"Now what to do about you guys…" Ann groans dread hitting her hard as she has no choice but to drag each and every straw hat member into a nearby ship, strength was not her strong suit, being speedy and nifty sure but bulkiness not her strong suit one bit…
"…Huh been a while Kokoro." Astonished, Ann perks up at the sight of the mermaid.
"I should have known you'd be here to save the next pirate king." The old woman smiles softly at Ann.
"…So you noticed it too." Ann smirks slightly.
"…If Tom was here he would have been happy to have built that shop." Smiling, she tells Ann.
"Tom…Kokoro…" Anguished, Ann begins but…
"…It isn't your fault what happened to Tom Ann." Kokoro stops her.
"But…" Ann furrows her brow.
"Tom wouldn't want you blaming yourself for it what he made was between you and your father not you." Kokoro tells her.
"…Thanks." Ann bows her head, her hues glancing over at the bodies below still sleeping eyeing the ginger haired enigma that was Nami, a part of her still wondering what Nami wanted to say to her back then…
"Ann…the hell are you thinking?" Bell'mere couldn't help but comprehend brow furrowed from the newspaper below showing Shanks and Ann at the cover their bounty broadcasted all over with the fall of Elegia as the two wanted photos stand side by side with their respective bounty.
"Hey Bell'mere." Nami approaches the mohawk woman reading the paper perturbed.
"Hm?" Humming, she turns to Nami and Nojiko.
"You look sad do you know her?" Nami asks pointing to the woman winking in the photo.
"…Yeah…you could say that." Tiredly, Bell'mere sighs sadly.
"Whoa you know the Hibiscus!?" Nojiko perks up at the news.
"Hibiscus?" Perplexed, Nami turns to her sister.
"Nami haven't you heard!? They say she makes sirens jealous! They say she makes the mermaids look like a joke with her beauty, they say she uses her beauty to seduce men to steal from them, well that's what the guys around here say…" Smiling, Nojiko gushes giddily over the famed Hibiscus unaware of Bell'mere brow furrowing, conflict clear on her fatigued facial features…
"Course they does heh…she was more than that you know." Bell'mere admits to the two.
"Huh?" The two perk up at her words.
"She's the one who gave me the confidence that even a hooligan like me could have you two in my life." Smiling, she admits to the two.
"What do you mean?" Nami pries perplexed.
"She taught me that no matter one's background everyone has value in their life…she was my captain but also my friend…there would be days when we would travel where we would be down to a low supply and she wouldn't eat anything days on end just so everyone else on that ship could eat." Bell'mere explains to them.
"Days on end…?" Nojiko says softly eyeing Bell'mere concern clear on her furrowed features.
"How did she do that?" Nami asks astonished.
"When it comes to Ann, anything is possible for her I guess that's what I liked her and looked up to her. She didn't care who you were, what race you were, so long as you treated her right she'd treat you right…she'd do the right thing no matter what…she was what a marine is supposed to be." Nojiko tries to elaborate.
"If she is then why is she a pirate?" Perplexed, Nami queries.
"…Who knows? All I know is that Ann must have done what she did for a reason whether that reason is right or wrong we'll never know…" Bell'mere shrugs it off as the young Nami couldn't help but wonder over her words…
"Urgh…" Namie groans slowly opening her hues.
"Ah…they're beginning to wake up." Nami perks up at the voice of Ann at the wheel.
"Rise and shine sleepyheads…" Smiling, Kokoro greets them.
"It's fine they need to know!" Nami groans from the sound of arguing.
"Aniki!" The voice calls out from the snail.
"What? This voice…Ann really did save them!" Frankie beams brightly.
"Stop it! Ann already made 'em think we died while we ran away…we can't let her plan be ruined." Paulie takes control.
"You guys…" Frankie smiles softly, touched relieved to hear his friends safe and sound…
"Y-You were here sir!? We'll follow them! We won't allow it to end here! If that pink haired bitch wasn't there we would have had them! That conqueror's haki of hers…no one could have combatted against it! No matter the marines, no the world government must do we make that pink haired traitor of a marine pay for helping the Straw Hats! No matter what we'll make sure to capture the criminals Nico Robin and Portgas D. Ann we'll get more battleships ad more soldiers and-" Seething, the vice admiral vows as Aokiji sits on his bike listening to the report eyeing the broken ships laying scarred eyeing the ruined remains of Enies lobby.
"It's fine." Stone faced, Aokiji assures.
"But…" The vice admiral begins but…
"Even with a national level Buster Call…looking at this fleet as well as the state of Enies Lobby it's obvious this situation…was our complete defeat." Aokiji states the fact firmly.
"What happened back there?" Sanji groans holding his head as next he and the others knew it was the next day everyone was back at water seven safe and sound.
"I don't really remember all I remember was Ann saying to brace ourselves for something then…nothing." Nami describes brow furrowed from the murky memory of it all.
"Morning." Ann enters the small home of sorts stretching.
"Ann! What happened?" Nami rushes over to her.
"Hm?" Humming, she eyes Nami.
"One moment we're fighting the next we're here!" Nami frets.
"Ah…conqueror's haki." Ann shrugs.
"Conqueror's…" Nami begins but…
"Haki?" Sanji steps up.
"…You telling me you guys made it this far without knowing what haki is?" Ann furrows her brow
"…" The crew share a look.
"Wow no wonder you were in that situation…" Ann remarks.
"So were you." Nami points out.
"Yeah fair, fair I mean I just thought one of you guys would pull it out I mean I just knocked them out that's all." Ann remarks making the crew share a look.
"Why didn't you use it before?" Nami frowns at Ann.
"I thought one of you guys would. Now if you'll excuse me…" Ann admits as before the crew knew it she joined Luffy at the table and…
"SHE FELL ASLEEP!?" The crew gawk gape at the two sleeping D's.
"HOW FAST IS THAT?!" Taken aback, Sanji exclaims.
"She's just like Luffy." Nami sweat drops.
"No doubt exhausted from carrying us…" Sanji remarks.
"She really is on another level to us…" Nami says in awe at the sleeping woman.
"Oh the pirate king sure seems to be feeling good." Kokoro comes in back in her normal attire.
"Oh? You're mistaken. After the fight he collapsed but he was still dying to eat. He seems to have invented a technique to eat while sleeping." Sanji clarifies.
"He's sleeping!?" Stunned, Kokoro exclaims.
"Amazing pirates!" Her granddaughter gushes giddily.
"She's a pretty skilled pirate too! Just like her father." Kokoro smirks slightly down at Ann.
"Her father?" Sanji perks up.
"Oh yes he was very strong just like her oh yeah the log pose should be set again after two or three days! What happened here!?" Kokoro tells them before faltering from the sad sight of Nami.
"Even if the log is set we can't move forward anymore the 100 million beri we worked so hard for to buy us a new ship…our clothes…our furniture…Bell'mere-san's orange trees…all of it…Aqua Laguna carried it all away…we can't go anywhere anymore…" Anguished, Nami whimpers weakly.
"Gloomy…" Kokoro's granddaughter exclaims.
"We left all of it at the inn in the back streets." Sanji adds anguished.
"Ah so that's what the visitors out front are for…" Kokoro hums.
"Visitors?" Sanji perks up.
"Um…the truth is we…" The visitors come inside and…
"My orange trees i thought they' never come back!" Beaming, Nami hugs the trees.
"Actually while we thought you were responsible for Iceburg's assassination. Your stuff crossed our minds so we seized it all sorry about that." The visitors add.
"It's alright thank you!" Nami smiles.
"Well that's good." Kokoro smiles.
"Oi we're coming in." Chopper calls out.
"We're back." Robin smiles shopping bag in hand as she and Chopper comes in.
"Oh Chopper Robin Swan that was heavy wasn't it? Now please right this way!" Sanji swoons.
"Thank you." Robin smiles handing him the bag.
"I went and checked on Franky's family's wounds and I didn't let Robin out of my sight!" Chopper salutes.
"Good work!" Sanji salutes back.
