Koby leaned against the inner hull of the warship, receiver still in hands. The sea was mildly rough as the fleet advanced towards Amazon Lily.

He just... he needed a moment to wrap his head around all the things he'd just learned. CP-0 in Wano, the alliance between Kaido and Big Mom...

«Where are you now?»

Drake's voice came from the receiver, forcing him to focus back on the conversation.

«I'm on my way to the island of women to capture the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock.»

«I see. Things are moving fast here in Wano as well, with the Strawhats and Trafalgar's crew on the loose... I shall keep you updated however I can.»

That last sentence signed the end of the report, as always.

On the other side of the Den Den Mushi, miles of sea away, Drake awaited for the young captain to confirm there was nothing else to be shared and close the call. But Koby hesitated.

A crackling silence filled the hut around him, in a solitary pile of ruins just outside of Ebisu. The secluded place he chose for the transmission.

Drake's eyes fell on the receiver, then trailed to the broken window.

He had said everything he needed to say, every information he was supposed to pass to the Marines as their undercover soldier, with a single exception. Now was the time. But he too hesitated.

«Drake-san.» finally, Koby's voice broke the silence «There's one more thing.»

«What is it?»

«This... is more of a personal question. Or request. If I may.»

Drake frowned, surprised.

Koby was young, yes, but in the time they worked together, the older officer had learned to respect his skills and ideals.

«Tell me.»

Another pause.

«Do you, hum... do you remember L/n-san?»

Shit.

Drake took a second to collect himself.

«Aokiji's sniper, if I recall correctly.»

«Yeah.»

«What about her?»

«She... huh... disappeared... not long ago.»

«"Disappeared"?»

«Yes.»

«As in "deserted"?»

«I... am not sure, I mean...! She's been through a lot, lately.»

Right, with being held captive by Eustass Kid for a month and all.

«What does this have to do with us?»

«I...» Koby's tone trembled for a second «I believe she may be heading to Wano.»

Well, he wasn't wrong.

«Why?»

«I'm not sure but...»

Drake rose from his sitting position and moved through the battered room, nearing the window. It was partially covered by a fallen curtain, but he could see a spec of wasteland outside.

«But?»

«...it may have something to do with Eustass Kid.»

...

«I see.»

...

«So you haven't seen her.»

The marine peered through the opening to spot your figure.

Leaning against the stump of a tree, arms crossed, bow hanging from a shoulder. Too far to eavesdrop his conversation, but close enough so your Observation haki could spot any threat coming your way. Your face was half-covered by the mask, as always, but he could make out the curve of your lips beneath it, curled in that characteristic pout.

«I have not.» he calmly spoke in the receiver.

There was a heavy sigh on the other side.

«Okay.»

«If she's travelling alone, it'll be a miracle if she even reaches these shores.»

«Don't underestimate her.»

A small smile tugged at Drake's mouth. Koby was indeed one of the smartest soldiers he knew.

«If you do see her--» the captain continued, but Drake cut him short.

«From what I remember, she's something of a loose cannon. Why should we get involved with her?»

«She's my friend.»

Drake pinched the bridge of his nose and dropped back on the pile of abandoned trunks.

«A deserter is a deserter. Whatever suicide mission she decided to embark on, it has nothing to do with SWORD.»

«She could be a great asset!» Koby exclaimed «The best marksman I've ever seen in the Marines. Her Observation haki is amazing. Aren't these great skills for SWORD?»

Not if they're attached to an unpredictable woman like her.

«Koby--»

«She's a good person! Isn't it what we want for the future of the Marines?» Koby continued, voice lower now «I know her rough attitude may speak against it, but L/n-san is actually a very kind person. And very strong too. She deserves another chance.»

Drake rolled his head to look at the ceiling. It was rotten, and stained.

«I'll see what I can do if I meet her. It's all I can promise. I will not compromise the mission for a deserter.»

Another pause.

«Thank you, Drake-san!»

You kicked a rock as evening descended on the wasteland.

