"Can't breath…" Those of the marine G5 wheeze weakly falling to the floor.
"Gas is still leaking out!" Smoker scowls cursing as he puts his gas mask on.
"Be careful! Even a single breath of this gas is dangerous! Put gas masks on quickly! Punk Hazard is a terrible island." Tashigi gasps putting on her gas masks instructing the rest of G-5 to do just that.
"Ever since that damn Vegapunk's weapon experiments failed four years ago…the whole island's gotten rotten!" One of G-5 curse.
"More importantly I can't see Straw Hat Luffy's pirate ships anywhere! There's no way anyone would come ashore with this much poisonous gas around!" Another annoyed voice throws in.
"No. It's unnatural for there to be this much gas." Smoker however lowers his shades scowling.
"What do you mean?" One of his men ask Smoker.
"Two years ago this was just a deserted island with no fire or ice on it. Surprisingly enough most of the toxic materials had disappeared by then. That's why Akainu and Aokiji chose Punk Hazard as the site of their duel… A battle fierce enough to change the climate." Smoker scowls at the island of both fire and ice as the marines approach punk hazard.
Quietly, Ann sits in her cabin, her sherry reds glassily gazing down at the paper below brow furrowed from the newspaper casted below of a familiar beanie wearing male making her take an extra inhale of said pipe done with it all, bags hanging heavily under her eyes as next she knew she leant back against her seat in a world of her own…
The young Ann stirs slightly from the dark depths of her dreams frowning from the feeling of something seemingly touching it, the coolness of the touch making her lean towards the touch that brushed a stray strand of her hair aside. She furrows her brow her vison fuzzy frowning from the cool touch escaping her. Gingerly, she reaches for the coolness, her fingertips reaching out towards the source of coolness, wrapping her fingertips around something or someone else's, feeling the faint squeeze of her hand as she pressed the source next to her face fatigued.
"Please…don't go…" Whimpering, she couldn't help her voice cracking breaking before said source of coolness, feeling an arm around her. She leans into the surprisingly comforting tender touch, feeling something cool wipe the tear aside.
Frowning, she feels something rubs surprisingly comforting patterns into the side of her face as she notes her vision firmly focusing on the source of coolness. Her eyes expanding at the singular hand entwined with her own, a bigger hand, a cooler hand, a hand she knew far too well. A wave of heat hits her further adding fuel to the fire that she had become, she couldn't even look towards the man by her bedside, shame and flustered from it all.
How could she act so pathetic? Had he noticed? Anxious, she tries to feign fatigue. Why was he even here? She soon feels a hand on her head, the back of his hand, attempting to measure her fever she assumed as he did so sat by her side. That sill didn't answer her question why…? Why was he here? Was he called here? Ordered? She couldn't help but feel a sight tinge of disappointment hit her, only then to falter frowning he was a vice admiral. He had work to do so why was he wasting his time here? Why? Why was he wasting his time with her? Wait why was he getting into the bed? Befuddled, she frowns noting her head leaning into his chest as he seemingly holds her.
"I'm not going anyway…" She heard his voice whisper as she couldn't hep the lone tear of relief fall from his words while ignoring the pain unfurling soon after. He doesn't know, she's lied so much to him hid so much and he still…she didn't deserve him, she didn't deserve anyone she…she furrows her brow feeling his hands comb through her hair, the tense thoughts fading away almost at his tentative touch, seemingly leaning into his tentative touch, no words needing to be shed between both of them in bed.
"Yer gonna get yer ass beat." Benn's brow furrows at Limejuice eyeing the not really there Ann, smoke spewing out of her lips after another heavy inhale of smoke, shaking sherry reds looking out at nothing, slouched over her desk.
"No, I'm not. Ann is harmless, they won't hurt me. " Limejuice puts on his mask smirking slyly behind it.
"Listen man, just because they don't hurt us, or engage in fights, doesn't mean they're harmless." Yasopp throws in.
"He'll be fine, the most Ann can do in this state might be a slap." Shanks smiles lying through his teeth.
"I dunno dude, I think you're going to get punched." Lucky Roux frowns from the heavy look in Ann's eyes.
"Don't listen to them, scare Ann." Amused, Shanks lies through his teeth, eager to see the chaos to come from it. Shanks smirks when watching lime Juice approach Ann, not even batting an eye to his footsteps, her head twitching briefly scaring Limejuice to a stop but after a minute or so he continues approaching until Lime Juice strikes. He goes to grab Ann's shoulders however Ann swiftly snatches said hand one of the pair slamming him down upon the desk breaking it, cleaving it in two as the groaning bloodied, bruised, beaten mess of Hongou groans, lying in the scattered shards of the ruined desk.
Ann simply stares down at the groaning mess she pins to the floor before exhaling smoke, holding the pipe between her lips. It's a stare off until Ann raises her fist smashing both the mask and Limejuice in the face.
"Whoa, whoa whoa, Ann! Relax it's just Lime Juice." Benn hollers alarmed at the sight of blood.
"I know!" Ann continues beating him.
"There's the right hook I know and love!" Shanks smiles.
Ann simply shrugs going for another punch to the face, scarlet splattering to the ground.
"What was the second punch for!" Lime Juice cries out, his busted broken nose to one side holding it scarlet streams shooting out wailing while holding his nose.
"For having the nerve to pull that shit with me. " Ann states the fact firmly before going for another punch.
"Damn!" Yasopp says shocked.
"Take it easy there Ann, he meant it as a joke. He didn't know you didn't like jump scares so much, he knows now." Shanks smiles stepping in.
"Don't pull that shit on me again got it?" Ann curses cross, dropping him down. He knew when she was in that state her haki was harder to access.
"Yeah, I'm sorry, if I had known that you didn't like them so much I wouldn't have done." Lime Juice pinches the bridge of his nose to stop the blood.
"Especially because he would have known he would have gotten clocked." Benn throws in.
"I'm sorry too…least… for the second punch, you earned the first." Frankly, Ann rubs the back of her neck sheepishly shyly even.
