Thorne Ashveil frowned. Was he truly that unlucky? He had just dealt with a Golden Lion pirate yesterday, and now the Marines decided to drop by. There went his hope of a quiet morning.
Ashveil muttered his frustration through a mouthful of food, shoveling the last bites down. If he finished eating in peace, he could go deal with the Marines — that was the plan, at least.
The Whitebeard Pirates' flagship, the Moby Dick, faced off with a massive Marine battleship. From the larger ship an old man descended slowly. He wore black sunglasses, his hair was streaked with purple, and a massive iron prosthetic arm hung at his side. Two figures followed him.
Doflamingo's eyes narrowed. He recognized the man immediately.
"I know him," Doflamingo said tersely. "He's Zephyr — the former admiral. He chases pirates like a bloodhound. His appearing here can't mean anything good."
Whitebeard's presence tightened the air. Zephyr was an old acquaintance; he had history with the pirates.
"Zephyr, this is Whitebeard's territory," Marco called, voice carrying across the deck. "As a former admiral, it seems strange for you to turn up here unannounced."
Zephyr smiled a little, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm here for Ashveil, I'm here to form an alliance."
He didn't move to barge through the crowds like some wanted, and that made the crew wary all the same. Ice ran under their curiosity.
Whitebeard regarded Zephyr with heavy skepticism. "You expect us to accept that? You don't just walk into pirate territory and say you want an alliance."
Zephyr let out a dry laugh and pulled a sake bottle from his sash, taking a long swallow. "I used to oppose pirates without compromise. I hated them. But a pirate cut off my arm, and that same man is now a Shichibukai. The World Government covered it up. I can no longer trust them."
A hush spread across the deck. That accusation carried weight, but weight alone didn't make it proof.
Doflamingo folded his arms, and suspicion hardened on his face. "Words are cheap, Zephyr. You bring no evidence. Why should we trust you?"
Before the argument could spiral, Ashveil shuffled onto the deck in slippers, cheeks still puffed with food.
"What, Zephyr? You here to arrest me?" Ashveil asked, glancing at the man in sunglasses.
Zephyr turned his gaze to Ashveil. He gave the young pirate a long look, as if trying to measure him at a distance. There was nothing obvious about Ashveil's power from appearance alone, but the man's reputation had spread.
"I'm not here to arrest you," Zephyr said. "I came to propose an alliance. My arm, and many of my students, were cut down by a man who later became a Shichibukai. The Government protected him; I won't forgive it."
Ashveil felt the annoyance rise. Another alliance request? Lately everyone wanted something of him. He tried to swallow a rebuke, counting the number of interruptions he'd already suffered that week.
At that moment the sky above the fleet darkened. A colossal island drifted into view and blocked the sun — Shiki's aerial island had returned.
"Shiki again," someone muttered. Doflamingo's sunglasses reflected the imposing silhouette.
Golden Lion Shiki's voice boomed from the floating island. "Don't be skittish. Ashveil — don't refuse me. I brought a gift you can't turn down."
Ashveil's brows twitched. After being bested by him, Shiki came bearing gifts now? Still, gifts were gifts; his expression softened just a fraction.
Zephyr bristled. "Shiki — you had your chance. I'm the one currently discussing terms with Ashveil."
Shiki's boast turned into a glare. "I came first. I escaped Impel-down and I conquered the skies — I don't take orders from you, old man."
"What you did yesterday failed," Zephyr shot back. "You don't get to claim victory now."
Their exchange dissolved into a brawl of words, and the meeting that might have been solemn and strategic became a loud contest of pride. Ashveil felt his head throb. Could they not fight on his doorstep?
"Stop it, both of you," he said, louder than he intended. "Don't make my ship tremble while I'm trying to eat."
The two only escalated. Shiki's island dipped slightly as he laughed, and Zephyr tightened his grip on his sake bottle. Surrounding crewmembers buzzed and grumbled, some enjoying the spectacle, others visibly impatient.
Ashveil kept his annoyance in check. He had no interest in choosing between a former admiral and a sky pirate, but he wouldn't allow them to wreck his morning. He finished the last of his food and set the bowl down with deliberate calm.
"I'll hear both of you," Ashveil said finally, voice even. "One at a time. If your quarrel gets in the way, you'll both leave empty-handed."
There was a pause. The two men traded a look, then, with reluctance braided into their features, they eased back from the brink. For the moment, negotiation was the stage. The rest of the fleet watched, waiting to see which side claimed Ashveil's favor.
Ashveil studied Zephyr and Shiki in turn. Alliances were forged and broken in a heartbeat — he could afford caution. But if the World Government's corruption ran as deep as Zephyr claimed, then this alliance could become something more than another headache. It could be a tool.
As the wind swept across the deck and the shadow of Shiki's island slid past, Ashveil squared his shoulders. He would listen. But he would not be rushed.
"Speak," he said. "One at a time."
The morning settled into a brittle quiet, the kind that always preceded deals and disasters.
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