Ace's Second Chance 10
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Idiots on the Lose
While the Straw Hats were having a five days party Pell flew to Alubarna. One day, two marines descended from a tourist ship at Nanohana and all the people at the port were overjoyed. They were Vice-Admiral Hina and Captain Tashigi, according to the newspapers both women played an important role in capturing the Baroque Works' agents who caused trouble in Alabasta two years ago.
"Those women are considered heroines and it is expected that the royal family will give them special treatment, so I took them to the palace." Pell told Vivi.
"Of course, I will show them the kingdom's best tourist attractions." The Princess said and walked towards Pell. "Take me to Alubarna, please. I need to fix myself to look like a princess." She said and then turned to her friends. "Guys, there are several fun things to do. Kohza will guide you around and hopefully I'll meet you in a few days." The girl smiled and sat on Pell's back.
"Actually I don't think it's a good idea for Kohza to go with them. It would be a problem if the former leader of the rebellion is seen with pirates." Chaka said. "I suggest that Kohza accompanies you in the tour with the marines so they can see how strong your relationship is and that the kingdom is united once more."
Nami was expecting a jealousy reaction from Ace but he was talking to Luffy.
"That's a great idea. Let's go Kohza." She said and the man sat on Pell's back too. In a matter of seconds the Zoan type took flight carrying Carue with his claws.
"What do we do now?" Luffy asked.
"I will be your tourist guide, we'll have so much fun." Chaka announced.
"I don't think it would be beneficial for Vivi if you are seen with pirates." The former admiral said. "I'm sure they'll be ok by themselves, plus, Ace is going with them."
"That is true, what was I thinking?" The Zoan type apologized and the Straw Hats walked away from him and Kuzan. "Aren't you going to act as the Princess' bodyguard?"
"I'll show up if she needs me." He yawned. "Ace, wear this." The former admiral threw an orange hat to the pirate. "I recovered it from Marineford, this means your training is over."
"Thank you, I owe you a lot and I never forget my debts." Ace put on his hat. "I guess Golden Mask must go." He said and hid the mask on his desert gown, leaving Luffy wondering who Golden Mask was.
Ace, Luffy and the rest of the crew put on the desert gowns that were 'in' at Alabasta, courtesy of Terracota, and rode the Super Spot-billed Duck Squad towards Rainbase. "There's the casino, good restaurants, great bars, a spa, the market, the mall, camel races, and more…" Ace listed some places he thought would be appealing to the Straw Hats.
"The Casino is still open for 24 hours?" Robin asked. She recalled the pyramid-shaped building and the giant crocodile on top, which had been replaced with a hawk.
"Yes, it's full all the time. The night you came it was empty because Vivi ordered a make-over, but it must be completed by now… you'll get to see it soon." Ace said.
The pirates talked about their experiences on different islands, their training and complimented each other's abilities. Ace asked for Brook's autograph and told him that Vivi had tone dials with all his songs. The whitebeard pirate also told them that Vivi hired the Galley-La Company to improve some aspects of the cities, since the Princess had great ideas and Iceburg and Paulie could build everything.
"You seem to have a good connection with Vivi." Nami gave him a devilish smile, she felt like torturing Ace a little. The pirate smiled and was about to answer when the girl spoke again. "But what surprises me the most is how well Vivi and Kohza get along."
"Yes, they've been friends since childhood, I though you knew." He looked surprised that the navigator didn't know something that important.
"Of course I knew, I meant that the way they look at each other is marvelous, such stares have trust, complicity and even love." She elongated the last word.
"I agree, it's just amazing that they kept their friendship after all the years and troubles. Luffy and I share the same bond, and you all do to." He smiled thinking about his friends, the Whitebeard Pirates.
"You are not fun to mess with." Nami whispered and frowned. "Anyway, I'm glad you and Vivi have a strong bond too." She smiled with sincerity and Ace smiled too, Zoro made a mental note to learn how to outsmart that tricky friend of his, but forgot about it as soon as he finished that thought.
The pirates stopped a mile before Rainbase, Ace let go of the ducks to avoid getting attention, but kept Eyelashes for the girls, the others walked the rest of the way. Once in the city they separated. Zoro carried Chopper and decided to find a bar, Sanji hit on all the girls he saw, Usopp went to the market to check out the weapons, Robin entered a book store nearby, Franky walked around to look for Iceburg's works, Brook's fans found him and asked him to sing, Luffy pulled Ace towards a restaurant and Nami turned her attention to the casino and gave it a mischievous look.
