"If I knew this was all we would get to do, maybe I wouldn't have been so quick to agree..." Helmeppo sighed defeatedly, visibly deflating as he propped himself up with the mop. An instrument that shared a lot in common with the hair atop his head. It was a unique style to be sure, one that didn't change even after he joined the marines alongside me. Not like I had the time to be spacing out... The sooner the chores were finished the sooner I could focus on training, how else would I get stronger?
"You aren't wiping hard enough, Helmeppo-san! Commander Bogard said he wanted to see his face in the reflection!" To think that same bossy brat was actually doing chores... It wasn't like he did them well or anything, if anything he was a slacker. But this alone was a vast improvement.
"What's got you so worked up? It's just the same meaningless duties as usual..." Maybe that was true, in fact I often doubted the meaning of them. These were the exact same tasks I was forced into under Alvida's rule, the only difference being; I was doing them for the marines this time.
Was there meaning in that? Did it matter if it was through choice rather than submission?
I don't know!
"It doesn't matter. We landed on the Hero Garp's ship by chance. I can't waste this opportunity. It doesn't matter what I have to do, I just have to prove myself!" I just had to do whatever I could. If I had time to complain about this situation then it was time better suited to actually training.
"Like doing this is going to make any difference. You really don't have more than two brain cells to rub together, do you?" He sighed haughtily, balancing against the mop in his hand, water seeping from the head as he remained unmoving.
"I don't care. I didn't join the navy to stay like this forever. Weren't you tired of standing in Captain Morgan's shadow?" Marines weren't infallible, Captain Morgan, Helmeppo's father was a clear reminder of that. But that didn't mean the marines were no longer heroes. It didn't mean my dream changed at all either.
I'm going to be a force for good on these seas. For that, I must get stronger. Better.
I'm not gifted, so I'm not stronger from birth. I won't even be stronger from a bit of training. So, I'll train ten times harder, if that doesn't work then I'll try a hundred times harder, if even then it doesn't work, I'll do it a thousand times harder than even that. I'll keep going until I grasp the coattails of that dream in my hand and make fantasy into my reality.
There's no point living any other way.
Isn't that right, Luffy-san?
"..." Helmeppo paused. The recent run in with his father must've given him room for pause. To be taken hostage and used like that... even if his father was scum, there were levels to villainy. Even if every crime is redeemable, most would agree that harming one's own family is off the table. Unfortunately, that wasn't a universal truth.
Still, that was even more reason that he should remember who his father was. A terrible leader, a bad marine and a horrible person. Helmeppo had the chance to be different, he just had to take the chance sincerely. And I hoped he would. Other than Luffy and Zoro, he was my first friend. It was reassuring to have him by my side, even if he was annoying and pompous at times.
"Then help me." Those genuine words came from my mouth. I wasn't strong enough yet, I couldn't handle everything alone. So I needed friends to help me along that path, in return I'd do everything I could to help him as well.
"...Whatever, the quicker we finish this. The quicker I get to have a break. Pick up your pace, Koby!"
"Heh! I'll put you in the dust." I couldn't help but rouse my spirit in response. Helmeppo knew as much as I did. Our workload didn't decrease. We were the lowest in the rank and file, worth less than the cooks or staff. We were disposable, as was our job. No cleaning was clean enough, but still in the face of this Sisyphean task we couldn't help but break out into smiles as we pictured the promise of a future doing something that mattered.
We'd get our chance. Soon enough. We just needed to persevere until then. If we can't even handle this much, then how could we ever become heroes?
[Piracy?]
The strawhat's had found themselves gathered in a small corner of the village, corralling around a small campfire and tables with a host of plates in their laps. The party had begun to die down slightly. The restlessness of their fighting had weaned away and finally the reassurance of newfound freedom had wrestled away their anxiety, leading to a slew of peacefully smiling faces on the beaten town roads.
