Chapter 12: Anne’s Celestial Snap! A Quick Stop at the Basatie!

Months passed since the traumatic buster call, meaning I've been with the Marines for a year and a half now. Things have not been easier or less traumatic since then.

At least every two weeks, I would be assigned by the now Vice-Admiral Delta to a similarly harsh mission where I was forced to kill people. Each mission was awful, as I was still learning to control my Observation Haki from Gramps, as well as the fundamentals of Armament Haki.

I've still neglected to tell Gramps everything about Vice Admiral Delta. I didn't want to worry him or make it seem like I couldn't handle myself. So, during my training sessions with Gramps, I would act as if everything were normal. Gramps would always praise me and say how proud he was that I was a Marine, and how I had even made it to officer level. He told me to wear the "Justice" jacket with pride, as I could make a real difference in this world… But I wasn't sure. I wanted to change the World Government from the inside out, but it felt like I never would. That I would forever be stuck being a pawn under Vice Admiral Delta.

Speaking of being his pawn, during the last few months, Felix, Kai, River and I would all get individual training sessions from him as well to improve our unique set of skills. Kai would get training in strategy, leadership, and chakram use. Felix would get training in improving his impressive Armament Haki usage. River and I would get training in our unique Devil Fruit abilities.

Needless to say, my sessions were more intense. I was forced to come up with techniques I never wanted to even learn. These included deoxygenation and blood oxygen manipulation. With deoxygenation, it allows me to remove oxygen from a specific area. For example, around prisoners' heads. He would force me to practice this technique on captured prisoners until they passed out. The downside to this technique was that it took a lot of concentration and I could only do it to common, petty pirates. Luckily, I could only knock them out, rather than kill them… at this time.

Blood oxygen manipulation was a bit more complicated. This technique allowed me to manipulate the oxygen level within someone.

Here's a little bit of science for you. If someone's blood oxygen levels were lowered, this could lead them to experience confusion, fainting, and, in some cases, death. If they were raised too high, it could cause oxygen toxicity. This would affect the nervous system, causing the person to feel disoriented, hyperventilate, and even go into a grand mal seizure.

However, the downside to this technique is that I need to have access to the blood in their body, which means that I must have a large enough open wound for me to basically have an entrance to the blood system. So, I was mostly only forced to use this technique on people the Marines were trying to interrogate, and they needed someone to help with the torturing. That was one of my least favorite tasks I was always assigned to do. Being the cause of people's screams and agony tore me apart inside, and Vice Admiral Delta knew this. Whenever they needed someone to perform the torture, he would always volunteer me. Whenever I would attempt to argue back about not wanting to take part in torture sessions, he would always threaten to send me on more missions I would dread, basically leaving me no choice but to pick between the two evils.

I had enough of all this forced training and murdering. Half of the time, I was sure the people were innocent, just in the wrong place at the wrong time. So, I gathered up some letters that my brothers had written to me that mentioned them struggling a little bit and attempted to make a case to Vice Admiral Delta in hopes of getting a hardship discharge.

This sort of discharge was one granted to those who, since joining the Marines, have caused hardship on those who depend on them. I tried to make a case, saying that my brothers have been doing poorly since I left to become a Marine, and they were barely scraping by as it was, even with the money I send back to them. I told him that I planned to go back home and pick up a job at Partys Bar. All of this was a lie, even the part about Ace and Luffy struggling, but I just needed an escape.

"No," Delta told me, not even looking up at me from his papers.

"Wh-What," I asked, shocked by his response. "But I need to go help my brothers! They're literally surviving on their own and need my help. Besides, I thought you wanted me out of here to begin with!"

"No," he said, setting his papers aside to glare at me. "I said I wanted you behind bars or worse. At least here in the Marines, we have a leash on you to prevent you from getting into trouble out there. I may despise your existence, but under my watch, I know you aren't out there causing hell, scum."

"How can I be a Marine if all you see me as is a pirate," I protested in frustration. "You're not happy that I'm a Marine, but you'd still be unhappy if I were a pirate. How am I supposed to improve as a person if my own company leader doesn't even believe in me? I never had any intention of being a pirate to begin with. I just wanted to sail before coming here!"

He slammed his hand on his desk as he stood up, towering over me. "You will remember who you are speaking to, scum," he growled menacingly. "If you couldn't tell, I don't give a damn about you or your 'growth as a person', when it is obviously all an act. As long as I'm around, I'll make sure I prevent a hellion like you from creating havoc on my watch… Now, I have your next assignment. It's a solo mission where you'll be acting as the Celestial Dragon Jalmack's bodyguard while he is in our territory. So, get your shit together and head out already. Details are on the paper."

