Author notes:

Chapter 1: rewritten and beta'd by Kurapikababu.

Chapter 2: rewritten.

Chapter 3: small mistakes corrected.

Chapter 4: posted again and beta`d by Gerbilfriend

Chapter 5: written and beta`d by gabrielsangel23 and Gerbilfriend

Chapter 6: written, beta`d by Gerbilfriend.

Chapter 7: written, beta`d by Gerbilfriend

Chapter 8: written, beta`d by Gerbilfriend

Chapter 9: written, beta`d by Gerbilfriend

Chapter 10: written, beta`d by Gerbilfriend

Chapter 11: written, beta`d by Gerbilfriend

Chapter 12: written and here, beta`d by Gerbilfriend and Black' Victor Cachat (Blackbeard POV)

Chapter 13: written, beta`d by Gerbilfriend.

Chapter 14: written, beta`d by Gerbilfriend.

Chapter 15: :/?

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I don't own one piece!

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This chapter was beta'd by Gerbilfriend. As usual she is an awesome help, especially correcting my grammar and making it all clearer for your enjoyment. She wrote the continuous of the Marine!Lina omake (part4) in the end, check it out XD and check her art in deviantart (gerbilfriend).

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Warnings:

English is my fourth language. The story will include thoughts about suicide, self-harm, Ace self-worth issues, and cursing (alotttttttttttttttt).

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SleepyPuppy

Thank you for your review

Glad to hear that my humor work! :D

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts...: D

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thanzintay.2000

Thank you for your reviews. :D

Glad to hear that my characters are "in" ;).. You would have to read to find out.

Agreed Lina and Luffy are a hell of pair.

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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CupcakeLoopy

Thank you for your review :)

Glad it was amazing. This was in the plans for a while. Happy to see it worked. We will see more of the red hair pirates.

Hope you enjoy the new chapter just as much. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts...: D

Lame XD

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sylnodel

Thank you for your review

Yeah... I don't know when to stop when I begin writing... I keep adding things.

Still, I hope you enjoyed it… cause the new chapter is also loooonnnnggggg. ;)

Ace is dumbass… agreed!

Thank you for the virtual cookies (I am eating actual cookies while writing replied XD).

I hate it so much too (the speech) ... That's why I wrote the answer. Glad that you liked it.

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts... :D

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Shion Lee

Thank you for your review :)

Always happy to hear that my twisted humor work! :D

Hope you laugh your ass off here too!

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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I see you see

Thank you for your review :D

I have plans and plans for 'what if' one shots… using different plans ... crack and things as such... Sora and socks one of them.

I hope that I do write them.

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts... :D

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OTrizy

Thank you for your review :)

"This chapter title was perfect"

I knowwwwwwww...right, right, right! :DD

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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AdorableRetard

Thank you for your review

I like hearing that I am unique. :D glad you're enjoying it.

Thanks for the advice, I would try to keep in mind, but as I struggle with English grammar it isn't easy to change the mindset of my writing. But I'll try. ;)

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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CelestialPirateQueen

Thank you for your review :D .. getting two from you is blessing! Always love to hear your thoughts.

Glad you liked Sora's idea! yeah...Black' Victor cachat.. You should check his stories. They are great!

Shanks must pose! This is shanks we are talking about.

I like writing different POV ... so I am happy you are enjoying it. Because not everyone does.

The last chapter was one of my favorite too.

I don't like Sasuke either… all the anguish emo isn't my thing. I hope Law wasn't too much like him.

The war isn't done yet but getting there.

"I couldn't have watched that Douchebag without breaking something and punching another."

It was hard...very hard.

I wrote the new chapter to make me feel even better.

Thanks for your comments about the omake. (Gerbilfriend seconds this :D)

Pineapple-head! LOL

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts... :D

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Black' Victor Cachat

Thank you for your review and ideas!

:D

Your encouragement helps a lot! And your awesome insight!

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts... :D

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MatsuMonsu

Thank you for your review

I am honored! Hope it stays in top ten (maybe 1) after this chapter.

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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DryBonesZero

Thank you for your review :)

Lina did not make him. He is "moronic blood-thirsty hypocrite" ;D

Luffy is special kind of rubber, if you know what I mean :D

"Shanks appeared before Teach...did Lina did something to stall him?"

Yup... You will see here who she sent to greet him.

Thank you...we will keep all of your comments in mind.

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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Kate-Fach

Thank you for your review :D

I adore you too and your review.

The idea was for the different POV to reflect the chaos going there in reality. So glad it worked!

Hope you enjoy the new chapter just like the rest. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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FanFicEssie

Thank you for your review

"No wait, that's impossible, the author can't be that mean?"

I am meannnnnnnnn.. The meanestttttttttttt…. Shishishi.. Not to my favorite characters (scratch that, I could).

No, don't die.. Who will write me a review if you are not here ;)

Don't worry we can be weird together. XD happened to me alot with my brother shaking his head muttering about crazy sisters. :D

Blackbeard captured Ace with help of his crew, not alone.

I will have to read to find out.

Glad to hear you loved Marine!Lina omake. (Gerbilfriend: So happy it's working out- those omakes are first real attempt at writing)

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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YMLR

Thank you for your review… as always are fun to read and brighten my week :D

anime binge is important! Worry not!

Two reviews added to my count so worry not. You could do it as much you want :D

Thank you (I mention you in the notes :D) .. you inspired some of the scenes.. So feel to write as long review as you want! :D I welcome it.

protective Ace is my bread and water.

I chose piggybacking because it was cute but also because it would be easier to choke the moron (we love Ace but he could be soooooooooooooooo).

Yeah... I am writing something with Ace and Luffy realizing that Lina is popular, and they want her to join them. It will be so much fun.

"Lina would out antagonize the most annoyingly chatty enemy." XD

Well, she is a D. what did you expect!

"he best part of the speech was the jealousy part though, when I heard that I was sitting here like, " yeah could pass it as a crush on the pirate king," then came the image of a small diary confessing this hidden under his bed in he and I had to stop reading for a while."

That was what I had in mind (more or less) ... but you worded it perfectly. XD I really hope you enjoy the new chapter (shhhhhhhh.. Not telling any more)

Exactly...all I wanted to do is choke Ace.. from here came the idea.

I tried to keep it as believable as balanced with touch of humor. Happy it worked.

"jk I really am enjoying this)" .. I know ;)

I like writing outside POV.. so I am glad you appreciate it. It is a lot of work.

Agree that Lina tend to have "giving her tunnel vision" when focusing too much.. It something she would learn to fix… your analysis of Lina is good! :)

Hawkeyes was one of the few that saw Luffy's potential almost immediately. So yeah.. I will see here.

I wonder what is your opinion of Garp now?

"I can fully see any pirate that wants to purse Lina have to ask permission from both Shanks and Ace and being brutally tortured because they are way to powerful and would only approve of someone better than them getting their little girl. "

You have no idea, several of the one shots i planned is about this XD

The flashback was about some humor and finding a solution for the promise between Luffy and Shanks. I wanted my readers to laugh their head off! XD

I planned the whole cape thing for a while. Very happy that everyone enjoyed the idea and the jokes.

"Please tell me that her moniker turns into goddess of chaos" ...Sorry, no spoilers. But it will be interesting… **

(Gerbilfriend: Thanks for the compliment :D)

Really, happy to hear! Moby Dicks New Residents is different from this story. But Ace stay the same in my heart!

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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NightsBlackRose13

Thank you for your review

How are you doing.

Your reviews always unique and make me laugh!

"The red hair pirates are totally singing Lina's song as they fight." you are so right LOL

"Ace- dude, i've been using hair dye for years." OMG I am choking here..

Thank you for the good laugh!

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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Syrisna

Thank you for your review and all the amazing art!

You rock!

I know, I am evil! The new one is long too. Sorry but not sorry! *shrug*

" And Akainu, seriously man, you're what? 50? And you're arguing with someone who's only a third of your age. " cracked me up! You are soooooooo right!

Thank you ! yeah building Shanks crew with little that I know was actually fun.

Hope you enjoy the new chapter (even though it is lonnnnnnnngggg XD). Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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treavellergirl

Thank you for your review :)

"Holy hell, this Review will not be able to cover it all, just as a heads up." LOL what way to begin a review.

Very happy to hear that the "he talk about justice? It was gold. Pure gold." .. I worked very hard to make it believable, balanced and funny too. Appreciate hearing this.

Crocodile does like plan when he have everything accounted for, but he also adapt to situation and his history with Luffy taught him to take risks.

"he Red-Haired Pirates is a Comedy just waiting to happen, shouting LAME so that even the reporters manage to hear it? Hahaha."

Shanks is a funny guy, deserve a crew that appreciate him XD

LOL.. what do you think about here…

Your analysis of Law is accurate and is what i was trying to do here.

Hawkeye.. Well. read :D

" No offense meant! "

Ohhh…. I am offended, very offended.. The most offended. LOL.. offend away!

(Gerbilfriend: I'm glad you appreciated the laughter, that was my favorite part too!)

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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Nougat-XP

Thank you for your review.

Glad to hear it was breathtaking!

" I hate him so much but hell who doesn't it ;) "

I KNOW, RIGHT RIGHT. Hope you enjoy what happen here.

I wanted crew that fitted Shanks. :D

"Congratulation for the detail : Sora, the warrior of the sea,"

Thanks go to Black' Victor Cachat for help with this.

Glad to hear your also reading Moby Dicks New Residents.. Feel free to leave me review there with your thoughts. :D

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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tavitaalvarez33

Thank you for your review

Glad to hear that my writing was what you needed. AHEM AHEM XD

Yeah, I like playing with my readers feelings. (nooooo.. I am not evil… go away… well.. I am.. But who care) XD

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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Row of Cards

Thank you for your review :D

Well, I am glad that you stumbled across this gem TOO!

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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Bombadilo Baby

Thank you for your review :)

Happy to hear that you love it!

"Artemis Fowl and The Lies of Locke Lamora" that's great honor.

I am yet to read The Lies of Locke Lamora .. but it is on my reading list now.

"I love the changing points of view and the mystery of each action in the war."

Glad to be appreciated, the mystery will continue :D

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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leafpool5

Thank you for your review

Glad you enjoy my stories!

" hope there's no actual paring being put in place between Law and Lina though. "

No pairing is planned for now.

I wanted crew that as fun as Shanks.

"the idea of using Law's room to save Luffy was incredible."

Thank you! Someone finally sees my genius! I thought it was the best idea.

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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Lily Noir

Thank you for your review

"I tried... I really did... it turned out something like... that... she,... Kill... ohhh..."

LOL… who you want to kill? Hope it isn't me… XD

So happy to hear you found it this awesome.

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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Guest

Thank you for your review

Here is more!

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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Just a Guest

Thank you for your review :D

Happy to hear. here!

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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LittleAngel2292

Thank you for your review

I don't know.. How did you just found this only now? How… go right now and check my other stories XD

Unfortunately right now, i don't have enough time to write and update as regularly as i would like. I have several stories.

"gripping, enthralling, appetizing?"

*blushing hard* .. *fidgeting* you brought smile to my face.

"Hannibal from the a-team and crocodile in one piece with the plans coming together and the cigars "

I see it now, didn't think about before.. But yeah… see something LOL

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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GodzNo

Thank you for your review and love

Hope you enjoy the new chapter. Looking forward to hear your thoughts.. :D

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Please read notes at the end.

AFTER THE NOTES THERE is A Marine!Lina omake (part 4) written by my adorable Beta

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Friendly Advice: The same as last chapter! :D For the full effect of this chapter, please read again the first section of chapter 9, and chapter 13 last section (you can read the whole story again while at it shishishi).

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Half an hour ago

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"Ace is Free!"

"Yes!"

"Hooray!"

"Finally."

"We did it."

Voices resounded almost in unison creating a cacophony of joy. The small crowd of pirates began to cheer. Their shouts were filled with joy, laughter, hope, happiness and they were all tinged with relief.

Their main purpose for being here had been finally achieved.

The baby Den Den Mushi that had been transmitting Ace's voice -a very animated voice- was sitting in the middle of secluded small place, hidden by the rubbers, the ice and several ships, that was their 'base of operations'.

The crowd that consisted of Whitebeard pirates and his allies from various crews that were trying to navigate the endless chaos (unsuccessfully if you asked them, which was fine. Because their orders seemed to create more chaos). To some of them this was their first meeting, for some the first time they worked together but everything was going smoothly (they hoped) so far. Everyone knew that this was not the time for ego plays or ruffled tempers.

Squard - their esteemed leader by orders of the bra... Lina- who was sitting near the Den Den Mushi breathed a sigh of relief. He was finally able to breathe. The feeling of dread, deep seated guilt and shame was still there, but he could push it aside for now.

Ace was finally free and now all they needed was to get out of this shithole. Alive. All of them. At least Oyaji, Ace and the rest of his family. He would stay here, die here- if that was needed.

He exhaled another breath.

The bra... Ace's little sister… Lina had wanted him to take control of coordination, organizing and gathering 'intelligence' from everyone in their side and send her orders to the right people at the right time. He was 'The Point Man'.

