Disclaimer: Since One Piece came out in 1997, it's pretty unlikely that I, a pretty cute kid at the time, possessed the mind to develop such a masterpiece.

AN: Try to bear with time difference, canon/non-canon/fanon devil fruits, teasing from a variety of characters, complications, implications, and OC characters as you read this fic.

Note that:

2DBE=Two days' before Execution

DBE=Day before Execution

DOE=Day of Execution

DAE=Day after Execution

Title: Phase2: Concoct a master plan

DBE/Time: 20:42/Marine HQ/Dormitories

Old habits died hard. Operating the way he did had been rooted into him ever since he first arrived at Marine HQ. Rather than take a shortcut by heading over to the locker room like most of his peers, a Seaman First Class who was in all likelihood aged seventeen, entered section C of the male dormitories, drenched from head to toe. Such a sight was unusual everyday of the week, only not today—exclusively today seeing that the impromptu water fight that broke out in the gym was allowed to be swept under the rug. Normally, such juvenile behaviour would have never been tolerated at Marine HQ; however, the chief Marines were attending the meeting, dozens of other Marines were either honing their skills or standing in their position at the Marineford plaza for practice, which then left a few of his superiors supervising those below the rank Ensign. Several superiors seemed to be somewhat lenient to their subordinates this evening.

Maybe they're being nice cause of the shame of maybe losing tomorrow, or maybe they're letting us younger ones blow steam in case we've signed up for the weak side.

Mechanically so, the adolescent went through the motions: he made his way to his bunk bed; dropped down on his knees; pulled open his bottom bunk's drawer; stripped; chucked behind him his wet uniform precisely inside the laundry basket; pulled out his casual uniform; donned them on, subtly inspected the vent hole installed at the bottom of the wall; caught sight of an origami swan; stood up; and afterwards-

'Hold on a sec, there was actually something. That's the signal.'

Crawling towards the vent hole simply adjacent to his bottom bunk, the adolescent was now dead certain his eyes had not mistaken him. He understood what the folded paper signalled and immediately made a grab for it, sliding his right hand expertly through the bars. Once it was in his grasp, he unfolded the swan to decode the message that would certainly be on it.

'U1R1G2.' he read in his mind, 'That means a phone call. An urgent phone call. Time limit twenty minutes.' His eyebrows rose, 'From Satomi!'

"Looks likes things are getting even more interesting." he murmured to himself while carefully lifting the vent's gate, having no problems with screws expertly unscrewed months ago in likeness to others. Checking his surroundings for anyone, he gladly noticed that his dormitory still resembled a ghost town. Slipping inside the vent with enviable ease, he began to climb his way up towards the administration office.

'Can't wait to see how we'll screw over the Marines, or World Government. Both are fine.'

. . . .

DBE/Time: 19:44/Sabaody Archipelago/Golden Time

Sabo the revolutionary entered the tea house somewhat nonplussed. Tradition tinged to trendy: his peers seemed to have invaded the tea house and not the pompous seniors as he had thought at first. The interior design definitely incorporated perhaps some unknown island's autumnal history and also highlight the vivaciousness of Sabaody's local culture.

I'll give credit where credit's due. This place does look amazing.

In taking the stairs to lead him to the first floor, Sabo started his search for signs of underhanded practices. All he saw were the toilets, and a few more of the general public socialising, drinking their odd tea four hours before midnight without a care in the world.

Hm, where would I hide a backroom for dealers and lovers of privacy?

As the majority frequently did, his eyes first caught sight of the exquisite range of flowering tea. Purely for display. All of them were presented in translucent teapots, every single one of them resting upon the shelves of an armoire transparent as well. It was two inches taller than him. It was spotless. He'd have no trouble calling out anyone blind to say otherwise; nevertheless, an attendant continued to wipe away the non-existent dirt in every nook and cranny.

He was just doing his job.

Too seriously maybe, were Sabo's thoughts. Or just literally I guess.

The revolutionary waited a beat, watching the perfectionist swipe all five teapot handle's until he reached the sixth one where he decided to clean it from top to bottom unlike the rest. It shined brighter than all the others in the centre, particularly in the middle of the flower, the golden circular thing in the middle of the teapot couldn't be more eye-catching.

Too shiny. Doesn't look natural. Not even golden doorknobs are...Oh. Makes sense. Pretty clever.

He was after all just doing his job.

Once declaring the teapot he desired, it was not much of challenge to gain entry, especially not when the right amount of bellis were offered to the attendant's hand. As Sabo entered, he knew Koala had been right. It truly was the ideal spot for an ultra-private rendezvous or shady business deals. The setting offered was elegant without pretentious vibes. The atmosphere was intimate, not between people, but between the clientèle and the teacup in their hand. It was borderline religious.

Coffee's still better, Sabo couldn't help but think. He retained however enough self-preservation to not make an announcement before tea fanatics. Refocused, Sabo scanned all the tables near windows, knowing his comrade had a thing for sight-seeing. In seconds, he espied her in the far left corner of the establishment, almost hidden in an alcove.

