«Archer! Oi, archer!»

You didn't so much as turn your head at the call, eyes fixed on the clear sky. There were few clouds that day, all idly sliding across the blue.

«How dare you wield that bow, huh? It's a national treasure, it doesn't belong to the hands of a treacherous outsider like you!»

It was a sunny day. Cherry petals descended delicately over the capital, even there, in the Prisoners Quarters of Rasetsu Town.

You leaned against the wall of the Prison House, hands in your pockets, bow resting by your side.

«Look at me, stupid bitch!»

You sighed, rolling your head and turning to the wide cell, currently hosting hundreds of recently-arrested men.

The one that harangued you was tall, disheveled, and angry. He glared at you with eyes full of hatred.

«What.»

«That bow doesn't belong to you!» he repeated with a hiss.

One of the guards banged his guandao against the bars, startling a portion of the amassed men.

«Stand down!»

The hostile prisoner did, for a moment, then stepped forward again and spat in the dust at your feet. The guard tensed, but you waved him off.

«It's fine.» you pushed yourself away from the wall and faced the man «Look, life sucks. Yours especially. You can keep on bitching, but all you'll gain is an arrow in the knee through this very bow that you prize so much. Would you prefer that?»

He snarled, his gaze scanning your masked features.

«You'll get what's coming for you, whore.»

Your eyes sharpened. With a quick movement of your hand, you gestured him to move aside.

He frowned.

«What?»

«Move.» you said, repeating the same motion, now more impatiently. It became apparent that your attention had drifted beyond him long ago, through the sea of prisoners «All of you, stand aside for a sec.»

«What?» other rageful faces fixed on you «What the hell--»

With a click of your tongue, you nocked an arrow in and raised the bow.

«Aside.»

Finally, the wall of men in the area scrambled to open a path, allowing you to see the back of the cell. You lowered your weapon as swiftly as you wielded it.

There were two guys with peculiar headwear slumped against the bottom of the prison, both exhausted and clearly beaten up. A small jolly roger was sewn to their kimono...

Heart Pirates.

You loosed a breath, taking a step back and allowing the tides of men to close again before them.

There they were, the troubles of your reality finding you again and again, no matter if you were actively chasing them or not.

«Is that Lord Yasuie?!»

«Lord Yasuie!»

«Please, stop this!!»

You turned to the main gates.

A few guards were dragging a little man across the yard, toward the crucifying scaffolding. The guy was thin, dirty, and injured, but still laughing joyfully. Your stomach churned.

What am I doing here?

When you had gone back to the valley, the day before, all you found was your mask and blood-stained snow. The traces in the frost indicated a group of men came and left. You didn't spot any solitary path, so they probably took Killer with them, but you couldn't bring yourself to follow the tracks.

«You're the trash we left behind.»

Drake hadn't made any comment when you came back to the house, beaten, half-frozen, defeated. He just looked you up and down, then ordered Sukimaru to have your room and a bath ready.

After another existential crisis in the bath, you passed out in the futon Sukimaru prepared for you.

The morning after, Drake ordered you to join him and the guards of the capital for riot surveillance.

Apparently, the shogun had hundreds of men arrested for having a tattoo. Then he steered the procession for the oiran's funeral to the Prisoners Quarters, and finally decided to crucify a beloved leader from the past, all at the same time and in the same place.

No wonder a restless crowd had gathered around the gates. Between their shouts and the multitude of prisoners, the moment this Yasuie person was brought to the cross, the situation started heating up fast.

«Kotori.»

Drake motioned you to approach.

He was standing with the high officials, mainly shogun's ninjas. You walked up to him.

«I need you on high alert.»

«Not for the fodder, I presume.» you replied, flatly hinting at the crowd.

«No.»

He turned and your focus shifted to the man emerging from one of the many doors of the Prison House.

Your grip on the bow tensed.

Basil Hawkins.

«Does he know your face?» Drake asked, voice low for only you to hear.

«I've never met him before.»

«Good.»

Hawkins stopped beside Drake, and his dead eyes lowered on you. You held his stare, a surge of hatred pumping through your veins.

