She counted on the wall. Then the spots on the walls. Then lines in the steel on the ceiling. Then she'd count them again, getting a different number, then losing count all over again.
Perhaps she was losing her mind, or maybe she didn't care.
Yamato turned, seeing Izuku still asleep in bed. Seeing his chest slowly rising, she felt relief, before the sickening feeling came back inside her.
She did this.
She heard footsteps outside the infirmary, but didn't move.
"Your Kara… it's like a tempest."
She looked up, and saw Drona standing by the doorway; his face wrought with concern.
She looked to the side as Drona entered. "Yamato, what happened none of us could have foreseen."
"I shouldn't have been there," she uttered. "Being by his side… caused this."
She hugged her knees.
"Yet he came for you, even in such a state. You became that great force of nature, for all our sakes. You do not know how to control the Devil within you, yes?" Drona asked as he sat down, crossed legged.
The Devil within her.
That's putting it fucking mildly.
"And those scars on your wrists; were you enslaved once?" he asked, eyes drifting to the marks
She nodded. "Izuku freed me…"
"And he will do so as long as there is breath in his body. The fervor and devotion he has to you…it goes into the determination of Kings and Gods" Drona replied. "But… I feel there is but one way for you to overcome this shadow that hangs heavily over your soul, Yamato." She looked up. There was wisdom in his golden eyes, and kindness too.
"All have forgiven you, save one."
"One?" she asked, though she knew who he meant.
He rose to his feet."This ordeal needs time to heal, and I will do anything in my power to help you. That is my duty, as a Sage. To guide you to salvation, to peace, and enlightenment of your soul, to find that is a journey only comes to that which we see the least."
Yamato glared back at him, as Drona departed. Oden never did riddles. Neither did Kaido. Pops. Roger. Anyone.
Oden would never have allowed… this.
Kaido...
She hugged her knees harder, the groans of the hull and the beeping of the heart monitor the only sounds to give her solace.
(X)
"Coming up on Plunja Island," Cosette said, from the helm. Azmel and Fantina tended to their stations as Law rubbed his eyes.
"I can see it…" said Eponi from the periscope. "And the island that has the depot."
Law raised his head. It had been five days since they left Kaisafjord, and the prospect of sunlight and a full stomach was urging him on. He was more than a little surprised at how well everyone had taken the rationing. Even the maids took it without fuss.
"Guide us in. I'll go wake Reiju and the others." The large woman nodded as Law got up, and headed down to the bunk room. The room was divided in two; one side for the girls, the other for the men. He turned on the light.
"Wake up guys. Time to formulate a plan," he ordered. Shachi and Penguin groaned.
"Too soon…" Shachi grumbled as he got up, Penguin taking his time; while Bepo kept on snoring. Drona got up with ease, dropping lightly from his top bunk. Law went over, and ruffled the bear behind the ears.
"Mmmngh… Captain?" the mink asked as he opened his beady eyes.
"We're at Plunja. Up and at'em."
Bepo smiled as he rolled out of bed… and landed on his belly on the floor. Shachi and Penguin burst out laughing.
"These bunks are too small Captaaaaain… can we get a new one?" he asked. Law smiled a little.
"We'll get more blankets and pillows if we can, and you can sleep whenever you want on the floor. Sound good?"
"Better than those tiny beds…" Bepo rose to his height and scratched his stomach as he smacked his jaws.
"What's Plunja?" asked a voice from behind him. Law turned, and his eyes bulged..
"You shouldn't be on your fee-" Law spluttered, as he saw the bandaged Izuku standing in the doorway, holding his IV stand. He sighed through his nose. "You're okay?"
"I'm fine." Izuku's voice was hoarse as he looked around. "How long have I been out?"
"Dude?" Shachi asked, looking and sounding worried. "I'm glad you're okay and all, but…do you really wanna be moving?"
"I'll be fine." Izuku flexed his hand, and Law's eyes fell on his bandaged right index finger. "Finger still hurts…but it's better than it was." He smiled. "Thank you, Law."
"Don't mention it." Law nodded. "Where is Yamato anyway? She didn't even leave your si-"
He trailed off, as Yamato clambered awkwardly out of a lavatory designed for people around half her size. Her jaw dropped as she saw Izuku.
"Hey…" Izuku said, smiling back at her.
Yamato swallowed, then ran at Izuku, arms spread to hug him tight. Then she froze, and Law knew why. Izuku stepped forward, and hugged her himself.
"I'm okay," he breathed. "Just a little banged up."
Yamato was still frowning, even as her eyes glistened with relief.
"Don't push too hard." Law said. "Only reason I'm not ordering you to stay put is cause I know how stubborn you are. I'll never forgive you if you bust yourself up so soon, got that?"
"I'll do my best," Izuku assured him, blushing. Law frowned.
"That isn't very reassuring." Izuku shrugged, smiling a bit.
"I promise not to get involved in anything. Trust me, we'll keep a low profile."
Law sighed through his nose. Best he could get from him.
"Come, this is not the best place to speak," Drona said. Law nodded, then headed round to the Captain's quarters. Reiju was using the bed, while he had slept in blankets on the floor.
Hopefully they could find something better. Even compared to wooden beds, that steel floor was a pain.
