Chapter 2
"Enter!" Inhaling another deep breath and it exhaling slowly, Monkey D. Luffy, Granddaughter of Monkey D. Garp, Daughter of Monkey D. Dragon, sworn sibling of Portgas D. Ace and Outlook Sabo, daughter figure of Akagami Shanks, and the youngest Rear Admiral to be ever known, entered the office with a dreadful feeling she always had when entering the meeting room. Luffy closes the door behind her and then walks towards the table, that was placed in the center of the room, where the Fleet Admiral is sat, reading some reports. Sitting down at the chair on his left, Luffy grabs the pen that was already placed in front of the seat and began to twirl it around her hand as she waited for her superior to talk and talk he did.
"How's your time here in the Marineford?" He asked.
"Stuffy." She answered as she watches the pen's movement. Sengoku looks up from his report upon hearing her answer and took notice of the clothes she is wearing. When he saw an embroidered bleeding rose on her shirt he sighed.
"You and your crew only visit this place three times a year ever since you've been assigned to G-6, though it was a condition to do so when you agreed to lead the base, you could at least pretend that you missed or be happy in this place." He stated. The Rear Admiral glance at him with a neutral expression.
"And we are also forced to stay here for at least 3 weeks minimum, so I don't see the point of missing this place. Besides, did I agree to become a marine willingly?" She asked Sengoku sighed in defeat making her hum. "Right and only Vice-Admirals are allowed to lead a base in the New World and yet here I am, a Rear Admiral with a base inside the New World. A base that forced on me by the World Government, by him, you still want me to pretend to be happy?"
"No, and for that I am sorry." He muttered. It broke his heart whenever he talks to Luffy. She was a sweet girl when she first met her, reminding him of his Rosinante. And now, she is nothing but an empty shell, only to live when she and her chosen crew is away from the headquarters, probably if she's with them as well. Of course, he had no one to blame for the change but himself, the marines, and the world government alone. Maybe it was a good decision for her to be transferred to G6 as no one will watch over her there, not even a surveillance den-den mushi is installed in there as ordered by a… tenryuubito (it didn't matter if it made some marines, aka, Akainu suspicious), add with the fact that the base was located in the New World, where marines with ranks lower than Vice-Admirals aren't allowed, and a few islands away from G5.
Additionally, a base that can only be found using an Eternal Log Poses as New World Log Pose is pretty much useless when searching for the base as they won't be directed to the island, no matter how many log pose is used and even with or without intention to look for the said island, the results are zero. How the Marines or the World Government found it, Sengoku will never know and he very much appreciate it to be that way as he knew he won't like it. There's also the fact that only a few people had the Eternal Log Pose for that Island; Himself, the Rear Admiral and her crew, the Elders and the Tenryuubito, who had ordered of no surveillance den-den mushi installed in the base
"Senny," Luffy drawled out, said Marine hummed as he fixed his paper. "What is it that you want to talk to me about?" Sengoku cleared his throat before putting his papers to the side and lean his elbows to the table, intertwining his fingers together, and looked at her.
"He requested for you to visit him when you leave for your base tomorrow, your crew, however, is to stay on the ship." He stated. Luffy, for the first time since she arrived in the office, looked at him in the eyes and smirk darkly, eyes dull.
"By request, you mean ordered, Sengoku." She said, the Fleet Admiral merely sighed in defeat. Luffy looked at the Fleet Admiral's expression, before looking at the table. "Fine. We will visit Mariejois."
Sengoku looks at the youngest Rear Admiral and opens his mouth.
"I won't accept it." Luffy suddenly stated, making the man close his mouth. "No matter what you say or persuade me, I won't accept the position of the Vice-Admiral."
"You are worthy of it." He mumbled, annoyed that she rejected the offered position again.
"You and I both know that that's a lie," Luffy said, looking at the sea through the window that was behind her superior. "I want to be free from here, Senny. I want to fulfill my promise to him, and I want to fulfill my dream." She added, her voice weakening as she spoke.
"But you know that's not possible, you know why you're here and not following your dream." He mumbled back, his heartbreaking at the heartbroken expression the marine gave to him.
"Yes. And I won't go after my dream if it means making everyone I care for safe." She showed him a sad smile as her eyes linger on the sea before looking away and back at him, straightening in her seat as she did so. "Besides, those who knew about him will think that I got the position of Vice-Admiral due to his… interest in me." She grinned darkly. Sengoku, not for the first time of his life when it comes to this side of Luffy, shivered.
"Watch… watch your back when your there." He mumbled, straightening in his seat and donning on a neutral expression as he senses some of the admirals and vice-admirals nearing the office, while his hand staying on their current position. Luffy merely hummed as she put the pen, that she kept on playing around her hand during the whole conversation, down and stretched her arms above her head before slouching slightly at the chair and grab the few reports that will be a part of their meeting. A minute later the door opens revealing Admiral Aokiji, who sighed sleepily and entered the room while letting the door close behind him. He walks towards the table then sat down beside Luffy, who seemed to be reading the paper, lifted his feet to the table, crossing one foot over the other, and covered his eyes with his sleep mask. Luffy smirked at his actions, not even looking at him, while Sengoku closed his eyes.
"Good Morning, Sensei," Luffy mumbled, receiving a hum of acknowledgment from said sensei. After a while, the door opens again and entered Admiral Kizaru followed by Vice-Admiral Tsuru, who raised an eyebrow upon seeing Aokiji sitting beside his student. While Kizaru hummed and headed to a vacant seat on the opposite side of the table, the Vice-Admiral went to Aokiji and stands beside him, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Mind giving up that seat? I want to seat beside someone who had some sense during this meeting." She stated, narrowing her eyes at the Admiral.
"First come, first serve." Aokiji merely mumbled, Luffy looks up from the paper she was reading and look at her Sensei then at the Vice-Admiral, then back again. After a while, Luffy went back to the report and stated.
"Sensei is still half asleep, Vice-Admiral Tsuru. You should just sit beside him to avoid any more… brain damage during this meeting." She suggested, flipping a page of the report. The Vice-Admiral sighed and sat beside Aokiji, knowing that Luffy is correct. A half-asleep Aokiji is a lot stubborn than the lazy one.
