Chapter 18

Despite it not yet being noon, the heat was already horrid. The sun, not even at its peak, was blinding outside. And paired with the humidity left over from the storms that had come through the night before, the air felt almost oppressive.

The store I was currently standing in was stuffy, almost suffocating. The owner had very clearly tried his best to mitigate the temperature, fans running at full speed and windows opened to keep the air flowing throughout.

I shifted my weight from one leg to another, shuffling the three rolls of bandages in my hand as I waited on the clerk to finish up his conversation with his current patron, who was checking out quite the haul based on the cart loaded up beside him.

"You don't say! You know it's been a while since you boys came around. Glad to hear that-" the clerk took notice of me, briefly pausing his conversation. "Apologies miss. I'll be with you in one moment."

I shook my head, waving off his concerns with the hand not holding my items. "No worries. I can wait a little while longer for the first mate of the Red-Hair pirates to finish up."

Benn turned his head, glancing back at me, standing up from where he had been leaning against the counter in his conversation.

"Morning, Liz," he said, round the cigarette hanging from his lips.

"Morning, Benn."

"Liz, this fine shop keep is Sota. He's an old friend of ours. Sota, this is Elizabeth, the only person capable of getting the Boss to wake up before noon."

"I've been told my jokes about his sleeping habits are repetitive."

So are Yasopp's stories, but he still tells them."

I huffed out a laugh, making my way closer to the counter to shake Sota's hand. "Nice to meet you."

"You as well," he said. "Welcome to my shop. I hope that you found everything okay. Any friend of the Red-Hair Pirates is a friend of ours."

"Aww thank you."

"You wanna throw her stuff on to our total?" Benn asked.

"Of course," Sota agreed easily, punching the numbers into the register, once more.

"Captain's dime?" I asked, stuffing the bandages into my bag.

"Always," Benn answered.

"Why's he got the first mate doing the shopping? Couldn't get one of the rookies to do it?"

Currently, there were four rookies aboard their ship. I'd been introduced to them briefly in passing at the tavern, but I hadn't had a chance to get to know them or even retain their names.

"And actually get what's on the list?" he scoffed. "No."

"Fair enough. So is any of this for today?" I asked, looking over the pile.

The Red-Hair crew had a spot that they liked to frequent when they were here. There was a waterfall somewhere in the jungle where they could get shitfaced, swim and hangout. The invite had been extended to me with the promise of a nice lawn chair not too close to the water and – if I was feeling adventurous – shallow plunge pools between some of the falls' steps, no deeper than a foot and a half.

"All of it. You've seen how our idiots act in a bar. Now, imagine them in the jungle."

"Should I be concerned for my safety?" I asked.

"Yours? No. We'd never let anything happen to you. Everyone else? Probably. Unless you plan on trying to drink everyone under the table again. But even then, you can always ch-"

I cut him off. "I. Did. Not. Cheat," I argued, pointing at him with every word. "You all failed to properly establish the rules."

Benn carefully lifted a brow at me. "Next time we'll write it out."

Sota laughed at us from his spot behind the counter.

I rolled my eyes and hip checked Benn. "You done shopping, or do you have other stops to make?"

"Two more to go."

"Want some company?" I asked.

We weren't supposed to leave for another couple of hours, and aside from change, I didn't have anything to do, so I figured that I may as well make myself useful.

I had gone through and packed my stuff up the night before. The plan was to hang out today, but I had also been warned that typically no one was sober enough to come back until the next morning.

"Of course," he agreed easily. "It'll be nice to have someone competent come along for once."

"You're so mean."

"Liz, I'm tired."

"Can't blame you there."

"You boys are quite a handful," Sota agreed. "But it helps to liven the place up."

"I had that same thought the first time I met them."

Sota prattled off a total, which Benn paid while promising to meet up for a drink before they set sail again.

"Where to next?" I asked, as we stepped into the sun. I slid my sunglasses down from where they were perched a top my head.

"A few things for dinner, and then Hongo asked that we picked something up from the apothecary."

Easy enough.

"What's with all the bandages?" he asked.

"So I can wrap my thigh and wear shorts in public. It's too fucking hot."

The one downside to being out in the larger world was that I had to try to hide my tattoo. I usually wore jeans, but when I wanted to switch it up, I either had to wrap it in bandages or find something with a skirt long enough to cover it.

"You're going to send the Boss into a coma," he said.

Rather than acknowledge the statement, I opted to ask a question that had been on my mind for a while. "Uh huh, sure. So how have things been since Auroa?" I asked. "The captain's an emperor now. High stakes."

"You would know something about that wouldn't you, princess?"

