For Lawson, the rest of the session passed in a blur.
A few more members made their speeches, and then the vote was called.
There was barely any point. The bill to cancel the Midsummer Knight's Festival was struck down almost unanimously. Only a few voted in favor, and Lawson knew who they were. The usual troublemakers, the ones who voted against him or Jenner on principle, or because they were trying to draw attention to their own pet causes.
All the same, he had expected far more.
The mouse mink stood to attention as the Speaker and his entourage strode out, followed by the King and his own entourage. He could feel countless eyes upon him; the eyes of his fellow members, and the audience up in the gallery. They would be talking about this for years.
And not all in terms of praise.
With the Royal procession gone, the session broke up. Lawson soon found himself surrounded by his fellow Visionists, clamoring to shake his hand.
"Lawson!" It was Lucas, looking bewildered and betrayed. "What was that all about? You…you just gave Jenner and his Trads what they wanted!"
"I'm aware. But like I said, money can always be re-earned." he replied mildly. "We must make plans to-"
"Lawson!"
The barked call cut through the cacophony of the chamber like a gunshot. Lawson turned to race Jenner as he came striding across the floor, eyes fixed on him. Lucas's face twisted in a mix of anger and triumph.
"What is it, my lord?" he sneered. "Angry that you lost?"
Jenner did not flinch, nor did his face so much as flicker. A surprising amount of composure for a politician, especially a beaten one. But Lawson knew the eyes that flicked towards Lucas; only too well.
"Now now, Lucas, what has been said has been said." He gently but firmly pressed the younger man aside, and looked up at his rival. "My lord?"
"A word, if you please."
Lucas bristled, but Lawson shot him a glance, and he backed down.
"Of course, my lord. In my office?"
"Gladly." Jenner turned and strode off, rejoining his own followers. Lawson turned again to Lucas.
"I'll see you on the morrow at Watson Place." He patted Lucas on the shoulder and looked up into the gallery. There indeed were Izuku and Yamato, sitting in the rafters beside Doll. The tall woman noticed, and began waving frantically at him. The mouse mink smiled back, and returned his attention to his followers; shaking hands, giving salutations, and thanks for their support.
There were so many smiles now. Smiles, and bright eyes. The Festival was on, and new knights would arise to defend the kingdom. Hope had returned, at least for now.
He strode out of the chamber, making his way down a side corridor, to where the Prime Minister's chambers were located. Jenner was waiting in the foyer, his face as stern and unreadable as before. Lawson nodded to the two ushers flanking the doors, who stepped in and pushed them open. Lawson strode in, Jenner following behind.
"Brandy?" he offered, once the doors had been pulled shut. He strode over to the sideboard, where a decanter and glasses awaited.
"Yes, thank you," the man replied. Lawson poured two glasses, and handed one to Jenner. Their eyes met, and they stared at one-another in uncomfortable tense silence.
"I must admit, in all these years of battling you on the debate floor…" Jenner mused, sipping his brandy. "I would never have expected you to take such a position."
"My wanting to go ahead with a frivolous festivity you mean?" Lawson remarked as he took a sip in turn. "Well, it will cost a pretty berri, but these are desperate times."
"Desperate indeed," Jenner replied. "Is that all this is, Prime Minister? A final roll of the dice? A last vain attempt to maintain relevance before retiring from office?"
"Not all," Lawson replied, sitting against the edge of his desk, his tail swishing about. "Normally I would have called for its cancellation, or at least postponement. But…to do so would be to concede defeat." The mouse man shrugged. "And that is something I have no desire to do. Not when I occupy this office and most certainly not in such a situation as now."
Jenner glanced around the room. In another time, under different stars, their positions might have been reversed. No doubt he was musing on that.
"A fair argument." Jenner said. "Still, there are many in my party that are… grateful that you have taken this position. You can tell that many of us were… quite shocked."
"I wish I had looked and memorized your face longer," Lawson smirked. "I would have asked for a photographer to capture your surprise and frame it forever upon my wall."
"Hnn, at least whatever madness you've taken hasn't dulled your wit." Jenner didn't seem perturbed by the little jab. "Still, I have been meaning to ask you Lawson… something that's been concerning me, and your little admission seconds ago confirmed my suspicions."
Lawson remained silent. Jenner nodded, setting the glass down.
"So what brought this on? Why the sudden change in position regarding the Knights Festival?"
"Let's just say that I had an epiphany today," replied Lawson. "One I cannot really describe."
"I see. Still, I am curious to see where you'll go with this." Jenner finished off his glass and set it down. "Though you'll need my help in getting the Festival running."
"Indeed," admitted Lawson, taking another quick sip. "Many in your camp have an interest in that happening. For that reason, I must ask you a favor."
He stepped up, still holding his own glass.
"I would like you to keep the concession prices low, and admission free of charge," he said. "We want as many people to attend as possible."
Jenner curled an eyebrow at the request.
"I suppose that's a fair request," he mused. "That said, the crown has given stimulus packages and tax relief to the people in this time of need. Let me talk to my people about it. They'll take it better from me."
"Thank you Lord Jenner. I appreciate it." Lawson replied with a smile. "A man of your caliber, despite being my longest and most arduous rival from university to Parliament, is worthy indeed."
"Lawson?" Jenner's emerald eyes turned suddenly suspicious. Lawson stepped towards the window, looking out over the river, and the lights of the city.
"It's time we formed a united front," he said. "Out there, the people are afraid. They look to the horizon and see only night falling. They snap and snarl at each-other, lash out over mere differences in opinion. The papers fan the flames of discord for their own profit, and our parties squabble on the parliament benches, and in the streets. We must set an example, show the people unity and compassion, or our kingdom will tear itself apart, festival or no festival."
"Indeed, however," Jenner regarded him for a moment. "What can you offer me?"
The Prime Minister fought back a groan. Trust Jenner to play the politician at a time like this.
"When we defeat those pirates," Lawson said, "I plan to make you my Deputy Prime Minister."
Jenner's eyes widened.
"If you… if you'd do that…"
"Many in my party will not be pleased, but," he paused for a moment, letting the silence rest, "Our government cannot be an echo chamber."
Lawson sighed, as he remembered those late nights, long ago. The nights he had followed King Basil to parliament, and watched him talk with his elected officials. The nights he had waited by the door of the King's private office, watching those same officials come and go, his ears picking up their whispers as they hurried away.
Yes. That was how Bach's grandfather had done things. Those whom he favored, or had use for, he pushed to run for office. Those he disfavored, or regarded as a threat, he ensured were frozen out. All to ensure that the policies he wanted were enacted.
"Well I…" For the second time in two hours, Jenner actually looked flustered. "I don't know what to say."
"Sleep on it. But I need a deputy, Jenner. Cavilson is gone now," He took a sip, allowing himself to feel wistful. "Besides, I don't plan to run for a fourth term anyway."
"I'll… I will think on it." Jenner replied, walking up and offering his hand. He had a small smile on his face. "I've always thought of you as the best and worst of enemies Lawson, but this takes it to a new level."
"The feeling is mutual." Lawson took his hand and shook it. "I would like it if we can be comrades going forward. You can still keep your views, and I mine. But perhaps, my old rival, we can learn from one another."
"Perhaps…" Jenner bowed. "Mr. Prime Minister."
"My Lord." Lawson nodded lightly, and the nobleman departed, leaving the mouse mink alone in his office.
No turning back now.
He heard his snail ring; the one in his coat pocket. He strode over to the coat stand, and pulled the snail out.
"Yes?"
"Sir," It was Thompson, his driver. "Master Izuku, Lady Yamato and Ensign Doll have arrived at the carriage. Shall I prepare it for your arrival?"
"Yes, I'll be down shortly." Lawson smiled. "We'll be going back to the Palace."
"Understood sir."
(X)
"That speech was amazing Lawson!" Yamato exclaimed, as Lawson clambered into the carriage.
