Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Yes, he was Cain…

Thatch was dead.

Portgas D. Ace was dead.
And Whitebeard was dead…

Every death beheld in the hands of Marshall D. Teach. The most hated man in the world, right after Gold Roger.

Teach was brutal.

Killing those for power indiscriminately without a second thought or remorse, a selfish beast with the power of two devil fruits.

Starting a war just to break in and out of hell itself to build a crew of like-minded killers like him, even allowing a former marine admiral to join his ranks among his titanic captains. Now he reigns over the island of Hachinosu, a hive of pirates that swarm like wasps whenever they get a whiff of misery or gold.
He holds no love in his heart, no remorse in his head, no feelings but the dark empty void that is him...

There was fire all around as smoke bellowed up into the sky, casting dark shadows within a stale area. Buildings were torn apart, the earth split open, people dying in the streets, mothers crying, and children screaming alone but none of them could be heard. With the loud bellowing laugh of the monster who committed these atrocities...

Blackbeard.

"ZeHahahahahaha!!!"

And his laugh can be heard everywhere as people either ran or died on the spot.

"'Ey Laffitte!.. Didja' count the loot we got this time?"

He turns to his navigator, the titanic captain of the fifth ship, and the former demon sheriff of the west blue. A hypnotic man in tap shoes...

"Hoho... We have massed quite a lot, commodore." Laffitte answers his beloved commodore.

Oh, Laffitte...

What he wouldn't give to follow this horrid man to the ends of the earth. Laffitte and Blackbeard were both killers in their rights, both were always jovial about it. Laffitte would whistle a happy tune of death while Teach would simply sing along. Laughing at the weak and miserable with him...

"Sounds perfect! Have Burgess load the ships and then we'll sail once Aokiji and Doc return!.." Blackbeard laughs a proud reply.

"WIHAHAHA!!!" A laugh interrupts, as a muscular man in a luchador mask steps forward with a wide grin.

"I'm already done cap-" Laffitte shoots him a look before he can finish his sentence. "A-Already done, commodore!.." Correcting himself.

Jesús Burgess, the captain of the first ship. Burgess is the strong man of the crew, helmsman, and resident idiot to many. Though his supposed idiocy and love of wrestling are looked upon fondly by the sniper of the crew.

"Commodore..." A voice calls out from above a torn tower, as there stood the captain of the third ship.

Van Augur.

"What is it, Augur?" Blackbeard looks up to him.

"I see a fleet of Marine ships in the distance, we should be leaving soon," Augur spoke cooly, jumping down for Burgess to catch him.

"What about that ice pop and Doc??" Burgess asks his sniper, as he settles him down.

"They're arriving soon..." Augur answers.

“About damn time!..” Blackbeard laughs.
The flames around the burning town slowly began to die down as a cold chill ran through the air, smoke was still escaping, but the fires were gone.
Walking through the smoke was the former marine admiral, Kuzan Aokiji.
And beside him was the sick doctor of the Blackbeard pirates, Doc Q. Riding upon his horse, Stronger, in a similar condition.

Aokiji was a warm man with a cold ability, with his ice devil fruit to freeze anything on sight when he joined. He became the captain of the tenth ship. While Doc Q and his horse companion were the captains of the ninth ship.

“Ah… Kuzan. Have you gotten the maps I requested?” Laffitte flashes his usual grin to the former admiral.

“Course,” Aokiji throws a map at Laffitte to catch. “I noticed the coming ships, do you need me to freeze them?” He asks.

“Oh, no need dear sir, we’re already on our way back to Hachinosu…” Laffitte says as the others head to the ships.

“Sounds fair…” Doc Q coughs, “Me and Stronger are too tired to do anything else…” Both he and his horse collapse to the ground.
Burgess lets out an exasperated sigh. “C’mon, not another nap time for you two!..” He picks the sickly doctor by his coat scruff, carrying him and his horse like a sack of potatoes as he heads to the second ship with Augur. While Aokiji followed Laffitte and Blackbeard to the first ship.
“I’m gonna take a lesson from Doc and-”

“Take a nap below deck?..” Blackbeard smirks.

“Yup…” Aokiji yawns, already walking past the other pirates as he heads below deck. The sails were dropped, the anchors were lifted, and the ships were pulled from the harbor as the two pirate ships sailed away from the coming fleet through the rough waters.
Thunder roared above as the wind crashed with the waves alongside the ship, and Laffitte starred up into the sky for a moment. “Commodore!..” He calls out to Blackbeard.
“We should head inside, a storm is coming.”

“Alright,” Blackbeard replies to him.
“Set a course to Hachinosu!..” He yells out to his subordinates as they scramble to work on deck as their commodore and navigator head inside to talk.

Outside of the others, he was Blackbeard, the feared and hated yonko of the seas. While inside away from others, he was Teach to his closest allies. But to Laffitte, he was both Teach and Marshall…

The inside of Teach’s cabin was warm and luxurious, refined with soft silks and bright colors. Laffitte was at his desk, looking over the many maps that were strewn about as Teach dropped his fur cape and coat on his bed.
“I believe heading back to Hachinosu around this time is a bad call considering the severity of the storm outside.” Laffitte takes his top hat off.

“Where should we go then? Any island nearby to harbor at for safety?” Teach asks him.

“Hmm… There isn’t any island nearby… But the log pose has been acting strange.” Laffitte taps the desk in thought, as Teach walks up behind him.
“How so?” He says.

“There aren’t any nearby islands marked or drawn on these maps, including the one Kuzan stole from the Marines…” Laffitte goes silent for a moment.
“But…” He gets up, heading to the shelf. Picking through the other rolled-up maps, he pulled out one that looked older than the others. He opens it up and looks through it till a smile appears on his face.
“I knew it.”

He points to a marked area on the old map, Merro Island .
“I knew there was an island nearby, but it just wasn’t marked on the newer maps… I wonder why…” Laffitte muses, till he notices Teach staring off at the old map.

Looking at the marked island that is nearby…

“...Marshall?..” Laffitte speaks gently, curious about his current state.
His navigator's soft-spoken words broke him out of the supposed trance, Teach shook his head and spoke. “I’m good… Just… Just set a course to Merro Island, I’ll call the second ship to tell them.” He straightens up, grabbing the transponder snail to make a call.
Laffitte heads out to tell the crew, glancing back at Teach one last time to think before stepping out into the rainy storm.
“Set course for Merro Island!.. Point the sails to the South East and sail ahead!..” He yells out, and the crew members scramble to work in the harsh conditions.

Laffitte watches as they work for a moment, before stepping back into the cabin with Teach. Just as he finished his call, sitting beside him on the large bed.
“Told them to follow us,” Teach spoke, as Laffitte leans his head on his shoulder.

“That’s good… We should arrive by morning, explore a bit, and see what the Marines were hiding if they were so keen on making that place unknown…” Laffitte replies with a tired sigh, as Teach wraps an arm around his waist. Pulling his navigator closer, but Marshall stayed silent…

“...You’ve been there before, haven’t you?..” Laffitte asks as he plays with his beard.
A grin grows on Teach’s face, as he huffs a quiet laugh.
“Evelyn is gonna be pissed…”

Chapter Text

“Jesus Christ.”

Aokiji muttered as he stood on the white sand beach.
Upon a place, he never thought he’d ever see again, a place that only brought bad memories of his time as an admiral. This familiar white sand beach, dense green forest that stood tall, and ruined torn homes that were overgrown with vines and leaves. The harbor here was destroyed two years ago, so the two pirate ships had to beach instead.

Already the sailors were carrying containers and barrels from the ships to be filled with supplies scavenged around the island as a few others ventured into the dark forest to forage.

He sighed, “Jesus, fucking, christ…” Aokiji cursed again as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Yeah?” Burgess perked up, as he was carrying a stack of boxes.
Aokiji looked at him, exasperated, “No, not you. I said Jesus, not Jesús.” he stated.
“You’ve been to this place before?” Augur looked to the former admiral.

“Yes. This is Merro Island, about two or three years ago-”

“What the fuck happened here.”
Aokiji turned to see Teach glaring daggers at him as he stood in front of the old ruins of the town here.
“...Why are you concerned?”

“I’m not. I just need to know what happened.” Teach reiterated.

Aokiji closed his eyes for a moment and huffed another sigh, “Basically I was sent here on an assignment and it went to hell.” he answered.

“Was it enemy pirates that you dealt with? And that you couldn’t protect the unfortunate souls?..” Laffitte asks.
But Aokiji stayed silent, not wanting to answer, Teach didn’t need to hear one anyway as he walked his way through the ruined town.
“Hey, should someone follow him?” Doc Q spoke from the second beach ship.
Laffitte sighed and followed Teach closely behind with Aokiji in tow, “You didn’t answer my question, on what happened…” he said.

“You don’t need to know the answer, you used to work for the world government the same as me. We all did horr-” Aokiji stopped talking, sending an ice pick to the treeline above the ruined town. His eyes scanned the surrounding scenery in quiet firmness.

Laffitte followed his trained gaze, the both of them looking around, but nothing was seen or heard…
“I swear I thought I saw…” The former admiral muttered quietly, holding his breath for a moment before breathing again and continuing ahead. Laffitte looked around a moment longer before joining him.

“Marsh, hey. Where the hell are you heading?” Aokiji called out to Teach, who arrived at a dilapidated home at the end of the old ruined town.
There were few damages, and vines still growing within its crevices like all the others…
Except it was fixed up, filled by the woods from the nearby forest, the door was closed with a large claw mark stretching from the top to the bottom. He looked down to see remnants of footprints walking in and out of the home, walking right into the forest…

He took a deep breath and knocked, but the door opened for him…
It was empty and dark, with no source of light as all the windows were boarded up from the inside and outside. Teach stepped inside as Aokiji and Laffitte stood beside him, Teach walked through the dark home, with barely any dust on anything unlike the old homes outside.

It brought a strange feeling to Teach, seeing this place again, but in ruined glory with a few key items missing.

Like photos of its inhabitants, healthy plants instead of dead ones, ornate plates passed down within the family, the collection of weapons she used to keep on the wall, some furniture, and people.

The claw mark that was seen on the door outside trailed its way through the floors and walls, as Teach trailed his hand over their heavy indents. He was more lost in thought, different theories passing through his head on what happened to the island or this home he once knew from an old life he burned.

His thoughts were paused, as a thump was heard, turning his head to see a white rabbit had jumped on the table. Grooming itself as it paid no mind to the fearsome pirate that stared intently at the creature.

Teach sighed heavily, bringing the rabbit’s attention to him, as its head turned. Dried blood in its maw, not a sign of an old injury but the sign of an old feast.

Its piercing red eyes glared at Teach.

Unblinking, a near methodical look in its eyes, similar to those that a predator would hold when sizing up their prey to hunt…

Its ears twitched and scurried off.
Aokiji and Laffitte watched as the rabbit darted past them, running straight into the woods. They looked back inside to see Teach heading into another room.

More strange feelings crept inside as his body walked through the home like an old ghost, haunting its place of love. But in truth, it was the reverse for him…

The bedroom itself was as empty as the rest of the house, except for a few things….
Missing blankets and sheets were all huddled onto the bed for its inhabitants to sleep warmly. He didn’t notice anything else as he walked straight to the bed, kneeling to pick up a loose floor tile underneath to reveal a hidden compartment. He reached inside and pulled out a dusty shoebox, no one had touched this for years, and now, it was only him…

“Evelyn isn’t here…” He muttered to himself.

Inside the box was old jewelry, a pouch of sunflower seeds, a photo of Teach with a woman, and a letter…

He blinked upon seeing the letter, surprised to see it in all places, as Evelyn was never known to write. She always got bored with it…

He picked it up alongside the photo that he slipped into his coat pocket. Teach sat down, the old mattress dipping with the old springs creaking underneath due to his heavy weight.

Teach slowly opened the letter, his eyes trailing the familiar yet messy handwriting that was written, how bold it was due to the blurry outline of old words that were erased. Hinting that this letter was rewritten numerous times before its final contents that Teach read…

Teach’s eyes slowly grew bigger the more he read, his eyes trailing back and forth from top to bottom. Absorbing the information that was written on the page over and over again…
He didn’t think this was real. For a quick moment, he knew that this was a prank, so he laughed to himself aloud at another of one of Evie’s old jokes but…

It wasn’t a joke.

Each time he read, his movements slowed down. To let himself fully register the words and their meanings, to see it as something else rather than a joke he initially thought it was…

Breathing became hard all of a sudden, he nearly gasped but he covered his mouth to save himself from embarrassment just in case someone else was to hear him.

No. No.
This couldn’t be real. This can’t.
Evie was just hiding somewhere, this was all just some stupid prank of hers and nothing more, so he laughed again, trying to convince himself it wasn’t real.
None of this was real at all it was…

It was…

His eyes finally scanned the remainder of the room…

The walls, scarred with the claw marks seen through the rest of the house, were covered by charcoal drawings. He looked to the floor, spying bits of charcoal scattered about left by the artist, and more key furniture was missing here just as before.
Alongside were the faint small tracks of footsteps, the very same footsteps as he had seen outside earlier. The wall art was of a small family, a mother and a child.

Teach turned quickly on the bed as it creaked more. He rummaged through the blankets and sheets, finding a small stuffed rabbit hidden beneath…
One beady black eye while the other was blue, obviously sewn on as other parts of its body were stitched together crudely as it had been changed by love through the years…

His hands shook as he held the small toy rabbit in his hands…

It was no bigger than his palm…

He stood up shakily, his body wasn’t his own anymore as his steps made him sway through the house. Exiting outside, Laffitte and Aokiji were shocked to see the look on his face, beholding an expression they thought they’d never see on him.
Guilt.

Aokiji’s eyes trailed down to see the stuffed rabbit Teach was clutching tightly in one hand while the other was the letter, in the very same condition carried by balled fists.

He walked past them.

Unable to hear Laffitte call to him as his head was a buzz, the other sails noticed his swaying steps and stood aside to give him room.
His other captains called to him but he spoke not a word as he headed to his ship.

Locking himself in his cabin alone, he finally breathed as he collapsed on his bed.
Gasping for air he held the stuffed rabbit tightly, memories of old flashing through his head…

“Who the hell are you??”

“Who’re you?? I’m Marshall, Marshall D. Teach.”

“What’s with the ‘D’ initial in your name?? That’s weird for a pirate, ya’ weirdo… I’m Evelyn, Evelyn Vulc… But you can call me Evie…”

Teach picked up the letter again, re-reading it over and over again.
He wanted to laugh but he couldn’t muster anything up, it was a cruel joke.

Dear, Marsh

I know you said that I wouldn’t be seeing you for a while since Pop’s is heading to the new world. But I take back what I said about getting me a souvenir for the future.
You already gave me one, and I love them already…

Signed, your friend, Evie.

Chapter Text

“Marshall?” Laffitte knocked on his cabin door.
“Marshall, are you okay?”

But there was no answer…
It wasn’t like him, to be so quiet or gloomy when he would always wear the usual wide grin like Burgess.

Laughing when trouble arose, he held himself up in his cabin instead.

Alone, doing god knows what, the look in his eyes was strange. It wasn’t a glazed look that he and Laffitte would share when ending a life.

It was wholly different…

“Hey! What’s up with him?” Burgess yells up from shore.

Laffitte gives one last worried look towards the cabin before jumping down to Burgess and Augur. “I don’t know, he isn’t answering,” Laffitte answers.
“But he looked nearly frightened, holding an old toy rabbit and a letter.”

“Where did he get them?” Augur raises an eyebrow.

“At the only home that wasn’t completely torn apart like the rest of this ruined place,” Laffitte says. “Kuzan is there. He went inside after Marshall went inside his cabin…” His eyes trailed from his crewmates to the other sailors, who were listening in but resumed working when Laffitte noticed them.
He shook his head slightly, “Look… I’m going back to that house. Watch for the commodore and wait for the others to get back.” Laffitte sighs as he’s already walking off to the ruined town.
Both Aokiji and Teach were odd upon setting ashore on this island, both knew it well to some extent but didn’t say much…

Aokiji treated this place like a second Ohara.
Any mention of Ohara brought him guilt and sadness, some like Burgess would laugh at his sob story while others would stay quiet like Laffitte and Shiryu. Knowing the full extent of the World Government’s cruelty just like the former admiral…

Laffitte stepped inside the old home, noting the makeshift fixings, the absence of dust, the boarded-up windows, and the claw marks stretching through the rooms. Someone was living here but they were gone, but not for long…

This place would tell an interesting tale if only the walls could talk. But Laffitte knew nothing the same as everyone, except for one man. Aokiji stood in the bedroom, frozen still as if he had managed to freeze his won insides in some strange way. He only stared at the walls in silent horror…
Laffitte nearly tripped upon entering, spying the bits of charcoal all over the floor, as he furrowed his brows in confusion. Then looking up to see the drawings on the walls. Drawings that ranged from rabbits to a small family, a happy one…

It was all in a child’s writing…

He took a deep breath before speaking. “Do you know anyone by the name of Evelyn?..”
Aokiji closed his eyes and shook his head “Yeah… I do…” his tone was tired and angry. A far cry from the usual grief and sadness brought by a place like Ohara, but of course, every island held a unique history and past.

Merro was completely different from Ohara, as Ohara was a wasteland now.

All the while, Merro Island continued to have its lush broad forests that grew to overrun the ruined town that was once the sign of happy humans living here.
But no more.
“You hate this place,” Laffitte spoke to the former admiral.

“I do…” Aokiji smacked his lips. “What I heard. What I saw. What I did here… It was bad.”

Laffitte blinks, “Was it another, Ohara?” he asks, but he shakes his head.
“No, the kid just… They just wanted to go home…”
The jovial tap-dancing man furrowed his brows, looking back at the drawings and the charcoal bits on the floor. Those small footprints alongside his and the former admirals made him uneasy.

“Evelyn was their mother… The kid was only thirteen…” Aokiji spoke.
“Ohara’s spirits aren’t vengeful… But this kid has every right to be angry…”

------

“I’m thinking of a number between one and ten…”

“It’s one.”

“How’d you guess??”

“Because it’s your number. Burgess…” Augur sighed, reading a book on Burgess’s back while he was doing pushups. “You know me so well, Augie,” Burgess grins happily with a laugh, as Augur playfully rolls his eyes.

“Um… Captains?..” A sailor spoke up, meekly.

Both Augur and Burgess’s shared smiles dropped as he interrupted them.
“Yeah? What d’ya want??” Burgess held an annoyed expression while Augur was indifferent.
“The others that have been out gathering for food haven’t come back…” The sailor says, his expression worried as the other sailors in the background.

“Doesn’t it take a while to gather some… Foods? It’s not that worrying.” Burgess replies, resting on his elbow as Augur stands to grab his rifle.

“But we even sent a few into the forest to check in on them, but they haven’t returned either…” Another sailor speaks up.
“They had a transponder snail on them, we called but no one answered.”

“It is better to check up on them, Burgess.” Augur cleans his glasses as the luchador stands up and exhales loudly.
“Fine… We’ll check up on them…” He groans with an eye-roll, joining Augur as they walk into the forest.
Despite his initial reluctance to do anything, he stopped for a moment alongside his sniper…

Realizing just now how dark it was underneath the long stretching trees, how no sun could barely shine down, and how long the shadows seemed to go along with the woods. To Burgess, it looked like one of those spooky places Augur would read to him about from his books.

His eyes darted around waiting for any monsters to dart out from behind the trees or for the woods themselves to move.
“Let’s go back-” Before he could turn around, Augur held him by his shirt sleeve and began to walk deeper into the large forest.
“Keep your eyes open, Burgess…” Augur spoke as his eyes looked around everywhere for any sign of life.

“Augie. With the state of this place… I’m afraid of blinkin’.” Burgess frowns, his body turning and twisting, looking around the same as Augur.
Though Augur always had better eyesight and observation haki than Burgess, he made up for it in strength. He knew he could handle himself in a certain situation when something were to happen, he would be tough, but smart?..

That was completely different…

Burgess and Augur always completed each other, the brains and brawns. The nerd and jock, the sniper and strongman, quiet and loud, the cool and wild one, and the ‘circus freaks’ as Pizarro would call them.

But both never really cared, as Pizarro was old and more of a freak than they were to each other.
They were both ruthless pirates, that much was the same, so why is it any different?..

Especially since Augur was the only one with enough patience besides Laffitte to handle Burgess, and he never wanted to admit that he was always grateful for his company due to his damn pride…
But again… What was Burgess afraid of?..

Augur stopped.
He listened, scanning the area around in caution as he gripped his rifle in position, Burgess held a tight hand on his shoulder as the sniper took a deep breath, in steady preparation.

And shot.

It was the loud piercing squell of an animal, then nothing.
The two ran to where Augur had shot, both looking to see it was a rabbit who was the lucky victim. Once white but now wholly red, split apart by the sniper's precise aim. It died instantly but firm as in its mouth, between its buck teeth was a snake…

Torn asunder, with its neck snapped in two.

“I didn’t know bunnies ate meat…” Burgess spoke, his eyes still at the sight of the torn snake. Augur’s look was more observant and quiet, but with a bit more edge after his first shot.
“Hares eat meat. Rabbits don’t.” Augur spoke, adding another bullet to his rifle, his gaze trailing to where the rabbit was heading.
Evidenced by the remnants of other old trails and prints left behind by other rabbits, he took only three steps to see its final destination.
His half-lidded eyes grew as Burgess stepped beside him, choking on a gasp as they both stared down…

An open grave was dug between the tree’s roots, filled with broken eggs and snakes. All torn asunder, without their heads…

Chapter Text

“Y-You said they don’t eat meat. Augie…” Burgess spoke, his voice shaking in fright. He clenched his fists tightly to remain firm despite the creeping sensation that was eating him up inside.
“I did. This is just for sport,” Augur said, his eyes trained upon the pit. He was staying upright and stern like Burgess. It was obvious this whole situation upset them.

“Hey, hey wait… What if these little shits are related to those giant meat-eating rabbits on that one snowy island… Remember, Augie??” Burgess spoke, and Augur’s eyes lit up recognizing what Burgess referred to.
“Those lapins?.. Yes…” Augur nodded along. “Yes, yes that could be it. These specific rabbits are most likely cousins to them, which would explain their violent tendencies… They’re not meat eaters but they are sociopaths-”

He stopped.
Staring down, the dead rabbit was gone.
Burgess saw with him as both were frozen and nothing was left but a red stain upon the dirt. A snap of a twig was heard right behind them, whipping around ready to fight but nothing was there. A new snake was added to the pit, the same snake the red rabbit held in its dead maw.

“...We need to find them…” Augur spoke.

Burgess was dreading those words, but he didn’t argue.
He groaned and continued through with Augur at a cautious pace as they kept looking around for anything.

They didn’t look above, missing the sight of the torn red rabbit wrapped in a gentle hold. Eyes that peered down to see the two pirates continue about through the woods, looking for their missing comrades.
They sighed, petting the red rabbit with gentle strokes…

———

“Marshall…”
Laffitte knocked again.

He stood at his commodore’s cabin door, knocking with gentle raps as he stood with a tired look. Aokiji was talking with a few sailors about Burgess and Augur being in the woods, Laffitte glanced back at the door and spoke clearly but quietly enough for no one on the beach to hear.
“Kuzan told me about Evelyn.”

There was a moment of silence, but moving could be heard inside the cabin as the door opened enough for Laffitte to enter.
As he stepped inside, the door shut gently as a trail of darkness trailed away from the door, returning to Marshall as he sat at Laffitte’s desk with his head in his hands.

Laffitte stood there momentarily, unsure if he should inch closer unless he wanted him to, and he did as he spoke.
“Evelyn… She was someone I knew when I was on Pop’s crew…” He explained, lifting his head from his hands.
“Evie and I were close, but we were never lovers… But… We did get curious and only once…” The yonko pulled a letter from his coat pocket, and Laffitte stepped forward. Taking the letter from his hand, he read the words on the page.
He looked aghast, as he turned to Marshall.

“She had a child…”

Marshall slowly nodded, “Yeah… Obviously… And now everyone is gone, even Evie and the kid…” he said.
“I don’t know what the hell happened, Evie wanted to send this letter but she didn’t…”

“...Kuzan told me what happened…” Laffitte sighed, as his commodore looked at him with furrowed brows. “He was here when Merro Island became a ruined image of what it once was…”

“So it was another Ohara. Fucking great…” Marshall rubbed his temples.
“But that doesn’t make shit sense since everyone here were fucking fruit farmers, Evie was a baker. And she was stupid too!...”

Laffitte raised an eyebrow at his tirade towards the dead mother of his supposedly dead child he had never met. Marshall saw his confusion and calmed down.

“Evie… Evie was my best friend, I had known her since I was a kid. We were both kids and grew up knowing each other… I know that dumbass better than anyone else, she wasn’t smart. She was a jerk, playing pranks on everyone. And she hated doing anything remotely boring…” Marshall said, his voice growing somber as he kept speaking.
“...Whenever Evie laughed, she would snort… She liked to collect weapons, she tested out a flail on me, and that's how I lost most of my teeth… And then she gave me money and called herself the tooth fairy. Even made me cherry pie as an apology…”

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he took the old stuffed rabbit out of his other coat pocket. Cradling the toy gently in his palms for Laffitte to see.
“This was Evie’s rabbit… His name is Othello… He’d get torn up a lot so Evie would patch him up… I found him in the bed of Evie’s house…”

“...Someone’s been living at the house…” Laffitte spoke.

“...I know… And it’s not Evie…”

Marshall stayed silent for a moment, before asking Laffitte a question.
“Do you think they might look like me?..”

———

“Burgess, I found another pit,” Augur spoke, standing above another small hole filled with torn snakes.

“Over here too, but there’s less,” Burgess yells back, causing the sniper to walk over to investigate. Seeing that the luchador was right, as there were barely any snakes as opposed to the other dead pits they found.
“This one was recently dug,” Kneeling, Augur tested the loose soil between his fingers. Eyebrows furrowed in deep thought.

Burgess frowned as he groaned, “Augie, let’s just go back and get the commodore. This is getting more and more weird.” looking at him with pleading eyes.

“Burgess, I understand but we have to-”

“Augie. I may not read like you, but I’m not stupid enough to know that this situation is fucked . We can’t keep going, this is a horror novel-”

“No, it’s not.”

“Yes, it is! And it’s the dumb dumbs that die first because they didn’t want to leave the stupid haunted woods-

BAM

They stopped.
Slowly turning their heads down into the pit a new killed was added, that fell from above, was the twisted body of a dead sailor. Pale and wide-eyed in dead shock, the two trailed their heads up to see the sight of the many bodies of the dead sailors. Strung up within the tree’s branches like leftovers to be savored later by the predator who left them…

“...We’re leaving… Now…” Augur slowly backed away with Burgess, and the luchador’s breathing became erratic as he stepped away.

Nearly tripping as he couldn’t take his eyes off of the horrendous sight above them, he couldn’t hear anything except for his heartbeat that was racing. Augur tried to shake him, to snap out of his fit but Burgess couldn’t hear, and his eyesight went blurry as he couldn’t breathe anymore…

And he heard a voice…

“You’re going to hit him. Now.”

He punched Augur, his body wasn’t his own anymore as he couldn’t breathe or see. He felt like a dying stranger to his mind that was slowly decaying, as he tried punching Augur again but he thankfully dodged.
“Burgess?! Stop it!..” Augur yelled.
But he couldn’t stop, he kept punching and trying to hurt him but Augur kept moving out of the way as the luchador instead struck the trees. Leaving a few major impacts while the smaller ones keeled over from the attack.

“Damn it, Burgess! Snap out of it!..” Augur yelled again.
“It’s me!”

He steadied his rifle, ready to shoot his fellow captain if necessary. But his gut told him otherwise, his observation haki guided his shot to the tree behind Burgess. As he took his shot…

The bullet went right through the tree, dead center, and Burgess fell over. Gasping for air as he could finally breathe, Augur ran to him.
“Breathe Burgess, breathe…” He spoke, trying to remain calm for the both of them as Burgess finally caught his breath.
“I… I don’t… I couldn’t breathe or see anymore…” Burgess mutters.

“I know…” Augur’s eyes trailed to the tree he shot at, gripping his rifle tightly.
“ It. Took your breath away…” He helped Burgess up, both nodding each other as they slowly rounded the tree.
Finding the body of a black-haired individual, lying on their back as they wore a dirty puffy orange jacket along with a dirty stitched dress with scars on their face.

“I-It’s… It’s a kid…” Burgess breathed.
Augur remained silent, staring at the unmoving body.
“Is it… Dead-”

"Shit..."

It groaned.

The two stepped back in firm positions, preparing to attack as the mystery figure slowly and shakily stood up. As the bullet wound on their forehead left by Augur, disappeared, and they quickly coughed up the very same bullet that seemingly killed them…

They looked up at the two pirates, their eyes nearly hollow and dark, with deep circles under their eyes as they stared intently at the two. Waving the killing bullet with a disappointed look.

“You missed…”

Chapter Text

The two pirate captains stood still as stone, glaring daggers at the child before them…

It was a child, even though their height was close to theirs, about nine feet tall. But their baby face gave away what age they might be, around fifteen or sixteen. Everything about the child was certainly strange. Having healed itself rather quickly from a bullet wound to the head like it was nothing. It was the blatant work of a devil fruit, which would explain the bodies, strange rabbits, dead snakes, and Burgess’s earlier outrage…

The child itself wore scars across their face and neck. Three that stretched over their lips, and atop the bridge of their nose. With five marks on their neck, four on one side and a single on the other. To Augur it nearly resembled a handprint…

Their eyes were dark, covered by the shadow of their thick, wavey hair, which was all over the place. They stared intently at the two pirates in silence, before tilting their head to the side as they spoke.

“Didn’t you hear me?... I said. You missed-”

Augur shot again.
Straight through their head, it left a bloody impact that razed through, but the child merely stumbled back as their head shifted and molded back into place.
As the two pirates stared in silent shock.

“Damn it… Thought it might do something…”

Burgess wasted no time attacking, lunging forward. The child dodged his relentless punches with ease, though it was obvious their legs were their weak area as they swayed abnormally with every step back.
He growled in anger, his fist arming itself with haki, throwing his fist one more time. The child caught it with their own armament hand, shocking Burgess and Augur.
“Haki?.. Interesting…” The child spoke, swinging one leg back and forward in a powerful kick. Burgess flew into a tree, snapping in half from impact, but this gave Augur the opening to shoot at the child. Repeatedly.
The bullets pierced right through them again, leaving blood holes but the child barely reacted as usual. 

“Didn’t you learn a damn thing??.. You can’t kill me. Which sucks for the both of us.” They growled in anger towards Augur.

Unable to see the luchador, striking hard from behind. The child flew up but their arms morphed into bloody flesh tendrils to keep themselves from leaving the tree line.

“Damn… These guys are good… Frankly, I hope my leg bones don't shatter from this...” They thought to themselves, as Augur began shooting at their flesh tendrils. Burgess lifted a boulder getting ready to throw the child.
They harrumphed .

Lifting themselves to the overhead branches. Retracting the tendrils, they jumped down just as Burgess threw the boulder, they hardened their legs with haki they broke through the boulder into pieces scattered everywhere.

“Damn it!” Burgess yelled in anger, the child flashed a sudden frown before grinning.
“Should not have done that, I think my bones broke again.”
They grabbed Burgess with their flesh tendrils, flying forward and striking him with a headbutt. The sound of cracking was heard upon impact, Burgess stepped back, clutching his forward as blood seeped through.

“Ooh!.. Sorry, I think broke somethin’.” The child taunted.

They kicked him to a tree, hard. Landing back down, their legs shook again.
Augur saw a weak point as he shot at their legs, the child hardly reacted as they ran to the other pirate. Punching him in the face, causing his glasses and nose to break.

“AUGIE!”

Burgess unsheathed a hidden dagger, about to stab the child but their arm morphed into a bloody flesh tendril that grabbed and held him against a tree. Their other arm had morphed too, holding Augur the same, dropping his rifle as his nose bleed. The child stood between them, their eyes darting to the two.

“Not very good… Are you two?...” They spoke, surprisingly without a taunting tone.

“Shame, really… Here I thought I might feel something for once…” Quietly muttering while Burgess tries to pry the flesh tendrils off of him.
But it wraps more around him, lifting his left arm out.
“You don’t deserve to even lift a finger for this…” The child glared directly at him, as the tendrils crept up around Burgess’s arm.
Snapping his bone in half.

———

A pained yell rang out through the forest and island.
Aokiji stood in the middle of the abandoned town with a few sailors as the sun set down towards the horizon casting long shadows.
“What the hell was that??...” Aokiji looked around with the sailors.

Laffitte stepped outside of Teach’s cabin with him as they both heard the loud yell, looking at each other first then back out to the island.
“Was that Burgess?” Laffitte spoke.

“That was…” Teach furrowed his brows, and he and his navigator jumped from the ship’s deck. Running towards the village till they stopped.
Hearing the sounds of rustling leaves and twigs snapping as a figure stepped out from the forest at the end of the old town.
They huffed and puffed, keeling to catch their breath till they stood up fully with shaky legs.

“That wasn’t a good idea to use my legs like that…” The child huffed and then hit their legs repeatedly. “C’mon, heal dammit! I didn’t drink those damn sailors blood for nothin-”

“Lillian?..”

The child froze at the sound of that familiar voice, looking up, their pupils shrunk to pin-needles in shock.

“Kuzan?..” They muttered.

Aokiji stood there, mouth agape with a few other sailors looking between the two in confusion. The former admiral was pale with sweating beading down his face.
“Y-You’re alive…” He spoke.
“You’re alive.” He repeated, blinking to reaffirm this wasn’t a dream.

The child slowly nods, “Yeah… I’m…” they shook their head to snap out of the shock. “A-Alive… Is an understatement. I’m just here…”
They scanned Aokiji’s figure, noticing the new scars and how tired he seemed to be. “You lost to the red bitch… That sucks.”

Aokiji’s jaw clenched, “I did… You noticed, and I’m a pirate now…” he said.

“I… Noticed that too. I’m surprised but whatever, crazier shit has happened…” They sighed, raising their hands. “Look. I forgave you two years ago, and I still do… So I can’t do much to you…”

“I know, but you attacked my crewmates so-”

“That’s understandable. I get it… And like I said… I won’t hurt you.” The child’s hands stretched out to grab the former admiral, holding a firm grip, they spun and threw him far.
The sailors gasped at the sight, pulling their weapons and guns out, ready to attack the child.

“Wait!”
But they were interrupted.
“Stop! Don’t shoot!...” Laffitte stepped between the child and his subordinates. Causing noises of confusion among them, “B-But captain they-” One tried to argue but Laffitte shushed him.
“I want to hear none of it. Do not. Harm that child.” He firmly stated.

They furrowed their brows at the strange man, stepping back in caution.
“E-Excuse me?..” They stuttered till Burgess and Augur stepped through the forest. Bloodied and injured.

As Burgess’s left arm was broken with a bleeding forehead and ear. Along with Augur as his glasses and nose were broken. Both of their clothes were torn and dirty from fighting. Stained from both dirt and blood, all the child’s work.

“Get the little shit! They broke my damn arm and Augie’s nose!..” Burgess yelled as Augur was helping him walk, eyes squinted at the sight.

“Ah, cherries...” The child began to sweat, bolting past the pirates.
Running past the dark abandoned buildings under the moonlight, “Good thing the sun's down.” they thought.
They kept running, towards the beach where two pirate ships were beached, they ran past a large fat man who stood still…

Clutching Othello…

They stopped. “Hey! That’s mine! Give it!” They swiped the stuffed rabbit from the man, who spoke not a word looking wide in horror at the child.
But they paid no mind and kept running as the other sailors ran after them, shouting and shooting both profanities and bullets that flew past them.

“Commodore! They’re right there!..” Augur yelled at him, but he remained still as the child pushed the second ship off the shore. Using their flesh tendrils to fling themselves onto the boat.

With more stretching from their body to unfurl the sails, lift anchor, and steer the wheel. The ship began to move away from Merrow Island, just as the others caught up with the frozen yonko.

As the child stood on deck from the sailing ship, they flipped the bird while holding the stuffed rabbit tightly.

Burgess and Augur stood, panting from their earlier excursion and shocked at the mess. “W-What just happened?..” Augur spoke, disbelief evident on his face.

Laffitte said nothing, looking on in thought and intrigue. The lack of answer angered Burgess, as he turned with a growl to his commodore.
“Teach! What the hell was that?! That brat was right-”

He fell silent upon seeing the most feared and hated pirate on the seas. Sitting down with his head in his hands. Burgess looked back at the others, noticing they were still staring out at the leaving vessel. He walked up to him, kneeling to his level, “Hey, what the hell is up with you?..” the luchador asked in a hushed tone.
Teach didn’t look up. “It’s nothing.”

“What?”

“It’s nothing.” The commodore reaffirmed, more sternly.
Burgess backed off, holding his broken arm as it ached, “Damn… Where’s Doc??..” he looked around.
“Yes… I’ve noticed that. Where is he?..” Augur spoke, his blind eyes surveying the area. But the other sailors helped in his stead…

Except for Laffitte…

“I believe our doctor was on that stolen ship…” Laffitte answered.
The others groaned in annoyance, except for Teach, as he kept staring at the shrinking ship on the dark horizon…

Chapter Text

“MOTHERFUCKER!”

The kid paced around on the deck of the pirate ship they had just stolen.
It was not a smart idea, a rushed decision since those angry men were chasing them. It was deserved since they did kill and drink the blood of their slain comrades.
But they had a reason, though of course, they didn’t seem interested in a sense, even if they did say anything.
They would not care.

“Great! This is just great. Where the hell are we supposed to go now, Othello??” The kid looked at their small stuffed rabbit, they had propped the toy up against a couple of boxes so he could see clearly.

“I don’t know, but it was a pretty stupid move.” The kid spoke in a fake voice.

“Well. I don’t need you to remind me. Othello.” They grumbled, crossing their arms in a huff away from the toy rabbit.

“I’m not the one who stole a pirate ship or broke their legs again.”

The kid huffed, dropping down to sit as they held an annoyed look.
They lifted their dress a bit, to inspect their legs only to see multiple bruises forming. Blood seeping through pierced skin caused by their bone shards breaking through.
“Yeah… I shouldn’t have done that…” The kid sighs.
“I shouldn’t even have left those bodies hanging ever since I saw Kuzan…”

“He probably thinks you’re a freak now,”

They rolled their eyes, “I can live with that.” letting out an exasperated sigh as they pushed the protruding bone shards back into their body.
“You’re not even alive, so why say that??”

“Figure of speech, Othello…” They grumbled again, looking to the toy to argue with themselves Othello more. But the kid became more preoccupied, upon seeing a horse chew on the toy's ear, understandably, they were flabbergasted.
“What the?? Hey! Don’t eat him!...” They stammered, shakily stepping forward to the horse.
Swiping the stuffed rabbit away from it, “How dare you do that when we were talking!..” chastizing the horse…

And not asking why there even is a horse on a pirate ship…

The horse itself simply huffed and sniffed in response. The kid blinked, turning their head to the side upon noticing how sickly, thin, and pale the horse was…
“Why the hell do you have a saddle when you look pale, buddy?...” They said.

“His name is Stronger…”

They jumped upon hearing the voice, despite sounding more like a pained croak than words. The horse, Stronger , stepped away to a specific area of crates on deck. Raising an eyebrow, they followed the horse, spotting a large black mass of fur moving between two crates.
“What the heck?..” They muttered.
Moving the crates aside, Stronger nipped at the black mass. Attempting to pull away to no avail due to his frail body.

“I’m fine… No need to worry about me, boy…” The black mass croaked.

The kid looked closer, realizing the mass was just a man wearing a fur coat with a beaten hat.
“I-Is this guy dead??” They thought to themselves, wondering why some pirates held a sick man on their ship.
“A-Are you okay?” Uttering with confusion.

The sickly man raised his head, turning to the kid with a surprised look upon seeing them. “You don’t look like a marine…” He spoke in a raspy voice.

“I’m not,” They narrowed their eyes at the man. “But why would some pirates kidnap some sick old guy?”
The man let out a small choke of laughter, blood leaving his mouth as he coughed. “I ain’t old… And being perpetually sick is a birthright of mine…” He grinned, then eyed the blood dripping onto the deck coming from the child.
“Though… I’m surprised you stole a ship…”

“And I’m surprised that you’re alive for being sick for…”

“Twenty-seven years… My birthday was four months ago…” The sick man coughed.

“Right… twenty-seven years…” They looked at him with disbelief. “You must be a lucky son-of-a-gun then… Congrats.”

The sick man laughed another cough, more blood escaping this time which the child hardly reacted from. “Fate is a funny thing… But it proves that I have a penchant for pestilence, being a part of it…” He grinned again despite his grim look.

“You’re a devil fruit user,” The kid said.

“So are you,” The sick man replied. “A paramecia like mine considering you can still walk… Even if most of those bone shards are dropping like flies…”

The kid looked down, not noticing the pool of blood at their feet the blood staining their already-messy outfit.

As the sick man had said, most of the child’s bone shards were dropping from their pierced cavities every time they took a step.

They merely huffed a quiet breath. “Hm… That’s probably not good…”

“Probably??..” The sick man huffed with another laughing-coughing fit.
“You’re a punching bag to fate, yet you're the heirloom that can’t be discarded…”

The kid nodded along, “That does sound like me… I’ll admit.” they muttered. Walking around to the sick man, picking him up by his pant leg.

They dragged him away to one of the cabin doors, peeking inside to find the medical room. Walking in with the flea-ridden donkey & the horse following behind them, the kid found the match box in one of the drawers.

Lighting the lanterns hanging on the walls so the room would no longer be caved in darkness. “What are you doing?...” The sick man coughs.

“When the sun comes up, you’ll be a burnt kebab out there…” The kid answers, dropping him on the floor. “Now where are your pills?”

Looking through the many cabinets, the sick man attempted to stand.

“Oh no… I don’t need anything-” He went quiet, upon seeing the child down an entire bottle of pills without hesitation. Dropping the empty bottle to the floor, and rolling to the deceased man.
He picked it up, reading the label that he had written there a day prior…

Laudanum, October 18th

He remembered the day he made this, it was months ago, on his birthday after the crew gave him flower pots of opium and the seeds to grow those flowers for his garden. Pizarro never enjoyed gardens but didn’t mind the opium being grown as long as he could use a flower once in a while for his own needs.

“You do know that these are opioids… Right?..” He spoke, imagining the ship thief convulsing on the floor later from the amount of pills they took.

“I know.” They answered, looking through the other pills in the cabinet. “But I’m not an addict.”

“I didn’t specify what, you’re addicted to…”

They went silent, not answering a word. Their eyes scanned through the many different pills and labels in the cabinet, and the man hiked himself up to stand.

Using the nearby surgeon's table as support he coughed up blood again, looking down to see the trail of blood the kid had tracked in from their bleeding wounds.
He wanted to say something about it, but the kid would probably give some cryptic answer, frankly, he would too…
“Who were you talking to earlier?..” He inquired instead.

“Who do you think?” The kid pointed to the beady-eyed toy rabbit in their coat pocket. “His name is Othello,” Answering without a turn to him.

He quirked an eyebrow upon seeing the rabbit, noting the different types of fabric sewn together to either make or heal the poor thing over and over again.

But it wasn’t poor despite the weathered look, it was just beloved.
“My apologies then,” He spoke with a head bow to the rabbit, then looking back to the kid. “You look awfully young though, to be stealing a pirate ship…”

“Like my compatriate said, it was not a smart idea.” They rolled their eyes, kneeling to rummage through the other medical cabinets…

In the presence of the ship’s own medic, Doc Q, no less…

Though he had no idea if they even had a clue or not, or if they still believed he was some poor sod kidnapped by the pirates. He decided not to ask either way.
So he changed the subject again…
“What’s your devil fruit?..”

“Blood-blood fruit, yours?”

“Sick-sick, as I said… I am one with the pestilence…” He coughed again.

“You sound keen about that fact,” The kid responded, snatching a roll of bandages and a bottle of antiseptic in the lower cabinet. Plopping themselves down on the floor, they downed a quick whisk of the stuff before pouring the rest on their bleeding legs. No reaction at all from them…

The antiseptic washed the blood off their legs, showing the piercing wounds that their shattered bones created. Besides the piercing wounds, there were other scars. More numerous, all being bite marks. The placement of the teeth marks told another human-caused it…

He averted his gaze, as the sight gave him an odd feeling.

