POV: Marco the Phoenix
Location: Somewhere in the New World.
Deep in a dark cave, Marco let out a long sigh. It had been several days since the war in Marineford had officially ended, thanks to the appearance of the Red Head. Unofficially, the Navy continued to relentlessly hunting down the survivors of Whitebeard's fleet.
In order to escape for a few days, Marco and the rest of the crew took refuge on an uninhabited and inhospitable island. This island was called "Hellti Island". As its name suggested, living on this island would be a living hell. The weather conditions were both unstable and violent. It was impossible to wake up to a heatwave, and then seconds later, a rainstorm could descend on the island. The fauna that managed to survive in these parts could prove tough and fatal for those who dared set foot on the island.
"At least we won't have to worry about anyone disturbing us for a while," Marco comforted himself as he lit an oil lamp beside him. The yellow light it emitted illuminated the cave floor, gradually revealing the surroundings. Several crates of food and ammunition had been stored in the cave. A few weapons - spears, swords and rifles - were also stored in specially designed barrels.
Nevertheless, the most important thing remained their captain, who was lying on a makeshift bed made from clothes, leaves and anything else that would allow his captain to rest comfortably. He was covered with bandages and infusions, as he had lost a great deal of blood during the battle.
Since the end of the war, Whitebeard still hadn't woken up, despite his second-in-command's best efforts to treat him as effectively as possible. However, several factors were worrying the 2nd in command. His father's illness was of the utmost concern, despite his captain's assuring him that everything was well and there was nothing to worry about. Furthermore, with Whitebeard getting old, and after all the wounds he'd received in battle, he could be considered a miracle.
"His condition worries me, nonetheless, I have to admit that his body is healing quite quickly despite his age..." observed Marco as he recalled the last moments of the war he and Father had lived through before his captain flew off to the ocean because of his confrontation with the Navy admirals. Normally, this wouldn't have caused so much trouble, but Ace's death appeared to have greatly affected him.
Marco immediately felt remorse, thinking back to the little girl responsible for his friend's death. "If only I'd have got rid of her in the first place, none of this would have happened..."
"Captain Marco!" shouted a voice from the cave entrance. "We finally have news from Squardo." Hearing this, Marco jumped to his feet and made his way towards the man who had just burst in. He hadn't heard from Squardo since their argument about his departure for the Grand Line. Deep down, Marco knew why he wanted to go back. His desire to redeem himself in Father's eyes after his act of mutiny outweighed than his common sense. He certainly wanted to bring back the head of the girl responsible for Ace's death and for the enormous bloodbath that was this war. Several days had passed since his departure, and they had heard nothing from him so far.
However, seeing his subordinate's decomposed and terrified face, Marco quickly understood that something was wrong. "Speak up, tell me what happened, what's the news Yoiii?" the commander asked eagerly while grasping by the shoulders. His comrade took a deep breath before beginning his report. "We received a call from Lorto, who had left with Captain Squardo. He explained that they had managed to track the demon to the Sabaody archipelago and ambush it in a small clearing out of sight..." Marco clenched his right fist with all his might to control his temper, for deep down, he knew giving in to anger wouldn't help. He continued listening to the report.
"They then began a battle against the demon, but Lorto was one of the first to fall in the fight. Unfortunately, he was unable to see the rest of the fight. Fortunately, he was not mortally wounded. When he woke up, the vast majority of our men were already dead and Captain Squardo had disappeared".
Marco stared at his comrade with a puzzled, questioning gaze. "How could Squardo have disappeared? If he had been killed, his body should have remained among the other corpses." Reflecting on what he had just learned, Marco took a while to realize that his comrade was holding out a newspaper, probably the one he had received today.
He held out his hand and began to read the world news. Nothing particularly interesting; many articles discussed the battle in Marineford and how Whitebeard and his crew emerged weakened. Another article speculated that Monkey D. Luffy had died as a result of his injuries, as since the battle, the straw hat had yet to be seen.
Continuing to read, Marco came across an article describing a great victory for the Navy. "Big haul for the Navy. Just a few hours ago, a fight broke out between Navy forces and survivors of the Whitebeard crew who were on the scene. At present, we don't know the reason for their presence on a site guarded by a major Navy base. However, we have it on good authority that this victory was made possible by the Navy's new heroine, who had distinguished herself during the Great War by successfully executing the infamous Ace with the Burning Fists. Thanks to an anonymous source named Ô.Koki, we obtained an exclusive photograph of the officer dragging the lifeless body of a bloodthirsty pirate back to her base. After our investigations, we determined that it was Squardo, the Spider of the Maelstroms, whose head had been priced at 210 million Berries."