Target located.

. . . .

DBE/Time: 20:45/A private call from Sabaody Marine base to Marine HQ

"Yup. I received your fax, memorised it, and made it disappear." he answered back, "The encryption was tricky. Was the elephant that important? And did I translate the left character right? But hold on a sec, are you and him serious for tomorrow? Like seriously serious?"

"Yes."

"You actually want me to quote, unquote, enhance the kitchen's menu for tomorrow."

"Yes."

"Crawl around the vents to set it all up tomorrow."

"Yes."

"And to exert influence, your fancy words again, on the main official guards and the surveillance team if need be."

"Yes."

"And enforce it again tomorrow morning, for like, just in case?"

"Yes."

"Not to mention the poor innocent snails."

"Yes."

"We're not going to, you know, poison the lil' slimy guys too badly, right?"

"Which slimy guys?"

"The animals."

"Be specific."

"The snails."

"No."

"But we do need them fully, like, incapacitated."

"Yes."

"But won't it be, um, an overkill for the Marines? My non-natural 'influence', plus your naturally made 'influence' tomorrow morning?"

"Yes."

"Last question. Can I, like, use my own initiative when the time calls for it?"

"I don't know. Can you?"

There was a sigh on the line, "Okaaay. May I use my own initiative? Please?"

"Yes. Wisely though."

There was a pause on the line, next was a squeal.

"Sweet." The revolutionary teen grinned so bright that the two Marines sat obediently in front of their desks smiled back at him, "I've been waiting for this." their heads tilted in obedience, seemingly waiting instruction. "Finally, some action around here." Seeing this, he toned down his 'influence' by a notch, allowing the two Marines to partially possess their consciousness. As per usual, they never did remember whatever occurred.

. . . .

DBE/Time: 19:45/Sabaody Archipelago/Golden Time

"Hey, Satomi." Sabo drawled as he ambled over, "Long time no see."

A temporary raven-haired woman almost frowned, not at all pleased with her peace interrupted; yet, she still greeted her colleague, "Hello, Sabo." with a practised smile gracing her face, "Fancy meeting you here. Did the entry puzzle you greatly?"

"Not after a minute of seeing the odd one out. The golden doorknob behind the golden flower was nice touch."

"I wonder, have you finally come to appreciate the wonders of tea?"

Sabo feigned a sigh, "We both know the answer to that. Didn't we come to an impasse a while ago?"

"Perhaps." she admitted, "Times flies, though not as quick as the ravens you possibly rode to arrive here. Why the special reunion today? Enlighten me."

Straight to business as always.

Her astuteness, greatly appreciated, dissolved any foolish doubts he may have had about his comrade.

"I'll give you the lowdown." Sabo slid the newspaper from his hands on the table between them, "The world knows him, you know him." he sat down in the unoccupied chair before her, "I know him personally. I won't let him die."

I can't. Not now. Not ever.

Her next sip of tea was halted by his forthright tone, arguably near the end of his words. Satomi stared at him instead, still holding her cup. At that moment, Sabo was well aware that his comrade noticed his bait without doubt, but she had yet to bite it all the same.

He continued with the facts, "He's big deal in our world. Besides his captain and crew. I won't insult your intelligence. You and I both know the worst case scenario of this stupid war. The consequences we'll get if the Marines come out as the victors."

"And if Whitebeard ceased to exit."

"Bingo. We're on the same wavelength then." Sabo said relived, his tone shortly became solemn. "Satomi, you can pretty much guess now why I came to you."

Satomi nodded her head in agreement; Satomi thereupon sipped the remains of her blooming tea. Her eyes, silver just like steel, fluttered shut in satisfaction. Despite what has just been said, Satomi did not give any further verbal response. In similar fashion to their leader Dragon, she was one of the few endowed with that uncanny skill: to remain inhumanely phlegmatic about critical situations.

Sabo's right foot tapped rapidly in limited patience.

Was I clear enough? 'Course I was. But then why is she playing the waiting game with me? I'm not really in the mood to pull rank. I need her on this.

In spite of his needs, Sabo would go solo and execute this mission tomorrow if need be.

At that very moment, luck befriended him; the unthinkable happened, the teacup had actually rattled as it set down on its plate—loudly. Satomi tore down an advertisement from the window unceremoniously, flipped it over, retrieved a pen from her pocket, and subsequently sketched out what seemed to be a diagram of a building. No stroke of her pen was wasted – everything precise, perspicuous and pleasing as the person she allowed people to see.

"You've offered me believable propositions." Satomi said, "You have yet to give me feeling."

"He's my brother."

He reeled her in with that line.

Three fingers of Satomi's right hand tightened their grip on the pen abnormally, her eyes were instinctively drawn to the tattooed spiral of flowers around her right wrist.

"I have a question."

"Shoot."