Something he didn’t like…

Doc sat down across from them, wanting to change the subject back to him to get the uneasy feeling out of his way.

“As I said… Fate has special plans for me ever since I was born sick…” grinning as his nose now bled.

The kid now looked at him, but only for a quick moment before returning to mend their ugly legs. But a glance was enough for the doctor to get a good full look at them.
Despite the room being lit up now, one eye continued to have a white glowing sheen over them in the shadow of their messy hair. While the other eyes were low and hollow.
The kid’s face held scars, three that stretched over the bridge of their nose, and three over their lips.

He wanted to make a cheeky comment about them but with the hollow look in their eyes. The doctor kept his mouth shut.
But it was strange with how they looked, it reminded him of someone but he couldn’t put a name to it…

“You don’t sound like you’re a believer in fate…” Doc spoke, noting the now quiet stance of the kid as they tended to their bleeding legs.

A small huff was heard from the nameless child, “I’m in the middle…” they spoke. “You were right to say that I’m a used heirloom, that’s been my life for a while.” The kid sounded more tired, but they hid behind a stone look. "I never said anything about that..."

"No, but you were thinking it."

“You don’t sound happy.” The doctor replied.

“No, I detest it.” The kid answered, a hint of annoyance in their glance.

“Are you a nihilist then?” He kept prodding, though he knew he shouldn’t.

Because the kid stole a pirate ship, after all, he didn’t know what they were capable of and yet here they were…

Engaged in a near philosophical discussion, though it seemed not the case as the child became silent again. So he had to change the discussion again as if the silence itself could kill him instead of the many diseases he held.
“Your devil fruit, you can control blood then… Correct?..”

“Yes,” The kid answered with a nod. “My own and even others. Including animals as long as I’ve consumed them.”

Doc became quiet for a second, the thought of controlling one's blood as long as you’ve consumed them or they’ve become a part of you is parasitic in nature…
He liked it, as he cracked a smile this time instead of a grin…

“Huh… A special paramecia is rare… I guess fate has been generous once in a while…” The doctor spoke in fondness of the devil fruit, nearly wishing he had the devil fruit instead of his sick-sick one…
Though he figured the commodore would be quite peeved to find that he was no longer the only one to have two devil fruits, despite the thought of homicide crossing his mind.
He knew killing the child was out of the question, considering they were quite abnormal, not just from their devil fruit…

They swayed and walked with shattered leg bones that poked and fell through their bleeding skin. Talking to themselves, using their own worn toy as a substitute for a living companion. Downing an entire bottle of opium pills without dropping dead or going catatonic from the given fatigue. Or even the scars on the kid’s legs that gave him an unsettling feeling…

And now?...

They were drinking from one of the blood bags after mending their broken legs as if they were nothing…

He merely stared as they downed the entire bag of blood while his horse, Stronger, was in the medical room with them.

Munching on some nearby carrots that both Burgess and Doc would leave for the horse to snack on, once in a while. He was still chewing, paying no mind to the strange intruder as they stared at the doctor for a moment after drinking the entire blood bag.

The kid’s eyes held that tandem white sheen over both eyes now as their face was shrouded in darkness, from the way they stood in the light…

Silence graced the room, only the sound of a horse munching on carrots was heard. The child began to walk, no longer crooked or warbled as they gave Stronger a friendly pat before stepping outside onto the deck of the ship…

The doctor closed the door without saying goodnight, or anything else…

As the kid glanced around the ship’s deck again, they spotted the largest crate that was empty. Then easily moved it to the middle of the ship, and they adjusted their height to fit inside the box, crawling inside.
Setting Othello to the front to keep watch before laying their head down to rest…

With restless memories, invading their head like flies to a corpse…

———

“Eat it.” A voice spoke.
It was feminine and shaken with heavy grief, but held with a firm attempt at remaining strong. Despite the horrid situation…

“Mama… I don’t get it, what’s with the fruit? I can’t eat mama, it hurts.” Another voice spoke, it was soft, more young than the first. Shaking with confusion and fear.

“Please. Eat it.” The motherly other voice ushered.

“Mama I don’t get it, it hurts, why does it hurt?” The other voice cried once more, quaking as unseen tears befell.

“Honey. Please. Eat it!..” A cascade of tears.
“Eat it. And run. Run and fly away… Fly, my little dove…”

Chapter Text

Silent wings flew across the blue ocean towards the lone pirate ship among the waves. It was early morning and the sun had begun to rise slowly.
Doc didn’t hear a thing until he felt the ship change directions, returning the way it came, to Merro Island.

Then hearing the familiar sound of steel taps against wood, Stronger let out a content chuff as pale hands gently ruffled the horse’s head and hair.
“Took you a while… Waited through the night, it’s morning now…” Doc Q coughed quietly into his shoulder because god forbid he ever let his germs out in the open near Laffitte…

“Apologies, we were busy digging some graves…” Laffitte kept petting the horse, as Doc held a bewildered look. “Huh… That does explain the little thief…” He muttered softly, his eyes trailing to the open crate sitting nearby.

Laffitte looked up, his eyes shadowed by the rim of his top hat. As a smile grew on his face, “You met them…” he spoke.
The sick doctor nodded as he coughed again, blood spraying into his elbow.
“They’re… Quite the character…” Grinning with a quirked eyebrow.
“They downed a bottle of laudanum, a sip of antiseptic, and a whole blood bag…”

Laffitte chuckled, “Quite blood-thirsty, aren’t they? Did they say anything?..” he fiddled with the horses’s hair.
Doc nodded, “They did… They have a special blood paramecia devil-fruit and a stuffed rabbit named Othello that they talk to…” answering with another cough at the end.

“Oh ho~ You’re lucky, Burgess had his arm broken by the birdie…” Laffitte grinned looking at the crate in curiosity. Sensing the doctor’s interest in it…
“So… Are they in there?..” Laffitte asked, earning a nod from his fellow captain.

Laffitte walked down the stairs with gentle steps striding to the crate he peeked inside to see the child asleep. They were much smaller the last he’d seen them, his guess was they’d use their devil fruit to change their height.

It gave way to their unusual height for a fifteen-year-old, as Aokiji told Laffitte after he returned from his frozen ocean walk.

He glances at the stuffed rabbit playing guard, a warm feeling crept into his chest even gracing his quiet tone. “Aww… What an adorable little terror…”

Laffitte couldn’t help it, the sight of it pulled at his psychopathic heartstrings.

“Didn’t you say that this kid broke Burgess’s arm?..” Doc spoke but was shushed by Laffitte, but he rolled his eyes. “How did they even steal the ship? Didn’t Marshall take care of them?...” He whispered in query.

Laffitte remained silent for a moment, deciding whether or not to tell the truth about the apparent connection between the commodore and the child.
“...He was busy…” That is all he could say, without giving anything else.

———

Doc sat near the ship’s wheel, looking alongside Stronger to see when Merro Island would appear in the distance.
All the while, Laffitte sat alone near the crate, patiently waiting for the child to wake up. He glanced again at the stuffed rabbit guarding the entrance, a slight smile tugging at his lips again.

Until his ears caught the sound of loud breathing, the crate moved as the child inside stirred awake. Hearing them yawn again…

“Yup… It’s morning…” They groaned, rubbing their eyes.
“Crap, I’m stuck in here for a while…”

They didn’t seem happy to hear of the morning sun. Laffitte quietly chuckled as they acted like the usual teenagers, abhorring the light and loving the darkness.

He let out a soft chuckle as he poked his head in.
“Well, good morning to you too, little terror,” He spoke with a smirk.

A flesh tendril reached out to hit him, but quickly moved out of the way.

The flesh burned as it reached the light and smoke emanated with the child receding. Their hand returned to normal.

“Shit…” The kid growled. “Shouldn’t have done that…”

They glared to Laffitte, before returning to their burnt hand and taking a deep breath. The wounds healed fairly quickly, leaving small burnt scars.
The sight surprised the pirate, finally understanding why the kid was so upset about it being morning now…

They can’t survive the sun…

“Hey! Everything okay?”
Laffitte looked to Doc, who heard the loud noises, looking down to see if everything was alright.
He expected a different reaction out of the kid with Laffitte than him, of course, the kid assumed he was some poor sod while they had already seen Laffitte with the others. They knew he was a pirate, and acted as such…

“I’m alright… Just… Let us talk…” He waved the doctor off.

The navigator looked back at the child, letting out a small sigh as he knelt to their level again. “My name is Laffitte. I am the navigator of the Blackbeard Pirates and captain of the fifth ship… I… Apologize, if we stepped off on the wrong foot, even though we have never spoken clearly-”

“Why did you defend me?” The kid spoke up, Laffitte could see the tandem white sheen over their eyes as they stared at him through the darkness.

Their appearance was stiff expecting anything now on edge, untrusting of Laffitte.
“Why do you think I did?..” He asked them.

“You’re a pirate, with a crew full of men... Take a gander…” They narrowed their eyes at him. The question itself took Laffitte off-guard, and aback.
“W-We may be pirates, but we don’t do that to children-”

“What about women, mothers?..” The child kept their glare firm.

Laffitte was silent momentarily, choosing his words carefully not wanting to incur any wrath. “...One of our captains. I detest it for that reason, as he is a drunkard from Impel Down. And he is infamous for such… Atrocities…”

The line of questioning from the child wasn’t a surprise, as even the former admiral held a volatile reaction to the child’s home. A bad memory to him as it was to them, attacking and killing many of their crewmates in probable defense.

Seeing the scars on the kid’s face and legs confirmed his thoughts…

“Then why keep him around,”

“Our commodore needs him for his plans. He might be crude, but he is useful…”

Laffitte wished he had eaten his words, the thought of complimenting Shot left a sour taste in his mouth.
“I can assure you, I do not like him. None of us do…” He said in reassurance, to himself and the poor child.

But they stayed silent for a moment, studying Laffitte’s neutral expression.
“Since you flew here… Where’s Kuzan?...”

“...You were awake the entire time…”

“No, I just sensed you. And no. It’s not observation haki…” As the kid replied, three eyes opened upon their face. One was on their forehead while the other two were under each regular eye.
Their pupils shifted down to Laffitte’s right hand, he looked and saw an open eye on his hand.
He jolted in shock, slapping it away but it was already gone. Looking up at the child, their three other eyes were gone too…

“... Extraordinary…” Laffitte gave a half smile.
“You’re devil fruit is quite interesting, a special paramecia is fairly rare-”

“And yours is a zone, an owl.” The kid spoke.
“But like a zone, mine as a drawback too…”

“So I presume that is why you can not step under the sun?..” He raised an eyebrow.
The child became silent, not wanting to answer anymore…

These reactions were normal to him, sure he was not a psychologist but it was obvious how damaged the poor thing was.

Their reaction to other people, other men, was an evident reason.

Laffitte would be lying if he didn’t think that their line of questioning, in the beginning, made him uncomfortable, but this poor bird was uneasy for most of their life…

It reminded him of his days as a sheriff…

Working out in the West Blue abusing the law and taking justice too far for his own enjoyment and sadistic pleasure.
But he was never one of those rotten bastards who would harm children & women for those loathed desires.

Yes, he was a hypocrite, but those men were the real monsters…

He remembers killing one of his deputies who committed such an act, towards a single mother and their young baby.

The child was sadly born from the experience, Laffitte remembered the mother detailing the events in graphic detail, as earlier that day she repeatedly stabbed him in the groin.
He knew something was off and didn’t arrest her, or beat her like he would with other criminals, he talked to her and she revealed the truth.
Laffitte killed that monster in his hospital bed, he remembered the anger he felt as he was in his devil fruit form, tearing apart that man like any prey animal to an owl.

Nor did he take joy in it as he was merely dispensing justice.

But before he could give a formal apology to the small family, they were already-

He stopped himself from thinking further. Shifting his focus back to the child...

They continued to hold themselves inside the crate, stiff as a statue. Their gaze averted momentarily to the stuffed rabbit that lay alone under the sun, out of their reach.

Laffitte picked up the little thing, seeing the child have an almost fearful reaction upon seeing him holding their friend. Afraid their only friend would be mishandled but those fears were not…

Laffitte slowly inched closer to them, handing the toy back for them to take. They quickly snatched it out of his hand, their shoulders eased momentarily.

But they continued to hold a wary glance. Laffitte knew why and did not prod, it would be rude to do so even though he had more questions he’d like to have answered.

He played his cards carefully…

“They’re a cute little thing… The rabbit.” Laffitte spoke softly.
“Aokiji told me that you had a fondness of rabbits, I and my colleagues reported numerous rabbits in the woods… But we didn’t harm any of them.”
The kid let out a quiet sigh of relief when the pirate said that, as they kept holding the stuffed rabbit close.
“What’s his name?” He asked with a gentle smile.

“...Othello…” The kid answered.

Laffitte nodded, “When Aokiji saw you, he had called you ‘Lillian’, is that your name?” he asked with gentle ease once more. But the child remained silent again until they spoke. “Lillian is my dead name… But he didn’t know…”

Laffitte released a small huff of air he was holding in, “I apologize again that we stepped off on the wrong foot…” he spoke softly.

“As I said, my name is Laffitte… I was born and raised in the West Blue, formerly worked for the Marines, and love candy...”

The child sat there, holding their stuffed rabbit close, deciding what to say.
“...My name is Dove… ”

———

Doc sat in the shade, listening to Laffitte talking to the ship thief…or Dove, as their name was. A fifteen-year-old kid who loves rabbits knows haki, has a devil fruit, and someone who is an old acquaintance with a former admiral too…

He already knew this kid was strange with how they talked and acted around him, and he could only guess their past was much stranger.

Furthermore, they were explicit, shown in the way they held themselves towards strangers, mainly men.

Dove only acted casually around the sick doctor because they knew not to worry, holding faith in their own against him.
More so the doctor would agree with them. He knows his strengths do not lie in brawns like Burgess, Shiryu, or San Juan.

His only saving graces are his diseases or tampered apples to accomplish the attack when necessary. Only on good days is he able to swing his scythe…

The Paramount War was a good day despite the struggles he and the others faced according to the commodore’s plan. Despite being poisoned by Magellan, he, like the others were all able to land the killing blow to Whitebeard.

To steal his devil fruit for the commodore…

“WWWWHHHHAAAAATTT??!!”

…And speaking of the Paramount War. Laffitte was just getting to that part…

“Ace is dead? Whitebeard’s is dead?! AND YOU STOLE, HIS DEVIL FRUIT?!?” Dove was bewildered, nearly leaving the crate to pace at the thought but the light of the sun stopped them. Recoiling as they burned their foot, cursing at themselves.

“Yes, it was a very eventful day… And after that, Teach claimed the pirate island of Hachinosu as our own.” Laffitte nodded along in explanation.
“And then your old friend, Kuzan, joined our crew after losing to Akainu.”

“Well, I knew that!.. I saw his burn scars, the red bitch left…” Dove grumbled, crossing their arms in a huff of anger.
Laffitte was amused again as he softly chuckled, “Glad to know that we both hate Akainu…” he said.

Dove sighed, “I can’t believe it’s been two years… It’s been that long…” they hugged Othello close.

Their demeanor changed again from tense unease to melancholy at the passage of time they had lost. Unaware that a full war had happened, the death of a yonko, or the changes in the marines now that Akainu was in control…

Laffitte could sense trepidation they felt upon speaking of Akainu…

Sakazuki is brutal and cruel in his sense of justice, a raging bull while every pirate is a red flag used to bait his anger. Laffitte wondered what Dove would be in Akainu sights, another thing to charge at and kill?
But it seemed not the case, as the kid never seemed to be afraid of death. Surviving horrific events thanks to their devil fruit, fighting against pirates with ease, and even casually throwing a former admiral aside.
They could be an easy force against Akainu, but they didn’t seem thrilled about meeting him again if that chance ever arose…

“Are we heading back to Merro Island?..” Dove asked in a near whisper.

“Yes, we are…” Laffitte nodded.

Dove sighed again, closing their eyes as they shook slightly, “You can kill me… Or at least try, I don’t mind.” their voice was tired and hollow.

He furrowed his brows in concern, “No, why would we do that to you?” he said.
“Because I killed you’re crewmates… That one guy’s arm I broke & nose, even throwing Aokiji… Hell, you saw that I can’t survive out in the sun. You can open up the rest of the crate and watch me burn… That’d be fun…”

Laffitte’s smile dropped, glancing at the doctor who nodded in agreement but Laffitte shook his head firmly. “You seem to be very keen about death…” He looked back at Dove, but they stayed silent.
Only the scars on their face being the answer.
He knew that telling Dove the truth about why he was so interested would make them retreat, he didn’t even have current evidence to prove his case either.
To show Dove that they were the biological child of his commodore, a man that they had never met and yet out of pure coincidence, arrived on their island…

So he kept playing his cards, choosing his words carefully…

“Well, torturing or hurting you in this predicament isn’t very sporting, is it?” Laffitte asked them, a trying smile on his face.

Dove stared at Laffitte as they hugged Othello, studying him momentarily.

“But you’re pirates, pirates aren’t fair…” They answered with a quirked eyebrow.
“You got something planning, but I don’t know if it’ll end with me becoming a human mannequin or something stranger… But since the show is still in production, have you got any food? I’m hungry.”

Laffitte was blank for a second before bursting out laughing.

“They’re just like Marshall…” He thought to himself as he shook his head.
“...You’re weird.” Dove narrowed their eyes to Laffitte, but he merely laughed more.

Doc and Stronger both heard Laffitte’s loud laughter, looking below they saw the navigator walk below deck for a moment. Returning with an emergency cherry pie reserved only for the commodore, setting it inside for the kid.

Dove was surprised that the pirate even delivered on their ask, “How’d he know I like cherry pie-” A pale hand gently tussled their hair.

Coming from Laffitte as he quietly chuckled with a smile, Dove froze upon contact, even as he walked away.

Tears streamed down their face as they ate the pie, as Laffitte approached the ship’s wheel with Doc.
“We’ll be there in minutes,” Laffitte spoke, as the outline of Merro Island could be seen upon the water.

“Why did you give them Teach’s pie?” Doc Q raised his eyebrow at the navigator.
Laffitte just shrugged with a small smile, no word was uttered.
Doc Q released a quiet huff, looking back at the growing image of the island.
“They look like him…”

Chapter Text

“YEOUCH!!!”

“I didn’t do anything yet,” Augur disputed.

“Yes, you did! You touched it! IT HURTS!..” Burgess whined, his arm was still broken and Augur simply reapplied the bandages once the arm was out of its makeshift sling.
He wasn’t as good as Doc but it sufficed despite the luchador’s insistent whining…

Even though it was getting on everyone else's nerves…

Their subordinates flinched every time Burgess yelped, covering their ears and scowling in anger in the shade.
The commodore was sitting on the ship, chin in hand staying quiet as he waited for any signs of Laffitte returning.
While Aokiji, who had returned from his frozen ocean walk hours earlier, was growing more peeved by the second at the yelling…

He let out a groan, as he couldn’t get any sleep.

“Why don’t you just gag him?” Aokiji suggested to Augur as he sat up from under the shades of the trees.
“I’ve tried, he just eats the apples grown here…” Augur darted his eyes back to Burgess, holding a guilty look.
“I’m hungry, and since Doc ain’t here, the apples are mine…” He grinned.

“Then could you please quiet down then?..” Augur raised an eyebrow.

“Then stop touching my arm! It’s still hurts!”

“I’m trying to fix the sling, stop being a pest!” Augur argued back with Burgess, and Aokiji groaned again.
He stood up and walked to Burgess, kneeling to the luchador.
“Here, I know a trick from my time in the Marines to fix the pain and- Oh! Look at that bird!..” Aokiji pointed up, which Burgess curiously followed.

“Where-”

CRACK

Burgess yelped again, but much louder as his pinkie finger was bent back, with Aokiji grinning at his done work.

“WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT ABOUT??” Burgess yelled at the former admiral.

“Now you’re not focused on your arm anymore, happy?..” Aokiji grinned like the cat that ate the canary.
“NO! You broke my fucking pinkie you-”

Augur was now grinning, alongside Aokiji as he was now done reapplying Burgess’s bandages and fixing his arm sling…

He looked between the two in a bewildered state, struggling to decide which one to strangle first. But the commodore passed him a look from the deck on the ship, so he remained passive, but not without crossing his arms in a huff, forgetting the pain within them so quickly. Sitting away with a pout.

“Neat trick from the Marines,” Augur spoke to Aokiji as he tended to himself.

A subordinate held up a mirror for him to use.

“Thanks,” The former admiral responded, taking a seat on the beach.
“Garp used that trick on the recruits during training.”

“Hm.” Augur hummed as he reapplied the bandages to his face. “How many times did the Vice Admiral do that to you?..”

Aokiji scoffed with a laugh, “Too many times to count… Though that was also from the training itself, we used to punch the hulls of old battleships as training… Without haki .” he said.

…This got Burgess's attention, as he perked up.

“You… Punched warships without haki?..” He turned to Aokiji.

“Oh, yeah,” The former admiral nodded. “I’d cut and bruise myself all the time but it has helped me get stronger. Even in haki without it.”
Burgess’s eyes grew, as an idea crept into his head.
“Oh ho ho hooo… I gotta ask Wolf to get me some ships…” He rubbed his hands together in mischief.

Teach rolled his eyes, ignoring his crewmates scheming together, the norm…

As he kept his eyes forward again to the ocean horizon to see if Laffitte would return yet, he forgot to breathe in the moment to himself. Alone on the deck of the ship. His mind ran with different thoughts upon the whole events that had transpired…

For one…

They looked just like him…

The way the kid spoke, ran, fought, everything…

It was a spitting image of himself and his actions. Lillian , as Aokiji called them, was without a doubt his.

Teach kept cursing at himself for not saying anything to them, standing there like an idiot on the beach when they ran past him after causing so much havoc.

Killing his subordinates, breaking his crewmate’s limbs, and being an overall menace while nearly everyone yelled at him…

But it all reminded him too much of himself…

He was still deciding whether or not it was a good or bad thing, considering they were as vicious as him. They could also be cunning, albeit young, but he was the same. But different, probably more mature than him, more smarter.
And as the saying goes, the child is father to the man …

Yet, he was never around for them, never to see them take their first steps or words. That child had no one but a crass mother who was gone too.
He wasn’t a father.

Teach didn’t know them, and they obviously didn’t know him either. Snatching Evie’s old stuffed rabbit from his hands like a bratty child before stealing the second ship. A trick he’d done before in his youth…

He didn’t know how to feel…

From everything they were just as dangerous as he was in the past, even with how vicious they acted towards his men…

When Laffitte and Doc Q would return with the stolen ship, he didn’t know what to do to handle the child when that time came.
Or how to even approach it, he couldn’t tell them because no child their age would believe him. He didn’t even have evidence to show, merely his memory to tell…

He could leave them without saying a word, but would they be chasing after him in vengeance? Would they kill him on the spot or the others upon their arrival?

Steal his devil fruit like he did to his own fa-
He didn’t want to take a chance.

But he didn’t want to leave them either for that reason…

If the child was not embraced by the village, they would burn it down to feel its warmth…

…God…

They do, look like him…

“Commodore!..” Augur called out to him, bringing Teach back from his sailing thoughts. He looked to see a ship on the horizon.
The stolen ship…

“Laffitte and the doctor are seen at the helm,” Augur spoke, as he looked through the scope of his sniper rifle.
“Augie! Is that vampire freak there??” Burgess asked, still peeved about his arm being broken.
“No, the child isn’t there. I sense three , people on the ship…” Augur sighed as he put down his rifle, running his fingers through his hair with the usual frown he wore.

“Are they just keeping that freak’s body on board as a trophy??” Burgess asked again.

The question made Aokiji cross himself in unease, a grim expression on his face that he tried to hide but Teach saw it.
He never knew the former admiral was religious, or even seen him pray but seeing the panic in his eyes behind the shades told a reason why he did it…

Another damn question to ask him later, he was tired of the vague bullshit…

Everyone except Aokiji and Teach were on guard as the ship beached upon the shore, the planks fell upon the sand as Laffitte and Doc riding upon Stronger, strolled down. One held his usual grin while the other coughed with the usual sickly blood.
“Hello~ We’re back,” Laffitte spoke in sing-song.

“Hey, how are-”

“DID YOU KILL THE LITTLE FREAK??” Burgess interrupted Aokiji, pushing him to the sand.

“Burgess… You seem lively even with a broken arm.” Doc Q coughed.

“Not even a broken finger can quell my rage,” Burgess showed his broken pinkie finger, bent in half and purple.
“Ah… The old broken-finger Marine trick… Clever, Kuzan…” Laffitte looked down at the former admiral, lying face-first in the sand.
“Thanks…” His voice muffled, till he stood up, wiping sand off his face and hair.

“Still… What of that little gremlin that attacked and killed us?..” Augur quirked an eyebrow, as Teach walked towards them. He looked to Laffitte for an answer.

“...We should talk…” Laffitte said quietly, as the others moved away from the ship.
Getting some distance for privacy away from their subordinates to speak.
“Alright… First off… The child is safe,” he eyed Teach, who let out a quiet breath of relief. Though he didn’t know why he even held his breath at all…

“What?! You didn’t kill it??” Burgess was understandably angry, but Augur shoes him as their subordinates look their way.
“Why?? Didn’t you kill that thing??” Burgess spoke again in a more hushed tone.

“Because they would have killed us instead if acted…” Doc Q responded with a cough. “That’s fair,” Aokiji huffed.
The others looked at him.
“You don’t sound surprised, but of course you don’t since you know them…” Augur quirked an eyebrow at the former admiral.
“Yeah. How.” Burgess added.

“And no cryptic shit either…” Teach crossed his arms with downturned lips, eyeing the ice man with contempt.
Aokiji sighed, “Alright alright… I’ll tell,” he raised his hands in submission.
“I’ve known the kid for some years since they were nine… You could say that they were a child prodigy for the navy, and when they left we went after them as per orders.” he was lying, the fabrication was much more believable than the actual truth.
It was a painful truth that he didn’t want to think about, or even say as the kid’s been through enough already.
So he kept his white lie up.
“So they were supposed to be a Cipher Pol agent till they escaped…” Laffitte asked, thinking that was the truth from the limited telling and knowledge of the World Government's crooked antics...

Aokiji nodded, “Yes, Lillian was kidnapped from Merro Island at a young age. Becoming a Cipher Pol agent, though they escaped and came here, where we were waiting.”

“So is Evelyn dead?” Teach questioned, his voice holding no emotion though the others looked confused upon hearing that name.

“...I didn’t kill her.” Aokiji clarified. “But there was a grinning captain that didn’t like her…”

Laffitte shuffled uncomfortably, looking away at the mention of the grinning man . It brought back memories he didn’t want to revisit.

Teach huffed at the former admiral’s answer, glaring at him directly without saying a word.
“...Who the hell is Evelyn?..” Burgess whispered to Doc Q, who shrugged.

“So… What of, Lillian-”

“ Dove .” Laffitte corrected Augur.
“They go by Dove now, their stuffed rabbit's name is Othello, they have a special paramecia devil fruit, loves to eat, and they can’t step out into the sun as a drawback from their fruit.”
Teach blinked upon the information dump, surprised that Laffitte had already gotten information out of the kid. Even Aokiji was surprised.
“Damn… But I don’t remember the blood-blood fruit having that draw-”

“AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!”

The captains' and commodore’s meeting was interrupted as a yell was heard. Following more yelling, Teach was the first one running towards the second ship.
He saw the sight of his men, being thrown around by bloody-burning flesh tendrils that stretched out from an open crate. The crate had chipped parts, the work an axe that one of the sailors was gripping.
“What the hell is going on, you ingrates?!” The commodore yelled out at his men, the burning tendrils dropping them immediately receding inside the crate.
“C-Commodore!.. We found the monster that killed the others, we tried to rip the crate apart to get it but it attacked us!..” One sailor answered in a panicked frenzy, pointing to the crate.

Teach looked, seeing the shadowy interior, there was obvious movement.
A small figure shifting in unease, the whites of their eyes could be seen but not the person.
“Lill- Dove!.. Hey, you okay kid?..” Aokiji stepped onto the boat, kneeling beside the crate, looking in.

The figure inside moved again, in surprise upon seeing the former admiral.
“I’m fine, Kuzan… Those bastards just tried to drag me out for vengeance, the light doesn’t hurt, but I see it burn.” They answered.

“That’s what you get for breaking my arm, brat!..” Burgess yelled, trying to reach inside to the child but Aokiji and Laffitte held the angry luchador back.
“Burgess! Calm yourself! They’re only a child!..” Laffitte spoke, with Teach looking down inside.

Seeing Dove shift uncomfortably again, the outline of their stuffed rabbit is seen in their hold along with themselves close to the corner.

He could finally see them in the dark…

He couldn’t breathe, he just saw red…

Blackbeard turned with a snarl to one of his men, taking his throat in a tight grip, face down to a growl as darkness spread from his firm shaking hand.
His crewmates, and captains, were shocked. Even the kid inside the crate was.

Dove could see that the darkness nearly encased the entire ship from their crate, but untouching their crate, while everyone jumped and climbed away from it.
Anyone who couldn’t escape would sink into the dark…

“That bird guy wasn’t kidding…” Dove murmured to themselves.

“He’s got yonko mat-”

“Don’t. Touch. That kid.”

Dove heard the yonko growl, he was angry. At his men for bothering them, he was seething in anger and Dove didn’t know why the yonko was if he was so selfish and ruthless as that bird guy- Laffitte had talked about.
Thoughts and reasons as to why rushed through their head, it was all unsavory.

Dove didn’t like it, they held themselves closer and tighter with Othello in their arms…

“If you ever as so much touch that kid I will rip your jaw off, do you understand me?..”

The officer that Blackbeard was choking nodded repeatedly, making promises in a strained voice. The others did so too from where they had climbed, Laffitte was perched on top of the mast with Augur and a hanging Doc Q.

Watching the commodore seemingly protect the enemy.

Augur was confused, Doc had a theory as to why, but Laffitte already knew…

Burgess wanted to protest and yell from the beach to the commodore about the terror but Aokiji froze his mouth shut.
Like Laffitte, the former admiral knew why , he was defending the kid…

Once the commodore was satisfied with the answers he heard, he threw his darkness above, catching his officers within the dark void. Throwing them all into the ocean to teach them all a lesson. He let out a heavy sigh as the darkness dissipated and returned to him, he looked back at the crate, and walked forward slowly…

Kneeling in front of the crate, he saw them up close now. They clutched the stuffed rabbit tightly, glaring at yonko from the dark corner.

Their eyes a tandem white, reflecting like a predator watching its prey at night.
Teach could see the scars on their face and neck their fingertips being burnt from the sun outside, yet they held no look of pain nor fear.
A simple heating glare instead, stiff as a statue, and on defense. Despite the unassuming position of a little kid holding their stuffed animal tightly, they were waiting instead…

“...You’re ugly.”

…They do look like Pops…

Chapter Text

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me,”

Dove scoffed, “Well fuck you too, fatass.” narrowing their gaze to the yonko in front of them.
As this damn pirate dared to call them ugly to their face, sure, their scars are a poor sight to see but who the hell says that to some random person they’ve just met??

Dove shouldn’t be surprised since they are pirates, after all.
But they should at least be mature in some way like that bird guy or Kuzan, not this stupid dumb fat yonko…

“You should watch that tone with your elders, brat.” Teach sneered at his own kid, and engaged in a verbal duel against them after dealing with his officers for messing with them.
“You started it by calling me, ugly, you bastard!” Dove retorted to the pirate they didn’t know was their father.

Sure, Dove is a fifteen-year-old, but they have the right to be upset when someone walks up to you and calls you ugly to your face. They tried to be mature but that went out the window…

The same went for Teach.

“ You. Killed and drank my own officer's blood, you vampiric freak!”

“At least I’m not some rude fatass!”

“At least I can walk out into the sun, vampire!”

“Call me vampire, one more time fatass!”

“Call me a fatass again, I dare you!”

“CAUSE I’M GONNA WRING YOUR NECK!!!”

They both yelled the same thing at each other, getting ready to lunge at the other in anger wanting to throttle them.
But as quickly as the situation escalated, it too, de-escalated…

“Marshall!” Laffitte yelled at his commodore.
Flying down with white wings to separate the emperor of the sea away from the angry teenager still stuck inside the crate, freezing momentarily upon hearing the yonko’s name…

It’s him…

“Oh, that motherfucker- Come back here so I can kick your ass, you bastard!” Dove yelled out as Laffitte flew away with the commodore to a faraway spot on the beach.
“Let’s talk. Now.” Laffitte dropped him, he landed gracefully. His pure white feathers receded, crossing his arms in a bemused huff of anger.

He was upset but he was merely confused as to why his commodore would act in such a way towards a child.

His. Child…

“What?? They started it!” Marshall argued with his partner.

“No. You did since you called your child ugly, to their face!.. What even was that Marshall?? You don’t even know them, and they don’t know you either, do you want, to have a bad start with them?!” Laffitte argued, feathers growing on his neck in his anger.
Marshall never liked it when Laffitte would yell, it was rare, and he was always in check of his emotions. In those moments, Laffitte would grow feathers and become more owlish from his zone devil fruit. Marshall hated it explicitly when being put on the spot and berated like some child…

“Look, it’s not my fault that the kid looks like pops …” Marshall looked away with his arms crossed in an annoyed look.

But Laffitte glared right back at him upon hearing those words.
“...Are you fucking serious?...” He abhors foul language but was at a peak of anger, Marshall flinched as he knew this.
“You. Don’t like your one child?.. Just because they look, like Whitebeard ??!”

Beads of sweat dropped from Marshall’s face. He kept avoiding Laffitte’s eyes as the navigator glared back at him with his black owl eyes.
“It is NOT, their fault that they look like their grandfather! Marshall D. Teach you!..” His hands shook in rage as the feathers on his neck flared, but he took a very long and deep breath.
The feathers receded, his void eyes disappeared, and his regular iris returned.
“...Marshall… I love you. But please. Try, to be a good father…”

“Laffitte. I killed my father, stole his devil fruit, you helped, and then made out with me afterward.”

“That doesn’t count. Besides, he didn’t adopt me.”

Marshall coughed. “ Hypocrite. ”

Laffitte shot a look at him, “What was that my sweet cherry pie?..” it was a deadly look with his usual evil grin as he twitched.

“N-Nothing…” Marshall sweated again.

———

“Well, that went bad.”

“I want to wring his stupid fat neck, that son of a-”

“Dove…” Aokiji looked at the stuck teenager inside the crate.
“I wouldn’t recommend fighting a yonko, even since he has a second devil fruit.”

It had been two years since Aokiji even last saw Dove, he wasn’t surprised by the scars on their face. But he swore they were much taller than he remembered…

“I still can’t believe he even killed, Pops…” Dove huffs.

“I forgot that you met him, and Ace. God, if you were at Marine Ford, I think you could have-”

“Don’t… Don’t say anything else, I left behind what happened two years ago. I still forgive you…”

About three years ago, before certain incidents when Dove was at their lowest.

They met a freckled pirate whom they had called a friend and his adopted father, Edward Newgate, the strongest man in the world, Whitebeard.
It wasn’t hard to look up to the old man, he was a good captain, and a loving father to everyone he took in. Dove remembers he even extended an invitation to join his crew but they turned it down, much to their regret.

Dove still couldn’t believe that Thatch’s friend, Teach, killed him and set off the series of events that led to the Paramount War. Killing his adoptive father with the rest of his crew that he broke from Impel Down…

Dove barely remembers meeting Teach back when they first met Newgate and Ace, they only remembered it now after that fat bastard called them ugly to his face. Looking back they remember the past words he’s said to them, the cruel message behind them that Dove left with as an eternal reminder to themselves…

But from his earlier disposition, the sudden protection and ire, he might not even have remembered it at all…

It was still hard to believe that it had been two years and that Marine Ford was only months ago…

“I know you’re okay with me kid… What about Ar-”

“ Don’t ever mention that bastard .” Dove narrowed their gaze to the former admiral. Aokiji hissed an intake of breath, “Yeah… About that…” he rubbed the back of his head.
“What?” Dove looked at him with slight worry.

“...He got promoted to commodore,” Aokiji admits.

Dove sighed in relief, “Oh thank god, I thought you were gonna say he was promoted to admiral. Don’t scare me like that…” they said.

“He’s asked before, but they keep reminding him of the leash he’s on,” Aokiji added. “And since you’ve been gone, he’s been mourning and picked up a hobby.”
Dove scoffed at that, the thought of that grinning bastard in mourning, for them. It was simply appalling to even think about.

The bastard was sick since he damn had made sure they couldn’t leave Merro Island in the first place.
“What hobby did my bastard pick up on?.. Let me guess… Does he eat more baby-back ribs ?...”

They wished they were joking…

“Nope… Just hunting down pirates and outlaws…” Aokiji shook his head.
“He just puts them in his heavens .”

Their pupils shrunk but held a firm stare not wanting to show panic.
“...Of course he does…” Dove let out a deep sigh from the breath they were holding. “...What about… T-The… The blue room ?...”

Fear rose within like bile, their tone betrayed their stoic look.

Aokiji knew what Dove was talking about, his eyes darted away momentarily before returning. “He uses it to get around nowadays…” He answered their concern.

Dove didn’t say anything, looking away as they held Othello close.

“...I lied to them, said you escaped from Cipher Pol, and that you used to be an agent in training.” Aokiji sighed, retelling the fib he said to the other captains.
“They were curious about you, so I filled in the blanks but lied about certain parts for your sake… Though… I do have some questions of my own.”

Dove let out an exasperated sigh, “Let me guess… The drinking blood part-”

“Obviously.”

Dove looked away, frowning in silence as they thought about what happened after the incident. What led them to stay here on the island for two years…

“...Something… Happened, again when I first came here.” Dove spoke, they looked up to see a look of horror that led to quick anger on Aokiji’s face.

They quickly backtracked before he could stand up.
“I-It wasn’t what you think it was, it didn’t happen again- something else just… Occurred…” Dove chose their words carefully.

“...What was it then?” His eyes went unblinking.

“My legs were shattered… I couldn’t walk so I had the rabbits here feed me snakes that I could drink blood from to heal myself but I-”

“You needed human, blood.”

“Yeah…” Dove looked away again, sweat beading down their face.

“...Kuzan… I haven’t been able to walk in two years since coming here after what happened… I can’t even go out into the sun anymore.” they spoke.

Aokiji stayed silent for a moment before speaking.
“It’s getting worse, is it?”

“They haven’t spread,” Dove answered. “I’ve kept it at bay but at a cost. Prioritizing it over my body's other needs. My pain receptors are off. Which also includes my body temperature, I’m cold-blooded like a lizard now…”

Aokiji fell silent, sitting back against the crate, he looked off in thought without a single word. He hid his face behind his hands, letting out a long heavy sigh.

“...Kuzan?...” Dove spoke up, worried at his chosen silence.

“I’m fine kid…” He spoke up, then huffed.
“...Do you want to stay here?...” 

———

“MM! MMRRMMRRGH MM!” 

Burgess grumbled as Doc attempted to pry off the ice that covered his mouth.
“I’m trying dammit!.. It’ll go better if you help!” Doc Q coughed up blood, his frail fingertips even cut up from the ice. But the officers stepped up, attempting to chip the ice off now.
“MRGH MMRR MMMM!...” Burgess complained, angrily pointing at his broken arm.

“What about you??” Doc looked to Augur, as he stared off towards the ship where Aokiji and the kid were, and the spot on the beach where Laffitte and Teach continued to speak and argue.

“Why aren’t you helping, this is your, luchador-” Doc coughed again, blood spilling from his mouth onto the beach. He caught himself as he fell into a coughing fit, more blood ceasing from his trembling lips as Stronger nudged at him in support and comfort.
Augur ignored him, “I’m merely listening… The commodore and Laffitte continue to argue about the child, going back and forth but Aokiji…” he looked up at the ship.
“The former admiral knows them and they’re having an interesting conversation…”

He narrowed his eyes more, listening closer with his observation haki…

Augur can hear their conversation fully, about the fibs the former admirable told to protect the freakish child.
The child’s lies and disabilities from old injuries, and even some sickness that can’t be cured. Only worsening by the light of the sun.
And now they were talking about…
No…

———

“So that’s the idea and-”

CLICK

“...Augur… Put that down.” Aokiji didn’t need to look to know that he was at the end of a sniper rifle, with the sniper glaring directly at both him and Dove who sat still in the crate.
“Why. Are you asking that thing, to join our crew?..” Augur quirked his eyebrow up, his voice low with disdain as he had heard the former admiral proposing the idea of the freakish child joining the pirate crew for the sake of protection.
“Hey, I’m right here…” Dove spoke up.

“And yet you’re stuck,” Augur glared at the kid.

“Yet you know I can still kill you while stuck in here…” Dove grinned.

“So you’re pointing that rifle at the wrong person, fucko.”

Aokiji narrowed his eyes and frowned at the kid’s colorful vocabulary.

“He’s the former admiral, I don’t exactly trust him the same as you… And you’re as tough as a cockroach. Hard to kill.”

“Hey, fourth or fifth times the charm…” Dove shrugged.
“So point that end at someone else that deserves it better…”

“Dove…” Aokiji looked at them, yet Dove glanced back telling him to back off.

“Hm… Tempting…” Augur mused, his grip on his rifle becoming more stern.
“You did manipulate Burgess to attack me, broke my nose, and his arm… I think comeuppance is deserved.” He turned his rifle to the inside of the crate, where Dove continued to grin.

Aokiji blamed himself for forgetting that Augur could hear them talking with his observation haki, and now he knew that he had lied to the others about Dove’s past. But he didn’t know whether or not he shared it, Augur seemed more intent on putting an end to this than talking about it…

Aokiji quickly glanced back at the spot on the beach where Laffitte and Teach were still talking, it seemed more subdued now and they were no longer arguing as Augur pulled the handle back. Ready to release a bullet upon the child, like before…

“Wait, wait…” Aokiji moved before the rifle, “Since you’re concerned about us… You should focus more on what the commodore is saying…” he pointed towards the beach. Where Augur’s gaze followed, his tight hold on his rifle gave an open.
Jumping forward, Aokiji’s forehead met with the sniper’s already broken nose.
More blood spilling out and turning it purple with a deep bruise.

Dove jolted in shock, “Jesus! Kuzan!..” criticizing him for escalating the situation.

“Don’t ever point that fucking rifle to the kid again.” Aokiji stood tall over the downed sniper, holding his nose as it bled more.
“But I wasn’t kidding… Listen to what they’re, saying…” He nudged his head again towards the beach.

Augur quietly snarled as Doc Q trodded up the ship ramp with a few other officers upon hearing the commotion, “Dammit! Not again…” Doc coughed as he tended to his fellow captain, looking up at the former admiral who stared down, his arms crossed in a firm stance before the open crate.
“Hey, at least it wasn’t my fault this time,” Dove said.

“I refuse to acknowledge that. And I continue the blame upon you…”

Augur grumbled.

Dove rolled their eyes, “Eh. That’s fair…”

———

“What is going on with you Marshall?...” Laffitte spoke to the downed Teach as he sat on a nearby log. Wiping the sweat off his forehead from the island heat.

Laffitte was slowly pacing before his commodore to calm himself from the heated argument.

“At first… You were shocked to find out that you had a child…” The navigator continued to pace, as anger slowly died down.

“Then you went into a rage upon seeing them in an uncertain position, and then … You call them ugly, to their face…” 

Laffitte stopped to stare directly at him.
“...Why?...”

Teach blinked and looked away as more sweat beaded down his head, he took his hat off to wipe away more sweat. Though Laffitte could see it wasn’t the island’s tropical temperature making his commodore uncomfortable, the topic of the conversation itself.

The interrogation, was because he was obviously guilty.
Laffitte was a sheriff, he knew how these little games would go so he continued.

“Marshall… Why.” His voice became more stern in the moment.

Teach furrowed his brows, his eyes moving back to Laffitte as he finally spoke.
“I may be made out of darkness, but I still can’t see in the damn thing…”

He placed his hat back on his head.
“That night… When they ran past me, I thought, and heard… They’re just like me, and I assumed they’d be like me too. Cunning, devious, tough, and crude…”

Teach pursed his lips into a frown, staring back toward the ocean.
“But when I saw them, just for the first time… I instead saw pops… I saw his tired face, deep eyes, stern look, everything… Every damn thing to make anyone feel safe…” He huffed again.
“That kid is ugly because they’re both me and him. They make anyone trust them with those big deep eyes, stern but soft looks, and they can turn on you. At a moment’s notice because they're devious too… They’ve got it all down to be the perfect manipulator…”

Laffitte blinked, “...Fifteen… They. Are fifteen. Marshall…” his face creased as the feathers began to grow again but he took a deep breath to make them stop.