Horror-stricken by the photograph taken from above, Marco easily recognized the mutilated body of his ally. His body was being dragged by the little girl spared by Marco during the battle. "Stupid Squardo, I told you it was dangerous and not to go there..."
"Marco?" A faint voice came from deep inside the cave. Turning in its direction, Marco saw Whitebeard sitting on the edge of his makeshift bed. He looked as bad as ever, but the good news was that he was already able to stand up "Can you explain to me what happened?"
POV Tanya Degurechaff
Location Marineford
Time skip: 2 days
With the fresh newspaper in her hands, Tanya contemplated the article reporting the incident on the Sabaody archipelago. As she read its contents, she couldn't help but hit her bedroom desk. "How can those scumbag journalists already know about this when it's only been a few hours?" What terrified the young girl the most was the photograph taken without her knowledge while she dragged Squardo's lifeless body away. "With an article like this, everyone will know what I look like..." However, that wasn't what concerned her most. As soon as this newspaper was published, it was highly likely that the survivors of Whitebeard's crew would have had access to this information. They might have seen it as a provocation or a direct challenge to them.
Thinking back to the old man who almost killed her with a single blow sent a shiver down the little blonde's spine. The difference in level between this man and her was astronomical, whether in terms of power, stamina or endurance. "I suppose I must expect to encounter this type of adversary more regularly, especially under the command of that battle-addicted admiral... I can't afford to stay in this impasse any longer. My magical abilities have proved very useful and effective, but I'm rather limited in their uses. Having the possibility of obtaining a calculation orb and ammunition would significantly increase my chances of survival in this world.
With a deep sigh, she opened the small chest she'd been carrying with her since her acquisition and noticed that the fruit had changed shape again. The color and texture remained the same as she remembered, but instead of resembling a pomegranate, it had taken on the shape of a calculus orb.
Amused, Tanya plucked the fruit from the box and gazed at it." You really do want me to eat you...". She adjusted her uniform before bringing the fruit to her lips and biting into it. Immediately, a grimace contorted her face. While she'd heard rumors that demon fruit tasted vile, in her case, the flavor surpassed anything she'd ever imagined—a soul-piercing, all-consuming bitterness. Yet she resisted the urge to spit it out.
Suddenly, a bolt of energy shot through her entire body, as if every atom of her being was electrified. Mysterious signs appeared gradually on her skin, only to vanish almost immediately. Tanya realized that the powers of the devil fruit were now in her possession.
The dreadful taste in her mouth gradually subsided. Her heartbeat slowed too, returning to a normal rhythm. "I never thought eating one of these fruits would be so unpleasant," she complained, getting up and making her way to her bed to lie down.
"I don't feel anything in particular... Did it work?" Worried that she had consumed a devil fruit for nothing. In the interest of trying out and verifying her new powers, Tanya grabbed her flintlock pistol and examined it closely. "I don't understand how to trigger this power, what if I want to turn this gun into a fork?" Suddenly, as if the pistol were bending to his thought, the handgun liquefied to form a ball of a liquid in her hand. The most curious aspect of this phenomenon was that it still felt like touching wood.
After a few seconds, the liquid ball gradually transformed into the shape of a fork with a wooden handle and metal tines. The result was so prodigious that it was impossible to guess that the original object was a pistol. "The result far exceeds my expectations," exclaimed Tanya, analyzing every aspect of the utensil, which bore a striking resemblance to a conventional fork.
"I wonder how long the transformation is supposed to last without any intervention on my part... It could prove annoying if the object returned to its original form in the middle of a fight" Tanya wondered as she set down the new object, glancing at the clock in her room that read 10:00 am. "I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting day..."
Tanya spent the rest of the day experimenting with the abilities conferred by her devil fruit. The first interesting data she obtained was the duration of the effect of her power. As the fork had returned to its original form in the early evening, this gave an approximate delay of eight hours without any intervention on her part. She had also trained herself to form spears emerging from the ground, but unfortunately, the transformation range of her fruit seemed rather limited, no more than five meters according to her estimates.
Manipulating intangible elements also seemed limited. She had tried to manipulate the flame of a lighter in her desk, but the simple act of slightly altering its shape had exhausted the girl considerably.
Finally, her last test was to change the very nature of an object, trying to turn her pillow into gold in order to start materializing the pieces of her calculus orb, without success. The modification didn't seem as advanced as the encyclopedia would lead us to believe.
Tanya concluded her findings by recording them in her notes. "I'll need to find some gold and a ruby quickly to finalize the design of my jewel, as I'm unable to change the structure of an object... I should drop into a jewelry store tomorrow, I think I'll find what I'm looking for".
