From Caged Marines to Whitebeard Pirates

by Kanra Nakura

When Blackbeard was caught in the action of stabbing Thatch, a fight ensues, causing Marco to be thrown to the sea in his Phoenix Form, hearing the laughter of the traitor and the cries of his siblings as he submerged. Locked in a cage and kept as a pet bird for the Tenryuubito for months, Marco was saved by Marines under Monkey D. Luffy. Full Summary in the First Chapter. FemLuffy

3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

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~Moby Dick~

"Hey." A voice called out, kicking softly the body that was laying down at the side chair of Whitebeard, who watched them with slight amusement. "Wake up. You've been sleeping for three hours." The voice finished.

"Leave me alone." The body moaned out before turning around and showed his tattooed back to the person disturbing his sleep.

"Sulking around won't let the ship head faster to the next island, Ace." At that, Portgas D. Ace, one of the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, looks up from the floor and glared at his assailant.

"Shut it, Sabo." He growled, earning an eye roll from Outlook Sabo, the sworn brother of Ace, and also a Commander of the Second Division. "And I'm not sulking." He added, finally sitting up. His statement earned a deadpanned expression from his blond brother and a laugh from Whitebeard.

"You are, son." Whitebeard grinned, making Ace to pout slightly.

"Oyaji…" He whined, earning another laugh from his Father and a snicker from Sabo.

"Come on Flame Brain. Time for lunch." Sabo stated; however, the raven-haired commander didn't move away from his position.

"Ace…" Whitebeard started, making his sons look at him. "Marco is fine. He is still alive." Said Pirate didn't look exactly convince and neither was his brother, but the blond-haired pirate hides it better than the raven-haired pirate.

"How do you know that Oyaji?" Ace asked. "We don't have Marco's vivre card—"

"Which I will require for all of you to get one and give a piece to me." Whitebeard cut in, grumbling, regretting the fact that he nor his other sons didn't have Marco's vivre card. In fact, only Whitebeard has a vivre card amongst them and the pieces of the paper were already given to all of his children and allies. Sabo and Ace looked at one another before reaching in their pockets and, reluctantly, gave him a torn piece of their vivre card. This, of course, made Whitebeard blink in astonishment before scowling.

"You brats have one?" He asked, making the brothers shrug, no excuse given to the captain on why they showed it to him. Because in truth, the two of them already have their Vivre card, they had it during the times they were still Co-Captains of the Spade Pirates. Both sworn brothers had each other's piece and they have at least a sized of their paper left to which they plan to give to their Light. And it wasn't like they didn't want to give their Captain a piece, it's just that they plan to get a different one on an island that can create it. And that one will be torn and given to their Captain and crew members of the Whitebeard Pirates, but ever since their Captain found out about not everyone has their own 'paper of life', he's been sulking ("No, I'm not." "You are Oyaji.") and will always grumble every time it's been mentioned. Last night, the sworn brother had come into an agreement to tear a piece from that sized paper and give it to their captain to calm him down or at least stop him from grumbling more. They won't be taking anymore piece from it though, Oyaji's piece will be the last one to be torn off.

("But's it's for Light! I want her to get a big one!"

"Ace… we still have a bigger piece left. Light can have it, but we are giving a piece to Oyaji!"

"How about we give Light the new one?"

"I thought we agreed that a huge part of our first Vivre card will be given to Light? To represent that they will always come first no matter what?"

"We did!"

"So, we will tear a piece of this paper that's big enough for Oyaji… and the rest will be for Light."

"Fine… *grumbles*")

"Are you giving your other brother and sisters a piece too?"

"We plan to Oyaji. Just need to get a new one." Sabo stated.

"Well, at least I have a piece from you two! Gurararara!" The Captain laughs, not bothering to ask why they need to get a new one. The two commanders merely give him a wave for his comment, pouting slightly.

"We also don't know which island is holding him," Ace continued his ranting, making his sworn brother to sigh, exasperated, while Whitebeard let him be as he puts the pieces of Vivre card in his pocket.

"We've been looking for him for Five Months, FIVE!" By then, Sabo had notice Thatch waving and walking towards them, the months that had passed had been a blessing and a curse to them. The blessing is that Thatch was able to fully heal from the poison that Teach had put in his knife, while their allies and Shanks were informed and fully aware of the traitorous action the traitor had committed. They were asked to protect their islands, informing the villagers to alert them if the bastard decided to step foot on their place. And should they ever encounter the traitor, they are to run or avoid him but if they were attacked then they need to fight back. Whitebeard would have preferred his crew or allies to never fight to Teach as he's uncomfortable with the information they have about the devil fruit he's so obsessed about.

Though it's not only him, everyone is uncomfortable with what they learn about the Yami-Yami no Mi. According to the book the bastard had left, the fruit allows the user to create, control, and transform into darkness at will. It also controls gravity, absorbs things or people, even a devil fruit user's devil fruit ability, and the most frightening is that it can nullify a devil fruit's ability with a single touch of its user, and as long that contact remains then the fruit is nullified. With that information, Whitebeards and his allies at least had a plan on how to counter his attacks or defeat him enough to escape or truly kill him. Training for hand to hand combat three or four times a week was implemented, especially for those devil fruit users who rely on their devil ability too much *coughs* Ace *coughs*. Seastone bracelet is used and required during the training which is an additional benefit for resistance… maybe.

The curse is that they never manage to find their missing commander or even got a lead on his whereabouts. The islands and Marine bases they land on are useless as they have no information about Marco nor did the Marines hold him hostage because if they do have Marco then they should gloat it all-over the world and would most likely declare war against them. They also don't know his condition which made them worry even more. If only the bastard's crew didn't fire gunshots at them, specifically at Namur, who had tried to jump overboard to at least save his brother, then they would have Marco by their side. And then the fact that they had no information or movement from Teach, worries them more, this could mean he had Marco or is planning to attack or ambush them any day. To lessen their troubles, Whitebeard orders his crew and allies to ignore the traitor for now and let him worry about the bastard, instead, they should focus on searching for their First Division Commander but remain alert and prepared.

("Then—!"

"No, Ace, that is not a permission to leave the ship to search for Marco, or going after Blackbeard, alone."

*pouts* "But, Oyaji—!"

"NO!"

*a pipe, covered with Armament Haki, in the head*

"OW! SABO!"

*Glares and growls* "NO, ACE!"

*Sighs* "Fine!"

"ACCCEEE!"

"I SAID FINE!")

However, it seems that Ace still had plenty of troubles as he suddenly shouted for the whole crew, or those who are present at the deck at least, to hear and gain their attention, especially Sabo, who immediately whipped his head to look at him, it's also surprising the blond didn't twist or crack his neck with how fast he did it.

"There's also the fact that there is no information about the Crybaby! Months have passed and there should be news of island collapsing, defeats of strong or well-known pirates, or exaggerated events that only that crybaby can create! Not knowing is killing me!" He then rubs his hair in frustration as he growled the last statement, before flopping down to the floor, out of breath, and seemingly done with everything.

"Crybaby?" Thatch asked, looking at Ace as did everyone in the crew. "Who's that—?"

"What are you talking about, Ace?" Sabo cut in. At that, Ace blink, before sitting up and looks at Sabo, giving him 'Are you shitting me right now?' expression. To which the blond replied with a raised eyebrow and a 'No, I'm not,' look

"What the fuck, Sabo?!" He screamed standing up and went head to head with his blond brother. "Have you forgotten that the crybaby turned 17, seven months ago!? That means the crybaby should be sailing right now but there is no news or sign of havoc that only that Crybaby can create!" Sabo's 'Oh, shit!' expression, made Ace snarl and grits his teeth, before punching Sabo in the face.

"Are you kidding me! You're the nicer brother and you've forgotten that one important detail?!" The raven screamed, while the rest of their crew only took a couple of steps back and let them fought with one another as this would give them an easier knowledge of what they are talking about. Their Captain merely raises an eyebrow, took a sip from his tankard and snickers with amusement.

"Well, sorry for being a responsible division commander!" Sabo screamed back, punching Ace back in the face using the armament haki.

"You bastard! I'm also a responsible division commander but I haven't neglected my duties as the older brother amongst us nor have I forgotten about the crybaby!" A kick aimed to the side. And by this point, the Crew Members, who were inside the ship and heard Ace screaming, had decided to head to the deck. It wasn't long before all of the crew members is present on the location of the bickering brothers, and their attention towards them. All of the commanders, excluding Marco for obvious reasons, are even present and were standing beside Whitebeard's chair, or sitting in the small amphitheater in their deck, watching with amused and/or confuse smiles looks. "How could you have forgotten about that!"

"I have a lot of things in my mind! Besides, why didn't you tell me about this sooner?!" Said kick was blocked before a kick was thrown back as well which was then answered with a punch and before they know it the sworn brother were having a fistfight with one another.

"I thought that was what you're thinking about! Whenever you had a blank expression, you always look towards the east!"

