The Marionette

Chapter 25: Law's Plan Ruined! An Unexpected Bounty!

No one told you there were marines here...

You weren't exactly dressed appropriately to conceal your identity either, as Law's Jolly Roger was proudly displayed on your white uniform. You weren't expecting to be shunned for being a pirate so quick, all you did was walk into town and the second you rounded the corner, you ran right into a group of marines. The moment they looked at your uniform and the Jolly Roger, they recognized it almost instantly.

"After her!" You could hear a marine shout from behind you, the pitter-patter sound of their boots hitting the pavement wasn't too far away.

You didn't do anything, in fact out of the entire crew, you were the most innocent! You took off running, skirting around the corner and dodging in between civilians, most turning to yell at you as you did so. "I'm sorry!" You turned to one as you shouldered past a couple, breaking them apart.

"Stop her! She's part of the Worst Generation!" A marine demanded as yet another small group met up with the original. You could hear the cocking of their guns as they began to call out to one another.

"I didn't do anything!" You cried out as your eyes rapidly scanned for a way out, most of the townspeople had stopped at this point and began to watch the show. A gravel wall blocked a small wooded area, you could easily scale it and maybe make a break for the shoreline. You could potentially lose the marines in the trees, or you hoped so at least.

The sound of their marching began to close in on you, a stray bullet wizzed past you as they shouted, "there she is! The Heart Pirate!" One pointed out from ahead of the group, his finger pointing right at you.

You didn't want to fight them, if you did, you'd risk even more troops to be called in. And if they follow you back to the Polar Tang... you shuttered at the thought of how mad Law would be at you. At the sound of more gun fire you began to run faster, ramping up your speed as you jumped over the wall and landed just on the other side. Your hand reached down to feel for your sword as they began to fire more rounds, your head ducking down as one nearly got you. This was bad.

The leaves from the fallen trees crunched under your shoes as you had to wack past branches that were in your way, your breathing getting heavier as you tried your best to hide in between the various trees. You slammed your back against a thick trunk, trying your best to steady your breathing as a few marines went running past.

"Thought you could hide, eh?" A snarky voice remarked beside you, your eyes widened at the sound as you spun around and met the face of a marine with a scruffy black beard. He was much larger in stature compared to the others, so he must rank higher up, especially by the cocky ego he exuded.

"Guess I was wrong," you said flatly while unsheathing your sword, "I didn't want to fight." You brought your sword up and held the hilt firmly, your bandaged fingers tightening their grip around it.

The marine seemed amused and also revealed his sword, "I'm not scared of a woman," he sneered as he took his stance.

You scowled but didn't respond, you didn't want to give him the pleasure of a reaction. This must be fait's way of playing some cruel joke on you for not training with Law today. "Stay back, I've got this!" The marine barked out when the group of marines finally caught up, all drawing their guns on you.

"Yes, sir!" The group saluted, but still kept their guns trained on you. You concluded he must be their captain, or at least someone ranking higher than them if they listened that well.

You had to admit you were a little apprehensive about this fight knowing your swordsmanship was subpar, however, you didn't have a choice. No more words were exchanged as the marine already had his sword swinging in your direction, you raising your blade and blocking it. Although you only trained with Law once, his words were still engrained into your memory, you knew you couldn't rely on dodging.