The bright sunlight welcomed a new day, and the lack of birdsong made it clear there was still no land nearby. The gentle lapping of the waves lulled the young crew members, who refused to get up after the previous day's weariness since there was a huge difference between the exercise they got for a few hours of training and a full day's work, leaving them physically exhausted.
The pirates prepared for their new tasks, swapping places with the cyborg and fish-men who were in charge of the route at night, eventually allowing them to rest. Sanji, on the other hand, made a beeline for the kitchen, followed by his ravenous captain.
The perfectionist blond noticed a subtle rotting stench in the dining room and immediately scoured every nook and cranny of his area to find its cause.
"What's wrong Sanji?" Asked Luffy tilting his head, seated on a stool with his feet up.
"Don't you smell that?"
The dining room door opened welcoming the doctor who was on his way for his patient check up.
The stink was immediately noticed by the young reindeer, prompting him to cover his nose with a dissatisfied grimace on his face.
Luffy upon seeing Chopper's reaction gave a deep sniff, widening his nostrils like a gorilla as a queasy sensation rushed through him as he smelled the awful stink. "Blerg, what's that?"
"Was that you? I almost lost my appetite." Luffy complained to Chopper, who was upset by his accusations.
"What?! You're blaming me again?!" Chopper continued disputing with his captain while Sanji searched around the kitchen.
"Sanji... Where's that rotting smell coming from?... Is... IS IT THE MEAT?!" The captain whined worriedly.
The nauseated Doctor uncovered his nose in search of the source of the odor, being led by the dreadful stench to the infirmary, where he stopped in front of the door, frightened of what he would find on the other side.
"Chopper, what's wrong? It appears like you seen a ghost."
"I found out where the rotten smell is coming from." He turned around with teary eyes, shocking Sanji, while Luffy was still puzzled.
The entrance to the infirmary was cautiously opened, exposing its inside intact but with a foul stench.
Chopper jumped up in his chair to get to the stretcher where the stench-causing patient layed. The concerned doctor examined the bandages that covered her entirely, attempting to reach her skin in order to check for vital signs or necrosis once more.
Sanji bent down a little, holding the long purple hair to sniff it delicately.
"Sanji, don't be a creep!"
"As I imagined..." Sanji said more eased. "Calm down... The smell doesn't come from her body..." Explained the blond trying to reassure the doctor by placing his hand on his hat.
"Huh?"
"I recognize that unpleasant smell..." He remarked relieved as he moved the patient's hair, discovering strands of hair and her roots that were completly white, while the remaining purple hair was dusty and scratchy, emitting a foul odor.
"Rotten potato... It has a distinct odor that is easy to identify... She must have dyed her hair with purple potatoes purée... A nice bicarbonate wash will take care of that..." He instructed with a broad smile, to then turned to a degenerate gesture with hearty eyes.
"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE TO GIVE HER A BATH!"
Now that Chopper had calmed himself thanks to Sanji's description, he was able to detect the patient's nearly non-existent trace of life, allowing him to continue with basic patient care.
"Thank you, Sanji... You're right."
"Luffy... Can you take her to the tub? It'll take me a long time to wash all that hair."
"I'll do it." The cook twirled enthusiastically.
"No... We better call Nami and Robin for this."
"Aye, Aye, together with Nami and Robin we can wash quick~er." He mentioned with his perverted look, picturing a bathtub party with the three girls.
"Can't we just cut it off?" Luffy complained, trying to control the long-tangled hair.
"It would be easier, but out of respect we won't do it."
The captain carried the patient's body to the back door of the infirmary, continuing his way to the bathroom upstairs, while Chopper stopped the blond from following him.
It didn't take long for both beautiful pirates to arrive, escorted by the reindeer, who started to wash the woman's hair inside the bathtub while Luffy observed bored from a chair as the water dyed the bandages.
"Luffy, Can you take the bandages off her face? I'll need to do a complete change, but for now we must keep her from choking on the wet cloth." The Doctor asked.
Since the captain had nothing better to do while waiting for breakfast, he agreed to unwrap the bandages, revealing the sweet face with what seemed a recent cut spanned it diagonally, dividing the face in two.
The naive captain couldn't help but notice a weird black scab that held both sides of her skin together, getting lost in it and slowly causing his skin to bristle.
The captain suddenly collapsed to the ground, groaning after covering his ears and placing pressure on his jaw. "Ggñññññ"
"What's wrong Luffy?" Nami asked in bewilderment as she saw her captain rolling on the floor covering his ears.
"That noise?! It's so loud!"
"What noise?" Asked the archaeologist unable to hear anything.
"Luffy, there is no noise," Chopper, who had the most sensitive hearing, assured.
"STOOOOOOOP IT!"
Robin witnessed how the water that immersed the patient's body revealed a vibration that caused small drops to bounce about. The pirate stroked her fingers over the Oracle wrist veins, feeling a sand sensation inside of them
"Luffy, you should get out of here... We'll take care of it." Robin suggested kindly with a smile, noticing that the odd behavior was only intended towards her captain.
The boy agreed, covering his ears and stopping listening to that raspy series of sounds the farther he went.
The three pirates continued their exhausting work of washing the Oracle's long hair that completely filled the tub, eventually achieving that the unpleasant smell and opaque purple color left her perfect white hair, leaving the bandages totally ruined, leading them to maneuver the body to remove them.
The more they exposed her body, the darker their expressions became, as they observed how her body was completely covered with scars, being her face the least affected.
The little reindeer's heart raced as he looked at what was in front of him, while the pirates couldn't get that unpleasant feeling in their throats to disappear after seeing the vast number of injuries the unconscious woman displayed.
"What the meaning of this?" Chopper's eyes couldn't stop trembling at what he saw.