"And that makes it looks like I'm thinking about the Crybaby?!"

"Yes! Because I did the same, dammit!" A punch in the face where he was hit earlier and Sabo is down to the floor, making Ace to immediately straddle his body. Lifting the blond-haired pirate with the collar of his clothes, Ace screamed in his face. "I thought the crybaby is the most important person to both of us! More important than Oyaji! That she's our light, sometimes even literally! And here you are, not even worried about h—!"

"Shut up!" Sabo screamed back, not even fighting against Ace's hold on his clothes. The latter paused and waited for him to gather his thoughts. "I'm worried okay! I always have ever since we left the island! Because you're right! The crybaby is the most important to us! And then we left, we have no idea what kind of reaction the geezer had! He probably unleashed it on her!" All the crew watched as Sabo trembled and Ace letting him go but not even standing up from his position, though they were shocked at the confession that there's a person who is more important than their Oyaji and from the looks of it… that crybaby is a girl(?).

"And I'm sorry if I seem to have forgotten about that… Ace… but I'm always worried… and now… the worry is ten times worst as I seem to have forgotten about it ... As if... I've forgotten…" Tears slowly began to slide from his eyes, which shock their audience even more as the two brothers never cried, ever. "I'm sorry, Ace. I failed again…" Ace sighed, before standing up and offering his hand to Sabo, which was accepted and help him stand.

"You idiot." He scolded softly, before hugging his younger brother to calm him down. The young Ace before would have never done this, but years spend with their light had made him soft and care for his siblings more, especially towards her. This also made him an expert in calming his sworn siblings down, though when it comes to other people… he sucks… "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't think or act like that." The crew smiled softly and suddenly felt that they were intruding something seeing this scene. But the moment didn't last long as the brother separated and looks at one another.

"So… seven months and there is no news about the crybaby?" Sabo confirmed, making Ace to shake his head in agreement. They look at each other with a worried expression. "What could that possibly mean?" Sabo mumbled.

"I'm also thinking that Geezer may have a hand on this, seeing as she's not the most discreet person there is." Ace added, Sabo sighed and ruffled his hair.

"Do we have any way to contact Makino or Dandan?" Sabo asked, making his older brother look at him with 'You've forgotten about that too?' expression.

"We agreed to never contact them remember? To avoid our enemies from knowing about them and/or attack Fuschia?"

"Right… shit! Makino and Dandan will kill us if they saw us again…"

"Focus, Sabo." Ace stated, making Sabo nod.

"Right… the crybaby…" Sabo looks at Ace. "Ace… I'm worried."

"You and me, both." He snorted, before hearing someone clearing their throat. Looking at the direction the noise is coming from, both brother's blush slightly upon seeing the attention their crew is giving them, that, and the teasing grin and amused smiles are not helping.

"So…" Thatch started, putting his hands on his side-waist. This topic would be a perfect chance to know more about their siblings, who never really talk much about themselves, and to lessen their stress about Marco's disappearance. "This 'Crybaby' you've mentioned, the one who is more important than Pops." He added slowly with a sly grin, making his little brothers redder than before, and his other sibling to snicker while their Pops laughs.

"The one you mention is your light and a girl… who are they?" He finally asked. Ace rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, while Sabo scratches his cheek, they look at one another before shrugging and decided to confess on who that person is.

"Yeah… that Crybaby is well…" At this Ace gave a soft smile as he looks at the floor, while Sabo grinned happily. The Whitebeards blink at the sight, Izo immediately took out his Kameko den-den mushi and snap a picture of their expression… multiple times. While their Captain straightens from his seat, interest pique as he saw his beloved sons' expression.

"That crybaby…" Sabo snicker as if he remembered a wonderful memory.

"Is our beloved baby sister!" They both announced at once, shocking the crew, who froze and looks at them. Their eyes slowly bulging out as their mouth lowers down to the floor. Whitebeard merely blinks multiple times, before laughing hard, which snapped the crew from their shock and shrieked.

"BABY SISTER?!"

"YOU HAD A SISTER?!" Haruta screamed reaching towards Sabo, who was the only Second Division commander that bothered to wear proper clothes, grabs his collars, and began to shook him back and forth. "YOU HAD A SISTER AND YOU DIDN'T TELL US?"

"HOW DARE YOU HIDE THAT, YOU LITTLE BRATS?!" Izo and Haruta shouted together, while the other commanders and crew tried to process this new information. A sister! A combination of Ace and Sabo… Oh, Oda… Whitebeard merely laughs seeing his sons' pale complexion once they registered that their reckless, younger brothers had a person who could be a combined version of them. Whitebeard can't also help but wonder about this new, unmentioned, unknown and unofficial daughter, is she the same with her brothers? Will she join his crew or will she stay with her crew? Will she join forces with the nurses to stop him from drinking or will she join his son's encouragement to continue doing so? What does she look like? He knew that the unknown sister or as Sabo and Ace call her, Crybaby, is in no way blood related to them considering their… lineage. And for that sister to be placed above him… he can't wait to meet and know her.

"Why would you care if we hide the information about having a little sister?" Ace asked loudly, looking at Haruta, who keeps on shaking Sabo back and forth, before wincing when Izo steps forward towards him.

"BECAUSE WE WANT TO KNOW IF WE'LL BE HAVING AN UNOFFICIAL, ADDITIONAL FAMILY MEMBER, YOU BRATS! AND YOU JUST HIDE TO US THAT YOU HAVE A SISTER!?"

"A LITTLE SISTER! A FUTURE YOUNGEST SISTER! ACE! SABO! ONE THAT WE CAN SPOIL WITH! AND YOUR HIDING HER FROM US?!"

"WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING AT US?!" Sabo yelled, while Ace yelped as his ear was pulled by Izo, who had his fingers covered in Armament Haki. "FIRST OF ALL! ONLY ACE AND I CAN SPOIL LUFFY, SHE'S OURS! SO, BACK OFF! SECOND, WE DIDN'T HIDE IT! YOU JUST DIDN'T ASK IF WE HAVE SOMEONE THAT WE CARE MORE THAN OYAJI! THIRD, LUFFY WON'T JOIN THE CREW BECAUSE OF HER DREAM!" This made the two commanders pause, which the sworn brother immediately took the chance to escape and run towards their Oyaji, who was looking at them with amusement and the safest place to hide at in the whole ship.

"'Only'?"

"'Ours'?"

"Are you telling us that if we asked then we will know about her, my sons?" Their captain asked. Sabo and Ace, who were both climbing and then sitting down on the armchairs, ignoring the whispered question Izo, and Haruta breathed out, looks at each other before focusing at their Captain.

"Of course. If you had asked if there is someone we care about, we'll mention her to you, but we won't say where she is. Not until she reaches our promised age to set sail from the island. We don't want you kidnapping her, Oyaji." Sabo stated while Ace nodded in agreement, both remembering on how they… ah… joined the crew. Whitebeard grin, not denying about the kidnapping part, which worries the brothers, before leaning down, while the commander steps closer, Thatch nearer than the others, and the remaining crew followed behind them.

"What does she look like?" He asked, curious as he can't imagine what their sister's image is. Both brothers beamed at him before Sabo took out a folded paper inside his coat and give it to him. Upon unfolding it, Whitebeard realizes that it's a photo, and in the photo were two male teens and one female pre-teen. The Strongest Man in the World immediately recognizes his sons and knew exactly that the female was their Sister.

"We took that picture 3 years ago before leaving the island, after our last picnic together, actually. Our sister's name is Monkey D. Luffy, and she will be the Pirate King!" Ace boasted, making all of them smirk. Whitebeard glance at them before looking back at the female. It seems that the three of them were standing in front of a forest, with Luffy standing in the middle, wearing short denim shorts, a colored white flutter sleeve top, with its sleeves drench in faded yellow color, and a yellow ankle strap sandal. Her shoulder-length raven hair was down, though looking closely, Whitebeard could see the hair had silver tips. Shoulders were up, like she was shrugging, head tilt slightly to the side, her hands were holding a familiar Straw hat that was placed in front of her lap. He could see how happy she was in this picture, if the bright and happy smile she had on her face isn't proof enough, then her warm, brown eyes gave away. Upon seeing that face, the captain immediately felt happy, as if the weight on his shoulder suddenly disappeared and that they would find his missing son, no matter what. It's merely a photo, but the happiness of the girl was so contagious that he felt that he will do anything for her and it'll be worth protecting the girl's life and her smile. He then looks at his sons that were standing on either of her sides, both looking at her with warmth and loving expression in their eyes and their mouth hold a small, soft, secret smile that was reserved for the girl only. Their clothes were the same ones they wore when he kid— adopted Ace and Sabo. Sabo had his arms crossed over his chest, one of his hands was holding a pipe. Ace had his arms behind his head, where he could see a glimpse of a picnic basket hanging on it. It truly shows the love the siblings hold for one another and the happiness they had. And upon closer inspection, she resembles Ace a lot while there's a few bits of Sabo here and there. Whitebeard would agree that they're blood siblings if the two brothers hadn't told him who their parents are.

