Notes: Remember that this is not my native language so if you see misspellings you would help me a lot by pointing out and explaining those mistakes.
Peace, order and development. The ninja world had reached a time of tranquility after so many wars until the end. Only one person somehow managed to survive that extinction.
'How can I live with them dead?' Sakura thought in the middle of a crisis.
Her mind was disconnected from her body until for fate's sake, Sakura came across the whitebeard pirates and her life took a 180° turn and entered a new chapter in her life. The last ninja has entered the great
pirate age!
In the city, people are used to ignoring others, they only turn to see others if, one, they have what they need, two, offer them something that will give them a higher status and opportunity to spend, or three, They will look more glamorous and rich.
On this occasion, none of the three fit the description of the people of this island. People were left looking strangely at a group of women who walked in the streets with spirit as if they had no worries while a few steps behind them were none other than some of the whitebeard pirates.
The citizens turned away from the girls like oil and water, recognizing that if they followed them it only meant one thing: trouble.
Sakura is aware that they were watching her, that was the least of her worries at the moment. She was more worried about the pirates that were following them, especially Ace. In the time that she has lived with him and the others, she has discovered that Ace especially loves fighting as much as getting into trouble with the navy or people who shouldn't, that's why she hoped he wouldn't mess with her goal or otherwise, she will have no qualms about beating him to the ground.
Sakura forced herself not to think about him or the other pirates that were following them. She had to focus on finding a suitable place to seduce a man, the most ostentatious bars were immediately ruled out, generally, people who like to show off go to those places, and only in missions that they pay to seduce that type of people is that she tolerates them.
She looked for a slightly discreet place where the pirates are not so conspicuous that customers do not run away in fear as soon as they are recognized, but also not so discreet that the people who gathered in the establishment are criminals and pirates. After walking for a while with the girls, a bar not far from the casinos caught her attention, one floor, not very big but not that small either, the place seemed to be made of pine wood and what she liked was that it gave a sensation to be a comfortable place to hang out.
"This seems to be a good place," Sakura said.
The nurses examined the facade and gave it the go-ahead. The pirates who heard them decided to go in first.
"Is it okay to do this?" Sakura asked once the pirates got inside the bar.
"Why not?" It's not like you're going to spend the rest of your life with whoever you date on this date," said one of the nurses.
Sakura wasn't totally convinced, she's not like Ino who can flirt even with the person walking past her. In one of the last meetings with the girls, she had said that she had already changed, no longer the genin who dreamed of a sweet romance where she was treated like a princess, much less as Ino said in each meeting, in a passionate romance, one where the fire dance between the two wanting to consume them, in which every day will be exciting but at the same time they will know that they can support each other.
No, she accepted a calm and silent love in which even with the distance, they both felt the same, or so she believed until it ended abruptly.
"You have to make Ace see that he's a fool," another of the nurses whispered.
The spark of competitiveness flashed in Sakura's jade eyes.
"Seduce and get a date, like a mission," Sakura said confidently. If civilian Sakura didn't feel safe doing that, the ninja side of hers is more than willing, it's not something she hasn't done before.
A drop of sweat rolled down the heads of the nurses. They didn't expect her to see it as a mission...
The girls gave her words of encouragement before entering the bar door to find a place to sit next to some of Shirohige's crew.
'Think it's a mission' she told herself. A mission in which they do not pay. Her mentality changed by going into "ninja mode", she squared her shoulders and went inside.
Once inside, in a few seconds she quickly examined the layout of the place, some of the whitebeard pirates were at some tables in the back, others at the tables near the entrance -at one of those tables were the nurses-, and some few of the pirates in the bar.
Her lips stretched into an almost imperceptible smile at the thought that he will be in the front row to see how attractive she can be even with a different body.
She slightly lifted her chin and began to walk with the elegance of a feline moving her hips from one side to the other without being so cheeky, she felt the gazes of the people as soon as she passed by them, this also included her shipmates.
"What will you want?" the bartender asked once Sakura was seated.
"A beer and something sweet to eat," she replied.
Sakura could feel the "discreet" gaze of the white-bearded crew members and one or another stranger who kept an eye on her, it didn't bother her, instead she thought it was good because it increased the interest of the people around her. When her target glanced at her a second time, Sakura had to hide her soft smile as she brought the beer mug to her lips.
She caught his attention, now he just needs to take the hook.
The bartender handed her a lemon tart which Sakura observed with sincere interest, so far Thatch hasn't given her anything like it. She took a spoonful and taking it to her mouth she sighed in pleasure as the sour-sweet touch exploded on her tongue.
A drop of sweat rolled down the crew's forehead and the nurses unknowingly had the same thought:
'Is she really going to get a date?'
Contrary to their expectations, the man next to Sakura laughed.
