"Did you see their damn faces? Hahahaha! I wish I could print this and paste it all over Grandline!" Kidd's voice echoed in their new base while recalling the scenes with Teach's and his men's dumbfounded expressions. They underestimated Kidd's group by being all brawns. While that is true for the most part, they didn't consider that there is a sly fox amongst them, namely Sab.
The men were in good spirits with their recent win. At least they avenged their fallen comrades. With Sab's plan in motion, this proved what a great addition she was to the group, albeit she was not an official member. Regardless, everyone treated her like she was, especially considering her rekindled romance with Kidd. Sab and Kidd did not explain everything to them, but Killer did. At least he told them what happened almost three years ago—her identity as Blue and Roger's daughter was kept amongst the higher echelons. Best to keep it amongst themselves for now, lest they risk getting this exposed all over Grandline.
"You pissed them off enough. We don't want to add fuel to the fire, Kidd." Sab scoffed with fondness.
"Oh, no. You pissed them off too. Serves them right!" And he laughed alongside his men wishing they could witness more of Teach's reactions.
Meanwhile, in a city far from Kidd's, lay Teach's lair. Shards of glass were strewn about, the result of Teach's tantrum.
"Damn that brat! I will fucking kill him with my hands! How dare he?! How dare he do this to me?!"
None of his officers offered him comforting words, as they were all in the same predicament. No one had expected Kidd to make such a move. In all the years since Kidd's group began their activities, they had never employed such deceitful methods. They were known for their chaotic battles, almost always ending in bloodshed. Teach and his men expected Kidd to retaliate or panic when the smoke bomb was thrown which was why they sent half of their men to initiate the massacre. Who would have thought that a carefully laid out trap was waiting for them?
"It must be that lawyer. There is no way anyone in Kidd's group could devise this plan." Van Augur said.
"That damn bitch! I'll tear her to pieces once I get my hands on her!" Teach was fuming, clenching his fist in anger before slamming it to the table. "Find them! Mobilize all men!"
"If we do that, we will be leaving Strawhats out of our grasp." Shiliew pointed out.
"It does not matter! We can deal with the Strawhats once we're done killing those two!" Teach said with finality, not realizing that letting Strawhat and her group run free was one of his worst mistakes.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
Marco retrieved the photo he had hidden in the drawer, a snapshot from months ago when he and Ann were still together. Her smile was radiant, matching his own. Memories of their time together rushed back, and he felt his throat tighten, a sob threatening to break free as he thought about her once more.
He cried for hours last night, allowing his emotions to flow freely in his grief. Although it helped lighten the burden of his sorrow, it couldn't erase the pain of losing her. Admittedly, he sometimes wanted to punish her and even wished he could kill her, but he knew deep down he could never do that. He loved her too much.
If she were still alive, he would have had a reason to continue hating her, using that hatred and sense of betrayal to mask the guilt he felt for letting an enemy get the better of him. But now she's gone, leaving a void of emptiness inside Marco.
Knock! Knock!
Marco was awakened from his musings, turning his head towards the door, waiting for someone behind it to speak.
"Marco? It's me, Haruta. Can I come in?"
"Come in, yoi." He set the picture on his bedside table, right next to the empty frame where it used to be.
Haruta walked inside the bedroom, eyes filled with worry.
"Are you okay?" Marco found that question difficult to answer, so he smiled instead.
"What is it?" Thankfully, Haruta did not press for an answer.
"Breakfast is ready. Would you like it if we served it here? Pops said that you don't have to work today. It's an order."
"I see. Can you send me the food instead? I'll eat when I have the appetite, yoi."
"Please eat, Marco. We're all worried about you."
"I know, and I appreciate it, yoi. I'll get better, don't worry," he said, mustering a smile that did not reach his eyes.
Haruta huffed and her eyes landed on the picture next to the empty picture frame.
"I grieved her death, too. I was the first one who discovered her identity and it might not be as painful as what you felt, but it stung. The betrayal made sense, but at the same time, it didn't. I never got the chance to ask her why she removed almost all of the bombs in the building she was supposed to destroy." It weighed on Haruta why Ann did what she did. There must be something they have yet to uncover.
