"Up there?" Law asked as they sat around the old man's fire.
"Oh! You came from a Sky Island?" Yamato chirped up. Drona blinked, and Law looked at her in amazement.
"Sky Islands exist?"
"Yep!" Yamato beamed. "There's quite a few along the Grand Line. Izuku and I even slept on one during our travels."
Law felt like his head was going to explode. Islands in the sky? How was that possible?
"The young lady speaks true," Drona cut in, his tone relaxed despite the new company. "I do come from a sky island, of sorts. But while I fell, I must ask, what brings you to this dead land?"
"Well, " Izuku started. "We flew over the clouds and had to stop here to make camp. We didn't know this land was walled, or had Marines. We'll have to leave soon then."
"Oh? What for?" the man asked.
"To drop off a friend and continue with our hunt," Law answered.
"A hunt? What are you hunting?" Drona asked, before biting into another apple.
"We… are looking for a group of people. They've done a lot of terrible things," Izuku elaborated. "But they're constantly on the move."
"Yeah… the bad guys we are looking for..." Yamato stated. " We have to find them and bring them to Justice!"
"A roving band of murderous marauders? I see." Drona admitted, as he stroked his beard.
"Yes, with that in mind, pardon us." Law stood up, looking to Izuku and gesturing with his head as the boy got up and followed. He did, walking a ways away as Yamato looked back to the old man.
"So… what's it like where you are from? Your Sky Island?" She asked.
"Why do you ask, young lady?" Drona asked.
"Well… Me and a friend been on one. Just wondering…"
She was keeping him busy. Good.
Law walked behind a tree as Izuku got up to him.
"Think he's bad news?" Law asked as Izuku looked to the man.
"I don't feel anything bad from him. He seems like a nice guy, on the surface." Izuku murmured. The feeling power again.
"On the surface." Law repeated. "Still, we can't leave him here. Not when he's eating Amber Lead infected fruit. He'll die before long." He took a deep breath, running a hand down his face. "Cabin's gonna be tight."
"If he tries anything, me and Yamato will handle him. He doesn't look like he could be a Marine spy or something." Izuku mused. "The camp looks lived in."
"And he's eating the AL infected fruit without issue. Going by what he said, Marines come in here with oxygen masks and suits to prevent contamination." Law mused.
The fools.
"And I heard of the Sky Island had a huuuuge snake! And a big city of gold!" Yamato exclaimed. "Did you come from there?"
"I know of many giant serpents, but no city of gold I'm afraid." Drona mused as Law looked to Izuku.
"We bring him along, and drop him off with Sora?" Izuku suggested as he kept his voice low.
"My thoughts exactly. Old man looks brittle." Law finished. "Wouldn't last long in a fight."
"You'll tell the others on this right?" Izuku asked. "Your crew will take it better from you than me."
"You're a Whitebeard." Law replied. "Not much I can overrule on."
"And you're the Captain and my friend. Your ship your rules." Law looked back at Izuku, who stared back as they walked out of the tree's shadow and back towards the camp.
"Your lady friend has quite the tales! Sky Islands with simple ponds, saving Blue Sea Islands!" Drona called out, and Law glared back at him as the beige skinned man smiled heartily. "Care to join us perhaps?" Saving islands?
"So, old timer." Law spoke. "How did you land in this place anyway if you came from the sky?"
"I came from a sky octopus. Landed in the river there." Drona gestured. "I've had to forage and stay hidden from those masked individuals. They were armed and talked amongst themselves quite harshly on how this was a cursed land but," He finished his white speckled apple, the sight making Law cringe. "Is something the matter?"
"A little." grumbled Law. "We can get you out of here, and I'll tend to your sickness too."
"Sickness?"
"Yes, that apple you ate. And other fruit in this place. They're infected with trace amounts of a poisonous mineral." Law explained. "Come back to our ship, and I'll treat you. If you went to the Marines, they'd shoot you on sight."
"I see. Well, those masked men did look quite intimidating," mused Drona. "But they don't seem to have noticed me thankfully. You mentioned having problems finding your roving marauders? Perhaps they, these Marines, might know of them? They looked quite organized from my observations of their patrols."
Law perked up. It made sense, now that he thought about it.
