Water rushed past as Charlie shot forward, his lungs burning with the gillyweed's unnatural potency. Though he swam faster than he'd ever thought possible, he could barely keep pace with Garin's furious assault above. Through the murky water, he caught flashes of debris, jagged teeth silhouetted against faint light.Driftwood and splinters from shattered ships floated by, some pieces still trailing bubbles from where Garin had smashed through them moments before.
As he neared the flagship, Charlie steadied his breathing, slipping low beneath the waves. Shadow Step activated instinctively, wrapping him in silence as he pulled himself up the side of the ship. Above, the chaos was deafening. Panicked shouts, hurried footsteps, and the metallic clanging of weapons filled the air as Krieg's crew scrambled to regroup, their fear thick as smoke. The thrill of being unseen coursed through Charlie as he slipped onto the deck, moving like a shadow through the chaos.
The deck was littered with crew members, eyes wide and jaws slack, some looking up at Garin with awe and terror. It seemed that the debut of his new skills and the items he prepared for this fight would be postponed, Charlie knew their gaze would never find him—every other pair of eyes was fixed on the ships sinking in the distance or the massive black skimmer, Jetsky, circling overhead.
And then there was Garin.
Charlie froze, taking in the gravity etched onto Garin's face—a look that was calm yet colder than he'd ever seen. Something had gone awry. In the next instant, Garin vanished, his form blurring as he used Soru, appearing a heartbeat later on the flagship. He materialized directly in front of Krieg, his hand closing around the pirate's throat like an iron vise. Garin's expression was haunting—a mask devoid of rage, yet beneath that quiet exterior lay something darker, a controlled wrath that radiated with an intensity even the most hardened pirate couldn't ignore.
Garin's gaze flickered to Charlie, and in that instant, Charlie felt the weight of his presence. Before he could react, his voice cut through the air, chillingly calm: "Go to the captain's quarters. Bring the two there to the deck."
Garin's command left no room for question, and Charlie needed no explanation. He took a step—and then felt it.A wave of raw energy crashed over Charlie, pressing on his chest and making his pulse race. He felt Garin's Haki like a storm, rattling his senses and sending a shiver down his spine a reminder of just how powerful this old man was. Crew members dropped like flies, bodies slumping as the fierce energy swept over them. Even Krieg, still held in Garin's iron grip, began to foam at the mouth, his eyes rolling back.
Conquerors Haki, he thought, his pulse racing. So he knows them all.
He moved swiftly, the weight of Garin's emotions propelling him forward. He slipped past the unconscious bodies, their faces frozen in expressions of terror, and made his way below deck. The corridors were eerily quiet, the only sound the creaking of the ship as it rocked on the waves.
As Charlie approached the captain's quarters, his heart raced, anticipation mounting with each step. What lay beyond that door? What had Garin sensed to warrant such urgency? He hesitated, his hand hovering above the handle, before he steeled himself and pushed it open.
The room lay in shadow, candlelight flickering over the walls and casting faint, wavering patterns. In the center, two figures huddled together. Charlie approached soundlessly, taking in the scene with growing clarity: two women bound to the cold frame of a bed. The elder, in her mid-twenties, had raven-black hair streaked with dust, framing a face set in determination despite the fear in her darting eyes. Beside her, a younger girl—barely past childhood—sat wide-eyed, her disheveled blonde curls framing a face marked by fear as much as innocence.
The older woman held the younger in a protective embrace, whispering reassurances, unaware of Charlie's approach. He took in the scene, struck by the fortitude in the woman's posture and the exhaustion etched into her gaze.
[Quick Appraisal Complete]
Name: Maya
Status: Haggard, Exhausted, Distraught
Threat Level: Low
Name: Sophie
Status: Haggard, Terrified
Threat Level: Low
After having a look at their immediate information Charlie tapped lightly on the bed frame, a gentle sound meant to announce himself, but both women recoiled, terror widening their eyes. He raised his hands in a calming gesture. "It's all right," he murmured. "I'm here to help." Still, the slight distortions in his appearance from the gillyweed unsettled them, their wary gazes fixed on his unusual visage.
Charlie extended his hand over their shackles, commanding them into his Inventory. The bindings dissolved, vanishing as if they'd never existed. The women's eyes widened, their gazes flicking between their freed wrists and Charlie's face. He offered them a reassuring smile, hoping to alleviate their fear.
"Who are you?" the older of the two, Maya, asked, her voice quavering slightly. "Why are you helping us?"
