Corvo was grumpy, on this particular morning. More than he usually was, these days.
That was saying something, since he now had Emily back within his reach, where he could protect her. He ought to be happy, thrilled even; but he wasn't.
The reason why was simple.
"The marines are back, and in force this time," Havelock had informed him. "This time they aren't investigating the queen's death, either. They're looking into the bombings instead."
Dealing with this bastard was already annoying enough, now that Corvo knew the depths of his corruption. Having the damned marines come in and stand in opposition to his goals was a whole other realm of disgusting.
He wouldn't be surprised to find the marines had been bribed for this 'investigation' to occur. It was, in reality, just an unofficial alliance with the Lord Regent.
Corvo took a deep breath and released it. It wouldn't do him any good to get worked up right now.
"What are we doing about it?" Corvo asked.
"Nothing! We will do nothing," Martin Teague proclaimed. "The marines are not searching for us, but for the bomber. Let them chase their wild goose. In the meantime, we'll have to lie low-"
"We cannot tuck our tail and hide at this juncture!" Treavor disagreed, interrupting the overseer. "Burrows has already hastened his plans to further entrench himself! If we surrender our momentum now, we'll forever lose our advantage! Especially since the marines are just as likely to find us as they are the bomber!"
The two set to bickering with each other whilst Havelock watched them placidly. Corvo wondered if he was enjoying this, watching his allies fight amongst themselves as he chose the perfect timing to intercede.
"Enough," Havelock predictably cut in just as the other two were about to start shouting over each other. "We'll find the bomber first."
Teague and Treavor were quiet for a moment, mulling over the idea.
"If we caught the bomber and turned them in…" Treavor began. Teague finished the thought, "Then we can kill two birds with one stone. Make ourselves seem loyal to the Lord Regent, while at the same time reducing the pressure from the marines."
Corvo was glad he was such a naturally dour man. He'd be laughing in their faces otherwise.
"I have an idea of who it might be," Corvo added, three pairs of eyes moving to him, glittering with excitement as he gave them exactly what they wanted.
"Truly?" Havelock was the most skeptical of the claim, but even he was interested. "Who?"
"Some small-time pirates who escaped the Grand Line. They agreed to… disappear the twins for me, while I focused on rescuing Lady Emily," Corvo lied to them as easily as he breathed. "I figured that they came to Gristol with their own motives, but I hadn't expected the bombings. Maybe they think they can take over during the chaos."
"Oh, the marines will eat that up!" Treavor exclaimed, unfazed by whatever dark fate befell his brothers. "They do love their pirate hunting, don't they? They'll accept that explanation without a second thought."
"Agreed. Though, I'd call it obsession on their part, rather than love. Do they have bounties, Corvo?" Teague inquired.
"Nothing substantial, last I'd seen. Beneath my notice," Corvo took some satisfaction in the truth of his words. He truly hadn't seen the Straw Hats' bounties ever since they'd left East Blue. Grand Line pirates rarely came back to the four blues, for one reason or another, so he didn't bother to keep up with them since then; beyond hearing about their deeds occasionally. He had been a bodyguard, not a military man.
"Excellent," Havelock praised. "See if you can figure out where they're holed up, Corvo. We'll tip off the marines and make sure certain parties know one of us is responsible for turning them in."
Corvo simply nodded and left them to scheme without him.
…
Nami wouldn't call herself a vengeful person.
She'd be wrong, but she wouldn't.
The point was, that she definitely wasn't the kind of person to go chasing after someone who slighted her. She wasn't some revenge obsessed idiot; she had a whole life to live, and she wasn't going to waste it just to ruin some jackass' day or decade.
That said, she absolutely wouldn't pass up a chance to get even, if the opportunity presented itself.
Such was the case with one Captain Nezumi. That particular son of a bitch had stolen a hundred million Beri from her, and she didn't plan to let that go just because she was worth way more than that now. That was enough money to support a family of four for a decade or two, damn it!
Now, he was poking his rat nose into Gristol, no doubt sniffing around for gains to be ill gotten.
"You really don't like that guy, huh?" Cherry asked idly. "What did he do?"
"He stole the money I was saving to buy Cocoyashi from Arlong," Nami seethed.
"Woof, he's in for it, isn't he?" Reiju smirked and winced in equal measure.
"Oh, I have ideas for him," Nami spoke mysteriously.
"We can't just kick his ass and be done with it, then?" Cherry asked.
"I'll kick his ass, to be sure, but no," Nami shook her head. "I figured you'd be excited for something like this, though?"
"Why would I be excited about rat extermination?" Cherry retorted. "Messing with marines is way more fun when they have actual ideals and genuinely believe in justice. Whatever that guy is, he ain't that."
Nami snorted. Ain't that the truth?
"Too fuckin' bad," Nami took great pleasure in saying so. "These are my shopping trip days, so if I want you to help me get some long overdue vengeance, then you'll do it."
Cherry blinked at her, then smiled. "I guess you're right about that. What do you want me to do, then?"
"Here's how we'll play things…" Nami began to explain the bare bones of her plan.
…
Today was proving to be a most fortuitous day.
Captain Nezumi was greeted at the sole port of Clockwork Island by a chest full of… incentives to complete his work in an efficient and timely manner. Naturally, he was only too glad to accept and promised to follow through on his duties thoroughly and expeditiously.
A small portion would be set aside for the men, of course. Only a fool didn't keep their subordinates happy, preferably with full bellies and plenty of booze. They would have to do without the booze for a little while, however, as they had a job to do; find the pirate or pirates responsible for bombing the good Lord Regent's office and home. A most vicious crime indeed, attempting to kill a loyal and dutiful public servant such as Burrows Hiram.
His men were actually quite good at investigative work, he was proud to say. It helped a great deal in rooting out extra 'taxes' when he visited the handful of the technically legal businesses around East Blue that he had dealings with. If they couldn't get the cash together to pay their 'taxes', then he was certain his crew would find some sort of criminal action they could arrest those entrepreneurs for.
Nezumi took a deep breath of Gristol's air and found it smelled sweet, like Beri.