Eight hours.
Eight long hours in the air. Evading giant seagulls the size of airplanes, dodging waterspouts, avoiding storms. There was a seemingly never ending stream of obstacles to avoid.
Izuku was starting to feel the effects; even as Yamato whooped and hollered. He thought he heard the Third User say something, only for Daigoro and Nana to gang up on him. His mind was fixed on the ocean below; keeping an eye out for ships, and occasionally checking the Eternal Pose.
Then finally, as the sun began to set, he saw it.
"Izuku look!" Yamato pointed ahead. She had seen it too.
The island up ahead wasn't as large as Doyle or Elegia, though it looked bigger than Ludeterin. Izuku could see ships moving in and out of the wide harbor; dozens, perhaps hundreds of them. He slowed down, stowing the Eternal Pose in his backpack and pulling out his binoculars; zooming in on the ships.
Jolly Rogers, flying from every mast and stern, no two alike. Pirate ships, every one.
"Seems Bay wasn't wrong," mused the Second. "This is a pirate outpost."
"Look up ahead. That big building in the middle of the town," Yoichi added. Izuku obliged, veering left towards a patch of jungle. At the center of the town was a fortress of stone and metal, with an enormous Jolly Roger flying from the keep. It showed a skull with a beaming grin, teeth made of shining jewels; axes crossed behind it.
"Yamato, we're here."
"Right!"
Izuku descended, veering left away from the ships; dropping down as soon as he reached the jungle canopy. He blanched as he landed, the humidity smothering him like a cloud of suffocating steam.
Now on the ground, Yamato finally left Izuku's back, allowing him to drop to his knees and take a breath for a moment.
"Alright!" declared Yamato, apparently untroubled by the climate. "Now we go into the pirate town right? Whitey Bay is sure to be waiting for us there!"
She beamed as she pulled off her goggles. Izuku sighed as he reached out and grabbed her hand.
"Yamato, I think it's best if… I go in."
"Eh? What for?"
"Is she serious?" The Third User managed to break free and get his jab in, though the others couldn't really argue with him.
"Yamato, that place is full of pirate ships, and we've no idea who they work for. I don't want to take any chances." Yamato pouted, and Izuku took a deep breath. "Look, we can't afford to be impulsive, and…" He winced, looking away. "Well…you stand out."
"You… really think so?" Yamato asked, checking her rope belt and geta. "Well, I am pretty tall."
"Among other things." Banjo eyed her bright red horns and equally bright hair.
"Remember what Bach said. Your clothes? Made from and styled from Wano," Izuku reminded her. "If any of Kaido's crews are here, they'll recognise you right away; but not me."
"We really do need to find her some alternate clothing to wear. It's simply too risky letting her continue to wander around in that Wano centric attire." En mused, knowing they couldn't afford to leave anything to chance.
Yamato blinked and bit her lip, looking away. "And there's a chance we… may see something bad in town too. Something that'll just get us in trouble." She sighed.
"There is that too," Izuku added. The prospect of going into a hive of scum and villainy did not appeal. But Aizawa-sensei had always been able to handle stuff like this. Maybe he could too.
"Don't you worry kid. I got you on this," Daigoro said proudly.
"Banjo?" Hikage asked.
"Same here Midoriya. Me and Daigoro here will give you all the tips you need to navigate a criminal underworld hideout such as this," En added, again looking all too eager to fall back into some of his more shady antics.
"Well… I suppose you have a point." Yamato sighed. "This is a pirate port, after all. I wonder why this place though?"
"Who knows? Maybe Bay knows," Izuku suggested. "I'll go looking for her, and when I find her I'll come get you, and we'll go to her ship together. If not, we'll camp out here in the jungle."
Izuku looked around, and spotted what looked like a cave close by.
"Over here." He trotted over to the cave mouth, Yamato close behind. "Hang out here. If anything bad happens, just…make a scene."
"Shouldn't be too difficult for her." Third getting in one last jab before he was finally gagged again.
"What about you? If something bad happens we can just fly out but…" Yamato paused, arching her back and stretching her arms as she set down her backpack. She was as stiff as he was. "Oh, yeah… I'll be quiet."