He paused…

“You and I both know that Aokiji was lying to us…” Laffitte softly spoke, his hands balled into fists that shook in a fit of quelling anger.

“Yeah… I know, I’m still pissed about it.” Teach replied, but his nonchalant answer seemed to piss Laffitte off more.

“He’s trying to protect them, Marshall.” His eyes turned black.

“Or he’s simply respecting the privacy of their history,” Teach added.

Laffitte took another deep breath…

He loves, this awful man but again- he is terrible…

“When I talked to Dove, they had asked why I defended them. I asked what they thought, and Dove answered… You’re a pirate crew full of men, take a gander …”

Teach blinked, “Did they think we would-”

“Marshall. They have bite marks on their legs. Puncture wounds from shattered bones poking out, that Doc told me about, he saw them pushing their broken bones back in and the marks on their neck. It’s like something was trying to grab them.”
When he first saw them, he had to be careful around Dove.
Seeing scars on children or teens can be a normal sight, all achieved from outrageous acts or simple clumsiness of youth but those marks were vastly different.

They didn’t come from an animal, Laffitte is familiar with bodily marks being a masochist. He can recognize whether bites came from an animal or man, and the marks he saw on the child…

These came from a monster.

Yes, he knew he was a hypocrite for even feeling sympathy due to his own actions in the past. He had abused the law for his pleasure but he was still human, not some monster that preyed on children.

No, those things never deserved to live…

Laffitte had to choose his words carefully not to offend or even scare Dove, their fears were justified from what they’ve gone through…

But Dove wasn’t around, so he could no longer be careful with his wording.

“They’re scared of us, they’re scared of getting hurt, and they’ve been alone for years. I don’t like any of this.” Laffitte’s voice was shaking with stern concern.
“Something horrible. Happened to them...”

Teach finally stood up, “...You actually want to keep them?” he regained more firmness befitting his title of a yonko.

“Yes!...” Laffitte lifted his arms in exasperation.
“I don’t want to leave them alone! Not even Kuzan wants them to be alone. I can even hear him suggesting to them to join too!...” Laffitte finally breathed, shaking with pent-up emotion.

Teach was shocked by Laffitte’s display of emotions. Seeing him so worked up over some child he was so paranoid about.
Seeing his own damn navigator become so worked up over this thing, already falling into the seeming deception of that thing…

While Laffitte was bewildered why his partner would ever think that this poor bird might slit everyone’s throats in their sleep when more terrified of them than they were…

“...I know you don’t feel up to it upon being a father, I recognize I cannot. Force you to be good to them, but at least try. Try because they need it…”

Laffitte pleaded…

…He pleaded…

He never pleads, and he never begs. No. Laffitte would never, do that…

“...Why the hell are you so concerned about them? What did they even do to you to warrant this?” Teach snapped, his eyes creased in anger. Glaring directly at Laffitte…

But he stood his ground…

“...Because they’re you…” Laffitte answered.

Teach remained silent, and his angry face slowly fell, knowing that any more arguing would be pointless. He closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as he let out a low groan.
“You’re too fuckin’ good at your job…”

Chapter Text

“And… There.” Doc Q coughed into his shoulder once more.

He and a few other lower officers had chiseled away the ice that encased Burgess’s mouth, preventing him from speaking but now. He was free…

Great…

“WIHAHAAHAH!!!”

Burgess boasted loud and proud, flexing his one good arm.
“Finally free! WIHAHAAHAH!!!” He laughed again, with many others covering their ears from his boisterous laugh.

Even the former admiral and angsty teenager stuck inside the crate became peeved too. “Jeez, you weren’t kidding when you said that guy is loud…” Dove complained to Aokiji.

“I honestly don’t know how Augur sleeps in the same room as that guy…” Aokiji rubbed his temples as he felt a migraine coming from Burgess’s loud complaining about his silence.
“I sleep with earplugs. Thank you…” Augur answered.

He was sitting away on deck, continuing to hold his rifle ever so tightly in his hands, still staring down at both Dove and Aokiji for the earlier events that had transpired.

“You know you should really apologize for breaking his nose even more, Kuzan…” Dove whispered to him.
Though he merely rolled his eyes at their words.
“You’re one to talk yourself when you killed our subordinates,” Augur spoke up again, overhearing the conversation once more through his haki.
“Do you apologize for the towns you pillage and people you kill?” Dove quirked up an eyebrow at the sniper.

“It’s fate that leads us down these currents towards our destiny, those people are mere obstacles in our path,” Augur answered.
“But fate can be tricky, even to those that are lesser…”

Dove scoffed, “Says the guy with a broken nose,”

“Says the child that can’t walk into the light,” Augur retorted.

“Wow, a smart metaphor for saying I can’t die and walk under the sun…”

Dove’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “I’m good at those too, see?” They flipped off the sniper as they grinned.

And hardly reacting when Augur fired a bullet right through their hand, darting through their flesh and the box they were stuck in.
“...You know that really doesn’t accomplish anything, right?” Dove asked, nonchalantly as the hole in their hand healed itself.

“Yes, but you annoy me.” Augur glared at them, while Aokiji quietly fumed at the sudden shot.

“Then what about the luchador? What does he do for you??” Dove gestured to Burgess, upon hearing the noise he peaked his gaze to the ship deck.

“He makes me laugh,” Augur answered, Burgess overheard and smiled. His head bowed away until he did a double-take upon seeing Dove still inside the crate.
He gasped out loud.
“YOU!”

Dove jumped, seeing the angry luchador point at them. Aokiji quickly stood in defense, but Burgess punched him with his good arm into the ocean, even to Augur’s surprise.

“Burgess, don’t!” Doc Q warned him as he watched Burgess rip his bandages off, ignoring the aching pain as he picked up the crate. Shaking it violently in an attempt to get the teenager out.
“Burgess! Stop it, your arm is going to get even more mangled!..”

“HELL NO! I want to kick this little shit’s ass for breaking it!” Burgess shouted back at his sniper, despite how much his broken arm was hurting now.

“HEY! Hey! He’s right! Stop it!..” Dove even warned him, he seemed to become more angry upon hearing the brat itself tell him no. Their palms and heels pressed firmly to the insides of the crate, desperately holding on for dear life as Burgess growled in anger and pain, flexing his muscles and pushing his hands together in a crushing force.

“Crap!” They fell out, right under the luchador’s shadow.

They became still, hiding their face from the light expecting to see the sudden light of both the sun and flames dousing them…

But it never came…

“WHAT THE HELL?!” Burgess exclaimed, he sounded confused as was Dove as they felt nothing but a feathery coat over them. And seeing the bird man- Laffitte, standing before them in defense against the luchador.
“Burgess. We told you not to harm this poor child so don’t.” Laffitte berated the luchador, as he was holding his still broken arm.
“But-”

“No buts, Burgess.” Teach walked up behind him, pushing him to the side allowing Doc to take care of him, he wasn’t as confused as Burgess, he had his suspicions as to why those two were so interested in the kid...
“No touching that kid. And that’s final…”

Augur stepped to Laffitte, bewildered like his partner about the situation.
“What are you doing?..”
He whispered to the navigator, keeping a firm eye on Dove as they looked around in hurried confusion and panic.

Hiding underneath the feathery orange coat to shield themselves from the sun, they remember the fat bastard having it before but the bird guy must’ve covered them to prevent any burning…

“Get an umbrella,” Laffitte whispered to the sniper.

“What?”

“Please, get the umbrella…” 

Augur fell silent, continuing to hold his rifle, he stepped away below deck.

Keeping an eye on Dove just as Aokiji walked up the ramp, half of his face and body covered in ice. From freezing the spot where Burgess had punched him, one tap on the shoulder was all it took to freeze him solid.

The doctor looked to the former admiral, annoyed as he coughed a scoff, “I wasn’t done with him yet,” his nose bled as usual. Aokiji ignored him, opting to check on the covered child instead.
“Hey, you good kid?..” Aokiji looked to Dove.

“Uh… Yeah, I-I’m okay…” Dove muttered, as their height changed once more to fit better under the large coat.
“T-Thanks…” They looked to the navigator, softly smiling to the teen.
“It’s not a problem… But our commodore does have a few words he’d like to say to you…” He looked to Teach.
“Right?..” Laffitte quirked an eyebrow at him.

The yonko looked to his navigator and back down at his k- the brat .

Yeah, the brat…

They glared at him specifically with hate, probably from their shared insults from earlier. Laffitte shared a similar look but much more tame, quietly telling him to say something, probably some apology...

“I’m… Sorry for… What I said to you and, calling you ugly to your face…”

Teach rolled his eyes at the end, not taking this seriously but Laffitte gave him another look and he relented.
Finally looking at Dove with an apologetic smile…or at least an attempt at it…

“...Marco wasn’t kidding, you’re horrible at being sincere but good to your benefit.” Dove scoffed.

Everyone else looked down to Dove, “Y-You knew Marco?..” Laffitte spoke.

“Of course, I met him, Ace, and Pops three years ago. They even offered me to join but…” Dove looked to the yonko.
“ You . Happened…”

All eyes turned to the commodore, ranging from shock to surprise.

Augur overheard below deck with his observation haki, his face held many emotions. He is known for believing in fate like the doctor, Laffitte, and Shiryu(though he would deny the claims).

It was no mere coincidence to him that they ran into a child that met Whitebeard in the past, someone that knows Teach too…

Even if the commodore showed no signs of remembering the incident himself…

“I-I don’t…” Teach shook his head.

They rolled their eyes, “Of course, you don’t remember, you were just using them at the time… They weren’t important…” Dove spoke with obvious contempt.

“Look. I just apologized to you about earlier, so accept that.”

“Why should I when you don’t even remember what you said to me?? You barely knew me then and even now. So why should I accept some half-ass apology from a notorious manipulator…”

Dove said that just as Augur returned to the deck, with the item Laffitte requested.

Teach was not at all amused by the teenager’s words.
“Well, I’m trying to be sincere here!..”

“Oh yeah, you have a great track record with that!”

Laffitte feared that another yelling match would ensue, quickly intervening with Aokiji. “Okay, okay… Let’s just take a breather for a second.”

“Burgess can’t,” Augur raised an eyebrow at the former admiral, motioning to the frozen luchador. “Eh, he’ll be fine, Aokiji waved him off, earning a scowl.

Laffitte cleared his throat, “Now… Dove, we have a proposition and an invitation to you, to join our crew…” he smiled.

Though he was the only one, Teach and Aokiji kept a neutral expression with the commodore keeping a trained eye on the former admiral. Doc’s eyes trailed between the commodore and Dove, he huffed a laugh at how obvious this whole schtick was with Teach.

Augur and the officers, held mixed feelings from disbelief to revulsion.

Many wanted to argue against it but held their tounges. Unlike the sniper…

“Commodore… My apologies, but what the fuck.”

“Van…”

“No. What is going on.”

Augur’s gaze trailed back to Dove, they held an uneasy look upon the proposition. Even though they didn’t like it, the same as the others. Despite his stern look, on the inside, he was conflicted thanks to his feelings on fate.
It was hard to ignore that it was no coincidence coming here to Merro Island but continued to hold regard for the vampiric teen.
Despite their circumstances, he couldn’t afford to care…

“We already have enough incredulous staff members and captains to deal with. And one sick case already, I do not. Want them.” Augur narrowed his gaze to the commodore.
“Still have a name, jackass,” Dove commented.

“I. Do not care.”

“Well if it makes you feel better, I’m not joining. I don’t like you guys either, except for Kuzan, he’s an exception. And the horse!..”
Stronger chuffed in response, sounding happy.

“Oh, thanks for rubbing it in my face…” The sick doctor rolled his eyes with a scoff.

“Kid, I get it… You don’t like them, but at least think about it…” Aokiji kneeled at Dove’s level, holding a worried look.
“Oh great, not you too Kuzan…” Dove scoffed.

“Look,” Teach pushed Aokiji aside casually.
“I apologized, I invited you to our crew…” He looks back, feeling Laffitte’s stare at the back of his head. Swallowing his pride, he extended the umbrella out to Dove to accept. “Just… Just take some time to think or… Whatever…” He rolled his eyes, uncaring.

Dove saw this, pulling their foot back and stomping hard against his stomach before snatching the umbrella from the yonko.
It flew open, casting a shadow underneath for Dove to run with as they darted off the ship. Augur raised his rifle to shoot on instinct.
“D-Don’t! Don’t you dare!.. Shoot that damn brat!...” Teach yelled, clutching his stomach as he stood. A bruise formed where he had been kicked.
“Damn… That kid can leave a mark… Just like their mother…”
Teach made that comment to himself, but made the mistake of speaking it too loudly for others to hear. Both the sniper and doctor slowly turned their heads to the commodore, Augur held a disgusted look while Doc…
“Called it.” Pure vindication.

“You got to be fucking kidding me.”
Augur’s eye twitched, his anger rising now along with his tone.
“That thing is your-”

“Hey hey, keep your voice down…” Aokiji shushed him, before turning to the yonko. “Look. Marshall, just give Dove some space okay? They need it and have been through-”

“A lot?.. Yeah. I know, you dirty bastard…”
He clenched his jaw, wanting to say more to the former admiral but he didn’t want to risk another argument with La-
Oh. Never mind, he’s not here…

Good.

———

They weren’t running anymore, from what Laffitte saw.
Dove skipped as if they hadn’t been able to do it in years, even alongside the numerous white rabbits that scampered along- running past Laffitte as he trailed behind, watching both Dove and the rabbits.
They knew he was watching but didn’t care, they were at peace.

Dove seemed much happier, and more relaxed with the rabbits bounding around them. A few held dead snakes in their bloody maws, parading them like proud killers, making Laffitte smile.

“Oh, how adorable…” He couldn’t help but comment to himself with a soft chuckle.

Watching Dove walk further with the pounding rabbits, to an open clearing in the woods where the sun has shone at its brightest. They sat on a rock under the shadow of the umbrella they held, as the bloodied rabbits stood in a line each offering a snake to Dove which they accepted.

Laffitte saw as the child took a bite out of each one of them, drinking the insides till their carcasses flattened within their grasp. Throwing it aside, a few rabbits caught them, playing tug-a-war with the flat bodies.
He tried to stifle his laughing upon the sight, it warmed his psychotic heart even more, loving the horrific sight before him…

His nose wrinkled, as a familiar stench reached his followed by a low dragging sound. Laffitte cast his gaze aside, he saw white and red.

But wholly red, as both paws reached forward and back again, its ears held back, dead white eyes looking ahead without a thought.
The red rabbit dragged its upper body towards the sitting child as its insides fell behind. The back torso follows suit with all red instead of white…

Augur mentioned shooting a rabbit into two before the first encounter with Dove…

The sight gave a pause to Laffitte, but not to the others. As the red rabbit dragged itself to Dove, they saw the poor thing with a soft look, holding up both parts and settling them on its lap.
Laffitte can hear them hum a lullaby while gently petting the red rabbit.

Slowly, the red rabbit began to connect with its other half, becoming whole as it settled itself back on their lap.
Resting peacefully a small smile grew on Dove’s face.

“Healing, attacking, controlling, growing limbs… The power of the blood-blood fruit is incredible…”

Laffitte slowly stepped forward.
“You should be proud to have such a gift…”

He could see Dove’s smile drop from under the umbrella, looking away from the pirate as their breathing became uneasy for a second.

“Yeah… A gift…” They spoke quietly. “You… You could call it that…”
Their tone was filled with exhaustion.

Laffitte took a silent breath, “I… Was a sheriff in the West Blue, so I can tell when one is lying and-” he stopped momentarily putting his hands up so Dove wouldn’t interrupt. He only wanted them to listen.
“And I know Aokiji was lying about your past… Even Marshall knew…”

Dove clenched their jaw, and all the rabbits turned their eyes on Laffitte. Waiting in defense, except for the red rabbit that rubbed itself against Dove’s arm to comfort.

“...Your past does not matter… It is your life that you do not wish to share, and I respect that… Though I cannot speak for the others.” Laffitte spoke softly.
“I have said before, my job is being the chief of staff to the crew… I take care of everyone, ensuring they don’t kill each other but remain safe… We don’t mind being used as shields, we use each other all the time for our benefit…”

He could see Dove was starting to shake, despite how they tried to recompose themselves. Attempting to remain calm until the dam burst open, “Why.” they looked to Laffitte.
“Why the hell would you want to take care of me then?.. Without any ulterior motive or anything else?.. How do I not know this is some long game of manipulation?...”

They turned paranoid, just like their father…

“H-How do I know that this isn’t some sick game at play, to get me to trust you until I wake up with someone on-”

BAM

The ground shook with the earth splitting open, and the rabbits shot up and scurried away as the shockwaves were felt. The trees rode up and down with the land as the wind blew past the two people, hard.
“Oh great, now they’re fighting!..” Laffitte complained, knowing that Marshall and Aokiji were fighting now…

Dove didn’t know that, they held onto the umbrella as tightly as they could as the strong winds came forth. Leaves, rocks, and sticks came flying back from the shockwaves. The poor teen tried to block the incoming foliage, looking up momentarily. A small log met against the trunk of a tree, splitting into splitters that flew into Dove’s eyes.
They did not feel the pain, but it did blind their vision. Trying to rub the foliage out of their eyes, they loosened their grip for only a moment.
But enough to cause the umbrella to fly away.

They hide themselves, fearing the light and the burning sensation to come but…

It never came…

The winds stopped, alongside the shaking as Dove remained still under a large shadow…

They looked up, eyes landing upon white feathers belonging to a single wing.
Outstretched to give protection from the light above, their eyes trailed to the side.
Seeing the gentle smile that graced the navigator, Laffitte…

“...Us birds stick together, Dove…” He spoke softly.
“And owls?.. We’re known for hunting snakes… ”

———

BAM

BAM

“Marshall! Calm down!...”

But Teach wasn’t interested in reasoning with the former admiral.
Stomping the sandy beach with his quakes as the sky grew dark with his rage.
The island front split open with sea salt geysers rising to the top, those froze before hitting the by-standing captains and crew members. But it couldn’t stop the nearby foliage from the woods, hitting the others as they scrambled about dodging them.

Augur stood on deck, firing upon the flying rocks and boulders.

That shattered into pieces that rained upon everyone. Those few sharp pieces came into contact with the frozen Burgess, cracking his ice shell completely.
“YES! I’m free and- WHAT THE HELL??” Burgess barely moved out of the way when a giant boulder nearly crushed him.
“Augie! What’s going on??” He rushed on deck to where Augur stood in front.

“Turns out, that feral vampire is the commodore’s secret child. And now he’s fighting Aokiji for supposedly lying to us about their past…” Augur answered.

Stunning Burgess into silence, which was a first…

“...That is the most bullshit thing I ever heard!”

“I concur.”
They both ducked as another tree came flying, landing on the front deck of the ship- nearly crushing the hull, “Hey! Capn’! Don’t crush my ships!..” Burgess complained loudly.
“He’s not gonna listen!... Not even listening to Aokiji!...”

Burgess looked up to see the doctor, flying above on Stronger’s back, away from the fight. He scoffed, jealous that he wasn’t up there away from the chaos.
More things were thrown about, as Teach’s darkness spread through the island against Aokiji’s icy touch as everything shook.

“What the hell is up with you??” Aokiji yelled again to the commodore, dodging the coming projectiles with ease.

Teach blinked, “ What’s up ? What’s up ?! You, lying to me again you bastard!..” his darkness crept and writhed within the strewn foliage, absorbing every little thing it came across the area, prepping for another attack.
“You lied to me about the brat’s past, you didn’t tell me that you knew Evelyn, and-”

“And what?! You don’t care about that kid, so why are you upset?!”

Teach narrowed his gaze at him, his darkness pulled the former admiral into an attack. Aokiji reacted in time, his heel meeting with the right side of the yonko’s face, but his opponent reacted quickly.

Crushing the ice leg that kicked him, throwing the admiral to the ground, lifting his foot to send a crushing blow below…

A familiar pain had hit him again, a fierce knuckle that flew forward. Belonging to no other than the vampiric child- the brat, Dove…

Their fist flew up, smacking against his chin, and he doubled back in pain.
Yelling and cursing once more in anger he bit himself by accident from the intense punch.
“AAAAH!! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR??!” He looked up, seeing the teen helping Aokiji to stand as he formed another ice leg after his broken one.
“Me?!” Dove looked back at him, their anger flaring.
“What about you, you fat bastard??! Fighting a one-legged man for no reason! You should be ashamed!...”

Laffitte sighed at the sight, surprising Augur and Burgess as he appeared beside them. “If only we made a better impression on them…” He rubbed his temples, feeling a migraine coming up.

“An ‘ impression ’ on them?? Y-You’re not saying what I think you're saying…” Augur made a face, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Talking about what?” Burgess looked to the two captains.
“What’s going on, Augie?”

“Terrible things, Burgess… Terrible things…”

“Wha-”

“OH THAT IS ABELIST BULLSHIT!”

Their heads returned to the scene of the commodore arguing with the freakish teenager, Aokiji stood beside watching. Shaking his head in disapproval as he wiped the dirt off himself. Though the others could see the shit-eating grin he’s been trying to hide ever since Dove came to his defense…
“I don’t care if he’s one-legged, blind, or deaf! I’m still gonna’ fight the motherfucker! Equal rights- equal fights!”

“Equal fights this!” Dove pulled their heel back, striking forward.
Readying to kick him in the-

“Dove…” A disapproving voice spoke up, the kid turned their head to see Laffitte giving a head shake. Condemning the coming action…

Dove huffed a reluctant sigh and stopped, “Okay… That was a bit too much, on my part” rolling their eyes in admission as Laffitte gave a firm nod.
“Good, there is no reason to be attacking our commodore… Only protecting or serving him…” He said with a smile…

No one else did…

Rounds of gasping and murmurs were heard from the sailors, the captains were dead silent in mixed emotions. Aokiji seemed relieved while Teach…

He could only stare at Dove…

Believing this would be the start of his end with bitter acceptance, but no…

It was only the beginning of the haunting of Ables, for Caine…

Chapter Text

Marineford, Febuary 19th.

Time after the Paramount War & The Rocky Port Incident…

Construction was loud outside, with people and civilians still picking up the pieces after the Paramount War. Even the grand headquarters of the Marines was being cleaned, sustaining just as much damage as the outside.
It wasn’t as worse but still as bad.

The outside interior had crumbling walls, the fencing around the upper floors was chipped with specific burn marks, and the paper-paneled walls held a few holes, allowing light to peek into the many rooms of the headquarters.

Despite the worked interior, the walls have seen it all and tell the story of what they saw during the intense war, from the fall of an ancient giant to the golden Buddha, two brothers, the death of one, the murder of a father, and the rise of Cain himself…

No sane person was at ease after that day as manic pirates began to sail in high proportions again after Whitebeard’s final words.

Marines were scrambling across the seas to keep the chaos under control, peace, and people safe for now.

The seas remained silent with no ships in sight, the major players in this game against the damn pirates, no. They were held between the paper-thing walls of the old headquarters.

The room was loud and packed, with men and women of different rankings sitting in positions as they spoke within the paper-paneled walls. Only one part of the room was open to the outside, allowing a few smokers to sit out to enjoy their vices freely while the meeting was being held.

The many words of today were a mix regarding the new warlord, Trafalgar Law.

The after-effects of the Paramount War, the incident, the leaving of an admiral, and the rise of a new fleet admiral…

But those words were outshined and outspoken by one topic only…

Blackbeard.

The new emperor of the sea that replaced the pedestal of the strongest man in the world, that Whitebeard stood upon.
Everyone knew that stand was crumbling under the weight of the pressure from Newgate’s stolen legacy. The title wasn’t earned through hard work or recognition—only deceit and fraudulence, like any true pirate.

To be brought down by a son-turned-bastard, how that villain was waiting years for a moment to act, achieving everything he wanted through cunning planning causing a domino effect of turning in Portgas, becoming a warlord, invading Impel Down, and a great war that shook the entire world.

Many were concerned about the brute, while others knew that it would be Akainu’s first meeting as fleet admiral since Sengoku stepped down. Even with the added whispers of promotions being spread about, reserved for those who fought during the Paramount War and those from the Rockey Port Incident…

Where the pirate, Trafalgar Law, invaded the pirate island of Fullalead/Hachinosu. Alongside Blackbeard and two marine cadets in a quick alliance to protect, serve, and dethrone corruption.

Ultimately, the world government acquired a hundred pirate hearts alongside a new warlord. Blackbeard claimed the pirate island as his territory, and the two cadets were recognized as great heroes for saving civilian lives…

Koby and Helmeppo. 

The two were already famous for being Vice Admiral Garp’s pupils, with Koby even ending the Paramount War with a rare show of conquerors haki. The pink-haired teen still held more scars from both incidents, taking the heavy brunts to save people.
His arm was still in a sling from Hachinosu, while Helmeppo merely received minimal damage thanks to Koby always protecting him…

He felt no need to get a raise or anything…

Helmeppo remained silent, looking guilty for his cowardice during both the Paramount War and Rockey Port. Sure, Koby was just as scared as him, even watching the fighting through the sidelines during the first act. Only fully acting when the fighting wouldn't stop. Koby stepped up more during the incident at the pirate island.

Koby saved everyone, the same as usual.

He didn’t feel jealous, no, he knew his own limits. He held no reason to be unhappy with Koby’s success.
He just needs to do better…

But it still didn’t stop his guilty thoughts, even the forlorn look on his face that could be seen alongside an…uncomfortable edge…

The two boys were unsure of why an admiral would be sitting amongst them, mainly because the yellow monkey was consuming a bowl of udon very slowly and loudly. The loud slurping of noodles could be heard among the outlier of voices.

They’ve never really seen Garp conversing with him, either; he's merely Kuzan, and he’s gone M.I.A. since Punk Hazard…

The red dog won against the blue pheasant, he rose to become the new fleet admiral while Kuzan disappeared.
Leaving the yellow monkey; Borsalino Kizaru, the only current admiral left in the marines.
From what he heard, Koby could guess that he felt lonely since his nephew wasn’t here yet, busy out in the New World instead.

Helmeppo guessed that since Garp refused to be around Sakazuki since Ace’s death, he went on vacation alongside Sengoku when he stepped down.

He chose to watch the boys in the Vice Admiral’s place, slowly consuming a bowl of udon, unlike Garp who would always eat his rice crackers with tea in such a jovial glee, as opposed to Kizaru’s slow-natured act of savoring instead.
After a long moment of taking a single bite of his food, the yellow monkey breathed relief.
“I wonder when Sakazuki is gonna come…”

He looked down at Koby through his yellow shades, sporting his usual lax grin.
Koby merely shrugged, “I don’t know… He could be running late…” he suggested.

“For his first official meeting?? I thought he was ruthless and punctual, not late.” Helmeppo added in, looking over to Koby.
“Ooh… Sakazuki did say that someone from above was comin’ down… Something about somethin’ or someone…” Kizaru spoke slowly, taking another slow slurp of his udon.
The sound of it didn’t bother anyone inside, except for a few outside…

“Ugh. Can you keep it down? Some of us have a hangover…” A woman smoking a cigarette spoke up, rubbing her temples.

“Told you, you shouldn't have drank that much…” A man smoking three cigars spoke back to the woman, sitting on the opposite side of her from outside.
This is Captain Hina & Commodore Smoker.
“Sir, I did tell you it wasn’t smart to go out last night because of today…” Tashigi, Smoker’s mentoree/assistant, told him. Though he rolled his eyes away, puffing on his cigars, “Eh… We just had a little fun after recovering from the war, nothing bad…” he gave a poor reason but Tashigi merely sighed at it as she shook her head.

She was about to say something else about it, but four heavy footsteps interrupted her thoughts. Everyone inside and outside heard it, and they all quieted down as the paper-paneled door slid open.
Revealing the two imposing figures of the newly-appointed fleet admiral; Sakazuki Akainu.
The second figure looming behind him was a surprise to see, coming from Marie Geoise, the commander-in-chief, Kong.

Those sitting quickly moved aside to make room as both men stepped through, the red dog’s eyes under his cap glazed over to Kizaru, who merely smiled and waved at his old friend while giving a cold glare to the young Koby…

Akainu let out a low groan as he reached the podium, he filed the papers in his hand accordingly before lighting a cigar to smoke. Looking up, he scanned the entire room and door to the outside as all eyes were on him. Even Kongs as his superior stood behind him.
He took a deep breath before speaking, “You all disgust me.”

“The pirate scourge that invaded was in the 5,000 mass, merely 3,000 were killed. For the marines, almost 100,000 strong, and 6,000 were killed…”
The heat of his glare pierced everyone’s hearts, many looked away in fear, shame, and anxiety except for Koby.

As Akainu’s eyes landed on him once more…

“I sought the death of 501 pirates, including Portgas D. Ace, leading to a successful execution. And I properly disposed over 2,567 of our men, their cowardice. Leading to their early retirements…”

‘Early retirements’ was a fancy way of saying that he killed them.

Both Helmeppo and Koby saw these incidents when the red dog wasn’t hunting pirates but marines that ran from the fight.
Scared of dying by pirate hands, their faces disfigured among the masses, names going unnamed with burnt remains being sent back to families…

The only problem was that gunshots never caused the burns but by magma.
He tore their faces away so no soul would remember their names or who they were, essentially erasing them. And he spoke about it without shame.
Koby remembers Kuzan talking about Sakazuki’s involvement at Ohara and how he blew up a ship full of civilians escaping a buster call. They weren’t pirates or criminals but he didn’t care.
He was only doing his job…

That’s why Koby kept staring at him, not backing down…

Koby knew that Akainu didn’t like him, heck, he nearly killed him when he stopped the Paramount War. He would be dead if it wasn’t for red hair stepping in to stop everything.

The boy was sweating he couldn't help it it made him nervous. Sure, he was good at protecting people like during Rocky Port but Akainu was a different story, he was a marine, a powerful fleet admiral now.

He was much more vicious, more cold, only concerned about squashing the threats of pirates rather than protecting innocents.
This was why Kuzan went M.I.A., he knew that everything would be going to hell. And he was right…

“From now on… We will be more precise, firm, and swift when coming to deal with the pirate threat; after Newgate’s final cowardice words of the ‘one piece’ being real. That threat has risen to an all-time high of new activity, especially after the incident at Hachinosu… Kizaru…”
Akainu’s gaze turned to the lone admiral, Borsalino looked up curiously as he casually clipping his nails.
“We’re currently on the search for two new admirals to fill both Kuzan and my position. You shouldn’t be alone for too long, brother…”

That yellow monkey smirked, letting out a quiet huff of laughter. “Ooh… Don’t worry about me, Sakazuki, you know I can handle the heavy load…” Kizaru chuckled again.
He was one of the very few marines who held a friendly relationship with the cruel red dog, taking a relaxed disposition on things against Akainu’s strained attitude.

“We’re well aware…” Commander-in-chief, Kong, finally spoke up.
His arms were crossed as he held a neutral position, seemingly more lax than Sakazuki but more firm than Borsalino.
“Even after the war, and the incident at Rocky Port. We’re issuing a mass marine draft to allow others to join. There are many candidates for the two empty admiral positions. But we’ll be hard at work to interview each one of them…”

Smoker scoffed outside at that, he knew the whole ‘interviewing’ schtick was bullshit. He even made a bet with Hina the previous night about it, that one of the new admirals was going to be some womanizing schmuck.

He didn’t trust the higher ups considering they covered up the incident with Crocodile at Alabasta, which is also why he never trusted the warlord system.

The whole thing would only give cunning pirates protection to abuse their power, which was seen with Crocodile and Blackbeard.
One of his many complaints and suggestions was to abolish the system as a whole, though currently. It wasn’t the right time for any politics…

Akainu stepped up from the podium to allow Kong to speak further, taking the papers from him. He quickly looked over them before announcing.
“Now… Despite the loss of good comrades, it’s time to reward those who have survived. Many of you have received promotions, designations, and transfers…”
His eyes looked over everyone, his gaze stopped just on Vice Admiral Tsuru.

She was silent during the entire time, merely listening to everyone around her.

Kong’s gaze slightly softened as he remembered teaching and leading Tsuru along with Sengoku and Garp when they were all young marines and he was just a man.

Now Tsuru was a grandmother herself, he was much older than her now too.

It gave him a small whiplash of old nostalgia and a melancholy feeling, but he shook it away.
Coming back to his senses, he continued with his earlier statements…

“Smoker, Tashigi… You two have officially been promoted and shall be assigned to G-5 under the command of Vergo… ”

Eyes trailed outside the room, to the new vice-admiral and his captain.
Tashigi moved beside him as always, as she already had ideas and thoughts planned out in her head on ways to improve civilian life and protect them.

Smoker thought the same with the rising pirate threat, and the coming work he and Tashigi had to do.
He gave a simple acknowledging wave upon hearing the news of his promotion. Tashigi was the only one who spoke up upon hearing the news, a bright smile on her face.

“Thank you for the promotion. Me and the vice-admiral will live up to our new titles…” She bowed in gratitude.

Kong then turned his attention to Hina, who raised an eyebrow at the old man.

“Captain Hina of the Black Cage Corps… You are now promoted to the title of Rear Admiral.” He ended it with a firm nod.

Hina let out a small sigh, “Great, thanks…” She lit another cigarette to smoke.

Even passed her lighter to Smoker again.

She, like the new Vice Admiral, couldn’t give two shits. About the world government…

“Now…” Kong shuffled his papers again as he cleared his throat.
“Koby and Helmeppo…” He turned his gaze to the two, still sitting between Borsalino as the other marines darted their eyes at the young boys.
“Due to the bravery that both of you have faced during the Paramount War and the incident of Rockey Port… Koby… You have been named a hero, for your efforts.”
Akainu remained silent as Kong spoke, still keeping a cold glare at the young cadet as he was being praised.

“For that… You have been promoted to Captain. ”

Kong then looked to Helmeppo.
“And you, are now Lieutenant Commander… Congratulations to the two heroes…”

A round of applause was given out for the two young men.
Koby and Helmeppo both shared a wide shocked look upon being regarded and promoted as heroes, but Koby regained consciousness as Kizaru patted both him and Helmeppo on the shoulder.
“Congrats to you two… I bet the old monkey himself would be happy to hear of this…” He said with a smile, referring to Garp.
Koby returned a frail half-smile upon the praise from the admiral, he was happy but continued to feel uneasy as out of his peripheral vision he could still feel Akainu’s piercing glare boring into him.

Silently wishing to melt the boy on the spot himself…

The praise and applause slowly died down, allowing Kong to take the stage again to continue the round of promotions without any interruptions.
“Now to-”

“Pardon…”

A gravely voice out, and a looming shadow entered the room from opening view outside.

Smoker, Hina, and Tashigi jumped upon hearing the voice between them.

There stood the looming figure of a balding white person with a faint buzz cut, it stood about 13 feet and 2 inches.
It stood so tall it had to bend to the sides unnaturally, allowing a large shadow to be cast over the others inside. Those cadets turned to see the person, who wore a wide grin, its pale pink teeth showing its velvet gums.

Eyes wide with swollen black pupils, wrinkles bore its face from the wide unnatural facial features. Sporting a navy blue turtle neck, a hollow black open vest with babies breath sewn on in pattern, and a bright red leather jack that barely reached its…or… his waist.

To be correct and not incite any offense to the thing-man.

Yes. Man…

Though the term was used loosely for him…

“Fuck… It’s him…” Hina cursed to herself, staring up at the grinning man.

Her cigarette dropped from her mouth, while Smoker quickly shoved Tashigi behind him. His hands shook into fists as he stared at the grinning thing.

Its head and gaze turned to Hina who froze on the spot, his hands reached out, causing her to flinch as he picked up her downed cigarette.
Smothering the thing out. He turned his head back inside seeing many of the marines nearly on quick defense thinking he was going to touch the Rear Admiral…

“Those things can kill… Ha ha…” He spoke.
His eyes went unblinking and his grin never changed, only growing wider along with the fake laugh.
“I have a question… Sirs…” He raised his eyebrows, slinging his marine coat over his shoulder as he casually stepped inside and over the others who quickly moved aside. Walking to the middle of the room, he stared down at both Akainu and Kong.

“But… I apologize for missing so much… I was busy-”

“We know… Armaros…” Akainu glared at the grinning man.

Koby blinked upon seeing the man, he was shocked to see someone so much taller than the average admiral who wasn’t a giant.
Along with how unnatural he looked, the way his skin stretched and wrinkled made it look like it was a suit he wore. Koby looked around to see everyone having varying reactions of unease, fear, and hatred.
He looked beside to see Helmeppo casting his gaze to the tall grinning man in a mix of shock and fear, while the admiral was looking down.
His eyes couldn’t be seen through his shades as his body tensed, placing both of his hands on the boy's shoulders in a tight grip as if something were to occur.

“Yes… I apologize again for my absence during the… Incident…” The grinning man’s wide eyes narrowed towards everyone in the room, they all leaned back with each turn of his head.
“But my question was regarding, my, promotion…” Armaros’s pupils shifted to Kong.

“You know the answer already Armaros… You’re never getting promoted.” Kong spoke promptly to the grinning man.

“Then may I inquire why I was summoned for the meeting?.. When you all obviously knew I was busy, tending to my heavens. My grief.”

Armaros' tone became firmer, Koby could hear the anger. Coming from a place of mourning and grief as he stated.

“If we have our damn discussion now. Would you leave us alone?..” Akainu sneered at the grinning man. Puffing an air of smoke in his face, Armaros barely reacted but his grin became wider, “Of course… Let us be off then…” now there was sarcasm.
Armaros stepped over the people again as he left with Kong and Akainu somewhere else…

Leaving the meeting room dead silent with a few hushed murmurs among people.

“...Who was that?..” Koby asked.

“That… Was Armaros…” Kizaru answered, releasing his grip on Koby and Helmeppo. “He’s a commodore, he’s not associated with any branch.”

“I remember my father and other cadets telling stories about a grinning man in the marines, how he eats children who misbehave,” Helmeppo spoke up, looking around he saw that no one wanted to talk about the unusual commodore.

Everyone continued to hold uneasy looks even though he was gone now.
“Tsk…” Tsuru finally spoke up.
“If he ever did, I’d kill him. I don’t even allow my granddaughter near him…”

“...Why?..”

———

The two men and thing traveled to the office of the fleet admiral.
Akainu was still moving in as there were open boxes with banzai trees in them along with cases of cigars and cigarettes.

The red dog took a seat behind his desk as Armaros stood beside Kong in front, “You missed a hell of a lot during the war… Lots of good men died, and a whole lot of cowards too that I had to dispose of…”

“Pity that your daughter couldn’t be there…”

His hand burned red with magma creasing out from his knuckles, he nearly wanted to flip his desk over to beat the grinning man senseless for saying that but Kong intervened with a glance.
So he reluctantly backed down, but his hands didn’t stop shaking.

“Oh!.. I apologize, did I struck a nerve? You have to excuse me, I’m in mourning… You know… For my mother, that you bastards killed.”

His head turned with an audible crack.

In a rare instance, Sakazuki looked away, hiding his face from the grinning man.

“Oh, but that does remind me…” Armaros snaps his fingers.
A tiny blue door appears out of thin air, he drives his hand through the tiny door, pulling out a ship in a bottle…

The tiny ship inside resembled that of a pirate ship, it moved about as Armaros set it down on Akainu’s desk. The water inside sloshed and moved as tiny voices were heard inside, along with ting dancing figures left unaware that they were in hell.
No, they thought it was heaven…
“I made this during my leave… A generous gift, for the new fleet admiral…”

He looked down at Akainu.
“You can hear them scream when you tap the glass…” He tapped as said, and those happy cheers turned into fearful pained screams.
The tiny pirates were running around in a panic on their tiny ship, both Kong and Akainu stared in silence at the sight.

While the grinning man’s grin grew wider.

Seeing how uncomfortable they are…

———

“Armaros is a freak of nature… He can’t use haki but you can’t sense him with it either.” Hina lit another cigarette to smoke.

“Is that why you were all jumpy when he appeared?..” Koby looks around, waiting for an answer.
Borsalino nods, “He’s his own being, he doesn’t associate himself with any branch. Not even SWORD or Cipher Pol. Though he could be regarded as both…” he says.
“Just as vicious as the agents, and not adhering to the marine code…”

“That’s why he’ll never become an admiral, we only call him a commodore to remind the thing he’ll always be on a leash…” Tsuru adds.

“If he doesn’t follow a code… Who does he obey?..”

———

“You have new orders from the top,” Kong states, walking around the office to grab a set of bounties.

“Please…” Armaros rolls his swollen pupils, “Don’t pile any more in, I have enough restless nights from that damn snake -”

“It’s not them. It’s from the very, top…” Akainu stood up, crossing his arms in a huff as he smothered his cigar out. Armaros turns to him again, quirking an eyebrow up as he lets out a low harsh laugh.
“Oh right… I forgot, you may be a red dog prior to this position but your a bigger bitch now at their lap like me…” He says.
“...What’s it like now, at the top?..”

“Armaros…”
Kong stepped forward with a commanding tone, dropping the bounties down in front of the grinning man.
“These are the unreleased bounties of the Blackbeard Pirates… You’ll find one of them familiar…”
Armaros skimmed over each bounty, only stopping when spying on the picture of the navigator...

Letting out a quiet sigh, as his hand trailed over the picture of Laffitte…

“You two used to work together, out in the West Blue before his arrest and escape,” Akainu spoke. “You were his deputy, you were the one to turn in him, and you’re the one who knows him best…”

Armaros closed his eyes for a moment.

“You want me to hunt him down?..” His voice became dangerous.

“When you already took everything from me? My. Mother?...”

“No. They want you to trail and watch them over at Hachinosu or as Fullalead as the public calls it.” Kong cemented, and his voice became more firm.
“Armaros… Input brevity code, Shadow .”

“Your target designations are Marshall D. Teach, Jesús Burgess, Shiryu of the Rain, Van Augur, Avalo Pizzaro, the demon sheriff Laffitte, Catarina Devon, SanJuan Wolf, Vasco Shot, and Doc Q … Is that understood?..”

Armaros finally looked up, like a switch was flipped.
He cracked his neck and turned to the two.

“Input accepted…” Armaros groaned, but his grin grew wider in glee at the end.
“I cannot wait... To catch up with Laffy…”

Chapter Text

There was the droning smell of tobacco and booze while hanging lanterns illuminating the scene of a gambling den. The customers ranged from thieves, mafiosos, information brokers, and pirates.
The den was hidden under the sewage system of a well-known kingdom in the New World. It was well-established and fitted with many amenities, including waiters and servants who ran errands for the players from the kitchen to the left and the bar to the right. There was even a private room in the back hidden by red curtains, purposed for more exotic, pleasures.
All the employees wore black masks so no one could be sold out or hunted down outside of work by an angry patron for ‘cheating’ them out.

One table went on and on, it was the seventh game now, and four of the five players placed their bets except for one.

“How much will you be dealing this time, sir?..” This dealer had asked.

The fifth player let out a low groan. He smothered his cigar and lit a new one to smoke, placing a much higher number of chips down than the others.
“400, and I’m looking for information too…” He spoke.

The man wore a navy blue uniform. A grey jacket hung on the back of his chair, along with a dark aviator's cap with ear flaps.
No one could see his face as his head was down, but his voice matched his outwardly stern appearance. Speaking firm and gruff, the voice of an average smoker, even smelling of the stuff along with old leather.
One of the players at the table laughed at the stranger, an old man in rags who gambled too much. “Paying lots of money for someone, even been here for a while to be extra with the money…” He noted.
Even the dealer behind the mask noticed, “It is not generosity, but assurance. Am I correct, sir?...” they asked.

“Yeah…” The stranger nodded, placing down a card to begin playing.
“Since this establishment is popular with drunks, whores, and debtors. I’m curious about a specific client that has dabbled in both…”
“Who’s the jackass?..” Another player questioned in a humorous tone, a businessman. “Let me guess, you’re the collector, and he owes you somethin’ right?..”
The stranger looked up at the man. His eyes were narrowed, and his face was covered in bags and wrinkles. He took his cigar out momentarily to speak clearly, puffing out some smoke. “Something like that…” His gaze narrowed.

“Ah… You knew we don’t indulge information on our patrons so you’ve been paying extra…” The dealer spoke.