"I already told you I'm not going anywhere." Robin smiles.
"Promise?" Chopper looks up at Robin.
"Promise." Robin assures Chopper.
"Look you two my orange trees were okay. All our money and stuff is back!" Nami cheers.
"Really?" Chopper smiles.
"Now we can continue our voyage!" Nami smiles.
"That's great!" Chopper cheers.
"Feeling super you guys?" Frankie comes in with his friends.
"Frankie what are you up to all of a sudden?" Sanji demands.
"Listen! I have something important to tell you…" Frankie tells them.
"You just come in and start talking if it's ot an apology then we're not listening." Sanji complains.
"Shut up be quiet and listen! Since the war started if a person were to try living on that island under that rain of shells. The people would die the town would die they'd be cremated with their ruins. There was something still standing, a study tree. No matter what happened it wouldn't fall. People gathered near the tree and built a city…and a country. There are only a few in the world. The name of that strong tree is…the treasure wood Adam." Frankie explains to them.
"A tree?" Sanji says.
"So what?" Chopper frowns.
"In our routes having even a piece of that tree show up is extremely rare. I wanted it but…it's an item that costs two hundred million. I couldn't touch it. and what appeared before me but a group of pirates carrying a ton of money, you guys." Frankie elaborates.
"Why you! You used our money to buy something like that didn't you!?" Sanji accuses agitated.
"Just let me finish! A long time ago I decided I would never build a ship again. But before long to catch up to a man I admired and to reach my own goal, I drew up the blueprints for a ship…my dream is to sue that treasure wood and just one last time…make a ship able to sail any sea. I'm going to make a dream ship. I already have the wood and the blueprints. With this I can make it. So when it's done would you all sail in the ship I created?!" Frankie finishes his story while Luffy and Ann are snoring away.
"So you mean you'll give us that ship!?" Stunned, Sanji says.
"Yeah if people who I like are sailing it that's what will make me happiest. It's something I was only able to make because of your investment after all. The only ship on this sea that ever sailed around the world, Gold Roger's Oro Jackson was made from this wood. I'll defiantly show ou an amazing ship." Frankie vows.
"Can't be helped you and Tom are the same after all like carpenter." Kokoro smiles.
"That's true now…now I ca understand how Tom felt pride when he died." Frankie smiles.
"You're a really good guy!" Chopper cheers.
"We'll take it!" Sanji smiles.
"Thank you Franky! Luffy we've got a ship!" Nami cheers but is met by…
"Zzz…" Luffy's soft snore.
Quietly, the young Ann sits down at the bar silently sipping her sherry wine with Bell'mere by her side, no words needing to be shed between both friends until…
Hey Ann…" Bell'mere calls out to the girl by her side.
Hm?" Silently, she sips her drink.
You ever thought about having kids?" Bell'mere asks as astonished, Ann does a double take at the question nearly coughing chocking confusing concerning Bell even.
"You okay?" Bell'mere eyes the mess.
"F-Fine repeats the question…please." Politely, she wheezes out holding her throat tense.
"You ever thought about having kids?" Bluntly, Bell repeats the question.
"I…wow you're asking that already…" Ann bows her head.
"Come on I'm curious." Bell prompts.
"Course not." Ann answers.
"Really? Not even once?" Bemused, Bell arches a brow.
"Course not I have way too many responsibilities as it is." Ann argues as she looks away.
"Not even with a certain ice man." Bell lightly elbows Ann's side smirking at Ann's bright blush.
"…Bell…" Ann begins but…
"I'm just saying your kids would be cute." Bell insists.
"And I'm just saying I have way too much on my plate for that." Tiredly, Ann sighs.
"Aw come on." Bell whines unaware of the solemn sad expression of Ann.
"Urgh I guess the thought had crossed my mind but then another piece of paperwork would be slapped in my face." Ann admits before brow furrowing from the murky memory.
"So you admit it!" Bell beams brightly at the blushing Ann.
"Why bring it up?" Ann arches a brow befuddled.
"Just thinking is all." Blushing, Bell turns to look away.
"…You'd be a good mother." Ann tells Bell.
"Huh?" Baffled, Bell blurts out.
"You heard me." Ann shrugs.
"You know how expensive they are." Bell scoffs.
"Oh how the tables turn." Teasingly, Ann smirks smugly.
"Oh shut up…" Bell grumbles glaring to the side.
"I mean it. You'd be a good mother" Ann insists.
"What?" Bell furrows her brow at Ann.
"You heard me." Ann answers.
"Hold your horses. I'd have to find a guy first for someone as wild as me I doubt I will." Bell scoffs.
"Who says you need a guy to have a family?" Frowning, Ann asks Bell befuddling her.
"Huh?" Bell blurts out.
"There's more to family than blood relations." Resolved, Ann answers.
You serious?" Softly, she stares at Ann.
"Course I have two brothers of my own." Ann admits.
"Eh!? You never told me before!" Bell says shocked.
"You never asked. They may be pains in the ass and we may not be related by blood but…they're my family, I love them both." Honestly, Ann admits as she eyes her drink.
"Family huh…" Bell'mere stares silently down at her glass below.
"There's more to life than blood relations Bell…you needn't need blood to make family there's more to being a family than that." The younger Ann tells Bell unaware of Bell's eyes widening when hearing her words taking them in more than Ann had realized.
"This is bad we were found out this quickly and Ann and Luffy are still sleeping! I have to let them know fast! Huh? WHAT!? The sea? Crap was it the other direction? What the sea again? What's wrong with this island?" Zoro frets frantically running trying to remember the directions to the house however…he struggles.
"It's them…they're here to capture the pirates!"
"Even though they're the heroes who saved Iceburg's life!?"
"Oi look over there! That's vice Admiral Garp's warship from Headquarters
"Did you say Garp?"
"Isn't he the legendary marine who cornered Gold Roger countless times?"
"Why is such an amazing marine…here?"
"Maybe it's due to the defected marine vice admiral Ann? I've heard she's here too!"
"Really Portgas!? This is bad for the pirates…"
The crowd eye the marines marching towards the house…one of them recognising the man with his dog hat.
"Stop messing with me how am I here again!? Dammit I have to tell them quick!" Zoro seethes snarls tick marks crossing his face.
"Looks like an idiot over here…" A voice snickers.
"Should we do it to them? Hey Ossan show us your face!" Another draws out a ruler.
"Huh?" The swordsman turns to the recorder and ruler wielder.
"W-Wait a second officers there's o one but our president back-" The shipwright people try to stop them but..
"Stop blathering there should be pirates back here!" Garp brushes past them.
"We said there aren't!" A worker tries to stop them but…
"W-Wait you can't!" His fellow worker pulls him out.
"You two wait here." Garp orders.
"Yes sir!" The pink haired boy and blonde both comply as he goes over to the side.
"Heheh…" Smirking, he blows on his fist.
"What the!?" Sanji and co gawk gape at the wall suddenly smashed open.
"Who is!?" The crew gawk gape at the man in white.
"Are you the Straw Hat Pirates? There's some men here who wat to meet Monkey D. Luffy and Ann D. Portgas." The man with the dog helmet tells them.
"Marines!" Sanji and Frankie both ready to defend the two sleeping behind them, Luffy snoring with Ann simply snoozing in a world of her own.
"Really just as careless as always…" Garp smiles at the sight of the two lurching forward.
"WHAT!?" Sanji gasps at such speed.
"DAMMIT!" Frankie curses but before the two knew it…
"WAKE UP!" The man had bashed both their captain and yonko left hand's head into the ground.
"LUFFY!" Sanji and Nami cry out.
"ANN!" Robin cries out.
"It hurts! It hurts!" Luffy cries awake as he holds his head.
"Mother…HAKI THIS EARLY IN THE FUCKING MORNING!? I HAVE A HANGOVER ASSHOLE!? THE HELL KINDA GREETING IS THAT OLD MAN!?" Mad, Ann angrily yells at the smirking man.
"Hurts!? What are you saying!? That was a punch for it to hurt a rubber man-" Sanji begins but…
"There's no defence against a fist of love." The man takes off his helmet of sorts smirking down at the angry Ann.
