Chapter 16: The Fire Fist
The simple statement—"I float"—hung in the salty air, creating a strange, heavy silence on the deck of the Vermilion Wing.
It was a clear declaration of superiority. While Rem worried about dirt and footprints, Albedo claimed exemption from gravity itself.
Albedo didn't stop there.
She tilted her head slightly, her golden vertical pupils narrowing as they swept over Rem and Nami. It wasn't a friendly look; it was the detached, clinical curiosity of a predator observing insects. A trace of indifference and deep-seated disdain lay buried in those beautiful eyes.
Finally, her gaze locked onto Rem, who was standing dutifully in front of Suzaku with her broom.
A smile slowly spread across Albedo's face. It was a breathtaking smile, yet it carried an aggression so potent it felt like a physical weight.
"So that's it," Albedo hummed, her voice pleasant and melodious, but dripping with a high-and-mighty judgment. "A... servant summoned by Lord Suzaku before me?"
She took a step closer, her black wings twitching.
"You've truly worked hard, little maid. Serving by the side of the Supreme Being with such a... fragile, weak body."
She let out a soft, mocking laugh.
"It must have been taxing for a mere mid-tier summon to carry such a burden. But do not worry. The heavy lifting can stop now."
Crack.
The handle of the broom in Rem's hands splintered audibly.
Rem's single visible blue eye instantly became extremely dangerous. The temperature on the sunny deck seemed to plummet ten degrees. Her expression remained polite, but the aura radiating from her was pure killing intent.
Albedo, however, seemed completely oblivious—or perhaps she simply didn't care about the anger of a "lower lifeform." She continued in her elegant tone, turning her attention away from Rem as if she were boring.
"However, now that I, the Guardian Overseer, have arrived..."
As she spoke, Albedo took elegant, cat-like steps directly toward Suzaku. Her hips swayed hypnotically with each movement, her white dress clinging to her curves.
Under Nami's stunned gaze and Rem's icy watch, she very naturally pressed her tall, graceful body against Suzaku's arm. She didn't just stand next to him; she melted onto him, interlocking her fingers with his and hugging his bicep into her ample chest.
She tilted her head, looking up at Suzaku with a smile full of fanatical adoration and terrifying possessiveness.
"...Then, please rest assured, Lord Suzaku. You can entrust the important duty of guarding your side—and all your other needs—entirely to me from now on."
Her golden eyes shifted sideways, shooting a subtle, sharp glare at Rem over Suzaku's shoulder.
"I am simply... better equipped."
Sparks flew.
Invisible electricity crackled between the demon maid and the succubus. The air felt heavy enough to crush a normal person. Nami, caught in the crossfire of two monsters, turned pale and slowly backed away behind the main mast.
Just as the cold war was about to turn into a very hot, very destructive war, Suzaku shivered. He felt like a piece of meat caught between two T-Rexes.
"Alright, alright!"
Suzaku quickly interrupted, raising his free hand (since the other was held hostage by Albedo).
"Stop it! Both of you!"
He looked from Rem to Albedo, his expression becoming serious. He knew he had to establish the hierarchy now, or his ship would sink from internal conflict before they even reached the Grand Line.
"Listen to me! You are all very important companions to me! There is no high or low here! We are a crew!"
He looked Albedo in the eye.
"Albedo, Rem is your senior. She has been with me since the beginning. Respect her."
He looked at Rem.
"Rem, Albedo is our tank. She is the strongest shield we have. Rely on her."
He took a deep breath, channeling a bit of his Conqueror's Haki to emphasize his order.
"You absolutely must not quarrel, and you must get along well. That is a Captain's order. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Lord Suzaku!"
"Rem understands, Lord Suzaku."
Almost as soon as his words fell, two female voices responded simultaneously. The synchronization was perfect, though the tone was different.
