Disclaimer: I don't own anything from One Piece or High School DxD

(Four days later)

Half of the day had already passed by and unlike most days, Issei was still inside his house. Currently, he was in the living room sitting in his mother's lap as the two rested on one of the purple sofas. Neither of them had said a word for most of the duration that they had spent there, content on simply enjoying the other's company.

Issei always felt joy just from being close to Olivier but still, he couldn't help but feel a little sad right now. How couldn't he feel down knowing that his time with his mother was limited?

He heard the sound of the front door opening and soon enough both Buccaneer and Miles appeared from the small corridor.

"All personnel have been assembled and are on their way to the docks." Buccaneer said

"The battleship is in prime condition and has been resupplied accordingly to the duration of the journey." Miles added

"Good. Then let us go." Olivier declared before turning to her son

The Admiral felt a pang of hurt at the saddened expression that Issei now had.

"You really have to go today Mom?" Issei ask, even knowing the answer he still felt the need to hear her say it

"I do Issei." Olivier answered softly. "I can't stay for overly long periods of time away from where I'm stationed. Even if I don't have anyone to answer for back there, my subordinates still need their leader."

Issei nodded. He knew well enough that his mother's job was very demanding but it didn't make it any easier when she had to leave his side.

"Now that I'm going to stay here, will you come visit me more often?"

In both his tone and gaze Olivier noticed the hopefulness that Issei had for a positive answer. Olivier smiled, happy that despite how much time she spends away from her son, he still yearned for her.

"As much as possible."

Issei smiled brightly at that. "Maybe next time Dad will be with us too."

"That would lovely. It has been a long time since the three of us have been together."

Olivier lifted her son from her lap and settled him on the sofa. She stood up and grabbed her sabre that was resting at her side and attached it to her belt.

"Take care Issei. Try not to give your grandfather too much trouble okay?"

The boy puffed his cheeks at that. "What do you mean? I don't give Gramps trouble, I'm a saint!"

Olivier chuckled before kissing Issei's forehead. She then turned to the two Vice Admirals and walked towards them, intending to head to the battleship.

"H-hey Mom."

Issei's hesitant voice caused her to stop. She eyed him over her shoulder and cocked a brow. The boy was staring his lap while his small hands were grabbing a handful of his shorts.

"Yes?" She asked

The boy gulped loudly. "A-are you happy that I plan on becoming a marine like you?"

He avoided looking at Olivier's direction, not wanting to see her reaction at what he said. He heard the sound of her boots hitting the floor, the sound growing closer each time. Soon he was able to see them in front of him.

"Are you doing this for me or because you yourself want to become one?" Olivier questioned

Still not meeting her eyes, he answered. "I want it."

He then felt a hand cup one of his cheeks and it gently raised his head. He was met with a warm smile from his mother.

"Then of course I'm happy Issei. As long as you do something because you desire to do so I will be happy. I'm happy to see the effort you been putting with your training with Kuzan."

Issei leaned into Olivier's hand. "Thanks Mom."

Olivier's answer was another kiss in his forehead.

"However," Her tone then lost its softness and her gaze gained its well known sharpness. "If I ever hear of any other adventure between you and Rosinante of that kind…"

She rested her other hand on her sabre, the silent promise in her eyes.

Issei's eyes grew wide with terror. "I-I know. Don't worry Mom."

"Good." Olivier ruffled her son's hair

She then stood up and walked pass her two subordinates, to give them the opportunity to bid their farewells to Issei while she went ahead. If she stayed any longer it would only be harder to leave later.

Issei walked up to Buccaneer, who gave a knowing look to the boy before lifting him off the ground and sat him on his shoulder. The trio then walked to the front door and stopped outside of the house.

"I hope that next time you will have grown a few centimeters Young Boss." Buccaneer joked

Miles watched with a small smile as Issei retaliated by pulling the man's moustache. The whole scene gave the white haired man a strong feeling of déjà vu, though that didn't make it any less entertaining to see.

"As much as it amuses me to watch you testing the quality of Buccaneer's facial hair, we do need to be on the move. It wouldn't do for us to make the others wait and set a bad example."

Buccaneer chuckled. "As if our leader would let any slackers stay on her ship."

Issei slowly climbed down from the Vice Admiral, not wanting to give the duo any problems. When his feet touched the ground, he felt Buccaneer's hand land on his head. The boisterous man gave the boy a wide smile when he curiously looked up and ruffled his hair.

"Take care kid. Next time I'm here I'll give you a few pointers that I'm sure that lazy ass Kuzan will forget."

Issei nodded with a smile. "That would be awesome!"