You'd granted Drake this last favor, to stand guard for whatever he was doing inside that hut. Probably contacting some secret allies, or preparing some weapon. You didn't try to eavesdrop, you owed him that much.

«It's done.»

You turned your head to watch him approach.

«No one came close. You didn't even need me.»

«Just as well.»

You lifted yourself from the tree to face him.

«Now honor your promise.»

Drake loosed a breath, closing his eyes for a second. When he opened them, they were clear and serious again.

«Eustass Kid has been recaptured, and the Massacre Soldier with him. They are in Udon at the moment. Queen is in charge of the place, I don't know what he plans for them.»

Your fingers dug into your arms and your lips tightened, but you didn't stop him.

«I'd be more worried about their crew though. I've gathered some intel: up until now, they've been scattered through the island and used as slaves, but just yesterday they were rallied all together in the same base, which is weird.»

«Why?»

Drake shrugged.

«I suspect... they are going to be punished for the Manslayer's failings. Or they'll be used as last resort to bend Eustass Kid. Either way, nothing good.»

You swallowed, heart now pounding in your chest. There was no time.

«Where are they?»

«In the Beast Pirates' fortified base of Mogura Port, in Hakumai, not far from here.»

Your arms dropped along your sides.

«I must go.»

But you didn't move. Your eyes flicked up to Drake.

«Thank you.»

The pink shade of the dusk was leaving place to a pale evening.

«Last chance.» he said «Forget Eustass Kid and stay.»

Your eyebrow rose.

«What?»

«I may be far away now, but my ideals haven't changed since I was a marine.» Drake took a step closer «Have yours?»

My ideals?

The big, black symbol on the back of the marine uniform flashed in your mind.

You frowned, gaze lowering in the sand. Slowly, your hands moved up.

Drake watched you remove the mask from your face, then looking at him.

For the first time since the night you were brought to him, he saw your bare features, your bare gaze.

The memory of the green officer he remembered gradually faded beneath this older, more determined one. This stronger one.

You smiled. Then shook your head.

«I've run out of justice to dispense.»

So there it was. A marine no more.

Drake nodded.

You offered him his brooch, and he took it.

«Be careful out there.»

«You too.»

Hakumai.

«Fafafafafafafa! We're close!»

Kid grunted, purple rays of energy crackling between his fingers.

He was itching to kill. To destroy.

Only the devil knew what rage was boiling beneath his skin now, after what he was put through, the humiliation inflicted upon him.

And Killer. Having to watch him reduced to that maniac state, unable to stop cackling no matter the amount of pain. Pushed so far he could barely look at Kid, talk to him.

Kid hated to admit it, but the water torture might had helped in clearing his partner mind, although it still took a dreadful amount of time to extract information from him.

Where the crew may be, the SMILE.

Just thinking about it...

Scrap metal gathered around his fist just to be shot immediately against an abandoned temple, turning it into dust.

Ahead of him, Killer startled and turned, without slowing his pace.

«Save your energies! Fafafafa!»

It was taking a while for Killer to find a way back to himself. He couldn't bear to look at his captain, he couldn't control the laughter, and he was unable to talk clearly or stand still. Kid had no doubt his partner would eventually master his issues and go back to being the collected, cold warrior he knew. But... it felt like there was something else. Something else Killer was refusing to acknowledge to him.

At least he had an idea of where the rest of the crew could be. All the time spent on playing Orochi's puppet wasn't for nothing.

If it were for Kid, he'd just destroy everything. Hakumai, the ports, the entire Wano. Everything and everyone until he found his crew and the Victoria Punk. Then it'd be Orochi's turn. Then Kaido.

His teeth grounded in rage. Everything.

Killer led him through a wasteland of semi-deserted villages until a fortified area came in sight.

«That's Mogura Port, the hidden harbor of Wano, fafafa! Kaido turned it into a weapon factory but they kept the port.»

Kid watched as Killer's knuckles bleached around his scythe as he tried to suppress a fit of laughter, his shoulders shaking under the cape. When it was gone, the Massacre Soldier took a deep breath, eyes avoiding his, and continued.

