I don't own One Piece
Having thought it over, I figured I would reveal something in this chapter, since it has been 44 chapters... Plus, I think I've left a lot of clues throughout this book so far. So enjoy!
........................................
It has been an hour since the island lost connection. Everyone is still scrambling to get it back up, both pirates and marines wanting to see the outcome.
They wanted to see which side won.
I wanted to see if my brothers were okay. If my idiotic Captain would be alright. If my friend would make it.
It was more than just 'winning' for me.
When the connection cut off, it was both bad and yet hopeful. Ace was free again to fight, and Luffy was with him. I knew the strength of both of them, so I felt as if they would be an stoppable force. Sato and Makoto were fighting an Admiral, appearing as if they were keeping him distracted.
It was looking in their favor.
So why is my stomach in knots and my hands trembling?
There's no way any of those boys would lose. Right?
"Katsu." I didn't turn to acknowledge the woman. "Our connection is shit. That storm we had last week really messed it all up. I don't think we'll have it running anytime soon. I'm sure tomorrow we'll have more information."
By now I'm the only one standing in front of the screen. My body stiff as I waited for the image to pop back up. Hoping it matches the safe image in my head.
"Kid, come on." When she placed a hand on my shoulder I jerked away from her touch.
"Stop." I hissed, wincing at the harshness of my voice as my throat thickened. "It's not just Ace."
"I know, your Captain." Arisu nodded.
"And my brothers." I whispered, clearing my throat to try to get rid of the thickness. My heart clenched at the thought of them being hurt. "I just remembered them. How fucked up would it be if I never even got to reunite with them? I have a lot to lose in this fight."
The woman blinked, her shoulders dropping. "Your brothers?"
"Sato and Makoto." I muttered.
Behind me, I felt her look down then she snapped her head back at me. "Lone Star and Silent Bullet?"
"Last time I knew them, it was just Sato and Makoto. My timid brothers that I protected from bullies." Why were my eyes burning? "Everything's different now."
"Shit." Arisu sighed, "Come on, let's go back to my place. I'll see if I can get ahold of any information. My former Captain was there."
Finally, my full attention was on the former marine. She had already started walking away, which made me quickly follow. I didn't know the way to her home, if there was any chance of me making it back there I needed to follow her.
It surprised me how willing she is to help me, dispute me being a pirate. So much to a point, that it nagged me.
Why would she help me?
"Arisu." I stopped walking, making the woman stop and look at me. "Why are you helping me? Surely you don't care if any of them die, since they're all pirates."
She turned her head to look at me blankly, almost making me believe she was looking through me. Then, she turned around to completely to face me.
"Many reasons." She said, "I understand your worry for your brothers. I went through that everyday with Mamoru. I lost contact with my little brother, and I don't think he'll ever speak to me again. You're my last shred of my brother that I can hold on to, even if you're not related to him biologically. So, even if you're a pirate, you're still family. I learned my lesson, I'm not going to make that mistake twice."
Then Arisu sighed, "And I don't really like the idea of anyone dying. I put up with it for years while serving. But, I'd rather avoid it if I can. So I really do hope they all are fine, Katsu."
There was no hesitation in her explanation. Nothing told me she was lying. If anything, I believed the old woman was being sincere.
I let out a breathy laugh, relaxing my body a little as I gave a small smile to the woman. "I never knew a marine could be so nice."
"Then you haven't met the right marines, darlin'," She gave a sad tight lipped smile, then turned around once more. "Come on."
..................................................
The submarine sank into the ocean with three new passengers. Two of which were severely injured. The third covered in the other's blood, and one of the people responsible for their safety.
"Silent Bullet." The Captain murmured, looking at the blue haired male from the corner of his eyes. For a brief moment Law had met both Makoto and Sato before. However, nether men had paid attention to each other.
The blue haired pirate looked away from Luffy, a crooked smile on his face. "Call me Makoto!"
Amusement and annoyance went hand in hand for the doctor. "Why are you still here?"