Really, he was just another pawn she was using. Another tool to spread chaos. He had given up trying to understand the logic behind what she was asking after half an hour. There was none that he could see.

He wanted to call bullshit and just do what the hell he thought was right and not wait for two rookie brats that knew nothing of the pirate life to tell him what to do, it just... well...whatever the brat planned seemed to have actually worked - Ace was free and they were winning and... umm they had an admiral as prisoner. And Oyaji had asked him to follow her lead. He owed everything to Oyaji.

Squard let out another sigh and concentrated on Ace's voice.

Listening to Ace interact with his little sister and brother was a hoot. With how loud and energetic everyone was being, he would not had been surprised if they were heard by Ace and the others even though the Den Den Mushi in Lina's hand was on "silent" mode (it transmitted everything loud and clear from the other side but need to be opened by the user - Lina- for her to hear and speak with their side). This specialized Den Den Mushi was the ultimate tool for 'espionage' as Izo dubbed it and right now he agreed it was worth every beli.

Ace was being...umm really... very, very protective (and hypocritical).

Ace's lecturing someone else about being careful, to control the impulsiveness and having some self-preservation was like the slug calling the worm 'a slippery, greasy and totally slimy insect'.

He snorted, the headstrong fire wielder Potogas D. "what?!-was-I-supposed-to-wait?-I-already-burned-the problem-out-Let's-go-celebrate- was giving advice about taking it easy and thinking before you leap," Ace was lecturing someone on self-preservation, really!

Squard let out another breath, now was no time to celebrate. Far from it.

"Shut up!" growled Squard, glaring at those around him.

This was an important time.

"We will party when we all out of this f***ing place, now shut up all of ya."

He was yet to finish his demand when Lina's voice echoed in the room.

"Squard..."

The urgency in her voice compelled them to listen. Worse and worse scenarios were running in his mind clouding it with fear.

"Who from the commanders is available?" she demanded urgently. Her voice getting a bit higher than the whisper she clearly intended.

Squard did quick inventory in his mind, going over the reports that had arrived seconds ago.

Marco was still facing Garp (losing terribly by the amount of wincing accompanying the short report). Jozu had his hands full fighting Aokiji. It took them awhile to get that sending enforcement to help was not such a good idea, their only saving grace that it took the marines longer to get the same point.

Atomos, Curiel and Rakuyo had taken charge of what was called Mr.1's group and that included the moron Buggy and his followers. The blade guy - Mr. 1- was now facing Doflamingo with his master Crocodile. Fossa and Blamenco took charge of the group after Crocodile left, which wasn't easy at first. The Crocodile bastard was able to inspire loyalty in those newly freed criminals in less time than what took Big Mom to finish a huge cake (that was worrying!). But in the end the hate of marines trumped all, and they worked well together. Blenheim, Kingdew and Haruta, despite the injuries that they sustained from the asshole Doflamingo, seemed to be able to manage the last group, they were in a bit of pinch when Bartholomew Kuma decided to attack them suddenly, but they managed somehow. Vista had his hands full watching Oyaji's back and deflecting Hawkeye's attacks. Jiru was moving between the groups, giving help where it was needed and watching their father's back. He has no idea where Izo was, only that he was doing something that Lina had personally asked.

Namur was still busy with collecting all the explosive and delive…. Shit... none.

"None! Should I try to get any..."

"No... no time," she cut him.

The explosive cursing that followed didn't put their minds at ease. He could feel the tension ratchet up. What was going...

"Okay ..." she seemed to take a breath.

"Okay… okay... Have any explosive, firearm and guns ... canons..." she began to mutter uncomprehendingly.

Squard nodded to the others. They had no idea what was going on. But they could begin arming everyone, borrowing from the marines if need be (they would be giving it back…in a way.).

"What the problem? Is Ac…."

He stopped.

Her muttering was drowned by a shout from... He knew that voice... He knew … that shitty bastard... Who had tried to make him... No, it wasn't that bastard's fault... It didn't matter who and what was said... He was the one that almost took that sword and put in his father's back. His Back. He could see it happen. A bloody back. Because of his stupidity and weak will. Stabbing in the back like the cowardly piece of shit that he was. Had almost become.

"Cowards like you," the voice boomed.

Damn … damn ... damn… hearing the same accusation coming from that man made it worse… far from anything he had ever told himself.

He clenched his hands and his teeth and tried to keep his wits about him.

The bastard Admiral was alive, even after Oyaji's attack, he still lived and was blocking the way of escape. Freedom for his brother. For Ace.

And that just couldn't be. Not after everything.

He saw his disbelief mirrored on the others faces. Fear tinged the air. Everyone was clenching their fists with anger. Trying to keep the lid on their tempers.

"As soon as you were rescued you run away. Honestly, what did I expect! After all, you belong to cowardly crew lead by a washed up captain." The Den Den Mushi transmitted.

Indignation erupted in the small room.

"That bastard… I am going to flay his skin with .."

"Asshole..."

"Calling Oyaji coward..."

"Wanna erase the smug smile from his..."

"Erase his face completely..."

"Plant my fist..."

"Shut up, he is doing it on purpose, he wants Ace and us to lose our focus, don't listen to his lies!" His first mate - Blaylock- shouted, his form tensed up but as usual he was able to keep himself calm and collected.

Squard knew that what Blaylock said was right (he had almost fell for it before, curse the bastard), they all knew. But it was damn hard. That smug prick.

"He is trying to get you riled up. Don't listen to him Ace," Jinbe voice echoed the same sentiment a few seconds later.

Good, at least Jinbe was with them.

Reluctant nods were shared by everyone. Whatever came they would not fall for it. It felt like a promise but Squard had his doubts if any of them, including himself, would be able to keep it.

"What do you want us to do Lina?" Squard tried to keep his tone neutral, his face, on the other hand, was showing pure rage and determination. He wouldn't make the same mistake again.

They heard some shouting, it was quite a ruckus, and everyone tensed.

"Ace..." they heard Lina loud murmur.

"Lina?" demanded Squard with impatience. He was in the verge of going out there himself and killing the bloody bastard. He was able to restrain himself by turning his attention back to reality. I am more useful here, he repeated in his head.

They heard her let out breath.

"A long-distance attack…" she paused and continued with haste.

"Anything you have … and from different angles..." she stopped.

"Don't fall for it Ace." They heard Lina murmur urgently to Ace, before she continued her murmuring to them.

"We can't take him out like Whitebeard did… we are still in the plaza ...but we can distract him enough for us to escape..."

Everyone was already scarring around. Calling on the Den Den Mushi, yelling orders and instruction to receivers, running out and in from their small hidden place.

"I'll get on it," he promised to her and himself. But get no answer.

"We are a bit low on ammunition and gunfire..." someone murmured. He recognized that voice- It was Suu, he was from Whitey Bay's crew. He worked logistics for his crew and his expertise were very helpful here.

"Steal some..." suggested Yura in a matter of fact tone. He was from Izo's division. Two things that you need to know about him. Don't doubt his gathering information skills and don't mess his hair.

"Take from the marines and hurry up..." Another one said. His name was Rial. Squard was not sure to which crew or division he belonged to. He was young and had a long hair that was gathered in a ponytail.

"Canons… we need canons..." someone else muttered. It was Roberto, he was in one word huge. His nickname was Bob and he was part of Jozu's division. His voice had a whiny quality to it which took time to get used to, especially when you took his huge bulk into account. It was good that their hiding spot had a high ceiling.

"Good idea, let them take over the marines' posts surrounding the plaza..." Mihar said. As expected of the best strategist in the second division. He had followed Ace from his past crew to the Whitebeards. Ace had mentioned that he used to be a teacher. It was evident in his chiding tone sometimes.

"On it."

"Should be easy, most of them left their posts..." Goro remarked smirking. He was one of Doma's. Squard had no idea what he did there and Goro was very vague when they did the hurried introduction.

"Tell every side to have a Den Den Mushi with them.." Will reminded the others. He and Lucky were responsible for the communication part here and in their respective crews. Will was a tall muscled guy, his bread was long and well camped, he was from Vista's division while Lucky was slim and a bit on the short side, his voice was deep and he belonged to the Decalvan brothers crew. Lucky was his actual given name and he always complained that he had either the worst or the best luck.

"Not sure if we have enough…" Lucky complained loudly.

"Worked it out!" Suu ordered.

"Don't lose them… we can't have the marines knowing what we are planning..." Yura said insistently. Lucky and Will nodded.

"Damn we should have brought more of those little bastards..." Will complained.

Being this busy made Akainu's next words sting less.

"That old man, some captain he is ... it's not your fault that Whitebeard is a washed up failure." The Admiral spoke in a calm reasonable tone as if explaining to children how the simple things in the world functioned.

Damn him, listening to him speak like that was the worse punishment imaginable.

But everyone ignored the words and continued with what they were doing, yet it was obvious how upset they were, their fury was written all over them, in their tensed posture, in their clenched hands, and in their clipped voices.

Lina said she wanted the attack to distract the bastard Admiral for them to escape, but that wasn't what they intended to do. If they could take down the bastard admiral down they would do it. Gladly.

"No one gets away with mocking Pops. Take it back or else..." they heard Ace's response.

It was what every one of them wanted to say. How dare you. We will make you regret it.

"Take it back? It isn't an insult. It is the truth." Akainu said in a matter of fact tone.

His tone, that bastard's tone. The mood was so inflamed, that a tiny spark would ignite the whole place causing an explosion of furious anger.

"Let me tell you a story about your father. Your true father conquered the grand line. Something no other pirate had ever accomplished, after that he opened the door to the great pirate era by sacrificing his own life. I hate to say it, being a Navy Admiral and all, but he was the King of the Pirates no questions asked .. keeping all of that in mind Whitebeard has failed..miserably."

Squard's jaw clenched as he gritted his teeth. Ace was not his father. He repeated in his mind and ignored the worried glances that was shooting his way. He had a big... Huge fucking beef with Roger. Not with Ace. Ace was his brother. His family.

His father words rung true in his head.

Squard, it doesn't matter what your misgivings with Ace are. It doesn't change the fact that he is my son, just as you are my son.

He is your brother, that you fought, laughed, and, cried with. Today didn't change that fact.

That utter piece of shit Roger was dead, and the king -the only king- was Whitebeard. Whitebeard was Ace's father. Ace said it. Pops said it. The annoying brat said it too when she lectured him.

Do you know how happy I was to hear him tell me that he found a place to belong, and that he called a person with title father, out of his own choice. That he willingly used this title to call someone he loved and respected….

Squard let out a sigh, forcing his tensed form to relax.

The bastard words are poison. Don't let it consume you. Don't take the bait! You know better.

He wondered if he was saying this to Ace or to himself.

"Ace..." they heard Lina loud voice rung.

Her voice seemed tense and the verge of a desperate panic. It did not bid well for them if the head of their operation was panicking. Squard opened his mouth to say something, anything but he closed it with an audible click. He couldn't think of anything to say that would help or defuse the situation… He wanted to speak with Ace. To sit with him when this was all over and have a heart to heart. To apologize.

But right now, he needed to do something. Anything. His brother was in danger and if he fell to the Admiral's provocation it could be deadly.

Maybe he should demand to speak with him. To tell him to calm down, that he was his real brother. That they shared a father. Only one. The true one. One they both chose. A wonderful father. But he couldn't make those thoughts into words this second. How could he tell Ace this when he -himself- almost turned...

"No. He never even tried, because Whitebeard didn't want the world to see him fail."

Dammit, he wished he was there to punch the douchebag smug face off, punch and punch and punch. How could Squard's words convince Ace to stop or to calm down when he had the same impulse...he wanted to beat the living shit out of the scumbag Admiral.

If he was feeling this boiling need, what was Ace's feeling with the bastard in front him spouting his vitriol to Ace's face.

Much, so much worse.

"He lacks ambition and he will never be the king of anything but you, you simple minded crony." The Dogshit Yahoo continued.

"Once he brainwashed enough of you into doing his dirty work, he got lazy ... every now and then you will find someone painting him as peacekeeper ... 'start trouble here and Whitebeard will come running they say." Akainu laughed mockingly.

"Empty words to keep idiots like you fearful."

The anger was bubbling in the room, people needed to nudge each other to get back to work. Their eyes revealing their uncharitable thoughts.

Squard was taking several long breaths, trying to control his racing heart. Racing with fury, with indignation, with hate, with guilt.

For few seconds he thought same of this shit was true. He thought that Pops could...

"Ace..." several voices yelled, the fear was transmitted by the Den Den Mushi.

Everyone froze. Several murmured Ace's name. Knowing that what they were feeling was even worse for Ace.

There was a part of them that was wishing that Ace will attack the offender, who dared to tarnish Whitebeard's name but the bigger part hoping for Ace not to fall for his trap.

He also called Ace's name, but he wasn't sure if it was to egg him on or to stop him.

"You call him hero ... when he is nothing but a coward...When Gold Roger was around Whitebeard was a second tier but even after Roger's death he couldn't become a King." They all could hear the satisfaction in his voice and see in their mind eyes the smug look on his ugly mug.