"Those men are Marines," Izuku explained. "The World Government's main military branch. If anyone knows, they'll know."
"The World Government, eh? Rather a pretentious name isn't it?" Drona mused, looking mildly nonplussed. Had he never heard of them?
Law leaned in to whisper in Izuku's ear. "We will have to get the maps from the Marine Base, up for a raid?" The boy perked up, and shook his head as Yamato walked alongside Drona to his camp to help pack.
"Thank you miss." He gestured.
"No problem!"
"I can sneak in fine." Izuku whispered back. "No need to stir up the Marines. That'll only get Germa and Heavensward looking our way."
"You have experience stealing and infiltration?" Law asked.
"Yep." Izuku replied. "Where's the Marine Base I need to go to?"
"Just down the Leblan River to the south, the river we landed on. That should be all we need."
"Got it."
"There are guard posts along the wall, be careful." Law whispered. "A flying individual within Flevance will get Heavensward, and maybe even Marineford, looking our way."
"Right." Izuku whispered back
"So, when shall we leave my friends?" Drona asked as he shouldered his pack and Yamato helped put out the fire.
"We'll have to go tonight, while it's still dark."
"I see," Drona mused. "Don't want to let others know of your power of flight? It is a rare and powerful ability."
"Kind of…" Izuku whispered. "Sorry to keep you waiting. You must be itching to get out of his lonely land"
"Not at all. Izuku was it?" Drona asked. "You can carry a ship?"
"Yeah. I can." Izuku rubbed his arm, looking a little uncomfortable.
"You seem uneasy, and you and this Law fellow were murmuring to yourselves earlier. Fair enough, keep your secrets." Drona smiled, and finished his apple. "Well, why settle for a life here? After all, if you can take me from this walled land, I would be in your debt. Let me help you however I can."
"Old man," Law spoke up. "Do you know your way around a ship?"
"Not much, but even the old can learn."
"Fair enough. Get your belongings and come back with us to our ship. Midoriya," he looked to Izuku, his eyes gesturing to the city. "Can you go back to the administrative building in the city and collect a map for me?"
Izuku perked up, and nodded.
"You got it."
(X)
Izuku flew along the river shore, close to the trees, eyes peeled for any sign of the wall. He had diverted from the group to head into the city to look for City Hall, then took off and angled around the city towards the southern mountains.
'That Drona fellow is interesting. He seems like a nice man,' Yoichi mused.
'His eyes were looking at all of you, inspecting us' Hikage added. 'To come down from a Sky Island from the sky? Thank goodness he landed in the water with that sky octopus.'
'Not like it's impossible. Roger and Oden did that same move according to the journal,' Nana said.
'So we ain't telling him we're hunting the Germa? Again?' Daigoro asked.
'We'll cross the bridge if or when we get there.' En replied.
"That's the right of it. If we can't get a map to carry, like if there's a map on the wall, can you guys remember it if we get a good look?" Izuku asked.
'Not a problem. Can't tell you how many times I needed to do this exact thing.' En sounded almost nostalgic. 'Leave it to us.'
Izuku nodded, and sped up; hugging the treeline as he flew on. Night was here, the sky getting darker and darker. Izuku flew on, dropping down into the forest, and weaving among the trees, until finally he reached the wall.
It was gray and white, towering two hundred meters over the ground. Izuku slowed as he reached it, gently floating up, glancing up and down its length. Finally he spotted a light, a few miles away. He dropped back down to the treetops and flew on. All at once, he saw what looked like a small dome set into the top of the wall. A closer look revealed narrow slit-like windows and doors at either side; light streaming out. A guard post.
Izuku flew closer. He could hear sounds emanating from the post. As he drew closer, the sounds became music. He eased himself closer, until he was leaning against the post's wall; then peered in through the open doorway. Two marines were sitting in chairs, caps over their eyes, clearly asleep as the Snail Radio played some relaxing jazz..
'Not exactly the bastions of professionalism are they?" Daigoro joked.
Izuku glanced about the post, but aside from the Marines there was only one desk, a small chest of drawers under it, an icebox, and a gun rack. The only map was a map of Flevance on the wall; with the wall and its guard posts marked out.
And the base too.
Izuku drew back, and looked down over the wall. Sure enough, at the mouth of the river, there was indeed a Marine base; complete with dark blue towers, a harbor, and a few dozen houses.