"Why not reveal your connection with Portgas D. Ace beforehand?"

Holding his breath unthinkingly, Sabo heaved a sigh afterwards. His eyes fell. It took him several seconds to get the words out, "Because I don't...deserve to be his brother." difficult it proved be to be to not feel inadequate for loss of ten years that slipped seamlessly through his fingers, "Come to think of it, not even Luffy's."

Satomi let that sink in. She opened her mouth to speak, rather curious to see if her recent suspicion was correct, but thought better of it and continued sketching a comprehensive layout of Marine HQ.

. . . .

DBE/Time: 20:49/Marine HQ/Administration office

Roughly a good ninety percent of revolutionaries at Baltigo were well acquainted with the words: desire, will, and order. They understood the true weight of the three words; they understood the true weight of the three words when spoken by him. Normally, he was a reliable colleague, a reliable friend, a very curious mind; however, he was under age twenty. Not yet finished with puberty, the young revolutionary still had a few hurdles of maturity to overcome.

Simply put, he got bored easily. His boredom lead to distractions. His distractions gave birth to fun. His type of fun tended to be slipping into comrades minds once their mental guards were down. Not spitefully, just playfully. Perhaps he'd politely order a non-negotiable comrade known to take over his chores, or perhaps he'd gently request five high-ranking comrades in different divisions to belt out Bink's Sake at three in the morning.

Nothing serious. No harm. No wounds. No scars. Just a lecture on behaviour he endured along side his his partner in crime for five hours straight, accompanied with ten colourful eyes seething simultaneously with an eruptive emotion he could accidentally set off with a poor choice of words.

Sure, it was scary, but still worth it.

Kichirou's thoughts were interrupted. He started at the slam of the door behind him, the chair he was sprawled upon creaked at his weight. Kichirou swivelled his chair around to recognise Lieutenant Commander Scarlet. His superior seemed dumbfounded. His face was pale for now, but it would surely gain colour little by little once he fully acknowledged the minor misbehaviour in place.

"Why is this Seaman in my office?" demanded Lieutenant Commander Scarlet, turning his head towards his clerical assistants, "Why have the two of you allowed a Seaman to enter my office and sit in my chair?" his gruff tones had no effect on his two charmed subordinates who simply blinked at him.

Displeased, the Lieutenant Commander ground his teeth together while his mind thought of a range of sanctions for the three before him. Once the colour red reached all four corners of his face, Kichirou diffused the situation by turning the tables on his superior.

"Scarlet." was voiced in a honeyed tone, the two syllables in the name articulated compellingly, meanwhile Kichirou's pupils became abnormally dark and much too big in size. "Can I shorten your title? Makes life easier for me."

"Of course." agreed Scarlet, his own pupils copying his subordinate's.

"Whatcha holding in your hands things? That folder seems pretty important. Oh, by the way, you will explain everything fully. Don't miss out anything."

"I hold in my hands the register listing the Seaman Recruits to embark on a practice voyage tomorrow, along with the Captains that will be in charge of the different groups. I also have the revised timetable for the pirate Portgas D. Ace tomorrow, along with the names of the two guards that will hand him over and the two guards that retrieve him here during transfer." replied Scarlet obediently, "I was no longer needed in the meeting upstairs. I am to ensure that the corridors hold no escape whatsoever for Portgas D. Ace when he walks through them."

"Yes, come to papa, that's the papers I was looking for." Kichirou unexpectedly tutted, "Shame I couldn't find it here. Your desk is really, like, a hell of a mess." he then showed every sign of disappointment, his eyes locked with the Lieutenant Commander displayed the feeling as well. "Bet I could a finger in one of those drawers."

"Would you like me to clean it?" Scarlet offered, the need to please his subordinate overrode everything else in that moment.

Nah," Kichirou beamed, the lustre of moon arguably inferior when compared to his charisma. "I have bigger plans for you."

. . . .

DBE/Time: 19:50/Sabaody Archipelago/Golden Time

"The tea isn't necessary."

"A simple thank you will suffice."

"Who drinks tea at this time of night?"

"Shall I order you apple juice instead?" Satomi tone was forever modulated, "Or perhaps milk." on the bright side, such a voice rarely grated on anyone's nerve. However, the quirk of her lip could easily ruffle a few curly blonde feathers.

Why am I not pulling rank on her already, were Sabo's mentally voiced thoughts.

Conceding for once, he took a neat sip of jasmine tea and then closed his eyes in mimicry of the people around him. Alone in his head, Sabo silently thanked whichever Marine it was that decided that all commissioned officers, within the vicinity of Marine HQ or across the seas, had total access to Portgas D. Ace's timetable, the most high-profile execution to date.

Mulling over stage 1 to 5 of their master plan (the eighth stage was truly troublesome to a degree), Sabo's zeroed in on the left side of the detailed sketch, "You forgot the surveillance snails." his finger pointed then trailed the corridor on the sketch that was one floor above the dormitories, right next door to control room and the only way towards the temporary prison cell. "No way in hell they won't want visual proof he entered his jail cell. They might be a pain in the ass, if the surveillance team somehow beat your witchy brew."

