Prelude to Rebellion Pt. 3

The next day Percy got up and washed his face. He didn't get an ounce of sleep last night because of he was weighing his options. Trimm or Pakattik?, Trimm or Pakattik? was all he was thinking about as the moon moved throughout the night sky. As he got dressed, he remembered that he needed to be in full naval garb because he would be meeting the king in a couple hours.

*sigh* [perhaps I should just rob Parisse. Nah, they aren't stupid enough to have the footage on them].

Percy left his quarters and arrived on the deck of his ship, all of his soldiers were dressed and their epitaphs were shining brightly for all to see.

*sigh* [I miss Orange, I'll kidnap her from Kong the moment I get back to Marineford. At least she could deal with all this crap for me.]

"Parade Precession!" Percy shouted as all the soldiers saluted their vice admiral.

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The crowd cheered as they witnessed marines walking through their streets looking proud and in control.

"Wow, he's so handsome" one of the girls giggled to her friend as they pointed to one of the commanders. "Wonder if he's married?"

"He'll be married to me next week" her friend said as they blushed together.

The commander heard this and smirked before smiling at the two fawning women.

"Oh my God! He smiled at me!"

"No, he smiled at me!"

The two women started to shout at one another as the marines passed them by.

"Looks like you got fans" one of the commander's friends said as he too winked at one of the passing women.

"Not as much as you, lady killer. Maybe you'll get to enjoy one or two of them after we're done here. After all, this mission will be over in a cinch. This is the South Blue not the New world."

"True, I heard from one of the captains that vice admiral took this mission because he wanted a vacation" the commander paused as he stared at a beautiful woman and continued, "maybe it's not a bad idea after all."

"Maybe, maybe not. We'll see after the vice admiral talks to the king."

"Nah, this'll be over in a week at most. All the vice admiral has to do is apprehend the rebel leader and we'll be done."

"True."

Percy and the marines reached the front gates of the royal castle before they were greeted by a tall man in a medieval style suit of armor.

"Vice admiral Percy" he said bowed respectfully, "my name is general Trotth, I am here to escort you to my king."

Percy nodded and said to the general, "I'll have my men wait outside. Though I want my commodores with me so that everyone is on the same page."

"I understand, please" the general said as he gestured Percy inside "the king awaits."

Percy and his two commodores, Eli and Good Price were led to the royal courtroom where the king sat with his two wives and 4 children on their thrones.

He looked at the king; he was old, around 70-80 if Percy had to make a guess, and fat. He looked like a half filled balloon, the first queen he saw was of similar build and had a warm smile on her face. The second queen was much younger, around 25-30 and had no expression as the marines filed in.

Percy and his two commodores bowed their heads,

"Greetings to the King of Zandia"

"Raise your head" the king said weakly as he looked at the young vice admiral. "I hear that you are a vice admiral, is that correct?"

"Yes your majesty I am" Percy said as he looked in the king's eyes.

"And what brings a vice admiral to my small kingdom? Surely your headquarters would have known that a rear admiral is plenty enough to deal with my problem."

"Yes sir we are aware of that, but since you are a member of the world government, and the rebel leader is in fact a user of the ancient zoan devil fruit, they sent me to guarantee to capture the rebel."

The king scoffed, "the world government huh? Are you sure it's to stop the rebel, or to make sure the tribute is paid this year?!"

Percy was silent because he did not know how to respond.

[I thought the tributes are due 3 months from now. Why bring it up here, in front of me].

The second queen spoke in a quiet voice, "my husband feels tired right now, perhaps we can continue this conversation later. Guards! Lead our guests to the banquet room, we have a feast prepared for our saviors."

"Yes your majesty!" two guards said as they approached the marines. "Sir if you would follow me, we have food and drinks waiting for you."

Percy nodded his head and followed the guards out of the room. Before he left though, he activated his observation haki and noticed that there were 5 people who were stronger than everyone else in the throne room. There were 3 ministers and 2 guards who were strong enough to be in the Grand line.

[How odd] Percy thought as he headed towards the banquet hall.

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After the banquet, Percy and his two officers went back to their ship. The two commodores sat down in front of Percy's desk in his office.

"Let me tell you something" Percy started as the two commodores waited. "I don't intend to get involved with this civil war. I did tell the fleet admiral that I'm treating this as a vacation after all."

Eli and Good Price were confused at sudden mention of Percy's vacation. It was no secret to the mid level officers that Percy was on vacation at the moment,

[why bring this up now?] they both thought as they stared at their leader.

"I'm telling you this because I want you two to lead the charge against this Gabba person. He may be an ancient zoan user, but that's all. He knows nothing of strength and the power of the marines."

The two nodded, they may have not face an ancient zoan before, but South Blue residents were generally weaker than paradise pirates.

"So, I'm making this a competition. Whoever captures Gabba gets my recommendation for rear admiral, the other one; sorry, better luck next time."

Eli and Good Price eyes widened, Percy has never recommended anyone before. That is why most officers aboard his ship despised him, he never played in navy politics. So when they heard he was going to recommend someone,

[this may be my best chance for a promotion] Good Price thought as he stared at the vice admiral, fervor filled his eyes.

Eli had a similar expression, they both knew that this was their chance.

Percy stared at the two before a smiles appeared on his face,

"good. You both can divide the ship however, you'd like. I don't care as long as you bring results, have fun with it. And remember, only one recommendation."

Good Price and Eli both nodded and stood up, they turned and immediately left the vice admiral-s chambers.

Percy waited a minute before his smile disappeared from his face and he took out his den den mushi. He was going to call Parisse.

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*peroperopero peroperopero peroperopero*

Parisse was talking with Campbell when they heard the sound. She got up and answered the call,

*katcha* "Hello?"

"It's Percy."

"Oh vice admiral, how can I help you" Parisse said as a smile filled her face.

"How fast can I get it?"

"Well, if everything goes according to plan and we finish our mission... probably in a week, two at the most."

The line was silent before Percy responded,

"I do this for you, and the only thing that I get in return is a promise? I need a little more than that."

"What can I say, it's a video. I can't just give you parts of it piece-meal after all." Parisse said as she rubbed her forehead. She was getting annoyed by Percy's insistence.

"...alright. Since your offer is more sincere than Gulp's I'll take it. But be warned, I'm not one to double cross."

"Neither are we" Parisse said as she hung up the phone. "It seems" she said as she turned to Campbell, that our plan will work out after all."