Batilda's POV;

I waited until Failed Hunter's aura was no longer felt. It will not mean that she won't be able to listen in on us, or that she could not read the thoughts of us any longer.

If she wants to she could influence every single bird on this island, while listening to their thoughts and hearing what they speak. Failed Hunter is even able to sense the vibrations people create while they walk or speak. No, it would be useless to try and stop her from listening in. She is a peeping tom the same as I, with the only difference that I like to see, she likes to hear and feel.

I had waited because that area was also the same distance my niece and nephew could hear. Also provided by Failed Hunter, she knows when the vibration of sound waves could no longer affect the inner ear.

And the moment that happened I whirled around and looked angrily at my family. “What is the meaning of this? It is as if you are afraid of my friends.”

“Little Wing, please understand,” my Mother began, but I cut her off.

“Mother, I have lived with them together, for months. I know that these are not people like the World Government. They won't experiment on us to learn the secrets behind our understanding of Haki!”

“How can you know? What if they are just waiting for the opportunity to strike. They might have seen that you are too strong to catch. That is why they befriended you. And now you have led them right to us. Our citizen are not able to protect themselves against people as strong as your 'friends'.” Father's pronunciation of friends left no room for what he was thinking about Failed Hunter and the others.

“Because they were there when we attacked a research centre of the World Government! They have seen what the World does to us and helped me in destroying the facility.” I huffed and then settled my chest feathers, have puffed up while shouting.

“Oh? And let me guess, the location of that centre was found somehow. Maybe even while fighting, stealing or spying on agents of the World Government.” Mocked elder Brother now.

“No, we found it after looting pirates. But the facility is not even my biggest argument. Failed Hunter is hunted by the World Government, they have set a bounty on her head with over a milliard Berry as the price. She even took part in a war against the Marines and helped in destroying their main base. Failed Hunter, her sister and the rest are not dogs of the World Government.

Heck, they even helped me rescue Basilisk from the most secure prison the World Government has.” I had stepped closer to Father while I screamed at him and elder Brother.

But Father didn't even think about what Failed Hunter had done. “What? The Marine HQ is destroyed? And Impel Down was breached? Little Wing, what the hell happened out there?” Mother and elder Brother were as shocked as Father. While far out inside the Calm Belt, we still were not completely cut off from the World.

We have people that can fly extremely far without rest, they are our spies. Some News Cows, these traitorous bastards, even have switched sides and were occasionally delivering news as well.

“Yes and guess what? The same people you were rude to for the last hour, had a major role in it, we even attacked Enies Lobby and raised it to the ground.” I watched with satisfaction how first my mother and then my father and brother were starting to see that Failed Hunter and the others were not like your usual humans.

“Well, a lot of your friends don't look like regular humans, maybe it is that...,” tried my brother. I clacked my beak, showing him what I thought about his words.

“It's not because they are not human. Blueberry, Meat Head, Speedy, Nailer and Doc are fully human and they are nothing like the World Government. I am not saying that humans are generally good, they are not. But there are some that definitely have earned my friendship and respect.”

My parents and brother were silent. It seems as if they have not expected for me to defend my friends this strongly.

Suddenly, I felt a mental tap, Failed Hunter wanted to tell me something. I allowed her in and hear her mental voice. °Eh, Mrs Chicken Wing, the children of your brother want for me to show them some cool tricks. I'm gonna fire a few fireballs into the air. I've felt how apprehensive your family is about us, please explain to them, that these are not attacks.°

“By the way, Failed Hunter is showing some tricks to your children Brother,” I said right after. He looked worried and downright panicked when suddenly there was a loud booming noise, followed by a bunch of smaller ones.

The next second he was gone and rushing out to the gardens. “Sigh, he doesn't need to worry,” I muttered while following after him. At least Failed Hunter has given me a warning.

“What are these explosions? Are we under attack?” Asked Mother me, she and Father were following us as well, yet were not as fast as Brother.

“No, Failed Hunter is showing a few tricks. She is probably doing some fireworks,” I answered, right before we left the mansion. High in the sky, I could see the sparks of a multitude of explosions. The light shone in different colours and formed into images of animals.

Our group quickly reached the training field and we could see Failed Hunter and the others starring into the sky. Failed Hunter would occasionally shoot more sparks of light into the air, who then explode into colours and pictures.

My young Niece and Nephew liked the show very much and were jumping around and chattering about the awesome lights. Now that I look at it, it seems as if Failed Hunter is replaying some of our adventures with her light show.

I stepped next to my brother. “See? Failed Hunter is not out for our secrets, she won't betray us.”

He nodded slowly, while still watching my friends. From behind, I could feel how Basilisk was coming closer. He put a wing on my back. “Little Wing, I know how you feel, I also know how the others feel. When you and your friends saved me from Impel Down I too was at first worried about them. But they helped me, they care for you and they are nice people.”

He turned to Brother and addressed him. “I will vouch for them as well. The Kage Pirates are definitely not allied to the World Government, they won't betray us.”