"So there, that is the tale of your father, the whipping boy, the great failure, Whitebeard. Soon enough he will be dead, and no one would remember him, not even his own dear sons."

Cursing and creative death threats welcomed this announcement. Everyone had left the pretense of not listening and focusing on preparing the attack.

The mention of their father possible death by this shitty bag of lilies ... was infuriating, but the idea that he would be forgotten was absurd. No son or daughter could forget their father. There real father. The man that give them home, a place to live, to breathe, to celebrate, to be proud of who they chose to be. A Whitebeard Pirate.

"I can't help but feel sorry for the man and all you punks. It's ridiculous that you call him your Pops. Did you make this big family to humor him or are you just as deluded as the poor old man."

"Shut up." Ace barked. He was not the only one, the small room erupted with indignation shouts.

The family that Whitebeard offered each one of them, was the epitome of acceptance, freedom, and belonging.

"Have you ever heard of more pathetic life."

Their life was anything but pathetic. But if everyone wanted to call them pathetic for choosing this life, then they would wear pathetic as badge of honor. They were not ashamed. Could never be. Why would they?!

"The old man gave us a place where we belonged, what do you know about his greatness." Ace shouted.

Squard felt his deep regret and shame acutely. His heart ached, remembering that he had considered Ace as an enemy, not someone that he shared with the same father, Whitebeard.

"Punks like you who do not live justly do not deserve to live!"

"Stop it," Ace shouted, furious, his voice quavered under the weight of the raw anger.

Anger they all shared.

Squard had the unstoppable urge to speak with Ace. To hug him and tell him, they were brothers. No one can take their chosen father from them.

"Whitebeard will die as a loser, it's fitting death for a little fish in a big barrel!"

"Whitebeard is the greatest pirate who shaped this era. Don't make fun of the man that saved me."

Whitebeard saved him too, he saved all of them. The same look was on everyone face. A look that spoke of the second chance they were given by Whitebeard. Of happiness and joy. Of having a home.

"Don't do it Ace ..." they heard shouts. Desperate to stop Ace.

Squard wanted to do something, anything. He shouldn't be here, he should be out there. By his brother side. Watching his back.

"Let it be ready, for all sides… on my mark attack. Hurry up… on my mark only," demanded Lina suddenly. Her demanding voice felt like a cold bath of water had been poured on them. They all returned to their work in a hurry.

He opened his mouth to confirm they understood but never get the chance.

"Ace." they heard her say. This word had everything in it. It was a warning that was wrapped with exasperation, love, fear and unyielding resolve.

"The name of this era should be ..." Ace shouted, ignoring her completely. He may have not even heard her.

This was bad, they were not ready yet. This could be deadly if…

Everyone realized this, murmuring and looking at each other in fear, and a bit of panic began seeping back into the atmosphere.

Ace stopped abruptly.

Squard snapped asking for quiet.

They all strained to listen.

Ace seemed to be choking.

Shit, were they attacked, someone get close to Ace to choke him. What about his sister ... and the others… Jinbe…

Squard tried calling Lina again and again.

No answer.

"Get me visual on them… anyone near them yet?"

"No…. shit..." Will cursed.

"They still acquiring more weapons and..." Yura said.

"I am sending someone right now..." Lucky promised.

"Lina!" Squard tried again.

"SHUT UP!" Lina voice echoed, stopping everyone in their tricks. Some even took several steps back. Hands rubbing their ears.

Squard winced.

The Den Den Mushi's ability to transport the tiny whisper had its drawbacks when someone shouted.

If she was this loud, then they were okay. Right?

But who was she shouting at? Him?! Did they miss something, they shouldn't...? This Den Den Mushi was one of its kind, it should pick even small voices on great distance...

"Yeah, I am speaking to you. The creature in the baboon butt red suit. You only know how to babble and yammer, twisting reality to fit your vision."

Squard was not surprised that the small girl had this kind of fury inside of her, he should know that, after all, he had been on the receiving end before (no more, thank you very much). He was glad that admiral was getting some. But was it smart move here?

People snorted around him.

"Good one!" Bob approved, snickering.

"Wish I could see the bastard face, baboon butt indeed." Suu muttered.

"Is Ace okay? He was choking." Mihar demanded to know, still worried.

"Yeah!"

"What is going on?" Rial asked worriedly.

"Is Ace okay? Not that I don't appreciate her insulting the bastard!" Blaylock asked.

"Maybe his sister did it," Goro joked.

"She did!" Lucky shouted, he turned to them with big shit eating grin on his face and an air of triumph, clutching a Den Den Mushi in his hand and the receiver to his ear.

"We have visual."

"Seriously!?" Goro laughed.

"Wait… how she...did it... is doing it?" Suu asked.

"She is on Ace's back." Lucky snickered. The grin still plastered on his face.

Squard sighed in relief and amusement.

"Piggyback?!" Yura intoned knowingly.

They all shared a bewildered but amused look.

Squard can see some of his brothers and sister faces. They all had the look that promised they would rub Ace's face into the mud with this bit of information.

"Awwwww... how sweet …"

"Proper big brother behavior."

"I want one." Bob demanded. The whining quality gritting on his nerves.

"What?" several demanded in confusion.

"Piggyback... come on we are brothers... I want a piggyback." Bob explained.

They all stared at him like he had lost his marbles.

"No way in hell."

"You will crush whoever it is."

"If you haven't noticed, you are biggggg."

"You are just being mean." Bob whined.

"No, we are realistic." muttered Yura.

"I know…. I will ask Pops..." He looked excited.

Too excited for their sanity.

"No..."

"Just no."

"I will give you one," suggested Rial reluctantly.

"Me too." Goro added, his hand coming to rub Rial's shoulder in comfort.

"Yeah."

"Maybe if we work together we can pull it off," Suu murmured.

"And not die..." Yura added.

"Jozu should handle this, he is the one responsible for him..." muttered Mihar under his breath. Squard was able to hear the bit because he was near him.

"Really?" Bob ignored the snide remarks.

"But not now... ..." Blaylock said uncomfortably.

"Yeah."

"Not now... we are in war."

"Much later..."

"Like never." Someone whispered.

Bob nodded in understanding.

"Well guess what. I can do it too!" Lina shouted, bringing quiet back.

Hopefully the piggyback issue would be forever forgotten.

She was clearly playing for more time. He couldn't think of another reason to yell at the crazy piece of shit.

They needed time but gaining it by agonizing a shitty lava fanatic was risky. Ace's family had balls made of diamonds (even if they were only metaphorical).

They should hurry up and get ready. Fast.

He tilted his head to say just that, but everyone was already back at it. No words were needed. They understood.

"Lina ... can't breathe..." Ace was still choking... They could barely hear his words.

"I hope she doesn't kill him," Will murmured half-jokingly.

Only half, because it did seem that the little spitfire was angry, and Ace was suffering the consequences.

"Still choking him." Lucky announced with a grim tone, yet his eyes were dancing with mirth.

"You are clearly jealous." Her voice had the matter of fact tone. Like it was just sooooooo obvious. How could anyone miss it was beyond her.

Yet they were all confused. Who was jealous? From whom? Why say jealous now? How could this work...

Some people murmured their confusion. Not sure what she was aiming at.

"What are you talking about, you devil spawn." The Admiral growled.

Good, at least the bastard was also deeply confused.

"Lina..." they heard Ace's whisper.

"Still choking him," Lucky supplied, not waiting for the question.

"It is really obvious. Pirates this... Whitebeard that, you even admire the king of the pirates who is so despised that even his own son hates him."

It took few seconds for the words to make sense. But when it did the room erupted with loud laughs and cheers. The contagious laughter shattered the accumulated tension.

"Did she just..."

"Oh yeah…"

"Please tell me we are recording this shit …"

"We need to adopt her… damn..."

"...and her other brother too..."

"I am sure Oyaji on it already..."

"Don't think it will work," murmured Squard under his breath, trying to keep the amusement out of his tone (he didn't want to encourage them). If it possible it looked like Ace's siblings were even more stubborn than Ace.

"We got Ace, how hard it could be!"

"It took 100 days" Mihar reminded them as one of Ace's former crewmate.

"Poor... poor Akainu he is so jealous that he is acting out."

"He need break on the corner for naughty behavior..."

"I bet he has a diary, where he writes his forbidden feelings."

"Don't twist my words, you ..." Akainu was losing his temper this time.

Everyone cheered.

"Back at ya."

"You deserve worse, baboon butt!"

No one was bothering to hide their spiteful enjoyment to the Admiral's predicament.

"You are the one that said that. 'I hate to say, it being a Navy admiral and all, but he was the king of the pirates no question'."

Squard involuntary snorted at the high pitched, dreamy tone that Lina quoted the admiral's own words back to him in. So, did several others.

"Shit… oh my god…"

"The tone…"

"Dreamy!"

"We need to keep her!"

"I vote we kidnap her, it worked with Ace."

"I want to see his face... Oh... this is priceless..."

"I heard you say it!" The younger brother shouted. They all knew that voice, the voice that challenged their Father. Strawhat Luffy.

"Her younger brother too!"

"Ace's whole family should join us, we will be one big family."

"Is Ace okay now? He wasn't choked to death, was he?"

Some people snorted or snickered. But it didn't hide the worried tone in their cheerful words.

"Safe." Lucky confirmed.

Some let out barely audible sighs, and others shoulders' relaxed.

Was her younger brother on whatever she was planning? Both antagonizing the Admiral for more time. He hoped that this doesn't backfire and make him attack faster.

"If that isn't pure love and admiration I don't know what is." Lina's voice echoed, delivering such convocation that it left no doubt of its truthfulness.

Everyone had erupted with explosive laughter. The place was roaring with thunderous amusement.

Squard would not be surprised if their place was found out with how loud they were being. But he couldn't stop the others when he couldn't stop himself.

He couldn't remember when he laughed this much.

Everyone was talking over each other in disarray.

"This...just…"

"Oh my god…"

"Kraken balls… did she just…" Will started laughing, laughing so hard, he almost cried.

"Love..he is ..." Suu begin then stopped with burst of high pitched laugh.

"Lovey dovey….with… he was..." someone said, almost choking on the words.

"The admiral has the love sickness..." Yura cackled evilly.

"Dear diary, today Whitebeard ignored me again...what should I do to get his attention…" intoned Rial.

"No… no… I can't erase the image…"

"Just yuck."

"But... you have to agree… it make sense …" Mihar supplied, coughing and laughing at the same time.

"His obsession with pirates .." Yura nodded.

"No… this is wrong… just nooooooooo..."

"With our crew…"

"His baboon red butt suit is cry for attention..."

"His first crush was the …. pirate king… that's just hilarious..."

"Yeah, all the Red. it just screaming I am here, look at me …"

"My love….my love look at my glory…."

"And the flower..."

"One can't forget the pink rose …"

"What does pink mean ... in flower lan...guage ..."

"Poetic romance. … I think..."

"No... it something about … gentleness and admiration… Lina is right...he ...just..adore..h..im..."

"He wish his love to bloom like this pinky flower…"

"The hat is to hide his longing expression..."

"No, it is because he is shy…"

They were so into their theories and finding the 'proofs' that they almost missed the Admiral reply.

"If you think such words are going to rile me up, you are a naive little child." The Admiral said, his voice was straining.

Not riled up. RIGHT?!

"He seemed relied up to me..."

"Someone finally saw his true self and it wasn't his crush... Poor him..."

"He is devastated... poor guy "

"His heart is bleeding..."

"I bet he wears red to hide the blood from the bleeding of his aching heart."

"Someone should tell him that pulling on the pigtails of his crush is outdated technique …"

"Oyaji's beard you mean..."

"The poor sod... He doesn't have the height to even reach one side... Of the mustache..."

"Beard..." the group corrected.

"Or the strength… to pull it..."

"I almost pity him… the road to love is hard..."

"He has to go through all of us first..."

"Big brother Marco too..." Suu snickered.

"Like mother hen … protecting the..." Yura begin but knew better then to finish it. But there no need to finish this thought. Marco was and overprotective shit and they all loved him for it.

"It is embarrassing, really. The bloody git is oooold… does he...not know how to handle crush..."

"Maybe all the regulation and shit made him snap finally."

"Reliving his teenage days."

"You assume he had any…"

"Rebellious stage."

"He should try with chocolate to awe…"

"Did it work for you?"

His grimace was an answer enough.

"Sake …"

"Meat!"

"Yet you are trying to kill me! A little naive child like me! Where is justice in that?" Lina's voice sounded loud and clear.

"You shouldn't have been born, to begin with! The existence of your bloodline is a sin."

"He has a hardon for Dragon…" murmured Rial.

The humor faded, and reality came back but didn't stop the snide remark.

"Wow, how many crushes does the man have?"

It was keeping them sane, kept them focused on the tasks at hand.

"And I guess you are the hero who will annihilate it."

The mocking quality in her voice couldn't be mistaken for anything else.

"How are we doing?" asked Squard.

"We took over the marine post in the right of the plaza, they are readying the canons." Will supplied.

"We just got the left one too." Lucky replied.

"Still having problems with securing the wall between the plaza and... too many marines..." Yura informed him.