As he entered, Reiju stirred and rolled over.
"Midoriya's awake, and we're coming up on Plunja. Time to gameplan," He said. Reiju sat up and stretched.
"On the way…" she murmured, then let out a sigh of relief as she saw Izuku. She followed Law out of the room and down the corridor, then paused. "Pardon us, Law, Izuku, Yamato, a moment?"
Law quirked an eyebrow, but looked at his crew and gestured with his head for them to go on. Drona followed them; leaving the four alone in the corridor. Reiju led them back into the bunk room, and she closed the hatch behind them.
"There's two things I need to talk about, now that we're just about home free" she said, turning to face them. "First, Izuku you got a Snail call from someone while you were out. It wasn't from the Whitebeard snail."
Izuku and Yamato both perked up.
"Another Snail… You talked to Uta?" Izuku asked. Law looked at him, eyebrow quirked.
"Uta's her name? Okay." Reiju nodded. "I talked to her, or I tried anyway. The connection was spotty due to the water pressure, but I made out your name. Is she a friend of yours?"
"She is." Yamato said, alert and hopeful. "Is she okay?"
"She sounded alright; like she just wanted to chat with you," Reiju said. "Is she with Whitebeard?"
"No,' Izuku replied. "We were going to go rescue her once we got her Vivre Card made, and a ship. Not just her, but another friend too."
"I see. Well, you're welcome to call her back when you can." Reiju nodded. "Just wanted to let you know. Secondly… there's another thing I've been meaning to ask you on."
"And why does it involve me?" Law asked as the pinkette looked back at him.
"Well, considering we are likely going to be Government targets, once we get the newspaper for the week, I wanted to get our ducks in a row before we met with Whitebeard. Izuku, Yamato… back on Swallow Island." She bit her lip, as the two perked up and Law sighed through his nose. "When I went into the Unicorn I… overheard your argument."
Izuku's shoulders sagged, and Yamato went rigid. Law was looking back and forth. "Overheard what?"
Reiju winced, wishing she hadn't said anything.
"You wanna know our connection to Kaido, don't you," Izuku said, and Law rounded on him, eyes wide.
What.
"What?"
Yamato looked to the side, pale and ashamed, as if she wanted to run away. But Izuku rose up, putting his hand on hers.
"Yamato… it's okay," he assured, looking up to her. "You said it yourself. Friends shouldn't have to lie to one another." He smiled sadly as he looked to a flabbergasted Law and Reiju.
"I washed up on the shores of Onigashima, an island deep within the Land of Wano. Kaido's main island base," he said. "Yamato nursed me back to health and…I helped her escape."
Law's stomach back-flipped.
"Escape?" he asked, already dreading the answer.
"Kaido… is my father," Yamato confessed. Reiju sucked in her lips; and Law almost fell onto a bunk.
Of all things, of all people. These two weren't just Whitebeards… one of them was the legit biological child of ANOTHER EMPEROR? And it was KAIDO of all people!?
"Okay." Law said, feeling his legs almost give out. "That… wasn't on my bingo card." He looked at Izuku in surprise, before his eyes settled on Yamato's arms, and at her wrists.
Helping her escape…
The reason why they wore masks, Izuku in particular.
"How much is the bounty on you?" Law asked. Izuku went pale at the question, his accusation striking true. "Midoriya, you're my friend, but… I would really really like to know this. I'm in uncharted waters as it is, with the Government on our asses. I wasn't expecting an Emperor of the Sea too."
Yamato looked miserable.
Izuku took a deep breath. "Well… it's one Kaido sent out, not the Government. But… it's three hundred and fifty…million berries."
He cringed. Law took off his hat and ran his hand through his hair. "Holy fuck that's more than most of the Seven Warlords," he thought aloud, unable to believe it. Yamato blinked.
"Oh? Is there bounties higher than Izuku's?" Law looked back up to her.
"Yeah. Only Dracule Mihawk, the strongest swordsman in the world, but his bounty is insane, north of three and a half billion. Otherwise, Izuku here beats out Doflamingo by ten million." He replied. "Three hundred and fifty million berries dear god Midoriya, that's enough wealth for a small country." Law uttered as a scoffing laugh of disbelief came out of his mouth, looking to Izuku dumbfoundedly.
"Doflamingo? You mean Donquixote Doflamingo, right?" she asked.
Law blinked.
'Oh god please no.'
"Please tell me you don't have some hidden connection to him too!" Law was starting to get peeved as Yamato waved her arms. "What? You're the scion of a King or some mythical being who can leap over the moon? What else is there that maybe I should know? " He sighed loudly.
Yamato looked momentarily off-balance, as if she were seeing something weird inside her mind.
"Sorry just… it's one haymaker after another…" Law uttered.
"N-No not at all. But, going back to Doflamingo… he's working for my father too."
…
"Excuse me?" Law asked. He was going to need whiskey….a lot of whiskey.
"He's making artificial Devil Fruits for Kaido," Izuku explained. "I saw them inside Onigashima…and what they do." He looked haunted.
"Artificial Devil Fruits? Impossible," Reiju cut in. Law looked down, trying to absorb it all.
All of the whiskey. And the brandy, and throw in the cognac for good measure.