"I'm here with the Revolutionary Army," Charlie replied, keeping his tone soft. "The commander sent me to bring you to the deck—he was concerned for your safety"
The younger woman, Sophie's brows furrowed in confusion. "The Revolutionary Army? But why would they care about us? We're just..." She trailed off, her eyes filled with a mixture of shame and despair. Her voice quivered. "They dragged us out this morning," she whispered, shivering as tears welled in her eyes. "They said… we'd replace the others, the ones they took last night."
Maya's eyes, now a mixture of hope and desperation, locked onto Charlie's. She placed a hand on his arm, gripping tightly. "Have you been on the other ships?" Her voice shook. "Did you see any young girls…? They split us up without mercy."
Charlie's heart clenched at her words, a cold fury rising within him. The parallels to Rika's plight were all too clear. He met the Maya's gaze, his voice steady despite the anger simmering beneath the surface. "I haven't been on the other ships, but I promise you, we will do everything in our power to find and free any captives."
The younger woman let out a choked sob, her shoulders shaking as the weight of their ordeal crashed over her. Charlie's heart ached for them, for the trauma they had endured at the hands of these ruthless pirates. He felt he had to get them to safety, that shielding them from further harm was the right thing to do.
"Come with me," he said gently, extending his hands to help them to their feet.
Charlie guided the two women through the ship's eerie quiet, glancing back occasionally to ensure they were keeping up. He noticed the older one's tense, watchful expression; her eyes darted around, as if expecting another threat at any moment. When they reached the deck, she took a step forward, her gaze sweeping the area—until it landed on Garin.
Maya's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. Charlie couldn't blame her; Garin's aura was palpable, a force that demanded respect and instilled fear in equal measure.
A flicker of recognition ignited in her eyes, rapidly blossoming into a conflagration of emotion. Her face, which had been a mask of guarded wariness, transformed in an instant. Shock, disbelief, and an overwhelming surge of hope played across her features in rapid succession.
"Uncle Garin?" she whispered, her voice trembling with a fragile, tentative hope.
———
Garin turned, his expression softening as he took in the sight of his goddaughter.He had felt her from the moment he landed on the sinking ship. The hardened lines of his face, carved by years of battles and burdens, seemed to smooth out in an instant. A gentle smile, so rare and precious, tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Maya," he breathed, he name escaping his lips like a prayer, happy that at least she didn't look hurt.
As Maya stumbled forward, tears streaming down her face, Garin's mind was flooded with memories long buried. Images of a bright-eyed little girl, always eager for her Uncle Garin's stories, flashed before his eyes. He remembered her infectious laughter, the way she would cling to his leg when he visited, begging him not to leave.
But it was the memory of her father, Hiroshi, that struck him most deeply. Hiroshi, his best friend and comrade, the man he had fought beside for years in the Marines. They had been inseparable, brothers in all but blood. Until that fateful day, when everything changed.
Garin's hand unconsciously went to his hook, the cold metal a stark reminder of the price he had paid. The day he had lost his hand, he had also lost his best friend. The image of Hiroshi's face, twisted with anguish and heartbreak, haunted Garin still. The weight of that memory, of the unspoken words that hung between them, pressed down on him like a physical force. But as Maya collapsed into his arms, her sobs muffled against his chest, Garin felt a flicker of hope ignite within him.
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as if he could shield her from all the pain and suffering she had endured. "I'm here, Maya," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "You're safe now."
Maya clung to him, her fingers digging into the fabric of his coat as if she feared he might disappear at any moment. "I thought you were dead," she whispered, her voice broken."For so long, I was convinced you had been dead," she began, her voice trembling with the weight of years filled with dread and loss. Her eyes welled up, a torrent of emotions threatening to spill over at the sight of Garin 'Hook' Fost. The reunion was unexpected and overwhelming; it stirred up a whirlwind of memories and feelings that she struggled to contain.
But as she was about to lose herself in the swirl of past recollections, a harsh reality jolted her back into the present. Her face paled as she remembered Rika—her innocent daughter who had been torn from her side by ruthless pirates just days ago.
"Garin," she implored desperately, clutching at his weathered coat, "Rika...they took Rika." Her voice broke on the last word, each syllable laced with fear for the child's safety. "You have to help me find her."
Garin's expression darkened, a storm brewing behind his eyes. He gripped Maya's shoulders, his voice low and urgent. "Tell me everything," he said. "When did they take her? Where were you when it happened?"
