Commander Shepherd:
-x-
WHAM! "VICE ADMIRAL!" Y/N in his 'Seaman Recruit Natsu' disguise which had been updated with bandages over his right eye and eyebrows burst in to Vice Admiral Jonathan's office.
The Vice Admiral looked up, as did Ensign Christopher and Chief Petty Officer Todd.
"You've recovered quickly from your injury," Vice Admiral Jonathan noted.
"I had to come and give you my report, Vice Admiral!" Natsu exclaimed. "'One Eye' Y/N is in the infirmary! I saw him take out Lieutenant Commander Drake! I came here as fast as I could!"
"Calm down, son," Jonathan instructed. "Tell me what happened."
Natsu sat down in a chair opposite Jonathan. He glanced briefly down at the chess board in between them then looked back up.
"'One Eye' Y/N is in the infirmary impersonating a doctor," Natsu explained. "But the odd thing is, he's actually treating people. He stitched up my wound from Roronoa Zoro in a matter of minutes. Now he's in the O.R. tending to the trauma patients that came in one those three battleships."
"So 'One Eye' Y/N is the Straw Hat Pirate's doctor and he's treating injured marines," Jonathan noted.
"The only other doctor left in the base is Dr. Kobato," Natsu added. "Who – as you know – is a pediatrician who faints at the sight of blood. One Eye told her that as a doctor he took an oath to treat the sick and injured. He's actually coaching her through some surgeries. Sir... if you don't mind me asking... why is there a pediatrician at our Marine Base? There are no kids here."
"Her father works at Dock 88," Jonathan informed him. "She came to visit him while our doctors were called away. I requested that she stay in the meantime so that we would at least have one trained doctor at the base... even if she is inexperienced. But you're saying that he's actually helping her get over fear of blood? Other than attacking Lieutenant Commander Drake, has he shown any hostility towards us?"
"Um, no sir," Natsu admitted. "The nurses are all following his instructions. Dr. Kobato is with him in the Operating Room. Actually, the truth is, sir, the only reason he attacked the Lieutenant Commander is because he interrupted a surgery when he burst into the O.R."
"Hmm..." Jonathan mused to himself. "If One Eye wishes to treat our injured, I'll allow him to do so. I already told you that it's my duty to ensure the wellbeing of all the marines on this base. We'll station some men outside the infirmary but warn them against going in. As long as we know where One Eye is and that he's not causing trouble, I'll let him do as he pleases."
Jonathan looked down at his chess board. "You play chess, Natsu?"
"I know of it, I know the pieces, but I've never played," Natsu answered. "What self-respecting strategist doesn't know how to play chess?" "It seems like you're in the middle of a game but none of the pieces have been moved."
"This is the game I'm playing against the Straw Hat Pirates," Vice Admiral Jonathan told him. "There are seven black pieces for the Straw Hats. Plus one for their ship. Thanks to you, we've captured one of their Rooks, Roronoa Zoro and we've also know the location of their Queen. 'One Eye' Y/N."
"You made 'One Eye' the Queen?" Y/N questioned. "I know he's the First Mate but I'm not sure he'll like that very much."
"Why's that?" Jonathan inquired.
"He didn't strike me as very Queen-like when I saw him," Natsu said. "He was very friendly with the nurses in the infirmary. There was one in particular... you know what? Never mind. It's your game. Play it however you want."
