Decisions And Stances

The celebrations continued all through the night. When the sun rose, the festival came to an end. Everyone had slowly made their way home. In the tavern where Luffy and the others were, people were passed out on the ground, table, and in Luka's case, on the chandelier.

"Luffy~."

Hancock mumbled as she held on to Luffy's arm while sleeping. As for Luffy, he was knocked out as well and slumped on the table.

"The infamous Monkey D Luffy..."

Felix sat at his table looking at Luffy.

"He's a bit different than how you imagined, right?"

Frantz approached his table with two cups in his hand.

"Tea?"

Felix nodded and Frantz placed a cup in front of him.

"It's green tea with a pinch of mint. Just like how you like it."

Frantz said as he sat in front of Felix.

"Thanks."

Felix sipped the tea while looking at Frantz.

"What do you want to ask?"

Frantz smiled.

"Why did you lead pirates to the island and allow them to attack us?"

"I see. It's true the only way the pirates could find the island is if someone here leaked its existence."

Felix calmly nodded.

"Why do you think I did it?"

"Honestly, I'm not certain."

"And you accused me to my face? What if I was the traitor and decided to kill you now?"

"You're not the type to kill without reason."

"I think knowing I'm the traitor is enough reason to kill though."

Frantz took a sip of his tea.

"Then, let me rephrase it. I don't think you're the type to kill in cold blood."

"That's the same thing."

"Is it?"

Frantz smiled. Felix nodded and placed his cup on the table.

"So, you don't think I'm a cold-blooded killer, yet you believe I'm the traitor? You're not making much sense."

"I did say I'm not certain. However, I just can't 100% say it's not you and that's concerning."

"Really? I wonder if it's the same for you, Tate?"

Tate was seen walking up the stairs with a grin on his face.

"Do you also believe it can be me?"

Tate approached the table and sat down.

"I can't deny that."

He crossed his arms in front of him.

"So, did you do it?"

"Nope."

"How can you prove it?"

"I can't. Just trust me bro."

Felix chuckled a bit.

"I'm surprised. I thought you would be upset considering what we're insinuating...About how you caused the deaths of thousands of the citizens you promised to protect."

"It's because I find it funny. Instead of the pirates who came here recently, you're accusing me."

"That's because--"

"That's because you're a member of the Revolutionary Army, Frantz. So you have to believe the son of your boss wouldn't do something like that."

Felix's eyes narrowed as he smiled.

"Is that what you were going to say?"

Frantz's body stiffened under his gaze. He found it hard to breathe.

"Stop intimidating the kid, Felix."

He only felt relaxed when Tate spoke up.

"My bad. It's just the wine from earlier made me a bit playful."

Felix laughed.

"I know Strawhat couldn't have done it, despite the pirates saying his name. If he was responsible, the pirates wouldn't have needed to torture the Sea Guards for the island's location. Also, Strawhat seems like a genuinely decent guy, for a pirate anyway."

"T-That's right."

Frantz pulled himself together.

"Well, since it isn't you..."

Tate leaned over with a serious expression.

"Do you have any idea who it is?"

"I do."

Tate's eyes widened.

"Who?"

"Can't say."

"...Why?"

"Because you would have to die."

"Huh?"

Frantz and Tate looked at each other and then at Felix. He was drinking his tea again with an unbothered expression.

"Are you joking?"

"Unfortunately, no."

He finished the tea and looked them in the eye.

"If I were to tell you who I suspect, then the two of you would have to die, immediately."

(The World Government!)

Tate shouted in his head.

"Tate, you are my best friend so I'm going to ask you this again."

Felix's face was serious.

"Are you sure about what you're planning to do?"

Tate looked at him for a bit before smiling.

"I'm certain."

He leaned back in his seat.

"I'm 100% certain I'm making the right choice. It's because I'm certain I'm making a request."

Felix frowned. Tate pointed at him.

"Please turn a blind eye to everything."

Felix looked silently looked at him while Tate continued to smile.

"Did you forget? I'm an agent of the World Government. I was assigned here to prevent this very thing."

"I know, how could I forget? You thought me and everybody here the six powers of Cipher Pol. In secret, I might add."

"....What are you trying to imply?"

"You're already in the habit of going against protocol. What's wrong with continuing that habit?"

Tate clasped his hands together and started to beg.

"Come on, man. We're friends, aren't we? I mean, I know you love the people of this island. Can't you look the other way?"

"....You do realize I could be executed if I did that?"

"Yeah, but you promised not to get in our way. What's the difference?"

"The difference is I would act ignorant. The fact the island was attacked is proof they already are suspicious. In order to calm their suspicions, I need to make false reports."

"Then do that."

Felix's eyes widened. He looked at Tate and sighed. He then stood up.

"Tate, what you're trying to do was hard already but it's a thousand times harder after the attack. You won't be able to convince the people like this. Are you going to continue regardless?"

"Yes."

Felix looked at him and then Frantz.

"Do as you please."

He walked downstairs leaving Frantz and Tate.

"Hah~!"

Frantz let out a huge sigh.

"I thought I was going to die!"

"Come on. It wasn't that bad."

He pointed at Frantz's cup.

"Your tea got cold."

Frantz looked at him like he was crazy.

"I don't how you can be so carefree."

"Because it's Felix. Why would I be afraid of him? I've known him for over a decade."

"He's still a government agent."

Frantz paused for a bit.

"By the way, what branch of the government is he from? Is it Cipher Pol since he knows the Six Powers?"

Tate shook his head.

"He's only an agent in name. He isn't assigned to any branch and his sole responsibility is to monitor this island. I don't know how he knows the Six Powers though. However, considering some in the Marines know it too, I don't think it's a big deal."

"I see."

Frantz looked at the sleeping Luffy.

"What are we going to do with them?"

"What did your boss say when you reported his son was here?"

"I didn't get to him, so he doesn't know."

"Then what about the officers?"

"I tried Sabo, Iva-Chan, and even the army leaders. I can't reach any of them."

"Wait, are you saying you can't reach the Revolutionary Army at all?"

"That's right."

Tate entered deep thought.

(Is someone interfering with the transmissions?)

"Ugh..."

As he thought that, he heard a groan. He turned his head and saw Hancock slowly open her eyes.

"My head hurts..."

She grumbled. After a few seconds, she started looking around.

"Good morning."

Tate and Frantz greeted her when she looked in their direction. She didn't say anything and continued to look around. That's when she noticed she was holding onto Luffy's arm.

"Hanson."

She was about to freak out but Tate called out to her. He put his finger over his lips.

"Just enjoy the moment."

He spoke with a grin. She looked at him and Luffy before nodding. She closed her eyes and rested her head on Luffy's arm. A smile crawled onto her face. Tate started smiling seeing this. Frantz on the other hand silently smiled as tears flowed down his face.

(It should've been me, not him!)