My Brother looked at Basilisk for a long moment and then slowly nodded. “I will give them a chance. They can stay for as long as they want.”

I clacked my beak happily and smiled over at Failed Hunter, she noticed this and smiled back. I knew that she and her sister can be dangerous, but they are not unreasonably brutal or cruel. Not to those that have done nothing against them.

We watched for a moment longer and then Mother, as well as the Wife of my Brother ushered the two children back in. They have grown while I was gone, but they still are young and need to take lessons.

Which allowed me to happily show Failed Hunter and the others around. We started with the garden, where I showed them the rose bushes I have helped plant when I was only a little chick. Then a tour through the mansion and ended in the guest wing, where I showed them their rooms.

Our beds are a little bit different, we use cushions to form nests. Normally those would be too small, but most birds on poultry come close to their size, so it wasn't too much of a problem. A few more cushions and the larger bed was done.

“Corn Supplier, you need to show them your corn salad, they will be so envious when they learn that I could eat it almost every day,” I chatted excitedly while guiding them to the dining room.

Failed Hunter has been a great help in translating the more specific words, but I could see how it was starting to take a toll on her body for staying this long in her Astral Form. That's why we rarely use it for speaking. It's easier to just use Haki to interpret the emotions and wants behind our words.

Corn Supplier nodded and I guided them to the kitchen, where she did a salad for today's dinner. Mother will love it, she likes corn almost as much as I do.

And she did, everyone was surprised how delicious her salad was. The kids asked to have it every day, but their mother denied it and told them they would become fat if they ate it so often.

However, as it is often the case, something happened. A guard came storming inside the room. He was panting and it looked as if he has been in a great hurry. “My King, the Marines are attacking. They have a leader who is able to use some kind of force that presses our troops down or slows them significantly.”

My brother jumped up from his perch and hurried over to the soldier while asking questions. “Where? How many? Who is leading the defence and what else can you tell me about their soldiers?” A glance to the side showed that Failed Hunter and Corn Supplier were somewhat understanding what was said, the rest was only knowing that something has happened.

“Fifty ships have shown up, they must have planned this. Had the barricade not been destroyed earlier this morning we would have been already been forced back to the island.

The swan guards, grebes and ducks are doing their best but they won't hold for much longer. They already suffered heavy losses and the Marines are close to breaching the first gate of the Worm River” It was clear that the soldier was feeling fear. Such a large army has not attacked since Basilisk and my fight against Garp and Sengoku.

“Get a grip, soldier, tell me what you know about their troops,” roared Father, he too has jumped down from his perch. My sister-in-law was meanwhile quickly ushering out her children.

“Fifty massive warships and thousands of troops. Their leader can summon meteoroids and press our soldiers down into the water. There are also more than half a dozen Vice Admirals."

Brother turned to Father. He was looking worried, yet also determined. “Father, please gather our soldiers, I will head out first and help to reinforce the gates. They can not fall!”

“Right, take the guards of the mansion with you, only leave enough to protect the family. We need as many fighters as possible,” agreed Father, before he quickly left the room.

“I'll help too!” Declared Basilisk suddenly. He was about to follow my father, but I stopped him before he could leave the room.

“No dear, you're not healed yet.”

He was about to protest, but then must have seen the concern in my expression. He nodded reluctantly. “Then I'll help protecting Mara and her children.” It wouldn't exactly put him out of the danger, but it was at least as far away as possible.

I hugged him and rubbed my beak against his. He broke the hug and turned to Failed Hunter. “This will be a large battle, I know that it will be hectic, but please keep an eye on my wife.”

Failed Hunter, who has been in in her Astral Form to understand us had understood every word and nodded. “Stay safe, dear.” He hugged me one more time and then rushed after my sister in law.

°Mrs Chicken Wing, could you tell your brother that we will help. He just has to point us in one direction.° I huffed in my chest feathers as I look smugly at Brother.

He didn't let himself show anything and only nodded. “Right, your help in defending the main gate will help greatly. We will send reinforcements to your position the moment we can.”

Failed Hunter gave me a nod and then began to explain the situation to the rest of us not speaking bird.

“Soldier, lead these people to the gate. They will help in its defence.” The soldier saluted and then waited for Failed Hunter and her crew to get ready.

°Failed Hunter, I'll help the moment I can. The Gate will have to take the brunt of the attack.° She smiled at me and then led her friends out of the room.

“You will send them reinforcements, will you?” I asked Brother dangerously, the moment they were out of hearing range.

“Of course, if they betray us it will be there the easiest to stop. The Gate is not our only defence. There'll be more behind. Had I sent them somewhere else they can do much greater damage.”

“You still don't trust them,” I accused angrily.

“This is me giving them the chance to prove their trustworthiness. You will be right behind them. We'll need your strength.” He replied calmly. “Now go, I have to plan a counter!”

I'd like to rage at him but knew that right now was not the moment to do so. So I huffed at him while passing through the door. I'll need to put on the armour and weapons Failed Hunter has made for me.