Mikita, Marianne and Vivi were walking around the town keeping close to the port looking for supplies.
"HQ gave us some money but they did not specify what to buy," Vivi commented.
"Yes that is true," Marianne said.
"Let's see what this town has to offer," Mikita said. The girls nodded.
As the girls walked they saw various stalls, selling fish, jewelry and other goods. The market area was busy with people drinking, dancing and singing.
"Looks like people are here for the end of the race," Marianne remarked.
"Yes, it's pretty much the first time I get to experience something like this by myself," Vivi said.
" Vivi, I am sorry. I know you don't trust me or Marianne considering just a few days we worked for Crocodile against your country," Mikita said. She paused and added, "But now we are part of the Love Pirates, there is something here that the Baroque Works does not have. I truly like being with Ben and the rest."
"Vivi I am sorry as well. I agree with everything Mikita said. I will do everything in power to help you," Marianne said.
"My mother said that forgiveness is key," Vivi replied.
"I forgive you both. I have seen how you have changed in the few days with Ben. Mikita you especially. You didn't care for anything besides yourself. I now see you helping others," Vivi explained. Vivi had heard some rumours about how cruel Miss Valentine was but not Mikita.
"Marianne, you are also helping me and my country," Vivi said.
Marianne and Mikita looked at Vivi. They both hugged her. "Thank you," they both said repeatedly on the street. They got odd looks from bypassers.
"Hey," Vivi yelled. Mikita and Marianne got off Vivi and they continued walking. They walked through the different vendors until they saw a stall. The aroma of sizzling chicken kebabs came from the stall. The vendor's setup was simple with a portable grill emitting tantalising plumes of smoke.
"That smells good," Marianne said.
"Yes it does, let's go try it.," Mikita said.
"Yes we should," Vivi replied.
As they approached the stall they saw a rustic signboard, weathered by time and use, proudly proclaiming "Chicken Kebabs - Hot and Spicy Delight." The vendor was a skilled culinary artisan, dressed in a white apron, diligently tending to rows of skewers loaded with succulent chunks of marinated chicken.
"This looks good," Marianne said while drooling.
"Can we have 3 please?" Mikita requested. The vendor nodded and gave the girls each one a kebab stick.
The chunks were evenly cut, ensuring that each piece cooks to perfection, tender on the inside and slightly charred on the outside The skewers are meticulously arranged, creating a mesmerising pattern of alternating colours - the golden-brown chicken and the vibrant green and red bell peppers and onions that have been threaded in between.
The girls took the first bite and they felt an explosion of flavours which were dancing on their taste buds. The chicken kebabs were a harmonious blend of smokiness, spice, and succulence, making every mouthful a delicious adventure.
"This is so good," Marainne exclaimed.
"Yes it is," Vivi added.
"Really good," Mikita said.
"Can we take 20 with us?" Mikita requested. The vendor nodded and started preparing.
"20?" Vivi questioned.
"We can have seconds," Mikita replied.
"Yes good idea," Marianne added.
Mikita gave the money and took the parcel.
"Lets go," Mikita said as they walked around.
Suddenly they saw a group of 10 marines ahead of them. They halted the three in their tracks and pointed their swords and guns.
"Halt," a marine soldier said.
A large Marine with a black afro approached them out of the crowd. He had the word 'Marine' tattooed across his chin and an x-shaped scar on the right side of his forehead. He was wearing a white shirt and blue pants which is standard issue for the marines.
"Marianne with 29,000,000 Beli and Mikita with 7,500,000 Beli, you are both under arrest," the marine said.
"You know our names, why don't you introduce yourself," Mikita said.
"I am Captain Very Good," he introduced himself.
Mikita handed over the parcel to Vivi.
"We cannot come with you. We have an important job for a friend," Mikta said.
Mikita kicked Very Good. He crossed his arms and blocked the attack. "Get them," Very Good ordered.
"Marianne take care of them," Mikita ordered.
Marianne took out her paint pallet and brush from her bag and threw the yellow paint at the Marines with the guns. "Laughter Yellow," she said. They were about to fire their guns when they couldn't. They smiled. They dropped their guns and started laughing uncontrollably.
"What's wrong with you?" a Marine holding a sword said.
Marianne then dabbed her paint brush in the blue paint and threw it at the Marines holding a sword. "Sadness Blue," she said as the remaining Marines started sobbing uncontrollably.
"Good job Marianne," Vivi said.
At the same time, Mikita and Very Good were engaged in a fight. Very Good was wearing big boxing gloves and attempted to punch Mikita. Mikita was dodgeding the attack until Very Good landed a blow on her stomach. Mikita hunched forward in pain and then Very Good punched her in the face.
Mikita stumbled back. "You are strong," Mikita commented. She then ran up to Very Good and made her arms weightless. She then started to punch rapidly. "Swift Comet Jab," she said.
Very Good saw this however the punches were fast. He could not dodge and got hit. The punches were not hard however there were many and Very Good got hit multiple times. He staggered for a second. Mikita saw this and increased the weight in her hand. "Meteor Fist," she said as she punched Very Good in the face with her increased weight.
Very Good smiled and his body split part into many round balls.
"What the," Mikita said. Around her she could see round balls floating around. They were Very Good`s body parts but in a ball form.
Very Good head which was floating around came up to Mikita and said, "I ate the Berry Berry fruit, witness the power of it," Very Good said.
"Berry Barrage," he said. The round balls started hitting Mikita. Mikita got into a defensive position and made herself as small as possible and used her hand to cover her face. The balls started hitting her head, body and leg. It was relentless. She could feel the pain everywhere the balls were hit. However she did not go down. She stood her ground.
"Had enough?" Very Good asked. Mikita was breathing heavily. Her forehead was bleeding. Her body had scratches.
Mikita smiled. "Is that all you got," Mikita said. She decreased her weight and started floating in the air. "Lightfoot," she said.
"Beri Bounce," Very good said as his body parts started bouncing on the ground, increasing their speed to hit Mikita. However Mikita had decreased her weight and was now more manoeuvrable. She was able to dodge the attacks. A round ball came towards her and she jumped over it. Another ball tried to hit her stomach but she was able to bend her back slightly to miss.
Very Good increased his pace and used his round ball body parts to hit Mikita. Mikita kept dodging. Mikita tried to fight back however the speed of the round balls and the fact that they were floating made it very hard to hit them.
Mikita tried to punch the round ball next to her which was floating, however when she did it just moved slightly away from her. Mikita got an idea.
"Surrender and reveal your plans. Our intel suggested a deal," Very Good said.
Mikita was not sure what he meant but she located the head of Very Good and kept her eyes on it. Very Good was still using his body parts to attack her. He then used his round ball shaped head to go straight towards her. It hit Mikita straight on the stomach. Mikita spat out some saliva.
"Mikita," Vivi shouted.
Mikita quickly grabbed the head. "My turn," she said. Her stomach was in pain. Very Good panicked and started sweating. "Gravity Stomp," she said as she increased her weight on the leg and kicked Very Good like a football. Very Good went flying into the air and went across town as he crashed in a farm barn. His ball shaped body followed suit.
Mikita fell to her knees clutching her stomach. Vivi ran up to Mikita.
"You are hurt," Vivi said.
Mikita tried to get up, however her legs were weak. Vivi supported her. "We need to get back to the Miss Love Duck," Mikita said.
"Yes we need to move," Marianne added.
Marianne also supported Mikita from the other side. They slowly walked back to the Miss Love Duck while the sounds of laughter and sadness could be heard in the background.