(Approximately one year ago.)
"Koala? Practice with me?"
She remembers nodding easily, in the light of a full moon, tucked away in a small shed. Her best friend sitting on the floor surrounded by paperwork. Lists of slaves. Their positions, purchase prices, skill sets, physical attributes.
Absolutely disgusting. She had no idea why Sabo had been studying them so intently, especially when they wouldn't see each other for a good couple weeks after this. Not that she was bitter - no, that was a lie. She'd been looking forward to spending their last few hours together, just hanging out. So it was a relief to hear him finally speak.
And practice? Did he have a scheme in mind? Those were always fun! She grinned.
Sabo stood up, still holding the files, took a deep breath, and put his mask on. Eyes turned sharply analytical and ice cold. Face smoothed of any lines of emotion other than a twitch at his lips hinting at disgust.
"Pathetic," he hissed, and Koala flinched back despite herself at the pure venom dripping off him. "This was considered acceptable? Absolutely not. I require a full reorganization of the entire staff, effective immediately."
Koala blinked, taken back, slightly horrified despite herself. "B-but sir! Our schedules -!"
"Are an absolute waste of time, energy, and resources! Disorganized. Sloppy. Inefficient. As I said, pathetic. The entire staff needs to be rehoused immediately. A good half of these positions can be consolidated or removed completely. And leadership has proven, for the most part, abysmal. You have your orders. Dismissed."
Koala stared down at the handwritten forms shoved at her in horror. The pieces clicked together of what Sabo had been working on, but they didn't make sense.
Sabo wanted to move the slaves into the castle from the slave quarters to be more readily available to Jalmack. Wanted to sell off a good half of the staff, including all the pleasure slaves. Was planning on a complete reorganization of the leadership structure, making all positions accountable to himself personally.
"… what?" Koala couldn't help blurting out in confusion.
The mask cracked. His eyes softened, looked slightly desperate. "Did it work? Unforgivable monster?"
Koala held up a hand as her brain frantically tried to process all of this.
Removal from slave quarters and relocation into castle.
As if reading her mind, Sabo perked up. "I can give them beds, Koala! And nicer clothes, and bathrooms, and no shackles or chains to be seen! All on the excuse of efficiency and playing up a snobby disgust at their filth!"
Koala blinked. "And selling off so many?"
"I gotta work that one out with you and Dragon first, but it's definitely the most urgent. I'm sure no one will follow up on the purchase! There's a pleasure house - the mistress was involved in my early training before I got transferred. She'll provide a signature and is valued enough that no one will question disappearing slaves. But we would have to pay her." His eyes darkened and he looked away. "She… protects children. As best she can. Not saying she's a good person, just that I think we can trust her for this."
Koala relaxed again, even as she quickly tried to shove aside the reminder of what Sabo had once faced. What many still faced. "And expanding your authority as Chief of Staff is to help cover this up?"
He nodded easily, eyes bright and eager. "And do my best to eliminate the torture and deaths from 'punishments'. I may not be able to shield them from all discipline, but I can definitely weed out any sadistic overseers. And this way I'm the one held accountable for any gross failures."
It was all… "Impressive," she whispered, even as the back of her mind worried over that last comment. "But so much of this relies on them buying that you are making all these changes strictly based on efficiency and personal gain, not any sort of good will."
Sabo nodded, straightened his suit, and donned his mask again. "Obviously," he spat, cruel and sarcastic. "Thus the practice. Shall we go again? Be one of the slaves being 'transferred' this time."
Koala slipped into her role. And then another, and another, even playing as Jalmack or a CP Agent. Sabo kept his mask up the entire time, only stumbling a couple times when she slipped in accusations of ulterior motives. But that was what the practice was for.
Practice, to craft a mask that his fellow slaves would hate and fear, to blind them to any benefits to themselves with scathing insults and a condescending tone. A mask that wouldn't raise any eyebrows from Jalmack or CP, except perhaps in admiration or respect for the clear gains of his strategies.
Practice, to become someone he absolutely despised with every fiber of his being. That he himself would want to murder in cold blood. Someone every inch an indulgent narcissist who actually believed himself to be better than those surrounding him on basically every level.
They finished their practice. There was a dangerously blank glaze to his eyes once he turned off the fake cruelty. As if he'd lost anything to replace it with.
Koala gently coaxed Sabo into sitting down next to her. Helped him remove the mask, shard by brittle shard, even as he trembled and tried to resist her assurances that he'd done enough for tonight. Wasn't surprised when he finally broke down.
"I hate him," he choked out, face buried in his gloved hands. And she wished he was talking about Jalmack.
"I know," she whispered back, leaning against his side. "Thank you for becoming him anyway."
And she silently vowed that one day he would never have to wear that mask again.
(A year later, and the mask no longer required practice to maintain. Was harder and harder to pry off every time they met. Featured in her nightmares as a literal mask that, when she tore it from her best friend's face, had nothing beneath.)