"I never did say I was omniscient." Satomi said, sounding quite defensive, a pleasing tone in Sabo point of view. He saw a rare opportunity there. It was tempting. It was available. Would he take it?

"Admit it." Sabo took it, "Happens to the best of us. It did slip your mind."

"Regardless," she stressed, "you have a point." her head tilted in consideration, "There really is no need for you to take the corridor, we agreed that you would both travel via vents, but if were to expect the unexpected...I'll ensure that Kichirou receives a fax about the right substance to add to their meals tomorrow morning."

"You mean poison."

"A drug."

"That'll poison them."

"Incapacitate them. In-ca-pa-ci-tate."

"I got it the first time."

I wonder, I truly do, were Satomi's mentally voiced thoughts.

There was truly no fault in Sabo's keen eye for detail. The surveillance snails were indeed a potential nuisance if not handled with caution; however, it was absolutely a wonderful drawback from the Marines when she thought it over. Instead of progressive man-made surveillance system crafted from the likes of Dr. Vegapunk, they settled for mother nature's exploitable creatures.

I have nothing against snails; however, if there are any casualties, it would benefit us well for it to be them than us, Satomi thought rationally. They're expendable.

Someone had to prioritize the necessary lives.

Her thoughts were calm and clear directly she took a neat sip of tea, "Apart from that resolved issue, do you see any other potential ones from the first stage to the last stage of our plan?"

Sabo grimaced, "About stage 8, between you and me, I'm calling it the hit and miss stage. So, yeah, there's a lot of blending in for Ace and me—anything can happen. We can't predict everything, like people for example. They're random. Untameable."

"Anyone particular in mind?"

Sabo sighed, "If he's still close to the boy he was then he's got one hell of a temper." a flash remembrance of the Porchemy confrontation passed through his mind, "I bet he hasn't changed. How else did get himself in this mess? They say Blackbeard's the one who...captured him." his eyes were no longer seeable once his head bent down, the black top hat seemingly cast a shadow over them.

"I'll handle it. It won't cause me any sweat." reassured Sabo, "I'll smack him upside the head if I have to —I'll probably have to anyway." his face gave glimpse of his fond feelings, "There's no way I'm letting that hot head ruin his own escape."

"Speaking of which, the infusion inside this box is what will truly guarantee a successful escape for the both of you."

Once Sabo opened the box and recognised what the infusion signalled, he was in awe. He had briefly heard about it at Baltigo; he briefly remembered what Koala told him about it. Gently, he closed the black box she had just passed over to him, "You mad scientist." Sabo whispered.

Satomi shrugged her shoulders in response, pridefully and nonchalantly, "I'm not insulted." somehow she made the two work.

. . . .

DBE/Time: 20:53/Marine HQ/Dormitories

During the second half of the somewhat dour evening, stress and anticipation had given themselves an unholy upgrade not from any dealer in this world. As undeniable and transparent as air, mere emotional states bypassed logic and as result evolved into physical forms by some means or another. Kichirou attentively took note of this—he could feel it somehow. From what he would perceive later on, the duo happened to be the nails his Seaman peers chewed on to keep fears at bay, the stiff shoulders from a majority of Petty Officers, or perhaps half-hearted orders voiced out to all below the rank Warrant Officer. Given the major war right around the corner, the grandest one in half a decade, uncertainty happened to be another emotion attempting to bypass logic. Regardless of age or experience, not one single Marine on the ground level was foolish enough to celebrate their victory just yet. There was however a bright side to all this anxiety.

No one's gonna catch a good night's sleep tonight.

Following the teenager's logic, many Marines out and about were distracted. They weren't in full control of their mental and emotional faculties. The unusual lack of discipline tonight, be it attitude or conduct, was in Kichirou's favour.

Damn. I wanted a challenge! My wills are gonna be way too easy to mass-produce. Hold on a sec, Kichirou...you still gotta watch out for anybody getting too clingy to you after.

Abnormal attachment: simply one of the few drawbacks to his powers.

"Well, whaddaya know!" uttered Akiyama Aoi as he leaned against Kichirou's bunk bed, "There truly is a spy in our midst." seeming to be relatively amused at the minute.

Should've paid attention to my surroundings better.

Despite being caught in flagrante exiting the vent, his fellow Seaman comrade, the sole person in the dormitory apart from him, was the very best Kichirou could have wished for. What threat was an insouciant, subtly rebellious, cynic who should have set out to be a philosopher by now? If Kichirou could, since he would if he could, he'd have overruled the cynic's volition and recruited him over to the Revolutionary Army's side.

Morals. They complicate everything.

"Seriously, man, what the hell you doing?"