"Fist of love?" Robin furrows her brow by the wording.
"I've heard you've been acting pretty recklessly Luffy Ann." Garp smirks at the two.
"G-G-Grandpa!?" Luffy stutters scared.
"A Marine Vice Admiral is…!?" The crew gawk gape at the news.
"Now Luffy, Ann don't you think you owe me an apology!?" Garp begins but…
"An apology!? An apology!? Don't you think you deserve to give an apology to the person who owns this property old man!? Besides what the hell do we have to apologise for!?" Furious, Ann roars at Garp cutting him off.
"Vice Admiral Garp has a grandson?" One of the marines Garp brought says surprised.
"He has a granddaughter I guess we shouldn't be so surprised…" Another one of the marines adds.
"Garp? Isn't that the name of the marine hero!?" Nami recalls.
"Of for…could people stop bringing that up? He acts like he's above it all thanks to that stupid title." Tiredly, Ann grumbles rubbing her head at her aching temple.
"A title you could have had too if you stayed in the marines." Garp crosses his arms over his chest.
"Not this again…ow! THE HELL ASSHOLE!" Angrily, Ann dodges said fist of love sent at her again.
"You were meant to be an admiral not the left hand of a yonko!" Garp roars at Ann.
"Well screw you old man I can do what I like!" Ann flips him off.
"It's thanks to you and that red haired Luffy turned out this way that Ace became a pirate too boot!" Garp blames Ann.
"Maybe it was your negligence that made him spiteful and turned to the pirate path you ever considered that!?" Tiredly, Ann counters cooly, both of them in a glare down of sorts.
"Luffy is your grandpa really…?" Sanji begins but…
"He is don't try to fight him I was almost killed by grandpa tons of times in the past!" Luffy cuts Sanji off.
"If you haven't gathered he ain't grandpa of the year nor is he father of the year to boot! He ain't any sort of maternal figure of the year!" Ann berates the old man.
"Hey now don't start speaking ill of me!" Garp glares at Ann.
"I'll do what I damn like!" Agitated, Ann glares back.
"Clearly becoming a yonko's left hand are you trying to give me more of a middle finger than you had doing that?" Tiredly, Garp snaps at Ann.
"I mean partially yeah not gonna lie." Ann admits.
"Luffy when I tossed you into that bottomless ravine and left you alone in the jungle at night and tied you to balloon and sent you flying in the sky. All of it was to make you into a strong marine…!" Garp turns to Luffy.
"I think I've just seen part of what gave Luffy his endless will to live…" Sanji sweat drops.
"In the end I left you with a close friend to continue training with Ace…and while you were out of my sight, my youngest granddaughter goes rogue with me her thinking her dead!" Garp roars raising his voice to Ann.
"Oh just get over that would you? That was ears ago besides don't act as if you would care…" Cooly, Ann looks over at her nails.
"Of course I care you moron!" Mad, Garp slams his fist into her head once more.
"OW! OW! OW!" Ann cries out from the fist sent her way cradling her head glaring at the ass.
"Its thanks to you that this has happened I did all that to forge you into a strong marine Luffy!" Garp blames.
"I already told you I wanted to be a pirate didn't i?!" Luffy snaps.
"To be fair he did." Ann throws in.
"Don't you get involved its thanks to your antics that Luffy got into this! You were corrupted by Ann and that red hair! It's nonsense!" Garp accuses Ann before turning back to Luffy.
"I-I owe my life to Shanks and Ann! Don't insult them!" Luffy roars at Garp.
"Luffy!" Ann hisses harshly trying to get him to back down.
"Do you mean to tell your own grandpa what to do!?" Garp growls grabbing Luffy by his shirt reeling his fist back.
"Aahh I'm sorry!" Luffy screams scared.
"Emergency Luffy was caught by the marines!" Chopper cries.
"This is bad if we try to fight they'll jump right on top of us!" Sanji worries but...
"EEEH!? ASLEEP!" The group well all except Ann gawk at both boys falling asleep.
"No…what do we do now? I've never been in this situation before…" Frankie frowns.
"Run." Ann answers.
"E-Eh? We can't leave Luffy!" Nami frets.
"Relax gramps won't kill him he's too soft for that but you guys go on ahead I'll try to pry Luffy off and-" Ann begins but…
"Eh?" Garp's bubble bursts.
"Crap!" Ann grimaces.
"Oh no I feel asleep…waaait were you scheming? WAKE UP LUFFY! Is that how you act towards someone scolding you!? AND ANN STOP CURSING! You're a lady act like it!" Garp roars bashing Luffy into a pile of bruises.
"…Nooooo!" Luffy screams.
"I'll curse however much I damn want to!" Angrily, Ann yells.
"Where do you get off speaking like that to your grandpa!?" Do you even know what level of pirate that Red hair and Ann are?! With as many pirates out there now as there are stars like Whitebeard he is one of the four great pirates! Those who rule over the latter half of the grand line as if they were emperors we call them Yonko in order to reign in these four men the marine headquarters and the shibukai were assembled. These three great powers form a delicate balance that keeps peace around the world from crumbling!" Garp glares at Ann before turning to berate Luffy.
"Wow Ann you're a part of that?" Luffy turns to Ann.
"Yep thanks for the refresher that no one needed old man guess you're senile years are getting to it." Ann remarks.
"Shut it you! You were to be an admiral!" Garp raises his fist once more.
"Yes you've said that, three times now." Ann crosses her arm over her chest cockily.
"Well you would have been one if you had stayed!" Snippily, Garp glares at Ann.
"You mean stayed with and organisation that are no better than pirates if not worse with this high horse they delude themselves into thinking they have." Ann arches a bored brow.
"WHAT WAS THAT!?" Garp snarls.
"YOU HEARD ME!" Mad, Ann barks back.
"I don't really get it but if he's fine then okay man this brings back memories…
"What is his connection to Red-Hair?" Robin asks Nami. She knew he was connected to Ann but she didn't think Luffy would know Shanks as well…
"Luffy said that he asked him to take care of that straw hat for him I didn't know he was such an amazing person." Nami recalls.
"He's also this moron's captain." Garp glares at Ann.
"…So you're really a part of a yonko crew Ann." Sanji says surprised.
"Yep speaking off see ya." Ann turns to leave but…
"Oh no you don't!" Garp drags her back in.
"What now?" Ann glares at her grandfather holding her up.
"I should bring you in." Garp scowls.
"But you won't." Ann smirks smugly.
"And why's that?" Garp glares at Ann.
"Cause you never do." Ann shrugs.
"You cheeky little shi-eh?" Garp does a double take when…
"My, my seems someone's getting slower." Smirking, Ann looks over at her nails having vanished from his grip.
"What was that!?" Garp goes for another trike but…
"Oh what is it?" The sound of fighting perks Garp's interest seeing some marines be thrown high inn the air as easy pickings.
"It's the bounty head the pirate hunter Zoro!" The marines by Garp's side says.
"Oh? Luffy's nakama right? He seems to be pretty tough. Heh you two try and stop him!" Garp smirks slightly as the blonde rushes over to Zoro.
"Kukuri knives huh? You're using something pretty unusual." The blonde draws out his blades as Zoro takes note of his weapon.
"Oh Zoro wait! There's no reason to fi-what the…! Why you…! That technique…" Luffy tries to stop Zoro only to see the pink haired boy vanish before his eyes then come back for a hit however Luffy easily handles it alongside Zoro.
"Sergeant major! Sergeant!" The marines call out to the two.
"You're really no match at all!" Garp laughs.
"You're as strong as I thought just what I'd expect I've lost. Luffy Zoro it's been a while do you know who I am?" The pink haired boy smiles standing up.
"Who?" Luffy blurts out.
"It's me Coby don't you remember?" Coby asks them.
"Coby? Coby is my friend but…but the Coby I know was a lot smaller." Luffy recalls.
"That Coby the same cry baby good for nothing." Coby summarises.