"Oh!" Makoto exclaimed, then smiled wider. "I'm just wanting to make sure you take care of these two. They're very important and I wouldn't want any accidents to happen."
Law stared at Makoto. He could see the fatigue that shot through the pirate. He could see the shock that he was still under. He could see the first stages of grief plaguing the man. Law knew Makoto had just lost a friend, yet Law couldn't help himself when he spoke. Perhaps he wanted a more realistic reaction out of him.
"For someone who just witnessed a friend die, you're pretty chipper." Law could then see the pain no longer hidden. Completely raw. He knew it was wrong, but that much satisfied him.
"What good would me crying do?" Makoto said, "I wasn't fast enough to save him, even with my devil fruit. So, I shall put forth all my effort to save the next best thing. His brother."
law knew Straw Hat Luffy held more value to Makoto than just 'a friend's brother'. It wasn't hard to put things together. At the very least, Makoto was invested in Straw Hat Luffy.
"Well, if you would leave my operating room, I might be able to save both of them." Law said, setting his sword against the wall.
"Right." Makoto nodded, only sparing one more glance at the two figures before following Law's orders.
............................................
It was as if as soon as both Captains stepped foot onto the battlefield all fighting stopped. Both pirates and marines stood in awe and fright of the two emperors.
Red Haired Shanks and Emerald Eye Taro.
Both were feared emperors of the New World. Though only one contained a devil fruit, they were both equal in power and both were equal in power.
Standing behind the Captains were the different crew members. The first mates standing closer to their Captains. Their stances appearing casual to the naked eye, but those more trained could see how they were ready for any small advance towards them.
They only came to a stop once they stood beside the other red head pirate on the field, who was busy glaring down Blackbeard. His gray-blue eyes were white with anger, and the air around him was heavier than usual.
Lone Star Sato.
A pirate who didn't have an official crew, though he was constantly seen with many. More particularly, he was seen with either Red Haired Shanks or Emerald Eye Taro. To the marines, he was a wild card. Someone they tried to keep an eye on, though it was nearly impossible with the help of Makoto, who disappeared more than Sato did.
"Sato," Taro looked to the red head, studying the teen. Other than a few scratches, and more tears in his stolen black cloak, he appeared fine. "Care to let up a little?" He smirked teasingly when the teen looked at him, his hard eyes softening. The star shaped scar under his eye appeared to soften as well as his glare dropped. Then the air felt lighter.
Though she tried to hide it, Kimiko let a smirk escape as she looked at the teen. Her own coat flared around her as she quickly pulled a gun and pointed it towards Blackbeard, who looked ready to take a step towards them. More like he had taken a step toward her Captain and her Captain's son. Though she gave a threatening glare, her smirk didn't drop from her lips.
"You did well." Shanks complimented, though the teen scoffed. Staring at his nephew only a moment longer, Shanks decided to speak to him later. Instead he looked up at the marines surrounding them.
It was time to end this fight. Though he wished he could have made it earlier to save Ace. The child that Captain Rogers entrusted to Sayomi to help save.
Though she had saved the baby, and he had grown into a man Shanks was sure would have made his Captain proud. Even if he hated his own father. However, he was now dead. Executed and broadcasted for everyone to see.
Edward Newgate and Portgas D. Ace were dead.
........................................................
End of Chapter 45!
I'll post the next chapter today if you guys make it to 15 comments, preferably from different people.
Well, I thought it over and decided to go ahead and let you guys in on Katsu's dad. Though I wonder if this will drive you guys crazy knowing while Katsu won't know until way later. Poor thing is gonna be kept in the dark... However, I am glad to see that one you guys pieced it all together very well!
On another note, I apologize deeply for letting Ace die... again... However I think it really did have to happen, since that was the big pushing factor for Luffy to train and whatnot. So please forgive me! Honestly, I was planning on subbing Ace for Sato originally, but I happen to really like Katsu's brothers, and I have different plans for him. Plus, I don't think it would have moved the plot forward like Ace's death did.
Anyway, next few chapters will be timeskips which I'll let you all in on the training with Katsu! I'm pretty excited for all of that!
This is not edited.