"Thank you." Izuku smiled, floating up to her. "Now, you relax here. Eat up what's left of the food from Doyle too. I could hear your stomach growl even when we were flying."
Yamato blushed, and Izuku handed her his backpack. He reached in, pulling out some of their cash, then pulled his goggles back down.
"Okay, I'll be back. As for how…" He levitated straight up, above the canopy. He could see the town a few miles away, along with the castle and the Skull-Axe banner. He looked around, and saw a tall winding tree close by.,
"I'll note the landmarks" the Second whispered. "You go into town and find Bay." Izuku nodded, and dropped back down.
"Okay!" He yelled. "I know where to go! I'll be back Yamato!"
"Okay!" Yamato called out, before remembering something important. "Izuku, if you're in trouble, how will I know!?"
Izuku smiled.
"Trust me, you'll know when you hear the explosions!"
"Not the most subtle of ways… but that would be our nuclear option," Hikage said as Izuku turned about, and flew over the canopy towards the town.
As he drew closer he dropped down, descending through the canopy into the bushes. He was right on the edge of the town, and he could see the backs of a row of buildings.
Then the stench hit him.
Yeah, town full of pirates.
"I never thought I'd be thankful for not being able to smell. Place probably reeks of rum, sweat and…other things I'd rather not think about." Nana shivered in disgust as Izuku finally landed.
He made his way through the bushes, and crept down an alleyway. It was getting dark, and the street ahead was thronged with pirates. Peering carefully out of the alleyway, Izuku could see the street clearly. It was full of taverns, all of them busy.
He eased up his yellow scarf to cover his mouth, and started down the street. It felt like he'd landed on some Hollywood Western set. On every side were lines of saloons and bars, packed with men and women of all shapes and sizes; the sounds of laughter, jeering, and cursing echoing out into the street. There was even music coming from one or two.
"I think less Western, more Caribbean," Daigoro murmured, an odd musical tune popping in his head. "Now, just stick to the side as planned. The middle's for posses and gangs."
"Well said. Lone wolves stick to the sidewalks" En added, eying any possible attackers. "What's most important is to draw as little attention to yourself as possible. Most criminals in places like this are easily distracted, whether it's gambling, drinking or fighting. Just keep your head down and you'll be fine."
Izuku did as he was told, continuing down the side of the street, eyes straight ahead. No one paid him any attention, and his Danger Sense was quiet.
Then it tingled, and he heard the sound of a punch. He looked, and saw a group of pirates on the other side of the street, grabbing and punching another pirate. Izuku thought he heard a mention of money, but he wasn't sure. The street was noisy, and the other revelers were unperturbed. This was a town of pirates, a place where crime was normal.
And yet the Marines seemingly knew nothing about it. Or maybe they didn't care.
"There's always a reason. I imagine we will find out eventually," Hikage mused as Izuku continued his walk. The odd glance came his way, but he ignored them.
"Yeah, probably gonna need to get you something that stands out less too." Banjo muttered, with Izuku noting that even for this world his hero suit was simply too eye-catching and practically lit him up like a neon sign.
"Heya sweet peaaaa~"
Izuku's eyes darted, and he saw a building that looked like a saloon; but with women hanging around outside it. They wore scanty dresses, low cuts showing off cleavage; their faces heavily made up. A familiar smell hung around them.
"Whoa…" Izuku uttered, and he saw his eyes make contact with them as the girls smiled and giggled.
"Give ya a discount, if you're a newbie~" the white haired prostitute purred, and her friends laughed.
"Drugs. And a brothel. Move on," the Second ordered. Izuku turned away and strode on, hands in pockets, face pink. So that was a brothel… right then.
Just keep walking. Keep moving. Go to the sea. The harbor.
He wanted to fly, to get up into the clean air and see more clearly. But the sun was out, and he would be seen easily.
"Okay, now where's that Icebreaker…" Yoichi murmured as Izuku finally reached the harbor. It was packed with ships of all shapes and sizes. Some big, some small. Some wide, some lean. Some colorful, some plain. Some gaudy, some vicious. Not one was designed for peaceful sailing. As Izuku drew closer, he could make out spiked rams and armored flanks, lined with gunports. These ships were made for violence, for war.
