Lara's POV;

The Marine Lieutenant had dutifully led me through the streets of grove 60 up to grove 65, where she got dismissed by another Marine, this one was a Captain.

He saluted me and explained what they have planned. “Miss Slicer, please step on board of the Punisher of Corruption. Once Admiral Kizaru has finished his orders we will immediately set sail to the Marine HQ.”

I'm fairly sure that this is not a trap, otherwise, they would lose any credibility for future Warlords. And if it is one, then I'll try to run and leave a nuke or two. Let's see how they fight a war without an island to fight on.

I gave the Captain a nod in understanding and allowed him to lead me through the ship to my personal quarters. I had a bedroom, a small study and a bathroom. If I want to I could stay inside this room the whole time.

“An aide will be ordered to answer any questions you may have. Food will be served in an hour and Admiral Kizaru has voiced his wish to dine with you,” finished the captain his tour through my room.

“That is acceptable, the aide will have to show me the way, but I'll be there,” I replied and stared at him. He got the message and left the room without another word. A few moments later someone knocked on the door and a young woman in private uniform stepped in when I answered the door. She looked rather shaky and nervous.

“Why is it that all of my guides are more often than not timid and unsure?” I asked her before she could introduce herself.

She flushed red and tried to compose herself, she had some success. “I'm Private Serenity Harlson, I'm ordered to guide you around the ship, answer any question you might have and bring you any food you might order.”

I frowned slightly, not enough to show true anger or disappointment, but enough to show her that I was a little bit displeased. “That did not answer my question, but very well. I personally don't see why you should be this nervous. It's not as if I would kill you for breathing. Do your job and we will be good. I'll have to get fresh and get a change of clothes. My crew and I were at grove 1 when the commotion with the World Nobles started.” She nodded and waited next to the door for me to do my thing.

From now on I will have to be ready to fight. That means I have to deactivate my seals as well. Haven't done that in a long time. I walked into the bathroom, felt for any surveillance transponder snails, and found two listening devices, as well as one camera snail. I took them off, before bringing them out. The Marine girl was pale as chalk when I gave her to them, but I said nothing and went back into the bath.

Now free from any listening and spying devices I started to get naked. The dirty pile of clothes got thrown into my inventory. I am not handing my things over to the Marines.

I then activated my Armament Haki and tapped each inhibition seal on my body. There were a few and each lifted some strain and lowered the feeling of being held back. Once that was done I stepped into the shower and took a long hot shower. They're paying for the hot water, Noa won't bitch about wasting water. Even when we have enough with our dials.

I showered for a good half of an hour, before stepping out and drying my hair with my vibrating powers. Getting rid of water is so easy if it isn't able to cling to any surface. I pulled my hair into two twin tails and then took a Reaper Death costume out of my inventory. I left the coat on a nearby chair and hung my mask on my hip.

I put Lunare on my back, my two daggers on my hips, the rail-gun I got from Fiara into a holder on my left thigh. A black dial one-shot pistol in another holster on the other side. And rumble balls, as well as healing potions securely into a pouch on my right thigh.

I'm ready for battle.

The seals are off, my clothes are the sturdiest in the world, lined with seals of all kinds and I have enough weapons on my body to equip a small group. Not to mention the weapons of mass destruction in my inventory. In the worst case scenario, I will simply blow up the planet.

I stepped out of the bath, the Marine girl has had dutifully waited where she was in the beginning and took my change of clothes in with wide eyes.

“That feels better, I want to have some fresh air before I have to eat dinner with one of the strongest Marines in the world,” I said and walked past her, out of the cabin.

We walked back out of the ship. The deck was filled with activity. Marines were preparing the sails. Others loaded foodstuff and materials, while some even transported captives into the ship. Those must be of higher importance and brought in for questioning.

Someone noticed me and stopped working to stare at me, others saw him and then me, before doing the same as their fellow Marine. It wasn't long before a small crowd had stopped and watched why I was out and what I was doing. They would have stood there for minutes, hadn't one of the higher ranked officers shouted at them to move their lazy asses.

