Heroes of the New World

by Zaru

A Crossover Story between Zaru and Juubi-k. As Yamato, Son of Kaido, heals from her wounds from a battle against her tyrannical father, a chance meeting with a injured boy in green opens her world. And that world, will change. The boy's name? Midoriya Izuku. For Questions, refer to FAQ in story(after Chapter 15)

35. Chapter 34

"Well, this should do it."

Izuku let the unconscious form of Finalem Handsome slump to the floor. His clothes were torn and scorched, his flesh a hideous mosaic of welts, burns, and lesions. He wouldn't be getting up any time soon, not under his own power any way.

"Well what do you know? Their powers stop working once you knock their asses out," Daigoro mused.

"Good rule of thumb to keep in mind when we encounter others in the future," Hikage mentally stored away that useful information.

"Right," replied Yamato. She dropped Finalem Bandsome a short distance away, and then glowered down at him. The mercury pirate was as much a ruin as his brother; his once-fine features crushed and distended, his silver skin tarnished and blackened. Yamato had done as thorough a job on him as he had done on Handsome.

"Yamato?" he asked, stepping closer. The cheers of the crowds below echoed between the ruined walls around them.

He glanced down at the fallen pirate.

"Did you have any trouble?"

"No," Yamato said, glaring hard at the fallen pirates. "It was just frustrating, not knowing what will happen to them."

"Long prison sentences, most likely," he replied. "Life for these two I bet. But what matters is that we've stopped them," he insisted, smiling. "They can't hurt these people any more. What happens now…that's not up to us. But we've done this much, Yamato."

The cheering had faded, the sound changing to something else. Izuku listened, and was amazed to hear singing.

Across our ancient valleys
And through the mountains ring
Oh let the prayer re-echo
God bless our noble King!

With heart and voice awaken
Those minstrel strains of yore
Till Doyle's great name and glory
Resound from shore to shore

Izuku and Yamato crept through the ruins, coming up to the outermost wall, or what was left of it. Thought out of sight from below, they could see right down onto the plaza. It was packed with people, their faces upturned, their eyes bright; brighter than he had thought them capable. The dour, doomed folk he had seen a few days before were gone. Many dancing in the streets, atop of lampposts and rooftops singing away.

If hostile bands or danger

Dare threaten our dear isle
May thy right hand protect us
And heaven upon us smile

Upon the House of Reichen
May fortune's star long shine
And round its sacred bulwarks
The olive branches twine.

"It's amazing" asked Yamato, watching the scene in amazement, eyes wide.

"What is?"

"I've never seen this many people smile before."

Izuku's own smile widened

"Yeah, it's great," he replied. "And you gave them this, Yamato."

"We both did."

The boy nodded.

"We should go," he said, as the song ended on a crescendo. "The guards will be here soon, for those two."

Yamato took one last look at the still-slumbering pair, and then fell in beside Izuku as they headed down a side corridor. He glanced down the corridor, and saw a group of Royal Guards surrounding the unconscious Finalem brothers.

"I guess we're done here?" Yamato mused, watching them.

"Yes, we are," replied Izuku. "There's still something left for us to do."

"Adlerport?"

"Yeah."

The pair hurried along the corridor, then stepped out through the ruins until they reached the edge of the plateau. Izuku glanced around one last time, making sure no one was watching, then readied himself. His weary body ached as his power rose, but he could not shirk this; not after they had come so far. Facing down All for One, after flying from the islands to mainland Japan, had exhausted him far worse.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Ready," replied Yamato, stepping behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist. Izuku nodded, and released his Black Whips to wrap around Yamato. This done, he activated Flight, and lifted gently into the air, fast and quick into the clouds.

He looked down. Below, the people were streaming away from the plaza, spreading out into the surrounding streets. But he could still hear cheers and laughter, and music being played. Doors and windows were opening, shutters unlocked. Londinium was coming to life again. They were starting to believe it was over.

And he and Yamato would make it so.

(X)

"Raining again."

Sykes cursed, as he felt the droplets on his bare head. Did this damn country do anything but rain?

"More rain," grumbled Crabbe. "Come on Sykes, let's go back."

That much was true. The street was deserted, just as it had been the day before, and the day before that. There hadn't been any trouble since they'd taken the G-12 base, and locked everyone up in the dungeons.

"We can't go back!" retorted Hendrik from behind them. "We haven't finished our patrol!"

"Who cares?" complained Crabbe. "There's no one out here! There never is!"

"And what'll happen if we come back early and that scab Foccard reports us!?" demanded Hendrik, rounding on him. "You wanna get mummified, well do you!?"

That shut Crabbe up. Them blowing off their patrol would do no great harm, but it was still disobeying orders. The Finalem brothers were not at all keen on insubordination, and they very much enjoyed punishing it.

"Come on," insisted Hendrik. "It's not much more."

Sykes sighed and followed on, trying to ignore the rain as it fell harder and harder. A fog had blown in from the sea, hovering vague and pale in the streets around them.

He didn't like it. It wasn't that he wasn't used to rain, or fog; not after a life on the ocean wave. But there was only so many soakings a man could put up with before they got him down. He would be glad to be back in the comfort of the base, where there was liquor and a soft bed waiting for him.

And that fog. No sailor liked fog much; you never knew what might be lurking in it, especially in the New World. But there was something wrong with that fog. There was too much of it, and it stayed too long; almost like…it was watching them.

"I'll be glad when it's all sorted," Crabbe said, changing the subject. "We'll finally get all that treasure we were promised."

He smirked, and Sykes smirked too; feeling better for the thought of it. An entire kingdom, and it was all theirs. Their very own Dressrosa, maybe even a Wano.

"That's right," Hendrik added. "We're gonna live like Kings. We'll eat all we want and drink all we want."

"And the wenches…" Crabbe let out a gurgling snigger. "They won't refuse us now."

"You think they'll keep the people here?" Sykes wondered aloud. "Or will they sell them off?"

"Who knows?" Crabbe replied with a shrug. "Sell off the troublemakers, maybe. Otherwise it'll be the brothels for the cute ones, the mines for the strong, the factories for the nimble fingers. Might even throw a few the World Nobles way over in Saboady possibly."

"And more money for the rest of us," Sykes went on, grinning. "Hey Hendrik, what'll you spend yours on?"

There was no reply.

"Oh come on!" snorted Crabbe. "Don't act bashful!" He turned, and then paused suddenly.

"What's wrong?" Sykes asked, stopping beside him.

"Where's he gone?" asked Crabbe. "Hendrik!? Hendrik!" Sykes turned to look, and Hendrik was indeed gone.

He paused, confused. This didn't make sense. If Hendrik had fallen over or turned a corner, they would have heard him. And the fog wasn't that thick. What was going on?

"Hendrik!" he barked. "Stop mucking about!" It wasn't like Hendrik to play the fool, and Sykes was not in the mood for it. "Hendrik!"

He stepped back up the street, looking around. But there was no sign of his fellow pirate anywhere. It was as if he had…vanished, just like that.

"Crabbe!" he growled, suddenly frightened. "Let's get back!" He turned, and then froze, when he saw that no one was there. Crabbe had gone too!

He looked around, and again, and again; straining his ears for any sign of danger. But all he could see was the foggy, deserted street. And all he could hear was the crash of the waves, the creaks and groans of the boats in the harbor, and the whistle of the wind between the rooftops.

Noisy. It was so noisy. Harbors were always noisy places. There could be anything out there, creeping about, just out of sight, and he would never hear it.

Sykes felt cold, and sick. He wanted to hide, but there was nowhere to hide. He wanted to run, but he didn't dare. He was alone, in this deserted port, surrounded by fog and empty streets, and whatever had taken his two fellows. He was alone.

He remembered the Transponder Snail in his pocket. With shaking hands, he pulled it out.

And then gasped, as something thin and black dropped down and plucked it from his hand. Sykes looked up, heart hammering in his chest.

Then he saw it. A vaguely human shape, crouched on the nearest rooftop. Black tentacles coiled and lashed around it like a nest of snakes. Green eyes glowed above a mask of metal, staring down at him.

No…they were glaring at him, angrily.

Sykes backed away, his blood as cold as ice, his heart frozen still. He had to get away. He had to get out of there! He had to…!

His back bumped into something. He spun round, his heart leaping into his throat, and found himself staring at a leather jacket. He looked up, and saw another face staring down at him. It was deathly white, with long tusks protruding from its open mouth, and green hair billowing around it.

Sykes screamed.

(X)

And…done.

Izuku let out a sigh of satisfaction, as he tossed the unconscious pirate he had just dragged from the ship's forecastle. The man landed with a thump, on a dock littered with his equally unconscious fellows.

"That's everyone from up here," he said, pulling down his mask. "Any more left?"

As if on cue, yet another pirate flew, screaming, through the open deck hatch. Izuku watched as the hapless pirate reached his apogee, then fell straight down onto the dock.

"That's all of them!" called his companion, looking up through the hatch, her Hanya mask still on. "Unless there's someone hiding really well."

Izuku looked around once again, taking in the sight. The ship upon which he stood belonged to the Finalem pirates; though he did not know its name. It was quite big, around a hundred meters long or so; with about twenty heavy guns on each flank.

And he and Yamato had captured it. Just as they had captured the G-12 base, and cleared out the streets between them.

It hadn't been all that hard. There had only been about fifty pirates left to guard the base and the ship; all of them ordinary humans or minks, and all of them bored and distracted. Once they were all down, he and Yamato had unlocked the dungeons and then slipped out, leaving the Marines to handle things.

"We should tie them up, just to be safe," he said. "Let's check the stern quarters, and find some chains."

"Okay!" replied Yamato, grinning. Satisfied, Izuku dropped down to join her, and they headed towards the stern.

It was quite cramped down there; though that was no surprise. The heavy guns took up a lot of space, and Izuku couldn't see any beds or bunks around the place. He had heard that sailors on ships like this used to sleep on hammocks that would be tidied away during the day. Even then, they must have been crammed in tight from day to day; and he could not see any facilities for washing.

Then the smell hit him.

