A/N: Early Release? A different POV. Thoughts?\

Perona and Marco were whispering closely together, an odd sight for the pair who just destroyed part of the city earlier in a petty fight.

Mihawk and Whitebeard along with some of the other division captains were in a meeting debating the best course of action and the fastest route to Whole Cake Island.

The pair had been kicked out of the meeting for causing a ruckus but a few in the room noticed them exchanging smirks.

And now, the two were plotting their own course to the New World on the deck of the Moby Dick.

"So listen, one of Luffy's friend's coworkers has an ability that allows him to open doors anywhere he wants. He can open a door to the Yonkou's island. He owes me one, he was supposed to pay me for scaring the shit out of his boss with some ghosts but the bastard skipped out on me. That's where you come in. We might have to rough him up a bit before he agrees," Perona said.

Marco frowned at her and said, "Rough him up? Coworker?" he questioned as folded his arms. "Are you sure this guy is reliable?" he asked.

"Listen, just have your guys walk around the deck," Marco interrupted her and said, "my brothers-" holding his hand up and Perona rolled her eyes and continued, "Have your brothers walk around looking menacingly and grab him if he tries to make a run for it. He appreciates intimidation. Think you can handle it? He's really strong even if he looks dumb," Perona said.

Marco laughed and said, "Whatever, just call him. I'll do my part," he said, nodding at his brothers as they moved over to another corner of the deck. He looked over at Haruta and said, "Keep lookout," and motioned his fingers in a familiar signal across the ship. Perona rolled her eyes at the show and pulled out her portable snail. She rang up the bartender and waited for him to pick up. After a while, it seemed he would never pick up and she saw Marco opening his mouth when it finally clicked, "Hello?" a deep voice intoned.

"Hey Blue, I'm ringing up that debt you owe me," Perona sang.

"Hmpf, Hello Princess, I don't owe you a thing. Now what's this about?" he responded

Perona responded shrilly, "I scared your shitty boss, you shitty bull-man! You owe me! I need you to open a door to the New World."

Blueno leaned away from the den den mushi at the shrill cry and said, "Ah, I remember now, well I'm busy, call back later," he said.

"Yeah, well, I'll double your usual fee and I'll even throw in a scare fest for one of your pals, maybe the wolf one, he always squeals the loudest, horororhoro," she laughed.

Blueno paused, "You're being unusually generous," was heard over the snail as Marco frowned across her, listening in. Perona smirked, "Well, you interested or not? Come over and we'll talk details," she said.

"Triple," he finally said after a few beats. "I'm not leaving for anything less, Lu will have my ass if he finds out I'm selling out my abilities again," Blueno said.

Perona sighed, "Hah. We both know it's sanctioned and you love the money. Lulu will bully you regardless. And you can send your bill to grandpa but there better be a heavy discount because I did scare your boss- you fucker," Perona told him pointing her finger at the den den mushi.

Blueno shivered, "Your grandpa? Wow Princess, must be serious if you're using his funds. Fuck, really?" he said

"You asked for triple, you stingy bull. And? What are you complaining for? He doesn't ask any questions," she told him. Marco looked more intrigued the longer the conversation continued.

"Oh please, your grandpa may not have a care in the world but Boogie went all scary motherfucker on me, and he's usually so chill, you know? What was I supposed to tell him? Bulldog's grandchildren wanted to go to Rain Dinners Casino and gamble for the weekend? Yeah right! You put me in some awkward situations Princess," he grumbled.

"Ah whatever grumpy, I need you to come over immediately," Perona said insistingly. Blueno frowned and said, "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming," he said hanging up. Marco looked across at Perona, "You live an interesting life, Princess " Marco said smirking.

Perona stuck her tongue out and reached out into the air as a door materialized.

Blueno stepped out and his eyes widened as he looked around the deck and went to step back inside. Marco quickly yanked him back on the deck and he stumbled, pulling away from Marco as the door closed behind him and he said, " The Whitebeards , Perona, really ?" Blueno said, rolling his eyes as he straightened his jacket.

"I'm charging you an extra fee for the emotional turmoil," he told her.

"Oh please, boo hoo, we both know you're not really a bartender, this is your bread & butter " she said, rolling her eyes at the big man.

" CP9 ," Marco deadpanned across from her.

Blueno did a double take, "You know about us?"

It was Marco's turn to roll his eyes and scoffed, "You're the government's worst kept secret. Everyone knows your member, Lucci killed those royal fuckers last year when they got kidnapped by those clueless pirates. No one really gave a fuck since they were escaping after their people found out they were knowingly poisoning the rivers by giving them their famous iridescent color to attract visitors," he finished, shrugging his shoulders.

Blueno shook his head and muttered, "Fukurou," under his breath. Perona said, "Alright big guy, you can have a crisis about your leak later, I need a door to Totto Land," she said seriously.