"Thank you for your kind words Miss Yamato," the mouse mink replied, smiling modestly. "I confess I spoke on the spot there." He turned to Izuku, who was sitting next to her. "I would not have had the courage or inspiration to do so, if not for you."
"Mr. Prime Minister…" Izuku scratched his cheek bashfully. "I mean… I just said what I felt needed to be said."
"It came from the heart then?" Lawson replied.
"It did, yes." Izuku said. Doll, who was sitting next to Lawson, gave him a strange look.
"I reckon there's something I missed then?" she wondered aloud. "Still, if you wanted to raise morale, Prime Minister, it's working."
The carriage began to move. Yamato looked out of the window. People were streaming out of the building, talking excitedly among themselves; just as they had in the public gallery. Lawson's speech, and the vote to hold the Midsummer Knight's Festival, had really stirred them up.
It truly was a far cry from the grim and dourer demeanor a mere day ago.
Yamato didn't blame them. She was excited too. Excited at the thought of seeing the festival, of taking part in it.
"Still, there's plenty of work to be done," Lawson said. "The festival will take place in Boxer Stadium. The preparations are almost complete, but for a few finishing touches; banners, concession kiosks, and such. It should only take another day or so."
"At the least, the people of Doyle have something to look forward to," said Izuku, peering out, remembering similar excitement during the U.A. Sports Festival.
"Yes indeed… now, I suppose we should celebrate this evening with a fine supper." Lawson smiled. "Will you both care to join me?"
"We can go for some dinner." Izuku said.
"Yeah!" Yamato declared, beaming at the prospect of more foreign food.
"I'd love to, Prime Minister, but I wanna check in on Angela," Doll replied. "Could you drop me off on Gregson Lane? I can find my way back from there."
"Of course," Lawson tapped against the slotted window by the driver's legs. As he talked with the driver, Yamato looked out of the window once again. The whole city seemed brighter somehow, lighter even. She could see smiles on peoples faces as they passed by. They were gathering in groups, talking excitedly among themselves.
How unlike Onigashima. How unlike Wano. There were few smiles there, no bright eyes, no hope like this. Her father had made sure to stamp that out.
The carriage pulled up. Yamato looked around, and saw the familiar shop fronts of Gregson Lane.
"Well, I'll see you all later, yeah?" said Doll
"We're going to be busy in the coming days," Izuku replied. "Maybe we'll see each other at the festival?"
"Like contending or in the audience?"
"Were you thinking of competing, Doll?" Yamato asked.
"I couldn't, even if I wanted to," replied Doll. "I'm a serving Marine, after all. I can't be a Knight of the OPD as well."
"But, wasn't Vice Admiral Scotyard a Knight of the ODP?" asked Yamato, blinking in surprise.
"He won the tourney before he joined the Marines, so he kept the title but never acted on it," explained Doll, shrugging. "That said, Prime Minister, I wouldn't mind going to the festival."
"Of course. Come by Watson Place and you'll receive a VIP pass." Lawson smiled. "Do take care now."
He reached out of the open window and opened the door. Doll stepped out, shutting the door behind her.
"You two take care now as well," she said, looking in towards Yamato and Izuku. Her expression was soft, almost warm. "Mr. Prime Minister."
She nodded respectfully to Lawson, who tipped his hat in reply. He tapped his cane on the ceiling, and the carriage started off.
"Such a fine young woman," mused Lawson, his smile suddenly wistful. "A shame that she has suffered so much."
Yamato nodded, her heart sinking at the thought of it. Doll had seen her comrades cut down, and the very people she had sworn to protect slaughtered or herded into captivity. Now her homeland was on the verge of defeat, and enslavement.
It made her wonder just how Doll coped. How she was able to keep body and soul together, with all that hanging over her. Yamato wasn't sure she could have done the same.
Except she had never had a homeland; at least not in the way Doll did. She had never been in Doll's place, never seen what she had seen, or endured what she had endured.
All the more reason to protect this place! All the more reason to stop those pirates!
She glanced at Izuku. She could tell that he felt the same way.
The carriage jerked, and slowed down. Lawson looked out the window, and sighed.
"The streets are crowded," he said. "We may be a little delayed in getting back to the palace."
Yamato looked out of the opposite window. There were even more people out on the streets than a few moments ago. They hadn't been this crowded earlier on, when she, Izuku, and Doll had gone shopping. Nor had the people been anything like so…enthusiastic.
"You really did start something, sir," commented Izuku, turning from the window to Lawson.
"And I only hope we can sustain it," Lawson replied.
It took them a few minutes to reach the palace. As they exited the elevator, Judith was waiting for them, with a couple of maids.
"Ah, Miss Judith," Lawson greeted her, allowing the maids to take his coat. "What is on the menu for supper tonight?"
"A stuffed goose with garlic mashed potatoes, followed by vanilla pudding. And, just for you, Mr. Prime Minister," the maid playfully touched the tip of his nose, "my herb-coated cheese crumpets."
There was something rather heart-warming about Lawson's smile.
"Miss Judith you spoil me so…" he drawled. "If you will follow me, friends?"
He led the way through the palace corridors, into a large dining room. It was a lot like the dining room near the guest apartments; with a long table in the middle, and high-backed chairs arranged around it. Three places had been laid, with silver cutlery and crystal goblets.
"A stuffed goose… mashed potatoes and pudding! I've never had pudding before!" Yamato exclaimed, almost drooling at the thought of Judith's cooking. "And I loved those crumpets too from last night too! Can I have some too please?"
"By all means." Lawson gestured to one of the maids accompanying them. "Have Miss Judith double the crumpets, if you please."
The maid curtseyed and left the room, leaving the trio alone. Lawson gestured to the table, and Yamato and Izuku sat down side by side; leaving him the head seat.
"So, what's the plan now Mr. Prime Minister?" Izuku asked.
"Well, the festival is due to open in two days," Lawson replied, sitting down. "I'll talk with the judges and evaluators tomorrow. Obviously our winner will be knighted, but we'll need to recruit more people to help us."
"What does it involve? The knighting?" asked Yamato, eager to learn every last detail.
"Well, the winner will be decided by the judges, based on their performance in the events," Lawson explained. "Normally only the winner is knighted, but the judges may also recommend any contender who particularly stood out. The chosen are then knighted by the King, and acclaimed before the audience and the kingdom."
Yamato's mind began to race. All her life she had been feared; by the Beast Pirates and the slaves. And those who didn't fear her despised her, like her father or Ulti. What would it be like to be a hero instead? A champion? To be acclaimed, hailed, cheered. To be loved even?
She'd always hoped she could be a samurai, a warrior of Wano and a hero, just as Oden had before. Perhaps now, she could finally achieve such a thing.
"Before the kingdom," mused Izuku. "Sir, Lord Jenner said that other islands send contenders to the festival too. Just how well-known is this festival?"
"Oh, very well-known," replied Lawson enthusiastically. "All our newspapers will have journalists there, and before the blockade those from the other islands would attend too. And, knowing the Doyle Register, the Journal's attached columnist will be present too."
"The Journal?" Izuku quirked an eyebrow.
"Yes, the World Economic Journal. It's the world's largest newspaper conglomerate, distributed by the flying News Coo seagulls that use the WEJ train."
A maid entered, carrying a carafe of red wine. Lawson nodded, and the maid filled his goblet.
"Will you join me?" he asked, holding his goblet to the pair.
"Oh yes please! I want a big glass too please!" Yamato exclaimed with a grin.
"Can I have some water please?" asked Izuku. The maid nodded, filled Yamato's glass, and then left the room.
"You do not care for wine, Master Izuku?" asked Lawson mildly.
"Alcohol…doesn't agree with me, and my mother always told me you shouldn't drink until you're an adult," replied Izuku awkwardly. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude."
"Not at all." Lawson did not look the least bit offended. "This particular wine is very good, but it is rather strong. Best taken in small doses."
