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Dressed in civilian clothes, (which were just her regular attire, minus the marine coat), Tashigi traveled to one of the biggest and most famous bookstores to pick up the latest volume of the "Famed Blades". The series had been a source of inspiration for her swordsmanship training, and she was eager to see the next entry.
The town she was in was known as "The Merchant Haven." The scents of fresh pastries and brewed coffee from quaint dessert shops mingled with the salty sea breeze making her stomach grumble. Streets were lined with colorful stalls selling trinkets, books, and exotic spices. She looked forward to sightseeing.
As she browsed the shelves, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched. The book in her hands suddenly felt heavier than usual, and her fingers itched for Shigure, which lay in her cabin. She had yet to think of a more covert defense weapon since swords drew attention. Glancing around discreetly, Tashigi couldn't spot anyone suspicious. She decided to trust her instincts and quickly made her purchase. The cake will have to wait for another birthday.
Surely enough, she could detect the presence behind her right as she turned a corner, eager to mingle with the crowd. But her ignorance of the town's streets had brought her to a dead end.
She took a deep breath and said, "Show yourself."
"Room."
Tashigi abruptly turned around, tossing a book at him. It was purchased in self-defense.
It didn't reach him, of course, since he teleported right in front of her.
"A book, really?" He chuckled maliciously.
Tashigi frowned. "It's my day off."
"How irresponsible of you. Just because you took a day off doesn't mean the danger takes a time off." He reached for his pocket.
Tashigi raised her beloved, newly obtained book.
"Easy. I could have attacked you right when you disembarked, but I didn't." He showed her a wanted poster with her face.
She gritted her teeth.
"Did you come to collect, then?"
"Don't be ridiculous. This is a pocket change. Your superior, on the other hand…"
Tashigi hit him with the book on his upper arm.
He laughed again.
"State your business and stop mocking me."
"You're in no position to make demands, yet every time we meet, you have this high and mighty attitude."
"I know about the bounty on marines. You don't have to rub it in," she said faintly. "I also know that people..." She glanced at her feet. The betrayal of the civilians was a bitter pill to swallow, but she thought of all the people who suffered because of the Marines, and she couldn't find it in herself to blame them completely.
He stared at her but didn't say a word. Instead, he turned around, and his powers vanished.
Bending down, he picked up the book.
"I don't think civilians will turn on you," he said, giving it to her. "You have a good reputation."
She gasped at his words, finding it hard to dismiss her joy. As she reached out to take the book from him, he refused to let go.
"However, you should be careful." He gazed at her until her cheeks flushed. Smirking, he released the book and walked away.
Tashigi found herself trailing after him.
"What did you want?"
"Nothing in particular. You still owe me."
"I know that!"
"Good."
She walked behind him as they threaded through the crowd at the flea market. She wasn't sure why she was following him.
The man in front of her often kept her awake. Again, he showed up out of nowhere disturbing her peace. There was a time when she used to think Roronoa was the biggest pain in the neck, but he couldn't hold a candle to Trafalgar.
Trafalgar suddenly stopped, and she crashed into his back. He turned around, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Still as clumsy as ever."
Tashigi rolled her eyes.
"You should have a disguise," he said, tossing a coin to the merchant. A moment later, he put something on her head.
"What in the world? This is so tacky! I will draw more attention with this."
She stared at the hot pink bicorn hat, decorated extravagantly.
"What's wrong with it?"
"Are you joking—?" She cut herself off, seeing Trafalgar's garments. They were exceedingly colorful.
"Never mind, thanks." Tashigi sighed, putting it on. "Just don't add this to my debt." She grumbled and again ran into his back.
"It was a gift. For your birthday."
"How did you—Wait, did you find me because—" He pulled the hat over her eyes, her eyeglasses sliding down her nose.
"Hey!"
When she took the hat off, he was gone.
"Typical pirate."
Tashigi sighed and decided to go to the nearest dessert shop to collect herself. As she savored a slice of cake, she couldn't help but think of Trafalgar's unexpected gesture. It wasn't the first time he behaved oddly.
