– Laki –

For being the most hunted base on the planet, Baltigo was a hub of activity, the kind of which one would expect to find in a sprawling metropolis like Sabaody rather than a military camp. While yes, there was no shortage of military facilities and armed soldiers visible everywhere, featured prominently along the main road was a bustling market filled with merchants plying their wares to their potential customers. Off duty soldiers seeking out a good time at the local bar, the elderly browsing through a selection of coffee brands, mothers looking for a bargain for tonight's dinner while simultaneously trying to keep their children form ramhousing all over the place… Baltigo was full of life, almost as if trying to prove that it was more than what its secretive reputation would lead you to believe. Something their guide was eager to point out.

"Many of our recruits are really surprised when they first lay their eyes upon Baltigo Base." Koala said, striding confidently down the central boulevard, her fingers interlaced behind her head. "Most believe that Baltigo is just one giant military complex buried underground in the middle of a desert. Obviously, that's not quite the case."

"Obviously." Mani snarked, though Laki could tell that the girl was as surprised as most of her friends were. She wasn't quite sure why this warranted a mention though. In her experience, having non-combatants intermixed with the warriors into a single cohesive camp was normal and even desirable. Who was going to protect the civilians otherwise and who was going to support the war effort? "Aren't you worried about secrecy though?"

"Not particularly, no. Everybody here is carefully vetted before being allowed to stay on the island and the only ships that can come here are those who have the eternal pose. Plus, it isn't like we leave the important stuff out in the open. We even have a few decoys around like that super top secret intelligence department HQ over yonder." Koala replied, twirling around to face them. Laki noted that the girl didn't miss a beat, walking confidently backwards through the throng of people, almost as if she had eyes in the back of her head.

"That's actually pretty clever. I do have to say though…does it have to be that conspicuous?" Rivers commented, squinting at the drab and camouflaged building, sitting in the middle of several whitewashed residential apartments. "It's almost as if you want it to be found."

"It was our Chief of Staff's idea, but most of the reasoning went over my head… something about moths to the flame or so. We haven't caught any spies yet, but it is pretty funny watching the newbies' eyes pop out whenever a child gets too close to military secrets." their guide giggled. "It gets them every time."

"So, where is the real thing then?" Mani flung one arm over Koala's shoulder and asked in a conspiratorial stage whisper, to which Koala responded in exactly the same way.

"You want to know?" she asked, getting a nod and eager eyes. "Well, I could tell you…"

"I'm sensing a but coming…" Rivers muttered from the side, but despite his apprehension, he couldn't help but lean in closer as well.

"...but you'd have to join up first." Koala chirped with a wink, pulling away to face the whole group again. "People of your caliber are always welcome and if what I've heard about Tequila Wolf is any indication, we do work well together."

"I think I value my freedom too much to enlist." Bellamy commented dryly, prompting assenting grunts and causing Koala to pout playfully.

"Oh, poo. And here I was hoping to spend more time with Nero-chan."

At that, Laki's eyes flickered over to their resident rokushiki expert who, ever since meeting their guide, had been suspiciously quiet throughout the whole tour. In fact, he'd chosen to plod along in silence with his own gaze locked unerringly on Koala. Normally, Laki would have teased him for being lovestruck if it weren't for the blank look on his face, one completely devoid of any emotions. Honestly, she didn't know which was worse: this or the clear discomfort he'd been displaying previously, which had steadily grown the longer the tour had gone on.

"I did mean to ask, how do you two know each other anyway? I mean he was a secret government agent and you are…well, you know, a revolutionary?" Rivers asked, throwing Koala a confused look.

"Nero-chan and I go waaaaay back! One could even say that we are childhood friends!" Koala beamed, hands on her hips. "He would have been hopeless without me!"

"No way!" Mani gasped out excitedly. "But he's so reliable now!"

"Yes, way! You wouldn't think it by looking at him, but when we were kids he used to follow me around like a lost puppy. I even fed him!"

"Wait a minute, Koala! I don't think…" Nero's panicked protest was cut short when Mani pressed a finger against his lips.

