The Castle of the Passionate Country—Dressrosa within the New World

Baby 5 had lunch for you ready in your guest room provided for you. It was a needed nutritious lunch that will help will your healing according to their doctor and can help speed it up a bit.

Problem was, Baby 5 thought in a panic as she searched for you once more since you awoke three days ago, you weren't in your room.

It's been like this since you read that newspaper that was placed there, you seeming to stare at it and hoping it'll burn with your mere gaze alone. You even tried to stand up despite being bedridden for six weeks due to all your injuries that she imagined were a mix of what you went through in escaping Impel Down and the Battle at Marineford. Your injuries being vast physically, from cuts to scratches to gashes from a whip but the worse were the burns. The burns, which were still healing under your bandages all over your right arm with one wrapped around your left bicep to almost your shoulder as well as around your chest under your long sleeved blouse. The blouse used to having two sleeves until you ripped the left one in what she could only see as a cry for help, it's such a pretty blouse after all that they dressed you in—your clothes from the battle being nearly irreparable which made you look sad until you said nearly irreparable doesn't mean totally, but you'll wear these clothes for now till you see them. The blouse you now wore was still white, but it had tiny black circles on the bottom as well as the cuff of your right sleeve with one side being longer than the other and grazing your right hip and looking slightly ruffled. Your shorts being replaced by light beige pants that went to your calves and wearing open toed light blue sandals with just an half inch heel and straps that went in an 'X' shape, being secure.

The clothes helped a bit, but your injuries...she would think there was no way you would have survived if it wasn't for Young Master—Doflamingo and his devil fruit.

When you tried to stand up, despite you already healing in a remarkable rate due to what the doctor said, you looked frustrated when you nearly fell. Her having to catch you, her feeling you shake but she doesn't think it was just from your injuries based on your shadowed expression as you looked down. Spotting your bitten lip.

You ignored her when you went towards your famous buster sword that stood tall and intimidating, a sword even she couldn't replicate despite her own powers. Ignoring how you still needed to rest and you need to be hydrated, only for you to merely say that she should stop calling you Young Mistress and maybe you'll listen. Baby 5 staying silent at that, not knowing what to say only for her eyes to widen when you lifted your sword a mere inch before it clattered to the floor as you cursed—your wounds reopening and blood coming out.

"Fuck," you hissed, holding onto your quivering right arm as it bled, clenching your teeth. Lowering your head as blood continued to wet your thick wrapped bandages, your eyes shadowed and making you look predatorial with how you bared your teeth as you tightened them. "Fuck...not even my sword finds me...Tch, a swordsman who can't even hold their own sword...?! Might as well kill me along with my dream!"

"You're wounded," She reminded you, pointing out to you, you still gazing at your arm. "You shouldn't talk like that, Young Mistress. Doflamingo helped you, although he just killed my fourth fiancé after he asked so nicely with his charming brown rags and this cute little flower...! He really needed me to be his wife, just asking as he sat by the street as I walked by, it was like—like destiny!" Baby 5's fire reawakened as she balled a fist in front of her, you glancing at her as she spoke with tears gathering in her eyes. "He has to pay! I need to give him my all this time to take my vengeance for my fiancé. I...didn't even get to learn his name!"

You stared at her for a moment before looking away, looking down at your buster sword as it laid on the floor—the metal appearing dull.

"...Don't call me that. And..." you brought your right arm and clenched, making the blood welt and some fall on the floor, the red looking vibrant in the tan tiled floor. "This is nothing. I have to train to get better."

"That seems..." Baby 5 started but than you started walking out the room. "Ah wait! You really can't move and—wait!" She went outside your room to the halls seeing you walk around and glancing out the high panned glass windows to the left side of the wall, the outside showcasing the sun's rays on a garden of different flowers, the most prominent being the sunflowers of this country. "You really shouldn't, you have to stay in the grounds of the castle at least. We have to give you the tour since it can be confusing and please wait—Young Mistress!" You stopped, your back facing her.

"Stop calling me that." You answered as you turned your head, one lone eye staring at her and making her flinch. You frowned when she did so, you glancing down with furrowed brows and looking sad again before turning to stare at the garden of flowers. The flowers moving with the breeze outside. "...just call me by my name please. You don't gotta give me a title or whatever, that's not my thing." Baby 5 swallowed the reasoning she wanted to say that Doflamingo's interest in you isn't a secret and others may call her that in kind, but she felt that with how you are right now... "I can find my way around...not my first time in a castle. And you don't gotta worry, I just want to find a spot where I can train alone."

Baby 5 blinked, her hand going to her chest and holding it there.

"But...your wounds... and..."

You stayed silent, turning your head away where she couldn't see.

"I know what you're worried about. He'll know where I'll be and go." Baby 5's eyes widened, how did you know? "I got good Haki. He does too...tch, he's going to interrupt me...I'm leaving before he can. See ya..." you turned your head towards her, one brow arched. "What's your name?"

"Ah," Baby 5 did a half bow in surprise, how did she not say her name to you immediately?! "I'm Baby 5! I was helping take care of you with the doctor and," she looked up, hand to her chest and the other to her cheek and eyes sparkling slightly. "I'm here if you need me for anything!"

You stared, your lips seeming to twitch before you turned away from her again.

"Call me (Y/N). See ya, Baby 5." And than you disappeared. Right in front of her.

Ever since than, you've been difficult to track. Doflamingo didn't seem worried though, along with the others when she used her bazooka on him when he was on the den den mushi in his office for revenge.

Buffalo said he's seen you looking at the garden once early at dawn after he asked her for a 5,000 Beli loan that she of course gave because he obviously really needed it badly! It was only yesterday that happened before you seemed to disappear once more, only for Señor Pink to mention to her that you seemed to have taken to the cliff that overlooked the ocean and Dressrosa below to the left of the castle grounds. He mentioned what she's been thinking as well, face serious as his fangirls leaned on him heavily as he spoke around his binky.

You're in pain.

And not just physically.

She doesn't think you've been sleeping at all. Or if you have, it's been atop the tall oak tree that overlooked the cliff you were on. She doesn't even know how you've eaten because you seem to just barely touch your food when she found you. Only seeming to take a bite to show her that you're eating after saying your thanks for the food, standing near the cliff with blood to your bandages that still haven't been changed due to you avoiding the doctor. A mix of dried blood and fresh blood in the white bandages and staining your shirt with your katana sword leaning on the tree by you. You still not wearing your infamous marine cap you usually wear atop your head, at least from what she's heard. Maybe you just don't like wearing it when you train?

You waved away her concerns each time she mentioned it, you even once stating that she's a nice person and shouldn't worry about someone like you. You're not worthy after all.

Baby 5 can only stare at you, you who looked like you really needed something or someone but you never ask her. Thanking her for doing only the smallest of tasks or actions of giving you food or asking about how you're feeling or for you to see the doctor because you're going to fall over soon. You even threw her the first semblance of a smile to her when you thanked her once more, lips barely lifted and (e/c) eyes grateful yet still looking sad.

At this rate, you'll never heal.

Baby 5 finally managed to get outside the castle and walk towards the direction of the cliff. Seeing you seeming to take a break atop a thick branch of the tree, leaning on the trunk with your back as you kept your head turned to the oceanside of the cliff. Looking in deep thought and with heavy shoulders despite it being a beautiful day before turning your head down. Her spotting you biting your lip and she felt herself mirror the action slightly as she held the tray holding your lunch.

How can I help someone who doesn't ask anything of me?

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In the quaint bar of Foosha Village—Dawn Island of East Blue

"Garp-san? Are you okay? I know Dadan reopened some of your wounds..." Makino's soft tired voice said behind the bar as she came over to Garp who sat in one of the high chairs of the bar counter, reading a newspaper with a frown.

Garp flashed the kind bar owner a fleeting smile.

