On a certain island in the South Blue, 3 years before the Great Pirate Era began
In the early hours of the morning, out in the garden that was found on the right side of the gates that led into Master Fushi's dojo, a young woman with wavy hair that was a darker shade of green and a bespectacled young man were currently tending to the garden of the island's resident furry martial artist, who was currently observing the work of the two young people while sitting on a wooden armchair.
'I am glad that little Valerie came back to the island with no ties to the Marines. Things just were not the same after she left the dojo.' Master Fushi thought with a small smile as he looked at the dark-green haired young woman cutting the leaves of one of the shrubs so that they would be perfectly square. But when he looked in the direction of the bespectacled young man raking the leaves from the shrubs that Valerie had neatly cut, his smile turned into a frown.
'But I still do not trust the young man that came alongside her when she returned to the island. He better not try anything funny with my prized former pupil.' Valerie's former mentor angrily mused as he looked at the young man with mistrustful eyes.
And as the two youngsters continued to tend to Master Fushi's dojo, a hornbill with a red curved beak as well as grey and white feathers covering its body perched itself atop the gate leading into the dojo and made a sound while bowing its head in the direction of Master Fushi. The elderly martial artist simply nodded his head in the affirmative while looking at the bird.
As soon as the furry martial artist nodded his head, the hornbill flew towards the elderly martial artist before landing a few steps in front of him and bowing its head once more while spreading its wings to the side.
"Mister Fushi, I have come to let you know that the princess of the Utshani Kingdom is making her way here in order to have a word with you. She will arrive on the island by noon today." the hornbill spoke in a polite manner while still bowing before Master Fushi.
"I shall make the necessary preparations for the princess' arrival then." Master Fushi responded to the hornbill's message.
"Then I shall inform the princess of your acceptance post haste." the hornbill said before turning around and flying away.
"Thank you for the work that you have done you two. That should be enough work for you today. Return the gardening tools before you leave. I have to make some preparations for my guest." the elderly martial artist ordered the two youngsters in front of him with a neutral look on his face.
"Yes Master Fushi." Valerie said with a small smile as she went to put away the scissors she was using.
The glasses-wearing man simply nodded his head as he also went to put the rake he was using inside the dojo's shed.
Once the two of them put away the gardening tools and were about to leave, the elderly martial artist gestured for Valerie to come to him. The green-haired woman simply went to her former master. When she got closer to him, the furry martial artist held her hand for a moment and pulled her towards him so that his head would be close to his head.
"I would like you to come by later on in the evening, alone." Master Fushi whispered in his former disciple's ear before letting go of her hand and going towards the door led into his dojo.
"So, you'll be coming back here later and he doesn't want me there, correct?" the young man with the glasses asked Valerie with a raised eyebrow.
The former Marine simply nodded her head as she walked side by side with the bespectacled young man as the two left the walked away from the gates leading into the dojo.
Later in the afternoon
Within a neat and spacious room of Master Fushi's dojo, a female lion mink of average build with long, brown hair that was tied in a neat bun was standing in front of a well decorated desk with the hornbill that flew in earlier in the day sitting on her left shoulder. She wore a dark brown cloak that covered her body with the hood of the cloak behind her back.
Sitting in front of the woman with the cloak was the master of the dojo, who was wearing robes that monks were known to wear as well as a pair of sandals.
Standing to the right of Master Fushi was Valerie, who was currently wearing a blue collared shirt, a pair of black slacks and brown leather shoes.
Master Fushi said while he gestured to the chair before her, which she did before he began to address the princess.
"Would you like a beverage?" the owner of the dojo asked the young woman standing in front of him as he gestured to the tea kettle on his desk.
"That will not be necessary, Mr. Fushi." the brown haired mink said with a slight bow, to which Master Fushi nodded his head before proceeding to address the woman standing in front of him.
"Your messenger flew in earlier and let me know that you wished to speak with me on the state of your nation. Would you care to enlighten me on why you wished to have a word with me princess?" Master Fushi asked the young princess standing before him.
"Very well, Mr. Fushi. The royal family is currently in the middle of a civil war that has been going on for a few weeks."
"Who are the parties involved in the three factions that you mentioned and what are their motives?"
After a detailed explanation on the factions
"I see, so those are the people that are responsible for the dilemma that your nation is in? That is good to know. But I am afraid that I have some bad news for you on that front princess. I will not be able to act as a third party." Master Fushi stated as he looked at the young monarch with eyes full of sadness.
"But Mr. Fushi-"
"I only say this due to the close relationship that I have with one of the leaders of the faction. And it is clear to me that this matter needs a neutral party to act as a mediator in the talks that need to happen. And for that reason, I would like to recommend the young woman standing next to me to mediate the conflict in my place."
"What? You actually expect me to trust a human to act as a trustworthy mediator and resolve the conflict between the three factions vying for the throne?"
"You would suggest that we bring a human alongside us as your representative? That is just ridiculous sir!"
"I have to agree with them, Master Fushi. Why would you pick me to go and act a mediator for three whole factions that I just found out about?"
"Well, that is because I am confident in your ability to resolve this matter in a satisfactory manner. I remember when you used to resolve the conflicts of your juniors back when you used to be my disciple. I am also aware that many of the accomplishments that made it possible for you to become a Commodore at such a young age were primarily due to your ability to act as a peace maker when many of your former colleagues could not."
"But Master, I doubt that the residents of the Utshani Kingdom would-"
"I will write a letter of recommendation to all the factions involved in the struggle for power before you leave. I would also suggest that you do the same thing princess. If you decline to do this, then you and your messenger are free to leave my dojo."
"Is there really nothing that I can do to make you reconsider coming alongside me in order to act as a mediator?"
"No princess, there is nothing you can do to change my mind on the matter."
"Then may I have a word with the members of our kingdom's court in private? I feel like I have to let them know about the one you chose to represent you as a mediator."
"Not at all, princess. Feel free to use the room located to the right of this office for your conversation with the members of the king's court." Master Fushi said before pouring a cup of tea for himself and taking a sip from his cup.
"Thank you, Mr. Fushi." The princess said before she exited Master Fushi's office to speak with the members of the royal court via a baby transponder snail she was carrying with her.
"Master Fushi, do you really trust my ability to act as the kind of mediator that the princess needs?"
"Of course I do. I understand that you see yourself as the last person to go and handle a political dispute between members of a royal family of a kingdom who are not a part of the World Government, but that is not true. And like I told you earlier, I have great trust in your capabilities as a mediator. The other disciples and Sister Bridgette have also been telling me of your accomplishments as a peacemaker thanks to what they read on the newspaper whenever I was too busy to keep up with current affairs of the world." Master Fushi reassured his former disciple as he took another sip from his cup. Valerie simply raised an eyebrow at her former master while looking at him with a deadpan look on her face for a moment before shrugging her shoulders.
"Alright, Master Fushi. I'll act as a mediator on your behalf. I'll be sure to give it my all." Valerie said as she looked at her former master with a wry smile on her face.