"Shush you! This is important for blackm…bonding. Yes, this is vital to strengthening the bonds between crew mates." Mani argued before grabbing Koala's hands and dragging her close with an eager smile. "Koala, surely you must have so much juicy gossip, right?"

"The juiciest! Why, there was that one time…mmph?"

"Hey Nero! We were talking!" Mani called out to Nero, who was speeding away with his friend slung over his shoulder. Koala notably not resisting this abduction attempt all too much.

"Oh no. Nero-chan is…giggle…kidnapping me! Help!" Koala's giggling calls for aid were ignored, the Crew only vocally jeering or perhaps cheering their crew mate on.

Strangely, the scene reminded Laki very much of similar games she used to play with her friends back home. Even Wyper had joined in occasionally to rescue Kamakiri from her evil clutches… she missed those lovable buffoons. Her Crew had become good friends of hers, there was no denying that. She cared deeply for them and was willing to fight and bleed for them, but Kamakiri and Wyper had been family. And Laki had disappeared on them without even managing to say goodbye.

Hopefully Kamakiri didn't blame himself too much… he had a tendency to do that a lot.

Would she see them again?

She missed them.

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– Nero –

Nero didn't really have a plan when he pulled Koala away from his crew and into a quiet alley several blocks away. He'd not had an idea on how to give voice to the feelings running rampant inside his chest nor what to say for that matter, the chaos within him not lending itself easily to words. All he'd known was that something needed to be said but with a thousand thoughts screaming their way into his brain, Nero had followed his instincts and fled the scene, only remembering to grab the root of his issues along the way.

Koala hadn't stopped giggling since, calling out for help in as insincere a manner one could ever imagine. As such, even the revolutionaries who spotted their superior being carried away like a sack of potatoes, just shrugged and went about their business without a second glance. One of them even gave Nero a thumbs up, though Nero didn't have the mental reserves left to give a shit.

Which was how he'd found himself leaning over his childhood friend, his hands slamming into the wall on either side of her and trapping her body between his and the ungiving brick wall. A small part of his brain noted that he was panting like he'd just completed one of Izou's obstacles courses, his chest heaving with exertion as his eyes were met by Koala's mischievous own.

"Ooh, you've grown so bold, Nero-chan! And oh no, you've caught me. Whatever shall I do, I wonder?" Koala teased, looking about as scared of him as a tiger was of a mouse. "I can scream, you know?"

"Stop it, Koala!" Nero demanded, his voice more serious than it had ever been in recent memory. And once he'd gotten over the lump in his throat, the words started tumbling out. "What happened to you? What happened, that the bright girl I once knew is now walking around with a fake smile plastered across her face and giggling all the time?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Koala denied still grinning, though her pupils began shaking ever so slightly. "My smile isn't fake. It's as genuine as ever. You know Nero-chan, if you can't tell the difference, maybe you should smile more. It's good for your soul…"

"Like hell it isn't fake. You think I don't recognize a fake smile when I see one? Especially if it's on your face? It may have been over ten years already, but I'm not so old as to not remember how you used to smile." Nero argued, grasping the girl by her shoulders. "Koala, I'm not blind!"

Having said his piece Nero clamped his mouth shut, silently pressuring his friend to say something. Anything. In turn, Koala's smile turned brittle before vanishing entirely, even as she tilted her head forward for her orange locks to cast a shadow over her face. That was how they stayed a while, neither saying a word in a silent standoff, until the first inklings of doubt started entering Nero's mind on whether or not he'd made a poor decision in calling Koala out. He almost opened his mouth to apologize but then his friend broke the silence first...

"...they broke me." she whispered, before balling her fists and looking up into his eyes to give him a tearful glare. "You asked what happened to me? They broke me! That's what happened!"

"Koala…"

"No, I listened to you. Now you listen to me! Whatever we experienced in that cave? That was nothing in comparison to what they did to me and I was one of the luckier ones! After all, I got away after only a few years in hell, because Fisher Tiger raided Mariejois and set me free! Even then, by the time he got that accursed collar off my neck, I had already been reduced into being little more than a drone which could only clean and smile! Do you have any idea what it's like to lose the ability to cry?"

