Ikari ][ One Piece ][

Chapter Ten

~Ikari's POV~

                Ace assimilated into the role of division commander flawlessly. He was a natural born leader brimming with confidence. His personality was absolutely infectious and instantly drew others in. It wasn't long after accepting his new position amongst Whitebeard's crew that he'd developed quite a loyal following. Because of the respect and admiration he earned from the crew I noticed a lot less glares cast in my direction when I lashed out at him. More of the crew began to adapt his carefree attitude toward my rage. They laughed along with him. I didn't feel despised anymore. Because of Ace the rest of the crew began to accept me.

                "Doll Face, come join us." Ace beamed from the tankard lined table he was currently sharing with Thatch and Marco.

                "No thanks, Commander. One of us should remain vigilant." I rolled my eyes at the carefree rookie as he and the other two commanders each downed another tankard as fast as they could before proceeding to argue over who had 'won'.

                The four of us were here on business. Though our business was technically finished I was uneasy. We'd been sent here to offer the island our protection as they were recently being taken advantage of and being shaken down by a petty pirate group. Something about their reactions to us stepping in left me uneasy. Why would a town that had recently been abused by pirates accept protection from another pirate crew?

                I didn't trust them. They seemed grateful for our intervention; however, I had a bad feeling they were up to something. The town's mayor had been acting especially suspicious, but the three commanders had already entered party mode once their task was complete. None of them noticed the shift in the atmosphere or the forced smiles and over enthusiastic thanks and praises. This town was definitely up to something.

                "Come on Kari, relax a little." Marco smiled as he abandoned his spot at the table, probably because Thatch and Ace were locked in a very immature arm wrestling match and no matter the outcome booze and empty tankards were going to be catapulted every which way.  He placed a tankard of some frothy ale in front of me.

                I threw him a skeptical look, "Are you insinuating I should drink this drink that's going to inhibit my senses in the presence of three men who are already heavily intoxicated and now, assuming they had any to begin with, lack any sense of judgment or moral fiber?"

                His electric blue eyes looked puzzled for a moment as he slowly worked out what I'd said. The other two morons froze in their match and began doing the same.

                "Careful gentlemen, don't think too hard in your current state, you're liable to hurt yourselves." I smirked.

                "HEY!" All three commanders shouted as they simultaneously worked out that I had insulted them.

                "Why'd we bring her along?" Thatch slurred, "She's a buzz kill."

                I turned to retort something to the drunkard, dropping my guard momentarily, and all hell broke loose. The front door to the pub flew open and there were two loud cannon like booms. Nets shot from the air aimed for Ace and Thatch as well as Marco and I as marines surged in from the kitchen.

                Due to their slowed reaction times, Ace, Thatch and Marco were caught in the nets. I managed to flit away from the net aimed for Marco and me and find myself a better vantage point backing myself into a corner so I could see every angle around me. Why weren't Ace and Marco phasing through the nets? They were both devil fruit users, that net should have been a cake walk.