A steady breeze glided through the harbor as sounds of gulls and waves crashing against the docks filled the air. Men were fast at work as usual down by the port, and there was a slight uptick in traffic the past few days with a few extra ships docked ashore. Two of those ships were Marine cruisers that had docked there just the night before. Several high-ranking officials were seen leaving the ship in the dead of night and heading to the nearby Marine HQ located just north of town, known as G2.

"So, you're telling me that the target is in Loguetown, right under our noses?" A stern voice asked matter-of-factly, as if to confirm some prior suspicion. The voice belonged to a daunting man, standing at over eight feet tall and arms nearly the size of barrels, a square jaw that looked so rigid it could have been welded in place by steel beams, and a clenched set of perfect pearly white teeth. His head was as round as a coconut with none of the hair, just a big bald head that glinted like a gem in the sunlight. He folded his arms across his chest, his bulging pectoral muscles clearly defined shapes through the white undershirt beneath his Marine coat. His gaze was as absolute and as piercing as his sense of justice, and he took this mission with the same seriousness in which he had undertaken every previous assignment given to him. And each and every detail was critical in completing it.

"No, not exactly. I said that we have reason to believe the target made contact with someone currently living here. Whether or not our target remains in Logeutown has yet to be discovered. We also don't know for what purpose. That's what we need to find out first and foremost. The longer they're out here on the loose, the more destruction that will follow. If we keep waiting for them to make the first move and only reacting instead of being proactive about this situation, the longer this is going to be dragged out. Understand what I'm saying?" The man who responded was much more even-keeled, and was seated behind a desk with his hands folded together and elbows propped up. He was much thinner than his large counterpart, and seemed in much less of a hurry.

"Of course sir. I'm to locate and capture or dispose of the target in as little time as possible with as little collateral damage and civilian casualty as possible, and if possible, ascertain the reason behind the target's recent actions and determine for what the target's goal is. I've already been briefed on the target and should have no issues finding him. Is there anything else before I leave, sir?" He was very direct and to the point, seeing no reason to delay his departure.

The man behind the desk was quiet for a moment, turning to look out his window. "....The target is not going to be easy to track down or capture. I know you've read the file and seen the extent of what someone like that can do to a town or an island if things get out of hand. This isn't just any one of those common Devil Fruit users. This needs to be taken care of swiftly and neatly... they wanted to call in CP9 on this, you know? I had to convince them I had someone competent enough around to handle it. That's why you were brought in as fast as you were. I would handle it myself, but the Boss has me looking into a matter of my own that supersedes this. Also, there's some intel from one of our agents on some of the locals, including the person that our target was here to meet, supposedly. You'll want read it, as there are a few individuals in the area that could be a problem if they were to become, how should I say this... involved with our target. So let's get this done, alright Vice-Admiral Haramitsu?"




"Consider it done." The giant man exited through the doorway with his fists clenched, heading toward the dock. He boarded one of the two Marine cruisers that had docked the night before and called a meeting of all the Marines aboard to report to the deck for briefing.
____________________________________________________________________




Down by the docks, after night fell a place would open up that was home to thugs, pirates, promiscuous women, and anyone who wanted to party. It was located by finding an unmarked door that when opened literally looked like a hole in the wall, as if someone had just punched straight through the concrete wall it was placed on. There was no door knob or keyhole, but any pirate worth his salt in East Blue knew the trick to get in. Anyone outside of East Blue would probably laugh if you told them how to get in. You had to notice a small crack at the bottom of the wall, just big enough for a baby mouse to sneak in, or say, a person's finger. You would stick your finger in the bar and wiggle it around a bit, and that would shake the locking mechanism free and open the door.

Once inside, usually at least one or two bouncers would guard the entrance and check everyone who came in to keep out anyone not from the area, seeing as the marines likes to keep tabs on the criminal activity down in that area. And oh boy, was there criminal activity. As soon as you got down the initial hallway there was music and women and booze and laughter and dancing and well, lots of fighting.

A man with messy white hair surrounded by a sea-green faded to blue headband casually walked down the alleyway that was home to his favorite Hole in the Wall and lit a cigarette just before he wiggled his finger and pried open the door just enough to slip his slender frame through the door, ducking his head to avoid hitting the top of the hole on his way in.