"Send more reinforcements ..." Squard demanded.

"Already did." Yura smartly replied.

"Cleaning up the garbage is quite troublesome, but someone has to do it to obtain a just world." roared the voice of the Admiral.

"JUST my ass..."

"He should clean himself then."

"Stinky shit."

"How vigilant and virtuous of you. Is that why you tried to trick Squard into killing Pops, because it was troublesome for you to do it yourself or because you are coward, wanting others to do your dirty work for you …if Whitebeard is loser, what does that make you, a cowardly loser, a disgrace, filthy failure ..."

Squard went rigid, his back and shoulders stood very straight and stiff, while everyone around him tensed up.

All of his guilt and shame and self-loathing and anger had reared its heads inside of him, battling for a bigger place in his soul.

He resisted the urge to drop his face and hide the turmoil playing on his face.

Everyone was giving him worried, pained glances from the corner of their eyes, it wasn't helping the sick feeling in his stomach.

"Squard... she is right... he was trying to trick you because he was coward. And you didn't fall for it. Don't let him t…. "

Everyone aye'd and nodded their agreement in vigorous assent.

"But I .." almost did, almost believed him. Almost took the sword and….he dared not say that aloud.

"You heard what Pops said. No one blames you... except yourself."

" Lina is right, if he had the balls he would not need to try to trick you."

"He is just filth not just."

"Justice is absolute! To achieve it nothing and no one are sacred, and why should I get my hands dirty when the trash, are so eager to do the dirty work instead. It only needed few words to almost cut the family bond you are so proud of. Justice rules supreme." Akainu barked. He was proud. Proud that he tried to trick a pirate, that it almost worked. Proud to do anything to defend his ideals.

"Shitty bastard..."

"Filthy coward."

"Shitty dog..."

"Squard don't listen to hi…"

"Excuses, excuses." Lina commented quickly, not giving him time to respond.

"You are a coward and hypocrite, all of you. You damn sheep marines, especially you in the baboon butt suit. You are the worst of the worst. Justice, HUH. Don't make me laugh."

"Don't make me repeat myself. Those who do not live justly, do not deserve to live!" The admiral snarled.

"This is getting heated!" Goro blurted out.

The one that announced this earned boiling glares.

"I didn't mean it as pun ... it just..." he quieted down.

"You are trying to murder someone because of their father's sins, do not be coy about it. It didn't matter what kind of life he lived, any of us lived. The fact that Ace is a pirate just made it more convenient for you. Oh, grandpa, you were so naïve." Lina said the last bit much quieter than the rest but still audible.

Garp the Fist was their grandfather... he shuddered to think what kind of childhood they had. But he was glad they were not brainwashed to become marines.

He would not want any of Ace's family as adversaries (one Garp was enough).

"You speak of justice but you are the cruelest to those who need it the most."

There was never a more truthful statement spoken. The nods by everyone present, including himself, spoke volumes of its truth.

"Worry not! I would release you from your miserable sinful existence shortly. It will be a lovely funeral painted in red!" The Admiral promised.

"The asshole is obsessed with red..."

"If he touches a hair on her head…"

"Cut him to small pieces ..."

"Make a borscht out of his ..."

"Skin him with his butt suit..."

"This absolute justice you yammer on about so much should be for everyone equally at least. What about the Celestial Dragons, it's okay if they murder innocent children. No need for justice there?"

Life had taught them how unfair it could be. The unfairness, the longing for better life was what made them look, search and finally chose another life, piracy. They were lucky in finding home with the Whitebeard pirates but not everyone had their luck.

"She seems so ... small..."

"Naive you mean..."

"She is only 17 …"

There was some quite as they pondered. The only noise was the murmurs from the other Den Den Mushis, giving reports on how everything was progressing.

"Status?" demanded Squard.

"We have the wall..."

"We are ready as we could be..."

"Some are trying to get more guns and firearms…"

"We have several canons that we borrowed from the marines..."

"Quite generous of them."

"We wait for Lina's mark, not before, tell everyone," reminded them Squard.

"Already did."

Several people nodded.

"Again. Make sure."

"You sure about that? She seems busy at philosophical level with the bastard..."

"She knows what she's doing." Squard said in finality.

He hoped he was right.

"What about slaves, where are the justice there? By your own rules, slavery was abolished yet it still exists by your own helping hand. You are the tool that catches those escaped slaves and brings them back to their cruel monsters of masters."

Philosophical indeed. But her questions rang true. It showed the dark and injustice parts of the world that most people refused to ponder about or even admit exist.

"They ran away! They defied justice, bringing back what was stolen to its original master is justice."

"Slaves are human beings, they have right to live freely, your justice should assure it."

It was an unwritten rule that there were no slaves in any of Whitebeard territories. Everyone knew what will happen to slavers if they dared attempt to infringe on their territories. Especially after the way the Whitebeard made Fishman Island his turf.

Equal footing to every creature. (except Slavers.)

"What the Celestial Dragons do is no business of mine," Akainu told her flatly.

Typical. Ignoring what does not fit the Justice narrative. The news doesn't tell the stories of all the poor souls that were unlucky to be dragged to such life. Not a life. It sucks the life out of you and there was no escape. The marines were holding the keys and guarding the gate to their freedom.

"How convenient for you. My friend's island was stuck with asshole pirates that terrorized them for years. They had marines stationed two hours away, and what do the marines heroes do? Justice, protecting the week... Nothing of the kind. Oh no, that's not exactly true. They actually had a working relationship with those filthy pirates, pay me a bribe and we see no evil, hear no evil. What's your excuse now, Mr. Justice seeker?"

They all had similar stories with marines as the villains but also when other pirates took the role, and of course the people in between. Villains, marines, pirates and justice were just mere words. They meant nothing about who the person was.

"I am to take the word of filthy criminal like you as a fact when your purpose is clearly to taint the name of justice, your words are the devil lies."

"You say justice whenever it suits your purpose. Justice is a just word like baboon butt is a just word, and ...oh come on just admit it, you would feel better afterward. You are only a dog, No. You're way less, a leashed toothless dog. You only follow orders without thought, like a lamb to the slaughter."

"What a sad desperate try to twist what justices stand..."

It was getting hard to follow all the shouting accusations.

"Just *uck off, seriously, no one wants to hear you spouting nonsense about your phony justice, be honest about it. You are a murderous maniac with a horrible sense of fashion, using justice as an excuse to satisfy your own sense of superiority."

"Did you finish your little torment about the excuse of a shitty life you had."

"Oh honey-chuck, I didn't even scratch the surface, but my breath is wasted on you. Hoping you might grow a pair is wishful thinking."

Did she just... Squard choked on his spit. Unable to continue the thought. But others had no problem. The ripples of laughter didn't slow them down either.

"Honey-chuck … honey-chuck…" Rial was leaning against a wall, with his eyes squeezed shut, roaring laughter, and gasping for air.

"She meant balls? Right?... Right?" Will hooted and shrieked and laughed harder still.

"Grow pair of balls… oh boy…." Yura guffawed.

"Dammit… we need a Den Den Mushi recorder…" Mihar complained, clutching his stomach, adding, "as expected from Ace's family".

"The love-sick boy still in the growing stage…. yet to reach puberty..."

"Oh honey, size don't matter…..." a great snort of laughter burst from Suu, and he grabbed Will. They clung to each other as they laughed.

"She didn't mean scratch his bal…" Lucky asked laughingly unsure and a bit uneasy.

"Oiii..."

"Just noooo."

"Shut up."

"Fuck off."

"Get your mind out of the gutter.."

"Honey-chuck … honey-chuck…"

"Give it a rest."

Their argument was cut off when a childish voice asked in wonder, "A pair of what?"

It was the younger brother. The naiveté was astounding.

"Someone explain to the boy about life."

"Shouldn't it be Ace's job as the proud...big brother…."

"Oh my god… what kind of childhood did he have…"

"Imagine Garp the Fist explaining the birds and bees…."

"Shit… do you think he uses diagrams..."

"Maybe the marine approved version..."

"There is a marine approved version?" Bob asked in confusion. "There are different versions... I thought you had only..."

"You know.. Balls?" They heard someone whisper in the Den Den Mushi.

"Huh? Balls of what Iva-chan?" the little naive boy asked. Very loudly.

There was quiet after the loud question from the other side. The laughter was still spreading in this side.

"He really doesn't know…"

"The naivety...

"Just wow…"

"No, the idiocy..."

"Ace's siblings are funny bunch..."

"Imagine if they in our crew..."

"We will die from laughter..."

"What a way to go."

"Oh ... The family jewels!" Luffy finally yelled.

"Jewels?"

"Family?"

Was echoed in both sides.

"He is right, the balls are our precious parts. The jewels of our body." Goro remarked jokingly.

"Weren't the eye's the jewels of the soul or something..." Blaylock asked, chuckling.

"Family… does he mean the balls is literally inherited from one generation to another?!" Goro tried to interpret, earning more sniggers and howl of laughter.

"What the hell did they teach him? And where can I get it!" Rial yelled, waving his hands wildly.

'Me too' was yelled by the others.

Squard was about to demand that they stop acting like bunch of toddlers, wet behind of the ears. They were in a war, god dammit. But Luffy cut any indignation on his part.

"Lina it isn't balls. It is jewels. He should grow jewels ... " Luffy shouted loudly and paused slightly.

"Is it because you don't have jewels that you're so grumpy?"

Holy shit ...Who he asked this…

"Who..."

"The Admiral." Lucky answered the unasked question. His face so bright with laughter. He could fill a black-hole.

"You sure?"

"Damn, I would want to see his face after this."

"I wanna hear the answer..."

"What they are telling you, Lucky. What was the shitty bastard reaction?!"

"He seems frozen." Lucky supplied.

"Killed by ingrown b... jewels."

"You mean by grumpiness…"

"The main cause is his tiny balls..."

"Jewels." the others corrected loudly, sniggering.

"It's getting old with bal.. 'jewels' jokes. Just. Stop. Already." Blaylock demanded, trying to keep his face and voice blank.

"I thought grandpa gave me and you the family jewels! But they grow on trees? So cool!" The young boy loudly proclaimed with utter seriousness.

His vigilant efforts went to waste as snort of laughter left his closed mouth and then another.

"Grow on tree…" choked Goro.

"I take it back, joke away." Blaylock gasped when he caught his breath enough to speak.

"I think I know what our next quest should be.." Will chuckled, his eyes shining with mirth.

"Yeah.."

"Finding the mysterious ba...jewels tree."

"Aye."

"The tree of life and manly parts…"

"Luffy, Girls don't have jewels!" Lina spluttered, sounding horrified.

"Shit, are we in war or comedy show?" Squard blurted out loud. The annoyance he was going for turned into twisted glee.

This is better than anything I ever heard."

"I am dying here … dying.."

"Don't worry, we will plant your balls after your death for the next generation to enjoy..." Yura comforted him.

"Stop… just please..."

"I can't … breathe..."

"Lina you don't have family jewels," Luffy sounded dismayed by the idea.

"He is 17 right? Dinobodydy explain to him about ...?"

"He is captain of pirat..."

"The difference between fe..male and ma..le."

"Making a baby.."

"Body change…."

"Puberty..."

"Maturity..."

"To filter his words…"

"No!"

"We want him… withoua a filter."

"Natural is what we want."

"Why? Did your tree not grow? Maybe you didn't water it enough!" The boy sounded really confused and worried about his sister's... jewels (or the lack of them).

No one was able to speak from laughing so hard.

"Did he mean.. water or sake.. cause if it is t..the latter I can assure him watering isn't the problem."

"Luffy.." Lina sounded dejected.

"You dare mock justice, I will burn your bloodlines with my magma and make an example out of you. For the world must see the consequences of not living justly and mocking justice."

"Shit!"

In flash, they were all back to their composed, professional self. Back to the serious business shit of taking the bastard out.

Squard just looked at them.

"We are all set."

"Here too."

"Don't worry!"

"Yeah."

"Damn him."

"Gonna rain blood and fury on him."

"The bastard not going to know what hit him."

"Marines has no sense of humor."

"Of course not, with stick stuck in his ass."

"More like a thick pole..."

"Even though it would explain his small jewels."

"Quite." Snapped Squard.

"What the status there?" he asked, looking at Lucky.

"The Admiral is using his devil fruit and advancing on them."

"The asshole better..."

Squard glared and everyone quitted Down.

"Should we attack?"

"No, Lina's mark."

"But..."

"She is there, she sees things we can't."

Everyone nodded reluctantly.

"Ace and co moved backward." Lucky said, his face a picture of concentration.

"Smart."

"Shit... the Admiral lunged forward."

"Ace?"

"No, at his brother."

They heard several alarmed calls of Luffy's name.

"Should we..."

Squard shook his head, answering the unasked question.

"Jinbe's with him."

"Ace made a fire pillar," Lucky informed.

"That's Ace for you!"

"They are asking if they should attack?" Will murmured quietly, looking at Squard.

"No." Squard muttered, his eyes not leaving the Den Den Mushi.

"Maybe… send some to join them on the ground .. not from afar." Blaylock suggested hesitantly.

"No."

