[Sakazuki's POV]
28 years ago, The Grand Line - Paradise, Amaro Kingdom.
I was but a small girl back then… weak, innocent, deluded… maybe even brainwashed.
As early as 6 years old, I have been carrying bags of coal... from a mill dozens of metres beneath the surface, to the surface. Our humble Kingdom didn't have much to offer; it was affiliated with the world government, and we had to pay a yearly contribution in order to get protection against Pirates.
Pirates, or worst enemies... at least that's what they made us believe; that Pirates were the villains and Marines were the heroes. Sadly, our Kingdom had been late in payment for two years consecutively… after striking a deal with the world government, we could pay those two years in the next two consecutive years as an extra fee.
It may have sounded easy for the nobles, but as a result. Work, work, work… it doesn't matter if you're a girl, if you're sick, if you're disabled… WORK.
I grew up alongside a mother, a father, and a little brother… as feminine as this filthy world of black stains would allow you to be, with my face stained, my hair charcoal black, dirty under my mangled nails. There was no one you would meet along the way that wouldn't have traces of coal and carbon on them, blackened hands… blazing fire melting the rocks and an aura so heavy, all you could ever wish for in life was for the time to go home and rest.
Even then, aside from my family, I had someone with me. I was not alone.
I had a boyfriend, and he was my childhood friend. His name was Marcus from the neighbouring hut. Brave, reliable, dependable... In such a cruel world, at the age of fourteen, I couldn't ask for anything better.
"How much did you make today, Marcus?" I asked him at the end of our time, in the evening. We were paid by the hour, ten bellies the hour... barely enough to go by.
"Barely enough… my mom is sick, I wanted to buy a flower for her", He mumbled with a lot of reluctance, watching his feeble coins.
"B-But… flowers are so expensive".
"I'll definitely do it! Mom's done so much".
I looked at him awkwardly, reluctant… we have been together for 4 long years, and I like his parents too. I understand why he wants to do it, but... is it worth the sacrifice? A bouquet is worth the equivalent of two days of work.
"Here, you can take a part of mine" I bit my lips and handed my coins over to him, thinking that would make him happy, but he stopped me.
"No. Stop it, Saki… I can do it by myself, if I take from our savings… I don't want you to make sacrifices"
"But Marcus... you..." We more or less had control over our finances, and I knew he was in a bad state after lending some money to a friend of his who got injured during work. Time and time again, I would tell him not to be so generous, but he wouldn't listen.
'If you keep giving your whole self to everyone, you will die alone!' I kept telling him the same words I'd heard from my father. Sacrificing yourself for others... doesn't guarantee others will do the same for you.
This is the world we live in.
"…" he looked at me displeased, but I begged him to understand. We have objectives… every bit of coal has to be used for our future… if we ever want to leave this hellhole.
Soon he understood, even if dejected at first. Sadly, and for much of my regret and grief, his mother died three years later of a long infection. In this filthy country of thieves and pillage, the only people to look up to were the marines. Those hard working men who protected us from the pirates that came every so often to assault our mines. So much work could be gone so quickly because of them.
"If we become marines… we will be able to leave this islands, we can even take our families with us", Marcus told me a long time ago, when I was looking for a way out. In order to become a marine, one had to apply, do some theory test, then some fighting test… the requirements were though because spots were limited and there were way too many applicants.
One year after his mother's death, we applied for the second time. Previously we had passed the theory test, the practical test… but we were still not chosen as our scores were lower than the rest. This time, the result would be different.
And it was.
"I made it, Saki!".
!!!
Our results came. I had failed… but Marcus succeeded.
I felt my heart stop from the complex feelings. I was happy for him, but I couldn't help my envy looking at that letter. That letter is what we have worked hard for years to attain... why? What did I do wrong?! We studied together, trained together!
'Is it because he's a boy...?'
He saw mine, he felt complex as well… and then he made his decision, and in front of my eyes… he tore his letter.
"Are you insane, Marcus!?" Those dark feelings that had assaulted my mind were immediately replaced with warmth and regret. Warmth that he'd do this for me... regret at my own oversight... how could I feel like that...?
"When we leave, we leave together, Saki", He said, determinantly. Looking me in the eyes, letting me know that he was putting his money where his mouth was.
In our future.