Even before their meetings, he was always in the back of her mind. He was a notorious pirate, just like many in his generation, but she used to remember him often because he carried a nodachi she couldn't find in her books.
At least he didn't have as many famed blades as Roronoa, she thought to herself, finding a faint consolation in that.
Their paths crossed long before Punk Hazard. It was only a footnote in the carnage, and she knew he wouldn't remember it if she brought it up in the present.
It was right around the time when war was winding down, or so she thought, as she witnessed marines leaving the fallen and continuing with the fight. The dread seeped into her, and it was a fear that would follow her to her grave.
Admiral Kizaru was chasing after Straw Hat when Buggy the Clown tossed him and former Shichibukai Jinbe onto Trafalgar's submarine. They escaped soon after, but she remembered his desperate face before Koby's heartbreaking speech and the Red Hair Pirates' intervenience.
Despite the chaos and confusion, she couldn't shake the feeling that their paths would cross again in the future.
And she was right.
At Punk Hazard, she officially met Trafalgar Law, the shichibukai, a mastermind of the "Rocky Port Incident," during which he sent the hearts of one hundred pirates to the World Government. It brought chills down her spine and solidified Smoker-san's notion that pirates would always be pirates. Her blood boiled when he stood in their way. Defeat was imminent, but she couldn't heed her superior's warning. It was not one of her brightest moments, but she was always the one who attacked first and asked questions later. A flaw, but she didn't join the Marines to stay on the sidelines.
Don't go there; it's your birthday, so think of happy thoughts!
The weak don't get to choose how they die.
"Ugh!"
The whole Punk Hazard ordeal was still a part of her nightmares and something she would rather erase from her mind. The fire that engulfed the island, the poison gas that threatened their lives—it was all too much for her to bear, even if she omitted the "out of body experience."
Yet, her mind kept clinging to the moment when Trafalgar released them. It was where their peculiar relationship started.
He called her all kinds of names just to complement her when she begged him for release.
Anything?
Y-Yes...
That was the first time she came into contact with the duality in his nature. Much like Straw Hats, Trafalgar had some sort of integrity, which was bizarre considering his reputation.
He helped Caesar's henchmen.
The children.
Even her men.
Back then, she thought of him as another strange pirate who had crossed her path. She was ready to forget about everything and deal with more pressing matters.
But he wasn't done with her.
He sought her out as she was checking the list of names of the missing children.
"About my repainment, marine woman."
"It's Captain."
"I don't care."
"W-What do you want? I thought we were even."
"What gave you that idea? I'm done with Smoker, but not with you."
The pirate's eyes gleamed as he smirked, clearly enjoying the power he held over her.
She realized then that their twisted game was far from over.
"What do you want from me, Trafalgar?"
"Oh, just a favor or two."
"Speak clearly!"
"Information." He didn't flinch at her anger.
"You want me to rat on my colleagues? Out of the question."
"I have ways of making you talk, marine woman."
Her body still shuddered in fear of his devil fruit ability. She stepped back, touching the hilt of her sword.
"I won't betray my comrades," she said firmly.
The pirate's grin widened. "We'll see about that."
As he took a step forward, she was prepared for whatever came next. She lost the first round of their battle, but she was determined to at least be better in the second.
"Room."
Tashigi's body petrified against her will.
Oh, darn it. Not again!
But instead of cutting her like the previous time, he touched her shoulder.
"It looks like you're injured," he said, with a deadpan face.
Tashigi gasped when he started treating the bite she sustained. She couldn't feel anything but the overwhelming confusion.
She couldn't understand why he was suddenly so caring after their fight and forced alliance.
When he was done, she felt her body relax.
"What game are you playing, Trafalgar?" She asked softly.
"It's in my nature as a doctor, Marine woman."
"I find it hard to believe."
He laughed as if she were saying something funny.
"It doesn't matter to me. But I'm adding this to your debt." He reached to grab something from his coat. "Take it," he said, pulling out a small den den mushi.
"I have no use of that, Trafalgar."
He let out an exasperated sigh. "You said "anything" when you begged."
Tashigi bit the insides of her mouth.