Maya took a shuddering breath, trying to steady herself. "It was three days ago,"she began, her words tumbling out in a rush. "We were on a merchant ship, heading for Loguetown. The pirates attacked out of nowhere." She shuddered at the memory, the echoes of screams and clashing steel ringing in her ears.
"They took Rika. I… Please, Uncle Garin, we have to find her. She's just a little girl, only eight years old.
From a short distance away, Charlie interjects into their conversation. His voice carries an urgency as he shares his knowledge regarding Rika's whereabouts.
"She should be in Loguetown," he says with certainty, his green eyes gleaming with a mix of determination and concern. "With the Marines. Her grandfather ought to be at her side already."
Maya and Garin turn towards him, their expressions a blend of surprise and desperate hope. Charlie steps closer, his lean, athletic frame tense with purpose.
"Rika was aboard the first ship I sabotaged," he explains, his words tumbling out quickly. "I managed to free her and made sure she went to the right Marines."
Maya's eyes widened, tears of relief threatening to spill over. "You saved her?" she whispered, her voice trembling with gratitude. She took a tentative step towards Charlie, as if she couldn't quite believe the news.
Charlie nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I did. She's a brave little girl, your Rika. She trusted me, even though I was a stranger." His gaze softened as he remembered the child's resilience in the face of such terror.
Garin's expression was unreadable, but Charlie could see the flicker of emotion in his eyes - a mix of relief, gratitude, and realization. The old man placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder, the weight of it conveying more than words ever could.
"Thank you," Garin said, his voice rough with emotion." I knew that Hiroshi wouldn't come all the way to East Blue for no reason, it seems I was right.
Charlie nodded, understanding the depth of Garin's words. He could sense the complex history and emotions that tied Garin to Maya and her family. The mention of Hiroshi sparked a flicker of curiosity in Charlie's mind, but he knew now was not the time to pry into the past.
Maya, overwhelmed by the news of Rika's safety, sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "Thank the heavens father is here," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "My little girl is safe."
Garin knelt beside her, his arm around her shoulders in a gesture of comfort and support. "We'll get you to Loguetown, Maya," he promised. "You'll be with Rika soon."
———
"So, Oracle, what happened with my quest—the one to capture Krieg?" Charlie asked, his tone bored as he tossed yet another stack of supplies into his inventory. He'd been at it for hours, cataloging every item, weapon, and odd trinket left behind on the dock. A few ships from the Revolutionary Army had shown up at some point, gathering the rescued civilians and rounding up pirates to load onto the ships. Apparently, they needed labor for some ore-mining operation.
Serves them right, Charlie thought. They deserve hard labor for the rest of their miserable lives.
Oracle's familiar voice chimed in, her tone as dry as ever:
[The quest was abandoned when Garin, the person in the description, killed Don Krieg while you were occupied locating the two women.]
"So, no Rokushiki techniques for me, then?" Charlie asked, his voice dropping in disappointment.
[Unfortunately for you, no.]
Charlie groaned. "Great. So all that preparation was for nothing?"
[Regrettably, yes.]
Charlie shook his head, muttering as he organized his inventory. "So what, am I just a glorified pack mule for the Revolutionaries?"
[Affirmative.]
He narrowed his eyes at the air. "Hey, Oracle, what's with the passive-aggressive answers? Are you trying to mess with me or something?"
[Negative.]
Charlie scowled. "Oi, oi! You're doing that on purpose, aren't you?"
Just as Charlie was about to start an argument with Oracle to relieve his boredom, Garin appeared out of nowhere, interrupting him. Finally, something more interesting than logistics, he thought. Maya trailed close behind Garin, casting a cautious glance around the dock.
"The ships are clear now, lad," Garin said with a hint of expectation. "How about we see what that skill of yours can really do?"
Great, Charlie thought, groaning internally. Just more work. He forced a smile, feeling every ounce of sarcasm in his voice. "Sure, why not. Not like I have anything better to do, right?"
Garin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So, how are you going to handle this, lad?"
Charlie sighed, glancing toward a ship docked nearby. "Let's start with that one over there. I'll need to touch it for a bit—thing's massive, you know?"
Instantly, he caught the shadow of a smirk on Garin's face and even saw Maya looking away, seemingly suppressing a smile.
Why, though?
[Phrasing,] Oracle promptly interjected. [Your statement could easily be interpreted as innuendo.]
Oh. Right. Clearing his throat, he added, "Anyway, nothing interesting is going to happen until I get started."
Charlie moved over to the medium-sized ship—about the size of the Going Merry, a bit smaller than the one already in his inventory—and placed a hand on it, initiating the process.