Robin examined several of the scars attentively, focusing her attention on the most prominent and unpleasant ones on her wrists, which appeared to have lost a lot of tissue years ago as they healed being thinner than the rest of her arms.
"She must have been a victim of some war." Nami thought
"No" Robin corrected curtly.
"These are exceedingly meticulous scars... Isn't that right, Chopper?" The reindeer couldn't even express his thoughts; he understood exactly how they had been prompted, but he couldn't speak it aloud, leaving Nami intrigued.
"She was an experimental subject" The archaeologist spoke for her nakama.
"It can't be..." The navigator felt her heat raising as she learned of the murky background the woman scars revealed.
Robin used her devil fruit power to effectively untangle the hair while Nami and Chopper took care of washing the girl's naked body.
Robin's hands moved the hair away from the neck, revealing the back so Nami could clean it, leaving the navigator motionless, who couldn't help but let go of her sponge.
"A...aah" Her voice was almost silent, as if escaping breath, her eyes lost their sparkle and her pupils began to tremble. "Ro-Robin..." She called out to her friend who after seeing the patient's back, reacted in the same way.
"What's wrong?" Chopper leaned out and climbed up on the edge of the bathtub.
The three of them became silent as they saw the back of the woman completely covered by a burn mark displaying the world government symbol.
Robin's ability stopped working as she lost control of herself after she evoked the memories of that organization.
"Slave?" The doctor asked astonished.
"But it's not a Tenryuubito's mark..." Nami answered agitated.
"Because it isn't considered Tenryuubito's property, but The World's Government..." Robin assured, understanding the secrecy behind her existence.
The three of them took their time to calm down, leaving their task aside to discuss what they just saw.
"Do you think the government were the ones who experimented on her?" Nami inquired.
"IT MUST HAVE BEEN CAESAR! THAT DIRTY AND CRUEL SCIENTIST! Chopper scowled angrily and then remained silent for a while as he comprehended the body's response to his treatment the previous night. "Whatever resides inside, its only protecting her."
Both women remained serious at the doctor's words as he explained what had happened.
"Who is 'she' exactly?" Nami asked.
"Do you think All Might has any idea?" Chopper questioned.
A hint of nervousness could be seen on the archaeologist's face as she lifted her palm to her lips while in lost in thought.
"All Might the former Number One Hero... He must work directly with the government"
"Like the navy?!" The reindeer got upset.
"Perhaps his rank is the closest to an admiral."
"If the government is responsible for erasing the history, and All Might works for them, perhaps the goal of getting her health back is to continue experimenting on her."
Robin was disappointed to learn that, of every record that had been wiped, only the world government had continued to operate covertly.
"That may be the reason why, he is the only one knows about the past."
"So, All Might is bad?" Chopper inquired with tears in her eyes.
With their perplexed expressions, the two women's troubled faces spoke for themselves as they turned to face the body that was still in the bathtub.
"I wouldn't like to think so... He has been very kind to us." The reindeer continued.
"We should talk to them and gather information discreetly."
"Can't we ask him directly?"
"No, he mustn't find out that we know."
The heroines watched in awe as the ship gained more speed as it came upon a sea slope made of water rabbits carrying the Sunny on their backs.
"Despite its dangers, the Old World is nevertheless fascinating and lovely." Said Mina, embracing the surroundings with delight.
"Koda-san, you need to see this!" Ochako called enthusiastically the shy hero who was being accompanied by the sparkling blond.
"You'll see them later, it's time for breakfast." Called the cook calmly as he served the dishes, accompanied by Midoriya and Iida who became his waiters.
"Food! Sanji, hurry up!"
"We're on it, Mr. Luffy." The class president scolded with his robotic hands.
The two pirates and the doctor soon joined the crew, leaving the body of their patient wrapped with a new bandage at the infirmary.
Everyone gathered on the deck to enjoy the fresh air rushing through the Sunny, therefore both fish-men were eating while keeping an eye on the route while the rest of the crew enjoyed themselves in silence. The navigator's and doctor's facial expressions, however, showed otherwise.
"Are you all right Chopper sensei?" Asked the shy student, who noticed that his mentor hadn't eaten anything and didn't appear to mind his food being robbed by the captain.
"Huh... Yes!" He tried to regain his composure.
The fact that the reindeer had such behavior after leaving the infirmary warned Toshinori of a likely complication with the patient.
"DR. CHOPPER, HOW IS MISS YUE DOING?"
The inquiry upset the Doctor, who was being watched by both pirates who were waiting for him to say nothing.
"Remember that we must be subtle Chopper, don't say anything to raise suspicions." Thought the navigator as she watched the reindeer uneasily.
"I ran a quick check, and nothing has changed... All that matters is that she is still alive." His answer left himself dissatisfied.
"I SEE... THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING CARE OF HER." The blond answered with a sincere grateful smile.
Chopper remained seated lostly staring the last trace of food on his plate, that suddenly vanished after being snatched by his captain
"...How did she get all those scars?"
"THAT'S TOO DIRECT!" The navigator shouted inwardly, as her eyes showed her concern.
The professional heroes were quick to notice the odd behavior in both women, which caused them to be concerned... Although they were friendly, it didn't change the fact that they were pirates, and the skull waving on their flag wasn't just for show.
It didn't take long for some of the students, along with the monster trio to sense that discomfort among the adults analyzing the situation.
"Hey... Why are you guys acting so strange?" The captain posed a serious question to his nakamas and guests.
Some students gulped saliva, as the notices the tense atmosphere. Momo, Iida, and Froppy were agitated, while Deku, Todoroki, and Bakugo considered how to react in case of any mishap.
The cook rested one of the trays under his arm and took a cigarette, which he proceeded to light while hiding his gaze.
"Very well... You'd better start talking," he addressed the teachers.