"Why must you two always fought on who will sit beside Rear-Admiral Luffy?" Sengoku asked, frowning. His only response was a deadpanned stare from the Luffy and Tsuru, Kuzan even lifted one side of his mask just to give him the same look. Sengoku sweat drops but didn't remove his stare from them, meanwhile, Admiral Kizaru hummed out as he looks at his colleagues and superior.
"Is it because she is sane during a meeting that those two want to always sit beside her…? Hmmm…" The Admiral drawled, Tsuru and Kuzan nodded at his statement in agreement, while Sengoku finally removes his gaze from them, sighing exasperatedly. Rubbing his forehead with his index and thumb finger, the fleet admiral grumbled, Luffy giggled softly and Tsuru smirked while the Lazy Admiral snores, leaving is eyes mask in the same position as it was before.
'Why is Garp's granddaughter a sane one?' He thought to himself, before remembering the first time Luffy came to the Marineford and the chaos she created, which made him frown. 'I take that back.'
"It's not like your any different Fleet Admiral," Tsuru stated, which made him look at her with narrowed eyes. "When our dear Luffy finally joins us in our meetings, you always had her sit beside you and even had a decent conversation or plan while the rest screams at one another." She commented though none of them noticed that when she was speaking Luffy's grip on the report she's holding had tightened.
'I am not yours.' Luffy thought, tuning out their conversation. 'I am not yours nor am I one of you!'
"I WILL DO ANYTHING AS LONG AS YOU STAY AWAY FROM THEM!"
"LUFFFYYY!"
"The others are arriving." She mumbled immediately before she could dwell on her thoughts. Her statement made Sengoku and Tsuru stop from having a 'calm' argument, for Borsalino to hum in slight disappointment as his amusement was stopped, as for Kuzan, he simply sits up straight and lifted the sleep mask from both of eyes and let them rest on his forehead. All of them, excluding Luffy, look at the door that opens not a moment later. All of the Vice-Admirals began to enter and the last to enter was Sakazuki, who frowned upon seeing Luffy, before scoffing and headed to the seat beside Borsalino. This made him take the seat across Vice-Admiral Tsuru, who was smirking at Luffy, who in turn ignored her Grand Father, who entered the room with the other Vice-Admirals and took the seat across her. Garp, who pouted as he was ignored by his Granddaughter again, then began to eat the rice cracker that he keeps hidden in his cape all the while sulking.
"Now that everyone's here –" Sengoku started, only to be cut off by the Akainu who said.
"Fleet Admiral. We have someone unnecessary for this meeting." He growled, glaring at Luffy, who merely look at him from the corner of her eyes, smirking, though no emotion is seen, not even amusement. It was as if she was smiling just to piss him off and it seems to be working as veins began to pop on his face.
"I disagree," Tsuru stated when a moment of silence had passed after the Admiral's statement, meanwhile shuffling over the reports that are found in front of her. "Our youngest Rear Admiral here had already contributed a lot of things during our previous meeting, so why shouldn't we include her in this meeting?" Akainu growled, as much as he hates for the girl to be present in the meeting, the Great Officer Staff of the marine is right. The brat did contribute plenty of things during the meetings which annoyed him to no end. Sengoku smirked behind his intertwined hands, not even bothering to answer back at the Red Dog's statement. He then glances at Luffy from the corner of his eyes, then at Garp, who is now glaring at Akainu, then back at the Rear Admiral, before closing his eyes with a soft scoff.
'I still find it hard how Garp and Luffy are related at all.' He thought, he then opens his eyes and cleared his throat.
"As I was saying, since everyone is here we'll proceed to our meeting." He continued.
"It seems that the Whitebeard Pirates are still searching for their first commander." Luffy read out loud, gaining the attention of everyone present in the room. "Landing and searching on every island they encountered but leaving the civilian untouched, marines injured, and sometimes restocking on the islands without marine bases before continuing onward." She then put the papers she was reading, to which the Fleet Admiral took it as a sign to continue.
"That report is the main discussion for this meeting. We all know that their first commander disappeared sometime the previous months during a fight they have with a traitor of their crew, Marshall D. Teach, also known as Blackbeard. Where the traitor is now, we do not know, our intelligence had no information about his location, and Whitebeard is getting restless the longer they search for their missing commander."
"Then we need to act!" Akainu, the ever-hating pirate, growled. "They are disturbing every island and going as far as infiltrating our bases in the new worlds just to search for a dead man! We should punish, no, hunt them for this!" At every word that came out from Akainu's mouth, his superiors and colleagues look at him as if he was crazy… which is probably true as they all knew how strong the emperor is and he's suggesting to go after them… well excluding Luffy, who was humming spoke up once he's done.
"While they did those things you speak off," Akainu growled at her and all of the attention went to the Rear Admiral. "Whitebeard and his crew didn't harm the civilians in the islands as the report had stated, the infiltrated bases still had their files. Offices of the marines that are rank lower than the captain are untouched, while the captain's offices were search into, as well as the cells. The injuries the marines had sustained is due to them trying to stop the Pirates from entering or escaping the base." At this, Luffy, who was looking at the table the whole time, looks at Sengoku.
"It seems that they have one purpose, and that is to find their missing commander." She then leaned on the back of her chair, crossing her legs over the other as her arms are wrapped in her mid-section. "I don't see the reason why we need to hunt them. While some civilians are wary of this, the World Government is not saying anything that we should conduct something with regards to their behavior. They are also doing us a favor with regards to the other pirate crew."
"Hmm… she is correct." Vice-Admiral Dalmatian agreed. "Ever since they started searching for their commander, every pirate that has attacked them are almost annihilated."
"What do you suggest we do then?" Vice-Admiral Cancer, asked while lighting up the cigar he had in his mouth.
"Leave them be," Luffy stated, completely calm, as the people inside the room waited for her to finish her statement, excluding Akainu who was about to very much object on her statement, stopping when Sengoku glared at him. "Tell our fleets to continue monitoring the Whitebeards from a certain distance and avoid any interaction with them while on the sea. Starting now, our bases are to prepare and relocate any confidential files they have into a different room that looks like an office of the lower ranking marines and create that as a temporary office of the captain until the Whitebeard is done with their business on the island. Also, tell the commanders or the captains and their underlings that while their… bravery… on charging the Whitebeards head-on is noble, they should lessen it as it would likely annoy the pirates and their captain which in return would result for their bases to be complete wreckage. This plan is to continue until they find their commander."