"Where is she?" he wondered aloud, looking for Bay's Yukimaru. On the dock, he could see pirates lined up at what looked like a toll booth, with some heavily-armed toughs standing beside it. No doubt that was where docking fees were paid; but he didn't recognise anyone in the line.
He strode on, taking in the cornucopia of ships. But still there was no sign of the Yukimaru. The sun was almost down, and the street lamps were lighting up.
"We're too early," the Second said. "We should make camp with Yamato back in the jungle."
"Nah, it's been three days. Bay said it would take her that long to get here. For now we should gather information," argued En.
"I'm with En. We could get good intel here," Daigoro added. "Midoriya, head over to a tavern and chill for a spell. Maybe Bay will come along then."
Izuku did not care for that notion, and neither did Nana. Still he looked out over the harbor, watching ships as they scurried in before the setting sun. Rowboats passed between the ships and the docks, carrying people or cargo.
"Maybe she's out there?" Izuku mused. He reached into his utility belt, pulling out the eyeglass he had swindled from the Finalem ship to gaze out to the ships at sea. "Must be waiting to garner entry… Where are you." He murmured to himself, going from one prong of the to the next, going out to sea for another angle.
So many ships… He searched for minutes, no sign.
"Icebreaker, purple, metal hull…" He murmured, walking about and going to the next docking area, walking past other pirates as they made their way into town. He sighed, gazing out again as more ships were going in and out like clockwork.
He saw some glances his way, and Izuku felt a little uneasy as he pocketed his eyeglass.
"Let's go into town and wait" the Second said. Izuku nodded, and headed back along the dock towards the street of taverns. Taking one last look, he saw some ships heading out into the darkness, sails unfurled.
"Heading out at sundown," the Third User commented. "I wonder what they're up to."
"Some more ships might come in," mused Nana, not wanting to entertain some of the less pleasant but expected actions from the pirates.
"We don't know," insisted Second. "Let's go to a tavern, get some info, then head back to Yamato."
Izuku obliged, walking back into Rubikan, keeping to the side of the street, keeping an eye out for a quiet tavern; or at least one with no fighting, not too much noise, and no unsuitable women in need of paid employment.
"Kid, you're not going to find one like that. Best to just pick one and ignore the noise," sneered En.
Then he paused, as he came upon a small tavern, built of black bricks. The sign over the door read The Black Rock, and the clientele looked reassuringly sparse.
Izuku steeled himself, and stepped through the door. The tavern was indeed quiet, and he could feel eyes upon him as he took a seat at the bar. The bartender, a middle aged man with graying red hair and a salt-and-pepper beard turned to face him.
"You're a new face," the older man said, regarding him with unreadable eyes.
"Waiting on a crew to come to town," Izuku replied. "Can I see a menu please?"
"This isn't a restaurant numbnuts!" Daigoro barked. "See what he's got!"
The bartender raised his eyebrow as Izuku winced. "I got what's behind me, water and some lime. And sausage too, if you're craving meat." Izuku heard the door open.
"I'll take a whole platter then!" called a voice from the doorway. Izuku sat still as the voice clumped up to the bar, and sat down beside him. It was a two and a half meter tall wolf mink in a black cloak, his brown fur contrasting with blue eyes. A moment later, someone else sat down on his other side. The bartender's eyes widened, then he sighed.
"Ah, it's you. The usual then?"
"You know it."
Izuku glanced at the newcomer. This one was a tall, broad-shouldered man; his head halfway to scraping the ceiling even as he sat down. He wore a maroon coat with fur trim, iron pauldrons on the shoulders, and a wide-brimmed black hat. But his face was a mask of iron.
"Well, never thought you'd bring in kids these days Quarz." His voice was a metallic rasp.
"Just walked in, asked for a menu," the bartender, Quarz, replied sardonically as Izuku took a deep breath. The iron man let out a laugh.
"What, you kind of a fancy pirate then? This ain't no sea restaurant ya know." The man laughed. Izuku looked him up and down, noticing a… three pronged barrel in place for a left hand.