He took a deep breath, then descended down the wall; aiming for the tallest tower. He landed softly, and looked over the edge. He could see lights in the windows, but no one in the streets.
But there might have been Snail Cameras, like on Breed's ship.
He looked quickly around. He was atop the tallest tower, most likely the HQ. He floated up, and dropped down the back, between the tower and the wall, where few eyes could see him. He came upon a window, and looked inside.
A bunk room, full of sleeping Marines. Too risky. He climbed down a little further, and tried another window; finding an empty office. Perfect.
Izuku tried the window, but it wouldn't move. He had an idea.
'Clever boy.' En smirked as Izuku pressed his hand against the nudge of the window. Black Whip snaked inside the crevice, and flipped up the latch. The window opened, and he floated gently inside, looking around. No cameras. Perfect.
He looked around the office. It looked like a fairly normal clerical office, but with filing cabinets rather than computers. He began rummaging through the cabinets, looking for something he could use. Dossiers, purchase orders, salary invoices, reports…
Then he froze, as he heard footsteps. He rose up, hiding behind some of the taller cabinets, waiting for the footsteps to pass.
"Hey Clark," came a muffled voice.
"Hey Pidge. Burning the midnight oil?"
"Yeah, got the nightwatch here, heading down to the harbor to take me to the Southern Watchtower. What're you up to?"
"I'm on latrine duty. Fucking sucks."
"Beats having to suit up and go on those boat patrols up and down the river. I wouldn't want to catch ALS at all."
"Captain Parker runs a tight ship. But hey, beats those slave drivers from Heavensward. Here, I guard this place, protect the world from a deadly disease, and work towards my pension."
"And hardly any pirate attacks. This is the best base man."
Izuku rolled his eyes.
"There'll be fewer still, with Germa doing the job for us. Feel bad for the guys out at sea though. Fewer arrest bonuses, and less prize money."
Izuku perked up, straining his ears to listen.
"Yeah. Fucking wild that they're doing all of this. Doubt ole John'll be happy though."
"Eh, not my problem. If Kaisafjord's making the sea a safer place, who're we to complain?"
Kaisafjord.
'We got a place!' Daigoro exclaimed.
'Now we need the maps,' Hikage mused.
"Yeah, heard about that place," one of them, possibly Clark, mused. "Wasn't that where Germa came from, long ago?"
"Who knows? Anyways, sooner I get this done the better. heading on out. Later dude."
"Night man."
Izuku waited until they had gone, then started rummaging through the cabinets again. Anything, anything pertaining to Kaisafjord…
Nothing.
Izuku looked around the room, and saw a map of the base and looked at the key. Armory, canteen, captain's office, cartographer…
Cartographer. Maps. Perfect.
He crept up to the door. His Danger Sense was silent, so he cracked the door open. The hallway was dimly lit, and reassuringly deserted. A quick look up and down revealed no camera snails. He floated down the hall, passing the Commander's Quarters until he reached the cartographer's room and unlocked the door.
No footsteps. No noise.
Izuku closed the door behind him, and let out a breath. He turned on the lights, and started on the filing cabinets. He went from drawer to drawer, hunting through the files. He needed North Blue, islands, regions…
"Got it." He pulled out the map, and unrolled it on the nearest table. He soon found the Calm Belt along the southern edge, the Red Line at the far southeast and northwest ends. At the top was the white cap of the North Pole.
His finger ran over the islands, until he found the Penrith Expanse. To its north was the bird shape of Swallow Island, and then Flevance to the east.
And then, further north, just below the Arctic Circle, was a cluster of islands.
Kaisafjord.
Izuku rolled up the map and returned it to its tube, then packed the other files back into the cabinet. He paused a moment to listen, heard nothing, then switched off the lights and floated back to the office. Within moments he was out of the window, and flying away.
(X)
Yamato led the way through the city streets. It was completely dark now, but she could find her way easily enough. The lights of the Arctic Unicorn made it even easier.
"Look! They're back!" called out Bepo from the deck. Yamato saw Sora and the other Hearts perk up as they approached; then falter as they saw who was with them.
"Say, where's Izuku at?" asked Penguin.
