– Bellamy –

Thankfully, Bonney calmed down eventually…after consuming what could have constituted a hobbits wet dream in a single meal. I was talking the whole shebang of breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, supper and the complimentary midnight snack…and a whole bit of extra added on top all in one sitting. If someone ever embodied the term “comfort eater”, it was Jewelry Bonney.

Once she was a bit more coherent, we got talking, she and I. And Urouge too. Most of it revolved around our personal history, current and future plans as we tried to learn about our peers whom we had only known about through the lens of the newspapers. The question of exactly how I knew about her relation to Kuma did come up, but I navigated that pit trap with perfect grace and eloquence.

“Hyena, you wanna tell me how you knew Kuma was my Daddy? Or do I have to beat it out of you?” Bonney asked, leaning into my personal bubble, her hands on her hips.

“You look like your father.” I explained.

“Oh, I look like him. Of course I do, how didn’t I think of that?” Bonney nodded, before blowing up. “Like hell I look like him! Who are you trying to fool? What’s the real truth, huh? Huh?”

“You look like your father.” I insisted. That was my story, and I was sticking to it.

“I’m going to squeeze your little lying throat…do I really look like him?” she finished, somewhat bashfully.

“You look like your father.” I repeated, causing her to flush with happiness.

“Pfffft!”

She seemed quite happy with my answer, though Urouge looked like he was struggling to breathe. Someone should really have a look at that, it could be dangerous. Anyway, once that issue was dealt with, I was faced with the monumental task of preventing Bonney from going after Blackbeard. I wasn’t even certain why she went after the guy nor what possessed her to believe she stood a chance. The one time I did ask didn’t really go anywhere, so I gave up afterwards.

“What’s your beef with Blackbeard anyway? I’m genuinely curious.”

“I’ll tell you when you’re older.”

“????”

However, I was successful in making her see sense that without haki, trying to fight Blackbeard was essentially suicide. Sadly, this resulted in Bonney deciding to stick around with the Whitebeards until they were going to fight Blackbeard and join in. Thankfully, she did promise to get someone to train her in the art of haki and to stay out of the way if she didn’t unlock it in time, as being a burden was unacceptable to her. She really had this obsession with not being a liability, though it was useful in this case because it would drive her to train more. It was a small win but I would take it.

It was a bummer though, that Kuma’s rescue had not worked out as I had hoped it would.

“Why the fuck did you get the idea to send the big guy and the punk my way at Marineford? You thought I couldn’t handle it or something?”

“Actually, I wanted to get Kuma fixed up and recruit him.” I returned, causing Bonney to give me an incredulous look.

“Haaah? Recruit him? For what? And for that matter, how were you going to recruit a warlord? If anything, he should be recruiting you!” she retorted. Sadly, she did have a point.

“Well, I thought that he may give me a chance if I got him his brain back." At least that was what I had been hoping for. "As for the why, having Kuma help me would make taking down Doflamingo a walk in the park.”

“You…you of all people want to take down Doflamingo?” Bonney asked, her mouth agape as if she'd just heard the most incredulous claim ever.

“Is that so difficult to believe?”

“Say that after you change your flag to something else.” Touché I supposed.

To be honest, even if Urouge had succeeded in abducting Kuma for his own good, we likely wouldn’t have been able to fix him in time. While Vegapunk had Kuma’s memories stashed somewhere, getting Kuma to him would have been a problem as Vegapunk's island was deep within the New World. My idea had been to somehow contact the revolutionaries and have them deliver Kuma to Vegapunk, but either way, without Kuma, the whole idea had to be scrapped for now. Eh, it had been a long shot anyway.

Bonney on the other hand was a much more manageable option. Especially as I wanted to include Bonney into the little alliance thing I had going with Urouge, because if used properly, Bonney’s ability could be really dangerous and I was going to need all the help I could get when I eventually faced Doflamingo. My first offer was rejected immediately.

“Want to help me fight Doflamingo?”

“No.”

“Even if I say pretty please with a cherry on top?”

“Haaah? Where did you get that shit from? Are you a kid or something?”

I wasn’t perturbed by her refusal. When negotiating, the first offer usually never got accepted and was meant to estimate the ballpark of where the limits lay. In this case, you just had to smile and make a more serious offer to narrow the range.

“I’ll throw in a devil fruit if you help me.” I offered. This time, Bonney looked more interested.

“A devil fruit you say? Which one? Cause I ain’t even considering your offer if it’s a stupid ass fruit.”

“A stupid ass fruit?”

“Yeah, something like the smooth smooth fruit. Why the fuck would anyone want that?”

“…I’m sure people have their reasons.” Like Alvida. She really hit her personal jackpot on that one.

“Wait, that the one you’re trying to sell me on?”

“Nope. I just know that the current user of the smooth-smooth fruit is very pleased with it." I quickly denied, "I don’t rightly know which one this is, seeing as I don’t have the complete encyclopaedia on me.”

“…and you are just going to give one to me?” Bonney asked with a tinge of suspicion in her voice.