"You okay?" Yamato asked, worry in her eyes.

"It's fine," Izuku managed to reply, mastering himself. "How can they live like this? All crammed in like this?"

"It's all they know," Yamato replied with a shrug. "It's just the way things are."

Izuku supposed that was true. Maybe that was why pirates were so wild; they needed the release after days or weeks stuck on a ship at sea.

"Better get used to it kid. This world isn't nearly as advanced as ours was and sailing on anything that wasn't a yacht or cruise ship was harsh." The Second User noted. Izuku nodded, as he did his best to ignore the smell and move on.

They reached the stern; the corridor ahead was blocked by a locked door. Yamato readied her club, as Izuku took hold of the handle. He glanced at Yamato, then turned the handle, and pressed forward, hard.

The door crashed open, and Yamato hefted her club. But there was no one there; and Izuku's Danger Sense was silent.

He looked around. There was a corridor leading straight ahead, and one to the left. The walls and deck were made of polished, expensive-looking wood; putting him in mind of Whitey Bay's ship. Peering round the door frame, Izuku saw a pair of doors set into the corridor's sternward wall; one nearby, the other at the opposite end.

He glanced at Yamato, who nodded, and stepped up to the door. His Danger Sense was still silent, but there was no point in taking chances. He paused for a moment, letting Yamato get into position, then shoved the door open; breaking the lock.

Beyond the door was a large storeroom, with various boxes and racks. His eyes were immediately drawn to a group of racks; from which chains and cuffs hung. What caught his eye was the label.

Seastone.

"Chains that can't be broken no matter how strong you are physically. God knows we could've used those back in our world." The Second User muttered.

"Let's just pray we never find ourselves stuck with them without a key." Nana mused, mentally envisioning such a scenario.

It was certainly hard to imagine any kind of chains could hold someone using One For All at its maximum. Yet, Izuku had learned all too well on Wano that the material's indestructibility was more than a mere boast. Once they were on they stayed on unless you had a key, and such an idea was certainly scary to consider.

Yet, thankfully in this instance, they were just what he and Yamato needed.

"They keep them locked up in here," he mused aloud.

"They're expensive," Yamato replied, glaring down at the hanging chains. "And perfect for a mutiny. Best to keep them locked up."

"Seriously?" Izuku looked up at her in surprise.

"Yes," insisted Yamato. "My father's pirates would die for him without hesitation, and not just out of fear. Whitebeard's own crew love him, that's what Oden said. And Oden's Red Scabbards loved him. They were ready to die for him, yet he ended up dying for them. I saw none of that with this lot."

Izuku watched her in silence, wondering at the anguish and anger behind her eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she replied, straightening up. "We should finish checking, then we can tie them up."

Izuku nodded, and they headed out of the storeroom. The door further along led into another, near-identical storeroom, containing much the same things. Once they were done checking, they headed back to the sternward corridor, and forced yet another door.

They found themselves in a large, lavishly-decorated room, at the very rear of the ship. The wall opposite the door consisted entirely of windows, the frames decorated in gold leaf, looking out onto the harbor. There was a big, expensive-looking table in the middle of the floor; big enough to seat a dozen people, though there were no chairs. The walls were lined with cupboards and chests of drawers; all closed and probably locked.

"We should check these," Yamato said. "There might be something we can use."

Izuku nodded, and headed for the nearest chest of drawers. A quick tug revealed it to be locked; and a sharper tug, with a touch of One for All, brought it open. It was full of what looked like Log Poses; but with the sphere set in a wooden frame like an hourglass. They were laid out flat, each one in a small, padded alcove set into the bottom of the drawer. Izuku examined them, fascinated, and saw that each one had a word written on its frame.

MARINEFORD

IMPEL DOWN

LOGUETOWN

ANAPOLI

Izuku paused. He recognized some of those names. Marineford was ehe HEadquarters of the Marines, and Impel Down was their dreaded prison. What would the Finalems want with those places?

"Oh, Eternal Poses!" exclaimed Yamato, leaning over him to see. "Marine ones too!" She pointed, and Izuku saw the emblem carved into the top of each frame. "We should take these."

Izuku faltered. Take them? Just like that?

"What's wrong?" Yamato asked. "You're giving me that look again."

"But…that's stealing," protested Izuku awkwardly.

"Eh, what's the problem?!" insisted Yamato. "It's how things are done! This is a Pirate ship after all."

"You should probably consider loosening your morals a little, Izuku," En chimed in. "This world is much harsher than our own and we have very few resources. Besides, can we really consider stealing from pirates a crime?"

"Speaking from past experience I see," Nana grumbled.

Izuku just frowned.

"We can't just take the ship, Yamato," he said, forcing himself back to the present. "Even if that's allowed, we don't have a crew."

"But…we can ask Bach to look after it for us, can't we?" pleaded Yamato. "Besides, we still have to pay back Whitey Bay."

"She's got you there," whispered the Third, sounding more than a little smug. Izuku felt bad about it, but knew he was right. Debts had to be repaid.

"Well…let's see what else is in here," he said. He slid the drawer shut, and pulled out the one below. It contained a series of heavy-looking rolls, of what looked like paper.

"Look at all this," Yamato said. "This cabinet must be navigational stuff."

"How about this one here?" Izuku headed for one of the cupboards, and forced it open. Inside was a series of smaller drawers, with the bottom half taken up by an enormous safe.

"Jackpot," whispered the Third.

"Careful," added Hikage. "If anything in here's booby-trapped, it'll be that."

Izuku knelt down in front of the safe, and pressed his hand to it. His Danger Sense did not react.

"Put your ear right next to the dial," Third went on. "Then turn it, very slowly."

"Okay I can understand En knowing about this, but why exactly do you know how to do this?" Hikage eyed his predecessor suspiciously.

"Back during All For One's reign, resources were scarce, we often needed to steal from his subordinates in order to stay afloat and keep the fight going." The Third User said without a hint of regret, focused on the task at hand.

Izuku obeyed, touching his fingers to the dial and turning. He could hear the wheel turning, but just barely. Then a click, as quiet as a pin dropping.

"Good. And the next one."

He turned the wheel again, straining his ears, until he heard the click. Then another one, and another, and another. His ear was starting to hurt, and he could feel Yamato's breath as she leant over him, staring.

It was really hard to focus on the safe for a second.

But then, finally, the lightest of clunks. He grabbed the handle, and the heavy door swung open.

"Nicely done!" declared En. "We'll make a safe cracker out of you yet!"

"Don't listen to him, Izuku!" snapped Nana. "He's setting a bad example!"

"Probably hoping to posthumously relive his glory days before getting One For All," Hikage eyed the Sixth User, who averted his eyes.

"More importantly, check it out," Daigoro cut in. Izuku looked, and stared. The safe contained a selection of deposit boxes, and wads of cash carefully tied up and stacked. Wads, upon wads, upon wads.

"It's…" Izuku breathed.

"A fortune…," Daigoro completed his sentence.

"Take it all!" exclaimed En, bouncing up and down with his eyes practically glowing. "Take the boxes too! They might have jewelry and…!"

"Will you stop leading him astray!" Nana whapped En over the head. "Besides, we don't even have anything to carry it all in."

"Yamato…" Izuku straightened up. "Did you find any equipment stored down here?"

"Oh yes. It's back that way." Yamato jabbed her thumb back down the main corridor.

"Could you get a couple of backpacks, and pile up all the chains on the deck?" he asked. "I'm gonna go through all this and see what we've got. The backpacks may be bigger than the ones we got in Wano."

"No problem!" Yamato trotted off down the corridor. Izuku began pulling the wads of cash from the safe, and lining them up on the table. His conscience was in turmoil, but he could at least count it.

And they would pay back what Bay loaned them.

(X)

The Great Lift clunked, groaned, and began its descent.

Seated on a white horse, with Lawson on his right, and with mounted guards around him, Bach forced his face into its regal mask. After so many weeks, he had finally arrived. Adlerport was once again free.

But it was not he, their King, who had freed it. Any more than he, their King, had protected it.

Would they hold it against him? He couldn't blame them if they did. The citizens of Londinium didn't seem to, but they hadn't been occupied. They hadn't had pirates tearing apart their homes, pawing through their possessions, and then…

He glanced to his left. There sat Doll, on a borrowed horse, her hastily-cleaned uniform shining bright in the sun. But the look on her face did not match her resplendent appearance. She was worried, no doubt. Worried for her comrades, and for Commander Baker.

Yes. Him.

"Your Majesty! Look!" Lawson pointed over the elevator. The G-12 base had just come into view, an enormous flag billowing above it. Not a Jolly Roger, but a blue orb-ended cross on a white field. The flag of the World Government.

Bach glanced at Doll. She was staring at the flag, the sorrow gone from her face, her eyes bright with pride. With some fortune, her comrades would be waiting for her; not too much the worse for their ordeal.

They were nearing the bottom. It would not be long now before he met his subjects, and received their judgment. Jenner and Hutchinson had gone on ahead with soldiers, to secure the town and deliver word of the victory at Londinium. But would it be enough?

All at once, the buildings of Adlerport rose into view, and Bach braced himself as a roar washed over him.

Then he saw.

The main street was thronged with people; crowded on the pavements, hanging out of windows, perched on the rooftops. Policemen and soldiers lined the streets, arms linked, holding the crowds back.

But they weren't shouting in anger. They were cheering.

Bach glanced at Lawson, and the mouse mink smiled back; as if it could never have been otherwise.

The Lift stopped, and the doors creaked open. His guards rode out ahead, the buglers trumpeting a regal fanfare. Steeling himself, Bach eased his horse out onto the street. The cheers were deafening.

But he would not mind being deafened by them, if they meant what they seemed to mean.

Jenner and Hutchinson were waiting for them, both on horseback. Jenner bowed, and Hutchinson saluted.

"Adlerport welcomes you, your Majesty," declared Jenner triumphantly, gesturing at the crowds. Bach looked around, acknowledging them with a regal wave, taking in their smiling faces.