"Pirate King eh? Not Queen?" He asked glancing at them. 'Also a D. huh...'

"Nah! She says the Queen is still being ruled over by the King, so she'll be the King." Sabo stated, looking at him with a wide smile that was mirrored by his raven-haired brother, who said.

"And her definition of Pirate King is the person who has the most freedom! She hates being caged. It's one of the reasons she wants to be a pirate. She also said about not wanting to conquer anything, just that she thought that the person with the most freedom in this whole ocean is the Pirate King. That they have more freedom and adventure." Ace then grinned at Sabo, who grinned back at him. Their Captain blinked in shock and looked back at the picture before laughing.

"Gurarararara! I never expect your sister to be this cute and wise." Whitebeard commented, giving it back to Sabo, who smiled at him.

"She had her moments." The blond-haired pirate said, reaching for the picture but it was immediately stolen by Thatch. Once the Fourth Division Commander had the picture their ship brothers immediately gathered around him. Thatch whistled right after.

"If she's this cute 3 years ago, then imagine how cute… no beautiful she is now! She's a killer of Men! Look at that forming voluptuous body!" The chief commented, staring intently at the picture, and unknowingly, making the brother twitch with every comment he made. As the Chef continues to spoke, he slowly unleashed the most frightful attributes the brothers have, the very reason that most boys on their island didn't go near Luffy, even when they left. Izo and Haruta looked up before tapping the shoulders of Vista and Namur, who were standing beside them, respectively. Once they had their attention they pointed at the direction where their youngest brothers are which made the two commanders look up as well. Seeing the faces of Ace and Sabo, the four of them began to back up, gaining the attention of their Nakama, who looked at them, then at the direction that they were looking at, before following their action. Whitebeard slowly began to sweat as the temperature around him grew hotter. Soon enough, it was only Thatch who is standing in front of their Captain and the Second Division Commanders.

"Hey Ace, Sabo…" Thatch said slowly as he also slowly looked up. "Will you let me date he—" He froze upon seeing the expression of the two sworn brothers have. Their face is covered in darkness, leaving their glinting eyes in the view, while Ace's fire seems to spread and grew around him and his blond brother. Everyone presents on the deck gave Thatch a pitying gaze, who finished his question. "—er?"

"LIKE HELL WE'LL LET YOU!" The two Second Division Commander shouted, screamed, as they leap from their place and towards to Thatch with their arms raised, who squealed in fear, then let's go of the photo, letting it fall, and runs away. Ace chased after him, while Sabo stop and softly picks up the photo, folded it, and put it back inside his coat before following after his brothers.

"GET BACK HERE!"

"COME ON THATCH! WE WON'T BEAT YOU! I'LL BE THE ONE TO BEAT YOU! ACE WILL JUST BURN YOUR HAIR!"

"NOT MY HAIR! AND THAT'S STILL BEATING ME UP SABO!"

"ACE IS NOT INCLUDED IN BEATING YOU UP!"

"I'M JUST AFTER YOUR HAIR THATCH!"

"AND THAT'S BETTER HOW?!"

"THATCH!"

"NOOOO!

…

"So…" Jozu started, as he watches the brothers runs after their chef. "Those two had a sister complex, a huge one." He finished and they all nodded.

"What have Thatch just unleashed to us?" Izo asked them as he wipes the fake tear that fells from his eyes.

"What have we unleashed to ourselves?" Namur counters back, making them blanch in the realization that they indeed, though unknowingly, unleashed it. Whitebeard merely laughs. Curiosity really does kill a cat, or in their case, a pirate.

"WAIT! ACE, SABO WAIT! WAITTT!"

*SPLASH!*

~Mariejois~

Luffy, who was about to take a sip from the tea that was placed in front of her, paused before putting it down, looks to the side, covers her mouth and nose with her handkerchief she's holding, and then sneezes. Saint Rokudo, who was admiring her, frowned, before smiling brightly again as she went to look at back at the tea, putting her handkerchief on the table.

"I seem to be allergic to this kind of brewed tea." She stated, peering at the Saint through her hair. Rokudo frowned again, before looking at the tea and smelled it.

"WHAT IS THIS?!" He shouted as he throws the teacup to the floor, breaking them. "THIS IS NOT ANGEL'S FAVORED TEA!" He roared, making the servants tremble in fear as they immediately went to fixed the mess and get a new batch of tea that the Rear-Admiral likes. The Tenryuubito panted heavily, before inhaling and exhaling deeply, he then sat down and looks at Luffy, who was looking through the window, with her elbow leaning on the glass table and her face leaning on her closed fist, ignoring what just happen.

"I'll have them brew a new one, my dear." He then breathed out, reaching towards Luffy, who waves a hand, that she isn't leaning on, in front of her, and coincidently slapping his hand away.

"Don't bother, I plan to roam around Mariejois until night time anyway." She stated, before looking at him from the corner of her eyes. "I heard something interesting earlier though." She added, straightening and leaning at the back of the chair, while Rokudo glared at the servants, before his attention when to her.

"What is it~?" He purred, making Luffy to internally cringed, before continuing.

"I heard from one of the guards, that the Third Elder, your Grand Father, had released something about no Tenryuubito shall touch me other than you or your family." She then crosses her arms over her stomach and then her legs were crossed over each other. "This was released after my last visit, which is… five to six months ago." Rokudo, who was looking at her legs through the glass table as she spoke, looks up when she was done.

"Ahh… that's just a… precaution… a reminder." He said, making Luffy hummed, interest.

"Oh? And what is this… reminder for?" She asked, raising her left hand and then used it to slowly unbutton two of her shirt's buttons. The noble gulp, suddenly feeling hot and bothered when he saw more of her skin.

"It's… nothing for you to worry about…" He answered slowly, watching the tempting movement, not willing to tell Luffy that she will be married to him soon and that the declaration of the No Touching rule was the only way for the nobles to know that the Rear Admiral is no longer available for them. As much as he wants to tell Luffy that she'll be his wife, he knew that she will try to at least delay it. Yes, delay, never escape, for she knew that she can't escape from the World Government, from him. She knew that no one in the Marines can protect her from him, not even her crew, and the Pirates didn't even matter for they knew nothing about her. They always made sure that any information about Luffy isn't written on the paper, her achievements, contributions, and her existence are only known by the people she saved, she worked with and those she met with.

The Rear Admiral narrows her eyes, bothered by his answer, so she'll have to ask the slaves she just acquired. Maybe they know something. Should everything get worst then she will need to ready and get the big guns. It was a miracle that the Celestial Dragons knew nothing of the reason she joined the Marines nor do they, both Tenryuubito and Marines knew about her connection with a certain pirate crew and the Leader of the Revolutionary. To which she preferred to keep it that way, thank you very much. However, the latter one is a bit doubtful considering the type of person her grandfather is and the way Akainu glares and scoff at her, so perhaps they might know about her father.

"Hmm…" She hummed, before shrugging and then stood up. Rokudo immediately followed suit and watch as she merely draped her Marine cape on her arm. "I'll be heading out then." She stated, buttoning the buttons she had undone while walking towards the door. Rokudo watches her lower back as she leaves before following after her.

"Would you like me to give you a tour?" He purred, Luffy looks at him before opening the door and head out.

"Suit yourself, Saint Rokudo." She stated, making the said person shiver in delight before following after her. When they step out of the mansion and into the street, Rokudo is already walking side by side with Luffy, while the guards are following behind them. Everyone, who saw them pass, tried not to look at Luffy, specifically at her lower back, where the saint hand is laid, slowly rubbing it up and down. Looking at her, it may seem that she's unbothered with the touches when inwardly, she's scowling and imagining of burning his hands. They were passing through the mansion that she stopped at earlier when she stopped again and turned to look at it.

"What is it, Angel?" The blond-haired Tenryuubito asked. Moving his hand towards her hair and sniffed.

"Can I collect Rare Collections?" She asked back, Rokudo paused, while the guards, who heard her, looked shocked.

"Hahahahaha! You're finally requesting something! Sure! I'll have my men to se—"

"No." The female Rear Admiral cut him off. "I want collections that are already possessed or bought." She then turned and look at him with a sly look, gesturing to the mansion they're standing in front of. "And Saint Jason already has those. Why bother sending your people away when… the things I might want is already here?"

"Ohhh?" He breathed out, before looking back at the mansion with jealousy in his eyes, then back at Luffy. "Why the sudden interest?" He growled, making her look at him straight in the eye.

"Because I want to have what he has… hmm… maybe I should visit him the next time I came here and ask for his rare collections?" She mumbled, putting a hand on her cheek with an innocent, and thinking expression, fully knowing that the Tenryuubito will get jealous if she mentioned spending time with someone other than himself. And she was correct, for the Saint's eyes lighted with anger before he calms down and smiles at her.