Yamato regarded Izuku. She still didn't understand his aversion to liquor. She had been drinking liquor of all kinds for years, and it never did her any harm. Then again, she was an oni, not to mention several years older than him. What made her father a little tipsy would get an entire fleet plastered.
"So… does the Journal write about the winner of the Festival?" Izuku asked. He didn't know much about this world's information networks; and he wanted to know more.
"Oh yes. They customarily have a private interview with the winner; and publish it in their next edition. Such tournaments attract a lot of interest, and they like to publish as much information as possible."
The maid returned, this time carrying a carafe of water; with ice cubes clinking inside it. The maid filled Izuku's glass, and stepped back. Lawson smiled at them, lifted his glass, and sipped it. Taking the cue, Yamato did likewise.
It was good! So fruity, and delicious; and quite strong if she was any judge. Wano had some fine sake, rice wine, and beer, but normal wine was a rare delicacy, and not to be missed. She downed the entire goblet, and let out a satisfied ah.
"Oh that's good!" she exclaimed, utterly unfazed by the alcohol.
Lawson stared at her, wide-eyed. Izuku's chin hit the table top. The maid just looked mildly exasperated.
"Would you care for some more?" Lawson asked, awkwardly, already fearing the direction this may go.
"I'll go for another!" declared Yamato, beaming. The wine was indeed very good. It made her feel warm and happy, and smiley, and bouncy.
"Oh man… this wine, and the Festival coming up… I can't wait for it!" she burbled happily, as the maid withdrew. The young princess was practically bursting with positivity.
"Lawson, where do News Coos deliver?" Izuku asked, his face a mask of calm, while internally preparing to deal with a drunk Yamato.
"Well… everywhere. The WEJ doesn't discriminate. So long as there's a place with land, the News Coos will drop off," Lawson replied, taking a sip. "Why do you ask?"
"By everywhere… do pirates collect these too?"
Yamato hummed happily as the maid returned, and filled her goblet almost to the brim.
"Yes. The WEJ deposits everywhere. It doesn't discriminate on who receives the news. From civilians to Marines to pirates… And they do come here to the New World too."
"Haaa… I wonder if I can fight in that Hundred Man Melee…" mused Yamato, sipping at her wine. She could see it now. She would fight in the melee, and sweep all before her! She would be knighted by King Bach, and all the crowds would cheer, and all the world would know her name. No longer Yamato the Monster, the Pirate Princess! She would be Yamato the Knight! Yamato the Hero!
Just like Oden! He would have surely wanted to be a knight like this too!
"Mmnnnh, Izuku we get to be knights! We're gonna get stronger as you said and-"
"No."
Izuku's voice cut in like an axe snapping a twig. Yamato perked up, and saw the look on Izuku's eyes. They were hard.
"N-No?"
"Mr. Izuku?" Lawson quirked an eyebrow.
"Yamato, we can't compete in the Festival. It's too much exposure," he said, looking back at her, his face dead serious.
"W-Why not?" she protested, her glorious vision disintegrating in her mind's eye. "It'll be fun! You said we're gonna get stronger aren't we? And what better way than facing off against some strong fighters and-"
"Get our names, descriptions and photographs plastered onto a newspaper," Izuku retorted on the spot. "As well as our last known location…"
He let the words hang in the air. Yamato felt her mind clear, the warm haze vanishing at the cold realization of what he meant.
If one of them won, the papers would record every detail. If they led the charge into Adlerport, and defeated the pirates, the papers would tell all. And all the world would know that Yamato and Midoriya Izuku had come to Doyle.
All the world, including Wano, and Onigashima. And even if the birds did not fly there, they flew just about everywhere else. And there were plenty of people who would pass that information on for a few berris.
Kaido would know.
Even if he didn't know Izuku's face, hers would be all he needed. And he would come down like an angry god, and hell would follow with him.
Yamato shuddered, as the vision assailed her. The horizon filled with Kaido's ships, their guns blazing, reducing Alderport to rubble. Beast Pirates swarming over the ruins like army ants, clawing their way up the cliffs with grapple guns and their Zoan abilities, heedless of the gunfire from above.
Jack's massive frame stampeding through countless buildings, Queen's viruses and guns ravaging the populus and King soaring above, his flames consuming everything within his path.
And the skies above, the great blue serpent, coiling amid the clouds, its eyes glaring, its maw open.
And then the fire.
"I…I see," she said, embarrassed and deflated. "I…I didn't think…"
"So you're not going to take part in the Festival then?" Lawson inquired, sounding quite disappointed.
"No, we aren't. I'm sorry sir, but…there's something you should know."
Izuku lowered his head, staring hard at the tabletop.
"We escaped from Wano, but not without a fight," he said. "I had to…fight of one of Kaido's lieutenants. I don't know if that person is alive or dead, but either way, Kaido is surely after us. We are a danger to all who befriend us…no, to any place we go. Kaido cannot learn that we were here."
"I see," mused Lawson, crossing his arms and nodding. "What you say makes sense. To have fought a high-ranking servant of an Emperor and then escaped; that's quite a feat. I can understand you wanting to keep a low profile."
"I wanted to compete too," Izuku said, glancing at Yamato with sad eyes. "But we can't take that risk. We can't put Doyle and its people in danger."
Yamato felt a small pit well up in her stomach, but she nodded.
"No, don't worry Izuku, I understand."
"But it is of no consequence," insisted Lawson. "You are still welcome in our kingdom, and to attend the festival as his majesty's guests. All the same, when the time comes to liberate Adlerport, can I count on your help?"
"Yes," Yamato said, before Izuku could reply. "Our feelings from last night haven't changed. We… we will defeat the Finalem Pirates. You can count on us!"
Lawson smiled, and Yamato could tell that he was profoundly relieved and touched.
"Considering your circumstances regarding Kaido… for you both still wanting to aid us. It means a lot. Thank you," Lawson replied. Izuku nodded.
"It's no problem Mr. Prime Minister. We only want to do what's right." The green haired boy replied and the mouse mink's shoulders relaxed until he heard the door click open.
"Ah!" he declared, as Judith entered the room, followed by maids carrying covered dishes. Yamato watched, drooling, as the food was set before them. The smell of roast goose was just the tonic her mood needed; and she could tell that Lawson and Izuku felt the same way.
"So, what do you two have planned for the morrow?" asked Lawson, as he tied his napkin around his neck. "The Festival won't be starting for another two days after all."
"Well," Izuku placed his napkin in his lap. "I was thinking Yamato and I would go to the Baskerville Woods for some solo training. We'll be facing two Logia users, so I need to get in shape."
Yamato perked up, and then beamed. It was obvious what Izuku wanted.
"You wanna know Haki right?" she asked, smiling down at her friend. Izuku looked at her, and then blushed as his eyes came level with her bosom. He was always doing that, for some reason.
"Y-Yeah… can you teach me what you-Mmmph?!"
His question was muffled as Yamato pulled him into a big hug, his head nestling in her bosom.
"Of course I will!" she exclaimed. He was already strong, but Haki would be a fine addition to his powers. What's more, a good old-fashioned training trip to the woods sounded like a lot of fun!
Then she saw the food laid out on the table; and in the center, the roasted and golden-basted goose. First things first.
"Sirs and my lady, dinner is served," declared Judith proudly. The Oni girl let go of Izuku, the green haired boy looking all flustered and dizzy from the strong big, soft, bear hug.
"Thanks for the meal!" replied Yamato, tearing away a leg and munching on it. Izuku looked sheepish, but Lawson just smiled as they picked up their silverware.
"I think that's our cue, Mister Izuku."
"Yeah, I guess so… haha."
(X)
The next morning
"Haaaaah… those pancakes were so yummy!" Yamato exclaimed, as she and Izuku strolled along the palace corridor.
"You ate like ten of those!"
"Yep! I couldn't help myself! And there was the yummy sausages and bacon… It's all so different than back in Wano!"