"You think a few punches will take me out? Gwahaha!" Makino gave her own tired smile at that, her eyes red rimmed. Him stopping as he looked down to the newspaper in front of him with flat lips. "No...her words could take anyone out though. Don't worry about it. I'm just...thinking."

Makino nodded before offering him his regular drink, him nodding with a grateful smile he didn't really feel and instead turned back to the newspaper that had his grandson go back to Marineford and having the bell toll sixteen times.

He's glad he's safe.

But there's another he's not exactly sure about despite there being no body.

Where are you, (Y/N)?

Garp sat back in his chair, looking at the creases and small scratches on the wood of the quaint bar that matched its owner in its homely atmosphere.

He knows you're alive. But that's not the exact issue.

It's more than that.

Your physical injuries from taking that attack from that ruthless Sakazuki, his magma fist going to your barely Buso Haki covered arms for you didn't want your sword to be taken. He saw the way your body seemed to sizzle as you flew back with a penetrating scream against the many buildings of Marineford forever ingrained in his mind's eye. He's never heard you scream like that. Just as he's never heard Luffy's.

Now they're both forever playing in his brain due to all of this.

The scale of duty and family being tipped despite him never wanting to make that choice.

The life of a marine, if his whole family chose it, this never would have occurred.

Even than, you chose it yet you still chose something else instead. He blames himself for letting you go to CP9. Perhaps if you stayed than maybe—in the end it doesn't matter.

What matters is that you're hurt. But not just physically.

Smoker, with his exhausted expression in a separate base preparing for his departure to G-5 after two weeks of repairing and recovery in Marineford, having faith you were alive but it's odd you haven't tried to reach out yet. Being an idiot like you always were to see him. Garp knew that Smoker was aware of your injuries, the young Logia saw what he saw as well. Your body flying. Smoker's expression seeming to tighten after he called you an idiot once more.

Kuzan, who also visited the base Smoker is on, looked down at them as he leaned against the wall with Garp and Smoker forming a circle with him.

"Her wounds must be severe," Kuzan pointed out what they couldn't say, both of them looking away as Kuzan closed his eyes. "She might not even be able to move much yet. An attack from Sakazuki...it's not a lighthearted manner."

"I never said it was." Smoker retorted sharply, narrowing his eyes at Kuzan as he tensed. Kuzan merely opening an eye to see the Commodore's expression. "We all saw it. The man didn't get the title for no reason. He..."

"That's not the only thing," Garp interrupted, having Smoker and Kuzan turn towards him in attention, expression severe. "(Y/N)'s wounds are more than just physical."

Smoker looked away, mouth tight around his cigar.

"That's what I'm worried about."

Garp still feels that, feels the same worry as your childhood friend does.

He can still picture you running around his ship in your marine uniform, your buster sword dwarfing you as you laughed at him and smirking with your childlike face as he chased after you due to causing a part of the ship to break due to your training or you stealing his crackers again as you held it in your hands and dared him to catch you with his right hand man, Bogard and the rest of the men only staring with smiles or just let them be due to it being a regular occurrence. How proud you looked, practically sparkling, when he would compliment your decisions as a Lieutenant in an island with the men but try to hide it by saying you know you're awesome already and you'll be better than him someday with a slight flush. Only for it to disappear when he gave you a fist of love in the head in retaliation for your cheeky mouth, you holding it in pain with a large bump under your hands as you called him an old man.

Or back in Marineford when he first brought you at eight years old after you got accepted officially and travelled with him a bit, you always seeming to wish to challenge Kuzan in a fight for whatever reason before soon enough you joined his naps in his poor semblance of an office that just had some futons laid out in the middle to sleep. Or how Smoker had to drag you out of trouble when you decided to do a prank to Momonga or Sengoku, Hina laughing all the while at your antics as the trio sat in their table in the cafeteria.

You...looked so different when he saw you in Impel Down. He hasn't seen you physically since you left for CP9, a hearty hardheaded teenager to a proud yet different woman grown. Twelve years. Twelve years made you have that look in your eyes that made you seem older than you really are. Smoker warned him in his reports when you saw him but...to actually see it.

Only for it to grow due to what was revealed and what he wanted to hide to his grave.

Garp tightened his fist, staring at an interesting pattern of scratches in front of the seat next to him, from Luffy's playing of his utensils with Garp only staring with all fine lines and wrinkles and wounds.

Your wounds are deep and bleeding.

What will you look like now after this? What other changes that are being added on to what already occurred to you with CP9? With what you discovered from the War?

Your wounds are deep, bleeding, and he's worried that it will only fester with how you are. He can only hope you aren't alone.

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The Dark Foreboding Castle of the Bloody Kuraigana Island within the Grand Line

Perona has found herself stuck between two totally uncute animals for men.

They're both so annoying! She raged as she floated through the halls of the dark dreary mansion that perfectly fits her tastes if it wasn't for these guys overcrowding it! Why couldn't it just be me that was sent here and had this for myself first?!

The idiot keeps reopening his wounds
despite their host's words of him taking it easy, with an odd glint in his eyes that she took note of when the swordsman kneeled to their host to be taught. The pink haired goth didn't find him to be the type to do that based on what she saw from him in Thriller Bark. Than again, she was trying to kill them for intruding so maybe she read the green haired ungrateful fool wrong.

What she found interesting as she floated between the two when Zoro asked, was their host's reaction as he looked down at the idiot sharply.

"I trained another, which you should know," he toned as Zoro kept his head down to the ground. "She didn't beg. Why should I train a disappointment like you, Roronoa Zoro? Who couldn't even defeat the baboons? Begone."

She looked between the two of them, pointer finger to her lips as she thought of who exactly the world's greatest swordsman trained. This can't be a regular thing, can it?

The idiot lifted his head.

"I did defeat all of them." Mihawk turned towards the green haired swordsman, lowering his wineglass. Blood dropped through his bandages and from his face onto the ground but his determined expression didn't change. "I want you to train me to defeat you."

Perona stared at the idiots odd glint in his eyes despite his ridiculous statement, of harsh determination.

He's really an idiot! Who in their right mind will train someone that will eventually take their title away or just kill them?

But after a few moments of silence, she moved her gaze to their rude host's face as he seemed to assess the idiot.

She wondered if he was comparing him to whoever his old student was and than he laughed.

It was very uncute.

She also shuddered at the sound.

Frankly, she would rather never hear that sound ever again. Laughs are supposed to be like bells or chimes or like a bird. Or like Moria's laugh, Moria's laugh was fun after he made successful clothes for her after she asked for a certain design. He's really good at making clothes, giving her clothes, having an awesome ship and—

Perona's eyes watered as she floated through the halls with tears running down her face as she wailed, hands tight around her umbrella.

"Wahhhhhhh! I hate it here! I miss Lord Moria!"

A few weeks have passed since that incident of Zoro asking with Mihawk accepting and she would see their host looking at Zoro a certain way and she thinks he must be assessing again but she can't tell.

Their host is so uncute that she can't tell what he's thinking because his face never changes. It's like he doesn't know what a smile is! Although she also rather not see that, it might look as weird as his laugh sounded. He's ungrateful when she cooks too! Like why is he just staring and taking the plate?! At least say thanks that she even bothered to cook while the idiot was injuring himself trying to figure out Haki and their host would oversee or just drink his wine.

She loves wine but she thinks that the World's Greatest Swordsman may be obsessed.

Meanwhile, when she demands his thanks—he would just reply simply that since they live here they should also pull their own weight. He says, after taking a bite, and seeming to stare at her chicken and rice dish weirdly before giving it back to her, stating he doesn't want it and just leaves! He didn't even say what was bad about it! How can he make that face and just leave like that?!

When she demanded an answer, he just stopped by the door way with a hand to the frame and turned his head towards her—Perona able to see his eyes fully since his hat was nowhere in sight along with his coat.

"I prefer how another makes that dish. I'll cook something else for my own."

"What?! How ungrateful! Why can't you just show me how you like it than?!"