I scrunched up my face, before cutting my eyes sideways towards Benn behind my shades. "Don't call me that… like ever."

Benn laughed. "Just saying. Your old man's been up there for years. I'm sure your brothers have told you what it's like."

"Depends on the brother, but yes."

Accounts of what life on the Moby Dick was like varied wildly from brother to brother.

Most of the boys liked to embellish to a ridiculous degree or undersell everything going on to "spare" my feelings. I trusted Marco and Thatch's accounts more so than everyone else's. Marco would provide me with a lot of the larger context of being a Yonko crew. Thatch would provide me with the more day-to-day and familial aspects.

The one thing that was consistent across the board is that none of them would change a thing, if given a chance.

"I know Shanks isn't dumb, but politics is something else."

Other Yonko crews, subordinates, warlords, the World Government, it was a lot to try to balance.

"Politics that he's surprisingly well suited to navigating. Turns out that easy-going nature of his helps in some of those rather tense situations. If only it was as helpful when it came to chores. Any reason you're asking me instead of him?"

"Because he'll just shoot me that smug as grin and talk about how his charm and charisma gets him far in life."

"I see. And you'll want to argue for a serious answer but will be far too caught up in that wit and charm."

I chewed the inside of my mouth, unable to argue. He was right. I much preferred it when he was busting the captain's chops instead of mine.

Benn didn't even try to hide the teasing smile playing on his lips. "Don't try to act tough now. You're not as immune as you pretend to be. I've watched you laugh at his shitty jokes."

"I've laughed at all of your shitty jokes," I countered.

"Yeah, but you light up at the Boss's."

"Shut up."

"I've been wondering why you didn't come find us once you left Aurora."

I shrugged. "When I first left, I wasn't thinking about much other than getting the fuck out of there and not getting caught. Took me a while to get my bearings.

"Then, I started bounty hunting and taking out slave traders. I was so caught up with all of that and the girls at Sabaody. I didn't really think about finding you all seriously until then. Like I daydreamed about it sure. But I didn't think it was something that I should do. Felt kind of pathetic. Chasing after you guys like some groupie. What if I only was attached to you guys because you were the only people who were ever nice to me."

We walked in comfortable silence for a moment as Benn mulled that over. "I take it you met some good people in the world, if you were willing to meet us again."

"Ya know, the world's a big place. Such a big place that it's impressive that I managed to get stuck on an island with a bunch of fucking assholes. But once I hit the Grand Line, the devil fruit, the scars, none of it meant shit."

"And you had your fan club."

"Oh no I don't want to hear jack shit about a fan club from you, Benn Beckman. You've had a line of ladies at the bar for the past week."

He raised the hand not pulling the wagon along in surrender.

"I just wanted to figure out who I was, before I even considered finding you guys, the Old Man, anyone. How are people supposed to rely on you and trust you, when you don't even know who you are outside of how much other people hate you?"

Benn took a drag of his cigarette. "We're glad you got yourself sorted, the Boss especially."

I rolled my eyes and lightly elbowed him. "We're supposed to be on the same side you know."

"The Boss isn't here. You're fair game."

"Rude."

One more turn and the shopping district came into full view. There were store fronts all up and down the road with different grocery carts and vendors lining the street. People hustled about, either selling their wares or trying to complete their shopping before lunch.

"What do we even need?" I asked, wiping the sweat that was accumulating on my brow.

Benn pulled the list out of his pocket.

"Hongo has some things to be picked up from the apothecary, and Roux needs more vegetables. I think he's planning on making kebabs."

I felt my face twist.

"Not a fan of kebabs? "

"No, I like them enough. I can't say the same of that little con artist at the big produce stall."

"Con artist? You mean Belle?"

I studied Benn's face for a moment. "Oh no."

"What?"

"Belle is gonna hustle the shit out of you."

"Me?"

"Yes you."

"What the hell are you on about?"

"Her prices are insane! Do you know how much she tried to charge me for turnips last week?! And she gets away with it because she distracts you with those fucking doe eyes and freckles and that damn crop top."

My rant assured Benn that there was no actual danger to be concerned about, so his confusion and concern eased.

"Doe eyes, freckles and a crop top, huh?" Benn chuckled. "Sounds like you have a crush."

"I did until I saw her damn prices."

There was no denying that Belle was drop dead gorgeous. She was very clearly put at the stall to use her looks and charm to sell produce. She didn't have the build nor the calluses of someone who actually farmed.