"Fair enough." Lime Juice huffs giving her that.
"... I'm going to go get Hongo to look at your face, you are bleeding too much to be good." Ann decides frowning from the pool of blood beneath their feet.
"Thank you…." Lime Juice soon falls to his knees, his vision fading his knees buckling as he pools into a pool of his own blood…
"C-Captain-chan got cut in half!"
"Tashigi-chan!"
The marines of G-5 sob scream shout pained at the sliced bottom half of Tashigi's legs wobbling abot the place. Behind them stands the floating remains of their cleaved cut ship thanks to the room Law had trapped them within.
"How...How dishonourable! I got sliced but I'm still breathing! Why don't you just kill me, Trafalgar?!" Tashigi screams scowling up at the man above as the snow freely falls from the blistering blizzard glaring up at Trafalgar looming over her, her sword broken, cut in half from one simple strike by Law. Law couldn't help the smug smirk at the win his room trapping those of G-5.
"You talk like a master swordsman. Let me tell you something, Navy soldier girl. The weak can't even pick their way to die!" Trafalgar dictates looming over her fallen fuming form.
"You bastard!" Tashigi curses cross ready to throw snow, lunging at him about to strike with her busted blade but…
"You can't reach me with that sword. I can chop you more if you liked it." Law offers as Tashigi plops back down on the snow helpless.
"Damn you! Stop insulting our Captain-chan!"
"Captain-chan, don't worry! We'll take care of this!"
"Yeah! We'll riddle that fool with bullets!"
Those of Marine G5 fire but…the bullets fire back.
"Bullets?! How did the bullets get here?! Where did the bullets that we shot go?!" They gawk gape at the bullets being fired back at them. They all fortunately manage to dodge them, dancing about the snowscape in front of the MADS lab.
"Those are the bullets you shot. I switched them with the snow falling over you." Law calmly explains.
"Is he invincible?!" One of the marines wonder.
"Get down! He's gonna cut everything again!" Another anxious voice warns.
"No one can stop his sword attack! That bastard! Captain-chan, run!" One of the G5 call out as Law raises his blade to end her when…
"Smo-yan!" G5 cheer when Law's blade meets a certain sea stone jitte.
"The Surgeon of Death-Trafalgar Law! You're just a pirate! Stop messing with the Navy!" Smoker snarls smoke shooting out from behind Law, his hand shooting out of said smoke snatching Law by the throat slamming him down into the soft snow below. Smoker slams his jitte down hoping to hit Law but…
"She warned me about you…you have Sea Prism Stone on the tip of your jitte, don't you?" Law smoothly appears from behind Smoker.
"How did!?" He turns to growl but Law makes another slash.
"Oh no! The recoil made the sword cut the ship!" One of the G5 gasp as a part of the ship slips forward towards the marines below.
"The ship's gonna fall onto us!" Another tearful marine wails.
"Let's run! He doesn't want us to be here anyway!" One of the G5 decide as they do just that.
"I don't care if you're a warlord or not! Just get out of my way!" Smoker slams his jitte into the snow readying his fists.
"Vice Admiral Smoker!" Tashigi calls out concerned for her mentor.
"Captain-chan, let's get away!" One of the G5 hoist her over his shoulder.
"But...!" Tashigi goes to argue but…
"He's no match for us!" He cuts her off taking her out of the situation.
"White Blow!" Smoker snarls releasing rapid fists at Law.
"Run! Get out of the circle!" G5 scream as their ship is turned to rubble…
"Th-They were strong... Too strong..." One of the G5 say shakily stunned to have made it out with the rest.
"Hey hey, Captain-chan, don't try to move! Stay here! We'll try to put you back together!" Earnestly G5 try to once they were out of the room but…Tashigi's thoughts are elsewhere…
"Tashigi, keep this in mind. Pirates will always be pirates!" Smoker's words ring in her ears as the battle continues.
"What's wrong Tashigi? Worn out already? You said you wanted to keep going until you managed to hit me." Mused, Ann reminds the girl smirking down at her noting the sweat slithering sliding down her tense temple as she heaves huffs.
"I'm gonna hit you! Just... just let me catch my breath. Losing to you over and over again is exhausting." Tashigi huffs as Ann removes the blade allowing her to crawl over to her blade using it to steady herself, help her up as she heaves swiping her tense temple feeling the sweat smother slide against her tense temple.
"That's because you rely on sheer power. You're moving around more than you have to, and it's a waste of energy. You need to start using your head, or you'll never even land a blow." Ann explains to Tashigi helping her up.
"Well, you were taking some pretty big swings yourself, you know!" Tashigi huffs leaning over her sword slightly panting like some sort of dog.
"I have more experience than you. I can use my energy more efficiently." Ann explains to the tired Tashigi.
"Yes, I guess that makes sense. You are the famous proud petal, after all. Wait. I just realized something. I get to train with the legendary wielder of Nioci!" Excitedly, Tashigi gushes giddily eyeing the blade sheathed strapped to Ann's side.
"So you know of Nioci then?" Amused, Ann draws out her blade showing said sword to the gushing girl, her hues shining shimmering from the sword aloe.
"I know they are one of twenty-one Great Grade Blades, they are among the highest-quality blades in the world, second only to the twelve Supreme Grade swords. These blades are well known for their incredible power and outstanding balance in strength, sharpness, and durability. In the hands of capable swordsmen, they can even stand up to the Supreme Grade Swords in combat." Eagerly, Tashigi tells Ann adjusting her lenses gushing over said blade, in awe of it almost as Ann couldn't help but smile slightly at the endearing nerdiness of her student.
"You know your swords." Smirking, Ann praises her impressed even.
"It's my dream to remove all meito grade swords from the hands of those that would use them for selfish purposes." Tashigi admits to Ann as she slides said sword back into its sheath strapped to her waist while watching the girl state the fact firmly as Ann's hues narrow at her words.