"No."

And than he walked away as she was talking to him(yelling) for him to get back here and he was being rude.

That man was horrible!

But she can't help but wonder who he was talking about. Was it his student too?

Why does he keep comparing?! First the idiot now her?

How does he not understand that she's one of a kind in her fashion sense and demeanor?

When she wondered aloud to herself as she bandaged the idiot once again on who his past student was as they sat in front of the main staircase to the castle, the idiot actually knew and said it was Silver Blood.

Perona widened her eyes in surprise, tightening the idiots bandage and making him hiss at her to watch it with a scowl.

"What? Really?! He taught her?" Perona than frowned, looking over at Zoro's face. "One of those newspapers that the News Coo brought said she was dead but there was no body...it also said the finishing blow was from that magma Admiral though."

"(Y/N) isn't dead." Zoro spoke, eyes forward as she stared at his set expression. "Besides, I gotta pay her back for helping Luffy. She was there when we weren't." Zoro than turned his eyes to the side towards her. "I noticed that guy got quieter than usual when I mentioned her and if he knew where she was."

"Does he know?"

She couldn't help but ask despite herself, you are pretty infamous after all and their host's comparisons is making her maybe a little curious.

Zoro shook his head, closing his eyes.

"No. Just said he's out of contact with someone who might, whoever that is." The idiot than leaned away despite her telling him she wasn't done with his bandages, only to ignore her as he stood and rolled his shoulders and surely opening his wounds with how casual he's being! He even ignored her shriek at him out of concern(?). "Either way, she's alive. That's all I care about. Now I gotta go back to training with that poor copy baboon of that guy."

"What was the point of me bandaging you up?! You're just going to train again!" She yelled to his face as she floated above the ground. "Are you trying to die?!"

"I didn't ask you to, woman!" Zoro scowled. "You just came at me with your roll of bandages and mummified me! And I want some alcohol so I need to train how to get Haki so I can get some."

"I'm stuck with alcoholics!" She balled her fists to her side, clenching her teeth. "And ungrateful! You were practically bleeding to death when I saw you on the ground by the ruins! Now you're trying to go and—where are you going?!" She practically growled to his walking back but growling is uncute as well as snarling, she would call it maybe an adorable shout.

"You're making me deaf so I'm leaving."

"Ho—how rude! Negative Hollow!"

She released her ghosts towards him, making the idiot create an annoyed and surprised scowl as he yelled wait only for him to fall on his knees.

"I should just keel over and die!"

"Maybe you should since you don't appreciate me!" She angrily retorted before hmphing and lifting her chin.

If you sound so great, why couldn't you come over here instead?! Maybe you would act cute like her Kumashi. But based on what she's heard about you from rumors and some words here and there by Moria, maybe it's best you weren't here.

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Within the Port of a Summer Island in the New World—Unaffiliated Territory

Daz walked through the busy streets of the port town, eyes vigilant as held a brown bag with groceries with one arm as passerby's passed him and store owners called for his attention. But he didn't pay any attention to them, he already got what was needed after all. His mind on more important matters such as the beginning phase of being within the New World.

Daz thinks his boss is doing pretty well so far. His plans will take some time, effort, as well as needed extra hands.

But Sir Crocodile has done it before with the creation of Baroque Works so he can do it again. Already in the New World making the first few needed tasks to accomplish what Sir Crocodile wants, and if Daz knew anything about his boss—it was his strategic patience. The plans he had for Alabasta was ten years in the making, creating an organization from the ground up with his alias a secret from all til its reveal. He can only takes guesses on just how far his boss's plans will go now that the stakes are higher.

Sir Crocodile had another side to him that aided him to making this far as a pirate— a need for asking questions that Daz feel like are always a test. It wasn't too personal however, the boss didn't seem to care too much about his past or how exactly he reached the point of assassination. Just as long as he did the job handed to him well—everything else isn't important. It was mostly his opinion on a needed asset or job, if it's best to wait or have it now. He would give his answer and his boss will listen and poke holes if he found any in his reasoning or adding a detail he may have missed or even nodding and agreeing based on whatever he said.

But than, as Sir Crocodile sat in front of him in front of cafe to survey the area for the ones they will meet, he asked a hypothetical question. Daz taking note of how his boss's eyes were sharpened on him more than usual.

"What's your opinion on gaining a potential ally, Daz?" Cigar smoke curled around them, Daz took note that Sir Crocodile didn't finish his coffee. The boss tapping his finger against the newspaper on the table as he spoke. "Their whereabouts are unknown but I have a few ideas of some risky contacts being able to assist. Their use can perhaps speed the process but they may need some convincing."

Daz couldn't help but raise a brow at the question. The boss has never asked a hypothetical before at all. Only what was in front and actually important in the long run for the plan. But he thought of the question nonetheless as he sat, crossing his arms.

"The ally has to be worth it if resources need to be used," he answered truthfully, Sir Crocodile stopping his tapping as he observed him. "As well as being high risk. And won't it be better if they didn't need convincing?"

"It's a powerful ally that owes a debt," Sir Crocodile simply stated, turning his eyes to the crowd around him to survey the area. "One that can be cashed in now if necessary."

Daz stared at his boss's expression, for despite the casual tone it oddly came out defensive due to the words. Perhaps defensive may be too strong of a word for it, maybe just guarded? Sir Crocodile, whose silver eyes were analyzing as he searched for who they're meeting, wasn't an easy man to read. Daz had to learn his small ticks, what his words really meant, as well as look through certain tones.

So as he stared at his boss, appearing in thought with lips around his cigar a tad lower than usual and brows furrowed down, he couldn't help but compare it to the one in Marineford although it was more severe as well as when a certain newspaper came out although it was significantly lessened—it was still an interesting expression.

His eyes widened a tad from his realization, Daz moving to close them as he tipped his down when his boss turned his face back to him—awaiting his answer.

"However that said ally's debt, it can be paid at any point in time. A powerful one can easily handle others until we can come along and inform them of repayment."

It was silent for a beat before Daz felt smoke blow near his face to the right, causing his eyes to open as his boss side eyed him.

"I never suggested they weren't. Hmph, very well... it's the best course of action in the long run." Sir Crocodile tapped his finger again once more, his lips moving in a mutter that Daz could barely hear in annoyance. "Troublesome even away from me."

Sir Crocodile dropped the matter since than, their conversation coming to a lull as the two minks they were waiting for finally arrived to join them. His boss's cool and confident demeanor in full force with his lips raised as Daz kept his steely gaze on the two, the threats clear if they think to do anything.

But he couldn't help to find it intriguing, each time how his boss would read and flick through the newspaper with his hook through it to turn the pages from front to back in a way that made Daz raise a brow, of how exactly you can have the boss act like this.

Their relationship never quite made sense to him, but than he would recall of others mouths in Baroque Works and what they saw of Sir Crocodile and Silver Blood (Y/N) back in Alabasta with the warnings from Mr.0–revealed as his boss—to be clear. You leaning close in the chairs of the casino to see the boss's hand since you would often lose and him letting you or of times where the two of you were seen eating together in one of the restaurants of Rainbase with interesting conversations that Daz could only imagine was his boss giving pragmatic answers with you getting upset about it and challenging them. He thought back in Impel Down as well, of slashing silver mixing with harsh sand as they all fought out of there, you sticking close to the boss out of everyone as they ran. Even after your...rampage in the ship as they sailed to Marineford with them arriving, him coughing up water and coming to and noticing you and the boss awfully close before they stood to prepare for battle. There was something there, despite your words but...

Daz stared up at the sky, one arm filled with groceries and a question mark appearing over his head.

Didn't you call him a lizard?

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A Campsite within a Jungle Island in the Grand Line, a Navy Warship docked nearby

Five shadowed figures stood around the campfire in different locations of either sat atop logs or leaning against the thick trees, casual clothes upon their person different from their previous appearances as they spoke amongst each other with the moon high in the sky above them along with the many trees towering them.