"Marco the Phoenix is dead though. It was stated in the reports that he fell to the sea during the fight, a devil fruit user won't survive the moment they touched the sea." Borsalino drawled out.
"Ahhh… but if the Phoenix is dead, then they should have the body already or they should never have bothered to search for him." Luffy pointed. "They have a Fishman on their crew, they should already have found the body at the very bottom of the ocean the moment the fight finished or when they started their search. Seeing the body is not found then it made Whitebeard think that his commander is still alive."
"A devil fruit user surviving after falling into the sea..." Cancer trailed off while Dalmation finished.
"How could that be possible?"
"Even if we sailed or study the sea for years, it still has its mysteries," Tsuru stated.
"Then we will do what the Rear Admiral suggested?" Sengoku asked, raising an eyebrow. A few seconds passed before they were the noise of agreement or acknowledgment. Akainu not being one of them but he was already outvoted thus he remained quiet. Sengoku nodded at their answer and looked at the Rear Admiral, who is seen with her eyes closed.
"Bwahahahaha! That's my Granddaughter!" Garp laughed as he eats the rice cracker he has, Sengoku looked up at the ceiling as his friend laughs, asking for strength from Oda, before looking at the other high-ranking officers present in the room.
"Right…" He cleared his throat. "Let's proceed with a different matter."
~ A few hours later~
Luffy sighed as she entered her office and closes the door behind her. She then headed towards her table as she took her cape off and hang it on the back of her chair before turning it slightly and sitting down with a 'thump'. She remained in that position for a while, inhaling and exhaling rhythmically, before turning to look at the window she was leaning at earlier. She watched the sea, the seagulls that are flying by once in a while, the marine vessels that are leaving the Headquarters and the people that walked around the street before turning her chair to look back at her table. She glanced at the door, before reaching towards a displayed clamshell, opening it and taking the key that was inside, before reaching towards the bottom drawer and at the same time the door open, entering a marine. The marine is a slightly thin man, with short, scruffy hair and beard. He also had a slight mustached with dark circles under his black eyes, wearing a white collared button up long sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up, the marine symbol at the back of the shirt and dark shoes and pants. Rolling a cart and a towel drape on one of his arms, he kicked the door shut and continued to walk towards the table of the Rear Admiral, who sit up straight as she took few papers from the drawer she was unlocking. Unbothered by the Marine that just entered her office, Luffy looks at the papers she had, it was bounty papers of her brothers, Portgas D. Ace and Outlook Sabo, she then shuffled the papers and came up with the bounty of the captain of the Red-Haired Pirates and Monkey D. Dragon. The Marine glances at the bounty as he places a plate of snacks on to the table, before looking at the Rear Admiral, who shuffled the papers again and look back at the pictures of her brothers.
"You okay captain?" The Marine asked as he took the teapot and poured tea into a teacup.
"I'm fine," Luffy mumbled, while he stayed silent. "Do we have an update of the status of the Whitebeards?" She asked.
"Nothing Captain. No crew member has left the Moby Dick to search for the traitor on their own nor to search for their first commander without Whitebeard's permission. The first commander location is still unknown." He answered as he put some sugar on her tea, stirring it when two scoops were in.
"And the traitor?"
"Robin-san is still searching on his whereabouts." He then put the cup in front of Luffy, who reached for it and took a sip, never taking her eyes off from the papers. Only when did the flavor of the tea touch her tongue did she closes her eyes and began to savor the aroma emitting from it.
"It's perfect." She stated, opening her eyes and looked at the Marine. "Thank you for the tea, Gin."
"Your welcome, Captain. I'm glad you liked it." Gin, former Combat Commander of the Kreig Pirates, smiled. "Sanji-san will probably beat me up if I didn't serve you tea and food according to your standards and by extension, his." He added, mumbling making Luffy giggled.
"I'm pretty sure Sanji won't do that," Luffy stated. "Besides, you're not a sue chef of our base but a Combat Officer."
"I know. But in here in Marineford and if Sanji-san is not around, I'm the personal chef of our crew until we return." Gin bowed, his expression turning dark as he remembers the reason for this. Luffy sighed, before putting her teacup down and reached towards Gin, who reaches out and grabs her hand. The male marveled at the soft, yet slightly calloused hand of the Rear Admiral, before looking at her and notice that she was giving him a soft look, tightening her grip in his hand.
"I'm fine," Luffy stated. "Nothing bad will happen to me as long as I know you guys are always there to guard my back." She finished, making the former pirate blush slightly at the trust his captain gave, unlike his previous captain.
"Oh? Did we miss tea time?" A soft-voiced asked, making them look at the door, letting go of each other's hands while doing so, where they saw Robin and Zoro entering with the latter being the last one and locking the door right after.
"No, you're just in time." Luffy smiled genuinely, making her crew relax their tense muscles. They hate going to the Marineford because every time they did, their Captain, their Rear Admiral, would be emotionless, smiling yes but with emotion no, unless they are in close quarters, which is rare as she is always either in a meeting, training, or other marines coming in and out of her office. And every time there is no emotion seen on Luffy's facial expression, they are tense for they don't know what she is thinking (well... three members of their crew could, this is including Zoro, but there are still times they don't know what's in her mind) nor do they trust the marines that aren't loyal to their captain. And if the older crew members didn't trust those marines that aren't serving under the Rear Admiral before then they won't start now nor will they do so in the future. The four marines chatted softly as they ate the snacks Gin baked. They were, now, seated at a window on the other side from the mirror Luffy looked at before the meeting. A round table in front of them as a variety of snacks are placed in the center, tea in front of the ladies, while the men had coffee. Gin was seated at the left side of Luffy, who they made sure to be seated in front of the window so that she can see the sea, Robin occupying the seat on Gin's left, leaving Zoro to occupy the empty seat between Luffy and Robin.
"By the way, where did the two of you come from?" Gin asked as he poured another cup of tea for Luffy, refilling Robin's right after.