"Are you serious!?" Stunned, Luffy exclaims.
"That Coby…why is he on the grand line?" Zoro ponders.
"I'm still not used to being a commissioned officer but when I heard the two of you were nearby I couldn't resist coming to see you. It's because of you two that we've become who we are!" Coby comes clean to the two.
"Well I'll give you that much." The blonde by the pink haired boy's side says.
"A lot has happened…right now we're being trained by vice admiral Garp at headquarters." Coby exclaims.
"Those poor kids." Ann drops down from the hole in the wall.
"I heard that!" Garp growls.
"I meant that." Ann retorts unfazed.
"…Th-That…" The blonde squirms scared at the sight of the blonde bickering with her grandfather.
"So that's what happened!? But man there's a limit to how fast you should grow up you surprised me. You were a bit rounder then too." Luffy beams brightly.
"You must have been pretty tired after the incident sorry to disturb you." Coby apologises.
"It's fine it's been a while so let's make it a party!" Luffy assures Coby as the three head in but…
"Wait a second you! You didn't recognise me at all did you!?" The teary eyed blonde bellows.
"Who're you!?" Zoro pries.
"It's me! M-E!" He says.
"I don't know who are you? " Luffy answers.
"The answer is Helmeppo captain Morgan's son, Helmeppo." He removes his shades.
"That guy still a marine?" Ann scowls at the thought.
"Nah convict now." Garp confirms while both boys quirk their head to the side having no clue who he is.
"Good…never liked the guy wait he had a kid…?" Astonished, Ann asks.
"Yep you were the one to remove his gun…he tried shooting a fishman." Garp reminds Ann.
"Oh…" Ann answers.
"I'm the man who almost drove you to the death penalty Roronoa Zoro! How's that? You remember me now right? Really now, stop joking around I'm the idiot who rode on his father's fame!" Helmeppo reminds them.
"Oh? Was that you?" The boys chorus confused.
"Hey!" Insulted, Helmeppo scowls.
"Oh yeah there was a guy like that…that was you." Zoro and Luffy frown.
"I knew it I still can't stand these guys Coby!" Helmeppo cries.
"It can't be avoided Helmeppo you can't dodge your past." Coby reminds him.
"That was it?" Zoro asks.
"That was it." Luffy confirms.
"Luffy we're enemies but are we still…?" Coby asks.
"Yeah friends." Luffy confirms.
"Now you guys fix this wall." Garp orders.
"But you did that yourself if you want us to fix it then why did you break it?" Garp's men argue with him.
"Entering that way is cooler." Garp shrugs.
"How is that an answer!?" Agitated, Ann snaps at her grandfather.
"It is." Garp shrugs.
"Please don't break things for a reason like that! Fine if you wat us to fix it then you need to help too!" His marines tell Garp.
"EEEH!?" Garp lets out shocked.
"The marine has a point gramps." Ann agrees.
"Course you'd agree with your old unit." Garp grumbles.
"….Wait what?" Ann frowns.
"Vice admiral Ann don't you recognise us!?" The group call out to her.
"…Suuuuuure I dooo." Ann draws out anxiously awkwardly at that looking away.
"And I thought I was a bad liar." Garp remarks.
"Why the hell have you got my men?" Mystifed, Ann demands.
"They had to go somewhere, some wet to Aokiji some went to me you're lucky Isuka isn't here." Garp huffs.
"How is she?" Ann asks.
"Confused and furious towards you." Garp responds.
"Course she is…" Ann sweat drops.
"Alright." Garp agrees as he begins fixing the wall with his men.
"ANN SAN!" Smiling, Garp's men greets Ann as she smiles shyly at the men all happy to see her surprisingly…
"Urgh…." Ann draws out not quite sure what to say to such a happy reception.
"Your grandpa is pretty famous isn't he? So is that sister of yours…" Sanji remarks.
"Yeah i don't know much what he does or what my sister did though…" Luffy admits.
"By the way Luffy I heard you met your old man…" Garp calls out to him.
"Huh? Dad? What do you mean by dad? I have a dad?" Lost, Luffy turns to Ann.
"Yes Luffy you have a dad." Ann sighs holding her head.
"You met him?" Luffy says surprised.
"More like bumped into him." Ann dismisses.
"What's that? He didn't introduce himself to you then? I heard he and Ann saw you off at Loguetown!" Garp shoves his finger into his nose.
"Loguetow?" Zoro exclaims.
"Ann you were there?" Sanji turns to Luffy.
"How do you think that lighting bolt happened?" Ann asks Luffy.
"You did that?" Luffy says shocked.
"Well yeah I mean it was funny seeing a crouched Buggy but also sorta had to help stop my baby brother form being executed you know?" Amused, Ann snickers.
"What is my dad like?" Luffy asks.
"Uhhh…." Ann draws out.
"I wonder what Luffy's father is like…" Nami ponders.
"The name of your father is…Monkey D. Dragon he's a revolutionary." Garp reveals.
"Here we go…" Ann sighs turning to the crowd.
"EEEEEEHHHHHHH!? The revolutionary has a son!?" The crew gawk gape at the news.
"Luffy's dragon's kid!?" Coby gawks at the news.
"Then dragon is vice admiral Garp's kid…what the hell is up with this family!?" Helmeppo says shocked.
"Your father is a completely outrageous man!" Nami adds.
"Hey is it that big of a deal?" Luffy turns to Ann.
"Eh I mean yeah you're dad's sorta a hotshot pissing the world government off." Ann admits.
"Hey Robin…" Luffy turns to Robin.
"How should I explain this…pirates would usually try by themselves to disrupt the government or marines…but there is currently a power that is trying to directly oppose the world government. That would be the revolution army and the man at its centre would be Dragon. Right now throughout the world this king of thought is being spread. Encouraging countries to overthrow their monarchies countless countries have already fallen. As expected the World Government was upset, and has labelled the puppet master Dragon the most dangerous criminal in the world, they have been constantly pursing him but…they couldn't find a trace of where he had come from. He was a mysterious man…and yet…" Robin tries to explain to Luffy but ends up silent.
"And yet?" Luffy probes but is met by still silence as Garp continues hammering.
"I probably shouldn't have said all that." Garp realises.
"Ya think?" Ann deadpans hand on hip before hitting her grandfather's head at the idiotic move.
"HAHAHAHAHA! Then forget all that!" Garp laughs going back to hammering some nails.
"You really haven't changed one bit…" Ann sighs shaking her head at the old man.
"You're my grandkids so I'm not gonna capture you here as for the marines I'll give 'em some excuse so don't worry." Garp promises.
"Instead of an excuse let's just say they got away." Garp's assistant advises.
"Yeah anyways I'm more of an escort than anything. Take these two and have a good long chat I'm going back." Garp' decides.
"Bye." Briskly, Ann and Luffy tells him.
"That was too quick!" Garp glares at Ann and Luffy hitting them both to the ground.
"ARGH!" Luffy holds his head horrified.
"THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!?" Angrily, Ann yells at Garp.
"WHAT ABOUT YOU!? Care more you fools! I'm your grandpa you haven't seen me in a long time!" Garp reminds them.
"And we should give a shit!?" Snarling, she barks back at him.
"The only things you've done is hit us!" Luffy adds.
"Even still I wanna be loved by my grandchildren you idiots!" Garp yells.
"As if we'd ever love an old fart like you!" Ann scoffs.
"What was that!?" Garp snarls.
"You heard me!" Ann roars back.
"That selfishness is definitely a family trait." Nami sweat drops as Chopper and Sanji nod in agreement.
Loudly, the celebrations continue as Ann smiles softly watching on as people chat, converse and dance to their hearts content over their survival. Smiling, she sips her ale as many others devour the food served by Sanji.
"Ann swan!" Smiling, Sanji spins over to her.
"Hm? What is it Sanji?" Softly, she looks up at the blonde before her.
"I made this for you." He hands her a plate of food.
"Oh thank you." Politely, she takes it.
"Anything for you Ann swan!" Smiling, he twirls back over to the grill.
