Chapter 5: Pineapple and Bananas
Marco let out a sigh as his arm shot out, efficiently preventing Ace from face-planting onto the table. He had lasted thirty minutes into the meeting before succumbing to a narcolepsy attack, which was quite an improvement on the previous meeting. They might make a decent Commander out of him in the end! For now, however, Ace's position as Second Division Commander was still informal. After all, not two months ago, the fiery man could be seen flying through the air every time Pops countered one of his killing attempts. It wasn't that they didn't trust him, but being in charge was a lot of responsibility, and the shadow of the last person who stood in this seat was quite large. Pops already knew it was a good fit, the other Commanders had started to realise it as well, and they wanted to ease Ace into it.
Lowering his arm until the young man rested fully on the table, he brought his attention back to the matter at hand.
For about a month now, they had been at odds with the Marine (more so than usual that is), concerning a new territory they just claimed. The island in question was medium-sized, covered in banana plantations. The monoculture of bananas wasn't the natives' choice. It had been implemented by the World Government when they seized control many years ago.
Before being offensively called Banana Island, it was known as Mani Lala. It was originally a peaceful community, living from the land and some exchange with other islands. They weren't governed by a king or a queen, but relied on a counsel of people, randomly selected throughout the different villages and changing every year. They were famous for their fruits production, which was diverse, and granted them decent barters with outsiders.
Until bananas came into fashion in the Holy fucking Land Mary Geoise.
The World Noble Bastards found a strategy to "encourage" the banana productivity, by kidnapping the counsel and threatening them with a Buster Call on their land if they didn't put in place certain measures. They apparently didn't agree at first, but caved it after half of them were killed.
This tragedy had been one of many, letting the natives compelled to shed the territory of most of its vegetation in favour of banana trees. It derailed their way of living, rendering them dependent on outside sources for food, unable to grow their own any more. Of course, the World Government had become their main supplier, keeping them trapped in an unjust system where they were in debt to the Celestial Asses, and were forced to produce bananas in a never-ending circle to survive. They were basically slaves, without any chains or collars to show.
One person from Marco's Division was originated from Mani Lala, and had provided a lot of background information on its history. The natives had asked for Whitebeard's protection through one of their neighbouring Islands that was part of his territory. It would have usually more suited an intervention from the Revolutionary Army, but being so close to a large portion of his territory and having birthed one of his sons was reason enough for Whitebeard to step in.
So, step in they had, supplying the people with food and medicine, to give them the opportunity to stop their production. Protecting them when, as an act of rebellion against their former oppressors, they had destroyed more than half of the banana trees to start replanting the old vegetation.
Of course, the noble prats were more than displeased at the banana shortage.
They tried deploying marine forces, demanding the islanders resumed the production, but they were no match in the face of the Whitebeard Pirates.
The nobles declared that the people of Mani Lala (they used the name Banana Island, though, cause they're a bunch of assholes) still owed them a great debt. Whitebeard offered to repay it, but the pricks had declined.
After that, they were at a standstill, the World Government refuting the Emperor's claim, and the pirates refusing to back off. They weren't making any progress, until this morning.
Sengoku sent Pops an official letter, trying to defuse the situation. He was ready to engage some negotiation over the banana production, talking about some kind of deal where the Celestial Dragons would buy the bananas to the island, etc.
So here they were, in the Commanders' meeting room, discussing what would be their response.
"It really sounds like bullshit to me! No way the nobles will pay a fair price for bananas they used to get for free. It's such a joke!" Thatch had truly been invested over the weeks, thrilled with the rebellious energy emitted by the people of Mani Lala, and always happy to learn new dishes from another culture.
A light smile graced Marco's lips.
"Of course it is a joke yoi, but if we don't at least pretend to listen to their proposal, it will be one more reason for them to press their assault against us and Mani Lala."
Whitebeard, who had been quiet while he listened to his children, cleared his throat, gaining everyone's attention.
"Sengoku isn't a foolish man. He knows the world isn't ready for a war with us. They are not in a position of power here. But he must feel the pressure from the Celestial Dragons, and they, on the other hand, are a bunch of imbeciles." Cheers of agreement erupted briefly. "They would let the world burn over some bananas."
He watched all of his Commanders pensively.
"Marco, if you accept, I'd like to send you over to Sengoku to see if things can be sorted out."
Marco nodded, not interrupting his father.
"Wonderful. I trust your judgment, and Sengoku's good will to keep the peace. I'll answer his letter to arrange a meeting. Does anybody have something else they'd like to say?" As no one ventured anything, Whitebeard clapped his hands. "Then it is decided! Thank you for all your inputs, you can all go back to your occupations now."
Ace, whose head had shot up at the handclap, was now gazing around haggardly.
"Wha-Is it over? What did I miss?"
Thatch burst into laughter, as the other Commanders but him and Marco were exiting the room.
"Don't worry pal, you didn't miss much. Pops decided to send the pineapple to deal with good ol' Senny about the bananas..."
Marco let out an offended squawk. Of course, he had known his brother had been waiting to make this joke, just by the look on his face as Pops had designated him to be the ambassador. He wasn't even offended for real, but he had a veneer of disapproval to maintain, or else Thatch would escalate and become insufferable until he had pushed all his buttons. No way Marco would let that happen.
Ace snorted a little, but was a bit embarrassed from falling asleep mid-meeting, again.
"I'm sorry guys, I didn't..." He yawned. "Sleep well last night, I had a report to complete..."
Marco could sympathise, since he had been the one doing those reports before Ace was "recruited".
"Don't worry about it, yoi. It was mostly finished when you dropped dead."