"Do you know how hard we have worked for this!? How could you do that!?" I was angry at him, it was his chance. As we weren't married, he wouldn't be able to take me or my parents… but he could go and perhaps come back a few years later for us.
"I won't leave you alone. I love you, Saki".
I cried so hard then… perhaps that moment, that night… it was the first and only genuine moment in my life in which I felt what people call 'happiness'.
What it feels like to be cared for by another person. But after that moment… there would only be disaster.
...
"It is not enough. The money we have amassed in a whole year is not enough to pay for this year's tribute. Therefore, as payment… the world government is telling us to hand over a thousand slaves. The process brings tomorrow, I am extremely sorry, my citizen".
We heard the king words with a void in our chests. How could it not be enough? With so much work, with so much effort… how?
We would only later know that the crown prince had eloped from the country, and he had taken with him a huge chunk of the treasures accumulated from selling the coal to the neighbouring kingdoms.
From that moment, the marines who I had so looked up to. Who I trusted with my life… started becoming… foreign.
The disappearances began.
Most were women or children, very few grown men.
It was scary at night. My parents told me to not go out… Marcus and I couldn't see each other as often. Occasionally you would hear screams… people asking for help, but no one would do anything to help them. As for the marines, the ones we had trusted… they were the perpetrators.
Not only the pirates, but now even the marines were against us.
One day… going back from work after separating from Marcus, they followed me. I walked quickly, I ran… but they caught me… with those wretched faces that made me feel I was more of a piece of flesh than a human being.
"You have been chosen, aren't you glad?~".
"No, please!"
They didn't hear my pleas. I was taken as a prisoner for doing nothing, my fate was sealed. I fought back… but they were too many and too strong for me to handle. They punched my face several times... I lost my strength.
"Please no, m-my family!"
"You will have a new family, don't worry".
They threw me in a cell like trash. I heard disconsolate screams from women and children for days on end with very little food and water.
"N-No! Stop!"
"You're about to become a slave anyway. Might as well have a good time together".
I heard those nasty things in the cells next to mine. Moans, grunts, cries for help... sometimes even painful screams. Sometimes the wails would stop abruptly.
"Oi! Don't kill them! We're going to have to catch more if you do!"
"What's the problem? There are so many of these sluts working outside, stop ruining my fun, Captain".
All I could do was cover my mouth, shiver... await my turn. What else was there to do? Where could I go? They were marines… the people who had protected us. No, the people we had worked so hard to hire to protect us!
I broke my back, my body, my nails, my childhood, my hair and my beauty... everything that made me a person, in order to hire these people to protect us, and this is what they're doing!?
A primordial wrath brewed in me... it fueled little by little with every night. One evening, I knew I was the next. I kept the metal fork I used to eat by my side; I even sharpened it, rubbing it along the stony walls of the cell. My hands shivering… if those bastard came into my cell… I would…
I would do whatever was necessary... even if I died, I wasn't going to let someone else have what belonged to Marcus. In any case... I'd rather die here than become a slave.
*BAANG!*
Suddenly, there was a huge noise, like a bang. Shots were fired.
"It's the revolutionary army!" We heard screams. Amidst them screams the people started to run. Somebody was opening the cell gates, and prisoners made a run for it. I stuck my arm outside asking for help... There was so much noise that I couldn't even hear my own voice.
"I am here, please someone help me!" I kicked the cell over and over, but nobody came.
There was fight and chaos all around, shots, screams… the scent of blood coming from the only source of fresh air in the prison. But no one came to open my door for a long time, I thought there was no hope for me… until he came.
"Marcus!"
Marcus arrived, his face all bloodied; he staggered with a bloodied knife in his hand.
"What is going on, Marcus!" He tried to fiddle with the knife to open the lock and eventually achieved it.
"The celestial dragons came. The revolutionary army came as well… w-we don't have time, we have to go!"
"Where will we go, our parents–"
"Forget about our parents, Saki!"
"W-What do you mean…?" He pulled me away, staggering, only then I realised his foot was injured, he couldn't walk properly. I helped him as he led me to our secret spot, you could call it our love nest in the beach… I knew the place but I didn't understand why we were going there.
As we came to the surface, I saw… blazing fire everywhere. Crows flying all over the place shots…. Explosions… my Kingdom… it was falling.