"The queen... king... Ueghhh," Lucky stammered, "the revolutionary and Jinbe are attacking."

"The Admiral changed his … he's attacking Ace." Will shouted.

"Lina," Ace barked through the Den Den Mushi.

"Is she…"

"What happened…"

"She jumped from his back…" Lucky supplied.

"Ace is going full power … his flame..." Will explained and added with gritted teeth.

"The bastard is the same..."

"Fire Fist."

"Both going full force…."

"Ace... isn't doing too well…"

"What do you mean?" demanded Squard.

"He is being pushed back. His flames…" Lucky murmured unhappy.

"Not good…" Will said quietly, clenching the receiver near his ear.

"Squard?" Blaylock asked.

"No." Squard said through gritted teeth. Not yet. Lina was still able to talk, and she said nothing. He was going to trust her judgment.

"We can't, we might hurt Ace." Mihar answered for him. But he was as rigid and worried as Squard.

"But…"

"What is going on?"

Lucky could only shake his head.

"Shi..."

"What?"

"Ace was sent flying." Lucky said with clipped voice, shaking his head.

"What about the others?" Rial asked in urgency

"Lina?" Yura asked.

"She is running to him. Followed by the revolutionary." Lucky replied.

"The Admiral... he is standing there." Will said in anger.

"How Ace is doing?"

"Fuck it, we should attack now."

"Squard," several voices echoed.

Everyone was looking at him, he refused to budge, yet he was feeling the same as them.

"They are waiting."

"Everyone is ready."

The look on their faces was begging him to say the word.

"Are you careless because you ate a logia type fruit?" The dog voice echoed. Making everyone more at edge. Their eyes not leaving Squard's face.

"Ace and everyone is far from him, we can..."

"Squard!"

"This is our chance...we..."

"Ace… Ace ..." they heard Lina's pained voice.

"She just small girl and worried about her brother... we should..."

"You are fire, but my magma can even burn fire. My power's stronger than yours."

"Squard!"

All of them stopped, open mouthed.

Every eye stared at the Den Den Mushi from where the voice was just invoked.

It was Lina.

"Now." Her voice was soft but there was unmistakable steel in it.

No more explanation or an answer was needed.

"Attack." The word came unbidden from his mouth.

The explosion was their willing answer to her order.

They could hear Lina's voice but couldn't make out the words. They were not sure if she was speaking with them. The sounds of erupting explosions made it very difficult to make anything else.

"What the ammunition status..."

"We're still okay."

"How long can we keep going..."

"Full force..."

"We are..."

"Squard… don't stop... keep it coming … I don't care how ….. you hear me … Squard… I need you to get me as much time as possible … send some to get Luffy out hurry… Jinbe's wounds need check... horm... hurry up..."

"Send some to get Luffy and Jinbe out." Squard ordered and without waiting for confirmation he added.

"Keep it coming."

"See anything?"

"Nah.. can't see anything."

"Took the admiral out..?"

"The dust and explosions are making it hard to see."

"The damn smoke..."

"Dam..."

"What?"

"The Marines are attacking them.." Will replied.

"Who?"

"Ace and.. ?"

"No, us… our posts..." he corrected.

"Almost finished the cannonballs here.."

"We need more...keep with guns and firearms.."

"If we only had seastone bullets..."

"Yeah, it will be great to have them right fucking now.."

"We can't .. you know it was agreed it was too dangerous to those with devil fruit... Marines could..."

"Yeah, yeah... One can dream..."

"The smoke is dissipating..."

"We see Ace, he is standing up...seems okay," confirmed Lucky.

"Good, I thought his injuries were..."

"Noooo…" Lucky and Will shouted.

"What's.."

"The Admiral is there.." Lucky yelled.

"The dog still alive?"

"Our attack did nothing?"

"He is going... Lina.." Will trailed off, his face telling them what his voice couldn't.

" Lina," shouted Squard to the Den Den Mushi.

"The revolutionary is ... no... he sent him flying."

"What is go..."

"Ace is dragging his sister ..."

"They can't find Jinbe..and the boy..."

"Not now... Ace..."

"Tell our snipers to shoot the bastard."

"He is going after Ace..."

"No, just no…."

"Dammit, where sea stone bullet when you need it…."

"His arms are lava and he is saying something... shit... not good." Lucky explained.

"What we can do…"

"Ace..."

"No, we have..."

"Ace's brother." Will suddenly said.

"HUH?"

"What happened to him. Don't tell me he also..."

"He is protecting Ace." Will supplied.

"He is going to take the lava fist instead..." Lucky added, gulping with dread.

Everyone was silent, unable to comprehend. They failed. They had one damn job and they...

Everyone had a defeated look on their faces and none dared to make any eye contact.

"Ace is trying to take his pla.." Lucky said hesitantly.

"Is there nothing we .."

"Shit.."

"No…"

"Why... after everything...just nooo..."

"Oh." Lucky let out.

Which followed with long silence.

"Oh," Will said, sharing a bewildered look with Lucky.

"WHAT?" everyone bellowed out when no one explained.

"Luffy .. h...he dis...appeared," Will stammered.

"What do you mean... disappeared?"

"Vanished…. dissipate, disperse …. not there anymore, Luffy is... no more..." Will tried to explain.

"Dead?" someone finally asked.

"No." Lucky denied.

"Is he alive then?"

Will and Lucky shrugged, looking unsure.

"Is he okay?"

"One of you explain..."

"What is…"

Another shrug.

"Ace ... what about Ace…"

"Ace is okay... not sure about Luffy..." Lucky confirmed.

Everyone sighed in relief, some sagging at the ground.

"What happened to the admiral?"

"Are they still in danger?"

"What is going on?"

"Spit it out." Squard demanded from between gritted teeth.

Lucky and Will shared another look. It seemed that they were trying to decide between them who should deliver the news (*Rock Paper Scissors*).

"Red Hair Shanks is there…. stopping the Admiral," Lucky stammered.

"HUH."

…

..

.

XXXXX

.

..

…

Now

.

Why me? why me? why me?

What I did do to deserve this?! echoed in the miserable pirate head.

He knew it, he was cursed. Utterly and totally cursed.

It was all his parents' fault.

Go to hell mommy and daddy.

The figure was hunched down, looking at the cursed item in his hand.

It was your damn fault too, he accused hotly.

He considered just throwing it on the ground, stamping on it and running for his life.

It was the sensible thing to do. Any sane person would do just that.

No one could blame him. Well, they would blame him. Because they were all bastards… dammit! Even his chosen family (that he himself chose) in contrast to the GOD given one ... were awful. He was cursed.

The kicker... That he -HE, himself... I...ME... - was the one that volunteered himself to do this. Volunteered. He was an idiot, a moron. The worst.

Oh why!

His mother always told him to listen to the deal with all of it tiny details before agreeing to it. He should have listened. (Although, she also told him he was born under lucky star... Hahaha... Not funny!)

How the hell was he supposed to go about doing this.

The group in front of him, looked as huge dark shadow about to swallow him whole, any second now.

It was like he was standing in front of one of those ancient paintings back home stirring his imagination, harping on terrifying myths.

Dammit!

He had the worst luck! He despised his name.

It was his damn parents fault.

.

.

.

Benn eyed the hesitant figure that come to greet them when they arrived at land. He was fidgeting with fear in front of them.

Benn took out a cigarette and put it his mouth and lit it.

None of the crew tried to make any move or joke around. As much as the Red Hair pirates were fun loving idiots, when their equally fun-loving captain got serious they answered his call.

They all wear a hardened, emotionless expression. There were a big crew, each a broad shouldered, bulging muscles, strong, stony looking men. Assembled on the ice, the crew were an intimidating, rather frightening sight.

It wasn't the first time - neither it would be the last- that someone facing them had become a witless petrified mess.

At least the man wasn't wetting himself. Yet.

They all chose to follow Shanks in the good fun times and especially in the hard, life threatening ones.

Yes, it was like a marriage.

It was willing participants that chose to bind themselves to the crew and the captain. A commitment. They had a home, place they belonged. They trusted each other, watching each other back and sharing the good and the bad. They had kids too.

Too many if you asked Benny. Adopting strays every Sunday and Wednesday. For example, the ginger Thomas (with disturbing fetish to Marine comics and capes) was a baby of five months old. (Benn wondered what the crew reaction would be to this comparison…. He could see Yasopp proclaiming himself the leader of the harem… and Rockstar demanding duel for the right to ask the hand of their cap…. Oh boy... He better keep this to himself... Shanks would be delighted with idea … Bennnnnnyyyy my dear wifeeee… you're the only one for me... )

Benn shook his head, erasing the horrific image from his mind, bringing himself back to reality. He noticed that Yasopp had casually aimed his pistol at the fidgeting figure and some of the others followed suit.

He stared at the figure, looking for clues about his purpose here and to which group he belonged.

His clothes give him away as a pirate. Maybe also the fact that he wasn't shooting at them and shouting some shit about justice.

He seemed in an agony of indecision and Benn was enjoying his discomfort.

He would give him few more seconds to agonize and try to come to decision. If he didn't Benn would make it for him.

For now, he enjoyed the cigarette in his mouth.

The figure straightened up, his young face showing the determination of someone walking to his death. Step by step, willingly.

He seemed to have reached a decision. He took few steps to their direction, then stopped, looking at his feet.

Benn singled the crew to stand by. Don't shoot the poor child.

The figure tilted his head up and almost run the last few steps to him.

He cleared his throat, and squeaked "this is for you," while thrusting his hand to Benn, palm up with small Den Den Mushi in it.

The young man was trying hard not to bolt out from there. His body was shaking.

Benn took pity on him, plucking the Den Den Mushi from his hand, his eyes not leaving the man, who let out a breath and moved few cautious steps back the second the Den Den Mushi left his hand (not that that would actually help him).

Benn took out the cigarette and said calmly to the Den Den Mushi, "Yes?"

"Benny!?"

He knew that voice. it had been almost ten years, but he knew this voice. A sense of relief flooded him.

Before he could react both Yasopp and Lucky Roo shouted.

"Lina?"

"Yasopp, Lucky Roo.. it been so long..." she answered cheerily.

Oops, an avalanche had descended.

"Wait … is this… who I think it is..."

"The little ladyy..."

"Cloak holder?"

"Cape!" Several shouted, accompanied with loud snorts.

"And the cap too!"

"Captain's hat and his cape …" someone whistled, "what next?"

Hoots and snickers greeted the question.

"It's Luffy's hat now," corrected Lucky Roo, but no one paid him any mind.

The whole crew had descended into chaos, fighting between each other to get closer to Benn and in turn the Den Den Mushi. Shouting and cheering over each other like eager teens in front of comic strip of their favorite hero (oh boy, that's what they were, weren't they?!).

"The proclaiming of lameness..."

"A hero like Sora..." Thomas energetically shouted, jumping up and down in front of Benn to his dismay.

"Warrior of the sea." Cheered the morons all around him.

Benn felt a vein pop on his forehead. That comic strip was going to be his death.

He really didn't want the marines to find out that his crew read that shit. You can leave it to those dogs and the CP9 to try to use the information to their advantage, maybe plant ideas or information in them.

Benn eyed the Den Den Mushi, Lina hadn't said anything more. But he could see her amusement by the quirk of one side of the Den Den Mushi's mouth.

No one has yet tried to take it from his hand. Even at their most idiotic they had some deep-seated survival instincts.

"She has the Captain's cape… now….is she the captain?"

"The new hero..."

"The cool one..."

"The coolest hero…"

"Barrier of all that is holy and not lame..."

"Little miss... We bow to your coolness..."

"You order, and we obey..."

"Show us the way..."

"Lead us your coolness, and we shall follow…"

Yup! The fearless beasts of the Yonko. The brave warriors of the sea. The ones to be feared and cowered before. Yeah, they were one of the legendary crews. The strongest of all.

Tusk..tusk..

He was stuck babysitting them on the battlefield. Shanks -the big baby himself- left him responsible for leading those drooling naughty… he wasn't sure what word was appropriate to use here, they certainly weren't adults.

The man that had handed him the Den Den Mushi had taken even more steps back. Benn wasn't sure it was from fear or confusion.

But he was sure that the distance he was keeping was not only physical but also spiritual and mental. As to say 'nope, I'm not with these guys. Really. Believe me. I just met them. No relationship whatsoever.'

He had thought that their reputation couldn't plummet any lower, ohhh… he was so wrong. What more; the day wasn't even half gone.

Benn had a feeling this was going to be a very lonnngggg day and he just wanted to go back to his room and sleep for month, a year.

"Enlighten us in the way of coolness..."

"Right..."

"Aye!"

"Let me..."

"I wanna speak with her..."

"Me too.. "

"Wait... my turn..."

"Yo Benn… stop hugging the Den Den Mushi..."

"Yeah, it's unfair..."

"We want to meet the princess too..."

"Yeah, if not we will riot..."

"Riot!"

"Riot, yo hear"

"Aye!"

"We want to.."

"Shouldn't you people become wiser with the years... or… at least become less idiotic... not more..." Lina complained fondly.

"Lina are you okay?" Lucky Roo bellowed louder than the rest.

