Moderating Manners // One Piece Various x Female Oc

Essential Enemy

Picture: ???

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Keys:-

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Emphasis/Emphasis

Flashback -- if it is more than two words.

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Essential Enemy

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"Hello, Mrs. 3. Pardon my lack of formalities, but it is urgent that I inform you that we desperately need that key. We went through great lengths to retrieve it, you see." She explained, her tone eerily calm, bordering on the line of being cheerful. "We need it back and we will get it back. However, I am sad to say that getting the key back now will be much more painful for you." She continued, bringing out a dagger from her pouch.

Hiriko approached the taller male, her steps shaky and unsteady and her expression apologetic. Yet, she indiminted Mr. 3 to no lesser degree, a fact he wasn't ready to admit. However, with each step she took, Mr. 3 fear and regret grew.

He really shouldn't have swallowed that key.

The intense fright clouded his judgment and he found himself considering outrageous notions.

Maybe he could persuade her to wait an hour to two for it to come out the other end.

However, before Hiriko could get close enough to Mr. 3 to inflict any harm to him, Sanji stepped forward.

"There's no need for a beautiful lady such as yourself to dirty her hands with scum like him, Hiriko-chan." The blonde proclaimed confidently. He picked the brunette up once again and laid her down on the nearby table. After taking a moment to regain his composure and steady his heartbeat, he turned to Mr. 3 -- who seemed to be busy sighing in relief at the removal of the threat Hiriko's posed to him to notice the one Sanji now carried. "I'll do it for you."

Hiriko wanted to protest, yet, found herself unable to deny the blonde-haired chef. Instead, she smiled brightly and thanked him. Then she watched in confusion as he fell to his knees in an exaggerated show of...? She wasn't quite sure. The signs were exaggerated beyond recognition. However, she was sure it was a positive emotion.

When Sanji finally turned back to Mr. 3, Hiriko took the chance to slip off the table and shuffle closer to the crew -- who immediately started fretting over her, cheering her on and complimenting her for strength.

However, a tense atmosphere still hung thick. There was no way they were getting that key back. At least not before this whole room was submerged in water, and by then, it would be too late.

Thus, Hiriko found herself inwardly thinking of a solution or a possible escape-route. Yet, none of her plans seemed logical or plausible, and certainly none had a high chance of success.

It was Usopp who elevated the atmosphere, sounding out his idea. Hiriko understood very little of it. Wax? That was Usopp suggested. He said they should make Mr. 3 create a wax copy of the key he swallowed. Hiriko didn't quite get it. Yet, judging by the scene Mr. 3's initial appearance had caused among the crew, Hiriko guessed they had met him before. So, she chose to trust their judgment and silently observe. Though, she did send Usopp an encouraging smile and thumbs up when their gazes met.