My home had become a battlefield. We ran together with the crowds trying to scape amid those who mourned then deaths of their families. Looking into the distance, the place where our home was in the west of the kingdom, there was nothing but blazing fire even as explosions still crashed down.
"M-Mom–"
"Saki, there is no time! Don't look back! Never look back!"
'Never look back… never look back…' I kept it in mind, but still looked back, unable to keep myself from watching how the place that was my home, my hell... fell to pieces rock by rock, taking alongside it everything I hated and loved.
*BANG!*
Something exploded next to us, I screamed in pain and we fell, separated. The crowds stomped us and the others.
"Go saki, ugh, GO!"
"Marcus!"
"You know where to go just go!"
I knew he was sacrificing himself for me. But how could I accept that…?! After everything we have gone through. I rushed to him, taking punches, taking in kicks… by the time I reached him, even if a short distance… a breath, I was just as bloodied as him.
But all I could do was smile, "If you die, I'll die with you, Marcus…"
I began to think... that would be our happy ending. Yes, that is better... rather than becoming a celestial dragon's slave, not seeing Marcus ever again. Isn't it better if we both just die now? Together?
I saw the shock in his expression, the grief… but I didn't care. This path started with him… and it would end with him.
"You can't give up, Saki... don't we deserve better? You and me?"
I gasped, I think... for the first time, he was considering himself too, in this picture... not sacrificing himself for others but selfishly looking for a happy ending for himself, alongside me.
Together.
I took him up my shoulder and kept going my way, at my own pace. I have taken so many bags of coal… his body felt rather light in comparison.
"We will make it", I said, refusing to give up for us... but every second that passed, he became heavier, my legs weaker.
"W-We won't reach it together…" I heard him mumble, and I ignored him.
"If we don't make it, then we will reach heaven together, Marcus… I won't let you go no matter what".
I carried him all the way to our little spot. There was a ship in there, a fishing boat, surprisingly… it was small but enough to fit the two of us… enough to reach anywhere but this damned place.
I didn't ask him where he got it. All I did was put him there, then we collapsed.
"Saki…" He called, panting, bleeding.
The job was halfway done, we still needed to sail. But Marcus was bleeding himself and I needed to treat his wounds… he couldn't help me.
With a massive effort, with the promise of a peaceful life with my beloved shrouding my mind. I jumped off to push the ship out of the shore… with all my strength, whatever remained. I had to do it, we were so close!
And then... like a cruel joke of fate... as if the whole world had to insistently remind me that my forces –the forces of a foolish girl like me– were feeble.
It happened, out of nowhere... with no possibility to resist.
*WHOOOSHHH!!*
A gigantic storm descended, I felt as if I was blown by an invisible force of wind, so strong that it could push Marcus' ship into the sea like a hand of god. But... I wasn't in it
"Saki!!!"
"Marcus!!!"
...
The wind was so strong that I was sent into the dark sea. I swallowed water, a lot of it… and everything went black. As for Marcus, I never saw him again. All I could do was somehow hope he was alive and he'd look for me… but that never happened. With his heavy wounds, alone adrift in a raging sea… he probably didn't make it.
Just like I had said, that disgusting curse I placed on him that day. For thinking so much about me... he died alone.
It was the end of my life, the end of my dreams, the end of my happiness.
And the beginning of my nightmares, my vengeance, my corruption... a life filled so much with rage that it would consume every bit of me.
'Kill, destroy, burn...'
I went on to survive. I left myself floating purposelessly awaiting death, but the currents took me to a nearby island. I started a new life with a purpose.
Marines.
Pirates.
Celestial Dragons.
Revolutionaries.
I hated them all.
They all contributed their little grain to my misery. Turns out, becoming a marine anywhere else in the world is not only free but also very easy. My resentment for everything increased.
I thought I was justice... but this world was so filthy… that because I was in it, I was filthy as well.
…
I was laying on a bed, leaning against headrest, naked and smoking alongside somebody else in complete silence. He also lit up his cigarette, huffing a huge puff of smoke. I looked at him… a person I respect and hated in equal amounts.
After all, he was a marine of those I hated so bad… a married man of those I disgusted even more, but my respected teacher, the person to whom I owe my strength, temper... and to some degree, the capability to control my anger.