“Not for free. I’m giving it to you in exchange for a promise. Do you accept?”

“Hell no. I’ve got better things to do.”

That the “better things” were the rescue of her father needed not be said, which was why I had been certain that she would accept my third offer. After all, I knew what she wanted and I knew how to help her.

“If you help me against Doflamingo, I’ll help you with your father.”

“…you shouldn’t joke about that.” she murmured in reply.

“What makes you think I’m joking?” I responded.

“How are you going to be of any help? Do you know where he is? Because I don’t." Despite her harsh tone, one didn't have to be a mind reader to detect the faint hope flickering behind her eyes.

“No, but…” And that hope dimmed at my answer.

“Even if we knew, why should I believe your claim that you're capable of something that three of us couldn’t do at Marineford?”

“It would still be better odds than by yourself, wouldn't it.”

“…”

“And it wouldn’t just be me, either. You weren’t going to sit this out, were you?”

“Heck no!”

“And Urouge will likely join us too, if only for shits and giggles." I added on, "As for Kuma’s location, I may not know where he is right now, but I’m pretty sure I know a way we can find out.”

“…how?”

“By contacting the Revolutionary Army.”

In the end, she didn’t say yes. Partly, because I couldn’t explain to her that I knew Kuma would be on Sabaody for two years without sounding insane, nor did I have a concrete channel of communication with the Revolutionaries yet. I just assumed that Marco had one and he owed me big time.

Her refusal was disappointing, but I wasn’t too bothered as decisions such as the forging of alliances usually weren’t done in the spur of the moment. Urouge had been a special case where a lot of variables had come together just so: his past history with Enel, my past history with Enel, Aisa’s presence, our fight together against the pacifista on Sabaody…things had worked out incredibly well with him.

Bonney didn’t know me. And while I had scored some brownie points by sending Urouge and Kidd her way, that didn’t provide me with anything beyond a foot in the door. But I had time and as long as she didn’t do something stupid, I was sure we would meet again sometime soon.

“Why are you giving me this?” Bonney asked, a little warily.

“A gesture of goodwill.” I told her honestly, which just raised her suspicion levels higher.

“Nobody just gives away a devil fruit as a goodwill gesture!”

“If you don’t want it, I’ll happily take it back.”

“Hands off! No take backs!” Bonney exclaimed, hugging the box to her bosom.

“You can just accept it and say thanks, you know.” I smiled causing Bonney to initially scowl at me before it morphed into an awkward something.

“…thanks. For trying to help with my Daddy, too. I owe you." she replied, lightly kicking the dirt like an embarrassed school girl. "Still not allying with you though.”

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“But promise to think about it?”

“…alright. I’ll think about it, but no promises.”

Urouge did sulk a bit until I threw a fruit his way too. Like I would give one to Bonney and not to my ally…which left me with two others for my own crew. Personally, I had been surprised that the idea had worked so well, as I had been counting on one or two at most. Thankfully, it seemed that fate was throwing me a bone for once and I wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Interestingly enough, I even knew which fruit I had given to Urouge, though fuck if I had any idea why it had landed in my hold. Why had the Mini Mini no Mi reincarnated there instead of wherever Lily Enstomach had found it in the canon timeline? Sure, Blyue had died at some point, but like, seriously. Why? I hadn't changed the world that much, had I?

That did beg the question of how that Movie’s contents were going to play out. Would Lily still make an appearance? Would Luffy? He hadn’t during the Dead End Race. Questions, so many questions…

Either way, it was the perfect fruit for Urouge right now, considering who he had chained up in his brig.

“…what the fuck were you thinking, Urouge?” I asked my ally, almost physically having to pick up my chin from the floor from witnessing the jaw dropping sight before me.

“Ever heard of aggressive recruiting?”

“You can’t be serious.” I deadpanned, but my insane friend just grinned.

“Oh, but I am.”

“Are you insane? Actually, don’t answer that. Of course, you are insane.” I lamented. “Oh, why did I have to become friends with a crazy person? I’m normal, so why?”

“Pot calling the kettle black.” Urouge retorted.

“No, but seriously. She’s a bloody Rear Admiral. How in the world are you going to convert her?” I asked, but he just shrugged as if it weren’t a concern.

“I’m a priest. Converting people is literally what I do. In fact, I already made some decent progress.”

“But it’s only been a few days.” I protested, staring at him in disbelief.

“Mind you, it wasn’t easy. In the beginning, she put up a fierce fight, writhing this way and that, doing her best to buck me off." Urouge chuckled, "But in the end, I did manage to wrestle her into submission.”

“Urouge, don’t tell me you…surely not.” I stammered out, causing him to give me an affronted look.

“Get your mind out of the gutter, you perverted midget. I’m a priest for crying out loud." Unlike his usual bright smile, Urouge looked affronted at my implied question and tried to smack my head in retaliation. "Didn’t you listen to what I said? We literally had a wrestling match with her freedom on the line. If she won, she got to go free no questions asked. She lost, she had to consider my offer and not make trouble on my ship. She lost. Seriously, you and Pinky both. Kids these days have no shame whatsoever.”