Then his blood ran cold, as he saw those faces. Pinched, sickly, drained, their eyes sunken and circled with bruised skin, even as they shone with joy. Their waving arms were so thin, their ragged, dirty clothes hanging off shrunken chests.

It was a grim reminder of the suffering they'd been forced to endure because of his own weakness. And likely many had not lived to see this day, when those bastard brothers were finally toppled.

"It's all right," insisted Lawson. "The food is being unloaded now. They will eat soon."

That much was true. The train behind his own was loaded with food and medical supplies, ready to be lowered down the elevator and distributed as needed. From the looks of things another trainload might be needed, and another. The people were willing to donate and give away their food and supplies for free now, thank heavens. They knew more was coming, and they wanted to aid their fellow countrymen in the harbor town below.

"I have already sent for more, your Majesty," Jenner cut in, still smiling. "All is well. Or it will be soon."

Not knowing what else to do, Bach nodded. Jenner and Hutchinson fell in with himself, Lawson, and Doll as he continued down the street; the guards falling in behind.

"Was there any resistance?" he asked, still waving.

"No, your Majesty," replied Hutchinson. "Your young friends did a fine job. They're waiting at the G-12 base."

Their route took them along the main street, then along the harbor towards the G-12 base. The base loomed at the edge of town, its round towers topped with hemispherical turrets from which long-barrelled cannons extended, muzzles aimed out to sea. As they moved along the docks, Bach saw the Finalem ship sitting at anchor, soldiers standing guard on its decks.

He forced himself not to glower. It wasn't a weak or bad ship, as far as he could tell. But the G-12 base's guns should have made short work of it. When the base had been built, he had been assured that at worst, anything passing the harbor mouth would be a sitting duck. He had seen them test the guns, seen the whoosh of the water as the shells fell and detonated.

Yet there it was. And all this had happened.

And he had a very good feeling as to why.

"You've secured their ship, I see," he commented, glancing at Jenner and Hutchinson.

"Yes sire," replied the general. "Though the young lady and sir beat us to it. They'd like to have a word about it, if it pleases you."

Bach saw the look they were giving him. They dared not say it aloud, not with Doll right there, but he knew what they meant; just as he could guess what that ship contained.

They wanted that plunder; and Doyle needed it. The kingdom had debts to pay off, and if the plunder was half what he suspected, he could pay the whole lot off in one go. Even if there was nothing left, that would free up a lot of the kingdom's tax revenue; a lot of money, and a lot of things to spend it on.

All the holds of that ship. A ship his troops guarded, but which Yamato and Izuku had taken.

His heart ached. He couldn't just order those two to hand it over. They had taken it, it was theirs by right of conquest and Salvage Laws. But he needed that treasure. Doyle needed it. There was so much to do, so much to build, so many amends to make.

They didn't need all that treasure though, right? Surely he could offer them something? Lord knows they'd more than earned it 10 times over.

Bach forced down his anguish, as the G-12 base came into view. As they entered the courtyard, he saw Izuku and Yamato standing in front of the main door, along with a Marine NCO. Yamato had a cloth tied around her head, concealing her horns.

In front of them, two lines of a dozen Marines lined the entrance, forming a weary, sickly-looking guard of honor.

"Pre-sent arms!" As one, the Marines slammed their feet together, and thrust out their muskets. Half of them looked ready to fall over. But they had their pride.

Bach suppressed his anguish. He had work to do.

(X)

"Welcome, your Majesty," Izuku greeted him, bowing. Bach smiled a little. He clambered off his horse with the graceful ease of one who had ridden for as long as he could walk. He paused just long enough to help Doll down from her own mount.

"Master Yoichi, and Lady Shirou," he replied. "I have you to thank for this victory." He saw Doll glance towards them, and he realized that she didn't know about their aliases. They would have to explain that later.

"Not just us!" Yamato declared. "Warrant Officer Curtis and the Marines helped out too."

She gestured at Curtis, a brown-haired man in a white Marine uniform, standing by her side. He snapped off a curt salute, palm hidden as was the Marines' custom.

"Curtis," Doll stepped up, returning his salute. "Where are the others?"

"In the infirmary, Ma'am," reported Curtis. "Being locked up like that did them no favors, and the Finalems did them fewer still, savin' your presence, your Majesty."

Bach acknowledged him with a nod. Doll did not look any better for the news, and Bach did not blame her. He had a passing notion of what they had found down there, and it was enough to make his stomach churn.

"What about Commander Baker?" pressed Doll, the twin tailed girl looking desperate. "Is he there? Is he alive?"

Curtis hesitated, and Yamato's heart ached.

"Can't find him anywhere ma'am," he admitted grimly. "Not him or the senior officers. They were never down in the dungeons with us. We thought they might be in the high-security lockup, but the upper levels are all locked up, and the keys are gone."

"These keys?" The blue haired man asked, lifting a bunch of keys from his belt, and holding them up for Curtis to inspect.

"That's them, your Majesty," he replied, looking visibly relieved. "The brothers must have taken them."

"And on the brothers we found them, warrant officer." Bach held out the keys to Doll. "Ensign Doll, as the senior officer currently active, you are in command and these are yours."

Doll took them from him, and snapped off a salute; her eyes hard with suppressed tears. Then she turned on her heel and all but ran into the base; Bach and the others falling in behind her.

The entrance lobby was a scene of destruction. The whitewashed walls were daubed with obscene slogans. Papers and the smashed remains of furniture lay scattered about the floor. And judging by the smell, none of the pirates knew how to flush a toilet; or simply didn't bother to.

Doll led the way up the main stairs to the next floor, where a heavy door awaited. Bach watched as she flipped through the keys, then slid one into the lock and turned. The door clunked open, and Doll darted inside, hurrying away down the corridor. Bach and company followed, around corners and up a set of stairs, until they reached a locked door. On the lintel over the door read the words HIGH SECURITY DETENTION. Doll flicked frantically through the keys, and jammed one in the lock and turned it hard.

Beyond the door lay a corridor lined with heavy-looking doors; each one with a viewing hole set into it. Doll was darting from door to door, looking inside.

"Commander Baker!" she called out. "Where's Commander Baker!?"

All at once she cried out, unlocked one of the doors, and dashed inside. Bach stepped up to the door and looked inside. There was Doll, embracing a man clad in the same white uniform as her own. He was young, from the look of him, with a well-formed, gentle-looking face, and long black hair. Much like the other Marines, he was showing slight signs of malnutrition; his eyes sunken and bruised, his arms and legs thin and stick-like. Yet he didn't seem fazed by it in the slightest.

"It's all right, it's all right, Ensign," he whispered, gently disentangling himself from her, his eyes closed. "I'm fine, though a little hungry."

So this was Commander Baker. This was the brave Marine officer who had risked his life to let Doll escape. This was the man he had come to find.

"Come on!" Doll pulled his arm around her shoulder and helped him up. "Yamato, take the keys! Unlock the doors!"

Yamato nodded, took the keys from her, and set to work on the other doors. Bach retreated down the corridor, making room for Doll to help Baker out; seastone chains dragging on the floor. The marines stepped past him, hurrying into the cells. Bach watched, grim-faced, as Yamato and the marines emerged; carrying the imprisoned officers. Some were merely pale and thin, their uniforms hanging on their skeletal bodies. Others were scarred and bruised, and some looked like barely-living mummies; more victims of Finalem Handsome's power.

He forced himself not to look away, not from them, nor from the marines carrying them.

It was the least he could do.

(X)

The base commander's office was spacious and comfortable. A large desk stood in the middle of the room, with a big, high-backed chair behind it; the walls lined with cabinets and bookshelves. The place had clearly been ransacked, but not otherwise damaged. Compared to the vandalism inflicted on the lower levels, which teenage delinquents would have been ashamed of, the office was in quite good condition. There was even a map emblazoned over one wall.

Baker had been helped into a spare chair by Doll, who was looking him over. Bach was pacing around the office, peering at the books on the shelves, touching and prodding the occasional item as he remained oddly quiet. Yamato was hanging around, looking uncertain. Curtis had gone off to get more help, while his Marines carried the imprisoned officers down to the infirmary. Hutchinson was gone too, presumably for the same reason. His form had returned to his vibrant self after a brief shower, no doubt he had suffered under Handsome's ability.

"It's good to see you alive, Commander," Lawson said. "When Ensign Doll told us you'd been taken, we feared the worst."

"I'm just glad she made it," replied Baker, smiling awkwardly. "It was all I could do."

"What happened, Commander?" asked Jenner. "What happened that night?"

"I'm embarrassed to say it, but there's really nothing to tell," Baker said. "One minute everything was fine, the next it was complete chaos. I…I suppose it's my fault. Nothing has happened here for so long, we got lax."

"Let's not dwell on that now," insisted Lawson. "But is there anything you can tell us? Anything at all?"

Baker paused again, his brow furrowed.

"Well…a few ships did come in late through the Shoal Straight; more so than usual. I thought it was odd, but there wasn't anything obviously wrong. I thought it was just an early storm, or maybe the Warlords were having a bust-up on a nearby island. It happens every now and again."

"So they slipped in while pretending to be harmless?" Izuku blurted out. Baker looked at him in surprise.

"Ah, my manners!" declared the mouse mink. "Commander, this is Master Yoichi, and over here Lady Shirou," he gestured to Yamato, who waved cheerfully. "Two friends of ours."

"I see." Baker seemed content with that. "Yes, that's the only explanation I can come up with. It's a common enough trick, especially at night with the fog; and if the ship isn't well known."

"I suppose so," mused Bach. "I must say, your library is quite varied, Commander." He held up a book, it's label for all to see. "I see the Marine Officer's Manual, and the Regulations. Plus Hudson's A Life on the Ocean Wave. But here's Micheletto's The Art of Statecraft, and Derby's The Rule of Kingdoms." He moved along the shelf. "And here's Deadwood's Theory and Practice of Mining Engineering, all six volumes I might add, and Carmack's Advice for Mining Entrepreneurs."

"I…my interests wander a bit." Baker chuckled nervously. "Though you seem to know all my books, your Majesty."

