Freedom Vs. Justice

Chapter Two

Isuka stared at the platform, the place where the Pirate King had met his end.  It, and the man's death, had become the catalyst to the new era of pirates.  It led towards the insanity that had become the present.

But she couldn't help but not blame the man.  Pirates weren't bad people - some just sought after adventure and freedom on the open ocean.  Isuka had to admit, the temptation of the freedom of the ocean was strong.  When faced with Fire Fist's offer, she had almost taken it.....

She shook her head and bit her lip.  Her?  Become a bounty hunter?  Isuka honestly couldn't see it.  Fire Fist's offer had been genuine though, and sometimes she wondered 'what if'.  What if she had gone with him and chosen to become a bounty hunter?  

Would the heavy burden of responsibility still weigh on her shoulders?

(Probably.)

Turning away from the execution platform, she walked through the busy streets of Loguetown - vendors were calling out items and prices, and enticing aromas floated through the air.  A hot spot for tourists and pirates alike, Loguetown was the place to go.

The marine base stationed in Loguetown seemed to have less activity than Loguetown itself - she recalled seeing marine squads patrolling the town.  Smoker, it seemed, ran a tight ship.  The marines caused no inconveniences towards the civilians, so Isuka supposed that she approved of Smoker's squads - stopping the violence before it got a chance to break out.

Some marines were training in the courtyard, and Isuka passed by them.  Walking, she collided with another person, who apparently had deemed it a good idea to read while walking.  The other person stumbled to the floor, and Isuka rubbed her smarting shoulder.  The title of the book caught her eye - it was some sword catalog.  

"You like swords?" Isuka asked.

The woman on the ground fumbled with her glasses, which she perched on the bridge of her nose.  "Oh, yes!" she exclaimed, quickly picking it up and getting to her feet.  "I'm a swordsman, and I have to be a good one too if I plan on collecting the legendary swords - but forgive me, I wasn't looking where I was going...."

"No worries," Isuka said smiling and held her hand out to the other woman.  "My name is Isuka."

The woman's eyebrows shot up.  "Oh!  You're the Ensign that's arriving today!  Captain Smoker's probably expecting you..." the woman shook her hand, practically juggling with her book and sword.  "My name is Tashigi.  The Master Chief Petty Officer here."

"Could you show me to Captain Smoker's office?" Isuka asked.  "I know you must have things to do, but I don't really know my way around here very well."

Tashigi nodded.  "Of course, I was just heading there anyways."  the swordsman glanced at the rapier on Isuka's hip.  "You're a swordsman as well?"

Isuka nodded, and they began walking again.  "I'm not out to become the best, or to reclaim the legendary swords, or any goal such as that, but yes.  My only hope is that with these skills I can protect people."

Isuka found Tashigi staring at her.  "That's very admirable."

She shrugged.  "I guess so."  But she didn't do it for the admiration of others, or the fame and fortune and whatnot.  It was simply the right thing to do.

They stopped at a door, and Tashigi knocked briskly, then opened the door, saluting.  "Captain Smoker, sir!  Ensign Isuka has arrived!"

Isuka studied her new superior, and he studied her.  The first thing she noticed was his stark white hair, and stern look paired with it.  Even his two cigars  contributed to the air that he was cool, calm, and collected.

He probably only saw a girl who had run back to the East Blue, tail between her legs.  Compared to his experience, she was naïve and ignorant of the true dangers of the Grand Line.

Unfortunately, she knew all too well - not that she was in the East Blue to run away, though.  Far from it.  

"Tashigi," he said, voice rough.  "You're dismissed."

Tashigi saluted again.  "Sir!"

The two of them said nothing as the girl closed the door to the office.  Smoker's eyes had never let her.  "Ensign," he said.  "Why is it that you left the Grand Line to come here?"

Isuka raised her head higher.  "I desired a change of pace.  Sir."

Smoker shuffled some papers around.  "It says here that there was an issue between yourself and your past superior officer.  Is that true?"

He was all business, completely blunt, so Isuka told him the truth.  "Affirmative, sir.  It had been recently discovered that....that Vice Admiral Draw had murdered my family, innocent civilians, while chasing a pirate." She couldn't help the bite in her tone.  "Wouldn't you agree that his punishment was just?  Wouldn't you agree that he violated our code, and warped our sacred duty?"

Something flashed in Smoker's eyes.  Approval?  Caution?  She couldn't say.  "I see - a change of pace..."

She clenched her hands.  Isuka had to - no, needed to do this.  Pirates may be considered evil, but at least they wore their allegiance on their sleeves.  Marines, however, were blindsiding scum - one never knew where their treachery would hit, and for her that was a billion times worse.

"Sir," Isuka began, unable to help herself - she'd never been one to hold her tongue, and that wouldn't start now.  "I would like to formally issue a request."

Smoker didn't even blink.  "Spit it out, then."

"I would like to survey other marine bases," she continued.  "To...to get more of an idea of what marine bases are like on land."

Or, as Isuka meant it: "To expose those who would dare distort the marine's code of honor".

Smoker seemed to get it.  "I won't stop you from doing it," he said, but the glint in his eye told her he wasn't done.  "Make sure it won't interfere in your duties here.  Got it?"

That...that was it?  He wasn't going to deny her this, but instead gave her his approval?

She smiled.  It was drained and tired, but it was real.  "Thank you, sir."