"…He sure is something else." Ann sweat drops at the blonde.
"You're not wrong." Nami joins Ann's side.
"Ah Nami I've been meaning to ask what you wanted to ask it was about Bell right?" Ann assumes as she turns to Nami.
"…Yeah…" Nami sighs softly.
"You can ask me I won't judge." Ann assures Nami.
"…She was right about you." Nami bows her head.
"Hm?" Humming, she eyes Ann.
"You being a proper marine is…is Ohara why you turned your back on the marines?" Nami pries.
"…Yeah it is." Ann confirms calmly.
"Sorry for the way I reacted I just…" Nami begins but…
"It's alright I suppose it isn't the proper way to react." Ann admits.
"Hm? Humming, Nami's eyes expand.
"I've lost a lot of people…death is a natural part of life I understand but after the five three or four you sort of…grow numb." Honestly, Ann admits anguished as she silently sips her drink.
"...Why did you never come to Bell?" Nami pries perplexed.
"Hm?" She raises a brow befuddled.
"She would have taken you in." Nami tells Ann.
"I was wanted and I had Robin to take care of during that time I didn't want to drag my friend through that." Ann admits.
"…She…was confused about you turning to the life of pirates but…I think she would have understood…why you did what you did." Nami attempts to assure Ann as she grimaces briefly by her words.
"No…it's understandable Bell and I were friends…good friends to see me do something like that… it's a shame the world lost her…" Ann looks away ashamed not quite sure what to say, guilt gnawing away at her from it all…her friend died, knowing nothing about her, being friends with a persona, a façade, a alter ego…what was wrong with her
"Ann! Look! Look!" Astonished, Ann perks up at the voice turning to look up at Luffy playing with the giants.
"I'm watching Luffy." Amused, Ann smiles softly chuckling when watching the boy pull quite the face for the two.
"HAHAHAHA!" The crowd cackle from the face Luffy makes for the crowd as Robin smiles softly, holding her glass as she watches from the wall she leans against until…
"Listen from there Nico Robin." Her hues widen when hearing a familiar voice from the other side.
"It can't be…Aokiji." Robin's eyes expand at the voice noting her drink slowly turning to ice.
"Why didn't you escape like always? You should have been able to escape from CP9 if you were alone." Aokiji demands from Robin.
"That's because this time was different to just let them be killed. I couldn't do that." Robin admits.
"…You only got out thanks to her…again." Aokiji tuts tiredly tense.
"Ann…" Robin whispers watching said woman giggle gleefully among her nakama cheerily conversing with the lovestruck Sanji…
"The marine traitor that fought for Ohara twenty years go…Portgas D. Ann…she was my close friend." Aokiji admits to Robin.
"Is that what you call her?" Robin scoffs.
"Hm?" He hums.
"I saw the look in your eyes I'd never forget it…You loved her." Robin reveals as Aokiji's eyes widen when hearing her words, his calm cool collected face faltering briefly by her words.
"I still do…" Aokiji admits making Robin's eyes expand as she watches Ann happily converse with the people, she'll never forget the look on his face that day seeing the calm collected face crumble before the woman Robin was held in the arms off, hearing him cry out to her the sheer amount of emotion of devastation of disgust of fear she could never forget.
"She had always been kind…never had I met someone who showed so much kindness who was so warm…it made me want to protect that sense of innocence…that day I respected her and another friend's wishes and spared you both so I feel I have a responsibility to watch how your life turns out…but after twenty years without a place of your own I felt it was too risky to let such a dangerous bomb continue to roam freely and I suppose bitterness got the best of me…" Aokiji admits to Robin.
"Bitterness?" Robin perks up at the word.
"It was selfish of me to pin all my hatred upon you, I had been hurting since she left what they would call her the bounty on her head…everyone turning against her I just…I couldn't believe she would do it and yet I could. But I had to blame someone for it and so…" Ashamed, Aokiji bows his head, trailing off.
"You blamed me…" Robin concludes.
"It was wrong of me but truly I felt that you finally had to die. This time I wanted to finally finish off with what had happened at Ohara. Of course, there was no way I could have expected the CP9 to be defeated. Have you finally found your place?" Aokiji asks Robin.
"Yes." Robin answers.
"What Ann and Saul told you whether it was wrong or right…from here on will you show me that answer?" Aokiji asks Robin.
"I intend to." Robin vows.
"In that case live strong Ohara is not yet forgotten." Aokiji steps forward.
"Aokiji!" Robin calls out trying to chase after him but…
"…Robin?" Robin flinches from Ann's voice approaching her.
"You okay? You look pale?" Ann smiles softly at Robin.
"I…" Robin begins but…
"Oi Robin, Ann look over here! How much meat can you eat!?" Luffy asks as he shoves his face full of food making quite the face.
"Luffy! Seriously try having some manners!" Ann sighs shaking her head bemused by the boy before her.
"…" Silently, Ross watches on unable to not stare at Ann.
"…something wrong?" Softly, she asks as she stares at Robin, Robin unable to not feel the shy slight of guilt at the truth of it all, of Aokiji's actions of his feelings of…
"Robin?" Ann's voice brings her back over.
"Did you say something?" Softly, she asks.
"I'm thinking of leaving…thought you should know before I bounce out." Ann admits to Robin.
"You're leaving?" Robin furrows her brow at Ann.
"I'd rather not deal with another fist of love…." Ann grimaces at the thought.
"…I understand." Robin smiles sadly at Ann.
"I got to contact my crew after all." Ann smiles.
"…I…thank you." Robin bows her head.
"Hm?" Humming, she quirks her head to the side.
"For what you did for what you sacrificed." Robin confesses.
"Sacrificed?" Ann arches a befuddled brow.
"You gave up being an admiral." Robin reminds Ann.
"Robin I was…I was never happy at the marines." Ann admits to her, making her hues widen when hearing her words.
"…Never?" Robin says softly.
"Maybe…there were brief moments but I…I couldn't live a lie any longer I don't regret what I did. Do you?" Ann grimaces grip tightening tensing around the strap of her bag brow furrowed from the murky memory of it all of him as Robin couldn't help but furrow her brow by both the revelation of Aokiji and Ann's words while she rubs the side of her arm.
"No." Robin responds.
"I'm glad. Live Robin no matter what people tell you, you have just as right to live as they do." Ann tells Robin.
"Ann…" Robin sniffles slightly.
"Take care of yourself keep on living and all that jazz, I look forward to seeing what you uncover with the Poneglyphs. As for everyone else please keep my brother alive I know he's a pain but he means well." Ann winks at Robin.
"Ann swan!" Sanji spins around.
"See ya around." Amused she waves them off before leaving.
"SO BEAUTFUL!" Sanji swoons.
"S-Sanji san!" Chopper concerned cries out rushing over to bleeding boy as she leaves…
Quietly, Ann adjusts the strap of her back as she goes on her way ignoring those rushing past eager to partake in this pirate party as the sun sets, the orange ombre of the sky softly settling in. Ann had to find a hotel, Shanks wasn't going to be meeting with Whitebeard until tomorrow, she supposed she should have stayed with the Straw Hats but she honestly just wanted some time to herself, all that chaos was just draining for her…
"You had to deal with that?" Shanks' voice snaps Ann out of it as she looks down at the snail below.
"That is what I said." Sighing, she mutters.
"What is with you and bad luck?" Shanks pries perplexed.
"I don't know people tend to call it the devil's luck oh but it gets better." Bitterly, Ann grumbles.
"Oh?" Shanks snail smiles.
"Guess who I bumped into?" Ann remarks.
"Aokiji." Shanks guesses.
"Ice-how the hell did you know?" Astonished, Ann does a double take.
"You always bump into him when you go off on your own." Shanks points out.
"…No I don't." Ann scoffs blushing brightly.
"Yeah you do whenever you come back abroad you're always in a huff about bumping into that icehole." Shanks snickers.
"…Do I?" Ann arches a brow.
"Yep each and every time with a new reason or a new hickey to tell the crew about hating his guts." Shanks smiles.