He made an alliance with the Kid Pirates, and now he was standing there, serving Kaido, while Kid and Killer were...

Just the thought of their names had your heart sink, so you forced yourself to breathe.

«Who is this?» Hawkins asked. His voice sounded as emotionless as his face.

«One of mine's.» Drake said.

Hawkins eyes stayed on you, and so did yours, until Drake's attention lowered on you with a warning look.

«Lord Yasuie! We're so happy you're alive!»

«Let him down!»

«Let him go!»

You turned to the little man, now bound to the cross, being hoisted up to the high scaffolding.

The shogun is crazy.

You just didn't know the extent of it yet, but you came to realize soon enough.

The convict gave a speech that you only partially understood but railed up the crowd and the prisoners even more. He called the shogun a coward and a fool. He said he arrested men for an old trend. That this so-called secret revolution was all a prank devised by him.

Even the guards of the prison bristled at that.

«The uproar over Komurasaki's funeral has turned into rapt attention toward Yasuie's execution.» Drake observed.

You studied the distraught people of Wano.

After the events of the previous day, you felt almost nothing. Rationally, you knew you were on the wrong side. Like... Kaido? Seriously?

But there was a cold desert in your chest, and you cared nothing for what was right.

Truth was you came back to Drake because... you had no idea what to do with yourself anymore. You needed a place to rest, just for a moment. And Drake provided that. For some reason you couldn't understand, he provided it no questions asked.

Maybe he really did feel a connection with you. Both miserable kids taken in by the Marines, both witnessing what their "justice" actually was, both children of desertion. You wondered if he felt as lost as you did when he fled Marineford.

No matter the reason, he took you in.

«Look at you. You're a pathetic puppy that frantically shuffles after the boot that kicked it.»

Everything Killer said about me is true.

So now, out of gratitude (guilt?), you were there, serving a sick-ass despot against his people.

Will I raise my fire against them if they riot?

«Drake!»

One of the guards came running.

«The people of Ebisu Town have rushed into the capital!»

«Mh. It would seem that man is more of an inspirational figure than we knew.» Hawkins commented.

The shogun's palanquin came into view, and the shogun with it, standing on top, rifle in his hands. He forced the crowd open by firing around, then pointed the weapon at Yasuie.

Yet Yasuie kept talking.

«Cover your children's eyes! For now the final daimyo serving Kozuki— Nay, the friendly oddball of Ebisu Town shall make the final grand journey!»

The people were still screaming. Some fell to their knees in tears.

«You gotta admire him though.» you murmured, looking up at the small man.

Drake's eyes slid on you.

«Keep your guard up, Kotori. The critical part comes now.»

Despite being used to it, you winched when the shogun fired multiple shots at Yasuie. The guards mirrored him, unloading so many bullets on the weak body, the cords were severed, and Yasuie fell into the dust of the yard.

There was a moment of silence, then the crowd started howling.

You allowed yourself an instant to look at the corpse, then turned to the gates again.

Don't worry, Diez Drake. I can't feel anything anymore.

Sakazuki would be so proud of me. At last, a perfect little soldier.

But you were wrong.

There was a group of bystanders now banging against the gates. They were different from the others. Battered, ragged, covered in dirt. Clearly people from outside the capital. And they were... laughing. Hysterically. With tears streaming down their faces, and pained yells, and cackles.

Your heart pounded in your chest.

«Why are they laughing?»

You felt Drake tensing beside you and your eyes darted to him.

«Oh? You don't know about the SMILEs?»

It was Hawkins that spoke, so your focus shifted to him.

«SMILEs? You mean the fake Devil Fruits of the Beast Pirates? What about them?»

Hawkins turned to Drake.

«She's truly new here, isn't she?»

«What about the SMILEs?» you repeated, voice low now, the sound of Killer laughing maniacally echoing in your ears.

The pirate hesitated, his blue eyes lowering on you.

«There is a side effect.» he slowly said «Only one in ten SMILEs actually works. The rest...»

His attention trailed to the cackling people.

«It turns you into that.» Hawkins completed «Unable to express any emotion except twisted joy and laughter. Isn't that ironic?»

So Killer...