"At the Harbor, making sure we have enough supplies for our journey on the way back to the base," Robin answered. Her answer, however, made Luffy froze, which immediately caught their attention.
"Captain?" Zoro asked, watching as their Captain unfreeze herself and said.
"I have received orders to visit Mariejois before we can return to the base."
Silence…
"What?!"
~The Next Day, Marineford Harbor, 10 AM~
Zoro watched as a few loyal members of their crew, who joined them in coming back in the Main Headquarters, loaded more supplies in addition to the one they inputted yesterday to their ship. While Luffy is a Rear Admiral, she requested nothing more but a Standard Marine Ship that was adjusted by their shipwright to survive the journey between Paradise and New World, as well as any pirate attacks, which work well for him and the others, as it was easy to sail with something simple and it helps avoid from getting any more attention from Pirates that they will encounter, that or they will underestimate them. Their Marine crew always enjoyed the shock expression of the Pirates that boarded them the moment they realize they lost. He then saw some of the Marines, that was stationed in the base, tried to talk to his Crew, scowling, and scoffing when they receive no response.
"Captain Zoro!" One of the marines saluted, standing a few steps behind the green-haired marine.
"What is it?" He asked, still looking at around the harbor as the Marine lower his hand.
"We have a few more boxes to load but we are clear to leave within 3 to 5 minutes. 10 minutes if the Rear Admiral doesn't arrive within the first given time frame." The marine stated, Zoro glance at him.
"Got it. Set course to Mariejois." He said, of course, this had shocked the marine.
"Mariejois?" He chocked out. "I thought we will be heading back home immediately?"
"Unfortunately, the Fleet Admiral had given the Rear Admiral orders to visit the Mariejois, and we can't disobey it or else it's the Rear Admiral, who will suffer," Zoro said, looking back around the harbor and then saw their true Captain walking towards where their ship is docked, with Robin and Gin few steps behind her, marines standing in attention and saluting as Luffy passed by.
"Yes sir," the Marine stated, hands turning to fists, slightly trembling, which made Zoro raise an eyebrow, and as much as he wants to question the marine, he ignored it. He had faith that they won't be betrayed by this crew, for they were handpicked by Luffy, who everyone knew was a good judge of character, amazing even. They all knew that upon meeting the Rear Admiral for the first time it would seem that she looked deep into the soul, into the core of that person and after that, she would decide whether their good or bad in her terms. Luffy was never wrong when it comes to that and it won't fail them now. The Swordsman went back to look at his Captain, waving the marine away, who saluted once more and headed towards the navigator's office. Said Captain was already walking up the gangplank which made Zoro move away from the railing he was standing near and headed towards Luffy, saluting when she stepped on board the ship. Luffy merely nodded at him, making him lower his hand before she heads towards the bow of the ship. Robin and Gin stayed with Zoro, who began to order the marines around them to set sail.
"Did anything happen?" Zoro asks after giving the orders.
"Vice-Admiral Garp tried to talk to the Rear Admiral again, telling her to accept the position as Vice Admiral." Gin stated, making Zoro frown and said.
"She'll be more tied if she took that position. Doesn't matter if we manage to do more things than her current position allowed."
"I think that's why she didn't accept it," Robin remarked. Minutes later they were sailing away from the port, every marine personnel standing in attention behind Luffy, who wore a blank expression before she blinked and turned to look at them, she inhaled before opening her mouth and said.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku received an order from one of the Five Elders, and that is for us to visit the Mariejois, and unlike the previous orders we receive, this one is different on your side." While the marines were silent, Luffy and crew notice them tightening their fist, some had anger in their eyes, but like what Zoro did, they all ignore them. "While we are docked at their port, you are not required to step foot on their island and, this is my order, will be leaving the next day."
"What about on your side Rear Admiral?" One of the Marine asked. This marine had brown, slightly shaggy, hair with brown eyes and a lanky body, wearing the standard marine uniform.
"Always the perceivable one aren't you, Rin?" She praised, looking at the Marine, smiling, before answering his question as the marine blushed, while his fellow marines teased him.
"I'll be visiting the Grandson of the Elder, who requested it to his Grandfather, who gave the order to the Fleet Admiral. I'll catch up with you when you left the harbor, so expect me to be on board the next day, probably by late afternoon or evening." It was then, that they all started to protest as they realize that their Rear Admiral will be staying there for two days, and Luffy let them before clearing her throat. "While I appreciate your reaction of not letting me stay on the island more than you guys," She smirked at them, which made a few blushes in embarrassment, while the rest were quite the opposite, looking at Luffy as if daring her to try and making them blush. She giggled happily at their reactions, which made Gin, Robin, and Zoro smile. "I'll still be staying much longer than you are if you tried to wait for me. In simple terms, if you stay there for more than one day, I'll be staying on the island at the same time frame as you with an extra day."
"What?!" They, excluding those who were present in Luffy's office the other day, exclaimed. "Since when?!"
"Since from the beginning you idiots," Zoro answered, moving to stand beside Luffy, who smirked at him, pointing his thumb at his Captain he added. "Every time, we leave the island, she'll stay there for a day before using Geppo and arriving here on the ship in the afternoon or during the night. Don't tell me you haven't notice that?" He narrowed his eyes at them, which made them rub the back of their necks sheepishly.
"We thought she was doing paper works or in a mission without us." One of them answered, the others agreeing by nodding at his statement.
"We've been doing this routine for the past year and you all think she's doing some paper works or in a solo mission?" Zoro asked, looking at them with hooded eyes and saw them nod in agreement. He then gave them a dark grin… a very, very dark grin. "Prepare for training when we arrive back at the base." They all gulped in fear before scrambling over one another as if running away from their Marine Captain will lessen their training, unfortunately for them, it won't work. Zoro sighed as he watches the crew run away, while Luffy smiled.
"I stand correct Zoro." She stated, as she turned around and look back at the sea. "They do leave whenever you stand beside me."
"They don't." Zoro disagreed while Robin and Gin walk towards them.
"Unfortunately, Captain is correct, Zoro." Gin grinned. "They seem to take it as a dismissal whenever you walk and stand beside the Captain, excluding the times that you're standing beside her when she starts the meeting." Robin giggled in agreement while Zoro growled as Luffy chuckled.