He tossed a paper onto the floor in front of me and went back to his work. I picked up the paper and walked out of his office before I would say something I would regret to my commanding officer. As I walked, I looked over the report I was given.

To summarize, I was expected to follow the Celestial Dragon Jalmack and his entourage while he visited our section of the East Blue. It also instructed me to follow any commands he may give, no matter how outlandish and ridiculous they may be, and never disobey or insult them in any way, shape, or form. If I did disobey, they could order an admiral to hunt me down and execute me for my offense to them. I gave a sigh as I entered the empty barracks and began packing. As I was, the other three came in chatting to each other, returning for the evening. "Oh," Felix said with a grin and a raised eyebrow, "where are you off to?"

"I was assigned a last-minute mission," I groaned, not wanting to go.

"What've you been assigned this time," River asked chipperly.

I simply handed them the report as I packed many outfits into my bag, unsure how long this mission would last. The three boys' eyes opened wide and Kai looked at me with concern. "A Celestial Dragon," he asked worryingly. "Are you sure you can do this on your own? I mean, one wrong step and you could be executed or even made a slave if they so desired."

"No offence, but I'm pretty sure that's what your dad probably wants," I said with a roll of the eyes. "I mean, I just tried turning in a request for a hardship discharge, but he refused it. Said he'd rather have me on a leash, then immediately gave me this task. If this mission goes wrong, I'll either be in shackles as a slave or in a coffin as a corpse. If he can't get rid of me himself, he turns to the next best thing, I guess."

"As much as I want to disagree, you're probably right," River said as he rubbed his arm awkwardly.

"Maybe he's just testing you," Kai tried to suggest. "Maybe he finally trusts you to do a solo mission!"

"Dude, she just had a falling out with him," Felix said as he took a seat on his bunk. "There is no way in hell he suddenly trusts her even more after she tried to leave. Why else would he send her off on her own to play babysitter with an over privileged psycho, where all his attention will be on her. He basically just sees her as a tool for his convenience."

River and I nodded in agreement. I placed a couple fans into my bag, and slung it over my shoulder. "Whelp, I'm off to become a slave," I joked as I turned towards the boys. "See ya boys later."

"Just… try to be careful," River said as he gave me a quick side hug.

"Make sure to watch your mouth and don't offend the Dragon," Kai advised me.

"And give them hell," Felix joked as he hit my shoulder with his fist.

"Geez," I said as I pushed my hair back, "you guys are making me feel like I'm going to my grave. Anyway, see ya when I get back!"

They waved me off as I left the barracks and headed to my prepped, one-man sloop with a single cabin. It was small, but efficient and effective. I threw my stuff into the small cabin, looked at my map and set the two sails loose, sailing out to sea. I may not be a master navigator, but I was taught the very basics while with the Marines. So, I at least knew how to get where I was going.

I used my powers to push my boat forward when the natural wind was not in my favor, so I was able to get to the island before nightfall. The island I was heading to was known for its cuisine and shopping district, so of course the Celestial Dragon was stopping there. I had been there on many occasions, so I knew the place almost as well as the Goa Kingdom at this point.

I sailed right up to the docks, set my anchor, and tied my ship to the dock to make sure it didn't drift away. I didn't need to actually meet the Celestial Dragon until tomorrow morning, so I decided to call it a night on the boat and slept on the cot in the small cabin.

In the early morning, just before sunrise, I got up and changed into something more formal for this mission, instead of my usual preferred tank top and shorts. I tied my hair up into a ponytail and went with a simple black, high neck sleeveless shirt with a pair of fitted white slacks. To finish the look, I wore my "Justice" jacket over the shoulders in a bold shoulder look.

I exited the cabin with my stuff and made my way down the dock to the meeting place in the square. I waited by the luxurious fountain until I saw a crowd of people starting to part way for something, or someone. I stood at attention as a figure came riding in on some large humans with other slaves following behind on chains. As he got closer, I then realized… this plump, bubble-wearing noble was the exact same person that shot down Sabo's boat…

I felt the anger inside of me boiling as I stared at this murderer and it took all I had not to glare daggers into him. As he approached, I forced myself to give a salute and introduce myself, "Good morning, Saint Jalmack. I am Ensign Anne of the Y-1 company. I was assigned to escort and assist you during your stay in our territory... sir."

I could feel his disgusting gaze look me up and down as I stood there, waiting for a response so that I could quit saluting. "My, my," he said with a dirty smirk, "the Marines finally sent me something decent to look at, rather than one of their old men. Come along now, girl. Show me where the best place to eat breakfast is at."

