Pieces of wood softly croak against the crashing waves of the ocean while the air is permeated by the salty breeze. What few seagulls that roost upon the Baratie squall into the bright, blue sky in glee. Yellow eyes, bore into the dark depths in the wake of bubbles slowly rising to pop. In time, they cease to exist.

The day marches on.

Shuffling her newly acquired hat into a snug position, facial features hidden by shadows with her head down. Her daily dark blue pants complete the standard Marine outfit of the World Government Marines.

Boarding onto the Marine ship was an easy task when its unguarded. Going on previous expeditions, she should have a few minutes before someone notices the guard is missing and raises the alarm.

On deck, she notices the crew going about their daily routines. Recruits and Cadets cleaning and training with everyday chores one would expect to have at sea. Ashe catches sight of two young chore boys struggling to properly fashion the sail rope.

They will do.

Her voice calls out sternly, "What are you two doing? Have you not learned how to fasten the sail yet?"

The two green horns snap into a quick and sloppy salute, "E-Excuse us, Ma'am! We will have it done as quickly as possible!"

Ashe's lips quirk into a hidden grin, "What is this? Your maiden voyage? It should be done already, hurry up." Though her disguise is still among the lowest rank, she outranks the cadets.

"Yes, Ma'am!"

"Sloppy, again."

"Yes, Ma'am!"

"Too loose, this is a disgrace. Who's in charge of your training? Again!" She ponders what she can fish from these two.

"The Lieutenant, Ma'am!" exclaimed the freckled brown-haired cadet.

Lieutenant? Normally, Cadets are taken under the wing of a Captain for their first few voyages. She doesn't get much time to ponder as a veteran approached from behind, swabbing the deck in their own daily chores.

She kept her head down as he chuckled in approval. "About time someone put those cadets to work. The Lieutenant hasn't been properly running them through the ringer lately." His voice was lowered so as not to be overheard.

"The Lieutenant? Surely, they can't be that busy. What has the Lieutenant been occupied with?"

The veteran shrugged his shoulders with an annoyed sigh, "You didn't hear this from me, but apparently Lieutenant Fullbody has a lady friend on board."

Finally, she has a name. "How did that get passed Marine Headquarters?"

"Who said it did?" He suddenly stopped his sweeping motion before looking up at her suspiciously. "How did you not know that? Everyone knows, it's not exactly a secret he's trying to keep."

With practiced control, she shrugs her shoulders. "I like to keep my head down and keep myself occupied in the cargo hold watching over the supplies. Have you ever had the ship's supplies crash open in turbulent waves in the hold? It only leads to disaster."

A shiver caresses up the veteran's spine, "It happened once. Bad enough Headquarters doesn't give us Blue Sea guys enough supplies. Instead, they give everything to the Grand Line Marines, Pricks." He grumbles under his breath, continuing with his duty of swabbing the deck.

She finds herself alone with the two cadets, inspecting their latest chore attempt. No longer having a use for them, Ashe barked out more orders and scared them off to finish the never-ending list of work. An experience she would much rather forget but will use to her full advantage.

"What are you standing around for? Food prep isn't going to sort itself out. Imagine when the Lieutenant finds out dinner isn't ready for his guest on time."

That seemed to have done the trick. With sloppy salutes and the fear of reprime on their heels, the two young cadets scamper into the inner workings of the ship with shouts of acknowledgement.

A scowl lingered within the shadow of her disguise.

Ashe moved to follow them deeper into the vessel with practiced ease; the layout of the ship ingrained in her mind. One thing she notices is the lack of manpower on this ship, but she excuses it for being in a Blue Ocean.

Dim and cloudy sunlight struggles through the matted windows, earning a snort of disgust. Ashe made to stroll down toward the captain's cabin, but some mischief caught her attention. One of the chore boys stomped and ascended the stairs that lead down to the cells.

"What are you doing?"

He grumbled under his breath before noticing Ashe at the summit of the stairs with a salute, "Ma'am! Just checking on the prisoner."

That caused her brow to rise, a prisoner. While not uncommon to have prisoners aboard, it's even more rare to make a detour. Regulations dictate that all vessels are to immediately return to the nearest base to properly house a prisoner before deciding what to do with them.