Albedo remained pressed against Suzaku, rubbing her cheek against his shoulder. Her tone was fervent and resolute. "Your will is the meaning of my existence. If you wish me to tolerate the pest... I shall tolerate it."
Rem's blue eye still watched Albedo coolly, her broken broom handle held like a weapon. "Rem understands. Rem will not initiate violence... unless provoked."
Phew.
Suzaku let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Crisis averted. For now.
"Hey—!"
Nami's clear voice, like a fresh sea breeze, suddenly dispersed the stagnant, suffocating atmosphere of the harem conflict.
She was standing at the bow, holding a telescope, pointing forward excitedly.
"Everyone, don't just stand there flirting and fighting! Look ahead!"
She turned around, her orange short hair fluttering in the wind, a brilliant, relieved smile on her face.
"We've arrived! Ahead is the 'Town of Beginnings and Endings'—Loguetown!"
Loguetown Harbor.
The Vermilion Wing docked smoothly among the dozens of other pirate ships, merchant vessels, and fishing boats. The harbor was bustling with activity, the noise of sailors and seagulls filling the air.
Having learned from the previous lesson in Cocoyasi Village—where the ship was almost stolen—and sensing the tension between the two demons, Rem proactively offered to stay behind.
"Rem will guard the ship," she said, bowing slightly. "And prepare a celebratory dinner. Please enjoy your walk, Lord Suzaku. And..."
She glared at Albedo.
"...please ensure she does not cause a scene."
"I will keep him safe," Albedo sniffed dismissively.
So, Suzaku, accompanied by Albedo (who refused to leave his side even for a second) and Nami, set foot on the legendary island.
In fact, with the massive amount of provisions stored on their ship from Cocoyasi, they didn't need to dock for supplies at all. They could have sailed directly to the entrance of the Grand Line.
But Suzaku kept an ancient Eastern wisdom in mind: Since we're already here, we might as well check in!
What's more, that famous scene... the execution platform where Gold Roger smiled and started the Great Pirate Era... he had long wanted to see it with his own eyes.
"Considering how many times Roger has died in the opening animation," Suzaku mused as they walked through the bustling stone streets, "I absolutely have to visit the place where dreams began."
Loguetown Central Plaza.
The plaza was crowded with tourists, shoppers, and shady figures in cloaks. Dominating the center was the towering execution platform, grim and silent against the blue sky. It stood like a tombstone for an era, yet also a cradle for the next.
When Suzaku arrived with Albedo and Nami, he immediately saw something unusual.
A shirtless young man with freckles and an orange cowboy hat adorned with two smiley faces was standing on top of the execution platform. He was striking an exaggerated pose, flexing his muscles for an audience of... one.
Below the platform, a man wearing a peculiar blue mask over his eyes was holding a camera, snapping pictures frantically.
"Huh~ that style of dress... the hat..." Suzaku's heart skipped a beat. A grin spread across his face. "Could it be?"
The surrounding crowd also looked on in astonishment, pointing and shouting.
"Hey! Kid, what are you doing?!"
"Get down! That's a sacred monument! You brat, you can't just go up there! The Marine will arrest you!"
Just then, a whistle blew loudly.
"The Marine is here! Run!"
A large group of Marine soldiers, armed with muskets and swords, flooded into the plaza from the side streets. They surrounded the platform instantly, aiming their guns at the young man.
"Hands up! You fellow!" the squad leader shouted. "Is this a place where you can just take pictures? You're desecrating a historical site! Get down immediately!"
The man on the platform, however, was not flustered at all. Instead, he burst into laughter, a sound full of youthful arrogance and joy.
"Hahaha! Sorry, sorry! I just wanted to see the view Roger saw!"
He stood tall, grinning down at the Marines.
"I am the man who will surpass the Pirate King! Everyone, listen up—remember my name firmly!"
He spread his arms wide, revealing the 'ASCE' tattoo on his arm (with the 'S' crossed out).
"My name is Portgas D. Ace!"