He clapped his hands at me as if I were merely his servant. I lowered my hand with an eyebrow twitch but turned and led the way to a popular restaurant with the best breakfast options. He ordered all the customers that were already there to leave and had his group of slaves and personnel wait at the front of the place while he stuffed his face at a private table. We were instructed to wait, and we would only be allowed to eat later. As he was eating, one of the slaves kept staring at me intensely. I looked over to him and raised an eyebrow, nonverbally asking the slave what was up. "You… you were at that one kingdom," the slave said with squinted eyes. "Yeah, you were that one that glared at the Dragon and flew away."

"You saw me," I asked in surprise.

He nodded. "You best be careful," he warned me. "Jalmack did as well. He's been on what he calls an 'Airess hunt', looking for the illusive Airess that got away. If he finds out that you're the Goa Airess, he'll surely want to add you to his collection of slaves."

"Thanks for the heads up," I told him, feeling bad for not being able to help him.

Jalmack finished his meal and joined us back up front. He climbed back onto the large human that warned me to keep my alternative identity a secret. "Alright," the Dragon said, picking up the reins to the human, "take me around to the best places to shop. Don't disappoint me, sweetheart."

A chill went down my spine, but I did as I was told and led him from shop to shop. At each shop, I'd have to give him my opinion on the tacky clothes he picked out. He would even instruct me to try on different outfits "to see what looked nice for the ladies in his life." I wanted to vomit, but I tolerated it and did as I was told like the good little officer I was supposed to be.

After shopping a bunch, all of his entourage and I were stuck carrying his bags. I was hiding my powers to make sure he didn't recognize me, so I was stuck carrying them like a normal person. It felt strange physically carrying shopping bags for once. That wasn't the most annoying part of this whole thing though.

In the evening, as he was sitting at a table with his meal, he demanded that I personally spoon feed him. I swallowed my pride and spoon-fed this grown man his food…

It was finally the end of the day and I led the Dragon back to his titanic sea vessel. "It was a pleasure escorting you today, sir," I lied through my teeth as I gave him a salute in front of his ship. "I hope you have a safe voyage back home."

"I'm not done with you yet," he said as he looked down on me. He came over and held my chin with one of his gloved hands, tilting my face up so he could get a better look at it. "I must say, you are quite the beauty. Not only that, but, if I remember correctly, you're the same girl that glared daggers into me when I came to the Goa Kingdom. I would never forget an angel that flew away after glaring at me."

"I-I'm sorry, sir, I think you must be mistaken," I told him as I stepped back out of his grip. "I am no heiress. I am just a simple Marine officer. Nothing more, nothing less."

Without warning, he quickly drew a pistol out and attempted to shoot me in the chest with it! The bullet obviously just passed right through me due to my Devil Fruit's passive intangibility skill.

"You forget," he said with a sleazy grin, "if I want something, I get it. And right now, I want you, girl. If you're good, you just might get the opportunity to be one of my women. If not… you might just end up like that blond boy that crossed me way back when on that fishing boat. That boy is most likely nothing but bones right now, his skull acting as a home for the fish."

I felt a sudden rage boil inside of me as he talked about my late brother. My body started moving on its own as I grabbed a metal fan and wacked him across the face with it as hard as I could. The impact alone caused the bubble around his head to pop and sent him flying far off into town. By the time I realized what I had just done, I sent the rest of his loyal entourage flying as well before they could retaliate. "Well, so much for an honorable discharge."

I used this opportunity to set all of his slaves free in a frenzy. "What were you thinking, girl," the slave that gave me the warning earlier asked in shock.

"I wasn't," I honestly told him. "Use this time to escape. Go back to your families while you can!"

"It's not that I'm ungrateful or anything," the guy was saying, "but do you even understand what you've just done? The Celestial Dragon is surely going to call an admiral to execute you when he regains consciousness."

"Well, then I won't give him the chance," I told him as I freed the last slave. "I suggest you all do the same and get off the island as soon as possible. I'll even get you all a ship."

Rushing over to the docks, I told some boatmen I needed a boat "to send the slaves back to the palace in the name of Saint Jalmack." Having seen me with the Celestial Dragon earlier today, they took my word for it and prepped a ship for them. Soon, the freed slaves were sailing off into the horizon, waving back at me with gratitude. Having helped those people filled me with such a pleasant feeling. It was instances like these that I wanted to become a Marine in the first place, not killing person after person, not knowing if they were innocent or not.

I then heard a guy nearby yell, "Fire!", causing me to look over in that direction with a glare, only to get blinded by a brief flash. Once my vision came back, I noticed the head of the Marine's Photography department, Attach, standing there with his camera in hand. I realized at that moment, there was no turning back from what I had done. I yanked the "Justice" jacket from my shoulders and threw it into the sea as I quickly made my way back to the ship I came here on.