Izuku could not help but smile. He had been worried about Yamato ever since the night before. She had been downcast, almost brooding, since he had insisted that they not take part in the festival. She had accepted his reasoning, but he could tell that she was upset, and he knew why.
It was a relief to see her like this.
"She's certainly more of a glass is half full kind of person isn't she?" En spoke quietly, earning nods from the other vestiges, and Izuku himself.
"Well, I ain't complaining. It's a welcomed reprieve from all the doom and gloom we've seen since we got here." Daigoro chimed.
"I think it'd be more accurate to call her an airhead," the Second commented, earning another slap to the head from Nana.
Izuku didn't comment on that, he was just grateful she could still have a positive outlook, despite what she went through.
And that was a good thing, no matter the form it took.
They reached a balcony, looking out over the palace courtyard. They were dressed in their old clothes, and Yamato had Takeru strapped over her back. It was mid-morning, the sky above them overcast, and the air rather humid. The norm for this time of year, according to Judith.
"So, you ready for some training?" he asked. "The King and the Prime Minister are doing what they can in all of this. We have to do our parts too."
Yamato nodded enthusiastically. Bach and Lawson had, according to Judith, been in conference with the festival committee all morning; going over last-minute preparations. This year's festival would be one to remember; at least if those two had anything to say about it.
Izuku levitated in front of her, and waited while she wrapped her arms around his chest. His Darkwhip wrapped around her, and he glanced back.
"Funny how a normal hug turns you into a sputtering mess, but this is okay." The Third User jabbed only to get smacked by Nana.
"Quit distracting him and let him concentrate." Nana lectured her predecessor with Izuku silently thanking her and turning attention back to Yamato.
"Ready?"
"Ready!" Yamato grinned as they took off, Izuku soaring into the sky and angling towards the mountains. They flew up and over the cloud cover, seeing the familiar mountains in the distance.
As he banked towards them, Izuku began to wonder. How exactly should he go about learning Haki? Supposedly it was a power anyone could learn, so he could learn it too, right?
Or was it something only natives of this world could master?
As the clouds cleared, Izuku looked down at a great sprawl of trees; the Baskerville woods. He slowed and descended, glancing about for a clearing.
"See anything?" he called back to Yamato.
"Let's see…oh! There! To the left!"
Izuku followed her pointed finger, and saw the patch of open ground. Within a few moments, Yamato's feet touched the grass, and Izuku undid Blackwhip, dropping lightly to the ground.
He looked around. The forest was lush and green from above, but from ground level it was dark and brooding; thick with tangled branches and heavy undergrowth. There was a stream at least, about thirty meters away; but Izuku could not see much further.
No one would bother them there. All the privacy in the world.
"Alright." He turned to face Yamato. She was bouncing on her feet, as giddy as can be. "So Yamato… how does one use the power of Haki?"
"Oh that's simple!," Yamato replied, smiling radiantly, "It's a power born from one's own will and ambition!"
"Will and ambition?"
That answered…precisely nothing.
"Yep! Just think of 'I need to hit someone really hard in the face!' or 'I need to protect myself even more than I could!' or something like that," Yamato explained.
Izuku blinked once, twice.
"That's it?" The voice sounded like an echo, before he realized that many of the Vestiges in his head had spoken aloud with him at once.
"Yep!" She turned and strode over to a large boulder on the edge of the clearing. "Here, I'll show you."
She pulled out her club from her rope belt, then raised it over its head. "Okay. I'm doing it, see?"
Izuku gazed intently at her arms and the kanabo; searching for some hint, some insight. But it just looked the same as it always did. Hmmm…
"Hey Yamato," he spoke up, causing her to pause midswing. "If you like… maybe if I felt your hand with Haki on or off, maybe I can feel a difference?"
Yamato blinked. Izuku blinked in turn, wondering what the problem was.
Then he realized what he had said, his face burning up in the process.
"O-Or I can just touch your club. T-t-t-t-t-that works too!" he babbled, making Yamato giggle.
"Oh come on kid! Not like you haven't felt anything else that's-"
Izuku blinked at the sound of what he thought was a metaphysical smack, with Daigoro grumbling.
"Sure!" she said. Izuku gulped, and stepped forward, looking up at the tall Oni woman as she held out her hands. "Okay, I'm not using it."
Izuku took a deep breath, and set one hand on her club, the other on her forearm. After a few moments, he lifted them away.
"Okay, and now?" he asked. The girl nodded, looking down at her club and arm.
"It's on. My club is darker and my arm is covered in a black sheen." Yamato described as Izuku took a deep breath, setting his hands on the club and arm.
Nothing different.
"Nope." Izuku took a sigh. So much for that.
"Think on her circumstances," the Second User said in his ear. "It's likely her Haki awoke under the severe stress of her upbringing. Combined with her unrelenting will to become like Oden as well. Helpless times bring out either the best in us, or it breaks us. Could bring out the Haki, only a guess though."
"That's a fair assessment to make I suppose." the Third User added.
"To be fair, we kind of had a rough go at it," Daigoro spoke up. "We spent most of our lives dealing with All for One. Midoriya actually fought him."
"But he isn't Kaido" Nana retorted. "For all we know, she could have gotten Haki just from fighting those monsters."
An awkward silence descended, with several of the past heroes suddenly feeling self conscious and inadequate. And Izuku perked up.
"I have an idea."
Yamato perked up, eager to listen.
"You've been fighting Haki users most of your life. Do you think if I'm exposed to Haki I could get this power too?"
Yamato thought for a moment, and then nodded.
"I'm sure you could! Haki is said to be in every living thing! Like those birds over there."
She pointed, Izuku following her finger up to some robins flying through the branches.
"They could have Haki! Or the fish in the stream. It's willpower given form." She paused. "Least, that's how my father described it."
Willpower…given form.
Izuku's brow furrowed. That made no sense at all. Willpower given form? It sounded like something from a shonen manga! This was real life!
But… he'd seen crazier things. Willpower given form…
"Well…why don't we spar?" he suggested. "Maybe if we fight with your Haki exposed, it'll awaken in me. Or at least I can get a feel for it."
"Sure! Why not try hitting my hand? " Yamato set her club down and held out her big hands, opening them up. "I'll use Hardening on them, so hit away as hard as you can!"
"Are you sure?" he asked. Yamato grinned, nodding. Izuku couldn't help but smile as he brought up his fists, glowing with One for All. If her Haki was active…
He went for Forty Percent, and struck Yamato's open palm. A gust of wind erupted around them, making Yamato's hair and hakama billow, and shaking the trees. Yamato's arm bulged just a little, but she stood her ground, grinning.
Izuku struck again, and again, the ground shuddering with every blow. Yamato took the blows, her face unmoving, her eyes fixed on him.
He was amazed. He never would have dared to use such power back home. Yet there she was, shrugging it off like it was nothing!
"Want me to go to my max? Fifty?" Izuku asked.
"Bring it on!" Yamato grinned, excited as she steadied herself. Izuku took a deep breath, concentrating…
With his power set, he swung as he saw Yamato grin, bracing herself as his fist met her Haki-laced palm. She skidded back several feet, leaves flying off the trees behind her. She looked down at her palm, and then shook it, wincing.
"You okay?" he asked, worried. Yamato grinned.
"I'm alright. You're strong Izuku! I bet you'd make Who's Who extra cautious of ya!" She giggled, and Izuku blushed, rubbing the back of his head. "And that's just you without Haki either!"
Making the strongest of the Flying Six nervous huh? Well, it's a start.
"Well, I gotta learn it if I'm going to be strong enough to defeat Kaido. I promised myself that I would."
Yamato perked up at his words.
"Yamato?"
"Funny…" She mused, looking to the ground as she nursed her hand a little. "I… made the same promise to myself too. On your back when we flew out of there."