Tanya knew that relying on her fruit to enhance her magic was risky, given that the object did not retain its new shape. The Calculus Orb was a tool that required extreme precision in its design. The slightest faulty part was bound to cause the jewel core to overheat. Thinking back to the development of her Elenium 95 and the tests with Dr. Schugel, her body instinctively shuddered with disgust.
"For the time being, I don't really have a choice, so I'm going to stick with this option and hope I don't have to resort to it too often. My next priority will be to find someone capable of crafting the parts I need..."
"To all HQ staff, please join Oris Square for an announcement of the utmost importance."
"I wasn't aware of such an announcement at all," Tanya murmured to herself. "I'd better get going and not be one of the latecomers."
Arriving at the meeting place, Tanya sighed in relief to find herself among the first to arrive.
As for the huge square, it had been laid out in such a way as to accommodate the many soldiers arriving as they went along. At the center of the square stood a huge silver bell with the inscription 'Ox Bell' on the promontory where it rested.
From her extensive reading in the library, Tanya knew that this was an important monument to the Marine. Originally, this immense structure was situated on a renowned warship named "Ox Lloyd's". Although its status is still unknown, deliberately concealed by the Navy's top brass, it has now been recovered. Traditionally, the Navy would ring this bell sixteen times to celebrate the New Year.
Beside the bell, several silhouettes dominated the gathering. She easily recognized the imposing build of Admiral Sakazuki, who appeared to be chatting with a man she didn't know.
He was an elderly man, extremely muscular, with a broad chest and powerful shoulders. His tanned skin contrasted with his age-bleached hair and beard, styled in a series of spikes that extended down both sides of his face, resembling the spine of a lizard. He bore a scar sewn under his left eye.
His attire was relatively simple. He wore a dark sleeveless shirt adorned with medals, revealing his muscular arms, dark green armbands, a light yellow scarf around his neck and a white and dark gray Marine coat draped over his shoulders. The epaulettes were similar to those worn by an admiral.
Tanya immediately sensed the significant power and influence this man held within the Marine. Observing Admiral Sakazuki bow before him confirmed her first impression.
A little further back, on the right side of the big bell, stood Vice-Admiral Garp and Chief Admiral Sengoku. To the young girl's great surprise, Sengoku was wearing only the jacket of his admiral's suit. His distinctive cap was no longer on his head. He had also replaced his white suit with a sort of blue Hawaiian shirt, Bermuda shorts and an orange tie.
"Maybe he's on leave too, considering the amount of work and paperwork he's had to do since the battle, it wouldn't be surprising." Contemplating the two men, Tanya met the intense gaze of Vice-Admiral Garp, without understanding the reason for his scrutiny.
As the minutes ticked by, the huge square filled up with more and more soldiers, some still bearing the scars of battle and struggling to stay on their feet. Some still used crutches to remain upright. In front of the promontory, soldiers were busy setting up video Den Den Mushi toward the big silver bell.
"Why broadcast a speech internally?" wondered the young captain as she swept her gaze over the audience. The solemn look on her comrades' faces made Tanya realize that this was, in fact, an official ceremony. They must have shared this information during my brief stay on the Sabaody Archipelago", concluded Tanya, following the gaze of Admiral Kizaru, who nonchalantly, as is his wont, rejoined his peers to sit down in a chair next to Vice-Admiral Garp.
As the man talking to Admiral Sakazuki turned to the crowd, an almost religious silence descended. No soldier dared say anything.
The man then took a few steps forward to a small desk equipped with a DenDenMushi microphone.
"Honored members of the Marine, distinguished representatives of world governments, intrepid defenders of justice, and esteemed citizens of the world, most of you know me as Admiral Kong, but for those who don't, I'm in command of the armies of the World Government."
He took a brief moment's respite before immediately continuing.
"First of all, I'd like to congratulate and thank you, the valiant defenders of justice. Your fight against piracy will forever be engraved in the history of the Navy. You can be proud of what you have accomplished."
Immediately, a thunderous applause and howls of approval began to resound all around the young girl. Most soldiers expressed their joy, while others allowed tears to stream down their faces.
"Today, my words echo through the vast corridors of Marineford, carrying the weight of a momentous transition within our Marine. On this historic day, we mark the departure of a man whose wisdom has illuminated our paths and left an indelible mark in the annals of justice. We also welcome a new radiance, a new era that will guide our organization into the future with firmness and determination."
Admiral Kong paused for a moment to allow one of his men standing behind him to get up and join him.