Ace! It's really him! Suzaku's eyes widened. The Spade Pirates era! Before he joined Whitebeard! He's here right now?
The masked man below the platform—Masked Deuce—stomped his feet in a panic.
"Hey! Ace! You idiot! You've gone too far! We're surrounded by the Marine! Why did you have to shout your name?!"
"Hahaha, don't worry, Deuce!" Ace laughed even more heartily, jumping down from the platform and landing gracefully in a crouch. "I said I'd take you to sea in one piece! We made a promise, didn't we? A little exercise won't hurt!"
"Stop spouting such nonsense, you ignorant brat!"
A deep, gravelly voice cut through the noise like a knife through canvas.
"How dare you cause trouble on my turf?"
With that imposing shout, the Marine soldiers quickly retreated to both sides, clearing a path with disciplined fear.
A man walked out from the shadows of the alleyway. He wore a thick white jacket lined with green fur, open to reveal a muscular chest. He had short white hair and two thick cigars in his mouth, smoke trailing behind him like a chimney. A heavy jitte tipped with Seastone was strapped to his back.
His sharp, predatory gaze swept towards Ace. With every step he took, a suffocating pressure emanated from him.
"It's Captain Smoker!" A suppressed gasp came from the crowd.
"The White Hunter!"
"That guy definitely won't escape now! Smoker never lets a pirate leave this island!"
"It's precisely because Captain Smoker is stationed here that Loguetown is known as the 'Pirate's Graveyard'!"
The originally tense Marines, upon seeing their leader, were instantly emboldened. They raised their rifles, shouting as if victory was already theirs.
Suzaku looked at Ace—the future 2nd Division Commander—and Smoker—the future Vice Admiral—facing off. His eyes sparkled with pure fanboy excitement.
"This place was definitely the right choice to visit!" Suzaku murmured, grinning. "To stumble upon a canon event like this as soon as we arrive! Ace vs Smoker... this is going to be good."
Just then, Nami nervously tugged at his sleeve. Her face was pale, her voice strained.
"Hey, Suzaku! Are you crazy?!" she hissed. "Don't just stand there watching the show like a tourist! Let's quickly slip away with the crowd!"
She anxiously scanned the increasing number of Marines surrounding the plaza.
"You're a Pirate with a bounty of 50 million! And Albedo... look at her! She has horns and wings! You stand out too much! If Smoker sees us, we're done for! It's too dangerous!"
Seeing that the surrounding civilians had already begun to disperse and evacuate, Nami became even more anxious, wishing she could drag Suzaku away by his ear.
"Presumptuous!"
A cold, imperious reprimand suddenly rang out.
Albedo's sharp gaze swept towards Nami. Her golden eyes narrowed, carrying undeniable authority and a flicker of killing intent.
"Even if you are a companion recognized by Lord Suzaku... you have no right to point fingers at him or command him."
Albedo took half a step forward, implicitly shielding Suzaku behind her black wings. Her tone was proud, firm, and dripping with disdain for the threat Nami feared.
"Danger?" Albedo scoffed.
"With me here, mere Marines are but ants. Insects."
She glanced at Smoker, unimpressed.
"How could they harm Lord Suzaku in the slightest? If they dare to look at him wrong, I will tear their heads off."
After speaking, she turned slightly. When she looked up at Suzaku, the sternness on her face instantly melted like snow in spring.
Her expression turned into a flush of intoxicated crimson, her eyes fervent and deeply affectionate. She softly murmured, her voice husky:
"Please rest assured, Lord Suzaku. Guarding your safety is the entire meaning of my existence. I will burn this entire town to ash if you wish it."
Suzaku smiled, patting Albedo's head to calm her down.
"Relax, Albedo. No burning yet. Nami is just cautious. And Nami..."
He looked at his Navigator.
"We aren't running. Not yet. I want to see how strong 'Fire Fist' Ace really is."