"She must be hiding somewhere. Her injuries will need time to recover based on the article," Kalifa spoke, fixing her glasses to her ears and putting a strand of her hair behind it as she sat atop a log and facing the others but her eyes on Jabra who laid on the ground in a side lying position with a hand holding his head with his face scrunched up in thought. "And also from what we managed to get from towns while we were on our way here. She's definitely affected."

"No shit," Jabra scoffed. "Took a full hit from an Admiral. You don't just walk away from that."

Blueno, who stood with crossed arms leaning against the trees, looked over at them with his passive expression.

"Not just any Admiral. One with a Logia ability of magma," Blueno pointed out and Kalifa feels like they've been going in circles ever since they heard the news. "It will leave a mark."

"Yoiyoiyoi!" Kumadori began, his hair that was more of a mane curling around him as he stuck a pose with his palm out while the other held his jingling staff. "(Y/N) has a fire that is stronger than any magma! More powerful than any of earth's disastrous natural forces! We should stop talking about this and leave it be."

Fukurou moved to unzip his mouth as he sat in the log across from Kalifa, starting with his custom sound.

"Chapapapa, does it really matter anymore? Lucci and Kaku aren't here so we can speak freely now. They've gone off on their own to get some intel of our next move with the World Government and Spandam." Fukuro reasoned but Kalifa knows that her coworker, although they're not coworkers anymore but she doesn't really know what a correct term for everyone would be, is nothing but a gossip and just wishes to talk more about the matter whether Lucci or Kaku was here or not. It was mainly Lucci they needed to keep quiet around. "Lucci looked like he was going to shred the newspaper into pieces!"

"Pah!" Jabra scoffed, scowling as he moved to sit up from his position with crossed legs. "The shitty cat looked more like he was going to find this reporter and end them himself more like." Jabra's lips lifted at that, no doubt thinking of Lucci's narrowed cold eyes as he held the newspaper before basically throwing it to Kaku. Jabra than laughed. "That cat devil sure gets into hissy fits!"

Jabra broke into laughter at that as everyone stared blankly at him.

Fukurou unzipped his mouth.

"That was a poor joke, Jabra."

Jabra turned towards him, grabbing and pulling Fukurou's cheek harshly with a scowled flush.

"Shut up!"

As Blueno said his own comments to Jabra that he needs to calm down and learn to make more creative jokes than that with Jabra turning and pointing towards the bull haired man that he has no room to talk about jokes, Kalifa thought back on Jabra's words.

He wasn't exactly far off from the truth, although perhaps Fukurou's comparison may have been closer. Despite the years they have worked together, Lucci can be a hard man to read. But she knows that when it comes to you, he's actually quite easy. She doesn't understand how you never saw it throughout your years together as his partner.

Maybe if you did, you would've stayed and this would've never happened.

Than again, Kalifa thought of your tired expressions through your cold exterior to hide it each time you came back from a mission—the others eventually backing off from you and giving you time to recover with even Lucci letting you rest at the lounge room couch as you sat on it before he would soon interrupt to your annoyance when he would take up space on the couch and complain he had a big head when he would lay it on your lap but you were too tired to push him off and Hattori already on your head getting comfortable too but that's only based on the few times she saw by accidentally interrupting with one dark eye honing on her in attention with a warning before closing when she got the message to leave as your head lolled to the side from the back of the couch for your cheek to be pressed against the cushions with you mumbling about something or other and your hand moving atop Lucci's shoulder, even if you stayed you would've hated it.

They knew you. Lucci knew you the most and could read you just as easily you could read him if it wasn't matters of desire, but they knew you. Even if you surprised them by confessing you never hated them in the first place despite your mostly distant demeanor with them and sometimes an odd insult here and there.

Kalifa thought of a conversation with you, of what it means to be a woman of this field and to make sure to keep others distant lest they get ideas as you listened attentively and she could spot your eyes looking at her in respect before saying you still don't think Jabra stealing a piece of her lamb meat was sexual harassment but you just don't understand what it means to touch another's meat. You looked lost when she said that with a smile on her face that made her laugh which made you get irritated at your confusion as you said you don't get it and she needs to explain the joke. Her keeping silent, aware that Lucci for some reason prefers that you kept your ears shut from such matters since he moved you away when Kalifa and Jabra would speak of a lay of the night, but she couldn't help lean in as you leant her your ear in bewilderment with her saying that meat is a pseudonym for the most integral part of a man. You scrunched your face hard before widening your eyes with a blush, almost falling off your chair as she could only smile in amusement at you as you quickly walked away with a stutter that it was a nice conversation. Only for when you reached the door, you pausing and seeming to tense as Kalifa's smile waned—you saying you see her differently but she still acts a little off to your taste but maybe she'll find somebody that has a taste for her. You soon leaving after that as Kalifa blinked with a slight flush to her cheek, you not realizing what you said can be taken another way but, when she thinks back on it, you were just trying to hide your respect for her.

A similar theme that has happened to everyone else it seems after you told them when they landed in St. Poplar, your behavior back than when you were with them seeming to be more of a front than they thought.

Yes, she feels like they know you.

But not as much as Lucci.

When Lucci read the paper, however, and threw it towards Kaku after just a quick scan of the title and words with Hattori giving a coo that sounded more like a huff, all he commented was that you wouldn't be "easily killed like a fly". All while knowing that you went against an Admiral, it seems that Lucci truly believed no—has this perceptive knowledge that you were alive. "She knows her life is in my hands and only mine," Lucci added coldly as they all sat around a hotel room they rented through their travels, moving to leave as Kaku stared at the newspaper as well with furrowed brows and a concerned frown. "She would be wise enough to know and remember that."

Lucci finished with some bite, only to grow harsher when Jabra pointed out that even if you survived—you couldn't have come out unscathed. Lucci calling Jabra he doesn't want to hear words from a wet pup and making Jabra's hackles rise. The both of them seeming to ignore her and Blueno's words that they need to stop it and calm down, they shouldn't fight where they'll sleep. Hattori only staring at Jabra with his beady eyes that made Jabra sweatdrop at the creepiness as the tension rose, their heads close to butting against each other in the typical cat vs dog fight they tend to fall into.

"Lucci's right," Kaku said with furrowed brows, putting the newspaper on the table beside them as he stared between all of them. "(Y/N)'s body hasn't been found so there's still a chance."

Lucci slightly scoffed, backing away from Jabra and turning his back towards them as he headed towards the door with his hands in his pockets before his dark eyes flicked towards Kaku.

"More than a chance."

Was all he said before he left, soon after that him and Kaku venturing out to get the information needed. The information they gathered back in Sabaody have been helpful so far but they're still missing something.

Their strength is still lacking, Kalifa has gathered from how Lucci spoke of the distance that needs to be closed. They still need to expand the Haki skill they've been attempting to hone, her discovering she seems to be adept at Observation Haki compared to the others here. So where she lacks in pure strength and stamina, she makes up for analyzations and sensing. Lucci and Kaku have been doing a good job so far with their Haki as well, more than everyone else to the annoyance of Jabra.

"Pah, whatever!" Jabra crossed his arms, closing his eyes with an annoyed scowl. "I'm just glad that the cat devil isn't here and I'm getting a break from him. I can barely handle him how he normally is and how he's been lately after that paper came out and each time we talk about it—he gets even more irritated than usual and even more impossible to talk to. Can't even get near the damn he cat without his eyes and Hattori's burning my back!"

Kalifa stared, fixing her glasses gracefully as they flashed making her eyes hidden.

"You suggesting to be near Lucci is sexual harassment."

"Wh-WHAT?!" Jabra questioned loudly, standing up due to the shock.

"Yoyoi! I have been preparing a perfect haiku for their relationship." Kumadori began, clacking his samurai wooden flip flops as he struck a pose. A headlight seeming to appear above his head from nowhere as his eyes closed, cherry blossoms flicking through the breeze. "Become one with fur, how sodomy is found true, cat and dog fusion."

