Chapter Text
Blip Bloop
*Is this how I die? Sinking down to the bottom of the ocean?*
My lungs burn intensely, all air has left my body, and the trident in my abdomen is weighing me down, plunging me to the depths. Amber orbs of the cursed Nyad bare down on me not daring to break contact.
*I failed…Mama I’m so sorry…*
The sea grows darker the further I sink.
“Pathetic, and you showed such promise. A disappointment truly, your parents should thank me for ending your existence.”
Into the darkness my body touches the sea floor and my sword lands an inch from my neck; how am I still conscious?
“Wrong…”
*Huh?*
“She’s wrong.”
I feel my body slightly lift; is it the drift of the undertow? Something brushes against my lips.
“You were always worthy.”
A rock? A dead fish? What’s floating down my throat?
“Now live.”
“HUUUUUUUUGHH!!!!”
That first breath under the water, gives me one last hope to get stronger.
***
I make notes on my map marking down another ‘X’. The fourth guardian has been taken down, now there are only three left. I reach over to grab the golden medallion, four of the pearls glow brightly green, while the others are still opaque. Running my thumb over the medallion I feel my heart swell with pride.
“Lina!”
“Hm? Come in Carmen.”
Carmen walks in with a smile on her face.
“We’re approaching Kyuka Island. Tulio spotted Captain Shanks’ ship, they seem like they’ve already started to party.”
“Well that’s Shanks for you. Always ready to party.”
“Yeah I guess you’re right,” she crosses her arms over her chest and smirks. “So I guess you’re accepting the invitation Captain?”
“Of course,” I place the medallion in the safe near the ofrenda. “After all it’s been five years since last I’ve seen him.”
“You’re actually going to take a small break, and give us time off,” she chides.
“Would you like for us to continue sailing towards the Northern Islands? I don’t mind.”
“No no, a small break would be nice.”
“Hmph you act as if I torture you guys on this ship.”
“No, but sometimes you need to learn to have some fun.”
I walk over towards her and we make our way to top deck.
“I won’t stop you all from having fun, but I have a goal in mind and I would like to stay on track. Did Tulio happen to spot any other ships? Knowing Shanks, we aren’t the only ones he called for a reunion.”
“I’m not sure, we have to ask Tulio.”
We arrive on the top deck, Tulio is in the Crow’s Nest while Alejandro is steering on the quarterdeck.
“About time you came out of your quarters Lina,” Alejandro says.
“I had to get some work done. Tulio!” I call. “See any more ships?!”
“Yup about five crews!”
“Who’s that?”
“I see…Red-Hair, Kid, Law, Straw Hats, and Whitebeard Pirates.”
“Wow he got all of them to meet in one place. Do you see him though?”
“No sign of him yet.”
“Oh well,” I shrug. “He’ll show up sooner or later.”
“Do you think there will be beautiful ladies there?”
“Alejandro!” Carmen and I scold.
“Whaaaaaat? I’m a man, sue me.”
“I might drown you,” I groan. “Don’t bring any of them on my ship, you got it?”
“I got it, I got it!”
Carmen sighs, “Too bad Miguel isn’t here. He wanted to hang out with Shanks.”
I place my hand on her shoulder.
“I know. But don’t worry, he will be here in spirit. Who do you think is keeping Angela safe from her own clumsy mishaps?”
“You’re right; but that puta that got him killed better not show up.”
“If she does we kill her.”
“Calm yourself Tulio,” I raise my hand. “This is a weekend for relaxation and peace. That’s what I promised Shanks, so we are not to kill anyone while we are here.”
“But what if—”
“I’ll take care of it. Now drop anchor! Hoist the sails!”
“Yes Captain!”
“We’re about to make port!”
I run towards the main mast then cut the resistance rope to hitch a ride up to the top sail and help Tulio tie it off. Carmen lowers the anchor while Alejandro steers us in right next to Shanks’ ship.
“Where’s the triplets?” I question.
“Rico and Nico are busy cataloging the supplies that we are bringing to the party. But Chico I’m not sure.”
“We’re all set Lina!” Alejandro calls.
“Alright!” Tulio jumps down. “Time to party!!”
I stand from atop the mast and overlook the vast ocean trying to spot the familiar coffin shaped boat; unfortunately, it’s nowhere in sight. Sighing I place my hands on my hips.
“Salvador!” I call out.
The dolphin leaps from the water acknowledging my call then floats above water.
“Enjoy a break amigo! If you see any large fish for cooking call for me!”
