I am so sorry for this very late update! Please forgive me. I won't make any excuses so here is the latest chapter. Oh for people questioning why Smoker over Mihawk. Well it's pretty clear, Mihawk was in the last chapter just to show how dangerous the sea is for a child. I also don't think Mihawk would go out of his way to get a child; he's far too busy slicing ships and sleeping. And will Greycie tell about her meeting with Mihawk? The answer is No. Thank you for all the reviews, favs, and alerts everyone and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
~~~~~333~~~
Zoro cursed at himself for not seeing the damn marines boarding the ship. He was busy sending a dozen of marines overboard as they tried in vain to board the Sunny. He lost count on how many marines he had attacked and was going to attack the next group when for some reason he had the urge to turn around. Turning his head, his face grew serious as he saw a cloud of smoke seep out from underneath the galley door. He left the marines to the Shit-cook and sprinted towards the door. Halfway there the door busted open and Smoker emerged holding an unconscious and bleeding Greycie. Zoro unsheathed his swords at the sight of the blood. The thought of Greycie being hurt made his blood boil.
Before he could unleash an attack he spotted a hand blossoming from Smoker's torso. The hand grabbed onto the child's still body and managed to lift her couple of inches from the man's grip. Smoker quickly foiled this escape plan by striking the appendage with his hand. Robin grunted in pain as the sea stone in the tip of it stabbed her. The arm blossom away and left Smoker free to go back to his ship, but this only made Zoro run even faster. He barely had enough time to attack the bastard one time before a great force made its presence.
The sight of the tip of the massive wave about to hit Greycie sent a jolt of adrenaline in his body. Moving quickly he chose his stance and growled his attack. His last sight was the bastard heading towards the other vessel before he was swallowed by the wave.
~~333~~~~
With the storm raging, Smoker hastily flew towards his ship. Already the Straw hats were attacking him, as Nico Robin's failed attempt proved. He tucked the small child inside his jacket in vain of protecting her from the heavy downfall of rain. He was barely at the height of the ship's mast when a flash of blue skinned the left side of his face. Looking down he saw Roronoa standing in a battle stance and giving him a deadly glare. As much as he hated to admit it, Smoker was at a disadvantage of the worthless pirate.
If Roronoa did attack then he would have to flee from the scum and leave his pride behind for the safety of the child. Or he could stay and fight and endanger the child. He watched Roronoa and he saw him get ready to strike again. Before he could make a decision whether to flee or attack, a large rumbling was heard. The two men turned to see a massive wave getting ready to drop onto the pirate ship. Smoker turned his back to the wave and flew higher in order to protect the child from the oncoming wave. With the wave falling to gravity, Smoker realized his mistake as he was going to get hit by the top of the wave and be forced down.
Cursing to himself he grabbed the child tight and braced himself for the impact of the wave. His only hope as of right now was to grab hold of the ship's railing before he and the child were swept into the raging ocean. He felt the wave's deadly aura inches away from him but at the last moment he was merely hit by mist. Turning around he saw that the waves top had been cut. Looking down he barely had enough time to see Roronoa sheath his sword before he was swallowed by the wave that dominated the ship's deck. With a scoff he thought to himself that a pirate would try to attack him despite him about to be hit by a wave and holding a child.
While he headed towards his ship, he couldn't help the nagging thought that he knew that Roronoa wouldn't miss an attack. Looking down at the unconscious child he wondered if his subordinate had even gotten her facts straight before they went on this wild chase. He would defiantly have to question the child.
~~333~~
"Let me go you bastards" Greycie growled. It lacked the threatening tone she had hoped to hear and instead sounded weak and tired. She turned her head away as a young woman tried to shine a light in her eyes. Too tired to fire insults, she instead relied on growling at the people in the room. She was angry and seeing that stupid marine's symbol was making her upset. She was also mad at herself for not being awake when she was first brought onto this unknown ship. She didn't get one look at the ship which was going to be some trouble when she was going to make a run for it. Her thoughts of escape were halted as a piercing pain hit her side of her head.