Before they would escape into their homes, barely feeling secure even in their boarded hovels, now they slept comfortably on the town roads. It was a total transformation.
The ringleaders of this change enjoyed the sight from their seats all the while stuffing their faces.
Until a solemn apology made itself known, breaking the quiet in twain.
"You guys... I'm sorry!" Nami bowed her head deeply as she faced the oncoming stares from the very people she had deceived. "Usopp... I'm sorry. I know how much the Going Merry means to you..."
The familiar longnose stood ominously, setting aside his drink as he approached, the dancing flames from the pyre setting unsteady shadows across his features. A strange sound like something being choked back reached her ears, before he suddenly threw himself at the bewildered navigator. Tears flowing freely from his eyes and he wailed loudly.
"Snff. Hurk. AAAHHHHH!" The long-nosed young man practically jumped at the navigator.
"Whoa, what are you doing?!"
"You were just doing it to save your family! I would've totally done the same thing, that's what being a brave man of the sea means!" He shouted with all his being, his overbearing hug seeming as more of a way to comfort himself than the girl in his clutches.
"I'm not even a man... You're not even listening, are you? AND STOP STRETCHING MY SHIRT, YOU'RE GOING TO RUIN IT!"
"Sniifff, that's like so brave! You know I always used to think you were just a big scary gorilla woman, but you aren't so bad, you know?! You actually care!"
"Oi, who do you think you're calling a gorilla?" A flash of irritation crossed her face, before washing away a placating smile taking its place.
"But it was all just an act! You were actually just a big softie all along, what a relief! I mean there's no way you're actually that mean for real..."
"Usopp-kun..." The restraint with which she conducted herself was rapidly receding, until the oni's face let itself be known once more.
"Uwah, the scary ogre woman from earlier is back!"
"Get back here!" She chased him around the fire, the sniper's legs seasoned from countless retreats contracting with full force to leave her in the dust comfortably.
"AAHHHH! Not a chance! Usopp-dash!"
"Shishishi! Chase him, chase him!"
"Oi, Luffy. Don't encourage her!" The sniper shouted back.
"Stop right there!"
"GYAAAHHHH!"
"Shishishi! Oh, it's the old man! Where's that cool hat thing, the spinny one?"
The old man grunted quietly as he rested his old bones beside the boy. "Ah, that? I don't need it anymore, it's somewhere better now."
"Is that so? Bummer." A sad look that remained for little less than an impassive moment was rewritten as soon as food found its way into the greedy mouth of the young captain.
"It's pretty nice eating someone else's cooking. I might need to ask around for some of these recipes." The chef relaxed back in his seat, sampling from the food on his varied plate.
"Feel free to, so long as you remain here, treat this place as a second home."
"Thank you, that's very generous."
"The least we can do for our saviours. Isn't that right, Nojiko?"
The tattooed girl found her way to a seat. "Yeah, we owe you guys."
"Nojiko-chwan!" The cook jumped towards the girl's lap, to which she stopped him mid-air with her palm. The blonde sunk to floor as if the gravity had reduced by a factor of 5, floating like a feather mid-flight all the while hearts formed in his eyes.
"My sister has such... unique friends." She barely restrained a repulsive look towards the cook.
"Hahaha!"
"What are you laughing at Marimo?"
"Your desperation."
"Hmph. You simply have no clue how to romance a woman. Observe." Sanji slid on his knees, creating a plume of dust as he offered a rose from his extended hand to the violet-haired beauty. "Your father must've been a thief, because he put the star-"
"I'm an orphan." She replied with a dead stare.
"..."
"..."
"Your father must've been a thief, because he put the stars in your eyes." He said with renewed hope.
"Wow, he really just continued as if he didn't hear that. That's guts." Usopp looked over, sporting a new bump on the back of his head, approaching the size of his nose, courtesy of Nami.
"Not interested." Nojiko said as simply as she could.
"..." Sanji stood in silence, smoothly walking back to his seat, quietly lighting a cigarette.