«We must be careful, Kid. They don't know we escaped, and this works in our favor. Fafafafa! The crew is our priority.»

The redhead grunted.

«I know.»

Trafalgar Law had waited outside the Prison House, the day before, distant enough to take cover among the trees while keeping an eye on the doors. Just until he saw your small figure walking out, seemingly unharmed, bow on your shoulder.

Diez had kept his promise.

You had looked around and spotted him worryingly fast, he supposed thank to your Observation. You offered him an uncertain wave, one that held a question mark in it.

Would he talk to you? Would he explain his plans or offer an alliance? Did he realize your intentions?

Law watched the questions lingering in your gesture. He considered for a moment. Then he twirled his fingers.

«Room.»

And just like that, he was gone.

Since then, he had the time to give the matter some thought. As far as the plan went, they were in dire need of allies, and the Kid Pirates could be a huge step forward.

And you...

«Apparently, a marine officer that was captured by the Kid Pirates recently completed the rehabilitation and is now back on duty.»

«It says the marine was kept captive for a month before escaping.»

«A month prisoner of the Kid Pirates? I can't believe that officer is back on duty. Must be quite the man.»

«Or a woman. The article doesn't specify.»

«Why did you help?»

«There are too many one-armed pirates around, lately.»

«I seem to recall most of them have red hair.»

«Do they? I don't pay attention to such trivial things.»

«Where's the rest of the crew?»

«Who--»

«The Kid Pirates! What happened to them?!»

Law peered at the night-covered street beyond his hide.

Eustass Kid and... probably the Massacre Soldier were coming up fast from the outskirts. So not only they somehow escaped, but they also knew where to find their crew.

It hadn't taken much time for Law to seize the information, not with all the Heart Pirates alerted and scouting.

He waited for the two pirates to reach the town's wall before revealing himself.

«It's been a while, Eustass-ya.»

Captain Kid didn't even flinch, but he turned to him like a rabid animal and, for a moment, Law faltered.

Eustass Kid was a dangerous man, he better remind himself that.

«Trafalgar?! What is this, a fucking Worst Generation reunion?»

Right, he met Strawhat-ya too.

«I heard about your little misadventure with Kaido.»

«Aha?!»

Kid grabbed his collar and banged him against the wall.

«Fafafafafafa-- Kid!»

«What the fuck are you doing here?» Eustass growled in his face, metal arm already pulled back to punch him.

Law's hand descended on the hilt of his sword, but he didn't draw.

«I came here to give you some information. We want the same thing, Kaido's downfall.»

«Fucking Strawhat already offered me an alliance, and I spat on it.» Kid hissed, his harsh features contorted in a snarl «You're free to suck his dick, but I do things my own way.»

Law suppressed a surge of anger, teeth flashing between his lips.

«Five days from now, during the Fire Festival, we are launching a raid against Onigashima.»

Kid's amber eyes sharpened.

«Why are you telling me this?»

«If you want to bring down Kaido, that's your occasion too.»

Law's gaze didn't waver. Beside them, Killer was restless, shifting his weight from side to side.

«Fafafafa! Fafafa! Kid, let's go.»

«Yes, you should hurry.» Law said «Your crew probably needs your help.»

«Don't you fucking talk about my crew.»

But despite the threat in his voice, Kid threw him aside and turned toward the wall.

Killer took it as a hint to indicate the gates' direction and started moving ahead, if only the Surgeon of Death hadn't added something.

«Good thing at least one of yours is on the loose.»

Kid brusquely turned back to him but Law didn't miss how the Massacre Soldier bristled at his words, before an uncontrolled cackle shook his whole figure.

He must had eaten a SMILE.

«You met one of mine?! Who?» Kid barked, a dangerous light sparking in his gaze.

«Fafafafafafa Kid...!»

«A little sniper with a sharp tongue.»

For a few seconds, Captain Kid didn't react. He just stared at him, eyes slowly sharpening.

«Who?» he repeated, his voice calmer, lower.