"And what selfish purpose would that be?" Ann asks her smile silently faltering furrowing her brow by her words, a blank look upon her face, a stone stoic mask almost as she watched Tashigi perks up at the mention of her dream.
"Killing plundering…pirating." Offhanded, Tashigi lists from the top of her head, using her fingertips to gesture to it.
"…Tell me Tashigi what makes us different from them? " Tiredly, Ann sighs softly sadly even as she turns her back to Tashigi taking the swordswoman aback at her words.
"…Pardon?" Tashigi whispers weakly astonished alarmed almost at the question proposed to her.
"You mentioned killing as a reason one must not use such blades but how are we the marines any better than the pirates when we use such blades to kill?" Ann points out as Tashigi simply silently stares at Ann attempting to decipher if this was a joke if she was lying, if she was challenging her to see her conviction her resolve yeah that had to be it, Tashigi assumed in her head.
"We don't kill innocent lives." Resolved, Tashigi states the fact firmly.
"Not that we know." Aloofly, Ann argues.
"What are you getting at?" Tashigi furrows her brow by her mentor's words.
"Dracule Mihawk is he worthy of his blade?" Ann asks making Tashigi furrow her brow by her words.
"He is the world's greatest swordsman." Simply, she answers.
"As he was the marine hunter…" Fairly, Ann coolly counters.
"I…" Tashigi trails off brow furrowed.
"The world is not black and white why you think you can deem who is fit and who is unfit to wield such blades baffles me." Honestly, Ann confesses to Tashigi.
"I have studied…!" Scowling, Tashigi attempt to argue however…
"You may have studied but you clearly haven't applied it to the real world." Strictly, she cuts Tashigi off.
"The real world?" Tashigi whispers weakly.
"The real world is not black and white Tashigi, there are those that deserve such blades even if the path they fall upon is not as pure as you believe yours to be." Ann informs Tashigi her hues widening when hearing her words, swearing she heard disappointment almost.
"I…I…" Tashigi furrows her brow by her words.
"I think we're done for the day." Ann turns to leave.
"Y-Yes…" Tashigi turns towards the stone steps sadly however as she does turn to leave…
"Tashigi." Ann calls out to her.
"Hm?" Tashigi turns her head towards her mentor.
"Consider my words but don't let it consume you. It's up to you whether you wish to consider my words or not but know this, the world is not as black and white as the world wants it for you to believe…" Briskly, Ann tells Tashigi her hues widening when hearing her words before bowing her head in silent thanks for both the training session and her words while she leaves…having much to think about...
"Pirates will be pirates!" Tashigi annoyed couldn't help but curse…hand darting down to her blade hating the situation she found herself in.
"Why are you here? No one, not even pirates or Government allies, is allowed to be here on this island, Law!" Smoke spews out of Smoker shooting from one side to the left avoiding each of the fallen objects above as he gets closer and closer to Law demanding answers.
"That means you people are not allowed, either!" Law roars, his blade clashing with Smoker's jitte.
"Law, why are you here on Punk Hazard?" Smoker flies through the air aiming his smoke fists but…
"…" Law continues running through the snow, avoiding Smoker's smoke strikes.
"I never understood why you joined the Warlords in the first place! Was is Hibiscus's order?" Smoker demands from Law.
"….!" Law's brow furrows.
"Tell me what are you up to? What is she up to?!" Smoker sternly demands from Law, releasing smoke fuelled fists at Law who leaps up, making blockages' for each fist attempted to be thrown his way.
"What we need to do now is to achieve higher status. Pirates all over the world have started to pay respect to the Straw Hats because of the incident at Enies Lobby. I'll put all my pride on the line and kick their asses in the New World!" Past Smoker tells Tashigi back in Alabasta brow furrowed at the old newspaper of Luffy standing between Ann and Jinbe, Rayleigh too as they pay their respects.
"Whether it's the Straw Hats...or the warlord who serves for the World Government - Trafalgar Law, pirates will be pirates! Tashigi thinks to herself, brow furrowed from the fleeting memory of a certain pink haired woman holding Ace in her arms, a grim grave look on her features as she delivers his empty husk of a shell back onto the ship.
"I've never trusted you Warlords!" Smoker heaves huffing.
"Maybe that's the right thing to do." Law remarks the pair at a standstill of sorts.
"Law! What is this place to you? Who's behind this? What are you up to on this island?!" Smoker tries to circle Law, cigars in his mouth.
"Why don't you answer first?! What are you all up to?!" Law barks back rock firing at Smoker, spikes shooting out of the snow time and time again.
"I know of your search for Hibiscus Law so tell me!" Smoker snarls at him batting back a spike of rock until one managed to impale him before the feet of Law, making Smoker drop his weapon while laying limp on top of the spike having impaled him.
"There are things that you can't see unless you change your standing, Smoker!" Law tells him straight to his face.
"Tell me this at least what is your connection to Hibiscus?" Smoker scowls at Law.
"…!" Law's eye twitches at his words.
"She's a dangerous woman Law, if you value your life it would be best to get far from her as possible!" Seriously, Smoker warns him staring straight at him until a smoke fuelled kick hits him. Law blocks with his blade but the distraction is all Smoker needs to reclaim his jitte. He goes to strike but…
"Scalpel!" Law impales his chest with his hand, a huge cube with his heart inside plopping out of Smoker's chest taking Smoker aback.
"My heart! Smoker stares stunned at the heavy hole in his chest falling to the floor.
"I don't have to tell you anything." Law calmly takes the cubed heart pumping still as he reclaims his blade while Smoker falls…defeated.
After landing on Punk Hazard; an island with two parts, one burning, the other frozen, the Straw Hats learned about the hideous experiments performed by Caesar Clown, the Master, and headed off to investigate.
"What?" Nami says shocked as she stands in the snow in Franky's body with the snow freely falling from the high heavens.