"Admiral Sengoku, an iconic figure in the Marine, has chosen to pass the torch after decades of dedicated service. His legacy of justice, leadership, and wisdom shaped the Marine as we know it today. At this time of transition, we express our deep gratitude to this exceptional man who has defended world peace with unwavering commitment. Alongside Vice-Admiral Garp, he will continue training the new recruits joining the ranks of the Marine".
The news was met with thunderous applause. Tanya knew that Admiral Sengoku was a rather popular man among the soldiersHis benevolence and respect for the rules made him highly appreciated.
"However, this transition is marked not only by the departure of a great man but also by bidding farewell to another pillar of the MarineAdmiral Aokiji, Master of the Ice, has decided to step down, leaving a void that we deeply feel. Aokiji has been a tireless protector of the seas, using his power to maintain balance and impose justice. We express our gratitude to him for his exceptional years of service and wish him success in all his future endeavors.
In the midst of these impending departures, we confidently welcome the man who will lead the Navy to new horizons. Admiral Sakazuki, known as Akainu, takes on the position of Chief Admiral with unwavering conviction. His determination to eradicate evil and protect the citizens of the world is legendary, and we are convinced that he will guide the Marine with the same firmness that has marked his exceptional career.
Tanya stared at Sakazuki, the new head of the Marine. "Why didn't they appoint Admiral Aokiji?" the young girl wondered. "Even if I didn't agree with the way he led his troops, it was still better than that warmonger. It's imperative that I earn a place at headquarters as soon as possible if I want to influence decisions."
"My fellow Marine men and women, I call on you to support Admiral Sakazuki in this time of transition. The challenges before us are many, but with unity and determination, we will weather every storm to uphold peace and justice. At this time of change, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Admiral Sengoku and Admiral Aokiji. Their contributions will remain etched in the annals of our history. To Admiral Sakazuki, I extend my congratulations and best wishes as he assumes leadership of this great institution.
"May the Marine remain the beacon of justice, our determination the wind in our sails, and peace reign on all the world's seas".
"Before concluding these words charged with emotion and responsibility, I would like to highlight an exceptional figure, a war heroine who emerged from the tumult of the battlefield. Her courage and determination have left an indelible mark on the recent pages of naval history. I therefore invite Captain Tanya Degurechaff to join me on this rostrum here".
Tanya was surprised by the attention she received from her highest superior. She hadn't expected to be summoned during such a ceremony, considering her relatively low rank. As he did for Admiral Sengoku, Admiral Kong waited for the girl to join him before continuing his speech.
"Captain Degurechaff, an outstanding officer in the service of the Marine, you have shown uncommon bravery and impeccable strategy on the battlefield. Your steadfast commitment to upholding justice sets an exemplary standard".
Tanya stared in horror at her superior, realizing the potential consequences of being singled out in such a manner: "He's turning me into a hero! I'm going to become a prime target for those who wish to challenge the Marine and the World Government! Slaughtering an enemy hero is always a terrible blow to the adversary's morale, and in the worst case, he'll be elevated to the rank of martyr, which I categorically refuse. Moreover, being used as a propaganda tool again is out of the question for me!"
Once again, a horrible shiver ran down Tanya's spine as she thought back to the many hours she had spent making propaganda clips for the Empire. Such had been the shame of wearing a dress that she had thought several times of eliminating all witnesses to the scene and making it look like an accident.
"In these times of transition, it is essential to recognize and honor those who distinguish themselves by their commitment to justice and their sacrifice for peace. Captain Degurechaff, your name will forever be etched in the annals of the Marine as a living symbol of the determination and bravery guiding our noble cause.
I call upon all of you to salute Captain Tanya Degurechaff, acknowledge her heroism, and accord her the respect she deserves. May her actions inspire future generations of sailors to follow her example and uphold the principles of justice and peace that lie at the heart of our mission."
Unconsciously, the girl scanned the crowd with her cold gaze. Only the top brass cheered her on, seeing her as a valuable asset and an excellent recruit. This wasn't the case with the soldiers, the majority of whom remained silent and avoided meeting the captain's gaze, still haunted by her recent assessment..
"May the Marine remain the steadfast bulwark protecting the world, and may heroes such as Captain Tanya Degurechaff light the path toward a safer and fairer future..."
POV: Silver Rayleigh
Location: Sabaody archipelago
Preparations for the trip to Amazon Lily took much longer than expected, involving gathering enough food, securing navigation equipment, and the most challenging step—finding a boat for two. Finding a boat for two had been the most difficult step. With no Berry on hand and Shaky refusing to take any loans, the old man had to resort to "borrowing" a small rowboat from a pirate crew preparing to head to the Isle of the Fish Men.