Your breathing became labored. Your heart raced painfully.

«Kotori.»

Drake's tone harbored a warning in it.

Did he know?

«Daddy!»

The childish voice startled you and your head whipped to the main scene again.

A little girl, skinny enough to slide through the gates, had ran to Yasuie's body and was now crouching beside him, weeping. And laughing.

«Daddy, look! I have a medicine for you! Ahahahaha! This will cure you, come back to life! Ahahaha!»

She pulled out a small bottle and frantically poured the content over the dead man's wounds.

Yes, you were definitely wrong.

You weren't a perfect little soldier.

You weren't unable to feel.

«Drake.»

Your voice was thin, trembling.

It immediately got his attention, a grimace tightening his lips.

«We are on the wrong side.» you murmured, eyes fixed on the cackling little girl.

«L/n--»

Shogun Orochi recognized the kid as the one who mocked him a couple of nights before. He aimed his rifle at her, yelling.

Your hands darted for bow and arrow, but before you could grab them, a steel grip closed around your wrists, one you couldn't hope to oppose.

Drake had spun to shield you from view with his body and cape, primarily from Hawkins, and he pulled your back flushed against his torso.

«Calm down.» he hissed as you struggled in his grasp.

«You're gonna watch a child--?!»

Quicker than you would've thought, he shifted to hold both your wrists with one gloved hand and used the other to cover your mouth.

«Shogun Orochi is the only thing standing between Kaido and the people of Wano.» he whispered in your ear, talking fast «You kill him now, then what?»

You didn't give a single shit about that, and you desperately tried to struggle out of his grasp, to no avail. You couldn't angle yourself enough to press the seastone bracelet on his bare skin, so you bit, banged your head against his sternum, kicked him in the shin, but Drake didn't so much as flinch.

«Having troubles there?»

Hawkins' voice.

«Just giving orders.» Drake curtly replied.

A wave of Observation haki washed through your brain, just as Orochi was about to shoot the kid, and you stopped fighting.

A second later, two men stood where the girl had, shielding her from danger.

Roronoa Zoro and Black Leg Sanji.

As soon as he saw them, Drake shoved you aside and turned into a dinosaur with a terrifying growl.

Chaos ensued.

Roronoa went for the shogun next, but Kyoshiro blocked him. Drake attacked Black Leg, and a group of rebels (some of which terribly resembled the Strawhats' wanted posters) stood against the guards.

People and prisoners screamed, shouted, scrambled all over the place.

You looked around to locate the girl. She was now in the arms of... God Usopp. He was running away with three elite ninjas on his heels.

Oh, come on God. Don't shame our category like that.

Finally, you wielded the Hawk. It was raging in your hand.

Alright then, drink blood.

You aimed at a tall building in their path and imbued the arrow with haki, then waited for the right moment. One shot was enough to make the whole building crumble on the ninjas just after Usopp crossed the mark.

«WOHA!»

He jumped and spun on himself, his keen eyes flicking on you. A glimpse of recognition danced on his face when he saw the bow and the mask. You gave him a two-finger salute.

Bye loser.

As you returned to the messy battle, you felt someone watching you and once again met Nico Robin's gaze. You held it for a second, then walked away.

I have zero interest in all of this.

Plus there was another concern on your mind.

While Drake was preoccupied with Black Leg, Hawkins had sneaked away, and you had a vague idea on where.

«Looks like being Aokiji-sama's favorite didn't mean so much after all.»

You raised your eyes to Grount's taut face.*

It had been three days since Akainu came back from Punk Hazard. Aokiji never did.

Grount sneered, but there was rage and pain in his features.

«You were left behind like the rest of us. Not so special anymore, huh?»

«Grount.» one of the others warned.

They all held heavy bags and boxes with their belongings as they marched out of the base and toward the port. All of Aokiji's most faithful men, now to be moved and scattered throughout the Grand Line.

Except you.

«What?!» the young marine barked, turning to his companion, Shimoi Zappa «Why is she the only one not getting transferred? Aren't you pissed?!»

«Because she's the highest-ranking officials between us,»* Bonham, the third companion, explained patiently «And possibly the best sniper in the Headquarters. Of course they're gonna keep her here.»