"An alliance?" Luffy adds equally as shocked. Smirking, Law looks down at the two below recalling her words…
"Remember Law, Luffy isn't a hero he isn't the sort for you to ask to come save his kingdom. To get him to work you need to align with his wants, his needs." Ann explains to the younger Law as they sit to the side while the boy sleeps soundly with his crew waiting for further orders.
"And what would his needs be?" Law furrows his brow by the younger Ann.
"To be pirate king." Ann's words ring in Law's ears as he smirks sharing the same smirk as hers.
"I have a plan...to bring down one of the Four Emperors!" Law smirks suavely perking Luffy's interest.
"An alliance? Are you saying that if we work together, we can take down an Emperor? How absurd! I don't know what he wants but don't listen to this jerk's fast-talk, Luffy!" Nami warns.
"I'm not saying we can b*at the Emperor straight away. All I'm saying is we'd get a chance if we advance the plan step by step. What do you say, Straw Hat-ya?" Law asks the still selnt Nami.
"Which of the Four Emperors are you talking about?" Luffy queries.
"Hey Luffy, why are you interested?! We can't trust this guy!" Nami frets.
"The Emperor's name is..." Law admits as the brisk breeze of snow brushes through the air.
"I see. Okay, let's do it!" Luffy beams brightly eager to take them down.
"What?!" The group gawk gape at the news Luffy had come back with, Law and Nami having returned with him well Nami in Franky's body that is.
"We're gonna form an alliance with the Heart Pirates?!" Chopper in Sanji's body with Usopp scream, Robin remains in the back pokerfaced from the news.
"You just went out to reclaim Nami! So how did you come back with such an eccentric idea?! If we ally ourselves with this creep who gives me the chills, I won't be able to sleep in peace at night!" Usopp shakes Luffy horrified by the thought, tears freely falling down his face.
"See, Luffy? Everybody's against it. Let's not do it. It's too risky. We wanna travel at our own pace." Name in Franky's body adds.
"She's right, Luffy! Besides, it's too early to even think about the Four Emperors! We can't fight them yet!" Chopper in Sanji's body says.
"Hey, treat this racoon." Law comes over holding up Chopper's body barely alive.
"Forget about some racoon now! Huh? What?! It's me!" Chopper freaks out at the state of his body.
"Z-Zuber..." Franky weakly wheezes out.
"What happened?! My body!" Chopper in Sanji's body screams bandaging up his wreck of a body.
"Luffy. I'm gonna go along with your decision but alliances between pirates are often marked by betrayal. Maybe it's dangerous for you since you are so trusting." Robin tries to gently warn him however…
"Huh? Are you gonna betray me?" Luffy asks Law.
"No." Law says straight-faced.
Law smiles back at his crew.
"Hey, have at least a little doubt!" Usopp sobs.
"Anyhow, a pirate alliance sounds like fun, doesn't it? I think Tra-guy is a good man but...even if he isn't, don't worry! Because I have you guys who spent the last two years training!" Luffy beams brightly at his crew.
"What?!" The crew gawk gape at his response.
"Luffy, you're..." Usopp begins but blushes.
"D-Don't mention it! Luffy, you're making me blush!" Name in Franky's body blushes.
"Yeah, I know we're zuper dependable but..." Franky in Chopper's body blushes too.
"We just do what we got to do! You're not flattering me, you fool!" Chopper in Sanji's body blushes.
"A-Alright, Luffy! You can count on us! If Zoro and the others wimp out, I'll convince them!" Usopp smiles.
"I'm counting on you guys!" Luffy tells his crew happy they agreed as Robin simply smiles while Law stares wondering what he got himself into before returning everyone in the room back to their respective body.
"I got my body back super!" Franky poses proudly.
"I'm happy for you Franky! Don't ever take Chopper's body again. Ever." Robin orders smiling sickly sweetly, her tone still ice cold.
"Why are there cuts and bruises all over me!?" Mad, Chopper demands from both Luffy and Franky.
"Sorry it's his fault." Both boys point at each other.
"Eh you're the one who went berserk!" Luffy blames.
"You didn't have to beat me like you did with the Kraken!" Franky argues.
"I blame you both!" Chopper barks at the two.
"Sorry…" The two bow their heads apologetic as everyone returns back to their bodies well everyone except…
"You should be happy just being back to yourself Chopper. Why do I have to be in someone else' body again?" Nami cries in Sanji's body.
"Nami became Sanji!" Luffy laughs.
"You're looking good!" Usopp too laughs with Chopper.
"It wouldn't be fun if it happened to you!" Nami yells at them.
"It can't be helped Franky and Chopper returned to their places due to their bodies being here with Sanji looking for the samurai you had no choice but to take his body as he took yours. Heck once we find Sanji Law will return things back to normal!" Usopp explains to Sanji.
"Can't you do anything?" Nami turns to Law hopeful.
"Not without your body." Law tells Nami still stuck in Sanji's form as Nami cries her heart out at the body she found herself stuck with…
Quietly, the brisk breezes brushes through the pink locks of Ann as she once again makes her way towards a familiar hill of fresh floral and grass, noting the numerous swords stabbed into the ground alongside the graves of two great men. Ann's grip tightens tenses around the bouquet in her hand, her eyes widening when finding the back of a boy seemingly talking to the grave….
"I finally…managed to get here…Ace." Silently, he sets said bouquet down before the grave.
"Look at this Luffy started to make his way to become the King Of Pirates again. That's our younger brother no doubt Auntie had helped him get back on track..." The blonde sets a newspaper of the straw hats onto the grave before him, pouring some sake into the crimson cups before him.
"Its so ironic since you've been gone, the old memories keep recurring to me vividly…I now belong to the revolutionary army. My college Ivankov told me what happened in Marineford in detail. I guess both you, Luffy and auntie are mad at me…I couldn't go to save you…I'm sorry!" Sobbing, the tearful blonde begins breaking down, tears freely falling gritting grinding his teeth together in pain, that is until he feels the soft pat of a hand. His eyes widen when he looks up to meet a pair of familiar warm brown.