This Lieutenant has to be one of the most inept captains around.

"Good, continue along."

Once more, the cadet gives her a salute before jogging off for his duties. Though, she was curious to see who this prisoner was. Descending the stairs into the depths of the hull, a lightbulb flickers in rhythm of the waves.

There, in the shadows of a cell was a lone male, sitting against the cold wall. Ashe couldn't make out most of his facial features, but he looked exhausted with bags under his eyes and dried skin. A gray headband with blue stripes, gray trousers, and a matching jacket.

She stared for a moment; the silence was deafening under the groaning wood. Ashe does not recognize this person, nor do they seem like anyone of importance. A waste of time. Turning on her heel, she decides to continue her quest.

"Wait." A weak and gruff voice called out to her. "You're not…one of them, are you?"

Ashe paused, "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Don't screw with me." Slowly standing, the prisoner hobbles over to the cell bars before leaning against them. "It took their whole crew to get me locked up…I remember all their faces…But I don't know yours." His stomach rumbles loudly, giving reason to his frail and weak state. "And you carry yourself differently as well…Not like those other weaklings. You seem trained. Who are you?"

Interesting.

Perhaps he's not your average pirate after all. She decides to humor him a bit. "Just a passing ghost, and who are you? You don't seem to be a run of the mill pirate."

"Gin, Combat Commander of the Krieg Pirates. Name the price to let me out of here."

"Information."

The now named Gin grunted in annoyance, "What do you want to know?"

"What do you know about Tincture Island?"

"Tincture Island? Same as the next guy, I reckon. I was still green on the waters when the Marines destroyed that island with a Buster Call." Gin flinched away from the cell bars, burning yellow was staring through him, but it disappeared just as quick. 'What the hell was that?' It felt like he was about to be attacked.

"Not good enough, enjoy your stay." Her boots thumped against the aging wood.

Gin pressed against the bars as she was leaving, "Wait! My Captain might know something! He was more active back then and has quite a few connections. I'll introduce you and give him a good word."

She halted for a moment yet kept her back to him. "So, you offer only a chance that's not guaranteed? What's his name?"

"Don Krieg."

Tongue in cheek, Ashe thinks it over. A glimmer of rusted keys catches the corner of her eye. "Here's the deal." Snatching the ring of keys, she throws it onto the ground before the cell doors, just out of reach. "I give you a chance to escape, but it's not guaranteed either. Do you accept?"

Resting his forehead against the cold bars, Gin contemplates for a second before nodding reluctantly. "You have a deal."

Finally, Ashe ascends the stairs, a whisper of gratitude nipping at her heels, but it doesn't do anything to brighten her mood. She hates bringing up anything related to her past. It only causes the memories to resurface into haunting nightmares.

She could use a drink.

With her mind clouded, it won't take much to set her off. Ashe has ventured enough for now. The scent of ocean salt and food do little to ease her mind once she's back on deck. It wouldn't be long till she disembarks this vessel.

"Damn that blond waiter!"

Or so she thought, the sight of two people boarding the ship made her pause.

Stepping to the side, her body easily snaps into a practiced salute when Ashe spots a pink haired male in a white tuxedo suit with black stripes. The Marines are strict on their uniform mandates, the only exceptions are those of a higher rank.

An elegant and mature chuckle rings through the ocean breeze, "I thought he was rather dashing." A woman paced behind him with her heels clacking against the wood in her red, one-piece dress. "I do hope we are going back for dinner as well, Lieutenant."

Ashe kept her head down.

Lieutenant Fullbody grumbles while using a handkerchief to wipe specks of blood from his face. Fresh welts and bruises forming and easily noticeable. "P-Perhaps if there's time. We do have to stick to our patrol route after all."

The woman sighed dreamily. "The day is still young. I'd rather not spend more time on this ship as it's too cramped for my taste. I shall go for a walk."

"A walk?" A wimpy panic shivers through his body in sweat. "D-Don't you want to spend time with me? That place is dangerous as well."