"O-Oi, is he okay? I mean that's gotta break the confidence, right?" Usopp asked Nami.
"I dunno, you check!" Nami pushed him towards the destitute cook.
"...It's your sister... Whatever. U-Um, Sanji-san everything okay?" He peeked at the blonde, who's head rested on his hands, whispering something under his breath.
"...This isn't bad either." A small grin on his face.
Usopp reeled back, quickly sitting down himself.
"Well...?"
"He's fine."
"Are you sure, it looks like-"
"No seriously, he's fine. Don't even ask."
"If you say so..."
"HeY GuYs! THis iS WhEre yOu WeRe?!" Johnny and Yosaku ambled towards them, faces flushed and shirts elsewhere.
"Kehehe! We heard everything, you were doing pick-up lines, Sanji-san? Leave it to Johnny, he's a hit with the ladies. Take it away, brother!"
"What are you two idiots doing?" Zoro asked the two bounty hunters, a suspicious look on his face as he handled a bottle of rum.
"Check this aniki. Nami-san were you raised on a farm 'cos you sure know how to raise a couple c-" Before another word could escape his open mouth the two were smacked on the head by Zoro's two-sword style, collapsing into two satisfied heaps, the smell of alcohol lingering from their open mouths.
"Idiots. Can never handle their drink."
"Aww, I wanted to hear the rest!" Luffy shouted.
"Luffy, there's grilled meat over there." Zoro replied unabashedly.
"Ooh nice, thanks Zoro!" As quickly as his dissatisfaction was voiced it was rectified.
A brief quiet washed over them.
"I just can't find the words... I lied to all of you. Took the ship without saying a single thing, nearly got you all killed, and you still saved me. Saved us. My home. I don't know how I can ever repay you guys... I apologise-"
"Those are the wrong words, Nami-chan."
"Huh?"
"What you should be saying is; thanks."
"..."
"Of course, we'll help you. There's no reason to apologise. Aren't we a crew?" Sanji finished.
"Speak for yourself, shitty cook. Even if it needed to be done, she still left us hanging to dry."
"I didn't realise the marimo was allowed to speak."
"Hah?"
"You only survived because that swordsman decided to spare you. We weren't his enemy, yet you still decided to fight him... Even if I wasn't a member of the crew when it happened. Don't act like you're incapable of making selfish decisions as well."
"Tch."
"I wouldn't have it any other way!" The captain suddenly burst out with.
"Luffy?"
"Same with you right, Sanji? Usopp?"
"Even if we're all here for different reasons we'll sail to grab those dreams! Pirate King, Worlds strongest swordsman, A map of the world, Bravest on the seas, All Blue! Every single one of them!" He held up the apple juice in a tankard and shouted to the rest of them, a huge smile reaching from ear to ear.
"You guys..." Nami teared up slightly at the sight.
"Shishishi! Let's get the party started up again, I'm hungry!"
"Still?!"
"Hahahaha!"
[Piracy?]
"Vice-Admiral Garp." Bogard peeked around the doorframe and corner before closing the door behind himself. Glancing once out of each of the windows.
"What is it?"
"May I ask why you haven't brought them into custody?"
"...I already explained it to the men earlier. Are your ears working properly? Getting old, eh? Bwahaha!"
"Sir, the other men are already preoccupied with detaining the fishmen pirates. I know you. Those pictures, I'm sure I wasn't the only one that caught those hints. Never mind the transmission..."
He sighed once, before turning to his right-hand man. "Should've known you would have the same worries. How long have we been together now?"
"Long enough. Though, there's no reason to word it like we're an old married couple."
"Pah, might as well be at this rate... I'd bring them in if it was only that simple."
"You still think the perpetrator is on that island?"
"Yeah, the person that sent the transmission is the leading suspect. However... we can't investigate the island. The locals are riled up, they see us as a threat, clearly the marines that died weren't too well liked."