"I sometimes find the time to read, and I must say…" replied Bach casually. He glanced at Lawson, who was busy rearranging the logs on the fireplace. The mouse mink glanced back, and Izuku felt a twinge of uncertainty. Something didn't feel quite right about all this.

"Everything you've said Commander… is one hundred percent wrong."

The room went as cold as a tomb. Izuku could not believe what he had just heard.

"Your Majesty…" Baker let out a nervous laugh. "I don't understand."

"Yes, what're you talking about!?" snapped Doll, forgetting herself. "What are you trying to suggest your Majesty?" She stood in front of the black haired man, as if to shield him.

"I would like to know that too, your Majesty," added Jenner, giving Bach a stern look. Yamato glanced nervously from one to the other, looking for someone to explain. Only Lawson seemed unaffected, as he continued to fiddle with the fireplace.

As if he has done this before. Izuku's eyes met Yamato's, and the girl gulped, going silent and taking a deep breath.

"Firstly," Bach said, unruffled as he put the book back in its place on the shelf. "Your junior officers are all in a pitiful state; starved, tortured, and generally mistreated. Yet you seem in relatively good health despite your condition."

He had his hands behind his back, eyebrow raised in inquisitive curiosity. He reminded Izuku of Aizawa, lecturing Kaminari on a test question that should have been answered with ease. "How do you explain this?"

"I…I can't, your Majesty." Baker looked hurt and confused. "I don't know why they spared me. I could hear what they were doing, and I wanted to stop them…but I couldn't."

"Please, your Majesty!" pleaded Doll, her eyes wide and hurt. "Don't accuse him like this! He saved my life! Besides, you saw what the Finalem Brothers are like! They have their whims and their fancies! They could have had a reason!"

"Pirates do indeed have whims and fancies," agreed Bach, his tone a little more gentle. "They tend to be flamboyant, larger-than-life characters. I confess this is a thin basis for suspicion, but fortunately we can confirm or deny it here and now. Lady Shirou, if you will indulge me, please show us your wrists."

Yamato looked confused, but trotted forward and held out her wrists for all to see. Izuku's heart clenched as he saw the old, half-healed chafe marks.

"Lady Shirou has worn cuffs for a long time and she has the marks to prove it," Bach explained. "The officers are similarly marked, though not quite so badly." He turned to Baker. "Commander, if you please, show us your wrists."

Slowly, awkwardly, Baker rose to his feet and raised his wrists. There were no chafe marks on them.

"You are in good health despite the thinning, while your junior officers are near dead," said Bach, his voice suddenly icy cold, his blue eyes glaring hard. "And you have not been wearing shackles. Clearly the pirates treated you quite well. Can you tell us for what purpose, Commander? Did they have some reason for their generosity?"

Doll glanced frantically from Bach to Baker and back again.

"What is the meaning of this, Commander Baker?" demanded Jenner, brow furrowed, eyes suspicious, his hand at his saber hilt. "You will answer his Majesty's question."

"I will not!" snapped Baker, his gentle demeanor gone, his once-soft face now a mask of outrage as he finally opened his eyes, his brown eyes alight with anger. "You may be a King with a seat at the Reverie, your Majesty, but Marine HQ will not stand for this! I am a Marine officer!"

"A Marine officer who has been suspiciously well-treated by the very pirates who captured his base and tortured his officers," Bach retorted. "A Marine officer who keeps a wide variety of books, yet only reads those unrelated to his profession."

He grabbed another book, one with a Marine Logo on it. It was thick with dust. "Most of the books on this shelf are covered in dust, but those relating to statecraft and mining are not."

He grabbed another one, and tossed it to Jenner. Izuku saw the word Statecraft on the cover, and nowhere near as much dust.

"So what if I have!?" demanded Baker, eyes leaping from one to the other. "What are you accusing me of?"

"I accuse you, Commander Baker, of consorting with the Finalem pirates to attack this kingdom," Bach replied, eyes narrowed as he paced around the room. "On the day the pirates attacked one Month ago to this day in May, a particularly bad storm flared up near this island; a storm noticed by Gloria Watchtower, and passed on to this base. You contacted the pirates, likely offshore beyond the shoals and fog, and informed them of its exact time and location; allowing them to slip into the harbor under the pretense of being a harmless merchant ship. Once they were in the harbor, it would be a simple matter for them to disembark in disguise and approach the base. As Base Commander, it would be an equally simple matter for you to delay the replacement of the sentries at the lighthouses leading into the harbor, to say nothing of the front gate of G-12 itself, ensure the gates and main doors are left open and unlocked, and that the garrison is otherwise occupied. By the time your subordinates realized they were under attack, it was already too late."

Baker stood there, shaking his head.

"This is madness!" he insisted. "This is conspiracy theory! As if I would allow a pirate band to overrun my own base and assault my own men! Where's your evidence?"

"Here." Lawson suddenly stepped up from the fireplace, strode over to the desk, and deposited something upon it. Izuku took a closer look, and saw what looked like a large, scorched shell.

A snail shell. And upon it, Izuku could just make out some sort of emblem; a smiley face, crossed out.

Baker's eyes widened, and Doll's jaw dropped to the floor. Izuku gulped, and he saw Jenner grasp the hilt of his saber, and Yamato paced around the room as his eyes met hers. He tightened his fists, eyes set on the black haired man.

"You thought you could dispose of the incriminating Transponder Snail by burning it in your fireplace," said Bach as he continued to prowl around the black haired man, eyes boring into the flabbergasted Marine. "But while you succeeded in killing this poor creature, the heat was not sufficient to destroy it. You were so confident in your victory you got lazy."

"It…it wasn't me!" spluttered Baker. "Who in their right mind kills a Transponder Snail? The pirates must have done it!"

"Highly unlikely, for the very reason you just mentioned," retorted Bach. "Transponder Snails are hard to come by, and not many pirates would casually dispose of them. In any case, what reason did they have to do so? What would it cost them if they were found out?"

"You…" hissed Baker, half-enraged, half-terrified. "You can't…you can't prove any of this!"

"Y-Your Majesty I…" Doll whimpered, shaking. Lawson crossed his arms, glaring silently at Baker.

"I will soon have all the proof I need," replied Bach coldly, his eyes fixed on the doomed Marine. "Your confederates, be they the pirates in chains, or Honest Guy and his band, will reveal all, soon enough. They have nothing to gain by protecting you now. And even if they did, I know that you are lying."

Izuku was dumbstruck. He could hardly believe it. Had Bach been keeping this to himself the whole time? Or did he only figure it out when he entered the office?

He thought back, remembering it all. Bach stalking around the room, inspecting the books. And before that, in the corridor, when the Marine officers were carried out.

Had he really seen all of it? Had he been noticing such things, even then?

Then his Danger Sense went off. Baker was moving, something sliding down his sleeve into his hand as leapt towards Doll, still stunned and unable to move. Izuku moved, releasing his Black Whip. The tendrils wrapped around Baker's limbs, even as a blur shot in front of Doll. He heard a clink of metal on metal, as a long dagger clanged off Yamato's club as she parried the blow that was meant for her neck, or rather, to be AT her neck.

Doll was thunderstruck, staring with wide eyes at the desperate and grunting man. Jenner had drawn his sword, but Bach snapped up his arm, halting him where he stood.

Baker thrashed, struggling against the tendrils. Izuku put on the pressure, forcing him still, and squeezing his wrists until the knife fell from his hand. Lawson pulled out a handkerchief, picked up the dagger, and laid it on the desk.

"Thank you Master Yoichi, and Lady Shirou," said Bach. His face had not so much as twitched. "If you please, undo his jacket."

"Got it." Yamato obeyed, pulling open Baker's jacket even as he snarled and struggled. Izuku looked him over, and then his eyes fell on a dark shape on his neck, previously concealed by his high collar. It looked vaguely like a serpent, or a letter J.

Confused, he looked back towards the others. Bach was standing where he was, while Lawson was pointing out the dagger to a pale-faced Jenner.

"They know that dagger quite well," explained Bach. "As does Baker, being its rightful owner."

He stepped up to Baker. "Everyone, I present Commander Jansen Baker, son of the late Lord Jansen Blackwood; sole surviving member of the noble House of Jansen."

"Yes," hissed Baker, his eyes murderous, his face a mask of soul-rotting hatred. "I am Jansen Baker. And thanks to your father, I am all that remains of House Jansen."

"Is that why you did this!?" Jenner looked ready to kill him, saber drawn and face controted in rage. "For revenge!?"

"Why not!?" snapped Baker, glaring back at the bronze skinned man with equal fury. "When the old King burned down Jansentown, he destroyed my home and my family along with it. My family! The real Royal family!"

"Oh, here we go," sighed Lawson, pinching the bridge of his nose. "The reason." It sounded like he heard this before.

"It was Jansen Judas who first scaled Doyle's cliffs and saw the paradise before him!" roared Baker, struggling against the black bindings. "He should have been King, not the lord of some worthless town in the shadow of Conan's Plateau! I should be King, not you!"

"Except you couldn't, could you?" retorted Bach mildly. "Not with the Gunpowder Gang, anyway. For all of Honest Guy's faults, he sincerely believes in what he fights for. He would not have torn me down just to set you up in my place. He cares for the people, in his own twisted way."

"So he thought the pirates would do it?" snarled Yamato, glowering down at Baker. "You're a fool!"

"No, not a fool, my lady Shirou," Bach cut in. "As a serving Marine officer, he knew what he was dealing with, and what would really happen. Why else would he devote most of his life to enlist in the Marines, rise through their ranks, and get positioned here of all places?"

He strode over to the map, and gestured at it.

"The World Government is struggling to control this world, it is true," he said. "They must work with Seven Warlords of the Sea, and tolerate the Four Emperors. But they are not so far gone as all that, and they dare not give the impression that they are. If Doyle fell under the control of the Finalem Pirates, they would use its wealth and resources to attract independent pirates to their banner. One ship would become dozens, a hundred, maybe more. A thousand pirates would become ten thousand, a hundred thousand. A tiny brushfire will become an inferno if left unattended."