“…you wrestled a giant and won?”

“I’m a big guy you know. Though, she wasn’t at her best when we did, so I can’t say how things would have turned out if she hadn’t gotten into a scrap with that Oars fella.” He admitted. “But she’s a giant of Elbaf, and they don’t care about the circumstances of a competition so long as one doesn’t cheat. I won fair and square and thus her own honor won’t allow her to renege on her promise.”

“And if she does run away?”

“Then we simply weren’t meant to be, but I’m certain I can bring her around.”

“Well…good luck with that.”

Like, what else was I supposed to say? Man shanghaied a senior marine officer and decided she would make a good candidate for recruitment into a pirate crew. And he called me insane? Pot calling the kettle black, indeed.

Thankfully my next conversational partner was in the possession of all his mental faculties, though he was stressful in a whole different way.

“Hey, glad I caught you before I left. You want a drink? It’s a rare bottle from North Blue.”

“Shanks!?!”

Now, I had been hoping to talk to him at some point. But when I suddenly found myself sitting across from him, my mind blanked out for a moment. Thankfully, Shanks patiently waited until I regathered myself.

“I wanted to thank you for what you did for Ace. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that you changed the course of the war.” he said, slightly bowing to me.

“To be honest, I didn’t really have altruistic reasons for doing so.” I confessed but Shanks waved it off.

“And I didn’t say you did. But it doesn’t change the fact that Luffy’s brother lives, in no small part thanks to you. Luffy is a dear friend and Ace is a good lad, so I am grateful regardless of your motivations.”

“Well, in that case…” Having his gratitude was huge and honestly, part of why I had decided to go through with this idea. I didn't even feel guilty about it.

“I did notice that you got yourself into a little pickle. Killing a world noble? I don’t think even Kaido did that and he did a lot of things back in the day.” he continued, directing a wide grin in my direction.

“That’s a misunderstanding, you know. One of the pacifistas malfunctioned or so and shot the world noble by accident. The world government just pinned the blame on us instead." I told him, trying to defend myself from the accusation. "Though that doesn’t change anything.”

“I suppose not. But even if they weren’t going to before, after your stunt at Marineford, you definitely got bumped up a few ranks on their priority list.”

“…” It had been something I knew already that but hearing it from someone else made it more real. The clock had begun ticking in earnest, hadn't it?

“Are you scared?” Like an eagle, Shanks swept in, shifting the conversation into very intimate territory and he did so in a manner which didn't even feel rude. Damn charismatic people.

Now, was I scared of Kizaru and Doflamingo coming after me?

“…I am.” I admitted. I briefly considered denying it, but I was certain he’d be able to tell and false bravado would get me nowhere. I was scared.

“You know, I could offer to place you under my wing. I’m not sure how much help that will be in Paradise, but if you ever decide to enter the New World, not many would dare to come after you. What do you say about that?”

It had been a kind offer. A generous one too, because he gained nothing from the exchange, except the obligation to avenge me if something were to ever happen to me. Marineford had been an example of an Emperor's obligation coming into play and if I was Shank's affiliate, even Doffy would think twice before trying to hunt me down...directly at least.

“Thank you for your offer, but I am going to have to decline.”

“Hoh? You think you can fight off the marines and Doflamingo all at once?” he asked, his eyes beginning to glint with interest.

“No, I am well aware that I am not ready yet.” I replied, shaking my head in a self-deprecative manner. “But if I accept, I believe that I never will be.”

“Nothing is stopping you from training and getting stronger while being under my protection, you know.”

“While that may be true, doing so would be tantamount to admitting defeat before even trying to fight. That is not something I can accept.” This was probably what Zoro had felt during his duel with Mihawk all the way back on the Baratie. It was maybe a few months late, but I think I understood him now.

“Dozens of other captains flew Whitebeard’s banner. Hundreds of others fly mine.” He offered, but I cut him off, my soft reply making his eyes widen in surprise.

“None of them are aiming for a throne.”

“You want to be the Pirate King? Damn, Luffy’s got competition.”

“No, that isn’t my dream. Why be a king when I can be an emperor instead?” There, I said it. It was also the first time I had voiced my end goal to someone who wasn’t on my crew. Shanks looked stumped for a while, before he started laughing wildly.

“Dahahaha! Oh my, no wonder you refused! Dahahaha!” It took a while for the laughter to subside, but eventually it did, though even then Shanks looked endlessly amused. “So, whose head are you aiming for? Should I be worried?”

“I don’t think Luffy would forgive me if I tried.” Luffy and I were friends? Kind of? And more importantly, he was the captain of my crush. Robin would be sad if I tried to go after Shanks. “No, you have nothing to worry about from me.”

“Well, that is a relief.” He joked, humoring me. “But if it’s not protection, is there anything else I can do for you? I feel as if I owe you a favor and I don’t like owing people.”

Well, if he was offering…

“Could you perhaps put me in contact with the Revolutionary Army?”