They jumped back into action and were back to running around in ordered chaos. This super-sized warship sure needs a lot of people. And yet it has less firepower than the Raptor.

“Say Marine girl, how is life as a Marine?” I asked the silently waiting aide. She made a face at being called Marine girl, but I honestly couldn't be bothered to remember her name. She won't be important and might very well die in the war.

“It is ordered, fulfilling, gives me a reason to be and allows me to see the world,” she answered anyway. She is ordered to answer any question. I'm sure she won't tell anything that would harm her or the Marines, but everything in between was good.

“But isn't it also restricting to follow orders of people who might only have their rank thanks to connections. To do what you are told without any way to protest, for fear of being punished?” I argued.

Her answer came swiftly, maybe they stuck her to me because she had a fast head? “My superior officers are all highly qualified personnel. Without order there would be chaos, us humans can't live without laws and rules, else we would fall into debauchery, piracy and cruelty.” She was also believing what she was telling me and was not liking me for criticizing her.

“Hmm, might be true. Even on a pirate ship there need to be rules and hierarchy. We wouldn't be able to do anything if everyone does what he wants. I can see how you Marines want to protect the innocent people, but I know about the darker side.” I agreed partially.

“There is no darker side. We Marines are protecting those that can't protect themselves, from pirates such as you. Pirates like you are making the lives of thousands, no millions! of people miserable. Raping, pillaging and stealing what they see and destroying what they can't keep!” She replied heatedly. A second later she realized that she has raised her voice and looked around for anyone that was watching us or might have heard her shouting at me.

Some did watch us, but they wouldn't have been able to hear her, I was already blocking noise. I don't want people to listen in to my conservations. If they want to know they'll have to take part.

“Don't worry, they haven't heard you. I'm stopping the sound waves from reaching us,” I reassured her with a friendly smile and stopped the outside noise from reaching us as well. This way she will know that I am able to do what I claim.

“Tell me Marine girl, since when do you think have I been a pirate?” I asked with a small grin. I'm 17 physically now and have been an official pirate for the last 15+ years. The Sun Pirates symbol on my back made sure of that, but it is better than the alternative.

She was silent for a long moment, thinking about the risks of continuing this conservation. But my friendly tone and the fact that others couldn't hear her gave her courage. “The World Government has known of you only for the last year. I'd say you were a fully fledged pirate for a year longer.”

“So two years? You are off your estimation by more than a dozen years. I became a pirate when I was two.” I said, a little delighted to see the visible horror on her face.

“Do you want to hear a story?” I asked in a foreboding tone. She nodded lightly, face still pale.

“There were once two slaves, a man and a woman. Forced to have sex to produce more slaves. Their master got what he desired, the woman got pregnant and had twins. Girls, much to the delight of their master, as females could be used to breed more slaves.

The woman, a mother of two baby girls, apologised with a tear-stained face for not killing them when they were born. She apologised to her daughters for forcing them to live in a world such as ours. She apologised for being too selfish and not ending the life of her own babies when it would have been a mercy.

And then, two years into their life, something changed. The master's home was attacked, the parents were able to free themselves and their children. Saved by fishmen, so-called monsters by the normal humans. These monsters saved the four slaves from living a life as breeding stock.

Yet, they were not saved, they got marked by their owner. Degraded to nothing more than a thing, holding not more worth than furniture. That's why those fishmen offered them a way out. They offered to burn their own mark over that of the masters. The two freed parents readily agreed, pained to know that they put their two daughters through pain, but knowing that it will be the best.

That was the moment the world took witness to the birth of four new pirates. Two of whom were not even older than three. This is but only one story of your none existent darkness. And don't try to argue that slavery is illegal and that their master was breaking the law. I would have to kill you if I were to tell you who their masters were, for their mark is more dangerous than that of a pirate crew.” I had looked over the sea during my tale, not wanting to risk anyone being able to lip read.

The Marine girl was shaking and had slightly misty eyes. I think I have mastered the form of telling sad stories. She looked as if she wants to hug me.