"I guess we'll never know, yoi," Marco then took the picture and hid it in the drawer, shedding a tear in the process.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
Sab had a bad feeling while observing Luffia's hums. She was too cheerful this early morning to the lawyer's liking and this usually spells trouble.
"Why are you in a good mood?" Luffia might have been a bit down for a few months after her falling out with Zoro, and as her sister, she should be glad that Luffia had found something to distract herself with. But her sudden happiness was alarming. Knowing her sister, she likely had some devilish plans in motion.
"Me? Shishishi! I just am!" She was swinging her feet under the table while merrily humming. Too much for Sab to guess what could be this devilish plan she had.
"Luffia." She raised an eyebrow and mustered the sternest voice she could manage. "What's going on?"
Luffia hummed, chewing on the food in her mouth before grinning at her blond sister.
"I will get another alliance!" Sab blinked in confusion.
"And?"
"And, if I send a distress call, don't answer. It's meant for Ann."
"What does getting an alliance and sending a distress call have to do with Ann?" Luffia only grinned and little by little, Sab managed to connect the dots of hints Luffia threw. Alliance. Ann.
There can only be an alliance that Luffia practically needs to get. An alliance with the Whitebeards. This brought back memories of how Luffia secured the alliance with Kidd's group: by using Sab as payment. If she plans to form an alliance with the Whitebeards, it likely means she will use Ann as the payment.
"You can't be serious, Luffia."
"I am. Even Shanks knew the importance of this alliance."
"I get that, but you don't have to bring Ann into this! Whatever it is that you're planning!" Sab argued. Now she understood why Luffia suddenly showed up in Kidd's hideout.
"It is necessary, Sab. Believe it or not. Besides, don't worry. It's not like I will deliver Ann in a cage or something. I'll meet with Whitebeard first, and if all goes well..." She shrugged and smiled, making Sab shiver.
"Luffia - "
"Trust me, I know what I am doing. Besides, Ann cannot hide forever. You have the Revolutionary Army and Kidd's group to back you up, I have my own group, and Ann doesn't have any of those. The last thing we wanted was for her to throw herself in the middle of chaos and get herself killed. We won't always be with her to watch her back. Grandline is getting chaotic as it is and we're fighting several enemies all at once. We need to get Whitebeard to stop Big Mom and Kaido's momentum."
Understanding dawned on Sab. It was sometimes hard to believe that Luffia could be the voice of reason, but when she was, it always hit them like a reality check. Sab didn't know what methods Luffia would use to secure the alliance or how it would affect Ann, but she knew that Luffia wouldn't endanger Ann without good reason.
Sab could only nod and let Luffia go after strictly telling her to immediately call Sab when necessary.
Smiling, Luffia went ahead and contacted Whitebeard to arrange a meeting. Luckily, she had gotten his direct contact information from Benn. She could have asked Shanks, but she was avoiding his requests to keep his name out of it when Ann eventually asked how the alliance came about. That is if the Alliance would be deemed successful. Luffia might be too optimistic, but something tells her this alliance would fast-track their movements in the future.
"Who is this?" The deep baritone voice of an old man greeted Luffia on the phone. She didn't bother using a voice changer for this conversation. After all, as Shanks had said, an alliance built on deceit is bound to crumble.
"This is Strawhat."
The line went silent for a couple of minutes and Luffia had to look at her screen if the line was cut.
"Strawhat, huh? And how did you get this number?"
"I got it from Shanks."
"I see. So, what do I owe the pleasure of getting contacted by the infamous Strawhat?"
"I want to meet and discuss an alliance with you."
"Gurarara! What a cheeky brat. So, when would you like to meet?"
"Tonight. Let's meet alone. I have a bargaining chip that you would be interested in. Shishishi!"
The call ended with an agreed-upon time and place at one of Whitebeard's safehouses. If it had been with other groups, Luffia might have hesitated to agree to such a remote location. However, due to Whitebeard's reputation as an honorable man, despite his role as a Mafia leader, Luffia accepted.
"Now, it's time to seal the alliance! Shishishi!"