Admiral Zephir.
"If there is anything you can learn from me, aside from Haki, Sakazuki… it should be the fact that justice is by itself, imperfect", he huffed a cloud of smoke, "What is just for some is unjust for others, justice is therefore subjective... you can't ever attain it".
"… that's something I have known for a long time. In fact, nobody knows that better than me," I said with disdain.
"Then… why are you so hellbent?" He asked, but I didn't answer that question for a long time. I finished my cigarette and stood up, wearing my marine suit.
"Because even though I am not perfect… there are some out there way worse than me. And as long as I have the moral high-ground, I will burn them all… no more, no less".
"… compared to Borsalino and Kuzan, you're too merciless, He declared. Something that made me frown, turn to him... and realise that this was where our paths diverted.
A difference of ideologies.
"Let's not meet again, you have nothing to teach me anymore, Zephir-sensei".
For a moment, he didn't say a word, until his ears graced me with a ridiculous statement.
"Let's get married, Sakazuki… I can divorce my wife and–"
"You have a wife, kids, and I am nearly half your age… are you ready to throw all that away for some below-average sex?"
"B-Below average…" his brows flinched as I smirked.
"By the way, it was you who seduced me" he got comfortable, staring at my naked body one more time for the last time.
"Maybe… but you allowed me to seduce you even though you have a wife and kids".
"Ugh".
"Do you know what it means, Zephir-sensei…?"
"…"
"I have the moral-high ground~"
**
**
'I have the moral high-ground'.
It was not a joke. Veyron had considered it and suggested it after careful thought. Making her his woman would solve several issues.
He could look for a replacement for Gion, an insider for the Liberators within the marine. While at the same time, controlling the biggest variable that there was in the marine: Admiral Akainu.
Even if this version was a woman, her attitude was no less strong than her man counterpart, in fact, Veyron thought she was worse. In the anime there was barely any mention of Akainu until the battle of marineford, but as the chief of the Liberators, he has been very aware of her movements.
Destroying pirates everywhere, collecting bounties like no one else and filming Impel Down to the brim… on top of that she actively antagonised the revolutionary army like no one else… lately, she had switched her focus onto the Liberators.
She was someone he needed to either get rid of, or put shackles on because her influence in the marine was massive, second only to the likes of Sengoku, Garp and her teacher Zephir. In no time she'd become the Fleet Admiral and who knows what she'd do when she's in direct contact with the Gorosei.
For her part, Sakazuki was momentarily stunned. His proposal brought back memories and a moment of introspection.
Who was Dracule Veyron? Certainly a charming young man, strong like no other… countless princesses wanted to marry him, and it wasn't because of his pretty face.
'He's powerful'.
The only person in existence, capable of matching the world government single handledly.
While four yonkos are necessary to counterbalance the forces of the world government.
And while the Revolutionaries hide like rats because they're unable to face the world government head-on...
The liberators only need one Dracule Veyron, and they have no qualms in openly antagonising the goverment, which refuses to make a decisive move against Veyron, afraid that a second Ennies Lobby will unfold.
The most powerful and delicious man was stacking a claim on her, but for Sakazuki… this was indeed, just another man.
She had pressed forward, perhaps for a womanly instinct. Having been aware of Gion's movements for a couple years, she knew the woman who she once regarded as justice incarnate, had been enjoying the pleasures of a man and a woman alongside this person, in secret… one of the greatest enemies of the marine.
Her irritation led her to reveal this secret, it was supposed to be her card under her sleeve.
Rather than give an answer, their eyes locked but her hand wandered, from being on his leg, she rubbed his crotch, refusing to show a reaction. Soon, she slid her hand into the crevice of his trousers to grasp it directly.
"…"
For a moment, Veyron flinched… he didn't expect her to be so forward. A moment of consideration, the sight of her huge breasts, plump lips, sharp eyes… she was absolutely gorgeous, but she was still Akainu Sakazuki. He couldn't help but overlap… not only with that man, but also with the person who murdered Ace, one of his favourite characters.
This was another person, this was another timeline, but that memory could not be erased.
At some point, Sakazuki found herself stroking his length slowly, biting her lips. Their minds were shrouded in thoughts.
