Chapter Summary

The Straw Hats find themselves in the belly of the beast. Smoker meets a familiar stranger. Tashigi has a chat.

Smoker had barely sealed the door shut behind them when the world shifted and the ground fell away beneath their feet. Reflexively, he tightened his grip on the hatch and hung on as the whale dived deeper. Straw Hat just kept one hand firmly on his hat to keep it from falling off as he bounced off the metal walls of the cavern and out of Smoker's sight.

The ground leveled out again, and Smoker took a few seconds to relax his grip before tracking down Straw Hat. He stomped down the pathway, but the rubberman was nowhere in sight. Smoke filled the tight area as Smoker gave a huff in frustration. He hadn't asked Straw Hat to ally with him so he could play babysitter!

The metal hall inside the whale was narrow, just wide enough for one person to walk comfortably, but not two. Every so often the halls echoed with creaks and groans and the sound of waves. It wasn't until the path forked that Smoker began to doubt his chances of locating Straw Hat. He stopped for a moment and slumped against the wall to catch his breath, listening for the sounds of chaos and destruction to try and determine which one to take. Unfortunately, as was par for the course, it did little to help, and Smoker realized he was just going to have to pick one and hope for the best.

With a heave he pushed himself up and swung right, hoping it was the correct way. If it was then he could meet up with Straw Hat and maybe, just maybe, if Straw Hat's luck didn't fail them, they might be able to save the rest of the crew.

Smoker didn't want to think of the alternative. As much as he didn't like Straw Hat, he knew what it was like to lose your men, and he wouldn't wish that on anyone.

He couldn't help but worry. How much had his interference changed? He very much doubted the Straw Hats were swallowed by a giant whale the first time around, and if they died here who knew what events would be irrevocably changed? Without the Straw Hats, what would happen to Alabasta, or Dressrosa? The marines had gotten there entirely too late, and Smoker was just one man.

He followed along the maze-like passageways, until the corridor he was in opened into a larger room, roughly the size of a large closet. The walls were lined with books- a quick glance saw that they were mostly medical in content. In the corner, a large vat of green liquid bubbled and hissed. Smoker eyed it warily and gave it as much of a wide berth as he could muster in the tight quarters.

"Ah, this room is pretty cool!"

Smoker jumped. Behind him, Luffy admired the bubbling goo. "Where the hell have you been?" Smoker grumbled. "I suppose it would be too much to ask if you'd found anything useful."

Luffy gave Smoker the side-eye. "This is a mystery whale," Luffy informed Smoker.

Smoker wasn't quite sure about that, but something strange was definitely afoot. "We should keep looking around. It's possible your crewmates may still be alive." Normally, being eaten alive by a whale would be the end of a crew, but trust Straw Hat to get swallowed by the one whale on the Grand Line with human-made modifications

Luffy paused to give Smoker a long look, one hand holding onto his hat. "Hey, Smokey?" He started. "You shouldn't worry so much. " He tipped his hat back and smiled at Smoker.

Smoker frowned. He pulled out a cigar from the pouch on the breast of his open shirt. It wasn't too damp, and with just the slightest use of his power Smoker lit the cigar. He ground his teeth against the tip, letting the taste of the tobacco soothe his nerves.

He shook his head, "Let's just get out of here." He said, walking out of the room. Straw Hat huffed at being bossed around.

However, the irritation didn't last, and Straw Hat perked up. "Yeah! Let's explore and get back the crew!" Straw Hat cheered. However, further exploration was brought to a halt as a bellowing keen reverberated through the body of the whale.

Smoker looked up. "What now?" He muttered. There was a surge, and Straw Hat was thrown into him. The two of them crashed into the metal walls of the hallway.

Being rubber, Straw Hat bounced off the wall with surprising force, involuntarily slingshotting back and forth, bouncing farther down the way.