The boy's cheery expression then lessened in intensity, up to the point where there was only a small smile left with downcast eyes.

"Something on your mind Issei?" Miles asked

Issei continued to stare at the ground. "Can you guys do something for me?"

Miles arched a brow at that and threw a questioning glance at his longtime friend. Buccaneer only shrugged, being as much in the dark as the other marine.

"Of course you can." Miles answered

Issei fumbled with the hem of his jacket. "Don't let any bad guys hurt Mom okay?"

…

Buccaneer was the first to recover of the unexpected request grinned broadly. "Huahahaha even if they brought an army they would at best manage to give your mother a scratch! And that's being generous kid!"

He ruffled Issei's hair once more.

"Your mother really is more than capable of taking care of herself. Nevertheless we'll do our best to ensure her safety, so rest easy." Miles assured the boy.

With his head still under Buccaneer's paw-like hand, Issei giggled merrily. "Thanks!"

Seeing that the boy's sullen mood was gone, the Vice Admirals gave him one last goodbye before striding towards the docks.

Once the two marines were out of sight, Issei gave a despondent sigh before kicking away a small rock.

He knew that he couldn't go together with Olivier to avoid spreading around their relation. But still, he really wanted to see her departure, if only to prolong as much as possible his time with her.

He kicked another stone, his gaze following its trajectory as it kicked the ground before landing even further away than the first one. Despite it being ordinary, Issei kept staring at the two stones, absentmindedly thinking about the distance between the pebbles.

…!

Issei snapped his head to his house. The only one still inside was his furry friend, probably sleeping in one of the rooms. While he didn't liked leaving the small goat all alone, he took solace in the fact that Rosinante's day wasn't a busy, so he would return earlier than usual, and darted in the Vice Admiral's direction.

He was well aware that he couldn't go with his mother to the docks and watch her set sail. However, not once anyone mentioned anything about watching the departure from afar.

\\

Sengoku's mind was reeling from the report that he was given. His mind was so occupied with the thoughts that ran amok that not even one word of the details that Brannew was now relaying to him were being registered. In fact, he was only aware that the man was still speaking because Sengoku's unfocused gaze was resting in the direction that the Captain was standing inside his office. He was sure that young marine had noticed his taciturn expression but must have mistaken his silence as a way of showing interest as he continued his report undaunted.

"Why am I only hearing of this now?" Sengoku questioned, some of his irritation leaking into his tone

Brannew was seemingly caught off guard, as he stood slack-jawed.

"I, uh, do you mean the bounties sir?" The Captain managed to say after regaining his composure

Sengoku grinded his teeth; he was indeed bothered that the bounty issued for his son four days ago only now became known to him. But as he wanted to know everything regarding that, there were more concerning points in the report that demanded his attention first.

"While the secrecy over the bounties does bother me, what I want to know is about the operation which you just spoke of." Sengoku's eyes hardened. "Especially as to how you've obtained a Buster Call."

Brannew gulped, attempting to rid himself of the lump in his throat. "I-I'm sorry sir, but I do not know how the permission for the usage of the Buster Call was acquired. My knowledge of this operation is limited to what I've been reporting to you right now."

Sengoku leaned back in his chair, his eyes still scrutinizing the officer standing in his office. "Very well. You were recently promoted and given the task of assigning bounties isn't that right?"

Brannew's brows appeared from above his sunglass lenses. "T-that's correct sir. I'm surprised that such a small thing has reached you…"

"Your function is anything but small. Without those responsible for assigning bounties, the marines would never be able to keep tabs on every criminal out there. So keep your head high and know that you're as valuable as every other soldier in the Navy."

Brannew puffed out his chest and fought the urge to smile at the praise. "Sir, yes sir."

Sengoku nodded. "And those two bounties where the first ones that you assigned four days ago?"

"Yes sir."

Sengoku hummed, his expression now matched the look in his eyes. "Then you should be able to tell me why they were shrouded in so much secrecy. So I'll ask you, why was this information kept in a tight leash?"

Brannew panicked, thinking that the Admiral was suspecting him of withholding the bounties. "No, I didn't do it- I mean, I did but it wasn't my op-"

"Now now, I requested him to do so Admiral Sengoku. So please, don't give him such a hard time over something he had no choice yes?"

Sengoku's eyes immediately snapped in the direction of the new voice and they narrowed the moment they landed on his second guest.

Seating in the couch, with one leg resting above the other and with his arms crossed over his chest was a man that easily drawn attention to himself due to his attire. Not only was he dressed with a suit, a long coat and a bowler hat of matching white color, he also had a very peculiar and recognizable mask. Contrasting with his tanned skin of his neck, his mask showed a white face, with an eye covered in black while the other was only circulated by it; it also sported a thin moustache and beard.