"But what are you saying Sanji san?" Asked Jiro who still didn't realize what was happening.
"What's going on?" Usopp joined in, who didn't understand either.
"The Doctor asked a question... Why don't you answer?" The cook insisted threateningly.
Sanji was fully aware of his nakamas' temperaments. Chopper and Nami's behavior indicated that something was wrong with the patient, unlike Robin, who was better at dissimulation but on this occasion, she had that absence of light in her eyes that caused him to react protectively.
"We don't even know what you are talking about." Sero complained.
"The Oracle's body is completely covered in scars." Revealed the archaeologist.
Apprentice heroes and pirates were perplexed as to what they said. The professional heroes on the other hand, were aware that her wrists were severely wounded, but they were clueless that the rest of her body was in the same condition.
"THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING..." Yagi turned his attention to the reindeer.
"To... Totally?" Present Mic couldn't help stammering.
"So, it wasn't just her arms?" Midnight squeezed her tights.
"You didn't know?" Asked the reindeer in confusion.
"All Might san... "Murmured the skeleton, waiting for an answer.
"THOSE SCARS…" All Might felt powerless, letting out a discouraged sigh. "SHE WAS TORTURED BY PEOPLE ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM HER."
The facts began to make sense to the students and teachers... Her long garments that covered her entire body, that foolishness of being away from society and the difficulty to open up to people... She was nothing more than a victim trying not to interact with her environment.
The feeling of guilt emerged in the heroes who mistreated her as she was misunderstood for the secrecy she maintained.
"Who did this to her?!" Nami asked accusingly
"Was it you?" Chopper joined fearful of the answer.
"NO… THAT'S ALL I KNOW... SHE'S VERY SECRETIVE, THE ONLY THING SHE TOLD WAS THAT: HAVING VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE ALWAYS ENDS EITHER IN TORTURE OR DEATH." The hero's words resonated with Robin who was trying to contain herself.
The archaeologist didn't seem convinced, her palms did not stop sweating as she was feeling really uneasy. In a fit of distrust, she crossed her wrists making use of her ability generating a pair of arms that sprouted from Yagi's shoulders grabbing him by the head, threatening to snap his neck in one move.
Robin's behavior was unexpected. Her usual mild-mannered personality had not prepared them for her abrupt change. She went from being the calmest to the most lethal of the crew, preventing the heroes from reacting towards the threat.
"WHAT KIND OF CONNECTION DO YOU HAVE WITH THE WORLD GOVERNMENT?" In a panic attack brought on by her childhood memories, the archaeologist for the first time displayed her hostility.
"ROBIN!" Some of her nakamas called out in surprise at her unusual reaction.
"ROBIN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? SHAGGY IS OUR FRIEND." Luffy took a few steps, waving his hands, calling his nakama's attention.
"That's right Robin! The old man wouldn't be able to hurt anyone!" Usopp defended the blond along with his captain, Franky and Brook.
"Luffy... The oracle has the mark of the world government on her back." The archaeologist spoke while gazing with a certain dread, which caused her captain to suddenly halt.
"So, they are enemies," Zoro declared, pushing the handle of one of his katanas while giving Eraserhead a sharp look.
The swordsman's demeanor warned the heroes, who instantly froze as they sensed danger as they realized not only their life was jeopardized, but also had the Symbol of Peace as a hostage.
"Does that mean that the lady is working with the government?" Franky asked.
"It seems that she used to owned by the World Government" Chopper said grudgingly.
Aizawa was paying close attention to the events... The pirates knew the quirks of everyone present, the captain was capable of knocking out 90% of the passengers with just his presence and deactivating that woman's ability could initiate an attack from the pirates... They were in the worst situation imaginable, so he chose to simply watch his students hoping they would not perform any heroic acts that would provoke the attackers.
The heroes were shivering, a knot was present in their throats and they could feel icy sensation rushing through their bodies. Their mentor was being seized by two strategically placed arms, by the position of the hands that grabbed the fragile hero's head she could end his life instantly if she wanted to. Having no choice but to remain motionless in the hope that the misunderstanding could be resolved peacefully.
Yagi felt two hands, one grasping his chin and the other tightly gripping his tousled hair. But, above all, for the first time, he managed to perceive the "Voice" of the archaeologist. That mysterious woman with the menacing look that seemed to be acting under a fit of rage, was actually terrified.
The former hero took a breath trying to relax and regain his composure to connect with the woman who was threatening him.
"We have nothing to do with this." Yagi modulated his voice.
"Old man... What do you know?" Asked Usopp who was still supporting him a few moments ago.
Chopper was so enraged that he was unable to look him in the face; he hadn't been this upset since finding that the young woman was not receiving medical care.
"Owned by the Government?" Uraraka asked quietly in annoyance. "Why are you saying it like she is an object?!"
"Uraraka... Calm down." Her teacher requested.
"Mark?" Like cattle? Asked the class representative in disgust.
While the two groups were growing more tense; the fish-men watching passed a tray of breadsticks back and forth taking entertained by the situation.
"The government must need her alive in order to continue experimenting on her," Thought the navigator.
"Why is waking her up so crucial to you?" Nami questioned accusatorily. "So much, that you would endanger your life and theirs?" The navigator pointed at the anxious students.
"I am not only indebted to her for returning me to my time... IT IS ALSO MY DUTY TO PROVIDE HELP TO ANYONE IN NEED." He answered without hesitation. "And regarding them… It was never my intention to get them involved."
Both girls noticed the heroes' frightened and puzzled expressions; it appeared that they were truly unsure of what was happening.
"How do we know he's not lying?" Asked the archeologist with an agitated voice.
"ALL MIGHT WILL NEVER DO THAT!" The students chided.
"Unfortunately, I have no way to prove it..."