"So they would send a bigger force to stamp it out," Izuku breathed. "But…wouldn't he be found out when they did?"

"No, because he would not be found on his stolen throne," Bach went on, looking back at the group. "But in that same cell, all alone. By then, largely thanks to the pirates, anyone who could reveal the truth would be dead. The Marines would find only their own brave officer, the sole survivor, a hero and martyr. And Doyle would be in ruins, its ruling families wiped out, down to the last plausible level of consanguinity; leaving the throne vacant."

He looked around the room, his eyes meeting Lawson's, and Jenner's.

"What the Marines would need is a Governor, one who could manage the rebuilding for them, and keep Doyle in line. And what better candidate than Jansen Baker; the last scion of Doyle's ruling houses, one of their own who rose through the ranks, and the only hero of the whole tragic affair." He took a deep breath to collect himself.

"As Governor, you could easily establish your own mining guild; and once the repair costs were paid off, the World Government would not ask too many questions. You could sell Doyle's ores and metals to whomsoever you wanted, and profit as you pleased. All so long as you sat on the throne. All so long as you ruled Doyle."

"You dare condemn me!?" shrieked Baker, struggling once more. "After what your family did to mine!? Jansentown was all we had! But it ended up a slum of Londinium! A place fit only for low-born filth, no better than the Morans or the Minks! And now it's just a pile of rubble, burned to the ground on your father's orders! You left me with nothing!"

Izuku's heart clenched as he saw the look on Doll's eyes. She finally understood, finally accepted, just who her beloved Commander Baker was; and how little he cared for her.

"And that, Jansen Baker, is why you and your ancestors kept on failing," replied Bach mildly like a harsh schoolmaster. "Reichen Brand became King because he cared for his people, and gathered good people around him. Jansen Judas loved his own strength and was contemptuous of others. My ancestors cared for this kingdom, and nurtured it. Your ancestors despised Jansentown, and did nothing for it. I love this kingdom and its people, because that love is the purpose of my existence. You feel only envy and hate; and these things have poisoned your soul and destroyed your potential."

Baker looked at him with a look that made Izuku's blood run cold. Then he screwed up his face, and spat; sending a globule of flem straight at Bach's face.

"Damn you to hell!" he shrieked. "Heaven will give me justi…!"

"RAAAAAAAH!" And with a swat of a fireplace shovel from Doll to his face, Baker went silent and limp as the Marine girl reeled her arms back for another swing.

"No! Stop!" pleaded Izuku, as Doll drew back the shovel again. "Don't!" Yamato was on her in an instant, holding her in place as the Marine struggled against the stronger woman's grasp.

"I'll kill him!" Doll shrieked, eyes wide with hurt. "Traitor! Lying bastard!"

"Don't stain your hands, Ensign," added Jenner as he sheathed his saber, as Lawson wiped the spittle from Bach's unmoving face. "He must stand trial."

"I'll kill him!" shrieked Doll again. "I…I…!" Her legs went weak, her struggling ceasing.

Yamato then wrapped her arms around her, holding her tight. Doll's stammered oath became a wail and she dropped the shovel, burying her face in Yamato's chest. The white haired woman was silent, only holding her as Izuku released his Black Whip on Baker, the room filled with only the goth girl's muffled wails.

"Guards!" called Bach. The door opened, and Curtis stepped inside, accompanied by two guardsmen. Izuku could tell from the look on his face that he had heard every word, his face torn and jaw grit. But his eyes were hard as he glared at the unconscious Commander.

"Warrant Officer Curtis, take this man, cuff him, and leave him with the other prisoners," Bach ordered.

"Yes sir."

Izuku watched as the Marine carried him out of the office, assisted by two guards, and the door was closed behind them.

"So ends the House of Jansen," said Bach, as if he were performing a funeral. "When communications have been restored, I will inform Marine HQ of what has happened. No doubt they will want to deal with him themselves." He took a big sigh. "They aren't keen on their own making a mess, not with the whole world in one as it is."

"I trusted him…!" whimpered Doll, still clinging to Yamato. "I…I loved him! He saved me... Why?!" She was muffled with her head in her bosom, and Yamato continued to hug her, looking down at her with all the sympathy she could muster.

"How many people does it take to deliver a message, Lord Jenner?" Bach asked, and the bronze skinned man sighed.

"One." He muttered, gazing at Doll who continued to weep in Yamato's chest.

"We all trusted him, Ensign," said Lawson, with fatherly gentleness as he placed his hand on her shoulder. "We all thought better of him. And we have all been betrayed."

The office was silent, the atmosphere heavy.

"I'll…take some seastone cuffs to Lestrad," Izuku said, desperate to get out of there. "And see about collecting the jammer snails."

"If you would," replied Bach, nodding.

"I'll stay here with Doll," said Yamato. Doll seemed to have calmed a bit, but she still looked like the bottom had fallen out of her world.

"Okay." Izuku bowed to the King, and then headed for the door.

(X)

"He's a hard-working young fellow," commented Jenner, once Izuku's footsteps had receded down the corridor. "It'll take days to find those snails when he returns, surely."

"Better that he has something to do," Bach replied. "It will keep his mind off things."

It wouldn't, of course. If the Snail Array was where Bach thought it was, Izuku could find and remove them in a few hours after delivering the cuffs to the prison. But of course, Jenner didn't know that Izuku could fly.

He looked at them all. Lawson and Jenner both looked tired, and he didn't blame them. The nightmare was finally over, but no one seemed to feel triumph; not after what had just happened. All that horror, all that misery, all that shame and death, all because of one man; a man they had all trusted.

He looked again at Doll, and his heart ached. For her, the betrayal had cut deepest of all. The man she had trusted, and loved like a father, had used and betrayed her; and all her comrades, and the land of her birth. And all the time she had known him, all those years of comradeship and shared trials, he had regarded her with utter contempt behind a fake smile.

How long would it be before she put that behind her? How long would it take her heart to heal?

What comfort could he possibly offer?

"Ladies and gentlemen, this sad business is concluded," he said. "We must see to the relief efforts."

He stepped up to Doll.

"Ensign, do you feel able to proceed?" he asked, as gently as he could manage. "You are the only commanding officer on base in able condition. Your Marines need you."

He hated himself for being so hard on her; for dumping such a responsibility back on her shoulders at a time like this. But the situation was what it was. Her senior officers were all in the infirmary, and from the looks of them, not all would see another sunrise. She was the next in line, a lowly ensign though she was. As he was King of Doyle, she was in command.

"Yes…your Majesty." Doll straightened up, clearing her throat. "I…I just need to…" She began scrabbling in her pockets. Lawson, a gentleman to the last, held out a handkerchief. Doll took it, and wiped at her tear-stained face. Bach waited until she had finished, and she straightened up again; something of her old self returned at last.

He turned towards the door, and Jenner hurried past him to open it. He led the way down the corridor, and out towards the main stairs leading down to the main doors.

"Look sharp! The King!" someone barked. As Bach reached the top of the stairs, dozens of booted feet snapped together. On the floor below, guards and marines lined the way to the door, faces upturned towards him. Bach paused, straightened, and acknowledged them with a crisp salute; before striding down the steps, across the entrance, and out into the sunlight.

A blast of noise greeted him. Outside the main gate, a crowd of people had gathered; held back by the guards. Their eyes were upon him, waiting for him to acknowledge them, to speak to them.

He glanced at his companions. Lawson and Jenner nodded back. Doll was holding up, though she was staying close to Yamato, who shot him a grin. Satisfied, Bach strode across the courtyard to the mouth of the gate. The crowd took the cue, and slowly fell silent.

"People of Adlerport!" he began, pausing for a moment to choose his words. "You have endured a terrible trial! A trial of strength, and of heart! Pirates have occupied your town, robbed you, mistreated you! And we who should have shielded you, failed you!"

The crowd rumbled, and some cried out; though he did not sense hostility. They did not blame him, not this time.

"No!"

"Shame!"

"The Marines failed!"

His stomach clenched, as more angry cries erupted. He can see some of the Marines wince and look at each other.

"They let them in!"

"Useless Marines!"

"Gutless trash!"

"Worthless mangy bastards!"

"Tax leeching dogs!"

"Booooo!"

"Down with the World Government!"

Bach forced himself not to react, not to show any emotion. He was getting very close to losing this crowd.

"No, our people! Do not blame the Marines!" he called out. "They have suffered as much as you! They have been imprisoned, starved, and tortured!"

He gestured at Doll. Who stood firm and resolute, despite the upheaval in light of the events of the past hour.

"This is Ensign Doll! An officer of the Marines, and a native of our own Morantown! She alone escaped the invasion! She has given her all to protect our people, and to free you! She has split her blood, and torn her very heart out, that Doyle might be free!"

The mood shifted, and the people began to clap and shout approval. But he could see their uncertainty, their questions. They wanted to know what had happened. They wanted the truth, and he had nothing else to offer them.

"People, the Marines were betrayed, as were you all!" he went on. "For the pirates were invited into this port, and permitted to capture the base! Not by the honest Marines who guard it, but by their own commander! It was Commander Baker who orchestrated this outrage!"

A low groan rang out. Baker was one of their own too, though they had not known his true identity. He saw other Marines with wide eyes, whispering amongst each other.

"There is more to tell!" he continued. "And you will hear it all, soon! But there is a greater task ahead of us! You are hungry, and you are weary! But many among you are suffering far worse! Food is short, but we have sent to Londinium, and to the farms, to send in all they can spare! They are doing so, and they do so gladly, for they know the suffering you have borne! We will send word to our trade partners, to our neighbors across the waves, to our Allies along the Grand Line and more food will arrive soon!"

One last pause.

"For now, look to those in need! Look to those who are suffering, and do good to them! The nightmare is over! Let us look to the new dawn, together!"

The crowd erupted in cheers and clapping. Bach raised his hand in a regal wave.

And prayed that this moment would not be for nothing.

(X)

Watson Place

"I…am fuuuuull!"

