A Thousand Treasures (One Piece)

Three

"Is it to your liking?" The aged man rubbed oil-slicked hands together, brown eyes studying his newest contraption. It took two days to make. A strap holster that could hold Desugurippu, one that would self-latch and unlatch when it was pulled. The strength of the metal was impressive for how fluidly the mechanisms moved. Easy removal and stashing.

"It's fantastic." Illyria adjusted the halter's hold on her shoulders, peering in the full length mirror on the left wall. Where she would normally sport a grey trench coat of hippo leather and a small pack; she traded those articles in for a thick leather belt embroidered with gold in which three square packs hung on the sides, a holster for her shotgun on her right hip, and a loop to hold the sheath of her combat knife. Fastened over the velvet tail of an otherwise brown corset that held her black, off the shoulder, cotton long sleeve to her body, straps from the top of the corset pressed along the side of her chest and ran over her shoulders, golden buckles over top her collarbone. Her long purple hair was pulled up into a gold and diamond hair clip on the back of her head, tufts falling over the jewel to tickle her neck. Her ears decorated with large, golden hoops, her usual necklace with a gold and garnet ring hung around her neck, and her wrists sported a silver bracer on the right and the emerald bracelet with a series of gold and silver rings and a closed receiver on her left. The halter looped around her shoulders through her armpits with cured black leather, keeping Desugurippu's smoked metal in place. "Thanks, Ossan."

"The matter of payment."

"All settled." Saying that, she dropped a stack of 2,000 berries on the table beside him. "Appreciate your time."

"Th-this is more than we agreed!"

A hand on the door, Illyria looked over her shoulder with a grin. "I cleared out the casino last night. Think of it as an investment for your future endeavors! Take care!" Taking to the streets, she made her way back to the docks. It took three days to sail to this island, Doffy had decided to change the dealership that he wanted to receive the idol. Apparently, within the span of the collection and their phone call, he dropped the dealership at the first island.

It didn't take long to ready the ship and set sail. Letting the wind decide her course as she fished out the map of the East Blue and laid it out on the floorboards in front of her crossed legs. "Goa Kingdom is directly south of here." A finger tapped on Dawn Island. "From there, he'd probably start sailing straight west, for the Red Line." He was never one to think things through, more so made it up as he went along. Gathering a crew would be no different. He'd likely just pick people up as he went along. Illyria sat back, arms crossing in front of her chest. The most important crew members to have are someone to man the cannons, a cook, and a navigator. He could make it through the East Blue fine if he was the main fighter, as long as those spots were filled. Her eyes closed in thought, recalling any news articles she's seen. Any mention of notable figures he might choose. There are any number of gunmen that can handle the cannons, the possibilities are too numerous. While the only notable navigator I've heard of already belongs to the Arlong Pirates, based out of the Conomi Islands. However, there's only one place in the East Blue to get a good, talented, sea-faring cook. Eyes opening, she pressed a finger near the Red Line. "Baratie in the Samba Region. Close to the Grand Line and vital for what I'm sure he thinks is the most important part on a ship. The only place in the world where marines, pirates, and civilians can all go to eat in peace. If he's going to find a cook, it'll be from there."

Ring, ring, ring... The ringing didn't come from the mast, but the leather and brass band around her left wrist. Ring, ring, ring... Clank. The head of a small black snail popped out of the circlet.

"Lieutenant Francois reporting with an urgent message."

The snail was known simply as a "black transponder snail", though it differed from the others. A tool to interfere with the calls of other ships. It's been the main thing keeping her hidden from the Navy.