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
"Why would you go there, Pops?" Haruta asked, confused as to why Whitebeard ordered her to prepare the safehouse in the Eastern part of Grandline. They rarely use that place and with the threats looming over Grandline, they can't easily let their Leader go there alone.
"I have the guards with me."
"And you ordered them to stay at least a mile away! What's with that? If Marco heard of this - "
"You won't tell Marco about this, Haruta. This is an order. Don't worry. I just need to meet someone in there." After several heated arguments, Haruta reluctantly agreed to follow Whitebeard's commands. While his word was law, his safety was paramount, so she gave his personal guards explicit instructions to protect him and remain vigilant. The fact that Whitebeard agreed to the meeting indicated that the person he was meeting must be a significant figure.
After a few hours, Whitebeard arrived in the safehouse. His guards were ordered to allow a woman in the hood to enter at exactly 8 pm. Whitebeard stayed in the living room, waiting for the guest, and at exactly 8 pm, his guards informed him via intercom that a woman had come to meet with him.
The door swung open to reveal the woman he had been waiting for. Since the Strawhats formed their group, there have been numerous rumors about their leader's identity. Whitebeard was somewhat surprised to learn that the leader had been a woman all along. He believed her immediately because the number he had called was only given to his officers and a select few, including Shanks.
And good thing Shanks confirmed this as well.
"Strawhat." He said, waiting for the woman to reveal herself. And when she took off the hood and mask, he was immediately greeted with nostalgia while looking at her face. She stood her ground, staring at Whitebeard with dark familiar eyes. She might be quite skinny and her frame is nothing compared to his, but her aura alone speaks volumes of the authority she brings. There could only be a few people that dared to intimidate Whitebeard by just standing in their presence and it seems this brat will be added to that list.
He stared with equal intensity that lasted for a few minutes before she grinned at him. At that moment, an unspoken understanding was established between them.
"Old man Whitebeard."
"Gurarara! At long last, I finally meet the famed Strawhat."
"Shishishi! Same here! I didn't know I'd meet you like this. And my name's Gol D. Luffia." She shrugged and immediately relaxed in his presence as she slumped on the couch.
"Indeed. What a turbulent time that required us to meet like this. So, let's cut to the chase. Who are you?"
Luffia's grin widened.
"Couldn't you tell?" Whitebeard stared at her and that familiarity was back again. It was as if he was talking to an old rival of his.
"Gurarara! You're the spitting image of Roger!"
"Shishishi! Yeah, even Uncle Rayleigh said so!" Luffia was fully prepared when she came here. If her assumptions had been right, Whitebeard should have been able to guess her identity. With how much he interacted with the late Mafia King, Whitebeard would not be old enough to forget the image of Gol D. Roger.
"How funny. To think that there would come a time when I have to negotiate with Roger's brat. It seems that only yesterday, we were drinking to our heart's content." Roger might be a rival leader, but he was one of the few people Whitebeard could share a drink with. "So? Tell me about this alliance you want to establish."
As much as Whitebeard wanted to reminisce about the past, they must focus on the present.
"An alliance to stop Big Mom and Kaido's momentum. And Teach, of course. More than the momentum, eliminating them would be ideal."
"Eliminate them? Aren't you overestimating yourself?"
"It is either they eliminate us, or we eliminate them. They are wreaking havoc so we speak, swallowing city after city, not even caring if the civilians get involved or die. They just want to swallow everything."
Whitebeard hummed and observed the woman.
"Are you sure that's your only reason why you want to eliminate them?"
"Revenge." She looked into Whitebeard's eyes, allowing the fire burning within her to show clearly in her gaze. "They conspired with the World Government's Elders to kill our parents. You may not have the same reason as we do, but we share a common enemy."
Her desire for vengeance was so intense it seemed almost palpable as if it could burn Whitebeard. Behind the anger in her eyes, he glimpsed the shadow of a grieving child. While he didn't know how she survived the Buster Call, he could tell that it had been a difficult ordeal. Much less living while reliving the memories of her parents driven to death.