He chose a seat in the shadows in the corner, the same spot he always sat at this bar. It brought back many memories of his childhood and where he came from. For a moment, he sat and reminisced about what brought him to this moment, about everything that landed him back here. It was on this eve that his crew would set sail for the Grand Line, to truly begin their journey into the unknown. They had a plan, their goal was laid out simply before them: climb Reverse Mountain and use the log pose he possessed to find the first island on their journey.

Zanza was confident in himself, his crew, and their ship. Although, he had not seem them at all that day, and wondered what they were doing. The Marines had docked the night before and were seen mobilizing in the area. At first this made Zanza paranoid, as he thought that possibly one of them had caused trouble, or more likely, that he caused some trouble that they got caught up in. But this was most likely not the case, as the Marines seemed to be gathering their resources for something else in town. Whatever it was, the Ash pirates didn't seem to be the target, nor did anyone seem to notice them... yet.

Zanza leaned back in his seat, resting up against the wall, situated in the corner so that no one could sneak up on him. He was very aware at all times, always watching his surroundings. But he was tired of always watching his back, always bringing trouble wherever he went. He closed his eyes but for a moment, a brief moment of peace in the chaos of the world...

Where there were two Marine ships docked, people were cleaning ships, doing business and conversing. This is a natural everyday occurrence for one of the busiest islands in East Blue. A famous or "infamous" city due to a sizable bounty originating from this island. By one of the Marine ships, two individuals exited the ship. They cut quite the odd duo as a large, muscular man, and another man with the ears of a dog were talking. After their small conversation ended, dog ears saluted the larger man.

Karma watched his superior walk off to report to the Marines stationed on this island. His job was to watch the ship, which he did in silence. His nose took in the salty smell emanating from the ocean and the air. The seas were calm enough to lull him into a peaceful slumber.

His second pair of ears twitched as a private walked up and saluted him. "What is it?" The Marine who looked like a newbie seemed almost hesitant.

"Permission to question sir?" Karma shook his head in an almost exasperated manner.

"You don't need permission to ask me anything. What's got you befuddled?" To be honest, Karma's a bit confused as well. His superior didn't tell him the purpose of this trip. Judging by his superior's solemn countenance he seemed to have an idea that he didn't share with him.

"Well... Why are we stopping here?" There it was. The inquiry that the Lieutenant expected came out. He's not really sure on how he should answer him, so he responded to his inquiry with a dull tone.

"Hm. Vice-Admiral Haramitsu will most likely brief us when he returns. In other words, I don't know any more than you." The private nodded at this response, saluted, and returned to the ship. "Wonder if he got sacked with cleaning duty," he muttered in a wistful tone to himself.

Half of his focus was on the ship and the other half was reminiscing about his initial decision to join the marines. It was then he sensed a vigorous aura walking closer to the ship. It was the familiar aura of his superior. Karma saluted the Vice-Admiral once he came within 2 meters.

"Sir." He had to crane his head upwards to look him in the eyes.

"I'm calling a meeting. Gather all the Marines." Karma acquiesced as a proper subordinate should.

"Understood." The two of them both walked into the ship, both their coats billowing in the wind. Karma gathered everyone to the front deck and prepared to listen to what Vice-Admiral Haramitsu had to say.

"WOW!" Kiro exclaimed, as he stood atop of the execution platform, and looked out onto the crowded town center. "So this is what a pirate sees before they die, huh? I wonder if any of them were scared? I sure would be..." He thought aloud, as he surveyed the area.

"Hey you! Get down from there this instant!" An official-looking dude yelled from down below through a megaphone.

"I would! But it was kind of hard to get up here with my injuries," the pirate gestured to his full-body cast he was placed in, as he then looked down to the ground far below, "and I'm scared if I try to get down I'll die, so..." He nervously laughed.

"No! That's a special execution stand that belongs to the World Government! You have to get down immedia-" The official awkwardly argued back, but was suddenly cut off by someone hitting them hard in the side of the head with an enormous weapon. The official passed out on the floor, as his megaphone rolled across the ground.

"RED STAR KIRO!" Yachi (Just imagine a big, burly, tough-looking guy with a bazooka) yelled with rage from the ground. "It's been a while, hasn't it!?" He laughed, as angry veins throbbed from the side of his head.