With a smirk, the woman hooks an arm around Ashe's and forces her into view between them. "Worry not, I'll have this strong Marine to keep me safe." The woman doesn't even pause for a response before clicking on her heels while pulling the female Marine with her. "So, go do whatever it is you do, Lieutenant." That last bit had a mocking tone underlying it.

Ashe's body tensed with her teeth clenched, struggling to keep herself under control.

Reaching toward their backs, the Lieutenant whimpered with bruised pride. "What the hell is this place?! First those pirates wouldn't let me sink their ship, then the blond waiter ruined my entire date and had the gull to attack me, and now my woman is leaving!" Fullbody growled in frustration, throwing down his bloodied rag before stomping off toward the cabins.

He suddenly pauses, a crucial detail finally catching up to his brain. Slowly turning to peek over his shoulder, the two are already out of view. "…Did I have a female Marine on my crew?" Fullbody stands there for a moment before walking off to find his Petty Officer. "And where is the guard?"

Upon the Baratie, Ashe found herself at the entrance, the woman giving her slight smirk. "Thank you for allowing me to use you to free myself from that place. But I will not be requiring you from here on out."

"Are you with the Marines?" Ashe's voice barring the woman from entering the Baratie.

"Heaven's no. I have no need to lower myself. I'm just looking to make sure the rest of my life is…Well taken care of. Nothing wrong with that, now is there?"

The tension within Ashe's fist relents. "No, I suppose not." Who is she to judge someone's way of living? "Why did you pull me along? I highly doubt the Lieutenant would have tried to stop you from leaving. If you're a citizen."

The woman winked with a knowing grin and a finger over her lips, "You should be more careful, darlin'. Not every crew has women in their midst."

"…I'll keep that in mind."

"This is where we part ways. If you'll excuse me—"

"One more question." The woman pauses with a soft hum, a feminine hand upon the Baratie door. "Did they mention anything about patrol routes to the north or northwest?"

The beauty shrugs her slender frame, "Do you honestly think that's something I'd be interested in? The only information I know is that the Lieutenant mentioned he was going to rotate with a Captain Nezumi near Conomi Islands."

The Conomi Islands? That's a bit further north than the path Nami charted for her. That should give her an easy window to slip through without any issues. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me, I'll be using this as a story to my benefit. Now, lets hope we never meet again." As quickly as she appeared, the woman disappeared into the depths of the Baratie. Going on with her life without any delay.

Now finding herself alone once more, Ashe scrubs off her disguise, flinging it behind crates and pottery decorations. Inhale, rub away the shivers crawling along her arms in disgust, exhale.

Ashe could use a drink.

Speaking of, she remembers about her invitation. It didn't take long to reach what she assumes is the deck of the vessel.

An open bar decorates the ship with a few clienteles, a hole in the wall if you will. A familiar tangerine haired woman waves her over with a drink in hand. "Hey, over here!" Ashe finds purchase upon the seat next to the navigator, only to be hounded. "What took you so long? I was about to find someone else to buy me a drink, thinking you stood me up."

With a hollow laugh, Ashe motions the bartender for a double shot of rum. "Sorry to disappoint then, I won't be able to buy you a drink either. Funds are kinda tight at the moment." Liquid amber is set before her, and she chugs it in shotgun form with a loud bang on the bar top. The spice of the liquor burning down her throat and melting away the shivers.

A quick remedy.

Nami's chin rests upon the palm of her hand with a curious expression, "And here I was thinking I was having a bad time lately. I'm not gonna have to babysit you, am I?"

"No, unless it comes with a free meal. Then by all means."

With a snort, Nami takes a sip. "Not a chance. I've spent enough of my own money on people lately." She gives a side smile, "So what brings you all the way out here? It seems like you're sailing on your own."

Against her better financial judgement, Ashe waves over for another round. "You could say for a bit of a scavenger hunt. I'm looking for someone."

That perked the navigator's curiosity. "Oh? Is this like one of those romance novels I've read. A lone woman sailing the world on her own looking for her lost lover?"

Thank God Ashe wasn't drinking, else she'd have spat it all out. "Hell no, nothing that ridiculous."

"What for then?"

"Revenge."

Nami slumped against the bar with a groan. "Oh god, not another one. What is it with me and attracting all you weirdos lately. I just want a normal person for once."