"Yeah Ace!" Thatch chimed in. "You almost made it to the end, congrats!"
In any other mouth than his, it would have sounded condescending, but the fourth commander was genuine in his praise.
"Thanks Thatch!" Ace laughed.
The three men made their way to the deck of the Moby Dick. It was a radiant day, with just enough wind to keep the temperature tolerable.
Thatch excused himself, as it was almost lunch time, needing to supervise the preparation. So Marco and Ace stayed in companionable silence, leaned against the railing, watching their siblings going through their day.
Ace had come a long way from the angry boy he was, not so long ago, but Marco knew his shoulders still held a tension, like a feral animal on his guard. He wished he could help the young man, who he was growing quite fond of. Ace was intelligent and had a good heart. When the time to fight came, he was selfless. Too selfless. Marco had noted how the other was prone to throw himself in front of their enemies to protect a crewmate, and refused that anybody do the same for him. As if he himself didn't deserve to be saved. It was a disheartening thought, and he sometimes wondered what could have happened to the young man for him to be that way.
A bit farther away, they could see Haruta attempting to get a rise out of Blenheim, and failing spectacularly. Marco and Ace both smiled at the scene.
"How do you feel, having so many siblings now?" Marco asked out of the blue.
Ace snickered, but didn't respond right away. He kept on watching Haruta, who was riding Blenheim shoulders while the other tried desperately to get rid of them.
"It's weird. Not the siblings' part, but, being the youngest..."
Marco's curiosity was picked.
"You have younger brothers or sisters, yoi?"
"A brother... Two actually, but he... he was killed when we were 10, by a Celestial Dragon." His expression was sombre, and his right hand reached for the tattoo on his left arm.
"I'm sorry. It must have been hard." It explained in part why he was so willing to sacrifice himself to save others. And also the rage he had demonstrated when he had first heard on Mani Lala's situation.
Ace took in a deep breath, composing himself. It was clear that his heart was still mourning.
"It was. But we pulled through it. Had to. I had a younger brother to take care of." He let his sentence hang in the air, visibly lost in his memory, then chortled. "You know, he's the most ridiculous little shit you could ever meet!"
"Come on, he can't be worse than Haruta." Marco smiled, glad to see Ace lighting up. "Or Thatch, yoi." He added as an after thought.
"You kidding? He tops them both! And half the time it's not even on purpose. If I'd had a berry each time I had to carve him out of a crocodile's stomach..."
No, Marco will definitely not be asking for details.
"Seems like a handful. How did you feel, leaving him behind to be a pirate?" He hopped his question wasn't too intrusive, but the other's face only showed nostalgia when he answered.
"It was okay. We always knew this day would come. We all promised when we were younger that we would take to the sea at 17, to become pirates." His eyes gleamed with pride. "In about two years, he'll gather his own crew, and he'll take the world by storm. You'll see!"
Ace looked as bright as the sun, beaming at him, and he felt suddenly warmer.
"I can't wait to see that, indeed."
A bell ringed somewhere, announcing lunch time, and a flow of pirates rushed in the same direction. They both made their way at a slower pace towards the dining hall.
Marco could still feel as if heat were radiating from Ace. Or was it because it was a hot day?
—
It had been a few days since Newgate had answered Sengoku's letter, and the response had been swift. The Fleet Admiral agreed to a meeting. It would take place in about a week, in Marineford.
It was a risky gamble on the pirates' front, as it could easily be a trap, though Whitebeard didn't think so. The timing would be wrong. The Marine was recuperating from a nasty fight with the Revolutionary Army. A fight which they had lost. They weren't about to start another war.
Moreover, they'd have to wake up early before they can catch Marco! He trusted his son.
They'd wait with the Moby at the beginning of New World, while the Phoenix would fly over Red Line towards the Marine's headquarters. Hopefully, the negotiations wouldn't take too long.
As arranged with Sengoku, Marco would call at regular intervals, to prove there wasn't any foul play on the marine's part. Everything was accounted for.
A knock on the door interrupted his musing, and Marco let himself in. The fact that he was just thinking about his son as he appeared amused the old man. He adjusted himself on his bed, sitting against some pillows.
"Time for your treatment, Pops."
He sighed. Of course, the treatment. He had hopped the other had forgotten about it for once.
"Are you anxious, Son?"
Marco stopped briefly, before resuming is action.
"Hum... Not really, yoi. Are you?"
"I am."
"About the negotiation?"
"About sending one of my beloved children into a nest of vipers. About the war I would rain onto the world if something were to happen to him."
Marco grinned at that.
"They'd have to capture me first, yoi. And like you said, the repercussions would be too great."
Whitebeard grinned too. He already knew his son was a brave man.
"In any case, I'll be happy when all this gets resolved."
"Right you are, Pops." Said Marco, while finishing connecting new IV lines to his father's arm. "And I'm done, yoi. I have to check on my division, do you need me for anything?"
"I'm all right. You're free to go." He was reminded, by the glint in the other's eyes, of how the notion of freedom was meaningful to the man. Like too many souls on these seas, he had known what it is, to long to be, or even lose all hope to ever be free.
"Later Pops."
Once again, as Marco exited the room, he questioned his decision to send him to the enemy alone. But everything was already into motion, they would have to see it played to the end.
Whitebeard sank into his bed and closed his eyes, letting the waves lull him to sleep.
A/N: Thanks for reading!
I had fun writing the political part, but struggled throughout the rest. I hope it turned out okay nonetheless.
Thank you so much for the favs and follows. Review are really appreciated.
Until next time folks!