If he had been on his own for this trip, he would have chosen to swim there, as he had done in the past. However, the girl to whom he had offered his help had pinned all her hopes on him to take her to safety.
This girl was shrouded in mystery. Her unusual attire indicated that she was obviously unfamiliar with the surroundings. Rayleigh had no doubt that it was a military uniform. The plain, dark green color and the epaulets on her shoulders gave away her military uniform. Despite numerous ocean crossings with his former comrades from Roger's crew, he had never seen anyone wear this type of uniform.
What most intrigued the former second-in-command to the King of Pirates was the value this young girl represented in the eyes of the Navy. "Why and by whom are you being hunted young lady?" wondered Rayleigh inwardly, stroking his beard.
"Before concluding these words charged with emotion and responsibility, I would like to highlight an exceptional figure, a war heroine who emerged from the tumult of the battlefield. Her courage and determination have left an indelible mark on the recent pages of naval history. I therefore invite Captain Tanya Degurechaff to join me on this rostrum here."
Rayleigh's attention snapped back when he heard these words echoing across the city's central square. The roar of the crowd in front of the replay screens had pulled the old man from his thoughts. "It's her!" shouted Duval to his right "It's that girl we met at the auction house. She's the one who was chasing little Visha!".
Turning back to the screen, Rayleigh studied the young girl who appeared on every screen. She looked exactly as Duval had described her during their debriefing—long blond hair tied back, with long bangs covering her entire forehead, giving her a childlike appearance. In fact, that's exactly what she was: a child.
She appeared younger than he had imagined, undoubtedly much younger than little Visha. The intensity of her gaze was also what differentiated the two girls. One possessed a warm, benevolent gaze, while the other exuded malevolence commonly associated with those responsible for the worst atrocities.
As the little blonde's gaze returned to the screen, a shiver ran down the old man's spine. Turning to Duval, who appeared just as perplexed, he asked, 'Could you clarify once more the type of power she had wielded during your encounter?" Duval took a while to answer him, what he saw on the screens seemed to capture most of his attention. "We didn't have much time to see,' his colleague began to explain, still staring at the screen as if it aided his memory "All I remember is seeing a kind of very resistant veil around her when her opponents were shooting at her..."
"And she showed no signs of injury after the numerous bursts. Unfortunately, aside from that, all I witnessed was her using a pistol." Slightly disappointed by his friend's summary, Rayleigh turned away from the main square and made his way to Shaki's bar, leaving his friend behind to continue watching. "According to Duval, I don't think she's a haki user. However, this barrier power reminds me of a devil fruit I heard about long ago... But I thought that fruit was wielded by a man, not a little girl... We'll need to hasten our departure to avoid potential trouble."
...
The sun had set hours ago when Rayleigh entered through the back door of his companion's establishment. As was his habit, he took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet night air mixed with a hint of alcohol and Shaki's fragrance, triggering a sense of nostalgia without a specific memory attached. The sweet perfume of the night mixed with a slight whiff of alcohol and Shaki's scent tended to make the old man nostalgic without being able to associate a precise memory.
Upon entering the bar, he observed a subtle, diffused light permeating the room. Looking for the source, he saw a candle resting on a table. Just behind it, he recognized Visha sitting on a chair, her head buried deep in her arms. He deduced from her slow breathing and lack of response to his presence that she had drifted into slumber. He noticed a piece of paper protruding slightly from under her elbow.
As gently as possible, Rayleigh caught the paper with his fingertips and brought it towards him. Observing its contents, he noticed a single inscription. However, the characters used eluded him, and he couldn't decipher what the girl had written.
"Deus lo vult ..."
"I wonder what the answers are to the mysteries that surround you, young lady?" wondered Rayleigh as she grabbed a blanket to cover the girl, who began to smile stupidly.
"You've quickly taken a liking to the little one," mocked a small voice behind him. Upon turning toward the source of the voice, he saw Shaki behind the counter, pouring herself a glass of alcohol. She lifted her glass toward him, wearing a quizzical expression.
Unfazed, Rayleigh joined Shaki and seized the glass waiting for her on the counter. Only after a few cold sips did he respond..., "I have a feeling that this young lady will have a very important role to play in the future... When Duval brought her to us after her escape, and when our eyes met, I felt the same way I felt when I met Luffy..."
Shaki fell silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on the young girl. "Regardless, I plan to train her alongside Luffy. I don't know her current abilities. But what I am certain of is that my hunches have never deceived me."