A soft chuckle escapes at the complaint, "Sorry to burst your bubble, but don't worry. I'd like to consider myself plenty normal. Don't tell me you've never had any thoughts about it. I'm just acting on it."

The tangerine woman's gaze lingers on her cloth covered shoulder for a moment before shrugging, "Well, can't say that I don't understand the feeling. I'll drink to it."

"What about you? Off on some grand adventure?"

Nami whispers a hallowed laughter into her glass, "No, nothing of the sort. Just out collecting all the money I can get right now. Then I'll see after that."

"I see, well, here you go." After paying for her drink, Ashe lazily waves a single Beri toward Nami. "My last Beri. I don't know what you need money for, but don't go spending it all at once."

Taking it into her slender fingers, Nami stares as if it's the most interesting object in the world. "Ah-hahaha!" The sudden lurch back into a seagull laughter shocked Ashe while Nami slapped her palm against the solid wood.

"Are you alright?" The laughter slowly fades away in fits, tears of joy upon the lids, or something else. She couldn't tell.

Catching her breath, the navigator motions for Ashe to wait a moment. "Woo~, sorry about that. It's just…This is the first time anyone has just…donated money to me. And it's a single Beri to boot! Thanks...Its mine now, no take backs." With a wink, Nami sticks out her tongue in jest.

It was quiet and low, but Ashe emitted a whisper of a giggle. Who knew a single Beri could cause such a reaction, but it's not her place to comment.

After that, the two began to chat about mundane things in their lives. They never really divulge into their personal stories or history. Just two strangers who've met and clicked. It would have gone on for longer if they hadn't been interrupted by a familiar figure.

"There you two are, my beautiful ladies!" The love-struck sous Chef approached them at a rapid pace, Ashe could swear he had hearts for eyes. It creeped her out. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

Nami gave Ashe a side glance before smirking and leaning back, signaling for her to deal with it. With a roll of the eyes and a sigh, the alchemist easily takes the bait. "Hey, Sanji, shouldn't you be working right now?"

The blond chef kneels before them both, putting on his best performance of a gallant prince charming. "The rush has ended, and I am now on break to spend with my two loveliest of lovelies." He reaches out and grasps onto Ashe's hand in a delicate posture of romance.

A shiver creeps through her body as she hears Nami snickering to the side. "Sounds strenuous. Perhaps you should go sit somewhere else and relax?"

"Nonsense, the most strenuous thing I do at work, is hiding our romance, mademoiselle."

The jitters over power Ashe, ripping her hand away from Sanji as he begins kissing the air after trying to smooch the back of her hand. Robust laughter squawking out from Nami, hunching over in jolly mirth. "No, just…no." Growling at her drinking buddy, payback comes to mind. "Nami, what are you hunched over for, jealous?"

The navigator looked up with wide eyes, knowing exactly what she was doing as she's done it before. "What? N—"

It was too late.

"Nami-swaaan~ I have plenty of love for you as well!" To both their surprise, he practically all but dove at Nami for a hug. His lips make a smooching motion to show his affection.

Sanji didn't get very far before a swift right hook pulverized him to the ground. "Too forward! And you!" She angrily jabbed a finger into Ashe's chest. "What was that for? Don't think I don't know your game."

"You know exactly what you did."

Nami stuck her tongue out playfully in an innocent pose. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Rolling her eyes, Ashe sighs before moving on. Though, with Sanji here, it saves her a bit of time. "Sanji, do you know where Zeff is? I was wanting to ask him a question about some work for a few d—"

"You're hired."

Eh? It even surprised Nami at how fast he agreed. "I didn't even finish and isn't Zeff the owner to make that decision?"

Sanji stands back up casually while smoothing out the wrinkles from his suit. "The old bastard? Yes, but he trusts my judgement in these matters. Besides," He bows elegantly as the gentleman he is, "how could I ever refuse a lady?"

A snort from Ashe's side betrays Nami's amusement. "Thanks? I think…Easiest negotiation of my life…" She should check with Zeff, just to be on the safe side.

"Sanji!"