"Most likely working alongside the Arlong pirates. Supposedly they've been paying tribute for a while, the residents wouldn't share any more than that."
"If we commit to a wild goose chase then we could lose the suspect. Worst case scenario they use the islanders as collateral to stop us reaching them."
"Using the citizens as a human shield would be the worst event. The longer we stick around the higher those chances become. That being said; we can't exactly leave them be, either."
"Certainly not. But they seem to be amicable at the very least with the villagers. Doesn't seem like those pirates are sticking around... Whoever's responsible will be leaving soon enough."
"Hmm. Those pirates were the only thing to have changed from my estimation. If it were an islander, they would've sorted this situation a lot sooner... We shouldn't remove the possibility it was a defecting marine, as low as those odds might be."
"I don't think so."
"...?"
"If he were a member of Nezumi's crew he would've ate and slept with those same men, for who knows how long... You think he could massacre them in such a cruel way? To leave their body parts strewn about the sea? Either the guy's deranged or it wasn't a marine."
"True... Perhaps their constant disregard for the marine code brought him to such lengths?"
"Even if they did, they're still human. No person is 100% irredeemable, spending that much time alongside them would ensure that. You'd have to be apathetic or uninvolved to do something like that."
"So it's a pirate then. You think it's the leader the others pointed out earlier?"
"The longnose? Doubt it. Whoever did this didn't want to be seen. They tried to pin that destruction on the fishmen. Does that kid strike you as the type to go to all that trouble?"
"...With how he was boasting earlier, I wouldn't say so." Bogard adjusted his hat slightly, exhaling a sigh.
"The one responsible for this will be a member of the crew. We don't really have the time to search for them, unfortunately."
"They'll get more suspicious the longer we delay our departure, certainly. The only question is, is the rest of that crew aware and in on the plan?"
"I don't know. But my gut says otherwise."
"We're dealing with a one-man show?"
"...I can't say for certain. But I don't see any other reason."
"It's different from any other encounter with fishmen I've seen." Bogard admitted, his mind replaying through the admittedly long history they shared.
"Exactly. They always, always make it a point to finish the job with excessive strength. What fishman do you know that uses tools to take out humans they hate?"
"Burning up a ship rather than sinking it, they didn't just break the hull or anything either. Even if they were tying up loose ends by getting rid of co-conspirators. Then there's the obvious question..."
"What was that guy doing off of the boat in that scenario? How did he take the pictures? Was he prepared for it? Or was it just fast reflexes by escaping from the ship and reporting it?"
"You could flatten it down to coincidence and good work from a recruit..."
"You could, which just makes me more curious. If all of that was planned, they called us here. For what purpose? Just to arrest the fishmen? Why would they risk being exposed?" Garp asked his right hand.
"...Have they planned for our response to this, as well?"
Garp grunted. "Guys like this are always the most troublesome. Gives me a headache just thinking about the amount of steps they've taken..."
"If it is just one person... I might have a plan to lure them out."
"...I'll leave it to your discretion, Bogard. That's more your area of expertise anyway."
"Of course, I only ask for your cooperation should it be needed."
"Hn. Don't let me down."
"I'll try the best I can." He shut the door respectfully behind him, before steadily pacing down the corridor.
"I have no doubts about that. Still, fishmen beaten in the East blue, the weakest sea. Looks like I came here at the right time..." The old admiral whispered aloud.
"Change still comes about even 20 years after that day, Roger. Was this the change you envisioned?"
Air stirred in the room.
"You and that son of mine. Always so concerned with changing this world yet never concerning yourselves with whether that change will really aid the people. Change comes with the next generation, us old men should be content with protecting them so that natural progression can continue... "
"I'll continue to guide them that same way. As soon as I have my hands on Luffy and Ace once again. I won't let the same happen with them. Absolutely not. That's what it means to be a marine!"
[Piracy?]