"Oh, no you don't!" Smoker growled, hand shooting out to latch onto Straw Hat's ankle. "You aren't getting away this time." But his weight wasn't enough to slow Straw Hat's momentum, and Smoker found himself dragged along with the pirate.

They ricocheted around the corner, and what Smoker first took to be a dead-end revealed itself to be a door when the force of their impact flung it open.

The door opened to a great expanse, and Smoker and Straw Hat were thrown out over a boiling yellow sea.

They collided with two other people in the whale, and all four were plummeting towards the acid. Smoker's instinct took over and his smokey body billowed up, hovering over the waves. Smoker's grip tightened on Straw Hat's ankle, keeping the pirate out of the water while the strangers hit the waves.

Straw Hat held onto his namesake as he hung upside-down in Smoker's grasp. "Oh, hey guys!" He called out, wiggling as he tried to wave.

Smoker looked up. There, in the distance and unharmed, was the Going Merry.

Then his grip slipped. "Shit!" There went Straw Hat.

Two more splashes echoed the sound of Straw Hat falling into the acid. Thankfully, the whale had ceased its thrashing and the waves were beginning to calm. Smoker heaved a breathless sigh and snaked his way through the air, leaving the first mate and the cook to collect their captain and the other wayward individuals.

He gathered onto the deck, trembling. Smoker dug his fingers into his leg to steady himself. Nami and Longnose were staring at him.

"Can I help you?" He grumbled.

Longnose squeaked and jumped back a few feet, but whatever Smoker had said seemed to shake Nami out of her reverie.

Her eyes narrowed. "There's something strange going on with this whale. First that old man, then those two weirdos talking about whales and honey…" she trailed off, shaking her head, "something doesn't add up." She sniffed. "And speaking of things adding up," she said, poking Smoker in the chest, "you owe me 50,000 Beri, and I will be charging interest." She told him primly.

"What?!"

Nami nodded, crossing her arms. "Whose bed do you think you stayed in? Certainly not the boys'." She asked him pointedly. "So, 50,000 Beri. And you owe me." She held out her hand.

Smoker recoiled. "I'm not paying that!" He said indignantly.

Longnose winced at Smoker's outburst and shook his head. "Just pay it, man. It's not worth it." He hissed at Smoker sorrowfully.

Smoker crossed his arms stubbornly and loomed over Nami. "I don't even have 50,000 Beri on me, so forget about it."

Nami smiled a shark's grin. "Fine, I'll just add it to your tab." She told him sweetly.

Smoker tried to continue to argue but was interrupted by the first mate dropping the two strangers unceremoniously onto the deck. Behind him, Black Leg was carrying a disoriented but quickly recovering Monkey D. Luffy.

Straw Hat blinked at them a couple of times before bursting into a wide grin. "See, Smokey? I told you my crew was strong!" He beamed at the ex-marine. Then he frowned, a comically serious face overtaking his features. "Ah, but how do we get out?"

"There's an exit over there." Roronoa pointed in the direction Smoker and Luffy had come from. Indeed, a large door could be seen in the wall of the whale.

Straw Hat hummed. "That was easy."

The strangers at their feet started groaning and coming to. The man woke first, sitting blot upright when he realized he was surrounded by pirates and Smoker. "Miss Wednesday," he said nervously, reaching out to shake awake his companion while keeping an eye on the rest of them in case they tried anything, "we seem to be surrounded."

The woman sat herself up, blinking away the confusion. Then the man's words seemed to register and she looked around frantically to assess the situation. At one point she made eye contact with Smoker and he felt himself stiffen in shock.

"Princess Vivi?!"

/\/\/\/\/\

"Warrant Officer Tashigi, I heard you wanted to speak with me." Commodore Swift said from behind his desk, gesturing for her to sit down.

"Yes Sir, it's a matter I feel is most urgent," Tashigi replied, dropping her salute and taking a seat.

"So I've gotten the impression. You've had audiences with three different officers in as many days, and now you've come to me. Why don't you tell me what this is all about." Commodore Swift told her, steepling his fingers and sitting back in his chair.