"Well he's an…wait what did you?" Ann begins baffled but soon stops from the ring of the bell baffling her…
"Look I gotta go…" Ann mutters brow furrowed.
"Right by the way we won't be making it to whitebeard until tomorrow so you may need to find a room until tomorrow." Shanks advises.
"Right thanks." Ann mutters hanging up putting the snail away after learning the plan for tomorrow only to hear the sound of the bell ringing louder…
"Did you finally find your home…Nico Robin? Kuzan couldn't help but wonder while he strolled through the street on his bike, ignoring those going about their day eager to go to this pirate party, his hues narrowing at the familiar figure up ahead as she perks up at the ring of a bell, moving to the side allowing space for the bicycle to approach.
"You have some nerve showing your face." Ann remarks eyeing Kuzan by her side on his bike.
"I could say the same to you." Kuzan casually counters.
"How so?" Ann arches a brow.
"You shoved a gun to my face." Kuzan responds.
"Two words, buster call." Ann argues.
"…That's four words actually." Kuzan corrects.
"Oh shove off you know what I meant and did you even think when giving that to Spandam?" Sternly, she demands from Kuzan cross.
"…" Silently, he stares ahead.
"Urgh honestly this is why you don't give children guns." Ann tuts tiredly shaking her head at Aokiji.
"But blades are okay?" Kuzan arches a bored brow.
"Eh…Depends." Ann shrugs.
"Depends huh." Kuzan hums.
"Well yeah if the kid is trustworthy enough to be taught the way of the blade the same with guns clearly Spandam wasn't taught anything similar to his father." Fuming, Ann sneers scowling poison dripping down her tense tone.
"Hm…" He hums staring ahead.
"Nor had you for that matter going to such extremes to test the straw hats are you crazy!?" Ann demands from Kuzan but…
"…Do you think Robin has found herself a home?" Kuzan asks Ann.
"Huh?" Ann blurts out.
"It's just a question…" Kuzan shrugs.
"…I think she found the best thing she could for someone with her situation." Ann answers brow furrowed as Kuzan gets off his bike deciding to walk side by side with Ann as he holds his bike.
"…That crew won't last forever." Kuzan points out unaware of Ann's pained grimace at the sad fate of reality.
"Maybe not but at the least it'll give her a few good years of security, of memories to, to make her feel protected wanted…not many people have that sort of support." Anguished, Ann argues as her grip tightens on the strap of her bag.
"…" Quietly, Kuzan watches her reactions.
"You really wanted to get rid of Robin didn't you?" Ann sighs softly at Aokiji.
"I just wanted to put all of Ohara behind me." Aokiji bows his head.
"You think you can do that? Do you thinks the oharans deserve that after what happened?" Ann stops in her steps as Aokiji moves a few steps ahead.
"Ann…" Aokiji sighs softly turning to eye the glaring woman.
"Answer me Kuzan." Ann orders him, his hues softening sadly at the ice cold glare she sends him.
"…It's your turn isn't it?" Aokiji looks forward.
"Eh?" Astonished, Ann blurts out.
"For drinks." Aokiji reminds her making her sigh.
"…That the only way I'm going to get an answer out of you, isn't it?" Ann sighs softly hand on her hip.
"...What do you think?" Aokiji asks as Ann simply sighs, the two heading into the bar…
Quietly, the two sit shoulder to shoulder silently sipping their shared bottle of sherry, no words needing to be shed between both of them.
"I felt your haki…" Aokiji hums eyeing the sherry in his glass.
"Hm?" Humming, Ann turns to side eye Aokiji.
"You practically knocked out the entire fleet." Aokiji scoffs smirking slightly.
"Ah that…well you won't need to worry about that for much longer." Ann assures Aokiji.
"How so?" Softly, he pries.
"I'm heading back." Bluntly, Ann admits to him, having hoped her brother would be back with the whitebeard pirates or at the least the talk to come with Shanks would knock some sense into the old man…
"Back?" Aokiji eyes Ann.
"To the new world." Ann smiles softly sipping her drink.
"That so…" Softly, he hums.
"Yep my work here is done and my captain needs me." Ann answers.
"What work would that entail?" Aokiji pries.
"I think you know…wow working while having a drink with a lady where's the lazy layabout I remember?" Amused, Ann recalls.
"Where's the dedicated marine I remember?" Aokiji asks as Ann grimaces briefly by his words, the person he remembered he knew, he had trusted was nothing but an illusion, a façade, a lie he will die knowing Portgas D. Ann, a fake name, a lie, a façade…Ann couldn't help but grimace from the guilt gnawing away at her.
"…you sound as if I won't go after her again." Ann's eyes expand when hearing Aokiji's words snap out of her tense tired thoughts.
"You won't." Ann smiles sadly strained, trying to dismiss the guilt gnawing away at her.
"And how do you know that?" Aokiji's eyes narrow at Ann.
"Sad to say but I know you." Ann states the fact firmly.
"And I know you." Aokiji answers as Ann couldn't help but scream internally at the sad to say lie.
"Oh do you now?" Amused, Ann leans into her inner palm turning to face at Aokiji amused almost arching a brow bemused.
"I bought your favorite drink didn't I?" Aokiji points out.
"You did." Ann fairly gives him that despite it being her turn to buy.
"You also prefer platonic friendships over relationships, you have an insecurity with your rather to be frank beautiful freckles." Aokiji recalls as Ann's eyes expand when hearing his words, a bright blush crossing her crimson cheeks.
"O-Oi!" Ann squeaks slightly scarlet smearing her crimson cheeks.
"And your first kiss was with-" Aokiji goes for another but…
"Okay you win you win geez…!" Brightly blushing, Ann swiftly stops the ass.
"I wonder what Robin will do after all this…" Ann asks after a moment of recovery, her desperately trying to change topic unaware of Aokiji's small smirk at the rather cute sight of the blushing blonde.
"What do you mean?" Aokiji eyes Ann.
"I hope she settles or at the least finds a place she can call home. I mean she's found Nakama so that's good." Ann swirls the sherry wine within the glass.
"I take that's why you watched half the time." Aokiji assumes.
"Aw and here I thought I was being sneaky." Smirking, Ann whines.
"You were to most but when it comes to your haki it's easier to spot you." Aokiji admits.
"This from the guy who keeps chasing me around like some cat and mouse game." Ann scoffs.
"You're a pirate I'm a marine what do you expect?" Aokiji reminds Ann as a painful silence soon fills the air around the two at the reality of their situation…
"I expect the admiral to want to bring my head to the government." Ann admits anguished as she sips her glass.
"And I expect a pirate to be slicing heads yet here you are." Aokiji argues.
"Here we are." Ann smiles sadly at Aokiji as the two click their glasses smiling sadly at the reality of their situation…as before Ann knew it…
The soft sound of waves washing against each other echo throughout the night, the stars shimmering shining down upon the marine ship below as Ann leans over the railing ignoring the people partying in the back, the merry marines enjoying themselves as she stands before the crate of what they were supposed to transport. Her hues narrow at the box before her, curiosity getting the best of her as she opens it. Her eyes expanding at what she finds inside…
"I'm going to remove your collar now are you ready?" The younger Ann crouches down gently talking to the meek mermaid.
"I-It'll explode!" The meek mermaid whimpers weakly.
"I promise you that won't happen. It'll be alright jut stay still." Softly, she whispers as she flicks the collar.
"I-It's ringing!" Scared, she squirms.
"Just stay still…" Softly, she whispers ignoring said ringing her hues narrowing…
"H-Huh?" The mermaid squeaks slightly at the collar.
"There we go fishman island should be over in that direction it may take some time but…" She smiles seeing said collar come crashing down helping guide her towards the sea.
"Thank you! Thank you! We'll never forget your kindness!" The teary eyed mermaid whimpers weakly before swimming away, fleeing from the marine ship as Ann stands smiling softly staring out at the fleeting figure of the mermaids until…
"I told you not to look." Her brow furrows from the voice turning to the younger Aokiji.