He looked again at Midoriya. For all his bruises and his weariness, he showed no sign of lying. This wasn't like on Swallow, when he was looking skittish and dodgy.
Friends don't lie to one another. He said that and Law was sure he meant it.
"Whitebeard… does… he know?"
"Everything." Izuku said. "We're planning to go to war with Kaido at some point. Best to cut off his SMILE supply before his Fruit-user army gets any bigger."
Law ran his hands down his face. They were going to fight Kaido and Doflamingo!?
Fuck it. Add in absinthe, honey and kerosene and go full monkey pump bonkers insane. Why the fuck not at this point.
"Sorry…" Yamato uttered. "Maybe we… we should have kept this to ourselves." Izuku looked at her with sympathetic eyes; and guilt too.
Wait.
They're going to fight Kaido and Doflamingo?
"You plan to destroy Donquixote Doflamingo, and his base of operations in Dressrosa?" Law asked. He felt like he was being tossed around in a storm.
Yet, there was something more. Something wonderful and terrible in equal measure; something he didn't have a name for.
"Yes." Izuku replied. "We know what his artificial Devil Fruits, his SMILEs, can do. It can't be allowed to continue. No one should have that kind of thing out for the black market."
"Yeah…" Yamato added, her voice firmer than before. "We… we can't let Kaido make more of those Devil Fruits.. Even… even if we fall in the war, we have to at least destroy those things. No one should have such power…and no one deserves the price."
Law's head was swimming. What the hell had he gotten himself into? Just who were these friends of his?
And why is this anticipation and excitement inside him bubbling like a tea pot ready to boil over.
"If you go to war with Kaido it… it'll destabilize the entire world," Reiju uttered, amazed.
"I know… but Kaido can't prosper," insisted Izuku. "I've seen what he has done to the Land of Wano, and to its people." Something in his eyes reminded Law of Corazon. "Just like Germa, I can't let Kaido be. I have to help the people suffering under his hand and beyond." He raised his head. "And I will defeat the Beast Pirates. No matter what."
Even when his body was so ruined and battered from the battle against Germa, he was planning his next war…with fucking Kaido. He was speaking of Doflamingo like a stepping stone or a checkmark.
Fucking Donquixote Doflmaingo.
Being treated like a goddamn errand, all before a war that will shake the world to its foundation stones.
A war with Whitebeard at the tip of the spear, aimed towards Kaido.
Izuku sighed, and he looked ashamed. "I'm sorry to thrust this on you, but you don't deserve to be blind sided like before Law. We've gotten you into enough trouble as it is."
Insane…and yet, his best shot at completing his revenge; at avenging Corazon.
Maybe…to fight a madman like Doflamingo, you had to be a little crazy yourself.
"It's… fine." Law uttered. "I just need a moment. Or an hour… or a day. And a drink… or four." Izuku winced as his stomach growled. "And you need food in you."
"We all do. We're tight on rations," Reiju said. "And we're coming up on Plunja."
Law nodded. "Midoriya… I'm sticking with you, no matter what happens, even if you do fight Kaido. All I ask is…if the chance arises…" He gulped. "I need to join you against Doflamingo."
"Why?" Izuku asked, then flinched as Law met his gaze.
"Because I need to kill him."
The room was deathly silent. Law took a breath. "I'm not strong now. I've seen what an Emperor's pirates can do. But I swear, I'll do whatever I can to help you against Kaido and Doflamingo." He gripped his fist. "No matter what."
"Doflamingo hurt you, didn't he," Yamato surmised. Law sighed through his nose. These three had done so much for him; as much as his own crew had. And now, as if by fate, he was tied closer to Whitebeard than ever.
Would he end up wearing Whitebeard's mark? Or could he come to an arrangement?
"He did, but it's a long story, and we shouldn't keep the others waiting." Law turned and headed for the door. "I'll explain later, once we're out of the woods."
"Ummm, Law?"
"Hmm?" Law turned, and looked back at Yamato.
"You're not… afraid?" she asked, looking quite vulnerable. "Of me being Kaido's… daughter."
"You're Whitebeard's child Yamato," Izuku said gently. "Not his."
"And I have his blood in my veins," she hissed. Reiju paled, her eyes full of pain for a shame she knew only too well.
Law frowned. This girl was drowning in guilt. She was, and yet wasn't, the monster who destroyed the Germa Kingdom. She was in a paradox, and the wrong thing said was liable to send her over the edge.
Just like he had once been; alive, yet not alive, until he met Corazon. It had nearly destroyed him.
He wouldn't let the same happen to her.
"Yamato… I don't give a shit," he said, looking her in the eyes. "I don't give a damn about who your parents are."
Her eyes widened, and her jaw quivered; as Izuku and Reiju smiled softly.
"Come on, let's go." He patted Yamato on the shoulder, and led the way to the ladder, then up to the command center.
"Okay, guiding us in," Cosette called out. Eponi turned from the periscope, and brightened.
"You're awake!" she declared.
"The boy savior," Azmel added, as Izuku gave a little wave, looking a bit bashful in contrast to his earlier bravado.
"Hello everyone. It's nice to meet you all," he murmured. "So this is a submarine command center…" He looked around.
"Yeah, take a look around. With you up and okay, can I count on you and Yamato to help?" Law asked.