"They could never be mad at you." The blonde perks up at the woman's voice.
"A-Auntie…!" Stunned, the tearful blonde turns to Ann holding a bouquet of her own.
"Geez Dragon's so cold, least he could have told me you were still kicking…that man and his secrets honestly…" Huffing, Ann ruffles the wavy blonde locks of the blonde boy.
"Auntie I'm…." Tears freely fall from the sniffling Sabo.
"Don't." Ann bows her head, shadows clouding her facial features.
"…Eh?" Stunned, Sabo stares at Ann setting her bouquet down.
"I failed Ace as well…but we mustn't let this sorrow consume us…live life without regrets…that's what Ace would have wanted." Frankly, Ann admits as she scowls sharply at the sheer sight of familiar fresher flowers of carnations and lily of the Vally.
"A-Auntie…! Don't you hate me?" Sabo queries watching her eye the fresh bouquet, seemingly plucking at a few of the flowers, frowning glaring at the bouquet, fiddling with it.
"Hate you? You were the least problematic one of my boys…I could never hate you Sabo." Smoothly, Ann assures as she seemingly makes some adjustments to the grave and its flower arrangement.
"A-Auntie! I wish…I wish I could've seen Ace again while he were alive….!" Anguished, Sabo begins but…
"I know sweetheart I know…" Ann drapes her arm around Sabo bringing him into a side hug.
"Auntie I'm gonna...I'm gonna inherit his will, Ace's will!" Sabo swears sobbing.
"…Good cause I have quite the role for you my little Sa D bo." Ann smirks slyly, hugging the crying child letting the blonde bellow letting out his grief as the brisk breeze brushes through the hair of them both, Sabo sobbing and Ann smirking, a glint gleaming in her darkened sherry reds.
"What? The navy want to take the children?" Nami back in her body gawks gapes at the news, the giant kids newly freed from Ceasar to the side as Tashigi stands before Nami on the ship that the marines would take back while the Sunny stands to the side ready to be boarded.
"Yes." Tashigi calmly confirms. The marines munch down on the food prepped by Sanji, a thick black line separating both marine and pirates. Yet despite that both marine and pirate alike converse with the children playing with the gigantic children, the only two who remained on their sides being Smoker and Law.
"All of this happens because the navy didn't do its job properly! Isn't that right!? Do you have any idea what those children went through? Everything that happened to them was because of the Navy's irresponsibility. I made a promise to those children. I will protect those children. That's why…huh?" Nami enraged begins but falters from Tashigi bowing her head.
"There is no excuse all I can do is apologise. I will take personal responsibility to help them with their addictions to the candy. I will take care of them until they have fully recovered. And I will make sure that all of them make it back to their parents. So please I am begging you…allow me to take care of the children!" Tashigi vows swearing it, her eyes tearful at what the marines had turned their eyes to.
"…!" Nami does a double take towards the sight.
Silently, Law sits on a crate, drinking his soup, a still silence between both of them until…
"Law. I know you don't really think that I'll keep my promise with a pirate like you. But if you really wanted to silence me there were several occasions that you could've killed me. What are you up to, taking advantage of Straw Hat?" Smoker sternly demands from Law.
"I'm taking advantage of him? Maybe he's taking advantage of me." Law considers recalling the memory.
"Which of the Four Emperors are you talking about?" Luffy asks as Law stands above Luffy, Nami by his side.
"The Emperor's name is...Kaido, the King of the Beasts!" Law answers.
"As long as Shanks is not the first one to fight, I have no problem. Because...I plan to b*at all of the Four Emperors!" Luffy smirks smugly.
"Beat all of the Four Emperors"?" We share a mutual interest but you're underestimating them. They are the emperors of the sea who have skirmished over territories even against Whitebeard himself. And above all, they say Kaido, the King of the Beasts is the strongest creature in the world." Law points out to Luffy.
"Huh? What? He's not even a human?!" Nami says shocked.
"We'll ally with each other until we kill Kaido. And our chances of success are...well, I'll just say they're really low." Law admits.
"What?! We shouldn't go along with this, Luffy!" Nami frets but…
"I see. Okay, let's do it!" Luffy agrees to it.
"What?! Wait a minute!" Nami says scared horrified by the situation she finds herself dragged into.
"There is no particular reason that I didn't kill you, White Chase-ya…except one…" Law admits.
"Hm?" Smoker raises a brow, smoke spewing out of his cigar.
"Hibiscus told me…if I met you along the way to not kill you." Law confesses to Smoker.
"…What?" Smoker does a double take.
"She said you were one of the good ones." Law admits making Smoker scowl.
"…Law listen after what happened do you think it wise to put your faith in her?" Smoker's grip tightens around his bowl brow furrowed.
"I'm thinking of going to green bit." He admits to Smoker.
"Don't change topic tell me!" Smoker sternly commands.
"She simply told me to put my faith in Luffy and she wasn't wrong." Law admits.
"…Do you know what she's planning?" Smoker couldn't help but wonder.
"Do you think she'd tell me? Whatever it is, it's big and if my plan can work alongside hers then I'll do what is necessary." Law tells Smoker standing up setting his bowl aside as he goes off to handle the children's recovery. While slouched to the shard frozen over almost form the snow sits Baby 5, Buffalo and Ceaser Clown, knocked out.
"Nami? Have you worked things out with the navy?" Usopp asks her when she comes back.
"Yeah I'm leaving them to the navy I may have told them I'd save them but we're pirates and that would probably make things difficult." Nami reasons.
"Yeah we'd probably wind up being blamed for their abductions. It's best to leave them with people on the justice side of the line." Usopp reasons.
"You're right and I have a weakness for the eyes of a female marine." Nami couldn't help the soft smile.
"Female marine?" Usopp says surprised.
"Yeah. They're reassuring to me." Nami couldn't help but smile.
"Oh yeah your mom was a marine wasn't she?" Usopp recalls.