"All Might!"
""You are referring to a nonexistent organization. There is no single government in charge of running the whole world; instead, there are multiple governments operating all over the world." Despite Midnight best efforts, Robin refused to back down from her threat.
"It doesn't look like she's going to give in... I need to erase her ability... But it could put us all at risk." Eraserhead couldn't find a way out of the situation.
"All Might is not lying." Said a fish-man who had so far remained silent.
A short fish-man with iridescent silver skin and a yellow stripe on his back, commented as he ate amusedly from a bowl.
"Why should we trust you?"
"These two are criminals, thus they have no justification for defending him." Said Jinbei who was always followed by the pair of fish-men as if they were his shadow.
"That sack of bones over there that you guys are going to gut out, is probably the only human we Fish-men and Minks... can truly trust..." Confessed the reserved Fish-man.
"Although there is no way to confirm if he really went to the past, he knows things that only someone who lived in the past would know..." Added the former inmate Mäkelä.
"Besides his sense of justice is too extreme, he would not allow himself to be manipulated by a government that harms people, even if it means protecting others at the cost of a life... He is… How do you call it?" Mäkelä gave it a thought, resting his hand on his chin. "A stubborn hero who wants to save everyone?"
"They're called idiots... You can't save every life." Luffy answered serious.
Robin's slender body dripped with sweat. Trying her best to relax, leaning against a wall, and then nervously stopped using her power as she slouched down. She couldn't help but become afflicted by matters pertaining to the government.
"Robin san, are you okay?"
"Yes... Thank you Sanji," She replied as she caught her breath.
Despite the fact that the pirates calmed down. It was a rather dramatic transition, and the heroes were still on edge, unsure of whether to continue to trust them. However, after being released and with his life no longer in danger, Yagi looked worriedly at the archaeologist who was being assisted by the cook, who gave him a warning look to stop his pace.
"All Might, don't go near them!" Eraserhead commanded alerted.
Knowing what had occurred with Ohara, her home country, Yagi understood the reason for his attitude and did not hold any grudge.
"I'm sorry that I can't answer your questions Miss Robin, I'd really like to know, but she never opened up about her past... As you understand... There are wounds that cannot healed." He said with a sorrowful expression referring to both women, keeping his distance so as not to make her more uncomfortable.
"She is quite reserved since, her physical wounds prevent her from forgetting her emotional wounds."
"I know you still don't trust me, but I beg you not to bring them into it," The remainder of the pirates gradually loosened their positions as Toshinori addressed them in his final remarks.
"Robin..." The captain pronounced her name softly as he walked next to the blond, resting his hand on his shoulder as a sign of accepting his version.
Aizawa was the one who suggested both groups to take a seat, that way it can complicate any offensive movement, remaining all divided by an invisible line.
Out of respect for Robin, the heroes decided to keep their distance while the agitated archaeologist tried to regain her composure and clear her mind before deciding whether to trust the words of heroes and former inmates on board.
"Wait... So, you don't trust All Might's journey?" Izuku's doubt arose.
"Weren't you the pirates who helped him?" Todoroki asked in confusion.
"We met him yesterday." The captain replied.
"WE'RE TRAVELING WITH UNKNOWN VILLAINS!" They shouted altogether causing the Sunny to jump from his position.
"SO SELFISH!"
"HOW THOUGHTLESS!"
"IRRESPONSIBLE!"
Each reproach that students and teachers directed towards the former hero felt like a stabbing.
"HMPM..." He gulped ashamed.
"Don't Hmpm' us!" Exclaimed Bakugo all mad.
"Well, it does look like they didn't know anything... Yohohohoho!"
The skeleton's remark, the captain's neutral stance, and the students' and teachers' allegations all contributed to decreasing the tension, but it could not yet be let go.
"So... Who helped you?" Questioned the swordsman resting his arm on his katanas.
Toshinori was unsure of how to answer as he was unaware of the rivalries between the crews. He remained mute for a while before recalling the times the name "Straw Hat" had come up throughout his journey.
"The Heart Pirates..." He answered worried about their reaction.
"Wait! You know Torao! See Robin, he can't be bad!" Said Luffy with his characteristic smile, giving the blond a friendly slap on the back that suffocated him.
The mention of the relationship between the heart pirates and All Might calmed the pirates.
"TORAO?" The hero thought to himself, not having heard the name before.
"BY ANY CHANCE… YOU MEAN, YOUNG TRAFALGAR?"
"Yes, that's what I said"
"NOT EVEN CLOSE!" The male students shouted irritated by the captain's stupid behavior, being instantly rebuked by Eraserhead sinister look.
"All his subordinates have two-syllable names, do you really expect him to learn that complicated name?" Midnight demanded, judging Yagi with a disappointed gesture.
"Oi Hentai! They're not my subordinates, they're my nakamas!" The captain complained, releasing slight clouds of anger at the description of his comrades.
"Don't address Nerumi-chan that way!" The cook pulled Luffy's cheek after the nickname he gave her.
"Ow, it's not SUPER to copy nicknames." The carpenter complained.
"Anyway, if Shaggy is Torao's friend, it means he's our ally." He explained pointing at the blond who didn't quite understand what was going on.
"Remember that we are no longer allies Luffy." Zoro objected
"But we are still friends, Shishishi." He answered with the most innocent smile, making the crew under where he was going.
"Yosh! Then we are allies." He proclaimed cheerfully, resting his hands on his hips. His crew simply accepted his decision because it was easier to do so than to argue with him.
Noticing the straw hat's carefree demeanor at the mention of the crew he didn't know was allied recently; Yagi completed his side of the story by adding his experience with the heart pirates during the voyage and the Rocky Port incident, thus gaining back the trust of the crew by accurately describing the heart pirates' members in such detail that it proved his interaction with them, discarding the theory about their affiliation with the world government that doesn't seem to exist in this time.
