Chapter 102: The more things change, the more they stay the same
<b>Chapter 102: The more things change, the more they stay the same</b>
<span style="font-weight:400">Rick was currently being dragged by Big Mom’s children in Whole Cake ind castle. He didn’t know why he had been separated from Nami and Luffy but since he was being led up, his captors were not putting him in a cell as those are usually underground or at the very least on ground level.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">They had fought hard, and bravely. The ex-marine rushed into the fray and began to knock out every one he could, sending sh after sh of gravity against his foes. The basic soldiers fell quickly; it was the officers that were the problem. Nami was making lightning rain all around while Luffy took on allers, protecting her.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">The truth of the matter was, they were too many for them to handle. While Rick focused on the strong opponents, the weaker ones passed behind him, more and more. Though they were weaker it didn’t mean they were weak. The toughest opponent he was dealing with was a very tall tanned woman, belonging to the long leg tribe. Had it been in other circonstances Rick would have loved to take his time to explore those long legs.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Her armament haki was stronger than his by miles but bit by bit, his got stronger. Rayleigh had stated during his short training that haki grow stronger and faster with experience. With fighting with a stronger opponent. That was what was happening. In a one on one fight he would have won, probably. But it wasn’t this type of fight. Ultimately the trio lost and Rick was knocked out unconscious by taking a hit he couldn’t dodge or block.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">He was worried about Luffy and Nami''s well-being but chose to believe they were alive. Thetter for having the Tenki Tenki no mi’s powers. Both because they could be used as hostages to get to Robin and her ability to read poneglyph. After all, if Big Mom had a road Poneglyph it wasn’t just to disy it like a painting in a museum. She wanted to be the pirate king and she needed Robin for that.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">After being dragged for what seemed an eternity, Rick was brought in front of a giant door. One of his captors opened it and they went inside. To his surprise he had been brought up in front of Big Mom. She was impressive, he could feel her powerful presence from feet away.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Mama, we brought him.” said the tall and tanned woman.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good work Smoothie.I’m surprised it took you so long.” The emperor said.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“He’s strong, Mama.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“He defeated almost by himself a third of the army.” stated another tall woman with a very slender build. She had long blue hair, almost azur, and was sporting a very big hat. What was peculiar with her was her long neck.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<i><span style="font-weight:400">“Is there a long neck tribe?”</i><span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“That must have been one hell of a fight then. Who captured him?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I kept him upied while Amande knocked him unconscious from behind.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Turning to the unnamed tall woman, Big Mom congratted her too. Rick had had enough; he had questions and wanted answers.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why am I here? Where are my crewmates? Lastly, Are all your daughters named after food?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Both Smoothie and Amande reacted to his rudeness by pushing him on his knees while Big Mom justughed.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Feisty!” the emperor said.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, all my children are named after food. They bear the names of what I love the most. Your friends are in a cell somewhere, can’t let them roam freely in my territory, that wouldn’t do. As for why you are here… I wished for it.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What do you want from me then?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Straight to the heart of the matter, I see. Good. What I want is for you to join my crew.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<i><span style="font-weight:400">“Okay… I didn’t see thating. Why would she want me as a subordinate? Is it for my abilities, my notoriety or…”</i><span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Okay.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“There are plenty of advantages and privile…. What?” His simple answer, one of agreement, threw her off. <span style="font-weight:400">She had expected him to refuse and had prepared a little speech, listing all he could get by joining her. That was unexpected of her as she was more the type of ‘you do what I want or you die’. But Rick wasn’t the end goal and she needed him to join her willingly rather than out of fear. That he would turn her down didn’t even cross her mind. She was Big Mom after all.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Okay, I’m joining you.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Just like that?” she asked in surprise.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Not just like that. I’m guessing you were about to tell me you could give me everything I wanted, riches, men…” Looking at both Smoothie and Amande he finished his sentence.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Women… I’ll take them all.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Big Mom had rm bells ringing all over her mind. Something was not right.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’ll andonned your crew to join me… just for…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“No. I mean what you’re offering me, I don’t really need it. It won’t mind having a taste of some food though.” he said looking again at the emperor’s daughters.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What I need is for me to know, but it’s something that my captain and crew can’t give me.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re jumping ship rather quickly. Are you already thinking of betraying me?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m not. It wouldn’t be in my best interest. I joined my crew to search for a dream. I found one and I realized they couldn’t help me achieve it. On the other hand you can.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“And what is your dream?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“To have or make a big and strong family.