Chapter XXXII: New Friends and Allies

In short, Pyrrha was panicking. No matter what she did, Jaune was unresponsive. "Jaune!" She continued calling his name in hopes that he would either wake up from his stupor or someone would arrive to help. She reached to shake him but hesitated with the seastone bars. After a while, she decided that he was slumped against them and she was only reaching for his shoulder. As long as she didn't reach far in, she should be fine.

Pyrrha grabbed his shoulder. "Jaune! Wake up, what's wrong?"

His mouth moved, but she couldn't really make anything out. Leaning closer, she was able to hear him murmur, "Training."

She shook him again, trying to angle his face toward her so she could wave her hand in front of his eyes. She gasped at his eyes. "Your pupils are so dilated. What happened?"

Scanning the cell, she caught the sight of an empty thermos on the floor. How had he gotten it and how did it do this? That didn't really matter now though, did it?

"Don't worry, Jaune. We'll get help and —" The door burst open and Pyrrha yelped. Surprised, she flinched forward and didn't even feel her hand slide up from Jaune's shoulder to his neck. She turned to see Miss Goodwitch enter the room. The woman froze at the sight in front of her, then sighed.

One second later, and Pyrrha was floating off the ground and away from the cell. Now midair, she could see a not-so-happy expression on Miss Goodwitch's face.

"I must say, Miss Nikos. When I heard shouting from here, I did not expect to walk in to see you with your hands around Mister Arc's throat."

Pyrrha paled. "What?"

Miss Goodwitch pinched the bridge of her nose. "I had heard the incident that Ozpin had walked in on, and now there are rumors being spread about you by a blog. I had hoped that these were misunderstandings and not part of some trend in your behaviors." She narrowed her eyes. "Now, I believe that I was right that none of you girls should have ever become part of this. I don't know what made you think that this is okay, but I believe that this entire experience has been a poor influence on you."

"You don't understand!" Pyrrha cried. "Jaune is — he — look at him!"

As Miss Goodwitch began to leave the room with Pyrrha in tow, she looked back at Jaune. "Yes, he seems very out of it now. Do you realize how severe your actions are? We will be discussing this at great length."

"Please!" Ruby begged, holding onto the bars of her cell. "I can't be here! Just look at him!"

The guard glared at her. "Nice try. You're in this cell for a reason." Ruby pouted, slouching slightly against the bars. Could they not see her holding onto them? She turned her gaze upward and hit the guard with puppy dog eyes. Instantly he stiffened, but he spun away from her. "I've been told about your powers. I won't let them work on me."

With those words, he left Ruby alone with the weird boy across from her. At least when he wasn't acting like that, he had that cool harmonica. After shuffling around her cramped cell, she plopped herself onto the small cot. Her eye darted along the hall for guards before she reached into a pocket. Nora had been kind enough to smuggle her some pixie sticks. She put the end in her mouth and let it hang out while she rested against the walls.

To Ruby's relief, Whitley pulled the small instrument out. It was a small, sleek, red and silver box that he cupped in his hands. During the pauses, Ruby would join in, adding some lyrics from a song that she heard once in a movie. She didn't stop when she heard tense voices at the end of the hall. It was just the guards arguing, something that they did way too often.

Then, footsteps marched down the hall, but Ruby doubted much would change at the moment. She had already tried without much working out for her, so she kept singing. "Bad to the bone. I'm bad to the bone."

"Ruby?" The source of the footsteps came into view, revealing her dad looking down at her with concern filling his eyes. With him was Yang, who was holding her hands behind her back.

For a brief moment, Ruby wanted to launch at him and hug him, but then she remembered where she was. She was helping people on a big, fun adventure, and her dad wanted to end that. While she didn't blame him for it, she wasn't just going to let that happen. So, she clicked her tongue, turned her head to the wall, and crossed her arms. Ever so slightly, she adjusted her pixie stick to hang from the corner of her mouth.

Taiyang looked between his two daughters, looking for some explanation, but Yang just shrugged. "Ruby," Taiyang's voice was level, warm but firm. "I'm not sure exactly what you're feeling right now or what Qrow talked to you about, but I want to understand. We're going to go home soon, and I don't want this weighing down on us. So please, just talk to us."

Ruby pinched the end of her pixie stick, pulling it from her mouth and letting her arm drop to her side. "It's been tough," she said, her voice gruffer from obvious effort. The grumbling sound didn't match her voice, so it ruined the effect. "But believe me, I've actually been helping people. Just some days ago, I was up in the sky helping liberate a bunch of sky people from an army of goat DJs."

Taiyang stared at Ruby, and then he pinched his nose. He glanced at Yang for any sort of support, but she returned a look that said she had been putting up with this for some time.

"I'm glad that you're trying to help people, Ruby, but this isn't how you should do it."

"We haven't done anything wrong," Ruby insisted.