"Ah, first time seein' a cyborg?" he said, hefting up his appendage as he smirked with pride. "My boss got this fitted just for me. Got into a nasty spat, but he fixed me up good and proper."
"Is that how you got the iron mask then?" Izuku asked.
"The same." Iron man grinned.
"So brat," Quarz mulled. "Whatcha want, or buzz out of my bar."
"Lime please." Izuku said. "Gotta beat that scurvy after all."
"Everyones gotta beat scurvy. Can't sail on these seas with that on yer mind," the Wolf agreed.
"He looks like a greenhorn Fuego. It's fine," Iron man uttered. "So, kid. What's your story?"
Izuku looked back at him, as a plate with lime slices was deposited in front of him. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a bill and placed it on the counter for the tender.
"Keep em coming, if you got more." Quarz looked at the bill, nodding and smirking as he took it.
"Thanks. And gladly." He walked off, writing down an order.
"Anyone else feel like we just overpaid?" Yoichi asked.
"Well, waiting on the Brownbeards to pick me up."
"Ha! The Brownbeards?" The wolf, Fuego, laughed. "Those weak little turds couldn't even shine the boots of the crew we're in."
"Well… I owe them a favor," Izuku added, trying to keep a straight face.
"Well, seems like you're an independent contractor. What you wanna be a pirate for?" Iron Man asked, as Quarz returned with a plate of lime slices and a large tankard. Iron Man took the tankard, sniffing it and sighing.
"Got no family," Izuku replied, adding in some truth. "Didn't want to be caged up by the Marines; on the run basically, so, figured why not live freely? See the world? Do my own thing."
"Heh, not a bad answer I suppose kid." Iron Man mused as he grinned at his tankard. "Whatcha on the run for?" He asked.
"Crossed an Admiral's path. Aokiji believe it not." Izuku said, adding another light sprinkle. The Iron Man let out a laugh that seemed to sound metallic.
"You crossed THAT monster's path? Whatja do, shit on'em or somethin'?" Iron Man laughed before turning towards Quarz. "This the usual mate?
"Turpentine with honey, as you like," Quarz added before turning to the wolf mink. "Your sausages will be here shortly too."
Fuego smirked as Izuku blanched. Turpentine?
"Pickpocket." En whispered, their cover story already planned.
"He has a bandolier under his cloak" the Second added. "Could be carrying a firearm."
"I stole something from him. His wallet. Took a little bit of berris aaaaand off I went." Izuku smiled. "You should be surprised how easy I can get in and out of places."
"Pah! Eh Feugo, this lil brat says he pickpocketed an Admiral!" The Iron Man laughed as Feugo snickered.
And Izuku got an idea.
"Ohhh I'm loving this." En said giddily as Izuku got to quick work, one hand under the table counter as Black Whip slithered out of sight.
"Well, ya don't look like one, too brawny and baby faced." Fuego leered. Izuku turned to the wolf mink, and lifted up a simple matchlock pistol from under the counter. The wolf's eyes widened and his face fell, his hands going to his other side. Izuku set it on the table for him, and Fuego swiped it back and growled at him.
"You shouldn't judge a book by its cover." Izuku shrugged. "Nice looking pistol by the way too."
"I'm claiming you as my little brother" En stated. "I always wanted a little brother."
"No you're not." Nana sternly hissed.
"Ya got a lot of nerve ya little pendejo…" Fuego snarled, gripping his firearm as Izuku slurped from his lime. The boy winced. Definitely sour. But it's lime.
"Fuego Fuego relax! He gave it back, no harm no foul eh?" The Iron Man laughed, reaching over and patting his friend on the shoulder. Fuego scoffed, pocketing his pistol this time. "Must say, not bad. Not sure how ya did it." He mused. "But, you must have a way to get out of trouble when you resort to methods like that."
"I know when to pick and choose my battles. Don't want to get in any bad spats." Izuku shrugged. "You seemed to be in a bad one yourself."
"Oh yeah, let me tell ya. I meant it when I said I was in a nasty spat" drawled the Iron Man, tipping his hat and taking a swig.