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Not what you expected?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“No.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m an orphan, I just want what I never had, family ties, blood ties.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t believe a single word of what you’re saying. You wouldn’t have fought as hard as you did for your crewmates if that were true.” Smoothie stated from his side.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m loyal and diligent. My captain ordered me to fight his enemies, I did. End of story. Now I don’t understand why you’re against me joining when you are the one who wants me to join to begin with.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You are an interesting man.” Big Mom said with a serious face.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’d say I’m just ordinary. I want something and I’m ready to do everything to get it.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“A family umm… Well I can give you that for sure. How about Smoothie or Amande as a wife?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Amande was about to protest when Smoothie elbowed her.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why not both?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You want two of my daughters? Aren’t you greedy?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ll take as many as you’re ready to give me. I want my family to be big after all. However I currently have my sights on a pinkhead princess…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“The Vinsmoke girl?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“... That won’t be a problem.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then I guess we have a deal.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh we certainly have.” Big Mom replied as she reached for him with her hand. When nothing happened she was surprised.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I died twice and came back each time. I’m not afraid of death, and if I’m not afraid of death, I’m certainly not afraid of you.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Truly interesting. I can count on one hand the people not afraid of me. Well, two hands now, I guess. Wee into my crew. Guard will escort you to your temporary quarters. They’ll keep an eye on you and your seastone cuffs will be reced by seastone bracelets. You understand don’t you.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Of course, I need to earn your trust first.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Being led out of the room, he sprouted an ear on the ground next to the emperor. A talk was going to happen and he wanted to know what it was about.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">~~~~~<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Mama! Do I have to marry him? I mean if you wish for it I would do it of course but…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“No, there is no need, Amande. At least not now.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s too bad he’s rather handsome.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Interested in him Smoothie? Perhaps I should really go with that idea.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t know about marriage but I wouldn’t mind trying him a few times.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“ Mama, why recruit him? And like that?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Did you see his wanted poster?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Can’t say I have. I don’t even know who he is.” replied Amande.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sister, he’s Wal D Rick.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“The man who defied the Celestial Dragons? The one who put an end to the war at Marineford alone?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes.” answered Smoothie.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“How? He barely held his ground against you! How could he fight the entire navy by himself then?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t know. I did notice he was getting stronger at an rming rate during our fight though. His armament haki was definitely getting better.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Big Mom listened with interest to her daughter''s talk. Maybe she could use him for other things after using him for her goal?<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“His wanted poster is a picture of him and Nico Robin. They are clearly together. Didn’t you see the ring on his ring finger?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ha! So by recruiting him you hope to recruit her as well. She’s your real objective.” Smoothie said.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. I can’t get to Laugh Tale without her reading the road Poneglyphs.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why present us as brides if he’s already married then?” asked Amande.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Big Mom sighed. Amande was his third daughter and despite her 47 years of life she was never interesting in the opposite sex. Or any sex. She couldn’tprehend what people wanted.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“There are two things that men want the most in the world. Money and Sex. And since he wants a really big family, he clearly wants and needs thetter.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“If what he said is true.”mented Smoothie.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Regardless, he kept looking at your legs Smoothie and your neck Amande, so he’s at least interested in the sex part.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“There is the Vinsmoke princess too.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes her… We might have to change our n a bit for her.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Wouldn’t that cause a problem?” asked Smoothie.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Perhaps, we’ll see when we get there.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Once we have Nico Robin, what do we do with him?” asked Amande.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“We’re keeping him. He has two devil fruit abilities, powerful ones at that. Even without those fruits’ powers, he’s dangerous.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“How so?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Vinsmoke Judge wants him in his family for his gic material. That’s not something to be taken lightly. It shows how much potential he has, and his descendants could have.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">~~~~~<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<i><span style="font-weight:400">“It’s just as I thought. They want Robin. Not gonna happen anytime soon though.”</i><i><span style="font-weight:400">
