20- "Bets, Trials, and Secrets"
—There's something I've always wanted to ask —Chopper said as he approached Kara, who was watching Zoro and Tashigi train.
—Mm? What is it? —Kara asked.
—Why are you so obsessed with evidence? —Chopper asked. Whenever Kara said she wanted to hit someone or catch them, she always insisted on having proof.
—Well, that's basic. If you don't want to get into trouble, just slap them in the face with evidence. And if they still want to cause you problems, publish the evidence for the world to see —Kara said with a smile—. That way, the Rune Knights won't come after you —she added in a low voice, remembering how she and her guildmates often had to flee missions due to the destruction they caused.
Not even Gildarts was safe; from time to time, she had to go fetch him from prison. So, Kara got ahead of the game and started gathering evidence. That way, when the Council elders wanted to blame the guild members, she would throw it in their faces publicly.
—Mage Kara Alberona of Fairy Tail. Do you know why you are here? —asked Gran Doma, chairman of the Magic Council, as he stared at Kara.
She stood calmly at the defendant's podium, magical chains around her wrists, as if she were a prisoner.
—Because the Council is so useless that it can't handle dark guilds that kidnap and kill people. Well, obviously, they have accomplices in here —Kara said calmly, flashing a defiant smile.
—How dare you disrespect the Magic Council?! —several members shouted, while some just sighed and others smiled nervously.
—It's true, isn't it? You're supposed to do something to stop dark guilds, but you're just a bunch of old men yelling all the time —Kara added with an ironic smile.
—I don't want to hear any more. She's guilty. Send her to prison.
—Fairy Tail never learns. Let her rethink her actions behind bars.
—You really are a bunch of arrogant old men —Kara said as she raised her hands and broke the shackles as if they were paper—. The only reason I'm not beating you all up is because the master would get mad at me —she added, massaging her wrists while the Council members looked at her with a mix of surprise, fear, and anger.
They quickly activated their magic to restrain her again, but before anyone could do anything, a messenger rushed in, looking worried.
—President, something bad has happened. A lot of people have gathered outside the Council. They're rioting and causing destruction —the messenger reported hastily, sweating profusely.
—What happened? Is it Fairy Tail's doing? —Gran Doma asked immediately.
—They're there too, but most of them are civilians who read today's newspaper —he replied, handing him a newspaper.
On the front page, all the crimes of the dark guilds were exposed, along with the names of the Council members who had been bribed by them, as well as their shady dealings. At least half the Council was involved.
—Looks like the trial is over. Can I leave now? —Kara asked with a smile.
As everyone glared at her with anger and resignation, it was obvious she had planned everything. They knew they couldn't go against her. On one hand, Kara was a very powerful mage, and most of them only had political power. On the other, they now had to find a way to escape themselves, watched by their former colleagues, who were quickly skimming through the newspaper.
—You can go, Kara. Take care —said Shitou Yajima with a big smile. He had helped Kara uncover the Council's traitors. It was a harsh but necessary way to cleanse the corruption.
—So, where are we going now? I want to go to the casino —Kara said, looking at Smoker, who had just finished speaking through the Den Den Mushi.
—Admiral Aokiji said that if what you said is true, you need to find proof before going after Crocodile. Don't attack him without something to back you up, because the elders of Mary Geoise are looking for excuses to go after you —Smoker said.
—Were you talking to Ice Head? Hmm… Either way, I was already waiting for the advance team to gather evidence before giving him a beating —Kara said, a bit surprised to hear that the elders had their eyes on her.
After all, Kara had been exposing many things the Government wanted to keep hidden, like the attacks on Ohara and the Tenryūbito kidnapping people to turn them into slaves, among many other atrocities. But she always did it anonymously.
At this point, the World Government wasn't as well-regarded as in the original timeline. From the very first day Kara joined the Marines, she had been working in the shadows to discredit the Government. Obviously, it didn't have much of an impact on an organization that controlled the seas' kingdoms, but it would serve for a future plan she had in mind. Plus, this had also greatly benefited the Revolutionary Army.
