MARINES - A ONE PIECE story (ENGLISH) - Part I

CHAPTER CXXXIII - Send in the clowns

- What ?!

- Yeah, you heard me ! You are the worst helmsman, ever ! I've never even seen a guy as bad as you.

- Maybe it's because your boat isn't up to snuff. Back in the days of the Seagull, nobody could compete. I was...

- My boat ? What's left of it, you mean ! Your stupid shipwright completely butchered what was left of my Ziz !

- Watch your mouth when you talk about my friend, you pirate !

- Better be a pirate than a soldier. Especially a soldier as incompetent as you !

Jorge and Jane had been tugging at each other on the deck of the Falcon for more than twenty minutes. They didn't even know where their argument had started. But one thing was for sure : Jorge felt bad about having to cooperate with a pirate, no matter how innocent she was, and Jane couldn't stand that boy's self-righteousness on the ship that used to be hers. They both would have liked to go ashore and take a walk, but they had to stand guard, make sure the enemy didn't come aboard and provide a safe retreat in case of trouble. So they stood there, on either side of the boat, bow and stern, without speaking to each other.

But while they were ruminating, each in his own corner, a voice echoed from the pier.

- Is anyone there ? No need to play dead, we heard you ! If you don't show up, we'll go up by ourselves !

Jorge rushed to Jane and saw that she had done the same, so that they meet in the middle of the bridge.

- What do we do ? he whispered with an anguished look. It's all right for me, but your face is known all over the world : you're a former Warlord ! If you are seen here, the conclusions will be drawn quickly.

Jane didn't like Jorge. She thought he was slow, dirty and stupid. However, she had to admit that he was right this time, in an absolutely exceptional way. She sighed and glanced in the direction of the port.

- We have no choice : I'll use my powers to disappear in the wind from their sight. Just greet them as well you can and try not to be suspicious. If it goes wrong, I'll intervene, but we must avoid raising suspicions at all costs.

He nodded. Jorge didn't like Jane. First of all, because she was a pirate, but also because she gave Jun flirting looks that he thought were totally inappropriate... But for once, he was happy that she agreed with him. As she disappeared, he rushed to the rail to answer his interlocutor.

- Hello, gentlemen ! he shouted to the clowns below, giving them a forced smile. Forgive me, I didn't hear you from my cabin.

They stared at him with disdain. The tallest clown, whose face was whitened by makeup, did not seem satisfied with his answer.

- Where is your parking permit ?

- My... My permit ? he stammered, wiping the sweat from his forehead. Jane, what do I tell them ? he whispered to his invisible comrade, whom he felt flying around him.

- Get them upstairs and pay the damn tax ! If the situation gets out of hand, I'll get rid of them.

He nodded slowly and threw the rope ladder to the clowns. They looked at it for a moment and then, without enthusiasm, climbed it to join him. There were only five of them, but Jorge noticed that one of them had a small Den Den mushi. It was necessary to avoid arousing their suspicions at all costs.

- So, where is your authorization ?

- Well... I didn't know I had to pay for a parking permit !

The clown raised his eyebrow.