An Eternal Bond

Arrival

"Y/N, we're going to submerge." Marco alerted me.

I nodded and hopped down onto the deck. I had only ever been underwater with the ship one other time, just to visit Jinbei.

Actually, I can't remember the last I saw of him now that I think about it.

As the other division commanders spread out to the other three ships we got coated, I was urged to stay with Oyaji.

"Get ready!"

My eyes lit up as the ship slowly descended into the water. It was like being in an inside out fish tank, with all the fish looking at you instead. It was incredible.

"Ooh, Oyaji, can I try the new power I got today?" I asked.

Marco heard me and looked back at Haruta with a raised brow. Haruta raised his hands. "Hey, in my defence, the mermaid was in trouble."

"Mermaid, eh?" Oyaji laughed and nodded.

I smiled and stood on the ship's edge, jumping off and my legs turning into a tail. I sped through the ocean, swimming next to the tropical fish that attempted at keeping up with me.

"It's better to just wash away the stress with water. She hasn't slept since Ace got arrested... limited meals, too." Oyaji sighed. "It's really upsetting to see such a ray of light go dull like that."

I could still hear him since I wasn't that far from the ship, although I doubt they knew I could.

Had I really been "dulling" like that?

"I'm back." I landed on deck, my tail turning back to legs. I looked over at the other ships, then back at Oyaji. "Oyaji, why didn't I go with the others?"

"It's simple, really. This ship will be the grand centre piece... so of course, everyone will want to see your return, right?"

I needed to stop for a moment to get my jumbled thoughts together. Wait... I haven't actually been in commission officially since... I was twelve. But my bounty kept getting higher because of the proof that I had been in different places.

"Holy moly, you're right." I whispered.

"And, naturally, I'm sure Ace would want to see you as well."

I looked back at him, a concerned look on my face. Not long ago, he had removed the things that were practically keeping him alive and somewhat healthy. "I'm sure Ace would want to see you more than anything as well, Oyaji."

I looked up at the sea's surface, not sure if I looked happy, concerned, frightened, or a mix of all three. All I was thinking about was Ace.

How long was it until his scheduled execution? Will we make it in time?

Suddenly, my view of the sky through the clear ocean water was obscured by the bottom of a large ship. No, scratch that, by the bottom of large ships. They were here.

"Oyaji, look, everyone's on their way, too!"

He looked up with a proud smile on his face then looked forward. "We will get Ace back. Half of those crews were allied with us because of Ace. We mustn't break that chain."

I looked forward and squinted, trying to see if I could catch a glimpse of Marineford. I could see a large, dark shape, submerged in the water but also above water.

There it was. That's where Ace is.

We drew nearer and nearer until we were right underneath. I let little flames start in my palm, just to make sure we weren't too late, then let it go out. Here we go...

The ship began ascending to the surface, until it finally emerged and soared through the sky for a moment before landing on the water, with the other three ships doing the same not long after.

In their moment of awe, the marines heard the ominous thunk of Oyaji's spear as he climbed up the stairs at the front of the ship.

When he got to the top, he was met with the entirety of Marineford, but almost all were quaking, his laugh echoing through the island.

"Been quite some time, Sengoku. You better tell me that my beloved son is safe."