The roaring flames and distant eruptions of laughter were carried all the way down to the beach. Playing a sombre song on my ears.
I had stayed long enough.
I had seen my fill.
And to put it bluntly.
I wasn't moved.
I'm not the same as Arlong. I wasn't interested in ruling over others. But in the same breath I wasn't the same as that pirate crew. I didn't have any sort of ambition or dream that I wanted to reach no matter what. No, I always have been and will continue to be someone that profits off of others for selfish reasons, reasons that will remain inconsequential. Honestly, I wasn't sure if that made me worse than Arlong and his group, or if that question was even important.
Arlong's story didn't matter, whether the past I provided Nami was true or not didn't matter. I simply aligned the pieces in a way that suited my needs and awaited a decision that could provide me some closure. In the end did she fail to dispose of Arlong because she was weak or was it simply compassion for those that had suffered? Or was it something else?
That was the major difference between me and them.
All of them, good or bad had a reason behind their actions. Some great ambition which fuelled their actions. Revenge, protecting their families, gathering a reputation, becoming the freest on the seas. Becoming the strongest etc.
I had no reason.
I survived because I didn't feel like dying. Because there's nothing after this. Because this life was all we had.
And just like that I was trapped in a game I couldn't win or lose, the only possible outcome was a stalemate where death stared me in the eyes and asked if waiting this long, sacrificing piece by useful piece until the match's end, was worth it.
...I didn't have an answer. Not one I was satisfied by anyway.
The marine's voices carried along the coastline, orders being thrown around as they hauled the fishmen pirates one by one to the brig. Two or more sailors to a single prisoner as they carted them off like chattel.
I pulled my cap slightly lower.
There was no need to rely on that crew anymore. The backup plan was here, I could just find my way like this. Should be easy enough. In the worst-case scenario I could just use force... I would like to avoid that, if possible.
I deftly moved through the treeline, the constant bustling of marine soldiers moving to and fro on the beach towards the fishmen. A few enclosing the tattered body of Arlong, a tarp placed over his features as his closest confidants looked over him morosely.
What fate did the fishmen have?
...It wasn't any of my business. Not right now.
In the corner of my eyes I kept a watch on the soldiers filing out from their galleon, boarding the harbour and making their way towards the fishmen. I had to time it perfectly. Naturally.
I pulled the cap tighter, tugging it downwards to cover my eyes marching alongside the beat of the marine drum, gathering at the side of a fishman with another officer adjacent. Pulling the fishman to his feet and dragging him in single file towards the ship and eventually the brig.
"There's so many of them... the brig's gonna be over capacity. Let's just hope they don't cause any trouble on the way, huh?" The young marine man beside the fishman had a slightly different uniform. The general stature and the milk bottle glasses adorning his face made him look youthful, I almost felt as if he were too young to be aboard.
"Hopefully." I replied simply.
Ah, not good.
The fishman we escorted peered at me from under my nose, his features suddenly changing into shock and awe.
"Huh? YOU-!" Before the fishman could say anything incriminating I crashed my fist directly into his jaw, dimming the light in his eyes, before his body drooped towards the floor.
"What are you doing?!" The young boy said, tumbling to the side, knocked by the fishman's sudden struggling strength.
I shouldered the prisoner and threw him into one of the cells, shutting the door behind him after a moment. "The brig will be loud enough with all the other prisoners, don't need more trouble. Besides, he's a criminal. They're a danger to the populace, don't tell me you're sympathising with them?"
"N-No. Just... don't you think it's a bit far? He's already been captured and all." Different times called for different measures. In my time this would constitute police brutality... but I wasn't really an officer so that was the least of my concerns. These things would be laxer due to the time period and the general setting of this world. The racial tensions between humans and fishmen would also somewhat diminish my actions. The power differential between the average human and average fishman would also lend credence to this case.
Basically, there was very little reason why anyone would criticise or punish my behaviour. Or so I thought... I had to be sure this boy was an exception to that rule.
