With a sudden gasp, Momousagi jolted awake from her unconscious state. Blinking rapidly, she took in her surroundings—an unfamiliar, opulent room, elegantly furnished and meticulously arranged. Every piece of furniture exuded a sense of wealth and refinement, from the intricate patterns on the wallpaper to the luxurious bed linens beneath her.
"Where... am I?" she murmured, lifting the edge of the quilt and raising her upper body. Her mind was still foggy, her voice a soft whisper as she tried to make sense of her situation.
The door to the room swung open, and two young girls stepped inside. They were identical in every way, from their expressions to their posture, so much so that Momousagi had to blink to make sure she wasn't seeing double.
"You're awake, Momousagi-san. Are you hungry? Should we prepare something for you?" one of the girls asked politely, her tone gentle.
"Who are you? Where am I?" Momousagi blurted out, her heart racing as memories of the battle flooded back. She had been on the brink of death. How was she still alive?
The girl on the left, with a smile that seemed almost practiced, responded, "This is the Beehive Research Institute, first level."
Her twin sister on the right quickly followed up, "We are part of the maid group under Lord Hancock's command. I am 17, and she is 16."
Maid group? Momousagi thought, bewildered as she looked at the two young girls who couldn't be older than ten. And those names... how strange.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed, noticing that she was now dressed in high-end silk pajamas, a far cry from her usual Marine uniform. A tight bandage was wrapped around her abdomen where she had sustained a severe wound.
"Where are my clothes?" she asked, a hint of urgency in her voice.
"Here, I just finished cleaning them for you," said 17, handing over a neatly folded set of clothes with both hands.
Momousagi took the clothes, surprised by the warmth still emanating from the fabric and the faint scent of fresh laundry detergent.
They must have just been dried with hot air, she mused, the domesticity of it all so out of place.
"Thank you..." she murmured, slightly taken aback by the unexpected kindness.
"It's the command of Heavenly Father," 16 replied with a sweet smile.
Heavenly Father? That must mean him... Edie.
As she changed back into her uniform, Momousagi's thoughts drifted to Edie's face. Why didn't he kill her? Her last memory was of him striking her on the back of the neck, causing her to lose consciousness and fall into a deep sleep. It made no sense that she was alive, let alone being treated so well.
Once dressed, she noticed that 17 was holding out her beloved sword. "This is your sword. Heavenly Father asked me to give it back to you as well."
Momousagi's confusion deepened. Her weapon was also returned? Why?
16 then spoke again, "Heavenly Father said that when you wake up, I should take you to have a meal."
"And if I refuse?" Momousagi asked, her suspicion rising.
"You're free to leave if you choose. No one will stop you," 17 answered without hesitation.
This level of hospitality and freedom completely threw Momousagi off guard. A look of pure shock crossed her flawless features, her bright red eyes wide with disbelief. She stood there for a moment, speechless and dumbfounded.
"Can I really leave?" she whispered, almost to herself, as if she couldn't trust her own ears.
She rushed to the window, flinging back the curtains just a little to peer outside. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over Beehive Island. From her vantage point on the tenth floor, she could see the bustling city streets below, full of life and activity. It was almost serene.
"Sorry for the trouble, but I'm leaving!" she called out to the maids, before leaping out of the window without hesitation.
Moonwalk!
With a swift kick, she propelled herself into the air, her movements agile and graceful as she took off towards the Rocky Port, moving like a rabbit bounding through the sky.
Back in the room, the two young maids exchanged puzzled glances.
"Why did she apologize?" 17 asked, tilting her head.
"I don't know," 16 replied, equally confused. "Heavenly Father said she could go whenever she wanted."
"She didn't need to say sorry."
"Mhm."
With a shared nod, they went back to tidying the room, as if nothing unusual had happened at all.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, Momousagi landed gracefully at the bustling port, immediately drawing the curious gazes of the pirates lounging around.
"Huh? A Marine?" one of them muttered, eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"What's a Marine doing in a place like this?" another asked, scratching his head.
"Wait, I get it now!" someone else shouted in sudden realization, "She's a prisoner of the Hive Emperor!"
"Yeah, didn't you read the news? The Marine Buster Call fleet got wiped out, and she must've been taken captive!"
As murmurs of comprehension spread through the crowd, some of the more observant pirates began to recognize her.
"Isn't that Marine Vice Admiral Momousagi Gion?" one of them exclaimed, his eyes widening in admiration. "What a beauty!"