"All I want is information. Surely you can provide that."
"I… What if I can't?"
"Then find a way, Captain," Trafalgar replied with a sinister smirk.
"Gah! You're unreasonable!"
"I'm a pirate."
Her appetite perished as she remembered the stress she went through in the weeks to come. She pushed the plate with the half-eaten cake, shaking her head.
Multiple times, she thought of throwing the den den mushi away, but her sense of honor prevented her. She knew she had to pay her debt, even though it was blackmail.
He's a pirate. What do you expect?
His first call came at a time when Smoker was recovering, and she had to take over his duties as well as look after the kids.
The faint sound of a den den mushi hidden in her closet caught her off guard. She paused for a moment before answering.
"Marine woman..."
"It's Captain to you, Trafalgar. I see you're still alive."
He snorted.
"Were you concerned?"
"N-No!"
Sarcastic laughter echoed in her cabin. Her shoulder tensed.
"I thought you would dispose of my den den mushi."
"Well, I will!"
"Donquixote Rosinante."
"Excuse me?"
"Information. Everything you can find out."
"Donquixote? Like the shichibukai?"
Trafalgar clicked his tongue. "Stop asking pointless questions and get me what I want. If you do satisfactory work, I will consider your debt repaid."
"Alright."
"You have a week."
"That's not a lot of time! I don't know where to start!"
"With the marines. He was one."
"Was? Is he a-"
An explosion in the background interrupted her.
"I don't have time. I will contact you." He hung up.
She stared at the den den mushi in her hand. With only a week to gather information, her mind panicked.
Ultimately, she couldn't find anything. It was as if the man didn't exist, which wasn't uncommon for marines who worked undercover. She had tried with Koby and a few of her superiors but didn't get anywhere.
The news of Doflamingo's defeat reached them soon after. It was pleasing to both her and Smoker that Admiral Issho did not allow the incident at Dressrosa to be covered up like the one at Arabasta. Still, the alliance between Trafalgar and Straw Hat was unsettling.
When the next call came, Trafalgar's voice was slightly different.
"Information?"
"I… I couldn't find anything." Tashigi felt like she was about to be reprimanded by a strict parent.
"I guess you still owe me. I have to think of something else." He hung up.
"Uh… What just happened?" Tashigi wrinkled her brow.
Trafalgar sounded as if he were at peace.
After that, they met a few more times. He would usually give her information about pirates or corrupt marines, but he didn't do it out of the kindness of his heart. They were obstacles in his path because Trafalgar was a man who meticulously planned everything. Tashigi felt like his puppet at times.
Their interactions were tense, as she couldn't shake the feeling that he was always one step ahead of her. Despite this, she couldn't deny the thrill whenever they crossed paths.
"You're right. You stand out." A voice near her ear made her jump. Her skin tingled, and her pulse quickened.
He took a seat across from her.
"Trafalgar… I was just about to leave. Unless you have any information for me?"
"You're so greedy. All I do is give and give." He took her plate and sniffed the cake.
"Don't play a victim. We both know you have benefits too. And stop eating my cake."
"Have a heart, Captain. It's my birthday too."
"Really?" She raised an eyebrow. "Well then, happy birthday. I suppose I can share my cake with you."
"How generous."
"Tell me what's going on."
"You can dispose of that den den mushi."
"So… We're done?"
He didn't respond, finishing the cake.
She stood up. "Next time we meet—"
"You're gonna attack me?"
"It's my duty."
He snorted. "The outcome will be the same as on Punk Hazard."
"Regardless." She spoke through gritted teeth.
"You're still foolish, Marine woman."
"Goodbye, Trafalgar."
"Maybe I should finish you off here."
"Feel free to try," she glared.
"You're going to fight me with your books?"
Tashigi frowned, forgetting about her predicament. "I can f-fight."
"As amusing as that might be, I have to go fetch my polar bear." He stood up, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Until next time, captain."
Tashigi watched as Law walked away, feeling a mix of frustration and sorrow. She knew their paths would cross again.
With a determined expression, she whispered to herself, "I'll be ready for you, Trafalgar Law."