"Wooooooooo! Good! SHIT!" he roared, slamming his chest with the barrels of his gatling gun as Fuego cackled. Izuku just sucked from his lime.
"Oh will ya pipe down over there sonny!" yelled an old-sounding voice. Izuku looked, and saw a group of elderly-looking pirates further down the bar. "Some of us came here because of the peace and quiet! Not hear a roaring baboon!"
Then the old man's dentures fell out.
"Ah, Captain Fugar, your dentures again!" one of his companions called out.
"Our captain can compliment his drink however he likes cabron!" Fuego snarled.
"Easy boy." The Iron man laughed. "Let that ole coot bark. Besides, we mess with him, might as well sign our death warrant." He downed another gulp as Izuku finished his orange juice, and reached for the second.
"How so?" Izuku asked. The old man didn't look frightening, then again with how this world worked he might be as strong as All Might for all he knew.
"Him? That's the captain of the Social Club Pirates. Bunch of geriatrics playing pirate," Iron Man sneered. "But they've got Red Hair Shanks' flag on their ship. We fuck with them, we're fucking with Red Hair and no one wants that." He whispered down to him, and Izuku can smell the gasoline as he blanched.
"There used to be a crew who messed around with one of Red Hair's mates see. Burnt their ship, strung'em up on cacti at Wayne Archipelago. Shanks caught word, and the Red Hairs ran down those poor shits all the way to the Red Line." He laughed. "Some say Shanks cornered them, and with one swing of his sword, tore through the lot of them, ship and all." He sighed, taking another big chug from his tankard.
"He's allied with an Emperor?!" Izuku asked, shocked, as Fugar put his dentures back in. "And Red Hair would… do something like that?"
"Guy's as protective as it gets. But, makes those that don his flag get awful big for their pantalones." Fuego added. "Better to just ignore'em anyway. They're awful weak."
"So… why are they here, and, well. You guys?" Izuku inquired. Iron Man finished his chugging and sighed in relief, grinning ear to ear.
"Well kid, Isla Rubikan here is neutral ground," Iron Man went on. "Pirates of all flags come here to fence loot, get info, resupply, you name it. Just don't pick a fight with an Emperor's crew, or anyone involved with them."
"I see…" Izuku mused. "So, are there other Emperor crews here besides the Social Club Pirates?"
"Plenty." Iron Man smirked. "See that big hulking lug over there, with those fancy dressed lads?"
Izuku turned, following his finger. There was a group in a booth on the other side of the tavern, drinking and whispering to one-another. In the middle was a towering man with a tall red head-dress, a bare chest rippling with muscle, and an orange cape. Beside him sat a red-haired woman in a red dress and a violet boa cape; her expression distinctly sour. Izuku noticed her turn, and their eyes locked as she narrowed them. He turned away, looking at the countertop.
"Two of Big Mom's children," explained Iron Man. "Charlotte Oven and Galette."
"Red Hair and Big Mom crews…" Izuku said to himself, taking it all in. Two Emperors now.
"All because Rubikan belongs to Silver Axe, of the Jewel Blade Pirates." Feugo added. "The old fossil was tight with the Emperors back in the day. Well, as tight as anyone could be on that crew."
"They know Silver Axe is long in the tooth, but the New World is big and the ole Axe can still cleave a Marine fleet in two if he wanted," Iron Man went on. "Besides, many pirates like us need rest stops, and he provides and profits thanks to him knowing three of the Emperors when they were young'uns. Just no unnecessary fights or killing. Most crews know that, but there's always one, and you see their heads up on the Guillofort the next day usually."
"Right." Izuku sipped his drink. "So, who are you with?"
"Me?" Iron Man swigged his turpentine. "I'm with…"
"Just the man I'm looking for!"
Izuku felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned to look. It was a small, bald man of about his own height; a man who looked familiar.
"Figured you'd be around these parts, Greenie!" declared the man, grinning.
"Midoriya, that's Erebus from Bay's crew!" Yoichi exclaimed. Izuku felt thoroughly relieved.
"He's your ride?" Fuego asked.
"He… is." Izuku nodded, sucking the last of his lime as he got up and looked to Quarz, handing him another bill. "Thanks for the lime." The bartender nodded, and he looked to the Iron Man. "Take care yourself sir."