"I'm just hiding from stress that's, like, everywhere." Kichirou's hands waved around, emphasising his point. "It's contagious. I don't wanna catch it."

Aoi shrugged his shoulder, "Hn, good point. Anyway, I was looking for Haru but whatever, you'll do. Let's get outta here, and smoke a joint or something. No one's home in these dormitories."

"Tough sell. Still not buying."

"Oh, come on, even the ass kissers are breaking curfew. We gotta take advantage of this day. Before you know it, we'll go back to drills with the Marine Hero Garp."

Kichirou's eye twitched, Anything but him. He sincerely plead deep down inside. Recalling how 'easy' the aforementioned Marine went on them last month was a joke and nightmare combined together. As admirable as the Marine Hero was, he was a bit of a low-key sadist.

"Did I mention the mess hall?" continued Aoi, employing his tricks of the trade to tempt and reel in a picky one, "There's refreshments, which smells great by the way, being prepared by the new chef who's trying to relax us inexperienced minds who know nothing of warfare."

He's got me there. Plus, I needed to head over there anyway.

"I'm sold, let's head over there." Kichirou lead way, already reviewing his hidden agenda that uniquely concerned the chef and their ingredients for tomorrow morning. "About this new chef though, did the other cooking team get, like, fired?"

"Nah, the regular team evacuated earlier with their own families living at Marineford." Aoi explained, "This new guy's temporary. It's the head chef from Marine base G-15."

"No way!" Kichirou blurt out, "You don't actually mean the 'Cooking Clone'."

"The one and only." Aoi the cynic affectionately patted his belly, "My stomach's growled in a way it's never ever ever done before. This new guy's more than good."

"Hey," Kichirou nudged Aoi with his elbow, "don'tcha think we're like making a big deal of him. I doubt his powers match up to his cooking."

Aoi snorted, "You must've have been sleeping under a rock to think it doesn't." he retorted, "Haven't you heard of the self-mutiny incident? You know, last year when the Fate Pirates tried to ransack his kitchen at his base?" Kichirou shook his head, "Well, as the head chef, he wasn't gonna let it slide so he somehow made clones of the crew and made them all fight mate against mate—or themselves. It was brutal. At least, that's what I heard."

Kichirou halted suddenly, his eyes glittered and widened with realisation. He had an idea most likely for a providential opportunity had just opened up.

I need to find that chef now, he decided. Getting additional help from the 'Cooking Clone' would be a real time saver. Satomi had ultimately given him permission to use his own initiative.

I'll persuade him.

"Oi, Kai," his comrade said, "Why you all frozen? Has the stress infected you now?" Aoi may have joked, but his eyes were unduly curious, "What's on your mind?"

Kichirou smirked, coming back to himself, "Nothing you need to know." once he turned round towards Aoi, his hands placed themselves on Aoi's shoulders, "As of right now till' you die," his pupils were uncannily dark again, "you will forgot about me in the vents and only remember our talk about the new cook." he removed his hands to demand, "Understood?"

"Understood."

"Great. Man, you really are a rebel. I could feel a tiny bit of resistance." admitted Kichirou, "I'm your friend. You can trust me."

"I trust you."

. . . .

DBE/Time: 20:37/Sabaody Archipelago/Clinic

"Sleepwalking troubles?"

Caught red-handed, Sabo was still straddling the windowsill sideways. He had no choice but to offer as a reply, "That's one way to put it."

"I should be much more surprised, but it does make sense now."

"What does?"

Looking to right, the Doctor seemed to think before he spoke, "I wager your occupation isn't related to piracy, neither is it Marine-ish. The both of you are not the everyday explorers, or simply civilians."

Sabo paused at that, looking at the Doctor in a new light.

"Someone's a shrewd one." Although Sabo asked, "She told you?" he didn't believe it.

"She didn't have to. Shrewdness is part of my trade."

Despite the fact that the man before Sabo seemed to be a gentle and even-tempered person, Sabo still returned the stare back, needing to know what this man's objective was exactly. He wouldn't take any chances. The revolutionary's tone was entirely impassive, "The Marine base is just a twenty minute walk way, not to mention Marine HQ is just behind us. Why not hand over me for some reward money? Being who I am, you'd have enough till' the end of yours days and then some."

"Because I prefer self-preservation." he answered calmly, "I'm quite sure that steel pipe of yours is not just for show."

Sabo nearly smirked, "Smart man."

"My profession demands it."

"But what about Koala's opinion on you?"

"Who knows," he said nonchalantly, his own fingers belying his cool composure as they fiddled with his red hair. The revolutionary felt somewhat amused, shame he didn't have time to play matchmaker tonight. "She travels a lot, doesn't she?"

"Yeah. Our own profession kinda demands it." Sabo said as gently as possible, "Sorry 'bout that."

"Hm, come to think of it," he said contemplatively, his eyes zeroing on Sabo's, "neither are you unfortunately." to say nothing of that smirk, unjustifiably inviting again.