«Plus she's probably getting the short end of the stick anyway.» Zappa lowly added.

You said nothing.

Grount scoffed and shook the officer's hand off his shoulder.

«Ever the special one.» he hissed, before walking away with the others.

Out of all the members of the Worst Generation, Hawkins was the one that you abhorred the most. His power, his way of fighting, was disgusting.

You thought that again as you watched him apprehend Trafalgar Law by using his crewmates' life as hostage.

He at least had the decency to let them go afterward, but only because Trafalgar would have it in no other way, and Hawkins – coward as he was – ceded to that condition instead of risking fighting the Surgeon of Death.

In the general chaos, the Strawhats got away and the crowd dispersed, fearing the shogun's reprisal. Strict patrols were organized all over the city, including elite ninja and samurai squads.

Surprisingly, Drake was nowhere to be seen in the immediate aftermath. Hawkins looked for him briefly after capturing Trafalgar, then his attention set on your figure, the only person that entered the Prison House yet.

«You.»

You merely returned his gaze.

«Bring me seastone cuffs from the armory.»

That was when Trafalgar Law saw you as well.

His golden eyes slid on your concealed face. Then to your wrist.

It was an extreme effort for Law to grab your wrist with his good hand. Unfortunately for him, the color instantly drained from his face and his arm fell back to the ground.

«Gah...! What...?»

You clicked your tongue, lifting your hand in front of him. The blue bracelet captured a glimpse from the sun.

«Seastone...?»

«Yep. Now stay still.»

Aside from your hakama, you were only wearing the sarashi around your chest, and nothing more. No way to conceal the blue bracelet circling your wrist.

«Are you deaf, girl?»

You grimaced, glare darting up to Hawkins.

He was also terribly imposing, but not as tall or muscular as Drake. Instead, he had this death stench hovering all around him.

«No.»

Without adding more, you headed to the armory.

After a few attempts, you found the right room. Cuffs of various types covered an entire portion of the wall. The seastone ones were positioned aside from all the rest, the only ones neatly kept beyond labelled glass.

"SEASTONE – authorized personnel only"

Impossible to mistaken. But if it weren't for that...

Your gaze trailed to the pile of regular cuffs. Some of them were similar in color and size. Identical even.

Another glance at the seastone.

Hey, Basil Hawkins. Why are you working for Kaido?

You took a step toward the pile.

Why is your stance so different from the Kid Pirates'?

Your fingers picked up a pair of cuffs.

I'd surely love to hear your story.

Then you turned and headed out of the room.

The moment you stepped out of the armory, you almost bumped your head against Drake's sternum.

«So you decided to stay.»

A shiver ran down your spine and your hold tightened on the cuffs.

«Huh, I guess. Where were you?»

«Chasing Soba Mask.»

«Oh, okay.»

His blue eyes dropped on the cuffs in your hands and you went still.

«Are those for Trafalgar?»

«Yes. Hawkins ordered me to get them.»

He said nothing.

There was an endless minute of silence in which your skin crawled and you had to halt your breath.

Then Drake stepped aside.

«Go, he's not a patient man. I'll be there in a minute.»

You nodded, holding a swallow, and hurried down the corridor.

«Finally.» Hawkins grunted when you found him and Trafalgar in what could only be defined as a torture room. They were surrounded by what looked like Hawkins' goons.

He pointed harshly at the Surgeon of Death.

«Now restrain him!»

Right, he cannot touch seastone himself.

Trying not to heave (and not to look at the various instruments hanging from the walls), you slowly approached Trafalgar Law. His icy eyes remained glued to your every step until he towered over you.

Damn, they pierce through my soul.

«Hands.» you said, doing your best not to stutter.

He offered them to you without a word.

The moment this metal touches his skin, he's gonna know.

Your irises flicked up on him, a spark of determination gleaming.

Don't fuck me up, Trafalgar.

The cuffs clicked around his wrists.

You saw it in his eyes, they widened for a second, fixed on yours, before he let out a hiss of pain.

Fake.

An evil grin spread on Hawkins' face behind you.

«Step aside, woman.»