"Rear Admiral." One Marine called out, making the four of them turn and look at him, only then did they notice that there were still 5 marines left. Upon recognizing their faces, they all realize that these marines where the first ones Luffy recruited during the time she was given the rank of a Marine Captain and continued to climb in the ranks, the people who were with their captain from the very beginning, the ones before Zoro, and the others, met Luffy. And these Marines are the most trustworthy, and loyal members of their marine crew, so loyal that Zoro and his bands of mischief friends knew that they will abandon their post just to ensure their Rear Admiral is safe and they will count on them when that time comes or if they are busy to fight their enemies to protect or watch the Rear-Admiral's back. Those Marines are Yu, Peter, Hana, Mina, and Gray.
Yu, the very first member to join Luffy's Marine crew, a 23 years old male with black hair and eyes, slightly muscled body with a height of 5'6, slightly tanned skin, currently ranked as Lt. Commander of their base. No one knew why he started to serve under Luffy considering she was very young when she held the title Captain and he was already a Major by then, no one but the Lt. Commander and the Rear Admiral herself.
Peter, a 22 years old male with an army cut brown hair and black eyes, with a body like Gin, and light brown skin was the next one after Yu. He joined the marine right after finding out Luffy became a captain (or he joined before her promotion?) and was then recruited by the said Captain after two months in her position. It was rumored that he was a slave that was rescued from a Slave Trader Ship that, unfortunately, cause a scene on the cruise ship that Luffy was on. The rumors said that Luffy was a lieutenant at that time, and was on the cruise ship because she was permitted to have fun. The Slave Traders tried to go on board, causing a panic among the civilians, long story short, Luffy had beaten the slave traders, called the Marines, save the people that were cage in the ship, praised by the people that were present during that time, reported to the Headquarters and was then given a position of Commander, shortly after. Though some say the rumors are false are there are no slave brand found on Peter's body during communal baths when he was a Recruit, so no one trust this rumor. After Luffy had recruited Yu she had met Peter a month after, and everyone swore there was a staredown happening between them when they saw each other, she smiled at him before moving on her way. The next thing anyone knew is that Peter is serving under Captain Monkey D. Luffy, so some of those rumors might be true.
Then there's Hana and Mina, fraternal twin sisters, aged 19 years old. Hana is the oldest twin, with a height of 5'5, slim body, has light brown skin, black shoulder-length hair with highlights at the tips. Mina is the youngest twin, three inches short from Hina, brown skin, brown shoulder-length hair that is sometimes tied when on a battle. Unlike the first two mentioned marines, Hana and Mina were 'directly recruited' and taken under by Luffy when she first met them. The two were one of the survivors of an Island in the Grandline that was attacked by Pirates who met their end under the fists of the Female Captain. While the rest of the inhabitants of the island rebuilt their life after the attack, the twins had begged the young captain to take them in. Luffy didn't want to take them at first and thus had left the island with Yu and Peter, sailing with only their standard marine ship and leaving the other marines to handle the aftermath, and report to the Fleet Admiral. During their travel to head back to the Marineford, Yu and Peter had found out that the twins hide in their ship, becoming a stowaway. One thing leads to another and they were training under Luffy for a week before officially joining Luffy's crew, who was given a promotion of Commodore after saving their island.
Last, but not least, Gray, a 21 years old male, with dark blue hair and dark blue eyes, pale skin, and slightly muscled body. He came from North Blue and had joined the Marines for personal reasons. No one knew about Gray, he talks to no one, didn't try to make friends with his fellow marines, he was also an asshole and rude. When he meets Luffy, he insulted and demand her to leave for this was 'no playground for spoiled princess' like her. He didn't know that she was a Commodore by then for she just returned from another vacation and was wearing civilian clothing. Unfortunately for Gray, plenty of Marines had heard him and had seen what happened and while the Commodore was indifferent, for she merely tilts her head and walks around him, the Marines were fearing for their lives and avoid Gray like a plaque. The following days after that Gray was subjected to pranks, chores, and tortu- training by Luffy's crew and Garp. The marines who had seen what happened to Gray wince in pity and knew that they couldn't survive if they were in his place, while Luffy decided to talk to the man after 3 weeks of surviving the pain given to him. After a long night talk, and three days of continued torture, Gray is suddenly serving Commodore Monkey D. Luffy. No one knew if it was blackmail or a deal, but Gray was very loyal to Luffy so no one questioned it. Garp, however, was derived from seeing his Granddaughter and Luffy's Marine Crew were under toilet duty for a month, excluding Gray, who was tasked to follow the Commodore as the crew serves their punishment. And three months after meeting Gray, they all earn the epithet of Vendetta Marina.
"Oh? It seems that there are a few who stayed behind." Robin commented, smiling at them teasingly, which made them sheepishly rub the back of their neck before they look at the person they look up to, while said person tilts her head to the side. Zoro then realizes that it was Gray who had to inform him earlier of their possible departure time from the Harbor.
"What is it, Yu?" Luffy asked, knowing that Yu, being the first member that she recruited, acted as a leader for them and the one to always ask questions. Answers or follow up questions, however, came from either of them.
"Do you have to step on the island alone? Will you be okay?" Hana asked instead, making the former criminals and Rear Admiral look at her, who was confused about why they were asking that. Seeing that, Hana added. "We're worried about you."
"Worried?" Luffy clarified, receiving a nod from the 5 marines. "Why?"
"While we are dumb enough to not notice that you weren't doing any paperwork or mission after we leave the Mariejois, we always, always, notice that whenever we saw you, your pale, shivering and sometimes weak enough to fell asleep either collapsing on the floor or leaning against something when in our presence or theirs." Mina reasoned out, nodding at the direction of Zoro and the others. Inwardly, Gin, Robin, and Zoro smiled in relief and delight. Glad that at least they notice somethings wrong with Luffy, who merely watched them blankly before her expression turned soft and gratitude.
