're looking for? How do you know, despite what's been said here and what circumstance points towards?" She narrowed her eyes at him. "You've already ruined one life by pinning the father's 'sins' on his children. You marines make me sick. Pirates are saints by comparison!" She finished with a yell, making many flinch including the vice-admiral.
Just as he was about to retort, something lunged at him and tackled him to the ground, but not before winding protective arms around the infant. They rolled to the ground and Makino scrambled up and made a break for the trees.
"Goddamn bitch!" He made to run after her but his path was suddenly blocked by the large redhead, while her lackeys were engaging the marines. 'We should have brought more!' He whirled at Smoker, annoyed. "Well?! I thought you were here as back up! Go after them, or take care of this woman!"
Smoker raised a brow and dissipated into smoke. Several bandits let out startled cries, but it was soon cut off as the air became thick and murky.
"What the hell-" But Dadan's curses were also cut off as the smoke condensed and lifted them all up and into the air, their weapons soon clattering to the ground.
"Satisfactory?" He asked sarcastically.
Clarkson just growled at him and started sprinting up the path after Makino, the bandits started yelling warnings to the woman even as they were swallowed by the smoke.
The trees seemed to blur past her as she ran. Her whole body seemed to be on fire, perhaps from the earlier sprint up the mountain not to mention the following commotion. She thought she might be crying but it could have been part of the heat and sweat pouring down her face. She couldn't think of anything else right now. No! This was all to protect him- Squirming in her arms and making mildly distressed noises. She tried to shush him gently but it came out a bit more urgent and broken that she would have wanted. Tears filled his big, dark, eyes and he started to whimper.
"No… No… It's- It's going to be-" Her voice broke again. She chanced a glance back, but saw no one on the trail. How far would she be able to run? Any more past the tree-house and it would be dangerous animal territory… This was all such a mess! If only- If only…
But what was the use of saying that now?
She stumbled into the tree-house clearing, struggling with sharp shallow breaths and a piercing pain in her side. She just had to stay ahead of them. Hide for a bit. She was sure-
"TEMPEST KICK!"
Her only warning was the shout and a line of blue light, but the deadly power behind it was unmistakable so she dove. A strong gust raked by her, but she felt nothing else, and then the trees began to fall. The thundering crashes were deafening as they fell all around, thankfully not tall enough to reach the center of the clearing. When she looked up at the tree-house, concerned, it was still standing, but had a deep gash in it's trunk spanning almost halfway. She heard the scuffing of shoes before she felt the pain.
"Finger Pistol."
The vice-admiral stood over her with a hateful glare, which she returned in kind. She pressed one hand to the wound on her leg but barely made a sound as the blood started to seep through her fingers. Perhaps she should beg. For her son, never mind herself. But all she could feel was rage overtaking her panic because she knew, without a doubt, that this man would never spare either of them. He never intended to.
She knew it was people like this man that had killed Ace.
"Well, then. You've given me more trouble than I thought, miss." He sneered. "But this is it. You've all just about incriminated yourselves with your actions. Don't worry about your son, I don't know what they intend to do with him, but he'll at least be kept alive for a while. Can't draw out Red-Hair if he's dead, after all."
Makino believed ladies should conduct themselves in certain ways, discretion in dress and language being two examples. She and Dadan had had several… interesting conversations on the matter. However, being the owner of the only tavern in a regularly visited port she was bound to pick up a few salty phrases. Which she demonstrated now.
Clarkson's face twisted in rage and raised his arm sharply, the surface blackening abruptly, and Makino cringed away as much as she was able, abandoning her leg in order to fully cover her child. She closed her eyes tightly.
The ringing din of metal-on-metal filled the area.
Makino looked up to find Captain Tashigi wedged between her and the vice-admiral, having caught the man's arm with the blunt of her sword. They glared at each other.
"Vice-Admiral Clarkson, if you would be so kind, please retract your arm so I may remove my blade." She said coldly.
He didn't. "This is not your concern, Captain."
"I am assigned to the protection of civilians and any evidence acquired during this mission. It is my concern."
He seemed to be having an inner battle over whether further violence was wise. Or concealable. Probably not. "Are you defying my order, Captain?"
Before she could answer, Smoker strode into the clearing with a bored expression. "Actually, she's following mine." As he met them his eyes lingered on Makino's bloody leg. "Wouldn't want the geezers losing any leverage they could hold over the Emperors, do we?"
Clarkson scowled at him but stepped away from Tashigi, rubbing his arm. His expression reverted to cool indifference. "No, I suppose not. Did you kill the bandits?"
Makino flinched.
Smoker jabbed his thumb back where he came. "Tied up in front of the house, no need to kill 'em once they're assured of her safety." He nodded at Makino and looked thoughtful. "Though they might have taken it as a threat." He shrugged, unconcerned. Tashigi frowned.
"Fine, let's load them all up in the ship and get the hell off this island." He turned, wiping his hand on his handkerchief.
Makino opened her mouth to protest their imprisonment, but Smoker spoke again.
"Why? They don't have anything to do with Red-Hair."
"Excuse me? They were caring for his child!"
Smoker shrugged again. "So? Seems they took care of Fire Fist and Strawhat, too, but they weren't apprehended for that. I doubt they even ever met Red-Hair. But it you want to explain this all to The Fist, be my guest."
Clarkson paled a bit at that last statement, opened and closed his mouth a couple times, then stormed off with a huff. "Whatever! You're in charge of security, it's on you! But I'm including this all in my report!"
Smoker snorted and turned to the two women.
"Sorry, Sir, and thank you, I wasn't sure he was going to retreat." She was sweating quite a bit, and her hand shook as she re-sheathed Shigure.
"Yeah." He looked down at Makino. "Might want to wrap that." Tashigi spun around to her and started fussing over the injury.
"So you're going to arrest me and my son?" She scowled at Smoker. "You realize how ridiculous it sounds to arrest an infant?"
He squatted down by Makino. "Yeah, but there's not much I can do about that. I have my orders." He blew out a stream of smoke that avoided them unnaturally. "You know, I've met Strawhat Luffy a few times. Doesn't seem the type to sit by when he knows his friends are in danger. I guess Marineford is an example of that."
Contrary to what the two marines were expecting, Makino paled. "Hopefully that was a lesson that some things are beyond his control."
Smoker stared at her a moment, then looked away. "Maybe, or it hardened that resolve." He stood then. "We won't arrest the bandits as long as you don't make a fuss anymore. Done, Tashigi?"
The captain stepped back and Smoker lifted the woman up with his smoke, then they left the clearing. Makino turned to give the tree-house one, last, pained look before it disappeared from sight.
Jeez, that's a lot of back and forth, narration-wise. Sorry about that. Can't say it wasn't fun to write, though.
I do apologize for my OC, didn't want to sully an actual vice-admiral with the role, but I wanted to make him just slightly less hate-worthy than Akainu, who deserves personal destruction. I was glaring at my computer as I wrote his scenes. I am convinced this was harder to write because of him.
I'm still writing chapter 6, so it'll be awhile unless I suddenly get a flash of inspiration. So far it seems more of a filler, with various scenes of different crewmembers, not much plot going on. It's infuriating!