They must have found something connecting her, but they're still not sure.
—Tsk. I'll have to keep a low profile for a while —Kara said, realizing that was Aokiji's hidden message.
At Smoker's signal, the ship traveled along the river to a location near Rainbase, where they rested for the night. The next day, they all disembarked and walked through the desert for a few hours.
—Aah, it's so hot —Chopper complained as he walked under the sun, drenched in sweat, looking like he was about to melt.
—Want me to rip your fur off? I'm good at it; it won't hurt... much —Kara said, strolling along with her black parasol as if she were on a casual walk.
—No, thanks —Chopper said, quickly moving away from Kara and hiding behind Tashigi.
—It's a good way to train your endurance —Zoro said, walking with determination.
—It's okay, Doctor Chopper. Vice Admiral Kara is just joking... I think —Tashigi said, smiling at Chopper.
—I don't think so —Chopper replied, keeping his eyes on Kara.
—Now that I think about it, how did you two meet? —Tashigi asked, recalling that Kara had gone looking for Doctorine but was curious about why Chopper seemed afraid of her sometimes.
—Oh, about that... Actually, when we first met, we started playing pranks on each other —Kara replied, reminiscing.
—You swapped all my medicine for candy! —Chopper complained.
—And then one day, Chopper tried to prank me, but it backfired, and I ended up completely covered in mud. Since I hate being dirty, I had to get revenge —Kara said with a mischievous smile.
—Then she... she cooked my second cousin... —Chopper said, tears streaming down his face.
Everyone turned to look at Kara with strange expressions.
—Hahaha. I made a meat stew that I claimed was venison I caught nearby and that it might have been related to him... but it was actually Sea King meat —Kara said, laughing in amusement.
—Huh? Sea King? —Chopper asked, surprised, as it was the first time he heard this—. But you said it was venison...
—Hey, I'm bad, but I have limits —Kara responded with a wicked smile.
—You bastard! Why are you telling me now?! I even buried the pot and made a grave! —Chopper yelled, furious.
—Really? Hahaha! —Kara simply enjoyed the situation.
—We need to be careful not to get Kara dirty, then... —Tashigi commented, to which Zoro and the soldiers behind them nodded seriously.
—Enough chatter; we're almost there —Smoker interrupted, looking ahead where the entrance to Rainbase was coming into view.
—Great! I can make some pocket money —Kara said, about to run towards the casino in the middle of the city.
—Stop right there —Smoker said, grabbing her by the head.
—Take these three with you to keep an eye on you and prevent any disasters —Smoker ordered, pointing at Tashigi, Zoro, and Chopper—. And stop throwing your cape around everywhere —he added, tossing the Justice cape in her face.
—Alright, Mom... Let's go, guys —Kara said, mocking Smoker before taking the three with her for some fun.
—Though I don't think we can stop her if she loses control... —Chopper muttered, running after Kara.
Before reaching the casino, Kara's arms were full of snacks she had bought. Even Zoro and Chopper were carrying some, as they didn't all fit in the vice admiral's arms.
—Instead of gambling, shouldn't you be gathering information? —Zoro said, somewhat annoyed.
—That's exactly what I came to do... while having a little fun —Kara replied with an enigmatic smile—. Let's go.
Once inside the casino, she exchanged a few thousand berries and started playing at every table she passed.
Meanwhile, the three followed her like babysitters... or luggage carriers.
After a couple of hours of gambling, the hundreds of berries had turned into millions in chips, drawing the attention of everyone present, who looked at her in astonishment at the amount she was carrying in her arms.
—How about a game, Vice Admiral Kara? —said a beautiful woman in a cowboy hat, appearing in front of them with a smile.
It was none other than Nico Robin.
Thank You for Reading
Dear readers,
Thank you for joining me on this literary journey. If you enjoy my novel and wish to keep reading, I invite you to support my work through Patreon and Ko-fi. Your contributions will allow me to continue creating and sharing more exciting chapters.
I hope to have your support and keep delivering unforgettable stories!
patreon.com/c/YoDarki
ko-fi.com/yodarki