'Saint Jason…' He snarled in his mind while gesturing for one of the guards to open the door. "We can take whatever you like, I'll talk to Saint Jason when he comes back from his vacation."

Luffy gave him a fake, delighted smile and waited for the door to open. When it did, the guard, who opened the door and coincidently the one assigned to take care of the Rare Collection inside the mansion, leads them inside and then went to the direction on where they are located. Luffy chuckled in fake delight before following after him, while the Saint stayed in position for a few moments, with his fist clenched before following after her. They continued to walk for a few minutes, though when they're on the third floor of the mansion, Luffy paused for a second before continuing.

'There are no slaves or servants around.' She thought, using her haki to sense if there is anyone other than them inside the building. 'So, who do I need to— oh?'

"THERE! SAVE HIM! INSIDE!"

Luffy stops completely, making the Saint and the guards walking behind her to stop as well. While the guard leading them continues to walk before stopping upon realizing that the Rear-Admiral is no longer following. Looking behind him, the guard saw that she was looking at the door that Saint Jason forbids him to enter, no matter what was inside. It was a door that is located on the west side of the third floor, and six doors away from the stairs.

"Rear Admiral?"

'The one that I'm sensing with Haki is inside. They are also the ones the voice wanted for me to save.' She thought before looking at the guard with a chilling smile, not that they can distinguish it as such. For them, that smile was angelic. Arrogant bastards.

"What's inside here?" She asked, pointing at the door.

"I'm not sure Ma'am. Saint Jason said to never enter the room." He answered Luffy hummed.

"Can we enter here?" She asked the Saint that favored her, watching his expression from the corner of her eyes, speaking softly and sweetly. "I felt like what I wanted is inside this room. Well, my instincts felt it." The men with her breathed out heavily. The Saint then nodded before gesturing the guard to open, to which they did immediately. When the door open, they saw a room filled with things that aren't needed to some people but quite rare in the eyes of many collectors. Unfortunately, the things inside are starting to gather some dust. Rokudo frowned, not seeing what is very interesting on the collections, while Luffy had already set her eyes on her price.

'SAVE HIM!'

'That's the one.' She thought, walking towards the other side corner of the room, near a window, making Rokudo follow after her while the guards remain at the doorway. 'A caged bird that doesn't deserve it. A free bird that has tasted freedom and was cut off from it.' Reaching her hand out, Luffy grabs the blanket that was covering what seems like a birdcage and rips it off. Her eyes widen at what she saw before it turned into sadness and… then she understands it.

'He doesn't deserve this. He doesn't deserve to be caged and has his freedom stolen like mind.' She bended waist down, putting her hands on her bended knees and looks at the occupant of the cage. 'You deserve freedom. Don't worry, I'll save him, voice… I'll save you, Birdie-san.' She finished as she made any eye contact with the bird that was inside the cage. A faded, blue feathered, bird…

'He's losing his will. Wait… no… he's just weak…' She thought as she looks deep into the bird's eyes, into his soul, before reaching her hand out and slips through the cage, wincing when her skin slightly brushes against it and immediately realizing that it's a seastone cage. When her hand was near enough to pet the bird, it blinks, surprise, before he snaps his beak towards her hand, though slow and weak. The Female marine merely moves her hand up and watches as the bird slump down before continuing to touch its wings. Her eyes widen when she felt the feathers.

'Flames? No... sparks of flames, but his feathers are real... hmm... A devil fruit user or just an unknown bird species?' She asked herself, using her ability to check what is wrong with the bird before frowning and removing her hand outside the cage, straightening her body. 'But it doesn't explain the seastone cage if he's merely a species. So he may be a devil fruit user, a firebird devil fruit user and since not all of his body is in contact with the seastone it still gave him the ability to have flaming feathers but only mild and unnoticeable from afar. A seastone is also inside him it seems.'

"Such a pretty bird." She mumbled, having her arms cross and hanging limply in her midsection, glancing at the Saint, that was standing beside her all this time. "Do you think I can have it?"

"I don't know my dear…" Mumbled by the saint, reaching his hand out and grabs a lock of her hair and played with it. "The things here are not to be touched if Saint Jason said that no one will enter the room."

"Yet we did." Luffy pointed out, her eyes focused on the bird, who seems to be glaring back, though she is not sure whether it's toward her or towards the man beside her. Probably to the both of them.

"Hahahaha! We did. But I'm pretty sure, I can talk to him about us trespassing in this room. I am a much higher caliber than him."

"Then… it's possible to have it?" Luffy asked, walking slowly around the cage, checking the bird's physical condition. Rokudo had his hands on his side and watched her walk, speaking.

"I'll talk to him about this. Though… I'm doubtful he'll let you have it." At that Luffy sighed sadly.

"That's too bad… this thing doesn't look like it'll last that long, with no new food and water coming in, for days it seems. And Saint Jason will be gone for a month." She mumbled and look at the blond-haired noble, stopping at the side of the cage. "I guess, I'll visit him when I'll leave Mariejois immediately and talk to him about having this bird." She patted the cage, wincing inwardly at touching something that makes her weak. Her eyes went back to the creature trapped inside it, while the Tenryuubito fumed, jealous.

'All because of that bird, she'll visit him?! That bastard! Did he knew about this?' Rokudo then smiled, albeit forcefully, before immediately grabbing her hand roughly and drag her out the room.

"Saint Rokudo?" Luffy asked, not bothered with the sudden violent reaction, nor was she hurt with how he held his hand. The Tenryuubito and the noble might think their strong and untouchable, but they are really weak. And this grip was weak than the one Luffy had experience from her Grandfather and Sensei.

"Let's leave this place. It's nearing night time. I'll talk to Saint Jason tomorrow." He sneered, as the guards scrambled and made a path for them. Once their superiors had passed, they closed the path created and followed after them. The guard assigned to the mansion even forgot to close the door in his haste to follow them.

"But I want to see more—" Luffy faked protested.

"TOMORROW!" The Saint roared and Luffy spoke no more, mind already thinking on what to do with the caged bird and how to rescue him. Unknown to all of them, excluding Luffy, who had glanced back at the door and seen it, the bird's intelligent eyes had to follow them and their actions before closing his eyes, blocking the world.

Saint Rokudo, was fuming mad as he leads the way back to his mansion, let's go of the Rear Admiral's hands, who rubs it, and began to think how to gain the attention of the female marine back to him. She seems to be interested in the bird, he'll use that as an advantage, but the problem is Saint Jason, who might not let him have it. It took him a while to reach a decision and by that time, he's already inside his room, waiting for dinner to be called. And he's pretty sure Luffy is in her room he provided for her.

'I'll call Saint Jason and asked him to surrender the bird to me. If he denies, then I will just take it by force.' He thought, standing in front of his window. 'I'll just tell Luffy-chan that he didn't allow it, surely she'll be disappointed but then before she will leave, I will present to her the bird!' He grinned darkly and delightfully.

'That's right, I'll surprise her. Surely, she'll be delighted and might do whatever I wanted.' Shivering in delight, the Saint remember Luffy's body and tried to imagine how it feels. He sighed heavily, face flushed.

"I can't wait for it~!"

~At Luffy's room~

"Hmmm…" She hummed, thinking deeply with her body leaning at the side of the window sill in the room provided for her, her hand tossing a white-yellow fireball up and letting it land in her palm before repeating the process. "I might do just that…" She whispered, glancing at the door where she heard some scuffling behind it.

"How troublesome guards…"

~At Saint Jason's Rare Collection Room~

Marco moved his head to look at the dark sky, weak and starving. It's been days since he last saw his cager and days since he has received a new set of food and water. He didn't know where they are and he doesn't care as long as they never show his face to him again. He was completely at peace even with a grumbling stomach. That peace, however, was broken when unknown people had entered the room hours ago.

~Flashback~

For days, Marco hadn't heard anything or anyone trying to enter the room, the blanket covering his cage made everything dark. So it was a surprise when he heard the doorknob being twisted. Seconds later, the door is creaking open and then he heard two pairs of feet walking around. The First Division Commander didn't bother to move his head to the direction of where he heard the footsteps, thinking that they're after something else. So it was very startling when the blanket on his cage was ripped off. At first, he thought it was the Tenryuubito wanting to be dramatic, or perhaps it's a servant or someone delivering his food, seeing a well-endowed hip and chest, was not one of them, especially when he knew no one in this place had a body like that. And when that body bent, putting their hands on their knees, Marco saw a White Marine Cape drape on their arm, he immediately assumed that the Tenryuubito had finally realized whose crew he's a part of and had called their dogs to dispatched the 'scum' in their world. Which is, to be honest, took them quite long enough, the tattoo on his chest is a huge hint, hiding it with feathers won't last forever. Then… he saw her face. It was an angel's face… well… angel is a bit too much, but he never saw an angel before, so he might be correct. But Angel's face or not, the Marine is beautiful with big, round, and warm, bright, brown eyes, with sadness and understanding etched on them. Slightly round and rosy cheeks, a half-moon scar under her left eye… which made him curious about how she got it… and a delectable mouth that he suddenly wished to devour. She's a marine, though, so devouring might be impossible, so maybe he'll steal a peck or two… or more… once he escapes. Perhaps she'll request to be assigned on any marine fleet that will head after his family, just to chase him and seek vengeance for his would-be insolence. He'll have to ask his Oyaji to make sure his siblings don't go after her though, she'll be his prey after all.