"Do I know you?" Kiro sat there dumbfounded, as he scratched his head.

Yachi's jaw dropped to the floor. "Y-You took our ship! You shot a bunch of arrows into my bazooka! You took my clothes! You made me lie to my old captain! YOU FORCED ME AND MY CREW TO SAIL THE SEAS ON YOUR BARREL BOAT!" He reminded him.

Kiro stood there in awkward silence. Finally, he mumbled: "I-I'm sorry..." just to clear the embarrassment he felt for this man.

A dozen more officials came to tackle Yachi to the ground, but a dozen daggers suddenly pierced their backs. A cloaked man stood behind the fallen soldiers, who chuckled menacingly. "Of course he wouldn't remember you, Yachi, you were but a first mate on my ship, but obviously he'd remember..." He threw off his cloak, to reveal his unmistakable, easily recognizable red hair atop of his slender frame. "SHIMIZU! FORMER NAVIGATOR OF THE GASU PIRATES!" He laughed.

"Uhhh...." Kiro replied.

"Ever since you beat us to an inch of our life... Cast us away with no food, no water, on the horrid barrel-boat," a tear shed from Shimizu's eye, "we vowed to find you one day, and seek revenge for what you did to us." Shimizu clenched both his fists. "Our journey seemed hopeless. We wondered the seas for weeks, aimlessly. We were about to give up, until we were picked up by a pirate ship, whose captain had a hatred for you even greater than us!"

A group of cloaked men drew in from behind Shimizu, their leader riding on an enormous elephant-sized zebra. "DID YOU..." The leader started, as the whole crew simultaneously threw off their cloaks, "MISS ME!?" Shibru (Wacky-looking guy that vaguely resembles a Zebra, has a black and white mohawk.) laughed maniacally, along with the rest of his marine-turned-pirates behind him.

"Oh, It's just Shibru." Kiro spoke casually.

"TAKE ME MORE SERIOUSLY!" Shibru yelled angrily. "SPEEDWAGON, DO IT!" He commanded.

Speedwagon (Shibru's right-hand man) suddenly appeared behind Kiro, as he easily trapped the captain's head and arms into the decapitation wood block. Speedwagon struck a cool pose, as he blew out bubbles into the air as if he was smoking a cigarette. "Did you miss me, Red Star?" He smirked.

"I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE!" Kiro yelled with annoyance in his voice.

"Now..." Yachi chuckled.

"To commence..." Shimizu continued.

"The flashy..." Shibru piped in.

"EXECUTION!" The three said in unison, as they all struck a cool pose. Pirates behind them all pulling out swords in agreement.

The crowded town square was quickly being emptied, as many fled.

Akita made her way through the streets of Loguetown, keeping her head low. "Sorry, Dad, I'm breaking two Loguetown rules right now. I think Mom would be proud though. Wherever you guys are."

She looked through the windows of stores as she passed them, interested by all of the different supplies they offered. Assuming the material for ships were by the docks, Akita headed there first. Before she could reach the docks, she spotted the weapons store from earlier. She knew how many berries she had on her and roughly how much it would take to make ship repairs. That left her with a little bit of spending money. Akita smiled and headed straight into the shop.

The young pirate was greatly impressed by the craftsmanship of every weapon in the store. She pulled a sword out of the bargain barrel.

"Excuse me miss," a voice gently called from behind.

Akita nearly jumped out of her skin as she spun around, sword in hand. "Whoa! You know it's not polite to sneak up on a lady!" She lowered the sword.

The old man chuckled softly. "I'm sorry about that, missy. I see you are fond of the sword."

Akita lifted the sword and held it straight out, admiring it. "No, I'm really not a swordswoman- well, I know how to use one, but I'm not amazing or anything. This sword is incredible and it's a cheap one! Do you know who made these?"

"Well I did with my own hands. In fact I made everything you see in the store. Go ahead and take a look around- I know we have something here for everyone."

"We?"

"Mhmm!" the old man said and pointed to a picture on the front desk. It was a drawing of a beautiful woman- except the incredibly large and bulbous nose- surrounded by candles. "That's good ol' Iris. She's the love of my life."