"I-I see…" he murmured, and a silence fell between the two. The late morning wind blew through the trees, making the leaves rustle.
"So ummm, back to training? How did it feel? I hope I didn't hurt you at all."
"I had my Haki protecting me there," Yamato replied. "Besides, we gotta get you exposed to as much Haki as we can, without someone trying to kill us anyway."
"You're right. I still don't understand the whole 'willpower' thing… Maybe the extra contact with it could help?"
"Yeah, all I know how to access Haki is, well…as I said, I just want to defend myself or hit something really hard!"
The white haired girl giggled, and Izuku shook his head. Yamato was so strong and so brave, yet such a child sometimes. He wasn't sure if he would ever get used to it.
"Okay, your turn."
Izuku paused and held out his open palms, his body aglow with One for All. Yamato smirked, settling into a boxing stance, not unlike his own. He put in Forty-Five Percent…
And he felt her blow connect. She jabbed and hooked at his hands, wind gusting from every strike and making his hair fly. He winced a little, and Yamato stopped, looking worried.
"Oh! Are you okay?"
Izuku shook his hands, feeling the sting in his palms.
"Yeah I'm fine. Oof that smarts…" he groaned as he looked back at Yamato. "I wanna run an experiment; mind alternating between Haki and Normal blows? I wanna feel the difference between the two if that helps."
"Uh, I don't wanna sound like a pessimist or anything, but does anyone else think that sounds like a bad idea?" Daigoro looked decidedly worried.
"Sure!" Yamato agreed, nodding and taking a deep breath as Izuku brought his hands back up. He solidified his body to his max control; Fifty Percent Mastery of One for All. His Blackwhip emerged, wrapping around his arms. Yamato perked up at the sight of it. "Oh! This is your Blackwhip Brace right?"
"Yeah. When I use this, I'm able to exert Faux-100%. But for this, it's to steady my arms." He held his hands out and took a deep breath. "Okay, ready when you are."
"Mmhmm," Yamato nodded and raised her hands. "Okay, my right hand has Haki. My left does not." Izuku nodded back, and took a deep breath.
"Left!" She swung, impacting Izuku's open palm. Izuku felt his arm shake, and heard birds take flight behind him. It felt mostly normal, a bit like that fight with Muscular.
"And now…." Yamato reared her right arm back. "Right!"
Her fist impacted. Izuku felt it jolt through his arm, his feed driving into the soil as he skidded backwards. He could feel the mass behind the blow…as if some unseen force was coating her fist.
Was that her Haki?
He paused, breathing hard. Even with Fifty Percent, a simple blow would have stunned All for One.
"With her club, she would've sent us flying," Yoichi added in his head.
"Weapons are natural power enhancers after all," the Third User remarked.
"Amen to that. Trust me, you wanna get cold clocked instead of getting your face smashed by a bat," Daigoro added.
"That sounds like you're speaking from personal experience," Hikage mused.
Izuku stared at her, barely hearing the babble in his mind. She was so strong, born of years living in that hell called Onigashima.
But he had felt it. Haki.
"I think I understand," he said, shaking his hands and grinning. "I think we need to spar with each other; with you using Haki in your club, while I use One for All."
Yamato nodded briskly, and took up Takeru, holding it in both hands. Izuku crouched down, and Yamato shifted her footing, her eyes fixed on his.
"On you," Yamato said, and Izuku took a deep breath, meeting her smile with his own.
He charged, leaping at her in a flash, twisting in the air and bringing down his leg in an axe kick; emerald lightning crackling around his body.
"Manchester!"
"Raime!" Yamato swung hard.
"SMASH!"
"HAKKE!"
The whole forest shook.
(X)
Their training continued on and off for seven hours. Sparring, boxing, and rest, with the occasional drink of water by the running stream for good measure, until the duo was exhausted.
Yamato was panting, wiping her brow. "Okay. Phew… that's about it for today." Izuku quirked an eyebrow.
"Yamato? Something up?" He was ready to jab at her hand at Thirty Percent, to make it easier on both of them.
"I can only use my Haki so many times. I'm at my limit for the day." she said. "It's not coming out no matter how hard I try to make it."
Izuku crossed his arms, thinking.
"There's a limit? I suppose you can only use so much Haki in a day… " he mused. His own arms and legs were sore from the day's work. All around them, the clearing was pock-marked with craters; the surrounding trees cracked and shattered. The forces they had unleashed between them had surprised even him.
She yawned. "Trust me, I've exhausted my Haki fighting my father many times. I know when I'm at my limit when using it. Then again, I've been using it in smaller concentrated areas like my hand, or normally channeling it to Takeru." Yamato had a light smile. "Trust me, I would have loved to keep on going but… I'm beat." She shrugged.
"I don't blame you, I'm exhausted too. I haven't kept up One for All this long, save for our flights." He wiped sweat from his brow. "I guess we can stop for the day."
He sat down on a stump; one he himself had created earlier. Yamato sat opposite him, cross-legged.
"Well?" she pressed, enthusiasm shining through her tiredness. "Did you feel that you've gotten any stronger?"
Izuku looked at his palm, and focused, closing his eyes. Not to draw out his various Quirks, but to draw upon his own will. His own will…
He opened an eye, and his gloved hand remained the same. No black sheen. No nothing.
He sighed, shrugging. "Nothing yet. Though I suppose I should have guessed that I couldn't draw upon Haki after just a single day of training."
"True. But you'll need to learn that power" Yamato replied, stretching her arm a bit. "After all, that's the only way we can bypass the Finalem Brother's Logia defenses."
Izuku winced, and looked at his hand again. "Yeah Logias may have the best defenses out of the three Devil Fruit Types, but there's got to be something. Have you heard of anything about fighting them? Without Haki I mean? I mean, I've seen someone with a similar powerset be defeated by All Might back in my world."
Yamato blinked, and then her eyes lit up. "Oh! You mean that Sludge man right?"
"How can I ever forget? That was the most important day in my life!" Izuku laughed. "So if I punch real hard to make air shockwaves, could I scatter them? Like, into mercury blobs and salt powder?"
"Maybe!" Yamato beamed. "That said, if you wanna hurt them… hmmm."
Yamato scrunched up her eyes, thinking hard.
"Ok, from what I heard back on Onigashima…" she said cautiously. "Some Beast Pirates were trying to come up with ways to fight Logia users. Mostly the Three Admirals."
"The Three Admirals," mused Izuku. "From what Oden's journal said, they were the strongest fighters in the Marines; commanders of hundreds of warships. So they have Logia Fruit Powers?"
"They do. One has an ice Devil Fruit, another could turn into pure light, and the other could become molten lava!"
"Light, ice and magma? So, did the pirates actually come up with anything?"
"Well…" Yamato paused for a moment. "Water supposedly works well on magma, but you have to use a lot all at once, or it just turns to steam. I think they wanted to use flamethrowers against the ice admiral. You know, make him melt and stuff."
"That makes sense." Izuku said. He looked to the ground, thinking hard. What weakness did salt and mercury have?
"Well, if I know my cooking, salt dissolves in water, so that should be obvious." Nana replied in his head.
"And Mercury becomes poisonous if superheated into a gas… so what if we went the other way and froze it?" En added.
"Or we can bind it using zinc or sulfur? That would make the intangible tangible right?" Hikage suggested.
"Zinc and sulfur? Where did ya draw that from?" Daigoro asked.
"From all the books I've read? Remember that abode you found me in all those years, and another dimension, ago Daigoro?" Hikage corrected him.
"Oh yeah, you had like, five studies filled with books in your crib." Daigoro mused as Izuku nodded, it clicking in his head.
Yes. Water, or any kind of liquid, should be able to get through Handsome's salt defenses. As for Bandsome, that would be harder. Neither he nor Yamato had any ice powers, and Bandsome didn't seem the type to be lured into a freezer.
"Maybe items…like water balloons, or powder bombs, or something like that," he suggested awkwardly. Yamato blinked
"Water balloons? How does that help?"