«I believe her name is Y/n-ya.»

Law was a doctor, and he took pride in his ability to read the signs of distress on the body of the enemy. But truth was, anyone would've noticed the effect that name had on Eustass Kid.

The color drained from his face. His pupils widened. His breathing became labored and, Law was certain, his heartbeat accelerated too.

For a moment, the only sound in the night was Killer's hysterical laugh.

Then Captain Kid moved, in a fraction of a second. Law couldn't even summon his Room before his neck was in a death-grip, his head violently pounded against the wall to the point his lungs let the oxygen escape.

«What did you say?»

Law coughed and it only earned him another slam against the stone.

«You lie.» Eustass growled, eyes vitreous «She's not here.»

«Fafafafafa! Kid, wait! Fafafafafa!»

Shaking off the pain, Law's golden stare rose and he offered him a cheeky smirk.

«I see. So it's mutual.»

Kid's face morphed into rage, but before he could do anything more, the Massacre Soldier's grabbed his wrist, letting the hold on Trafalgar loosen a little.

«He's not lying!» he uttered, trying to suppress his cackles «She's here. He's not lying.»

«What?»

Kid released Law, who slid out of his reach, and turned his attention to Killer.

«What are you talking about?»

«I'm sorry, I-- I hoped she would leave... Fafafafa, I'm sorry.»

The redhead's expression was now a mask of shock and confusion.

«What, you... you met her?»

«Yes. Yes.»

Law frowned as the Massacre Soldier restlessly grabbed a hold of his long locks with both hands. It was clear he wasn't himself, not totally. A man trying his hardest to get a hold of his new weakness. And this latest exchange had set him back.

«I told her to leave. I thought she left.»

Kid's breathing was still heavy. His fingers twitched.

«Y/n is here...?»

Law could swear he saw Kid's skin crawl.

What on earth had happened between those two?

«I wouldn't worry about Y/n-ya for now.» Law carefully said.

Kid turned to him but he looked still in shock, as if he could hardly see him.

«She's fine, she's armed, and she's running circles around the Beast Pirates.» Law continued before hinting towards the port «Your crew is in a much worse predicament.»

«He's right, Kid. Fafafafa.»

Kid gritted his teeth together, flesh and metal fingers tugging at his hair.

«Fuck. FUCK!»

With a guttural snarl, the pirate shook his head.

«I need to get my men back.» he looked at Law with a glare that promised death «You go anywhere near her, you die, Trafalgar. In the worst way I can think of.»

Law rolled his eyes.

«Relax, Eustass-ya. Y/n-ya and I are on friendly terms. I have no reason to attack her.»

A threatening glow in Kid's gaze told Law he didn't like the word "friendly".

«I talked about the raid, so you know where I stand. It's your move, Eustass-ya.» the doctor swirled his hand «Room.» and disappeared.

You ran your fingers along the smooth wood of the taffrail.

Hey. It's been a while.

There was a covered portion of Mogura port, a cave turned into gallery where a few ships were docked. Silence reigned supreme there, except for the wet rustling of the ships in the water. Darkness was only broken by few lanterns on the walls.

Your heart pounding was the one other sound in your ears.

Slipping beyond the gates and then into the secret port was easy. It was barely dawn, and the place was less guarded than it should have. The safest entrance to the base seemed to be across the indoor area of the harbor, still desert at this time.

You were not prepared for what you found there.

Among the Beast Pirates ships, idly moored to the docks, was the Victoria Punk.

The moment you saw the big dinosaur head, you froze.

You hadn't forgotten the night you saw the ship for the first time, the fear that shook you and the whole marine crew when it appeared in the shadows of the stormy sea, sailing toward you like a monster through the waters.

You hadn't forgotten the sheer terror you felt as the violent pirates dragged you on board, laughing.

But there were other memories too.

You turned around and scanned the upper deck.

The silence and stillness were a stark contrast compared to how you remembered it, with the Kid Pirates being loud, and messy, and unhinged all the time.

What a strange feeling, standing there again.