'Bingo' Sakura thought with delight.
"You're not from here." It wasn't a question.
She took the spoon from her mouth and looked at him in mock surprise with a slight tinge of embarrassment.
"Is it so obvious?" she asked.
She seemed a bit shy, so the pirates who were at the tables and knew her couldn't believe it. Her tone of voice, her gestures, the way she blinked and even her hand movements had changed so much that they didn't recognize her as Sakura.
"The island seems big because of the people who come to gamble but it is not as big as it seems, here the locals know each other very well. If there was someone like you on the island you would be very popular."
True to her facade, her cheeks were dyed a deeper red.
"Surely you say that to all the tourists," she murmured, she leaned her torso slightly away from the man while still making eye contact.
"Why is she leaving?" She should come closer" Haruta whispered as he was sitting at the table with Thatch, Izou, Vista and the nurses.
"Shh, you have to see," one of the nurses silenced him.
"No, only beautiful girls like you," said the man taking Sakura's hand, she didn't take it away, "How did you get to the island?"
"I arrived on the tourist boat that arrived this morning, the Madam Rose."
"Ah, yes, today I was with a couple of clients from that boat," he admitted. "They say that the activities on the boat are entertaining."
Some worried that her lie would be discovered.
"Yeah, a ballroom and a spa salon you don't want to leave," Sakura said matter-of-factly. Although she hadn't been out much, she has been aware of the ships that arrived and left, and on the way to this bar she was attentive to the conversations of people passing by, a good ninja collects information even when he is not on duty.
"Yes, they told me about the spa. When you go to the casino where I work for the "golden dragon" you will see that the spa on your ship is nothing compared," -He looked at the door and then at the girl next to him-, "Are you waiting for anyone? If you came from a cruise you must have traveled with someone."
Sakura flinched slightly, feigning a bit of embarrassment, almost as if she had been caught doing something wrong.
" No, actually my best friend complained a lot that she spent all my time working or with her nose stuck in a book and that she had to take vacations so she forced me to take a few days off and go for a walk. So I took the cruise." It wasn't a lie. Ino complained and complained that she should go out more.
"I think it's my lucky day, I can accompany you until you have to return to the ship," the man said with a bright smile. "What is your name?"
"Shouldn't my potential date give me her name first?" Sakura said leaning towards the man again.
The man took it gracefully.
"My name is Ethan."
"Sakura," The fish took the hook.
The pirates were surprised, it didn't even take five minutes and the man fell under Sakura's charms and the nurses resisted the urge to laugh, shout and shake the commanders out of the happiness they felt.
Ethan gave Sakura another beer as they talked. He told her about the island, about interesting activities and especially the casinos, he works in the most important one on the island as a subordinate of the owner, he boasted of the power in his position, he even extended an invitation to the VIP area, she only had to say her name so they can take her if he can't accompany her to the casino. He told her a bit about how the sailors are very flexible when it comes to allowing pirates on the island and other things.
"Shall I ask you for another beer?" —Ethan asked taking his hand to Sakura's waist to drag her with everything and her chair towards him until she was stuck to him.
"No, I'm fine with this one," Sakura replied with a shy smile.
"How about we go somewhere else? You know, we can have fun in another way," He whispered in her ear.
The pirates looked up at Sakura, the gaze of everyone at the tables falling on the hand that was on Sakura's waist.
"So fast? Weren't you going to show me the city?"
"Ha, ha, I like the ones who play shy." Without scruples, he put his hand under Sakura's skirt and squeezed her behind. He intentionally raised his voice a little so that those nearby could hear him, not knowing Sakura's relationship with Whitebeard's crew, "How about we put on a show at the bar instead of in bed?" Your friend said that she should go out and have fun, this can be a lot of fun, you have to listen to her."
So excited was he to convince Sakura that he didn't notice as the room fell silent, the whitebeard pirates at the tables and at the bar erasing all smiles and looking at him emotionlessly. Ace who was on the side and heard the conversation from the beginning when they spoke in whispers, he stood still, a shadow shadowed his eyes and he adjusted his hat on his head ready to get up.
Ethan felt like he hit the jackpot watching her show desire on her face and bring her right hand up to his face as if she was going to kiss him.
'It was easier than I expected' he boasted in his mind. This moment will be epic and he will show off for years to his colleagues who will turn green with envy.
Sakura brought her right hand to the back of Ethan's head and her other hand to his left shoulder.
"Ethan," she said, her voice silky and lustful.
She smashed Ethan's head against the bar with such force that the wood cracked and splintered far and wide. The noise was heard throughout the bar. Plates and glasses slid down the sloping wood until they spilled onto Ethan's head and neck at the lowest point of the now V-shaped board.
Sakura's smile was gone.