"Well simple chemistry really. We would start wi-"
His Danger Sense went off. Izuku rose up to his feet, eyes alert, head swiveling left to right. Yamato rose up too.
"Izuku?"
His Sense expanded, and he could feel it. Someone frightened, and in danger.
"Help!" called a faint voice from the darkness. Izuku's head snapped around, as his Danger Sense homed in on it. Over the stream, about a hundred meters away.
"I can hear him," Yamato said, hefting Takeru onto her shoulders. She took off towards the voice, Izuku close behind, One for All at Fifty Percent as he bolted through the trees. They moved fast, Yamato leaping over rocks and tree roots, Izuku using Float to hover, bouncing from tree to tree, his Sense guiding him onward.
All at once, they reached another opening. This one was long and narrow, a road running through the forest.
And there was a man on the road; a fox mink from the look of him, dressed in green slacks, a red vest, and a blue coat with an old and nicked top hat. His eyes were full of fear.
And behind him were a dozen wolves, fangs bared, eyes bright, growling a warning at the two interlopers who dared to challenge them for their meal.
"It's okay sir, you're safe." Izuku said confidently, as he placed himself between the fox-man and the wolves, his body bright with green lightning. The wolves stepped back, barking and snarling, baring their fangs.
And then with a mighty crash, Yamato landed beside Izuku. She rose to her full height, shouldering Takeru as the wolves backed off again. Yamato growled back, baring her teeth.
Izuku blinked. Were her teeth…always that sharp?
The wolves were retreating, glaring at Yamato with what he could have sworn was fear. He brought up his hands, flicking air blasts at their feet.
"Get lost!" He yelled, over Yamato's growl. The pack turned on their heels, and as one vanished back into the underbrush. Izuku took a deep breath, turning around towards the surprised man.
"Are you okay sir?"
(X)
"Oh, thank you my good fellow and lady!" exclaimed the fox mink as he stood up, brushing himself off. "I thought I was going to be torn to shreds!"
He grabbed and shook Izuku's hand, and tipped his hat to Yamato; smiling a smile of desperate gratitude.
"I must confess I never anticipated to come across…well…." His eyes looked them both up and down, lingering a moment longer on Yamato. "People like yourselves."
"It's no problem. We were… going on a hike," Izuku said. "Then we heard you."
"Well, thank goodness for that!" The fox mink adjusted his fingerless gloves. "Oh, but where are my manners? My name is Guy! Honest Guy! Appraiser and seller of all manner of goods and wares!"
He smiled, showing his canines. "And I must say Miss, that is quite the beatstick you have there!"
He hummed, looking Takeru up and down, his hand on his chin. "Quite the craftsmanship. Might I ask where you came upon it? Reminds me a bit of Kano in design but… different…"
"Oh this? Well," Yamato muttered, hefting her club to her shoulder. "I just, well, took it from an evil pirate is all."
It was the truth, but she can see Izuku looking back at her.
"Well now! You must be foreigners then. Tell me then, what are you doing out here rather than back in Londinium?" Guy asked.
"We were on vacation," Izuku replied on the spot. "Then the blockade happened, and we were stranded. We've been camping in the woods ever since. Oh, uh, I'm Yoichi, and this is Shirou."
He gestured at Yamato, who blinked. Shirou?
Her eyes widened.
"Yep! I… I am Shirou! For my lovely white hair." She gestured to her hair as Guy nodded.
"And very lovely it is too Miss!" he proclaimed unctuously. "Well, Mister Yoichi and Miss Shirou, I certainly do appreciate you saving me like this. And if you don't mind me saying, it explains the state of you both. I've seen better dressed gents in Morantown!"
He laughed. Izuku and Yamato didn't.
"Well, I can't complain," he went on without pause. "Your campsite nearby?"
"Deeper into the forest." Izuku said, looking more than a little overwhelmed. Guy was nothing if not…effusive.
"Right then, well, we're about a couple of leagues away so, why don't you join me!" Guy beamed. "Well, not exactly join me since I, hehe, have business to do. Being an appraiser and all." He adjusted his vest, standing with pride.
"Join you where?" Yamato asked, tilting her head.
"Easy, why only the best pub outside of Londinium of course! I know the owner of the establishment. We were schoolmates once, come! Your first drink's on my tab!"
He started off down the road, humming a merry tune.
"Oh, drinks? Beer and rum?" asked Yamato hurriedly. She was in the mood for some liquid refreshment after all that hard work.
"Not just that my lady!" Guy perked up, blinking as he trotted back to them. "What is your opinion on, Moonshine?" he whispered.
Izuku quirked an eyebrow. Hadn't he heard that word before?
"What's Moonshine?" Yamato asked. "Is it a kind of booze?"
Guy grinned back at her.
"Only the best this side of Adlerport or the ole underground bars in Morantown my dear. And the cheapest too!"
Yamato beamed, looking at Izuku. The boy just shrugged.
"We could use a break from our… hike. So why not?"
"I… suppose so, and Mr. Guy, you don't need to pay for our drinks, we can pay ourse-"
"Oh no, I insist," Guy replied. "It's the only way I can repay my fellow man for saving this poor mink from being a wolf's dinner. Now come along! My old mate can even whip the best Toad'n the Hole! Guarantee!"
"A toad in the hole?" Izuku asked aloud. Yamato grinned.
"That sounds yummy, let's try some Iz-I mean Yoichi! I-"
A sudden growling cut her off. Guy squeaked,, his tail sticking straight out.
"W-What was that? Are those wolves back?" His head snapped from side to side, his bonhomie gone.
"That…was my stomach," replied Yamato, rubbing the back of her neck, grinning sheepishly. Izuku chuckled.
"My, such a sound." Guy adjusted his top hat, his poise suddenly returned. "I must say, I didn't quite anticipate your stomach sounding like such a ravenous beast."
He grinned, and turned about. "Come along my heroes, Stapleton's is just down the road!"
He strode off again, humming the same tune. Izuku and Yamato fell in behind him.
"Seems like a nice guy Izuku," Yamato whispered.
"I suppose so. We can always go back to the clearing when we've had our break," Izuku murmured back. "And whatever you eat, just don't eat out the entire tavern. I have…" He patted his pocket, looking down and pulling out some of Berris Whitey Bay had lent them. "About 500,000 berries on hand. Order what you like, but don't eat too much. We gotta get back to training soon after. Or can you still not access your Haki?"
Yamato looked at her hand, and took a breath to conjure it. But all she felt was weariness.
"Not really…" she sighed. "Maybe I need a day or so. Unless you wanna keep sparring, but without you contacting my Haki we wouldn't be getting you the exposure you need. Sorry."
"Don't be. If we need a day we can continue tomorrow," Izuku replied with a smile.
Yamato felt strangely at ease as they followed the humming Guy down the road. It wasn't long before they came upon a crossroads. One road led on through the forest, while the other led towards the mountains. There was a road sign standing nearby.
GLORIA WATCHTOWER
STAPLETON'S TAVERN
"Oh! We-" Yamato spoke up, then froze as she saw the look on Izuku's face. But too late; Guy's ears pricked up, and he turned to glance at them.
"Weee've been around here before," she continued. "On our hikes."
"Quite right?" asked Guy. "Well, you've been up into the mountains? Strong lasses and sirs like you would enjoy our mountains! Just be sure not to go into any of the Mining Guild's lands. Bunch of sensitive buggers if you ask me."
Guy led his way down the road leading to Stapleton's Tavern. Yamato glanced about, and saw the horse tracks and wheel-ruts in the road. Above them, the light was starting to fade.
They walked on and on, until they finally reached a clearing. Guy turned to face them, with a big grin on his face.
"And here we are! Stapleton's Tavern! My favorite pub in all of Doyle! No coppers trying to shut it down past closin' time. Come come!" He led the way towards the tavern. It was a large stone building, with a carriage and horses standing nearby.