"The news from the Grand Line is claiming that you all didn't pay your taxes," Taiyang retorted. "Besides, just because something isn't wrong doesn't mean it's correct."

"Taxes are the real crime here," Ruby stuck the pixie stick back into her mouth.

"What?"

"That's what Franky told me." Ruby tilted her head up to look at the ceiling.

Yang reacted strongly to that name. "The pervert?"

Tiayang reacted even more strongly to that. "A pervert!"

Letting out an exaggerated sigh, Ruby spoke around the pixie stick. "I'm not going to stop following this path so soon. There's people in trouble out there, and I've seen it first hand now. I'm going to help them."

Taiyang studied her, searching her face for any sign of hesitance. When he found none, he turned to Yang and nodded. Ruby hadn't expected her dad to visit her out here, but Yang pulling Zwei out from behind her back was just as surprising. She wasn't sure what to do, even more so when Yang pulled out a key and opened her cell. Ruby froze, watching as Yang let the dog inside and closed the cell once more.

"Spend some time with Zwei, Ruby. He can help," Taiyang told her gently. Ruby stared as the small dog jumped into her lap.

The air around the table was tense to say the least. Ozpin had plenty of experience dealing with these sorts of situations, but that didn't make them any less painful. To his right sat Smoker and to his left was a man named Lucci. As the time passed, their words went about in circles, accomplishing nothing. The worst part was that Ozpin's thermos was missing. When he didn't see it during his last visit to his office, he had simply assumed he placed it elsewhere. That was admittedly careless, as its contents were nothing short of dangerous to any ordinary person. However, it was assuredly missing now; Misplacement would be an understatement. He could only hold the meeting off for so long before impatience claimed his peers.

The discussion was one that he felt should be cut and dry: what to do with the Straw Hats. At the moment, nothing close to any sort of consensus had been reached. Ozpin's claim was that they were still children and technically Vale's responsibility — Beacon's if one were to squint. Ozpin had tried several arguments to assure the other two that the Straw Hats would face due punishment, but it was a lost cause at the moment. Each time the words barely leave his mouth before the arguments start up once more.

Smoker claimed, as well as Ozpin could tell through the cigars and smoke, that the Straw Hats had committed piracy against the world government and should thus face that government's punishment. That likely meant years of imprisonment, even for the small scale they had been thus far. While the Straw Hats had become somewhat famous in the media for the fiasco with the court case, Ozpin felt their crimes were relatively minor — except, Lucci did not agree.

If Ozpin had never had the difficulties of facing Salem before, Lucci might have sent shivers down his spine. The man spoke so blasé of cruelties that Ozpin wondered if the man was even human. While the words that Smoker spoke could be seen as just and fair, nothing could justify the venom behind Lucci's suggestions. At least Smoker was in accordance with Ozpin on that front.

"They're not just criminals," Lucci spat, his eyes steely and his tone somewhere between a snarl and indifference. "They're the worst kind. They're the sort of scum that deserve to be culled from this world — the sort that don't pay their taxes."

"They're just children," Ozpin chided. "I bet the only taxes they have ever truly paid have been on ordinary purchases. They've never truly, consciously gone through those actions. I'm sure we can find some agreement to resolve this."

"They will certainly pay their due in punishment — every cent that they owe."

Smoker growled. "You're both letting your feelings control you. We're not the ones that will decide their fate, so there's no use in arguing over it. We'll take them back to court and have them tried."

Lucci tilted his head and cracked his knuckles. "I have permission to deal with criminals as I see fit. You, however, are just standing in my way."

"Unless you want to face the uproar, you won't try anything," Smoker bit back at him.

"Enough," Ozpin's irritation was beginning to get the best of him. "When we get to port, I will take care of this, and that will be the end of it." And thus the circle went around once more. Ozpin really wished he had his thermos with him.

Ciel calmly sat down, staring at her meal. It was difficult to describe the sensation in her head. Both reeling and still from information that those around her seemed to take so easily. Rumors spread through the marines like a fire in a field of dry grass. It didn't take long for news of what was happening to go around. Evidently, a member of the IRS had come to discuss what would come of the Straw Hats. If what was said was to be believed, then Ozpin was fighting for a much lighter sentence. That bothered Ciel. Not in the sense that she felt the Straw Hats deserved worse — she hardly cared about that at this point.

What bothered Ciel was the root of the situation. This was proof that a marine could just change the sentence of a criminal. There was no talk of a judge or a jury deciding their fate — no; it was just Ozpin. Then there was how Whitley's crew wasn't being given any sort of similar treatment. She had spent time looking into what both crews had done. Whitley and his sea dogs sounded more like rough hooligans than cruel pirates. Their due justice shouldn't be too harsh, yet something about it brought her unease. It was like she could feel a cruel fate awaited them — one that the Straw Hats would be avoiding simply due to the favor of a single marine. This couldn't be justice. It wasn't right. And yet, no one spoke of it. They were more concerned about their gossip. To them, this was normal.