The whitebeard crew and the other spectators had to blink several times, barely processing that from one second to the next the pinkhead had hit the man so hard that the board was destroyed.
"Are you seriously asking that question?" Sakura said almost gnashing her teeth in anger. Her performance sent her to hell as soon as she asked that question that brought out her volatile side that until now she had tried to keep down, she wanted to beat him to the ground but she wasn't going to stoop to his level. This isn't a mission for and by Konoha so she didn't have to hold on. "Don't think I didn't realize you were trying to get me drunk, I can't believe you asked that after I turned you down the first time. I doubt you've ever gotten a woman into bed without using tricks. Surely they only go without resistance to those that you pay them."
Ethan came out of the shock raising his face in surprise and disbelief, it was only until he put his hand to his face and found it soaked in blood that he began to feel pain, his nose was completely split in different directions, two teeth had fallen out , one was embedded in the wood and the other danced on his tongue, and blood came out of a wound on his forehead, nose and mouth.
"Y-you! Damn bitch! You don't know who you're messing with!" He tried to scream, spitting up blood in the process. He pointed a finger at her that was shaking uncontrollably. "You're just a girl I spoke to out of pity, ugly and with that body you bring, you won't find anything better than what I offered you. I'm not surprised you're alone."
Sakura couldn't answer him. Without him knowing, more than being hurt by being called ugly and strange, Ethan made Sakura think about her family, her friends and how lonely she is. Seeing his smile and his face covered in blood, believing that he had hurt her with his words, only made her angry. He clenched her fist ready to hit him and send him to the other side of the island at the cost of leaving everyone surprised by exposing one of his abilities.
A laugh from the side of them startled Sakura and Ethan. Ace, who was laughing cheekily, walked past Ethan to stand near Sakura and laughed again at seeing Ethan and his deplorable state.
"Are you seriously saying it's pity? I heard you were very excited when you made the proposal and touched her. Could it be that your wounded pride is speaking?"
What Makino had taught him about women is not to push them and to step aside when they say no. As a child he did not quite understand what she meant, he thought it was in case he planned to steal sweets from the girls. Until he grew up and understood what Makino meant.
Ace was about to hit him mercilessly because when he was on one side he clearly heard her say no, when he saw her "accept" his proposal he couldn't believe it, the idea never crossed his mind that Sakura, the girl who since she got on the boat looking at them suspiciously and watching their actions like a hawk waiting for the moment when they would do something to break the agreement and after days of distrust she finally began to interact with them until she decided to approach in peace and make friends, now she was willing to have sex in front of "strangers". He couldn't believe that Tato and the others had convinced her to the point that she would do that, they would never forgive her for it, never.
His surprise came when Sakura hit him hard on the bar until it broke. Ace knew she had strength, it was he who took her blow the first time they met, she is a kunoichi, and on top of that she managed to knock down and kill two men when they attacked the ship in the middle of the storm and with her weak from lack of sleep. She couldn't help but laugh at how great it was to see him in the front row.
"And why are you getting in? Get out! Just a couple of nice words to a girl like her and they spread their legs easily. Don't tell me you haven't done the same."
Emotions washed from Ace's face.
"You're more of an idiot than I thought."
He started walking towards Sakura until Ace came up next to her and put his arm around Sakura's shoulders.
"He's not worth it, how about you go out with me? I will take you to see the island."
Without wasting a second, Sakura went along with the game that they are strangers. She ended up leaning on Ace's torso and raised her hand until it rested on the dark-haired man's firm, bare chest.
"Ah, it seems that there are people who know what a woman expects." She rested her head on the crook of Ace's shoulder and chest, she snorted mockingly as soon as her eyes met Ethan's.
Those in the room laughed. If it wasn't for the blood on Ethan's head, everyone would see his face turn red.
"Damn them." Humiliated and full of rage, he took several strides towards the two of them until he finally realized the people around him. The pirates were mostly from the whitebeard crew and they didn't look very happy. It wasn't until then that he really looked at the black-haired man and went pale when he recognized him. "I-I-I, y-you, huh."
He ran.
Laughter filled the room once they saw him run like a coward, thanks to that the atmosphere lightened up. At that moment, Sakura took the opportunity to separate from Ace, sighing with relief that the man was gone.
"You didn't have to help me, but thanks."
Ace raised an eyebrow.
"Are you kidding?" Vista said as he was the first to approach the two, the others following. "We should have hit him when we could, if it hadn't been for Ace we'd be dragging a dead body right now,"
Several praised her for that incredible and unexpected blow, several saw the bar marveling at its strength.
"This can't stay like this," Haruto said excitedly. "Let's celebrate!"
"Yeah! A round of beers for everyone!" all yelled.
The piano music played with joy, the pirates laughed and the bar owner served them happy to see that apparently they were going to drink until their reserve was dry, thus making them pay for the broken bar.