"I'll do my best, just need to know what to do and how to do it." Law nodded. Good enough. Yamato did so too, but she was looking to the side as she leaned against the steel wall.
"Approaching the harbor…" Cosette called out. "Fantina, release ballast…now."
"Forty meters. Thirty Meters. Twenty," Fantina chimed off as she looked at her console. "Ten. Five." And the hull groaned. "Surface!"
"Okay everyone, here's the plan." Law cut in. "Midoriya has the money we need to get supplies and food. We also need new clothes too. Given how the Marines have been acting up, discretion is key here."
"I'm not coming, am I," Bepo asked, looking crestfallen. Law frowned, shaking his head. "I'm sorry." Bepo hung his head.
"What are you apologizing for?" Azmel asked.
"Y-Yeah, d-don't be sad Bepo! It's not your fault!" pleaded the mousy-looking Fantina.
"Midoriya will lead the way, given it's his money. Bepo and I can't come; he stands out and my face is on Wanted Posters," Law went on. "Shachi, Penguin, you go with Izuku and Reiju."
"Aye aye sir!" the two exclaimed.
"I wouldn't mind exploring this new island personally." Drona sat up, putting on his robes. He looked like he had two arms again; but Law could just see the bulge around his midsection.
"Will you be joining us Yamato?" He asked as he tightened the bandana around his forehead.
He had kept that on all the time. Odd.
Yamato shook her head silently. Izuku looked at her in surprise; while Reiju looked away, holding her arm.
"I… no thanks," she uttered. "Besides, I'd stand out too."
"Are you sure?" Izuku asked, and Yamato looked ill.
"I don't wanna go."
"But there will be shops and this is an island Od-"
"I SAID I DON'T WANT TO!" she snapped, eyes flashing with anger. Everyone in the compartment except Drona jumped at the sound.
Yamato shrunk back, guilt-stricken. Izuku just looked sad. Law frowned, and regretted what he had said back on the icy shores of Kaisafjord.
"Okay…" Izuku said gently, nodding. "No rush." He offered a small smile of assurance; but he looked deflated, disappointed. Yamato stared down at the ground; and Law's heart ached.
"Let's… move ahead." Penguin spoke up. "How can we go into town with our current duds?" He raised his arms for emphasis. "Most of us are in rags; and I'd rather not get arrested for public indecency."
"Besides that, how will we get new clothes if everyone isn't coming?" Shachi asked. "Not like we know each other's measurements or anything."
"That is where I come in," Eponi stepped up. "Cosette and I will take your measurements, and go along with Izuku and the Princess."
"Eponi, Germa's gone," Reiju said, blushing. "You don't have to call me that." The old woman smiled warmly.
"Your mother was my Queen, and she protected me from that prison of a kingdom," she declared." As she was my Queen, you will always be my Princess."
"By the way, you girls," Law cut in. "Judge took you as debt collateral, right?" The maids all nodded, grim-faced. "This is the last island before the Calm Belt, and after that it's the Grand Line all the way to the New World."
"If you need money, I can lend you one or two million Berries," Izuku added. "We can help you return to your families too."
The maids looked at one-another.
"We've been…talking about that, Captain Law," Eponi said. "But…most of us are fourth daughters or lower. Besides, my family's kingdom is part of the Bourgoise Kingdom now."
"They handed us over without batting an eye," Azmel added, anger in her eyes. Fantina looked ready to cry, and Cosette put an arm around her shoulder. "Trust me Law, we don't wanna go back. We've nothing to go back to in any case."
"You can stay with Whitebeard if you want," Izuku assured her. "Melville is really nice. And we can get you to Doyle too, if you prefer."
"Doyle?" Cosette asked, surprised. "You've been there?"
"We know the king there, Reichen Bach," Izuku went on, eyes bright. "He'll take you in, and help you in any way he can. Trust me." He looked up at Yamato.
"We should tell them about our adventure there, shouldn't we?" he suggested with a smile, no doubt hoping to get a rise out of her. Law wouldn't mind hearing that story himself.
Not that he'd say so.
Yamato kept on looking at the floor. "Oh, umm. Yeah. I guess so…"
'She really is out of it…' Law thought. "Well, you can save the story telling when we do our run through the Calm Belt. For now Eponi, you said you had something in mind for the clothes?"
Eponi nodded, and pulled a measuring tape from the hem of her apron. "Now then, we'll take all your measurements. Do we have a pen and paper around here?"
Law headed to the desk at the rear of the chamber, and pulled out a notepad and pen.
"Hold the phone though." Azmel gestured to Izuku. "If he's coming with us, he ain't coming looking like a mummy right?"
"We don't have any spare jumpsuits…" Shachi and Penguin replied in unison.
"I'm taller than you so my jeans wouldn't work," Law added. "Reiju's getting them."
"We are in rags…" Izuku mused, looking over his ruined shirt. Yamato winced, finally noticing the sorry state of her own outfit. "I do have my clothes in my backpack. I'll wear those."
"Alright, we can measure you last Mr. Izuku." Eponi snapped her measuring tape. "Girls, let's measure the boys here, and then we will be off. Sound good Princess?"
"Sounds like a plan." Reiju chuckled.