Stolen story; please report.

"No, no I don't…." Nero admitted, letting go of her shoulders which just freed her up to start raining hammer blows down on his chest.

"Well, I do! It took the man who set my body free, dying because of ME in front of MY very eyes to break the hold they had on my mind! I was a wreck for months afterwards and that was a massive improvement!" Koala screamed into his face. "I needed years to piece myself back together until I was a semi-functional human being again! In fact, I'm still piecing myself together! What you so callously dismissed as being a fake, is the result of nearly a decade of dedicated effort to try and regather the broken shards of who I once was! Maybe it's not perfect and maybe it's not as real as you remember, but it's not something as simple as being fake!"

"…I'm sorry." What else could he say? Somewhat spent, Koala leaned her head against his chest, grasping his shirt for additional support.

"Ever since my subordinates reported that you guys were accompanying them here, I was really looking forward to seeing you again, you know? I wanted our reunion to be a happy memory." she murmured into his shirt. "We don't have nearly enough of those."

"I'm sorry." Nero repeated, awkwardly wrapping his arms around his childhood friend. "I didn't know. I'm so sorry."

"I'm sorry too." she sniffled, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. "I'm not usually like this."

"I understand."

"Just to let you know, I wasn't crying. It's the stupid rain." she insisted.

"Of course. It's all the rain's fault." Nero agreed, dutifully ignoring the brightly shining sun and the cloudless sky.

"Smartass. What happened to the cute little brother I used to have?"

"I was and still am older than you. Plus I'm bigger now."

"Don't sweat the small stuff." Koala said, playfully slapping his arm once and grinning again. Unlike before, Nero no longer had that feeling of wrongness when looking at it, instead getting a sense of familiarity once again. "Want to start over?"

"Sure, I'd like that." A chance to not put the shoe in his mouth? Yes, please.

"What have you been up to all these years?"

"Girl, you have no idea."

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Nero wasn't sure how long they stood in that alley, swapping stories and catching up on each other's lives. It wasn't all happy tales mind you, but a happy ending could make up for a lot of tragedy. He didn't go into that much detail about his time as a government agent and Koala didn't pry despite the obvious potential for useful intelligence. In turn, Nero abstained from questioning her about her revolutionary activities, both of them sticking to safer and more humorous topics. There were exceptions of course, such as Nero recounting his time at the Tower of Justice and his relationship with Jabra.

Koala's stories were more mundane, focusing much more on the people she met and the everyday activities they did together. Oddly enough, a lot of her stories tended to involve a certain Sabo character, which sent all of Nero's stunted brotherly instincts into a frenzy and gave him the urge to threaten this "Sabo" with a rusty shovel.

"Are you sure I can't convince you to join the Revolutionary Army? I could vouch for you." Koala offered once he had finished telling her of the events at Tequila Wolf. Maybe if he had gotten the offer four months ago, he might have taken her up on it, but now he had a lot of reasons not to.

"Again, thanks but no thanks. I've got something else I want to accomplish with the crew, which I cannot do if I join you guys." he answered much to Koala's great and exaggerated disappointment. Though he could tell that his refusal had been more or less expected. However, that didn't stop a curious look from appearing on her face.

"What is it? What could your goal possibly be that we can't help you but the Bellamy pirates can? Not to brag but objectively we have a lot more resources to play with."

"You are bragging." he pointed out, though Koala only stuck her tongue out at him. "It's been something I have been thinking about for a while. You know how we've had horrible childhoods?"

"Yeah…" Koala nodded, gesturing for him to get on with it.

"I want to create a world where children no longer have to go through what we did." he stated. "Meeting you again just gave me a kick up my backside to get moving a bit faster."

"That's what we are trying to do!"

"Not in the New World. Despite your HQ being here, you guys are barely active here or if you are, the CP9 didn't know about it."