Their awkward conversation was interrupted by one of the line cooks who seemed to be on the verge of a panic attack. "There's a situation downstairs!"

"Can't you see I am busy with the beautiful maidens? Patty or Carne should be able to handle it."

"They are trying, Sous Chef, but the man claims to be a lacky of the dreaded Krieg Pirates! Its only escalating."

Annoyed at having his time interrupted, Sanji apologizes to his lovely customers. "My apologies, mademoiselles, I have an urgent matter that I must attend to. I will be but a moment."

Sanji leaves the Navigator and Alchemist to their own devices once more in a pause of silence before its broken by Nami, "The Krieg Pirates…This is bad."

"The Krieg Pirates? I don't know much about them. Just that they are one of the biggest in East Blue."

With a nod, Nami quickly finishes her drink before standing, "They aren't just one of the biggest, but they are the biggest in East Blue. Strangely enough, they've been quiet recently. This is a good time to get a bit of information. Want to join me and see what's going on?"

"Sure." Ashe needs to find out what's going on, because she'd rather not be forced to sail without getting more food for her ship. Just one storm throwing her off course could spell her doom.

Thankfully, it was not difficult to find the scene due to all the commotion. Descending the stairs to the main dining room, Ashe and Nami only glimpse the tail end of the racket. A large and muscular chef grabbing a thin, starved, and bloodied man before throwing him out the Baratie.

A curious hum escapes from Ashe's lips before noticing Nami pacing off toward a secluded corner of the restaurant. There in the shadows, Ashe spots a familiar shade of moss colored hair. With nothing better to do, she follows behind at a safe distance.

"Zoro, did you see what happened down here?" Questioned Nami while gazing at the cheering crowd to the Chef.

"Yea, but I don't exactly get it either." He noticed Ashe approaching Nami from behind with a side glance, the Navigator makes no move or sign of distress, so he ignores it for now. "That Marine from earlier barged in here and demanded to speak with the owner. One of his men is missing and he was demanding answers."

That tid bit tickled Ashe's ear. "That's not as uncommon as people think. Desertion is common for Marines, especially in the Grand Line."

Zoro grunted in confirmation, "I know, there are also bounties for Marines who deserted, but the rewards aren't worth the hassle."

Nami grumbled impatiently, "Yea, yea, but that's not what I asked. I heard a pirate from the Krieg crew was here causing a commotion. They aren't a group I want to mess with."

The swordsman shrugged without a care, "I was getting to that. During their argument, one of the Marines ran in and said a prisoner of theirs escaped before being shot by the pirate from behind. Nothing really happened after that, he was starving and demanded food before being thrown out."

There was a pause in their conversation before Nami spoke up, "Where's Luffy? I'd like to leave here as soon as we can."

"Still playing chore boy."

Nami palmed her face in a groan before giving Ashe a sheepish smile, "Sorry to call this short, but I have something to do. If you're still here later, lets go for another round."

Ashe waved her hand dismissively in a friendly gesture. "Sure, I'll see you later."

And just like that, the tangerine navigator disappeared within the crowd on her new quest. Finding herself alone once more, Ashe decides to return to her ship to relax. Adjusting her daggers on her belt, she takes a step toward the door.

"Oi."

Craning her neck to the side, she finds the swordsman staring down at her with his arms crossed, "Need something?"

A pregnant pause before he jerks a thumb toward the door. "Not here, follow me." He doesn't even wait for her to respond as he leaves out the door.

Her nose twitches in amusement. Normally, she would just ignore something like this, but they are on the Baratie, not like there's anywhere to really go. Plus, he seemed to be an acquaintance of Nami's, so she will give him the benefit of the doubt.

Thankfully, he didn't wander far, she found him slowly walking along the docks outside. Following his gaze, he leads her toward a strange looking ship. It had what appeared to be a sheep's head as the bow. Strangely enough, the pier around it was mostly empty.

Zoro, from what she remembers, comes to a standstill at the deserted pier. "This will do."

Turning her gaze from Zoro, she looks toward the ship with a perked brow. It didn't look to be anything special, but the fresh paint suggested it was a new ship. "What did you bring me out here f—"

She was interrupted by a flash of steel descending upon her.