"Your parents' death was indeed unfair. But nothing in this world is fair. Not in our world." A moment of silence passed by before Whitebeard broke it with a question. "With resources and allies at your disposal, what drove you to pursue this alliance? Shanks is an Emperor and your relationship with him must be quite deep. Rayleigh is one as well and at your beck and call, the old allies loyal to your father would come under your banner. Why choose an alliance with me?"
"First, your group is strong. Second, it was for my sister. Since you guessed my identity at one glance, you should have recognized her when you met her, right?"
Her words sealed the last bit of doubt Whitebeard had about Ann's identity.
"Do you want to avenge your sister?"
"Shishishi! Nope! Remember when I said I had a bargaining chip for this alliance?" Whitebeard didn't need to ask what she was referring to.
"Ann? She's alive?"
"Yes. She barely made it, but she recovered."
"Gurarara! That's great to know! I was shocked when Linlin's brat broadcasted that incident." Luffia clenched her fists upon remembering the incident involving Ann's death months back.
"I won't avenge Ann because I know she would want to do it herself."
"I see. Did she agree on this?"
"Nope! I didn't tell her." Whitebeard blinked a couple of times, wondering if he heard it wrong. "She is my bargaining chip for this alliance. I know she tried to kill you but it was because evidence pointed that you and your group were amongst the people who conspired with the World Government."
"Hmm..."
"Because of her mistake, she owes you guys. So why not make her work under you to pay for that? At the same time, we get an alliance." It's quite surprising for Whitebeard how her expressions constantly change from a domineering Mafia leader to a carefree child.
"Indeed. I could use her skills and expertise in the wars to come. But given the previous circumstance we were in, I don't think she'd want to be the bargaining chip as you call it. I think she might want to keep herself as dead in our eyes."
"She's stubborn like that. But sometimes, stubbornness would lead to nothingness. I think this alliance is what she needs to face her truth." Though she was young, Whitebeard could sense the wisdom behind her words and actions, affirming her identity as Roger's daughter.
"Alright. So, how are you going to convince her?"
"Oh, don't worry about it! I have an idea! Shishishi!"
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
Ann was busy organizing documents in her study when she received a message from Luffia's phone. The moment she opened it, her blood ran cold at the image displayed on her screen.
It was Luffia slumped on a couch, cuffed and seemingly unconscious.
"If you want to see your sister, come to this place alone."
The location was sent, and she paled when she recognized it as one of Whitebeard's safe houses. As soon as she read the message, Luffia's distress call was signaled. She tried contacting her but to no avail.
"Shit!" Several thoughts raced through her mind. Without hesitation, she got dressed and jumped on her big bike, speeding through traffic lights to reach the location as quickly as possible. She would have contacted Sab, but if they found out about this, Ann couldn't imagine what they might do to Luffia.
"Please be safe." She muttered under her breath, trying to contain the emotions surging within her. Were her past mistakes coming back to haunt her? If so, she would be willing to pay for them against Whitebeard and his group, as long as Luffia remained safe. She almost died months ago and she would be willing to die if it meant Luffia would live.
She arrived at the designated place after half an hour. To her surprise, the men guarding the gate instantly opened the gate for her as if expecting her presence. Going inside an enemy's territory alone would be suicidal, but this is the least she could do.
She stopped by the entrance and immediately went inside, disregarding any possibility of traps waiting for her. All Ann could think was Luffia's safety.
As soon as she walked in, she immediately saw Whitebeard sitting on the couch with an unconscious Luffia beside him. A lump formed in her throat as her eyes traveled from Luffia to Whitebeard.
"I came here alone as you said. So please, let her go." Whitebeard did not say anything and continued to stare at her. "I know I tried to kill you several times and my sins were unforgivable. It would be fair of you to seek justice for the sins I committed against your family, but please, she doesn't have anything to do with my actions. I beg you. You can take my life, but let my sister go." Tears flooded her eyes and fell on her cheeks. She bowed her head, praying that Whitebeard would be merciful enough to consider taking her head instead of Luffia's.
"The message explicitly said to come alone if you want to see your sister. But I didn't say I would be harming her, did I?" His words confused Ann, so she looked up only to be more confused when Luffia moved to uncuff her hands. She gaped at Luffia and then back to Whitebeard, seeking answers to unspoken questions.