Blueno's jaw dropped and he laughed deeply, "hahaha seriously, Perona where do you want to go, I don't have all day," he said, checking his watch.

"I'm not laughing, Blueno. To be more specific I need you to open a door to Sweet City, Marco the Phoenix and I will be walking through," she told him. "And I want you on call, in case we need a way back, I doubt it, but I'm not taking any chances," Perona added, not using her syrupy voice she sometimes used with others while she talked with Blueno.

Blueno turned to look at her fully, "So let me get this straight, you want me to open a door to another Emperor's territory?" he straightened and said, pointing her nose down at her, "You want me to start a war? What the fuck Perona? You're on Whitebeard's ship, standing next to his second in command, surrounded by division captains and some other notable names. Babe, if you're here under duress just let a guy know. You didn't have to play this game," he said while stretching his hand out and looking around. But Marco quickly snapped his wrist up, "Aht, aht, wait right there buddy, you're not going anywhere and no one's kidnapped the Princess," he said, lighting up his arm. Blueno looked down,starting to sweat a little, and adjusted his sunglasses with his other hand. He smoothly shook the first commander off and slid away getting in a fighting form while Marco stepped back and did the same. Perona jumped up and shouted, "Wait," and Marco elbowed her and she glared at him and she said more quietly, "Wait a minute." Blueno did a double take and looked at her in confusion.

"Lucky and Marco's little brothers are friends, they ended up in Sweet City and we now we need an urgent pick up," Perona told him.

"Excuse me? Even if I believe you, I can't believe I'm being used as a taxi? What makes you even think I have a door to Big Mom's territory," Blueno questioned.

"Stop fucking around, Blueno. We think they might be in trouble but we can't confirm anything. What we do know is- that we gotta leave right now! Whatever is happening has the citizens scared and distressed. So stop pretending like you're not an elite, Enel damned government pig with every finger in all types of fucking pies and act like you damn well have a door currently open to Big Mom's island like I know you probably do," Perona said furiously.

Blueno huffed and exclaimed at the insults but said, "You should've led with Lucky being in trouble," rolling his eyes, "He's a little shithead but Lucci loves him and he doesn't like anyone. Lucci might go easy on me if I help his little friend out," he tilted his head thoughtfully.

Perona laughed haughtily, "Of course anything for the little tyrant, you're so whipped, so weak compared to Lucci, he leads you all around like a pack of puppies, horo horo horo."

Blueno glared at her, "Watch it Princess, I can still wipe the floor with you but I'll still help you despite the insults."

Marco sneered, "Whatever, man, hurry the fuck up and fuck off. We'll ring ya if we need a taxi," the younger man said while Perona laughed, tapping her feet impatiently. Haruta whisper shouted across the deck, "They're wrapping up!" and Perona waved her arms, motioning for Blueno to hurry up.

Blueno sneered back and opened a door, "Whatever you rude fucker. Perona I'm telling your grandpa you lost your little brother next time I see him" and Perona glared at him and said, "Don't you dare, I'll tell your boss it's your fault you lost track of that girl with the purple cowgirl hat!"

Blueno gasped, "You wouldn't dare," he whispered furiously, "I would," she said viciously. Haruta shouted, "They're coming!" Perona grabbed Marco's hand and pulled him through the door. "Let's go Blueno," she said, yanking him inside, as they disappeared into thin air.

A/N: Early Release! A different POV! Thoughts? Thank you for your reviews, I may not have time to respond to each person individually but I read each one and value them as the nice ones keep me going.

CP9 are younger in this story than in canon, in my universe they're aged 16-27, Kaku being the youngest at 16, Lucci is 17 and best friends with Luffy in spite of his young age because he appreciates his strength. Blueno is 22 yrs old. Perona and Marco are around 19 years old. I'm altering the age Mihawk adopted Perona to a younger age (~11 yrs old when adopted) but I still need to update that detail in an earlier chapter. I'm changing Luffy's age too, making him slightly older at 11 yrs but still younger than Ace & Sabo. But don't get too caught up on ages, I might be lol. I always forget these characters always act much older than their actual ages but still I wanna be somewhat realistic.

CP9 was a last minute addition, this iteration of them came out of nowhere so I just went with the flow. What do you think?

Codenames are used on the den den even though it's a secure line because Blueno is still a top secret agent despite how familiar they seem and you never know who's listening like Marco is for example (though he's being permitted to listen in by Perona). That's as much info on them for now. I just wanted to put their ages in perspective since CP9 is older in canon and I want to highlight that difference because their characterization reflects their ages in some ways in my story. Not sure when they'll pop up next.

A reminder that this is an AU so my characters WILL be different. Thanks :) Also who do you think Bulldog and Boogie are? The woman with the purple cowboy hat? Lol 👀😂~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~