"Thanks." She merely stated before turning around and look back at the sea. This made the five marines nearly protest as she didn't answer their question, but their attention went to Gin who was waving at them and pointed to the direction to a door that leads inside the ship and into the galley. They looked at one another, before looking at the back of their Rear Admiral, who had Zoro standing beside her, and then followed after Gin with Robin a tow. Zoro, who had to watch them leave from the corner of his eyes, smirked, before looking at his Captain, whose eyes are glazed as she looks at the ocean. The Green haired Swordsman looks at her for a while longer before turning around, sliding down, and leaned at the railing. Luffy glance at Zoro from the corner of her eyes when she notices him moving and watched as he let his swords lean on his shoulder, his arms around them, sitting crossed legged, closed his eyes, and slowly watch as his breath even out. She smiled before focusing back on the sea once more, wishing to spread her wings, wishing for her freedom, wishing to fulfill her promise, wishing to be… the Pirate King.
~At the Galley of G6 Ship~
"You need to Relax Lt. Commander-san," Robin stated, using her devil fruit in assisting with Gin on serving the Vendetta Marina some tea and biscuits to calm themselves. Gin nodded in agreement, while the five Marines sighed before grabbing the teacups that were put in front of them. She and the five marines have seated down on the only table in their Galley, choosing the ones that are near the kitchen. Their galley isn't that big, they only need two long tables inside to have all of their Marine Crew, that are onboard their ship, seated, and have their mealtime together. And even then, they still have extra space to add another set or two of chairs and tables for their whole Marine Crew base to fit inside.
"How can you be calm, Robin?" Yu asked, making Robin, who was about to grab a piece of cookies from the plate in front of her, and Gin, who has finished placing plates of snacks at the middle spot in front of them and was about to sit down beside Robin, paused. Robin immediately glanced at the Vendetta Marina, what she saw in their faces made her postpone her plan to start eating. Gin, after a moment of pause, sat down, bracing himself to at least calm their fellow marines. Everyone in G6 had always hated being called by their ranks, especially the Rear Admiral as she said that she wants to treat everyone equally, calling a person by rank would put a difference between them. And thus, they always call each other by their name (or give them names like a certain Swordsman and Chef would call one another), and when they do call each other by rank it always happens in front of the other people who aren't part of their crew. Sometimes, even when no one that isn't a member of their crew is present, they slipped up with the rank calling and would immediately be reminded by that person to call them by their name, especially Luffy and Yu (Zoro would, however, ignore whoever call him Captain if they in their base). For Yu to not reprimand Robin means this bothered them deeper than they like.
"We are not calm actually," Gin admitted, looking at the table where he laid his fingers down, intertwined with one another. His admission made the Vendetta's group lookup, with a shock expression.
"You're not?" Peter asked making Robin and Gin shake their head.
"All of us, your Operation Team Leader, are worried about the Luffy as well," Robin answered. "Whenever we went to Mariejois, we always worry about Luffy. Luffy, the one who recruited us, who are criminals, into her crew, all alone in a place where the ones that are controlling the marines behind the scene are crawling at. We don't even know what is happening there or what they are doing to her, especially the Grandson of the Elder."
Gin furrowed his eyebrows while the other marines had angry scowls in their faces. No one bothered hiding their hate for the World Government for it was a well-known fact within the Marines that the G6 marines hated them, but Sengoku didn't bother to have them change their ways as long as they don't show their hate in front of the nobles, especially to the Tenryuubito. The G6 Marines are good at accomplishing on the orders that were given to them, it'll be a huge loss on their part should they disband them, and as long as they stay away from the 'Legal' Auctions in Sabaody then everything is fine. Unknown to the Fleet Admiral there are few changes in Sabaody that anyone with the Rank of Commander and higher, this is excluding Luffy, didn't know about and as long as the Marines with a lower ranking than those watching what they are saying then the G6 Marines are safe.
"For all, we know they could be silently torturing her and touching her against—"
"Okay, we don't need your dark humor right now Robin." Gin interrupted, rubbing the bridge of his nose, while Robin giggled when she saw the pale expression of the Marines in front of her. "But we're not denying that possibility." He immediately added after seeing them relaxed slightly.
"Oi!" The five marines yelled, making them both chuckled.
"The best thing to help Luffy is to be there when she left the Mariejois and assist her in every way we can, and follow the orders she gives us." Gin said after calming down, Robin nodded at what he said. Yu was thinking hard before looking at Gray, who was the vice of the group. Gray meets his eyes and they give each other a nod before looking at their Operation Team Leader and smiled.
"Fine, we will be there for Luffy." They stated, knowing that the remaining marines in their group would agree.
"Great, be sure to tell the others," Robin ordered, which made them nod. With that, they then began to eat the snacks that are present in front of them.
~The next day, Red Port in Red Line~
Luffy sighed as she saw the Red Port, to which she needs to ride a bondolas where it will lead her to Mariejois.
"Do they need to build the… capital further beyond the sea level?" Zoro asked, Luffy merely smiled, not even bothering to answer his question. When they arrived at the port, Luffy lost her smile when she notices that guards are waiting for them to dock.
"A day here, right?" Zoro asked as their Marine Crew stands behind him and Luffy, saluting.
"A day or unless I said otherwise." She mumbled, before jumping down and landing in front of the guards, who saluted.
"Rear Admiral." They all said, Luffy merely glance at them before they started to sweat and lower their hands. "Your crew may pass through the Red Line when they leave the Harbor."
"Oh?" She hums as they always travel through fish-man island just to get to the New World, due to…
"Yes, ma'am. Though the Elder's Grandson requested for you to use the ship that he had provided for you on the side of the Red Line."
That.
"I'll talk with the Elder's Grandson on the matter of his request. While I like to accept his request, it's a hassle to transfer our supplies and things from one ship to another." She answered, before walking forward with the guards saluting as they make a path for her. Her marines watched her go, while she felt Robin's ear that is hiding underneath her marine cape disappear. When Luffy passed the last guard in line, they lowered their hand, closed the path they created and followed after her. It didn't take them to arrive at the area where the Bondolas are at, they immediately head to the Bondola with a number 2 displayed under the word World Government and went inside. A moment later, the Bondola began to head up as Luffy headed towards the area where she can see the sea through the window, once she arrived at her desired spot with the guards a few feet behind her, she put her hand in the pocket of her cape and then pulled out a 4cm black velvet choker, a gold-threaded symbol of the Tenryuubito and lining stitched to it, a short lobster clasp chain on one end and a short-chain on the other.
