Pieces Of One

#01: One of Us

Purru! Purru! Purru!

Kachack!

"Fleet Admiral! The rescue was accomplished. We would like to hear your order. What should we do with these corpses?".

"Bury them. Make sure to make proper graves. Also, if you can get more information, I'll give the permission for you to search all over the corpses", Sengoku massaged his forehead as he is seated on his chair with his arms leaning on the table. It has been a month since their mission was accomplished.

"Fleet Admiral. I have a report to make", a nearby navy's voice was audible enough.

"Speak", Sengoku permitted.

"Children were also found in the dungeon. We found seven of them alive".

"Bring them to Dr. Vegapunk to be treated. After which, bring them here in the Marine Ford", Sengoku ordered.
__________________________________

Marine Ford

Sengoku, with his huge bod, went at the main port to meet the children. With his admiral cape on, it made him more intimidating. The children all looked frightened except of one who is unresponsive.

"Welcome to Marine Ford. Starting today, you'll be staying with us. All of you will be trained to be a full-fledged marines", Sengoku gave a smile making him less monstrous to look at. "Oh~ Who do we have here? Brats?", Garp just came out from his ship. The children shook in fear as well to see another gigantic figure walking towards them.

"Let's start to introduce our names. I am Senguko, the current Fleet Admiral", he knelt down to be in level with the seven. "What's your name, little girl?", he patted the child who was unresponsive from the first time he appeared until now. She doesn't have any light in her eyes but just keep staring blankly at the ground. "Sorry Sengoku-sama, Kairi haven't spoken a word since we went out from the tunnel", a blonde female child informed. "Amongst the seven of us, she's the only one who was separated. She was taken deeper into the tunnel with someone else", a brown haired boy raised his hand. "Sen-san, we're quite hungry", a chubby boy held unto his stomach. Another child wearing a huge headmask nodded. He's far taller than everyone else. "I'm sleepy", the red head boy fell flat on his face. "Ahk! Did you hit your head?!", another green haired boy panicked and run around. Sengoku sweat dropped. It seems that he adopted an interesting random children.

10 Years Later
Marine Ford Training Ground

"This will just be a friendly game, don't you kill each other, okay?", Kizaru lazily sat on the balcony overseeing the seven teenagers scattered on the ground.

"Do we have to do this again?", Baiju yawned. Turned out that the young lad already grew his red hair due to his laziness to have it cut off. His eyes are always droopy. His posture always looks unhealthy.

"This brawling will make me hungry again", Morwen's stomach growled. Despite his massive appetite, growing up made his metabolism work fast. Comparing it when he was younger, he's more lean this time. Probably because of the training they have in Marine Ford.

"I don't want to hurt anyone. Could you just knock me off right away?", Gale cowered and hid behind another youngster wearing a huge headmask.

"Gale, you grew another set of freckles. I've been sharing my skin care tips to you and yet you're not listening", Bloom stretched Gale's face. She posted in the middle of the ground. "Look how beautiful I am. You should also take care of your faces. Of course, you're always beautiful Alon-sama", Bloom rested her head on the brown head's chest with her blonde hair spreading perfectly . "Don't lose your focus on the training", Alon said with his stern yet caring voice. The lad grew handsomely with a great posture that catches the attention of the higher ups. He's an admiral material.

"What are we waiting for?", Kairi spoke as she walked closer to Alon. "You have set me as your first target again. You know you'd always lose to me", Alon smiled gently and looked at the black haired lady with pairs of unwavering scarlet eyes.

Kizaru clapped.

"Yosh", he held unto his chin.

"What was I supposed to say?", the admiral furrowed his brow. "Never mind, go and brawl but don't kill each other", he waved his hand.

"I guess that's the sign", Kairi drew her spear and thrust it to Alon who caught it barehand.

"Here they go!", Morwen cheered. The group had always been divided into two cheering squad. Morwen and Baiji would cheer on Kairi while Bloom and Gale sides with Alon.

Alon removed his gloves and it made Kairi flinched. "Finally getting serious", she gulped. Alon tried to grab Kairi but the agile lady sweep through the man's feet. He lost his balance and wobbled a bit . Alon smirked and removed the other gloves. "Be careful, Alon", Gale held unto the tall lad with a head mask. He walked towards the two who already locked on their target. He stood in between and the two felt intimidation with his stares. 

"Phew~ That kid already have a conqueror haki in his young age", Kuzan passed by and also watched with Kizaru from the balcony. "Who will you put your bet on?", Kizaru leaned on the railings of the balcony. "Why would I be betting on anyone? They'll eventually grow stronger and it'll be more convenient if we have more", another presence joined. "Convenient. These youngsters we've burdened with at a young age", Kuzan sighed and left. 

"Don't interfere Lehar", Kairi furrowed her brow. She moved her spear and accidentally knocked off Lehar's head mask. "Ah. Sorry about that, Lehar", Kairi picked his head mask. Alon wore back his gloves. "It's Lehar's win again, right?", Alon chuckled. Bloom jumped into Kairi and bite on her ears. "How dare you try to scratch dear Alon!?", she scolded. 

"Wha~ Your fur looks silky this time. Did you use the soap I bought you?", Morwen clung on Lehar's neck who appeared to be a huge panda bear. 

"Be careful", Lehar took Morwen and let him sit on his shoulders. "Woah~ So high!!!", Morwen raised his arms.

"Aren't we supposed to be fighting ?", Kairi sighed and rested her spear.

"I don't want to. I'll just be ruining my newly painted nails", Bloom whined. "Then, should we go back inside and just read some books", Gale nearly tripped on a rock while trying to get closer to the group gathered in the middle.

"I guess we should", Kairi wrapped her spear with a black clothe. She needed to draw it again as Gale clashed blades with her. The lethargic looking lad already have a sharp look in his eyes. He twisted his hand to thrust a small scalpel to Kairi's neck. Before he can even stab her, Kizaru appeared and kicked the scalpel away.

Kairi fell on her butt looking up to Gale's angered expression. Slowly, his expression softened. "Eih? What am I doing here?", Gale panicked and bumped on Kizaru who towered over him. "Admiral!", he flinched. Kizaru dropped his hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. The brawling is over. Why don't you go and visit the infirmary? I heard some people got wounded in an encounter with some pirates", Kizaru smiled.

The rest of the six sighed as Gale's face lit up and ran heading inside the building. "Seriously, he needs to fix that double character of his", Morwen hugged tightly on Lehar's neck. "So you guys will just stand and watch while Gale butcher me alive?!", Kairi tried to stand up but lost balance. Alon grabbed on her arm with his gloves on. 

"Let's go grab our lunch!", Morwen raised his hand and pointed to the dining area. 

"Can someone wake that lazy bum!", Bloom pointed at Baiju sleeping on the side. 

Marine Ford Dining Hall

Happy Birthday!

The group was startled. 

"Today was that day?", Kairi looked at the other five. Gale is already behind Sengoku. "Happy 15th birthday to all of you", Sengoku had a huge smile in his face. 

"What~ This old man is celebrating his brats' birthday", Garp entered carrying his rice cakes. "I'll gladly share these to you", Garp revealed seven packs of rice cakes and gave it to each of them. 

"Oh. Happy Birthday to all of us then", Bloom hugged from the back Kairi. "Thank you for celebrating this day with us", Bloom burrowed her face on Kairi's back. 

Chapter end.