Literally throwing all of my stuff into the tiny cabin, I used a sharp blade of air to cut the rope that tied the boat to the dock, reeled in the anchor, and set the sails free, using the air to get me out to sea quickly.

As soon as I was no longer in sight of the island, I pulled out my East Blue map, debating on what my plan of action was going to be. I started by looking at where I was, which is on the far west side of the East Blue. Nearby was Y-1's base and all of the islands I had previously patrolled. It was obvious that I couldn't return back to base. I'd surely get court-martialed, or worse. Vice Admiral Delta would gladly serve me up to the Celestial Dragon on a silver platter. Not to mention, everyone on this half of the East Blue knows my face and my powers. They wouldn't hesitate neither to turn me in, due to all the family members I have probably taken care of.

I also wasn't ready to escape to another Blue via the Grand Line on my own with some shabby sloop. I would need to prepare beforehand, which would take a bit of time to gather resources, a crew, a better boat and a plan of action. I needed an island that I knew well to hide out at, so that that gave me two options. One of those options I was literally fleeing from at this moment, so that just left me one other option. It looked like I was heading back home!

Because I was on the opposite side of the East Blue from the Goa Kingdom, it would take me a few months to get to the east side of the East Blue. I would also need to island hop in order to restock on food and water.

Before I sailed too far out of the Sambas Region, I spotted a cool looking, three-story ocean restaurant called the Baratie. As I was passing it, my stomach gave a low rumble. I realized I never really got to eat today, since I was escorting the pig who refused to let us eat. So, naturally, I dropped anchor and flew up onto the restaurant's deck.

One of the workers saw me approach, as a younger blond boy in a white chef's jacket came running out of the building with hearts in his eyes, exclaiming, "Oh my goodness, you are the most beautiful angel I have ever seen!"

"Oh, um, thank you," I said bashfully, rubbing the back of my head as my feet touched the ground, taking my hair out of my ponytail. "I know it's late, but I was wondering if you guys were open?"

Before the boy could even answer, my stomach growled embarrassingly loud, causing me to blush. "Not technically, but come on in," the boy told me, opening the restaurant's door for me.

My eyes widened, but I followed behind him gratefully. "Are you sure this is alright," I asked as the boy turned on a light or two and took down a couple chairs at a nicely decorated table.

"Of course," the boy said with his hand on his chest with a slight bow. "I've made it my motto to never deny anyone food, no matter how evil or poor they are. It's obvious that you're starving."

As the boy went off towards the kitchen, I sat down in the chair he got down for me and waited patiently. As I did, an older, dirty blond man came down the stairs. He looked at me with groggy eyes, then to the kitchen and shouted, "Sanji! What's going on? Who is this?"

The blonde boy, I presumed to be Sanji, peeked his head out and told him, "She came onto the Baratie, asking if we were open. Her stomach was growling loudly, so I decided to make her something."

Sanji went back into the kitchen and the older gentleman came over to where I was sitting and pulled a chair down next to me. "So, what's your tale," he asked me.

"Pardon," I asked with my head tilted.

"Come on," he sighed as he crossed his arms and hung his head. "A young lady like you out at this time of night and going hungry. You don't look worse for wear, your clothes look new and decent, and your figure tells me that you don't overindulge yourself, but you don't often starve. I also noticed you came in on a small Marine boat without a crew, and your behavior and posture say you're apprehensive. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to pry, just trying to figure out what I'm dealing with. I got good men on his ship that I need to make sure stay safe."

I twiddled my thumbs, debating on how much I should share with this stranger. "Um, well, my name is Anne," I said in thought, "I am… was a Marine ensign, however, during a mission I was on, a noble I was guarding did not allow me to eat the whole day. One thing led to another, and I wound up here. Don't worry, I'll pay for the food and be out of your hair in no time before anything can happen."

"Bah, I wasn't worried about the payment," the man waved me off. "You seem sincere enough. Besides, even if you were a sketchy or wicked person, I'd still offer you food. Going hungry on the seas is not a pleasant experience."

Sanji came out with a steaming bowl of rice with grilled eel delicately placed on top and with a side dish of marinated chicken and cucumber slices. He gently placed it in front of me and my mouth began to water like crazy. Both dishes may have been simple, but they looked and smelled amazing! "You made this yourself," I asked in awe.

He nodded proudly and said, "Uh huh! I'm learning to be a great chef under Zeff!"