"Yes Sir," Tashigi said. She leaned forward and adjusted her glasses, "it's about the incident that occurred three days ago."

"I see." Commodore Swift said, tilting his head at her inquisitively. "Many things happened that day. You will have to be more specific."

"Yes, I understand," Tashigi said, bowing slightly, "I apologize for my lack of clarity. The incident I came to speak with you about involves Captain Smok- I mean, former Captain Smoker."

"Ah, my predecessor." Swift nodded, "and, from what I understand, your mentor."

Tashigi nodded, "Yes Sir, that's correct."

"Go on then," Swift told her, gesturing for her to continue.

Tashigi looked down towards her hands. "That day, after Straw Hat Luffy and Buggy the Clown destroyed the execution platform, I and other marines pursued the criminals through the lower town."

He nodded, "Yes, I recall the reports. I myself was occupied with sightings of another individual at that time. It was your apprehension of Buggy the Clown that earned you your promotion, wasn't it?"

"Yes Sir, though in the reports I mentioned that it was Capt-, I mean, former Captain Smoker that defeated the pirate. I only secured the prisoner." She clarified, not wanting to take credit that wasn't hers.

"I am aware," Swift told her, "but don't doubt that your promotion was earned. Since Captain Smoker's resignation, all the officers have noticed your hard work and the strides you've made in training." He said, firm yet genuine. "You are a loyal Officer, Tashigi, who has shown themself to rally to the challenge of losing a mentor and growing stronger for it and to be capable of maintaining a level head during a crisis."

"Thank you, sir," Tashigi bowed in her seat. She continued with her story. "Then you know that Smoker also fought against the pirates during the siege that day. When he confronted Straw Hat Luffy and his crew, the pirate fled and I saw him use his devil fruit powers to abduct Captain Smoker." She looked up to meet Commodore Swift's eyes. "We need to send someone after them to rescue Ca- Smoker- before they get away and something terrible happens!" She beseeched the Commodore.

Commodore Swift hummed when Tashigi finished. "Tell me, why do you think Headquarters sent a Commodore to replace Captain Smoker?" he asked. Swift looked at her, his pale eyes boring into her, demanding her attention. "It's a bit of an overkill, don't you think? Especially for the East Blue."

"Sir?"

Swift pushed himself out of his seat and tucked his hands behind his back. He turned and walked over to the window, gesturing for Tashigi to follow as he stared out at the street below. "Loguetown is the last line of defense in the East Blue to keep pirates from taking to the Grand Line. Smoker wasn't just a capable Captain, but also served as a powerful deterrent. I can only speculate to the number of pirate crews that never came into being simply due to the insurmountable challenge Captain Smoker provided. With him gone, there are many who would take advantage of such a perceived weakness."

Swift tipped his head towards a fight that broke out on the street. Tashigi turned her attention away from the Commodore and to the fight. She watched a marine patrol intervene, pulling the two men away from each other. Now that they were separated, it was clear the men were pirates. The men were summarily arrested, hissing and spitting at the marines as they were handcuffed and marched away.

"Headquarters sent me to quash any attempts before they gained a foothold." Commodore Swift continued, "The siege of Loguetown done by the Straw Hat, Buggy, and Alvida pirates was only the beginning. I'm sure you've noticed that pirate activity has only increased since then, with more and more crews attempting to make a run for the Grand Line." Tashigi nodded. "But what you may not be aware of is on that day, revolutionaries were also spotted."

Tashigi stiffened. "What? Here? But why?"

Swift turned to her. "It's as I said, the influence of the Marines is seen to be weak here now, and there are countless individuals who have been waiting to take advantage of such a time. I am here to ensure they fail." He paused, allowing the gravity of the situation to impress itself on Tashigi.

When he felt she understood, he sighed and turned away from the window, walking back to his desk. "But even so," he said, waving for her to sit, "the numbers are against us. The Marines need every available soldier here to do their part to maintain the peace. That includes yourself. I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do for you."