It was obvious she had been looted. Broken beams and cordage lay everywhere. A few minor sails were torn, the cannons were gone.

You took a deep breath and headed below deck.

The conditions inside were worse. The Beast Pirates had stolen what they could and broken the rest. The floors were covered in wood, metal, glass. Even the plumbing system was damaged.

You moved through the dark corridors like a ghost.

Kid's workshop was especially bad, given all the small mechanics and tools. Your eyes slid across the room.

«Yes you did, you deceiver bitch. Now get out or get naked.»

«You think you can act all cheeky and get away with it, birdie?»

«Look at what we did.»

«Nah, I can fix it quickly.»

You let go of a long breath and walked out, to Killer's room. It had been equally plundered. Among the mess, you spotted his helmet on the floor. It was cracked, and battered, but still somewhat functional. You picked it up.

«You are the trash we left behind.»

You stared at the helmet, wiping some of the dust away from it.

I'm tired of trying to be something more than what I am.

Yes, what Killer said was true. The SMILE affected him, it was clear, but it didn't make him lie.

The Kid Pirates didn't need you, the Marines didn't need you, Aokiji didn't need you. You were way too tired of trying to fool yourself about it.

You slipped the helmet in your satchel and left.

The last place you visited was Kid's cabin.

It took a while to muster the courage to enter.

That place held so many memories. You had... changed so much in that room.

The fear. The sex. The rage. The...

You swallowed and stepped inside. Once in, the familiar walls closed on you and your chest suddenly tightened.

Of course they hadn't spared the captain's cabin. The big mirror lay upside down on the floor, smashed to pieces.

Kid kept it?

And not only that.

Among the splinters of glass and metal, you found the head of a little robot-toy.

Little Eustass.

You crouched, trembling fingers collecting it. The top of its head was still red with chipped nail polish.

Kid kept that too.

So you did think of me?

You pressed the metal against your chest.

Did you remember my face when you looked at it? What did you think then?

Your eyes snapped open.

No.

You couldn't let yourself be overwhelmed by weakness now. Not when you were so close to finish the job you came all this way for.

Rising, you placed Little Eustass' head on the desk. Beside it, the torn page of a children book, with Captain Jack standing on the bow of his ship, pointing his sword ahead.

You never came here to be part of the crew, after all. You would not be the puppy that shuffles after the boot that kicked it.

All you wanted was Kid out in the world, out for the One Piece. At least one shitty orphan from a shitty island that made it.

You threw a last glance around the cabin, then walked out.

«Move, you useless piece of shit.»

The Beast pirate plunged his baton into the prisoner's side and Booka suppressed a grunt of pain, his strained muscles twitching.

Days of beating, and now this sudden transfer to a new region. The small squad dragged him along the badly lit corridors, not sparing him the occasional hit if he struggled. His wrists were tightly bound behind his back with seastone, not to suppress Devil Fruit powers, but because it was unbreakable. He had broken out of regular metal before, so they had switched to seastone long ago. Booka wondered how many of his comrades underwent similar treatments.

«In there!»

Finally, a large room came into view at the end of the hallway. Booka guessed they were underground, given the lack of windows.

He tried to peer ahead between his dirty locks and the crusted blood, but only when they pushed him inside the seriousness of the situation became clear.

The entirety of the crew had been amassed there, with the exception of Captain Kid and Killer-san. Chains were hanging from the ceiling, each pair binding one of the pirates. Most of them did not reach the floor with their feet. All were injured. Bruises, gashes, blood. Even the girls, occupying the left area of the room.

Heat and Wire were placed in the center, an iron mask tightly fixed around Heat's mouth to prevent him from breathing fire.

When they kicked Booka inside, an explosion of rage, threats and insults came from the rest of the Kid Pirates.

«What the fuck you think you're doing?!»

«You better let us go now!»

«Just wait and see what we're gonna do when we're out of these chains, you fucking worms!»

Despite the pain, Booka smirked. Not one spirit had been broken.

«Is this the last one?»