Move back… or move forward? Eventually Veyron made his decision… he backed off. Sakazuki felt him grasp her wrist to remove her hand and lift himself off. And at that moment, she felt like a lightning strike stroke her right on the nerve, in that part of her brain she had forsaken.
'O-Opportunity… an opportunity'.
Who was this person…? It didn't matter how much her refused to admit it. This was Dracule Veyron… among men, he was at the top.
With him… what ambition could not be accomplished?
'F-Forward… forward… FORWARD!'
Her hand was suddenly coated with armament Haki. So fast Veyron could barely react with his observation. After all, her hand was already there and her aura switched so quickly, it was as if she suddenly became a different person!
Instead of grasping his length she went down and took the balls.
!!!
"Aaahh!" Immediate reaction, Veyron's pupils dilated and he fell on top of her, feeling like his life was on the line.
She grasped tight enough to make him feel despair, but light enough for there not to be danger.
Once he fell on her, Sakazuki hooked like a Koala, embracing him against her body.
*CHA!!*
A thunderstorm formed out of nowhere, the flying boat swerved, but she grasped tighter.
!!!
Just as soon the storm stopped, and she exhaled a deep breath of pleasure against his ear, "You're a man after all… it doesn't matter if you are a God. So long as you have this… you will always have this weakness~".
"S-Stop…"
A huge aura enveloped the ship, Sakazuki felt like gravity was crushing both of them and even the boat started to crack. Once again, she pressed tighter.
"Ummmm!!"
Before he could scream, she sealed his lips with a sloppy wet kiss, not lessening the grasp of her hand until the kiss receded and she finally decided to be a bit human and loosen up, not letting go completely.
"This is how I wanted to have you. Exactly like this, Dracule Veyron".
"You can still let go… and I will forget this ever happened, Akainu".
Noticing how he was no longer calling her 'Sakazuki' as he'd always done playfully call her, the woman purred. She knew better than to let an angry beast go.
"No, that's not going to happen. You and I will have a long… long conversation. You should slow down this boat".
"Stop playing around!"
She tightened again.
!!!
"Does this look like a game to you…?" She threatened.
"Let's calm down…" Veyron laughed awkwardly, inwardly afraid.
Even with all his power put together, nothing could stop her from squeezing hard and fast enough. Myriad possibilities went through Veyron's mind at that moment.
Surgery? Reconstruction…?
She would no doubt perish, but she would take something important with her… something she knew he treasured.
Sakazuki kept purring in his ear gleefully, "The Pirate Empress Boa Hancock, Devil Child Nico Robin… and now you even went as far as to put your claws in the Mermaid Princess… aren't you a lucky bastard?~ did you seduce them all with this?"
"Akainu, let's talk".
"Oh? But we're talking though?"
"Like civilised people…"
"Didn't you say you wanted to make me into your woman? I am your woman now, Dracule Veyron… isn't it my job as your woman to take care of THIS"
She tightened a bit more to accentuate her sarcasm.
"What do you want…?!"
"Come with me and let me lock you down in Impel Down" She proposed.
"… okay, I accept!" Veyron rejoiced.
She tightened again.
"Ugh!!"
"As if… with your powers, you could probably set yourself free even in a cell filled to the brim with Kairouseki".
"You stupid woman! Let me go!"
His 4th Haki thrashed around, never daring to actually touch her, lest it triggered her touch. He tried to control her body but she put enough force in her hand, almost as if she was placing her entire will in there.
They struggled together, she grinned at all times.
"You're so cute like this… does the prospect of losing your balls elicit so much fear in you…?"
"As expected. You're just some cruel bitch… I shouldn't have even given you a chance".
His hideous comment brought in silence.
"… cruel? me…? A powerful bastard like you… do you even know what I have been through?" She hissed back, there was a stare down.
"Tell me what do you want…" He asked again, giving her one last chance… if she was being unreasonable, even at the cost of his kintama, he'd kill.
She would have an easy death with him compared to being gotten by Mihawk and Primrose.
"Help me become the Fleet Admiral quickly".
Veyron frowned, after all, if everything went well, which it didn't look it would, that was going to be Gion's place.
"What do you even want to accomplish? Am I going to make you a fleet admiral just so you can hunt my people down more efficiently".
"I will destroy Marie Geoise!"
"E-Eh?"