"Me?" Sabo's eyebrows rose relatively high, an unexpected flush rose to his cheeks," Oh, um, well, you're not ugly or anything, you're really not but um, Koala saw you first, she's got dibs, right? Plus, I don't think I, what I mean to say is that," this week was single-handedly the most utterly untypical and unexpected one of them all, "I didn't know that er, you're-you're laughing at me. What gives?"

"Forgive me. She was right." The Doctor coughed out his last chuckles, "Your reactions are worth it." yet he cautiously didn't mention Koala's enquiry either.

Rolling his eyes, Sabo bit down a curse, "You fat jerk. Go to hell. Do you tease all your patients like that or am I just the lucky one? Whatever. Know that I'm glad to know you both talk about me behind my back." he grumbled, and attempted then to eject that recent embarrassing moment in the trash can of his mind.

"Technically, you were face up while unconscious, meaning any conversation featuring you was right in front of you."

Sabo bit down a smirk, "I can't get a break today. Unbelievable how she's already corrupted you." his tone was teasing at first, "You've willingly let her." and then sober, "Still, be real with me, Doctor. Do you seriously not think our organisation is just a bunch of rebels destroying the order of life as we know it?"

The once relaxed, easy-going atmosphere was now grave. The Doctor's tone at present was monotone, "Where were the Marines when my brother's fiancée was taken away against her will?" as though his questions were all he repeated in his mind hour by hour. "Where were the Marines when my brother was shot? Where were the Marines when my brother lay there on the ground, who knows how long, bleeding out? My brother. My little brother."

Sympathy and her sister empathy engulfed Sabo's entire being. The Doctor and him paralleled in particular ways. Their similarities felt too real, too relatable, and too remorseful for Sabo's liking.

"It kills me that I wasn't there." he admitted, allowing one, and only one tremble in his voice. "But where was this so-called justice upheld by the Marines?"

"They're directed by the World Government."

"Who put the Celestial Dragons on a pedestal they've abused many times over." he snapped, "We citizens here know it first-hand. Nobles they call themselves." The Doctor shook his head in disbelief. "And yet, to think green-haired pirate was the noblest one of them all. He brought my brother to the hospital, and demanded them to save his life once they hesitated. I can't even him thank him. If it wasn't for him..."

The Doctor then looked through Sabo, his mind in another realm, probably reliving a nightmare that had yet to pass away. Sabo let him have his moment. He'd wait for when the Doctor consciously looked straight at him, his hazel eyes focused and impassioned once more.

"I'm no idiot, Sabo-san. Neither am I prophetic, but I get the feeling this war is just the beginning. Something isn't working any more. This age is changing." Contrary his words, he sounded absolutely omniscient. Power was indeed changing. The current hierarchy of the world was going to be so unstable soon.

"There'll be a winner and there'll be a loser. I don't know who wins. I don't know when. Whoever does, I don't want it to be them."

"It won't be."

"I'll hold you to that."

"I won't forget—speaking of forgetfulness," Sabo added, "what's your take on..." the revolutionary struggled to let out a particular word, "amnesia, Doctor?"

The mentioned Doctor didn't show his surprise, he wondered instead if his patient had come to realise what he had suspected for a while. "The incidence of amnesia affects only a small percent of the world's population. It's possible that we've come to the same conclusion that you are part of that minority in this case."

Sabo nodded, his hat shielding his eyes once more, "That sucks."

"I can imagine." said the Doctor, offering returnable commiseration. "However, it would suck even more if you still couldn't remember what you now can."

. . . .

DBE/Time: 21:01/Marineford/Residence District

Many years ago, one of the numerous architects of Marineford had reached the decision that lodgement, for all and every commissioned officer from and above the rank Ensign, was to be situated in the same surrounding district where families' of Marines were housed. With the preparations for tomorrow's mortal combat still on-going, now was the providential time to strike. Thanks to the war, no Marine in their right mind would be caught their in their room, lounging around during such a crucial time.

Kichirou thus had no real need to sneak inside. Only four things were necessary. Directly he had enjoined the caretaker in a mesmeric manner the caretaker provided him with the keys to Captain Ivy's room situated at ground level, revealed next that no surveillance snails were present in the building, supplied him with their drawstring bag, offered him after ten lollipops and swore finally to their charmer to forget everything that they heard before 21:15.

Once Kichirou gained access to Captain's Ivy's room (looking like an expensive four star guest room), he uttered a low whistle, "Sweet." and sauntered away to the window sill, where he dug his hand down into the rich soil of the flower's pot in order to unearth a magnetic circle as instructed in the fax. Quite soon after he found it, Kichirou the sauntered away to bed, dropping down on his knees after to crawl underneath the bed in order to pull open an engraved floorboard among the rest unlike it. After that, he took hold of a metal briefcase that could only be opened by the magnetic circle he inserted into its singular position.