Izuku grinned at Yamato's declaration, as they relaxed in the lounge at Watson Place. Dinner had been particularly good, and much needed. After a day of fighting, and flying around the island picking up Jammer Snails and dropping them off at the nearest watchtower - much to the bewilderment of those inside - he had built up an appetite.

"Where the hell does she put it all? I mean I get she's pretty big but damn?" Daigoro declared. Yamato had cleared a great many plates that evening.

"Maybe it's an Oni thing? Though I have noticed people in this universe are able to eat considerably large amounts of food compared to ours." commented En, remembering the Beast Pirates own ludicrous feasts.

Lawson sat in an armchair opposite them, looking tired but happy. Bach was in the mansion's snail room taking a call. Doll, having accepted Lawson's invitation to stay, was up in her room; being comforted by her old friend Angela. She had not come down since they had returned, and no one had the heart to insist.

"I confess myself satisfied," admitted Lawson, still smiling. "Hardly a regal victory feast, I fear; but there will be time for such things later."

To be honest, Izuku was glad of that. He wasn't sure he could have faced a grand event, full of important people and tricky table manners; not after a day like that. To eat informally, in the company of good friends, was more than enough for him.

"It's tomorrow, right?" asked Yamato, perking up a little. "The celebration?"

"Yes, barring something particularly important," replied Lawson. "An impromptu carnival of sorts. An event for people to relax and enjoy themselves. With food laid on."

Yamato nodded, grinning and hopping in her seat.

"And some more good news," called out Bach, as he strode into the room, waving at them to remain seated. "We've managed to reestablish contact with Carrollewis and Tolkein, and our other trade partners. They're ready to send the delayed food shipments, plus any other aid we need."

Izuku let out a sigh of relief. Doyle was not going to starve.

"Another one we owe you, Master Izuku," Bach went on, sitting down in another armchair. "Your efforts this afternoon made it possible."

Izuku smiled, glad of the compliment. It had been hard work finding and shifting those Jammer snails; and even harder to get them back to Adlerport without being seen flying. But the job was done, and that was what mattered.

"And the World Government?" asked Lawson.

"They've acknowledged the situation, and are sending a fleet to help," Bach replied. "Admiral Aokiji will be in command, according to a Commodore Brannew I spoke with."

"Ah yes," Lawson mused. "He collected the tribute. An easygoing if somewhat lazy fellow, fortunately. I suppose they'll be wanting to take charge of the prisoners?"

"Yes. They've requested we hold on to them until they arrive."

Yamato let out a yawn, then blushed in embarrassment; making Lawson chuckle.

"Uh, it's getting late," commented Izuku. "We should probably turn in."

"By all means," replied Bach, smiling slightly. "Good night, Lady Yamato, Master Izuku. And again, thank you both, for everything."

The pair rose, bowed and stepped out into the corridor.

"Sorry about that," said Yamato, looking awkward. "Did you want to stay up some more?"

"No, it's fine," Izuku insisted, smiling. "I'm exhausted too."

"Getting lots of sleep is important, after all," Nana spoke, entering mom mode.

They reached the main staircase, and there was Angela coming down.

"Oh, Angela," Yamato greeted her. "How's Doll?"

"She's asleep now," replied Angela, pausing to meet them. "But it's been hard on her. To think, Baker was a Jansen the whole time."

Izuku felt sad for her, for both of them. He could tell she was worn down, worried for her friend, troubled by a pain she could clearly see, yet could do little to ease.

"Were they really that bad?" Yamato asked. "King Bach implied they were a bad bunch."

"Oh yes," insisted Angela. "There's always been something wrong with that family; and it rubbed off on Jansentown. They hated pretty much everyone else."

Izuku was too tired to shudder. But he remembered what Honest Guy had said, about how the Jansentowners had behaved.

"Did Doll tell you…about what he said?" asked Yamato cautiously.

"Oh yes, and it's no surprise," replied Angela. "If the Jansens had their way, the Prime Minister wouldn't be here, and I wouldn't have a job."

"You wouldn't?" asked Izuku, confused. He thought of the Minelli sisters, and then he understood.

"The sisters were born here, but their parents came from somewhere else; I don't exactly know where," Angela explained. "It's not just minks the Jansens despised."

Izuku sighed. He could only hope that Doyle would free itself of that grim legacy in time. Perhaps he and Yamato had done some good for that.

"Anyway, I'd better see his Majesty and the Prime Minister," Angela went on. "Thank you both for being so kind to Doll. She's not good at saying it, but it means a lot to her; and to me."

"It was nothing," said Izuku, smiling. Angela nodded to them both, then headed down the corridor. Izuku and Yamato headed upstairs.

"I hope Doll will get better soon," Yamato said sadly. "She's suffered so much over this."

"I hope so too," replied Izuku, and meant it.

"Still…" Yamato mused. "It was nice, seeing everyone so happy like that. They were so grateful to see Bach, and Lawson."

"Yes, they were." Izuku remembered the smiles on their faces, and the desperate hope in their eyes. He had half-expected, half-dreaded, that they would be hostile; that they would blame Bach and Lawson for what had happened. But they hadn't.

"Do you think…it'll be like that in Wano?" Yamato asked, fidgeting with her fingers. "I know I shouldn't want it but… wouldn't it be great if the people welcome us like that? If they're glad we came?"

Izuku smiled sadly. She had been an object of fear and contempt her whole life. No one could blame her for wanting a little fame, a little appreciation. To be cheered, and welcomed, to be hailed as a hero; not cursed or dreaded.

"They will!" he insisted, forcing himself to believe it. "They'll be glad of us, Yamato. They'll be glad of you. Because you came when they needed you. Because you were their hero."

Yamato went bright red, and then settled into a gentle smile.

"Thank you, Izuku," she said. "And they'll welcome you too. I know it."

(X)

Lawson was worried.

He had bidden Angela good night, and had returned to the lounge. Bach was still there, staring out of the window at the lit-up city. Something was bothering him; Lawson could tell. And he had a shrewd idea as to what it was.

"What did they say?" he prompted. The silence was unbearable.

"Marineford was not best pleased that I outed Baker to the crowd," Bach replied, without turning from the window. "But they think it's nothing to worry about. They'll blame the whole thing on Baker, and hope people just forget about it. Can't afford to look too incompetent after all."

Lawson sighed. He had half-expected that to be the answer. No doubt Marine HQ wondered which was more embarrassing; that the G-12 base had fallen to a sneak attack, or that the base's own commander was responsible. Baker was a clear scapegoat, at least.

"There is another thing," Bach went on. "Brannew asked me how we were able to deal with two Devil Fruit users. I told them that two mysterious warriors had intervened, and then taken their leave. He said no more about it, but he suggested I should make a full report and give it to Aokiji when he arrives in several days."

Lawson's heart sank. Aokiji was easy going to the point of laziness; or at least he was the last time Lawson had spoken to him. But even if Aokiji himself was willing to let the matter slide, there were plenty more who would not. They would want to know who, or what, had saved Doyle from the Finalem brothers.

"We need to get those two out of here," Bach said. "We have a few days, maybe. But they must not be here when Aokiji arrives."

He trailed off. Lawson understood, only too well.

"It's a shame, really," he said, with a sad smile. "I've rather enjoyed having those two around. It's been…fun, somehow."

And it had. He could not remember enjoying himself quite so much since those two had dropped into his life. Not since he and Bach had taken their first cases, when they were younger.

"I confess it has," Bach admitted. "But we must protect them, Lawson. It's the least we can do."

Lawson nodded in wholehearted agreement; though his heart ached. Bach was lonely, he knew, as only someone of his sublime intellect and high calling could be. As a child, he had seen little of other children; and when he had, it hadn't gone well. Something about him had seemed to frighten or anger them. Even now, the eyes that looked upon him were generally guarded, sometimes reverent, occasionally hateful. They were rarely open, or trusting.

Until Izuku and Yamato had come along.

"There is also the matter of their reward," Bach went on. "They are owed the bounties at least, but by all rights I should allow them the ship and its contents too. By heaven, they are owed far more. Did it come up while I was out, Lawson?"

"No, it didn't. They never mentioned money, or the ship, or reward at all. Perhaps they want no reward."

"No, I will not allow that." Bach's tone hardened. "I…we must talk to them about it as soon as possible. I cannot simply allow the saviors of my country to go unrewarded, it would go against my very honor. Perhaps we could keep the money in trust for them."

"That might be wise," mused Lawson nodding. "All that money will not fit easily in their backpacks."

Bach nodded, apparently satisfied. But there was still a shadow about him, a shadow that had been there since Izuku and Yamato went to bed.

"Things are going to be difficult," he said, after a long pause. "We've won this battle, but there are worse threats than the Finalems out there. And the Marines have taken a beating."

Lawson ran the figures through his mind. The G-12 base had been recovered largely intact, with mercifully few casualties among its garrison and officers. But Vice Admiral Scotyard had been lost, along with three first-rate battleships and all hands. Such losses were by no means irreplaceable, but they could not be laughed off either. And while the Finalems were fierce pirates to be sure, they were a dime a dozen compared to the monsters that had made the New World their home.

"I'm sure the Marines will be willing to make provisions," he said diplomatically. He knew that shadow, and what it meant. "They will not leave us vulnerable, not with our Mining Guilds."

"For a time, perhaps," agreed Bach. "But their ships will have to move on, sooner or later. If they guard us well, pirates will strike somewhere else; and some other kingdom will suffer as we have done, or worse. I…we may have to take other measures."

Lawson did not like where this was going. Bach's mind was wandering in dark places, as it had a habit of doing. And the results were rarely good.

"They are the World Government, Bach," he said gently but firmly. "It is their responsibility, their right, to protect us. We… we should not forget that lightly."

For a long time, Bach was silent; and Lawson began to dread what was going on inside that brilliant, unhappy mind.

"I will talk to Aokiji myself when he arrives, and I will go to the Reverie, as planned," he said eventually. "Perhaps I can convince them. Perhaps…some agreement can be reached."

"And perhaps, in the meantime you will get some sleep," insisted Lawson. "You've endured enough for now."

"Yes," Bach replied with a sigh. "We all have."

(X)

The next morning

Londinium had changed completely.