Greycie was paralyzed of the raging pain her left side of her head was experiencing that she did not feel the hand that gently placed a bandage over the cut on her forehead. She didn't even struggle when someone picked her up. She only concentrated on trying to retain the screams that ached to be released. Taking a deep breath she finally opened her eyes, she found herself lying on a soft bed with a large band aid on her forehead. She saw the door was wide open and acting on a whim, she leapt off the bed. She barely made it a few steps before her vision went white and her body fell to the floor. Her vision came back as fast as it had disappeared.
She heard the two marines head her way and she violently told them to "Back the fuck off". She only had a second to question her choice of words as she didn't even realize how angry she sounded. Regardless of her warnings and insults the two marines still tried to get her. She backed into the wall and felt like a trapped animal. A feeling she didn't want to ever feel again. The man started walking towards her but the lady stopped him when thundering footsteps were heard. The old man walked in and started to yell some orders to the two marines. A moment later the two were gone and the old man and she were alone.
She leaned herself against the wall and waited for the man to say something. They stared down one another each waiting for the other to break. Unfortunately it was Greycie who lost as she had a coughing fit that seemed to last forever. By the time she was done her throat was on fire and she felt something moist on her hand. She glanced down at her palm and her eyes widen in fear.
She quickly hid the emotion and wondered if the marine had sensed the horror that was stoned throughout her body. She wiped her palm on her shirt and got rid of the blue liquid that was already burning her hand. The man got closer but she didn't care now. All she felt was her body burning, burning from the inside. She was aware that the man was now asking her questions. She flinched away from him as the questions seemed to be amplified. The man sounded like he was screaming the questions now.
"Where are your parents"
Greycie now felt her throat became tighter.
"Which sea are you from"
Greycie closed her eyes as the light in the room suddenly became like knives to her eyes.
"Did they hurt you"
She whimpered as her heart gave a sudden jolt that sent a pain throughout her entire body. She now gripped her shirt and clenched her fists into the cloth. She felt her entire body shake and she knew she was making the old man worry.
She bit her lip in frustration and also in pain. The pain in her chest was now matching the one in her head and they were both getting worse. She knew that by not answering the man's questions that she was making Zoro and everybody look like bad guys. She tried to concentrate in answering the questions but when she opened her mouth to answer, the old geezer decided that was the right time to light a cigar. When the smell of the smoke infiltrated her nose she almost gagged at how strong the smoke was. To make matters worse she started to taste the horrid smoke that seemed to burn her already scarring throat.
She heard the man move to the side when other footsteps were heard, rather loudly for Greycie, coming towards the room. Greycie peeled her eyes open slowly as the light streamed in her dilated saw the door knob turning and she knew this was her chance. And she was going to take it. Taking a deep breath she pushed herself off the wall, and she ran. She ran across the room and between the people who was entering legs.
"Wait" The woman in the door called out.
Greycie recognized that voice but didn't turn around. Tashigi was not her friend right now and she wouldn't be for a long time. Greycie brushed that thought away and instead tried to find a way out of this ship and to the one where she truly belonged.
~~~~Line break
Greyice sharply inhaled a breath of air as she rounded a corner but almost fell down in her fast process. She had no idea where she was going and she didn't dare to look behind her. She scrambled up and ran down a hallway. In the corner of her eye she saw him. The smoke guy was right behind her. The old man was faster than he looked as he practically flew down the hall in pursuit of her. When she felt a hand grab her shirt she screamed in fear and ran faster despite her heart screaming for her to stop. She turned the next corner and grabbed the walls as she tried to remember anything that might stop her from running in circles in the unknown vessel.
She couldn't smell or taste anything except smoke, everything was quickly being covered in smoke. She saw a door and quickly ran to it and before slamming the door she turned around to see what distance she was making with her follower. Her head turning, she didn't see that she was entering the deck which was currently a battlefield. She opened the door and she felt her world freeze as a stray bullet went past her eyes. She felt her breathing stop as the bullet went past her, it was what was on the bullet that caused her stomach to turn. Blood.