"You helped Torao, then? Not exactly a heroic deed to help steal hearts for a pirate to get a Shichibukai position." Brook said with a trace of mockery as Chopper celebrated the hero's exploits with his face lighting up due to his fondness for the Surgeon of Death.
"All Might... Did you truly contribute to something so dreadful?" Asked his nervous student who was ready to start biting his nails.
"Heh, what a top-notch hero you are." The cook said with a mocking smirk, seeming to enjoy learning that the symbol of peace was not without sin.
"Hahahaha Shaggy helped Torao to have the title of Shichibukai and we helped him to take it away."
"Shichibukai?" Midnight asked in surprise.
"They are seven strong pirates who joined forces with the government in return for forgiveness of all of their prior transgressions. However, they can only be chosen via a vote within the navy, which must then pass through a number of filters before it can be presented to the heads of the World Government." Jinbei explained
"WHY DO THEY ALLOW IT? THEY ARE STILL VILLAINS!" Mic expressed annoyed along with Iida who agreed with his teacher.
"THEY ARE RIGHT... THEY SHOULDN'T LET THEIR CRIMINAL ACTS GO UNPUNISHED."
"DON'T BE TWO-FACED, YOU HELPED ONE!" Yamada scolded with bulging eyes almost piercing through his dark glasses, causing Toshinori to spit blood after his words quickly being attended by the little reindeer.
"Those Shichibukai must be up to no good to agree to get involved with the government."
"Damned detestable beings, they disgust me." Mineta said, joined by Iida.
"Eeehm... I was one..." Confessed the former Shichibukai who felt indirectly attacked.
"…"
"Ehm... There can be exceptions Mr. Jinbei."
"So that's why he knew in detail the process to become one." Aizawa said, who was affirmed his comment by the Fish-man.
"Mr. Jinbei, you are aware of the government, right? Could you paint a clearer picture for us of how it operates?" Ojiro politely questioned his martial artist.
"What benefit does knowing have for us?" Denki snorted, unwilling to go through another dull history lesson.
"Our ignorance of the past caused us to have an altercation. The straightforward response is that since they are pirates, it is obvious that the government is their enemy. However, things are different in Yue's case... Miss Nico claimed that she "Belonged to the government," and judging by her response, slavery must be common... Maybe their version of the past will make it easier for us to comprehend the secrecy surrounding our present." Aizawa supported his student's request.
The Fish-man agreed to the request explaining in detail the functioning of the government in his time, causing the reaction of the guests to change to an expression of displeasure corroborating the ignorance of that version and erasing any doubt of distrust that existed in the pirate group.
Although the government was responsible of providing for its citizens, it did so with whatever resources were necessary, hiding the traces of their methods, thus making them look like heroes to the public.
The heroes were disturbed and disgusted by the history of corruption, free human trafficking, slavery, racism, experimentation and oppression that the government hid from society.
"So, the mark they say she has on her back? Does that mean she belongs to the World Government?" Midnight asked in distress.
"I can't believe that the government condones slavery and actually owns slaves." In frustration, Kirishima slammed the table so hard that it nearly broke.
"Keep in mind that slavery was prevalent even in recorded history." Iida corrected his classmate.
"Slavery was supposed to have been abolished two hundred years ago, but it is still practiced in places where the law does not apply, among them the sacred land of Mariejois, which is the homeland of the world's nobles and leaders of the world."
"WHAT?!"
"Are you saying that those who banned it are also those who are enslaving them?" After hearing the archaeologist's statements, Kirishima's voice entirely lost its usual passion and joy, unable to control his anger.
Although her actions could not be forgotten, the heroes managed to understand the reason for her drastic reaction a few moments ago.
Although the heroes were unable to forget that Robin threatened All Might, they were able to comprehend why she had reacted so dramatically just moments earlier.
"The government doesn't usually keep slaves, instead, it is usually wealthy individuals or the world's nobles who mark them in case they escape... There must be some reason for the government to want to keep her in their custody." Added the Fish-man who knew more about slave treatment from his previous captain's stories.
"SO, HER SCARS ARE THEREFORE MISTREATMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT." Mic mentioned.
"Experimentation..." Corrected the reindeer abstracted. "Most of her wounds are so precise that there is no doubt they are the result of experimentation. Also, the damage on her wrists shows signs of previous incarnation... That means she was chained for several years; The remaining scars may be either from battle or torture as All Might said, as those are deep, messy cuts."
"SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY SENSITIVE WHEN IT COMES TO HER WOUNDS, AND SHE GETS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE IF THEY ARE TOUCHED OR SEEN."
"That's why she constantly wears garments that totally cover her body..." The invisible girl sadly mentioned.
"It wasn't just the knowledge the reason she was hiding for..." The pirates observed as the hero responded in a bewildered shudder to the discovery, while his pupil attempted to calm him down; dismissing any malice on his side.
"You could say that Nee-san hasn't been living, but rather surviving." The message delivered by the pink girl's brittle voice influenced her classmates and teachers, who were able to distinguish patterns into her conduct.
"That's why she was so overprotective of Eri..." Midnight whispered.
"That explains why she lived in isolation inside that nasty cave." Aoyama said in disgust.
Present Mic stood there watching as his friend covered his face in embarrassment with his palm.
"Oooooh, and you mistreated her Shouta"
"Stop recalling it." He chastised in annoyance. "Destroying the Eternal Pose in the museum, eliminating the footage, acting as bait and finally sacrificing herself for Eri's welfare…"
"She had done nothing but protect us, all her actions as insane as they seemed, was nothing more than her way of not involving us in her problems." Aizawa finally externalized his thoughts that he had kept to himself since the incident with the bounty hunter.