"Justice has to be swift in its execution, else more will suffer. Aren't you a marine? Have you not been taught such a simple thing?" If my estimations based on his size, attitude and lack of weaponry. I'm assuming this young boy was my junior and of a lower rank. As a higher officer I had my own duties to attend to. I couldn't look out of place for the time being.
"I'm... just a chore boy now. But... I'll be a proper marine soon! It's my dream." Dream. Why was I encountering that word every which way I turned? Was this world just different in that way, did the vast seas spark wonder and curiosity? Or was this the natural state of any world, were dreams inherent to the human experience?
"I've seen you sweeping the deck a few times." I hadn't.
"...I'm Koby. What's your name?"
"Ensign Chavel Harrow. Marine code: 00842." The unsupervised time I had spent on that marine ship which now firmly rests at the bottom of Arlong park was useful. Useful enough to give me this information. I had picked this person for a few specific reasons, though I hoped I would never need to utilise them.
"A-Ah. Um, Koby. Marine code, uh... 015294. I think... Or was it 012594?" Was he probing? Or was he just genuinely clueless? Either way I would look out of character not to chastise him for his unprofessionalism.
"You should be careful. Not knowing that might make others think you're a pirate in disguise. What marine doesn't even remember their code?" One that wasn't worried about looking suspicious would be the most comforting answer.
"Ha... haha... that's a joke, right?"
"Chore boys are often overlooked, never know when they might be listening in on important information. You tell me."
"...I'm sorry. I guess in some ways it just doesn't feel like I'm a marine. It hasn't really sunk in yet." Imposter's syndrome, huh? How ironic that he was speaking to one at this moment. The only thing that set us apart was the effort put into our guises.
"You're a man of the navy, aren't you? Chin up, chest out. Confidence is just another deterrent to crime. Do you want the prisoners to laugh when they see their captors?"
"N-No, sir." He adjusted as I tapped his shoulders and chest once with two fingers.
"Better. Remember, everything from our posture to the very weapons we carry in our arms is to convey the same principle. We are the law. If you don't have any confidence in where you stand, how is anyone else supposed to take us seriously?"
"Of course, sir! I'll stand proud from now on. Thank you!" You can thank me by forgetting my existence. If only there were lower ranked officers on that ship... It doesn't look good for a platoon of commissioned officers to all be taking bribes. Perhaps, the navy would thank me for getting rid of them. Or they'd look for an explanation for their sudden disappearance... If they really had to, I'm sure Luffy and the rest could fight their way out of it... Maybe. Depends how big a force the navy send their way. Regardless, that wasn't any concern of mine for the time being. My main concern was not getting spotted by the fishmen whilst on this ship. I was hoping they might have trouble distinguishing human faces, but against my vain wishes it seemed they had ingrained my unchanging features into their skulls.
How bothersome.
"Hm." I grunted a low acknowledgement to the chore boy before moving from the brig. Disbelief amongst the guard and my disguise were the best allies I could use at this moment.
Even if the fishmen said something it would be taken as them pinning the blame and speaking from madness. All I had to do was wait until we reached another island. Then bye-bye, Chavel Harrow. Bye-bye, Kiyotaka.
---
Word count: 4630
Umm... I don't know how to say this, but I somehow got Luffy's laugh wrong for the longest time. I don't know how. But yeah, correcting that from here. My bad. The cat like laugh just felt right... I feel like I'm being Mandela affected here. I'm not crazy, I swear.
As for Ayanokouji's plan I think there will be some speculation as to just why he decided on this plan of action. Perhaps some might feel that his development has been accelerated greater than the writing justifies, hopefully not. Personally I believe this plan actually makes sense for Ayanokouji after such a big ploy, not from a logical perspective. But that's entirely the point. However, I'll tackle that as we progress the story.
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Hopefully you enjoyed the chapter. Let me know your thoughts below.
Until next time.