"Did you know what was in there?" Tiredly, Ann turns on her heel to face him.
"This is our mission for a celestial dragon no less." Aokiji adjusts his shades.
"And that should make me give a shit!?" Scowling, she glares at the bandanna wearing male.
"Ann… you know what powers the dragons have you should have turned away." Aokiji reminds the glaring girl.
"I'd say I'm sorry but I'm not cause I'm not the turn my back on such bullshit." Bluntly, Ann sneers.
"And what if that causes you to be demoted? To be executed?" Aokiji argues.
"It is what it is." Aloofly, Ann shrugs.
"Why don't you ever think!? You can't save everyone you cross paths with Ann!" Agitated, Aokiji snaps at her.
"You think I don't know that!?" Tiredly, Ann frowns at Aokiji.
"Then why save them? You've worked hard to get to this position, when you reach vice admiral you can save more people like vice admiral Garp?" Annoyed, Aokiji demands from Ann.
"…Why does my position matter?" Mad, Ann barks back.
"Why? It gives you the power to save people!" Aokiji argues.
"So I just have to turn my people to the people that are suffering until I get this right? That's what you're saying? How many people must I turn my back on for some snippet of power to help others!?" Ann demands from Aokiji.
"…" Aokiji bows his head going quiet as she simply sighs.
"I'm sorry but I can't just freeze my heart like that if I can save people I'm going to no matter the cost." Candidly, Ann admits as she turns her back to him.
"Ann…!" Aokiji glares at the back of Ann.
"Relax this won't affect you I'll take full responsibility." Ann assures the younger Aokiji as she heads back to her room…
Quietly, Ann sits at her desk dutifully doing paperwork after paperwork glaring icily at the tall towering tower of paperwork being gifted to her as punishment. She sighs softly at the paperwork when would this be done? She had no idea…she thought maybe she'd get a lecture, but this was just crazy…truly crazy. She could feel her stomach ache and groan as she dismissed it firmly focusing on the task at hand. She had to do this she had she could end it by tonight, she could bring back some of her papers back to work…
"Huh? Her brow furrows from the soft sound of the door sliding open. She looks up but finds the tall towering stack of paper still…
"Ann you in here?" Her hues widen when hearing the voice standing up from her seat seeing Aokiji enter.
"Oh Kuzan what's up?" Ann arches a brow befuddled by the sight of Aokiji, did he come here to sleep again? Annoyed, her hues narrow at the thought when…he takes a stack of her paper.
"Eh? What are you doing?" Ann furrows her brow befuddled by the box of food being placed upon her desk as she watches him taking a seat softly placing the stack of paper down on the table with him.
"What does it look like?" Aokiji takes out some paper perplexing her.
"I…" Astonished, Ann begins but…
"I'd eat that food if I were you or else it's going to get cold." Aokiji advises as Ann takes the box.
"…Thank you." Shyly, she bows her head, taking the food as Aokiji works away…
"Urgh…" Ann groans gritting grinding her tense teeth together when feeling the shy sunlight peer into the mess of a room, clothes scattered all over as Ann's curled up form curls into the bare chest of Aokiji his arms curled around her. His soft snores resonate with her own until she soon starts stirring, her brow furrowing as she slowly opens her heavy hues blinking blearily registering the ache below but brushes it off, having grow adjusted to it over the years…
"Urgh what happened?" Ann holds her head brow furrowed only then to furrow her brow by the familiar set of arms around her, hearing a familiar soft snore making her sigh of course she did, of course she did. Ann's heated hue twitch tiredly taking note of the hickeys littered all over them both making her grumble, she thought they agreed they would cut down on them. Tiredly, Ann sighs, it didn't matter, she'd do what she always did…get the hell out of here!
Ann maneuverers her way out of the bed after sinking deep into the bed to slide off, managing to remove Aokiji's arm off her in the process, ignoring the brief pang of longing hitting her to stay. She couldn't…she stayed long enough as it were, far too long to be honest. Her hues narrow at the clock, fortunately for her Shanks said they would meet up soon enough with the whitebeard pirates, she'll just find them on her boat…
"Ann you got to stop…" Kuzan stirs slightly from the warmth fading, his hues narrowing at the back of Ann holding a snail crouching over the bed brow furrowed from the sound of Shank's voice.
"I can't not yet. Someone has to stop him from doing something he'll regret." Ann argues as Kuzan furrows his brow by her words.
"Ann you just survived a buster call…please Ann…he will be fine for a while just come back besides…we found it." He reveals as Aokiji takes note of her hues widening.
"…It…you don't mean…" Her grip tightens around the snail.
"I do Ann. I really do." Said snail asserts as she hangs up, putting the snail away as she begins to pack unaware of a pair of hues pinned upon her…
She still couldn't believe she did this again…what was wrong with her? Sleeping with a guy who knew nothing about her…who if he knew the truth…Ann shudders at the thought tensing up as the guilt gnaw away at her, he felt for someone who neve existed, who was never real, who was nothing more than a mask…it was selfish of her to let this progress as log as it had to come to this so why…? Why did this continue to happen? Why did she let this continue to happen? Was she a masochistic? A sadist? She was cruel that was for sure…speedily, she starts to get changed, tugging her trousers up frantically fretfully, fearfully even when as she finishes and goes to the window, it'll be quicker less noise but when she goes to open it, to sneak out to perform the daily ritual of the walk of shame…
"…Are we really not going to talk about it?" Surprised, she jolts up at the voice turning to the unamused Kuzan eyeing her frigid form.
"Talk about what?" Anxiously, Ann's grip tightens around the window.
"You know what." Kuzan's hues narrow at Ann.
"Oh if its about the hickey rule, yeah we should I mean I told you I don't like hickeys I don't do it to you." Ann assumes but….
"Ann." Aokiji asserts as she furrows her brow at him, why did he have to make it so difficult? They did it so what? What was there to talk about? Sex was meaningless it was a release of endorphins and all that, just something to relieve stress with that's all it was, that's all it could ever be…
"Ah I best be going." Ann smiles strained, why…why was he trying to push for something he'd just regret!?
"Really?" Ann's eyes dilate when seeing the ice begin to encase the floor.
"Yep got some shopping to do." Ann anxiously adds sweat sliding down her tense temple.
"…Through the window?" Aokiji arches a bored brow eyeing the window.
"…Yes." Ann answers straight faced a still silence falling between both of them.
"I'll come." Kuzan goes to get out of his bed but…
"No you stay enjoy napping!" Anxiously, Ann insists but…
"…You really think that's going to work on me?" Aokiji arches a bored brow towards the anxious squirming mess of Ann until...
"Urgh…I tried okay I bloodied tried to make this easier for both of us." Ann bows her head.
"For you. You mean. Now are we going talk about this?" Tiredly, Aokiji crosses his arms over his chest.
"What is there to talk about?" Aloofly, Ann dismisses.
"There's a lot we can talk about." Aokiji scratches the side of his head.
"Is there though so we slept today, you've slept with tons of people what makes this any different?" Aloofly, Ann waves him off.
"I kissed you." Kuzan answers.
"…Eh?" Ann blurts out lost.
"I kissed you." Kuzan repeats.
"…So?" Ann scoffs, he had done that plenty of times before…
"I don't kiss the girls I've slept with." Kuzan admits astonishing Ann.
"You're kidding." Ann scoffs as if she could believe that…
"…Why would I kid about that?" Tiredly, Kuzan demands from Ann astonishing her to see such seriousness.
"Why would you do that?" Tense, Ann furrows her brow baffled befuddled by the thought.
"Because I wasn't serious about them." Truthfully, Kuzan admits.
"And you think you should be serious with me?" Mockingly, Ann scoffs shaking her head at the foolish thought, this would end with nothing but pain…for them both.
"I'd like to." Truthfully, he admits to the anguished Ann.
"…I'm a pirate." Pointedly, she reminds him.
"And I'm a marine." Aloofly, he shrugs.
"And a admiral!" Agitated, she snaps sharply turning on her heel to glare at the man sat down on the bed, staring straight ahead as Ann couldn't help but blink baffled by the sheer seriousness on his face and in his tone.