A few Beast pirates were already inside, weapons in hands, and they joined their comrades as they came in.

«Yes. Put him with the others.»

The leader of the Beast Pirates squad was a bear gifter, towering on all the rest, and he stepped in the spotlight while his men chained Booka to the ceiling.

«In case you losers haven't realized yet, this is an execution.»

«What the fuck?!»

«I swear to god, you better free us now before we destroy everything!»

«Queen-sama has decided to put an end to your captain's suffering.» the bear continued unfazed «And, since neither of you has proven useful or easy to handle since you arrived, you are all gonna die with him.»

«No way that bastard can kill the boss!»

«Release us!»

«I just hope we can show your corpses to Eustass Kid before he follows you to the grave.» the bear shrugged.

His words were met with snarls and insults.

«I'm gonna enjoy this.» one of the Beast pirates grinned, lifting his sword with an arm covered in burns «Especially you.»

He walked up to Heat, in the center of the room.

The blue-haired pirate could not talk due to the iron mask, but his eyes stared at the enemy with calm and fury. The waiter pressed his cold blade against Heat's throat.

«Get away from him!»

«Don't you touch him, you motherfucker!»

«Oh, yes. You were the worst. Remember me?» the pirate snickered, holding up his scars in front of Heat's face «This is payback.»

Behind him, a compact line of Beast pirates formed, all snickers and sick joy, weapons bared to start the massacre.

«Or should we maybe let you live long enough to see what we do to your crew? To your girls? Some of them are quite cute, aren't they?»

Another wave of hatred and outrage rose from the Kid Pirates, but the enemies laughed it off.

«No, I think you die first.»

«NO, HEAT! HEAT!»

«Stay away from him!!»

Wire snarled, desperately trying to get out of his cuffs.

«Heat!»

The burnt man pushed his blade further into Heat's neck, drawing blood. Heat's eyes never wavered.

«Yes, that's the choir I like. Now say bye bye to--»

His words ruptured into a gurgle of pain. A spurt of blood sprayed Heat's face, forcing him to blink a few times before fixing on the arrowhead sticking from the guy's throat. The warrior dropped dead.

It took a second before the other Beast pirates realized.

«What...?»

«Orion? What happened?»

That second was enough for another arrow to plunge into the brain of a second pirate.

«WHAT THE FUCK?!»

«We're under attack!»

A third fell, arrow in an eye.

Finally, enough of them turned to spot you coming up the dark corridor.

«An enemy!»

«Sound the alarm!» the bear roared to one of his men.

The guy ran toward a big button on the wall, but your arrow pierced his chest before he could reach it.

Okay, keeping an eye out for big red buttons.

A few pirates reached for their smashi, but the line was flat. Of course the first thing you did was finding the master snail, or Boss Tanishi, and disconnecting all the wires from it, releasing it from communication lines.

At least one useful thing you'd learned about Wano while working for Drake. The smaller Den Den Mushi could not work properly without a master snail to transmit their waves.

«What the hell?! The smashi aren't working!»

The Kid Pirates were trying to make sense of the situation, but there wasn't much they could see beside the flying arrows.

«What the fuck is going on?!» the Mohican yelled.

«Someone's attacking them!» Wire growled, still struggling against his restrains «This is our chance! Try to get out of here! If only one of us can make it...!»

Following his lead, most of the crew started battling against the chains.

You were still running ahead, firing arrow after arrow. Eventually, some of the enemies started firing at you with their shotguns, so you had to launch yourself in the side corridors to avoid the bullets.

«Close the doors!»

A couple of Beast pirates took a hold of the heavy doors to the room and pushed them to shut them.

Dammit.

You rolled back in the center of the hallway, dodging the shots, and took down one of them. The other paused to fire at you and you relied on your haki to dodge, successfully planting an arrow in his neck too.

Hawk of the Dusk was raging in your hands. You could barely take aim before the bowstring bit into your skin, forcing you to release the arrows.