"Pleasant travels." The iron man grinned. "And the name's Scotch."
He turned back to Fuego, and Izuku's blood ran cold as he saw the emblem on Scotch's back.
The emblem of the Beast Pirates.
It was all Izuku could do to keep a straight face, as he accompanied Erebus out of the bar, sweating profusely along with the Vestiges.
"How did you find me?" he asked, once they were out in the street.
"The Captain talked with Lawson a few more times, wondering where you'd be waiting. She reckoned you'd be in one of the smaller taverns." Erebus smirked. "Where's your lady friend?"
"In the jungle. Is Bay docked?"
"Yep, taking on supplies; but we won't be long," Erebus murmured. "Go find your friend, then fly out over the harbor; and stay up high. I'll be in the crows nest."
"Thank you." Izuku sighed in relief. Erebus offered his hand, and he shook it.
"Don't mention it buddy. Go get her."
(X)
"And then Izuku fought Todoroki…" Yamato mused to herself as she finished the last of Judith's biscuits sating her hunger. She would have liked to write some more, but there wasn't much light in the cave. So she recited Izuku's story, keeping it fresh in her memory.
She heard a rustling outside. Grabbing her club, she trotted up to the cave mouth and peered out.
Then she relaxed, as she saw Izuku levitating down.
"Well? Find Whitey Bay?" she asked, stowing her club and holding out Izuku's backpack.
"She's here." Izuku smiled as he took the backpack and pulled it on. Yamato did likewise, and in a few moments they were on their way, rising into the night sky over Rubikan.
"Must be quite the town…" Yamato said, looking down. The town was a mass of glittering lights below.
"It's filled with crews loyal to the Emperors," Izuku remarked as he flew on. "All of them."
Yamato's eyes widened.
"My father's crew was there?"
"They didn't recognize me. Word mustn't have got this far; or they don't know what I look like. Regardless we need to move quickly before we draw any more attention"
Yamato nodded rapidly, grabbing everything in the cave and climbing onto Izuku's back, before he immediately took to the skies; heading for the harbor. Yamato looked down at the ships, straining her eyes to see. .
And there was a light, twinkling faintly in the darkness.
"There she is," declared Izuku, and he flew down. As they descended, Yamato made out the familiar shape of the Yukimaru. In the crows nest was a bald man with a flashlight, grinning as he waved at them. Yamato waved back, and remembered that his name was Erebus. She felt the slivers of Black Whip fade away, and she held on by her arms around his torso and his arms holding to her side as he levitated down.
"So, the Saviors of Doyle!" proclaimed Whitey Bay, as the pair landed on the deck. "I was starting to worry I'd missed you."
"Thank you so much, Bay," Izuku replied, releasing the Black Whip tendrils.
"Oh Bay, Doyle is so wonderful!" bubbled Yamato, racing up to the older woman. "There's so many things there, and…!"
"Easy now." Bay chuckled at her enthusiasm. "You must have had a long journey. Come, I'll show you to your quarters. Erebus, well done!"
"Not a problem Captain!" Erebus called back, as Bay led them to the stern cabins.
"You have your own toilet and shower," she said, as they reached two adjoining rooms. "Maybe a little pokey compared to Doyle, but it beats the open sky. If you're hungry, the kitchen's the next deck down."
"Thank you again." Izuku was smiling, though Yamato could tell he was tired. "So, are we going to see him?"
Bay nodded, and Yamato's heart leapt.
"Yes. I talked to Pops, and he's on his way. I'm to drop you off at a certain island, and he'll meet you there when he arrives."
"Oh, where at?" Yamato asked, and Bay smiled.
"Whitebeard's old home. The island of Sphinx."
Big thanks to WildJo, IKN and Juubi for this quick turnaround.
So yeah. In and out of Rubikan, and quick brushes with Emperor crews. And off we pop to Sphinx. Outline for the next chapter is complete too and will be written by Juubi-K too.
Now I gotta do the outline for the one after. Sphinx time! We are almost done with the Hunt for Whitebeard Saga. Hang in there my peeps!