"Going to get us a map," Law replied, as plainly as if he had gone out to buy some milk. "For now, stow the fire. We'll be leaving soon."
"Wait, who's the old guy?" Shachi asked, as Bepo, Penguin, and Sora blinked in bewilderment.
"Someone who got stuck here," Law finished. "Drona, now that we're here, I need you to come with me to the cabin. I'm going to give you a vaccine. How long have you been here?"
"About a week, why?"
"Alright, your Amber Lead level should be low. I can take it out easily and immunize you."
"You can do that? Fascinating." Drona blinked. "Why thank you."
"Right this way." Law gestured up to the boat, and Drona followed him. Yamato saw Sora sitting by a campfire on the dock, and went over to join her. The pink-haired girl sat there, staring into the flames, her eyes hollow, empty.
"Sora?" Yamato asked, worried. "You doing ok?"
"Yeah." Sora replied, without looking up. She'd been acting like this since she left Swallow…
"I mean… we've taken you all around North Blue and we…exposed to you to some bad stuff." Yamato rubbed her arm as she sat by her side. "Sorry."
"It's not your fault." Sora replied, with just enough edge to make Yamato uncomfortable.
"I know. It's just…" Yamato paused, unable to find the words. "When we drop you off, will you be okay? What will you do?"
"I don't know." Sora stared into the flames, sadness in her eyes. Yamato winced.
"Are you mad because we… we lied?" she asked.
"Yamato…" Sora took a deep breath. "Whatever you've done, isn't your fault. You said it yourself. You're here to bring justice to bad people. Terrible, awful people." She hugged her knees.
"We are but… I'd rather explore the world than fight people," admitted Yamato. "But…there's a lot of bad people hurting good people out there so..."
"Then you're doing a good thing," Sora said. She looked up at the night sky overhead. She seemed like she wanted to speak… but couldn't.
Yamato sighed. A part of her wanted her to stay, to bring her back to the Whitebeards. But flying was hard enough for the two of them; let alone three. Better just to drop her off and let her go her way.
But…she would be all alone. And what if her family was chasing her? Surely she would be safer with the Whitebeards, right? It wouldn't hurt to ask.
"Sora," Yamato spoke as the woman raised her head. "Do you…"
"I'm back!" called out Izuku from the sky. Yamato perked up as Izuku came in to land by the brazier. He grinned, and held up a long tube. "Mission accomplished!"
Bepo turned to the ship. "Hey Captain! Midoriya's back with a map!"
They all clambered on board, as Yamato snuffed out the fire and headed after them. They gathered in the cabin, and found Drona sitting in a chair with a bandage around his arm, and Law examining him.
"How was it?" Law asked, looking up.
"Not too bad."
"Were you spotted?" He whispered in his ear, and Izuku shrugged.
"Nope." He replied, seeing Drona rubbing his bandage.
Bepo unhooked a panel and swung it down to form a table; upon which Izuku laid the map.
"A whole map of North Blue," Shachi breathed, awestruck. "There's pirates who'd kill for a map like this." Drona stood up.
"So that's the Blue Sea… smaller than I imagined." Drona mused aloud, looking at it as Law looked to him.
"Well this just the North Blue! There's other Blue Seas too, and the Grand Line!" Yamato exclaimed as Drona blinked.
"Is that so? Fascinating."
"Okay, we're here," Law said, pointing down at Flevance. "Do you know where our target is?" He asked, looking at Izuku in the eye as the green haired boy nodded. Yamato looked back and forth. Where did Izuku go to get this? She looked at the tube, and recognized the Four Orb Cross of the Government, and the insignia of the Marines.
She nodded, grinning at Izuku as she felt a bit of nostalgia flow through her. He must have snuck into the local Marine Base!
"Yes," replied Izuku, grinning in triumph. "They're operating out of a place called Kaisafjord."
He pointed it out on the map. Sora looked away.
"So…there," Yamato said, seeing the group of islands under Izuku's finger. "So that's where those guys are coming from."
"Would take us three weeks to get there by sea," commented Law, narrowing his eyes as he inspected the map, finger on it. "Midoriya, how long would it take us to get here?" He pointed at an island south of Kaisafjord. "Isla Kasandra. Close enough to use as a base, but not close enough for them to notice right away."
Yamato inspected it. It was a dozen leagues south of Kaisafjord; no distance at all.