Yasopp whistled sharply getting everyone to settle down with a lot of grumbling.

"I am doing okay, Roo," she said, her voice was too casual for his taste.

He and Lucky Roo shared a worried look.

"Lu.."

"Luffy is safe," Benn said, he wasn't sure how much to say and if it was safe to say it all. They were in the open, and the line wasn't secure.

"Good," she said and sighed, asked nothing more. She was the smart one. Benn heard her murmur something to someone. Ace, maybe?

"Benny," she said, her voice calm and collected

"I need you to do something for me...". She wasn't exactly ordering him neither was she asking. Yet somehow, she reminded him of Shanks in serious mode. His imagination or the cape effect?

Nahhh.. his imagination for sure.

"I'm all ears."

.

.

.

"Thomas why don't you go with our friend….", "Lucky." the Den Den Mushi man supplied impulsively, his hand coming to hide his mouth.

"...Here and help him," continued Benn unbothered by the interruption.

The childish antics by his crew seemed to have the opposite effect, it made them more scary in the long run so it seemed. He really doesn't want to understand how, but he was eternally grateful. Not everything was lost.

The young red hair pirate - Thomas- nodded fervently and looped his arm around the frightened Lucky and chatted away with him, leading the way.

The poor Lucky seemed confused and baffled. Thomas was chatting to him like they were best friends and were not in battlefield strewn with blood and bodies.

He would give it to Shanks, he knew how to pick his crew. Crazy just like him.

"Do you read Sora the warrior of the sea… no…don't worry… it is a great comic... really the best… the hero Sora …. cool you know… awesome cape….and you see our captain..."

Benn groaned.

Their reputation was completely tattered and buried sixty floors under the ocean. None, no more. Nada.

…

..

.

XXXXX

.

..

…

"You don't seem to be looking too well Sengoku," said the Red-Haired brat, his hand casually sheathing his sword after manhandling the bratty admiral once again. Those marines never learned. It was all part of the fun.

He stopped in his stride, standing beside Whitebeard. Leaving no doubt on which side he was on. If the exchange they had before wasn't clue enough.

He was thankful for the brat for saving his son. Whitebeard wasn't sure if he would have been able to save Ace and his family from that close attack. Sengoku had chosen that second to go full throttle on him, giving him no time for a counter, only defense. He was about to send a quake to shatter the ground not caring about the damage that Sengoku would inflict on him in that millisecond. Knowing full well that it would catch his crew unaware and it could harm a lot of his sons and daughters and may not be in time to stop the Admiral... when Shanks appeared from thin air. He would have to ask him about it.

He owed the brat another bottle of sake it seemed.

The Fleet Admiral didn't twitch and give no indication that he heard the remark. Yet his eyes betrayed him, as they were moving between him and the brat, assessing, calculating.

Things had turned for the worse for him.

"I think it better if we stop. No need for more bloodshed," Shanks continued unbothered by the chilly welcome.

No answer was forthcoming.

Few seconds passed with both just staring at each other.

The quiet was cut when Red Hair remarked casually.

"I don't see Kizaru here ..."

What he had meant was I don't sense him at all, why? He should be here at such an important venue. Whitebeard translated to himself amusedly.

The brat had great mastery over all three kinds of Haki. He was a Yonko.

Whitebeard hadn't had the time or the mind then to ask the little brat what she had used to be able to conceal Kizaru presence so completely. That they couldn't sense him using observation Haki.

If it wasn't for that, her game of tag wouldn't have worked. Everyone with a bit of control over his observation Haki would have known where he was.

He would have to pick her mind another time. (Another reason to stay alive, the little spitfire would approve!)

The slight tensing of the Fleet Admiral didn't go unnoticed at the mention of Kizaru's name by either of them.

Shanks tilted his head to Whitebeard's direction. His eyes not leaving the Fleet Admiral.

"Did you already take care of him?" He asked as if asking about mundane things like the weather. (Not that the weather was mundane thing in the New World).

"Not me... no... the little cheeky brat did."

There were few seconds of silence as Red Hair tried to make head and tails of his answer. Who was the cheeky brat?

"Who? …. Luffy…" trailed off Shanks, he had a frown on his face, deep in thought.

Well, Strawhat Luffy, Ace's younger brother was undoubtedly a 'cheeky brat'. One that kept his promise. One that put his precious people first. Not afraid to face death for them. With a smile greeting it like an old friend. He was someone worthy to hold Roger's Legacy. Roger chose right when he gave it to Shanks, and the Red Hair brat chose right when he gave it to Ace's brother.

Whitebeard wondered what Roger's reaction would be to finding out that his hat -that he gave to his apprentice- in twist of fate was held by Ace's brother and now was sitting on Ace's sister head. What would be Shanks's reaction? Ace's reaction? It may be amusing to see Ace trying to burn the hat off while his brother tried to protect it.

The Fleet Admiral was paying attention to every detail. The fact that Shanks murmured Luffy's name had not gone unnoticed.

"The other one," he said finally. Keeping it vague.

Shanks seemed to have paused with mouth slightly open. Then he turned his full body to face Whitebeard, ignoring the Fleet Admiral's presence. He seemed about to leap from his own skin and in the most incredulous voice he yelled.

"Lina?.. my sweet little Lina? … wait ... is that how she got injured?"

The Fleet Admiral finally twitched. An uneasy look in his eyes appeared and just as quickly disappeared, and a something like a quiver of feeling flashed across his face but Whitebeard was not sure which was it exactly. But he could guess.

Disquiet and unrest having a confirmation (Red Hair handing his cloak was not proof enough. The worry in his voice now was apparently!) that Strawhat Luffy and his sister had a connection to a Yonko - Another one - and had it for some time. Enough for him to come here. He would bet that Sengoku thought Shanks was here because Ace was Roger's son. He wondered if he should mention this to the Red Hair brat - now that it stopped being a secret- just to see his reaction, and Sengoku's reaction to his reaction. That would be entertaining.

Or … feeling unbelief and irritation at someone calling the one that brought all the chaos, destroyed their grandiose plans and dragged the marine reputation in the filthiest mud was called -by a Yonko- SWEET.

Whitebeard wondered if maybe he should just shrug and not send this health hazard engulfed with cheery maniacal aura after a target. Keep him guessing. But then he remembered what the shitty admiral brat had almost done to one of his sons.

"No, that was Akainu."

"Oh…" the Red Hair uttered.

From the corner of his eye, Whitebeard saw raw emotions flash across his face, and the Fleet Admiral started to tense even more, shifting his body ever slightly, making it easier to launch an attack.

Red Hair turned suddenly and begin marching back from where he came, and calmly said.

"if you will excuse me for second."

Neither of them made any move or give an answer.

It didn't take but a few seconds for red flying figure to cross the scene behind them.

Neither of them twitched.

Death threats and promises of absolute justice could be heard from the horizon.

"What say you Sengoku? Should we stop?" Whitebeard asked casually.

Whitebeard saw Sengoku clenching his hands, but nothing else showed on his face.

He could imagine the calculation and assessments that run in his head all the same.

Ace was free, so the marines had no leverage.

The war was going for while already, both their supplies were running out and the wounded and death toll was only increasing the longer they fought. (Dare he say the pirates had way less). Most of the standing soldiers in both sides were still up and running because of the adrenaline surging in their vines, a lot of fear, pride and spite.

The marines had one Admiral down -it seemed another one was following him soon- and they were not even sure if he was alive or not.

Now, new Yonko with his crew had arrived. One that was full of energy, supplies, and a lot of motivation (as they both had just witnessed) and was clearly on Whitebeard side, or at least the spawns of Garp's side.

Most importantly, Sengoku knew that Whitebeard knew all of this. Whitebeard knew that Sengoku knew that he knew this.

This was an offer that the Fleet Admiral wouldn't and couldn't make. A Marine showing mercy to pirates. To a Yonko. No can do. The consequences of such move would destroy, or at least destabilize the three powers.

At the end that was the important difference between him and Sengoku.

His son was free, the marines were humiliated beyond his imagination thanks to Ace's sister. He could be a bit generous.

Even though he knew the answer, he still asked the question.

Because he could.

The Fleet Admiral's answer was enlarging his body and power, with Hito Hito no Mi. Using the massive power boost to his already impressive strength and Haki to launch his attack on the Whitebeard's left side. Whitebeard took step back with his left leg using his right fisted hand to launch a quake to intercept the attack.

The Fleet Admiral countered with shock wave using his fruit devil ability.

They both leaped away as not to lose their footing with all the broken ice around the area were their attacks had just met.

This was Sengoku's final answer.

Now that the Ace was free, and he knew that Ace's sister had retreating plans underway, maybe several now with another Yonko here. He had no claim on holding anything back.

He gripped his bisento with both his hands, activating his devil power, concentrating all of it power on the blade on it end, adding Haki to the midst.

The Fleet Admiral was also activating his power, readying himself for the impact to come.

He had no intention of making it a long fight, the longer they fought the more his sons and daughters would be in danger. He would finish this...

Whitebeard leaped back, twice. Long jumps, the power engulfing his bisento dissipated.

Not a second later, the place he was standing on had turned to dust or maybe better say mist, fumes.

Waves were stirring in the now open hole where he just stood.

His observation Haki had warned him in the nick of time.

Garp the Fist, Ace's grandfather was standing in front of his Fleet Admiral, in defensive stance.

Now that Ace was free, the conflict inside of the old marine was no more so it seemed.

Garp had in all likely sensed his intention to end this conflict quickly by taking out the king and quickly interfered.

"Oyaji," someone called.

His eldest son was flying beside him, his hands turned to blue wings of the Phoenix.

"Son," Whitebeard acknowledged.

"Sorry, he is a tough cookie, yoi," Marco apologized quietly to him. His voice transmitting his dissatisfaction.

Whitebeard gave a nod of assent. If Marco didn't have the power to heal his wounds directly after an attack, he would look even worse. Garp wasn't someone to underestimate. If Garp was inclined, Whitebeard was sure he would have been Fleet Admiral. Probably the distaste of responsibility and paperwork was what kept him away. After all, Garp was a D and as every D he had a problem with confinement. And what was more confining than the role of Fleet Admiral answering to the five old men, Gorosei.

"Yo, old man, I thought we agreed that you don't begin the party without me," someone called. Red Hair had returned, and there was no sign of Akainu in the horizon.

He added after a pause.

"Oh, if it isn't Marco the Phoenix."

His son face turned homicidal for a split second before his blank face returned.

He took pity on his annoyed son.

"Not my fault, if you're slow, brat," Whitebeard answered, bringing the attention of the other Yonko back to him.

"Maybe all the drinking made your muscles waste away."

"You are one talk, old man."

Marco tisked, murmuring unfavorable things, threats, and death wishes under his breath and something about hitting his limit of meeting obnoxious people for this day.

…

..

.

XXXXX

.

..

…

Benn, Yasopp, Lucky Roo, Rockstar and few others moved quickly, without drawing any attention to them, following the direction that Lina had given them.

After his short chat with Lina he divided the crew to several groups and sent them on their way as per her instructions. The crew seemed quite motivated, and excited- too much even- to follow the orders of the mistress of all that is holy and COOL.

For him she had a specific mission. When he heard her speak, explaining what she wanted to be done, he couldn't help but think of Shanks' reaction to hearing his precious sweet little Lina speaking so full of confidence, without any doubt or hesitation. They had all dotted on those two siblings, and while Luffy was brash, childish and determined, the boy almost took his eye out to make a point … all things you may expect of seven years old (maybe not the eye thing).

Lina had stayed in his shadow, hardly talking, observing. A lot of them had thought her to be shy and timid. But in few times, she spoke or 'took charge', she shone. It's just they were a few.

Being a pirate suited her well, he wasn't sure what she had experienced. He could make an educated guess upon their exploits as written in the newspapers, as inaccurate as those newspapers were. But one thing for sure It had changed her.

They all stopped.

They had finally arrived at their goal.

As Lina had explained and expected.

The scene in front of them seemed to fit her description to the tee.

Oh.

Or maybe not.

"Hawkeyes," Benn called as a greeting and as a signal to announce their arrival.

Hawkeyes didn't flinch, their arriving had not gone unnoticed by him. But few of the others were startled and paid dearly for their lapse of attention.

"Benn Beckman," Hawkeye acknowledged out loud, blocking with ease the attack by a rather large and tall man with prominent chin. He was wearing a black uniform, above it a long white, yellow, and black jacket, draped over like a cloak (cape! Benny, C.A.P.E). A word was written on its back "prison". He was wielding a sword with long blade and a square guard.

It was some kind of marine uniform for a guard. Impel down then. Lina said that he released the worst prisoners and apparently some guards too.

Hawkeye was exchanging blows with him in a rapid pace. The guard was clearly being pushed back but seemed to be skilled, knowing how to use his big body to his advantage. Hawkeye was in no hurry to end the exchange. He seemed to be slightly enjoying himself.

Lina has not mentioned Hawkeyes being an ally. Was he?

"Finally changing sides? Shanks would be devastated, he had dibs on you."