Heck, if Marco has his strength, then he would stand up and then tilt his head left and right, showing her that he's curious about her, which, like some of the female marines they encounter, will probably make her gloat about her body and proudly say that she captures him because he froze just by seeing the said body. Those marines did believe the word of what was written in the newspaper, as well as the words of their fellow male marines and superiors, and whenever they gloated some of his brothers would merely turn around, drinks, and let the nurses handle them. They're the daughters of Whitebeard, thus, they need to learn to take care of themselves just in case. Their remaining brothers would merely look at the marines, whistles, and catcalling for a few minutes before creating a betting pool on which one of their sisters can defeat more marines because when their sisters attack, it's not only the same gender that they're fighting. It'll be the whole crew, leaving nothing for them but things to raid or steal. The women need to be in their top shape after all, though this only applies to marines. Fighting with Pirate crews, both with or without females, are off-limits to them and for a very good reason. Though the reason benefits the enemy more than their sisters, because… man… were they cruel...

'We have badass sisters, yoi.' He would sometimes compliment, receiving nods of agreements from his fellow commanders and his captain laughs of approval. Additionally, pirates they might be, they are nothing like those that were described in the paper. Their men have their needs, yes, but they learn to control it until they restocked and stayed on an island for a couple of days where they can visit the brothels unless of course, they have their partner on their ship, then everything is fine. He needs to remember to thank Blamenco again for making the room of those couples soundproof. The phoenix, however, felt like this girl is nothing like those female marines. He'll just wait, and see how this one goes. And then suddenly their eyes met making the First Division Commander froze, it felt like she was looking deep into his soul and was searching for something. Something that only his eyes… no… his soul can answer, he didn't know what she found for he immediately thought on why is he acting like a hormonal teenager all over again (Devouring? Pecking?). He's around his late 30's for Oda's sake and then he suddenly wished to have this girl just because he saw her body? (Or was it her lips that made him wish?) Is it something else? Just what made him act like he wants to own her for himself or at least made him want her joins his family?

'Focus, yoi!' He thought, inwardly shaking his head. 'This is a marine, you can't let your guard down.' It was then that he felt a movement coming from the Female Marine in front of him, blinking his eyes, Marco saw her hand already breaching the cage and was reaching for his wings. Startled, the phoenix went to peck the hand with his beak only to found out how weak and slow he is, the days of starvation and dehydration finally caught up to him. He's so weak that the Marine merely raised her hand out of his reach before continuing onwards as he slumps down. He then waited for the pain that will come, only to felt gentle fingers touching him, so gentle that he almost didn't felt it. It was as if the Marine thought that he's easy to break apart with just a small pressure as if he was fragile. Which is weird, he never heard of a Marine being gentle to Pirates, not that he knew any marines, other than Garp, personally. So, if this Marine is here to capture him, why was she so gentle? Not a second later, when the Marine touched him, the First Division Commander suddenly felt something covering him for a millisecond before it was gone. What that something was he didn't know, but he knew it was because of the Marine, who was suddenly frowning and then removing her hand outside the cage. He had to hold back a melancholic croon at that, it seems he's touch starved too. The phoenix notice that she avoided brushing against the bars, so this Marine is probably a devil fruit user.

'Maybe that something was her devil fruit, yoi?' He asked himself, blinking and watching the marine, more intrigued about her. 'But… this feeling of wanting to have her join me and my family… is that because of her devil fruit?' If it's because of her devil fruit, then Marco doesn't know what to think. And he won't as he needs to focus on the conversation the Marine is having with a blond-haired male, to whom he just notices now.

'I'm tired, yoi.' Marco thought, blaming his condition for his lack of observation. He then looked at the man, eyeing him up and down. 'A Tenryuubito? What kind of Tenryuubito that's not wearing a full-body robe?'

"Such a pretty bird. Do you think I can have it?" He heard the Marine asked, which confuses him. Wasn't she here to take him away and surrender to their headquarters?

'Yoi…?'

"I don't know my dear…" Suddenly, when the blond-haired man touched her hair and began to play with it, Marco wanted to rip his arms off. Tear it apart and make him bleed. Make him… cry for… mer…cy…

'What the fuck?' He inwardly shakes his head, wanting to get rid of those dark thoughts. 'Is this a devil fruit yoi? Is there even a devil fruit that lets people think or want to do something terrible that they don't normally do, yoi?' Not wanting to think this even more, but still, have the urge to do unspeakable things to the man, Marco settled to glare at him.

"The things here are not to be touched if Saint Jason said that no one will enter the room."

"And yet, we did."

"Hahahaha! We did. But I'm pretty sure, I can talk to him about us trespassing in this room. I am a much higher caliber than him."

'What? What kind of Tenryuubito has a higher caliber than their fellow Tenryuubito?' The First Division Commander narrowed his eyes. 'At least I know the name of who is keeping me here. Still, by the looks of it, they don't know who am I yet. And here I thought, I'll be leaving this place, yoi.'

"Then… it's possible to have it?" The female marine then began to slowly walk around his cage, but he keeps his eyes on the Tenryuubito.

"I'll talk to him about this. Though… I'm doubtful he'll let you have it." Marco heard rather than saw the Marine sighed sadly, thus he move his head to look at her and notice that she was looking at the Celestial Dragon.

"That's too bad… this thing doesn't look like it'll last that long, with no new food and water coming in for the last 5 days. I guess I'll visit Saint Jason when I'll leave Mariejois immediately and talk to him about having this bird."

'She sounds like she's used to getting things she wanted, yoi. But is there even a marine that can get what they wanted from those higher than them? Especially when that person is a Tenryuubito? Who really is she, yoi?' As the conversation goes, Marco turns and focused his eyes on the female marine, who was then looking back at him. 'Who are you?'

As their eyes meet for a second time, Marco saw her eyes glinting with knowledge as if she's planning something that benefits her alone.

'Great… the marine I'm interested in probably has a terrible personality, yoi.' He thought sarcastically, before blinking when the Marine's hand grabbed roughly and then was immediately dragged out of the room. Marco, unconsciously, released a soft, barely hearable, surprise, and sad croon, watching as she was dragged away from him and out of the room.

"Saint Rokudo?"

'That's his name?'

"Let's leave this place. It's nearing night time. I'll talk to Saint Jason tomorrow."

"But I want to see more—"

"TOMORROW!"

Marco narrowed his eyes at the shout before removing it and watches their actions before he closed them and pretended to sleep. He didn't hear the door creaking close, so he assumed that they probably forgot to lock it in their haste to leave.

~End of Flashback~

When Marco woke up, his fake sleep had truly made him fell asleep, it was night time and the moon is nearing it's highest peak. This made him think about his encounter with the female Marine. She's pretty interesting, and… now that he's thinking clearly, or as clearly as he can with his weakened condition, he realizes that he is not interested in her body. It's her eyes, actions, and the unknown devil fruit that he's interested in. It made him wonder how her eyes, which he meets only a couple of times as she looks for an answer, held two emotions that made her seem more human than her fellow marines. Sadness and understanding. What could she be sad about? What could she possibly understand? And her eyes… though they are bright and warm upon seeing him, he notices that they turn dull whenever she talks to the Tenryuubito, and sometimes, when her eyes are on him, they look half alive. They also seem to be sending him a message, what that message is? He doesn't know, and he pretty much wants to know about it. He also wants to know what she saw in his eyes before she decided to touch him. There's also her action towards him and the Tenryuubito. When she spoke to the man – Saint Rokudo, his mind supplied –, she acts like a spoiled girl. The way she speaks towards the noble, made him think that the blond-haired noble gives her want he wanted in an instant, but when he tried to remember the man's action towards her request, he's, either, simmering with anger or shocks as if the marine never requested something from him before.

Now that he thinks about it, Saint Rokudo seems to be obsessed with her, what's with touching and sniffing her hair, and then the way he wants to keep her attention towards him only… he needs to learn more about that Tenryuubito once his with his family, again. Marco then concluded, that when the Tenryuubito spoils the woman, she either accepted or rejected it. After all, when she spoke about having him, her hand twitches and her eyebrows slightly furrowed together, a subconscious action of people not use and asking such things. And then there's her action towards him, she seems to be checking him physically, circling the cage slowly, actually caring in looking for wounds, but the said wounds are hidden underneath his wings, thus she won't be able to know about them unless she removes him from the cage and checked him with her gentle hands. Gentle hands that he wished to be touched again. He remembers it clearly, how those fingertips touched his dimming, some flaming, feathers as if to make sure that he's real. How those fingers didn't even bother to create more pressure when touching him, that the first soft touch is enough to let her know that he's real, that he's fragile (though when he can turn back into a human, he'll let her know that he's not fragile. Not now, not ever). He wants to touch those hands with his own, wanting to know if they are gentle if she knew he wasn't fragile or would they be rough?