"Hmmm…" Izuku cupped his chin. "Took us half a day to get here." He moved his finger from Swallow to Flevance. "Maybe about the same, if I push hard." He yawned. "I'm gonna need something to eat, and something to keep me awake."
"You've been carrying us all day," Yamato cut in, her own stomach rumbling. "Law, we need to rest somewhere outside Flevance."
"We can eat now, and we have to move fast before the enemy moves. I'll give you a stimulant to keep yourself awake and energized until we get there." Law got up, going to the cabinet and taking out a small glass vial. "After you eat, drink this. It has ten milligrams of Wakeshroom flakes mixed in there." It looked like clear water inside. "It'll keep you awake for a whole day at most. Think you can take us there in that amount of time?"
"Yeah, I should be able to." Izuku took it, looking at it. "What's a Wakeshroom?"
"It's a mushroom that's overloaded with caffeine and other stimulants," Law explained. "If a single person eats one whole they can stay awake for two whole weeks; but then their heart gives out and they die. The best stimulants use Wakeshroom flakes, but only in very small doses."
"We got some rations, dig in everyone," Penguin offered, bringing out a tray of rice balls, biscuits, and jerky. Yamato looked down at her serving and winced. It was a bit small. Izuku was scarfing his down fast.
"We'll need to eat up and rest before we assault the enemy. Midoriya will fly us to the crater lake a top of Kasandra, away from the port or any prying eyes as it's a dormant volcano and there's a lake there," Law explained as Drona was looking around the ship, amused as if he was in an exhibit. "He'll crash once the Wakeshroom stimulant wears off, so we'll use that time to rest and prepare. Sora." He looked to the pink-haired girl. "The town there should have ferries coming and going. Will you be okay from there?"
"I know of Kasandra. I've been there before." Sora replied, looking away. "I… should be ok." Drona looked over to her, eyebrows narrowed.
"It seems… you're all in a rush to wage war on this group," he said suddenly. "They must have done terrible things."
"They have. And they must pay," Law uttered, eyes in shadow.
"If I were you, I would not rush in," Drona advised, looking over the map as the look on his face… changed. Eyes sharp as he tapped on Kaisafjord "You are approaching a sleeping tiger, cornered in his lair. He will be more dangerous than ever if you face him in the reeds."
"You act as if you know war, old man," scoffed Law, as he rolled up the map and Izuku drank from the vial. He blinked, and perked up.
"Oh yeah, that's… giving me a rush." He blinked faster and faster.
"I know what I know, young man." Drona crossed his arms, and Yamato saw it. Something in those gold-ringed eyes; an edge, a sharpness. They reminded her of Whitebeard. "And I know a great many things."
"And I didn't ask for your opinion," retorted Law before he let out a sigh. "I'm sorry you fell into a dead city here. But when we get to Kasandra, we'll drop you off with Sora." Drona shrugged. "This battle we are going into doesn't concern you."
"I am in your debt for giving me a vaccine. But, matters of this nature require wisdom and patience. A chance to clear one's head and let go of the Kara that weighs you down. Going to war with a clouded mind will only anchor you. Conflict is resolved much quicker with clarity."
Law rolled his eyes, and turned to Izuku. "You good to go, Midoriya?" Izuku nodded, and to Yamato he looked a little jittery.
"Yeah, everyone get into the cabin" Izuku stepped out onto the deck, and Yamato walked over to Drona, who stared at Law as he put thigns away.
"Sorry for my friend there. He… just lost his home." The old man nodded.
"Was this land his home?" He gestured to the window, to the dead and burnt husk that was Flevance.
"Yes, it was." Yamato murmured. "And he found another home but..." Drona nodded, his eyes belying understanding.
"I see. That xplains quite a bit." He looked up, and smiled warmly. "Do not be troubled. I have dealt with more impatient characters than him. You all have your secrets, as do I." He smiled, and patted her on the bicep. Sora closed and locked the door after Izuku, and Law put his head out of one of the portholes.
"Got a compass?" he called out.
"Yep!"
"Okay, Kasandra is due northeast!" Law closed up the porthole, and turned on the lamp.