She turned towards the sound of the gunshot and felt her own blood run cold. A woman was on the deck, blood running down her arm. Greycie watched in horror as the red dot on her shirt started to grow. The dot soon became a full circle and soon drops of the red liquid splashed upon the deck. The woman fell upon the deck with a cry and grabbed her shoulder.
Blood. The smell of it hit Greycie full on as the winds of the storm raged on. The taste of something salty was overcoming her mouth whether it was the sea mist or her tears she couldn't tell at the moment. Her heart beat was the only thing she heard at the moment. Beating faster and faster. She could almost feel her chest vibrating at the speed of her heart as she clenched her chest. The woman was going to die, she killed her.
She was the reason why the marines were here anyways. That woman wouldn't have gotten shot if she hadn't talked to Tashigi and given the wrong impression. She was a killer...again. She killed her own mother and now she killed this woman. She stood frozen in front of the door wishing she was stronger. Wise like Robin, Heroic like Usopp, Awesome like Franky, Stealthy like Nami, Strong like Luffy, Accurate like Chopper, Respectful like Sanji and of course Indestructible like Zoro. She barely registered a sharp pain hit the side of her head, all she concentrated was the characteristics she wished she had. She barely realized that she got hit in the head by a door. She heard someone mutter a curse before she fell into the blackness, once again.
~~~ADTMAFTO~~~
Greycie slowly opened her eyes and looked around lazily at her surroundings. She was sitting on a large seat in a front row with dozens of seats behind her. Before she could question where she was a light was turned on and shined down on a stage. A woman was huddled on the floor in a brown tutu. Music began to play and the woman slowly started to rise in an eerie beautiful way. Using nothing but her legs she rose and raised her arms above her head.
With her head raised that clearly shown pride, she stood on her one leg and began to spin. The spins began to get faster and Greycie watched memorized by the woman's grace. She only realized her mouth was hanging open when the woman abruptly stopped and faced Greycie. Her blue eyes looked down at the only person in the auditorium and with a large smile she said "Nice to finally meet you, Maya"
~~~~ADTMAFTO~~~~~
The rain now pounded onto the ship and the marines. The marines on board watched in horror as two hands appeared suddenly on the railing. Their eyes grew wide as a demon threw himself up and landed onto the deck. With his head down the marines backed away as a deadly aura reaped off the demon. The marines made slow movements to make space between them and the intruder. It was only until in one swift movement did the marines start running as Roronoa grabbed a white katana and lift his head. A smile that only belonged on a demon's face surfaced and before they could strategize their attack, the demon went on a rampage.
Zoro ran straight through the mass of marines and attacked. He wasn't looking for a battle, he just wanted a path. He was sure when he did attack he used the blunt side of his blade. An attack to each side sent the railing flying along with dozens of marines going overboard. This continued until he grew tired of hearing the cries for blood from Shuisshi. Sheathing his sword he stood still and kept his head down. The marines watched the demon in confusion as it almost looked like he gave up.
One brave marine saw this stand still as an opening for an attack and with a war cry he and some followers ran to the demon. They barely made it a few steps before a stretching fist took their breath away as they flew from the impact. The other marines barely had time to run before a pair of arms grew on their necks. The sound of loud cracks dominated the pouring rain for a second as marines fell down onto the deck now unconscious.
Zoro looked around and found that he was finally able to have a clear path. He turned around and nodded at his crewmates who were standing on the deck each with a furious glare on their face.
"Hurry up and bring back Greycie" Nami screamed over the raging sea. The ship was already being rocked away by the waves and Zoro estimated he only had a matter of minutes to find Greycie. He didn't waste any time as he dashed inside the marine's ship.
