Chapter 110: The Tide of Fates
The salty tang of the sea mingled with the gentle crash of waves against rugged rocks as Goku steered the Going Merry into a secluded cove. Hidden from prying eyes by a semicircle of enormous, weathered boulders and tangled mangroves, the quiet beach served as a temporary sanctuary. Here, away from the chaos of Nanohana's crowded streets, the ship could rest and its crew regroup.
Goku emerged from the gangway, still catching his breath from his earlier dash through the city. His straw hat—now slung casually over his shoulder—was the only remnant of his earlier appearance as he made his way along the smooth, sun-warmed sand. Moments later, two familiar figures approached him: Roronoa Zoro, his eyes ever alert beneath a tangle of green hair, and Gin, whose lean, wiry build and sharp features marked him as a fighter not to be underestimated.
"Goku, what's with the rush?" Zoro asked, crossing his arms and leaning casually against the hull of the Merry.
Gin's voice was equally measured as he added, "You look like you've been running from a storm. What's the news?"
Goku exhaled slowly, glancing around at the hidden cove before speaking in a low, urgent tone. "I met my contact in Nanohana. I couldn't talk long—too many Marines swarming the streets—but it's clear I need to be careful. For now, we head for the west side of the Sandora River. I'll stay behind in Nanohana until sundown to meet with the informant."
Both Zoro and Gin exchanged a knowing look. Their eyes conveyed concern and the unspoken promise of unwavering support.
Just as Goku finished his briefing, the sound of footsteps broke the quiet of the secluded beach. Out of nowhere, a figure emerged—radiating confidence and familiar warmth. It was Ace. The older pirate, with his unmistakable fiery aura and a grin that bridged the years since they last met, strode forward with the ease of a man used to command.
"Goku!" Ace called out, his voice booming with genuine affection. "Is this your crew?" he asked, eyeing the pair of seasoned fighters gathered around his younger brother.
Goku nodded, a smile lighting up his face. "Yes, this is my First Mate, Roronoa Zoro, and our fierce fighter, Gin." He gestured to the two, and Ace extended his hand in greeting. Their handshake was firm, brimming with the unspoken bond of brothers united by fate.
"Did you manage to slip past the Marines?" Ace inquired, a teasing lilt in his tone. "Of course I did," he continued with a casual shrug, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'm Portgas D. Ace, after all—the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. Smoker might be a big deal back in the East Blue, but here in the Grand Line, he's nothing worth much."
Goku's expression darkened ever so slightly at his brother's condescending tone. "Ace, we're not here to trade insults," he warned. "I have someone to meet in Nanohana, so if you want to get to know my crew, you can wait here with Zoro and Gin."
Ace's smile softened as he nodded. "I have a few hours to catch before I move on. I'll wait," he said, his tone lightening. Then, reaching into the pocket of his worn jacket, he produced a small, pristine white piece of paper. With a flourish that belied its simplicity, he handed it to Goku.
Goku examined the blank paper with a puzzled expression, turning it over in his hand as if searching for hidden meaning. Sensing his confusion, Ace leaned in and whispered, "The paper will unite us someday. When the time is right, its meaning will be clear."
Goku's eyes sparkled with understanding as he carefully folded the paper and tucked it away in the inner pocket of his pants. He then raised his hat from his neck and set it properly atop his head. "I'll keep it safe, brother," he promised, his tone both sincere and resolute.
With plans set, Goku turned his attention back to the mission. "Zoro, Gin—wait for the others and then set sail for the west side of the Sandora River. I'll remain in Nanohana until sundown to meet my informant. I will catch up by tomorrow morning," he instructed, his voice echoing the gravity of the coming days.
***
Far from the hidden cove, at the bustling public docks of Nanohana, the atmosphere was a different kind of charged. A stately marine vessel, its paint shining under the midday sun, bobbed at the dock. It was led by none other than Captain Smoker, whose imposing presence was impossible to ignore. The ship's deck teemed with Marines, each alert and ready, while Sergeant Tashigi stood at attention nearby, her glasses perched on her nose as she scrutinized every movement.
Tashigi stepped forward, her voice low but urgent as she addressed Captain Smoker. "Sir, something's happened."
"I was there—Straw Hat is in town, but he escaped. Not only that, he was talking to Portgas D. Ace."
A murmur spread through the assembled crew as the name "Portgas D. Ace" rippled like shockwaves through the ranks.
Tashigi pushed her glasses back, her eyes wide with incredulity. "The commander of the Second Division of the Whitebeard Pirates?" she repeated in a hushed tone.
Smoker's face contorted in fury as he spat, "That damn fire fist… how dare he flaunt his insignia right under my nose!" His voice was low and threatening, the promise of retribution simmering behind his eyes.
Before Tashigi could continue, a soft, yet assertive voice rang out from behind Smoker—a voice that cut through the din like ice.
"Long time, Smokey," the voice purred.
All heads turned as Smoker slowly pivoted to see who dared interrupt him. Standing before him was a striking woman, Ria, in a seductive form-fitting light pink dress that clung to her every curve. The dress revealed her ample cleavage and hugged her hips, the skirt skimming tantalizingly close to her waist. Beside her, almost as if a shadow made manifest, stood Marine Lieutenant Fullbody. He was dressed in a sharp pink suit with black stripes, his arm casually draped around Ria's waist as he held her close. His expression was a mix of admiration and protective possessiveness.
"What are you doing here?" Smoker growled in a deep, rumbling voice, his tone laden with both anger and disbelief.
Ria's eyes sparkled as she met his gaze. "What else?" She replied coolly, her voice melodic yet commanding.
"We're here to catch pirates," Fullbody's tone completed her thought with a brief.
"There are pirates everywhere." Smoker said. "So I will ask this once again. What are you doing here Ria!?"
A heavy silence fell over the ship and the dock, drawing the attention of every Marine and onlooker. The atmosphere became so thick with tension that even voices seemed to fade. Smoker's face flushed a deep red, his frustration boiling over as his very arms turned to smoke.
Ria's gaze swept over the gathered Marines before turning to Fullbody. For a long, charged moment, she locked eyes with him, as if communicating with him via telepathy. Fullbody simply nodded once and backed off, his expression unreadable.
Then, Ria stepped forward, a single step. The very air grew heavy. Almost as if an invisible force weighed upon every soul present, most Marines—caught off guard by the sheer intensity of her aura—began to buckle, collapsing to their knees. The impact of her presence was such that even those on adjacent ships and along the dock shuddered and sank to the ground.
Then she took another step, Smoker and Tashigi themselves, once unyielding, dropped to their knees in deference, leaving only Ria and Fullbody standing tall.
"You dare scream at me?" Ria's voice was soft but carried the weight of a thousand judgments—a tone that could reduce the strongest of warriors to tears. Her aura was unlike anything Smoker had ever encountered; it wasn't Haki but something altogether more overwhelming—a power that redefined authority.
As the stunned silence held over the dock, the question hung in the air: What did this new powerhouse's arrival mean for Goku and his plans against Crocodile?
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