Vivi wore one of her finest dress to meet the Marines. The princess looked beautiful on a white silk gown with golden ornaments, and she wore a tiara and her hair down. Kohza was also elegantly dressed and both entered the royal salon where the marines were eating, in the company of the King. "Vice-Admiral Hina, Captain Tashigi. I am overjoyed to see you and that you chose Alabasta for your vacations." Vivi smiled.
Hina and Tashigi stood up and bowed once they saw Vivi. "On the contrary, your majesty." The pink haired woman said. "We are flattered for being hold in high regard by your people and we are thankful for your hospitality."
"Please take a seat and resume your supper." Vivi said and occupied the chair at the right side of her father and Kohza took the left seat. Cobra looked powerful but the princess knew he wasn't feeling well. The King would never tell Vivi but the girl noticed that his health was decaying and that he called the royal doctor two times on the same week. However, Vivi would never offend her father's pride by asking about it.
The meal went on very lively, the marines asked about the kingdom and the king answered very pleased by the interest of the women. Vivi commented how much she admired strong women and that she would love to travel as they do, so Kohza offered to protect her if she ever decides to make a journey overseas. Tashigi noticed the good relationship of the Princess and the former rebel leader so she asked about it and Kohza told her the story of their friendship, which made everyone laugh.
"Your Majesty." Tashigi started to feel uncomfortable because she knew she did not deserve the honor she was given. "You know well that the Straw Hat pirates stop Baroque Works. So why do you treat us as heroines?"
Vivi was not prepared to answer but Cobra was. "The marines arrested Alabasta's fake hero and his subordinates, thus becoming idols for my people. As far as we know, Straw Hat defeated Crocodile, the man behind the rebellion, for unknown reasons. Then Nico Robin, Miss All-Sunday, joined their crew and Crocodile fought along Monkey D. Luffy at Marineford. My theory is that they were allies but they had an argument that ended on the downfall of the former Warlord. That's all."
Hina stared at Vivi, she knew something was going on with her and the pirates but that had to wait. "Tashigi, you are imprudent. The King has his reasons to do this and we must respect them, besides we are on vacations." She scolded the captain.
"Forgive me your majesty." Tashigi bowed and Cobra nodded.
At the end of the meal Vivi gave the marines two rooms in the castle and offered to give them a tour of the most exclusive places of the kingdom. The Vice-Admiral agreed and the three women plus Kohza entered a chariot pulled by white horses.
"Your Majesty, I would love to visit the famous Hawk Casino." Hina said.
"Of course, miss Hina." Vivi smiled and turned to the charioteer. "Take us to Rainbase, please." The man nodded and started to advance. The expected time to reach the city was cut in half by the Galley-La Company's special roads and bridges that made it easier to cross the desert and river. Vivi explained the new travel system and complimented Iceburg's work. She also talked to them about the exclusive gifts Alabasta sent to the Celestial Dragons and the places they came from, she promised to take them there too. Kohza told the marines that the city of Yuba became a prosperous place, that there were several spas all over the kingdom and that the former rebels were now loyal soldiers and hard working men.
When the chariot stopped Kohza climbed down to help Vivi and the Marines. The princess led the way to the Casino, the Vice-Admiral and Kohza followed her but Tashigi lost sight of them when a crowd passed by.
"What do I do now?" The blue haired girl said to herself. Suddenly she heard a familiar voice which led her to the central square. "You?" She asked not believing her eyes. The woman passes through the fans and made it to the singer. "Soul King… Can I have your autograph?" She asked in a childish way.
"Of course, I could never deny anything to such a beauty." Brook said as he signed his poster. "By the way, may I see your panties?"
"Thank you." She hugged the poster and ignored his comment. "Bye." She left. Tashigi was so excited to see her favorite singer that she erased from her mind that he was a Straw Hat pirate. So she kept walking and put her glasses over her head.
Franky and usopp had found each other an hour ago and started building an armor for Eyelashes at a random street, suddenly Tashigi approached them with a dreamy expression. "Is that a horse statue? You must be really talented."