Using one hand, Luffy swept her hair over her left shoulder, then grabs both ends of the choker, before putting it around her neck and locking it with practice eased, she then swept her hair back to their original position, shaking her hair softly as if to arrange her hair without combing it and sighed quietly. Luffy glance at her back from the corner of her eyes when she heard someone or some people gulp loudly, or loud enough to be heard by her sensitive ears, before looking down to the glass floor that she was standing at and watched as the port grow smaller through it. Men gulping around her sometimes confuses her, for she thought she sometimes knew what they were thinking but most of the time she thought wrong so she didn't let this bothered her.
Meanwhile, the guards behind her look at Luffy's back with greed and lust in their eyes, every movement she created was very sensual in their eyes, making them hot and bothered all the time, although they could not have her, they are lucky enough to be in her presence and watched her movements, unlike their fellow guards who are envious with them for not being grace by the famous Angel of Mariejois. It was a very much well-known knowledge that the Rear Admiral was favored by the Elders, Kong, Marines, Nobles and even by the Tenryuubito, for not only was she the Granddaughter of the Garp the Fist, Hero of the Marines, but also because she's beautiful and graceful, quite different from the clumsy and rowdy 13, turning 14, years old female teen that joined the Marines years ago and they have Admiral Kuzan, and occasionally Vice-Admiral Tsuru, for the change and the results made her earned the epithet Angel amongst the people living in Mariejois. If there was a vote on who is the most beautiful woman in the whole Grand Line, Luffy would come out as first and Boa Hancock as second, and that is because the latter's attitude is unsavory, while the former's attitude is what they always fancy for. Her voluptuous body, her innocent side, and aura only add to their desire.
Other than her beauty and gracefulness, the Marines appreciate how the Rear Admiral and her crew did their orders and how they made a few islands trust them again (which is sort of untrue as they only trust the G6 Marines and only the G6), the Elders, Kong, and the Tenryuubito appreciate how the Rear Admiral lessens their troubles by taking care the run-away or disobeying slaves by herself, this is done either by killing (saving) the slaves or by dragging them to the G6 ships and teaching them manners (by leading them to the G6 ship and taking care of them and lead them back to their base), which eventually leads to killing them (making them stay). A few Tenryuubito and Nobles were annoyed by this as this lessen their slaves, especially the women and children, and this also lessen they're 'fun', they, however, also appreciate it as this means there are fewer bodies to dispose of, especially when Luffy took the slaves that are already on the verge of death.
It helps, that she follows their order, no matter how reluctant she and her crew are, down to the T. It was also known that among the listed group of people that favored Luffy, the Third Elder, and his family came out on top, especially the Third Elder's Tenryuubito Grandson. He favored Luffy so much, that he gave her the G6 Base without any surveillance in the New World even though she is merely a Rear Admiral and no one has the Eternal Log Pose for the except for him, the Rear Admiral herself and her crew, the Elders and lastly, the Fleet Admiral. He also allowed her to have a crew of her choice without needing the approval of the Fleet Admiral, free access through the Red Line and a ship that she can use when they pass through the red line, slaves, guards for her beck and call, supplies of first-class food and spices that ready to be loaded in her ship when docking on the red port, limitless supplies of sensual dresses and shoes, accessories and anything the Rear Admiral wants. There's even a rumor that the Grandson would willingly order a buster call or buy an island should the Rear Admiral wished for it (which is, if true, not happening ever) and that he is willing to cover his 'clean' hand with a commoners blood should someone ever spoke derogatorily about her.
And for the Tenryuubitos this is an action that the Elder's Grandson wants to marry the Rear Admiral and own her for himself, and considering that he always requests (demands) a visit from her occasionally that is always granted, strengthen this rumor and the inhabitants of Mariejois finds this very much acceptable, it didn't matter to them if the Rear Admiral will be married to the Tenryuubito either by force or willingly, for the beauty of the Rear Admiral should only belong to the World Government, to the Tenryuubito and only to them. And this Rumored Marriages is something that the Marines, especially the Rear Admiral and her crew, didn't know off, for this kind of thing was only between them.
A few minutes later, Luffy then turned around and headed towards the exit of the Bondola, the guards making a path as she went through them. When they stopped and the door open, Luffy was already there waiting and immediately head out. She then continues to walk down the main street which leads to the Domain of the Gods. The Tenryuubito, both men and women, old and young, watched her walked, admiring her beauty, while a few slaves, glance at her from the corner of their eyes, before looking down at the ground, none of the audience notice her glazed expression or her sudden scrutiny that will appear once in a while. Though after walking for a few minutes, she paused and then looked at the slaves that where standing submissively on her right, with a slight tilt of her head. The Tenryuubito, who owned the slaves, shivers, and steps forwards wanting to be graced with a chance to speak to the beauty that will belong to them within a year or so, other Tenryuubito steps forwards as well, sometimes pulling the chains of their slaves. They, of course, ignored her dull eyes, as they are still pretty for them.
"Is there something that interested you, Rear Admiral?" He asked Luffy glance at him with an emotionless smirk.
"Having a hard time with these slaves, I supposed." She said the slaves in question were four beat-up women, with more bruises on their skin, showing signs of resisting their master. The Tenryuubito nodded, not bothering to deny that he was merely abusing them for fun and that they weren't even resisting him. The slaves in question were looking at Luffy, not knowing whether she'll save them or give them a worse experience. "I can take them off your hand, and train them myself." She then offered, making the women tremble in fear, while the other slaves look at them with pity in their eyes. The Tenryuubitos, who she is speaking with and had heard her declaration, sighed lustfully and wants nothing more to touch the angel that graced them.
"Of course, Of course." He mumbled, taking a few steps towards Luffy, who merely smirks at him, was internally glaring at all of their actions, and though she is slightly confuse on it, she, however, knew that it was due to her. "You can take as many slaves as you can. I can always get something in the auctions." It was then that she began to receive many requests (orders) to take their slaves from the Tenryuubitos just to have her talk to them. Luffy slightly narrowed her eyes at how they casually throw the lives of the people, but she didn't say anything and merely focused on the Tenryuubito in front of her.