"It's always best to be saved by a strong kind hearted female marine." Nami couldn't help but smile when thinking back to her mother and to a certain pink haired woman sailing them out…
"I think so too!" Usopp agrees as Tashigi smiles happy to take the kids on the tanker with the rest of the marines.
"Hey hey, Straw Hats! If the tanker is ours, this is the line! Don't think of crossing it! This is the line between good and evil! Don't step on it! Stay away!" Those of G5 remind the pirates.
"Again?! You were enjoying the banquet few minutes ago." Sanji teases.
"No, no! No, idiot!" One of the marines holler.
"About that, we really..." One of the marines begin…
"...Thank you for the meal!" The group then bow their heads to the pirates.
"But you guys are pirates! A dishonour to the human race!" They quickly retrace their steps as they take off the kids calling out to them thanking them much to the marine's tearful horror trying to stop the kids but they quickly relent as those in the tanker led by Tashigi head off leaving Smoker and the rest of the marines to it as the straw hats too with Law leave…
"I'm sorry partner. I've known you the longest…thank you for all your hard work…forgive me…please, die for me and take them all with you…" Doflamingo tells the scattered pieces of Vergo around the sliced ruined remains of the smiles factory, a small sad smile crossing Vergo's lips as he passes…
"Aye sir fare well young master. You are the man…who will become the pirate king." Monet's weak words echo throughout Doflamingo's head, recalling his hunched over figure from the failure of both his trusted workers as he flies through the air thinking back to both the passing os Vergo and Monet both failing to complete their respective tasks as he heads to the ruined remains of SMILESs or so he had hoped to…
The washing waves of the sea move the raft up and down with the Donquioxite crest proudly on display, the small ship from the tanker holding the two familiar heads of Baby 5 and Buffalo as Doflamingo makes his way over…
"Young master!" Buffalo calls out to him as he lands beofre them.
"Damn! That bastard Law really betrayed us!" Tearfully, Baby 5 adds angrily.
"I'm sorry dasuyan! I want to pay for it with death!" Buffalo pleads.
"You needed me but I couldn't please you!" Baby 5 too agrees.
"This is a life yachy that was on our tanker." Doflamingo recognises his symbol.
"I'm so ashamed dasuyan! After I hung up…" Buffalo begins but…
"It's okay you don't have to explain you two were just following my orders." Doflamingo assures.
"What a surprise I didn't expect the boss himself to show up!" He then perks up at the law looking snail.
"Is that you Law? A shame you're not here." Doflamingo smirks sadistically.
"If you're looking for Caesar he's with me." Law admits.
"J-Joker help me!" Said snail combusts into tears briefly before going back to its original form.
"Where are Baby 5 and Buffalo's bodies?" Doflamingo demands from Law.
"I don't know don't ask me such frivolous things. Let's negotiate." The snail smirks lazily.
"Hey Law come to your senses. A squirt like you shouldn't imitate what grown ups do. Where are you now? Don't make me mad." Veins bulge upon Doflamingo's temple.
"Make you mad? Your most important business partner is one of the Four Emperors. The big-time pirate - Kaido, the King of the Beasts. What would happen if he finds out you can't produce SMILE anymore? He'll destroy you." Law smirks smugly.
"How d-What do you want in exchange for Caesar? Name your price." Doflamingo demands trying to hide the sweat sliding down his tense temple.
"Resign from the Seven Warlords." Law orders.
"If master does that then he can no longer stay in Dressrosa!" Baby 5 frets.
"All I want is for you abandon everything that you spent a decade to attain and go back to being a common pirate again. In that case however the admirals from the Navy will hunt you down! I'm expecting to see it in the newspaper tomorrow morning. If your resignation is in the paper I'll call you. If I don't see it, the negotiation is off. Goodbye." Law ends the call.
"Wait Law!" Doflamingo calls out but it falls to deaf ears as Doflamingo shakes snarls seethes at the situation presented to him, veins building seething snarling cursing Law.
Law exhales shakily brow furrowed from the dial of his snail shaking in his grasp sweat sliding down his tense temple trembling stunned he had even managed to say that thinking back to it all…
"Resign from the warlords?" Young Law blinks befuddled at Ann, the two at Amazon Lilly, away from the group as Luffy rests.
"You heard me." Ann smirks slightly.
"And how are we to do that?" Law challenges.
"By kidnapping Ceasar?" Ann scoffs smirking.
"Kidnap Ceasar?" Law blinks befuddled by the name.
"Of course, you ran with his crew and never knew about Ceasar?" Astonished, Ann couldn't help but ask.
"…" Law bows his head pained, he could only get so much information from Joker without being caught and he was just a kid when he left.
"Tell me you knew about SAD? Smiles?" Ann continues to press unapologetic.
"…I was a kid when I ran with them." Tense, Law growls glaring at Ann.
"Right course they wouldn't show you all the cards yet, well kiddo here's how you get your revenge, you tear apart his empire." Ann smiles at him.
"His empire huh." Law hums.
"There's nothing more worse for him then breaking apart every seam he so carefully built to drag him back down to being a common pirate." Ann explains to him.
"And what's Ceasar to do with it?" Law frowns.
"Ceasar's the key dummy, you get rid Ceasar you get rid of Kaido, you get rid of Kaido you get rid of "Doflamingo's shield to the marines." Ann tells him.
"Shield?" Law blinks befuddled.
"Course the only reason Doflamingo got where he was is due to Kaido…sure his skill in manipulation has helped him but Kaido's alliance is what gives him power over pirate and marines alike. Getting rid of Ceasar gets rid of SMILES which Kaido won't be happy about and Kaido is not the forginvg sort…" Ann concedes.
"So Ceasar really is the key…If you know so much why haven't you done anything?" Law codulnt help but ask Ann.
"Cause I'm the left hand of Shanks." Ann answers.
"So…?" Law frowns.
"So you're a free agent Law what you do doesn't go back to someone for me it does besides the power balance that be is key, Shanks wants to keep that balance." Ann tells Law.