"Oh. I'm sorry for your loss, mister."

"Don't be sorry, missy." He walked around her, looking her up and down, "You said you weren't a swordswoman, eh? What are you?"

Akita replied with a proud smile on her face, "I'm a shield bearer! I've never met a better one around!"

The old man's eyes brightened, "A shield bearer? Not many of those stop by. I'll show you what I've got."

He led Akita through the store until they reached a dusty trunk. "I keep a couple out for display," he explained, "But my finest work is in here." The man pulled out several gorgeous bucklers.

Akita's eyes widened as she looked at the selection. "Gee, I've never seen anything like them!" Quickly, Akita was drawn by a dark wooden shield. Its edges were plated with wood and an "X"-shaped cross of metal protected the front. The leather straps were smooth to the touch. "I need this shield. How many berries?"

"10 million."

"What? That's outrageous!"

"That's the price for good craftmanship, missy."

Akita grumbled and looked into the chest. She saw something at the very bottom and pulled it out. "Hey, a coat! I've been needing a new one!" She slipped it over her shoulders, it was a perfect fit. "How much for this one? Please don't say another 10 million."

"No!" the old man shouted. "You can't have that, it's not for sale!"

"Oh, I-I'm sorry! Is it important to you?" Akita asked, starting to remove the coat.

"No, it's not that, it's a cursed coat!"

Akita let out a loud laugh, "A cursed coat? Then it's even better! I have to take it!"

"Child, you don't know what you're saying, that coat-"

"This coat is nice!" she said, readjusting it over her shoulders. "How much do I owe ya?"

"Okay, okay, take it! I don't care! Just don't try coming back here to give it back!" the old man took Akita to the front counter. "It'll be 10 million berries. I won't charge you for the coat, get it out of here, quickly!"

Akita dropped a sack of berries onto the front desk and waved the old man off, "Thank you so much! Have a great day!"

The old man shook his head, "That girl is going to get herself killed!" He began to count out the berries. His eyes grew wide, "Hey! This is only 10 thousand berries! Thief! Thief!"

The old man was thwacked on the back of his head by a beautiful old woman with a rather large, bulbous nose. "You didn't count the money before she left! What's wrong with you?"

Akita strolled down the street, new coat buttoned up, shield on her arm. Finally, things felt like they were going right!

Kaien is alone again. He left his subordinates alone to do as they wished in Loguetown. Whether that is to drink, to shop or to simply interact with the residents. He didn't care. They're marines, for crying out loud. If they can't behave with a sense of right and wrong when they're at port, then they shouldn't be a marine anyways.

On this day, Kaien was in the forests, sitting in a meditative position on top of a rock. His swords on his lap. He would often do this. "To get in touch with my swords spiritually." he would say to those who would ask as to what he was trying to achieve. He firmly believes that all things in the world have 'spirits' within that. Ones that can freely communicate with you, as long as you know how to listen to what they have to say. As it was a customary saying in his family, one must make their swords as a part of their own bodies as their beating hearts.

Beside the rock on which he sat was a gourd. The stopper of which was left hanging on the side. The contents within which remains a mystery. Kaien would often hang the gourd/bottle from his obi. Foregoing the preferred attire of a western suit, Kain chose to wear a traditional kosode tied at the waist with his obi and worn with a pair of hakama. His standard issue 'Justice' coat would be worn to meetings and other official events, otherwise it is usually replaced with a haori.

In any case, before leaving his crew, he left his lieutenant a baby transponder snail, to call him should he be needed back in town. Seeing as Vice Admiral Haramitsu just called a general meeting, Kaien sighed and gathered his things. Taking a long draw from his gourd, he tied the 'bottle' back on with his obi. With a swift kick to the ground and a wavering of his after image, Kaien was no longer where he sat.

It always surprised Ricardo just how much paperwork went into running a Marine vessel; the regimented lifestyle, the backbreaking manual labour, the life and death struggles against threats from both pirates and nature itself were all downsides that the average citizen was likely aware of or could easily imagine a marine having to deal with, but few people thought about the sheer amount of paperwork involved. From the general admin such as supply requests, crew payslips and reports written to his superiors, to the large pile of new and updated bounties he had to acquaint himself with, not to mention the personal letters to his family he was expected to pen, Ricardo’s office was always just one gust of wind away from being a blizzard of scattered papers.

