Secret Weapon (Eustass Kid x Reader : Modern AU)

22.5. Calm Before The Storm

A/N: The last bonus chapter. Only three chapters left until the end of the story☹️!

***

All the evidence fits.

Even though Tashigi does not want to believe it, Vergo seems to be the most likely spy for Doflamingo.

She decides to call Y/N, because that is the only person who knows for sure who the traitor is. But as usual, that call is vague, and nothing is revealed. Tashigi guesses that her best friend is trying to protect her, probably under threat from Vergo, still there is no denial, so she is sure that her conclusion is correct.

Tashigi meets with Aokiji to make her report on the situation. Laying out the evidence that she was able to find.

"The major piece of evidence in her hands was the hardest to obtain, as it was a sealed record. However, since Aokiji helped her by putting in a good word to Sengoku, she was able to access Don Quixote Rocinante's sealed file.

"Like Y/N told me, this person was undercover in Doflamingo's family, working for the police. However, look at this, Vergo was involved in that case. He is the one who found the body after Doflamingo killed him. I know that doesn't prove anything, but it's not the only case that he has connections to Doflamingo." Tashigi takes a breath. "Last month, the Kid Alliance broke into one of Doflamingo's fake offices and stole some documents, well, at least, Vergo was the one who brought up the question of missing documents in the interrogation."

"I see, that is something, but it's all circumstantial, Tashigi. No prosecutor would take a case like this." Aokiji says looking troubled.

"The only evidence we have that Smoker was killed by Doflamingo is Vergo's testimony! For all we know, he's the real killer! He betrayed his partner, he betrayed our entire system! We can't just let him go! We have to catch him!" Tashigi protests.

"Tashigi-"

"And a couple of weeks ago, Jewlery Bonnet's warehouse was destroyed, after I reported the suspected location of it to Vergo! There were no weapons when we went to check it! Where do you think those weapons went?" She asks.

"Tashigi, I believe you. So calm down." Aokiji says gently. "I'll present everything you said to Akainu. If anything, it should at least be enough to put him under surveillance. You just keep an eye out, and don't do anything dangerous." He adds. "Is there any witness who can maybe attest to your claims?"

"Ah, Y/N knows who the traitor is, but she's not gonna help us, I think Vergo threatened her. That, or his betrayal has made her lose faith in the police." After all, it was Vergo who compromised her identity by stealing her file from Akainu's office.

"Is she alright?" He asks in concern.

"She's fine, she has strong people protecting her."

"I see." Aokiji mutters. "I'll call and check on her anyway."

~

They begin surveillance on Vergo discreetly that week. Tashigi can sense that something big is brewing, judging by the movements of the gangs in Grandline City. Still her heart is heavy whenever she thinks about Vergo's betrayal, how she trusted him, how Smoker trusted him, with his life probably. It makes her both sad and angry and it clouds her mind. What she needs is some clarity, and there is only one person who can give that to her. So, on New Year's Eve, she visits him.

***
Tashigi stands in front of the door to that apartment and hesitates. What is she doing here? No, that is not the question, she knows exactly why she's there. The real question is if she's brave enough to take the leap, or if she will run away again. She takes a deep breath, and wonders why she likes to complicate things. Before she can stop herself, she knocks on that door.