Jabra stared before jumping at Kumadori with a snarl and half formed into Zoan, teeth sharp. Fukurou merely laughing out loud, Kalifa couldn't but to join in with an amused giggle behind her hand as Blueno also chuckled.

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST SAY, KUMADORI?!"

"Yoyoi! Why are you shaking me...?!" He enunciated slowly as always despite how Jabra shook him with the man's hair seeming to fly back and forth and snaking around in the air. His face than morphing into dramatic sadness. "Oh no...was the haiku not perfect? I must commit seppuku so I can finally meet my mother in paradise...!"

"We are in Paradise," Blueno pointed out only to be ignored.

"JUST DO IT THAN!" Jabra shouted, letting the man go and letting Kumadori say the rites of death to himself he usually does before stabbing himself with a knife only for nothing to happen due to his Iron Body. Jabra than grabbing Kumadori by the collar, raising a clawed hand. "Damn it, I'll help you do it!"

"But that's not honorable, yoyoi!"

"You—WHO CARES ABOUT HONOR WITH WHAT YOU IMPLIED!"

"It's perfectly natural," Fukurou pointed out unhelpfully with his hand in the air, "It will explain with what went wrong with your ex, Gatherine!"

Jabra rounded towards Fukurou, dropping Kumadori to the ground.

"Don't talk about that bitch! And that's not the reason at all! You talk too much!"

It was a back and forth, Kalifa observing but she couldn't help but think more on you and why exactly Lucci is irritated. It's more to it than you being missing.

It's rather where you are, for to recover from an attack like that needs attention and requires help. A third party is helping you and she thinks that with them not being able to pinpoint who it is, is making Lucci more irritated along with Jabra's petty comments or insults.

She wonders if Lucci has a guess on who it is and if that's adding onto his mood, only for her eyes to widen with her Haki going off. The others around her stopping as they sensed her tension and looking towards her only for them to soon feel it as their bodies tensed for action, all of them now standing in attention as the moon watched and trees stilled.

"Somebody is coming," Kalifa stated nervously.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Kiwi's and Mozu's Bar of the famous Water 7–the home of the Sea Train within the Grand Line

Iceberg sat amongst the bar counter within the old bar that belonged to another that shall not be named, it still hurt. Tyrannosaurus eating his plate of grapes and cheese that Kiwi gave to him on the counter as Iceburg stuck with his own drink of whiskey as he petted the small mouse, all while his new Secretary continued to go off about this or that.

"I don't really get why you chose this place, Mr. Iceburg," the small childlike voice spoke beside him, feet not even reaching the step of the stool as wide eyes behind bespectacled glasses looked around. Clipboard on her lap as Mozu gave Iceburg a teasing smile along with handing his Secretary orange juice. "Ah, thank you Miss Mozu. But we really should cover all the documents that need to be done, Mr. Iceburg. And all your appointments, you need to meet with the mayor of Pucci at four o'clock which is in another three hours but you have to sign to agree for the expansion of the next sea train and—" His Secretary continued, flicking the papers through her clipboard with quick effectiveness as she said the rest of the list as Iceburg held his head and stared at the counter. Mozu and Kiwi giggling all the while when they weren't serving their other customers that mostly were from Franky's Family but others being normal citizens.

Did he mention his new Secretary was a young girl?

He doesn't really get how it happened that a girl was the most qualified for the position but it did.

The choices available of those who applied were quite...well. He just can't believe a Yagara Bull even managed to get all the way to his office.

Like he can't believe the newspaper that came out. Not only of Luffy's, the Straw Hat captain that helped despite the suspicions the city had on the crew, and not only if Franky's as Iceburg wondered where his pseudo brother was away from his captain, but of yours. Your time fixing the galleon ship you broke were always quite entertaining and filled with something new the weeks you were here, the Galley-La foremen grew to see you as one of their own—despite how at times you were confused on where a ship part went or that one time you hit Tilestone's back with a log you had on your shoulder due to one of Paulie's rants at you when you unbuttoned your blouse due to the heat for your black tank top to be seen.

There were other incidents he observed when he felt like he didn't want to work today about your times with...the others, that he found interesting based on how they interacted with you but Iceburg isn't going to focus back on that.

He's a bit worried about Paulie.

He doesn't know how you did it, or maybe he did due to how you liked teasing the blond man by jumping him randomly to give him a heart attack or you even helping the man win a game at the casino by slot machines of all things or offer the Galley-La men drinks on you at the bar for lunch with a beaming smile despite your debt to them or defeating pirates who didn't want to pay but only if you felt like the men couldn't handle it, but you managed to get the prudish man to like you during your time here.

That's only based on what he's observed though, but it had to be true. Paulie has been the most worried about the newspaper's words out of all of the Galley La men. Seemed more lost in thought as they worked on ships as well as during lunch, Iceburg even taking note of the man's deep furrowed brows and jaw tight around his cigar it looked like it might break. He thinks it has a few times for Paulie had to go to a trash can and spit tobacco out his mouth before placing a new cigar in his mouth and pretending everything was normal.

After Paulie stared at a blueprint in his office for longer than necessary without saying anything in the seat across from him in his desk, Iceburg felt like he needed to say something. Tyrannosaurus squeaking cutely on his shoulder and nuzzling his cheek as he stared seriously at his friend.

"I'm sure she's fine you know," Paulie started, looking up from the blueprint and lowering his hand around it to his lap. "The World Government allowed that reporter to say too much, the use of body not found instead of disintegrated due to an attack would've been more plausible. They didn't even have a picture of her during the War and only pulled up an old picture of her." Paulie looked away, eyes and jaw tight which Iceburg didn't miss, but he gave his friend a comforting smile. "Didn't (Y/N) say she'll be the world's strongest woman? Can't do that if you can't move."

It was silent for a few moments before Paulie gave a heavy sigh, hand going to his face and covering his eyes as he slumped forward on his knees.

"...I know." Paulie said, tone tired. "But...I dont't know at the same time. That woman...she's bold and dressed in those shorts all the time and she likes giving people heart attacks and who knows what else she's going to get into while she's gone. Probably acting scandalous maybe or—" As Paulie continued, his voice getting a slight shake each time he mentioned your shorts or brazen behavior, Iceburg paused.

"Wait," Paulie looked up at him, an eye through his hand as Iceburg's brows furrowed. "This isn't about...you're worried about her flaunting her legs somewhere?"

...

Paulie dropped his hand and looked at Iceburg in bewilderment this time.

"What else would I be talking about?" Iceburg deadpanned as Paulie continued, crossing his arms and looking away with a flush and cigar tight between his teeth. "That woman did a lot of that during her time here! Who knows how many eyes are going to look at her due to her showing off that skin?! Dammit!" Paulie rubbed the back of his head harshly, missing up his hair and making some strands stand straight. "Now I keep thinking about it! Who knows what she's doing at this exact moment and where...!"

Iceburg blinked, staring at Paulie and his concerned expression but his eyes weren't giving that flustered light he usually gave. Iceburg did a quick amused smile.

Such a liar. You're just scared you don't really know despite what I said.

"...let's just continue," Iceburg said instead, lifting a paper up in front of him to hide his smile as Paulie's head rose with an arched brow. "We got a lot of work to do if we can make my teacher Tom proud with this project."

Iceburg went back to the present when a small hand pulled his arm sleeve. Him looking up and lifting his head to meet wide childish eyes staring at him being round glasses.

His Secretary pointed to his shot glass.

"That looks good. Can I have a sip?"

Iceburg sweat drop only for him to slightly flush at Mozu and Kiwi's loud laugh's as they pointed at him.

"Oh my, Mr. Mayor~," the sister with curled hair in her customary square shape, Kiwi teased, green eyes a glitter. "Having minors taking some sips from you?"