"Then… I'll be taking them off your hands." She then gestured for the chains, reaching out her hand. The Tenryuubito shivered in delight, and reach out his hand that was holding the chains of the slaves, to touch her. But before he could do so, his hand was grabbed by one of the guards that were with the Rear Admiral.
"I Apologize," He stated, bowing his head slightly. "But please remember that the Third Elder had released a declaration that no other Tenryuubito shall touch the Rear Admiral other than his Family since her last visit." The Tenryuubitos then gasps in shock as if they just remembered this and the one Luffy was talking with, merely sighed in disappointment for not being able to toucher her, he still gave the chains to the guard, who pulled the women towards them and looked at the Rear Admiral. Unsurprisingly, the Tenryuubito is happy enough that he was able to talk and stand only a few feet away from her. Luffy, who didn't know about this declaration, merely smiled with a mental reminder to ask him about this, before looking at the guard, who was holding the chains of the now silently crying women.
"Please give them and this to my crew." She said, pulling out a red card from the back pocket of her skirt, to which the guard accepted, holding the corner of the corner and pulling it away from the Marine. "And don't damage them any further, I want to have that pleasure…" She purred as she looks at her acquired slaves, making the people, who desired her, blush heavily. Luffy then turned and left, letting the guard standing there for a few seconds longer before snapping out of it and immediately head back to the bondola, trying his best to avoid damaging the goodies any longer. As Luffy continued to walk away from the Tenryuubitos, who was watching them leave, her eyes were then glazed, and it remained so until she snapped out of it and immediately look at the mansion standing on her left upon hearing the words that were whispered to her ever since she left the Marineford grew louder.
"THERE! SAVED HIM!"
The guards look at one another wondering why she paused only to look at the mansion. Before their attention went back to front upon seeing another group of guards heading towards, with a Tenryuubito leading them. Upon recognizing who the Tenryuubito is, they immediately bowed, and Luffy removes her eyes from the mansion and then look at the man that had joined them.
"Luffy~ My Angel~" The Tenryuubito called out sweetly, making Luffy smile again without emotion, while internally cringing and glaring at the man in front of him. "I heard that you have already step foot here and decided to meet you mid-way."
"I apologize," Luffy bowed her head, glaring at the ground once her face was covered. "For making you meet me here, but I was interested in a few slaves I passed by and I decided to train them to be a better slave for your people." She finished, removing the glare on her face when her face was tilted up by the Tenryuubito.
"Don't apologize." He murmured, rubbing her lips with his thumb, shuddering in delight when he did so. "I did tell you that you can acquire any slaves that you want. You don't need to return them to their master, their yours now." He finished, before forcing himself to remove his hand from Luffy's face so that she could speak.
"Well then, Thank you." She bowed but unlike her first bow, she immediately lifts her head. "Saint Rokudo." Saint Rokudo, is the Grandson of the Third Elder, the very person who favored Luffy out of all his family. Rokudo's appearance is different from the other Tenryuubito, having green eyes and shoulder-length blonde hair. He wears a long-sleeved white shirt with a long dark green robe and a green cloak with an emerald-like as a lock, thick gold ribbons found the collar of his shirt, instead of the usual full-body robes and the oxygen-tank connected bubble around their heads. He also wears leather knee-high boots to finish his appearance. Luffy doesn't know how he caught his attention or how she made him favor her, but while it was useful at most times, she wants to use it as less as possible, hoping to lessen whatever it is he's always thinking.
"Something on your mind?" He asked, looking at the mansion that she was looking at earlier. Luffy followed his gaze, before looking back at him.
"Wondering why there's no one inside, as you always make sure that everyone living in Mariejois is always present whenever I'm here." She bluntly said, making him laugh and steps towards her. Reaching one hand out, Rokudo grabs a lock of hair from her shoulder and began to sniff it, Luffy left him be as she crossed her arms around her midsection, hiding her clench fist so clench tightly that her nails almost broker her skin. The saint then sighed in happiness, taking a step back, letting the hair slide down from his hand, to which he brought near his nose and gestured the house using the other hand.
"Saint Jason is away on a vacation. He sailed away four or five days ago, unfortunately, the information of you visiting wasn't spread out until the day before yesterday. He brought all of his servants and slaves, left his collections behind, and won't be coming back for another month." He licked his fingers, looking at Luffy from the corner of his eyes.
"No slaves left? Didn't he have Rare collections as well? Who would take care of it?" She asked, he answered with a hum, before moving to her left side and put an arm around her, bring her body closer to his.
"None." He confirmed, slightly breathless. "And yes, he did have them but he gave orders to the guards to care of it. Such rare collections aren't allowed to fade away." Receiving the answers and not wanting his touch any longer, Luffy moved away from him and continues to walk ahead, shocking the Tenryuubito and the guards at her cold attitude, watching her back as she walks away.
"Too bad, I would like to have some of his slaves." She admitted, the Tenryuubito then laughs and followed after her.
"I like it when you're so feisty, my dear Rear Admiral." He stated Luffy remained silent, still hearing the whispered words and vowing the whisperer that she will. She will save that person, just as she saved those women.
"Oh, and I reject your request of using the ship you've provided for me and my crew that you've placed on the other side of the Red Line." She then commented, making the man laugh again, highly amused.
"Rejecting it again?" He questioned, though receiving no answer from her. And that is fine, she can reject his request for how long as she like, because within next year, the Rear Admiral will be his and no one else can ever. No one, not the marines, the other Tenryuubitos who coveted her, her crew and especially, not the pirates, no one.
TBC
A/N: Edited: July 22, 2020
A/N: I would like to thank those readers who have decided to follow and favorited this story! While my updates are slow, please bear with me and I hope you like this chapter as well. Also if you have any suggestions on what you want things to happen please let me know~ I appreciate it!
Status:
Chapter 3 – Done (Rereading for any errors)
Chapter 4 – Outline (50%)
REVIEWS
ce1388: Thanks for the review and also thank you for loving this story. I hope this chapter meets your expectations, though this one is mostly focused on Luffy's situation, so it might not be tee-hee~!
Watching the rain fall: Thanks for the review! And Thank you for taking interest in my story ^_^. I hope you like this chapter. Thank you!
GeekyWolf101: Thanks for the review and for liking this story! I hope this second chapter made you want to read more! Thank you!