A raised eyebrow was all his answer. Benn translated it as: Snort, disbelief, dream on you utter idiot with your fool captain.

The only other explanation would be that Hawkeyes wanted to measure the sword skills of this man. That the guard was worthy enough to have piqued the Warlord interest.

This was no danger to their plans. One less problem to take care of.

"Boa Hancock," he called.

He had his orders to fulfill.

"Who dares call my name," she yelled in fury while busy moving gracefully around dodging the bullets aimed at her from unseen sniper and still managing to land attacks on her intended targets rather savagely.

Benn didn't answer her, instead, he whispered.

"Yasopp."

"On it," Yasopp answered back immediately, his rifle drawn as he disappeared. Benn didn't miss the glint in his eyes. Facing another sniper like him, made Yasopp blood boil with a challenge, excitement and expectation. It was better than sake according to him. That should be quite telling. The man had probably forgotten the taste of water years ago.

"Miss Hancock you should get going..." he began again.

"How dare you speak to me?" She yelled back cutting him, giving him a hateful glare. If looks could kill he would be a skeleton.

Oh, he had almost forgotten.

"Lina…" he tried again.

The magic word.

"Sent me," he continued.

Now that there were no bullets to dodge -even though bullets were flying, just not to her direction- the Shichibukai empress yelled "Perfume Femur" and danced, performing a handstand before launching a series of spinning kicks that utilizing her Devil Fruit's power to petrify and turn to stone anything she contacted and even smashing some. She ended this quick attack with cartwheel leaping to land gracefully in front of him.

Not hair out of place.

Boa Hancock, the empress of the man-hating Kuja tribe, the captain of the Kuja Pirates, and the only female member of the Shichibukai was staring in utter disdain and scorn at them, not bothering to stop using the Mero Mero no Mi to it full effect as the moaning, catcalls and hoots from those behind him could be heard. Lucky Roo took care of the loudest of them.

Lina and Luffy never ceased to amaze him. He was really curious to hear how they bagged this ally. The Empress could potentially lose her title and all the power and protection it entitled, yet she didn't seem to be bothered by this prospect.

"Speak," she demanded impatiently.

Benn noted that her devil fruit effect was heightened when she spoke to his chagrin. His crew needed more discipline. She glared on with hate and disgust. They were not worthy of her attention.

"Luffy was taken out of here in a submarine to get treatment, he's not in good shape."

Her face changed quickly. Flashes of concern, worry, panic, rage before it was blank again. Benn noted the twitching of her legs, she wanted to move... Probably to go after him.

As Lina said, Boa Hancock would keep Luffy safe.

Good. He had qualms about leaving Luffy with the Surgeon of Death. It was the best course of action, but still, Surgeon of Death.

"Find him, and make sure he is safe and getting the care he deserves. The one taking care of him is Trafalgar Law and he has a way to communicate with Lina..." he trailed off.

The Empress nodded, gesturing for him to move along.

"A Den Den Mushi," he added the detail as an afterthought. He trusted the young surgeon, but not that much.

"Keep him safe and hidden until you hear from her," the Empress nodded in acknowledgment one last time, and called "Salome."

Hissing was heard behind them. The empress leaped over them.

Benn turned slowly while the others had already abruptly turned.

The Empress stood beside a huge white snake that was staring at them. It had red marks on its body and where her head was, there was a skull with blue hair jutting out of the back and a constant creepy smile.

Lucky Roo was staring right back, some drool appearing at his mouth as the prospect of meat appeared in front of him. Benn would swear that the permanent smile on the snake face, lost some of its brightness.

"Find him," the empress ordered, and the snake obeyed, slithering into the water while her owner, leaped in quick succession, disappearing from view.

Benn turned back and pulled a cigarette out and lit it up, eyeing the handy work left by the Empress.

The sound of the bullets and swords meeting was all that interrupted the silence.

He counted the laying figures on the ground, different painful angles, some missing limbs, other had a stone for limb.

Seven, no, eight.

There was huge hill floating in the water. Benn thought at first that it was some kind of ship. It wasn't.

It was a huge figure, lying in the water. A giant. Probably Sanjuan Wolf. One of the worst criminals, very deadly, ruthless and strong. He was not sure if the giant was dead, taking a swim or the empress had knocked him out.

Right now, he didn't care to find out, he had other things to take care of.

The seven figures in front of them were stirring up, some moaning calling "captain", other cursings.

Marshall D. Teach finally stood up shakily. The reason Benn was here. Finally.

He was clutching his head when he seemed to see that they were not alone.

He straightened up.

"Bennyyyyy...How's Shanks' handsome face doing?"

Teach called, a satisfied smile on his face.

Those three scars on Shanks's face, above his left eye, were a constant reminder of his failure as first mate. Someone had wounded his captain and he wasn't able to stop or to repay the predator in kind. Yet.

Someone other shakily stood up calling, "where did the bitch go, look what she did to my hand?"

"Forget your fucking hand, my face, my face..." someone other shirked. It sounded like a woman, but Benn would not bet on it.

Benn had no intention of giving them time to regroup and get their baring back, he was a pirate, not a saint. But he wanted to make sure that there was no doubt why he was here.

He was paying back a very overdue debt.

"Teach, I always wanted to ask which was it? left or right?"

Benn wondered if Lina knew of his grudge and their history with Teach and that why she asked him to get rid of Teach and his newfound crew.

Benn spat out the unfinished cigarette, signaling for everyone behind him to get ready.

"..." Teach didn't answer, his eyes narrowing trying to decipher the meaning of his inquiry. He seemed to clench and unclench his hands involuntary.

The man was devious, cunning, intelligent, ruthless, patient piece of shit to have been able to trick and use his previous crew, the Whitebeards for more than twenty years. Kill a commander, someone he knew for years, capture Ace and use him, trick the marines, and convince powerful, ruthless people to follow him.

Benn knew that it wouldn't take him long to understand his question. He had no doubt about it.

Which hand had he used to injure Shanks? To leave those scars?

And really Benn wasn't waiting for an answer.

Benn slipped the flintlock rifle from his shoulder and held it out.

He intended to take them both.

Right hand.

Left hand.

The bastard's life would be the sweet, sweet dessert.

(no, he didn't care if he incurred the wrath of the Whitebeards that wished for revenge. They could do whatever they wanted to the body once he was done with it.)

…

..

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XXXXX

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..

…

"Laaaaachnnnnnn … Stwwwhannnnnnnnn..."

A loud voice boomed startling everyone on the battlefield.

For few seconds everyone froze, the voice was loud with annoying echo but the words couldn't be understood.

"Who is using the central Den Den Mushi?" some marine asked in wonder.

"We have one?" another asked.

They had all momentarily stopped in their chasing of the pirates, confused.

"You moron, they all connected to main one… like when the Fleet Admiral used the Den Den Mushi to give all the marines here orders." Another marine explained, looking around him, trying to pinpoint the voice source, with all the destruction, it was hard to find the Baby Den Den Mushis that were the speakers.

If they used it, it meant something important happened, new orders maybe...

"Maybe the Den Den Mushi were malfunction with all the destruction or someone attacked them...," another said.

"Hey, didn't the voice sound familiar?"

"What is Laaaa? And stw?"

"Strooo I think..."

"Are they calling in new orders..."

"But the voice is familiar..." another marine insisted.

"Stop slacking off, we need to catch those bastard pirates, and free the Admiral.." one of the Vice Admirals shouted and they again attacked and chased the pirates with vigor.

"That's it… it sounds like the admiral..."

"HUH?"

"It sounded like Admiral Kizaru..."

"No way, I hear his voice coming from there… were those pirate bastards holding him..."

"We need to free him soon..."

"Of course..."

"Damn straight.."

"Yeah..."

"But it sounds like him..."

"Impossible, we all saw him get catch... No way..."

"But did we.?!.."

"Yeah, I mean we only saw someone like him on the ground..."

"We don't know what happened to him and where he is?.. We just assumed…"

"Lina- channnn … Straw-Chann... Is this thing working… helloooooooo..." The booming voice was very clear this time.

"No way."

"It is the Admiral."

"Where is he..."

"It is his voice…."

"What the hell is going on…."

"Wasn't he captured ..."

"Who the hell we are chasing then..."

"Who those pirates have?!"

"Who is being held by those scum then..."

"It is impersonator..."

"Is it trick..."

"Which is it then?"

"Is the Admiral captured at all… I mean could some no name pirate even touch him…"

"Yeah… even someone really strong would find it hard.."

"But we saw the seastone handcuffs... that's how…"

" I don't know anymore …"

"Those in front of us or the voice..."

"Which is it…"

"Is it real?!"

"Who the hell is he calling? Straw and Lina? And why would the Admiral Kizaru call them..."

"Doesn't feel right…."

"It is trick .. most definitely..."

"Which one..."

Small doubts and suspicion had begun to slowly consume them. What had they seen? Heard? Could they believe it? Was it trick? Who do they trust? Did their commanders know what's going on? Where was Admiral Kizaru for god sake? Captured or free?!

Bit by bit it reached their hearts. Consuming.

Their resolve was wavering.

While chaos, disarray had spread in the marines ranks, Seven Vice Admirals had come together for quick unavoidable discussion.

"Someone call central, and see who is there?"

"Is it another trick?"

"The Admiral would not speak like this..."

"We don't know who he is calling..."

"Are they some codewords perhaps..."

"Maybe..."

"Confuse the enemy..."

"It's confusing us..."

"But why he is there and not here..."

"Plan of some sort..."

"To announce to the us that the pirates don't have him..."

"I saw him get caught... we all did!"

"We had no idea what they did for the few minutes they hid him …"

"They could have transferred him from here or something while we were chasing the supposed Admiral…"

"How...we were watching…"

"I don't know..."

"So maybe he escaped…"

"But why now..."

"I still can't sense him..."

"Me neither..."

"Something isn't right!"

"are we missing something…"

"Should we unleash the pacifista..."

"The plan was to cage the pirates and then to unleash the cyborgs…"

"Yeah, that wouldn't happen now.."

"The whole battlefield is in disarray..."

"Almost everyone had left their posts..."

"The plaza empty…"

"Something isn't right..."

"Maybe we could use them to identify the Admiral…"

"I don't know, it may backfire... and kill him, he is cuffed with seastone… he can't use his power…"

None of them dared to suggest sacrificing the Admiral, only another Admiral or the Fleet Admiral could make such decision.

"Ummu… maybe…" he trailed off.

"What?"

"No time… if you have idea spit out."

"Could you kno..w...ummm… the Admiral be...not on our ...side."

The announcement was met with silence.

"Impossible."

"We don't have time for this bull."

"But…" the man stopped seeing all the glares. "Yeah, it's impossible… ignore me, the war is getting to me. Sorry." He stammered.

"We need to reach a decision.. Things are getting worse..."

"Fast!"

"The Admiral and fleet Admirals are busy, it is our responsibility to take charge..."

"Okay, let's not take any chances."

The others nodded in agreement.

"Momonga and Strawberry go find who is the one using the central Den Den Mushi. if it's really the Admiral, then find out his plan and let us know, if not kill him. Us... we will continue after those scum. We can't dwell anymore, we need to take them out and free the Admiral as soon as possible if he is really captured. If not just kill everyone, no need to capture. Just..." no more words needed to be said.

The Den Den Mushi transmitting the happenings of the war to Sabaody Archipelago has been cut at the beginning. If no one left this place alive, no one would know the truth of what happened. To say the marines were tricked. To tarnish their reputation.

All seven grimly nodded.

They still had their trump card, the Pacifista, cyborgs, human weapons… if things came to… they could unleash them without the 'check' requirement. To distinguish between, pirate, marine or civilian...

Sacrificing some foot marines -maybe thousands -for the greater good of keeping the marine's reputation intact was given.

The winners always wrote the history.

.

.

.

Finally.

"Ace, hurry up..."

Ace nodded as she clutched his back harder.

Lina had a terrifying look on her face hearing this voice calling her name.

Her smile could crack mirrors, she was sure.

Chopper and Usopp would probably be hiding at the view of her face. Zoro and Robin would be eyeing her approvingly. Zoro would drink in smugness while Robin would giggle quietly to herself, believing this was her influence. Robin was the only one that could make giggling terrifying.

Sanji would be singing poetic about her face and how this look fit her. Spinning around trying to decide what food fit this happy occasion. Nami would be worriedly moving around, one second hovering over her, demanding what is going on and another hiding with Chopper and Usopp.

Brook would be...

"Lina-chan, your face makes my eyes pop out? Oh, but I don't have eyes .. Skull joke Yohohoho..." and taking out the violin and playing morbid tone fitting the mood.

Franky would be standing there in his special pose "let's hear it sister, it sure to be SUUUPPPERRRR..."

Luffy, well... Luffy would be standing facing her… his hands on his hips … his smile mirroring her smile.

Well, that wasn't true. She couldn't smile like that. She wasn't made out of rubber. Her mouth could only widen so much. Really, Luffy smiled with his whole body. The sun would have to race him for the title of the "brightest", and it would lose…. badly.

"Hello, anyone there? Linnnnnaaaaaaaaa…..." the same voice tried again.

Even louder, crisper, clearer.