[Estimated time for full retrieval: Four minutes and forty-five seconds.]
Of course, even the time to store objects varied. What was the criteria, though? Charlie wondered. Weight? Did size really matter? What about volume? Unfortunately, Oracle didn't have the answers—she and the Inventory were both System add-ons.
"Can I ask you something, Charlie? That is your name, right?" Maya's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Sure thing. Maya, right? Ask away."
"When I first saw you on the ship, you had gills and webbed hands. I thought you were a fish-man—that's why I followed you out. Krieg and his men hated them for some reason. But now you look just like a normal human. What's that about?"
Charlie hesitated. How much should I reveal? The gillyweed was a product of another universe, and part of him wanted to keep it vague. But then he reminded himself why he was here in One Piece in the first place: to spread the System. If he succeeded, things like gillyweed might eventually become commonplace. Hiding it completely wouldn't help him.
"It's an herb," he finally said. "An unusual trade from a guy who… let's just say he wasn't local. As soon as we made the deal, he disappeared. Didn't ask for money, though. Just two dead human bodies. Lucky for me, I had two pirates ready for him."
Half-truths, he thought. Best way to go.
"Oh," Maya replied, her expression unreadable at the grim exchange.
It was Garin who broke the silence, his voice carrying an intensity Charlie hadn't expected.
"Do you have more of it, lad?"
Charlie met Garin's gaze, surprised by the sudden interest. He hesitated, considering the implications. The gillyweed had proven invaluable, but sharing it with others felt like giving away a secret weapon.
"I do," Charlie admitted, his tone cautious. "But I don't have much of it myself."
Garin nodded thoughtfully. "I understand your reservations, lad. But think about it: if we could harness its potential, imagine the lives we could save. The difference it could make."
Charlie weighed Garin's words, feeling both exhilaration and unease. The Revolutionary Army with gillyweed would be a powerful force against the World Government. But he couldn't ignore the risk—such power could easily be misused if it fell into the wrong hands.
He met Garin's intense gaze, his own green eyes reflecting a mix of caution and intrigue. "I see your point," he said slowly, choosing his words carefully. "But I need to be sure it'll be used responsibly. This herb is powerful, Garin. In the wrong hands, it could cause a lot of harm."
Garin's expression softened, a glimmer of understanding crossing his weathered face. "I hear you, and you're right to be cautious, lad. But I give you my word, as a commander of the Revolutionary Army, that we'll only use it to protect the innocent and fight injustice. We're not here to create more chaos—our goal is to end it."
Charlie studied Garin's face, searching for any hint of deception. All he saw was sincerity and a resolve forged through years of struggle. Slowly, he nodded. "Alright. I'll share what I have. And if we can find a way to cultivate more, I'll help. But only for the Revolutionary Army—agreed?"
Garin clasped Charlie's shoulder, his grip firm with respect and gratitude. "Agreed."
Right at that moment, as if on cue, the ship finally disappeared into Charlie's Inventory, releasing his other hand. In its place appeared a small glass bottle, corked and filled with a lush, green herb suspended in clear liquid. Tiny pebbles at the bottle's base gave it an earthy touch, while the leaves inside swayed gently, hinting at the herb's magical properties.
For some reason, the vanishing of an entire ship felt a bit more insignificant now.
"Here it is," Charlie said, holding out the bottle. "This one's free. I only have a few right now, but I'll let you know if I can get more."
Garin's gaze softened as he took the bottle, nodding in appreciation. "Thank you, lad. This means more than you know."
Maya's eyes widened as she watched the ship vanish into thin air, her gaze darting between Charlie and the empty space where the vessel had been. "How did you do that?" she asked, her voice a mix of awe and disbelief.
Charlie shrugged, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Just a skill I picked up recently," he said, trying to sound casual. "Comes in handy for situations like this."
Garin chuckled, shaking his head. "You're full of surprises, aren't you, lad?" His expression grew serious as he turned the bottle of Gillie Weed over in his hands, examining it closely. "This herb… it could change everything. The balance of power, the way we fight." He looked up, meeting Charlie's gaze with an intensity that conveyed both gratitude and responsibility. "We'll use it wisely, I promise you that. Now, what do you want in exchange?"
"How about you teach me some of your skills?" Charlie replied quickly, not missing the opportunity. He'd been itching to put his Fast Learning skill to use, and this was the perfect chance.
[AN] Is all I have for now, I will admit that a review would be nice. I would love to know how the people who red my story feel about it, but don't fell obligated to do so. Only if you want to read more of it. Then do it, I'll write faster.