~~~~~~ADTMAFTO~~~~~~
"Do you know who I am, Maya" The young woman asked
"You're my mother" Greycie said in a choked voice. She breathed out of her mouth, trying to keep the tears from falling.
The woman nodded and a large smile spread across her face. She leaped off the stage and approached Greycie until she stood in front of her. Tears were already streaming down the woman's face and with a shaky voice she asked "Can I hold you"
The woman stumbled back as Greycie launched herself at her. She stood there for a moment just embracing her and listening to her baby's heartbeat for the first time. She wished her heart would beat back but sadly there was nothing but silence where her heart should have been. Still embracing her child she sat down on the front row seat and combed her fingers through the identical head of hair her daughter had. She felt her shoulder where her daughter's head was pressed was getting wet but that only made her cry more. The mother and daughter embraced one another both silently crying but with a smile on their faces.
Karin shook her head and chuckled as she brushed her tears away. She sat down on a chair and picked up her daughter's head and brusher her tears away too."I love you Maya" She whispered. Cupping her daughter's face in her hands she gently laid a kiss on the child's forehead. The child smiled softly and blushed from the affection, which made Karin laugh. Greycie looked up when she heard the soft ring that was her mother's laugh. She always imagined how her mother's laugh sounded and to her relief it was really pretty. Before she could compliment the laugh a pain coursed throughout her body which made Greycie's breath hitch. Her mother quickly reacted by pressing the child close to her chest and waited till the pain resided. After a couple of minutes Greycie whimpered "I wish this pain would go away"
Karin smiled and brushed her daughter's hair away from her face. She tilted the child's chin and smiled at her.
"I can make this pain go away"
Greycie looked up in surprise "You can really take the pain away"
"Yes I can, but I'm not"
"Why" Greycie asked now confused.
"Maya if I would take the pain away you would have to come with me and I don't want that" Karen said. Her eyes softened and she gently took her daughters hand in her own.
"You don't want me" Greycie whispered hurt heard in her voice.
"Oh no honey, gosh I'm such a ditz" Karen face palmed herself and shook her head. "What I meant to say was that to go to a place where there is never pain, you would have to leave the place you are right now
"Can I come back"
"No honey you can't"
"But there's no pain there, and I'm getting really tired of all this pain, it hurts all the time...Mama" Greycie hesitantly said the last part but was relieved when her mother gave her a dazzling smile in response to the name. The smile faded though as Karin grew serious "You won't miss any of the people you are with right now when you leave them" She questioned.
"I would miss a lot of people, like a lot of people."
"Like who honey" Karin asked with a smile.
"Zoro, Luffy, Brook, Franky, Nami, Usopp, Chopper, Sanji, Robin, oh and Ace" Greycie counted each person with one of her fingers.
Karen laughed and hugged her. Kissing her on her cheek she whispered in her ear "You have a lot planned for the future and I don't think you're ready for this place. I think you should stay right here and become the greatest ballerina in the world"
Greycie grew still in her mother's arms and turned to her with wide eyes "You know about that"
Karen with a soft smile said "Of course, I'm always watching you, everywhere you go I'm right beside you and I must say you always do find yourself in an adventure don't you" She laughed at the last part.
"I don't even try to" Greycie joined in the laughter.
Greycie heard someone calling her name and turned to the sound. It seemed to be coming from the back of the auditorium.
"Alright honey you best be off now" Karin got up and embraced her baby, an experience she wished she could have during her life."I love you Maya"
"I love you too Mama" Greycie whispered as tears once again fell down her face.
"If you ever stray from the right path I will be there to push you back ok honey" Karin promised. "Promise me you'll live your life" Karin asked in a serious tone.
"I promise" Greycie replied with a smile.
"Good girl, now go, someone that cares for you is calling you back" Karin said with a smile as she gently pushed her towards the exit of the auditorium.
Greycie walked a few steps but stopped and hesitated. Taking a deep breath she turned and asked "You said you saw everything right"
"Yes, everything"
"Can I ask you something then" Greycie asked in a forlorn tone.
