Cнαρтєя тωσ
It's been a few hours since I woke up on the ship.
As the apprentice nurse checked me over with the supervision of the head nurse to make sure she did it right, deeming me 'healthy', I had gotten a lot of time to smooth out my plan; going over multiple situations and asking myself time and time again if I should just run and go pirate or if I should go marine and rank up till I have authority. But I can go rogue later. Besides, this is a chance I'll never get again.
They want children after all.
...Kinda creepy out of context...
When I went to the washroom to 'freshen up' because I felt gross, I looked into the mirror. It showed a little kid with messy curly hair. At least my hair was the same, it's my favourite part about me. But... what really got it, was the eyes... one brown eye... like normal... and... a bright blue eye...
That's not right. So I asked for bandages to cover it. Easy simple solution. For now...
But by the time we got to Marineford, and I looked about as presentable as a dog that ran into a muddy puddle next to a well-groomed, fancy poodle at a dog show, so about as good as it gets, I decided to just go for it, I spent way too much time thinking and only came up with that one other reason to go to CP-5.
As I walked through the town, I noticed how lively it actually was, very different compared to what we saw during the Marineford arc... but then again.. they were all forced out of their homes by war... and were on Sabaody Archipelago... welll...
It kinda made it difficult to get to the main building, which also looked very different... compared to half of the building that was falling apart...
I suck at comparisons... Ehem. Wait a minute... What a shocking conclusion! Never would've expected that!
But alas, I made it. Half because people cleared the way after seeing the vice admiral following behind me and a half because I got irritated after a while and decided to shove my way through crowds and hordes of people.
The guards cleared the way of the doors with an exclamation of "VICE ADMIRAL!" with a practiced uniform solute and I walked in, Tsuru-san following behind, before falling into step next to me, her strides much, much longer.
"So have you thought about becoming a marine?" She started, taking the lead in the conversation.
"I have," I replied bluntly I don't wanna converse... sounds complicated.
"Your answer?" She continued, despite my wishes she wouldn't.
"No." I was mostly paying attention to where she was going, it would be embarrassing if I turned and it was the other direction, so I kept my answers short... that and the headache already forming from thinking.
She did not seem fazed. "May I ask, why?"
I don't exactly know what I was supposed to reply... So..."I wish I could, however, my words could change my entire fate and I wish to keep myself unknown." that answer was well thought about... and the dramatics...
"I see. Why are you going to see Se- the fleet admiral?" She inquired, almost calling him the nickname.
I plan to join Cipher Pol for fun.
I didn't speak my thoughts aloud, instead going for "I wish to ask questions about another job I could perhaps join." Playin' it safe.
The older woman did not respond that time because they reached their destination, the fleet admiral's office.
Knock knock knock
"Come in!" a gruff and tired voice yelled out.
Tsuru-san twisted the doorknob of one of the tall doors and walked in. This time, it was me following in pursuit.
"I'm here to give a report," she told him, expecting him to know what she was talking about.
"Oh! Tsuru-chan! You're back earlier than expected." He kinda ignored her words, he seems more laid back than he will be... not by much though...
"We hit good weather on the way back..." followed by her explaining how they did something, and then something else, then something else. I didn't exactly pay attention... instead, I looked around the room.
My attention was immediately brought to the goat eating paper in the corner, by the desk.
Why. It isn't even from the trash. Isn't Sengoku supposed to do those? Wait... THE GOAT IS WILLINGLY EATING THAT!? Why don't more office workers have goats!? Why?! Internal freak-outs are as fun as you might think but I find myself doing it a lot.
"And who's the girl?" I was brought out of my thoughts by both of their eyes falling on me. Too much attention to ignore.
"Huh," I responded dumbly. Were they talking to me? Did he just call me a girl? "Ac-" I started to correct.
"This is Remi. She had some stuff to talk to you about." Then she walked towards the door. "Now if you will excuse me, I have paperwork to actually do." She left. Now it was quiet... Huh. Weird.
"..." The silence was awkward and excruciatingly painful. Yeeeeaah... Exaggerations... Too bad no one shares my love for dramatics...
"You wanted to talk to me? About what?" HE BROKE THE SILENCE! FINALLY!
I took a deep breath through my nose, held it for a second, then exhaled through my mouth. I hate doing things rashly, they always get stuck in my mind for years but...
"I want to join Cipher Pol. Or, to be more specific, CP-5."
-0-0-
The whole conversation with fleet admiral Sengoku was chaotic, what happened to conversations sounding complicated?