"We'll need some light. Everyone strap in." Yamato sat down, steadying herself as Sora sat by her side, and Drona across from her. Law sat by the window, and Shachi, Penguin, and Bepo returned to their bunks. The ship creaked, and Yamato felt it rising into the air.
It was cramped in there; but there was nothing to be done for it.
Yamato looked out of the porthole, watching the dead city fade away, as the Arctic Unicorn rose into the clouds.
"Off to war then." She gripped her club, remembering Brew and Swallow as she glared at the wall. Sora hugged her knees tighter, and Drona closed his eyes, crossing his legs with his hands cupped in his lap. Law kept on looking out of the porthole, turning on an oil lantern. Yamato wondered if he was looking at his old homeland, as it vanished into the night.
She could only hope that, whatever else happened, he had found some measure of peace.
Unlike...
Yamato felt the itch, and sighed through her nose, and gripped Takeru tighter.
Law, Shachi, Penguin, Bepo. Izuku...
She will protect them all from Germa.
No matter what.
Sorry for the delay, but we had to rewrite a few things in here. Hope the wait made up for it.
Thankfully 68 is done, and just needs editing and combing by the team next!
Anyways big thanks to Juubi-K , IKnowNothing and WildJoker000 as always.
We leave behind Flevance, and off to Isla Kasandra to which will be the last island we rest before the war between our duo and the Hearts vs the Germa 66.
Also MHA manga's coming to an end, and thank god Izuku isn't gettin nerfed like he is in canon. Wew boy. Guess he made out like a bandit. It's only costing him his sanity and idealism bit by bit like a stormy sea upon a rock when faced with this nightmare world :D
But hey, what's a story without some struggle ey? There are worser worlds for Izuku to fall into, like Jujutsu Kaisen or Naruto.
Speaking of, was wondering what my readers input would be on me doing a future story down the line(when I'm done with HOTNW. FFESS Part 2 I'll be doing with a friend, who I am also writing Brief's divine comedy with). Or if anyone wants to take on said ideas:
The Promised Light in the New World - Fate/Grand Order and Overlord.
Fairy Britain warps into the New World of Overlord, a world without the Mors and its corruption, with Morgan and her Fairy Knights and factions present when Nazarick arrive. It ain't much, but if I can find a way to save Climb and maybe bestgirl Barghest I will try.
The New World War Magefront, Nazarick - Fate/Grand Order and Overlord.
Instead of Fairy Britain warping into the New World, we instead have the Shadow Border of Chaldea, fresh off of the Lostbelts and dealing some trauma, Ritsuka Fujimaru leads his team of Seven Servants+Mash to liberate the New World from the Sorcerer King who is conquering all with an Iron Fist.
The Ghost of Fodlan - Fire Emblem 3 HousesPeggySue!.
During the battle of Calcedon Plateau, Ashe Ulbert witnesses the death of his love in his teacher and comrade Byleth after she slays Nemesis. Making a wish to save her at any cost, her blood mixes with his own, and Sothis uses all her energy to leap into Ashe and jump his memories and soul back to his younger self, one month before Byleth arrives at Garreg Mach. And Ashe has inherited the knowledge and experience of what will come in 5 years time. And he must do what he can to save his friends and the love of his life from those who slither in the dark... even at the cost of his dream of knighthood. Inspired by Ghost of Tsushima, as you can tell.
Feuer Und Licht - Naruto and Bleach.
With one last desperate measure, Yhwach destroys himself so that he can take down as many with him, and Ishida Uryu instead winds up in a world of Ninja, and at the ripe young age of Nine.
Torn on where to place him in either before the Second War(pairing would be Tsunade. since I like her and I like ships I like) or the Third where he'd be Minato's teammate under Jiraiya. Naturally his kids would have Quincy Arts as his Quincy powers return and how they'd affect the Naruto world as a whole.
I ain't writing these any time soon, but i'd love to see them written up potentially if anyone wants a gander at it. I'd be happy to help as creative consultant and beta fi so.
Also a nice little plug for my boy IKnowNothing as well, as he's released his original book and I highly recommend you read it. He's a great writer. Wish I had his motivation to writie original content, but lord knows I need to continue honing my craft.
A Caliburn Chronicle: The Normal Ones: Book 1 You can find it on Amazon.
Anyways, hope you all enjoyed this and I'll see yall... in the next one