"But you're breaking it aren't you going against your captain?" Law challenges.
"Not if breaking the balance is what we need for the dawn to come." Ann smirks slightly.
"The dawn?" Law blinks befuddled.
"You'll learn soon enough. You and me Law, we D'S have to stick together especially after today. People like us…it's us against the world. That's why…you're in for one hell of a ride Law." Ann slaps the back of Law startled stumbling forward from said harsh hit watching her go off leaving him to consider her words.
"Thank you...for allowing us to enter the island. I'll never forget your name. I can save my people's lives! I promise I'll come back to turn myself in!" Tearful, Brownbeard thanks Smoker smiling, glad to be given the chance to save his people from the gas within the facility.
"This is the only exit anyway. Just go!" Smoker looks away as captain Brownbeard goes to save his men.
"Okay!" Brownbeard goes to do just that.
"Hibiscus told me…if I met you along the way to not kill you." Law confesses to Smoker.
…Hibiscus…what are you planning? Smoker couldn't help but wonder while thinking back to Marineford frowning from the murky memory of it all.
"What should we do with these? Are they pirates?" One of the G5 wonder eyeing the headless failing bodies of the chained Baby 5 and Buffalo.
"I don't know. It's just creepy." One of the G5 complain.
"Something's flying toward us." Another of G5 points out.
"What?! Isn't that somebody's head?!" One of the marines recognise.
"Huh? Don't be ridiculous! Y-You were right! Heads are flying toward us!" The other goes to dismiss but gasp when the heads of the respective bodies plop back down on their bodies making them cry out as just then a blur of pink brushes past until…
"What?!" The marines stare stunned at Doflamingo.
"That guy is..." Smoker scowls at the sight of Doflamingo.
"N-No way! Y-You're...D-Doflamingo!" The marines recognise the man slowly standing.
"The warlord?! W-Why is he here?!" Another wonders when feeling the pulse emit from his pulsed veined head.
"Conqueror's Haki!" Smoker recognises as many of G5 collapse all but a fair few.
"Why did you do that?!" One of G5 demand.
"They're not here. The ship is gone." Doflamingo takes note of.
"You're a warlord! Why are you attacking the Navy?!" One of G5 demand their gun shaking.
"I know some pirates were here a little while ago. Where did they go?" Doflamingo questions.
"How dare you do that to our colleagues!" One of the marines aim their gun at him however…
"Don't do it!" Smoker warns but it falls to deaf ears.
"I can't move my fingers. What happened?!" The marines gasp at their lack of control.
"Wh-What are you doing?!" Another of the marines asp as one aims their gun at them.
"W-What about you?!" The one aiming demands from the other.
"No, I can't... control my body!" The marines begin freaking out.
"Law is different but Straw Hat is just an ordinary pirate." Doflamingo makes sure each gun is aimed at one marine or another.
"Don't!" A marine begs.
"Where did they go, you bastards?!" Doflamingo demands as with a flick of his wrist they fire shooting down many bullet shooting staining the floor.
"Wh-What are you gonna do to me?!" One of the marines cry out.
"Answer my question." Doflamingo slams his foot into a bloodied wound of one of the marines.
"Ouch!" The marine cries out from the floor.
"Which direction did those shitheads go?!" Doflamingo demands rubbing his wound with his boot but…
"I don't know what you're talking about!" The marine whimpers weakly.
"Then go to hell." Doflamingo goes to end him when…
"Stop messing with my soldiers!" Smoker shoots over his haki infused fist before appearing before Smoker.
"S-Smo-yan..." His soldiers call out weakly to him.
"Smoker. Tell me where those shitheads went." Doflamingo demands from Smoker.
"I'm thinking about going to Green Bit." Law's words ring in Smoker's ears.
"Well, I don't know, "Joker." We could've caught them but we let them get away. I don't know what to say to our base commander - Vergo." Smoker glares at Doflamingo.
"He died, didn't he?! I think you know too much. Smoker!" Doflamingo grins giddily rushing at Smoker swifty dodging each and every slice of his threads using his smoke to disperse from close calls.
"Take this!" Smoker infuses his fists with Haki rushing at Doflamingo but…
"It's no use!" He dodges with ease as Smoker goes on the attack, cursing at his lack of a sea stone jitte broken thanks to Vergo.
"You're no match for me. Stop resisting and just accept your death." Doflamingo advises.
"Smo-yan!-We'll fight, too!" The marines try to join in but…
"Do you guys wanna die first?" Doflamingo simply chuckles turning to strike at them but…
"Stay away!" Smoker snaps at them shooting through taking the hit for those charging in stopped by his smoke.
"Vice admiral Smoker!" They scream calling out to the bloodied battered beaten mess that is Smoker.
"Useless the lot of you, you know too much that's why I'm gonna kill you all!" Angrily, Doflamingo pins Smoker to the ground raising his hand ready to end it right then and there.
"NOO!" The marines screams scared sobbing but it falls to deaf ears. Doflamingo goes to end Smoker when….
"Whoa now…" A cool calm cold voice calls out stilling stopping Doflamingo a wave of dread hitting him from the voice alone as Aokiji looms over Doflamingo.
"WHAT NOW!?" The soldiers gawk gape at the ex-marine before them.
"Oops sorry pal could you get out of the way? He's my friend…" Aokiji asks as Smoker pants, blood pouring out of him as Doflamingo slowly turns to look up at the ex admiral.
Silently, Doflamingo crouches down upon the pinned Smoker looking up at Akoji hands shoved into his pockets, wearing a blue bandana that covers most of his hair, leaving only the tips which fan out. He wears a white V-neck shirt with black trousers, as well as an open dark blue green trench coat that extends past his knees. He also now wears black cowboy boots and travels with a knapsack carrying his belongings, along with his old pair of green round sunglasses. He also has grown facial hair, namely, a thin moustache and a beard. A rough scar shyly peers out from his white shirt.
"Isn't that the former admiral Aokiji!?" One of the marines gawk gape at the sight.