(A year later, and Koala was flying to Dawn Island, to Sabo's home, where he still had actual family. And somehow she knew, she just knew, that this was going to be Sabo's last chance to claim freedom. Things were going to reach a head, and there were only three possible outcomes. Freedom, slavery, or death.)
What could it mean?
Sabo frowned at the front page of the latest newspaper. Propaganda with a layer of irony beneath, as usual for the World Economic News. He'd long suspected Big News Morgans knew very well how much of what he published was pure crap and had chosen to just have fun with it. Make it as obviously over the top propaganda as possible. There was a reason so many pirates continued to enjoy the news - for the comedy.
This article was no different. Would have the usual reaction of sparking laughter for the horrible writing and dramatics among pirates and Revs, while those pro-World Government would just nod along in full agreement.
The purpose of the propaganda was clear. Nothing out of the ordinary. Pirates are evil. Yonko are just powerful pirates and thus illegitimate rulers of their respective territories. The Marines can be trusted to protect you. Celestial Dragons are rich benefactors who have done nothing wrong.
Put the Whitebeards in a tough position, forcing them to apologize even though they'd lost hundreds of nakama and obviously had not supported the attack. If the Whitebeards had attacked Jalmack in force, yeah the Celestial Dragon and CP would probably still have gotten away, but Sabo doubted he'd be sitting here now eating his breakfast.
He chugged his coffee. Gulped down a couple bagels.
There was only one extremely strange thing about the article. There was no reason to print Sabo's name. At all. In his memory, a chief of staff over a Celestial Dragon's household had never been singled out for praise. Ever. And usually they weren't even a slave, but a retired government agent or even a nobleman looking to curry favor for his kingdom or family.
Now, using Garp's name made sense. The "Hero of the Marines" title was a goldmine for propaganda, even as everyone who actually knew the man knew how vocal he could be about certain aspects of the government. Honestly, that title probably protected him even more than Sengoku, since they couldn't secretly off someone that was such a public figure, on top of a fantastic poster marine for recruitment.
But why even mention Sabo, a slave? Even as Chief of Staff, he was basically a glorified butler. It made no sense to mention him. You could easily delete the reference to him and it would make zero difference to pretty much anyone.
Sabo continued his breakfast as he pondered. Fruit, sausages, eggs, rice, soup, oatmeal. Quite a bit of variety this morning, but he wasn't complaining. The cooks were well aware of his appetite - and there was no reason to starve himself with his position. He burned tens of thousands of calories throughout the day, especially during his training. His instructors had insisted on the increased portions when they realized he wasn't bulking up or gaining endurance as expected, something that, despite everything, he would always owe a debt to Akainu and Lucci for.
(He hated their government. He hated what they stood for. He hated their philosophies on life and was absolutely disgusted by their enjoyment of killing other humans. But that didn't change that they had taken notice of Sabo at the lowest, most desperate and terrified time in his life, and given him the strength to become a weapon instead of a disposable plaything.)
(He hated owing so many debts too. Hated not knowing if or how those debts might be called in. Hated knowing he might not be able to ever repay them. Because anything they would try to bully him into doing by calling in his debt was almost certain to cross the line into what Sabo had sworn to never touch. Even if it literally cost him his life.)
Hmm. Akainu would recognize his name. So would a majority of high ranking Marines. Pretty much all of Cipher Pol - they'd be pretty pathetic intelligence officers and spies if they weren't aware of Jalmack's Chief of Staff and his contributions to the 'peace' of Mariejois.
The article could be framed as an honor, giving a well deserved public accolade due someone worthy. Sengoku and Garp were all about meritocracy in the navy, and Sabo had not been blind to the looks of respect and even concern he'd been getting from the Marines aboard since the pirate attack. Good fighter? Saved their hides? Killed lots of pirates? If not for the collar on his neck, they'd probably be inviting him out for drinks.
But the article would also give a name to the survivors of the Orca pirates, as well as any Whitebeards out for revenge. This could just as easily be another length of chain binding him down, keeping him from ever escaping Jalmack. Making it an actual danger to his life to seek out freedom. And even should he escape, he would never be accepted by, say, the Revolutionary Army.
(Except, of course, he was already a full blown member acknowledged by Dragon himself and on friendly terms with several of their top officers. Had already been sneaking out slaves and stealing intelligence for years. The Revs would accept him, would have to be stupid not to use him, even with the blood on his hands.)
So it could've been Garp, though it didn't seem to suit his personality to talk to the press. To even be allowed to talk to the media, actually.
(Plus he didn't think Garp would betray him like that. He would know that Sabo wouldn't want this.)
Could've been Sengoku. Sabo could see that too. Nothing in the article couldn't have been read in a report.
Or any random Marine aboard right now. Some had seemed upset about the 'injustice' they were witnessing. And while they wouldn't turn their backs on everything they believed in, talking to the press was entirely plausible.