And a number of cats hanging around. Yamato grinned as she saw them, and trotted over to the nearest one.
"Hiya ki-!" But the cats darted away.
"Hey, don't go!" protested Yamato. "Come here kitty!"
She trotted after an orange-haired cat, but the beast turned and hissed at her, baring its fangs. Yamato paused, crestfallen, and the cat stalked off.
"It's okay Shirou," Izuku assured her. "They're likely here to keep rodents out."
"I guess," Yamato replied, smiling sadly. "I just wanted to pet them. They looked so cute."
"Come along friends!" Guy reached the door, and knocked what sounded like a code knock. A hatch slid open, and a pair of eyes stared out.
"Hey there Marty," Guy greeted the eyes. "Here for business. And drinks too, for my newfound friends."
Yamato sniffed the air. It was pungent with liquor, and she could hear people inside. It reminded her of Onigashima.
Still, she would get to try out Moonshine!
The slit closed, and the door opened. Inside was a tall, fat man with heavy-looking arms and a suspicious air about him.
"Come on in then," Marty spoke, his voice like gravel. Guy strolled in like he owned the place, humming happily as Izuku and Yamato walked on in.
There were a few patrons, all male and some of varying size and ages. Some seated at the bar, others in various booths and tables across the tavern. The air was thick with cigar smoke, and heavy with the scent of various liquors; some of which Yamato recognised.
"Well well, look who the cat dragged in," drawled a voice. Yamato turned, seeing the bald man behind the bar turn towards the trio.
"Ahhh Roger my good man." Guy walked up, shaking his hand. "I apologize for being late. A pack of wolves was about to rip me to shreds before these fine fellows," he gestured to the duo with a big grin. "Yoichi and Shirou, who saved my skin!"
"Well," Roger oiled, smirking up. "How ya do Miss?" He grinned, missing some teeth. "And Sir?" He nodded towards Izuku.
"Have their first drinks on my tab." Guy grinned, while Roger barked out a laugh.
"Your tab's up to 5000 berries now! You sure you can handle some more?" the bald man asked. The fox mink chuckled.
"Oh what's a little more debt in life. After all, my finances will be resolved and you will get my bill and more in time. Or you can lower it when I… finish appraising your goods." Guy smirked, and Roger nodded.
"Right then, you two, a friend of Guy's a friend of mine." Roger gestured to the bar. "Sit where ya like, but don't cause any trouble now ya hear?"
"Of course, and ummm, I don't drink." Izuku raised his hand. "So Shirou can have my drink too."
"Oh! I'd like a Moonshine please! Two of em!"
Roger quirked an eyebrow, then laughed.
"Lemme guess, first time Miss… Shirou?"
Yamato nodded eagerly.
"Well, why don'tcha look over the menu over there." He gestured to the large sign over by the wall. "Find what ya like, then come on over. Me and the boys will whip up whatever ya like, and since ya ensured that Guy's tab isn't going defunct with his untimely passin', I'll throw in a lil'extra. On the house." He winked, and Yamato giggled.
"Thank you! As in a third one?"
"Of course Miss," Yamato grinned down at Izuku.
"Just don't drink them too fast," Izuku warned. "You never know what's inside them…"
"She really should tone it down a little with the alcohol," Nana muttered, her motherly instincts taking over at the sight of such indulgence.
"Well, as long as she has Izuku with her I'm sure she'll be fine." Yoichi chirped in trying to keep things calm. Daigoro however wasn't convinced.
"Wait till she's in the double digits and then try saying that."
"It's okay Yoichi." The white haired Oni grinned ear to ear. "I can trust Mr. Roger here!" She hummed, trotting over to the sign, all eyes turning as she went.
"Let's see… There's coffee. Cinnamon. And ohhh Apple Creme! Hmmm, so many to choose!"
(X)
Izuku chuckled, smiling as he took a seat at the bar. Yamato was looking over the menu, acting like a kid in a candy store. A girl like her would do well going to some of Japan's breweries… if she didn't drink them out entirely.
"Gotta say," said a voice. Izuku looked round, and saw a man seated nearby, sipping a beer. He looked quite young, with blond hair and a round face made for smiling. He wore a black coat, boots, and top hat, with gray trousers and a red shirt. Around his hat band was a set of goggles, turned inward.
"I've seen a lot of ladies in my day," the young man went on. "Never seen one that rambunctious, or with horns. You close?"
Izuku glanced back at the girl, who was busy eying Roger as he poured the thick Moonshine into a mason jar.
"Yeah, we're friends, why do you ask?"
The young man shrugged, smirking behind his mug as he took another drink.
"Just making conversation, friend. After all, not every day you see someone like you two walk into a place like this."
Izuku winced. He was afraid this would happen. They had drawn attention to themselves, when more than ever they needed to keep a low profile. Yamato's extreme excitement certainly didn't help. Still… some conversation wouldn't hurt.
"But don't worry about that," the blonde boy said with a small smile, "I've been around the sea a bit, so I see a few odd cases here and there. Don't start a bar fight, and I doubt anyone here will give you any trouble."
He took another drink, putting the now empty mug on the counter in front of him while Izuku glanced around again. The occasional glance came their way, but his Danger Sense remained silent. He only looked like he was a year older than him, and he was drinking alcohol no problem!
"Uh, thanks for the advice."
The boy shrugged.
"Hey, it's gotten me through a few islands where I probably didn't belong."
Izuku kept himself from frowning. Was this guy a pirate? Was he dangerous?
"I'll keep it in mind."
The boy chuckled, holding out a hand.
"Call me Sabo, friend."
"Yoichi," Izuku answered, shaking his hand.
It was a firm shake, with more than a hint of power behind it. Sabo had Haki, or was just freakishly strong; like so many of the people in this world. But for an instant, when their hands had touched, Sabo had looked…surprised.
Still his Danger Sense was silent. And still Sabo smiled. It was probably nothing.
"Nice to meet you Yoichi. What brings you to Doyle? You don't look or act like one of the locals."
"Just passing through," Izuku admitted. There was no harm in that.
"Oh, going anywhere particular with your crew?" the boy asked.
Izuku shook his head, ignoring the sound of Yamato squeeing about her drink at the bar.
"Another!" She cried in enthused joy. Hopefully she didn't go too fast.
"Oh no, it's just us."
The boy's grin grew even wider at that.
"A free spirit huh? Can't say that I don't respect it," Sabo said, flagging the bartender down for another drink. Roger came over, and Sabo flicked him a coin that he caught in one hand, picking up the mug with the other.
"Do you have a crew?" Izuku asked. Was he a pirate?
"Yeah, but it's just me and a friend right now. Same as you in a sense," the boy said easily, "We're here for the festival, checking it out, seeing the sights, you know; looking for stuff while our boss finds more stuff for us to do."
He frowned, leaning back on his stool.
"Don't know where she went, but she'll be back."
"Your crew…anyone that I would know about?" Izuku asked tentatively. So he's part of a pirate crew and spoke of a boss. Was he with one of the Four Emperors?
Sabo just stared at Izuku for a moment before chuckling.
"Boy, you are really new to the New World aren't you?" he said, as Roger deposited a fresh mug of beer in front of him.
"Uh, I mean yes but-"
"You don't ask that sort of thing," Sabo interrupted with a wave of his hand before looking at him seriously. Izuku can notice the right side of his face borne a nasty scar, reminding him of Todoroki in some respects, but not as charred or flayed. "Take it from me friend, you go around asking people what crew they belong to, either they'll start screaming it and make a huge deal about it, bringing down every bounty hunter on the island, or you'll piss them off for not recognizing them as some big shot. Better to take it easy and just go with it, it lets conversations like this happen."
Izuku winced, and scooted away when someone moved between him and Yamato to get at Roger.
"Thanks for the warning."
"Pay me back by letting me know your story."
Izuku blinked, and the boy gestured with his mug.