You had barely the time to do so before he marched in front of the other pirate and hit him hard across the face.

The grunt of pain was real this time. Law staggered, then spat a clot of blood to the floor.

You retracted on the opposite side of the room as Hawkins hit him again and again. Trafalgar didn't do anything to fend for himself, still keeping up the act.

Or he's a little bit of a masochist.

You leaned against the wall.

Eh, who am I to judge?

There was a fair amount of blood and bruises on Law's face when Drake finally arrived. He looked around to assess the room, his gaze briefly landing on you before shifting to the other two pirates.

Hawkins turned to him with an annoyed expression.

«At last. Where were you, Drake?»

«Instructing the guards to track down the Strawhat Pirates.»

The blonde eyed him suspiciously.

«You've been acting strange...»

«It's nothing. I need to get back to the search.» Drake shrugged, hinting at Trafalgar «Can you wrap this up?»

You frowned under the mask.

He's leaving again?

Hawkins' features twisted in sadistic joy.

«Ah, yes. Once he speaks, this will be over quickly.» he turned to Law «I know you've got a connection with the Strawhats. So now you're going to tell me what are you folk plotting here in Wano... all of it.»

The Surgeon of Death was now sitting on the floor, blood pouring down his brows, but he still responded to Hawkins with a shit-eating grin.

Your lips curled into an appreciative smirk, soon wiped out by Drake stepping beside you.

«Stay and listen to everything Trafalgar says. Report to me later.»

Behind him, Hawkins hit Law again, sending him face on the floor.

«Don't let your guard down.» Drake added in a whisper, taking care that none of Hawkins' men could hear «If you were to feel threatened by Basil, use the smashi to contact me.»

You looked up at him.

Was he really just a nice guy? Yet he was ready to let a child being slaughtered in front of him just a few hours before.

«Fine.» you muttered «Don't worry, I can take care of myself.»

Drake gave you a nod, then left again.

It didn't take long before Hawkins asked for some "privacy" with the prisoner, looking at Law with predator eyes. His goons walked out. When you didn't, he turned to you, sick smile disappearing from his mouth.

You pushed yourself away from the wall and activated your Observation to fine alert. If he intended to strike, knowing ahead was the only way you stood a chance.

«I've been instructed by Drake to stay and collect the information for him.» you said.

After a tense second, Hawkins conceded.

«Very well. Enjoy the show then, woman.»

Like hell.

He redirected his full attention to Law.

«Where should we start?» Hawkins walked to one of the many tables filled with blades and forceps «You have a strong will, I'm sure. I wonder which device will finally break you. Hopefully we will be able to test many, you and I.»

But instead of replying, Trafalgar's eyes flicked on you. You met his gaze, tension filling your blood vessels. It was clear what he was saying.

Now.

Swift as a cat, you shot an arrow at Hawkins' back.

His Observation warned him in time, and he jumped aside to dodge it with a snarl, as you expected, because that was enough. The moment the arrow left your bow, you dived to the corner where Kikoku lay, and threw it at the Surgeon of Death.

«Room.»

Hawkins' eyes widened but there was nothing he could do as Trafalgar slid out of his restrains and brandished his sword.

«Impossible...!»

He could barely place a hand on the blade on his waist before Law enclosed him into his power and cut him in half.

Literally in half.

You flinched and diverted your gaze for a moment. But Hawkins didn't bleed.

You watched in horror as the two shivering halves of his body slumped on the floor and he coughed blood before gritting his teeth in pain.

«How...» you breathed «How is he still alive?»

«I'm a pretty good surgeon.» Law said, collecting his hat and placing it back on his head.

Right, priorities.

«Now, let's resume the interrogation.»

He sat onto a trunk while you made sure that the door was shut.

«You're going to tell me everything I ask. I know the human body and I know pain. Neither of us want to embark onto a torture session, trust me.»

Hawkins grimaced, the fingers on his severed arms twitching.

Your stomach churned but you forced yourself into steadiness. Law glanced at you.

«Can we rely on your Observation haki for anyone coming?»

«Yes. Now hurry up, I have some questions for him too.»

«Very well.»