"Listen, I'm not faulting her for making her money. If that's what she thinks her turnips are worth, then so be it. I didn't try to haggle with her. I didn't even bring it up. I was just like 'Eh, I might be back.' But the second I was like 'meh,' it was like a switch had been flipped. She told me that maybe the dude from the pig farm might have slop more my speed."

"Over a turnip?"

"Over a fucking turnip! Because I didn't fall for her charm offensive!"

"Uh huh. I think we can afford her prices. We can even buy you your turnips."

I narrowed my eyes at Benn. "Don't patronize me, you weak weak man. This isn't about being able to afford turnips. If they were a little pricey, I wouldn't think anything of it. It's the principle of the thing. They were way overpriced, and when I tried to disengage peacefully, and she started barking and yapping."

"It's good to see you stand your ground, even if it's about turnips."

I snagged the slip that Hongo must've received from the apothecary. "I'll go grab this. You can go get scammed by Belle."

"Meet you back here in 30 minutes?" he asked.

I nodded, before taking the next turn.

I knew that there was no god damned way he was going to be back in 30 minutes. It was only going to take her one glance and she'd have Benn roped in. Or maybe he would have her roped into his. Either way this wasn't going to be the simple transaction he thought it was.

Sure, Benn liked to drink and always had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, but alcohol and tobacco had nothing on his number one vice, women.

I made it to the apothecary quickly, picking up the bags of stuff that Hongo had ordered. Making my way back to the designated meet up spot, I made a couple of additional stops, picking up a few things that I had planned to get later in the week, saving myself another trip.

When I arrived back at the corner that we split off at, Benn was nowhere to be found. I checked my watch, and I was only a few minutes late. I decided to give him five more minutes, before I decided to investigate.

A quick pass by the produce stand showed that it was currently closed and that its operator was missing. A few patrons were milling about chattering about where she could've gone. Notably the cart that Benn had been dragging along earlier hidden off to the side, not particularly well.

Where the two had run off to was anyone's guess.

'Called it.'

I grabbed the handle of the cart, throwing Hongo's belongings on it, before heading to the port, where the Red Force was docked.

As I neared the ship, it occurred to me that I had never actually been on the Red Force during the day. They'd not yet acquired the Red Force, when hey docked in Aurora. I of course had snuck aboard at night when I planted my journal in Shanks' belongings. But I'd never just casually been on the ship.

A few of the boys were on deck doing chores. The two newbies that Yasopp had tried to hustle the first night I'd reunited with everyone were scrubbing down the deck under the sniper's watchful eye.

"Ayo! Yasopp!" I called, getting his attention.

He peered over at me. "Liz!" he greeted cheerily. "Come on up!" He nodded to the boys, who scrambled over to me, relieved to be freed from deck duty.

They took the cart, while Yasopp, extended a hand to pull me aboard. "Where's Beck?"

"Pretty sure he's getting his carrot peeled by the produce girl, so I brought Hongo's order and the rest of the supplies back. Figured I'd do you guys a solid. "

"Much appreciated."

I took a glance around. "Looks so much different in the day," I said.

"In the day?" Yasopp questioned.

"Y'all might be a little too cocky. Should be better at watch."

"How many times have you been here?"

"Only once."

"I don't know whether to be impressed or scared," he muttered.

"Both is probably the safest answer," Limejuice said, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "Did we get a new first mate?"

"Is that an option?" I asked. "I was always under the impression the Captain was the one you wanted to get rid of."

"If you were first mate, you'd effectively be the captain."

I shrugged. "You'd have to let me cash him in first, before I turn to piracy. Easy money. Would be a shame not to."

"Excellent plan," Yasopp chirped.

"Agreed."

"So do you want a tour, since this is your first time here in the day apparently?" Yasopp asked.

"Most definitely." I mean who wouldn't take the opportunity to get a tour of a Yonko ship?

"Great, Lime will take you," Yasopp volunteered him. "I need to make these to get everything sparkling before we leave."

"Better hurry up boys," Limejuice chirped. "Or we'll leave without ya."

I snickered, as I followed behind him.

"So welcome to the Red Force," he said, gesturing around.

I let out a low whistle. "You guys upgraded since I saw you."

He nodded proudly. "She's a beauty. You're currently on the main deck…"

Lime juice took me through almost all the Red Force. The orchard on deck with various fruit trees. The gun deck, which also doubled as an armory and blacksmith. The crow's nest. The bridge. The living quarters. The orlop which was an absolute mess. The bar that they had specially built, because of course they did. The library, where Benn apparently hid out when the others were too much. The sail room. The med bay, where Hongo was trying to decide what all needed to go with us, given the crew's proclivity for chaos.