"I thought he disappeared after Akainu beat him!" Another of G5 freak out over the man towering over them all, ice cool wind escaping his lips as ice soon sprouted from his heeled boots. Doflamingo couldn't help but grin at the air getting colder as the ice slowly crawled towards his crouched form. He eyes Smoker beneath his palm and strikes if not for the ice swiftly stopping him encasing him hole stilling him just as his hand was about to touch Smoker's face. The soldiers shoot up alarmed at the wave of ice narrowly missing it some slipping from the ice while others gasp at the ice crawling up their feet.
Ice slowly crawls up Aokiji's side. But he remains calm collected as it continues crawling all over the island.
"Young Master!" Both Buffalo and Baby 5 call out to the still statue of ice that is Doflamingo over Smoker, Aokiji almost waiting for it to break as Doflamingo managed to break free turning to face Aokiji, a still silence between both men, Doflamingo heaving huffing, panting from breaking free. Aokiji on the other hand simply stares down Doflamingo.
"Thank goodness he didn't get frozen to the bone!" Buffalo exclaims relieved.
"Young master!" Baby 5 notes the exhausted Doflamingo still trying to retain his grin.
"Smo-yan!" Tearful, his men call out to the bloodied mess that is Smoker.
Doflamingo sways scowling at the calm collected cool Aokiji, ice encasing his form. But he remains standing staring Doflamingo down until Doflamingo moves forward, approaching Kuzan still staring the warlord down before brushing past Kuzan, dismissing Smoker.
"Heheheh…I'm not interested in fighting you but if I can't silence that guy then I have to change my plan…since I can't go after her. She's the only way he could have gotten such information…can I ask what you see in such a troublesome woman Kuzan?" Doflamingo asks amused almost as he turns to look at the back of the admiral simply staring ahead.
"…" Kuzan remains quiet simply staring ahead.
"I've heard not some good things about you Kuzan…your reputation is sullied. You think she'll want to be with someone like you? You know no matter how hard you try to find her she'll never forgive you, she'll probably kill you on the spot." Smirking, Doflamingo calls out to the man.
"…" He simply stares ahead almost as if he looking out at something no one else could see.
"So tell me what are you Kuzan?" Doflamingo demands but…
"…" Is once again met by still silence.
"Heheheh!" Doflamingo smirks, he and Baby 5 getting on Buffalo and leaving.
"Hey treat him already!" Kuzan calls out to the soldiers of Marine G5 rushing over to do just that.
"Y-Yes sir!" The scared marines rush over to treat him as elsewhere on Buffalo, Doflamingo grins giddily up at the sky.
"There is a difference between the look of an ordinary vagabound and that of a determined man…" Doflamingo tells Baby 5 as the three head home.
"From the start I never through the world government was all that there's plenty you can do without belonging to the marines. I'm starting to see certain things exactly because I'm not with them anymore." Kuzan admits to Smoker as he looks out towards the sea towards a familiar huge penguin pops up approaching the island, a backpack on them with a familiar orange and red polka dot bandanna around their fin.
"…He's right you know." Smoker heaves heavily as he lies on the stained snow, the marines tending to him.
"Hm?" Aokiji looks down at Smoker arms crossed sat down cross legged.
"About Hibiscus…she'd definitely kill you on the spot." Smoker remarks.
"Fufufu…probably." Amused, Kuzan couldn't help his coy chuckle at the thought smirking.
"…You still looking for her?" Stunned, Smoker assumes astonished he could even laugh about such a thing.
"…" Kuzan then goes quiet looking out at the sea.
"…Why did you come here?" Smoker changes topic.
"…It must be fate that brought me here." Kuzan assumes arms crossed.
"Trafalgar…he's connected to Hibiscus…" Smoker tells Kuzan.
"…that makes sense." Kuzan hums.
"Sense? How did you know about this place? You can't possible b connected…to the underground now can you?" Smoker scowls up at Kuzan.
"…" The still silence speaks volumes.
"A-A former Admiral is…" The G5 marines gawk gape at the former admiral when…
"YOU'RE DONE TREATING HIM AREN'T YOU!? GO AWAY!" Angrily, said former admiral snaps at the marines.
"DAAAH!" Terrified, they flee frightened from the raised voice.
"You'd go to such lengths to seek her out?" Smoker couldn't help but ask once alone.
"She's going to such lengths to avoid me…" Aokiji couldn't help the sad smile.
"…" Smoker goes quiet from his words the pain clear in his tone yet a strange sense of understanding.
"Hibiscus told me…if I met you along the way to not kill you." Law confesses to Smoker.
"…What?" Smoker does a double take.
"She said you were one of the good ones." Law admits making Smoker scowl.
"I'm just me…Smoker…" Kuzan breaks the still silence between them.
"That's fine then…" Smoker looks up into the air with a newly ignited cigar.
"In any case you shouldn't let your eyes off Doflamingo as a warlord he's currently Dressrosa's king. He's different from the Kuja Snake Princess but he's an extremely exceptional pirate. Tell Sakazuki and have him put the admirals to action. In the worst case the gears are rapidly going askew. It'll be the most infamous obstacle since Sakazuki started his new Marine HQ." Kuzan warns Smoker a look in his eye as he looks out towards the sea, a still silence soon erupting between the pair again until…
"Kuzan…you still going to look for her?" Smoker couldn't help but ask as Kuzan stands ready to head off.
"Hey you guys about me being here…um it's that…what was it…I forgot so whatever." Kuzan places his gloved finger to his lips but falters rubbing the back of his head instead as he exhales turning back to the giant penguin.
"WE WON'T TELL!" The scared marines of G5 swear scared watching the ex-admiral leave on his penguin.
*So...this is where I'm putting the book on indefinite hiatus until I feel as if the manga is complete enough to continue...I have to ask what did you think of it? Of Kuzan and Ann now? Of Kuzan? I'd love to know your theories/thoughts/analysis!*