“Yeah… So you could say it was generosity, out of my heart…” The stranger held a crooked grin, as the dealer behind the table signaled to the rest of his coworkers for trouble.
“Does this uh… Mark of yours have a name?..” The businessman asked again, after snorting a white line. The stranger returned the cigar to his mouth as he kept playing casually.
“His name is Absalom… A pirate under the former warlord, Gecko Moria, who disappeared during the Paramount War months ago.”

Another player scoffed a disgusted look, a revealing woman in a red dress.

“I know the guy, has an invisibility devil fruit. Real pervert, he tried to grope my girlfriend but I caught him and they kicked him out…”

“What’s the problem, that guy was just giving a compliment…” The businessman’s friend said with a drunk smile, his breath reeking of alcohol as he leaned too close to the woman. She recoiled but the man was quickly pulled back by the old man, his hand in a firm powerful grip on the lecherous bastard’s shoulder. Holding a friendly smile that masked a hidden warning.
He obeyed, sitting down quietly with beading sweat.
“Oh… That man…” The dealer sighed a breath of relief.
“We’ll tell you the truth, after Marine Ford, they went into hiding since Moria was badly injured from the war… We don’t know where they're hiding though, that is all we can say.”

The stranger raised an eyebrow, “So you’re not worried about him winding up dead.” he asked.

“Sir, we kicked him out. He is no use to us or this world…” they replied.
“So this establishment wishes you luck on your hunt…”

The stranger fell silent, an excited grin grew on his face as he laughed.
“Oh I’ll be having fun with it, I assure you…” He puffed on his cigar.
He placed his cards down as he stood up, standing much taller than any regular patrons as they gasped.

“Though… I do have to apologize for what’s next, I was generous with money but nothing about assurance…” He spoke, his voice drooling with sarcasm, revealing a sword at his hip.

Only the dealer acted calm in this situation, “I know sir…” they nodded solemnly.

“Good luck to you…”
The stranger whistled, as half of the patrons stood up to reveal guns, knives, and swords that they had kept hidden. They kicked tables and caused chaos as the old man grew in size as he stood, changing shape into that of a woman.
“Murun- Huhuhu~ Happy to find a few new heads for my display...” She flashed an evil grin, and long black hair wearing a pink and white pirate outfit.

She looked down at the woman in the red dress, who shriveled on the spot in fear as the pirates began to cause a ruckus around the gambling den.
“Aw… Don’t worry pretty, you’re not on my list…” The pirate lady walked straight past her, slashing down some men as that woman ran out of the area before being gunned down on the spot just before stepping out.
That pirate lady stepped behind the red curtain area of the gambling den with a few of her subordinates, more screams of women echoed out. Many tried to run but were pulled back, either by their hair or being stabbed through the chest.

The dealer at the table remained still as death surrounded them, screams rang out with spits of blood staining their mask.
They held their face down, not wanting to see anything. Till the screams died, they saw the sight of a bloody blade before them. It was the stranger again.
He was still smoking with a casual look as he looked down at them.
“Are you going to kill me, sir?..” The dealer asked, taking off their mask as everyone else was dead now. Their face was tired and marred with marks of old abuse, their eyes were empty as the stranger stared down at them in silence.
Always puffing his cigar…

“...No…” He turned around, ready to leave.
“You’re good-”

BAM

It was right behind him, he turned and saw one of his men shoot the dealer.
Lying on the ground, dead, in a pool of blood.
“...What did you do.” The stranger turned to his man.

“Capn’ I was just cleaning out, we didn’t need any witness’s right-”

“I wanted that one alive, dumbass.” The stranger boomed in anger, before slicing him down in a flash. Now dead.

“Damn Shiryu, that was your fifth vice-captain…” The lady pirate spoke as she entered the bloody area.
Pirates were inspecting the corpses, looting the bodies for knick-knacks and treasure. The lady herself held a bloodied bag in one hand, stepping over the bodies to her fellow captain.
“He was a damn fool for not following orders, Catarina…”

“Either way, Teach is gonna be pissed…” She laughed at him, leaving the gambling den with Shiryu.
They walked out of the sewer system to a burning city being pillaged by pirates, they held no reaction to the screams or cries of dying people as they spoke to one another.

“I don’t care,” He noted.
Casually stabbing a crawling injured man with his sword.
“I work better alone either way.”

“Oh, that is hurtful. Coming from you, sir…” Catarina spoke in a fake voice, as she shifted her appearance to the dead dealer from earlier.
The swordsman rolled his eyes with a scoff.

“Please, you’re full of it, Cat…” He muttered with a bitter tone.

“Pissed that we didn’t find Absalom?.. Don’t worry, we still got time…” She changed back to her original form.

They both walked through to the harbor where their shared ship had rested.
The others arrived shortly and they began to sail back to base, back home…

To Hachinosu…

———

Midnight, somewhere in the New World…

Dove kept staring up at the ceiling in their cabin.
The hammock had a good pillow and blanket to sleep with easily. Kuzan and the bird guy- Laffitte had ensured they were at least comfortable before leaving the island. The kids couldn’t get a wink of sleep no matter how tightly they hugged their stuffed rabbit. It wasn’t the ship's erratic swaying as it sailed through the water that kept them up; the waves were calm at night.

Instead, their head was a mess of different hauntings, and both sides were at war due to the events of earlier today.

It wasn’t fighting the pirates, it wasn’t stealing a ship, it wasn’t the bloody messes they caused no…

They joined a pirate crew…

It wasn’t a rash decision made in a moment like stealing a ship, Dove thought long and hard about it. They merely agreed to join for protection reasons, using the pirates as meat shields for themselves before running again.
It was a smart move, but doubt would always be constant.

They sighed, rubbing their tired eyes.
“What the fuck were you thinking, Dove?...” They talked to themselves.

They still didn’t trust any of them except for Kuzan and Laffitte, sort of…

He seemed courteous enough, even truthful to them but not to an extent. Dove knew he was walking on eggshells around them; they didn’t need observation haki to see that. At least all of them noticed their scars but did not say a single word except for that doctor, who called them a ‘used heirloom’.

Oh if only his words were untrue…

But even the doctor seemed okay in their book, Stronger was nicer, more polite. Whereas the sniper and strongman took obvious issue with Dove joining considering they were beaten senseless by them. Dove even saw them arguing with their ‘commodore’, opposing the thought of letting Dove join. But that fat bastard ignored them and still let Dove on, so now the kid has to keep a wary eye open just in case they sought revenge. The thought of ‘apologizing’ to them had crossed Dove’s head, wanting to make peace and not war with their future meat shields instead.

But Teach…

Oh, they still despised that man for his actions in the past…

It persisted in bothering Dove on why that jerk wanted them to join, though they could only guess it was because of their devil fruit. Any other reasoning was a familiar haunting image in their head, the stuff of nightmares and old events. They were still unsettled.
It was out of habit, locking the door and the windows and sleeping away from a bed, even though they rarely did that at Merro Island when alone.
But they weren’t alone, stuck on this ship with the sick doctor, sniper, and strongman. Dove knew the worst those three could try to do was attempted murder of them in their restless sleep, despite the consistent failed previous attempts.
The others, the subordinates, lesser sailors.
They were more worried…

Dove couldn’t sleep because of that. They were worried and scared of waking up to such a heavy thing, and they hated thinking about it.
They hated remembering it why can’t they just-

“Stop it. Stop it…” They muttered to themselves, shaking their head.
Dove needed to quell their restless thoughts and mind, so they left their cabin to the empty open deck under the stars…

The sky was clear, and the moon remained uncovered, away from the stray clouds above. Its gentle light illuminated the empty deck scene before the lone teenager. They were grateful to be alone.

“If I can’t sleep… Might as well work…” They sighed, grabbing a mop and bucket to work. Despite the cold winds they scrubbed the deck, cleaned the mast, and returned below deck to wash the bloodied clothes they caused.
It was easy to complete everything quickly. Without the sun harming them, they could freely use their flesh tendrils without consequences. That gentle breeze continued through that night, Dove was grateful that it wasn’t freezing to cause them to become a shriveled mess like the freak they are.

But just in case, they found a random shawl to wear as they remained outside to hang the freshly clean clothes to dry.

Dove enjoyed being busy, as it kept their minds at bay, instead of any lingering mental sickness that would aimlessly haunt them.
“Just keep moving, keep moving, and focus on the now. Focus on the now…” They kept repeating to themselves, trying to push any horrid image down from their head.
They despised being alone with their thoughts but it was much better than being surrounded by strangers.

A hard breeze flew by, one shirt flew away, and they ran forward to catch it before it flew away. They tripped on their legs just as they reclaimed the flown shirt.

“Ah, stupid broken legs…” Dove hit themselves in retribution, they were still getting used to walking again after two years of-

“Mama…”

Their mind came to a screeching halt as they fell still, rubbing their eyes as they let out an exasperated sigh.
“Damn, bastard…” They muttered to themselves, carefully standing up on wobbly legs. “You weren’t saving me…”
They looked up at the stars, silently praying for them to leave. They took a deep breath and prepared to return to their chores, but something caught their attention instead.
Dove looked across the waves to the second ship that sailed beside them, spying the heavy figure of a person leaning against the railings. Their eyes cast to the moon, a sad position. Dove took careful steps closer to the ship’s railing, gaining a better look at the figure. It became familiar…

It was Teach…

He wore a plain button-up purple shirt, and his long black coily hair flowed in the wind. He didn’t notice the kid staring at him. His gaze was strictly trained on the moon, almost hypnotized by it, and he was nearly different in an odd way.
Looking just as exhausted as Dove, hollow, even a bit…sad?...

It was weird, they didn’t like it.
Why would someone selfish, like that fat bastard be so upset?
Dove tried to push away that angry feeling, but it kept rising. But still, when that yonko finally noticed them, everything remained quiet except for the night breeze and that familiar ringing noise Dove kept hearing in their ear.

The anger was gone. Their guts felt strangely empty as they stared at one another. No words were exchanged, motions of a wave or greeting, nothing…

He walked off like nothing happened…

That empty feeling remained for a while, remaining in that spot like an idiot. Expecting that bastard to return for some reason but he didn’t…

Dove shook their head and huffed a sigh, choosing to continue with their chores instead of focusing on that fat bastard for some damn reason. They felt stupid for not saying anything, for not yelling at him for everything he’s done to them and them.
But they didn’t, for some reason, they couldn’t bring themselves to scream or yell anything.
Was it because everyone else was asleep?
They didn’t want to cause a scene in the middle of the night?
What?!

It frustrated them, deeply…

Dove kept repeating angry mantras and grumbles to themselves as they got everything else done.
The storage was perfectly organized, weapons were cleaned and polished, everything was dusted and swept thoroughly, and clothes were washed.
Everything was to Dove’s liking. As their flesh tendrils retreated to their backs, they stepped inside just as the sun began rising before the burn.
Dove stepped into the kitchen, inspecting the clean dishes and the ingredients in the cabinets.
Already coming up with ideas for breakfast since the rest of this pirate crew would be waking up.

Just something polite to do, hopefully, no more enemies…

“Looks like bacon, eggs, and pancakes today…”

——— 

Augur always slept easy with earplugs in, as Burgess would snore as loud as an ox. No one else enjoyed being around him for that reason, only except Augur of course because they were ‘dating’...

But Burgess never called it that, always too nervous to call it anything.
No one knew why Augur put up with it since but frankly, he put up with a lot worse bullshit considering the other animals that were on the crew. Augur just saw Burgess as something in the middle, loud but able to read people like he could.

Unlike the others, he found joy in seeing that luchador cause chaos, it always made him laugh… 

He loves that about him…

It was the absence of Burgess’s snoring that disturbed his sleep, Augur stirred and woke up to see his partner wide awake and sniffing the air as he put his glasses on. “What are you doing?..”
He asked in a tired tone.

“Someone’s cooking…” 

——— 

They both quickly dressed and headed down the halls of the large ship to the galley. Seeing the other officers eating bowls of scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes was a surprising sight.

It was more shocking to see multiple flesh tendrils spread out passing and taking away bowls that were either empty or full of food. One by one they left to the upper deck or other rooms to resume working on the sailing ship.
A few passed by the two captains, bidding them ‘good morning’ before they left their sides. Augur and Burgess looked back at the flesh tendrils, their eyes trailing down to the source…

The kid…

They were still dressed in dirty clothes with matted hair, but they didn’t wear the dumb orange puffy jacket anymore. Just some old sleep dress with sewn patches and spots of dried blood, the only other change to their appearance were some socks and shoes.
They both theorized that they might have stolen it from a recent corpse, with Augur making a quick count of everyone still below deck.
He was surprised to notice Doc and Stronger eating beside the evil teenager. They kept cooking and passing out more bowls through their flesh tendrils.

They were both talking as it seemed, which was even more shocking…

Then the sick doctor quickly noticed his fellow captains, “Good morning, hungry?...” he coughed a bit into his elbow.

Burgess and Augur stood in silence, looking at the doctor and then back at Dove, who was done cooking and holding two more bowls—reserved for them…

“I… Wanted to apologize for breaking your limbs, being a little shit, brat, jerk, killing and eating your lower officers, stealing the ship, and…”
Their gazes narrowed as Dove spoke, still holding onto some deep contempt for them for what they had done days before.
Dove sighed and cleared their throat. “So… Are you hungry? I-”

“We do not want your pity food,” Augur crossed his arms.

“Yeah, we’d like it better if you’re dead instead…” Burgess tried crossing his arms too, but forgot that his right arm was still broken so he hissed in pain.
Dove saw, settling the bowls aside.
Walking up casually, they grabbed Burgess’s broken arm turning it away from the luchador with a loud crack. He yelped out even louder from the surprise attack.
“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ABOUT??!” Burgess grabbed them by their shirt collar. But Dove remained calm, as they raised an eyebrow and nudged their head to his right arm. The only he was holding the kid up with…

Augur stood by in stunned silence, as Burgess stared at his healed arm and back to the smug grin that Dove held on their face.
“Feel better?...” They asked.

“H-How… How did you?” Burgess stuttered to ask, still in shock.

“The blood-blood fruit …” Doc spoke up, pouring a shot of cold medicine into his coffee cup. “We’re just talking about it, how it can heal and do many things…”

“Doc even suggested I should make a chimera monster in the future with the blood I absorb like a parasite… But that’s for later chapters…” Dove shrugged, still held up by Burgess till they cast their gaze to the still stunned sniper.
“You’re next, buddy.” They grinned, twisting his broken nose in an instant. Accompanied by another loud crack.

Augur jumped in pain like Burgess, and instinctively, the luchador threw the kid to the wall. The wall broke upon impact, and Dove flew into the storage room behind it. Everyone in the galley stood by in shocked murmurs at the act.
The dust didn’t get to settle as Dove was already up, casually walking back with a piece of wood that impaled their lower abdomen.
“Well this is familiar…” They muttered to themselves as they took the wood out.

“I bet that was deserved right?..” Dove looked up to Burgess…

Who seemed oddly shell-shocked at the sight…

“I… You just hurt Augie and I-”

“Ooh… So you’re protective of your boyfriend, got it. My apologies, I should’ve given a warning then…” Dove raised their hands, walking to Doc as he held up a mug of…red liquid…to them.

“Uuh- H-He’s not my boyfriend! Or anything he’s just- Just- Augie’s just…” Burgess tried to stammer an explanation to Dove in a panic, everyone else let out an exasperated sigh at the sight. Tired of the ‘will they won’t they’ bullshit…

Augur looked away for a moment before grabbing one of the bowels of breakfast for Burgess, practically shoving it to him before taking a seat.
Dove raised an eyebrow at Burgess’s hurt reaction and glanced back at the sick doctor, who explained in a hushed tone.
“He’s embarrassed to admit that they’re something…”

“Is he afraid of commitment?..”

“If he were, he would have moved on from Van…” Doc scoffed, spits of his blood spilling into the coffee that he drank without care.

Dove looked back at Augur as he ate silently, his expression unreadable. They didn’t know if he was tired, angry, or annoyed by Burgess’s comment. While the luchador himself looked sorry about it, sitting next to his sniper as always…

“...So… Past crazy shit aside and healed limbs later…” Dove sat across the two at one of the tables.
“I want to… Learn more about Hachinosu, this ‘pirate island’ we’re heading…”

Burgess glanced up first and noticed the kid’s suspicious drink.

“Is that blood?...” He asked.

Dove looked at their mug and back at the masked man, “...Uh… Yeah?...” they raised an eyebrow. “Q-guy here said I can use the blood bags. I still need to heal my legs.”

Burgess crinkled his nose in disgust, Augur sighed and rolled his eyes.

“If we answer your questions, then answer ours.” He stated that he had not hidden his contempt for Dove for the past few days and not even caring that the kid was related to the Commodore.

They didn’t know and didn’t care for him either, even if the news was revealed, Augur and the others knew they wouldn’t lord the title over them.
Dove didn’t seem like the type to do that out of selfishness, hell, nothing about them indicated any reflection of Teach.
They were brutal sure, and cunning. Though everything else, they just shared looks…

Dove knew that joining this crew would be a rocky start, they didn’t want to shake or break that bridge further to cause future trouble. That damn paranoid mind of theirs just needed to be on their good side before it was ruined.
They shrugged, “Shoot, but not in here…” They made a light joke.
Though no one laughed except for the horse…

“Are you going to keep drinking blood?..” Augur questioned the child.

“Yes, and I do have good reasons for that…” Dove answers, though Burgess scoffs.
“Like you can justify being a vampiric freak…”

Dove rolled their eyes in annoyance. “I got involved in a bad incident years ago where my legs were shattered, drinking snake blood wasn't enough and I needed human.” They looked around the galley to the rest of the lower crew members. Most were listening in, others weren’t. “This is why I attacked and killed some of your crewmates prior to this, I was finally able to walk after two years of dragging myself everywhere…” Dove answered the rest with nonchalance.
The few members who listened glanced at the kid with a mix of shock and near pity. It was one thing to hear about their killing spree, but hearing them talk about it so candidly was another thing entirely. Augur broke the silence, “That does not justify what you did to our men. You murdered and ate them, you realize that correct?”

Dove scoffed at that, “And you guys pillage and murder people, what can you say about the lives you all have taken?” they looked around again, and the petty officers avoided their glances, not wanting to admit to the guilt.
“Can’t call me out when none of us here are saints…”

Augur looked away with an annoyed glance, knowing that Dove was right, “You have a point…” he let out a begrudging sigh. “But it doesn’t make your actions less necessary or brutal.”

“Says the people that slaves -”

“We don’t.” Augur was vehement, his voice slightly raised but he restrained himself.
“Look, Teach just wants to take prisoners. As leverage to the Marines, it’s a part of his plans and-” He stopped talking, noticing the tight stares of surrounding crew members and two other captains.
Augur took a deep breath, his own emotions getting the better of him and nearly spilling any of Teach’s plans to the kid.

Dove kept quiet as they stared at Augur, they wanted to comment on how the sniper was lying to himself about things. But they chose to stay silent instead, not wanting to call him or the others out further due to the already raised emotions.
They cleared their throat, “So… Any other questions you have?” they asked.

Burgess raised a hand, “I do.” he spoke.
“If you can control blood, why didn’t you use your devil fruit, in the beginning, to heal yourself instead of that dragging pity show for two years??”

Doc looked Dove’s way, “He does have a point… You’re still drinking ever after your legs are healed, so what’s up with that?...” he coughed again, but stifled it by taking a sip of his coffee.
That child became silent again, darting their eyes away.
“That is… A private matter…”
They looked up to see Augur glaring at them, he knew what they were hiding. He overheard previous conversations about it between Dove and Aokiji. All thanks to his observation haki, Dove could tell he wanted to say something things about it. But it would be better if they explained it themselves…

“I’m still drinking blood because I still , need it…” Dove let out a quiet sigh.
“I have a lot of complications, you could say. I’m just as sick as your doctor and I need this to be alright…”

Those listening in still looked at each other in confusion and surprise at what the kid meant, even Augur raised an eyebrow. “ Complications ?”
His tone was a mix of curiosity and annoyance. “What kind of complications?..”

Dove took a deep breath before speaking, as it would be a lot…

“You know… How your body has these complications , like chronic pain, fatigue or sickness.” Dove looked to the sick doctor and raised his mug in solidarity, and understanding. “The blood-blood fruit has total control over blood and bodies, but not me… The control itself is complicated, as you have to prioritize needs over others, by healing my legs, healing my shattered bones. I have to be exactly precise or else it goes to shit and messes it up…”

Doc nods, “Huh… Hemihypertrophy… That causes many problems for the individual… I can understand why you need to be precise so that doesn’t happen…” he blew his bloody nose into a napkin.

“Exactly. But through this prioritizing, I essentially turned off my pain receptors. Which includes my body temperature, I can’t sweat to keep cool, and I have to keep warm or else I go rigor-mortis in the cold like a reptile. And all that is just a surface level of my complications …” Dove explains further, with everyone else intently listening in now. Half of them held ill looks while most were morbidly intrigued, just like the sick doctor.
“No pain receptors… I did notice that when we first met…” Doc tapped his chin in thought. “My guess is that you have to constantly control your power, along with your body so you don’t fall apart…”
His eyes grazed over the little scars he could faintly see on the kid’s arm, but Dove quickly hid it.

“I-I already burn up in the sun from these issues, so… Yeah…” They looked away again, losing their confidence from earlier. Dove told half the truth, leaving parts out that they told to Kuzan in private.
Augur knew this but didn’t pry, only eyeing them with continued suspicion.

“So are you guys going to answer my questions or keep interrogating a wall?..” Dove turned back, reaffirming their stiff stance.
The two captains looked at each other in silence, Doc watched from his place on the floor alongside Stronger. Waiting for an answer in anticipation like the kid…

Till the two finally relented.

“The locals call it ‘Fullalead’ ,” Augur spoke. “Because you’ll be ‘full-of-lead’ by the time you leave… But the commodore has made it a lavish paradise for all pirates and all ruffians.”

“I know when I’m in a room of wolves, are these feral upon stepping off?”

“Not unless you beat the shit out of them, prove you’re bigger than them and since you’re nearly as tall as us then that’s a start,” Burgess answered Dove.
He tried to come off as casual now, showing Augur a smile but he didn’t look.
Burgess cleared his throat and looked at the kid.
“But… With the shit you pulled on us, and since Aokiji knows you, Laffitte likes you, and Teach-”

Augur elbowed him before he spoke anything else.

“What Burgess is saying since Teach invited you personally onto the crew. No one with be of a bother…” Augur continued.
“There are gambling dens, cheap shops, bars, brothels, and houses… With a small private section on Fullalead fully reserved for one of our captains and her entourage…”

Dove raised an eyebrow as the corner of their lip turned up, “Her ‘entourage’? ..” they voiced their confusion.

“ Catarina Devon , also known as the crescent moon hunter. She is our captain of the sixth ship, and her entire crew is made of women. She loves them alongside her privacy on Fullalead .” Augur explained.
“Doesn’t she… Kill women too?.. Cutting their heads off for trophies to display their beauty?” Dove asked again.

“Her brutality isn’t sexist, if that’s what you’re wondering… But she does play favorites though,” Augur answered once more.
Doc chuckled again, his body shaking besides his usual sickly chills. “Her favorites are anybody who isn’t a pig,” He spoke up with a bloody grin.
“She’s fine with us, reminds me of my cousin’s older sister… Bit of a bully but means well… Sometimes...”

“What about the other captains? What are they like?”

The three captains looked at each other for a moment before Doc answered.
“Laffitte joined first, Augur and Burgess at the same time, and then me… After Marineford, we got five more captains from Impel Down …”

He let out a loud cough to clear his throat before explaining further…

“ Shiryu of the Rain used to be head jailor till he was locked up for killing prisoners for sport, he’s a chronic smoker and a damn good swordsman. So good he’s the captain of the second ship and Teach’s right hand beside Laffitte…”

“ Avalo Pizarro is from the North Blue like me, a former king but he was locked away for corruption, conspiracy, and other charges… Ever heard of Flevance ?...”
Dove shook their head in response.
“Exactly… Pizarro’s devil fruit allows him to become one with any island itself, a security system, and captain of the fourth ship but a complete prick.”

“He’s an attention whore to put it plainly, jealous of Teach’s attention on the news…” Augur remarked before taking a sip of his coffee.

“Got it…” Dove nodded along, flashing an unsure grin. “What about the others?”

“For the captain of the seventh ship, SanJuan Wolf is a giant. But bigger than any regular one because of his devil fruit and larger than the recently deceased Little Oars Jr … He’s a bit absent-minded but was still locked up at Impel Down’s level six for some reason…” 

“What was his crime?”

“Don’t know, not even Shiryu would say which makes it concerning…”

“Why?”

“He nearly swallowed his cigar when we asked.”
Dove tilted their head. “What about this Vasco Shot guy I heard about?” They ask, but the others shift uncomfortably and sneer in disgust at the mention of him.

“Vasco is a drunk, his devil fruit allows him to control alcohol so he’s perpetually hungover all the time. Captain of the eighth ship, Shiryu was loud about the shit he’s done. Doesn’t like him and for good reason…”

“Yeah… Laffitte told me about it,”

“Good… He still has a court order saying he’s not allowed within thirty feet of children, we may be pirates but not monsters. If he breaks that then I’m giving him pneumonia…” Doc stood up with shakey knees, sitting right next to Dove but giving them space to respect their boundaries.
“Very thoughtful, thank you…” Dove bowed their head in thanks.

“But… Is there anything else I should know about Hachinosu or… Fullalead, whatever the hell you guys call it…”

“Well… We have parties till early morning, so sleep with earplugs. We train a lot too, but Wolf sleeps all day though you have to be careful when he wakes up since he breaks a lot of things by accident…” Dove nodded along with Burgess’s explanation, the whole rundown of everything. “So… Basically this entire crew is filled with murders, sycophants, sex offenders, whores, and no one with no practicing degree what so ever…”

The rest of the crew let out murmurs of begrudging agreement, “Yeah, I'd say that about sums it up,” Burgess said with a smirk.

Doc chuckled, a bloody cough escaping his lips. “That's pretty accurate, I'd say.” Augur shrugged, “We're pirates, what did you expect?”

Dove looked between the three of them, wide in disbelief. “...You guys literally suck .”

“Not all of us do that, I assure you. Though I guess that is one reason why Burgess stays with Au-” The doctor was pushed harshly by Burgess before anything else was said, both his and the sniper’s faces were flushed with embarrassment. The kid tried their best not to laugh, not wanting a similar punch from the luchador while the horse helped Doc up who merely cackled at the attack.

“We don’t train with Doc or the others…” Burgess spoke in a huff, “They break too easily…” eyeing a few who walked away with guilty whistling before turning his half-gaze back to the kid. 

“There… I hope that answers your assumptions…” Augur gave a snide look to them.

Dove’s previous tense stance had softened since the joke that the sick doctor had posed. They helped the sick man up with a pat on his back as thanks for the joke.
He could see the silent appreciation that the kid had in their eyes and flashed a bloody grin.
“There is a mountain where all the captains live. The officers sleep in town, and Wolf sleeps outside since he can’t fit inside…” The doctor coughed as Dove helped him sit back down while the two other captains left the galley.
“ Pizarro makes plenty of rooms for us, we have a library, kitchen, lounging area, and-”

“So where’s my place then… On the hierarchy or something…” Dove asked as they moved about to throw the leftover food away while more flesh tendrils extruded from their back. Cleaning the empty bowels while giving a curious glance at the sick doctor.
Doc Q took a moment before speaking again, “Uh… No clue… That would have to be up to the commodore…” he replied as he sneezed into his shoulder.

A stray tendril gave a piece of tissue, nodding in thanks. But Dove themselves scoffed at the mention of Teach, still angry about him despite the strange encounter earlier in the morning…

Yet, it brought up an interesting question they held, “Early morning… I saw that fat bastard staring up at the moon…” they spoke. Reaching for a broom stretched by bloody arms to clean. “Yeah…” Doc coughed again, into his given tissue as he laid his head down on the table. “He does that… The boss doesn’t sleep…”

Dove looked back to the sick doctor across the room, furrowing their eyebrows.

Their eyes shifted a bit in remembrance of seeing that fat bastard always roaming the halls of the Moby Dick at night when everyone else was asleep.
Either drinking or eating pie, the kid saw it as a drunken move until they saw him again before the sun rose, they considered it a different sight now. Something strange…

“Why?..”

He was about to drink his coffee again, his hands shaking as usual but fell still, tense. Doc’s eyes looked away with a frown.

“...It’s best not to ask things you don’t want to hear the answer to…”

The kid’s eyes narrowed as their brows furrowed, to the sick doctor the look they showed was just the same as Teach’s whenever he looked confused.
It was almost a whiplash to him seeing their face, remembering it wasn’t Teach he was talking to just…his kid…

“LAND AHOY!!!”  

——— 

“Ooh… This ship is spotless…” Kizaru spoke, looking around slowly at the sunny deck of the Marine warship.

Right outside Marine Ford's harbor, naval officers marched about preparing the sails and tying ropes as the ship prepared to sail to the New World, just as Akainu had ordered.

“Of course, Admiral…” One officer spoke up, near the tall man in position.

“Fleet admiral was very strict and insistent that the ships be in tip-top shape before the journey…”

That yellow monkey turned his head and watched a few vice-admirals, captains, and commodores walk on board. Or onto the other two ships in between the one he stood upon. He hummed and nodded along as the officer listed the things they needed to do and work weeks ahead.
His eyes darted around to see the sight of a young familiar captain talking with a few officers, “Oh!.. Young Koby,” he spoke up.
Catching the pink-haired boy's attention, “A-Admiral Kizaru!..” he stood at attention in salute.

The admiral laughed and sauntered forward with a friendly grin, “No need to be all formal… I’m just surprised why you’re not joining Vice-Admiral Smoker or Tashigi to G-5, your friend Helmelpo is with them…” he spoke slowly as usual.

“W-Well sir, I heard you were heading to the G-1 base… I asked to be stationed there until Vice-Admiral Garp’s return from the East Blue…” Koby rubbed the back of his neck, a trying smile on his face.
“A-And due to the rise of pirate activity there, I want-”

“Be at the front?..” Kizaru raised an eyebrow.
“That’s good on you wanting to project people… But I can also see you’re missing the old monkey, I can understand why you're waiting for him…”

Koby’s smile fell, looking around to see if any other marine officers were listening in or close but they weren’t. “He… He lost two grandsons… And… With Lu-” He cleared his throat. “Strawhat… Missing, I-I just worry for him…”

Kizaru’s eyes quickly glanced around behind his sunglasses too, as his bright smile grew small for a moment. “I understand your worry… It’s good for care for the both, of them…” He spoke softly so no one else could hear.
Koby’s eyes widened at the Admiral’s words, he wanted to explain away and cover up any fact that he was a fan of a pirate but- Kizaru laughed and calmed him down.
“It’s alright… Your old secret is safe with me, I have some well-known pals too…” He chuckled, with Koby’s eyes sparkling in astonishment that an admiral close to Akainu would understand…

It makes him miss Aokiji a bit, and Garp more, but he couldn’t dwell on it now…

“W-Who else is boarding this ship sir, or is it just-”

“I will be joining too…”

Kizaru flinched, he spun around to see the face of the grinning man, Armaros…

“...What do we owe the pleasure of having the grinning man onboard?..” Kizaru shifted slightly to stand in front of Koby, who tried to peek around the admiral to see the sight of the mysterious Commodore.

“The red dog and Kong ordered that I be transferred to the New World for a classified assignment… So I will be joining this ship shortly, till heading out…” Armaros narrowed his gaze, standing firm with his hands behind his back.
Koby slightly gasped upon seeing the ever-smiling man…

“Oh, you’ll be joining us?” The young captain smiled, stepping forward before Kizaru could stop him.
“I’m Captain Koby, a pupil under Vice-Admiral Garp …” He held out his hand in greeting. “Do you… Know him?...”

Armaros’s grin held still, as usual, eyes half-lidded with annoyance as he looked down at the little captain, tapping his foot.
Kizaru quickly approached behind Koby, his eyes never leaving the grinning man.
“He was also a part of the Rocky Port Incident, helping Trafalgar Law and the Blackbeard pirates …” His voice spoke proud of the boy’s achievements in Garp’s place.

The grinning man’s eyes widened as he looked back down at the captain, “So… You’re familiar then with La-” he stopped for a moment.
“Those scoundrels …”
Koby noticed the sudden pause, he continued instead of stopping.

“I have met them. We consider the crew to be of emperor status, but it has not been officially named yet.”

“Do you consider them to be emperors?..” Armaros titled his head.

“In truth, yes…” The boy nodded. “I’ve seen how Blackbeard and his crew operate, it is quite terrifying… But I did my part and saved many citizens who were captured by the previous ruler of the pirate island…”

Armaros’ look nearly softened, but became more narrow in scrutiny.
“Are you a member of S.W.O.R.D. ?...” He questioned.

Koby shook his head, “No sir, but I wish to once Vice-Admiral Garp returns from the East Blue …” his voice became happier when mentioning the old marine again.
The praise and recognition of that old monkey made the grinning man slightly twitch, it reminded him of the old past. Something he did not want to think about, Armaros diverted his eyes and walked off from the two, with his hands in his coat pocket.

“Don’t mind him…” Kizaru looked down at Koby, “He’s not a fan of people, especially the youngins’...” he spoke. Still watching Armaros as he walked below deck, he finally relaxed, dropping his shoulders.

“Could you tell me more about him, sir?...”

Chapter Text

“LAND AHOY!..”

Upon the sound of the crow’s nest call, the sleek-haired navigator awoke from his slumber. Laffitte woke up in bed with a low groan, light peering through the currents that disrupted his vision.
Moving and twirling his neck with a crack, lightly stretching before leaving the bed.
I looked behind, almost expecting to see Marshall there. Waiting for him to wake up while reading a book to pass the time, but he wasn’t.
Laffitte remembered hearing the door open at night, with Marshall stepping out to roam around the ship as usual for the sleepless pirate.  Marshall never sleeps, occasionally walking around alone at night, reading different books past late, eating, or passing the time by cuddling with his sleeping navigator.
Usually, he would just stay with him, cuddling through the night of his restless sleepless state but he merely wandered more. He shouldn’t be surprised, feeling he’d be out roaming more. His head was a storm of thoughts of the past days…

From finding out he had a long lost child, meeting Dove, Dove hating him, and them joining…

Laffitte rubbed his eyes as he knew it would be a long journey for them to get along…

With a heavy sigh, Laffitte got dressed and made his way out onto the deck of the ship. He knew that Marshall was still out there, probably lost in his own thoughts as well. As he stepped out into the open air, Laffitte spotted Teach standing at the railing, looking out at the vast expanse of the ocean.
The officers of the front deck were working around him, adjusting sails and preparing to anchor as Hachinosu was in clear view now…

Laffitte stepped down, bidding those officers good morning before standing beside Teach.
“…You didn't come to bed last night…” He spoke.

Teach didn't look, only gazing ahead as he answered his partner.
“…You know I can’t sleep just-”

“Yes… But you didn't even check in if I was still breathing…”
It was an odd ritual for Teach to do in the dead of night when he never sleeps while the whole crew would be, he’d approach and enter their rooms. Checking to see if anyone was still breathing in their sleep, sometimes he’d shake one awake if he didn't see they were…
No one else knew why he did this, only chalking it up to his weird paranoia but Laffitte. Oh, Laffitte always knew better…

Because he was familiar with his partner’s past, having been told exclusively in private by him before. Teach sighed, his gaze still fixed on the horizon.
He knew that Laffitte knew him well enough to understand the reasons behind his actions.
“I just couldn't sleep…” he muttered, his voice low and gruff. “Too many thoughts in my head, as usual.”

Laffitte placed a hand on Teach's shoulder, his touch gentle yet firm. “What's bothering you this time? You've been quieter than usual... Even for you.”

Teach kept his head forward, only his eyes looking down at Laffitte. But they quickly reverted up towards Hachinosu. It was obvious what he was avoiding…

Laffitte looked across the deck, and beyond the ocean to the second ship that sailed beside them. Standing on that deck, was Dove…

That child hid under an umbrella to protect themselves from the sun, standing alongside Doc Q and his horse as they talked. But Dove was more preoccupied with ahead, keeping their gaze towards Hachinosu just like Teach…

“…The kid saw me last night… Just… Just caught me looking up at the moon…”

“Did they say anything?” Laffitte questioned.

“…No… But I saw it on their face they wanted to yell and scream at me but they didn't...”

Laffitte took a deep breath before speaking again, “I know I've told you this before that I will not force you to be their father or act as such… Especially since Dove does not know that you’re their father- But…” His coming question was accompanied by a soft look to Teach.
“Do you still see Whitebeard in them?…”

Teach's gaze remained fixed on the horizon, but his expression softened at Laffitte's question.

“…Yes,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “Even though they hate me, I can still see Whitebeard in them. The way they carry themselves, their strength, the damn stubbornness. It's all too familiar…”

The navigator’s shoulders jumped with a small laugh. “I was going to say that their stubbornness is a familiar trait of yours…” he smiled.

“But it’s also like some… Stupid twisted shadow of him that I- I don’t know about-”

“Because they’re also you?…” Laffitte quirked an eyebrow but continued to hold that gentle look.
“Because you, I, and the others killed Whitebeard?.. And how in all your paranoia you believe they might hurt you?…”
Teach remained silent in response, and Laffitte sighed again.
“Your legacy isn't to hurt… I have talked to them…” He looked back to the other ship, seeing Dove’s small figure under the umbrella.
“They’re only fifteen… They only attack when threatened like any normal human, they’re not going to hurt you…”

Teach clenched his fists, his eyes narrowing. He knew that Laffitte was right, but that didn't make the situation any easier for him.
“It's not just that…” he muttered. “They hate me, Laffitte. They have every reason to want to kill me…”
Laffitte nodded, his hand still on Teach's shoulder. “Yes, they do. But they're also just a child, and if they haven't attacked you yet, then they're clearly not interested in doing so at this moment… They have no reason to hurt you, just like you…”

Teach’s shoulders slumped, being reminded why he killed Whitebeard, all for greed and power. He started a whole chain reaction that caused a war, leading to his death just to steal it. Now he’s living in his own pirate kingdom as an unofficial yonko since then.
But he was still human, petty even.
He’d kill someone for pissing them off, hell even Dove would do the same with that damn attitude of theirs…

That kid was holding themselves back…

“But you also have to remember... They’ve been through much, they’ve been alone…” Laffitte softly says.
“They’re scared of us as much as you’re scared of them…”

Teach’s eyes widened, knowing that Laffitte was telling the truth. He’s damn good at being the voice of reason when Teach isn’t thinking straight. Besides his own fears and paranoia, never considered how daunting it was for a broken child to be surrounded by strangers.
For them, it must be terrifying even though Teach himself was only twelve when he joined Whitebeard. He knew in that young head of his what his purpose was and reason for joining, he was using them even them. But Dove was older than he was then, only fifteen, and probably smarter than he was then…

The only difference was the fear, how scared they are around them because of the things they’ve been through. They can’t think properly with all these delusional fears they have, because of them.
He has no reason to really fear them when they’re too scared to act, like him…

...Ah fuck...

Teach took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax a little. “You're right…”
He begrudgingly admitted. “It doesn't make it any less difficult, but it makes me relax knowing that kid is just as paranoid as I am…”
Laffitte sighed, silently wishing to be more considerate of them.
“…I guess you don't have a choice then… You have to interact with them for both their sake and yours…” 
Teach exhaled, his shoulders sagging as he realized the inevitability of the situation, “I know I do…” he muttered. “But... how? They hate me…”
Laffitte smiled faintly, his hand patting Teach's shoulder in a reassuring gesture. “Just take it one step at a time. Just start small.”

Teach let out a sarcastic laugh, “That’d be fun… I already screwed that up by calling them ugly…” he said.

“But you did apologize-”

“And that was bullshit too… I’m good at acting sincere, not the actual thing…” Teach gave a wry smile.
Laffitte rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in his expression.
“You're a piece of work, you know that?” He said, shaking his head. “But even you can try to be genuine sometimes, right...?”
Teach chuckled, his tone a little more lighthearted. “I guess I can give it a shot. But don't expect too much from me, I'm not a model parent…”

“I know…” Laffitte smiled, looking at Hachinosu.
He couldn’t help but imagine the rest of the crew’s reaction to Dove joining, seeing a child amongst killers, thieves, and robbers such as themselves.
Though of course…

He couldn’t forget the monsters among them, those that hurt children freely…

So worried his smile faded. “We would have to put in emphasis to Vasco not to touch Dove, make sure he stays away from them and-”

“If he comes near the kid. I’ll kill him.”

Laffitte turned to Teach, surprised by the sudden protective stance, but it surely made him happy. Causing his cheeks to flush, “Good... That's something we can agree on at least…” he looked ahead towards Hachinosu.

———

Across the ocean to the second ship that sailed besides the first, Dove stood on the front deck hiding themselves under an umbrella from the sun.
All for protection from the fiery thing above…

“Sometimes if we’re lazy, we have Pizarro dock the ships,” Doc Q spoke, brushing his horse’s mane. “But he hates doing it.” He lets out a breathless chuckle.

Dove merely nodded along with his words, too preoccupied with the thoughts in their head to talk with him. Still nervous about approaching the island pirate for the first time in their life, and how it was now a temporary home for them too. They had to get used to that fact but it didn't help their nerves…

Doc looked up at Dove, noticing their preoccupied expression.
“You're awfully quiet, kid.” He observed, continuing to brush his horse’s mane.

Dove looked over at him, their eyes meeting for a moment before averting their gaze back to the island. “Just thinking, that's all,” they replied.

“Well, try not to think too hard. You'll give yourself a headache… Cause I don't think a whole bottle of laudanum would help you with them…” Doc let out a dry chuckle.

“…Sure…” Dove diverted their eyes to the side.
Where Augur and Burgess kept to themselves, silently whispering to one another while still keeping a firm eye on Dove.
They could feel many eyes on them, not from the two captains but from half of the crew. Despite the kindness that Dove had extended to them by making breakfast, most were still uneasy by them, keeping watch…

Dove didn't blame them but couldn't lie that it made them uncomfortable…

Doc followed Dove's gaze, noticing the eyes fixed on them from the rest of the crew.
He sighed, shaking his head. “Don't mind them. They're just suspicious of you, that's all. They'll warm up to you eventually.”
Burgess and Augur continued to whisper to each other, their eyes constantly shifting towards Dove.
“But for now... Just keep your head down and try not to cause any trouble. The last thing we want is for Teach to get angry…” Doc warned.

“Don’t worry, I don't plan on kicking that fat ass’s butt anytime soon…” Dove scoffed, their voice drooling with sarcasm.

“Oh, we all know you ain't gonna do that when either Aokiji or Laffitte are around…” Doc coughed in his elbow. “Being two-faced, nice and polite to some but vicious with others… Like a real pirate…” He grinned.
Dove smirked at Doc’s words, but their expression quickly grew serious again.
“It's not about being two-faced,” They retorted. “It’s about knowing when to be nice and when to be vicious. I'm not going to let myself be pushed around.”

Doc shrugged, “Fair enough,” conceding.
“But you also need to know when to hold back. Teach may be a tyrant, but he's also the admiral, commodore, an’ captain, or whatever…”

Dove pondered momentarily, their gaze shifting to the other ship where the main crew was. “Do all of you like him?” They asked bluntly.

“We’re pirates... Not all of us have to like each other when we're using each other…” Doc smirked.
Dove looked back at Burgess and Augur, and back to Doc in response.
He merely laughed again.
“Those two are an exception, and I guess so are Laffitte and Teach… And then I guess the same would be said for you and Aokiji since you two are buddies… Even you and me, as I do not mind your company…”

“You don't mind because I'm just as sick as you are…” Dove said.