The doctor took a moment away from his stress to thank me for picking up his order in lieu of their first mate.

From there we headed to the galley. Lucky Roux was prepping for the trip as well. Or he was trying to, but there was still the matter of his produce that had yet to arrive.

"Lizzy!" he greeted. "What brings you to our vessel on this fine day?"

"I ran into your first mate and decided to help him with the shopping."

"Really? Then where the hell is he?"

"Ran off to play hide the banana with the girl from the produce stand."

"By the girl with the expensive turnips?"

"Thank you!" I said. "Who needs to turn in bounties, when you can just rip people off on fucking turnips?"

"And the cabbages."

"They had brown spots!"

"I thought maybe she'd be nicer to Benn," Luck said. "Give him a discount."

"Seriously? Cause I think she's suckered him in. Figuratively and literally. He said before we even got there that he was sure we could afford full price."

"What? Does he not understand it's the principle?"

"Not when there's a babe involved," Shanks said as he walked in the galley one of the rookies behind him.

"Hey, Captain."

"Miss Elizabeth."

My guess was that he was in his quarters or the attached office. Those were the only notable rooms, left off the tour, though I had already seen them from my previous mission.

"You think the smartest man on the crew is being swindled by some girl?" the kid asked.

"Yes," Luck and I said in sync. We glanced at each other then the newbie. "Wanna bet it?"

His eyes narrowed at the challenge. "Loser buys the winner's drinks next time at the tavern,"

"You do realize there's one of you and two of us, right?" Luck asked.

"Only means you can afford twice as many drinks."

"You got a confident one here, Captain," I said, looking at Shanks.

"I know who to put my money on."

"I'll shake on it, on behalf of the future winners," Luck said, putting his hand out.

"I hate to take your money like this."

I scoffed.

"Benn's brains don't mean anything in the face of a beautiful woman," Shanks added. "He doesn't stand a chance."

"I can't believe how much he's about to spend on fucking peppers and onions."

"I know."

"As much as you may have tried," Shanks started. "You haven't drained my coffers to the point, where I can't afford vegetables."

"Not the point!" Luck and I echoed.

"She told me that from the looks of it, I didn't know what a vegetable was," Luck said.

"That little bitch told me slop might be more my speed. I've been forced to eat scraps, so I can confidently say her fucking turnips weren't far off."

Shanks' expression went to his false neutral that he tended to ware, when I said something that he clearly thought was upsetting but didn't want to make a deal about.

I gently hip checked him, subtly shaking my head to let him know that it was fine. It was a long time ago, and things were a whole hell of a lot different now.

He shot me a surprisingly subtle smile, bumping me back.

"If I'm not ready on time-"

"Now why wouldn't you be on time?" Benn asked, walking into the galley, setting down crates of onions, peppers, zucchini, eggplant and mushrooms.

"Well well well look who it is, so much for 30-minutes."

"I made a detour."

"Yeah to Belle's."

"You couldn't have gotten the vegetables back to Liz, before you decided to ring Belle's bell?" Luck asked, inspecting the haul carefully.

I snorted. "That was terrible." I caught sight of the white slip caught between two zucchini.

"You know Benn, you keep up this type of behavior, you might lose your spot as favorite," Shanks teased.

I shook my head, while not looking away from the paper between my fingers. "Not today though." I held the receipt up. "Cause you got fucking hosed."

Luck popped his head over my shoulder to look at the receipt. "God man, Liz ain't lying."

"Seriously?"

I grinned up at the kid, turning the receipt around. "Don't worry kiddo, I'll stay away from the top shelf."

Luck shook his head. "I'm not!" he exclaimed before cackling. I joined him.

Shanks sighed and patted his poor rookie's shoulder. "Benn – and you – never stood a chance."

"Did you really bet on whether or not I was going to sleep with Belle?" Benn asked.

"No. We bet on whether or not she was going to scam you, which based on this receipt, she totally did."

Benn pinched the bridge of his nose. "We leave in an hour and a half. Don't you all have to finish getting ready?"

"Yeah yeah," Luck waved him off.

"Walk you out?" Shanks offered.

"Thanks, Captain."


Author's note:

Y'all, this was just supposed to be a short little couple hundred word chapter to make fun of Benn of resident womanizer Benn Beckman. And here we are... Ten pages later and multiple produce puns later. Oops.


Review replies:

paulavara140: I'm looking forward to the next chapter!

Hope you enjoyed!

imileide : Ela deve navegar com o ruivo. Mesmo que não "admita" ser uma tripulante - puro fingimento para entretenimento.

Hmmmm... She should, shouldn't she?

starrat: Loved it

Thank you!