I almost felt bad for causing him so much trouble. Almost. But despite his protests (half of which I think was just an excuse for him to not do so much paperwork despite not doing it at all), he relented, knowing kids were defiant and did not want one throwing a tantrum. Especially in his office. Even for a plan that could change or ruin the kid's entire life. Or so that's what his facial expressions said.
He looked so confused, I don't think he even knew how the hell a child knew what Cipher pol was and why it was so interesting to me, when he asked, I had the audacity to shrug and brush it off. He looked pissed. But in my defence, I did not plan that far ahead, only years of acting and lying leading me through the entire ordeal.
I was walking onto the large ship of one vice admiral Garp, much to his hidden dislike. I don't think he liked how a child younger than his youngest grandson was already getting caught up in these dangerous affairs, Garp thinks I should become a great marine instead, he did not allow it to show on his face however. Opting instead to give his famous D grin, eat his rice crackers, laugh and ignore my stare.
The child who was observing him throughout his stay. Who was more than surprised when he first saw the admiral because of his black hair, barely visible gray and lack of wrinkles that should be donning his face... Gah. Thinking from a third perspective is weird.
While we were sailing, I decided to explore and map the ship. From the doggy figurehead to the poop deck.
Is that what it's really called? Weird name for a deck...
At some point after the first hour, I got pulled into a game of poker... literally.
Some guys were playing using a barrel as a table.
I wanted to watch because I like card and card games but no one ever taught me poker in my previous life because they 'don't want a kid to gamble his life to bits'...
Then, while I was watching. A guy was called to go help someone else do something.
so the guy I was standing next to slapped me onto the bucket the other guy was using.
I politely asked for the rules.
And I won half of the games.
They were quite unhappy... Mostly because of the money I took.
But none of that mattered now.
Because I am entering dangerous territory.
Still love the dramatics.
I had to act two times my physical age, otherwise, I could die.
Yep.
OR even worse, my beloved plans wouldn't happen.
I'm a terrible actor when it comes to scripts.
Although it wasn't going to be difficult considering I was mentally 17 and many habits stay no matter how long you work on getting rid of them.
The brain is funny sometimes.
I strode down the plank, get onto the island, following a few roads and through a gate.
I could hear the shouts of the people on the ship as they departed.
Now... All I have to do was talk to a mess of a human being, be mature, tell them my skills in information gathering (which is going to be some half-assed bullcrap I'll randomly think up) and meet the other members of CP-5. I'll probably be fine, as long as a specific idiot was chief of CP-5 currently like I'm hoping he is but also longed to be wrong.
If he isn't I'll just become a CP-9 agent. Anything to ruin him.
'I reeeeaaally hope I'm correct or else my plans will be ruuuuuiiiined!' I made sure to keep a straight face.
Turns out all of my worries were extremely pointless as I was correct. Spandam was still chief of CP-5.
However, I only had a year or two to make his life hell before he moved to CP-9, and I will use that time wisely.
I already started planning, and I would make sure to shape my brain while doing it.
Hopefully, I could leave the base by the time I'm physically 11 to start learning more about this new world I have the pleasure of living in, under the guise of 'looking for dangers to the world government' and gaining experience... those were my thoughts before...
Fuck your lazy ass Spanda.
Spandam and I had a conversation about why I wanted to join Cipher Pol, most of the time I just flattered him, telling him how because he's sooo great I want to work with him and how I admire him sooo much. Please note the sarcasm. He wasn't even smart enough to ask for my skills. Flattering him works.
I don't know why... but I think I'm being underestimated... by a man-child... I almost hate this world.
Plus, he looked as stupid as he did in the anime. From the thing on his face to the purple, unkempt hair, not to mention the ugly vest and shirt.
He also said I'd be living with CP-9 because his 'dear old man' (his words, not mine) is 'in control' of them and CP-5 sometimes gets information that isn't commonly known, so CP-9 can easily assassinate them. Meaning I get to meet them. Hurray. (SARCASM!)
What he failed to mention was that it was really because he didn't want to deal with a child when his father had way more experience.
Yep. Definitely underestimating me. My maturity at least.
Well... That's what's going to be happening. I guess. But later. Because I have to find myself a bedroom to sleep in, clothes to wear, and a few lots of rolls of toilet paper. The toilet paper can wait though, I need their trust first.
But that's implying Spanda can get out of his world long enough to trust me.
-0-0-
Well, that was awkward... or should I call it annoying... troublesome maybe?