"Shut it! You want to get us all killed?" another snapped, his voice filled with fear. "She's the Emperor's prisoner! Provoking him here on his island is suicide!"
The air of bravado quickly dissipated, replaced by wary glances and whispers. No one wanted to risk angering the Hive Emperor, Edie, known for his merciless retaliation.
As she listened to the pirates' casual conversation, Momousagi's delicate brows furrowed. News? She looked down and spotted a crumpled newspaper on the ground. The port was littered with them, discarded and trampled underfoot.
She slipped off her black high heels and picked up a nearby paper. Her eyes scanned the bold headlines, and her heart clenched. A sudden wave of sadness washed over her as she read the grim news.
Fleet Admiral Kong… died in battle. The date on the paper confirmed it was today's news.
A surge of grief and confusion flashed across her face, her normally stoic expression cracking for just a moment. She quickly folded the paper and tucked it into her uniform.
I've been unconscious for several hours... she realized, a sense of urgency replacing her initial shock. Now isn't the time to dwell on this—I need to escape! This is Beehive Island, that man's stronghold. It's far too dangerous to linger.
Her mind raced as she glanced around the chaotic port, searching for a potential escape route. I need to find a pirate ship and get out of here before Edie's men realize I'm gone!
But just as she was about to take off, something made her pause. Escape?
She hesitated, her earlier determination wavering. Why run away like a coward? she thought bitterly. And before the Earthly Branches react? That's ridiculous. I'm not even being guarded.
Indeed, when she had woken up, there were no chains or guards to be seen, and she hadn't been thrown into a cell. Instead, she'd been treated and left alone in a luxurious room, her sword and belongings returned to her.
He really did let me go... she realized, perplexed. But why? Edie's actions made no sense to her. If he wanted her imprisoned, he would have done so already. If he wanted her dead, he could have easily ended her life.
Her confusion quickly turned into resolve. This is a perfect opportunity.
Turning her head back towards the bustling research institute, she made up her mind. I can't just run back to headquarters like this. I need to gather information on the Earthly Branches while I'm here!
Taking a deep breath, she looked around at the wary pirates who continued to eye her with suspicion. She smirked, her confidence returning.
"I'm not going anywhere just yet," she muttered under her breath.
With a decisive nod, she turned on her heel and began walking back towards the research institute, her steps steady and purposeful.
The pirates watched in confusion as she strode past them, some scratching their heads, others shrugging in indifference.
But Momousagi paid them no mind. She had a mission now, and she wasn't going to waste this unexpected chance. The Earthly Branches were hiding something, and she was going to find out what.
A quarter of an hour later, at the Hive Research Institute, nestled between the right eyes of the massive skull-shaped rock, Edie sat calmly, holding a steaming cup of coffee. He looked up with a bemused smile as the woman who had left so determinedly earlier now stood before him again.
"Back so soon?" Edie chuckled, his voice filled with a teasing amusement.
"Why?" Momousagi demanded, her eyes narrowing as she tried to decipher his intentions. The man in front of her was unreadable, and she couldn't fathom what game he was playing.
"I like you. Be my woman," Edie said bluntly, his tone straightforward and devoid of any hesitation.
"What?" Momousagi's eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape. For a moment, she was stunned into silence. After all her speculation, was the reason truly so simple?
This man, who she had never met before today, liked her? Was it love at first sight? She shook her head slightly, trying to process the unexpected proposal.
"But... to be your woman?" she stammered, her confusion palpable. "I am a Marine, and you are..."
"A pirate?" Edie finished her sentence with a soft chuckle, but shook his head. "No, I'm not."
Momousagi gritted her teeth in frustration. "We're enemies!" she insisted, her voice rising as if to convince herself.
"If we're enemies, then why did you come back to the enemy's lair?" Edie's tone was playful, almost mocking. "It means you believe I have no ill intentions towards you. You felt safe enough to return."
He'd seen right through her. The realization struck her like a cold wind. She'd been manipulated from the start, played by this enigmatic man who seemed to know her every thought.
Momousagi clenched her fists, feeling a surge of indignation. He had given her the choice to leave, no guards, no restraints—just freedom. So why did she come back?
For information.
It was exactly what he had expected her to do. She had underestimated him, believing herself to be in control of the situation. But now, standing before him, she felt exposed, vulnerable.
"Miss Gion, you're under a serious misunderstanding," Edie said, his eyes softening slightly. "Why did your Marines attack Beehive Island? For justice?"
Momousagi opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. The truth was, she didn't know. It was a reckless order from the Five Elders, one that had to be followed. And it had cost Fleet Admiral Kong his life.