"You girls gonna get measured too?" Shachi asked. "You know, like your three si-"
Law pulled the hem of his hat down as Azmel punted Shachi in the ass.
Penguin sighed. "And that's why you're still single dude."
As Shachi groaned in pain, Law stifled a chuckle and headed for the drinks cabinet. It was…staggeringly low on alcohol.
And he really needed a drink after what he had just learned.
"Uhhh Captain, since we're going topside." Penguin approached, pen and paper in hand as Shachi writhed on the floor. "Want anything to eat?"
"Rice Balls."
Penguin nodded, quickly jotting it down. "And what drink would ya like?"
"Whiskey."
"How much?"
Law turned his way, staring at his crew dead in the eye as he downed what was left of the whiskey in the cabinet.
"Okay a lot. Writing that down…"
(X)
It felt good to be out in the sun again.
Izuku smiled as he strolled along the beach towards the woods. Behind him loomed a long-extinct volcano; within which Germa had hidden its supply base. With the submarine docked in an underground cove, they had searched the base and found no one alive. As Reiju had predicted, the troopers had destroyed anything remotely useful or compromising, and then committed suicide.
He looked at his team heading into town; Reiju, Drona, Shachi, Penguin, Eponi and Cosette. They looked as glad as he felt; and he didn't blame them. Spending the better part of a week stuck in a submarine had been tough on all of them.
"Lead the way," he said, shivering a little.
The others led on, and he followed; lost in thought. The maids had all decided to stay for the moment, and that was fine by him. Once they got to Melville, they could decide on their new lives.
…
It was quiet…strangely so. Normally the Vestiges would be talking, passing comment, arguing among themselves. But they'd been dead silent ever since his outburst. Even the normally abrasive Bruce was holding his tongue.
Part of him was grateful for the silence; but he still missed them. Hopefully he could clear the air with them once all was settled on the island.
He rubbed his arms. It was surprising just how much better he felt. True his right finger ached still, but the salves were working wonders, as had Law's usage of Room to put the bone and muscle tissues back together. Even Recovery Girl's powers weren't that effective.
He turned and opened his mouth to speak; then he faltered, remembering that Yamato wasn't there.
Yamato wasn't with him. She didn't want to see this new place, to experience its cuisine and its shops; see its people.
He felt his stomach twist in knots.
"Lot on your mind?" Reiju asked.
"Yeah," Izuku replied, pulling off his backpack and rummaging around for a Snail. "I need to make some calls. You guys go on ahead."
"Of course." Reiju nodded as Izuku stepped to the side, sitting down on a rock as the group went on ahead. First, Uta.
"Ring ring ring ring. Ring ring ring ring." The snail rang and rang. From fifteen seconds. To thirty seconds. To a minute.
Izuku hung up. "Must be asleep or in the garden," he mused, then grabbed the next snail; this one with the Whitebeard Jolly Roger.
"Ring ring ring ring. Ring ring ri-Clank." The Snail's face changed to that of a normal looking man. "Hello?"
"Hey, this is Izuku. This the Snail Room?" The Snail lit up.
"Oh it's you Midoriya!" It beamed. "This is Jasper from the Snail Room, lemme go get Pops!"
"Thanks." Izuku sighed as he looked up at the sky. Blue skies, clear of any clouds, tranquil as can be. Not like the sub at all.
The Snail's face changed, gaining a enormous white moustache; and Izuku couldn't help but smile.
"Gurarara, it's been a while, you feisty twerp," Whitebeard greeted him. "I'm glad you're okay."
"Hey Pops" Izuku replied softly. The yellow eyes softened.
"What's wrong? Is Yamato with you?" he asked, clearly worried. Izuku leant back against the rock, wondering how to explain.
"She's okay. We're on a submarine, believe it or not. We stole it from Germa when we sacked it."
"Your eyes say otherwise." The old man's gaze was unwavering."Whatever's going on, you can tell me, son."
Izuku took a deep breath.
"It… It was harder than we thought. We won but… a lot of things happened."
"Like what?" Whitebeard asked, frowning.
"Well… we made some new friends. There's the Heart Pirates, who helped us take down Germa; and some people we rescued from there. We're bringing them to Melville; some of them need a fresh start."
"Consider it done, my boy. Now, do you want to talk about it?"
Izuku glanced up the trail. His comrades were strolling along, but Drona was looking back, looking him in the eyes.
"I…I'd rather tell you in person…" Izuku took a shuddering breath. "I'm glad to hear your voice, Pops. I really am."
"The same for me, son," Whitebeard replied. "Can I talk to Yamato, at least?"
Izuku winced. "She… she's okay but I don't think she wants to talk right now." He looked to the side. "Pops she… she isn't in the best place mentally. I…" He shuddered.
If only he wasn't so green at Haki. If only he had better control of Fifty-Five Percent earlier.
"She got hurt, my friends too…" His eyes stung with fresh tears. "And Yamato…she's blaming herself. I'm here with her, but I don't know what to do! I-!"
"Son, just be there for her," Whitebeard cut him off. "You're right, we'll talk about this face to face."
Izuku nodded, forcing back the tears. He couldn't fall apart, not now.
"You said Yamato was suffering," Whitebeard went on, a strange look on his recreated face. " Did her Devil Fruit activate?"