He was asking for haki too, Armament haki, you could feel it. It wasn't necessary up until now, the targets weren't too far or too strong, but the bow's demand was getting more and more urgent with each shot.

«Take the archer down! Take the archer down!»

They went for the door again, so you sprinted ahead, killing them while running.

«ENOUGH!»

The bear gifter ripped the long whip from his belt. You were close enough now.

His whip darted, you jumped aside but the end of it wrapped around your calf, digging into the skin.

Shit.

A sinister grin tugged at the bear's lips and he brusquely pulled you in. You were hurled into the execution chamber and slammed against a wall.

The impact cut the air in your chest and you coughed painfully, channeling all your focus not to let go of Hawk. If you lost your only weapon, you were done for.

You rolled to the floor and forced yourself to ignore the pain, quickly rising on your four.

The bear was the only enemy left. The corpses of his comrades littered the room.

«Well, well, well. Who are you?»

He was about to pull at the whip to drag you to him, but you grabbed an arrow and severed it as fast as you could. The gifter didn't look particularly impressed.

«What now, little archer?»

Shifting on your knee, you immediately fired at him.

He raised his arm and lazily shielded himself. The arrow bounced against his Armament haki and fell on the floor, useless.

You dropped your arms, panting heavily to catch your breath.

«Oi, oi, archer, what was that?!»

«Come on!» some of the Kid Pirates yelled.

You clicked your tongue.

Shut up, you idiots.

«I know little things like you.» the bear chuckled, collecting the whip's length in his hands, reading another strike «You learn a skill or two to compensate for your weakness. Look at this mess! Not bad, archer. But.»

A sadistic grin opened on his face, and he took a step towards you. Damn he was huge.

«What happens when you're dragged out of your hide? What happens when you're cornered?»

«I'm guessing nothing good.» you snorted, taking another arrow and nocking it in. The last one.

«Indeed. Because I looove eating little things like you. Piece by piece.» the bear licked his lips «You'll see.»

«Well, as it happens, I also know big things like you.» you stood up, drawing the bow «You like to toy with your pray, like you're doing right now. And it's all well and fun, until it's the last thing you do.»

The gifter laughed.

«This again? I thought we've been through your puny arrows. They may work on weak waiters, but a fragment of haki is enough to repel them.»

You closed your eyes and took a deep breath.

«Hey, what the hell are you doing?!» the Mohican yelled, soon followed by the rest of the crew.

Heat's eyes were fixed on you.

Okay, Hawk. This is your chance. I'll give you what you want, so you better not fail me.

Armament haki was never your forte. Even if you were used to coat shots with it, you only ever used it to stretch their trajectory beyond limits, or hit logia users short distance. Now you needed brute power, something you were never good at.

But you had trained with it since the proper awakening of your Armament. You knew the basics. You could do this.

Your grip tightened on the bow.

Don't fail me.

The bear darted at you.

You coated your arms in Armament and imbued it in the weapon.

The moment your haki touched the bow, it was like it was sucked into a vacuum.

Yugure no Taka awakened, raged, took everything you offered and more. It ripped haki from you like a furious raptor, and you screamed.

«FUCK!»

Unable to stand it further, you let go of the bowstring.

The arrow broke through the bear's torso like a cannonball, in a wet explosion of blood and ribcage.

You dropped Hawk to the floor, both arms pulsating madly.

The bear stared at you in disbelief for a second, a huge hole opened in his chest. Then he fell, dead.

Holy shit.

The Kid Pirates had gone silent.

«Damn, that hurt!» you groaned, shaking your arms.

At least the pain was fading quickly.

«What. The hell. Was that.»

Booka was staring at you wide-eyed, just as the rest of the crew.

«Who are you?»

You allowed yourself a few more pants to regain your breath. The adrenalin still pumping in your veins prevented you from freaking out at the sight of the Kid Pirates.

They were all there, although there were also some people you didn't recognize, along with a group of women you'd never seen.

«Well,» you smiled, fully turning to them «You look like a bunch of beaten assholes.»

The Mohican blinked.

«Wait. I know this voice.»