And lastly, there's the devil fruit. He's sure that the Marine is a devil fruit user as she seems to avoid any direct contact with the cage when removing her hand inside. Though she did pat it, the avian noticed that she has done it twice before removing the hand and place it beside her. It made him curious about what her devil fruit is because he is sure that she had covered him with something invisible to the eye. It's not haki, he knew the feeling of haki. What he felt at that time were warmth and safety. He also felt fire but it could be his devil fruit reacting to the thing that had covered him during that moment. And… during that moment… he felt fine, energize then it was suddenly gone, replaced by the coldness and the pain of having a seastone nails lodge in his body. But he can't add the feelings he felt around her, the sudden possessiveness, as an attribute towards her devil fruit, because no devil fruit can make a person acts like that. Well… the possessiveness can be an attribute to Zoans, but a Zoan Devil Fruit user can't affect a person to be possessive toward them or to someone else. Those attributes belong to them alone as it's a part of them. So, when he will search for information about her devil fruit, and he will find out about the kind of devil fruit she has (Maybe, he can find what devil fruit she had if he read the Devil Fruit encyclopedia that his Oyaji had), he will not add the feelings he had when she's around.

"Hmmm… you seem to be thinking deeply, Birdie-san. It makes me wonder what's in your mind." A voice suddenly giggled, snapping Marco from his thoughts and immediately look at the door, where he saw a silhouetted person. Though judging from the voice, Marco knew who this person is, for it's the very person in his mind, but he sure hopes it's not them as he is busy gathering information from what he observed. He watched as the person steps closer and then revealing themselves into the moonlight. Marco's eyes widen, it is the female marine, and judging from the looks of it, she's alone. No Saint Rokudo or guards standing outside with her. Just her wearing a simple, light red, PJ's, and not even a marine cape is drape on her, instead, she had a bag sling over her shoulder. Glancing at her feet, he saw that she's barefooted. He then looked at her eyes that are a lot brighter than the one he saw earlier. She kneeled in front of the cage, making him blink in astonishment. A marine kneeling before a pirate is unheard of. Sure, she doesn't know he's a pirate, much less the First Division Commander of the Whitebeards, but still… Marines also never kneel before an animal… or maybe they did. Marco then heard her giggle once more, he blinked. Her giggle sounded like bells… sweet soft, tinkling bells.

"By your expression… Birdie-san is a person… a devil fruit user? Or are you just a bird that was caged for too long that you forgot that some people respect the life of everything around them?" He heard her asked, smiling with a hint of sadness. Not knowing what to do, Marco blinks for the nth time that night, dumbfounded, before releasing a soft croon. She chuckled softly.

"Both then? You're a devil fruit user, a Bird Zoan, that was caged for too long that you forgot that there are at least some people who care."

'Clever, yoi.' Marco thought, not knowing what else to say to a person who had managed to come up with a conclusion like that with just his croon. She could have answered that he's a bird and yet she said he's a devil fruit user. Sure, the cage is a big hint that he ate a devil fruit but there's a possibility that she might think that the Tenryuubito didn't care about what cage he's in, all that matter is that he's trapped. He didn't know what to think about this girl. Well… at least he knew she's smart, he'll keep it in mind.

"Birdie-san?" The marine said, making him snap out of his thought. "Sorry for talking like you're a thing earlier today. With Saint Rokudo with me, I have to pretend that you are beneath me." She apologized, shocking Marco once again, it even grew when she dips her head down before she went back and look at him smiling.

"May I touch you?" She asked the Pirate watched her for a few moments, before releasing another croon, making her laugh before she went and reached her hand, palm down, inside the cage, slowly crawling towards him as she did so. Marco watched the hand as it slips through the bars and went near him, leaning back when it was close enough with his beak. He saw the Marine paused and seemingly waited, he then looks at the hand before lowering his head and then softly bump his head with her palm. Upon contact, the phoenix pauses for a few seconds to see what she would do, but when she did nothing, Marco immediately nuzzled with the palm, eager for human contact.

"That tickles." He heard the Marine said, giggling. The Marine then crawled even closer and then look at the lock of the cage with a critical eye, letting the phoenix do what he wants with her hand as she knew that when locked up without any human contact can make a person touched starve and is very eager to receive some, even if it's merely a stranger. She tilts her head to the side as she thought about how to unlock it.

'Lock picking? If they didn't check it then I'll be safe. But… they might check it… hmmm…' Glancing at the top part of the cage, Luffy leaned up slightly, looking at the handle found there. Her movement made her hand move slightly away from the nuzzling phoenix, who squawked in displeasure, before following after the hand just to nuzzled with it again. Luffy glances down at the bird, smiling softly, before tilting her hand down so that he doesn't have to lean his head up, instead he just needs to nuzzle down. She then looks back at the handle, narrowing her eyes before her breath hitched. Hearing her breath hitching slightly, Marco snapped out of his trance. Looking up at her, not even bothering to remove his head in her hand — He's touch starve, you can't blame him —, he saw that her eyes were glowing with happiness before they were directed towards him with a huge smile on her face.

"I think I know how to free you here… Birdie-san." She said but said bird froze the moment he heard the word free.

'Free…?' Marco thought, before screeching and back away from her hand, struggling to stand up. Luffy blink as the phoenix tries to stood up, though clumsily and seems to be in dazed, making happy screeches or something like that, the Rear Admiral is not sure if the bird is happy or if he's shocked that she's going to free him. That's was when she saw some dried blood under his wings, which she already knew was cause by seastone from her check earlier, she just didn't know where they are, and she also saw something sort of purple color in his chest area that was covered with some of his feathers. But before she could identify what it was, the phoenix fell, suddenly having no energy and went back to make a sad noise. Her heart clenched, before humming softly and reach towards him again.

"It's not fair." She whispered, her hand laid against the side of his face and gently sliding her thumb on his head up and down, biting her lips as tears drip down from her eyes as the phoenix nuzzled against her. "It's not fair to have your freedom taken. They don't have the right… even if they view themselves as their god." Marco opens his eyes, not knowing he closed them and looks at her. His eyes widen at what he saw. Tearing, sad brown eyes were looking at him as if it pains them to see him struggle and rejoiced at hearing that he'll be free. And beneath them… he also saw pain. Pain. So much pain, as if the person in front of him right now also experience what he's experiencing right now. But how could she experience this? She's a marine… unless… she's didn't become one willingly…

"They have no right to take it from you," Luffy whispered, snapping Marco from his thoughts and somehow those thoughts were buried in the back of his mind. "I'll save you from here. I'll free you and we'll heal those wounds you've got. Once you've rested… we'll let you go. I will never let you or anyone else have their freedom taken if I could and had the chance to help them…"

'Not like mine… though… mine is something I want to do as it's for their sake.' Luffy thought, smiling at the bird again, before scooting closer to the cage and remove her hand from the inside. In her haste, her palm slightly brushed against the bars, which made her weaken slightly, falling from her knees and slapping her hands to the floor to break her fall. Marco made a shock and worried croon, before moving closer to the edge of the bar and then extending his long neck to gently passed his head through the bars, just to see the marine slightly weaken before she regains her strength and then sits up. She then opens her bag where Marco saw some bread and a small water canteen.

"I got you some bread and water. You need to eat." She mumbled and looked at him. "I can only give you a few bits of a meal for now… but it'll grow and can be as big as your size." Luffy giggled, making him huff.

'Sorry to break it to you, yoi. But I'm not this small. I can be as big as my human form, yoi.' Marco thought, inwardly grumbling about cages not big enough to at least let him stretched his legs or made him stand. He watched the Marine grab the bread before slowly breaking it apart, making a soft excited noise when smelling its fresh aroma.

"Shhhh! Don't make to much noise." Luffy shushed, giggling when the bird let out a soft trill. Making sure that no bread crumbs are on the floor and sitting down properly, and by properly, she means by sitting cross-legged, the Rear Admiral lifted her hand, acting as a bowl for the bread crumbs she took apart, and let the bird eat from them "Slowly…" She whispered, watching the bird peck her hand and was glad that she's immune to pain. When the crumbs from her hand are gone, she reached into her bag again, took out a small bowl, followed by the canteen. Putting the bowl to the floor, Luffy uncaps the cap of the canteen and poured water on the bowl and carefully lifts it towards the caged creature. Marco immediately drinks from the bowl and while he should be suspicious about the food, his phoenix had decided for him and that is to trust this Marine, and he had never felt full or hydrated since he was caged until now. Done drinking he lifted his head and slowly retreated to the cage and watched as the Marine drinks from his bowl before putting her things back into her back.