"I think I already know what you're going to ask, Come here honey and I'll show you everything that's going to happen"
Pressing her forehead against her daughters, both females closed their eyes and let the images fly.
~~~ADTMAFTO~~~~~~
Zoro called out Greycie's name for the twentieth and listened out for an answer. He was about to run inside the vessel for the second time in his search for Greycie when he heard a familiar voice. That voice could only belong to one person. He looked where the voice came from and found himself looking up. His face dropped and for a second an uncommon emotion crossed the ex-pirate hunter's face. Confusion. There on top of the helm of the ship stood Greycie. But it wasn't Greycie, there was something different about her. She looked exactly the same but there was something off. He called her and that's when they met eye contact, he saw it.
Zoro remembered his Sensei saying that the eyes are the doors to your soul. When Zoro looked into Greycie's eyes he saw they had changed. The grey gentle eyes now shone with wisdom and a glint of mischief. The eyes of a teenager who knew they were disobeying orders. It wasn't just the eyes that had changed, her expressions and movements were not of a clumsy three year old. As she walked backwards on the mast her actions were smooth and somewhat graceful.
Zoro watched at the unbelievable task that the three year old was doing. How the hell she got up on the mast was a mystery to him. She looked like she was taunting someone as she walked backwards on the beam. A Cheshire cat smile now on her face as the person she was taunting finally made his appearance. The rain poured down harder and Zoro watched as Smoker and Greycie met eye contact. Greycie opened her mouth to say something but at that moment lightening lit up the entire sky and the two disappeared as the white flash covered the sky but to Zoro's horror it struck the tip of the beam of the ship. The wood splintered to pieces and fell to the ground. One large piece of wood was heading towards Greycie.
~~~ADTMAFTO~~~~
Greycie flinched when something struck her head. She stepped back in fear but immediately stopped when she felt her foot slip. To her horror she found that she was on a beam, with the old man just a few feet away. She had no idea how she got up there, the last thing she remembered was a sharp pain in her head. She had been running, no wait she was in an auditorium. She tried to determine what happened after the sharp pain in her head.
But she didn't have time to think because at that moment the ship rocked dangerously. Greycie gasped as her footing slipped and she fell down hard on the beam. With a strangled cry she grabbed the pole and held on for dear life. When the rocking stopped Greycie still laid on the beam. She couldn't get up; she was shaking from the combination of cold and fear. She could hear the man's thud from his boots as he came closer to her. She let out a whimper and held on the pole tighter.
"Run" Someone yelled furiously."Now Greycie" The same person yelled again.
Greycie looked down and to her horror she saw Zoro running towards the railing. He was leaving her. He was leaving her to the marines. He couldn't. He wouldn't. She didn't want to stay here. Greycie let out a choked sob and before she knew what she was doing she found herself running across the beam. She was only looking at Zoro who was already at the end of the ship, she didn't see the beam, she didn't see the rain, and she didn't see anything except Zoro jumping.
"Please don't leave me" She screamed as she jumped off the beam. When her feet leave the beam she made sure she gave an extra push off the beam. Her hair whipped back as she fell. She was falling and her destination was the black raging water. Though it was only seconds that she was falling Greycie felt like minutes had passed as the water grew closer and closer. Before she could touch the water a hand reached out and grabbed her. She was thrusted into a soaking wet toned chest that could only belong to Zoro. Greycie braced herself to hit the water but it never came. Instead two arms wrapped around her and Zoro. She was whiplashed onto wet grass but was thankfully protected by Zoro. The last thing she heard was Coup de Burst before she let herself completely go.
Zoro held onto Greycie tightly despite the ship already landing back down on water. Thankfully they landed on a small patch of water where the storm had already passed. Though the storm was gone, Zoro feared that an entire new one was starting. His hands were shaking but it wasn't the cold temperature or the adrenaline running through his veins that was causing it. No they were shaking from holding onto Greycie who was crying so hard that she seemed to be vibrating.