A tray sat down next to hers. When Ciel glanced up, she was greeted by the sight of a smiling Penny. "Friend Ciel!" Penny declared, barely hiding her obvious excitement. "My project is nearing completion. Soon, Ciel's watch will be complete."

Ciel blinked at Penny. "Shouldn't you say 'your watch?' I'm right here."

Penny stared back for a long time, her eyes unblinking. "The project, of which I have labeled the blueprints 'Ciel's watch,' is nearing completion."

"Right." Ciel went back to what she had been doing before: thinking instead of eating. Penny was quick to pick up on this.

"You require food, so you should eat." Penny's gaze wasn't worried but curious. It was as if she couldn't understand why Ciel might not have an appetite at the moment. In the past Ciel might have brushed it off and tried to eat to avoid further questions, but now felt different.

"Do you think it's right?" She asked quietly. Penny tilted her head in confusion. So, Ciel clarified, "How the pirates are being treated. Do you think it's fair?"

Penny frowned at the statement. "Well, I do not believe they are bad people, but if they have broken the law, they must face their consequences."

"Only some of them are," Ciel muttered. She explained the situation to Penny, who had been far too busy running around the ship to pick up on what was happening.

After Ciel finished, Penny stared off into space. It was the same look as anyone else thinking to themselves, but Penny had a lot more to help her with that. "That does not seem fair," Penny finally said. "It seems that this isn't the only favoritism out here though. They have a small group of pirates that act like privateers for the marines, and they are allowed to continue their actions as pirates so long as it is only toward criminals and not civilians. It also seems that there isn't really a limit to what this group is allowed to do."

Clenching her fist, Ciel stared down. "So, they just let a group act in ways that would get others a lifetime sentence in jail while others are thrown in prison for petty things? Whitley's crew doesn't deserve that." The last words had slipped out before she caught them. It was difficult to catch what she hadn't been expecting.

Penny appeared more intrigued than aghast. "Do you sympathize with them, Ciel?"

With her mind going blank, Ciel asked Penny, "Are you building a ship instead of a watch?"

Silence fell over the two of them. Then Penny broke it with a monotone voice that sounded dramatically robot-like. "Configuring updates for Windows 11. Don't turn off your computer."

Luffy didn't so much get on the other marine ship as he did board it. Worry spread through those on the top deck as they watched a boy launch into the air in their direction. He landed on their deck with a thud, and the marines only had a second to see his uniform before he called over his shoulder for his crew to join him. Moments later, their deck was crowded by dugongs and marines.

"Sorry about him," Kobe told one of the marines. "Whenever he gets like this, it's best to just let him lead the way. We follow behind to fix anything he causes."

With a triumphant cheer, Luffy led his army of dugongs into the ship. The sea followed him down the stairs, but a few stayed behind. Luffy wasn't exactly a careful person, and glancing around made that obvious. There was splintered wood where he had landed, not to mention all of what toppled over by the dugongs. Those that remained began helping, only for seagulls to play interference.

"Why are there so many seagulls here?" Helmeppo asked at the sight. Kobe was already headed off to clean up after Luffy, but Helmeppo was happy to let that be his job.

"Don't ask," a very tired looking marine responded. He lazily shooed the birds with a broom, but he seemed to have long given up on any success. "I'm guessing it's the same with these dugongs?"

"They're helpful," Helmeppo replied. Then, with a sigh, he added, "I suppose they do grow on you. At least they're more competent than my captain."

"I — somehow I don't doubt that."

"I'd ask you to save me," Helmeppos said, sitting on a barrel. "But I fear I'm already damned. Even if I tried to run, he'd just stretch out an arm and take me away. Dammit! What did I do to deserve a captain like him?"

In a fraction of a second, Helmeppo found himself falling to the ground. As his butt hit the deck, he fell back enough to see a girl with ginger hair running from him holding what had been his seat. She was excitedly talking about a watch that was most definitely not a ship.

"Huh?" Helmeppo grunted.

"Didn't you find it odd that we didn't really react to your captain?" The marine asked in reply. "I mean, suddenly appearing and making us think that we're under attack is one thing, but a marine boarding with a swarm of intelligent creatures and leading them through our ship? That's beginning to feel strangely normal."

"I pity you."

"I don't think you're in much of a position to do that." The marine looked down at him. "Well, there's a bar on the second deck."

Helmeppo was up in an instant. "Say no more, good sir! Off we go."

