Erstwhile | One Piece - ABANDONED

6 - a hunt for a crown

A few months of pestering her grandfather for permission have passed. She took small missions like simple rescue missions or capturing rogue pirates (never aiding a noble, she made sure to burn those missions if they got to her).

To be honest, it took longer than expected for Marie to be accepted to go out. Sure she was an adult who could do whatever she wanted but she was under Garp's supervision, so his permission is the top priority.

She presented research and patrol unit spotting his crew countless times to the point where she turned 20. And only then was she allowed to be free to hunt down this man.

"How long?" Marie said to Trisha behind her, their resident navigator.

"Like, an hour before their supposed whereabouts,"

"Get ready everyone! And remember-"

"-KEEP HIDDEN, BE WARY," her crew replied back. Good, she trained them well. Their motto was simple: stay hidden and blend in with citizens, be wary of those who cause a ruckus. They were not the type of marines to show the world who they are and their abuse of power, they'd rather stay hidden of their deeds, then at the capturing moment they reveal themselves.

In half an hour they docked the island.

Pirates and citizens of all kinds partied in the streets with Shiki's men acting as patrol units, this was their base. On the corner of her vision she spotted the infamous floating ship tied to a rope for stability. This was going as they expected.

Marie's Mon-Cherry Fleet was disguised as a modern merchant ship. This was with the works of Jacob and her, she noticed how her full potential of her fruit's non-combat abilities couldn't be done without Jacob's help. That science nerd.

"ORDER OF BUSINESS." one of the pirate guards said. His other mates checked the ship for goods and suspicious items.

"We're here for trade, Captain Shiki has explicitly requested us to bring in valued goods." Kile, a merchant covered for us, that was his job after all, we just did some light negotiation with him. Kile's hand trembled slightly, constantly flicking his eyes to Marie who made sure he doesn't act out of order.

"ENTER," they were through the first security. The rest of her crew lodged off the supplies of clothing, fabrics, accessories and armour. Kile led Marie to the main castle to report on his arrival.

During Roger's age, Shiki commanded hundreds of fleet and ruled over the seas, known to be a rival of Roger' power. Now he was reduced to a small island open for trade, but his power did not reduce one bit.

One of his weaknesses was the part of the steering wheel lodged onto his head permanently- a result of a duel between him and Gol D. Roger.

What was even more dangerous for him is his patience. He can plan a grandiose scheme for 10 years if needed, and it's always in detailed. If she wanted to destroy him it should be in the middle of his planning phase.

—•—•—•—

"Captain Shiki! I'm here to report on the goods," a slight waver but Marie squeezed their interlocked hands, double checking that his ring is there.

"Jihahahahahha! Kile! Have your trade finished already? And who is this fine young lad?" Shiki on his throne drinking some booze, said.

"This is my wife, captain. The one I've been talking to you about," oh, he already has a wife? This was even better, now this makes it more convincing to Shiki.

"Ah I see! Was it... Lisa?"

"Leana, captain, Leana Hobart," Marie bowed for respect, her hand still interlocking with Kile, readying an attack if he ever does betray her.