Trafalgar let his bare blade hovering inches from Hawkins' face.

«What happened to your alliance? The one between you, Kid and Apoo?»

Your heart missed a beat but you tried to conceal your emotions. That was exactly the answer you wanted.

You held your breath as Hawkins began talking.

«We were tricked. Betrayed.» he coughed, rivulets of sweat mixing with the blood on his face «Scratchmen Apoo... he was working for Kaido from the beginning. That monster, Kaido... he offered us to join his crew. He's always looking for strong warriors.»

You swallowed, your stomach rolling with each word.

«My chances of victory in that situation were zero percent. Chances to escape, zero percent. Chances of survival upon surrender, forty percent. I had no choice.»

Hawkins paused for air. Law didn't move his sword.

«But Kid and Killer were different.»

Your heart sunk into your guts.

«W-What happened?» you murmured. Law flashed a glance at you.

«They stood up to Kaido and fought until they couldn't fight no longer.» Hawkins said «Kaido will not kill men of such strong disposition. He will attempt to break their spirit so that they obey him. But I cannot imagine Kid will ever submit. He will die.»

Your knuckled bleached around your bow.

You took a step forward and kicked Hawkins' jaw so hard his face turned violently and he was shaken by a fit of bloody cough. Law could barely get his blade out of the way.

«You fucking, disgusting coward.» you spat on the pirate's lap «This is how you survived, huh? Crawling around like the vermin you are. You will never be anything more.»

«Calm down.» Law said, an admonishing spark in his golden eyes.

You scoffed and grabbed a hold of Hawkins' blond hair, forcing him to look at you.

«Who... the hell... are you?» the pirate gasped, managing to set his head back against the wall.

«I'm the one asking questions.» you growled «Where's the rest of the crew?»

«Who--»

«The Kid Pirates! What happened to them?!»

«They are here in Wano.» Hawkins said, voice hoarse like gravel «I don't know where exactly. They tell them "do this and that, or your captain dies". They've become Orochi's pawns.»

So they are all here too. Within grasp.

You let Hawkins go.

«The Four Emperors... they're different from you and I, Trafalgar.» Hawkins continued with a cough «Ordinary logic does not apply to them.»

He mustered a pained grin.

«But your alliance with Strawhat seems to be going well. Tell me, now that you've come to Wano... has your opinion changed at all?»

Law frowned for a moment.

«You don't get to ask questions.»

Your haki tingled.

«Incoming.»

Law nodded, then his sword flashed, a drip of blood surged from Hawkins' mouth, and he lay still.

You were startled, eyes dropping onto the blonde's figure.

«Did you kill him...?»

«No.» Trafalgar replied, sheathing his Kikoku «I'm a doctor, I don't like to take lives.»

You looked up at him.

«You're crazy.»

«You're crazier. Y/n-ya, wasn't it?»

Of course he recognized me.

You didn't have much time to collect your thoughts. Law marched out of the dungeon, and you shuffled behind him.

«Oi, Trafalgar...!»

He was already walking down the corridor, and you knew you had to be fast.

Maybe it was because you lowered your guard, maybe all the new information on Kid had shaken your core too violently, or maybe it was something else – but, for some reason, your haki didn't warn you.

You didn't even notice Drake waiting right outside the room, you just turned towards Trafalgar and missed the strong arms immediately wrapping around you, blocking your movements.

For the second time that day, a gloved hand pressed against your mouth, shutting down your strangled scream. It took one more second to realize it was him, since he seized you from behind, an arm tightly wrapped around your body to suffocate your struggles.

All you could see was Trafalgar's back.

Like Aokiji's. Like Kid's.

It's always someone leaving me behind.

But Trafalgar turned.

His gaze was sharp and cold. He wielded Kikoku and pointed it at Drake.

«I don't know what's your game here, and if you're gonna let me walk, I'll gladly do so. But I have to ask you to release that woman too.»

Your eyes widened in surprise.

«Why? What's her to you?»

You heard Drake's words rumbling through the chest pressed against your nape.

«I don't know yet.» Law honestly replied «But I happen to owe her a few debts, so I cannot let you do as you please.»