Sat cross-legged on Captain Ivy's bed, insensible to one of his comrade's pet peeves, he gaped at all the liquids the briefcase exhibited in full once opened. Kichirou's brows furrowed, "I wonder how much it'd all make in the black market." he muttered, the idea of having deep pockets appealed to him as much as the next person.

"Back to reality, Kichirou. Okay, so the different sections make sense. Appearance and intensification. I'll need two blue infusions for camouflage. The cloning yellow one is what Satomi gave to Sabo already. Yup, intensification it is."

Needless to say, the multicoloured 'intensification' fluids or pills contained in small-scale tubes were substances a.k.a. drugs, in other words agents. Whereas 'Appearance' agents (i.e. infusions) contained actual special hormones (given by none other than the Horm-Horm Fruit user in collaboration with Satomi) to boost their temporary effect, 'Intensification' agents were more chemical than the 'Appearance' ones, some even botanical or inhalant to a certain degree.

'Trust Tea Empress to label every single one of them with instructions.'

Satomi had been coherent with her instructions. In his memory of the fax, he took all that was required for tonight and tomorrow. Quite soon after placing the necessary 'Appearances' and 'Intensifications' in his brand new bag, he cudgelled his brain for any essential piece of information she had sent by fax.

'Be cautious and attentive with the drops required. Among many of our aims, one of the major ones is to render the main game players insensible tomorrow. Note the word insensible. We're not seeking to eliminate them.'

"Didn't think we needed to finish off anyone in this operation either." It was rare for revolutionaries to do so anyhow, except in dire circumstances. "Been a while since I-" the adolescent blinked, his disturbing memory shoved back in an unbidden fashion. "Whatever. Time to go."

. . . .

DBE/Time: 20:27/Sabaody Archipelago/Golden Time

"The plan is good to go." Satomi declared, fulfilment unmistakably heard in her voice, "We'll put everything into effect starting tomorrow."

"You know," realised Sabo at last minute, "you haven't called me reckless yet. I'm dead sure I would've heard it in your eyebrows at least."

"I can't find fault with your determination." she stopped her eyes from drifting to the wrists again, then again her thoughts were concerned with her past – a walk down memory lane for ten seconds. "Who wouldn't give their all to save someone precious?" Satomi also added in that, "It's human nature."

"Glad we're on the same page."

She hummed, the humanity heard in the sound a pleasure to hear. "Sabo," she said for a final time, rising up to meet him, "He will escape from Marine HQ. You and him will both leave the area successfully. I can guarantee you that. Only that."

What remained unsaid was the unlucky misdemeanours and misadventures he including Ace could possibly land themselves in while at sea, surrounded by their adversaries.

"Pinky swear?"

Her genuine smile was found in her eyes. She indulged him, provided that he'd never tell a soul. No one in the universe would find his body otherwise.

. . . .

DBE/Time: 21:13/Marine HQ

"You will hand over the official rota for tomorrow."

"I desire a favour. I want the three of you to hand me either your hats, scarves, turban, glasses, and jackets."

"Firstly, I order three temporary clones of me that can be terminated by me by a punch with no physical pain for me. I want their memories and full control over them. Secondly, I order that you add these to tomorrow's breakfast for the first batch, only two drops, especially in these two guard's plates when you see them," Kichirou held up a picture, "Thirdly, I order that you spice up the tomorrow's breakfast for the third batch with these tomorrow. Only two drops again." Kichirou uttered his final command, "You will repeat twice all the instructions I have given you right now."

"Clone 1, you will wear the hat and glasses. Clone 2, you will wear the scarf with no hat. Clone 3, you will wear this jacket and the turban. Tonight, we will all charm the main players we read on the fax today. In my head, I'll tell you all where to go."

"I desire you to insert these liquids immediately into the water supply that the showers use when the second batch-only the second batch, go wash themselves tomorrow. Eight drops only. "

"I order to you to allow me to be the exemplary Seaman allowed to walk beside the pirate Portgas D. Ace through the corridors tomorrow without you sending any change of situation to anyone."

"With this and this, you will mix them into the surveillance snail's breakfast tomorrow morning no matter the expressions on their faces. Four drops only."

"You will add these to the water dispenser found in the control room tomorrow morning as you refill it."

. . . .

DOE/Time: 07:29/Sabaody Archipelago/Outside the clinic

Old habits died hard. Operating the way he did had been rooted into him ever since he was hired at the clinic. The doctor named Daichi checked the time, at the same time power walking towards the exit to buy himself a pick-me-up. He did not have much civilian patients today since the health check up for a few Marines took precedence around ten; however, that still wasn't a good enough reason to sleep on the job. Shortly, he held onto the door knob and was subsequently jerked forward outside due to the door gathering momentum as it was pulled open harshly from the other side. It all happened in a blur. The stranger possessed the better reflexes out of the two of them. They held the doctor firmly against the door frame while all he managed to do was hold onto the stranger's neck or perhaps shoulder for balance. The two assessed the situation and each other afterwards.

