Pieces Of One

#03: Caged Kingdom

5 years ago

Marine Ford- Library

"Geez, did Bloom escape this class again?", Tsuru dropped books in front of the youngsters.

"What? Is there an earthquake?!", Gale woke up and stood up. "It's just books", Morwen patted his back. If he gets his adrenaline rush, who knows how many books will survive in the library. "Tsuru-san", Gale's face lit up to see the female Vice-Admiral. In comparison to the Admirals teaching them, he feels safe with Tsuru.

"It's unfair. Bloom gets to ditch this class", Morwen pouted and stuffed bread into his mouth. "Bloom is already knowledgeable when it comes to navigation. If you can beat her score, then you could ditch as well", Tsuru slapped her fan on Morwen's head.

"So then, let's continue with where we left off", Tsuru set up a huge map in front of the six. "The world is so huge. I wonder if we could circumnavigate the world", Gale's eyes brightened. "We could. In that case, we'll get to come across all kinds of sea kings. Not to mention the 4 Emperors of the sea", Alon had his game face on. "Yes, Yes. It's good be young. Nowadays, the pirates are ruling the sea", Tsuru dropped the comment. Someone slammed the table.

"I'm going to be an Admiral that will chase those thugs", Kairi looked at Alon's eyes as if trying to challenge him. "Good luck with that then", Alon raised his hand signaling that he'll be cheering on her. "Aren't you going to declare war with me?", Kairi's eyes twitched. "I will look low if I'll be competing against you", Alon leaned on the table. "You seem to be underestimating what a woman can do. Tsuru-san is an amazing Vice-Admiral. I heard stories from the marine officers of how-", Kairi was interrupted when Alon stood up as well slightly towering over the lady. "That's not what I meant. It's not a matter of being a male or a female. At least me, I use whatever I could to win", Alon dropped his hand on Kairi's shoulder.

Kairi grabbed his hand and threw him on the table. "You can brawl when the Admirals are here", Tsuru showed her sword. They all gulped. The bell rang. "Have another meeting", Tsuru looked at the teenagers and sighed. "You can study on your own this time", Tsuru exited the room.

"What should we do now? Let's go cook something in the kitchen!", Morwen suggested. "You just want to eat", Gale pouted. "We don't want to dissect frogs. We're not interested with your sick hobbies", Morwen stuck his tongue. Lehar gently covered Morwen's mouth. "It's impolite to stick you tongue to someone", Lehar lectured.

"You're so noisy. I can't sleep well", Baiju yawned and carried his swords on the side.

'Where are you going?", Alon asked.

"Just going for a walk", Baiju answered.

"Let's go catch some fish. That way, we can cook it. Gale could also dissect it he wants to", Alon suggested. "And I can also compete with you", Kairi gave a thumbs up. "You're not going to give up on your dream of beating Alon, don't you?", Bloom entered the door wearing her newly sewn dress. "Wow, Bloom. You have a very nice dress", Gale clapped. "Shall we all go now?", Alon led the way.

In that cliff, the seven of us carried our own fishing rod.

One by one, we caught our own fish. Some of them looked horrible and some looked palatable.

When we went back in our dorm, Sengoku-san scolded us for dripping wet as we went back to the place we called "Home".

____________________________________________________________________________

"Sorry to interrupt your sleep but we're already here", the young vice-admiral woke up with the voice of Fujitora enveloping her quiet cabin. "Forgive me for slacking", Kairi wore her uniform as fast as she could. Fujitora heard noises that seems to be Kairi bumping on every furniture inside the her cabin.

"No need to rush, Kairi", Fujitora sweat dropped.

The door opened.

"I'm ready", the girl gave her salute. "Sengoku prepare a dress for you. He advice me to keep our profile hidden", Fujitora raised a fabric. Kairi looked down at the catchy red dress. "A red dress", Kairi's eyes twitched. "I see. I find it fitting for a passionate person like you", Fujitora smiled.

Dressrosa

Port

"Young lady with her father, would you like some flowers?", the vendor offered.

"We're not-", Kairi shook her head but stopped when Fujitora had a gentle smile on his face. "I'll take this", Kairi saw a bundle of red camellias. "What did you buy?", Fujitora was curious. "Camellias, Admiral. They look lovely", Kairi informed. "Yes, indeed", Fujitora proceeded to walk towards the town circle.

"What a lovely lady. Your father must be proud to have you accompanying him to visit this country", a woman standing in front of the flower shop commented. Kairi looked at her and saw how perfectly shaped she was. Her olive-toned skin is complemented with her wavy brown hair. "Viola-sama, rose as usual?", the flower vendor gave one to her. She seems to be a regular in the shop. "I haven't seen your face around. Are you new here?", Viola asked. Kairi nodded and looked around. She lost the Admiral. "I'll be going then", she excused herself. It was difficult for her to move around with a long dress and pair of heeled sandals.

While running around the town circle, someone bumped into her. She lost balance and fell on her butt. The camellia flowers also scattered all over the place. "My bad", the man apologized with his low manly voice. "My sword", he clicked his tongue but paused to offer a hand to the lady. Kairi looked up and saw the moss head wearing a suit. The lady clenched her fist and stood on her own. "You seemed in a hurry", Kairi started to pick the flowers. "Are you running away, Mister?", Kairi sounded suggestive. Zoro felt something in her presence. "I guess you're fine. I'll be going", he continued to chase over whoever stole his swords.

Kairi picked her transporter snail in her pocket. She tried to call Fujitora. At the same time, she mentally slapped herself for not thinking of that in the first place. The Admiral isn't answering. She called the ship's transporter snail to report that the known pirate swordsman is in the island. Kairi saw the palace from where she is standing. She remembered Fujitora saying something about one of the seven warlords ruling over the entire country. Why are pirates allowed to take over an entire country?

Palace

Hall

"A guest, you say?", the new ruler of the country crossed his legs together and drank from his wine. The pink feathered coat he had added to his fabulous look.

The door opened revealing the vice-admiral without any hint of being one. No coats and even weapon visible. "Welcome, young lady. What matters would you wish to discuss with me?", Doflamingo asked. "Normally, I have nothing to discuss with pirates but I'm here as a mission given to me by the Admiral. You have been announced to have left the Shishibukai. That means, you have no rights to be sitting in that seat", Kairi stood confidently in just few meters away from the fallen celestial dragon.

"I have no rights, you say", Doflamingo smirked.

Soon, guns and sword were pointed Kairi. "You are bold to enter my palace and utter those words", Doflamingo raised his strings and directed it on her but the strings were slashed before it even lands on Kairi's skin.

Chapter end.