The students looked distressed, the young explosive clenched his fists and clicked his tongue in annoyance. "She should take advantage of this and stay and have a regular life."
"With such the past, wherever she is, she'll suffer from persecution delusions." Shoto remarked.
"MAYBE ITS NOT PERSECUTORY DELUSION AT ALL."
"What are you trying to say?" Shota questioned.
"SINCE WE DISCOVERED THE FIRST ETERNAL POSE IN THE PONEGLYPHS, SHE STARTED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS... HER HAKI IS ACUTE, ABLE TO SENSE PRESENCES AT LEAST A MILE AWAY. THAT CAN BE BOTH BENEFICIAL FOR SENSING EVIL INTENTIONS AND DANGER ON THE SURROUNDINGS, BUT ALSO HARMFUL FOR SOMEONE WITH HER LEVEL OF MISTRUST."
"I see... So, she's being chased by the ponegriff for being a government of scars?" Said proudly the captain who had stopped paying attention after proclaiming their alliance.
"Yeah, something like that." Franky replied proudly giving him a thumbs up.
"THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!" Yelled the students with sharp teeth, who slowly seemed to react similarly to pirates when it came to Luffy's idiocy.
"THIS FOLIC ACID FUGITIVE IS INCREDIBLY STUPID!" Bakugo couldn't decide whether to be irritated or amused by the Captain's level of stupidity.
"Well, that incredible stupid, totally kicked your ass" Denki joked quietly with Jiro who couldn't help but laugh, turning to see the explosive whose ear was tripling its size about to scream towards their direction
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU SAY, CHEAP PIKACHU?!" Bakugo shouted at Denki while small explosions ignited in his hands. pretending to blast his classmate, being suddenly stopped by Franky, who grabbed the rabid blond by the collar of his suit.
"If you are going to fight, do it out of the ship." Said the carpenter throwing both young men overboard.
"Finally, throwing people overboard... Just like in the movies." Mineta said amused as he watched Denki fall into the water while Katsuki returned satisfied to the Sunny.
"Wait..." The musician ignored the chaos between the two students and turned to All Might due to a detail in his story that didn't make sense.
"What was an eternal pose doing in a Poneglyph?"
"FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THERE WERE SEVEN PONEGLYPHS WITH ETERNAL POSE HIDDEN INSIDE OF THEM. THEY ALL LEAD TO THE SAME ONE; THE ONE RED PONEGLYPH." The archaeologist was astonished by the hero's statements and grew a little uneasy once more.
"So, the blue ones lead to the red one?" Robin mused
"It can't be, the Poneglyphs don't have their own magnetic field." Defended the navigator
"I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT WE SAW IT WITH OUR OWN EYES."
"BY THE WAY, MISS ROBIN... WHAT DOES THEY SAY?"
"Robin san, are you able to read them?" Shoji asked out of interest
"She's the only person able to read them," Chopper mentioned.
"In your crew or the world?"
"World" He answered with a little hop, holding his hooves up high.
"INCREDIBLE ROBIN, HOW DEPRESSING THAT NO ONE ELSE IS INTERESTED IN LEARNING THINGS THAT NURTURE KNOWLEDGE." Present Mic cheered, while the cook advanced discreetly towards him.
"All others capable of it, were annihilated." Sanji whispered in annoyance so that only Mic could hear.
"I'm-I'm sorry... I didn't know." The blond was so embarrassed that he couldn't stop waving his hands in front of him.
"Don't worry about it, I won't let the will of my people disappear." She answered, taking a deep breath before beginning his explanation.
"It makes more sense that the blue Poneglyphs direct the red one." Robin said as a murmure as she placed two fingers on her chin.
"Huh?"
"Every blue one conveys the same message... A new world order is about to take place. I initially believed it to be a prophecy, but given its connection to the Red One... It appears to be more of a goal.
As Robin continued, everyone's confusion intensified.
"Whom attains peace in a world of vile souls, will lead by example and guide the nations, eradicating the stigma created by their ancestors and reunite the exiled to create a new world."
"So, it describes an event?" Nerumi enquired.
The crew members remained silent, being the fish-men the ones who celebrated the Poneglyph message, confusing both heroes and pirates.
"Why are you so happy?" Franky asked with a drop sliding down his hair.
"Reunite the exiled to create a new world!"
"That means we won't have to hide anymore! Friends and families Will we be free?!"
"Free?" The knight sea asked in confusion.
"Minks and Fish-men are being slaughtered... We must disguise ourselves as humans with mutant Quirk in order to avoid capture by the authorities." The Tuna Fish-man explained the mysterious society backstory.
The heroes couldn't believe what was going on in society's shadows; not only was what they knew about the past a deception, but a portion of the present was kept from them as well.
Nezu's secrecy made sense, and so did his behavior during the tests with the students. That repressed desire to take it out on humans. But being an intelligent creature, he knew that in order to effect change, he had to start from the origin, nourishing future generations.
While the heroes were astonished, the pirates were enraged, especially the captain who did not know how to release his frustration, there was nowhere and no one to turn to in order to change things. Even though it was not his time nor his responsibility, understanding the injustice that the races endured just to exist made his blood boil.
"NOTHING HAS CHANGED!"
"Otohime's will... It was not fulfilled." Jinbei mumbled angrily; his words tinged with grief.
"NEZU'S WISH... WAIT... STIGMA CREATED BY THEIR ANCESTORS!?"
"There is also a lot of discrimination and hatred against races in our time." Robin, despite her restlessness, was not as agitated as the rest of her nakamas.
"We... We also suffer discrimination because of our appearance even though we are human." Shoji and Koda lamented.
"So, the message from the Poneglyphs is about a leader who will bring the different races together to create a new world," Nami said as she put her palm to her chin and turned to face her nakama.