Salvador sounds his clicks of agreement before diving under and I drop down from the mast. Securing my sword to my hip I walk down the plank onto land then take a big whiff of air. Ah, the smell of earth, most relaxing. I could hear a commotion up ahead and I smile knowing that it’s going to be a nice break.
“Órale!”
Up ahead Tulio is waving me over and I approach seeing more friendly faces that I haven’t seen in a while.
“Maci! Look at ya Lass!”
Shanks smiles his contagious grin as his rises from his seat to greet me. His arm circles around my shoulders and I wrap my arms around his torso. He pulls back to give me a once over.
“You’ve grown so much since I last saw ya!”
“It’s good to see you too Shanks. Shockingly, you don’t seem hungover this time.”
“Oi, I’m not always drunk!”
“Suuuuuure,” I drawl.
“Come, there are others that want to see you.”
He keeps his arm around my shoulders and he leads me over to his crew so I can greet them as well. They were like a second family to me since they were always there during my childhood. Near them are the Whitebeard Pirates with Whitebeard being his merry self.
“Ace!”
“Hey Lina,” he grabs me and twirls me around in a hug. “How have you been?”
“I’ve been good since our last meeting. How have you been?”
“Eh same old same old,” he shrugs. “Quick question, are you going to be cooking at all this weekend?”
“Maybe, if I feel up to it.”
“Come on, my stomach has been aching for your paella that you made last time we met.”
“We’ll see. I’ve got more people to say hi to, then I’m going to be ready to relax.”
“What? You relax? This I gotta see.”
***
Phew, after saying ‘hi’ to everyone it was nice to just kick back in my hammock with a drink in one hand and a book in the other. Everyone that accepted Shanks’ invitation to just hang out for the weekend are all getting along so far. Even Kid of the Kid Pirates was in a tolerable mood. It’s been a while since I have even relaxed, mostly on the ship I’m either training or leaving to go swimming.
Though while immersed in my book, I can’t help but feel eyes watching me. Not in a leering way, but more of a stare of admiration. I have an inkling of who it might be, but I’m not going to say anything; they should come to me if they dare.
“Heeeey! Sword lady!”
“Hm?” I look over my book.
“Idiot that’s not how you greet a beautiful lady!” Sanji scolds his captain before spiraling over to me. “I apologize for my captain’s ignorance Mademoiselle.”
“It’s fine, can I please have my hand back?”
“As you wish my lady!”
He lets my hand go then twirls away as I shake my head and I return to my book. Turning the next page I feel a change on the sea so I look up and see the familiar boat with candles leading the way. Smiling to myself I close my book then stand up to approach the shore.
“Tulio, Alejandro! Ven aqui!”
They hurry over from the crowd to help me reel the boat in. Once the line is tied off I run forward and jump into my father’s arms nearly knocking off his signature hat.
“Papa! I’ve missed you!”
“I’ve missed you too mi amor,” he kisses my brow. “You grow more beautiful every time I see you.”
“Papa, you’re going to make me blush,” I chide while leading him over to the crowd. “I was really hoping you would show up.”
“I cannot turn down a moment to see my daughter.”
“Well, we will be here all weekend. Good time to catch up, that is if Shanks doesn’t challenge you to a drinking contest again.”
“He will never win that fight Mija. Come, lead the way.”
“Hola Tio,” Tulio greets.
“Hola,” Alejandro waves.
“It has been quite some time Tulio, Alejandro. I hope you all have been staying out of trouble.”
“Oh yeah sure.”
“Yeah Lina doesn’t take us on any crazy, or deadly, adventures.”
“Way to be subtle guys thanks,” I roll my eyes.
“As if I don’t already know about your increasing bounty.”
“Can’t hide anything from you, eh, Papa?”
“No. And don’t think I didn’t notice these.”
He points towards my stomach where three faint puncture scars lie. I was hoping to hide them from my father, but his sharp eyes can see everything. Cocoa and shea butter wasn’t enough to try and get them to fade away.
“It’s nothing to worry yourself over Papa. Comes with being a pirate on the sea, no?”
“It still does not set my mind at ease that you have been in danger.”
“I cannot stay home for my entire life Papa, I need adventure in my life.”
He sighs deeply, “You are so much like your mother.”
“Is that such a bad thing?”
“No,” he kisses the side of my head. “Let us enjoy ourselves this weekend. I do hope that you will still come home for our match later this year.”
“I never miss it. Perhaps I will best you this time.”
“We shall see.”
“If it ain’t the greatest swordsman himself!” Shanks greets loudly.
“Seems like you were missed,” I giggle softly.
