The Pirate Ninja

Chapter 8

The rest of the year flew by, making it a year since Hana joined them. And they've improved with their combat thanks to her help.

The world still thought Whitebeard and Ace were dead, fine by them. They just wanted to continue traveling and protecting their family.

Until the talks of revenge began. Hana frowned as members wanted to crush Blackbeard for what he did at Marineford. For what he did to Thatch and Ace.

Hana might have snuck into the meeting between the commanders, concealing her chakra to be unnoticeable to anyone with Observation Haki. Well anyone who wasn't Whitebeard, he was too good.

But he didn't mention her presence as he listened to their concerns and arguments. Hana didn't like it, revenge never got them anywhere.

Finally the Captain spoke up, silencing the group with one question. "Hana, what do you think?" Eyes flew around looking for the woman, as she frowned from her corner.

Walking out of the shadows she made her way to the table. Shocked Commanders watched her approach until she stood between two of them.

"I think it's a stupid plan."

A chorus of uproar and shouting occurred, but Hana didn't waiver. Slamming her hands onto the table she instilled silence among them.

"What does revenge accomplish? Huh?" Dark and hooded eyes stared them each down. "You're Captain and brother are alive, Blackbeard failed even if the world believes the opposite. Revenge would do what? Cause your existence to be known? Insight them to hunt you all down again?"

Fingers curled against the table, "Revenge is not the answer. It won't solve anything, it won't change anything in the world now. Do what you want, but if you decide on revenge." Dark blue eyes met the stare of Whitebeard. "That is a path I will not join you down."

Having said her piece, Hana left the meeting quickly. Her mind was a mess of emotions, Sasuke spent his entire life consumed with revenge. It ruined him. Obito chased revenge and what? Caused his death? Madara wanted revenge too, killing thousands.

Hana settled on the new figurehead of the ship, meditating. It helps calm her and she certainly was not calm at the moment.

That is how she stayed for hours, where the Commanders found her. Sitting with her eyes closed, red tails blowing in the wind.

Instead of bothering her, they left her be. In the end Hana heard the smallest whisper from Ace as he let her know they abandoned the act of revenge.

After that she returned to her normal routine. She stood with Ace on the deck, a few crewmates surrounding them holding targets.

"Alright here, have a kunai knife." She handed him a kunai, and he turned it around in his hand, very interested in it. "Now, practice throwing it at a target. Try hitting as close to the center as possible."

Once she revealed her plan, several crewmates abandoned their targets in favor of not dying. Ace looked at her with a head tilt. "Throw them?"

Nodding, Hana demonstrated by taking three kunai in each hand and with a flick of her wrist sent them towards the targets.

Each one hit a bullseye. Six perfect bullseyes. Six shocked crewmates holding the targets. Plus the surprised looks of the others watching.

"Throw them. Practice flicking your wrist. Focus on how much pressure you use and when you let them go."

In the end she had to post the target onto the mast, everyone was too scared of his horrible aim. Izou was collecting the thrown kunai and returning them to Hana.

Somehow Hana gained a stick which she used to smack parts of Ace's body or adjust his arms and legs. She was stern but encouraging with him. Adjusting even the littlest parts to get his aim better.

As the days passed his throwing got better. Hana mixed in some shuriken as well, to get him to adjust to the different weapons.

Ace flopped onto the ground, tired. Red hair rained down around his head as he looked up into bright blue eyes.

"How do you do this all the time?"

The woman just laughed and smiled. "I started Ninja Academy at five years old and graduated when I was seven." She picked up the kunai and closed her eyes. Spinning in a circle, she launched them to all her posted targets. Another round of six bullseyes.

"I've had a lot of practice."

"How can you see them?"

Sitting down next to him, she shrugged. "It's a mix of Observation Haki and just really good sense. My aim is much better when they are people, I can sense their chakra then." Her finger poked his forehead lightly. "You should really be practicing your Haki. I'll find Marco, he'll help you out."

Even though he whined, she knew deep down he wanted to get better, to get stronger in order to protect his brother and family.

Hana watched Marco instruct him on Haki, taking a break from teaching. Ace was getting better, much better at his Haki. He will grow with time.

Her eyes fluttered closed, the sun was bright but not too warm. Just enough to make her tired, adding in the lull of the ship. Hana was out soon, asleep leaning against the mast.