"It seems so..."
"IS THE PROPOSAL STILL VALID?"
"What do you mean Mic sensei?"
"IF A GOAL HAS NOT YET BEEN ACHIEVED, IT INDICATES THAT IT IS STILL PENDING."
""Mic sensei is correct. If there has been a long-running dispute between the races that needs to be hidden, and if they left the message for them to put an end to it, why would they communicate it in a language that no one can understand? Are they hoping someone will be successful? Does it exist a group that focuses on studying those ancient texts? if so, did they perish as Nezu feared they would?... ... ... ..." Deku continued muttering until everyone's eardrums began to hurt.
"SHUT UP, NERD!"
"Is the Fern okay?" Luffy asked confused.
"Yeah... He always does that." Ochako answered sweetly.
"It seems that the message on the Poneglyph is intended for this period... Who ever wrote it, chose a certain date format that's not from our era, but a time closer to the present one." Robin inferred.
"MISS YUE MENTIONED THAT 'NOTHING IS COINCIDENCE AND EVERYTHING WAS PLANNED' JUST BEFORE HIS FIRST DISAPPEARANCE." The comments of the blond caught everyone's attention. "I HAD NEVER QUITE UNDERSTOOD WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO SAY... AFTER YEARS OF NOT KNOWING THE WEREABOUTS OF EACH OTHER, WE MET AGAIN IN FRONT OF THE RED PONEGLYPH JUST ON THE DAY IT WAS APPOINTED... SAME DAY YOU ALL ARRIVED."
"Are you insinuating that She knew this would happen?!" Asked the sniper.
"She was scouting your path in an effort to intercept your ship." Aizawa confessed, remembering the calculations he had seen on the table following the disappearance of the environmentalists.
"So, there are no coincidences? She is aware of the situation, but she doesn't want to say anything." Nerumi made an irritated remark.
"Perhaps rebelling could cause things to not happen." Aizawa explained why it is preferable to retain the secret.
"Ohhh, So, that's why they call her Oracle." Said the students and pirates hitting their palm with the fist.
"We were supposed to meet in front of the red Poneglyph?" But why?"
"What does the red one say, Robin?" Present Mic asked curiously.
"It's the one I'm still trying to figure out... It talks of soul collectors or harvesters..." Softly explained the archaeologist
"Like the grim reaper?!" Tokoyami looked excited at the explanation while Usopp, Brook, Mineta, Kaminari and Chopper ran in circles at the sinister young man's words.
"I've already had the pleasure of meeting him." Zoro mentioned nonchalantly.
"Huh?" The sudden comment took them by surprise.
"I'm sure he died in Onigashima and got lost on his way to the hell," Sanji joked.
"What did you say pervert cook?"
"Calm down you two!" The carpenter scolded the bickering pirates, motioning for Robin to continue.
"I'm not sure, but Oracle must have discovered something from her research in the books... She was particularly interested in the underworld and its inhabitants. It seems that Thanatos was the one who piqued her curiosity the most."
"Thanatos… Known as the personification of the non-violent death on the Greek mythology… He appeared to carry the souls of the deceased off to the underworld. "Essentially the same as the grim reaper," Fumikage concluded.
"THE COLLECTOR!" Excitedly, the boys raised their arms in the air.
"Oi! They're jumping to conclusions too quickly." Complained Usopp, making a slapping movement with his palm.
"Non-violent soul harvester..." Izuku muttered, wandering in his thoughts. "The song that guide the souls to the afterlife... Would that have anything to do with it?"
"Huh?" The pirates questioned, tilting their heads with a goofy expression.
"Why do you think so Deku kun?"
"According to the story All Might told us, people chanted around the sick and elderly in order to give them a second chance or have their spirit peacefully guided to the afterlife."
"Could it be related?" Ochako joined his thought.
"What do you mean?" Jinbei questioned turning directly to the frail blond.
"WHEN I FIRST MET HER, PEOPLE IN HER TOWN WOULD HUM A SONG TO THE SICK AND ELDERLY TO SOOTH THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, ALLOWING THEM TO BID FAREWELL TO THEIR FINAL BREATH. THE CEREMONY WAS DONE UNDER A MEMORIAL WHICH THEY CALLED "THE GUARDIAN OF GAIA," WHICH THEY USED TO THINK COULD GRANT A SECOND CHANCE." The blond explained to clarify what his students were trying to say.
"THE DAY SHE TRIED TO TAKE HER OWN LIFE, WAS THE SAME DAY THAT BROUGHT ME BACK TO MY OWN TIME. THAT MONUMENT…" Although the events had occurred six years prior, the fact that she had recently recovered his memory had stopped her memories from feeling distant. Making All Might realize something he had not previously related, until he verbalizes his recollections. "THE 'GUARDIAN OF GAIA' ENTERED HER BODY AND OFFERED HER A SECOND CHANCE IN RETURN FOR RESIDING INSIDE OF HER." He concluded almost breathless
"GUARDIAN" He was familiar with the term but was unsure of how to relate it to the current situation.
"IS THERE SOMETHING LIVING INSIDE HER?!" The majority of them shouted while being unaware of that small information, diverting the blond's attention from his thoughts.
"More likely, keeping her alive." The doctor clarified, confusing them even more.
"If we relate it to mythology, it appears that the "thing" was stealing the souls of the Morinund." Commented Mineta who was hit on the ear by a tongue.
"Don't be rude. Kero"
"Thanatos..."
"Aaaah! we have a Mythology deity with us!" Toru cheered excitedly.
"We don't know Toru-chan."
"You're jumping to conclusions too fast." Brook interjected.
"Is that why she wants to go to the underworld?" Ochako asked.