“Not entirely… True, you can’t walk out into the sun, can't feel pain, and drink blood to live… But that doesn't make you vicious, just meticulous. I’m sick because well… Look at me.”  Doc referred to himself as a whole.
“I was born sick, and I’m happy to be sick but you?.. You didn’t choose it but you go along and work around it, finding a constant medicine through blood to stay you- As a doctor, I respect it…”

“Despite the methods?..” Dove raised an eyebrow.
Doc chuckled dryly, continuing to brush his horse.
“As a doctor, I can't condone your methods,” He replied. “But as a pirate, I can appreciate the practicality of it. You do what you have to do to survive, and I can't fault you for that.”
He paused, his expression turning serious.
“But just because I appreciate it doesn't mean I don't have my misgivings about it. You're a complicated individual, kid… But it's also like what you said yourself, kid,” His grin quickly returned.
“Not all of us are saints here…”

———

The two ships arrived at Hachinosu, and the atmosphere changed. The crew on both ships began to move with purpose, preparing to dock and disembark. Dove felt a sense of trepidation as they looked at the island looming over them. This was their new home now, like it or not.
“Home sweet home…” Doc grinned with excitement, standing with a groan.
“Home sweet home indeed,” he repeated, his smile widening. “Come on, kid. Let's get going.” Motioning for Dove to follow him as he approached the gangplank.
They followed along, still hiding underneath their umbrella as they stepped down to the docks, the sights before them were wild…

The island itself was alive in a chaotic sea of activity. Pirate ships of all shapes and sizes cluttered the shoreline, crowding the docks. Those crews coming and going with supplies in arms with traders and smugglers.
Doc led Dove through the rowdy crowd of the docks with Stronger beside him.
“The docks are the most crowded, so getting through the crowd is first before we see each other...” Doc spoke, through the crowded area of working pirates.
With Dove following alongside Burgess and Augur trailing close.
“But everyone makes room since we’re Teach’s captains…”

Stepping upon the entrance of the island, Dove looked around in awe at the main hub of the island. The front with the singing taverns was a precursor to the more exuberate nature they see before them.
The disorderly mess of taverns, gambling dens, and other vices. Pirate crews from all walks of life congregated here, their raucous laughter and revelry adding to the already boisterous atmosphere. A cacophony of laughter, music, and shouts filled the air coming from nearby taverns and the open streets.
Dancing drunkenly in the wide open with grinning facades, prancing with both rum and guns in their hands. Shooting up to the sky or at each other for fun or for crossing them in said bars.
It was everything a pirate could dream of and more. A lawless haven where anything was possible and where the strong did as they pleased…

“Hey kid,”

Dove heard a familiar voice, turning to see Aokiji who had stepped off the other ship alongside the others. “Kuzan…” Dove finally relaxed upon seeing the former admiral, the only person here that they were closest to.
Dove could also see Laffitte and Teach, the two preoccupied with talking to a few of the dock workers.
“How was your trip? I hope the others didn't give you a hassle…” Aokiji eyed Augur and Burgess through his shades.
But the two pirates ignored him as they helped move supplies off the ships.
“No no- No one bothered me… I’m fine, but thank you for asking…” Dove answered, their tone more light instead of serious.
Aokiji nodded, a small smile played on his lips as he noticed Dove's more relaxed demeanor.
“Good, I'm glad to hear that,” His gaze shifted towards the chaotic scene.
“I see you've already seen how things go around here. It can be quite a sight, can't it?” Glancing over at Burgess and Augur, his expression hardening.
“And don't you worry about those two, they know better than to mess with you while I'm around.”

From behind, Augur and Burgess made faces to the former admiral.
Laffitte came up from behind, lightly smacking the two behind their heads with a rolled-up map.
Dove stifled a chuckle at the sight, hiding it behind a small cough.
“Children, the lot of them…” Laffitte muttered under his breath, shaking his head with a smile. “Ah, Dove… I overheard that your trip went well… I am delighted to hear,” Laffitte spoke, walking up to them.
“We’re just about done here soon. I’ll be giving you a quick tour of our pirate along the way… And don't mind those two,” He softly laughed. “They're just upset because they have to do the heavy lifting.”

“Hey! I’m glad about it! I get to do the workout!..” Burgess argued in the background.
Laffitte took notice of Burgess’s arms, noticing his right was now fixed.
“Goodness, Burgess your arm is better now.” Then he looked to Augur.
“And your nose is too… Dove, did you do that?..” He smiled.

“I did…” Dove nodded. “I felt bad about breaking their limbs so I made breakfast and fixed them up…”

Aokiji raised an eyebrow in surprise at Dove's statement, “You cooked for them? You never do that to people you don’t like…” his voice amused.
Laffitte chuckled, patting Dove's shoulder approvingly.
“It is very thoughtful of you, and I can see they enjoyed themselves along with Doc…”
Burgess and Augur continued to grumble in the background, trying to pass off the nice act as nothing.

From afar, Teach was done talking with the dock master.
Giving a nod to Laffitte.
“Alright, we’re about done here… Come along Dove, we’re heading to our base…” Laffitte said with a smile, nudging his head to the skull-shaped mountain in the distance.
Teach led the group through the pirate-infested streets and alleys, his presence commanding the attention of everyone they passed by.
Dove took in the sights and sounds of the island, their eyes wide with curiosity. They walked past a variety of taverns, gambling dens, and vice dens, each one more debauched than the last.

“This pirate haven sure is wild,” Dove commented as they walked.

“Truly, but Teach’s presence always commands respect and admiration…” Laffitte spoke, to Dove.

“Yeah… I can see it…” Dove could see from under their umbrella how everyone here looked to Teach and his captains in such reverence. Befitting for someone with the title of a yonko and his crew. Those enraptured were also befuddled to see a ragged dirty figure like Dove alongside them.
Much less a kid…

Dove felt the stares of the surrounding pirates, some puzzled and others curious.
They knew they stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the crowd. Aokiji, noticing the onlookers, placed a hand on Dove’s shoulder.
“Don’t mind them,” he reassured them, his voice calm. “You’re one of us now, kid. They just need to get used to it.”

Teach chuckled at this, his gaze sharp and watchful.
“That’s right,” His voice was deep and commanding. “You’re part of my crew now.”

“I still don't like you.”

“Yeah, I can live with that.” Teach answered Dove with seeming nonchalance, though there was hidden annoyance in his voice.

“Over there a few gambling dens, then some brothels, and taverns, alongside some arm wrestling tournaments, bars... And that right there is the town square where the usual ruckus parties start…” Laffitte explained to Dove, pointing out various places of interest along the way. Trying to diverge their hateful attention from the commodore. Dove nodded along, their gaze flickering across the different areas, noticing the lively atmosphere that each place had to offer.
Till their gaze fell down a street filled with numerous broken buildings being repaired, tired pirates and workers working effortlessly to mop up the blood and decaying bodies covered by flies in a pile.
“Apologies, we’re still repairing damages from our takeover…” Laffitte hushly spoke, taking the kid away from the sight.
“Uh… S-Seems like there's something for everyone here,” They remarked taking their mind off of the ruined bodies they saw.

Burgess chuckled at their words.
“Oh yeah, you bet there is! The fights here are legendary,” He exclaimed, flexing his muscular arms for emphasis.

“You uh- Got an interest in that, kid?” Teach asked, still trying to take Laffitte’s advice on bonding with Dove.

“Call me a kid again, and you’ll lose more teeth.” Dove retorted with a glare.

“Alright then, vampire…” Teach smirked with the final laugh, despite the look that Laffitte gave him otherwise.

Aokiji took Dove aside from the group for a moment, “Dove, I know you don't like him, but for your sake and mine… Please be nice.” he spoke in a hushed tone.

“Kuzan, you know that's going to be difficult for the both of us…” Dove crossed their arms.
Aokiji sighed softly, his expression gentle.
“I know it won't be easy, but it's for your own good,” he said. “Teach can be quite difficult to deal with, but he's powerful. You need to show him respect, even if you don't like him."

Dove gritted their teeth, clearly not pleased with the prospect of having to play nice with Teach. “I’ll try,” They finally muttered begrudgingly.

Aokiji let out a sigh of relief, “Thank you…” he spoke walking to the group with Dove in tow as they continued through the streets of Hachinosu arriving at the base of the skull-shaped mountain.
It was a grand sight for Dove to look upon, the mountain itself had hollow eyes and a nose. Little windows scattered about on the sides that couldn’t be seen from afar until up close, to their surprise there was a large scruffed area near the side where trees used to be. The imprints in the dirt almost looked like some giant laid down here, or sleeping.
Dove guessed that was where the giant, Wolf slept around as the others had described to them earlier…

“Hey, Pizarro!.. Open up for us, we’re back!” Teach yelled out to the mountain, bringing Dove out of their thoughts. And much to their surprise.
The mountain blinked and looked down at them…

“Nyah! Couldn't let mew sleep, huh??” The mountain said in a loud grating voice, speaking in cat puns which made Dove visibly recoil.
“We did when we didn't ask you to dock us,” Laffitte interjected.

“Yeah! So open up you pussy willow!” Teach yelled again.

“Nyah Nyah, I-” Pizarro took notice of Dove among the group, the mountain’s empty left eye sliting down to show confusion.
“Nyah- The hell is that? A gremlin??” He questioned.

“Did that mountain just call me a gremlin?..” Dove raised an eyebrow.

“That’s Pizarro, the guy we told you about…” Augur whispered to Dove, both he and Burgess looked just as disgusted as Dove every time the mountain uttered a cat pun. “Ooh… The egotistical bastard got it…” Dove nodded.
Which Pizarro seemed to have heard…

The mountain face turned from confusion to annoyance in a flash, his empty gaze fixated on Dove.
“Nyah! What’d mew say about mew, mew gremlin?!” He grumbled, his voice echoing as the mountain’s fake mouth moved up and down. Giving the illusion of speech from it. “I don’t like runts, Teach! What is this?!!”

Teach’s smirk twitched, nearly falling. He felt anger for some reason at his words but controlled himself. “This runt is part of the crew now,” He spoke, in a commanding tone. “They’re new and a part of the crew, so watch your damn mouth.” Pizarro’s mountain face turned into an annoyed scowl, his gaze still fixated on Dove.
“Nyah! What?! That thing looks like it hasn't been bathed in weeks- Nyah!..”
Pizarro yelled out, eyeing Dove with contempt.

“Yeah, says the guy who speaks in cat-puns…” Dove bit back.
“Seriously, how old is he??” They turned to the others.

Four of the others grunted in disdain, sharing Dove’s exact distaste for the former king. “Don’t mind Pizarro, he’s just cranky,” Laffitte said, a trying smile on his face. Doc Q coughed into his elbow before rubbing the back of his neck, “Yeah, he’s always been a bit of a sourpuss…” he muttered.

“Nyah! I heard that!…” Pizarro yelled again, as the mountain wall shifted and opened a large door, revealing a staircase going up.
But before Teach could take the first step inside, a slew of cats ran out. All in different shapes and sizes. Everyone stepped aside to make room for them, Doc and Stronger sneezed and covered their noses from the sight of the cats giving them allergies.
Dove could only blink in surprise at the sight, unable to speak until all the cats and little kittens dissipated. They were about ready to step inside, but Laffitte gently pulled them back. “You have to wait for Tippi and Melanie,” he said.

“Who’s Tip- Oh my god!..”

Sauntering down the stairs were a tiger and a lion, respectively. The lion yawned while the tiger hissed at the ailing doctor and horse, causing them to flinch. However, a large metal hand came to soothe the tiger, rubbing its head and ears as it purred loudly. Stepping out from the mountain walls was a towering figure wearing a speckled fur coat, a large crown featuring the jolly roger of the Blackbeard pirates affixed to the front, long blue hair, and two bull horns on each side of his head. He snidely displayed a proud toothy grin; the top row of his teeth was sparsely missing, yet he somehow maintained a regal appearance as the two big cats purred and rubbed against him.

Avalo Pizarro.

“Finally!.. Listen next time, you idiot!..” Teach huffed as he and the group entered, walking past the two big cats without worry. Dove followed closely to Laffitte as Pizarro gave a scoff, eyeing them with contempt as he joined the group up.
Leaving his pets behind on their own accord…

Dove cautiously followed behind the group, their eyes taking in the sight of the winding staircase. It was dark with only torches illuminating the scene up until they reached the top of the staircase, leading them into the crew's base.

The main room they entered showed a large glass door opening which appeared to be where the nose of the skull mountain was from outside.
The room was as dark as the stairway, saving only lanterns, the glass door, and some small windows acting as the only light source. It was a safe area for Dove to put away their umbrella while looking around.
Numerous crates and comfy sofa chairs acted as seating arrangements.
One singular couch stood out; decked out in lavish fashion befitting for the leader.
As that is where Teach sat.

“Laffitte, I heard from the dock master that Shiryu and Catarina arrived hours earlier.” Teach spoke, wiping the sweat off his brow.

“What of Vasco and SanJuan?” Laffitte asked.

“Not here, they’re still out.” Teach answered.

“Good! I still get to call him and-” Burgess was ready to head off down one of the hallways but was stopped by Augur. “Burgess, we still have a meeting to begin…”

“Yeah, so you two go get Cat and Shir-”

“I already did…” Pizarro spoke up, his voice just as grating in person as it was outside.  “I told them ab-meow-out the mew gremlin and that mew guys were back- nyah,” Pizarro spoke with a prideful tone.
Causing Dove and the others to shudder once more at the damn cat-puns…

Aokiji rolled his eyes as he leaned against a pole beam, “Alright alright, we get it Pizarro…” he crossed his arms. “You can stop it with the cat-talk now…”

Burgess rolled his eyes, annoyed as everyone else, “Ugh, I hate the damn puns their so… Purr-ible…”

…Everyone groaned at that, and Doc even punched him in the arm for it…

“Those are mew schtick, not yours- nyah.” Pizarro huffed, sneering at the luchador. “Oh come on, I had to…” Burgess snickered.

“Murun- Fuffuffuffu~ You know you can do better than that, Burgess…”
A feminine voice spoke up.

Dove turned their gaze down the hallway to the right, as two figures walked in.
A woman adorning a cutlass on her hip, sporting red lipstick, long black hair in a pink bandana in the usual sailor's white garb. 
The other one, a man held a meito blade. A grey coat was worn over his shoulders wearing a navy blue leather uniform with a cap and eat flaps.
Smoking a cigar between his teeth, from the smell of it, it was of damn good quality. One of the expensive types for the very wealthy, Dove could tell from the gold branding it was even pillaged from a rare merchant ship from the Red Line…

Teach’s once annoyed frown quickly turned into a grin upon seeing the two, “Ah, there you are… How went the mission, Shiryu?..” he looked to the smoker.

“Meh, Absalom ended up going underground. So I’d have to use some resources to find him-” Shiryu stopped once noticing Dove, even the lady; Catarina, noticed too…

Shiryu took a long drone on his cigar before posing a question, “What’s with the kid?..” he eyed them with suspicion.
“I’m not a kid,” Dove said, trying to sound confident as the two glared at their ragged appearance.
“Then why do you look like one?..” Shiryu spoke, his voice stern and unamused.

“Oh lighten up Shiryu, don't be so harsh on the ugly gremlin…” Catarina smirked with a chuckle.
“Why does everyone keep calling me a gremlin?? I’m literally fifteen.” Dove huffed in annoyance.
“Yeah, also you're a vampire, not a gremlin,” Burgess added.

“Hey! I told you not to call me that!..” Dove retorted.

“You drink blood! That part is true!..” Burgess argued back.
Shiryu raised an eyebrow at the sight of them bickering before turning to Teach for an explanation.
“The kid’s name is Dove, and they’re the newcomer and your new vice-captain now.” Teach spoke.

…Which caught everyone off guard…

A moment of stunned silence hung in the air as Teach’s words registered.
“Wait, what?” Pizarro spoke up, looking dumbfounded.

Burgess let out a laugh, thinking it was a joke.
“Vice-captain? This dirty ragamuffin?” Gesturing to Dove who stood in stunned silence. “Yeah, what the hell is up with that?” Aokiji looked to the commodore.

Catarina however was amused instead of stunned, “Appointing a fifteen-year-old as Shiryu’s vice-captain so he’ll stop killing his is genius, Teach!..” she cackled.

Shiryu grunted, “I don't need some kid watching my back, Marshall.” he stated.

“Now now, Shiryu… You mustn’t underestimate the child, they have much potential.” Laffitte acted as the siding voice to Teach’s proposal.

“Potential or not, they’re still some kid. I don’t need them.” Shiryu spoke, still unimpressed at the dirty kid.
Dove, who remained silent only turned their head. Giving an unsure look, the same as Shiryu, equally confused about the whole thing.
“They did break a few limbs, killed some of our crew members, and drank their blood…” Augur spoke. “Much to yours and my chagrin, I believe they are qualified, like it or not…”

Catarina let out a laughing scoff, “You and Burgess look fine to me…” she smirked.
“I healed their limbs,” Dove pointed out.

“They did,” Doc nodded as he shakily laid down on a nearby his fainting sofa to relax.

Shiryu raised an eyebrow, still puffing his cigar in intrigue before Pizarro spoke up.
“Nyah- So mew’s a scrawny vampire who can heal people and have a high kill count… Big deal…”

Shiryu rolled his eyes as he took another puff, “I still don't understand why you’re making them a vice-captain. I can handle myself just fine without some random kid watching my back.” he said, still looking down at Dove, as they stared back at him.
“The commodore’s words are final, so there is no argument...” Laffitte sat down beside Teach on his large sofa throne.

Shiryu grunted, “Whatever…”

“Speaking of which, when was the last time that gremlin bathed?..” Catarina eyed Dove, her nose wrinkling in disgust at their sight.
“I have a name, and I don't remember…” Dove answered.

“Yeah, you’ll be dead by me before that happens…” Catarina made a face, grabbing Dove by the hood of their puffy jacket. “C’mon rubber band,”

“Wha- Guys?? Guys?! What’s happening??!” Dove questioned as Catarina dragged them away.

Burgess stifled a laugh, amused by their plight, “Bye, Dove…” he waved at them with Augur. “You’re gonna need all the luck in the world with Cat!..” Burgess called out as the woman dragged Dove away.
“Ooh… I hope Cat butchers, that gremlin…” Pizarro quietly cackled with sick glee. Teach heard the remark, clenching and unclenching his fists strangely as his smile began to falter again.
Shiryu noticed but chose not to say anything as he was getting tired of this mess.
“This is ridiculous,” he huffed, trying to walk off before Aokiji stopped him. 
“We still need to talk…” He stated.

“Burgess, Doc, Augur, Pizarro… You four a dismissed…” Laffitte looked at them.

“Finally,” Burgess said, heading off with Augur.

“Goodie, I can finish my poisons…” Doc crawled himself onto Stronger’s back as the horse trotted down the hallway. As Pizarro disappeared into the wall with a faux bow to the commodore.

Once all four were out of sight, Shiryu took a seat.
“Alright… What the hell is going on Marshall?” He glared at the yonko.
“Letting some runt join and becoming my vice-captain, is this some joke.”

“That runt is my kid.” The yonko clenched his jaw, trying his best to control the sudden anger that came at him.

Shiryu blinked and raised an eyebrow at the revelation, a look of disbelief on his face. “Your… Kid?..” His voice was filled with skepticism. “Since when did you have a kid?”

“Until I found out days ago when we beached on an island in the Grand Line…” Teach took out an old envelope from his coat pocket, handing it to Shiryu.
“That letter was from an old acquaintance living there, explaining it, but she’s gone now. The whole place was in ruins and the kid was there alone, and feral with a bunch of rabbits.”

“As Augur stated earlier, they killed and drained the blood of our lower staff officers… Even fighting Burgess and Augur with ease due to their devil fruit.” Laffitte spoke up, with Shiryu’s eyes slowly scanning over the written words on the letter.

“The blood-blood fruit, the kid can control blood and use haki…”
Aokiji added to the conversation, taking a seat now instead of standing.

Shiryu's eyes widened as he absorbed the information, his skepticism slowly fading away into contemplation. Looking up from the letter.
It took a moment for him to speak.
“So you just met this feral kid and now you just asked them to join your crew when they don’t know you. Are you sure about this? This is damn risky.”

“I know, I know…” Teach pinched the bridge of his nose.
“But that’s why I picked you personally, I need you to watch them.”

Shiryu blinked, taken aback. “Watch them?.. As in baby-sit them?” He chuckled, the idea sounding absurd to him.
“I was a jailor who killed, people, Marshall. Not some damn nursemaid.” Raising his voice.

“Shiryu. This is serious...” Laffitte furrowed his brows, both he and Teach turning to Aokiji to explain now.

“I know the kid personally… They used to be a Cipher Pol agent in training but they ran away, and have been through some shit. I was a helping factor when I was an admiral but they chose to forgive me…” Aokiji let out a heavy sigh.
“They have a lot of issues now, and they can't even walk out under the sun anymore because of it…”

“So Burgess wasn't kidding when he called them a vampire…” Shiryu scoffed as he smothered his cigar on a nearby ashtray.

Laffitte shook his head slightly, “They have bite marks on their legs.” he stated, his voice serious.
Shiryu stopped, his knuckles slightly twitching. “What kind.”

“Man-made,” Laffitte answered the swordsman. He looked down with closed eyes, letting out a groaning sigh.

“This is why I chose you.” Teach leaned forward to him.
“You’re serious, stern, and you wouldn’t antagonize or get a rise out of them, unlike the others. And given your history of killing… Those, kinds of people down at Impel Down. I figured it was perfect…”

“Plus, Dove is damn good with a sword… Though they might be a bit rusty after some years…” Aokiji commented.

Shiryu's expression softened at Teach's words. The mention of his past actions at Impel Down brought a hint of contemplation to his face.
“Babysitting isn’t what I signed up for, Marshall…”

“Then don’t, be their captain then. That is why they’re your vice-captain now.” Teach answered. “The kid might be rough, but they listen.”

Shiryu huffed, “I get it now… So no matter what I have to watch them regardless of the position you put them in now…” he looked up to the commodore.
“You’re one rotten bastard, Teach…”

Chapter Text

Step 1, Be Gentle with the Bird:
“HOW DARE YOU!!!”

Dove yelled, being pushed back down into the bubbly tub by multiple hot pink nail-polished hands, they failed to get away from the water and the women with brushes, combs, soaps, and lotions galore. “Hey! But that down!” Dove gasped before a wet rag attacked their face. “OW! Leave my hair alone!” They tried to scurry away from the scissors that cut away parts of their matted hair.

The many women who were scrubbing and washing the poor bird merely laughed and giggled at their resistance. “Miss Catarina, this little birdie is so cute!” One of the girls spoke to Catarina, who sat in the back with a few girlfriends at her side. She wore a grin and cackled at the kid’s torture of getting a makeover, every time they grumbled or nearly drowned from the water.
Being a devil fruit user like her, except from the chatter she heard. The kid was a special paramecia, not a zone. But it made it all the more interesting. Even special paramecia users are a rarity of themselves.
“Don’t forget to shave their legs, ladies!..” Catarina cackled.

“You will rue that day that you- AIHFDIEBFIURGIdSBFIUEBFIU!”
Those ladies dunked them back down just to reach those said legs.

Step 2, Don’t Piss off the Bird:
Dove slowly stood up from the bath water, wiping the foam off their face as bloody tendrils oozed from their back. Catching the woman off guard as they were gently knocked back from the bath. Catarina shot up from her seat, trudging over to the angry child but was quickly lifted to the ceiling by more tendrils.

“HEY! What gives you gremlin??”

“I told you not to call me that! AND DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH MY EYEBROWS!”
Dove eyed one girl, who quickly hid a pair of tweezers behind her back.
“Easy birdie! Not my fault you’re a scruffy thing!” Catarina raised her hands in defense. “We’re just doing you a favor by cleaning you up, do you know how hard it is to be surrounded by dirty ass men every day??”

“I lived with a group of man-eating rabbits for two years-”

“So you do get it.” She shrugged.
“You’re a dirty, ugly, scruffy- not in a cute way, feral, gremlin child… Full offense by the way.” Dove rolled their eyes at that comment.
“And if I stay around another damn dirty person like you girl-”

“Not a girl.”

“Boy.”

“Not a boy.”

“ Gremlin…” She pulled out a nail filer, doing her nails casually.
“If I have to stay around another damn dirty gremlin, I might snap and start killing more people. And I don’t want to add you to my collection. You’ll ruin it with your…”
She made a face, eyeing Dove up and down.

“...What?...” They looked at themselves.
“Are you referring to me as a whole??”

“Was I not clear enough?” Catarina quirked an eyebrow down at Dove.
Their eyes twitched. “...I know I made a promise to the bird guy not to kill any more people but I’m rrreeaalllyyy tempted right now…”

“I knew there was something I liked about you~” Catarina grinned with a laugh, which caught Dove off guard.

Step 3, Help the Bird Feel Comfortable:

“Sir! You’re not allowed here!”
Dove and Catarina turned their gaze to the bathroom door, hearing coming footsteps and the sound of voices. “Sir, please! You’re not allowed here!..” A girl from behind the doors spoke before they swung open. “Yeah yeah, I know Catarina will have my hide for this but I don’t give a-”

Aokiji stopped.
Seeing the sight of Dove in a bubble bath and their flesh tendrils holding the other ladies away from them. “...Where’s Cat??” He asked.
Dove nudged their head up to the ceiling, where Aokiji followed their gaze.
He had a blink to make sure he was seeing Catarina stuck to the ceiling, making sure it wasn’t a dream. Knowing her, she wouldn't dare let anyone hold her down or back. So this was a surprise for him…

“You know you’re not allowed here, ice-pick…” She crossed her arms.
“Hey, birdie! How about you let your Auntie Cat down, alright?”

Dove raised an eyebrow, pursing their lips in resigned irritation. Letting out a sigh before retracting their tendrils, expecting Catarina to land on her ass like the others but what they saw instead was a sight. Her form quickly changed into a large nine-tailed fox, with sharp fangs and piercing golden eyes. Fur nearly flowing like silk in an orange color. Landing gracefully to the floor before standing upright, returning to her human form.
“You’re a zone?” Dove spoke up.

“Mythical- zone. Remember that birdie…” She corrected them, before turning to the former admiral. Her expression changed immediately to annoyance at the man. “Now you. Get out.”

“Wait, Cat, I’m not here to cause problems. Okay?” Aokiji raised both hands in defense, as Catarina and her ladies gave him condescending looks.
“Dove isn’t used to new people… They joined on a bad note on the account of-”

“Cannibalism? Breaking Augur and his boy toy? And nearly kicking Teach in the balls? I heard…” She placed a hand on her hip. “That’s why I like the kid, they got some spunk despite their little ugly appearance.”

“I’m not taking that as a compliment,” Dove commented, leaning back in the bathtub.

“Pfft, it wasn’t…” Catarina grinned but dropped again to Aokiji. “So what’s your point, ice-pick?” Aokiji let out a sigh, placing his blacked-out shade in his right pocket.
“I have a history with the kid, so let me tidy them up. Let them relax a bit, and then you can dress them up…”
Catarina pretended to think for a moment, tapping her chin with a thought look, till she raised an eyebrow at the former admiral. Finally showing a grin to him, “Alright, you convinced me ice-pick…” she answered. “C’mon ladies…”

She waved a beckoning hand which all the girls in the room followed. Leaving the bathroom with her, allowing Aokiji to have privacy with Dove…

Dove was grateful for them to finally leave, no more pulls or grabby hands.
“Thanks for that…” They sighed.

“No problem kid,” Aokiji spoke, grabbing a nearby stool. Sitting right behind the kid as they relaxed in the former admiral's presence. “So what have they done so far?..”

“They shaved my legs, cut out parts of my hair that were too matted, washed my face, cut my nails, and tried to attack my eyebrows…” Dove pursed their lips in uncertainty. “Actually can you hand me a mirror? So I can make sure my eyebrows are fine?”

“Sure kid,” He patted his knees before standing up, finding a small makeup mirror nearby to hand to the kid. Alongside picking up a stray bottle of shampoo to wash the kid’s head. “I got your hair kid, just relax for now…” He handed Dove the small mirror. “Thank you, Ku-”

The reflection in the mirror showed a face they didn’t know, it was scarred.
Cuts over their lips and the bridge of their nose, heavy bags under their eyes. They couldn’t believe this was their face now, it couldn’t be, but yet again. When you live alone on an island for two years without walking, you really don’t think about using a mirror…

Their dead silence caught Aokiji’s attention, pausing his gentle ministrations on Dove’s scalp. He held a frown as he noticed their forlorn look in the mirror’s reflection. “...You alright kid?..” His voice was quiet.
It took a moment for Dove to answer, quietly releasing a shaky breath.
“Is this what I really look like now?..”

The question took Aokiji back. He looked between Dove and their reflection, taking a deep breath before answering, “I’m sorry, kid…”
It was all he could say at the moment, he didn’t think any other words would help. The scars were horrible to look at, no hands ever held them, only bloody claws that maimed and profaned them. More marks could be seen all over their shoulders, arms, and chest. Claw marks ran everywhere, bitemarks polluted with disgusted thoughts of their origins- the fleeting mark of an attempted grabbing of their neck. Side by side, trailing down their back to their front were nail markings. No claws.

It made him sick to see it.

No, words would not help at all. They would only be repeated apologies, a reminder of the horrors they went through. The unwilling hands that held a piece in every little tragedy from Ohara to Merro…

Dove wanted to apologize for the deep guilt they knew Aokiji was holding. Yes, the marks bother them, and they always will as a reminder of their broken selves.

But Dove didn’t want to see the former admiral cry for them, as those things were in the past. Apologies wouldn’t help or change them, only acknowledge…

They gently held his hand, despite it being covered in pink foam from the shampoo. It was a silent sign of understanding, solidarity of the bullshit they went through.
Dove would be lying if they didn’t say they see Aokiji as a brother. When he worked with them, he was the kindest admiral. It was ironic that ice devil fruit of his, having a bigger heart than the man of magma.
Aokiji let out a heavy sigh, releasing their hand before continuing to work on their hair. Moving it aside to their shoulder, his muscles tensed with his hand freezing.
His eyes stared down to the back of their neck, straining his pupils at the sight of another mark. This one seared onto their skin by hot iron, but not just any, a branding iron.

The brand that is shown is an ugly sight, that damn hoof, it makes him even more sick to look at. Scared for Dove if anyone here were to ever see it…

He didn’t want to mention it out loud if Pizarro was listening, or Catarina through the doors if she was close enough. Out of the corner of Dove’s eyes, they saw the panic in his. “I know…” They whispered to him. “I’ll hide it, no one will know…”

He had to say it again.
“I’m sorry…”

Step 4, Give the Bird gifts:
Catarina waited in her room for Aokiji to be done washing the kid, though it was going to take a while as she guessed since their voices became hushed. She had an idea as to why, seeing the scars on the kid.
She didn’t mention them out loud, and neither did her girls, as it was the kids' past business—not theirs.
Not to mention that one mark on the back of their neck.
Seeing it made some of the girls sad, allowing them to step away for a moment as the others were organizing a closet for the little gremlin…

Looking at their old clothes was nauseating. That bright orange puffy jacket gave Cat a headache. She was close to burning it in her fireplace but stopped once she noticed the little stuffed rabbit in it, sewn with mangled pieces of different fabric. It was also a bit dirty.

It reminded Catarina of the old dolls she used to play with as a little girl, the pretty ones whose hairs she’d mangle and heads she’d cut off…

Mother and Father never understood her creativity or her young insistence on buying more just for the pretty heads alone. Even on her tenth birthday, they got her a Goa Kingdom Little Emma, not the Dressrosa Little Emma.

Oh, she was livid at that young age. That was not who she was, some pompous pigheaded oaf but a graceful and delicate dancer, not this, it was an insult!..

But she laughed to herself instead,  as her past was a nightmare to others. “Fuffuffuffu~ That was a fun time, burning the house down…”

Cat couldn’t help but get lost in her thoughts, and find herself washing the little ugly toy. It was dusty and stained with blood, and tender around the neck and arms from the kid holding it there too much. Things tend to go soft when it is loved, a fact of life itself. She was a murderer but she knew the ways of the world, she was smart unlike most of the men or other women around here.

Though she did have to admit that Teach was much smarter than her in planning, when it came to people, he was only good with the acting part…

She believes she is more charismatic than the oaf, but there is something special about him…

“Hey Cat,” Aokiji spoke up, exiting the bathroom.
“Do you have a binder? The kid needs one…” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“Yeah… It’s right over there.” She pointed to a nearby dresser, that the former admiral began looking through till finding one for Dove.
“Thanks…” He nodded to her, then took notice of the stuffed rabbit in her hands.
“Hey, that’s Othello…” A smile grew on his face, “The kid’ll be happy to see he’s clean.”

“His name is Othello?..” Catarina raised an eyebrow before smirking. “I didn’t know the kid was a nerd…” She lightly chuckled as Aokiji returned to the bathroom door.
Opening it just a smidge to throw the binder to Dove as they quickly dried and dressed themselves.
They stepped out a moment later, hair slick and still wet in a low ponytail that hid the back of their neck- dressed only in their binder and leggings to act as undergarments for the kid. They requested the leggings before being thrown into the bath, and no one questioned them. Merely calling Dove an idiot for wanting to wear something that would give them a heatstroke on a summer island like Hachinosu…

“Okay… I’m done with the bath, can I go now?..” Dove questioned, a hand on their hip to imitate Aokiji’s tired attitude momentarily since he was going to miss his siesta today. “Just wait a minute short-stack. We’re nearly done picking out your wardrobe.” Catarina hid Othello behind her back, wrapping the stuffed toy in a cloth to dry without the kid knowing yet.
Dove sighed, opting to sit on a nearby chair. “Fine… I guess I could wait…” They leaned forward with their head in their hands. But quickly receded remembering the mark on the back of their neck.
Aokiji patted them on the back before letting out a tired yawn, trudging to the plush couch to nap. Catarina quickly stopped him before he even laid down, grabbing the former admiral by the scruff of his shirt collar- and throwing him out of her room.
“You know the rules! No boys!..” She slammed the door on his rear.
Dove could only watch as this went down, still feeling intimidated surrounded by all these women and Catarina since earlier. They didn’t want to intervene for fear of some repercussions, or even having the mark be seen by accident. Dove didn’t know if they saw it earlier when they cut through their matted hair or even noticed, nothing was said about it so far. But they still didn’t feel safe with Kuzan leaving…

“He’s not that bad…” They spoke. “He’s not a peeping tom or anything, even though he does like a woman with big bazongas… No offense…”

“None taken, and that’s why…” Cat tilted her head, plopping herself on her plush cough with a heavy sigh.
“My room is only for the girls, but since you’re like… Neither, I’ll make an exception.”

“Who else is an exception?”

“Laffitte, Augur, and Doc… Sometimes…” Cat shrugged.

Dove blinked. “Sometimes??”

“The girls like to treat him like a sick cat when I’m not around, they even freaking adore that flea-ridden donkey…” Her tone held a bit of jealousy, much to Dove’s surprise. “Which one are you talking about… Doc or Stronger?..”

“Both.”

“Lady Catarina!..”
The two turned to see the girls were done compiling a wardrobe for Dove, from the corner of Catarina’s eyes she could see the kid’s eyes widen in shock at the size of the pile of hanging clothes and outfits that ranged in different colors and styles.
“Alright…” She stood up with a huff.
“This is just charity,” she pointed to the pile “if you come to us for anything else. It will cost you. Got it?”

“Uh… Y-Yeah…” Dove nodded.

“But first, out of this pile. Which one do you want?..” Catarina picked up two pairs for them to see. One was a cyan-colored summer dress, underneath was a black thin turtle neck, a thinly veiled sea foam shawl on top, and brown Mary Janes.
The second was a checkered sleeveless button-up tucked into a jean skirt with a woven belt, and the average sneakers with a teal tone.
Dove looked between the two outfits, they liked both but didn’t say it out loud. Instead, they stared straight past Catarina, to the clothing pile they stepped forward without another word as they looked through. “Which is your poison?”
“What?”

“Tch… What’s your color, mornin’ dove?..” Catarina reiterated in a scoff, despite the chuckle she tried to suppress. “...Blue…” They answer.

“Alright then…” She set the outfits down, scrounging through the pile to search for a blue outfit for Dove. The ladies at the side held other outfits to look at but Cat dismissed them when Dove shook their head. The girls selected a few outfits that weren’t dismissed, allowing Catarina and Dove to judge them in silence.
“The corn-flower blue turtle neck would go well with a golden-yellow button-up,” Dove observed.

“Nah, the golden-yellow is too much, I say the cinnamon long felt coat is good enough…” Catarina replied.
“Fair, but how about some bellbottoms?”

“Jean bellbottoms only, nothing too dark. Or else you’ll bake out there. Deal?”

“Deal.” They shook.
“But can I at least wear these sunflower socks and kickers?”

“Sure,” Cat nodded. “We also got some makeup if you want to cover your scars. Only if you want it.”
Dove was surprised when the ladies stepped forward, offering concealers in their skin tones with blush to match. Even eyeliner and lipstick, a whole range of different colors. The abundance took them aback but they didn’t want to turn them down or be rude, despite feeling alright without any currently.
“I… I can cover them myself, thanks…” They muttered, before swiping a few of the products from them. “But I’ll be taking some… Not cause I need it or anything just- just in case…”
Catarina rolls her eyes, a grin present on her face. “Alright, dress them, ladies,” She snaps her fingers.
They surround Dove instantly, raising their arms and pulling the corn-flower blue turtle neck onto them. Holding their sleek wet hair back up from underneath, they brushed away any knots as it began to quickly frizzel and dry. Dove was the one to tie it back into a low ponytail, as the girls adjusted and straightened the felt cinnamon-colored coat on them, straightening their pant legs, and shining their sleek kickers. “Wow…”
Dove stood in stunned awe, looking into the mirror upon their fresh new appearance.
“I look nice…” They had to admit.

“Of course, you look nice birdie, finally fresh and clean. But not cute enough to add to my collection…” She cackled.

“To be fair, I think if you did try to take my head, I’d still be talking… On account of my devil fruit,” Dove corrected her.

“Yeah yeah, whatever… We, can discuss that later but Laffitte still wants to give you a tour or whatever sport, so off you go~” Catarina pushes Dove out of the door with the pile of different outfits in their hands.

Standing there like a deer in headlights…

“Oh.” Catarina pokes her head back out for a moment. “By the way, if you need to hide a body, then come to Auntie Cat, ‘kay?” She disappeared again.

“...Auntie Cat??”

Step 5, Give the Bird a Safe Place:
Dove’s flesh tendrils slithered out from their back, carefully taking the outfits out of their arms so they could walk easily, though they didn’t go too far as they didn’t know where to go. Getting lost in this place wasn’t worth it, they chose to wait for Laffitte.
Plopping themselves down to the ground with a sigh, fiddling with the loose string of their soft coat, or picking at their fingernails. Their eyes darted momentarily, glancing at beady little eyes that stared at them from their coat pocket.
“Othello?..” The worn yet soft mixed fabrics underneath their fingers were dried and cleaned after years of dirt and grime, it was a surprise to Dove to see their beloved toy cleaned. But were quietly thankful…

“Ah, there you are, young one!”

A familiar voice echoed from the other end of the hallway, catching Dove’s attention, shooting to see Laffitte. A warm smile plastered upon his pale face that merely brightened when seeing their new appearance.
“My my, well look at you… Cat and her girlfriends have done an excellent job at pampering you…”

Dove wanted to scoff but no sarcastic retort came out, “They… Did do a good job…” it was quiet. Staring back down at Othello, a small smile appeared.
Laffitte said no words about Othello or the smile he saw, but it gave him warmth to see them in a comfortable position now.
“Come along then, it’s time I give you a proper tour here…” He motioned for them to follow.

The halls around the mountain were expansive and dim with hanging lights, and few windows in only select areas. Everything was stone except for the decorations or the wooden support beams that lined the arenas in case of an invasion. Stone and wooden stairs that go up and down the different levels. Showcasing every bit of random rooms to the newcomers, but Laffitte gave great details to the more important ones…

The first that Laffitte showed off to Dove was the library.
Filled to the brim with books, maps, and scrolls all tucked within their selective shelves and categories.
He had explained that everyone was free to enter at any time, but at night the commodore enjoys to study in there while everyone else is asleep. While in the mornings, his studies remained in his private room.

The kitchen was right next to the dining room which housed the table large enough for all the captains to eat together during meetings. The lower staff officers would prepare the meals in the next room at their leisure, constantly cooking and baking for the ever-hungry pirates with a large storage room to accommodate their hefty appetites.

Numerous other storage rooms were shown, stockpiled with dried foods that would never rot, ingredients to make dishes that would within time, weapons, gunpowder, and cannons galore to make a terrorist blush.
Then Doc mostly hangs around the infirmary when he’s not outside at his garden or lab right next door. A private room for the doctor to create his poisons and other concoctions in peace from prying eyes and hands.
Both rooms held windows to the outside that showed the sick doctor’s garden, a range of apple trees to medicinal flowers, herbs, and deadly weeds.
Laffitte said he’d only be outside on the days that aren’t scorching hot for him to melt…

Finally, what was last on the tour were the bedrooms…

“Each captain of the ships has a personal room here,” Laffitte explains. “One however is a storage room, since Augur moved in with Burgess…”

“Really?..” Dove gave a perplexed look. “I heard Burgess was a coward to say he’s in love with Augur, so why have they moved in together?”

Laffitte couldn’t help but give a hearty laugh upon their curious question.
“Oh, Burgess is stubborn when admitting his own feelings rather than calling others out… But those two are practically inseparable. They both joined together, did you know that?..”

“Yeah, Doc told me. Even the whole 'will they- won’t they’ schtick…” They nodded, but another question piqued them.
“What about you and…” Dove made a face. “...Teach… Since you two are close, do you-”

“Live with him?..” Laffitte answered before they could finish. “Oh no no no, I have a bedroom and a personal office of my own here. Marshall’s room is the largest befitting him as the leader, a private library, office, and bed all in one area for himself…”

“Still doesn’t answer why you’re not moved in with him…” Dove titled their head with a quirked eyebrow.
“Well, due to my position as chief of staff, I must remain close to the other captains. Act as the middle man between the crew and commodore…” Laffitte spoke.
“I take care of everyone so I must stay close to them. Though I must admit, I do share a few nights with the commodore. Only on occasions, mind you…”

“How do you manage with a guy that doesn’t sleep?”

“It’s no trouble at all, sure he wanders around at night but always returns in the morning. Sometimes, we stay up and talk strategies and plans…” Dove could see the soft smile on his face when talking about the times he shared with him. But when mentioning the part about his wandering, is where it falters…

Dove didn’t want to pry and they couldn’t help but roll their eyes at the sweetness, their vendetta still clear against the supposed yonko. But they didn’t want to speak ill of him in front of Laffitte, it would be rude of them- though the pirate took notice with a curious look.
“I can tell you’re biting your tongue back, I don’t mind your dislike of him. You’re free to talk about it…”

“Well, in my opinion, he is a-”

“Nyah! He’s a fat bastard that doesn’t deserve to be the leader! Unlike mew~ Nyah!.”

Dove shuddered once more upon hearing that familiar grating voice, turning to see Pizarro’s head forming from the mountain walls, abruptly joining the conversation much to both Dove's and even Laffitte’s chagrin. But as an adult, he held back.
“Pizarro…” His voice was low, a smile that masked his anger towards his fellow captain. “What have we discussed about interrupting conversations?...”

“Oh come nyah-on, Laffitte. You meow I can’t help but join when I see and hear somemeow talking ab-meow-t Teach’s incompetence.”
Pizarro grins, his stare lingering on Dove with curiosity and mockery.
“How are mew enjoying the tour, little gremlin?..”

“I was enjoying it until I heard your voice again…” Their gaze narrowed to the pirate.

“Nyah~ Don’t have a cow ab-meow-t mew, mew gremlin, even though mew’re meow Shriy-mews vice captain meow. I’ll still in a higher position than mew, mew runt!..”
Pizarro boasted with a snide laugh and smile. Showing off his missing teeth, which Dove turned their head at. “What’s with your teeth?” They asked, which seemed to bristle him. “Hey! Are mew trying to say that there’s something wrong with mew?!” Pizarro retorted angrily.

“I don’t know,” Dove shrugs. “I was going to offer to fix your teeth since they make you look like a hooker…”

Laffite tried his damndest to restrain a burst of laughter upon hearing the child’s sharp-tongue retort. It reminded him of Teach as he giggled, even as Pizarro’s mountain face somehow turned red- a vein popping out of his stone forehead as he glared at Dove.
“Mew little brat! Don’t mew meow who mew’re talking to?! I’m a former king and a damn powerful pirate! I don’t need mew’re damn help fixing my damn teeth!”