“Evidently,” he pans, “calm yourself Red-Hair, I only came because you invited Marcelina.”
“Come on let loose for once!”
“He’s going to challenge you Papa, I know it. Look you two don’t get too drunk, I need Papa for something later.”
“Wait what do you need?” he asks me attentively.
“Not now, geez relax.”
“Oye we keep telling you to do that!”
“Callate Angie!” I yell.
“Make me!”
Suddenly a large wave crashes into her from the shore.
“Hey! No fair!”
“What happened?”
“Don’t know,” I shrug. “Have a good time Papa, we’ll be cooking later.”
I leave Papa with Shanks and Whitebeard then go back to my spot on the hammock and resume my reading. Now that he’s here I know I must tell him the truth about what I’m doing and what I’ve done in order to accomplish my goals. I’m not sure how he is going to take the news but I cannot hide it from him anymore.
“Prima, come swim with us!” Chico appears at my side.
“Yeah Prima,” Nico is on the other side. “You can keep score! Rico keeps cheating!”
“I am not!”
I roll my eyes at the triplets.
“Boys either act right or get out I’m not gonna ref your game. If you want that call Carmen, I’m sure she’ll help you.”
“But—”
I just glance in their direction and their voices halt. I hate to give them the death glare, but when I actually have time to sit down I want to be left alone. Which would be helpful if someone wasn’t still staring at me. Finally it gets on my nerves enough that I close my book.
“Alright,” I look in their direction, “what is the issue that you cannot let me read in peace Roronoa?”
His eyes widen in shock from his space across the plain but I just cross my arms while standing up then glare at him.
“Well? You do know a ‘respectable’ swordsman would answer when he’s spoken to especially since he’s disturbing another swordsman’s concentration.”
“I am respectable!” he shouts.
“Sure, that’s why you stare instead of actually approach me. What’s your problem?”
“I don’t have one.”
“Then stop staring. I would like to relax without someone leering at me.”
“No one’s leering at you, stupid woman!”
“The only one stupid here is a stupid Marimo who can’t get the balls to approach another swordsman. You obviously want to fight but know your limitations.”
“Huh limitations?!” he stands up. “You’re even crazier!”
“Wanna test that?” I smirk.
“Yeah I actually want to see if th Greatest Swordsman’s daughter is even any good or just living off his name.”
I feel my eye twitch because that really sets me off but I think that’s his tactic to get under my skin.
“Marcelina,” I feel Papa’s hand on my shoulders, “he is not worth your skill.”
“Obviously, but he might need a reminder,” I turn to him. “And I don’t need you to fight my battles.”
“Heh already calling for—”
In a flash I’m in Zoro’s face and before he could react I grip one of his swords, spin around him then smack him across the back of the head with the sheath of the sword.
“Gah!”
He crashes to the ground with a thud and I unsheathe his sword throwing the blade into a nearby tree and just holding the sheath.
“You—”
“If you can’t even see me coming when I’m standing from right in front of you, you don’t even deserve to be called a novice.”
He flips up recovering and drawing his two remaining swords. I can hear others around us starting to take bets on this irrelevant fight.
“Now I promised Shanks that I wouldn’t kill anyone this weekend, so you’ll live. But I won’t let you off so easily for insulting me.”
“Heh, you think you can beat me with a sheath?”
“I would like to get back to my book so why don’t you hurry up?”
He growls while coming in for a parry which I easily dodge but come low so I can strike his hand making him drop his sword. I backstep the other way swiping the fallen sword and throw it to join the other sword in the tree.
“Only one left. Save yourself the embarrassment and yield.”
“A swordsman never yields!”
“Suit yourself.”
He grits his teeth while taking up a traditional wind stance; he truly does use samurai techniques. I carefully watch his movements as he readies again to charge but with his foot moved slightly to the left I know he’s going to fake his move to slash me across the side. As predicted I ready myself and step in the opposite direction pinning to collide the sheath into his stomach knocking the wind out of him. As he falls I grab onto his sword that slips from his hand then kneel over him driving the sword a millimeter from his neck.
His eyes widen in shock once again while I keep my gaze hard and unforgiving. He barely breathes even as I stand to my feet he dares not move.
“You best remember Roronoa, I may be a Dracule, but you best believe I built my own reputation as a skilled swordswoman. And if anyone is going to get the title of the greatest, it’s going to be me. Not some wannabe who can’t even fix his own stance.”
I toss the sheath to the side then step back over to where I was relaxing where Papa was smiling.
“You truly have grown.”
“I’m glad you think so, because I’m coming for your title soon,” I smile.
“I’m looking forward to it.”