"We're expanding our operations but it's been slow going. As you no doubt know, the Yonko have a firm grip on the New World or at least they did before the Summit War. Things are a little more uncertain at the moment, which is the only reason we've been able to establish a foothold."

"I know. Even now with Whitebeard gone, it's incredibly difficult for anyone who is not a Yonko to carve out himself a piece of territory." Nero said. "Even Dofflamingo only has his single island."

"If you know that, shouldn't that be all the more reason for you to join us?" Koala questioned.

"Not really. For all his strength and influence, Dragon is not and can never be one of the four. And like they do with the marines, the Emperors will band together to stop an outsider from muscling in on their territory."

"And Bellamy is different?" Koala asked skeptically. "I can't imagine that he will have any more luck."

"The difference is that Bellamy can become one of the Yonko. Plus, unlike your boss, Bellamy actually wants to become one."

"His chances of success have to be miniscule, you do know that right?"

"I am aware that it isn't something that will be easily achievable and that we aren't nearly strong enough yet. But if I consider the competition, I truly believe that Bellamy can do it if he is given enough time." Nero stated. "In any case, a tiny chance is still better than no chance at all."

"Alright, let's assume that I accept this and that Bellamy becomes a Yonko. I don't see how that helps you achieve your goal."

"A single Yonko already wields near absolute authority in his territory. Protecting the children there should be a simple matter."

"...it's a nice dream, but to play the devil's advocate, that's not really a safe world, is it? Emphasis on World."

"That's true, but it took the World Government gathering near the sum total of their might to repel Whitebeard, then they folded like a wet blanket when Red-Hair intervened. And both of them merely controlled a quarter of the New World."

"Wait a goddamn minute…"

"Imagine what would be possible if one were to unite the New World."

"Nero-chan, you absolute madman!"

"I'm going to turn Bellamy into the sole Emperor of the Sea."

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Author's note: All credit goes to Warmachine375 from sufficient velocity.

The Navy Wants You!

Welcome to Marineford Daily News, your only source of accurate and unbiased truth.

Having proven without doubt during the War of the Best, that they are the an effective bulwark against the darkness, the naval command has now decided to expand upon their functions. No longer content to merely shield the world from the despicable pirates, it has been decided that the marines will need to take the fight to them. Especially now, that the countless dregs of society have taken to the seas in order to take advantage of the temporary re-organization of marine personnel. All of them fools who believe the mad ramblings of a dying man. The World Government has issued a statement refuting any rumors that an item commonly called the "One Piece" exists, claiming it to be a fable started by Gold Roger and supported by Whitebeard in an attempt to sow chaos.

In order to bring a swift end to the current disturbances and to reestablish peace and order, the World Government, in their infinite wisdom, have issued the World Military Draft with the full approval of the Five Elders from the Holy Land of Mariejois.

With the honorable retirements of Admiral Aokiji and Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and the promotion of Admiral Akainu to fill the gap left behind by the aforementioned Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the Navy is clearly awash with new opportunities for the motivated and the just.

Among the first notable recruits are the new Vice-Admirals Issho and Aramaki. Both of them gentlemen of extraordinary talent and skill, who have long harbored a personal desire to serve the greater good and have eagerly accepted the opportunity to enlist in our glorious institution via the World Military Draft. As of now, they're on a very short list of several candidates for the two vacancies for the post of Admiral.

We, the people (and the editorial staff) wish them and all other recruits, the best of luck! May they serve valiantly and true, and show those evil pirates who dare to spit on our sacrifices, the futility in chasing a pipe dream rather than integrating into the current world order.

To the rest of the world, a message from Marine HQ.

The Navy wants YOU!

Be at the forefront of the battle for justice, the glorious vanguard of order. Be the successor to thousands upon thousands of heroes who have served valiantly for the cause and be remembered for may days to come for your sacrifice (of your free time, not your life). Join the Marines and show the world that the Shield and Hammer of Order is as strong as ever. Justice will always prevail!

So far, the statement delivered by the Marine spokesperson.

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This was Marineford Daily reporting.