Sengoku felt the muscles in his jaw jump. It wasn't because of the man's appearance or the fact that the Admiral hadn't noticed him at all, not when he had entered the office or for how long he was sitting there. Simply because he was there made the Admiral tense.

"What are you doing here," Sengoku said cautiously. "Cipher Pol Aegis Zero?"

The strongest intelligence organization there was within the World Government. If they were involved, then this whole matter just became incredibly more complicated and dangerous, the latter only for Sengoku's son.

If the lack of hospitality bothered the man, he certainly didn't show as he remained relaxed in his seat. The man slightly tilted his head. "I know that marine officers and government officers sometimes don't see eye to eye but I expected you to be above such petty things Sengoku-san."

Despite the professional way which the masked man carried himself, it didn't escape Sengoku the amused undertone in his voice.

"Cordiality only goes so far when I don't have a codename, much less a name, to address you." Sengoku countered

"Fair enough." The agent conceded. "As for why I asked the newest Captain in your ranks to keep quiet about those two criminals is fairly simple. We wanted to deal with this matter our own way."

"That doesn't explain anything." Sengoku growled. "And why did your organization decided to involve yourselves?"

The agent brought a hand to his mask and brushed his fingers where the moustache was painted, as if he were caressing a real one, to Sengoku's chagrin. He was purposely bidding his time to answer; he knew that he didn't have any obligation to answer the Admiral, as he only answered to a selected group of individuals.

"We both know that this case here is far from being ordinary. The moment that it was confirmed the intent of those archaeologists search for Poneglyphs and the Void Century, it became one of the top priorities for the World Government to find those that remain alive. That is why Cipher Pol has been called to act, with full authority over the case. That includes withholding the bounties, as it would do no good for that information to spread and cause our targets to become alert and seek hiding."

"That authority also extended to the usage of the Buster Call, which I assure you we will use it. We've tracked down that the group originated from Ohara, the island with the highest number of archaeologists. Since they ignored our censorship, they have sealed their fate in the form of total annihilation."

"What about the two criminals? Do you have anything on them?" Sengoku asked, making sure to keep his tone even and not letting it show his anxiety

Now that he knew from where the permission to use the Buster Call came from, there was nothing else to question on that point, not even the decision to use it. It was the expected course of action when it concerned things like that, the secrets that the World Government wanted to keep to themselves.

The secrets that Issei's dad hated so much.

A lull settled in, with the agent turning to face the Admiral. Sengoku was sure that under that blank face painted in the mask, the Cipher Pol agent was staring at him intently.

"Hyoudou Hikigaya..." The man finally said

Sengoku maintained his expression impassive, not reacting in any noticeable way to the name.

"If I'm not mistaken, this criminal has the same family name as your grandson. Perhaps there's a connection between them?"

The agent cupped his chin under the mask, striking a thinking pose. "Maybe Hikigaya could be a cousin or an uncle from his mother's side. Or perhaps…"

Sengoku's felt once again the masked man's eyes on him.

"He originated from the boy's paternal side?"

That set off some alarms in the Admiral's mind. No one that had any relation with the World Government was supposed to know that he had a child, much less a son. He had made sure of that, for Hikigaya's sake.

Still, Sengoku knew that now was not the time to get caught up in his worries and what ifs.

"What difference would it make? It won't change the fact that he's a wanted person that has to pay for the consequences of his actions." The Admiral stated resolutely

The agent hummed appraisingly. "That is true. A criminal is a criminal, regardless of outside factors."

He then stood up, his arms disappearing under his long coat and with steps so light that barely made any sound, he made his way to the door.

"We believe that Nico Olivia has returned to her homeland, so I've dispatched Cipher Pol agents to verify its veracity. As for Hyoudou Hikigaya, we have some leads but none close to being solid."

He stopped in front of the door and turned to the other two officers.

"Thank you for your cooperation up to this point Captain," He then turned to Sengoku. "And you for your time Admiral. It goes without saying that what has been discussed here must stay here. A good day for the two of you."

Not long after the agent was gone, Brannew followed suit, having other duties to attend to. With no other distractions, Sengoku lost himself in the storm of thoughts inside his head as he replayed what he had learned. Thinking on what he could do and every outcome to his actions.

Only one thing came to his mind.

Sengoku rose from his chair and marched towards the door.