</i><i><span style="font-weight:400">
</i><span style="font-weight:400">As he was escorted by guard to his room he sprouted eyes on the wall, and just like did on Thriller Bark and Ryugu Pce, kept on sprouting them all over the ce. That was a better surveince system than cameras. Once he had wondered how could his brain deal with all the information but considering some animals like spiders had up to eight eyes and a brain smaller than a peanuts, he didn’t ponder longer on the subject.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">One of his eyes had caught something interesting, Reiju was being led to her room on a stretcher. She was wounded on her legs as blood was flowing.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I would like to visit the princess Vinsmoke Reiju.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s a bitte sir.” replied one of the guards.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“But it’s on our way to your room so there is no problem.” replied the other.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">The castle was big and it took time to reach Reiju’s room. Rick entered the room silently, knowing Reiju was sleeping as he had sprouted an eye into the ce when the guards opened the door. That’s why he wasn’t surprised at Sanji being here as well.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What are you doing here?!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Shhh! Reiju is sleeping, lower your voice down.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“And to answer your question… Well you’re pulling a Robin so… I don’t see why I couldn''t too.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Pulling a Robin?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Rick couldn’t openly talk as the guards escorted him, were in the room, watching his every move and listening to every word he said.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I joined the Straw hats to find a dream, Sanji. I found one so there is no reason for me to stay either in the crew.” He announced ying in the open view of his friend with his wedding ring.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I jumped ship so to speak, and decided to ept Big Mom’s offer.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What offer?” Asked Sanji, not liking what he was hearing.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Joining her crew. Honestly, it feels nostalgic of Water Seven, this whole situation.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Sanji kept his insult for himself when he heard the name Water Seven. He understood instantly what Rick was trying to tell him without being explicit about it. Back then his vice-captain yed a dangerous game, making everyone believe he was on the enemy’s side so he could save Robin. But he wasn’t Robin, and the situation was different. More people than just the crew were involved.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“There is nothing nostalgic about Water Seven. Now why are you here?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s no way to talk to your future brother-inw.” said Reiju who apparently had woken up.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Reiju!” “WHAT?!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Rick was relieved to see Reiju up, and that her wound wasn’t serious while Sanji was beside himself at what she had just said.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“He’s married!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“So? There are plenty of ways to end a marriage.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t you darey a finger on Robin! And you! Don’t you have anything to say?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Not really? I mean if marrying Reiju helps me achieve my dream…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What about Robin? Your current wife? You know the woman you married a bit more than two months ago?” Sanji asked, grabbing Rick by the cor.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“She’s the one person I love the most. But she’s not as important as my dream.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">That hurt him to say and hear it. Robin was his everything after all. He was ready to give up on his daughter for her.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Sanji looked him in the eyes, and saw what he thought he would find. Sadness. He was clearly missing something here. He understood that Rick was ying his own game, like he always did. But leaving Robin? That wasn’t something he would do. Yet, here he was, saying otherwise. Why would Reiju marry Rick? And why would he ept? Knowing Rick, it was probably to get something but Reiju? He would have to ask her about it. Rick was his friend and there was no way he would let his former family use him one way or another.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Anyway, I think I intruded enough. I just came to see how you were doing Reiju, so goodnight.” Rick said leaving the room but not before sprouting an ear on the ceiling.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">~~~~~<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What’s the deal?” the cook asked his sister.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What deal?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You and Rick, getting married.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s father’s order.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You don’t have to listen to him, Reiju.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I wish I could.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What do you mean?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Unlike you and our brothers I wasn’t gically modified in our mother’s womb. I got augmentationster. One of those was total obedience to father. I can''t disobey him.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why does he want you to marry him?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“He just wants your friend''s gic material. Marriage would be the best option. Rick would enter the Vinsmoke family, and I could bear strong children for the family. It’s the only option actually, as he dealt with Niji and Yonji so easily. There is no one in the Germa that could subdue him or if there is the loss would be too great. On the other hand a marriage would give him a lot. Status, power, riches…. He would not be wanted anymore by the World Government, father could make sure of that.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“So basically Father would rece you with Rick and turn you into a baby factory?