"That way it makes sense." Said Momo analyzing the facts.
"Not quite." Robin objected.
"Huh?"
"I don't quite understand the message of the red Poneglyph, but it tells about the creation of a king of chaos who immerses the lost souls to experience it, and the only way the balance of the kingdoms can be restored is by performing the great harvest."
"And what does that mean?" Iida asked
"A cruel king who plunges the souls into chaos? It could be Hades, God ruler of the Underworld and direct leader of Thanatos." Tokoyami mentioned his thoughts to the archeologist.
"Finally, your dismal tastes are of some use." Bakugo said mockingly.
"Hey... No need to be rude." Kirishima complained to his friend.
"If the messages are linked, then the balance of the kingdoms must have something to do with the construction of a new world." The perceptive vice president deduced.
"Which kingdoms? if, in essence, the other races face annihilation." Said Denki who was judged by everyone.
"By lost souls, do they mean literally souls or people who lost their way?" Jiro enquired.
"Everything is subject to interpretation. We don't understand what they are trying to say without further context, don't we? Nico san." The pirate acknowledged Momo's answer.
"Until we uncover additional information, we won't know its meaning... If we're lucky, they might be buried deep within our destination." Nami said as she looked at her needle, which was almost pointing downward.
"DAMN IT, WHY AREN'T THEY EXPLICIT?!"
"All Might, you mentioned that nothing was coincidence... What exactly is our goal?" Nami enquired.
The hero kept mute while attempting to figure out the goals of all three parties involved.
"Might it be? Someone who can read them and someone who can comprehend its message." Robin answered.
"Comprehend? But this sack of bones doesn't even know shit." Said the cook with contempt.
"He is not referring to Mr. All Might." Jinbei corrected, casting a glance in the direction of the infirmary.
"And where do you, or you guys go in?" Sanji questioned the heroes, leaving them thoughtful.
"The one whom achieves peace in a world of vile souls? It could be a reference to the peace symbol." The small fish-man's voice disturbed the silence.
"Assuming they're correct and those are their roles, it means they'll need interpretation, knowledge, and execution." The exhausted hero reasoned.
"WELL, WE HAVE THE PUZZLE PIECES... BUT WE CAN'T PUT IT TOGETHER YET," Mic lamented.
"We can't form the image with two of the three pieces..." Usopp remarked this while dismantling a tower of plates that the captain had set up throughout the whole conversation.
"What are we supposed to do?" Midnight asked the archaeologist.
"Hold on Midnight sensei, why are we even getting involved into this? Mineta was the first to complain about both groups' arguments.
"For the sake of waking her up." Robin replied.
"If she ever wakes up." Said the swordsman inexpressively.
"HOW CAN YOU BE SO INSENSITIVE!"
"YOU'RE AN ONI! ONIGASHIMA!"
"GREEN KAIDO!"
"GREEN MOM!"
"YOU FUCKING MARIMO!"
"SHUT IT NUMBER FOUR!"
"What kind of insults are those?" The students spoke in unison, as they saw the blond and green-haired men battle again on the deck.
"AH, IT DID AFFECT HIM!"
As usual, everyone ignored the duo fighting in the background, except for Midoriya who was taking notes of Sanji's fighting style.
"Did anyone pay attention to me?" The grape hero was hopping up and down, attempting to catch the attention of the curious students who were still speculating.
"Mineta, aren't you excited to be a part of an expedition in search for the truth?" Kirishima knelt down and smiled enthusiastically, attempting to persuade his classmate.
"NO!"
"Hades and Thanatos, the underworld... Do you believe it refers to the gods themselves?" Jiro inquired, intrigued.
"No. They are simply representations... Perhaps they have another name in our day, just as they all have different names and appearance depending the culture... But it was the Greek one that she dived into the most. You could, however, use different civilizations to attain the same results."
"ROBIIIIN, YOU ARE A BRILLIANT WOMAN" Yamada blushed and yelled, supported by the up-roaring students.
"Fufufu"
"Isn't our archaeologist amazing?" Luffy enthusiastically cheered with his hands wide open, causing Robin to blush sweetly at her captain's praise.
"Stop celebrating that dangerous woman," Eraserhead grumbled, with his eye twitch worsening.
The waters darkened due to the shadow produced by a massive figure in front of them, capturing the attention of all present who noticed how an enormous crimson wall, mostly collapsed, was obstructing part of their path, emerging from the depths of the water up to the heights, seemingly without end.
"Is that?!" Aizawa's eyes did not stop trembling at what was in front of him.
"IT'S IMPRESSIVE"
"It's huge!" The young heroes couldn't help but fall backwards in shock.
"WOW, IT'S COLLOSAL!" Mic shouted, waiting for an echo that never came back.
"We've arrived!" The pirates smiled following the captain's words, who celebrated by taking a huge leap, landing on the Sunny's head.
"THIS ARE... THE RED LINE REMAINS" He had heard about it, but he couldn't have anticipated the scale it had.
Their voyage had brought them to their initial destination, but it was simply a stopover, as the needle continued to point to the depths of their current location.
Sundancer here:
Sorry, This was a heavy more serious chapter full of information that links with several previous ones and will link with the followings.
The next ones will be lighter with more shenanigans from both parties.
Chapters referenced from the first and second part: Poneglyph, American Hero, Gaia, Red Line, Distortion and Mugiwara no ichimi (end).
Someguy2020:
Thank you very much, your review makes me so happy ToT
I always wanted to read a fanfic like this, but since there was none, I ended writting it.
I made a whole chart to link the story with both worlds and not forget any tiny detail. But above all, there are references and little details in all the chapters that will be used later... Nothing is there randomly ;)
So expect answers and more uncoming mysteries.
Guest:
For the next 3 chapters they won't stop being bullied, I promise n.n