Out in the street, amidst the celebrations, Izuku could hardly believe this was the city he and Yamato had landed in only days earlier. The buildings were hung with bunting, bands and small groups were playing music, the sun was high and bright. All around him, faces that had been grim and weary were now bright and joyful.

The night had passed, and the new day had begun.

The four of them - himself, Yamato, Doll, and Angela, strolled slowly down the street, the festivities carrying on around them. Doll was in her blue and white dress uniform, while Angela was in a blue dress with white trim. Yamato in turn was in her big maroon dress, while Izuku wore his green suit. The odd glance came their way, but with smiles rather than suspicion. Everyone else was dressed much the same, and Doll seemed to be getting most of the attention.

"Funny question," Doll said, all of a sudden. "But why were you two using false names?"

"Huh?" Yamato looked up from a shop window she had been perusing.

"Yoichi and Shirou, back in Adlerport," Doll pressed. "What was that about?"

"Oh, that," Izuku cut in. "We, well, we pissed off some pirates before we came here. We didn't want to cause any trouble."

"Oh…" Doll looked concerned, and Izuku remembered the incident in the base the day before; when Bach had revealed her imprisonment. "Well, if you've got someone on your tail, there's always the Marines. I can put in a good word for you both."

"Ah…" Izuku paused, glancing at Yamato. "That's good of you, but Yamato and I have other plans."

"We want to explore the whole world!" Yamato cut in enthusiastically. "It's our dream!"

"That's wonderful!" gushed Angela, clasping her hands in front of her chin. "To travel right round the world! All the way round the Grand Line! Ah, what a marvelous idea!"

"Well, if you're going by Yoichi and Shirou, that's what I'll call you," Doll said, winking. "It's the least I can do. And my offer stands, any time."

"Thank you, Doll!" exclaimed Yamato, pulling the hapless Marine into a bear hug. "You don't know what that means to us!" The goth squawked with surprise inside her bosom. Angela blinked, bewildered; and Izuku had to poke the towering white haired girl to release the Marine before she lost consciousness.

"Man, what I'd give to trade places with her right now." Daigoro smirked, only to get smacked by Nana.

"Quit being such a pervert."

"Oh, there's Mr and Mrs Busby!" declared Angela, grabbing a blithering Doll by the arm. "Excuse us!"

She all but dragged Doll over to an elderly couple on the other side of the street; who seemed most pleased to see them both.

"She's popular these days."

Izuku almost jumped, but his Danger Sense remained silent. He glanced, and saw a young man standing nearby leaning against a wall; clad in a black suit and top hat, with a mop of blonde hair underneath it.

A young man he had seen before.

"Sabo?" he asked, remembering the young man he had met in Stapleton's Tavern.

"Long time no see!" The young man grinned, and clasped his hand.

"Oh hi, who are you?" Yamato pointed at herself in confusion. Izuku remembered that they hadn't actually been introduced. Yamato had been downing moonshine by the pint at the time, with little attention for anything else.

"Oh, uh, this is Sabo," he introduced the young man. "We met in Stapleton's Tavern. Sabo, this is Shirou."

"A pleasure," declared Sabo, smiling as she clasped Yamato's proffered hand. "I'm glad you both got through that mess okay. It was looking pretty hairy for a minute there."

"Yes, uh, thank you," Izuku replied. "The same to you. We didn't see much of it though."

"Nor me. Just keeping my head down, doing my own little part in my own way."

Sabo smiled. His clothing wasn't much different to what the other men were wearing, but there was something about him. An air, or manner, that got Izuku's attention.

"Classic rogue type," whispered Yoichi. "Don't get taken in."

"Unlike our heroine of the hour over there." Sabo gestured across the street. Doll was now surrounded by what could only have been groupies; much to Angela's amusement. She was holding up well for the moment, compared to how some of his classmates had coped with being mobbed; and this bunch were nothing like as bad as some of the Hero groupies he'd seen in action.

"Yes, but she deserves it!" insisted Yamato.

"Indeed she does," agreed Sabo, grinning. "But even that doesn't compare to the two mysterious heroes; the ones who took down the Finalem brothers."

Izuku felt just a little nervous. There was no reason for anyone to connect them to what they had done in the palace. Surely Sabo was just making conversation.

Right?

"Just keep calm and don't give away anything." The Third User spoke seriously, with Izuku mentally nodding.

"I keep hearing about those two," he said, forcing himself to lie. "But no one's seen anything of them. It's like they just… vanished into thin air."

"Yeah, funny, isn't it?" Sabo went on. "You'd think they'd hang around, take in the celebration, maybe get a little appreciation."

That look again.

"He thinks it was you two, but he doesn't have any proof," whispered the Second User. "He's trying to trick you into admitting it."

"Or maybe they had somewhere to be," Izuku mused, as lightly as he could force himself to.

"Or maybe they just wanted to be gone before the Marines got here." Sabo shrugged. "I can't blame them for that. Word is the Marines are sending Admiral Aokiji and a decent-sized fleet here."

"Yeah, I guess they would," replied Izuku. He didn't know where Sabo had heard that, but rumors were bound to get around. "They'll be wanting to check on their soldiers at the base and make sure the pirates are secured."

"And show the flag, and act like they didn't make a complete mess of things." Sabo cocked an eyebrow. "A single ship and one treacherous commander. Together they defeated a Marine base, and nearly turned this country into another Dressrosa. If they can't cover it up, they'll want to make sure nobody gets funny ideas."

"Someone's clearly not a fan of the government." Hikage muttered.

"Funny ideas?" asked Yamato, blinking. Sabo shot her an indulgent smile. Izuku remembered what he had overhead down in Adlerport, once he was done gathering the Jammer Snails. The people were embracing Doll as their hero, but she was one of their own. The Marines as an organization were not quite so popular. Or very popular at all.

"He's fishing," the Second User cut in. "Keep it together."

"Ideas about whether that Marine garrison is worth the trouble," Sabo went on. His eyes moved lazily around the street, as if he were casually glancing around. But Izuku could see where they were pointing, where they were hovering.

"Oh, definitely!" added En. "We've got a spy here, or some kind of subversive. He doesn't want to be overheard, and he doesn't want Doll seeing him."

Izuku looked straight at Sabo, thinking back to their first meeting in the tavern. His Danger Sense was silent, and even without it, Sabo didn't seem like a bad person.

"Sabo, who do you work for?" Izuku asked straight out. Sabo paused, blinking. He had not expected that.

"What makes you think I work for anybody?" he asked in reply. "I'm nobody suspicious."

"Doll mentioned that two mysterious warriors who helped her against the Finalem lieutenants. One of them wore a top hat, and fought with a pipe." He said as he eyed the same accessory perched atop of the blonde's crown.

Sabo looked at him with what might have been respect. The boy shrugged without much care.

"Let's just say I'm an interested party, and I work with an interested party of interested parties," he replied, smiling. "One of our interests is helping those in need, and another is helping people who fall foul of authority, including the Marines."

He took something out of his pocket. It was a small bottle, with a shred of paper inside it.

"This is what we call a Vivre card," he said. "This one is bound to me. The paper inside will point to wherever I am." He held it up, and Izuku saw the little paper shred shift to point straight at Sabo. "If you like, I can have one made that's bound to you. And if you keep this one, and I keep that one, we can find each other easily."

"Wow," Izuku breathed, staring at the bottle. Bearing in mind Log Poses and Eternal Poses, it wasn't all that strange. "How does it work? How are they made?"

"With your fingernails."

His mind momentarily froze, blanked out with an error command. He hadn't just heard that, had he?

"Fingernails?" he asked, looking at Sabo as if he had his underwear on his head.

"I don't know how it works," insisted Sabo awkwardly. "But trust me, it does. I just need a few nail clippings, and I've even got a bottle and clipper for it." He slipped the Vivre card back into his pocket, and pulled out a similar but empty bottle, and a pair of metal nail clippers.

Izuku paused, thinking. Fulfilling this man's deal would be an act of trust, and a dangerous one. If the Vivre Cards worked as described, then Sabo - or whoever possessed the card - would be able to track him anywhere.

"Don't do it," hissed the Third User. "Don't give him that kind of power."

"But he's offering the same," retorted Daigoro. "He can find us, and we can find him. It balances out."

"Idiot! Why should he care if we can find him!?" snarled the Third. "Some people don't care if they live or die! They'll take that kind of risk to get what they want!"

"We're stuck in a world we know next to nothing about with a borderline invincible monster after us and virtually no help or allies to speak of. If we don't suck it up and make some tough choices we won't last long," Daigoro yelled back, his whips briefly appearing behind him.

Izuku drew a breath, made his choice, and took the bottle and clippers from Sabo.

"You sure about this?" Sabo asked, half-amused, as Izuku clipped his nails into the bottle.

"I don't mind, " replied Izuku, sealing the bottle. "Besides. When you return the card to me, I'll give you our true names." Sabo's eyes rose up, the smirk on his face growing.

"That's kinda risky, isn't it?"

"Not really." Izuku grinned. "If you do actually come back, it means we can trust you."

Sabo blinked, taken aback. So did Yamato.

"That's some pretty dangerous logic," he said, forcing a smirk. "We could be enemies by then."

"I don't think so."

"You don't?"

"I don't." Izuku gave him his most innocent smile. "You risked your life to help Doll with those pirates. Why would a bad person help those in need?"

"Seriously!?" growled the Second User as Izuku winced a bit. This may have been the first time the Second has been legitimately angry. Sabo gave him a strange look, and then smiled.

"Well, I guess I am a softie deep down. And in the end, I was only following your lead." He reached out his hand, and Izuku clasped it. "I'll get the card made, and if I can, I'll come find you. And that offer remains open."

"Fine by me. Take care, Sabo."

"You too Yoichi, and Shirou."

He clasped hands with Yamato, and strolled off down the street, vanishing into the crowds.

"He seems nice."

Izuku shrugged.

"He's a good guy, I think."

"Good enough for me!" Yamato preened and Izuku couldn't help but laugh a little at that.

(X)

It was proving a tolerable evening, thus far.

