Gideon Cross slumped into his office chair in the cabin of his carrack. Bunches of papers and Wanted posters piled up on his face. He shifted on his cotton padded chair hoping to find a comfortable spot when the ship jerked, sitting him upright.
They had made all preparations for Impel down and were about to leave shores. He buried his face into his hands and let out a long breath.
A face blurred in his head. Young and fierce, red hair and crimson eyes. He folded his hand into a fist and slammed the table sending the papers flying to every corner of the room.
He was so devastated at how the people were so easy to believe pirates. Thieves and murderers. Even though the Pirates were their saviors it was a known fact that pirates often battle amongst themselves for either treasures or territory, maybe this was one of those scenarios
But then again, He was a Navy for heavens sake, he was meant to symbolize the course for a greater good and they were meant to believe in him, that's how everything was supposed to be.
What could have gone wrong. He thought. Perhaps it must've been a mind trick. One way or another Kael must have deceived them into believing that they were offering a helping hand. It must have been the work of a devil fruit
A sudden rush of certainty hit Cross like he had uncovered a criminal case. He exhaled with his mouth sharply gaining newfound strength to clean up the mess he had created. He stood up and moved round the room picking up every piece of paper on the ground
A sound of boots hitting wood echoed from outside his office. Someone was coming.
Two knocks sounded, and the door flipped open. Coming inside was one of his men, his lieutenant. Young and in his teens. Lieutenant Tsukasa Hiro.
"Captain Cross!" He had baby's voice and sounded frightened "We've departed Leafs Ports for Impel down"
Sometimes Cross wondered how he was able to make it up the ranks. He looked thin, had fallen shoulders with a hunched back. It didn't look like he had help from the top brass, all he knew was that he was involved in some events that happened in some island in the grand line
"Make sure the prisoners are fed and place more eyes on Fang"
"Roger!" Hiro saluted.
When Hiro had gone, Cross went back to picking the papers on the floor.
The snail transponder on the edge of his oak table sprang up to life startling him. He stood upright and instantly recognized who was on the other side of the call.
"Vice Admiral Akainu, Captain Gideon Cro–"
"You have been selected to be part of the fleet escorting a valuable item" The voice was sharp tearing deep into Cross's ego "You are to report to Marine in a week time"
"Excuse me Vice Admiral I have—"
The call went dead before Cross could explain the situation he was in. The little strength he had regained died with the call and he collapsed back to his chair.
If he goes straight to HQ from here he would make it in a week. But the detour to Impel down will add at least five more days to his journey.
In situations like this, failing to answer a duty call would be nothing short of disrespect, and this one came from a Vice Admiral. His next move was already clear.
He punched on the numbers on the Snail transponder and brought the microphone to his mouth
"Captain Cross, should I report to your office?" The voice was Hiro's
"No no. Don't bother" Cross said quickly "Change of plans. We have been summoned, set course for HQ"
***
Somewhere in the new world.
The waves were unsteady today. The wind was strong. It felt like a storm was coming, it was already happening far North. Yet at that, the battle galleon Damnation looked unperturbed.
Kael sat at the bow not minding if the tricky wind would sling him into the sea. The cold wind felt good and he enjoyed the view of the vast open sea from this spot most of all he enjoyed the ship.
Leonard walked up to him blocking the wind from his eyes "You'll fall off" he told him
"I won't," Kael answered, eyes shut.
Leonard rested in the reins close to the guns deck. He forked out an eternal log pose from his pockets. His face stiffened at the sight of it, all three points were at a place as though they were not working.
Leonard took the log pose away and turned around resting his back on the reins. A risky stunt to perform given the current weather situation. He swept his gaze on the deck and nodded acknowledging the fine work of the shipwrights in Leaf Port
"They did a lot for us" his words came like whispers, loud enough for Kael. "Yeah" He replied
Leonard continued "A ship, cannons, guns and food." Kael could feel Leonard's onyx eyes peering at him "Not everyone is worth saving. Some might even repay your kindness with loathing just as you may have experienced, but what matters is that you saved them. That's all that matters"
Kael turned looking at Leonard, a smile appeared on his face "You're right" He said to him.
He had come to a certain realization. From the early stages of his life Kael didn't hate the idea of relaying a helping hand to villages in need. After the incident at Elegia he hated the aftermath of it. But right then he understood the meaning behind Shanks words that sounded straightforward at first
"We are pirates" Shanks once told him "The world determines what's right and wrong"
Kael didn't know what became of the people of Elegia or the country itself. He was unconscious when the whole event happened. But he knew that Shanks did save people back then, and right now, perched on the bow of his ship that's all that mattered