\\

(Minutes later)

Sengoku only came back to his senses when he stepped in his living room, at the same moment that his house doorway slammed shut, due to the brusque way he had opened. He had absentmindedly traversed from headquarters, still processing the reality that his son was his enemy.

He took in the room in front of him and as his sensibility settled in, he came to one conclusion.

It was quiet. Eerily so. As if there wasn't a single soul in the house.

"Beee?" A drawled, inquisitive sound shattered the Admiral's assessment

He spared a glance at the portal that led to the staircase and saw the small head of the family pet poking out of the corner, his eyes drowsy, indicating that his loud arrival interrupted the animal's sleep. The goat's eyes lit up when he recognized the Admiral.

"Beee!" He chirped, much more lively than the first one

Taking it as the pet's form of welcoming him, Sengoku gave him a grateful nod. Satisfied, the goat retreated from his peeking spot, wanting to return to his previous activity.

Giving his surroundings a once over, he moved to the stairs in order to reach his room. He had expected to find at least Issei home, since he knew that at one point Olivier intended to leave to the New World, but that wasn't the case. Under any other circumstances, he would fret about Issei's whereabouts, given the boy's curious nature, it wouldn't be wrong to think that he might be snooping around where he shouldn't.

But not this time. Today, Sengoku welcomed the silence as what he was about to do wasn't something he wanted others catching wind of.

After entering his room, Sengoku wasted no time and almost hopped to closet on one of the corners of the bedroom. Moving over some clothes that rested on hangers and some piled up boxes, he eventually found what he was looking for, a medium sized sack. Sengoku easily loosed up the roped that kept it shut, revealing two Den Den Mushis, one the standard size and the other smaller and covered completely by the color white.

He grabbed the red wire that hanged loosely atop of the smaller snail and connected on the other one's side. As soon as the cable attached, the white snail woke up, blinking a handful of times before slowly glancing at the bigger snail. His eyes then became gloomy, followed by a despondent sigh and the corners of his lips fall, all around, a far cry from the usually deadpan expressions that most Den Den Mushi sported.

The Admiral then took the speaker that rested on the bigger snail's shell. Sengoku's fingers brushed the dial that was displayed on the other side of the shell. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and closed his eyes, expanding his senses.

He didn't hear anything in the upper section of his house outside of his breathing, the only presence outside of his being the goat's, which was in Issei's room. Expanding his reach to the rest of the house and his small courtyard, he didn't pick anything else, as he expected. He extended once more, this time reaching the other houses nearby.

A housewife worrying what to make for dinner for her husband when he returns.

A mother and her child walking back from the store, the child happily hugging her new book.

An old lady sitting on the veranda of her house distraught by the news of the latest actions of the Big Mom pirates that were reported on today's newspaper.

Weak auras. All those and even more surrounded or passed by the Admiral; civilians just living their everyday lives.

Feeling that it was enough as far as guarantees could go that there was no one that could attempt to eavesdrop him, given that he didn't picked up any powerful auras close to his house other than his own; Sengoku broke his focus, losing sight of auras around him or that passed by.

He quickly dialed the number he had committed to memory. The snail woke up with a deadpan face as soon as the he entered the last digit, signifying not only that it was an existing number, but that it was trying to connect with the other end of his call.

*PEREPEREPERE PEREPEREPERE*

Sengoku sat on the edge of his bed, waiting for the receiver to answer. Hopefully.

*PEREPEREPERE PEREPEREPERE*

…

*KACHA*

The snail's face changed from its deadpan, assuming a bored, bordering on standoffish expression. His eyes, however, was the place where the change would garnered the attention of most people, for Sengoku it only meant that who picked up the call was the one he expected to do so. The previous emotionless eyes became something akin to a pair that could possibly only belong to a dead fish. Yet there they were proving otherwise.

"Now this is a surprise. I didn't expect that you would use the communicator I sent to you so soon."

A small smile tugged the corner of the snail's lips. "But I can't say that it is an unpleasant one. How have things been over there between you and Ise Pops? Has he already made you rip that bizarre afro of yours out of frustration?"

Despite his grim mood, Sengoku couldn't avoid but let escape a chuckle at his son's teasing. He didn't respond in kind though, the nature of this call left no room for that.

"You really did it this time." Sengoku said. "Your latest endeavor, at last, crossed that line. You're a wanted man now Hikigaya."

The small smile immediately faded, if not for the dire news, then because of Sengoku's aloof tone. "What about Ise? Did they link him to me?"

The urgency and trepidation that tinged Hikigaya's tone was strangely good to hear. It was reassuring that he cared more for his son's safety than his own.