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes.” Reiju replied with a neutral face and a neutral tone.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Stop acting like you do not care about it!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t. What would be the point of caring when I don’t have a choice in the matter? At least he’s handsome.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Rick sighed. Ever since he went back to the Vinsmoke it was one thing after the others. None of them he liked. It didn’t matter though as there was a more urgent issue.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Reiju, I have something to tell you.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">~~~~~<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Rick walked to his room as he was listening to Sanji and Reiju talking. He was enraged that their Father would treat her like a ve. It was even worse than the celestial dragon. She may not wear an explosive cor but she was chained nheless by bigger shackles.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<i><span style="font-weight:400">“That’s it. I’m taking this asshole down and freeing her.”</i><span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Rick had been surprised at Reiju''s cold attitude when they had met earlier in the day. She was cheerful in her room but he could easily discern it was fake. She was so different from the woman who was trying to seduce him back on Sunny. A woman who was fun to talk to and very smart. And absolutely gorgeous and talented with her mouth and tongue, but that was not the point here. He liked her, she was a good friend.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">What worried him was the part about the assassination of the Vinsmoke family during the wedding. He didn’t care about it, except for Sanji’s and Reiju''s life. He needed to be present and he just had the idea as to how.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Sitting at the desk against a wall, he took from his pocket the papers and pencil he had prepared to copy the poneglyphs, his eyes having found them. Yes, them. Big Mom had other poneglyphs than just the road one.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<i><span style="font-weight:400">“Robin is definitely going to reward me for that.”</i><span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">He began to transcribe what he was seeing one one of his eyes caught Nami’s red hair. Immediately sprouting an eye, ear and mouth on her, just as she was entering a mirror.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Nami!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">That surprised her so much to hear his voice that she jumped out of fright.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I sprouted my mouth on you along with an eye and an ear.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“When?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Just before you entered the mirror.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re here then?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“No, I’m somewhere else, but I spread my eyes all over the walls of the castle, I’m basically my own surveince system.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s amazing!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I know. Anyway, what happened to you and Luffy?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“We were put in some kind of cell inside a book page. Don’t ask, I don''t know either. Jimbei came to free us.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Where is Luffy?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Probably on his way back to where we fought.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I figured… Wait, is that Chopper and Carrot with you?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, they had captured the mirror user. That’s where we are actually, the mirror world. Each mirror is an entrance or an exit to this world.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Neat! You can sneak around undetected.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. Now what happened to you?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I was brought in front of Big Mom.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What?! Why?!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“She wanted to recruit me.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What for?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m handsome?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah I doubt that.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Officially, because I’m strong. Unofficially, it’s not me she wants…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Robin?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Robin.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Let me guess, Sanji is Robin and you are you?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Smart kitten!” Rick’s mouth smiled.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What’s your n?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Right now? Get myself invited to that wedding.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“The wedding! We must stop it! Pudding she…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Intent to kill Sanji and the rest of the Vinsmoke.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“How do you know?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s a long story, but Sanji is aware, he witnessed Pudding confess everything to Reiju.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why would she do that?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Because she ate the Memo Memo no Mi, she can erase, modify or rece the memories of someone.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“She erased Reiju’s, isn’t it?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, but Sanji was outside listening.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“We need to stop that wedding.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Or crash it, that’s why I’m about to get an in.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“How?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re not going to like it…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“... Reiju?” she asked with a frown.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... Yes.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">She closed her mouth to not swear out loud every word she knew.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I doubt she would be able to do something…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Eeeeh…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m going to like even less what you’re going to say, right?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Nami took a deep breath, preparing herself.