Izuku heard the flap of wings, and turned to see a News Coo standing on a log nearby. It gave a cry, and turned to the side, presenting its money pouch.
"How did you know?" he asked, as he got up and slipped a Berry bill into the pouch. The Coo pulled a rolled-up newspaper from its satchel, deposited it in his hand, gave a happy caw, then flew off. "Smart bird."
"The paper; going crazy about Germa's destruction. It only named the Heart Pirates, but there's photos of you, Yamato, and some Three Eye Tribe member."
Izuku's blood ran cold, as he flipped the paper open.
"Izuku?"
"I got a paper literally right now," he replied, flipping through the pages. There was the headline, and the sub-headings, and a whole load of hyperbole.
And then the photos. He shuddered as he saw the photo of him fighting in Shigaraki style. Then there was one of Drona, blurred but showing a glowing third eye in the middle of his forehead.
And then there was Yamato, vast and terrible in her wolf form; rope belt and horns clearly visible even through the blur of snow and smoke. Mercifully, there was no sign of her Whitebeard tattoo.
He sighed, relieved. There was no sign of his face, no way for Kaido to know it was him.
Except…Yamato…
"You can see?"
"Yeah." Izuku flipped through to the bounties. "Law's gonna flip when he sees his bounty."
"What sort of fellow is he, by the way?" Whitebeard asked. "This Law fellow?"
"He's a friend. Bit aloof, but a friend." Izuku replied as he rolled the paper up. "I'll give this to the rest of our group when we can. We're going to a town in Plunja Duchy to get supplies."
"Then you'll be crossing the Calm Belt, right?"
"Yeah, we'll be sailing through it." Izuku winced. "I'm not healthy enough to carry the whole sub through the night. Plus the Submarine is covered in seastone."
"Seastone you say? Seems Judge was good for something at least," Whitebeard muttered.
"We'll get home as soon as we can Pops. I promise. Once my wounds are healed, I'll carry us back to Melville myself."
"Alright; we'll head over there right now. Be careful though." Whitebeard's brow furrowed. "The Marines are in an uproar over this. I never thought you'd have to sink an entire Blue Sea fleet."
Izuku winced again. He had gone to fight the Vinsmokes, not the Marines; but they had just turned up and attacked.
"Part of me… wishes we could have done things differently," he admitted sadly.
"What's done is done boy," Whitebeard assured him. "Don't fret on it too much. Besides, hurry on home. We miss you and Yamato. Haruta's been going stir crazy."
Izuku smiled. "Alright, we'll get back as fast as we can. Oh…" he paused a moment. "Yeah, you were right. Her Devil Fruit did awaken. It was a Mythical Zoan, like Commander Marco's." He remembered holding her in the cave, eyes closed. "It was… hard. But she was able to regain control."
"Regain control?" Whitebeard asked, and Izuku opened his eyes.
"Her powers have been stunted for years due to Kaido's cuffs. She was knocked out for a bit, and the battle turned against us; even with the Marines blasting the place. When she came back and saw us getting hurt, she…lost control." Izuku clenched his fist. "I can help her. I can teach her to control it, like how to control a Quirk."
"From what you've told me, those two are entirely different things," Whitebeard warned. "Devil Fruits are concepts made manifest; not hereditary features."
"But they're still powers. I WILL help her with this Pops. I owe it to her. I need to help her."
Izuk looked away, out over the vast empty ocean. "She's…" He trailed off, unable to say what his heart longed to say.
Everything.
"Boy." Whitebeard's tone was gentle, but firm. "Don't try to carry this all by yourself. We are your family, and we'll help; however we can. Just get home safe and sound, okay?"
"Okay…"
"The next island you land on, I want to talk to Yamato myself. You think she will be ready to?"
"Hopefully. I'll do my best for her."
"Alright, you go into town. I'll have my allies keep an eye for the sky."
"We'll be flying at night. The seastone hull makes the submarine dark. Flying during the day will be difficult."
"All the better. I doubt the Marines or Kaido will be looking to the sky at night. Fly at night, go underwater during the day. We'll make our way to Melville now."
"Understood. I'll call you on the first island we hit in the New World."
"Take care son."
The call ended with a 'Clank'. Izuku stowed the Snail into his backpack, stood up, and flew down the path after his friends.
(X)
The shopping went well. They had rented a horse-drawn cart from a local villager for the day; the man's face lighting up at the prospect of 100,000 Berries for a simple cart.
Eponi and Cosette had proven invaluable in getting the right clothes. Meanwhile, Shachi and Penguin had handled food, drink, and medical supplies; having worked with Law long enough to know his needs. Izuku was content to pull the cart, aided by Drona.
"You've been such a gentleman Mr. Drona," commented Eponi, walked alongside Drona. The old man chuckled.
"It is my pleasure to help. Why, you would have been an excellent tailor."
"It was a dream of mine to make dresses, and I have sown the prettiest dresses for Reiju and her mother," Eponi said with a wistful sigh. Reiju blushed, pulling Law's cap down over her eyes.
"Well, I would love to share with you the finest silks of my homeland someday. Perhaps I could see you sew something of a similar style?"
"I'd be honored Sir Drona. You carry yourself as a fine dignitary, finer than most in my experience."