"I'm serious. You two are strangers in a strange land. I've never seen clothes like yours before, and you don't know much about life on the ocean wave. So tell me, I'm curious."
Izuku drummed his fingers on the table. He wasn't going to tell the whole story, but there was no harm in going over the basics, right?
"Well, we were training in the forest."
"Ship not big enough?" Sabo guessed.
"Something like that," Izuku admitted, "And the training was dangerous, there was a big chance of it breaking a lot of things."
"Haki, right?"
Izuku's eyes widened, and Sabo held up his hands in defense.
"Hey now, I just learned the training from my teacher. Man's an expert on the stuff. Besides, it was either that or devil fruits, and out here in this side of the world, most people in the know train Haki."
"You know how it works?" Izuku asked, interest piqued, "I'm having trouble trying to get it to come out. I… I don't know how to use it."
He shook his head.
"Sorry friend, but Haki is the sort of thing that comes out on its own when you get into it. My teacher would know a lot more, but all he ever says is it's willpower given form. It's gotta come naturally, or something like that so he says. Only after it's come out can you really get into it.."
Izuku let his shoulders slump. Back to square one…
"But that makes no sense," he and all of his vestiges said at once.
Sabo held up his mug.
"Welcome to the New World."
"I don't like it here," Izuku uttered without a filter.
Sabo chuckled.
"Most don't, but anyway, you were training. Got a big fight in store? That tourney right?"
Izuku shook his head.
"No, we've got to fight someone."
Sabo paused halfway through his drink.
"Someone important?"
Izuku nodded. The phantom remembrance of the roar of a crowd. The faces of the forlorn slaves.
"Someone strong?" Sabo inquired further.
Izuku nodded again, glaring at his cup. The phantom fear was eating at him as he remembered that time in the vent, unable to do so much as breathe when that… monster was alerted to his presence.
Sabo let out a breath.
"Well, good luck on that. Someone I know?" The blonde asked with a light smirk.
"I thought that we weren't supposed to ask about that?" Izuku asked.
Sabo shook his head.
"Oh no, we ask about this so depending on how it is, I can be a few islands away."
Izuku smirked despite himself. This Pirate boy might be… but he seemed alright, at least, didn't seem malicious. Not as if Izuku would blame anyone for wanting to be anywhere but where one of the Four Emperors was fighting.
"... yeah, you'd probably know him," Izuku admitted.
Sabo didn't say a thing, just drumming his fingers along the table before taking a deep breath.
"Well, I do not like how confident you sound saying that," he said, taking a much bigger swig of his drink than before.
"Sorry."
"I think that's my line friend, a big name that I would know? Shortens the list quite a bit."
He pushed his beer away from him, finger tapping on the counter.
"And if he's on that short list, then well, you've got a real issue on your hands if you haven't even started fighting with Haki yet."
The blonde boy looked Izuku over, the scared eye set narrowing.
"And well, you're probably missing the big piece."
"What's that?"
"ANOTHER!"
"Still feeling confident Yoichi?"
Izuku winced. Well, she's probably fine, she grew up with this sort of stuff, right? Though that's not necessarily a good thing.
"There's a unique type of Haki that only a select few people have," Sabo explained, "It's the sort of power that can 'change the world and rule the seas', the mark of being special. My teacher has it, all of the big names have it."
He paused long enough to look almost apologetic.
"You? You don't have it, not the right temperament."
"Temperament?" Izuku asked.
Sabo shrugged.
"Well, maybe that's not the right word, but the thing is that you just… know when someone has it. They speak and everyone in the room listens, they do something and you know deep down that they were always going to do it and there was nothing that was going to stop them. Everyone can learn the basic Haki because there isn't a single thing in this world that doesn't dream."
He smiled.
"But that? That's more than dreaming, that's the willingness to turn the world *into* your dream. Not trying to be rude or anything, but you don't have that."
That was a little painful to hear. A powerful form of Haki that only certain people had? Is that what made people like Kaido so powerful? Maybe.
But even so…
"It's fine, I'll make my dream a reality anyway."
Sabo's brow rose a few notches.
"Oh, you planning on beating this guy and what? Become a king?"
Izuku shook his head.
"A hero, someone that fights for justice, no matter where it is."
Sabo stared for a long moment.
Then he laughed, he actually laughed, hard enough that Izuku could believe that he never expected to hear something even remotely close to that.
"Sorry friend, sorry, just, wow that's the first time that I've heard something like that from someone that isn't a Marine shooting at me."
"It's fine."
It wasn't the first time someone had laughed at that, probably wouldn't be the last either.
"You sure you're not a shoe in for the marines though? They scream the justice doctrine a lot." He asked as he brought his pint up to drink.
"Saying and doing are two different things," Izuku argued.
Sabo paused.
"If that ain't the truth, then I'm not scared," he said with a smile, "But still, that's another thing that you better not go around talking about. A lot of people want their justice to be the way things are run. You, my teacher, me, the government."
"I know, but it's mine, and I'm willing to fight for it, Haki or no Haki."
Sabo's smile grew, nearly splitting his face with the smirk alone.
"A lot of people will want to stop you from doing that. When someone tries to change the world, well, the world doesn't take too kindly to that." The blonde mused as he smirked at Izuku. Izuku however was frowning as he stared back at him.
"Won't be the first wall I break through, and I don't care, I'll keep going."
Sabo's smile left him.
"And when the world tries to break you?"
That answer is easy.
"I'll go on," Izuku said seriously, "I don't care about the world, it doesn't scare me. There are people that scare me, but that's why I have to fight them. I don't care about special Haki, if people are stronger than me; I never cared about being the strongest, I care about doing what's right."
He looked down at his fist, clenching it until the gloves strained.
"I made a promise to be the number one hero in the world, to save people with a smile so that no one had to cry alone."
He looked at Sabo, face completely serious.
"I'll be a hero, a hero this world needs. I'll save everyone that I can, and no one will be able to stop me."
Sabo stared back, blinking once.
"Why?"
Izuku felt himself smile a little bit.
"Someone from back home said, the only thing that lets evil win is for good people to do nothing, so why not grit my teeth and be that good man with a smile?"
"Not much money in it?" Sabo offered jokingly.
Izuku shrugged.
"Money wasn't the point, it's just the right thing to do."
"Is that right…" Sabo mused, his mug seemingly forgotten in front of him.
It took him a few minutes, but he finally raised it to his lips and finished it.
"Well then, good luck on being that good man."
"And you on… looking around."
Sabo chuckled.
"I might need it, because I've-"
"SABO!"
The door to the bar slammed open, turning several heads and revealing a girl with orange hard standing in the doorframe. She was panting, clearly having run, and her eyes went laser focused on Sabo, frowning at him.
The blonde boy paled in his seat.
"Thanks for the talk and the drinks were great but uhh…"
He looked at the girl, back at Izuku and Roger.
"Bye!"
And he bolted for the side door as quickly as his legs could take him, the orange haired girl charging after him.
Izuku blinked, watching them go.
That was something he wasn't expecting.
"ANOTHER!"
"You really are going-HOW MANY HAVE YOU HAD!?"
"How about now, Yoichi?"
"Daigoro, please just… just shut up for once." Yoichi uttered as Izuku gawked at the happy go lucky Yamato, who was getting another pint-full.
So there you have it. Big thanks to Juubi-K , IKnowNothing and WildJoker000 Once again on this one.
We get some important training, Yamato getting a much needed reality check, the Festival going ahead, and our duo meeting new faces. One new, and one quite familiar...
Thank you all for staying with us, and have a happy new year. Next time, we begin the Knights Festival in earnest. I can safely say we are at the midway point of the Doyle Arc. OR just right after it, nearing the end of the Second Act so to speak.
And this story is saying something when I can get out 12k words in a week, but I struggle to get 1k in FFESS. Oof.
Hope you all enjoyed, and I'll see you next time.