Pieces Of One

#07: The Promise

3 years Ago

Entrance of the Reverse Mountain

"I can't believe we already here", Morwen and Gale cried. Lehar offered his handkerchief. They blew their nose at the same time. "You haven't eaten since we traveled from Lougetown", Bloom tried to feed Kairi. "See, you're getting thinner!", Morwen crossed his arms after seeing Kairi rejecting the food. "Lehar! Hold him for me!", Morwen pointed at the gloomy lady. Lehar did as what was asked. Bloom covered her nostrils and they waited for her to breathe using her mouth. Morwen shove the spoon in her mouth as soon as she opened it. 

"Everyone", Alon called their attention. 

"Once we get inside, we will no longer be in the same group", he reminded such a bad news. "We will be commanders of our own ships", he added. "But, there's nothing to be worried of. You trained hard all these years. Whoever or whatever we will face, we will survive because we're strong. Not just that, we're the ones who understand how lucky we are to be alive", Alon took the time to give his speech. 

"Let's keep struggling, the seven of us. I still haven't forgotten my dream", Alon looked at Kairi. 

I will be the next fleet admiral. 

"Of course, my dream is not far from impossible", Bloom flipped her hair. 

I will become an idol of all women as an epitome of beauty. 

"How I wish I also have that tenacity of yours", Gale sighed. 

I will be a doctor who will successfully close whatever kind of wound it is. 

"You can call me from time to time. If I become the official chef of the marines, I will willingly give you some discount!", Morwen chuckled. 

"That would be nice", Lehar nodded. 

I will become accepted. 

"Then, prepare. We'll be entering the reverse mountain. Just one tilt from our ship will cause us to slam on the walls", Baiju lazily took the helm. 

I will learn more about this world. 

"You've been quiet all of the time", Alon looked at Kairi in the corner scratching on the ship's wall. "Wow, she looked very depressed. Are you lonely because Alon will no longer beat you?", Morwen teased. 

"Shut up!", Kairi threw her spear on Morwen who just turned into a mushy mallows.

I will.... I... I just want to be with this guys. 

________________________________________________________________________

Rooftop

"You've grown since the last time I saw you", Trafalgar coughed. He took a lot of damage from the battle with Doflamingo. "You've also become older. Also, you seems to become more of an idiot. An alliance with a pirate, don't make me laugh. You will end up betraying each other in the long run", Kairi smirked. 

"Call me whatever you would want to", Trafalgar winced in pain as he tried to sit down. "Marines are here", he heard some voices. He used his ability to swap Kairi and the group of Luffy. 

Street

Kairi clicked her tongue. "Vice-Admiral, we are looking for straw-hat. He was carried towards this place", one of the marine soldier informed. "If you're looking for the pirates, they're at the rooftop", Kairi walked away. "Aren't you coming with us?", they asked. "They're too weak this time to be fighting another battle. Also, by this time, they might have escaped already", Kairi looked up and saw the strings slowly being cleared. 

"Also, Inspector Sengoku-san is headed towards Dressrosa", the marine soldier gave his salute. 

Somewhere around the town

Ruins

"I'm overseeing the capture of Doflamingo. He's already being tied into sea stone chains", Kairi called using her transporter snail. The famous shishibukai is unconscious. "Congratulations, because of that.. you will be raised-", Kairi interrupted Akainu's words. "It wasn't me", she said right away. "The one who defeated Doflamingo is Straw Hat with the help of his alliance", Kairi informed making it loud enough for the marine soldiers to hear. The gritted their teeth and clenched their fists. 

Kairi ended the call. She looked at the frustrated marine soldiers. "Remember this bitterness. If you wouldn't like to feel this way again, then make sure you'll catch the next one", Kairi said with a firm voice. 

"What a touching speech", Kairi turn around and saw Fujitora.

Palace

Fujitora and Kairi looked at the trampled Dressrosa. Kairi looked at King Riku who was just silently lost in his own world. "That night, Doflamingo visited my room. It was just a normal night which I thought we could all sleep over. But, I was wrong. That was the start of my people's downfall. There was never a time that I didn't regret being a weak ruler", King Riku breathed deeply. 

"It wasn't your fault, King Riku", Tank and the other gladiators who were formerly his royal guards dropped on the ground. "Who's responsibility is it to take care of his own people?", King Riku turned to them with his furrowed brow. 

"That's why, allow us to apologize for it. Riku-dono", Fujitora bowed very low. "Apologize for what?", King Riku was startled. "It was us. Because our power was not enough, the World Government created the system of Shishibukai. I personally dislike the idea of having villains as our partners", Fujitora explained. "Issho-san", King Riku clenched his fists. 

"Admiral, Vice Admiral Maynard and I already set the visual transporter snail", Kairi informed. 

The marine soldiers are all lined up. They all removed their caps and knelt down. Fujitora and Kairi also did the same. "For what happened to Dressrosa, we apologize", Fujitora said in a loud voice. The marines are obviously keeping up with their Admirals order. But, they don't understand why the proud looking new Vice Admiral would also join Fujitora's crazy ideas. 

After a while, 

Kairi wiped her spears although she didn't use it that much throughout the battle. A marine soldier went near her. "Why didn't you rejected Admirals order? It's not like you can be forced to follow it", the young looking marine soldier asked. Kairi noticed how inexperienced he looked like. "How old are you?", Kairi asked. "17, Vice Admiral", he stood up properly. 

"I see. I was also your age when I became a Lieutenant Commander and led my own ship", Kairi wrapped the spear in a black clothe. She leaned on the huge rubble behind her. "If I won't follow my superior, how could I expect my subordinates to follow me as well", Kairi looked at the marine soldier who had his eyes wide open. He was amazed with how sincere she sounded. "What's your name? soldier?", Kairi stood up slightly being taller than the soldier. "Shizu, Vice Admiral!", he gave a salute. 

"Listen, one day. You will lead your own people. When that time comes, you will understand how important it will be to follow orders. Regardless how much you hate it", Kairi had a weak smile. 

The nearby marine soldiers gritted their teeth. Why is the newbie talking to the Vice Admiral?

Kairi saw Fujitora seated on the tent made for them to stay while clearing Dressrosa from the pirates as well as the Donquixote pirates. 

"If you lose credibility by just admitting fault, then you didn't have any in the first place!!!", he shouted over the transporter snail. The marine soldiers created some distance knowing that it is the Fleet Admiral Akainu that he is talking to. 

"Admiral. All of the Donquixote pirates have been captured", Kairi reported. 

Fujitora continued to argue on the transporter snail with Akainu. 

If only I had listened... 

Chapter End.