Zoro held her tighter and tried calling her name to grab her attention. It didn't work and Greycie only cried harder. Zoro picked up her head and tried to calm her. She was crying so hard that Zoro feared that she would start hyperventilating. Her sobs were now getting loud enough where the crew was gathering with worried expressions on their faces. Zoro noticed that she was now mumbling something between sobs. He strained his ears to catch the words that were flying out of her mouth. He didn't have to try hard because the next moment Greycie began yelling. The words she yelled caught everyone off guard.
"Where were you guys" She cried. She buried her face into her hands and bit her lip as sobs racked through her body. The images she saw in the auditorium flashed in her eyes and that caused to start crying even louder. She thrashed around in Zoro's arms until she succeeded in being free of the bar like arms that Zoro pinned her against. She fell to the ground but still glared at the crew in front of her.
"WHERE DID YOU GUYS GO" She now screamed.
"We're sorry Greycie, we swear that will never happen again" Nami soothed as she tried to comfort the child.
"No you won't be there, I couldn't do anything" Greycie cried. She bit her lip as she broke down again. The crew watched in confusion and fear as the child spoke of something that they weren't aware of."I saw everything" Greycie whispered to herself. She looked up at the crew and then back down at the ground. "I was too weak" she mumbled before tipping over and falling into the wet grass.
Chopper squealed and immediately went into doctor mode. He took the small child to the infirmary and after he cleared that all Greycie needed was a good rest. The crew lingered around still affected by the strange yelling of the child. The lingering stopped as a commanding voice broke the silence "We need a crew meeting, now"
Nami charged out of the room and walked to her map room. She jerked the door open and slammed it hard enough where the walls shook. The rest of the crew stepped out quietly most with a crestfallen face. Robin's face was serious and she tried to soothe the tear jerking doctor. Zoro was the last member who left the room. His face was expressionless but a sigh escaped him. Luffy turned to the remaining crew and said with determination "No one is to speak a word until we get there, let's not waste the remaining time we have"
Robin was retreating to her room, exhausted from the unexpected eventful night. She was about to enter her room when a soft voice called her attention. Turning around she saw a small figure standing in the hallway.
"Robin can I talk to you"
Smoker breathed in heavily, he took his time as he slowly exhaled the smoke from the cigar. He snuffed the cigar in lazy motions and lit another one. He was left alone in his quarters and anyone who dared to enter his perimeter would be quickly turned around by his lieutenant. He needed to be alone right now. He needed to try to at least put some sense in what happened tonight. Closing his eyes he tried to remember the events. It happened when he accidentally hit the child in her head when he swung the door opened. He quickly grabbed her and brought her back inside. He had gently set her down onto the bed and turned around. He barked for some medical aids as he stood in the hallway and stomped his way back inside. That's when things started to change.
"Excuse me, sir" A timid voice squeaked.
Smoker turned around to see the child sitting up and staring intently at the floor. Her eyes were half lidded and it almost looked like she was half asleep. "What's wrong" He asked.
The child now fiddled with her hands and asked meekly "Is there any way you can let me back onto the deck. I think I need some fresh air"
"No" Smoker answered flatly.
The child sharply lifted her head and her eyes now pierced at the devil fruit user. "Let me put it in other words then, I want to get the hell out of here" She now spat out, venom thick in her voice.
Smoker was taken aback for a moment at the child's change of personality. In that moment of shock, the child took advantage of and dashed to the desk in the medical room. Her hands were quick as she opened the drawer and pulled something out. Smoker was about to grab her when he pulled back when he saw the object she was holding.
"That scalpel won't hurt me" Smoker said in a nonchalant tone. He stared as the medical instrument and took a step forward to retrieve the scalpel. He expected the child to express fear when she realized her plan had failed. Instead the child just chucked and shone her eyes at Smoker.