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Okay, I’m ready.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Because of what I am, her father wants me in the Vinsmoke family.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“OH HELL! NO!” she exploded in fury.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Chopper and Carrot got so scared they hid behind Jimbei’s imposant body. The fishman had a shback of his time on Amazon Lily and began to sweat.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“YOU’RE NOT MARRYING THAT SLUT!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Of course n…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“IF YOU’RE MARRYING SOMEONE THAT’S ME! NOT HANCOCK, NOT YOUR INSANE EX AND DEFINITELY NOT THAT PINK HAIRED WHORE! ME! OKAY?!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Umm Nam…”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“OKAY?!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes! I’ll marry you!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“GOOD!” she answered, calming herself down.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I-I… I wasn’t marrying her to begin with. I mean, with the news of the engagement to her I would be able to have a ce at the wedding since I’m now a member of Big Mom’s crew, and Sanji’s brother-inw.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I know, I just wanted you to propose to me.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">““““...””””<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Everyone’s jaws fell to the ground, Rick included despite not being there. While the beginning of her rant was genuine, the idea of her owner and Reiju marrying was infuriating, in a split second she had let her inner feelings out. Ever since Rick and Robin married she felt a bit left out, despite both reassurance that nothing had changed. She still wanted to be their kitten but she also wanted more. The feeling grew when Rick began to mark her. Not only did she find it extremely hot but she loved it, unlike Arlong’s she wanted those ones. Hisment about wanting to have their rtionship in the open back on Sunny had been in her mind ever since. She wanted that, she really did, but somehow she was afraid of what the others would think of her. The talk they had in that clothing store about moving forward together helped her make her decision to go for it. Not only with him but with Robin too. She wanted to be their kitten wife, yet, at that moment, she couldn’t bring herself to say the words, she was too embarrassed. She wanted him to say them first. Her fast thinking did the job perfectly.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Umm. Nami?” called out Chopper in a small voice, still hiding behind Jimbei.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What… What about Robin?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh Chopper, you don’t have to worry about Robin. You see, Robin, Rick and I, had been together for a long time.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">She finally said it. She admitted her rtionship with the two people she loved the most right in the open. She admitted that she, a woman, loved another woman, without shame or embarrassment. Why should she? They loved her back and what anyone else thought about it didn’t matter.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Embracing her feelings out loud lifted a heavy weight off her shoulders.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“The three of you?!” “You and Robin?!” “Wow!” were the answers she got respectively from Chopper, Jimbei and Carrot.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I… I’ve gotta go.” replied Rick, making his sprout on the redhead disappear.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“He can run all he wants, he’s mine, now.” she said, punctuating with an evilugh.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">~~~~~<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<i><span style="font-weight:400">“THAT CROOK! How am I going to exin that to Robin?! I doubt she’ll be against it since she gave her okay for Hancock and under certains conditions Kaza but still. I went and proposed without her okay. Ugh.. that’s forter. For now I must finish copying the Poneglyphs then go back to see Reiju. Wait, I can do both!”</i><span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">He sprouted an arm on the desk and gave it the pen. He made an eye appear to look at where the arm was writing and was good to go.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<i><span style="font-weight:400">“No really, how does the multitasking work here? Does the Me Me no mi enhance the brain allowing the user to do that? Can Robin do it too?”</i><span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">He opened the door of his room and immediately one of the guards spoke up.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Where are you going at this time of the night?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“To Princess Reiju again I’m afraid. I have an answer to her marriage proposal.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Couldn’t it wait?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“No.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">He didn’t bother to wait for them or to hear any reply they had. Rick made his way to her room and entered, not before asking the guards to stay outside.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah, not happening.” said the first guard.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sir.” added the second guard.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh! You’re both voyeurs?’<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">““WHAT?!””<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Guys, I’m going into the bedroom of ady in the dead of night, what do you think will happen?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I thought you were giving her a reply to the proposal.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“That was a polite way to say I’m going to bang from Monday to Sunday my future wife. Now are you going to stay outside or watch like perverts?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">They chose to stay outside. Smart choice.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Entering the room, he found her sitting on the edge of the window, watching the downpour fall and the shes of lightning.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why are you back?” she asked, not looking at him.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Disappointed to see your future husband?” making her snort.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s not like it matters anyway.