"How naughty!" Mozu pointed out between giggles behind the bar counter, smooth square hair puffed out as she waggled her brows above brown eyes. "But is a secretary's job description include taste testing for poison to protect our dear Mayor?"

His Secretary moved her eyes towards Mozu, eyes serious.

"Poison?" She repeated, before reaching her hand for his glass and taking it. "I need to do a good job as a Secretary!"

Iceburg snatched his glass from between her hands, pointer finger in front of her face.

"No. You can't do that. This is a bad drink."

"But..." his secretary's eyes watered as she sniffled, hands tight around her clipboard. "How am I going to be a good Secretary if I don't try everything you do...?! Wahhhhh..."

Iceburg sweated nervously, his hands everywhere around her before he decided to grab Tyrannosaurus who gave a surprised squeak, dropping a grape and putting the mouse in front of her face.

"Don't cry! Look at Tyrannosaurus, he's cute right?" When his Secretary kept sniffling, he stared at Mozu and Kiwi with a pleading expression before he got an idea, touching his glass but than pointing at his secretary's juice. Mozu and Kiwi both smiling and nodding, taking his shot glass away while his Secretary was distracted before replacing it with apple juice inside. Iceburg putting Tyrannosaurus on his shoulder before grabbing his glass and showing it to her with a smile. "Okay, okay! You can test it, but only this once. Mozu was joking, Secretary's don't test Mayor's drinks." His secretary's head lifted, the corners of her eyes and nose red from tears as she stared at the glass, before flicking her eyes towards his comforting smile. "That's another person's job. What if poison is actually in my drink and you drink it? Who'll be my Secretary than?"

His secretary's eyes widened before she gave a resolute nod, eyes shining in determination.

"Okay! I won't try anymore since you really need my help on being a good mayor. You're pretty bad at it by yourself." Iceburg's jaw dropped as the sisters laughed out loud before she grabbed the shot glass with apple juice and took a sip. Her looking at the glass suspiciously when she took one. "This...tastes like apple juice."

"It's...adult apple juice." Iceburg explained.

His Secretary stared at it before putting it down on the bar counter with a displeased face.

"I like my apple juice better."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

A Certain Isolated Island with large ruins on the Grand Line

Galdino has had a couple of surprising and tiring last few weeks.

First was the Impel Down escape, than landing in the middle of the war and barely escaping with his life, than it turned into him joining up with Buggy and his now large crew due to the loyal followers the blue haired man managed to gain with his courageous facade, to now being an official crew member of a Warlord.

Did he mention the Warlord is Buggy? No? How could a man like Buggy that had a clear facade that has managed to survive through luck become a Warlord, you ask?

Well, Galdino would think it's luck. But luck that might manage to soon run out based on everything occurring.

Either way, he thinks he prefers this Warlord over the other he was under.

Galdino, who was sipping his Earl Grey Tea as he sat in his room in his dining room table, managed to swallow the drink a little too quickly and coughed slightly at the memory of being dehydrated to the point of literal wrinkled skin and bones. He pounded his chest, shuddering and paling as he remembered the feeling before he sat straight up and cleared his throat, fixing his glasses.

Yes. He's really glad he's working with Buggy instead. It's been a busy time since he and the other higher members of the crew along with Alvida and Buggy are making plans for their own setup of an organization. The amount of followers that follow with blind faith due to Buggy being the captain is a perfect opportunity to dip their feet in the black market. Galdino has had a few ideas of what exactly they should focus in terms of assets and sales, bouncing off the ideas with Alvida and at times with Buggy.

Buggy seems open to anything as long as it gives him treasure. They can start up the needed funds with the treasure they have to find with Captain John's Treasure Mark that Buggy apparently "found" as he was escaping Impel Down.

When he said that with such a confident smile on his face, Galdino could only stare as his crew praised him for his searching skills before whispering to Buggy's ears that he stole it from Straw Hat. Buggy getting defensive that he didn't before turning up his red nose, eyes gleaming in mischief and pride as he proudly said the idiot boy gave it to him. Galdino didn't know whether to face palm at that boy's naïveté or at Buggy looking so proud at stealing from a fool, so he just did it for both before clapping him on the shoulder with a sinister smile that they could do great things with the treasure to help with setting up the organization.

Buggy, surprisingly(or maybe it shouldn't be?) after his followers left the outside area of the island and back into fixing up the ruins for it to be more livable and it just them two, looked like he disagreed.

"We have to leave some funds to the side when we flashily find the treasure," Buggy stated seriously as Galdino furrowed his brows, Buggy lifting a hand with his pointer finger up as he leaned slightly towards him. "It's a matter of life and death."

Galdino thought about it and perhaps leaving some funds to the side and not wholly to setting up the organization would be a good idea.

"I think I see where you're going with this," Galdino said with a satisfied smile as Buggy blinked, "We really should've thought of that in the first place. Good thing you said it before we headed off to the treasure and already put it in for the project. A backup plan with money on the side is a perfect idea, gane!"

"Uhhhh..." Buggy sweated nervously, "I don't think you know where I'm going at all..."

Galdino arched a brow, confusion morphing his expression.

"Where exactly are you going with this, gane?"

Snot dropped from a red nose, tears running down his face as he turned away with an arm to his face.

"I'm going to the grave!" Buggy wailed, tears falling onto the floor as he could only exclaim a "huh?" as his clownish friend went on hysterically, whipping around towards him and spit flying towards his face that he swiped at in disgust when it landed. "It's a literal matter of life and death! S—Silver is g—going to kill m—m—me and I need t—the bestest m—most flashy of all f—flashes of funerals when h—he comes for me! (Y—Y—Y—Y/N)," Buggy cried even harder now and Galdino could only wonder how you managed to not have Buggy's infatuation sway from all the actions you did during the war. Buggy sniffled. "S—She! Urk! I flashily let her down! S—Silver is going to throw his sharp daggers at me for not watching her!"

Buggy continued to cry in a mix of fear and Galdino couldn't tell what else. But something his cowardly captain said made him tilt his head.

"Let him down? You worked with the Roger Pirates for a long time, right?" At Buggy's strong sniffle to collect himself, snot going back up his nose as he nodded with one brow up as he waited to where Galdino is going with this. "When you were there, did Silver Blood's father make you swear something about her? Is that why you're like this despite the papers?"

Buggy seemed to sober up, white gloved hand to his chin in thought.

"Now that you mention it...I think I flashily remember him saying something about her when I was a kid."

"You don't know?" He asked, flabbergasted. If Buggy is so concerned, how could he forget?!

Buggy's expression formed into annoyance, huffing.

"How am I supposed to remember that?! Me and the rest of the crew just did an exchange of flashy and sparkly treasures with Whitebeard so I was thinking about the necklace I got! It was an amazing flashy necklace!" Buggy defended himself as Galdino could only listen with his mouth open. He still can't wrap his head around the man in front of him was part of the Pirate King's crew. Buggy than crossed his arms, looking away with an irritated expression. "Silver took me and Bakagami all of a sudden away from everybody and said something about (Y/N). All I heard was "life" since I was trying to count in my head how much beli worth treasure I can get so I figured it was something about watching her...it doesn't even matter anyways! I'm flashily doomed! The only good thing is that the crab colored guy is with me!" He ended, his hands to the sides of his head as snot dropped down his big red nose again. Something about that pause made Galdino think Buggy was worried and distressed more than just your father's wrath but the clown just loves his facades.

"That would seem pretty important, wouldn't it?" Galdino incredulously asked, Buggy only retorting that Silver tended to threaten him and Shanks a lot about you so why should he bother listening to those again at the time. "Hah...well, didn't you read the paper? About Silver Blood?"

Buggy turned away, shoulders dramatically slouched.

"Don't remind me! She got disintegrated by that Admiral's magma!" Buggy shouted, voice shaky before muttering that he guessed Galdino wasn't supposed to hear. "A woman who believed in me so strongly too, but o-of course she would because I'm amazing...didn't even talk about my nose..."