Sakura rolled her eyes. They for anything take an excuse to drink, at least they seemed more excited by her action than she expected.
Tato and the other girls made their way through the boys until they were in front of Sakura, all of them looking really worried and regretful.
"Oh my gosh, we can't believe the first one you talked to was a pig."
"They are not all like that."
"You should have hit him harder."
"You'll see that you'll find a good one, we can look for another."
They began to speak one after the other interspersing insults to that man and words of comfort and support to Sakura.
"Okay, I'm fine," Sakura said in an attempt to cheer them up. They were more worried than she herself.
"I wouldn't worry about Sakura, that guy will be traumatized for life," Vista laughed.
That amused more than one person, especially Sakura who laughed at the thought of Ethan's face that will swell so much that it will be unrecognizable for several days and his nose will only be the same again with an operation.
"It's true. Someday you'll find a guy you want to spend the rest of your life with, we can look elsewhere and we'll make sure this isn't the same," Tato said.
Sakura had to clarify some things if she wanted them to stop insisting. "It's really okay, I know that not everyone is like that. Actually, I realized that now I'm not interested in looking for something temporary. I know what he said is not true, actually, I have been married."
Everyone froze, even the music stopped abruptly.
"Were you married?" Izo asked surprised.
As far as they know she is nineteen years old. It was not lost that she said married, in the past tense.
"Ah, uh...You must have loved him very much to marry so young," Vista stammered.
"On my island, it's not uncommon for people to get married at that age, ninjas have a low life expectancy due to wars with other villages, not many reach an advanced age" Sakura explained, understanding what they were thinking "My friends were also married."
"Oh, Sakura, we shouldn't have pushed you to find a date," Tato said, feeling terrible. "Your husband, is he...
"Dead? Yes, I'm the only one who survived..." Although she wanted to appear to be fine, they noticed a slight hint of pain. "Although he is actually my ex-husband, we only lasted a few months before we filed for divorce so I'm not a widow. I loved him very much even after the divorce, but things happened and I realized that we expected different things."
They didn't quite know what to say, partly because they didn't expect that she had married, divorced, and on top of all he died with her other loved ones.
"In that case, how were dating your ex-husband? asked one of the nurses, her curiosity winning.
"You can call it a date, but it only lasted two and a half minutes," Sakura said with amusement.
That confused them even more.
"Can that be called a date?" Ace asked before being hit in the side with enough force to knock the air out of him.
"He was very serious and had a complicated life... So those small details seemed romantic to me."
"No, Sakura, that's not a date," Tato said.
Sakura stared at her until she sighed. "You're right, but it's not like with his busy life he could afford to ask me out on a date."
Neither Tato nor the other nurses were satisfied. Seeing Sakura settle for little did not seem to them, she had to live what is normally done in a date. With only gestures they communicated with each other until they saw a certain person and came up with a great idea.
"Wait, you can still have a date," Tato said, she raised her hand silencing Sakura as soon as she saw her want to say that she doesn't need it, instead her gaze went from Sakura to Ace over and over again "Ace asked you on a date."
Ace spat out his beer. Both Ace and Sakura looked at Tato and the grinning nurses in confusion.
"Oh, it's true!" Vista said, being the first to catch what the nurses meant. Since it was so much fun, he decided to join in. "Ace, you asked Sakura on a date, and you, Pinky, accepted."
The two got confused. They thought it was clear that it was staged. Instead Thatch, Haruta and the others began to support Tato, the girls and Vista saying that Ace must fulfill his promise to Sakura, and although Ace is impulsive he is a good boy. They focused more on annoying Ace to the point that he couldn't take it anymore.
"Okay, okay," Ace said, glaring at everyone until he turned to Sakura, who had her eyes wide open. His cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment at the thought of his doing this and especially with almost the entire crew watching. His words came out a little slurred. "I invited you on a date, do you want to see the island?"
"Are you serious? I know it was to help me, you don't have to listen to them," Sakura said.
"No, I invited you on a date. "
Sakura blinked once, twice, three times. She knew that girls could be pushy when they wanted to and Ace's peers could be worse. If she said no, they were going to find another way to pester Ace and her into going on a date.
"Alright."
The pirates whistled and whooped with joy.
"They look like kids," Sakura said rolling her eyes, a soft smile stretching her lips. She laughed even more when several started teasing Ace saying that he should treat her well.
Before her babysitter/stalker explodes because they're bothering him again saying there's something going on between them, Sakura decided to grab his wrist and lead him out of the bar.
They had a date to go.
Note: I was going to put the quote of Ace and Sakura in this chapter but I realized that it was going to be very long, in my opinion of course, so I decided to leave it for the next one. I hope you liked the chapter.
Greetings!