His large stone head loomed over the kid, but they didn’t seem to care and stood there undeterred, and neither did Laffitte- stepping up to give a cold warning glance to Pizarro…

He grumbled in annoyance at the sight of Laffitte’s cold glare but knew not to get him angry. “Hisss… Fine, I’ll let mew pass for meow…” His attention returns to Dove, a smirk growing. “But don’t think mew can get away with pissing mew off just cause mew’re vice-captain meow. I’ll be watching mew, little gremlin…”

Pizarro’s head disappears into the wall, allowing Dove to sigh in relief to see him gone. “I really don’t like that guy…”

“You’re not the only one, many here are not fond of him. Especially since he is so keen on deposing Marshall…” Laffitte answers.
Dove blinked in shock, “Wait, that’s true??” they looked at him.
“I thought Augur and Burgess were just joking! He’s the head of security and you keep him around? What for??”
Laffitte sighs, his expression becoming serious.
“It is a complicated situation, but Pizarro has his followers as captain and former king. We can’t get rid of him without a mutiny and he does have his uses…”
His look hardens upon looking at Dove.
“Let’s say that we have all our eyes on him. We’ll take action if the situation calls for it. Trust me, we have our own internal power to balance the act…”

“...So that’s why you’re chief of staff…” Dove nods in understanding.
“You keep the infighting at a minimum, taking care of others with a faux smile while also making sure no one tries to mutiny…”
His smile returns a firm nod for Dove’s quick understanding.
“That is exactly right. My job is to maintain crew unity and ensure everyone is in line, whether they like it or not…” His smile sparkles with mischief. “A well-placed word or a certain smile goes a long way in settling disputes without restoring to violence…”

“And… As vice-captain to this Shiryu guy, I need to do the same?..”

Dove still had their nerves about serving on a crew with someone they hardly knew, continuing to question Teach’s damn decision in their head. They would have been much happier as Kuzan’s chore boy on his ship or even Laffitte’s something better than a curt swordsman they know nothing about…

“That is correct,” Laffitte nodded, seeing the distress on their face. “As vice-captain, you’re responsible for the crew and keeping them in line. It’s hard work but I have faith in you…” He gives a reassuring smile.
“I understand your concerns but trust me. Shiryu is a capable captain, he may be reserved but knows how to lead…” Placing a gentle hand on Dove’s shoulder.
“You’ll do just fine, Dovie. Keep your head up and be yourself…”

Dove looks at Laffitte’s hand, and back at him, holding an odd look at him.
They didn’t flinch or back away, feeling so reason to be afraid of him…it was strange…

“Laffitte, sir.” A voice speaks up, about three pirates carrying long strands of sea stone chain. “We got the sea stone chains you requested,” One said.

“Ah, goodie!..” Laffitte smiled. “Please bring them to the second to last room at the end of the hall please, nail the chains to the walls and ceiling.”

Dove’s looks changed to confusion, looking at the chains and back to Laffitte. His smile was still present, an odd sense of warmth behind them.
“Come along, Dovie. I have something to show you…” He leads Dove towards the very same room the chains were being taken to, opening the door and gesturing Dove to enter. Upon stepping inside, their eyes widened to see it was a bedroom. A bed in the right corner, a desk and chair at the left, with a wardrobe and dresser at the bottom. Below where the bed was. “What is this?” Dove asks.

“It’s your room,” Laffitte answered with a happy hum.

“Then why the sea stone chains?”

“Well, you are very fond of their privacy. So the commodore and I thought you would enjoy having these in your room so Pizarro will not be spying on you…” He said with a wink. Laffitte was a strange fellow to Dove, always whistling a happy tune or humming while holding a predatory stare at the same time- showing that he was someone to fear, but being oddly considerate and gentle to Dove, almost like he was trying to get on their good side. Dove couldn’t ignore how odd he seemed, or why he seemed strangely familiar to them- as if they’d talked before meeting at Merro Island.

But they couldn't quite place where they might know him…

It was even more strange how seemingly protective he was of them, like Kuzan. He’s never even lied to them either, from what they know. Dove didn't know if they could trust him, well in the middle of feeling safe and off about him. Especially that faux gleaming smile of his, Dove could see he wore dentures; fake teeth but no one else commented or noticed. Dove didn't feel the need to bring it up…

They stood there, contemplating their complex feelings about Laffitte. He could sense the child’s unease and decided to break the silence. “You seem deep in thought, Dove...” He leans against the wall, studying the child with a mixture of concern and curiosity. “...I don’t know how to feel about you…” Dove answers truthfully.
“You’re odd, and I keep getting this nagging feeling to trust you but at the same time… You’re just… Weird…” They didn’t know how to say the last word without coming off as a jackass.

But Laffitte didn’t take offense, he merely chuckled at their honesty. Amused by it in fact, “Well, I suppose I can see why you might feel that way. I am a bit of an enigma, even to myself sometimes…” he smiles, pushing himself away from the wall and taking a few steps closer to Dove. “I understand you have reservations towards us, but I swear my intentions to you are good… And I have your best interests at heart…”
…For some reason, Dove believes him…

“Sir, we’re just about finished now.” One of the pirates in the room speaks up, quickly nailing the sea stone chains to the walls and ceiling that surround the room to finish up. Leaving in the same fashion to give privacy, “Please take some time to relax, and organize your closet before meeting Aokiji and Shiryu at the docks by twelve…” Laffitte spoke before handing Dove an umbrella. “Why?” They question.

“For your first mission of course with Shiryu, Kuzan will be acting as an advisor for your first run so you’d settle more easily without any nerves…” His smile remained, readying to leave but stopped abruptly.
“Oh! I also forgot… I left a little gift for you in the upper drawer of the dresser, good luck Dovie…” He left with the others, closing the door behind him to allow Dove alone time…

Step 6, Do not Scare the Bird:
They stared at the sea stone chains that encircled the room, taking a moment to process everything that had happened so quickly and so far. From being washed, dressed, given a tour, and a room within the pirate base. Dove takes a deep breath before reluctantly unpacking and organizing their clothes, placing them neatly in the wardrobe left for them. As they open the drawers of the dresser, they notice a wrapped object. Curious, they reach inside and pull out the gift Laffitte spoke of.

It was a small case wrapped in purple ribbon with a fancy bow on top, they carefully slid the ribbon right off to preserve the pretty bow. Opening the case to find a pair of large black round shades for them…

They looked exactly like Kuzan’s shades…

Their investigation moved to the desk, it held its needs such as paper, empty notebooks, pencils, pens, and even crayons for their artistic abilities. Eyes trailing to the bed neatly made with fine silk linens, thinking these pirates must have stolen from trade ships. Dove appreciated the thought behind it, but they disliked silk.
The soft fabric underneath their fingertips brought uncomfortable memories of being smothered by these things…

Dove places Othello on the bed before leaving the room with a sigh, they didn’t want to keep Kuzan waiting or even that swordsman. But walking through that base despite the tour was a hassle, it confused them still. Turning down one corridor after the other, each one looking identical to the last.
“Damn it…” They mutter under their breath. “I should have brought a map.”
Upon walking further, they came across familiar lanterns and the sight of a familiar room from afar. They charge at it, seeing it was the main room, the first one they entered in the base with the large sofa and-
They stopped in their tracks, backing themselves to the side of the wall, when they saw Teach sitting alone on his sofa throne, looking over a few maps and books.
“Crap! That fat bastard is there, if I walk through, he might want to talk to me! Thank GOD he didn’t notice me…” Dove thinks to themselves…

However…

“Shit. The kid’s right there, I know Laffitte said that I don’t have to be their dad but that I should at least try but DAMMIT I don’t want to talk to them…”
He thinks to himself, simultaneously, while presenting he hasn’t noticed them.
“I can’t let him see me…” Dove looks around for another exit route. “This place is a damn maze…” Their eyes trail up to the ceiling, an obvious blindspot to even tall folks like Teach. Their flesh stretches, pulling themselves up to climb the wall to reach the top, then slowly crawling across the ceiling with a mischievous grin.
“Hehe, he won’t see me now.”

“How the hell are we related??”
Teach didn’t need to look up, he could sense them with his haki. Know that the kid was crawling across the ceiling. He couldn’t help but chuckle despite the mixed emotions in his head. Teach still can’t get the image of Whitebeard out of his head with the kid. How much they reminded him of the former yonko, the father he murdered. The father he betrayed without any remorse or guilt…

But now he was a father himself, a cruel sense of irony brought by the universe itself…

He still held his reservations about Dove despite his talk with Laffitte, but earlier he acted strange. When Pizarro made a joke about Catarina gutting Dove he was pissed about it, but he didn't know why. It was only a morbid joke, something he’d usually laugh at but he didn't laugh that time…

But Dove despises him for killing Whitebeard, ironic that they hate the father they don’t know is even theirs. A cruel irony but…

Why did he think it was cruel?...

“SHIT!”

Teach’s papers and letters scattered everywhere as Dove fell on the table awkwardly, it left Teach momentarily stunned. Bring him out of his thoughts but he was quick to act. “Damn it, kid! You’re making a mess!” He muttered.

“Shut up! I slipped on your stupid ceilings, old man!” Dove quickly shot back, gathering up the scattered papers with contempt- not taking notice of the letter opener sticking out their neck.

“Hey, you’re bleeding.” Teach’s eyes widened in surprise, reaching close to grab it but Dove slaps his hand away. Ripping out the letter opener without a flinch, blood seeping through the open wound on their neck and through their shirt that left a stain. It was bigger than the average letter opener since the usual ones were too small to use for someone like Teach.
In Dove’s hand, it was the right size, easy to use, and handle against another person…

Even as they stared too long at it for Teach’s liking, his paranoid nature overcame his thoughts. Believing Dove was plotting to use it against him with that vacant look in their eyes, but something else was different about it. They didn’t bother glancing at him, only fixated on the knife as the blood trailed down their hands. But he still had to be cautious for his safety, he called out to the kid but they didn’t answer. Something else was brewing behind those eyes, some damn decision that was going to hurt someone.
“L-Let’s get that out of your hands…” Teach spoke, trying to sound as gentle as Laffitte but failing. Carefully prying the small knife away from them, snapped Dove out of their morbid thoughts. Jerking away from Teach with a flash of panic and near disappointment in their eyes as it was taken away from them.

“You don’t need to be thinking about that…” He said.

“...You don’t know what I was thinking about…” Dove answers, attempting to sound calm, turning away from him to finally leave- but Teach calls out to them.
“Hey! Don’t act tough when I can tell you want to drop a body!..”

This stopped Dove in their tracks, “...God you really are that damn selfish, huh?..” they looked at him. “Always thinking about yourself, you don’t act, or pretend to care. So get lost.”

“The hell are you talking about?!..” Teach’s expression darkened. “I’m not pretending to care, I just don’t want you killing me. I don’t have patience for that!..”

“Alright, if you don’t care, give me the knife.” That empty look returns.

“No! If I do, then you’ll stab me and Laffitte’ll get pissed and I don’t want that! I only allowed you on 'cause he insisted.” Teach argued back, throwing the knife much to Dove’s anger as it grew.
“Then you’re a fucking hypocrite.” They uttered.
“You don’t care but listen to Laffitte case he does care, but then you won’t let me get rid of the trash because you’re a freak! Why would you even let me join if you didn’t care?! What kind of a pirate would allow a kid to join without any sinister ulterior motives?!..”

“You think you know everything, but you don’t know what’s going on inside brat.” Teach gritted his teeth. He wanted to yell out everything but clenched his fists to keep his composure in check, even fearing Laffitte’s ire if he said too much.
“I only let you join ‘cause both Kuzan and Laffitte wanted you here-”

“Why are you lying?!” Dove stepped forward again, their tone growing more fierce with anger. “What do you want from me, and I going to wake up one day with someone on top of me or are you going to kill me yourself?!” They sounded like him now…

“What?!” Teach’s eyes widened with outrage at their words. “I’m not lying and I have no intention of harming you or doing that! What kind of a sicko do you take me for?!” His fists trembled.

“You’re a pirate!.. Pirates don’t care and you don’t care! You never have!!”

Teach’s patience finally snaps, “Don’t you DARE assume that I don’t care! I care more than you could possibly imagine!..” he grabs Dove by their shoulders, shaking them in anger. “You think I want to see you hurt?! You think I don’t care about what happens to you?! I’m not a monster-”

“GET OFF OF ME!!”

Teach’s body flew up into the air, then quickly smacked down hard onto the floor by Dove, acting in a bewildered state. He lay there, stunned by the act, his anger replaced by shock at their sudden outburst. He quickly got over it, his expression turned upon seeing the kid hyperventilating…

They stood there with shaking limbs holding themselves up from falling out of fright, eyes blown out with fear with quick breaths. Slowly backing away from him…

He slowly rose to his feet, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Kid, it’s okay… I’m not going to hurt you. I’m not mad…” Teach took careful steps forward, intending to calm them down.
Only for Dove to flinch and back away more, the panic written all over their face.

They didn’t want to stay anymore, choosing to run, like always…

Teach stood there for a moment, debating whether to chase after them or not, before finally deciding to give them some space. He knew that pushing them too hard would make things worse.
He lets out a deep sigh, his mind racing with a mixture of concern and frustration.
“Damn it…” Muttering under his breath.

Knowing he was going to get a lecture from Laffitte on scaring them, triggering some traumas, and for being even a selfish idiot…

Because Dove was never thinking about him in the first place…

Chapter Text

Merro Island, Grandline…

Rubble lay barren on the beach from the previous days of pirates beaching, the attacks on another, and the arrival of a newcomer. It wasn’t out of place for the scenery, near the ruined old town that hid itself under twisting vines and ferns.
The rabbits presumed their duties of predators and hunters of snakes as they pranced around the woods. One dashed out chasing a venomous foe, quickly striking it in the light of the white sand beach. Its hiss was a defeated cry under the rabbit’s maw…

It tore its throat open, feasting on its entrails within the light, merry and happy in glee in that moment but the next- a shadow interrupted its meal…

The shadow of a lone blue door that stood amongst the rubble on the beach, belonging to no home. Standing silent and lonely, the rabbit quickly ejected itself from its meal, scurrying away as the hinges slowly turned with a creasing sound as the door opened.
Stepping out with light footing, a tall grinning man…

He paused for a moment, looking about…

Taking in the sights of the lavish forest he is familiar with, but not the recent ruble, though of course. It’s only been two years since he’s last been here…

Taking gentle steps upon the beach, crossing the threshold into the forest, eying the little rabbits that scurried away and hid in fear of the grinning man.
But no, he would never dare hurt these beings, as Mama loved them so…

He grew tired of the grating voices, the young blabbering mouths of uncouth thinking flesh that dulled him. He preferred they’d be red, inside and out.
His footsteps came to a halt, and his eyes caught the sight of an unusual red rabbit desecrating a freshly dug grave- the feast of the flesh that was starting to rot underneath. He slowly approached, shooing the dim animal away before clawing at the dirt itself. His movements were hurried, filled with urgency and distress.
Afraid to find her underneath but no…

It was someone else…

Met with the gruesome sight, of an unknown body that began to decay- showing signs that it was dug here days ago. Its body was missing bits and pieces of rotten flesh, picked at by the hungry rabbits. The smell of decay reached his nostrils but showed no flair in disgust or fear. But of discontent.

“Damn it all…” He muttered under his breath.

Setting his sights aside, he had taken notice of other graves. Lined in a row from this one, all of them freshly dug too by the predatory rabbits…

Acting quickly, his hands seething through the dirt in quick haste. Hoping to find a body that was not desecrated yet…

Each movement with filled with rough impatiens, clawing away at the soil. Each grave reveals the same vicious scene, but some are more ravaged than others.
He came to the last body, the unburied sight was the same as previous ones…

“Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!”

He shook with rage, bird flew away with many more rabbits scurrying away in fright of the grinning man’s rage. A few of them passed out dead, their little hearts ran too fast for their feet, giving up on them in freight as death was better than being it that things way…

But his shaking is halted as the light hits his eyes. There is a glint of something partially buried beneath the dirt with the body.
Kneeling to the sight once more, he uncovers the sight of a dirty pistol. The dirt rubbing off on his unsightly smooth fingers revealed the small etching of a symbol on its wooden handle…

Three skulls and six crossbones…

The pistol is quickly discarded as he runs.
Returning to the edge of the forest, onto the white sand beach, and into the abandoned town. Each urgent step carried him inside the torn homes, searching, looking…

But there was nothing. Nothing.

He cast his gaze to the final house at the edge of the town into the woods, left untouched but dirty. But the sight of the ajar door gave him panic.
Rushing inside to tear each room apart brick by brick, and piece by piece.
Leaving a trail of devastation in his wake, desperately searching with ragged breaths. His eyes darting around to every little dark and little corner frantically…

“Where is she? WHERE IS SHE?!”

Alas, no one was home. The search comes to a complete stop, frozen as he drops to his knees in realization. Rubbing his face in a low moan that was akin to a childish cry, almost a mockery of it…

Slowly descending into sadness- then a slow ascension into laughter. A twisted mix of amusement, self-depreciation, and pain.

“Haha… Oh Laffy…” His voice was a ghast, tinged with madness.

If he could cry, he could. In any moment he’d pour water onto his face, creating fake tears to garner sympathy, but not now. No, he kept laughing.
The whole reality of the situation crashed onto him, that hollow yet joyful tone growing louder, his grin grew wider…

“You’ve made my day… Things have gotten much more interesting…”

———

Hachinosu; Fullalead, New World…

“OW!”
Teach cursed, nearly leaping off of his seat from the stinging pain of the antiseptic to his wounded forehead. It was merely a small cut that little blood escaped through, the remnant of his earlier scuffle with Dove when they threw him in fright.
“Could you at least be gentle??”
Due to his devil fruit, the pain of the antiseptic was tenfold to him. Others would have taken it easily, but not him. He had to get used to the new system of pain he felt every second. It would be grating to anyone, driving them to near madness but that ship had long sailed with Teach…

“I am being gentle, Marshall…” Laffitte gave him a scolding look.
“But you also deserved that for scaring the poor thing like that, even shaking them like a ragdoll- for shame…”
He shook his head with a displeased frown plastered upon his pale face, as he continued to tend to Teach’s cut. “Your child, Marshall…”
The fearsome pirate sat on the side of his poorly-made bed before his partner. Everything was surprisingly made well. The books, maps, scrolls, and papers are all neatly put away in their places. Although the room would look as if a hurricane had come through before Laffitte entered. Cleaning and arranging items as per his cleanliness habit…

Teach had called Laffitte after his incident with Dove, and rushed over instantly to tend to both. Only to find Dove already gone on Shiryu’s ship and his partner in his room, trying and failing to tend to himself…

Laffitte had a right to be upset at him, but Teach didn’t care as he bristled at his words, eyes darting to the side. “I wasn’t shaking them that hard… They’ll be fine…” Muttering away an explanation, wincing in pain from the antiseptic.
His partner gave him a disapproving look. “Even if you weren’t shaking them, it is still not how you’re supposed to treat a child. Even your own!.. Especially one as fragile as Dove, they were terrified!..”

“How was I supposed to know that I would upset them??” He tried to defend himself, but it was not helping his case.
“Marshall. We talked about this. They’ve been abused and hurt, physical touch, is what upsets them. Especially when it’s done by someone they don’t like” Laffitte answers.
Teach groaned, hating he was right. “I know, I know…” He rubs his face.
“But they just… They just pissed me off for no reason.”

Laffitte twirled around in an instant, his cross looking hardening, “That is no excuse. Dove is your child, you should show them some respect and patience. They’ve been through enough as it is…” he applies a bandage to the cut with ungentle movement, flicking his nose in pent anger towards his partner.
Teach knew he wanted to walk it off but stopped him, “Wait…” placing a hand on his shoulder. “Look. Before the whole argument. I thought they were going to stab me-”

“Really? That is your best excuse?”

“No no no- Listen. I thought they were going to do that. They were staring at it, I thought they were thinking about me but… But they weren’t…” Teach huffed, trying to temper his own emotions too.

Laffitte’s infuriated front quickly washed away, dissipating as the gears turned in his head. “...They were thinking about themselves…” He hated to say.
But Teach confirmed his open thoughts with a nod, the image of Dove’s empty look still present in his head, “I didn’t realize it until after they were thinking about hurting themselves, even when they said ‘if you don’t care, then give me the knife back’.” his voice low.
The navigator’s concern grew more upon hearing those words, the thought of his own partner’s offspring hurting themselves sickened him…

Sure, he’s killed people and made it look like suicides or accidents but this was different. He loves himself so much to keep his actions up, to keep hurting as it enjoys him but Dove, no, they hated themselves and it showed through that act…

“...Look…” Teach sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“You were right about the kid. About it all, they’re more scared of us than I am of them. It’s blatant that the shit they’ve seen had fucked them up severely. Dammit, Laffitte, I can’t be a dad. Look at me. I’m the most hated man in the seas, I killed the rest of their family for power. They have every damn reason to hate me…”

Laffitte’s earlier contempt had utterly vanished, “I know Marshall…” he took a deep breath. “In the beginning… I never wanted to force you to be their father. Only that we take them in, and that we be gentle with them and not leave them alone on that damn island. But now, due to my choices, you are deathly afraid of this… I understand you’re out of depth, I feel the same in my ability. But I fear that circumstances have forced both you and me to step up and watch out for them… Whether they want us or not…”

His partner breathed a heavy sigh, “I know… I know… I never wanted this. I never wanted to be a father but, you’re right…” rubbing his head in frustration, trying to soothe his overwhelming thoughts. “How the hell am I supposed to be a parent to a kid who hates me?”

“I’m not suggesting you act like Whitebeard to get on their good side, but to just be-”

“Myself, Laffitte?..” He couldn’t help but scoff at him.
“No offense but you know me. I act like pops then the kid’ll call me out and yell at me. Offensive phrases in all…” Teach sighs, running his hands down his face in a heavy sigh. “Dammit, they’re just like their mother…”

Laffitte rolled his eyes but refrained himself again from being annoyed, sitting beside him. “I can advise you to hold back, go at your own pace but be honest with them… To some extent…” A trying smile appeared on his front.
“Why not learn their interests and yours?.. They’re as smart as you, so why not divulge yourself in researching their devil fruit?... That is one equal ground to find…”

There was a spark of interest in Teach’s eyes upon mentioning studying & devil fruit research. Things that called to his prideful academic mind, Dove is a mess but they’re just as smart as him; battle-wise. Laffitte was right about this one, finding equal footing with Dove on their brain-wave was the best bet to tear down those untrustful walls of theirs slowly. Maybe even bond with them a bit…

The smile on Laffitte’s face made him want to try it, he always liked seeing him smile. Always wanted more of it…

“I’ll take your advice, Laffitte. I’ll try to go at a pace and find that common ground with our smarts… I’ll even try to learn their interests, they’re an artist, right? Like Aokiji said?” He stands up, his usual prideful determined look returning.
Laffitte blinked in surprise, “How thoughtful that you remembered…” his smile grew more.

“Yeah, and I’ll start researching now…” Teach looks around, searching for his books only to find them stacked away neatly in a row. Not in messy chaos, he always found what he needed in the messes he made.
“...Uh…”

“Oh! Right, I put them away at the other library since Augur and Burgess wanted to do more devil fruit research on their own, I’ll get them for you…” Laffitte spoke, kissing him on the cheek before leaving the room.
Teach could only chuckle, a faint blush on his face as he wiped away the purple lipstick mark.

———

Second Ship of the Blackbeard Pirates, New World…

“You should try talking to them-”

“No.” Shiryu vehemently stated.
Both he and the former admiral, Aokiji, stood on the back deck of Shiryu’s ship. Looking down and watching the ship officers run around in strict haste, adjusting the sails, organizing the weapons, supplies, and storage below deck meticulously to the swordsman’s liking.
Shiryu was a strict captain, ordering his men around akin to the work of a regular Marine ship, seeing these men work brought old memories to Aokiji.
Being a pupil under that old monkey, constantly working and training day and night under him, surviving his sneak attacks or the thrown cannonballs to test his defense and agility. As everyone was running around, only one remained still, sitting on top of the skull figurehead underneath a black umbrella…

They never said a word when they stepped aboard, none of the sailors could see their faces under the umbrella. Purposely hiding it, not even going to see Aokiji but it was enough for Shiryu to lift anchor and head off…

It was worrisome to him but at the same time, he merely assumed the distance was because they were still uneasy settling in this crew, moreso Shiryu’s crew.
For obvious reasons…

“I’m not a damn babysitter, Kuzan. I still don't get why the kid is my vice-captain. And I don't care that they’re Teach’s kid, I'm still not watching them.” Shiryu states.
His cold tone was ever present, puffing on his cigar.

“You never talked to them. So at least try now, you don't even know them…” Aokiji rolled his eyes behind his shades, waving the droning smoke away from him.

Dove sat alone, their gaze fixed on the horizon. They didn’t need to look to know they were talking about them…

“I don’t care who they are, I still don’t want to babysit them.” Shiryu continued to argue, his voice getting louder for many to hear.

It was frankly obvious…

Dove knew little about the swordsman they were now vice-captain to. Only that he’s in his forties, he smokes, is serious, vicious, and used to work at Impel Down. That was all they knew about him.
They haven't talked or interacted much. He merely stared at them when they first met, a judgmental stare at that. Especially since he wasn't happy to have a random teenager like Dove join the crew. And becoming his vice-captain all of a sudden…

They didn’t blame him, with his qualifications and experience as a former jailor-turned-pirated. He never imagined some punk working for him now, even has his second…

But the former admiral cut him off. His tone was sharp.
“It’s not babysitting, it’s just trying to talk to them.” Aokiji’s tone was sharp, growing louder to match Shiryu’s. “You never even gave them a chance, you just assumed the worst-”

“Pardon me!...” Dove yelled out to them, jumping down from the figurehead.
They hastily walked past the officers to Aokiji and Shiryu.
“I was told by Laffitte we were raiding a marine armory, I presume going there is some sort of test for me to prove myself?..”
The two men stopped arguing, Aokiji was the first to look at Dove while Shiryu slowly turned. His expression was still stern as he puffed in his cigar, “Yes, that is right… You’re going to raid a marine armory, and it is a test to see if you’re worthy of being my vice-captain…” he confirmed with a nod.

“That’s fair,” They shrugged. “If I was an old man and some random kid just became my vice-captain. I’d be upset too…”

“You don’t know the half of it, kid…” He crossed his arms, still looking down at Dove with a skeptical look. Even though they were nearly his height, but only at his shoulders. “I know you broke Augur and his boy toy, but are you qualified for this job?..” He raised an eyebrow.

“I’d rather let my actions speak for myself, sir…” The last part held a bit of cheek, something that Shiryu caught which hardened his look.
But Aokiji merely chuckled, “I’ve known this kid for years, and I know what they can do,” he smirked. Ruffling the kid’s head under the umbrella.

Shiryu’s look was still skeptical, looking away with a scoff. Trying to seem annoyed by the familial affection they have for one another, he didn’t want to stare again.
So he tries to leave. “Hey, wait…” Dove stopped him from walking off.
“I heard that you don’t have a devil fruit, is that true?”

“I don’t have a devil fruit, yet…” He corrected them, puffing his cigar in their face. But it didn’t deter Dove, shaking off the smoke as they asked another question.
“What kind of devil fruit are you looking for?”

“The clear-clear fruit…” Shiryu answered with a grunt.

They blinked, “...The invisibility devil fruit?...” Dove asked again, wanting clarification.

Shiryu scoffed again, real annoyance this time. “Yes. The invisibility devil fruit.” Aokiji noticed the sudden tensity in his voice. Even the other officers noticed, halting in their tasks to look at the coming slaughter. Aokiji stepped forward about to separate the two before-

“You’re a pervert?” Dove titled their head.

All of the officers froze in horror upon hearing those words, upon seeing some kid. Openly call one of the most dangerous captains, a pervert.
Many were aghast, others whispering to each other about what they had heard or witnessed, quiet prayers for Dove were even mumbled.

“D-Dove?... Are you… Kidding me??”
Aokiji nearly tripped, doubling over, holding his side as he laughed.
The others were even more mortified that the former admiral didn’t seem to care that the kid was about to become mince-meat…

Till they turned their respective attention to the captain, he stood there frozen too. Taken aback by the comment, “W-Who the hell told you I was a pervert?” he sputtered, his face flushing with embarrassment.
A shocking sight to behold.
“I am not, a pervert. I just need the devil fruit for infiltration, stealth attacks, that is my specialty.” He vehemently stated.

“Yeah…” Dove tilted their head to the other side, eyeing him with suspicion. “That’s what perverts say to defend themselves…”
Aokiji continued to laugh, enjoying this even more as the swordsman became more flustered and frustrated.
“I’m telling the truth, dammit! It’s not like I want to use it to sneak into the women’s baths or something!”

“Bullshit-” Aokiji cleared his throat.

The others flinched again as Shiryu shot a violent glare at the ice-man, his face now beet red from this whole ordeal. “You shut your damn mouth!” He shouted at him. “I’m not like that dammit! I am serious about my goals and priorities!”
Aokiji settled himself, his laughter dying down as he wiped away a tear, “Oh sure~ Your goals… So that’s what a pirate calls it nowadays, huh?” he snickered again.

“Ooooh!... So that’s why pirates also call treasure; booty?..” Dove smirked, trying to hold in a laugh too but failing as Aokiji let out a shared guffawing of laughter with them. The other officers tried to hold back a couple of smirks and chuckles upon hearing the cheeky joke.
Shiryu was still not amused, and will never be as those two soon began calling him; ‘captain pervert’...

“Is this damn kid Teachs’ or Aokijis’?...”
He thought to himself.
“I can’t fuckin’ tell…”

———

Hachinosu; Fullalead, New World…

The rambunctious laughter filled the entire room of this tavern, one of many within the pirate island. As the usual stray gunshots filled the air, drunken sailors sang, danced, gambled, and said fights that would break out from them.
This particular tavern was no different from the others, but it remained quite special.
There was a private area to the side exclusively for the Captains of the Blackbeard Pirates to dine and gamble. They enjoyed their vices away from prying eyes as they surrounded a low mahogany table with red velvet seats.
Eyeing one another with suspicion and concentration…

Trying to identify any giveaways from flinches or hastened breathes as they sat in silence, different rows of betting money laid in front…

“Ha! Full house!...” Doc Q spat, playing his hand with a confident bloodied grin.

Augur, however, remained calm and collected. His front showed no traces of any emotion, his blank eyes trained down to the sick doctor’s cards. As a smirk finally grew on his face, “Royal flush, apologies…” he revealed his hand.
Doc’s pupils shrunk, scrambling from his cards to Augur’s a growing annoyance on his face at the sight. “Dammit, I can never read your face…” He falls back onto the velvet sofa he’s seated upon, coughing blood into his elbow.

Stronger had his shaggy head lying on the armrest, he nudged the doctor with a sympathetic whinny.
“I know old boy… He’s too cruel to us…” Doc announces in a mock bereavement, patting his beloved horse’s head.

Augur shook his head with a grin, shuffling their cards with casual flair.
“You always easily forget that I never lose at these…”

“Except against Teach,” Doc scoffed.

“True…” Augur shrugs, “His chaotic tendencies are hard to predict while yours are predictable. A dying man's desperate bet...”

“Maybe next game night with the others I could give you smallpox to even the playing field then.” He joked.
Augur took no offense to the jest, finding it amusing instead. “I’ve had it once when I was a youngin’, and I believe if I was at that age then with it before now… I still would have beaten you…”
Stronger neighed at the sniper, joining in on the two’s bickering.
Just as a familiar presence graces the room…

“Evening, boys…” Catarina tipped her hat to the two, as the barkeep walked behind her. Setting down two mugs of ale and water for the three, “Afternoon, Cat… Shall I deal you in?” Augur questions just as the fellow captain pulls up a velvet sofa chair to sit amongst the men.
“Sure, I’m bored anyways…” She shrugs, placing her hat on the armrest.
Leaning forward to joining the poker game.

But Doc couldn’t help but laugh through his bloodied gums, “I’m surprised you’re still kicking after dragging Dove away for that makeover session…” he said.

“Eh, it wasn’t that hard despite the damn flesh things coming from their back. But then Mister Ice-Pick comes in and does the rest for us… We just organized their closet so they wouldn’t be horrendous to look at…” Catarina replies, shuffling her deck as she didn’t trust Augur to deal hers with his impeccable memory.

“Oh, of course, we know how much you despise being around ugly things… How thoughtful of you to do for the gremlin…” Augur spoke with a playful grin, with a smidge of sarcasm thrown in.
But his fellow captain merely chuckled, taking a large swig of her ale, “I have damn good standards, don’t deny that or you’d all be wearing the same clothes every damn day…” she pointed to the two.
Doc coughed into his elbow again, unable to hold back a peal of laughter, “Says the woman who wears the same dresses every day. White and pink…”

“At least I add some spice while you wear the same damn dirty ass black coat all day.” Catarina quirks an eyebrow at the sick doctor, eyeing his disheveled form up and down with discontent. “Full offense, you need a run through both the washing machine AND dishwasher…”
The doctor feigned a look of shock, covering Stronger’s from the horror he’d just heard. “How dare you insult my coat!.. It was my grandmother's!..”
Augur stifled his laughter, wanting to continue their poker match without any more interruptions but he had to say something.
“Was it before or after, you grave robbed her?..”
Earning a snicker from Catarina the sick doctor huffed in annoyance, sitting back against his sofa again.
Whereas Augur could finally start his game again and-
“Speaking back to that kid, where the hell did you find them??” Catarina spoke up, playing along with the game to appease Augur.

“Dove is Teach’s kid…” Doc answered as Augur confirmed with a nod.

“...You’re kidding.” The captain blinked in shock, looking between the two.

“Not at all…” Augur sighed.
“Teach knew of the place we beached at, Merro Island. He entered an abandoned home, finding a letter that said he had a child…” He placed two cards down.
“An hour later, we meet Dove. A feral fifteen-year-old child living out in the woods with-”

“Man-eating rabbits?.. Yeah, they regaled such a tale to me. Surprised me to heck they even trained those things without becoming prey…” Catarina placed three cards down.

“Nah, from what we learned…” Doc took a quick drink of his water to revive his parched throat. “Those rabbits treated the kid like heaven while they were the holy inquisitors… Hunting snakes in the garden…”
As much as the doctor would have loved to see the snake pits that Augur and Burgess saw when hunting for their missing crewmates, he never got the chance to see them for himself. It was a shame, as he was left with only his imagination and crude drawings made by Burgess of what they looked like…

Near reminiscent to old disease pits, where officials would throw the sick into the pits to burn them before serious infections could spread…

Those snakes on the island were treated as such, but it made him laugh.
The snakes were akin to Lucifer sneaking into the Garden again only for God and their angels to strike his forms down.
The thought made him grin momentarily before his own sickened mind was plagued by the few images of the kid’s scars. And what kind of monster had caused them…

His eyes darted to Catarina’s she stared at him in silent understanding that she saw them too, a grasping solidarity of shared disgust.
But Augur sneered in disagreement, his dislike of the child still apparent.
“I do not care if it is warranted. I won’t ever forgive them for attacking us and Burgess…” He coldly stated.

“Does the kid even know that Teach is their old man?..” Catarina questioned.
Only to be answered by Doc as Augur refused to speak further about them.
“Not at all, the kid’s distrustful of men. And they used to know Whitebeard so they’re holding a grudge against Teach right now…”
His fellow captain let out a whistle, “Damn… It’s pretty risky then to invite the kid onboard…” she says. “...But I can understand Kuzan’s soft spot for them after seeing… Those…” Augur rolled his eyes again, leaving Doc to answer once more. “The kid is tough despite their skills, and you know Teach isn’t shy about taking risks either-”

“That kid is a ticking time bomb waiting to happen.” Augur finally spoke again, slamming his cards down on the table.
“They’ll snap one day and it won’t be eventful, or towards our enemies. Only theirs…”

“That much is obvious, but do you want to antagonize them further about it?...” Catarina glared at Augur, offended that the calm and collected captain was so dismayed by some fucked-up teen.
Even Doc dropped his cards, pinching the bridge of his nose with a disappointed look.
“Van, we get it… The kid’s got lots of secrets they’re hiding. We know you heard more from Aokiji when they talked, and Teach already knows he lied about their past… Do you want to antagonize the bomb before it goes off? Or defuses it in the shadows since it's our job?...”

Augur turned his gaze away from the others, hating that Catarina and Doc were speaking truthfully.
Antagonizing Dove or becoming a nuisance in their eyes was a bad idea for the future due to their faltering mental state.
Staying away from Dove was the best bet for getting away from near crossfires.
“Besides, you should be happy you’re not the youngest anymore…” Catarina spoke more lightly, before drinking her ale.

“Besides, the kid is stable for now. You don’t want to do anything to ruin that, would you?..” Doc added, a crooked grin on his face as he eyed the sniper.
He didn’t say anything but grunted a begrudging response.
Augur didn’t like that he agreed with them on all accounts, he hated to accept for now that Dove was going to be working with them. He wishes his observation haki could see into the future, just so he act ahead on whatever the kid was planning with the former admiral.
But he needed to be more mature now, not paranoid like Teach in his enigmatic ways or Laffitte watching out for his well-being…

Truthfully though, he was just more worried for Burgess than himself, and Catarina could see it on his face when he talked about the attack from Dove…

“Nyah!~ Hey guys!~”

Pizarro’s familiar grating voice appeared from the far wall, interrupting Catarina before she could speak as he stepped into the room. His grandiose form towering over everyone, even as his lion and tiger; Tippi & Melanie, had sauntered into the room to join them.
The big cats only attacked rodents and other people, seeming to mind Stronger as the horse was always as sick as its rider. Trailing around the captain’s gambling area before rubbing themselves against Pizzaro as he loomed over Doc and the others behind the red velvet sofa.
“Mew was rifling through the gremlin’s mew room since Laffitte cut me off fur-om it, and lookie what mew found~” His snide toothy grin showed as he waved an old stubbed rabbit within his metallic hand…

Doc and Catarina nearly spat out their drinks when they saw Othello in the cat-man’s hand. “G-Give that back!” The sick doctor sputtered, reaching for the toy.
“You can’t go through the kid’s belongings!..”

But Pizarro cackled as he kept it out of the doctor’s reach, pushing his face away without an air of concern for the consequences. “Oh come on, Doc. Mew’s just a toy, doesn’t it look cute?”

“No- No no! If you even break him, the kid’s gonna kill you!” Doc exclaims, sweating beading down his face. Falling over the sofa from just trying to reach it.
As those two squabbled, Catarina turned back to Augur, leaning closer in a hushed tone. “You talked to Burgess yet?”

“About what?” He acted dumb.

“About you and him going further, dingus…” She flicked him on the forehead.
Augur scoffs as he rubbed the spot where Catarina flicked him, trying to avert his gaze from her. “You know it’s complicated, Cat…”
“And it’s stupid!..” She moves in front of him, forcing the sniper to make eye contact with his fellow captain. “Y’know, for as strong as Burgess is, he’s the cowardly one for not wanting to admit he loves you.” Catarina crosses her arms. “Even when you both sleep together!..”

But the sniper shakes his head, “He is complicated. He may be fearless in battle but when it comes to his own emotions, he is inept at it…”

Catarina rolled her eyes at the excuse. “You two suck, at being subtle about it. Cause one; you both sleep in the same room and same bed. Two; You eat together, train together, and-” She stops her ranting midsentence to look around the tavern.
“...Where the hell is he?!”

“He went out…” Augur sighs, head in his hands.
“Ever since he heard Aokiji talk about his old Marine training regiments of bare-knuckle punching battleships, he left to steal some…”

Catarina’s face became wide in disbelief and anger at what she heard, “See! Once again! He’s running away from his stupid damn feelings!..” she exclaimed. Her fellow captain rubs his temples in frustration, “I know, I know. Look. Cat- I’ll talk to him when he gets back and-”
He stops.

Slowly lifting his head from his hands, he turned his gaze to the rest of the tavern. To the open window outside, everything. It was all a dead silence to him in his head…

“What? What’s going on?” Catarina stands, sensing something is amiss. The growing panic on the sniper’s cool front was something you would never see.

“...Nothing… I can’t see or hear anything…” He turns to her.
“My observation haki is gone.” A hint of panic was hidden within his tone.

THUD

The two captains turned their gaze to Pizarro, who stood over the sick doctor he had just dropped. He finally got Othello back from him, but it was in a moment of weakness from the mountain cat.
His cat eyes shrunk into slits, his own mechanical hands fidgeted as his breath hastened. The growing panic expression mirrored Augurs’.
“I… I sense it too…” He speaks up, dropping his cat puns.

“What do you see through the island?” The sick doctor questions, standing up with Stronger’s assistance.

“...Nothing…” Pizarro answers.
“I see nothing, and feel nothing. But something is there, it’s like a void and-”

“Is it Teach??” Catarina speaks up.

“No! I know what it feels like when Teach uses his darkness! This is different!... I-It’s moving around, cutting corners, and…” He falls silent, his breathing erratic as beads of sweat drip down his face.
The large pirate nearly falters, falling to the side but catching the sofa before hitting the floor. His fellow captains rush to his side, muttering hushed questions of worry as they surround him but he doesn’t hear anything around him. Or see anything…

Only the peripheral vision of one of the long hallways within the mountain base, footsteps taking measured paces across the floor as he sees the back of a person- a man. Taller than him, bald and white, but no one he knows or recognizes from his formal clothing and-

The footsteps stopped, the man stopped…

Pizarro could only hear his breathing, it wasn’t quiet as he wasn’t in the walls, just watching. It’s not like this stranger could see or even hear him-

…The man’s head slowly turned…

“...It can see me.” Pizarro shudders out loud to his captains in the tavern.

His words sent a chill through their spines, “What do you mean, it can see you? Can you see what it looks like? What’s there?!..” Augur’s expression hardened, and his raised voice caused outside heads to turn. The other pirates in the tavern had grown wise to realize something was wrong. Horribly wrong, even as Catarina waved a silent hand to them all, a signal to hurry and prepare for this unknown threat…

In Pizarro’s vision of the island, the man had fully turned to him. The morbid sight of his pink teeth and wide grin gave pause, then increasing panic.
Every little alarm bell went off in his head, telling him to run. Even though he wasn’t there in person, he remained paralyzed on the spot in the tavern in utter fear.

The others ask again what he’s seeing, what he’s looking at- what’s looking at him, and…

And it can hear them…

The grinning man raised a hand to his face, extending a single finger vertically over his wide grin.

“...He’s shushing me- Us…” Pizarro’s faltering voice answers.

His heart rate spiked at the sight, at the knowledge it could not only see or hear him- but the others too. Something within him recognized that this man- whatever it was. It wasn’t human.
The others grew more panicked. Catarina ran outside to gather others in silent alarm to head to the base for whatever was in there.

She rushed back inside, about to ask Pizarro to open the doors for them. Only to see the pirate be thrown back to the floor by an invisible force, a black bruise forming underneath his left eye.
“He punched me! He punched me through the walls!...” The captain exclaimed.

Augur’s expression turned to anger, he didn’t need to be scared right now, he wanted to act. “Pizarro. What did he look like? Where was he going?!”

“He was bald! Grinning! Wide as fuck pupils, pink teeth too! He was heading for the library!...”