"And you're the left hand of a yonko." Evenly, he points out as Ann grits grinds her teeth together tense.
"Do you not hear yourself? This…is!" Incensed, Ann begins but stops herself trying to comprehend the fool before her.
"Is what?" Kuzan quirks his head to the side as Ann stares, was he just trying to mess with her or something? Scowling, her grip tightens around the window shaking almost anxious at the thought.
"I don't know!" Angrily, Ann snaps sharply seething suddenly opening the window and leaving, running off, fleeing once again as Kuzan sighs softly, not even the slightest bit surprised, a part of him just glad to have gotten that off his chest as Ann flees…
"Vice Admiral Garp! We've found the Straw Hat crew's location! They're at the southeast coast! Currently they're on the scrap island making arrangements to depart!" The marine rushes over to Garp, his crew around him as he salutes to the war hero.
"We'll go after them immediately! Everyone get on the ship!" Garp orders.
"Yes!" They all comply.
"Vice Admiral Garp this is quite embarrassing after having had such an emotive farewell with Luffy san and the others!" Coby admits as they all get on the ship.
"If you've any complains tell them to Sengoku he's the one who sent us here after getting angry! He's so full of himself…" Garp grumbles as just then Kuzan comes on board, beach bed in hand, a fair few of the marines eyes expanding when noting the hickeys upon the neck of the stone faced ice man, no one having the guts to say anything too fearful to ask as he sits down on it.
"You were the one who said because he's my grandson and granddaughter in the Den-De Mushi after all." Kuzan points out as he leans back against the sunbed.
"You keep your mouth shut amateur! And besides who's the one who volunteered to come with!" Garp accuses as Kuzan pouts his sleeping mask on.
"A-Admiral is it really okay for you to stay like this?" A marine worries.
"It's troublesome to get back on my bike… well I'll just keep my hands off this." Kuzan decides hands behind his head leaning back.
"I don't think that's a good idea since the enemy is right in front of you…" The marine sweat drops.
"Forget him I'm surprised he's even here I thought you were going to leave early." Garp furrows his brow at Kuzan.
"I had a change of plans." Kuzan replies.
"Oh? Let me guess some floozy you had some fun with right?" Garp smirks slightly being brave enough to point out the hickeys on his neck.
"I wouldn't call her a floozy not that it's none of your business." Bluntly, Kuzan deadpans, one leg over the other.
"Oh ho so you're not denying it." Garp snickers slightly.
"I'm not denying anything all I'm saying is I would prefer you refrain from calling her a floozy." Formally, Kuzan deadpans.
"You sound serious about this girl." Garp smirks slightly.
"I am." Kuzan asserts however before more could be said…
"We're off!" Luffy's voice rings out as the straw hats set sail.
"ANIKI! The Franky family is immortal! The Straw Hats are also the same!" The Frankie family wave Franky off.
"Hey Luffy!" Nami reminds him.
"Are you really sure about this? We're still waiting for one more person." Frankie points out.
"I've waited ever since I heard everything about it from Sanji in the Galley-la room." Luffy smiles strained sweat sliding down his tense temple.
"I won't accept him coming bag unless he begs on his knees…even if he is an idiot, he holds the title of captain. The crew would be better without someone who doesn't show respect for this guy a crew that loses the respect for their captain is sure to collapse. Listen you act easy going as you usually do but if even for an instant the guy who is my leader lets others step over him next time it is who will leave the crew! If that idiot want to come back fine however if he doesn't make a distinctions of the current matters, and is acting for self-interest then I definitely won't forgive him. It's best we leave him on this island…what we're doing isn't playing pirates…" Zoro reminds the others.
"We waited for him the entire time in that place but he didn't come. This is the answer." Luffy smiles strained as they all set off.
"Straw Hat." Frankie adjusts his shades.
"I think he also be pleased with this it's not like he quit being a pirate so we might run into him on the coming seas hahaha!" Luffy smiles strained as Zoro's grip tightens shaking around his blade unaware of the running Usopp.
"Luffy let's wait we're not a in a rush." Nami decides but it falls to deaf ears.
"Hey Luffy!" Nami calls again as just then a rumble hits the ship.
"…WHAT!?" Nami falls flat to the ground.
"Dam it the marines found us!" Frankie curses at the dog ship.
"Grandpa!?" Luffy recognises said ship.
"Oi Luffy can you hear me!? Grandpa here! Grandpa here! Answer if you can hear me!" Garp calls out using his megaphones.
"Oi Grandpa what's wrong with you!? Didn't you say you weren't going to capture us here!?" Luffy yells back.
"Well a lot of things happened! I'm sorry but you're gonna die in this sea! There's no apologies I can give but I'll take care of you by myself! Gimme the cannonball!" Garp tells him how it is before ordering for a cannonball by one of the marines.
"Y-Yes!" They go to get one with another scroll a whole rack of cannonballs for Garp.
"What's he tryin' to do?" Sanji sweat drops.
"Genkotsu meteor!" Garp throws the cannonball blasting the sea throwing the ship back.
"He just shot a cannonball at his with his bare hand!?" Sanji stutters shocked.
"It was much faster than that as if it were a baseball pitch!" Zoro compares.
"Hahah my power has decreased lately…!" Garp grins.
"We have no choice we have to escape!" Nami realises.
"Bring 1000 more cannonballs!" Garp bellows.
"This is bad!" Frankie freaks.
"The meteor fist swarm!?" Coby sweat drops.
"Yeah there's no ship that can withstand that when he uses it!" Helmeppo adds.
"I feel as if I'm forgetting someone…" Garp hums as he tosses one of the cannonballs up and down.
"You are." Aokiji answers.
"Eh now that I think about it…where's Ann?" Garp furrows his brow befuddled.
"G-Garp san over there!" A voice calls out pointing to the blonde going about her day on her boat with the engine shooting sprouts of water when…
"ANN!" Angrily, Garp's voice from the megaphone calls out to her.
"Ciao old man!" Mischievously, she winks saluting the old man.
"That little brat!" Garp growls and throws one of his canon ball but easily she flips over it winking while sailors swoon.
"Vice Admiral Ann is as flexible as ever!"
"She would make mermaids blush!"
"She's truly a goddess!"
"The marines continue swooning while Kuzan peers over lifting his sleeping mask up, hiding his smug smirk at the scene playing out.
"That girl's going to be the death of me…" Garp grumbles unaware of Aokiji's small smirk when watching her go off.
"Garp san?" Coby calls out to him.
"I should have known the marines wouldn't fit someone like her…" Garp huffs.
"Someone like her?" Confused, Coby furrows his brow by her words while Kuzan listens on…
"That girl was practically born on the sea…well the shall we begin kiddies?" Garp turns to smirk at his crew curious to see where the sea will take them next.
"He's here Usopp came! Oi everyone Usopp came!" Chopper smells the air as he announces it.
"Really?" Robin perks up at the news.
"Yeah!" Chopper cheerily confirms.
"I'm sorry! I'M SORRY FOR MY STUBBORNESS! I WAS WRONG!" Crying, Usopp rushes over to the coast desperate to catch up seeing it set out to sea, sobbing his heart out.
"Usopp!" Zoro exclaims as they deflect each canon ball in their own way.
"Even though I was stubborn until enough even though I said I want to leave the crew I wat to change but I cat I cat I beg of you! Please take me back with you guys! Let me be your nakama!" Usopp begs bowing beseeching the crew, on his knees sobbing his heart out while Luffy watches on…
"Luffy…" Usopp whimpers weakly with the stretched out hand.
"YOU IDIOT HURRY UP AND GRAB ON!" Luffy yells sobbing stretching his hand out to Usopp.
"You're the idiot!" Zoro smirks seeing said sobbing wreck of the captain and the sobbing Sanji two.
"You two guys are pitiful!" Teary eyed, Nami adds as Usopp is brought back on.
"We are finally complete let's hurry and get outta this mess!" Luffy cheers as they do just that…
