Garp's laughter echoed faintly as he dragged Luffy off for more "training." From the corner of his mouth, Jin caught the man muttering to himself, words not meant for anyone's ears.
"If nothing else… maybe I can push a monster like Jin onto the side of the pirates' enemies. And if not… at least he won't become the Marines' enemy. Hah… this damn family of mine, cursed with trouble."
The sound of Luffy's protests faded into the forest. Then silence. Only Jin and Tina remained in the garden, the air thick with tension and the faint smoke from her cigarette.
Jin leaned back, tapping the rim of his cup lazily. "Don't stare at me like that. Why don't you tell me about your father? Since Garp dragged you here, at least I should hear your story. The old man's unreliable half the time… but his heart's good. Isn't it?"
Tina's lips curved into a cold smile. The smoke curled from her nostrils, sharp and bitter. "My father… fine. You want to know? Then listen."
Her tone shifted, firm but laced with sorrow. "His name was Kans. A veteran officer. He was finally up for promotion to Rear Admiral. His assignment — to protect a Celestial Dragon's convoy, alongside another candidate for promotion: Vergo of the Bamboo. You may have heard of him."
At that name, Jin's eyes flickered. Vergo. The bastard's reputation wasn't unknown, not in the underworld whispers Jin remembered. A loyal pawn of Doflamingo, but wearing Marine colors like a badge.
Tina didn't notice the subtle shift in Jin's expression. She pressed on, voice hard. "The convoy carried treasure… and two Devil Fruits. The seas were hungry. Pirates gathered like vultures. Most wouldn't dare harm a Celestial Dragon, but they'd gladly slaughter anyone after and seize the spoils. For a while, it was manageable. Until…" Her hand trembled against her glass. "Until Kaido's men appeared near Sabaody. My father and Vergo fought them. Held them off. But… Father was mortally wounded. Vergo too, but he survived. Father didn't make it home."
The words cut like broken glass. Tina's shoulders sagged, and the smoke from her cigarette shook as she exhaled.
Jin's lips curled into a quiet smirk. He'd pieced it together already. So Vergo walks away alive, Kans dies, and the Marines reward the corpse with a Rear Admiral's stars to soothe the scandal. A posthumous medal to cover the stench of politics. Typical.
"And yet," Jin murmured, "they still pinned the rank on him. Even in death."
"Death consolation," Tina spat bitterly. "An empty title so the family doesn't scream too loudly. Maybe they think he'd smile from heaven." She drained her cup and refilled it, her movements sharp, controlled, but trembling underneath.
"So you wanted revenge," Jin prompted.
She nodded, pink hair falling over her cheek. "Yes. My father's men, his subordinates, they wanted me to lead them. To strike back. But Headquarters crushed that idea quickly. They ordered me to stand down, suspended me 'for my own good.'" She sneered, bitterness dripping from every word.
Jin swirled the wine in his cup, violet eyes watching her over the rim. "I see. So Garp dragged you here without explaining a damn thing, huh?"
"No," Tina said flatly. "He told me nothing."
Jin's eyebrow twitched. Tch. That bastard Garp… unreliable to the end. Tosses the problem into my lap and runs. Classic.
He leaned forward, voice cool but edged with steel. "Fine then. Here's the truth. I asked Garp for a navigator. Someone who could keep my course steady when I finally set sail. He sent you."
Her eyes widened slightly, but her laugh was humorless. "A navigator? That's what this is about?"
"Don't get me wrong." Jin's smile was sharp now, more blade than warmth. "I know this world better than you think. And I'll be blunt — as you are. The way you are now, revenge isn't happening. Not through the Marines, not through your rank. In fact, your career will be slowed, maybe crushed entirely. And do you know why?"
He pointed, casual as if stating the weather. "Because you're a woman. Don't glare — I'm not mocking you. I'm giving you the truth. Unless you're a natural-born monster like Big Mom, women in this world don't get strong by following rules. They get stepped on."
Her lips trembled, but no retort came. She wanted to deny it — but she couldn't.
Jin's gaze hardened, merciless and clear. "Your father's death? Don't fool yourself. That wasn't just Kaido's men. There's more beneath it. Politics. Betrayal. Marines you trust. Vergo walking away unscathed? That isn't coincidence. You'll never uncover it by clinging to Marine protocol."
The words struck her like hammer blows. She lowered her head, fists clenched, silent.
Jin leaned back, his smile softening — though his eyes remained sharp. "Sail with me instead. Be my navigator. I'll give you power, training, everything you'll need to make your revenge more than a dream. What do you say?"
For a long moment, Tina stared at him. Then her lips curled, cold and mocking. "You? Give me power? Don't make me laugh. I graduated from Marine Headquarters. My instructor was Admiral Zephyr himself. And you expect me to believe you, a boy barely grown, can offer me something better? Please."
Jin chuckled, low and dangerous. "You don't believe me? Then I'll prove it. Tomorrow, I'll put one of my crew against you. My own student. If you win, you can keep sneering. If you lose…" His smirk widened. "You'll see what kind of power I create."
Her eyes flashed with challenge. "Good. I've been drowning in frustration. Beating one of your so-called crew will at least vent my anger."
The air between them was sharp, like two blades poised to clash.
And then—
"Big talk."
The voice cut cold and clear from the shadows of the garden. Tina turned sharply, startled.
A girl stood at the edge of the path, blue hair tied back, eyes large and striking — but narrowed with disdain. In her hand, a sheathed katana. Her expression was blank, but the flicker of contempt in her gaze burned hotter than fire.
Kuina.
She had returned from training, sweat still clinging to her brow, her aura like a blade barely sheathed.
Jin smiled, warm this time. "Done for the day, Kuina?"
"Mm." She stepped closer, eyes never leaving Tina. Her tone was cool, clipped. "I heard the boasting. If this is the woman you plan to test me against… it won't take long."
Tina bristled, caught between pride and shock. This wasn't the brat she expected — this was a swordswoman, eyes sharp enough to cut. For the first time, her arrogance faltered.
Jin sat back, smirking as the tension thickened.
Perfect.
This story is inspired from various fanfics i have read from around the world so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you
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T/N :
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