The red haired doctor and the brown haired revolutionary seemingly froze in time.

They stared at each other. Cobalt eyes and hazel fusing fleetingly. One of them swallowed hard; One of them bit their bottom lip. Every minute they had talked and laughed together was in their gaze. Koala said nothing and Daichi said nothing. She couldn't get her body to respond, her hands were still on him, on his hip, on his chest where she felt the beat of his heart, a rapid pulse in likeness to hers which could be felt by his hand placed where her shoulder met her neck. Their look still held, to say nothing of their connection, and in their eyes were untouchable seconds they had lived in since the day Sabo collapsed and was brought to the clinic.

The two main question at the minute were: how to end this moment smoothly, together with how to make this moment never end?

Despite these questions which ran through his mind, Daichi chose what was logical. "Thank you for breaking my fall, I admit I have a bad habit of rushing at this hour." he shifted the direction of his gaze elsewhere, "I assume you're here for Sabo-san." he then removed his hand from her neck, slightly disinclined. "You must know that your friend has-"

"-disappeared. Gone missing. Vanished. Not-stayed-where-he-should be." interrupted Koala, correctly assuming the facts. She then removed her hands from his shoulder and his hip, stepping down a step, slightly disinclined.

"You don't sound surprised." Daichi noted.

"It's been nine years now, give or take. I should know better but I still give him the benefit of the doubt." Koala sighed, "I'm an idiot to so."

"You're true friend to do so."

"A moron of a friend."

"Or perhaps the friend of a moron."

Koala smiled from ear to ear, "Well, you are the doctor. I'm positive you're well versed in unhinged minds like his." she asserted with a twinkle in her eyes.

"I'm well read, though I'm no mind reader." Daichi admitted, "If I was, I could easily determine things much quicker."

"Anything in particular?"

"People for a start."

"Anyone in particular?"

"It remains to be seen whether they'd want me to know them." he answered, "And you, Koala? What would you do?"

"The feeling is mutual."

In more ways than one, remained unsaid; yet, it was clearly felt by both. It was was something too brief to have a name after only two days. Something that made one of them fidget. Something that turned the other into a nidget. Something that would only require in end a metaphorical pledget. Something they wouldn't like to forget.

Stop staring at his hair. Stopping staring at his eyes, self-reprimanded Koala in her head. You're losing the plot. A pirate and revolutionary's life could be at stake if things fall through.

"I'm distracted. You're distracting. You're distracting me."

"What makes me distracting?"

Koala paled, mentally retracting back her words, "Did I just say that?"

"You did. I'm not letting you take it back." his hazel eyes appeared to be unfairly warm and what's more,"I don't want you to." there he stood with the most effulgence smile on his face.

Koala stared straight over his shoulders, not at all able to deal with his face at the minute.

"Good." she somehow managed to voice, "Seems there's no need to say sorry."

"Except for me, seeing that I'm far too distracting for you to think straight." he said while picking his nails, giving the impression of insouciance.

Koala saw through his act. Koala however couldn't respond to those words, denying the truth. Koala avoided eye contact again, looking over to the right side. She feigned displeasure, her pout, together with her folded arms enhancing her own performance through and through.

"For your information, you won't be gaining my forgiveness any time soon." her tone sounded stern, Koala's lips were set in a straight line.

Daichi's lips twitched instead, "Would an eight worded apology per minute help speed things?"

"Nope. I know a better way though."

"Name it."

"Help a girl out with a mission." was said directly, "You wouldn't happen to have taken a blood sample from Sabo recently?"

"Perhaps I did."

"Would it still be well conserved after two days?"

"Perhaps it is."

"You wouldn't mind me taking it for safe and secure reasons?"

"Perhaps."

"Would you mind leading the way?"

He briefly shook his head sideways, his smile as welcoming as ever. Walking along the hallways on the left, Daichi lead Koala towards the clinic's small-scale testing room. Arriving, his hands rummaged in his all pockets, trying to find the key he misplaced at times.

"Apologies."

"I don't mind."

Daichi remembered all of a sudden, his hands thus reaching for the leather necklace in his breast pocket where the key was placed. He pulled it out with great force, flinging it up high without knowing at first. Blessed with enviable reflexes was the woman stood beside him who caught it without breaking a sweat.

"Good catch."

Koala stared pointedly at him as she returned his keys, "Indeed."

Marginally shy, he ran his fingers through his hair, all the while completely and stupidly oblivious as to what that did to her. To top it all off, he chuckled lightly and belatedly as he turned the key in the hole which lead to an unspecified entity fluttering in her stomach. Not only at the sound but also at the sight of no ring on his finger.

He's single.

Koala: 1 Sabo: 0

2016 AN: During the Saboady arc, I seriously and illogically had a soft spot for two minor characters, fiancées, that were separated by a stupid, damn Celestial Dragon. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter. Try to wait for the next one where everyone's really getting the ball rolling.

Reflect and review if you wish!