The Red Haired Devil

Chapter 14

They all started leaving the Sand Pirates and Luffy and everyone waved to them. "They were great." Luffy said.

"Yea." Usopp agreed.

"By the way, where'd your brother go?" Sanji asked.

"Don't know, but there's nothing to worry about. He'll show up again sooner or later."

"He may have bad sense of direction half of the time, but he'll be fine. Remember, they don't make just anyone the commander of Whitebeard's Second Division." Kairi said while grinning.

***

"Hey!" Ace yelled heading their way with supplies being dragged behind him. Kairi sweat dropped when she seen he was riding on a Giant Gecko. "Hey!"

"It's Ace!" Luffy exclaimed as he and Kairi ran to Ace. They came to a sliding stop in front of each other. "What's this thing?"

"So you're the Sand Pirates those flakes were scared of." Ace said hopping off the Gecko.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" They asked.

"We left the Sand Pirates a little while ago." Luffy informed.

"Yea? Well, whatever. It's no biggie. I got great news. You want food and water? Because I brought you guys plenty of both!"

"Oh, that's much appreciated." Sanji said and Kairi grinned. "This should be more than enough to last us a while."

"Ace is one incredible man. Kairi's pretty cool too." Usopp said as Nami slid down the camel.

"Sure are. Kind and thoughtful unlike someone we know." Nami replied.

"That's true."

"Thank you. I was so thirsty." Chopper said and Kairi got herself something to drink.

"Then drink up."

"Uhm, excuse me. Ace?" Vivi said climbing off the camel. "I assume you used something other than money to get this. Whatever you did, please don't tell me you stole the supplies." Kairi gaped at her.

"I doubt he did. He knows I'd kick his ass for stealing in this country." Kairi replied.

"Yea. Kairi told me Alabasta was where she was born at, so I'd never steal from here. Anyways, that's not my style. Actually, the Rebel Army gave it to me." Ace replied and Vivi's eyes widened.

"The Rebel Army?!"

"Well, perhaps, fake Rebel soldiers would be more precise description."

"Fake? What do you mean by that?" Nami asked.

"I mean, they passed themselves off as rebel soldiers in order to get hired by the village. And the villagers were so grateful for their protection that they accepted these hoodlums with open arms."

"I get that they're desperate for help, but wouldn't they eventually figure out they've been duped?"

"Not necessarily. The villagers know the mere mention of the Rebel Army is enough to send most bandits running. It's ingenious really. The confident swagger with a little miss direction and the money and prestige comes rolling in."

"Rebel soldiers aren't hoodlums nor is their title meant to serve as some sort of decoration." Vivi said looking down.

"Vivi, I'm sure we'd all be happy to teach these guys a lesson." Sanji said.

"Yea? Well, if your plan for restitution involves duping the villagers, may I point out that's exactly how they were treated by the hoodlums. At least the way things stand now, the villagers live in peace with their fake protectors. Is this necessary?" Ace asked.