FINALLY someone sensible!

«I can assure you, Trafalgar, I mean her no harm.»

A stream of muffled curses flowed from your mouth through his fingers.

«Sorry, I cannot trust you.»

«How do you think she was here, disguised as a guard under my command?» Drake growled.

Law hesitated.

Hey, no, don't let him get to you! Help me out!

«I only need to talk to her.» Drake added cautiously «Give me a few minutes. If she's not outside the Prison House by then, completely free, you can come in and get her.»

You saw Trafalgar's hold on the sword loosening.

Oi oi oi!

«She's been with me for the last few days. If I wanted to hurt her, I would have.»

Law scanned his features, then put Kikoku away.

«You have ten minutes.»

«Thank you.»

«NGHMMMFFFCKKKH! MMGNNKLLYYYHH! SSNNFFBBTCH!!»

Trafalgar walked away and Drake dragged your fighting figure in one of the empty rooms lining the corridor.

«LTTMGGH! DRKKH!»

Only when he could slam the door behind his back did he release you.

You bolted away from his arms and immediately turned to him, pure fury deforming your face as you nocked in an arrow and pointed it straight to his chest.

«WHAT THE FUCK YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!»

He raised his arms in surrender.

«Sorry for the harsh treatment.»

You were panting, a snarl on your features, arrow still aimed to his heart.

«Our deal is off!» you shouted «You knew about Killer, didn't you? That he's the manslayer, and he ate a SMILE.»

«I had my suspicions.» he admitted.

A flash of pain traversed your eyes.

«And you didn't tell me anything.»

«I didn't think the SMILE was important. And, quite frankly, I thought you didn't stand a chance against the manslayer.»

«I don't care what you thought! We had a deal! I worked for you!»

«So you didn't lie to me? About wanting to kill Eustass Kid.»

You quivered under his eyes.

«I... that's none of your business.»

Drake sighed, a hand rising to pinch the bridge of his nose.

«L/n. Yesterday you came back to me and I didn't ask any question. You're not a prisoner here.» he removed his hand and stared at you in the eyes «I've seen this world in all his ugliest forms. If you walk out there alone, it's going to eat you alive.»

You were now breathing slowly, deeply.

«And you're gonna save me from all that?»

«I'm merely offering you a choice.»

«I saw the choice you're offering this morning. Thanks, but I'll pass.»

«I told you, it's just temporary.»

«I believe you.» your face softened «I believe you. You knew those weren't seastone cuffs, didn't you? And you let Trafalgar go.»

You lowered your bow.

«Then work with me, Y/n.» he whispered «It's not too late.»

Your eyes dropped.

There was a storm raging inside you. You felt like you were about to drawn, and Drake was throwing you a lifeline. And yet.

You took a deep breath and raised your face.

«You're a good man, Diez Drake. Probably the nicest anyone has ever been to me.»

He returned your gaze.

«But?»

You offered him a sad smirk.

«If I stay by your side, I will screw you up. Twice now I almost planted an arrow through Orochi's skull. I know myself, sooner or later there won't be anyone to stop me.»

Drake looked you over for a few more seconds, then sighed.

«I see.»

I'm sorry.

He moved from the door.

«You better go now, before Trafalgar comes looking for you.»

You scoffed.

«I doubt he actually would.»

«I don't doubt he will.»

You quirked an eyebrow at him but adjusted the bow on your back and headed for the door.

«I have one last favor to ask, if you may.»

You stopped and turned to Drake.

«I want you to stand guard for me, this evening. There's something I need to do. It won't take long.» Drake said, blue eyes meeting yours «Do this, and I'll tell you exactly where Orochi is keeping Eustass Kid's crew.»

*

Notes.

Kid is going to appear in the next chapter.

*Grount, Shimoi Zappa and Bonham are all non-canon marines belonging to the filler Marines Rookies arc, right before Whole Cake Island. They used to be Aokiji's subordinates.

*In said filler, Grount is actually a captain, which would make him higher-ranking compared to birdie at the time. Given that this non-canon rank makes absolutely no sense (the guy is seventeen and caused more troubles than accomplishments), I rearranged it.