"I wasn't really talking about that—" He was met with a hit to his face, making him yelp as he held his nose before turning towards an angry Buggy. "What was that for, gane?!"

"You talked about my nose!" Buggy yelled, ticks on his face and fist up in front of himself.

"That was you!" Galdino shouted in reply, teeth sharp before deflating as he rubbed his nose. His voice now sounding nasally. "Urk...you really think she died like that?" Buggy's fist lowered as his brows furrowed, as Galdino kept pointing out what he took note of. If he has no strength, he can at least read between the lines. Even his old boss admitted that. "They didn't mention she got disintegrated. The words were careful yet messy. Her body is missing, not gone."

Buggy's eyes slowly widened at the realization, his lips lifting up high and strong.

"She's alive?! Gyahahahaha! Of course she is," Buggy framed his chin with his hand formed to a gun, sparkles coming out as a sudden wind appeared and billowed his colorful coat on his shoulders. "A flashy woman like her wouldn't die so easily when only I can match her in flashiness and grace."

"I doubt that very much," Galdino interrupted flatly at his friend's daily ego stroking spree before saying his warning. "You have to be careful with what you say. Crocodile is not a man to be messed with and he and Silver Blood's rumored relationship isn't something to be laughed at either."

Buggy seemed to pale before scoffing, crossing his arms and smirking cockily.

"I have enough men to handle that guy any day! I dare him to fight me and my flashy army!" Galdino is positive Buggy just means his army as the clown laughed obnoxiously. "Imagine that! A failed ex—Warlord VS the flashy me, it's clear who would win!" Despite his words, Galdino spotted the nervous sweat running down his temple.

He doesn't know who Buggy's trying to convince, since his followers aren't here and his friend knows he can see through him. Unless he's just convincing himself. He tends to do that.

Needless to say, after that conversation, Buggy seems to be in a more bigger and egotistical mood than usual. Buggy choosing instead to put side money from Captain John's treasure once they found it for his "flashy crew" and "flashy outfits". Galdino has a suspicion he's prettying himself up for you next time they see you, but Galdino is gonna make sure he stays far away from you if the time comes. He would rather not get dehydrated again.

Although, there is a bigger question in mind to ask with Buggy. Buggy only seeming to rage when Galdino mentioned the possibility of your whereabouts and you were with the famed Yonko Red Hair. Buggy merely shouting with a red face that the Bakagami wouldn't even know what to do with you since you're too amazing for someone like that idiot, but that didn't answer the question.

They were too busy trying to leave the war after the Yonko came to end it.

But if it wasn't his old boss, it had to be the Yonko right?

It doesn't matter in the end, Galdino thought as he finished his Earl Grey tea upon his round dining room table with a clack before standing to stretch and fixing his glasses. I'm going to stay far, far away from either one of them. I like my life more than yours, sorry Buggy!

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

In a cave of the Famed Winter Island that is dragon shaped, Yukiryu Island within the New World during a snowstorm—Red Hair Territory

Benn is loyal to Shanks.

Feels like forever ago when he first decided he'll follow this man anywhere and everywhere, despite his drunk antics and childish jokes. The amount of times he's overheard him say the same cheesy pick up lines. Probably the same amount as he's rolled his eyes each time his captain was up to his drunken shenanigans. But he knew his captain was perceptive as well as devious to the point that he wonders if his captain was more of a fox despite the antics. Strategic and a planner as well as knowing.

Benn has seen this time and time again in various scenarios whether in battle or off, Shanks always seeming to know what to say and how to say it. It's what makes others around him seem to ease their tension and relax despite themselves, a pull to his red haired captain's casualness and relaxed nature that they can't help but be casual themselves over time—something they may not even notice. Too caught up in his carefree pace to take a moment to pause and stop themselves for going on any further before it was too late.

It happened to the brooding World's Greatest Swordsman after all and countless others.

It was how his captain was, but also using it as a strategy or tactic if needed. Shanks was hyper aware of himself and the aura he leaks out before he tightens it into one of tension to have whoever is around that isn't a crew member or innocent say whatever they needed to say to have Shanks pull back and let them go. Or not. They're Pirates after all. Despite Shanks not liking conflict, his captain will do what is necessary if he was slighted in any way. The slights being mostly directed to those his captain saw under his protection and friends.

They didn't hesitate with Luffy, back all those years ago in a small unimportant village in the weakest sea only to find a boy that will carry a heavy straw hat of great men.

Which is why Benn was lost when it came to you.

His captain had to know.

Just like his captain should know his own feelings, yet nothing was done.

How gently he treated you when they found you, your face to the sand and barely breathing due to poison going through your system and blood still fresh on your katana sword, when you woke up and spent your days recovering on the ship with his captain mainly keeping you company. Benn remembered as he passed by his captain's cabin of your laughter, a drastic change to the early days of your restful silence with his captain joining in after he said an awful joke. Benn will never forgive his captain for that rash one he made when the smoking cigarette man touched poison oak by accident during their early days as a crew, he wasn't being "irrational" at all. Or made a "rash" decision. Or—

Benn would rather not keep going.

Shanks would also be careful of his touches with you, more mindful and stick to just your shoulders and arms or when your cap was off for whatever reason, a ruffling of your hair that Benn always noticed made you happy despite you complaining he's messing up your hair. Shanks only replying teasingly he couldn't tell you even made it that just made you gasp dramatically and give him a hit to his shoulder that only made Shanks laugh.

Benn took note Shanks for a time seemed to be even more mindful of his touches throughout the six years they've known you, just a graze to your shoulder, before he seemed to continue it again when you kept making a confused hurt expression at his distance each time you visited. Benn didn't know what those few times were about before Shanks went back to normal with you.

He recalls him asking his captain once, when the sun was high and his captain was facing the sea by their figurehead of Red Force. Shanks smile turning into those hard to read ones Benn hates, eyes faraway as autumn eyes stared at the blue waves moving all around them.

"Just trying to hold up a promise. Dahaha!" He laughed, a little too forcefully with a smile not meeting his eyes as his gaze lowered a tad. "I'm not being very good at it, though."

That's all he said and Benn didn't really ask much more, Shanks didn't really like sharing much about his past. The present was much more important to him. As well as the future.

Shanks flirty comments was also much more subdued, him saying a cheesy line to you at times that you would only blush and laugh at it—thinking he was joking or playing around with you. Or saying casually that you were amazing and wishing for you to start your stories of your adventures when you were separated from them, that seeming to make you even more flustered as you stuttered with an embarrassed smile and scratching your cheek you're really not that amazing compared to Shanks which only made you flush more if possible once you said it. Shanks only seeming to have one of those serene smiles he makes that Benn can tell he's at ease but his eyes would appear a tad pained.

Something he never understood each time you would highly praise his captain.

There were plenty of other instances where Benn and the whole crew took note of you and Shanks' relationship and actions with one another. The inhabited islands also taking note since of all those rumors that have flown around since long ago.

Whether it was you and him splashing each other in the glowing blue lakes of a famed island at night, both your faces aglow in relaxed happiness before friendly competition would kick in on who can splash the other the most.

Or the village of people who didn't live in land but in the ocean in their small huts, the two of you willing to help the village out in spear fishing as the two of you listened attentively when the people spoke of their culture with the rest of the crew spread out.

Who knows other instances he hasn't seen. But one thing is certain with Shanks when it comes to you.

Shanks doesn't act like this with other women when they land in a populated island when you're not around. The few times you were and they were at the bar with women deciding to get a little frisky with everyone or the captain, you would seem to get a resigned smile on your face that Benn couldn't help but compare to his captain's when Shanks would look at you. Shanks would let the women off easy when you were around, and when you weren't and the next day Benn would have to listen to a drunk Shanks confused ramblings that one night stands feel a little different.