Bach watched as Lawson and Judith performed a spirited pasodoble, to the overture of the opera Carmi Anne. Around the ballroom of Watson Place, the guests watched in open admiration. The pair were performing well, even by the rarified standards of the nobility.

The young king suppressed a smirk. They had always been a fine pair, those two; for as long as he had known them, and longer still. Judith had always been the finest dancer among the maids, even when she was in her teens; and a young Lawson had never been able to resist a quick chasse-and-whisk.

Especially when it drew their faces so close, as those two could not help but do.

Really…

The dance came to an end; the guests breaking into a round of applause as the couple paid their respects.

"Splendid as always, Lawson, Miss Judith," Bach acknowledged them, allowing himself to smile.

"Ah, we do rather well together, your Majesty," replied Lawson, bowing. "We seem to have a shared knack."

"Would that it was more than a knack," Bach mused aloud, unable to stop himself with his hands behind his back. "Would that you stopped beating about the bush, and plighted your vows together."

Judith blushed like a schoolgirl; though Bach sensed she did not at all object to the notion. Lawson started spluttering, and the guests broke into fits of knowing giggles.

"Y-y-your Majesty!" Lawson finally managed to say. "What's the meaning of this!? Such impropriety! I know I taught you better!"

"Because you complement each other perfectly, and you've been giving each other the eye for as long as I've known you," retorted Bach as he lowered his voice to a whisper. "You've raised me since I was a child, truer parents than even my blood for all this time, it's only right that you make it official."

The pair froze, too stunned to reply. Before they could gather themselves, Bach gestured at the orchestra with a gloved hand and a smirk, then stepped back as the music started up again.

"Must you tease them so, your Majesty?" asked an amused Jenner, moving up to join him. Various couples were stepping onto the dance floor, and Lawson and Judith could only join in. Any retort they had in mind would have to wait until later.

"I do it with affection, not unkindness, Lord Jenner," Bach replied mildly. "It will be better for them both if they cease their long pretense."

Jenner looked awkward, and Bach had to force himself not to smirk. He knew all about the cat mink lady who resided in a fine apartment at the fashionable end of central Londinium, with a couple of servants and her daughter. A daughter who just happened to attend school alongside Officer Seamus' young daughter. Another long pretense that, if his information was right, was about to end quite soon.

"There seems to be a lot of young love tonight, your Majesty," Jenner changed the subject, gesturing at the dance floor. Bach's eyes fell on Commissioner Tibs, who was waltzing with his young wife; both lost in each other's eyes. And nearby, Bach could see Izuku and Yamato too; Izuku in a military-style tunic and pants in dark green, Yamato in a new white gown, both care of the Minelli sisters. They were doing their best, but any sort of formal dance was bound to be difficult; when the lady was only a little less than twice the gentleman's height. So they settled for hand to hand, walking about as best they can in a circle

Certainly didn't help the young man was struggling to look his partner in the eye, his face utterly flushed. Hard to look at her in the eye in the first place too given the height and... other dimensions.

But for all that, Bach couldn't bring himself to laugh. And neither could anyone else.

"Ah, tis a fine thing," harrumphed Hutchinson, still in his dress uniform. "When I was young, I was never without a young lady on my bicep. The uniform never fails I say!"

"Would that we all had time for such matters?"

Bach turned to a voice he knew, but had not heard in some time. It was an old, balding man, dressed in a sober but well-made black suit, resting on a cane. But despite his age, his eyes were still sharp.

"You, Mr Gregson, had other matters to occupy you," Bach replied diplomatically.

"Indeed, your Majesty. I had little time for young ladies, or for raucous parties."

"Come now," retorted Jenner with a smile. "Our kingdom has narrowly escaped utter destruction. A little frivolity is forgivable, I think. And I would hardly call this raucous."

"I suppose not," mused Charleston Gregson. "We could hear your idea of raucous from the other side of the city; not so long ago."

Jenner looked awkward again, and Hutchinson let out a laugh.

"Still, better this than our kingdom in ruins," Gregson mused. "Your Majesty, in your short rule you've conquered adversity where your father, god rest his soul, may have floundered."

He bowed his head respectfully, and Bach nodded in reply.

"I thank you for your compliments sir. And your trains will be quite busy in the coming days." Gregson let out a light "Hmmph" at that.

"Indeed yes. So much to do. But now I'll have to figure out future payment in escrow. My conductors have been demanding more and more, but now that things are back to normal they'll be bellyaching even harder; when I have to hire more drivers."

"Grandfather!"

The old man paused, his countenance softening, as a young boy hurried up beside him. The boy paused as he saw the King, and quickly bowed. He looked about eight years old, with brown hair and green eyes.

"Grandfather, may I try the Vanilla rose pudding?"

"By all means. And some for your little friend too."

Bach watched as the boy bowed again, then trotted off back to the food table; where a young girl of about his own age was waiting. It was Officer Seamus' daughter. She was by the portly policeman's side as she talked with the excited young boy, the two going off to the desert table as Seamus laughed. They met eyes, and Seamus tipped his cap and followed them along, no doubt acting as security.

Ironic considering the strongest people in this land were clumsily trying to waltz and Yamato was looking all the more embarrassed, walking and dancing slowly to the music's tune at Izuku's behest.

Seems like he could use some waltz pointers. 'I'll have to coach him it seems,' Bach thought wryly before gazing back to the nostalgic looking old man before him.

"My only remaining relative. My late daughter's son," Gregson sighed sadly. "I can but hope my efforts will make his future brighter than our past."

"You are not alone in that, Mr Gregson." Bach offered his hand, and the old man clasped it. "Let us rebuild this weary kingdom together."

"I wish you a fine night your Majesty." Gregson bowed and began to leave, when the music changed. "Ah, I remember this one. I danced to it at Fuzzison's long ago."

"You worked for that firecracker of a Carriage maker Gregson? By Jove I didn't think you had it in you," declared Hutchinson with a smile behind his thick mustache.

"I was young then, General. We were all young once." He bowed, and stalked off.

"Yes we were, yes we were," Hutchinson mused, with just a hint of melancholy. Bach looked around for Izuku and Yamato. They had dropped out and headed for the buffet table; Yamato going at it with more enthusiasm than she did dancing. Bach watched them for a little while, watching their smiles, their bright eyes, their joy.

She could work on her manners though, she was ripping legs off of geese and Turkey and dipping them in all manners of condiments and sauces and eating a plenty.

"SO GOOOOOOD!" She cried out as Izuku was wincing as he was trying to fill his own plate. Some people were even looking at them sideways. Someone that well dressed eating like that?

"Harumph, was she raised in a cave?" Hutchinson mused as he sipped his champagne.

"One can get that impression." Jenner added.

"She has a healthy appetite, one could say." Lawson chuckled as Bach smiled lightly.

"I gotta try this and this and this, there's so many sauces!" Yamato exclaimed taking dollops onto her plate filled with mashed potatoes and rice. She was a free spirit in all the meaning of the word.

Yes, Lawson had been right. He would miss those two, a lot. Who else could have helped him to fly through the sky? Who else had made him feel hope when all seemed lost? Who else would have faced down those monstrous brothers for a kingdom not their own?

Who would give him hope once they were gone? Who would smile at him with bright eyes, once those two had gone on their way? Who would make him smile inside, and marvel at how utterly innocent some people could be?

No. No he would not give in to this. He could not force them, nor even ask them to stay; any more than he had asked his grandfather's courtiers to hang around. He had to get them off this island before Aokiji arrived, and not just for their sakes. If the Marines found out that he had lied to Brannew…

"YOWWWWWWWWWWW!" Bach looked up, as Yamato went sprinting round the table, her face bright red. "HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT!" She took a pitcher of water from a waiter, chugging it to her lips but gasped. "THATS NOT WORKING! AAAAAAAAAAGH!" She yelled before shevanished through one of the side doors, Izuku racing after her.

"Gonna get milk!" he yelled as the doors closed, as some people at the party chuckled.

"Ah they must have had the Madeline Pepper sauce. 'Maude's Reaper' as the men call it," Hutchinson mused. "Girl must not be able to handle her spice."

"She shouldn't have been piling her plate sky high then," Jenner shrugged. "She eats like a Sea King. Then again, she's likely stronger than one."

Hutchinson cleared his throat. "Quite right, quite right."

Bach sighed, and made a mental note to avoid that sauce. Judith's condiments were not for the faint of heart, or sensitive of tongue.

After a few moments of awkward silence, the soiree continued. Conversations picked up again, and the dancing carried on; as if nothing had happened.

Except…something had happened.

Bach didn't feel right. His brief melancholy was gone, but his contentment hadn't returned. He was on edge, his nerves tingling, yet there was nothing to be frightened of. All was well; a party carrying on just as it ought to.

Then he saw Lawson, staring towards the balcony window. His eyes were staring, his mouth open, in utter terror. More and more guests began to follow his line of sight, their own faces turning to bewilderment, and fear as gasps rang out. The balcony doors crashed open, the orchestra stopping suddenly, a dead silence carrying through as the wind blew in.

Bach watched, heart hammering, as the great black shape stepped lightly into the ballroom. An enormous, muscular torso set upon thin legs; clad in a black high-collared jacket, with a white crosshair emblem emblazoned across it. Down its side hung two hefty arms, one of which held a large thick Bible. Atop of the broad chest sat a lantern-jawed head with billowing black hair covered by a white cap; its eyes hidden behind white glasses.

"Good evening, your Majesty," greeted the 'Tyrant' Bartholomew Kuma, Warlord of the Sea.

---

SUPRISE KUMA

But yeah this chapter took a bit and was a big one from Juubi-K . Needed a good deal of polishing and rewriting thanks to IKnowNothing and WildJoker000 but nothing too major. Became the better product in the end.

But yeah, we aren't out of the woods just yet.

Hope you all enjoyed this one too. As of writing this (4/26/23) there's 2 more chapters done in need of polish and editing. So they'll come out in time before I need to take a break to work on FFESS for a spell.

Hope you all enjoyed this one. And I'll see you all next time.