"Another ship approaches!"
"Gurarara! That cheeky brat! Couldn't even wait a couple of days for a reply."
"You did say you sent his envoy running," Naia mused, "It's no surprise he would show up himself. I bet the world will go into shock. Two Yonkos meeting each other."
"If word got out of an alliance, it would cause chaos," Marco chuckled. Naia felt a wide grin slide across her face at the thought. The world needed a few new shocks other than Luffy and his adventures. The world will be shaken once more and this time, it will have an impact.
Ace slowly crept toward them as Whitebeard took his spot at this chair. Naia took a seat off to the side. She propped herself up on the railing, letting herself remain just in view but not center stage. Ace took a spot close to Marco, seemingly leaning into his presence. Marco's lips twisted into a sly smirk before pulling the young man into his lap. Naia glared at him with the promise of pain in her eyes, but she couldn't help but admit they made a lovely couple, and Ace looked happy. That's all that really mattered.
"All of you underlings best head below!" Marco ordered, "You won't be able to handle who is about to come aboard."
"What are you talking about, Marco?" BAM! THUD! Crew members' eyes widened as, one by one, they began to drop. Cracks in the wood started to appear the further the red-haired captain walked.
"His overwhelming usage of Haki is as outlandish as he is," Marco snorted.
"Naia, this is what you trained Luffy and me in, isn't it?" Ace questioned.
"Yes, Conqueror's Haki. You and your brother have it, which is why you can withstand it but his." Naia smirked. "His is stated to be the strongest in the world."
Ace's eyes widened, and Marco sneered.
"Red Hair! Look at what you've done!"
"Oh, Marco! You want to join me, no?" Shanks grinned.
"In your dreams!"
"You have some nerve, brat! Just looking at you makes the scars I received from him ache." Whitebeard rubbed a few marks on his chest, and his eyes grew distant.
"Could you blame me? I am on an enemy ship," Shanks said. A tinge of hesitation bled into his voice when his eyes stopped on her. "Although, a familiar face makes me feel a bit safer. Naia."
"Red, it's been a while." Naia inclined her head as his greeting. Murmurs circulated through the watching crew as they spoke to each other with such familiarity.
"Should I be worried? Seeing you sit so casually next to another captain. I thought we agreed you would join me," Shanks pouted, his eyes glaring at the older captain.
"Relax, I haven't joined any pirate crew. I am merely visiting my son, who seems otherwise occupied," Naia pointedly looked at a whistling Marco, who now held a very red Ace. "Alas, it seems his attention is elsewhere."
"Not that this isn't a heartwarming reunion, but what is it you want, Red Hair," Marco interrupted.
"I have merely come to talk. Look, I brought medicinal water!" Shanks held a large gourd of wine. "From the West Blue, my hometown."
Naia tilted her head at the information. West Blue, how interesting.
"Oyaji?" Whitebeard shook off the concerns of his commanders.
"You may leave us; we have much to discuss, it seems." The crew began to move further down the ship, giving the two captains their space, but Marco and Naia remained. "I believe we all have a common interest."
"The way you sent my crewmates away made me think you were opposed to such an idea," Shanks hummed. "What changed?"
"Certain points of views were brought to my attention." Naia smiled gently as the proud captain humbled himself.
"The scars he gave me burn with such fury," Shanks snarled, the rough skin of the scars twitching at the memory, "I ask you to not send Ace out! Teach managed to hide himself completely in your shadow. It won't be long before he comes for your seat."
"I have little doubt that he will, but if his plans are to come into fruition, then we must prepare for what will happen," Whitebeard responded.
"What will happen?" Shanks echoed.
"Rumors are running rampant through the marines," Naia interrupted, "Someone crashed a Warlord meeting stating they knew someone who would be worthy of the title."
"Then it makes it even more crucial that Ace does not go after him," Shanks pushed, "Let me go after him instead!"
"You have some spunk, brat, but you're a hundred years too young to order me around," Whitebeard boomed. "Besides, do you really think that stubborn boy will listen to anyone else?"
"Naia. He would listen to Naia!" Shanks argued, causing Naia to look away. While her youngest was indeed stronger and could take Teach on. The Paramount War was pivotal. It changed the way the world viewed the Navy and the World Government, so, as much as it pained her, Ace would have to go through with his hunt. "Right?"
"It's not that simple, Red." Naia frowned. "Ace-"
"Is strong, yes, but you can't possibly think it's okay to send him after the man," Shanks declared. "Don't you want him to live!? Because Teach is sure to kill him!"
"That is enough, Red Hair!" Marco snarled, leaping to his feet. "You speak as if you know everything!"
"I know enough to know this will only end in bloodshed!"
"Luffy," Naia whispered, "Teach's target is Luffy."
"What are you talking about?" Shanks glared up at her. "Luffy has nothing to do with this!"
"No, he doesn't, but his family name does." Naia dropped to the floor below, taking a roll of paper from Marco. "The Whitebeards have been excellent at keeping track of where Teach has been and where he is currently. He seems to be roaming, training his newly acquired devil fruit, but they have begun to overlay a pattern." ,
"He's following Luffy," Shanks breathed, staring at the marked map presented in front of him.