Benn thinks his captain is an idiot, but he didn't realize how much of one till you came along.

It didn't help another of Shanks' sides was his secretive one. His captain is perceptive as he stated earlier, and with perceptions and observations—inevitably there will be some that are kept to himself. Benn thinks Shanks carries a lot—secrets that are kept in his captains brain and the only indication one would know of his captain's knowledge is when he would in turn make a secretive smile.

But what Shanks recently did after the war, Benn doesn't understand. No matter how much he sits and stares at his captain near him by the fire of the cave to catch warmth from the snowstorm, trying to analyze as his cigarette smoke curled—he doesn't comprehend all the facts he knows of you and his captain and what he's seen despite what he's also observed from Mihawk and you or heard about others.

Benn couldn't take it anymore.

"Why?" A head of red hair slightly tilted towards his direction and Benn made sure he asked his captain this question when the rest of the crew got supplies. One shouldn't question their captain's decisions too much lest they'll get killed but Shanks isn't like that, but Benn respects the code. "Why did you do that, Shanks? You have her vivre card. You were right there."

It was silent for a few beats, and Benn noticed his captain was staring at the fire in thought. As if it could give his captain the answers for him. But Benn knows his captain just as he knows the sky is blue.

Shanks always does things for a reason.

Just like he knows that Benn doesn't have to specify who he's talking about.

When Shanks still didn't answer, however, Benn leaned his head forward and scooted a tad more to get closer before pausing as his brows slightly rose.

"A war," Shanks began, a calm smile on his face despite the flicker of danger in his eyes as he stared as flames moved and ebbed with shadows from the light seeming to curl around them. "Between another Yonko...the world isn't ready for that yet. Until than, the Three Great Powers need to stay a little longer." His captain's smile than waned, looking sad as his autumn eyes had that resigned look his captain would sometimes have when it comes to you. "And I don't think I should be close to (Y/N) right now. I might be the last person she wants to talk to right now based on what I could get from Mihawk in Marineford before he left with a glare on his face." Shanks lips twitched up to a quick knowing smile. "But I know she'll be fine. She's (Y/N) after all, going to be the worlds strongest woman in history. She doesn't need me always there."

Benn stared at the man he would always follow, no matter what. The captain he would choose again and again in every lifetime if he could because Shanks was too great of a man to not be a part of his presence. Who had secrets in his head despite the casual aura he showed around him, who can see through one's heart like an empty rum bottle he drank all himself.

But, Benn thought in tired exasperation as he blew cigarette smoke above them in the cave and having grey smoke add onto the fire's, he can be an idiot.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

In Two Different Locations of the New World and Grand Line

One shadowed figure read a paper with the headline of "Silver Blood (Y/N)'s Body Missing, the Great Attack from the Admiral Akainu!" before another figure, tall and thick and curved, came behind them with a hand to their hip.

"I'm sure you already have your own thoughts on this. But you should know that someone would be pleased with this occurrence," a feminine voice commented casually. "You shouldn't get any ideas."

The other figure was silent before—

"(Y/N) has more thick skin than this. She has to."

The feminine voice chuckled, shaking their head.

"You'll never get approved for what you want with her."

The other figure said nothing at that and than the camera panned—to the other half of the sea as another figure looked at a square piece of paper that was slightly burnt at the corners, a cloak on their back as they looked as it slightly moved on the table.

Three figures were behind the one with the cloak, all staring at the vivre card that had your name on it.

"Should we do something?" A deep throaty voice asked, eyes serious before the cloaked figure grabbed the vivre card and handed it to the tall busty figure. "She's been helpful despite not wanting to work with us."

The tall busty figure put your card between their chest before turning down to look at the one who spoke.

"That wasn't the deal. We have to call on her when it's time, and it has to be something big. We all have gathered from what little we've seen for ourselves and heard, she's a person of her word despite her past with the World Government."

".../N) is...have to...or we can't...knowledge..."

"You're mumbling again," The deep throaty figure pointed out, the last and third large billowing figure shifting a hand to his mouth.

"I said, we still need her for her knowledge too. She's been tight lipped despite our intentions."

"It's simple," the cloaked figure finally spoke, a smirk pulling one side of their lips. "We just have to show her we're serious and our plans are top notch. Till than..."

Their voices waned and muffled before one could find out more.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The Castle Grounds in a cliff's edge with  a gigantic tree overlooking the Passionate Country—Dressrosa within the New World

You huffed and breathed hard, the sun setting as night will soon come upon the country with its orange and pink hues in the sky, sweat upon your brows and face as you swung your right arm that held Karasu, switching it from your right to your left as you did your katas. Uncaring as your right arm bandages desperately needed to be changed due to all the dried blood on it, not worried at all despite the risk of infection.

You swept your legs as if to knock someone down as you held yourself up with your shaking right arm while the other used Karasu in a slashing motion before whipping your body up and kept swinging your sword in different directions and patterns. Twisting your wrists and flexing your biceps and triceps at the different movements, your mind's eye having a certain opponent within that had mocking words and cold eyes.

Your mind flashed to the nightmare that has plagued your mind awake and asleep, a hole to your friends chest and your crews bloodied charred bodies upon the floor just as you hissed. Dropping Karasu to the ground as your right hand shook.

You dropping yourself to the ground with it, your teeth gritting against each other, burning eyes closed tight in pain.

It hurts, you thought in a near broken sob, your head lowering against the grassy ground below you with throat tight and shoulders low in defeat. Oh God, this hurts too much. I...I'm letting everyone down again...I can't let people down. I can't!

Your ears twitched as well as senses when you heard the grass behind you flatten. You straightening your expression as best you could before lifting and turning your head.

"I hear someone's being a naughty little marine~. Mind if I join?"

.

.

.

Or the chapter where everyone around you and the men are convinced you are in a relationship or have dated before.

This is just a brief of what's going on in the present. I'm still going to focus on the past because I feel like it's needed.

There needs to be more layers shown of SB that I feel not all of you understand. Despite how I already showed some of it already in this whole past arc, there needs to be more. SB is surprisingly complex despite how she acts. Mostly due to how she was raised and what she saw on CP9, or even what she's seen in the seas when she travels by her lonesome.

You're very interesting. And I love it.

Hope you remember that too and that someone can understand your complexities and accept all of them. 💗

Also, this is your outfit—your main one anyways—while you'll be in Dressrosa

I will reveal just how bad the scars are at a later time. At least you can match with Luffy a little, huh? Hahahaha... ('°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀)

I wasn't going to add the side pairings but since Kaku is with Lucci and I had to mention him, I felt like it wasn't fair to the other guys. You can tell with the side pairings how different they act compared to the main ones but that's okay~! Hope you guys liked it! 

Also, I have officially determined and decided to announce Strong will have a sequel book.

Remember, Strong is ending around the Dressrosa Arc. But I'm going to plant some seeds in this book for the next book, the characters I hinted will be very important in the second one.

I already determined the ending of this book long ago, and nothing from One Piece's new information will change that. So don't be surprised if some things don't add up 😂. I thought of this ending when Dressrosa was still being aired only.

Thank you so much everyone with the continued support. I love ya'll. Like a lot. 💗

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VOTES~

Main Pairings
Shanks: 178
Mihawk:164
Crocodile:67
Doflamingo: 64
Smoker: 80
Lucci: 60

Side Pairings
Kaku: 17
Paulie: 8
Buggy: 13

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FANARTS OF THE DAY!!!

@The_Oddish_One

@Joe_h3e

I have way too many fanarts that I would like to and want to show off. 💀 I might just put all these fanarts throughout all the chapters at this point. I have way too many to get through and I want to show all of them for their greatness.

Thank you everyone again who draws! And those who've been here since the beginning in support, whether commenting or quietly.

And welcome to those who are new in this Strong journey! 😂 You're adventure isn't quite over yet, not by a long shot!

Take care and be safe! 💗 Love you guys💗💗💗