“I agree that there are a lot of bad pirates, but there are good ones as well. We are all only human in nature and you will find the good and bad on both sides,” I finished before dropping the sound barrier. I began to walk over to the entrance into the ship, she whipped her eyes quickly, before following me.

“And what kind of human are you?” She asked when we were alone inside the bowels of the ship.

“You'll have to decide for yourself, I think I am a good middle. I do kill and destroy, but mostly those that have wronged me or one of my own. You won't find any report about my crew pillaging or terrorising the civilian people.

If there are, I can guarantee that we were not the cause.” First a complete lie, I'm bad, not the worst but definitely on the bad side. The end was the truth, Lia and I were trying really hard to keep the image of the good pirate. We always only kill Marines and other pirates. “Hmm, seems like it's almost time for dinner, would you please show me the way to where Kizaru wishes to eat?” I then said after a quick look at my watch.

She did not reply verbally, instead, she increased her speed slightly to get in the lead and then walked through the ship with me behind. Her expression was thoughtful. Heh, maybe I can manage to turn her against the Marines? Sowing distrust and disorder is always fun.

We reached a guarded door, two Marines were silently standing in front of a large double door. The Marine girl saluted in front of the guards, who returned the salute with one of their own. “Private Harlson, I'm escorting Slicer Lara. She was invited to dine with Admiral Kizaru.”

The guard looked through a list and nodded, before opening the door for us. I walked in first, the room was in the design of an office, that of a secretary. Said secretary was a man in his mid-twenties. He looked up from his papers, recognised me and then took up a transponder snail.

The snail took the face of Kizaru and the secretary quickly and silently told him that I am present. A few words were exchanged, about how the secretary now has to order the kitchen to bring the food and that Kizaru does not want to be disturbed during dinner.

Marine girl has sat down on a nearby chair, she seems to not have any intention of eating with us.

A moment later the secretary had finished his call and stood up to greet me and then led me into the office of Kizaru. He wasn't alone, there were a few high ranked Marines present as well, a Commodore, a few Captains and even this fat guy who beat down Luffy. Lia and I had read over the Manga only recently and I remembered his name to be Sentoumaru.

They were all sitting on a long table, glasses with liquor or other beverages were standing in front of them. Some were smoking cigars, others cigarettes. It was the perfect picture of male military elites.

“Yo, nice to meet ya,” I greeted cheerily and sat down on the only free chair. It was on the end of the table and faced Kizaru, who sat on the other end of the table.

They all eyed my clothes, the visible weapons and exchanged glances before Kizaru started with introductions.

“Hooh, how nice of youuu to graceee us withhh your presencee. Theeese are Comodooreee Waloru, Captain Cirule, Captain Yru and my nephew Sentoumaro. And Iiii am Borsalino, or also called Kizaru.”

I gave each of the addressed people a nod and then another wave when it was my turn. “I'm Lara, also known as Slicer Lara. Even if I don't know how someone could come up with that name.”

“Maybe because you are known for slicing things up?” Asked one of the Captains in a mocking tone.

“Might be, anyway, what do you want from me?” I replied before leaning back into the really comfy chair.

“We wish to discuss your involvement in today's incident. How do you play into what happened? We have reports of Straw Hat Luffy hitting Saint Charlos and how a member of their crew landed on the head of Saint Roswald. Yet we found the dead bodies of Lady Shalulia, Saint Charlos and Saint Roswald. None of their guards does remember how they died, are you able to give us a clearer picture?” Stated the Commodore. Kizaru had leaned back in his chair and was silently watching me with his fingers crossed.

“Humpf, if I had been there then nothing would have harmed them. I am the guy with the strongest defence,” declared the fat Sentoumaru confidently.

“They died?” I asked emotionlessly. Calm Mind was hiding the glee of knowing that these three are dead. They were the sort of people not even I can stand.

“Indeed and we want to know how,” said one of the Captains accusingly.