I take pride in being able to understand people's emotions through their faces.
I like to think that people's clothes tell a lot about them.
But no. ALL OF THEM WERE WEARING THE SAME THING!
Ok, most of them were easy to read, plus the information I got from the anime. Buuuuuut...LUCCI IS A TOTAL ENIGMA!!!
The anime didn't go into the depths of their emotions but I remember quite a bit of their personality.. which was completely accurate.
AND I HAVE TO WORK WITH THOSE GUYS! THE WORLD IS SO CRUUULE!!
Overreacting? Yeah. Anyway... I didn't actually get to meet the rest of CP-5 because all of them are mostly solo.. and apparently, so will I be in about 5-8 months (CHEER FOR ME!) going from Spanda's age, and he should be in control of CP-9 by that time too.
Until then... I don't know... study? I don't like reading but I gotta read history and stuff.
I could also ask Kalifa or Kaku to teach me rokushiki techniques... they're the least intimidating to me... maybe Blueno.. he seems to be intelligent and I could learn something from him... probably...but he's so tall... Fukurou is the guy I'll go to for information around the base, he's a gossip. And I can totally avoid Lucci. I don't wanna be around him.
I decided to train tomorrow. A lot happened already and it was only around 16:00, I was exhausted.
So I decided to go to the library. Sure - I might've accidentally, temporarily joined CP-9 at Enies Lobby and the government might have me assassinated by my current coworkers if they found out - but it doesn't mean I won't study.
Except... where's the library? I halted mid-foot-step.
I was so caught up in my thoughts that I had just been wandering. Hallway, after hallway, until I was completely lost.
Not to mention alone. Who was I supposed to ask for assistance? Certainly not that guy that has been following me since I left the office. Wait- what guy?
I turned, not expecting to see much. But what I did see made my heart drop.
Lucci. Rob Lucci.
I'm pretty sure my expression was panicked - only for a minute though - until I schooled my expression to look calm to the untrained eye. So not Lucci. I would pout at that if he wasn't watching me so intently. EVEN THE BIRD IS STARING! Seriously though, what's with all the internal freak-outs!? It's freaking me out! Why!?
"May I ask why you are following me?" I spoke first.
"Chief Spandine requested I follow you to be certain you aren't a spy or a threat," he replied with such a straight face mine almost faltered.
"I see... Since you're already going to follow me, I don't suppose you could escort me to the library, if there is one, could you?" So much for avoiding him.
"I can." He began walking ahead of me.
He's twice as tall as me! Curse my stupid child body and stupid genetics! And curse you, Lucci! Couldn't leave me alone!
The halls are so confusing... What. We walked passed several single doors until there were double doors at the end of the hallway. Assuming that's the library, I walked forward, stopping before the door to look back at the scary man behind me.
"Is this the place?" I asked for confirmation.
He nodded.
With the confirmation I needed, I twisted the doorknob and peeked my head in, only for it to reveal several rows of books.
My jaw dropped - only for a moment, I swear - then I walked in completely.
Looking around as I walked, I noticed the stairs, following them up, I looked at even more books.
"Alright... If I'm gonna read even half of these, I better get started..." I walked down the stairs, slightly stiff, Lucci was following every movement, kinda creepy...
I grabbed the first few books that looked interesting because that's all I could carry with my untrained limbs, they're not weak by any means because of making that raft but I can't carry more than 5 books without feeling the strain.
"Lucci-san, where is the training room?" I know I said I'd train tomorrow, but I can't show weakness to this guy, not training right away because exhaustion is probably weak to the guy.
He turned and walked out, I followed again, his actions had slightly more force than earlier, letting me know he was irritated, he has a lot of control, I wouldn't have noticed if I wasn't paying close attention, probably didn't like that I was telling him what to do.
We went downstairs, me mentally mapping the place as we went.
Ah- fuck it- "I do apologize for asking you to show me around... but I have a couple more requests."
"Hmm... And those are?"
"Show me my room later, or at least lead me back to Chief Spandine's office so I can ask him for a map and..." It's now or never. "teach me Soru... please.." I struggled to keep my voice strong.
Suddenly, he was behind me.
"How do you know about the rokushiki techniques?" his voice was firm, and interrogating.
"The same way I know about Cipher Pol." I spun around to face him.
"How's that?"
"Books." He didn't like my short answer but there was no sign I was lying. I wasn't fidgeting, I wasn't breaking eye contact, I kept my voice strong, no signs at all. He was forced to believe me.