Usopp recognized her and became really nervous. "She's the only woman Zoro can't deal with." He thought and was glad that their appearances did not match their wanted posters anymore. "It's a camel ma'am… I guess we are not that talented." He laughed nervously so Tashigi apologized and left.
"What was that?" Franky asked intrigued, so Usopp prompted him to go somewhere else while he told him about that marine.
"That was really embarrassing and rude." Tashigi scolded herself for insulting the art of those men. "I was not wearing my glasses." She felt dumb at her realization so she put them on and walked in a restaurant, since she was feeling hungry.
"I think I died… I must be in Heaven if I am able to see an angel." A blond man led her to a table and put a bowl of steaming soup in front of the girl. Tashigi looked up but her glasses were blurred so she could not see Sanji drooling. "I do not deserve to be in the presence of a Goddess so I'll leave." The pirate said once he recognized her.
"That was close." Sanji lit his cigarette." Saved by a bowl of soup... I'm glad she's not that brilliant." His eye became a heart. "But she is gorgeous."
By the time Tashigi was done with her food she forgot about Hina, so she chose to take a bath at the Hot Springs. The marine entered the place and her glasses blurred once more, so she only saw the silhouettes of two women talking about their days. The red-head said something about the casino and the raven haired one spoke of a library.
The archaeologist saw Tashigi and prepared to fight her but soon realized that the marine could not see them. The pirate women ended their bath in silence and left unnoticed. "I didn't think we would run into her." Robin whispered.
Tashigi exited the spa with more energy and peace so there was no way she would return to Hina's side. The girl bought a map and sat on a bench to find something to do, suddenly a man with a raccoon on his head caught her attention. "That's adorable, not many men are willing to be seen with cute pets. I bet he is the sensitive type." Tashigi blushed and saw him leave, not realizing that he was Zoro because Chopper obscured his face. Luck and Tashigi's cluelessness saved the Straw Hats from being discovered but there were still two idiots unaware of the marines.
Hina gambled at the Casino during Tashigi's adventure and once she was exhausted Vivi suggested they go to a nice restaurant nearby. Kohza opened the door for the girls, as the gentlemen he was. The Vice-Admiral passed by a mirror and stared at herself for a long time, with an undecipherable expression. She looked at her beautiful strapless dress and long gloves, they were red and black respectively, she was also wearing red high heels. However, behind all that glamour she hid spandex shorts, in case she needed to fight, she was a cautious woman.
"Oh, Princess." A woman bowed at the entrance of the restaurant. "Do not enter this place, there are men eating like mad beasts, and one fell asleep in the middle of his meal, we thought he was death but he woke up and started to eat again. There is a rumor that they are pirates who came to rob the casinos of the city and the jewel stores at the mall." The woman was scandalized.
Vivi was worried about Tashigi being by herself since she could bump into the Straw Hats any time, but after hearing that woman she realized that the young marine was the least of her problems.
"Allow me to get rid of them, Your Majesty." Hina smirked when she noticed that one of the men was wearing a straw hat and the other had a familiar orange hat.
"Vice-Admiral, my bodyguard will take care of them." The Princess tried to stop Hina and looked around for Kuzan, he appeared whenever she needed him.
"With all due respect, I don't see any bodyguard, besides; these pirates are Marines' business." The pink haired woman stepped into the restaurant.
"Kohza." Vivi looked at her friend so he took out a snail phone.
"Pirates, you are under arrest." Hina shouted and attacked Luffy once he turned around. She caught him swallowing his food so he could not do anything when she kicked him and threw an iron shackle to pin him to the ceiling. Then she turned to Ace and he did a better job dodging all her punches due to his observation Haki. Then the marine started to use Soru, she was way faster than before, and punched him in the stomach.
Ace didn't know about the CP9 techniques so he was taken aback. "What was that? The next time I see that I'll be able to counter it." He thought and then realized something more important. "She's not using Haki, how can she touch me?" Ace asked to himself. "Who are you? It wasn't nice to take me by surprise." He smirked at the prospect of a good challenge.
To Be Continued
Excuses so you won't kill me:
Hina and Tashigi are two of my favorite Marines XD
I promise more fights for chapters 11 and 12…
I think that's it, well hope you liked the story so far.
Saveme57 and Mikila94, thanks for the reviews, I really appreciate them :D