"Now then…" She said standing up and bent down to her waist. "I can't free you tonight because I can't leave this place immediately. So please, bear this place a little while longer, Birdie-san." She stated, smiling gently at him. Marco made a soft trill sound, making her smile bigger. She then stood up and head towards the door, which made him screech for a bit, catching her attention. She stopped and look at him, where he made a confused noise.

'Who are you?' Marco thought. 'How do you plan to free me from here?'

"You need to pretend that your weak, Birdie-san," Luffy stated after he finished making any noises. "It won't do us any good if they realize that someone is feeding you and it started after I came here earlier. Saint Rokudo and the guards, after all, knew that this room isn't to be entered at and it's meaning of no food for you." She then gives another smile before turning back to the door. This time Marco forced himself to stop making any noise, just in time to catch the softly whispered name.

"Luffy… that's my name." And then he was alone. Only this time, Marco had a huge hope of living this place and a huge hope of seeing his family sooner.

'I'll be home soon, Oyaji.'

~Luffy's Room~

Luffy steps inside her room through her close window, her bag missing, locking it once she's inside the premises. She yawned as she gently waved her hand and slowly her room was covered with a purple mist, disappearing when Luffy is sitting on the bed, with its cover thrown to the other side. She then stood up and went to her private bathroom where washed her hands, drying it with a towel, and then headed out of the room. Instead of heading towards the bed, she sat down at one of the chairs near the window. Leaning back at the back of the chair, Luffy looked to the side where she can see the moon and grins.

'That was fun.' She thought. 'I can't wait for tomorrow.' Giggling quietly, Luffy stayed there until the next day had arrived.

~The next day, Luffy's room~

Since Luffy had no plans on her second and last day, for this visit at least, in Mariejois, she slept when the sun had risen and woke up at 4 pm. It might be shocking that she skipped breakfast and lunch, intentionally at that, she was used to it as she tried to always avoid eating the meals being cooked by someone that is not her chefs. If eating is unavoidable, then she would eat less that she normally would, but still enough to satisfy her and enough to survive. So, when she woke up, she prepared herself to see a whining Saint that would always appear if she slept too much. Not like he can do anything about it, Tenryuubito he might be, Luffy will not hesitate on punching someone when they tried to wake her up. The Saint tried it once and he was lucky that she stopped her punch from his face, though she had to make up for it and was whipped for her 'insubordination', Rokudo had never tried it again. However, Luffy had a feeling that he would do it once he had the chance, a chance that would certainly end her fist in his face, punishment be damned.

Not wasting another time, she stood up from her bed and head to the bathroom, taking a quick bath and immediately finish them. Drying and wrapping her body with a towel, Luffy walks towards the table that was near the door and grabs the clothes that the servant had washed and left there last night. Wearing it quickly and then hanging her cape on her shoulder, Luffy went outside her room. Noticing that they are no guards beside them as they normally should be, Luffy headed to the garden that was only a few halls away from her room, knowing that it's where Rokudo would be and he wants her to be there. As she walks towards her destination, Luffy wonders how Birdie-san is, or if the Tenryuubito she'll be seeing had convinced his fellow tenryuubito of letting her have the bird. Either way, she had a plan and she will use it to rescue the bird.

"Good Afternoon, Rear Admiral." A voice had stated, making Luffy snap from her thoughts and immediately bowed her head upon seeing the Third Elder of the Gorosei.

"Good Afternoon, Elder." Luffy greeted, said Elder merely waves his hand.

"How are things in the New World?" He asked, Luffy lifted her head and answered.

"As much as I want to say that everything is working out great, there are still troublesome pirates attacking villages that aren't under the protection of any pirates, revolutionary or ours. My crew and I are doing our best to lessen this incident. We also tried to gain back the islands who sided with the revolutionary... but..."

"Injuries?"

"None that are critical or permanent, sir. Our doctors made sure that we're okay and the wounds gain completely healed before letting us leave the infirmary."

"Good, good!" He laughed as he began to continue to walk away. "Keep up the good work, Rear Admiral, you'll be awarded soon." At that Luffy frowned, not knowing what kind of award will be given to her, before continuing on her way, missing the greedy and satisfied glint in the Elder's eye when he looks back at her.

'Soon, Rear Admiral, you'll be a part of my family and when that time comes… you will help all of us with our plan for the whole world.' He thought, laughing quietly as he headed to his office. Meanwhile, Luffy had finally arrived at the garden, where she can see Rokudo sitting in front of a circular glass table, with teas and biscuits laid out in front of him, at the center of the porch that's a couple of meters away from the door. Sighing quietly, Luffy went and sat down at the chair across the Saint, who smiled at her delighted.

"Good Afternoon, Luffy-chan~" He greeted out, Luffy merely nodded, not giving away what's she's feeling or even have the energy to smile towards him, not right after meeting the Third Elder. This, of course, didn't bother the Saint as he merely watched his secret 'betrothed', content that she's in his presence. He waited for the Rear Admiral to drink her tea and then eat a few biscuits before telling her a lie.

"I've talked to Saint Jason. Unfortunately, he didn't want to give us the bird." Luffy peered at him from the corner top of her teacup narrowed eyes, before she relaxed them and puts her cup down.

"I see." She mumbled, faking a sad expression as her 'instincts' told her that it was a lie. 'So… Plan B, it is.'

"But I'm sure I can still convince him to give it to us. I'll call him again tonight." The Saint 'assured' her, which made Luffy look at him blankly, this expression, of course, didn't bother him, it did gave him a delighted shiver.

"I told you yesterday Saint Rokudo. The bird won't last long, it may be dead already after we left." She stated, disappointment clear in her voice as this would either result for the Saint to be annoyed or shimmer in fury. But seeing as he didn't react to her statement, then Luffy knows that the Tenryuubito is confident about whatever plans he had in mind.

"I'm sure it'll last another day or days." He smiled as he sips his tea. 'That bird better be alive when we get it tomorrow. I have to give it to my Angel as a surprise after all.'

"Hmmm… If that's what you think." Luffy hummed before sipping her tea and stood up. "I'll be going to my room now, I need to inform my crew and Fleet Admiral Sengoku that I'll be leaving for Sabaody tomorrow, 7 am."

"Already?" The blond-haired Tenryuubito frowned as she began to walk towards the door. "Not even a half-hour had passed and you're leaving me alone here? Can't you do your call later?"

"Apologize, but no." She flat out denied. "I have to get the reports from my crew. Marine Procedure and all." She waved her hand and let him shake there in fury.

'Damn, Marine Procedures!'

~Two Hours Later, Luffy's Room~

"So, the coating will be finished by tomorrow afternoon?" Luffy asked, looking at the den-den mushi she was talking with.

"Yes, Captain-san. If we have arrived around morning today, instead of noon then it might have been finished already."

"Shishishishi!" Luffy laughed, smiling gently at the den-den mushi. "The wind is already in your favor earlier, Robin. Don't ask for more from them." Robin laughed.

"Of course, Captain-san." She agreed. "We'll be seeing you tomorrow then?"

"Tomorrow afternoon or early morning the next day," Luffy confirmed and then waited for Robin's answer before putting down the receiver of the den-den mushi. She then sighed and sat down at the chair position behind her, suddenly feeling tired. Rubbing her forehead, Luffy looks at the den-den mushi, sighing again as she recalled her conversation with Sengoku. Wanting to feel refreshed, she decided to at least took a warm bath, and thus, she headed to the wardrobe that's in her room and looked at the clothes she had. It was only when she opened them, did she remembered what type of clothes were in store for her, they were all dress that either had slits on the side of the skirt or backless dresses. Inhaling deeply, Luffy began to throw the very, very, expensive dresses that she didn't want to wear to the floor behind her, with a mind to just chuck the clothes back if she found a decent enough clothing. Just when she was reaching the few last dresses, she finally saw a light blue, off-shoulder, A-Line Applique Dress. Its sleeves had laces sewed to around them, the breast area forming the top shape of a heart, a two inches width belt tied around the waist area. Luffy frowned slightly, looking at the remaining dress, before sighing and merely put the one she's holding to the bed, the dress on the floors were carelessly put on the wardrobe and then closing it. She then grabs her towels and head to the bathroom, opening and closing it behind her. Luffy then turns on the shower and began to strips. Once she's in her birthday suit, the Rear Admiral stepped underneath the cascading water and slowly sighed in relief, as warm, nearly hot, water runs down to her shoulder. Leaning her forehead at the tiled wall and watch the waters head down to the drain beneath her feet, she began to think through her plan of rescuing the bird tonight. She had already mentioned to Robin, through a cryptic message that only G6 marines can understand, that other than the slaves she had 'acquired' the other day, she's also bringing something else. They just need to be prepared when she arrives. and while Luffy is no doctor or surgeon, she knew that wounds inflicted by the seastones always receive infection the longer it stays there, she'll have to request a special course from her chefs.