"And you carry yourself as a mother with a keen eye, Miss Eponi," Drona surmised. The woman put a hand to her suddenly pink cheek.
"Man, the old timer and the old lady are hitting it off well," Shachi mused.
"I mean, she spent most of her life as some fifth in line Princess, then was sold off." Penguin whispered back. "Reiju and her mother were all she said. You saw the brothers."
"And did ya see Drona in the showers? Dude is freakin' ripped and cut!"
"Ripped and cut?" Drona asked, looking back with quirked eyebrow. Shachi and Penguin flinched.
"I mean, ya know. Ripped with muscle!" Shachi flexed.
"And cut like a sculpted statue!" Penguin posed. Drona blinked, then proceeded to chuckle heartily.
"You Blue Sea Dwellers have the most interesting phrases. Ripped and cut." He shook his head playfully.
Reiju couldn't help but feel happy for Eponi. She had been the nearest thing her mother had to a friend; and after her death, the nearest thing Reiju had to a mother. Eponi…was family.
Now that she thought about it.
"Izuku," she said, falling in beside Izuku. They had reached the edge of the town, and were nearing the beach.
"Yeah?"
"When we go to Melville, I want to join you guys. The Whitebeards. I meant it when I said I wanted to stay by your side. If I…"
She could see the mountain, where the former outpost was.
"If I can use my power for good, for helping the ones I care for and for others… then I know I can live a life that my mother would have been proud of." She looked at her hands. "I can fight, and I know my powers came from a bad place… but I want to make the world a better place, if you'll let me." She looked back to the green haired boy, eye to eye.
Izuku nodded, smiling back. "I appreciate it. Pops will have you. I know he will."
Reiju felt at ease, as they strolled along the edge of the beach.
"Although I do wonder why we bought so much liquor," she murmured, looking back.
"All pirates need their booze, well, except me." Izuku laughed. "I'm a super lightweight."
"Well, since there is such a surplus, I wouldn't mind having some myself." Drona peaked into the wagon, seeing the crates of bottles inside. "Would you ladies care for some?"
"All we've ever had is wine," Cosette mentioned. "And that was on rare occasions."
"Then you gals are gonna love what we got for you all and the Captain!" Shachi beamed, pulling a few bottles out. "Got whiskey, rum, Vodka, Gin, tonic, bourbon, the works!"
"Such a selection!" chuckled Dorna. "I'll have to take a sip of them all then."
"Don't go too hard, and be sure to eat starches too. I wouldn't want to see you fall over drunk Sir Drona," Eponi stated.
"I can handle myself, but I appreciate the caution my lady." Drona smiled, and Eponi looked away again, blushing like a lovestruck maiden. Reiju wondered, for a moment, if she'd ever had that chance before.
They reached the depot, and lowered their supplies down the hole one crate at a time, while Shachi and Penguin returned the cart to its owner.
"How's the desalination chamber?" Reiju asked, as she clambered down the ladder into the submarine.
"Filled up and hard at work," replied Azmel, stepping out of the bathroom. "Air's replenished too. Please tell me you got new clothes."
"Plenty to spare. We went on a shopping spree." Reiju smiled as Azmel sighed in relief, drying her hands. Her maid outfit was looking worse for wear.
"Gonna be rid of these Germa rags, thank god." she uttered, patting Reiju on the shoulder. "Thanks Princess." As she went off towards the bunk room. Reiju smiled, and saw Law looking at her.
"Went well?"
"Well enough. Your pirates got your booze, and we have plenty of food and supplies," Reiju surmised as she heard footsteps. It was Izuku.
"Hope it didn't cost too much," Law said.
"Don't worry about the cost. Probably a drop in the bucket from Pops anyway." Izuku held up his backpack. "I've plenty to spare. In any case, I want you to get the rest of the crew together. Preferably when we're setting sail."
Law quirked his eyebrow as Izuku rummaged inside, and held up the World Economic Times newspaper, rolled up.
"They got the Kaisafjord story in here," Izuku explained. Reiju's heart skipped a beat, and Law licked his lips.
"Command Centre." He gestured upward with his thumb, and headed for the ladder. Izuku followed him, but Reiju paused, and peered into the bunk room. Azmel and Fantina were changing into their new clothes; mostly shirts and pants, dresses not being practical on a submarine.
"Girls, we're having a meeting," Reiju said. The Maids perked up and followed her. Then she saw another presence sitting in the corner. It was Yamato, reading her journal with dull, half-lidded eyes.
"Yamato?" The white-haire girl looked up. "Come on, we're having a meeting. The newspaper has a story on us."
The dull eyes flashed. "They took photos of us?" she asked, her hand covering her Jolly Roger tattoo. For a moment she looked sick with fear; then the fear turned to anger, her fangs baring. "How could I have been so stu-!"
"I'm sure they didn't," insisted Reiju. "Come on, let's go together."
She offered her hand. Reiju looked at it, then took it and stood up; pausing only to put away her journal before standing up and following Reiju to the command center. She could hear someone close the top hatch, and the sub begin to move.
"Steady as she goes!" Shachi called out from the helm. Everyone was in the command center; the Hearts at their stations, the others waiting nearby. Yamato stood by the hatch, hand over her arm.