———

Laffitte moved idly around the library, collecting books for Teach.
The navigator hummed and danced along to the music, emanating from a record.
An old piece of ‘Sleeping Beauty Waltz’, his graceful steps guiding him along to the orchestral tune to grab each book from the shelves.
As a young man, he learned ballet first before tap-dancing. It was his little sister's hobby as a child, he learned it alongside her so she wouldn’t be alone. And on days off from school, he could teach her when he wasn’t too busy dumping bodies…

It was something he never liked talking about, but listening to these old tunes would bring back peaceful happy memories of his Céile…

His eyes were closed, the navigator did not need to see as he remembered where to step and reach for the books he had placed. Lost in his little world, no door was open for anyone to join but someone slipped in.
On careful steps, treading up his tippy toes, his grin grew wider at the sight of the unaware pirate.
He recognized the song and its importance to him but said no word, stepping close to Laffitte. Moving in and out of the way to not disturb his old friend…

He knew that Laffitte, in all his power and glory could not sense him in the moment. His doing of absorbing in all haki within the island area.
Despite not wanting to disturb, he wanted to play, his steps began to change.
Mirroring the pirate’s gentle step to the song, an inch apart from him. His breath nearly grazed the skin of his neck, his mock hands wanting to hold his. But he restrained himself, pulling away to not ruin this moment.
Not to ruin this unknowing pas de deux that Laffitte was a part of…

And to his misfortune, the record had scratched to the end. Bringing the orchestra to a close, bringing Laffitte out of his mind space.
Eyes open, he turned his gaze to the books he had placed on the table. His mind momentarily returned to the task at hand, gathering the hefty pile within his arms. Walking out of the library and down the hallway.
The sound of the steel-heeled taps upon the floor echoed through the mountain base, he continued to hum the little song to himself. Passing by familiar brown, brown, brown, blue, and brown doors illuminated by-

…He stops…

His happy tune falls to utter silence, as his breathing becomes still. Careful backtracking his steps his gaze fell upon the sight of the blue door, it stood out amongst the others, even laid within an odd placement, not at all symmetrical to the others across from it…

He finally breathed but in a panic. His hands shook, dropping the books to the floor while repeating a quiet mantra of prayers that fell upon mortifying. And gleeful ears…

Laffitte takes a step back to run, to return to Teach- to the others. He needed to warn them that the grinning man was-
His steps fall to a halt, stopped by a solid mass behind him, a being standing much taller than him that loomed over in silence. Slowly turning his head up to look upon a familiar grin, his familiar pink teeth, warm skin- an opposite to his paleness, and those wide pupils…

Armaros…

“Hello Laffy~” Armaros’s grin grew wider, his front growing closer to the pirate’s face.
His breath upon Laffitte’s uneven terror.
“I missed you~”

Chapter Text

“Hello Laffy, I missed you~”

A single step back was all it took, all for Laffitte as his left foot changed and grew into an avian claw. Rearing forward at the grinning bastard, he ducked in ease, bending back unnaturally. A familiar aggravating sight to the pirate. As that damn grinning mask remained ever present on that face.

He kept striking, attempting to get a hit in, but Armaros’s steps changed, mirroring the gentle steps of a ballet dancer. It only bereaved Laffitte even more at that monster’s audacity to move like that, to move in the same steps his little sister used to take- he had no right.

Laffitte's attacks became more violent and desperate, but Armaros's movements remained fluid and graceful, always out of his grasp.
“Now now, Laffy~ Aren't you happy to see an old friend?” Armaros spoke, his hands never moving from behind his back.
“MURDERER!” Laffitte wailed in anger, aiming for the grinning man's head.

The bastard was swifter, his palm wrapping around Laffitte's ankle, stopping the kick midair as he stared at the pirate. “You know I don't want to hurt you, Laffy, I just have some questions…” He tilted his head.

“I have no words for a monster like you.” Laffitte spat, white feathers falling from his neck and underneath his clothes. Eyes turning into deep black pits of anger and hatred toward the grinning man, his arms turned into wings, spinning out of the intruder's grip.
Laffitte was getting sloppy. His steps became more desperate and volatile from his emotions. The grinning man’s steps remained casual and graceful. “I only ask for one question, Laffy,” Armaros said, still evading his kicks.

“Don't you dare talk to me!” Laffitte yells, fallen white feathers leaving a trail from his growing rage. Armaros sighed, shaking his head in displeasure as he knew what to do next. As another kick is aimed at his head, the grinning man caught it again.
His grip changed, firmer as he moved the avian claw up. A loud snap was heard.
Laffitte let out a scream of pain, his face twisted in agony as he clutched his dislocated claw.

“Damn it–” He spat, tears of pain streaming down his face. 
Armaros held his ankle, his grip unyieldingly tight as he leaned closer to Laffitte. “Look at me, Laffy…”

SNAP

His gaze moved up as around his dislocated ankle was a sea stone bracelet.

The feathers disappeared alongside his near avian appearance.
“You bastard…” Laffitte spoke through barred teeth.
But Armaros dropped him casually, giving the pirate a moment to readjust, much to his chagrin.
Laffitte relocated his ankle back into place, grunting in pain at the snap of his own bones as Armaros watched. His grin never faltered.
“I really did miss you, you know…” He said, bending over again to look at the pirate on the floor.

Laffitte sat there, the pain continued to echo through his relocated ankle. He wanted to fly away, but couldn’t, knowing Armaros would do worse, and even the sea stone bracelet prevented him from using his Devil Fruit.
He glared up at Armaros, his heart heavy with hatred.
“Why…” He spat out. “Why did you come here? Were you hunting me down again?..”

“Again?! Laffy!... Don’t tell me you’ve grown selfish after becoming a pirate!..”
The grinning man shook his head. “Tsk tsk tsk… Not everything is about you, but. I was given orders to shadow your captain…”

He squatted down to Laffitte’s level, but due to his height, he was still towering over him like a predator over an injured prey.

“You know, the old brevity code I’m forced to adhere… Although I’m still curious about catching up with you~” His hands reached forward, bringing Laffitte’s face closer to his. “Look at you!.. You’ve changed, and what is it- with these dentures? Where are your real teeth??” Armaros’s thumbs invaded the pirate's mouth, stretching his cheeks apart to inspect further.
“I’ve always loved those little pointed teeth of yours…”
Laffitte pushed him away, but it was like pushing a stone wall. Nothing happened, only for Laffitte to push himself away from Armaros...

“Laffy... You know I’m not going to kill you…” Armaros spoke, readjusting to sit cross-legged opposite Laffitte. “You know, on my way here, I visited my poor dear mother... But when I saw her island, I found that she was gone. And your dead men were there... So tell me... Where's Mama?...”
Laffitte’s expression faltered, surprised by Armaros’s words. “Your… Mother?...”
He shifted his gaze, averting his eyes from the grinning man. “How should I know?...”

His gaze followed the hidden eyes on the wall, knowing it was Pizarro observing the scene with worry about the intruder. He knew he was waiting to act, to see an opening while those eyes darted from Laffitte back to Armaros.
And he knew.
Punching the wall to scare the prying eyes away while never looking away from his old friend, “This is a private conversation…” he twitched.
Laffitte could sense the growing irritation behind that forever grin, and it scared him.
“Where is Mama?”

“I-I don’t know, I never met- you know this-”

“Don’t lie.”
He flinched, sensing Armaros was trying to contain his growing anger as it leaked through. “You saw Mama, you met Mama…” Armaros crawled closer to Laffitte.
“I know you did because she’s gone! She’s gone from Merro Island…” He grabbed his face once more.
“Where is Mama?”

This bewildered Laffitte, as the only person he and the others had met at Merro Island was…

Dove…

Armaros tilted his head, seeing his old friend’s eyes widen only a smidge in recognition. “...Which name did she choose this time?.. Ingrid?.. Emily?.. Emma? Or… Lillian…”

That was Dove’s dead name…

His breath hitched upon the mention of the name, and he stammered as he didn’t know what to say or do. His mind was a buzz of the horrid implications, the confusion, everything.
“Tell me, again… Where is Mama-”
Armaros is cut off, and a sudden pulse rings out in the area.
Laffitte finally breathed in relief, “Marshall…” A small smile graced his lips.
The grinning man’s grip lessens as he is pulled away from Laffitte by a sudden force. Flying through the hall and landing within the grip of the feared pirate he was assigned to shadow, Marshall D. Teach…

“Get the fuck away from him, you son of a bitch.” Teach snarls at the grinning man, but Armaros retaliates. Twirling from the pirates forceful grip, his leg spinning to his feet- knocking the heavy-weight down on his ass.
As he stood over him, Armaros spoke casually. “Dear lord, you’re ugly… Don’t know why Laffy is interested in a fat man like you…”

Teach let out a growl as he jumped to his feet, enraged at the insult.
“Who the hell are you calling fat? I’ll kill you!” He raised his left hand, a white aura surrounding his clenched fist, reeling for an attack.
That stupid grin grew wider, raising his own to snap his fingers at the ready-

“MARSHALL! NO!” Laffitte yells in fright, running to the two in limping pain.
“Don’t attack him!”
But the commodore was too enraged to listen to reason or warning, readying to swing at the grinning intruder just as he was ready to snap- everything stopped.
From the wall, the fast formation of a fist appears, launching at the two…

“Shit-”

BAM

The mountain wall erupts outside as Pizarro’s stone first collides with the rock. Mountain debris was flying and scattering everywhere, and falling onto the pirate city below. Many screamed and questioned what had happened. But regained consciousness upon hearing the siren go off, few remained stopped, seeing three people falling from above, flying out from the mountain.
Teach was close to Laffitte, quickly shielding him with his own body as they both fell to the ground in a loud crash. Rolling away from each other, aching in pain from the fall, as they both struggled to stand.
Teach stood up fast, reaching to his partner to help, “That idiot!...” he cursed at Pizarro’s incompetence.
“Who is that guy?! And how the hell did he get in here so easily?!”

Laffitte grunted as he sat up, gripping his arm in pain from a dark bruise forming.
“That was Armaros…” He breathed an answer.

Teach does a double take, looking back at his partner, “Wait wait, the guy that turned you over to the Marines? Your old deputy?? That son of a bitch?!” he exclaims in shock.
Laffitte nods, his expression somber. “Yes, that’s him. I never thought I’d see him again…” He blinks, looking around at the swarming pirates coming to check in on them. “W-Where is he? Where’s Armaros?!”
Standing with quaking adrenaline, continuing to limp, his voice was off a panic.
His usual calm and serene deposition had gone from view, a frightful sight to many. And to Teach, “Laffitte, Laffitte!” He pulled him away with gentle hands.
“Calm down! We’ll find him, okay, we’ll-”
Out of the corner of his yes, he catches something. The sight of a lone figure falling through the air at such a great height.

“How the hell is he so high up??” Teach muttered in confusion, as he should have fallen at the same time as them…

“Pizarro! Strike at the bastard!” He orders out loud.

“Gladly!..”
Upon instructions, another stone fist emerges from the mountain. Much larger this time as Pizarro fully intends to hit that grinning bastard for giving him a black-eye.
Armaros is falling freely with grace, undeterred as he snaps his fingers. A blue door appears on the stone knuckle; it opens right in time of the impact, and he flies right through without a scratch.
“EEhh?? WHat the hell?!” Pizarro utters.

Right from above, another door appears. Ten meters above the fist as its shadow casts down over the pirate island, Armaros falls again with a laughing grace.
No harm done upon him…

Teach and the rest of the officers watch in disbelief from below at the sight, “What in the hell?...” he cursed. His eyes are wide with surprise.

But Pizarro grew irate, “Like hell I’m gonna let him hit me again!!” he growled.
Watching as Armaros places his hands together in a mock prayer, his mouth moves silently, “Jove’s Gaze…” he utters.

The captain felt a shiver down his back, feeling a single small crack appearing right on top of the stone knuckle that was held aloft. His eyes could see that damn grin growing wider again, as he dives dast towards that opening.
Delivering a swift stomp, striking like a hammered chisel, it opens.
Wrapping around the hand in a massive split, wide open, as it all crumbles to the ground…

And he laughs again…

Pizarro recoils in pain, feeling the phantom ache within his own prosthetic limb.
It was a horrific feeling, writhing on the floor in hysterical fear, as he thought he’d never feel a pain like that again. It was a miracle to feel his own hands again…

Many screamed in terror as the rubble fell upon them, crushing a few and smashing through a few weak buildings. Destroying any progress that was made to fix Rocky Port again…

“How… How the fuck did he do that?!...” Teach shuddered in disturbance.

“It’s his damn devil fruit…” Laffitte muttered.

Teach looked back at him, and then at the situation with Armaros. He wanted to stay with Laffitte, knowing this situation was rough for him. But dealing with Armaros was more important, even since that bastard touched Laffitte.
No one touches his things…

“Watch Laffitte! See if he’s injured!..” Teach barked orders, just as Doc Q had arrived on Stronger’s back.
“Marshal! Wait! You can’t use your quakes against him! Don’t use them!!” His partner yells out to Teach as he runs off to the scene in the town.

Armaros falls gracefully onto a building roof, observing the surrounding area with keen eyes. Ignoring the bullets being shot at him from below…

“There…”

BANG

A sniper's bullet fires from across the town, aiming for the grinning man’s head through a tight scope. Only for the bullet to be caught by the bastard, his head slowly turning to the sniper that fired…

Augur feels a shiver run down his spine, feeling the intruder’s gaze through his scope. He tried to stay still, but he was shaking. First, this monster seemingly took away his haki, attacked Pizarro, attacked Laffitte, and then broke through Pizarro’s attack.
There was no way this thing was even human.
From far away, he could see Armaros slowly stand.
His right arm reeling back where the frozen bullet was held in his palm, lifting his right knee to take a short step back, his right leg forward as he launched the bullet straight to its sender…

It merely missed by an inch, grazing Augur’s cheek, firing straight into a keg of gunpowder behind him. The explosion sent him flying forward, his ears rang when he saw the fire within his eyes. His outfit was dirty from the blast and mud he fell in…

He didn’t hear the creak of a door behind him…

“You’re still a good shot, even without your haki…” A shadow encompassed him, and Augur’s gaze slowly lifted to see the grinning man standing over him.
The fiery light illuminated the horrid front as the shadows danced across his figure in terrifying awe as that hollow voice rang out from his grinning maw…

Augur was frozen; he could only utter a few words. “You… You took my haki… How-”

“Ask Laffy, he knows everything…” That grin grew brighter.

He tried to find more words to say, he wanted to yell and scream at this…beast.
This monstrosity- but his jaws clenched into a tight hold, biting his tongue back as every fiber of being told him to run. To not engage. And to not say anymore…

A familiar pulse rang out again, the shift of darkness grew, but it was not suffocating; it was a blanket of safety for Augur. Armaros had been thrown back by Teach’s gravity, his body smashing through the buildings in his direct path.
Quickly maneuvering his figure as both of his heels caught onto a welcoming gift for Teach, his arrival was great with a stone brick to brush those crooked teeth.

He recoiled from the impact, his nose bleeding and cheek bruised with a cut.
Nearly fell back but remained firm as his eyes grew wild in rage.
“You bastard!!” He yelled, throwing a punch at Armaros.
Armaros took simple sweeps and steps to avoid each punch or kick that Teach tried to deliver. Every time he stepped away, he was brought back by the darkness, only to greet the pirate each time with a random stone, barrel, or shard of glass to cut, stab, and bruise the man.
Each point of contact left a horrid pain to Teach, the little cuts were like an open artery. Each little bruise that was left felt like a dislocated joint, and each little stab was that of a piercing harpoon through the stomach…

“Such a shame you’re not what I thought you were, and yet others name you a yonko…” Armaros speaks. “Disgraceful…”

“You think you’re better than me?! You think you’re stronger?!” Teach bellowed, charging at that grinning bastard again. His movements became wild and uncontrolled, an outcome that Armaros wanted.
He couldn’t take it anymore, ignoring Laffitte’s warning, he reeled his left hand back again. The familiar sight of a white aura surrounding the clenched fist…

“Marshall, no!” Laffitte runs into the area, seeing the prepping attack.
“Don’t use your quakes!!!”

All too late, he released a left hook to smite the grinning bastard into nothingness. Time slows down in that instant, Armaros slowly raises his right hand, his fingers coming together as he snaps…

A small blue door opens in front of the flying fist, plowing right through as another opens right below his chest, as he sees his knuckles turn back onto himself.
The entire force of an earthquake shook right through his body as the pain tripled- it felt as if his heart and lungs were going to explode. Every bit of bone on his chest shattering and piercing his innerds in excruciating pain as his cry was heard…

Echoing throughout the entire island as a force as the whole knocked him into a nearby building, bleeding out from every little orifice, writhing on the ground like a sickened newborn. His screams ended in a droning groan as the pain continued to linger…

“H-He… He redirected it…” Pizarro utters, mortified at what he had just witnessed through his vision of the island.
“That thing redirected one of Whitebeard’s own moves!..”

“Jesus Christ…” Catarina muttered as she helped Augur up. Both staring in awe and terror at the sight from afar.

“Marshall…” Laffitte whispers, deathly concerned for his partner. He quickly acts by grabbing a nearby stone, smashing away at the seastone bracelet on him.
Armaros began casually sauntering his way over to Teach as he struggled to stand within the dark rubble. He loomed over the downed pirate, his expression hidden within the shadows- but Teach could feel his piercing gaze above him.
The damn grin still plastered on that sick face…

“You… You bastard…” He managed to growl through gritted teeth, coughing up bits of blood like Doc as he slowly sat up.

With just one simple push of his finger, Armaros had Teach down again, still standing over the injured pirate. “Still can’t control it… You continue to bear the weight of Whitebeard over your shoulders…” He spoke, taking a single step on his chest.
“The father you murdered…” He takes another step.
“No angels nor parents above to watch you, they turn their backs. Disappointed, bemused at what you’ve become. They wait for you in Hell to swear vengeance, choosing to fall just to cause you misery…”
Armaros squats down, his fingers clenching Teach’s chin to bring his face closer.

“You ungrateful child…” Armaros croons in mockery.

Treach was struggling, his limbs had a numb, weightless feel. Clenching his jaw as his anger and frustration were boiling inside.
“You don’t know me,” He spat, glaring at Armaros. “What about you?.. Laffitte told me what you did to him, to his sister, and that damn baby…”

Armaros tenses.

“You’re a hypocrite for calling me out. When you’re pretty shitty yourself…” His grin returned. “What’s your damn excuse?”

Armaros slams his back into the ground, the ringing in Teach’s ear returns as he feels a gush of blood leaking through, as those pink teeth grew close to him.
“You… Are a bad. Son…”
The grinning man uttered, his tone no longer condescending but serious-agitated.
The fabled scorn of the grinning man that Teach has heard so much about from Laffitte…

“I do everything. Because I’m a good son. My Mama is alive and breathing because you took them from Merro Island…” He gave a low chuckle at the end.

Teach’s grin fell into a confused indignation, “Merro Island?!” he thought to himself.
“But only Dove was there- wait- is this freak talking about them?!... That’s impossible! They’re only fifteen!...”
His thoughts were racing, trying to process what he had heard. Everything sent a cold feeling down his body, a knot in the pit of his stomach, with sweat beading down his face. “Y-You’re not talking about Dove… Are you?!...”

He shouldn’t have said it.

Teach wanted to hit himself for saying Dove’s name, he shouldn’t have said it at all as he saw that damn ugly mug grew wider. “So… That’s Mama’s new name…”
Armaros softly laughs. “How… Beautiful…”

He really was talking about them…

This ugly bastard was talking about his kid. HIS KID.
“No… No.” Teach muttered through gritted teeth as he steeled himself, straining his body in an attempt to stand against this overwhelming force.
“They’re just a kid… It’s impossible and sick. You-”

“Oh, relax…” Armaros scoffed at Teach’s ‘concern’, returning his face to the floor again in ease despite his victim's struggle.
“My Mama adopted. Me… Because at least I was wanted…” He felt the need to boast at the shocked pirate. Dove was only a teenager, this bastard was an adult- how could he be Dove’s ‘son’?!..

“You’re lying… Teach mutters, “You’re making shit up, besides- who want’s a freak like you?” his smile fell apart again as Armaros slammed his face onto the pavement- over, and over, and over again.
Not enough to kill him, but to make him bleed even more…

“I was. Wanted…” Armaros corrected him, finally stopping.
“I am a good son… Unlike you, my Mama is still alive and there for me…” He leaned his head closer. “And God do they love me…”

Armaros
Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Model; Angel

“Y-You bastard!...” Teach grunts, no matter how hard he tries, he can’t seem to move or even strike at the thing. His darkness was of no use as his own hands lay seemingly dead still. He wouldn’t dare try those quakes again unless he wished to dine in Hell early; this grinning freak was a menace. He was much taller than him, stronger too, like he was facing some admiral, even his haki was useless- it was gone. Only a draining sensation could be felt through his form besides the groaning pain of his split bones, he knew this bastard had something to do with it…

Armaros laughs again, his lips stretching wider with each tooth clattering against one another in that grating, godawful laugh. Seeing this life fade away like a dying candle in the cold dark, “What is the matter?...” he tilts his head. “Are you… Cold?...”

SSSSCCCRREEEE

Through Teach’s darkening vision, he could see Armaros being swept away by a white blur. Finally breathing in relief as a small smile graced his lips, “Laffitte…” he quietly murmured.
The grinning man doesn’t struggle, taken by surprise at the sight of the seastone bracelet gone from Laffitte. In his rare mean-beast form, desperate to save that fast bastard from him. It made him jealous of that special bond between them, loathing it.
His body slammed into the ground with loud gusto, a small crater surrounding his form as he quickly got himself back up. Casually dusting himself off as if nothing had occurred…

Teach coughs as he finally stands, despite his inner thoughts warning him not to, as every muscle aches for him to lie back down. “Laffitte?.. Where is…” Blood spills from his mouth, preventing him from speaking anymore as he falls.
But by divine intervention, he is saved from another tumble. Caught by Catarina and Doc Q. “Hey hey, easy Marshall…”

“Laffitte’s fine, sit down and I’ll look over you…” Doc said.

All that Teach could breath was another question on whether Laffitte was okay or not, “He’s fine,” Doc spoke as he assessed the injuries, deep bruising all over his form, bleeding cuts and scratches, accompanied by the growing sight of dark red uneaderneath his skin- a sign of internal bleeding- nothing too easy.
Catarina stood nearby, her eyes scanning the surroundings with keen precision as every little hair was raised for the tension…

“Shit…” She finally uttered, frozen in shock upon seeing Armaros casually saunter towards them. His head low to show displeasement, his steps slowly speeding into a simple run, his eyes set on the three as his new targets, and-

“HEY!”

His run was interrupted, now surrounded by the many lowly officers and poor captains that served Teach. Every pistol, rifle, sword, and knife pointed his way, followed by angry looks. “You’re the bastard that attacked the commodore! Get him!”
Those men lunged and shot at the grinning man, but nothing pierced or stabbed him. 
His steps remained graceful, he knew where they were pointing, where they would miss, where the bullets would fly. It wasn’t foresight or haki he used, Catarina could easily tell just by looking at him. No, it was probability, luck, and miracles…

Anyone watching or joining the attacks became enraged, helpless in stopping the intruder who nearly killed the commodore.
The shadow of Laffitte’s form graced the scene, swooping down at intervals to attack Armaros in desperate attempts. The grinning man quickly threw him aside again by a simple grab and throw, like a slinging stone; he cared not to deal with him once more. He looked about, spying a large pirate running his way, cleaver in hand, and jumped atop his shoulders. His hands wrapped around the man’s head before turning the screw…

There was a scream and then silence. That sickening crack rang out through the area as every being came to a halt, eyes wide in horror at the beheaded pirate.
“I was given orders not to attack, nor kill…”

Teach scoffed as he heard that, remembering clearly how Armaros slammed his head onto the ground multiple times…

Armaros kneels, his palms reaching to wrap around the ankles of the dead pirate beside him. “But… They never said anything about using your own…”
His grin grew wider as his hand raised with the dead pirate within his grasp.
Throwing the body around in wild defiance and glee against his enemies.
Weapons were dropped as they rushed and screamed in terror. Laffitte watched from the sky, his heart pounding in his chest upon seeing this familiar sight.

It was just like before, in the West Blue when they were still working for the world government. Their shared secrets, their shared violence when they would arrest a man, only to be the judge, jury, and executioners for the hell of it…

And now it was all over again, Armaros bending the rules, finding loopholes as a way to hurt and kill. Except this time, Laffitte was the criminal, and Armaros remained the same…

BANG

The ringing of a rifle is heard once again, a sniper’s bullet merely grazing Armaros to disrupt his ramage. Done by Augur stationed on a nearby building after he regained composure, it gave Laffitte enough time to strike against him.
But the glint of those black talons gave the grinning man a warning, dodging in time as the strike left a deep gash on the ground instead.
He took a step back, finally dropping the dead man from his hold.
“I grow bored, Laffy…” He groans.
“That toy of yours has already told me Mama’s new name…”

Laffitte’s heart dropped.

“Now I just need to find Mama, myself…”
At the snap of his fingers, a blue door appears out of thin air right behind him.
Creaking open without the turn of a knob as Armaros steps through, waving a goodbye to Laffitte flew low in one final desperate attempt to get at him…

Only for the door to fade into nothingness before he could land a hit…

Laffitte nearly flew into a building, tilting only to the side at the exact moment- his wing curved to the ground as he skid along and crashed into a few crates.
Bystanders were aghast that the intruder was already gone after so much destruction, that the commodore was defeated, and so were half of the captains…

Laffiite didn’t stand up, he lay there on the ground as his feathers dissipated.
Leaving nothing but a bloody nose and a few scraps as he caught his breath, staring at the blue sky, the thought of Armaros hunting down Dove made him sick.
“No… No… No no no no…” He shook his head, slowly sitting up as he held his stomach, as a piece of wood from a crate had pierced him.
Tearing at his fabric to remove the wood with a low grunt, he trudged over to a nearby blacksmith. Taking a heated slab against the open wound, he gritted his teeth at the hissing pain.
Throwing it aside once he was down, he took careful steps back to the area where Armaros had vanished…

“Is he gone now?” Catarina looked about as the remaining pirates gathered to ask the same thing. Seeing the damaged island before themselves.
“Where the hell did that thing go?!...” She looks back at Doc, already done with Teach’s wounds and helping his leader up with Stronger’s help.
“I… I don’t know…” Teach mutters, spitting out bits of blood akin to his sick doctor.
He nearly fell again, but Catarina helped catch him this time, “Easy, Marshall… I may have patched your wounds, but you still got some internal bleeding going on, that’s bad stuff…” Doc spoke despite his nosebleed.

Laffitte simply stood there in the shadows, staring at the spot where the blue door had previously appeared. All he could hear was Armaros’s voice in the back of his head, “My Mama is sick, sick because of the beast she is forced to conspire with…” each old word he heard made his stomach turn.
“He hurts Mama, she is sick because of him…”

“I’d like to rip the beast apart myself, starting with the thing between his legs…”

“Help me.”

“HELP ME!!!”

The desperate scream of a trapped man brought Laffitte back to reality, he quickly looked aside to see where it came from. Only to already see Pizarro rising from the ground to lift a fallen beam off the hurt sailor, others dragged him away from the mess, and a few medical advisors were setting up stations to look over the wounded and pronounce the dead…

“150 injured, 68 dead and counting…”

That was what Pizarro muttered under his breath, his front a grimace, before his gaze trailed to the injured commodore. His frown turned into a scowl.
“What the hell was that?! Why didn’t you attack that thing?! How did is redirect your punch?! I thought you were better than this!” His yelling caused a scene, many eyes turning to the commodore and back at each other.
Mixed looks of trepidation, frustration, and disappointment…

Catarina and Doc looked at each other before pushing Pizarro away.
“Save your anger for later, just pick up the dead and buried.” She stated.

But Pizarro scoffed, “Why should I give a shit about that when Laffitte knows the guy?!..” he pointed to him.
He continued to stand there, stiff as a board, his head down. Eyes wide with a panicked look…

Teach could tell he was really out of it…

However, the captain was not too pleased to be ignored by his crewmate. He stepped forward to place a rough hand on his shoulder before Teach yelled at him to step away. His anger dissipated into care as he looked to his partner.
“Laffitte?.. Hey, you okay?...” Teach gently calls out to him.
No answer was given, only shown when Laffitte flew into the air. Circling the entire island with scattered precision, Teach knew how shaken he was from seeing his old deputy again. That monster that took everything from him, he killed his sister and he was going to be damned that thing even look or touch his-
…Kid…

Damn it. He forgot that Armaros wasn’t just here for Laffitte, but for Dove.
Teach didn’t know why, but from Laffitte’s erratic mess, he obviously knew why.
He heard Doc Q muttering questions while giving orders and advice on tending the other wounded. Catarina gave orders herself on clean up and searching for missing people with Pizarro’s help, Augur was walking into the scene with the same cut on his cheek from earlier.
He eyed the wounded commodore sitting on the floor, catching his breath as he downed some rum to numb the pain. Teach could recognize the suspicious look in both his eyes and Pizarro's…

He dreaded the questions they were about to ask…

“So…” Augur sat next to the commodore. Snatching the blood bags from one of Doc’s assistants, he firmly inserted an IV into his arm. “Why did that intruder know Laffitte?” He asked the same question. Teach knew answering wouldn’t harm, only saying what he knows…

“Armaros… Used to be Laffitte’s deputy, and you heard him say that he was ordered to come here by the Marines… Nothing more…” Teach said, quietly praying that Pizarro wasn’t listening, but he knew that would be impossible- the petty bastard hears everything. But thankfully, Augur seemed satisfied with his answer…

Now settling down beside the commodore to tend to his own wounds, “He is certainly strong, I could not sense him…” Augur spoke. “I believe he has a way of taking haki away from individuals. Repurposing them into his own, whatever devil fruit or ability he possesses…”

Teach nodded, “Yeah, I couldn’t move when he was on me. Even after he redirected that attack of mine, I couldn’t use conqurors…” he grunted. “Damn grinning bastard…”
He knew the image of that bastard was going to stay in his head for a while, of him slamming his head down, reidrecting his attack, sitting on him, the fucking audacity…

Teach knew he wasn’t the only one pissed, Pizarro had a right to be angry since that thing broke his hand. An impossible feat to do alone, it was a damn miracle to do.
He even took note of the swelling beneath his eye, as a clear statement of what Armaros had done to him. It pissed him off, he was as strong as an admiral.
He could guess he was near Sakazuki’s scale in power, sending some puppet like him to do the dirty work of getting rid of a yonko so he doesn’t have to…

Augur sat in silence for a moment, not saying a word. Teach could hear the gears turning in his head on what to ask or say next, but those words were not from him. Instead, coming from an open mouth on the wall behind Teach, quiet words whispering into his ear.
“Why the hell was he asking about your kid?...”

Meanwhile, out at sea within the New World…

Orders rang out to anchor the ship immediately, and ship officers scrambled to get everything into place. Ropes tied, sails lifted, moving carefully with measured steps as Aokiji used his devil on the water.
Creating a surrounding mist from dry ice, a trick to hide the ship from the eyes of the nearby Marine Armory on the island they were casing.
“So this is where I come in? I go off and deal with the Armory on my own?”
Dove said to Shiryu, still smoking his cigar. The only source of light within the mist.
“Yeah… Take the place down quickly and silently, that’s your test…” He responded.

The teenager remained silent for a moment, absorbing the information and thinking of a plan. They silently walked to the ship’s railing, holding their left hand over the open water as they raised their right. Their index finger stretched out into a sharpened black blade that trailed down their left palm, casting droplets of red over blue water…

The gruff swordsman smothered his cigar, raising an eyebrow at Dove in curiosity at the act. “What the hell are you doing?” He questions.

Dove does not answer; those small droplets of red have grown large within the water. Becoming thick and sizeable, a red geyser lifted from the water to the teen.
Taking a step upon the railing, then onto the geyser as it held them aloft.
“Blood is thicker than water,” Dove finally spoke, continuing to hide underneath their umbrella from the light of the afternoon sun.
“Get enough of blood, and you can part the Red Sea… Or ride its waves…”
The blood geyser lowers down to the ship’s hull. Shiryu watched as a red wave began to carry Dove to the island for their stealth mission/test…

It didn’t take too long for Dove to arrive at the island, taking a detour through the woods to the left wall of the armory. Climbing up and over with ease, avoiding the outside snial cameras that watched every corner of the perimeter, they spied an open window to the side and quickly snuck through.
Entering a small supply closet of the armory, they set aside their umbrella, free from the sunlight for now. The door cracked open only a smidge to gain a peek into the hallway.
An empty one for now, the familiar sounds of heels clicking upon the slick floor echoed through the building. One lonely Marine was passing by, Dove was quick to grab and knock him out, stealing his uniform and changing into them.
Even accommodating their height once more to fit, they finally stepped out into the hallway, walking freely within their disguise…

Dove couldn’t help but whistle to the tune of Peer Gynt, walking and turning the corners of the armory till they spotted a sign of interest: ‘Archive Room’.
They softly closed the door behind them as they entered, not making a single sound as their eyes scanned the entire room for shelves, files, or maps of any interest.
The cabinets were first, flesh tendrils spreading out to open and file through each of them quickly as Dove looked through each with a mutter.
“Maps of different armories, bases, blueprints, files, and-”
They froze momentarily, hearing the sound of approaching footsteps.
Quickly diving below the table, shrinking in size to hide better, just in time as the door opened. Two marine officers chatting amongst themselves…

“So what did the captain want to put in here?” One officer spoke.

“This box came from Marineford, as one of Akainu’s first acts as Fleet Admiral- he wanted to send out these files to get us to learn of the ‘enemy pirate’...” The other mimicked the red dog’s gruff voice, nearly making the hidden teen laugh.

“We already have a bunch of files and wanted posters, what’s special about these?”
Placing the file box on the table that Dove was hiding under.

“These are about the Blackbeard Pirates, even the Impel Down escapees like Shiryu…” This answer caught Dove’s attention, remaining dead quiet to listen more.

One of the officers took a cigarette out to smoke, the click of the lighter sparking to light as small smoke filled the room. A dumb thing to do in a room full of old papers, even as the other began to smoke with his coworker.
“Did you take a look at some of this stuff? I can’t believe they have so much information on the Blackbeard Pirates…” The friend spoke.
“Crazy shit I tell you, even about the giant!..”

“I know, I know, I’ll get to reading it later…” The other puffed on his cigarette.

“Y’know former warden Magellan helped build these files, he was pissed about the break out. Then Sengoku scrambled to get any information to assist Akainu before he came into office…” He patted the box.
"Though... He did assume Aokiji would be Fleet Admiral instead..." The officer scratched his chin with a worried look.

“Yeah, I know, let’s put it away with the others and get back to work…” The other said, smothering his cigarette on the desk before throwing it in the trash.
The two men placed the box with the others lazily, continuing their conversation as they stepped outside the room. The sound of their footsteps began to fade in the hallway…

Dove crawled out from their hiding spot, regaining size as they looked through the box. Quickly scanning through the named infos and records of each captain under Teach, but surprisingly, the fat bastard rarely had anything within his folder.
Much to Dove’s frustration.
Till something caught their nose, the smell of smoke. Their eyes followed the scent to the small trash can where the marine officer had dumped his cigarette…

Looks like that lazy jackass didn’t smother it out completely…

It was a tiny amount of smoke; the ripped paper within the can had turned a slight shade of brown with active embers burning around.
This gave Dove an idea, turning to the walls with a gentle knock. Listening carefully for anything, anything like a gas pipe, since the Marines love to cut corners on their base designs. The knocking paid off, hearing the metallic ring resonating from behind the wall.
Grinning in accomplishment, their left hand morphed into a black needle, stabbing through both the wall and pipe. Allowing it to escape out into the room, Dove dumped more papers into the small trash can to feed the flames.
As everyone knows, gas and open flames do not mix…

They skipped away from the room, carrying the file box with a wry smile plastered across their face. Waiting for some sort of alarm to go off or for the explosion to happen before it…

It was the latter…

“FIRE! FIRE! There is a fire in the archive room!”

Alarms rang out through the entire building, a voice over the snail intercom yelling out orders of quelling the flames before-

BOOM

The loud explosion ripped through the air, the intensity of the blast sending marine officers flying while Dove was quietly laughing at the sight.
Marines were running in a panic as the fire began to spread, unable to put it out as the paper from the archive room and gas leak only intensified it…

Both the smoke and flames bellowed into the outside air, allowing Shiryu and Aokiji to see from afar in the mist. “Looks like the kid sent us a signal…” The former admiral smiles. “Hmph… You saw the smoke men! Lift anchors and drop the sails! To the armory with weapons drawn!...” Shiryu barked out orders.
The crew immediately complied, lifting the anchor and raising the sails as the ship lurched into motion. Heading in the direction of the burning armory…

Dove hummed to themselves as they continued to skip their way to the location of the weapons vault. The door itself was massive, made of both iron and steel, with a complex mechanical lock embedded within.
They dropped the file box to the side, allowing both arms to morph and stretch into red tendrils- then to small veins that crept inside the tight mechanism…

Turning every little screw, gear, and lock from within…

“Nearly there…” Dove muttered to themselves.

CLICK

Dove opened their eyes, it was not the click of the vault opening, but the sound of a rifle. Feeling the presence of a being right behind them, they didn’t need to turn around to know it was some marine officer.
“I knew that explosion was a distraction caused by some scoundrel- and I was correct…” A voice spoke from behind, the pistol remained trained on Dove’s head, using his other hand to call others to his location.
“Twenty officers rendezvous at the vault, where a suspicious individual is seen breaking in and-” He stopped.
Once seeing Dove’s face as he moved in front of them…

“...It’s you…” He muttered.

Dove blinked, “Do I know you?..” they questioned.

“I saw you two years ago on the ‘Eden’s Revenge’…”
That name sent a cold shiver down Dove’s spine, their body tensed, taking a step back, but a gun to their head stopped them from moving. They wanted to run, they needed to run. Not again. Not again.
“I was there as an officer with the grinning man and Admiral Aokiji… We heard you… We heard you all night…” The captain uttered, audibly disgusted by his own words.
The screams of that young child echoed through his head, he remembered that night clearly. Hearing that little baby crying, screaming for help, for their mother.
His eyes mimicked Dove’s horrified expression, the sounds, the noises of everything- the screaming remained embedded in both of their heads…

Dove wanted to run. To run away again from all of this, they could finally run, not crawl anymore. They gripped their hands, missing the feel of a knife between them; the grip of a sharp blade would be the merciful way out instead of what was truly awaiting them. But there was no weapon to save themselves except for their own hands, and they couldn’t move a muscle in fright.
“If… If you heard me… And you knew. What that monster was doing to me… Why didn’t you help me?..” They finally moved their lips, a desperate question to be asked.

“...You were a criminal-”

“I was thirteen.”

“We were scared-”

“So you allowed a monster to hurt a child? You heard me scream and you didn’t help?!”

“We thought you were dead! We-”
That damn captain tried to give some poor excuse, sputtering out broken words before Dove shut him up- impaling him through the mouth with a flesh spike…

The other officers ran in just in time to see the bloody mess, Dove standing over the captain’s dead body. No hesitation to fire, but the bullets did nothing.
Merely passing through, leaving open holes that quickly healed on their own, absorbing the stolen blood of the captain.
“I am dead.”

Outside, the rest of the marines struggled against both the invading pirates and the growing flames that had engulfed half of the armory.
Aokiji could easily extinguish it, but chose to remain hidden on the ship, not wanting to be seen yet. All the while Shiryu stood alongside his men, easily cutting down every foe within in way. “Deal with the pests so the ice pick can get rid of the flames without any witnesses…” He ordered his men.
“I’m heading to the vault…”

Every man agreed, rushing into the base and engaging in a shocking battle as Shiryu took the side entrance inside. His steps remained quiet upon the sleek floor, not in a hurry but not too slow at the same time.
Only slowing down upon seeing spots of red within the hallway that lead to the vault.
It was dark as the electricity was cut off from the fire, only the light from the evening sun out the windows illuminated the scenes.
Especially the one in front of him…

The entire room was covered in red, bodies scattered about in a mess.
Dove was seen in the middle, continuously hacking away at one poor soul that was long gone…

Nothing was reflected within their eyes, a sheening coat that indicated their heightened emotions. They didn’t even flinch from the blood that began to stain their marine disguise. There was no stopping…

They didn’t even notice Shiryu…

“Hey… We’re done here…” He spoke up, but Dove didn’t listen. “Hey. I said it’s over-”
Shiryu only tapped their shoulder, but it was enough to set them off-whirling around in wild abandonment, attempting to strike at Shiryu, only for the pirate to quickly defend himself, blocking just in time…

He could see the look on their face, shifting from rage to fearful realization that it was only Shiryu…

“I-It’s you…” Dove uttered, lowering their arms immediately as they shifted back into their normal hands. Regret was tinged within their tone, and it almost sounded like they were about to cry, but no tears fell.
But the kid had followed Shiryu’s orders and completed their assignment to a tee, but he wasn’t proud, though. No, he didn’t know what to feel as he stared at the kid…

That regretful, frightened look in their eyes felt familiar to him…

He stayed silent for a moment, his gaze shifting around the room as most of the bodies were stacked in a heap in the corner. Or scattered about with missing parts, Dove simply stood in the middle of the mess, covered in blood from head to toe- their body was eerily stiff…

Shiryu’s jaw tightened as he saw himself- like it was a damn mirror he was staring at and not Marshall’s secret kid…

It made him uncomfortable for a moment before he turned his head to the vault door, already unlocked and slightly ajar.
“Did you do that?” Shiryu changed the subject for both of their sakes.

Dove nodded, “Yes… I unlocked it before the marines and their captain surprised me…” their voice was quiet but not a near whisper. As the red mess began to disappear from them, being absorbed through their skin to join the blood within…

“...Good…” Shiryu replied, feeling a bit of pride, but he shook it off quickly.
“You got a little… Lost… Didn’t you?..”

Dove was looking down, almost in shame as they shook their head ‘no’, an obvious lie…

But he didn’t push further, “Get out of that marine uniform, retrieve your umbrella and help the others outside… Aokiji will deal with the flames, just get out of here…” he said to them.

“...Yes, sir,” Dove gave a little nod.
Heading in the direction of where they had hidden their clothes and umbrella, a bit surprised that Shiryu even remembered their need for shade.
As the captain waited by the vault till Dove disappeared, he turned his head back to the vault. Only to catch out of the corner of his eyes, the sight of those familiar red tendrils stretching out from the dark hallway to reach for a file box that was left behind…

He rolls his eyes, as it was another question to ask about later…

“Hm… So they were right when they said the kid has some issues…”
Shiryu thought to himself, pushing the vault door open that revealed the treasure trove of gold and weapons inside.
“Though, I didn’t see anything in those eyes, not even Marshall- Just me…”
He scoffed at his own thoughts.
“That was corny…”
Stepping into the vault, his eyes scanned over all the gold that was stacked up in the center. His fingers tracing the imprinted outlines of the bars, he couldn't care less about the money. Sure, money ruled the world, but the weapons here were his true interest. Moving away from the gold to the side of the room, where the swords were hung upon the walls for all to see upon entering, besides the gold.
Sadly, they were of the usual dull marine quality, nothing good in the slightest…

“Don’t worry, Raiu, I won’t ever replace you…” Shiryu muttered to himself, and the sword within his hand.

He took a step out of the vault, and the sound of glass breaking beneath his boot heel caught his attention. Looking down, he saw that he had stepped upon a bloodied pocket watch.
The glass of the pocket watch was smashed, and the blood of the fallen officers stained its dial, covering the little numbers that counted the time. It was a small thing in his hands since he was a big man. Those little hands did not turn, there was no sound to hear but in his head- it was as clear as day...

The ticking…

It was slow, growing loud in his head as he felt a cold breeze against his face.
But it wasn’t real, only a memory…

32 years ago…

Unseen eyes peered up from his grandfather’s old pocket watch, a rusted, cool grey color amongst the white scene. Nearing the time, the others were allowed out to play. It was an oddly warm day today despite the falling snow abroad.
The entire place was blanketed in snow, children ran out from the small schoolhouse to play in the field near the dark forest…

Where he watched them play from the bushes, seeing them laugh, smile, and frolic…

He stands up to leave, seeing the time on his watch. But accidentally steps on a stick, bringing attention to himself as all the children stopped in their tracks.
Turning their gazes to the bushes as someone ran through from behind…

A larger boy of the group picks up a small rock and throws it at them. All the kids ran to see the downed figure of another child with a bleeding forehead.
“I knew it! That peeping tom, Shiryu, was at it again!” The boy yells.
The other children began to gang up on Shiryu, kicking snow in his direction and pelting him with more hidden rocks beneath it.
“Freak!”

“Go away, loser!”

“Creep! Staring at us the whole time!
The children yelled as the young Shiryu ran away, trying to hide his tears under his snowy hat. He ran through town, where the adults ignored him, where no one batted an eye at the lonely ten-year-old…

He runs to the edge of town, past a couple of trees, to a little old house within the woods. His steps slow upon hearing yelling, screaming from the home…

His father was home…

The front door was wide open as Shiryu approached, the arguing from inside getting louder with each careful step he took.
"You said you would come home earlier! How can you be home so late?!”

“That’s none of your damn buisness, woman! You don’t get to tell me what to do!”
Shiryu peeked his head through, watching as his mother and father fought in the kitchen again. The sound of plates smashing caused him to retreat, quietly scurrying to the side of the house. Watching in utter silence from the other side of a broken window, as the yelling continued.
“How can you keep going to that bar when you’re supposed to provide for us?! For our child! You’re the man of the house-”

“SHUT UP! That brat isn’t mine and you damn well know it! He’s a weak little shit! Good for nothing but peeking at people like a freak!!”
Fists are slammed upon the table, and the sound of utensils flying caused that poor boy outside to flinch. He stepped back, a crunching sound upon the snow that echoed into the house…

His father spun around with a red face, it became a blur as he lunged forward.
A forceful hand reached through the broken window to grab the boy.
He didn’t have time to run- he was too fast and too big…

“There you are, you little bastard!!!”