"Gave me that..." a new voice cut in evident huff and impatience, and then announced.

"This thing is working..."

.

.

.

.

.

"Hey, isn't the other voice... Izo?" Yura muttered to himself.

.

.

.

.

Sabaody Archipelago

.

"They are singing now.. singing..."

"Does that what happens…. in a war..."

"This is a war..right?"

"This my first...no idea..."

"I have been a reporter for 20 years… I have never seen anything like this..."

"Me neither...been in the profession for 12 years..."

"Yeah... but we never seen anything similar this...I mean this kind of big war...with so many powers involved..."

"No idea…."

Now, that the marines - that were supposedly there to guard and protect them and make sure they reported the truth to the world- had almost all left them to their own devices. Probably hurrying to Marinefor…..their death.

They had all moved closer to the huge screens and were watching in undivided attention.

The screens were changing rapidly between three different Den Den Mushi records making the whole experience more chaotic.

"This Yonko vs the might of the marines..."

"Two Yonko, two..."

"God help us all..."

"Should we stay here….?"

"Shouldn't we... you know leave..."

"What… what are they singing..."

"Who sings at war…?"

"Pirates apparently..."

"It does keep your spirit high... I think..."

"You face death ...and singing keeps you safe… are you an idiot?"

"Not me… them... Those pirates… "

"They are pirates...they wouldn't be too bright..."

"You think Whitebeard ... is stupid?"

"Well... noo ... I didn't mean ..."

"He is strong..."

"The strongest man alive some say…."

"You can see it here… the marines are in deep shit..."

"But being strong wouldn't be enough to stay at the top for long..."

"Yeah..."

"What are they saying..."

"We'll you shut up... We are trying to listen..."

"Hey...wasn't there someone now that had something strange covering their face..."

"Saw that… a mask maybe..."

"No..it looked like ...a sock..."

"No way..."

"Maybe some kind of hat..or helmet.."

"Yeah, you are probably right..."

"Yeah… a while ago … I thought I saw someone waving a book…"

"A book … ?!"

"I know … the brain works in mysterious way when you're stressed..."

"Yeah, it was probably a sword or big gun… or some kind of weapon..."

"It's getting to me too...I thought I saw Buggy the clown singing with them too."

"I don't under...stand… what is going on..."

"What's happening in the war..."

"We are sure it's war?"

"Why the war happened to begin with..."

"No idea… can't remember..."

"Marines and pirates… do you need more reason..."

"Like cats and dogs…."

"Execution... I think..."

"They keep repeating something... 'her coolness'..."

"What 'her coolness' mean?"

"Her coolness .. grav...ely proclaimed.."

"Maybe like her highness...her holiness… or something..."

"Like when you say your grace when you speak to a lord?"

"..."

Someone snorted.

"Maybe…"

"That she is so cold like an ice..."

"Isn't that the admiral..."

"Aokiji… he uses ice..."

"Okay… I'll bite… but what… 'Without his cap and cape his charm…. had drained' even mean…?"

"I have no idea..."

The journalist that were still able to function (not in elliptic shock or sinking deep in denial) had left momentarily the impossible task of trying to explain to their bosses about what was going on (Yeah... yeah it was their job to report.. ..but what the actual fuck..give them break.. well ya...they don't get paid enough for this..whatever this is… like seriously …) and was having a deep meaningful artistic debate about singing skills and lyrics comprehension brought to them by the fascinating creatures that were the Red Hair Pirates (RHP… Runnnnnnnnnnnn … Hellll….Pisssed off.).

"Why do they keep repeating lame…."

"It feels like some ...mantra ..."

"Catch phrase..."

"Do you think lame is some codeword that only pirates know what it mean..."

"I don't know.. If you asked me half an hour ago… l would have laughed at you..."

"Some codeword that only Yonko pirates know... And they...it brings them… to work together?"

"I want to know what 'warrior of the sea overcame'…. Means...overcame what?"

"Shouldn't it be overcome…?"

"They need some urgent lesson on grammar..."

"That not the only thing they need..."

"Less of problem right now…"

"No… because… 'her coolness name isn't the same and will shine without shame'… has any meaning..."

"Who is her coolness…?"

"Seriously? Is it even a person?"

"Maybe there...captain is really….yo know… isn't male… but…. Red Hair captain … is … woman..."

Everyone stared uncomprehendingly at him with a different range of shock, denial and incredulity.

"I want to cuff you on the head and call you stupid... But after today.. I don't know..." someone said pensively.

"Yeah...nothing will surprise me anymore."

"Maybe the other Yonkos are on their way..."

"Yeah...I would believe that!"

"Maybe we should leave… just take ship and go..."

"Where...exactly?"

"You think anywhere would be safe..."

"Maybe the sea..."

"Huh?"

"Sea would be safe?!...you are an utter moron."

"No...I meant… 'her coolness' is not a person...but metaphorical...mean the sea...Her coolness symbolizes sea… it is cool, you know...cold..."

"You still going on about the song..."

"Analogy to a fluid object giving it a human gender and characterization..."

"Are they stupid or not…. you said they needed lessons in grammar..."

Everyone just shrugged.

"Hush-hush…. 'her name we acclaim'… "

"Maybe some deity or god... Pirates sing to.. When they go to war… for victory or some shit..."

"Spill the blood for her… or something..."

"The whole thing is strange..."

"No shit! The whole fucking day is strange..."

"Oiii...shut up… what we missed..."

"something 'shall reclaim the throne'…. I think..."

"What throne?"

"Hey….you don't think they mean...the pirate king title..."

"Nahh...I don't think so...things..."

"Laaaaachnnnnnn … Stwwwhannnnnnnnn..."

"Hey.. isn't that the central Den Den Mushi… are they giving new orders to the marines..."

"What happens now..."

"Silence."

"Keep quiet!"

"Do you really think another Yonko arrived..."

"No... I hope to god not..."

"Lina- channnn … Straw-Chann... Is this thing working… helloooooooo..."

"What the hell?"

"What is going on…."

"Is it code words or something..."

"Hey isn't Lina … the one that caught the admiral…."

"Yeah her name was Lina..."

"She's from the Strawhat pirates... He said straw too."

"The goddess of chaos...strikes again..."

"What was that … I mean..."

"Why call her … and who is calling… the marines?"

"Make no sense..."

"What form that had happened so far had made any."

"Isn't the voice familiar..."

"Yeah...it does..."

"I am not sure where I heard it before."

"I know it for sure..."

"It's on the tip of my tongue..."

"Hello, anyone there? Linnnnnaaaaaaaaa…..."

"Oi… isn't that…"

"Yeah… it sounds…"

"No doubt...but why…?"

"It's Admiral Kizaru!"

"Yeah, I know it!"

"But ...what that's mean?"

"Wasn't he captured..."

"Lina was the one … that captured….him...right?"

The reporters all shared dazed bewildered looks with each other. Drawn on some of their faces were a swirl of colorful emotions, confusion, thoughtfulness, puzzlement, uncertainty, disbelief, wariness and skepticism. But mainly shock.

As one they all hurried scrambling over each other to finally do their goddamn jobs.

Den Den Mushis were dialed.

"Big new..."

"Boss..."

"You won't believe..."

"Listen...you need to print it..."

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Sooooooooo…

Does anyone want to share their thoughts? Anyone? Feelings? Hello? Are you there?

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The first scene here is the 'same' as the first scene from the last chapter. Different POV to the same circumstance.

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Special thanks to YMLR and Black' Victor Cachat. Some of the ideas in their reviews inspired me. (see.. That's why you should write reviews… long ones ;) ) .

Another thanks to the one and only amazeballs XD Syrisna for the holy transcendent art. Check the new Cover image. Isn't gorgeous?! Also check my profile picture. It has Lina and Marcy (my OC from Moby Dick's New Residents). Let's see who can recognize which is which?

My adorable beta also drew a picture of small and cute Luffy and Lina (cute shirts!). Find her in gerbilfriend . deviantart . com

I am so blessed! I have awesome friends!

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I had few hard months. Things seemed bleak to me at times. My friends and family helped a lot, so did your PM's and reviews (and art!). Thank you, I really, truly appreciate it.

In that time, I found it easier to write with others. So, I have two stories that I co-write now. Feel free to check them.

One Piece: Luffy's Mother is WHO? - co-written with Black' Victor Cachat.

ReunionS: co-written with Syrisna.

I can honestly say I am having fun working on them with my friends, and they are great stories. Leave us a comment there.

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Ahemmm… I - as in my pen name rose7anne101 - just starred in story by our king and savior Black' Victor Cachat in One Piece: March on Oda (Yes, as Oda the creator of OP). How cool is that XD. Check it out! it's awesomely great and funny! And I am literally in it! XD

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Leave me a lllllllllllllllooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnng review ;) okay?!

Don't forget to read below! Marine!Lina

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Dancing to a Tune

This was a Bad Idea. A terrible, horrible no good very bad idea. Why had she agreed to this? Oh right, she hadn't.

The deck lights were warm on her back as she squinted her eyes against the light from the makeshift disc ball that was hanging from the mast. Lina felt the beginnings of sweat as she stood on the makeshift stage and waited for the roars of her "fellow marines" to die down. At least moral was up?

She was going to get back at Jango and Fullbody for dragging her up here and making her do this- revenge would be sweet. So very sweet. Like chocolate ice cream but with added humiliation as the cherry. Especially Jango… She would find a way to make those ridiculous sunglasses he liked so much disappear. Mark her words! And then she would be promoted so she could get back at, Captain "Hina thinks continued exercise is important" Hina. Lina would have her revenge. Her justice.

"DANCE, DANCE, DANCE"

Lina was pulled out of her revenge plots by the crowd as its roar changed from indermant screaming to actual words.

"DANCE, DANCE, DANCE"

The music started, blasting so loud it was hard to hear any words, just the thump, thump, thump of the beat as it reverberated through the air. Why was it so loud, hadn't they heard of ear damage? No point in hesitating now. It was time to dance.

Happy thoughts, she repeated to herself. Forget about everyone watching. Just you and the rhythm. She let a breath out and closed her eyes to listen to the beat. It was catchy. At least Jango somehow had good taste in music.

You don't want (those two morons) Jango and Fullbody holding this over you, Lina reminded herself as she took in a breath. You know they will! They would most definitely call you a klutz for the rest of your life, even if you make it to Fleet Admiral. You really can't take their word that this is not being recorded. A recorder Den Den Mushi could be anywhere. Imagine grandpa (bwahahaha look how good a dancer my granddaughter is. See SEEE look at these photos) or godforbid Luffy (shishishi….Lina you suck… let me show you how to do it!) finding about this . Oh god… not Ace (insert column of fire).

Another breath.

If she was going to do this...she was going to make herself damn proud. No regrets.

The music rose with her arms, the tension ratcheting up. It was just her and the music as the crowd went silent.

Lina stretched her arms out as far as she could reaching out before pulling into a spin. Then down as the music thumped. It speed up to a blur after that as she swung her body to the beat- adding in a few flips, two cartwheels and a handstand for good measure.

Being the sister of two hyper brothers who lived to fight, she learned to use her agility as weapon, but she had never thought she would use it for dance. It seemed to be working. Everytime she landed a move a cheer rung out. She was actually pretty good at this!

Take that you morons. Marines do have fun!

XXX

Benn winced, whatever was on the message (several pages long..who had the patience to write so much..they were pirates for god's sake) the news coo had brought was Not. Good. He had read it several times (Strike one. Shanks was not the 'reader' type). He hadn't seen Shank's like that since just after they left Dawn Island and ran into Garp (and even that was better since most of that was Shanks bragging).

He looked halfway to the grave, eyes pooling with tears (Strike two), if Benn didn't know better then he would go over and try and console Shanks (thankfully he knew better then to engage Shanks when he was like this)

Oh dear.

"What's wrong Cap'n, we out of West Blue sake again?" Yasopp called over drunkenly.

"Whyy" Shanks moaned, Benn felt a part of himself die of embarrassment as he watched Shanks roll around on the deck, still clenching the entire letter in his hand. "Where did we go wrongngggg" he moaned and continued to roll around the deck.

Before Ben could react Shanks had reached out and grabbed his leg, "Benny were we not bad enough examples? Whyyyyyy".

The paper scattered all over the deck.

Okay, calm slow movements just like when dealing with a small, frightened animal or a child (that can knock you out with surge of emotion..).

"What's wrong Shanks?"

Shanks didn't answer…

A different technique was needed.

"Who sent the letter?"

"It was…. Aceeeeeeeee..."

Why would he send a letter? Benn wondered, okay, keep it calm, level, don't spook him. The only thing he could think was about L… oh boy (Strike three).

"She, she joined the mariinnnnesssss" Shanks wailed before returning to gibbering.

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If you are wondering about the song Lina danced to it was: w ww. Youtube watch ?v=_18VbyDbs6c it happens to be Jango's favorite song because he met Fullbody while dancing to it (Jango is so sweet for a reformed murderous hypnotist, isn't he?).

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Gerbilfriend: This is seventy-two pages long. Wow. And with this Anchor and Compass is over one hundred thousand words. Also, Wow.