I took a pair of chopsticks that came with the dish and brought the food up to my mouth. It was heavenly, being able to eat after so long. He may have been a novice, but the food was still impressive! "Thank you for the food," I told him with a large smile. "It's very good, Chef Sanji."

Sanji pinched his lips inward with heart eyes and blush painted on his face at the compliment at having called him "Chef". The older man, Zeff, couldn't help laughing, reminding the boy he was not necessarily a chef yet and that he still had a lot to learn. "So, Anne," Sanji said as he lit a cigarette, "I saw you fly onto the Baratie, does that mean you have Devil Fruit powers?"

I was surprised at his sudden question. "Um, yeah, actually, I guess you could say that," I told him. "And aren't you a bit young to be smoking?"

"The 12 year-old says it 'makes him a man', even though it'll just ruin his taste buds," Zeff said with an eye-roll.

"I knew you had powers," Sanji said with a cocky grin. "I read a book about Devil Fruits, and one day, I hope to find the Fruit that allows the user to turn invisible!"

I could see the sketchy look in his eyes as he talked about the Fruit he wanted, but I decided to write it off. I continued to eat the food that was given to me as Zeff would tell me stories about what he had seen while sailing. Once I finished, I set my chopsticks on the empty bowl, thanked them again, got out my wallet, and paid for the meal. I was about to leave and get back on my boat when Zeff stopped me and asked, "Where are you going now, this late at night?"

"I planned on just setting sail again," I told them, rubbing the back of my neck. "Maybe find an island to hide my ship behind while I rest."

"Hey," Sanji started to ask Zeff as he turned to him, "would it be alright if she stayed outside the Baratie for the night? I mean, there's only a few hours until the morning, and then she can have breakfast before leaving."

I tried to protest, saying they had already done more than enough, but Zeff told me, "It's fine if you dock here for the night. Like the boy said, when you get up, you can have one last meal here before setting sail again."

I thanked them yet again for their hospitality and agreed to stay. I went back outside and went to my boat. Moving my boat closer to the Baratie where it was somewhat hidden, I laid anchor once more and then went to sleep in the tiny cabin.

After a few hours of sleep, rays of sunlight peeked into the cabin, letting me know it was morning. For today's outfit, I wanted to be less conspicuous with a simple sundress and sandals with half of my hair in a ponytail in the middle of the back of my head. I had to say, I looked like a normal civilian for once.

Once I was ready, I came out of the cabin and saw that many different kinds of ships had anchored outside of the Baratie. Going back up to the Baratie, I walked in through the door and saw a whole bunch of people had come to eat at the restaurant. I looked around and finally found an empty table, and as soon as I sat down in the chair, I heard Sanji call out, "Ooooooh, my beautiful angel! I'm glad you decided to have breakfast here! You are looking absolutely stunning today!"

Sanji came running over with hearts in his eyes. "Um, thank you, Sanji," I awkwardly said, still not used to being complimented like that. "You guys sure seem busy."

"Yeah, it can get really busy most days," Sanji said with a shrug. "So, what can I get my gorgeous Anne for breakfast!"

I looked at the menu they had and ordered steamed rice and miso soup. Sanji gleefully ran to the kitchen with my order and came back shortly after with both orders, with a complimentary glass of water. I gave my thanks and ate the food as Sanji and I talked. Sanji was eventually caught slacking on the job and had to go back to the kitchen.

Having finished my food, I took this opportunity to set my map and a pad of paper with a pen in front of me to look over it once more. With the pad of paper, I would write down each island I would travel to in order to restock on food and supplies until I could make it to the Goa Kingdom on Dawn Island. People came and left the restaurant as I strategized, and before I knew it, it was now noon. Feeling a little peckish again, I ordered once more and ate while I wrote down the cardinal directions I would be needing to follow to get to each island. Once I finished planning and eating, I paid, picked up my stuff, and thanked the crew once more for their hospitality.

"Wait, let me walk you out," Sanji shouted as he ran up beside me. I let him do what he wanted, and he walked me towards my ship. "So, you know where you're going," he asked with a raise of a curly eyebrow.

I gave a nod and told him, "Yeah, I got my whole path charted, thanks to you guys lending me a table and meals."

"Sorry to hear about your whole situation, but hey, make sure to come back again," Sanji told me with a genuine grin. I was about to say I would try, but a breeze of natural wind came blowing by, lifting my dress up a little too high. I quickly pushed it back down, but not before the damage was done. Sanji was having a full on nosebleed and nearly collapsed as he muttered, "P-Panties…"

I rolled my eyes and flew down to my boat as he pervertedly giggled to himself. Taking up anchor, I used the air to unravel the sails to sail in the direction I needed to go. In a couple of short months, I would finally be back home and able to see my little brothers again.