"You want me to be your woman?" Momousagi regained her composure, her eyes narrowing as she decided to regain some semblance of control. "I'm flattered, really. But if that's the case, we should take it slow, don't you think? Start with dating."
Edie's laughter echoed through the room, a sound both warm and mocking. "So, you'll string me along, gathering intel on the Hive while pretending to be interested, and then, when the time is right, you'll disappear, leaving behind the poor fool whose feelings you manipulated. Is that your plan?"
Momousagi's eyes darkened. Innocent man? How innocent could he possibly be? A true innocent would never strike so directly, so fiercely.
Countless times, her colleague Chaton had pursued her, confessed to her, only to be rejected over and over. That was what pure, untainted affection looked like.
Edie's direct approach—"Be my woman"—was anything but innocent.
"Your goal is to gather intelligence," Edie continued, his smile never wavering. "In that case, let's make it interesting. Everywhere on Beehive Island is open to you. Go wherever you want, collect whatever information you desire."
Momousagi blinked in surprise, taken aback by his unexpected offer. "Are you serious?"
"Of course," Edie said lightly. "But remember, since it's a game, there are consequences for losing."
He set down his coffee and walked slowly towards her, his presence overwhelming. His hand reached out, gently caressing her cheek, his touch both tender and commanding.
"If I catch you in the act, you'll have to accept the punishment."
His words sent a shiver down her spine, the implication clear. This was more than just a game. It was a test, a challenge, and the stakes were higher than she had anticipated.
Feeling his breath so close, the scent of coffee and something distinctly him, Momousagi's cheeks flushed. But she didn't back down. She lifted her chin defiantly and nodded.
"I accept your challenge."
It was two o'clock in the morning when Momousagi's eyes snapped open. The institute was shrouded in darkness, the stillness of night interrupted only by the occasional murmur of the ocean outside.
She extended her Observation Haki, sensing the auras of those around her, all deep in sleep. During dinner, she had learned that the secrets of the institute, the true research, lay underground.
The entrance was guarded during the day, but now...
She slipped out of bed, careful not to make a sound. Her high heels were left behind as she tiptoed barefoot through the dimly lit hallways. The silence was eerie, amplifying the thud of her heart against her ribcage.
Reaching the entrance to the underground laboratory, she hesitated, her hand hovering over the door handle. Then, with a deep breath, she pushed it open.
So easy... she thought, her eyes narrowing. Was this really an unsecured facility? There should have been layers of security measures—identity verifications, alarms.
Is it part of the game? she wondered. Had he granted her temporary access? The thought made her uneasy, but she pressed on, determined to see this through.
She navigated the labyrinth of corridors, passing through several more doors, each yielding without resistance, until she stood before a room labeled [Control Room].
Unlike the pitch-black surroundings, a faint glow seeped through the door. Momousagi hesitated, her pulse quickening. If this was a trap, she had already walked right into it.
But I have to know.
She turned the handle slowly and slipped inside, the door closing softly behind her. The only light came from the array of monitors, casting a ghostly glow across her face.
As she approached the screens, her breath caught in her throat. The displays replayed footage of her every move, from the moment she left her room to her infiltration of the lab.
She was being watched the entire time.
"What...?"
A cold voice broke the silence. "I've been waiting for you."
Momousagi whirled around, her heart pounding. Edie stood in the shadows, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
"You... Why aren't you sleeping?" she stammered, her voice trembling with disbelief. "I saw you go to your room! I checked, you were in there!"
"You lose, Miss Gion," Edie said softly, stepping closer. "Didn't you know? I rarely rest before three or four in the morning."
The gap between them closed until they were mere inches apart. His arms wrapped around her waist, his fingers tilting her chin up gently.
"If you're caught by me, you have to accept the punishment," he murmured, his voice a low, dangerous whisper.
Momousagi's eyes widened, a faint gasp escaping her lips as she realized what he meant. Before she could react, his lips claimed hers in a sudden, heated kiss.
Her mind reeled, the shock paralyzing her as his kiss deepened. She struggled, but it was feeble, her movements growing weaker with each passing second.
Damn it! She cursed inwardly. He has an ability that prevents him from being sensed with Observation Haki! I should have waited longer!
Trapped in his embrace, Momousagi could only submit as the kiss left her breathless and dazed.
This bastard... he's cheating!
But it was too late to change anything now. She had underestimated him, and now, she was paying the price. Helplessly, she succumbed to the punishment, knowing that she had been outplayed at every turn.