Raven didn't know whether she was impressed or disappointed. Fighting had always been part of the Branwen tribe. Just as anyone would eat, drink, or breathe, they fought. Sailing to this unknown sea, they encountered an area where all was still. It wasn't an issue due to their ship not relying on any wind to move, but anyone experienced enough could feel something was wrong. Quiet never means silent in the woods. There are always the sounds of animals: birds chirping, rodents scampering, and bugs buzzing about. Out on the waters it was a bit different, but there was still the constant churning of the waves and the groaning of the winds. Then it all stopped. Almost all at once, all movement ceased. Instincts kicked in that something was amiss. It wasn't the same as the silence or absence of the wildlife, but it triggered the same warnings.

Then came the monsters. They were unlike any grimm that Raven had ever seen before. Rising out of the waters, they dwarfed their ship, terrifying the civilians they had taken with them. Raven was quick to rally her tribe against their towering foes. While she would tell anyone that running was a weakness, she had done so before, and she would prefer not to sink to the sea floor or find herself in the gut of some giant creature. The tribe readily agreed. However, what came next baffled her.

It began with small skewers from the buffet being thrown into one monster's eye like throwing knives. Then came ring life preservers with blades taped to the sides, thrown like spinning discs. Molotov's made from the tropical bar, whips made from towels and forks, and pool stick javelins were only some of the contraptions she spotted. Slowly, the spirit for battle left her, and only apathy was left. Turning to her side, she saw Vernal wearing a shirt, shorts, sunglasses, and flip flops all with the cruise line logo on them. She was wielding a foam pool noodle with spikes protruding from the sides.

Doom seemed imminent, and yet they found themselves in normal waters once more. To beat such ferocious beasts, even just for escape, was worthy of praise, but Raven couldn't find any pride within herself.

The partying started up once more, but Raven, as always, did not participate. Instead, she brooded in the room that she had claimed while listening to the muffled sounds of bingo beneath her. When had her tribe turned from tough-spirited warriors to a band of vacationers?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden lurch of the ship. Raven rushed out of her door, down the hall, and back outside. She was greeted to the sight of giant waves and — was that sleet? What the hell was this weather?

Jaune could feel that something was off. A year had passed since he first drank Ozpin's coffee. The bizarre feeling around him was still there, but it had lessened — at least he thought it had. It was such a gradual change that it was difficult to tell.

As time passed by, he found himself more focused than he had expected to be. During his training, thoughts and ideas for escape slowly faded from his mind until all that was left were his methods of training. He didn't sleep, he didn't eat, he didn't drink; Jaune simply trained.

Aside from the odd length of time, his physique was the second hint that something wasn't quite right. While Jaune wasn't that impatient, it was odd to see his exercises not having any effect on his body. No matter how many push ups, sit ups, or three-meter sprints he did, his muscles never changed. They didn't get sore either, and he never felt tired. Yet, all those thoughts faded to a faint buzz in the back of his mind as he pushed forward. There was a rhythm to it now, one that was slowly growing. Each day that passed, though he never checked outside to see if the sun ever actually set, he added something to his routine. He practiced his skills and techniques until he was satisfied, and then continued anyway.

At some point, he began meditating, trying to feel his aura and the way it moved. That soon included his devil fruit powers, which was an interesting experience. He couldn't exactly utilize or train them, but he could internalize how they felt. At first they felt distant and strange. It was like trying to form words in his mouth without moving a muscle. The longer he focused on it, the clearer it became.

It was during these meditations that his mind would finally wander off. He would wonder just how long this was going to take and what he could do to escape. He wanted to be able to have faith that his crew could come up with something, but he also was their captain, and he wanted them to be able to rely on him. However, he was still getting over that strange coffee.

Crossing the calm belt was a rather simple matter for the Onyx Feather pirates. Even before Qrow's devil fruit had awakened, they would have been able to dispatch the sea kings with ease. The ones in these waters looked monstrous, but they were nothing compared to what could be found farther out. Yet, that didn't even matter to them now.

Qrow's devil fruit was pretty handy for stealth. While he still had to worry about being seen, he didn't ever need to worry about sound. In a moment, a bubble would appear around him. All sound within would be silent to the outside world, though it worked the other way too. Then, with his devil fruit awakening, any item he touched could be silenced, stopping any noise that would come from it. It didn't make their passage peachy, since the sea kings could still see the hull of their ship, but it helped when their ship didn't make a sound. Throw a little bit of haki in to scare off the few that spotted them, and it became smooth sailing.

"I hope you haven't gotten into too much trouble, brats," Qrow muttered to himself.

AN:

I wanted to take a quick moment to talk about what I have planned out for this story. Originally, I planned for there to be four story arcs, but now I want there to be five. This is the fourth, so there will be one more after this. However, that does not mean the story will be over. I plan to have two books, one for each half of the Grand Line. When I finish this one, I'm going to take a break to avoid burnout and plan the second book. Don't worry, there's still plenty more to go. My current projection for this book is 45 chapters.

Anyways, next chapter: The Barrel