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“It does. To me at least. You’re a good friend Reiju and I’m not going to let you die in that wedding.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s what the Vinsmoke deserve. That’s what <b>I </b><span style="font-weight:400">deserve for having so much blood on my hand.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s funny, I’m thinking the opposite. I heard what you said to Sanji about your father and his orders. The way I see it? You deserve to live, to really live. To make your own choices, to take your own decisions. You deserve to be free. Free to think and act like you want, to feel what you want. To be free to enjoy and regret things.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Where is the real Reiju? The one I got to know on Sunny?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“She never existed in the first ce.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s a very bad lie. Even Chopper and Luffy, who are as gullible and naive as can be, wouldn’t believe it.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Where has the smart, sexy, sensual and aggressive Reiju gone?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Please leave.” she said as she grabbed her knees against her chest.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Can’t do. The guards outside think I came for sex. I can’t leave without them hearing some sex noises.” he joked but that had no effect on her mood.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Reiju… What do you want?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“For you to leave this room.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Enough Reiju! What do you really want? What do you wish for?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">He hugged her from behind, she didn’t even bother to have any kind of responded.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ll free you. I promise. If you want to end your life after that, so be it. I won’t stop you.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why? Why would you do that?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re Sanji’s big sister. But mainly because you’re my friend.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“We met less than two weeks ago. We barely know each other, how can we be friends?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Because we like hanging out with each other.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You liked it, I was just acting.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“No you didn’t. Your father was not there, you were free. Free to be yourself, and you were happy.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You… can’t do anything.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You don’t know until you try.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“There is no point.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What do you have to lose? You do nothing and you die tomorrow, that''s a fact. You try and maybe you’ll get your freedom, maybe you’ll die. But the chances are better with thetter than the former.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What if I get my freedom? What happened after that?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You do whatever you want. If you want to be a ballerina then be a ballerina. Though I have a better idea.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What is it?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<i><span style="font-weight:400">“Good, she’s interested.”</i><i><span style="font-weight:400">
</i><span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“How about a doctor? I mean, you''re knowledgeable in the medical field, you could put that knowledge to good use, like saving people''s lives instead of taking them.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Saving lives instead of taking them…” she repeated softly, imagining it.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Some kind of redemption for you if you feel guilty, and a big FUCK YOU to your father.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You won’t suffer from ack of clients, that''s for sure. With how pretty and hot you are, all the perverts would queue in front of your clinic. They may even hurt themselves on purpose.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">That joke made her smile a bit. The idea was so ridiculous. For the first time since he entered the room she turned her head and looked at him.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Can you really do it? Can you really set me free of Germa? Of my father.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I died twice and came back. Setting you free is like stealing candy from a kid.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then please, save me.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I will.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She turned her head back to look out the window. And rx her body, leaning against his chest.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What’s your n?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“First? Announcing we’re getting married.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What?!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I need to be at the wedding tomorrow. If I was your fiance, I don’t think they would object to it.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s true… What then?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“ Luffy will crash the wedding for sure. There is no way he’s going back without Sanji.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s it?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“No, but the rest is a surprise.” he said<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">There was actually no n but he didn’t lie. Since he doesn’t know what would happen next it would definitely be a surprise. Though he will have to talk with Nami and Luffy to know the n. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Now if you don’t mind, it’s time to make some fake sex noises.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Fake?” she turned her head with a devious grin.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, fake. You’re Sanji’s sister. You’re kinda off limits.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Reiju didn’t like that answer. If she had to die tomorrow at least she could finally have sex but she respected his choice. Furthermore, if she survived tomorrow and had her freedom, there would be plenty of opportunities to ensnare him.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Rick learned two things about her that night. First she really had a beautiful voice. Second, she was really good at faking it.<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">