"W-What? B-But - "
"We established an alliance with old man Whitebeard's group! Shishishi!" Luffia's beaming smile accompanied by the news wasn't helping Ann in processing the situation.
"But - "
"He knows. Whitebeard knew." Luffia said and Ann looked at Whitebeard who was wearing a gentle smile on his face.
"You looked so much like your mother." That struck Ann hard, causing her face to contort in pain and confusion. Whitebeard mentioning her mother only means he knew who she was from the very beginning.
"Y-You knew?" She stumbled over her words, her mind fixated on getting answers while seemingly forgetting about Luffia's supposed kidnapping.
"I wasn't sure at first, but I got the confirmation from your sister." Ann's head was spinning at this point. It was too much to process how she had made a fool out of herself when she tried killing Whitebeard before.
"And we're now allies! Shishishi!" Luffia wasn't helping Ann take a breather to process what was happening.
"B-But you were kidnapped! You pressed the distress call!"
"Oh, you wouldn't come unless it comes to that point." Ann gaped at her youngest sister, battling whether to kill her or be relieved that she wasn't in danger. "Because I initiated the alliance, I have to pay! And guess what? You will be working with the Whitebeards for the duration of the alliance!" She made it sound as if this was a winning deal for Ann.
"What?! You can't - "
"We shook hands, so it's a deal. Besides, you owe them. It would make sense for you to work with them. An alliance needs a bargaining chip!"
"Luffia - "
"So, do well and get along with everyone, okay?" Before Ann could argue, Luffia took out a syringe hiding in her pockets and injected the drug into her thighs.
"S-Shit! Lu - " The drug must be strong Ann slowly felt the muscles in her thighs numbing. With all her strength left, she clutched Luffia's hooded jacket, eyes blazing with fury. All Luffia did was meet her eyes with warm ones accompanied by a gentle smile.
"You need this, Ann. Believe me."
"Y-You can't do this! N-No, Luffia. You don't understand!"
"I do. And it seems old man Whitebeard agreed with me. So, do well, okay? Shishishi!" And that was the last thing Ann heard before everything went blank. Luffia caught her before she hit the floor and hoisted her to the couch.
"She will be mad when she wakes up. Are you sure this is the right way?"
"I have no choice. She would never agree to this one way or another. I've seen her suffering because of the guilt she was carrying. It weighed her down." No matter how much Ann would hide it, Luffia always knew that she missed Marco. "How do you think your members would react?"
"She was pronounced dead half a year ago, so they would be shocked to know she's alive." Whitebeard's gaze landed on the sleeping Ann. "But one would be happy and relieved to know she's still alive." He smiled, reflecting on his son, who had recently permitted himself to mourn her death. What an irony—it was just when he accepted that he could grieve only to discover that the person he was mourning was still alive.
"Can I trust you to at least watch Ann's back when the time comes?" Luffia's tone changed once again. It was no longer belonging to a Mafia leader but from a sister asking an old man a favor.
"She might have been a rebellious child, but still a child I treated as my own. I'll protect her with my life." With his answer, Luffia smiled.
"Thank you. That's all I need to hear. I'll leave her in your capable hands." Whitebeard solemnly looked at the younger woman as she bid her farewell. Watching her back against him, Whitebeard was reminded of the time when he last saw Roger. Like her father, she seemed to have tendencies to carry the heaviest burdens while hiding them behind a bright smile.
"Brat." Luffia stopped in her tracks but did not turn around. "Don't go carrying all the weight on your shoulders." She answered with silence and left.
After leaving Whitebeard's mansion, Luffia headed to a nearby seaside, gazing at the dim horizon and breathing in the salty ocean breeze. She felt relieved now that her sisters were in good hands. Granted her methods might be questionable, but her goal was to make sure they have someone who would watch their backs when the time comes.
Kidd would rather die than let something happen to Sab. And she might only have met Marco once, but her instincts couldn't be wrong. He would do the same to Ann.
As for her? Luffia scoffed at herself, mind wandering to the person she missed the most.
"It's better that our paths won't cross. At least it won't pain you to see me walk the path of vengeance." She muttered to herself while looking at nothingness.