“There you are, Shiryu!..”

He flinched.

Returning to the present as Aokiji’s voice broke through to him, Shiryu looked up from the broken pocket watch to face the former admiral.
“I was wondering where you were, the men were about to take everything from the vault…” He spoke to his fellow captain, a casual smile on his face despite the number of broken corpses in the room.
The other officers stepped over them, entering the vault and carrying out the heavy boxes and bags of gold…

“Hey… You okay?” Aokiji quietly asks Shiryu.
He ignored the question for a moment before shoving the broken watch into his pocket.

“I’m fine…” He lies.

Chapter Text

   The sun was creeping towards the horizon, slowly but surely reaching the other side. So the world and seas may be encompassed by the stars and night within the coming hours, yet those pirates and men continued to work abroad. Scrubbing the deck and hull of blood stains, sweeping stray bullets, looting bodies, and tossing them out to sea for the kings and their pawns to feast upon.
The rest of those moving men worked on transporting the loot from the vault to the ship, but rarely was any heavy lifting done near the vicinity of the vessel, as those red flesh tendrils stole the heavy bags from the men and dropped them within the cargo hold. Merely passing the loot onto Dove to deal with.
They sat underneath the shadow of both the main mast and their umbrella, reading the files they retrieved earlier from the Marine archives.
That old room was now smothered in minuscule cinders and ashes from both Marines and pirates scrambling to get the fire out before it could spread. They were all lucky to have gotten out quickly when a man sacrificed himself to head into the boiler room to shut the gas off. Leading to his head being encased in flames- his charred remains left within that room...

It was a shame to leave it; a greater shame that it was too burnt, as Dove would've enjoyed drinking the blood from that corpse.
Their mind skimmed over that thought of the lost meal; instead, their eyes trailed over the words of the first file within the box.
The one they chose first was about Shiryu, feeling the need to learn more about their captain since it was official now...

From everything about where he came from, when he enlisted, his tenure at Impel Down before his supposed 'psychotic break', killing prisoners for sport. There was even a typed section about the specific prisoners he had slain, too.
Dove was surprised their names weren't blacked out since they came from Level Six, but to be fair, it wouldn't be worth the effort to blur them out since those people were already dead. The young vice-captain couldn't help but be impressed by his ferocity in killing those bastards. They were at Level Six for damn good reasons anyway...

Dove couldn't hide the smile on their face if they could, it was too obvious as they kept reading to satisfy their morbid curiosity...

"What's so interesting?"

The sound of Shiryu's voice echoing from the side had caught their attention, as the swordsman had returned from the vault. Striding over to see what the kid was reading. "Uh, nothin'..." Dove quickly hid the file within their coat. Not wanting to be caught by the very man they were reading about. "Just... I found some files about you guys..."
They finally answered.
"They recently got sent here from the higher-ups, a part in that red-bitches new 'plan to eradicate all pirate scum' agenda-"
Dove even mimicked Akainu's gruff tone.
"You know, trying to learn about the enemy and whatnot..." They ended with a shrug.

"Ash, the new policy..." Shiryu breathed an air of smoke out, crossing arms.
"I'd be shocked if the World Government didn't try something like that, but I have no doubts we will all be getting new bounties after today's stunt. Some publicity or an attempted cover-up since it's the... Red bitch's first day in office... As you say..."
A gruff chuckle escaped from him.

A small smile perked up on Dove's face as Shiryu copied their loving nickname to the new Fleet Admiral. It made them want to talk more to their captain.
"I don't believe Kuzan would be getting a bounty, though, I heard he doesn't want to be seen..." Their gaze moved across the deck to Aokiji, tying the ropes and fixing the sails as he made passing conversation and orders to the pirates.
"I get he recently left the Marines, so he's still not used to this pirate junk-"
They flinched, looking back at Shiryu.
"N-No offense..."

"None taken," He grunted.

Dove felt oddly guilty for seemingly offending him, but it was hard to tell if he was offended or not. However, it was seemingly easy to rile him up earlier by calling him ‘Mister Pervert’, otherwise. This time, his disdain would have been obvious- but it wasn’t. It was sorta hard to read him. They guessed the whole ‘pervert’ thing was something sensitive; nothing about piracy was what he cared about.
There was an odd moment of silence before they could speak up again.
“Also, I wanted to tell you that you got a call from the big luchador guy- Burgess, if I remember correctly.” Dove watched as Shiryu smothered his cigar.
“He wanted to know our location for a meeting since he’s apparently with two other captains right now.”

He lit a new cigar. “Who?”

“A giant and the sex offender I was warned about,” Dove answered.

“Ah, SanJuan and… Vasco…” Shiryu growled at the end upon uttering that bastard’s name. Now Dove could easily tell he did not like him.
“Laffitte, Kuzan, and even Doc wanted me to stay away from the guy. So if he tries anything, I’ll kick his ass.” They reassured him.

“Don’t worry, the others and I will make sure he doesn’t try anything.”
Shiryu took a long puff of his cigar, blowing grey smoke to the sky that was finally turning a slow yellow hue. “It’s not even about what he tries, it’s the fact he’s a scumbag in general…”

Huh, so he’s a pervert with standards…

Dove could find some respect in that remark, even finding a bit of courage to share more with him. “How come you didn’t get the chance to kill him back at Impel Down then?”
They finally asked as the swordsman leaned his back on the mast.
“Well, if you had read further on my file, you would have found out that I was a bit too late…” He looked down at them, “But Magellan stopped me before I even had the chance to…” In that short moment, he seemed frustrated with his answer.
Upset at his inability to end that man too late…

But his short inflection was overshadowed by Dove’s little surprise, looking down at the file they kept hidden, and at Shiryu again.
“How’d you know I was reading about you first?”

“It was obvious since you're my official vice-captain now…” He bellows on his cigar.
“By the way, you did alright earlier… The gas explosion was a nice touch to get our attention, but it was difficult to put out. Nearly took out everyone, so next time, set off an alarm and shut down communications before we arrive.”
Dove expected some form of criticism from him; it wasn’t harsh, but it was deserved. Even the advice he gave for next time was good too…

But he seemed…

Awkward about it. He never gave 'constructive criticism' to anyone before, as he was a notorious hard-ass, as many say- even his fellow captains and lower officers would murmur. Shiryu coughed, hiding his inept frown.
“But… Stealing those files from the archives was a… Good call…”
It seemed even he was unfamiliar with praise.
Dove pondered if Kuzan could have ‘coached him’ on giving praise to someone, even to a murderous kid like Dove, it made them smile faintly at it.
That small pride gained from his words was enough to boost their confidence further, bold enough to peek at the horizon. They only wanted a little view of the sun, but once more, the light burned their eyes and face, retreating away with a small hiss.
It was something that Shiryu noticed, but chose to stay quiet…

Even as he heard Dove utter a quiet curse beneath their breath, he changed the conversation away from the current light.
“I think it’ll be a while before Aokiji is recognized as one of us. I’ll bet they’ll try to hide his involvement from the press the best they can before it gets out…”
Shiryu mused out of that awkward silence.
His attention turned to the file box itself, kneeling as he skimmed through what was in there. “Then he’ll have a file like us, and with you, I bet it’ll be sooner than his…”

Those last words did not help; they only made Dove slightly recoil at the thought of ever getting recognized by anyone again. Earlier, that Marine captain recognized them, said their name, and mentioned that damn ship too, they felt no remorse when they ended that man’s life. He was not innocent; he was no herald of justice.
Just a false prophet like all other Marines, a dog on a leash that would ner’ bite its owner.
Pure blind obedience, chosen deafness when it came to the screams of those in chains and those underneath the golden bodies…

Dove swallowed air as they felt their body become heavy, the hairs on their skin raised, and their heart accelerated in fright despite nothing there. It was like those paintings of the small demon sitting upon a sleeping woman’s bosom, causing harm and a nightmare. Though Dove was the cause themselves, they didn’t need to overreact. But those damn thoughts and memories kept replaying over and over again, scaring them more, making them more paranoid. Dove needed to block them out.
No one was there. He wasn’t there…

Shiryu looked up from the files, studying the kid’s face for a moment as he saw that empty look again, as the kid made no reply. His gaze shifted between Dove and Aokiji.
Once more, he couldn’t help but take notice of the similarities between them and the adults in their lives. A familiarity within their haunted expression, just like the former admiral- a look you can only get by working for the World Government for so long.
The same expression, but different thoughts masked behind it.
Dove’s look was not of doubt or regret like the former admirals’, but a deep tornado of mixed feelings that ate every light within their eyes. Leaving an empty hollow shell…

A broken shell…

“You don’t want to be seen by them, like Aokiji…” He said.
Dove made no answer, remaining nearly frozen on the spot as they kept their distant gaze. It was the only answer he got…

Shiryu let out a slight huff, taking another puff of his cigar as the grey smoke clouded his sight for a moment. Before turning his gaze to his officers, all were finished packing everything into the cargo.
“One of you, get up into the crow’s nest. Once you see Burgess’s ship and the others on the horizon, send a signal flare to them.” He orders.
They all responded to their captain’s order. One man began climbing up the mast to the nest, while the others continued with their business of cleaning and preparing.
Dove continued to remain still, sitting within the shadows as they chose to read the rest of the files to keep their mind off things. Shiryu walked to the edge of the deck, puffing on his cigar as he watched both his men and Dove from afar.
“So…” Aokiji slid right next to the swordsman.
“Told you the kid was good…” He held a proud grin on his face, nodding toward Dove’s direction.

“Mm,” Shiryu grunted, taking another puff before speaking.
“They are good, but there is an air of improvement, despite their issues…”

Aokiji let out a sigh, rubbing his eyes, “I know, they’re just… Trying to survive, like Anyone else…” he said.

“Mm…” It was a brief sigh of acknowledgment, turning his gaze to the ocean waves that swayed and gently clashed against the ship’s hull.
“That story you made up about them being a former Cipher Pol agent is bullshit, you know…” He flicked his cigar out into the ocean, as the former admiral shook his head.
Letting out a defeated chuckle. “Nothing gets past you, I swear…”

“So you’re trying to make up for something else besides Ohara?.. By protecting that kid and not telling Teach the truth about them?” Shiryu quirked an eyebrow.

Aokiji opened his mouth to speak but stopped, unable to find any words as he scratched the back of his head. Shiryu could see that behind those shades, he was looking back at Dove again, holding that same damn look that the kid held earlier.
“You could say that…” He finally replied, turning to lean on the ship’s railing with Shiryu.
“I failed that kid long ago, and I’m not going to do it again.” His answer was resolute.

Once again, Shiryu looked back between Dove and Aokiji.
Both bear the same wrinkles, the same heavy bags, and grieving baggage they’re forced to carry by the past that haunts them. Once more, the telling difference outside instead of inward- it was the scars. Aokiji lost a leg while Dove lost something else- something sacred, he could tell by the hideous marks on the kid’s face, and hidden arms an’ legs.
It wasn’t the kid who was ugly, just the scars themselves.

An ugly reminder of something familiar to him…

“Shh… It’s okay…”

Something he wanted to push away, but it kept resurfacing…

32 years ago…

“Shh… It’s okay…”
A mother comforts her son, dabbing a small cotton doused in alcohol for his bleeding bruises and wounds.
“I know it hurts, but it’s working, Shiryu…”
The small house was cold as the winter breeze blew outside. The heater wasn’t on as it's known to make loud noises. Loud noises can disturb father’s slumber, stirring his beating rage...

He was finally asleep after hurting both his wife and son senseless again; she had a black eye, while her son was thrown around like a rag doll. Shiryu sustained small cuts from the broken glass scattered across the floor, from being pulled through the broken window from earlier for ‘spying’ again…

Only three sounds remained: the snoring of the beast, the whistle of the wind blowing throughout the entire house, and the quiet whimpering of the young boy.
“Mama?...” He muttered.
“W-Why can’t we leave?” His voice was trembling from the tears streaming down his face.

“Sweetheart, you know we can’t…” Mother answered softly, “We can’t leave your father, he does everything for us-”

“But he hurts you, Mama!...” His mother quickly shushed him, the sound of his father’s snoring halting momentarily. A tense silence fills the room before it quickly resumes.
“H-he hurts us, why can’t we leave?”

Mother sighed as she gently stroked her son’s little head.
“Your father has a bad temper, but he loves us and we love him…” She said,

“But Mama… He’s hurting you, and me…” Shiryu replied, his eyes glistening with tears.

“Sweetie, please. You have to understand he’s the man of the house- he provides for us. He works for us, pays for everything…”
His mother would list off the same slew of excuses he’d heard before, again and again.
It was the norm for him, a horrible normalcy he had to survive under.
“But that doesn’t give him the right to hurt us… Does it?”
Shiryu winced slightly as she dabbed another cotton ball into the wound on his face.

His mother stops momentarily, that caring voice quickly disappearing from her tone.
“We upset him… It’s our fault. It’s your fault.”

“Ship incoming!!!”

The officer’s voice brought Shiryu to the present. He looked with his fellow captain to the crow's nest, and back towards the horizon as two ships came into view, alongside a giant shadowed figure walking through the ocean.
“Looks like Burgess and Vasco’s ship, and there’s Wolf…” The former admiral muttered as Dove joined the two captains.
“Whoa, I’ve never met a giant that big before…” They spoke in awe.

“Wolf’s devil fruit makes him bigger than the average giant…” Aokiji said to them, ruffling their head beneath the black umbrella. It earned a small, happy smile on the kid’s face, a rare sight from them. It even brought a smile to Aokiji himself, but for only a moment.
“Hey, listen… If Vasco does anything to you. Then tell me, and I’ll deal with him, alright?”
Even Dove’s smile disappeared, remembering that they would soon be meeting the horridly infamous pirate known as Vasco Shot. No excitement was shared due to the previous warnings given to them, his crimes and deeds a sour splotch within his life, even within his written records, which Dove read.
They haven’t gone too far, but it was a nightmare to read regardless…

At age 7, he suffered a fall from a swing as a child, a story recounted by his mother as a way to explain away his future crimes as long-term effects of a serious concussion.
At the age of 8, he began torturing small animals for fun.
At 10, his prey changed into cats and dogs, tying them into sacks to drown or merely stoning those poor animals.
Then at 12 years old, he was sent to a behavioral school where his target changed to smaller children- those who couldn’t defend themselves at the school, as he even started a gang to harass more outside.
That was even around the time he began to drink alcohol…

That was as far as they read before they were called to attention by the coming ships, through that telescope lens. Seeing the luchador, Burgess, ‘training’ with his men.
But training was said lightly, as those poor men were barely fighting back, already turning purple in a tight chokehold by the pirate as he kept a wide smile on his face.
Dove couldn’t help but quietly chuckle at the sight, turning to the giant Wolf.
Their humor turned to disgust with the crinkle of their nose upon seeing the giant pick his nose. Shaking their head before looking again, this time to the second ship.
There, spotting the image of a pale, rotund man with a long red nose. Drinking from a large gourd that spilt clear liquid from the corners of his mouth…

They curled their lip into a frown, recognizing without any help that this was Vasco Shot they had seen…

Upon lowering their telescope, Dove looked up to Shiryu, taking notice that their captain was watching them from the corner of his eye. But pretended not, quickly looking away when they had not noticed, but it was obvious.
He stood stiff, arms crossed tight as he held himself instead of his sword.
His cigar was small, barely smokable, but he hadn’t noticed, too preoccupied with something else…
Dove said nothing about it…

Meanwhile, G-1 Branch Base, New World…

The sun continued to slowly draw across the sky onto the horizon as ships from Marineford had finally docked. A week had passed since their departure from the Grandline, and some had merely arrived at their final destination or were using the place as a rest stop before continuing. The docks were a buzz of Marine officers leaving and boarding different ships to continue or seek shelter among familiar comrades…

Such as the new vice-admiral, Smoker, and his partner, Tashigi.
The two were ordered to be stationed at the G-5 Base on a different island, one that is close to Punk Hazard, sadly. The seas surrounding that place have been severely affected by the month-long battle there between Akainu and Aokiji.
The waves have become violent, the winds screaming against open windows through the holds, rain pelting down like thrown stones, and the lightning crashing with the sound of thunder behind…

Smoker and Tashigi gained a mere glimpse of the route; they wanted to arrive as quickly as possible, but turned tail when spying the colossal waves.
It was a smart decision, not a cowardly one. They would just have to deal with the dying weather tomorrow…

“Finally, I get to stretch my legs again…” Smoker grunted, moving his head about to ease the pain behind his neck, smoke blowing from his twin cigars.

Tashigi waved away the smoke as usual, away from her comrade as they walked side by side. “We should be arriving at the base by tomorrow afternoon.”
She looked over her clipboard, writing notes and future advice for herself for days to come.
As she adjusted her glasses to read more, she nearly bumped into another person before Smoker caught her.
“Oh!.. Good afternoon, Tashigi… And Vice Admiral Smoker…” A kind, soft-spoken voice was heard. Belonging to Koby.
Smoker huffed, a grin on his face. “Lookie here, the new captain Koby himself…”
He teased his fellow Marine, though it was not malicious, his gruff tone turning warm at the young man. “Here for a pit stop before heading to the Sword HQ?”

Koby nodded, a small smile plastered across his face as Helmeppo spoke to a few other officers in the back. “Yes, a few others are resting here too.” He said.
“I hope your journey didn’t cause you any trouble…”

“Nah, it was nothing…” Smoker replied, smothering his old cigars before lighting new ones, allowing Tashigi to continue speaking for him.
“We’ve decided to rest here for the night before continuing. The storms around Punk Hazard are harsh this week…”

“Wow, you guys saw some fun… I was bored the entire time…” Helmeppo joined the conversation, letting out a yawn to emphasize his tired state.
Koby shook his head with a smile towards his friend, “Don’t mind him…” he chuckled.
“He was sleeping the entire time while I was talking with Admiral Kizaru- he told us old stories about Kuzan’s training under Garp!..”
His expression brightened when he mentioned his old mentor.
The sight made Smoker and Tashigi squint, shielding their eyes as the young man’s smile was as bright as the sun. But it hardly bothered Helmeppo; he had grown used to it…

“I heard you did some battleship bagging yourself, Koby, but when you have a devil fruit and train under Garp, then that old monkey surprises you…” Smoker spoke through the bright sight, his eyes slowly opening more and more, adjusting to the brightness.

“Are you still waiting for him as planned?” Tashigi asked, rubbing her eyes from the shining light.

“We are,” Helmeppo answered instead, “Koby’s waiting for him, so I’m waiting too…” he wrapped an arm around his friend's shoulder. Bringing him in close for a side hug.

“We still haven’t heard much from him in the East Blue, or when he’ll be back, but we both figured that training and waiting here for a bit wouldn’t hurt…” Koby smiled back at Helmeppo, once more, that bright smile held no negative effect on Helmeppo.
Just brightening spirits to all those who have seen it…

“Well, you know how Garp is…” Smoker replied, taking another puff of his cigar as the shine from Koby’s smile had finally lessened.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he just suddenly popped up right behind you two in a couple of days…” He puffed on his cigars before continuing.
“By the way, what did the grinning freak do the entire time while on the ship?..”

Koby blinked, “Hm?... You mean, Mr. Armaros?” he asked.
“Well, when we first stepped on board. He walked past me and the Admiral and disappeared through a blue door…”
The other three’s smile and lighthearted attitude suddenly dropped at the mention of the grinning man, Armaros. Helmeppo even cast a quiet curse on the vice-admiral for bringing up the mention of the freak.
“He is known to disappear like that…” Tashigi spoke quietly as if the mere mention or alluding to him was a bad omen itself. Though Smoker rolled his eyes, his gruff tone returned. “Good thing that freak isn’t here…” He sounded relieved.
But for only a moment, his words became a living curse.

In the middle of the lobby, a blue door appeared out of thin air.
Standing stagnant as many marine officers quickly walked around and away from the door.
“I’m sorry, sir, but I think you just jinxed us…” Tashigi whispered to Smoker.
The vice-admiral cursed himself for his words, earning a glare from Helmeppo and a sympathetic pat from Koby. That blue door opened with a small creak, not big enough for a man to enter through. But of course, no one ever considered Armaros to be a man.
He easily slipped through, quickly closing the door from behind before anyone could gain a peek inside. Though no one would dare to look towards the door, diverting their gazes away lest they hinder the grinning man…

His usual forever grin remained on his face, but his eyes were nearly closed. Half-lidded, tired, in some way that was close to the emotion for him. Even his slow trudging through the hurrying crowd only solidified that fact even more.
However, no sympathy was cast by either Smoker, Tashigi, or Helmeppo.
Even as he walked past them, his blue door disappeared.
Smoker remained stern, his gaze following the grinning man while Tashigi remained apprehensive, and Helmeppo.
God bless his soul.
He attempted a brave front, but the tight shaking of his fists easily gave away his fear. If he were in a much more foul mood, he would have struck the coward down in an instant…

A sight that would even make Akainu shudder…

But to everyone’s shock, only one remained seemingly remorseful…

“Excuse me! Mr. A-”
Smoker quickly shoved Koby away, wrapping a hand around his mouth to keep the young captain quiet, and standing in front, so he may not pursue the grinning man.
“Don’t. A word of advice, kid…” His voice became quiet, a near whisper, as his tone remained gruff, but a hint of something unfamiliar remained behind it.
“Don’t talk to the grinning man…”

The smoke wafted into Koby’s face, “I’m sorry, but with all due respect, sir, I do not know the commodore…” he waved away the smoke. “I wish to get to know him on my own terms…”

“Koby, you don’t get it. This guy eats kids!..” Helmeppo whispered harshly to him, his voice shuddering in fear. He earned a rare eye roll from his friend.
“I believe those stories are not real, many made-up stories of people that are different…” He excused.

“But Koby, Armaros is dangerous. Please, just listen to us…”
Even Tashigi’s voice grew worried in a hushed manner.

Koby, however, shook away from his friends. Letting out a disappointed sigh towards them. “If you greet something with fear, all they will ever know is fear…”
He stepped past them, choosing to follow the grinning man through the base.
Many marine cadets and officers quickly moved aside wherever he stepped, not wanting to be in Armaros’ way. Passing uneasy looks to one another, but paid no mind to their hushed whispers and quivering steps.
He turned the corner to the high-ranking boarding rooms, only accessible to captains, commodores, and ranks above.
Koby was lucky to follow him into the common area, though the grinning man’s steps slowly came to a full stop.
Once he fully realized that the young captain was still following him…

“Why are you following me?” He turned to question him.

Koby came to a sudden halt, nearly running into the grinning man’s chest as he slowly looked above to see his face.
“Uh… S-Sir…” He tried to remain calm, saluting in respect to the commodore.
Armaros was still a rank higher than him, and respect was demanded and given as per protocol. There was something else, though; his muscles tightened on their own as if preparing for attack, his feet held awkwardly against the ground in an unusual stance that mimicked defense.
It was as if his own mind was giving separate instructions on each body part on what to do, a panicked flight response, but the young captain chose to hold his ground.
To remain calm and proceed…

“We’ve met before, o-on the ship. I’m Koby…” An uneasy smile grew on his face, and small beads of sweat ran down his face. “I… I just wanted to talk to you, sir…”
He didn’t know why he was stuttering; he was becoming hypocritical of his own words from earlier. He shouldn’t be afraid, but for some reason, he was.

That fear he felt didn’t help when Armaros leaned forward to stare directly down at him, a studying gaze like he was an insect trapped inside a glass jar being examined by the child that caught him…

“You want… To talk?...” Armaros raised an eyebrow, not out of confusion, but out of judgment.

“Y-Yes, sir,” Koby nodded.
“While on the ship, I made calls ahead to pull out some files and reports on you and your deeds- I wanted to learn more about you, but I was denied access due to my rank…”
Much to Koby’s surprise, his voice slowly gained more confidence with each word he uttered. Even Armaros was slightly bewildered when his eyelids opened a smidge.
“Many here talk of you like a monster, but they also talk of vice-admiral Garp within the same light- but with more positivity. U-Unlike yourself and-”

“Get to the point,” Armaros stated.

Koby clenched his hands, forcing himself to remain calm. His jittering halted as he took a deep breath before speaking again.
“I don’t believe it is right to claim someone as a monster when you don’t know them yourself…”

The grinning man let out a slight huff, scratching his lower cheek as he stood at full height. Looking down upon Koby once more.
“A rather noble thought, coming from such a young captain…” Armaros replied, his hands on his hips, head cocked to the side in both a judging and sneerful tone.
“As you can see, I’m busy. So go bother the old monkey instead…”
He was turning to leave, and he was prepared to smack away the young captain in case he still chose to trail him- but he would never demean someone as that to a ‘lost duckling’, no, that would be an insult to ducklings themselves to be compared to some lost teenager seeking guidance.
Those poor animals would only follow if they had lost a parent.
The boy had Garp.

He didn’t need another reminder of parental figures or failings today; his outing at Hachinosu was enough. Despite the elation he continued to feel within his core, it was overshadowed by darker feelings when seeing his old friend after so long…

No. He wanted to be alone right now…

He took only one step forward as Koby opened his mouth again.
“The vice-admiral is still mourning Ace…”

…He stopped…

“The cadets say he’s taking a vacation after the Paramount War, but I know the truth- he’s still mourning the loss of his grandson… For Ace…” Koby let out a sigh.
“I want to help him through this, but I know nothing I say or the amount of sorrows I give will help. I want to get stronger before he returns, so he won’t worry about losing another kid again…”

The grinning man remained silent and unmoving, standing stiff like a statue.
Koby had feared he might’ve offended him, he muttered a quiet apology before departing, but-

“What do you want to know?...”

Meanwhile, at the remnants of a Marine Armory in the New World…

Dove stood between Shiryu and Aokiji, waiting on the ground as two pirate ships began to beach. The rest of the crew was behind them, waiting for the elder captain’s orders.
No one was still, limbs shaking with the ground as that giant from afar shook the water and land itself that stepped upon the island’s shores with a loud groan.
Dove could hear his knees creak with each bend and step.
SanJuan Wolf, the seventh captain of the Titanic Captains under Teach.
He was the only giant on the crew at Hachinosu and led only himself, not anyone else. Mainly because he can’t fit on any of the ships, sure he can return to the size of the average giant since he has a devil fruit- but sometimes he’d forget.

Others have claimed that his absent-mindedness and clumsiness were his biggest weaknesses. It was painfully obvious as he stepped on the remains of the Marine Armory. “Oops, my bad…” His voice was loud and frank, his gaze fixed on the rubble beneath his lifted feet.
“Wolf!.. Shrink down!...” Aokiji yelled up at the giant, seeing his big eyes trail over to his fellow pirates.
“Oh… Right…” Dove watched as his height shrank down to the normal size of a giant, rather than the size of Marineford itself, continuing to shake the ground as he took a seat. He scratched his chin with a loud yawn.
“Hey, Wolf!.. This is Dove, Shiryu’s new vice-captain!..” The former admiral introduced Dove by holding them up for the giant to see.
“Hello, Mr. SanJuan…” Dove waved rather nervously; this was the first giant they’d ever met. Even flashing a small smile to hide their state.

“Wow… You even know my name…” Wolf’s voice bellowed with a lax grin.
“You didn’t even kill this one yet, Shiryu…” He looked to the side at his fellow captain, Shiryu, let out a puff of smoke from his cigar, “The kid did well on their first job… Erm… Somewhat…” Shiryu flicked his small cigar to the dirt.
Again, that was only the best compliment or praise he could ever give…

“Well, you wouldn’t believe the guts this kid has…” Aokiji chuckled as he set Dove down with a gentle pat on their shoulder.
“Really?.. The tiny one?...” Wolf let out a loud grunt, shifting himself to sit cross-legged on the ground.

“Uh… Yeah, I dealt with the Marine Armory… The one you’re sitting on…” Dove quirked an eyebrow at the crushed rubble beneath the giant’s ass. He blinked and followed their gaze, rubbing the back of his neck as he spoke. “Ooh, I hardly noticed…”

“WiHaHaHa!!!”

That familiar laugh rang out from one of the ships that shored- Burgess jumped with his usual proud grin. “Finally! Some land!” He said as he stretched, then looked to Dove.
“I was surprised a little gremlin like you knows how to use a phone- thought you were feral.”

“I was surprised myself that you even know how to type numbers…” Dove shrugged with a grin. “And I’ll have you know, I’m doing alright as Shiryu’s vice-captain…”
Their grin turned prideful as they crossed their arms.
Burgess rolled his eyes with a scoff, “Yeah, well, Augie and I have this little bet going on where Shiryu is gonna stab you…” he walked around Dove.
“I said chest.” He poked them harshly there.
“Augie said, back…” He was about to shove them to the ground, but before he could even do that, Dove stepped to the side- their flesh tendrils wrapping tightly around his arm as they threw him over their shoulders and onto the ground. The whole crew applauded.

“Hey…” Dove looked to their captain. “Have you… Stabbed a kid before?”
Shiryu lit a new cigar, taking a moment to inhale the smoke before puffing.
“Does it count if you were a kid yourself?”

Burgess got up in a huff thanks to Aokiji’s assistance but pushed him off, grumbling at Dove’s self-defense act. “C’mon, man, you’re not betting on Dove getting stabbed, are you?” Aokiji questioned. The luchador rolled his eyes again, “Well, I’m betting more money now…” he glared at the kid.
But they couldn’t care less, just shook their head in disappointment.

“Toputoputopu…”

Dove’s ears caught the prick of an unfamiliar cackle, and the gangplank from the second ship fell onto the ground. One pirate slid down, blacked out drunk with a goofy grin on his face. That plastered smile remained even after he was stepped on by a heavy man who walked down the plank, chugging from a large gourd.
They could smell the alcohol that reeked from his breath and the container. They knew this was Vasco Shot, one of the other captains, and the man they were specifically warned about for his lecherous nature…

“Toputoputopu… I’m shocked to see you get so easily beaten by a cute thing, Burgess…” Vasco’s eyes trailed over to Dove, assessing them up and down before Shiryu stepped in front of them. “And I’m more surprised you haven’t stabbed the new one, Shiryu…”
He laughed again with a drunken smile.
“Shut up, Vasco,” Shiryu replied bluntly, puffing out smoke from his cigar. He looked down at Vasco with a displeased glare.
Though the drunk remained unfazed by the hostility in his tone, his drunken smile remained. “Oh… But I would never stab a pretty little kid like that…”
He leaned his head to the side, trying to get a good look at Dove, but both Shiryu, Aokiji, and the sailors stood crowded around them.
“Can I kill him?” Dove quietly asked the others.

The others couldn’t help but snicker at the kid’s comment; even Shiryu tried to hide a chuckle, but a grin was evident. “You might as well, kid…”
Burgess was the only one who caught that; no one else did, as they were busy watching Dove take a stab at Vasco. They broke his gourd with a sharpened tendril, leaving him defenseless without the main thing to use his Devil Fruit for.
They grabbed him quickly and threw him to the ground, his nose bleeding upon the impact, as everyone shouted and cheered. It was a slow blur for Burgess as he stared at Shiryu.
He had a grin on his face, not like the kind he’d see from Shiryu whenever he killed a man- no. This was because the former jailor; a terrifying swordsman and an infamous hardass.
Is silently cheering for the freak to kill Vasco.
Why would he do that? Why would he even like the freak?!
It made no sense!..

“ENOUGH!”

His yell broke through the crowd, stopping Dove from nearly decapitating the drunk as everyone looked to Burgess.
“We’re losing daylight. I want to raid a Marine headquarters.” He stated.

“Again? We just got done with one-”

“I want to steal some old marine ships to bag. Like what Kuzan told me…”
Burgess cut off Shiryu, his stare firm as he turned to the former admiral.
He expected a quick answer or some resistance, but instead, it was Dove who spoke first.
“That’s at the G-1 Base,” They said. “It’s a bad idea to go there despite their current manpower. You don’t know if either Akainu or Kizaru might be there.”

Burgess scoffed at Dove. “I don’t give a shit.” he slowly stepped towards them.
“It’s a risk I wanna take.” He stood over them, glaring down with malice.
“And I’m not gonna listen to some vamp-”

Before Burgess could even finish that sentence, Dove held their foot back and struck directly at his private jewels. He let out a piercing scream as the surrounding officers gasped, a few laughed, and a few were mortified.
While Aokiji merely sighed and shook his head in disappointment, Shiryu was trying to hold back a laugh, and Vasco remained lying on the floor, more terrified of the child than ever before. “I told you not to call me a damn vampire. Jerk.”
Dove huffed, crossing their arms as Burgess fell to the ground with tears pricking at the corner of his eyes.
“Eh, he deserved it…” Shiryu shrugged, flicking bits of his ash at Burgess without a care. But Dove let out a heavy sigh, shocked they were feeling pity for the guy who was trying to bully them…

“Look, Burgess…” Dove loomed over him.
“Sorry about that, but I get you want to get some decommissioned battleships. Which is why you picked up Wolf, right?” They pointed to the giant above them.
He hadn’t been paying much attention to the fighting or talking, lost rummaging through the rubble, or taking a nap while sitting straight up(which Dove was impressed by).
“Using Wolf is smart, buddy…” Aokiji added, now standing beside Dove, ignoring the fallen luchador’s heated glare.
“But you still need a serious plan to get to G-1, c’mon. Lemme help you up…”
At first, he slapped the ice man’s hand away, but relented when he tried again with Dove; he was very heavy. Not a surprise considering his muscles were so damn big.
“Everyone is gonna be there after Marineford’s near collapse, so you need our help whether you like it or not…”
Burgess could only grumble begrudging words of agreement towards Dove’s note.

“So you went from trying to kill a predator, to helping that muscle-bound oaf…” Shiryu raised an eyebrow at Dove as they and Aokiji headed towards Burgess’s ship.

“I know! I surprise myself sometimes!..” Dove laughed with a genuine smile.
Much to Aokiji's surprise and delight.

Even Shiryu couldn’t help but smile too, though as soon as it appeared, it disappeared. Seeing Vasco leering at Dove, as he shakily stood up with the assistance of his crew.
He forcefully grabbed the drunkard by his nose, turning him away from Dove’s direction to be trapped directly within Shiryu’s smoking anger.
“If you even think about touching that kid, I’ll kill you. Do you understand me?”
His threat was loud for all crews to hear. He didn’t know if Dove heard, but it didn’t matter either way.
“Magellan stopped me last time from killing you, but this time, I won’t miss…”
He raised Raiu from her sheath only a tiny bit to show he was serious.
Vasco’s smile had been gone for a while, ever since the quick beating from Dove.
But it turned further into a sneer at the former jailer. “Message received…” He growled.

Shiryu let go after a moment of glaring at each other.
He returned Raiu to her sheath as he began to follow where Dove had gone, but his grip on his sword never wavered. Even as Vasco was nursing his wounds like the dog he was, “When the hell did you grow soft…” He scoffed. “I never bought the whole shit of you having a ‘breakdown’, so why care for some bastard that no one even wants?..”

He stopped.

“What is wrong with you?”

32 years ago…

“What is wrong with you, freak?!”
A large child spoke, landing a punch against the smaller boy his friends had held up against his will. “Watching us from the bushes, like a freak!”

Another punch had landed, this time on the young boy's mouth, as he bled from it.
“Hey Shiryu!” One of the boys spoke up, spitting a wad of saliva into his face as the young Shiryu nearly passed out from the pain.
“Why are you in the bushes? My mom said that you’re like your whore mom! Always watching people through doors!” He kicked Shiryu’s side, falling to the snow as he clutched his bruised abdomen. The other children simply laughed, finally walking away from the beaten child as they continued to whisper taunts and threats behind his back…

Red blood stained the white snow beneath him. Shiryu struggled to stand as tears pricked the corners of his eyes- but he held them back…

No, he had to for his walk home, and his return…

Adults walked past him on the snowy street, a few giving weird stares while others whispered those same truths he’d heard all before…

The one where his mother slept with a married marine and sullied a bastard, and now her husband is a drunk who hits them at home. Everyone in town knew it, but no one did a thing as they saw the woman as wicked. One that’s ruined marriages, happy families, a peeping tom to spy on her next victim- the reason her broken family lives at the edge of town, which borders the woods.
To them, that young boy, Shiryu. Was nothing but a curse and a bastard…

That is why no one paid mind to the bloody trail he left in the snow with each step…

Shiryu could only act so tough and for so long; the poor boy was shaking the entire time. Even as he reached home, a sudden shiver came down his spine as he saw that the front door was closed…

Father was home…

He couldn’t hear anything from the house; there was no yelling or screaming.
His mother was working today down by the docks, so he didn’t need to sneak by and watch through the windows to see if it was safe to enter during their volatile clashes…

But it still scared him to be alone with his father…

He took a deep breath before entering, quickly shutting the door behind him as his father threw a beer bottle at his head- “You’re letting the cold in, brat!..” he yelled.
That rotten bastard sat back down before he did a double-take upon seeing the bruises on his son’s face. “Heh… Got into a fight, huh?.. Didja’ win?...”
He took another swig of one of his leftover beer bottles.
“I…I… Uh…” Shiryu was at a loss for words, trying to come up with an answer that would please him, but no outcome in his head ended in positivity.
The sound of his father slamming the beer bottle on the edge of a nearby table caught his attention. He didn’t dare to look his father in the eyes as he felt his cold shadow looming over him.
“I asked you a damn question, boy…”

“...No…” Little Shiryu shook his head, still looking down as he backed away slowly.
He tried to make himself seem small, small and insignificant as always.
No one worthy to strike at…

But his father stepped forward, his size easily intimidating the young Shiryu.
“So you didn’t win?.. What’d you do, just stand there?...” His fists began to clench, acting quicker than the boy- he grabbed his wrist and threw him into a cabinet across the room.
He threw another empty bottle near his head that shattered upon impact, leaving little cuts on the side of his head as he struggled to stand, while the monster sat down.
“What a worthless boy, can’t even win against some fucking kids… I kept telling that woman you’re not mine- and I was right!...”
He muttered to himself in his drunken stupor, downing more beer.
“You’re not eating tonight! Understand?!”

“Y-Yes…” Shiryu stuttered an answer, trying to keep everything in his power not to cry.
To not attract any more attention as he scurried to his room, hiding underneath his bed, his one safe solitude away from the monster to cry in peace…

Oh, mother would be working late again, so he was all alone with father…

He quietly cried in fear and hunger, continuing to hear his father’s drunken rants from outside. Burying his head beneath his dirty blankets, he still wept and prayed within his mind for time to pass by quickly. For his father, for the monster to fall asleep fast.
Time seemed to stretch on forever as he waited till he heard his snores.

He was finally asleep…

Shiryu quietly crawled out from under his bed and carefully stepped over the broken shards that dotted the floor as he made his way to the fridge.
He opened to find it nearly empty, except for his father’s half-eaten steak…

His stomach growled loudly; he feared it would awaken his father if his appetite were not satiated yet. He took a gamble, reaching for the steak, and not wasting any time to eat with his bare hands, as a messy plate left behind would alarm him.
The food easily filled his stomach, and he ate so fast in fear of his father catching him- his lips smacked in delight at being fed, but it was just the right frequency to wake the beast…

The snores have dissipated, the sounds of bottles crashing to the floor as the monster stood tall from his broken seat, eyes glazing red as he charged straight at his own child.

“SHIRYU!!!”

“Shiryu! Hey! We’re done planning!...”

It was Aokiji who brought Shiryu back to the present again, shaking the swordman’s shoulders to get his attention.
He nearly pulled Raiu out, but relaxed when he saw it was only the former admiral.
Dove stood on the ship deck, seemingly getting into another argument with Burgess about something. But he needed to focus right now…

“Oh… Y-Yeah…”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a quiet sigh as Dove returned to the deck. Dove noticed the look on his face but didn’t say anything as Vasco joined the deck, giving a passing shove to Shiryu on the way as he followed suit.
“Alright… The plan goes like this… Aokiji starts.
“Like before, I’ll create a mist at night to cover our movements as we move from behind the base to the ship graveyard.”

“Ice pick and the vampire explained that the nearby woods can act as a cover to head to the ships, Burgess added, earning a scowl from Dove for the cruel name again.
They stepped forward to continue explaining to the joined crews.
“Me, Shiryu, and Burgess will be on shore. Looking for a good ship, and we’ll contact Wolf for pickup. Then we’ll leave under in a hurry before anyone notices…”

“Toputoputopu… Sounds fun, but where do I stay?...” Vasco’s words are slurred as he drank from a bottle.

“Fifty feet away from me, you’re staying on the ship with Aokiji and Wolf till we call you guys…” Dove crossed their arms. “And if you don’t listen, I’m gonna slit your throat…”
Dove expanded their middle finger into a bloody claw at Vasco.
He gulped and backed away with a nervous chuckle, nearly backing into Shiryu, but was stopped by his sword. Now he chooses to stay far behind both of them out of fear for his life.

“Someone should at least tell Wolf, though…” Shiryu grunted, pointing to the giant who was still asleep.

“Oh! Right!..” Dove nodded. “HEY WOLF!!”

The giant woke up with a cough, nearly choking on his own spit as he yawned and scratched his face. “Hmm?... What’s with the noise?...” Wolf looked down at the crew.
“We have a plan to raid a Marine base, big guy!” Dove yelled up at him.
“We need you to stay in the mist, hidden among the ships, and wait for us to call you! Go around the island, not through, got it??”
Dove then looked back down to the combined crews, their eyes trailing from one person to the next, and to all of the captains. “Everyone heard the plan?”
They shouted for an answer.

“Yes, vice-captain!” The response they heard brought a sense of pride, being called a vice-captain now. As they looked at Shiryu, he gave a small nod in return.
“Alright! You heard them! Now return to your designated ships and prepare to sail out! We need to reach G-1 by nightfall!” He barked out orders.

All of the combined crews dispersed, scrambling away to their respective ships and captains. Working on the sails and preparing to leave as Vasco and Shiryu returned with them, Shiryu noticed the continued glare that Burgess cast on him, but said not a word.
It would not be right to call attention to any drama in the moment; nobody needed a distraction. Even Wolf stood up instead of falling asleep again; he stretched and stepped back into the water, the few waves crashing against the ship's hulls from his area…

It was Aokiji’s turn again to supervise and order the men on what to do, as Dove chose to return to the files they were reading earlier, now resuming on Vasco’s…

Shiryu lit another cigar as he leaned against the mast, as Dove was seated below him.
“How much did you read of him?” He asked.

“Only halfway through,” They muttered.

“What year?”

“When he was 12…”
He huffed, “Then put down that file. I can tell you the rest…” lowering himself down to sit next to Dove. Taking the file from Dove, and casually flipped through the pages.
“When he turned 14, the teachers at the behavior school expelled him. Claiming he couldn’t be fixed, and from that age to 21, his gang activity continued.”

Dove leaned closer to listen further.

“His crimes grew to an extreme, from drug running, gambling dens, to illegal moonshine.” Shiryu held up a grainy photo of one incident.
The first photo showed a group of Marines situated around a broken bar; the outlining area was littered with rocks and a rough wall, indicating it was underground.
Each Marine held a serious look on their face as they held up evidence to document.
One was smoking a cigar, and there was a familiar glint in his half-lidded eyes as Dove eyed Shiryu curiously for a moment.
“Everything got worse in the later years…”
He put the photo away, flipping to the next page...

“Around 24, he and his gang suffered infighting after the disappearance and death of an 8-year-old girl. Vasco left, and his former allies claimed he had a part in her death…”
Dove skimmed over the typed words on the paper, their jaw and fist tightening in disgust.

Shiryu was hesitant at first, but quietly passed a second photo to Dove.
Their jaw dropped at the sight of it.
“This photo was taken when officers cornered Vasco out in the woods, found him burning evidence. And the bodies of his old crew members who squealed on him. Before that, he ate the glug-glug fruit and put up a hell of a fight to arrest…” Shiryu spoke.
“The bodies were hard to identify. No one knew who it was since he removed their eyes first…”

Dove said nothing for a moment, taken in by the shock and brutality of that man. They shouldn’t be surprised, but they still were…

The empty look of terror upon their burned faces was a sight they would never forget…

“I-It’s a shame you didn’t kill him on your rampage…” They finally spoke up, repeating the same words they said to Shiryu from earlier. And all they got was the same answer as before...

“I wish I did.”