At the moment however he found himself with a rare moment of peace. Rather than the scratching of quill on parchment the only sounds that filled his cabin now were the gentle creaking of wood in time with the rocking of the ship and the gentle lapping of wave on the hull; there was of course also the sound of men and women moving about on deck, but he had long since learned to tune that out so long as everything sounded in order. They had arrived in Loguetown the night before and Ricardo had already completed what work he needed to do leaving himself with nothing else urgent to occupy his attention for once; now was usually the time when he would be getting ready to set out again or preparing for a brief stint of leave, but this time he had been ordered to wait until such a time as he was summoned. For what he still didn’t know, but the order had come from those above him and it was his duty to follow, not to ponder why.

A knock at the door interrupted the peace as a moment later a member of Ricardo’s crew poked his head into the officer’s cabin. “Sir; Vice-Admiral Haramitsu has called a meeting on the other Marine vessel at port. He wants all officers to attend.”

“Thank you, private. Was that all?” At a nod from the marine Ricardo stood from his desk, straightening his jacket before following the man out the door and onto the deck of his ship. The cumulative noises of people, both on the ship and on the dock they were moored at, were more apparent now that he was outside; the sounds of footsteps on wooden planks and creaking ropes was joined by a general susurration of voices that could be heard in any town or city.

Stepping down the gangplank, Ricardo made his way towards the other Marine vessel docked alongside his as he thought to himself. Loguetown was no different from any other island in East Blue, aside for two things, and was as lively and active as any other port Ricardo had visited. The two things that set Loguetown apart however were the Marine Headquarters and its proximity to the Grand Line. Give how many travellers passed through this place on their way to the world’s most dangerous ocean, more than a few of which were pirates with lofty goals, it was inevitable that the Marines would set up a base here to keep the peace.

And speaking of keeping the peace… Ricardo boarded the other ship and walked towards the imposing individual that he knew to be the Vice-Admiral Haramitsu. “Captain Ricardo Borja, reporting as ordered Vice-Admiral.”

The Hole in the Wall... It was hardly the kind of place Makara liked to frequent, much less get involved with. But, it was his Captain's favorite place in the whole world when it came to cheap booze and passing through town. It was actually one of the few things he's actually bother changing if he had absolute control over Zanza's personality. Well, he might make his laugh better too, but that's just personal taste. After all, there was a reason he followed the man without question, and it wasn't because of his charisma.

At the moment, while Zanza was having a fun little talk about, Makara was dealing with more important matters. A staring match with the Bouncer, Bruce.
"So, fish face..." Bruce said, arms folded, a gesture mirrored by Makara. "Heard you were in the deep diving business. You fight any Sea Kings that deep?"
"Of course." Makara said, tapping his toes as he spoke. "Those suckers get bigger the deeper you get. Why you askin', some fear of the deep?" It was a gentle ribbing, but Bruce snorted at the jab.
"Of course not!" He bellowed. "I'll have you know that I happen to have a scar from the biggest sea king you'll ever see." He pulled back his shirt, revealing a particularly impressive scar that traveled down his chest, and down into his pants. Making it look like he'd been almost bitten in half.
"Impressive, but are you sure that wasn't a clownfish or something. Seems rather shallow." Makara laughed, and thus the real battle began, with both trying to outlaugh the other.
MURAMURAMURA!
HOIHOIHOIHOI!
MURAMURAMURA!
HOIHOIHOIHOI!


Only when a glass of water was splashed onto both of them did the whole thing end. With neither declared the victor. "My goodness, you two will go at it forever." Kamina growled out. Her eyes narrowed at Bruce, and then at Makara. "You, Fishman. Your boss better pay his tab before he leaves, or I'm gonna find a cousin of yours and cook em' up."
"Fine fine, I'll broach the subject with him, I swear." Makara grumbled, and rolled his eyes. Breaking away from Bruce, he moved over to the corner, placing himself right by Zanza's side and kicking his feet up. Just to add on an extra layer of 'don't screw with this corner of the room.'

"So, Captain." Makara said, after a minute of sitting silently. "We just gonna stay here all night, or are we gonna go out and try to get some night life?"