"Alright. We're on course! So, Midoriya got a paper from a News Coo!" Shachi declared, grinned.
"It's about the Kaisafjord War." Izuku handed it off to Reiju. She opened, and began to read.
"For the most part, Law is getting the lionshare of the blame, and instead of the Marines 'attacking' Germa, they were together in a training exercise, and the Heart Pirates ambushed them in the night." Reiju surmised.
"Of-fucking course," Penguin groused. "They got wrecked and now they don't want to admit they were attacking one of their own member nations! Lying jackoffs!"
"What else does it say?" Law asked.
"Vice Admiral John Giant was defeated, but found alive, barely. Judge was found dead, along with his three sons," Reiju went on, taking a deep breath. The maids all looked at one-another, Fantina and Azmel shuddering and sighing with relief.
"Princess Reiju on the other hand, remains missing. This destruction was caused by the Heart Pirates, thanks to no part." She looked over to Law. "To the dastardly schemes of the 'Doctor of Death', and the three demons he commands."
"Demons?" Izuku asked.
"Seriously? What are we, chopped liver?!" complained Shachi. "We worked hard too, y'know!"
"We just followed Drona mostly…" Bepo admitted. "He did most of the fighting ahead of us."
"Yeah well…. We read the sub manual in a jiffy when the whole damn hangar was falling down around us! And got it running and purring like a kitten!" Shachi added, patting the console. "Oh, and we taught you girls too! Didn't we Penguin!"
"Sure did!" Penguin nodded.
"Thanks for that," Azmel cut in, waving. "Without your help, we could never have made sense of it; not in time, anyway."
"What about the bounties?" Law asked. Reiju flipped through to the bounty section, and held it up.
'DOCTOR OF DEATH' TRAFALGAR LAW – 335,000,000 BERRIES
'BLACK BEAST' – 125,000,000 BERRIES
'THREE EYED FIEND' – 225,000,000 BERRIES
'STORM DEMON' – 290,000,000 BERRIES
"Three Hundred…" Law uttered in shock.
"And thirty…!" Shachi gasped.
"Five million…!" Penguin gawked.
Bepo's rolled into the back of his head, and he flopped backward onto the deck.
"There there Bepo…" Cosette assured, petting the faint-headed bear on the head.
Reiju handed the paper to Law, who began to read it. But everyone else was staring at Drona as he unsheathed his two additional arms, wincing a little.
"I suppose this was going to happen sooner or later," the man mused, unwrapping the bandage around his brow. Reiju saw it. A third eye as it blinked on his forehead.
"A member of the Three Eye Tribe…" Eponi breathed. "Judge talked about them, but I thought they were only legend."
"My father always wanted to experiment on one…" Reiju cut in. "Is that why you hid the bandage, Drona?"
"Indeed. I knew Blue Sea Dwellers were mostly two armed with two eyes. I apologize for the deception, but it was not without reason."
"It's okay," insisted Izuku. "So, are you one of the Three Eye tribe?"
"No, I am not," Drona replied. "Where I come from, only a few have managed to awaken their Third Eye; gaining a greater understanding of the universe and of themselves. They perceive the Pravah within themselves, and the Kara that flows from all living things. In my homeland, the Awakened Third Eye is honored. But I was warned, by two people I met many years ago, that down here it is best hidden."
"The two people you want to find, right?" Yamato asked, speaking up for the first time in a while.
"Yes." Drona nodded. "They came to my homeland for an adventure, and along the way they even saved our country from a terrible monster."
"Who were they, old man?" Law asked, still trying to collect his bearing from hearing such news.
"I consider them dear friends, and I seek their help in my plight. Izuku, would this Whitebeard help me find them?"
"He could. Who are they? Where would they be?"
Drona paused, as if recalling a pleasant memory.
"They said they were free pirates, who sought to explore the world and all it had to offer," he said. "Their names were Raja and Rali."
"Raja and Rali…" Izuku mused. "Well, if anyone can find them, Pops can. Yamato, you wanna help?" He turned towards her. "It can be another adventure."
He looked at her, eyes bright and hopeful. But Yamato was looking down at the deck, her eyes somewhere else.
"Oh!" She blinked, realising she had been spoken to. "Did you say something, Izuku?"
"We're going to help Drona find who he is loo-"
Izuku trailed off, as his stomach growled harshly.
"And you need food in you," Law interjected, taking out a small bottle of whiskey. "Everyone, we got food, water, and fresh clothes. Let's keep to our tasks as we sail for Melville." He downed a mouthful of whiskey and sighed, lifting his bottle up. "And let's eat and drink!"
The Hearts and the maids were all pleased with that notion. But when Reiju looked at Yamato, the white-haired girl didn't react. She just stared down at the deck, as she had before.
As she had been doing ever since she came on board.
Big thanks to the crew on this one. Juubi-K , WildJoker000 and IKnowNothing as always.
But yes, with this we are leaving North Blue behind. Yamato isn't doing hot, Izuku is awake, and more mysteries get revealed, with more popping up in their place... Along with Law and Reiju moments. added a little levity here, as this arc is a breather before we go to the Kingdom of Heaven Arc.
Hope you all enjoyed this one. Next one will be on Juubi, and we are going to quite the place next! Just you wait and find out! the place next! Just you wait and find out!