"To become a warlord, one must bring the marines something amazing to set them apart from the rest," Naia explained, "What better way of doing that than handing them the son of the most wanted man in the world."
"But that would-"
"Spark a war," Marco finished. "We believe that is his endgame. By using Luffy's execution as a focal point, he can break into Impel Down and gather the crew he wants."
"Why would you think that?" Shanks asked.
"Teach likes to hide in the shadows. Being a warlord puts him front and center of a lot of things." Naia shrugged.
"He wouldn't gain much from becoming one, but he would gain access to the jail and all the pirates locked away," Marco finished.
"You know it's kind of creepy how you two are so in sync. If I hadn't witnessed Ace with him earlier, I would be jealous."
Marco huffed at the other captain while his own laughed at his displeasure.
"Naia, what do you suggest we do?" Whitebeard asked. Shanks tilted his head. Whether in confusion or curiosity, Naia could only guess, but her instincts told her it was a combination. Naia wasn't a part of the Whitebeard crew as far as he knew, but she was something if her opinion was meaningful enough for the captain to seek it out.
"An extra pair of eyes can only lead to greater knowledge. Especially another emperor," Naia observed, "I would take it."
"Gurarara, if you say so. Marco? What do you say?"
"I agree."
"Then, you redheaded brat, what do you say to an alliance?" Shanks's eyes widened. Naia chuckled and simply shrugged when Shanks turned to look at her. He nodded ever so slowly, and Whiteboard grinned at his hesitation.
"Then let us celebrate this new alliance!"
"You pirates and your parties," Naia groaned.
"You survived them, so you'll be fine," Marco chuckled. Naia narrowed her eyes at him.
"If you so much as touch my son inappropriately at this party, I will cook you for dinner!"
"You approve, and you know it!" Marco countered.
"He's still 11 in my mind!"
"He's 21! Ace is old enough-"
"I'm telling Luffy," Naia sang. Marco's face went white at the mention of the young captain. "I don't think he knew, did he?"
"You are a monster!"
"I know." Naia winked at the man before sweeping away in search of Ace.
"I expect singing tonight! So, play nice!" Whiteboard yelled out to her. Naia stuck her tongue out at the captain. The two captains seemed to speak for a few more moments before Shanks raced to catch up to her.
"I guess you weren't joking when you said you had to sing when you were aboard," Shanks observed. "I thought you were lying."
"Yes, at least it isn't every day anymore. That was exhausting."
"Ace! How have you been, boy?" Shanks gave the young man a brief hug. Holding him at arm's length, Shanks let his eyes take in the pirate before him.
"I've been great." Ace grinned. "I found my place."
"That's good to hear!" Shanks joyfully remarked. "We were a little worried when we heard you had been taken."
"Yeah, me too," Ace said sheepishly, "It is good to see you two together again. It feels like ages since I last saw you two near each other."
"Yes, I must say I have missed having her at my side." Shanks wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. His lips brushed her cheek, and Naia couldn't help the shivers sent down her spine.
"Red now is not-"
"You can do that without being in front of me." Ace's face scrunched in disgust as Shanks continued to kiss her cheek. "I think Marco is calling me. I'll see you at dinner!"
"He couldn't run away fast enough," Shanks chuckled.
"I came out this way to see my son, not you, Red!" Naia glared up at the man. Who seemed to have gotten even taller than he was when they first met.
"But it was a pleasant surprise?" Shanks wagged his eyebrows at her, and she couldn't help but agree. It was good to see him outside of professional meetings. "Come say hi to everyone! We've grown even larger than we were back on Dawn Island."
"Fine," Naia sighed, letting the man drag her over to his ship.
"Naia! What a surprise!" Lucky Roux shouted, drawing her into a tight hug. Naia gasped for air as his arms tightened around her small frame.
"It's good to see all of you too!" Naia panted.
"What on earth are you doing here?" Benn questioned.
"I'm between jobs, and I wanted to see Ace." Naia narrowed her eyes. Benn didn't seem to be buying her objective. "I wanted to make sure he was okay."
"I'm sure, especially since they didn't say which crewmate was killed," Benn agreed.
"Come! Let me show you this ship!" Shanks grinned widely as he led her further into the ship. Naming all the differences but also what they had decided to keep the same. He introduced her to a few new crew members who were brave enough to come forward, and Naia smiled when he introduced her as his. The pirates' eyes widened at the knowledge of who she was to their captain, but some showed a hesitation. This was a weakness to their captain, and most would not stand for it, but something else was hidden in their actions—a kind of displeasure. Naia tensed as a few brandished their weapon toward her, their lips curling into a snarl.
"Rockstar, put that away! That is no way to greet a lady," Shanks admonished, his eyes holding his disapproval.
"Sorry, Boss." Rockstar looked anything but sorry. Naia furrowed her brows at such a cold welcome. Not that she expected much from those she didn't know, but it was almost like being paraded on an enemy ship. Naia tensed. That was precisely what this was. As if sensing her anxiety, Shanks wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close.
"Come, let's catch up in private," Shanks purred into her ear. Naia's cheeks heated to a lovely shade of red as his hand slowly caressed her hip. Rockstar glared at the interaction but said nothing, leaving the two to their business.