"Hmm... I don't have time to teach you. Kalifa will do it." Pushing it onto Kalifa. Wow.
"That will do. Thank you."
"Hm." he nodded.
"Then I suppose I could just train tomorrow after all... so to go ask for a map of the place..." I mumbled.
I think Lucci is more suspicious of me than ever, he shouldn't trust me, after all, I randomly showed up wanting to be a part of a secret organization.
I started walking back up the stairs.
Is his office left... or right? Left? Or right? Right... okay...
I was stuck walking around until 19:00.
But I eventually got the map. Found a random free bedroom, slapped a piece of paper with my fake name on it and read until I was hungry so I could go to the cafeteria using my newly acquired map.
-0-0-
"Ahhh-haaa..." I yawned, simultaneously dragging my feet across the floor and covering my mouth with my hand for politeness.
A few rookie marines walked beside me not taking account of the 4'4" tall human being right next to them.
I'm of average height if you must know. I am not short. I repeat, not short... for a 10-year-old at least.
I need to start wearing heels. Fuck gender norms. I wanna feel tall... -er than I am now.
Today I'm supposed to begin my training with Kalifa, and considering I'm not being followed by a Cipher Pol agent, they trust me enough not to try and make a run for it with top-secret information. Progress.
I made it to the cafeteria, it was bustling with noises all around. I got into a line with multiple marines.
Is there a special cafeteria for Cipher Pol I see none of them here.
Turns out there was. Because later, while I was eating a rather small amount of food for a growing boy, Kalifa came in. She looked around the room, spotted me, sauntered over and dragged me away, all while showing her distaste for being in there, me, and having to train me.
"You were supposed to eat with me so we could discuss your training," she told me while I was finishing the food I managed to grab.
"My apologies, no one informed me there was somewhere else I could have gone." I was mentally kicking myself for not seeing that on the map now propped in my hands.
"You should've known. It was told to you by Lucci yesterday, or we're you not paying attention."
"...sorry..." I momentarily dropped my polite disguise, shame falling on my face, and my head turned downward.
"Haaa..." She sighed, "It's fine just meet me in the training room every day, we'll train with weights for 3 hours, then we'll take a break for 10 minutes, before going to practice Soru for 4 hours until you get to the best speed in a second."
"...okay..." definitely understood that.
We arrived at the training room. Then proceeded to do exactly that. Starting with a 'quick and easy' warm-up. Then again, her training is harsh. 30 laps around the room, she made me do it in a certain amount of time, but I didn't make it. So she made me do another 20 after I finished my 30.
Then she let me stretch by myself, so I did, twisting my arms, touching the ground, trying the splits, etc.
I need to stretch my body again. I used to be able to do the full splits. But now I can't... It kinda hurts...
After that, I did A LOT of pushups, sit-ups, and squats. Then she proceeded to throw strap-on weights at me, saying "Put them on" before walking off to get more weights for my arms. I feel like I might be in pain.
Finally, I got that break. Three hours!? That was a week! Or so it felt. My break was waaaay too short. But now we finally get to work on something else. Hurray... to get stronger I guess...
"Run."
"What?"
"Run."
"Why?"
She did not explain, just said "If you don't run we'll do the same thing tomorrow."
I ran.
"Stop."She said.
I Iistened, curious to what she was going to say.
"Tap your foot on the ground, get a feel of what you're going to do. When you run again, focus on getting your foot to the ground."
How... uninformative... and unhelpful.
I didn't complain, just complied, and for 4 whole hours, I ran back and forth, getting no better at all.
"It appears we must continue tomorrow..." Kalifa told me, glancing at the clock on the wall.
"Sorry-" I pant. "can't-" currently wheezing... "Tomorrow-" This is taking a while... "Because I don't want to-" get on with it please. "get-" on with it! "tendonitis-" finally!
"Fine." I heard some grumbles about something like 'having to reschedule everything'. But I could care less.
SLAM
And she's gone... I mean... I would care less if I could move... but... I can barely lift my face off the ground...
I wanna sleep...
Everything went blank, all sounds gone, pain gone.
I fainted.
-0-0-
Short chapter, kinda boring, I'm having writer's block for no reason.
I write all my ideas on another document and that's all I've been doing all week.
The only other even remotely productive thing I did is to decide to update every Thursday or Friday and if I'm late then I'll update two chapters next Thursday or Friday.
Sorry for this chapter being bad.
Thanks for reading.