Your smirk grew wider as you removed your mask and stood in front of them.

«Yo.»

There was a moment of silence.

«Y/N!!»

Most of the pirates swayed in their chains, pure joy on their faces and tears in their eyes.

«YOU'RE HERE!»

«HOW??»

«YOU CAME FOR US!»

Their joy hit you like a bomb and, for a second, you felt lost. You shook your head.

«Okay, shut up now guys, I can't think!»

There wasn't much time. The chaos of the battle couldn't have gone unnoticed.

As soon as your head cleared a little, you rushed to the bear's side and searched for keys. Luckily, he had a big bundle on his belt.

The Kid Pirates were still being loud as hell, but you ignored them, running in front of Heat first. His humid eyes didn't leave yours for a second.

«I'm gonna... free you now.» you murmured, fingers fiddling with the keys.

You picked a small rusty one, the color matching with his iron mask. You had to climb onto his body to reach it, moving his hair aside to locate the lock on his jaw.

The mask clicked open and dropped on the floor. To your horror, you realized it was way too small for his face, so it had forced his jaw in a painful clench for god knows how long.

Heat coughed and spat, with you already tampering with the cuffs on his wrists. When they finally opened, he stepped on the ground, with you balancing on his shoulder.

«Good.» you breathed, heart pounding «Now quick, let's get the other--»

You couldn't finish your sentence nor jump down, because his strong arms wrapped around you and pulled you into a tight embrace against his chest.

His warmth suddenly enveloped you, he was so much bigger, so solid, so...

Your shoulders trembled, fingers slowly clenching around his vest. He smelled of sweat, blood, and dirt, but you didn't care.

He... he missed me?

«Heat...»

Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.

Heat didn't say anything, just held you tight, and you melted against his chest.

«Hum, hello?» Wire groaned «How about we do this later?»

«Yes, later! Later sounds good.» Pomp added.

«Right.»

You pushed yourself free and quickly wiped your eyes.

«Let's get out of here.»

Heat and you worked fast to release the rest of the crew. Wire and Booka shut the doors while the others collected as many weapons as possible from the dead Beast pirates.

«Who are they?» you asked, watching Pomp and UK freeing the women.

«Right, the girls weren't around when you were with us.» the Mohican said, picking up a shotgun.

«What, so they are part of the crew?» you mused, eyeing them.

They eyed you in return.

«We are.» a tall beautiful one replied «So the question is, who are you?»

«You know who she is, Hop.» a shorter one sighed, massaging her wrists.

«Y/n the marine girl!» a lanky guy with spiky hair on the sides of his head grinned.

You frowned.

«And you are...?»

«Bubblegum!»

«Bubblegum.»

«Bubblegum.» he confirmed.

So they got one Killer, one Bubblegum. Who the hell named this crew?

You turned to Heat.

«How come there's a bunch of people I've never seen before?»

«Let's just say we weren't full ranks when you were with us.» Leo replied in his place.

«Can we postpone the explanations?» Wire said as a distant rustle echoed in the corridor.

You moved around the room to collect as many arrows as possible.

«What about the recruits?»

«All dead.»

You stopped, looking up at Heat. He shook his head.

«Kaido didn't care for them. Sorry.»

«I see.»

You swallowed, trying to push down the knot in your throat.

No time for that now.

More men running and yelling could be heard outside.

«Alright, assholes. We gotta open a path out of this hellhole. I hope you're ready for a fight!» the Mohican shouted, and cheers of grit replied to his call.

«Are you alright?» Heat asked as you picked up the white bow.

«I'm in a better shape than any of you. You should worry about your people.»

All of a sudden, a horrendous metallic clangor rumbled from the other side of the budling, shaking the entire base. Most of you jerked, instinctively repairing your head.

«What... the hell... was that?» you murmured once it faded, lowering your arms.

The pirates looked at each other, smiles gradually forming on their faces.

«There's only one thing I know that makes that sound.»

Booka grinned, raising a sword.

«It's Captain Kid.»

*

Reunion next chapter?