Probably not a CP agent. Not unless ordered to or… Hmm. Could've been Lucci, trying again to force Sabo into a corner. Maybe more pressure to let CP fake his death and forever force him into their ranks.
It was faintly possible that it was orders from higher up, for a reason Sabo might not yet be aware of or have reason to suspect. He was known by name by the Five Elders, who had assigned him unsavory missions before.
(He'd killed a number of Celestial Dragons on their orders. No regrets over those. Literally the worst of the worst. None over the lower rank CP agents he'd been sent after either. How stupid do you have to be, to try scam Celestial Dragons?)
(Not thinking about the hypocrisy of that. Nope.)
Hmm. Sabo polished off the last of his meal. Chugged the remains of the coffee and milk.
Did it make any difference, really? The only people he cared about reading something like this would be Ace and Luffy - and it was extremely unlikely either made a habit of reading the paper. Both were capable, thankfully, but neither had any interest in affairs they weren't directly involved in. Sabo would be extremely surprised if Luffy ever touched a paper other than to rifle through it for bounty posters.
Ace… Hmm. Normally Sabo would tell himself not to worry about it. But the Whitebeards were involved. And there had been survivors of the Orca pirates, probably already telling tales of Sabo's murdering of their comrades.
It was entirely possible Ace had or would read this. Maybe even have it shoved in his face by one of his crew.
Sabo sighed. Wiped his mouth with a napkin. Set the trays as neatly as he could for the stewards that would come clean this up in a few minutes.
It's not like it was a lie. He had killed most of the Orca pirates. Well over a hundred, by his own hand. Let them hate him. They deserved to. Ace deserved to.
He only hoped Ace wouldn't make the connection with his dead brother. Let him join the ranks that hated Jalmack's Chief of Staff. Just don't let him ever recognize 'Sabo' as anything other than a hurtful coincidence.
Time to start his day. It was bound to be quite a long one.
They would be docking in Goa Kingdom, on Dawn Island, in just a few hours. He had enough to take care of without fretting about what and why and who and maybe.
Ace pulled up to Dawn Island from Foosha Village's side. He wasn't an idiot. He was just plotting the assassination of a Celestial Dragon. No big.
Heh. Sabo would've called him out on that. There wasn't much stupider than going after Celestial Dragons. But Sabo wasn't here. That was the point.
He'd had a lot time to think as he propelled Striker back home to Dawn Island. Even with being able to cut through the Calm Belt with his powers, it hadn't been a quick or easy trip. He had a lot of time to actually think about what he was trying to do. What he would have to anticipate and work around to succeed.
First, he needed to scope out the situation. Check out the security. There would definitely be Marines, probably not an admiral but possibly a vice-admiral. There might even be Cipher Pole agents - man, he hated those guys. So hard to pin down. And here he had no Haruta or Izou to point them out for him.
(Maybe he should have said something. Maybe the Whitebeards would understand. They were his brothers too, even if he'd known them less than a year. But Sabo, Sabo had been part of his soul, his best friend and pretty much his other half, to the point Ace didn't really remember a 'before Sabo'. And then he'd just been ripped away one day and the hole never had healed. He adored Luffy, really he did, but his relationship with Sabo had been different. He'd heard one of his new Whitebeard brothers talking about twins, and yeah, Sabo had been something like that to him.)
He would check on Luffy first. Make sure he wouldn't be stupid. Then he'd make his way down and spy out the situation. Try to get a timetable, work out the security, who was in charge, what holes there might be. Definitely should keep his eye out for this blue monster that had apparently killed off nearly an entire crew single-handedly.
He probably should disguise himself. With Garp's training over the years, he probably could pull off a low rank marine. Shouldn't be hard to steal a uniform.
See, Sabo? He could be smart if he wanted to.
Ace would've said this sucked. But even though Ace got a Booooo! from Makino whenever he used that word, Luffy didn't know any better ones for this situation.
Makino taught Ace to instead say, "I don't like this," or "That makes me uncomfortable," or even "I refuse to tolerate any more. I'm leaving."
Luffy didn't like being tied to a tree. He was very uncomfortable. He absolutely did not want to tolerate any more! He wanted to leave!
But he was still tied to the stupid tree! All he'd said was he wanted to see what a Celestial Dragon looked like! Yeah he knew they sucked, um, he meant he knew they were bad people who did bad things. Like, they killed Sabo. He knew they were evil.
They kept people from being free, like Sabo. Luffy was going to be Pirate King. The free-est man in the world! So he was going to have to kick their butts one day. He just wanted to see one so he knew whose butt to kick in the future! Like, wouldn't it be embarrassing if he kicked the wrong guy's butt?
He could just imagine Ace's face if he accidentally punched out, like, the evil's guy's butler or something. Even though it was not Luffy's fault that so many people looked the same!
So here he sat. Bored out of his mind. While someone else got to plot butt kicking.
Luffy was so bored he began gnawing on the ropes.
To his delight, apparently ropes were now edible! Who knew?!