"Sir, I don't mean disrespect but you can't really be telling me to give up on my old captain are you?" She gaped.

"Captain Smoker was an excellent marine, but he resigned because he lost his will. The man you want to rescue no longer exists."

Tashigi shook her head. "I don't care about that. Captain Smoker would never leave a man behind and I won't accept that the Marines would just abandon him so easily!"

"Like he abandoned the Marines?" Commodore Swift asked wryly. "I'm sorry but it's the truth." He told her sternly. "Smoker's will has been broken and that can cause a man to act in dangerous and unpredictable ways. I won't gamble my men's lives on that. Are you even sure he didn't go willingly?" Commodore Swift asked.

"Captain Smoker would never collude with pirates!" Tashigi vehemently denied. "There are other witnesses that can confirm he didn't go with Straw Hat Luffy willingly."

"He protected Straw Hat Luffy from execution," Swift challenged.

"No, that's not true!" Tashigi came to Smoker's defense. When Commodore Swift arched a brow at her outburst Tashigi blushed and dipped her head in apology. "I apologize for my outburst, but Cap- Smoker- would not do such a thing."

"Oh?"

She nodded vehemently. "Smoker was not just a great Captain, but is a good man who believes in true justice. If he saved Straw Hat Luffy's life, it was only so that the pirate could be brought to justice."

"Justice would have been served when Buggy the Clown killed Straw Hat." Commodore Swift corrected. "Then the Marines could have taken the Clown and the Iron Mace into custody. Smoker should not have interfered. Instead, because of him, Straw Hat and Iron Mace escaped."

Tashigi flinched against the insult to her mentor. "Death isn't justice." She argued quietly.

"Excuse me?"

Tashigi straightened, "I said: Death isn't justice." Emboldened by Commodore Swift not immediately throwing her out, she continued, "At least, not when it's done by criminals. Real justice requires the punishment to be set by the people, and as Marines, we are meant to enforce that. If Buggy the Clown killed Straw Hat Luffy, that wouldn't be justice. It would be murder."

Commodore Swift regarded her for a moment. "Do you think that distinction matters to the people who have to live with the consequences of those actions?"

Tashigi looked him in the eye. "It should."

He nodded, acknowledging her argument. "Warrant Officer Tashigi, I understand your position and I'm sympathetic to your plight, but I cannot in good conscience send anyone from Loguetown after Straw Hat Luffy, not when we need them here. You will just have to place your trust in your fellows on the Grand Line."

"I cannot accept that."

"Truly?" She nodded. "Very well, convince me. Convince me of the importance of your mission."

Tashigi bit her tongue to keep back all of the immediate things she wanted to spout. That they shouldn't abandon Smoker after he served the marines faithfully for years, that it wouldn't be right, that surely they could spare one person. But she didn't say any of those things.

"When I became a marine I took an oath to uphold justice and to protect the people," she said instead, firm and resolute in her convictions, "let me do my job."

Commodore Swift regarded her for a long moment, and she didn't dare breathe.

Finally, "Well said."

AN:

In the past 3 years, I have received such an immense outpouring of love for this fic. That you guys haven't abandoned this fic, and all the kind words you've given, have brought me close to tears many times.

I won't bother you with the nitty-gritty of the hiatus, but I will say that I think a large contributor to my difficulty in continuing with the fic had been due to a dissatisfaction with my plan for it. I had originally set out to include original islands and characters, but to be honest, that is no longer appealing to me as a writer, and so won't be a part of this fic. That being said, I feel my updated outlines are much stronger and will make for a better story in the long run.

This story will not include filler arcs from the anime, but WILL include Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island, One Piece: Strong World, and One Piece: Film Z. I may include references to Gold and Stampede once I watch them, but that would be a long way off.

I'm very excited to continue with this fic, and thank you for your continued support!