"You idiot, you think I would be stupid enough to try to fight you" With her eyes wide and a crooked grin donning her face, she placed the knife's tip onto her neck. "Let me go, or I will slice my neck open" She said darkly despite the smile still on her face.
"You wouldn't" Smoker challenged. He had already realized that the small child was no longer with him, as even her aura that surrounded her was different. He didn't feel like he was dealing with a child, he felt like he was handling with a 17 year old.
With a tilt of her head, the child pressed the scalpel hard enough into her skin where a thin line of blood fell down her neck. She was about to move it across her neck when she stopped and stared at Smoker.
"What's it going to be old man, having a three year olds corpse on your vessel or" She tilted her head even more and with a little sparkle in her eye that sent chills down Smoker's spine she said "letting me go"
Smoker didn't know what to do at the moment, his view of justice told him to retain the child until he could get this clear. But by her several attempts of escaping he was now fully questioning whether the child wasn't one of the offspring's of the two females in the Straw-hat crew. The bigger question was the sudden change in behavior of the child.
Smoker in response to the question the child asked now stepped to the side and lit a cigar. The child walked steadily never letting sharp object stray too far from her neck. When she was halfway in the hallway, she dropped the scalpel from her neck and made a dash for the deck. She was barely across the second hallway when the smell of smoke attacked her once again. She merely laughed and ran faster.
Smoker tried to grab her but the child sharply turned and ran into another hallway. The howling of the ocean wind was heard along with a door slamming closed. Smoker cursed as the child had found the side door to the deck. He sprinted after her and opened the door, to only see that the child was already trying to leave the ship.
Like a gazelle she sprinted across the deck taking advantage of the wet wood and slid towards the mast. She casually jumped over the bodies that were lying unconscious on the floor. When she reached the mast she gripped a rope that was swinging wildly. She saw with delight that it was tied to the top of the mast. She gave one last smile at the marine before she started to pull herself up the rope.
Smoker went into action as he flew into the air, his target already making height distance between them as she climbed the rope. When he was just a few inches away from her, he reached out to grab the child by the shirt. When he clenched his fist to grab her shirt, he was startled when he found he only grabbed air. Scanning for the child, he saw her as she slid down the rope, her feet the only thing holding the rope the rest of the body was hanging down. The child only smiled at him as she descended down the rope.
Growing tired of this cat and mouse game, Smoker grabbed the rope and jerked it up. He was ready to grab the child as she flew upwards along with the rest of the rope from the sudden jerk. What he didn't expect was for her to fly upwards and use his hands as a jumping platform. In one second she pushed herself off his hands flying upwards until she was able to grasp the pole. She dangled there for a second. Smoker looked up and met eye contact with the child. His face furrowed as she recklessly dangled from one arm, and with the free arm blew him a kiss. She laughed mockingly and brought herself up on the beam. She slowly walked to the middle of the beam and waited there. Moments later Smoker was now literally fuming as he stood on the beam now just a few feet away from her.
With a hand covering her mouth as if she was about to tell a secret the child said in a mocking voice "Looks like someone is getting a little old" Her eyes were bright with mischief and mockery "Not even able to catch a small three year old" A mocking giggle escaped her lips.
Before Smoker even had time to answer, the sky was lit with lighting and followed by the thunderous roar. He saw the ships mast explode, and before he could react a piece of wood struck the child. The next thing he knew he was staring in a pair of frightened innocent eyes. Looking down he saw that Roronoa was also on the ship and yelling at the child. He watched as the child tried to back up but fail miserably as she slipped. He discreetly guided his smoke on the edge of the beam just in case the child did fall, he could catch her. He now stared at the child as she ran across the beam and jump off. He saw Roronoa and the child return safely on to their ship and with a sigh he also returned to his crew.
Smoker lit two more cigars and rubbed his temples in a weak attempt to get rid of the raging headache. He had yelled at his subordinate when he learned that she didn't have any evidence that the child could be one the Straw hats' female offsprings. Sighing he just shook his head and just decided to mutter "The grand line is a strange place"