“Then don't ask me but cut them open and see what killed them. Maybe the stress of seeing their son getting hit was too much for them and they keeled over? Wouldn't surprise me, those World Nobles do nothing but eat and torture. A little bit of excitement may have very well killed them. There are health issues that come with such a lifestyle.” I gave the Captain a hard stare and added some of my presence into the glare.

He gulped audibly and shrunk into himself, not daring to meet my eye.

“I'm sureeee it was a sad accident. Straw Hat Luffy will get his due punishment foooor his actions,” intervened Kizaru, his slurred speech was annoying. Why couldn't Akainu or Aokiji have been the responding Admiral? Okay, Akainu would have been the death for most pirates, but still.

“You know, I aaalmost deciiided to visit youuu, when I was near Haribo Kingdom, but it was toooo much of a bother. I heaaard you took part in theiiir tournament?” He then continued into lighter waters.

I blinked, realizing that his laziness saved our asses. We wouldn't have been able to defeat him then. Now I have a few things I can use against him. My best bet is on eating three rumble balls. Only tested that form once, Calm Mind does keep me in control. The form is broken and even allows me to control light. It's an Archangel with twelve wings and totally overpowered.

It also leaves me with a massive headache and massively exhausted.

I blinked again, noticing that they were waiting for my response. “Ah yes, I did. My sister fought this stupid blond fuck of a Revolutionary. Sabo or something was his name. Wished I would have been allowed to rip his arms out and kill him slowly,” I finally said. The Captains under them were getting paler and paler during my hate rant against Sabo.

That fuck hurt my Lia!

“I take it you are not a fan of the Revolutionary Army?” Asked the Commodore, one of the few who stayed calm under my anger filled aura.

“Not much no. You all are too high in the chain of command to not know about the things done by the World Nobles and some other Marines or Kings. You might not care, about the things they do, but there are a lot who do. I can guarantee you that the World Government will crumble,” I answered. I took delight in seeing their angry and contesting expressions. They obviously disagree.

“And why will that haaapen?” Asked Kizaru, he and Sentoumaru were the only ones who haven't shone any sign of emotion, from the start on.

“Because every government has to end. A government build on dictatorship and cruelty will be overthrown by its very own people. A government built on the wishes of its people will be destroyed by greed and infighting. Or a government will be destroyed by outside forces. It matters not how, it is a simple fact that every government gets destroyed and rebuild, only to crumble again.

Nothing lasts forever, the World Government won't be different, as will be its successor. The only unknown is when it will happen. From what is happening in the world right now I guess it won't be too long from now. Maybe during our lifetime?”

Any angry counter argument was stopped with a knock on the door. A cook opened the door for us and a group of half a dozen men and women pushed carts inside. They were filled with food and drinks of the highest quality and designed with care.

The smell alone painfully reminded me that I won't be able to eat anything made by my Lia. I won't be able to hug, kiss or be close to her for the next week or two.

With a sad sigh, I started to eat. I ignored most of the silent conversations between the present Marines. I was almost finished with the main dish when someone addressed me. It was the Commodore again. He acts as if he is the spokesperson of their group.

“Miss Slicer, we will reach Marine HQ within the next two hours. The documents for you to sign are already ready and you will have a room for your own. The execution of Fire Fist Ace will take place in two days until then you are required to not leave the island of the HQ.

Details of the execution and your position, as well as a meeting with the other Warlords, will take place on the day of the execution.”

“Sure, will be funny to take part in the war,” I answered absentmindedly. I wish Lia would have made this, it lacks chicken.

“Please take the war seriously. The White Beard Pirates are an Emperor Crew and all of them are battle-hardened veterans of the New World. We know that you have yet been there, but it is nothing like Paradise,” advised a Captain sternly.

“Thanks for caring,” I replied a little sarcastically. He got the hint and did not continue. The food had destroyed my mood, it was simply not as good as Lia's and I miss her.

I downed my glass and finished with dinner as quickly as possible, before excusing myself. It might have been extremely rude, but I am a pirate, so fuck you.

Hopefully, this will be over soon, I want to hug my Lia.