With a plan already forming in mind with at least 89% of success, Luffy lifts her head and lets the water runs down her face before shaking it away. She stayed there for a few minutes before turning the shower off and slowly left the place when she felt sluggish, immediately drying, and then wrapping herself with the towel. Luffy then went to wear her undergarments that she decided to bring before heading out of the bathroom and headed immediately towards the bed where she left the dress. After 15 minutes of making herself presentable, with her hair tied in a loose ponytail and laid over her shoulder, the Rear Admiral headed towards the door.

'I need food.' She thought, opening the door and paused when she saw Rokudo standing in front of her door, who was about to knock. Luffy raised an eyebrow before closing the door and leans against it, waiting for the blond-haired noble to speak. She then noticed that the said man and the guards behind him and beside her were looking at her, specifically at her chest where she knew the dress was pushing her breast up, she cleared her loudly cleared her throat, snapping the horny men's attention towards her face.

"Ah… right… dinner is ready, Luffy-chan. Would you care to join me?" The noble asked, reaching his hands towards her. Luffy looks at it before moving away from the door and walks towards the dining room. "Ahahahaha! I would take that as a yes." He sneered and then followed after her, Luffy merely glances at him when they were walking side by side and glared inwardly when he laid his hand on her back. Successfully acting like she's not bothered with how the noble grips tighten around her waist, almost possessively, she clasps her gloved hands together and laid it on the front of her waist, looking like a well-raised noble. Servants and guard working around bowed their heads when they passed by, though they do occasionally glance up at Luffy, who simply ignored them. Upon arriving at the door that leads to the dining room, Luffy braced herself, knowing that she will be eating alone with the noble that's with her, and prepared for a long, long, dinner time.

creaks*

"Time for dinner, Luffy-chan~"

~An hour before Midnight, with Marco~

Marco was awake the whole day, waiting for the Marine, Luffy, to get him out of his prison, but as the night creeps closer, his hope began to slowly diminish. Soon it was night time and nearing midnight, and the marine hasn't appeared yet. The First Mate of the Whitebeard Pirates didn't know what to think of this, for all he knew the Marine was caught in the act and is being punished by the Tenryuubitos, which made him feel worse as she was merely trying to help him, it could be that she was lying and is probably telling her fellow marines about a bird who was stupid to believe her, or, and his hoping that this one is the truth, she could be bidding her time on when to act. He hopes it's the latter.

"Birdie-san, shishishishi." Marco blinked and then looks away from the dark sky he was looking at the whole time, to look at the direction where the voice came from. He squawked in shock, fright, upon seeing a face very close to his cage.

"Shhh!" Luffy shushed him, putting a finger in front of her lips, though laughing inwardly at his shock and surprise expression. Though when the bird did glare at her in disdain, she knew she failed in hiding her delight and thus she giggled quietly. "Sorry, sorry." She whispered. Marco huffed and looks away from her, before snapping his head back at her when he heard her giggled again. This time, her gloved hand was covering her mouth and that was when Marco registered the dress she's wearing.

'What… the…? Did the Tenryuubito had a celebration and she was invited? Is that why she's late, yoi?' He thought, Luffy noticed his expression, glance down at her dress, and slightly glared at it.

"It took me a while to leave the place I'm staying at and I have no time to change." She stated, before grabbing the handle on top of his cage and began to twist it, or at least tried to, the screw's rusty. This is the only time Luffy is grateful for the gloves that the saint gave to her as it keeps her unaffected when she touched the seastone cage. Marco watched as she scowled, struggling to at least made the handle twist slight.

"So rusty." He heard her grunted. Marco waited for her to tell what plan she had but she didn't say anything else after her grunt. So, he focused his attention on the floor where he saw a box(?) a few feet away from his cage. Marco stretched his swan neck up, trying to see what's inside it but he can't anything beyond something huge and blue. He narrowed his eyes, before looking back at the marine when he heard her made a triumphing noise. He then watched as she bit her lips before it turns into a smile.

"I got it off!" She said, holding the handle with one hand, while her other is holding the upper piece of the cage. He then watched as she slowly took a bar from the top, then gently being lowered, where it remains hanging. That was when Marco saw some hinge on each bar.

"It might not be that obvious, but this cage is connected by this handle and it's top," Luffy explained, when all of the bars were lowered and the top of the cage is laid on the floor. "Of course, not all people knew it, all cage is assembled when being brought. I just knew about this because I saw this kind of cages plenty of times." Marco gives a soft trill when she lifted him and is being cradled like a baby.

"This is the easiest way to open the cage other than lock picking. It does take a while to open if the handles are rusty, shishishi." She giggled and then lowered him down, before reaching inside the box and took out a blue-yellow feathered boa, that was then laid down to the floor. The pirate blinked in confusion when she suddenly reached for him and place him inside the box. He then watched as she placed the boa inside, which was then covered with something purple…? (Was that flame? Or mist?) blinking when he suddenly saw himself. Him! Marco! But's he's here and then the marine is re-assembling the cage again. Soon enough the Marine is already sitting at the floor beside the box, looking weak, but happy. Marco glance at her and then at himself that's inside the cage, not knowing how or what she did as the THING inside the cage looks exactly like him, though he notices that there's no movement from it, not even from the chest.

'It's not… breathing… yoi.' He concluded, looking at Luffy when he heard her clothes rustling. Luffy stood up, stretching her arms above her head before leaning down and picks up the box. The first mate looked at her, waiting for her to speak up and tell him the plan, but the moment his eyes meet hers, he froze. Her warm brown eyes had turned into cold, slitted blue eyes, and like the first time they made eye contact, Marco felt like she was looking into his soul again, only this time he felt her gaze was predatory. She was no longer looking into his soul searching for answers; her blue eyes had found what they were looking for and now they were looking at him as if he was something, a prey, to be hunted of. For the first time in his life, Marco felt fear, his phoenix had no longer feel like a predator that hunts and kills, he suddenly felt like he was the prey with no chance of escaping and this marine made him feel it. Nervous on what his feeling Marco shakily stood up inside the back and took a step back, though he will later think how useless that would be seeing that the box isn't that big enough for him to walk on. They both stared at each other for more than a few seconds, before Marco felt her right hand move away from its position beneath the box. He tensed, keeping his eyes on Luffy, while his wings slowly spread out, his action made the side of Luffy's mouth to tilt up.

"Your too agitated, Birdie-san." She whispered, and then her right arm is already swinging overhead Marco's, who stopped moving when her arm passed.

'How can she move so fast?' He thought. 'No… Why didn't I felt her move or saw her next action, yoi?!' He screamed in his mind, Marco's sure that when Luffy moved her hand beneath the box, he focused his observation haki on it, while he watched her face. While his observation haki is no match for Charlotte Katakuri, he is still the best user in the crew and amongst their alliance. For her arm to move without him noticing… He needs to reevaluate what he thought about this girl.

"Hmmm…" Hearing a hum, Marco looked up again and notice that the girl's eyes had turned sharper. Her right arm had repeated its action and this time Marco saw that his body was then surrounded with a transparent blue(?) mist… what…? Releasing a confused croon, Marco felt his body slowly relaxing as well as his mind, slowly forgetting why he was so nervous and agitated with the Marine. And as seconds passed by, he felt his phoenix body fell, he was so relaxed that he didn't notice the Rear Admiral closing the flaps of the box but leaving it open for fresh air. He was so relaxed and calm that he didn't notice he fell asleep and his mind immediately conjured an image of him being reunited with his family, with his brothers and sisters, and… with his Pops. Luffy watched the bird through the opening of the flaps fall asleep, her blue eyes turning brown, frowning in confusion, before sighing and decided to train more once she arrived in the base. With the zoan user asleep and having no more business in the room, Luffy walks towards the door, the boa inside the cage change into its original form with a spark once, before turning back into the creature she had in the box. Once out of the room, Luffy turned to look back inside, her eyes had returned to its slitted and blue eyes version as an orange-colored thing with a spark of red on the tip swiftly swings behind her, and the room was suddenly covered with a transparent red mist before it was gone and her eyes returning to normal for the last time that night. She then turned, walked down the hallway, and leaving the door open as it was earlier, disappearing within the darkness, and no one knew what she just did or what had happened in the room. No one but her and Marco.

---

TBC

A/N:

Status:

Chapter 4: For re-editing

Chapter 5 - Outline 25%

Reviews:

tasarlaluminitsa: I'm glad you like the previous chapter. I was so nervous about it since it's about our adorable Luffy! I hope you like this one too! Thanks for reviewing!

H3llion: Thank you for liking my story~! Well... hmmm... you might either hate or like the reason how Luffy became a 'slave', I just hope you will like that chapter and this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!

Nameless Angel 00: Welp... she did meet Marco in this chapter... but not officially hehehe. I hope you like this chapter and thanks for reviewing!