"No, information on you is scarce to say the least; Issei's safe. I was very thorough when I erased all and any documents that related the two of us when you decided to be an archaeologist."

Hikigaya's relieve was palpable when he heard his father's assurance. It didn't escape him that by the end of Sengoku's explanation, his aloofness gave way to disappointment. The snail eyed the Admiral with the closest thing it could muster of a knowing look.

"Pops, I know you're not particularly fond of my choi-."

"That's not the problem here and you know it." Sengoku now made no effort to hide his discontentment

"Just-." An exasperated sigh. "How many times did I tell you to never go after anything even remotely related to the Void Century? I told you that despite being able to make you a ghost so that you could have a chance of integrating yourself in the rather reclusive society of archaeologists, if you go near this topic, sooner or later, the World Government will know!"

"And all the parties involved will be hunt like animals right?" Hikigaya snarled

"It is knowledge strictly forbidden by the World Government." Sengoku replied with practiced ease

The snail snorted. "One of the many things they keep hidden from the rest of the world; how ironic for an organization with such name to do adopt a policy like that!"

"Perhaps." Sengoku conceded. The system was far from perfect. "That doesn't make your actions any less wrong or free from being criminally indicted. It's as if you didn't think this through and threw caution to the wind and damned be the consequences!"

An outraged expression formed in the snail's face. "Do not treat me like a kid! Of course I considered that I might be branded as a criminal, but even then, if that is the price for taking steps in the direction of the truth, then so be it!"

"What about your family then? You, Olivier and Issei, how would it be if- no, how things will be now that you are an outlaw?"

Hikigaya bristled at the question and gritted his teeth. Guilty covered his features, not having a response.

Sengoku's eyes narrowed. Guilt, but never regret.

"Even more importantly, how will this affect Issei?"

His son frowned in confusion, failing to see the point of this question. "What do you mean? You said it yourself that he's safe."

"A couple of weeks ago, Issei decided that he wants to join the Navy."

The small widening of the snail's eyes was the only indication of Hikigaya's surprise.

"How would he react if his father is arrested by what he aims to become? What if he starts second guessing himself and his goal? You know that he thinks the world of both you and Olivier, losing you would be no small blown for him."

Hikigaya averted his rotten eyes from his father. When Issei was a bit younger, he used to be like glue, always clinging onto the archaeologist.

"That is why, as contradictory it may be for me to say, you must evade whatever comes after you for your son's sake. You own him that much in return for you indulging in your selfish act." The Admiral stated

"… What of the bounty? He'll eventually find out about it."

The report debrief that had happened in Sengoku's office, alongside its unexpected development, came back to the Admiral's mind.

"That's another point that I wish to warn you about. Issei won't know about your bounty any time soon."

The snail narrowed his eyes. "How can you be so sure?"

Sengoku rubbed the back of his neck. "Your bounty and the one that belongs to your… business partner, Nico Olivia, are being guarded with severe secrecy by choice of the ones responsible to track you two down. Even my hands are tied."

Hikigaya frowned, mulling over what his father had just said. After a moment, his eyes widened. "CP-0 is after us?"

His tone was laced with worry, an understandable sentiment, given who was after him.

Sengoku nodded. "You mustn't contact Nico Olivia any longer, if you two are still in touch. They claim to have a solid lead on her and I frankly don't doubt that it is true. So if you wish to have any chance of escaping their clutches do as I say for once in your life."

Hikigaya glared at Sengoku, surely wanting to rebuke the marine's last sentence but gave up midway, settling for merely agreeing with a nod.

It was rash, maybe even a low blown. But Sengoku didn't care, if he managed to get his point across then he would do it.

"Also, get as much distance as possible between you and Ohara as soon as possible."

A handful of emotions flashed by the Den Den Mushi expression. First was confusion, as Hikigaya tried to connect the dots and grasp the meaning behind Sengoku's request. Then, understanding and at last, pure anger covered its visage.

"Only those aboard the ship were aware of the expedition and its goal! The inhabitants of Ohara are innocent! You can't hold them accountable for the actions of few!"

"You more than anyone else that took part in this foolish venture how absolute the Navy's response is when it comes to eliminating threats of this nature!" Sengoku spat with the same intensity

"Don't go near Ohara, only death and destruction awaits there."

Sengoku's grim declaration only served to further anger Hikigaya, but he held his tongue and silently cursed. His father's words held nothing but the truth, a harsh truth that racked the archaeologist body with guilt.

"… I'm pretty far from Ohara." He finally said after swallowing his anger. "I'm staying at a hotel in Alabasta but I plan on moving on to another island tomorrow."

"Good. Don't stay in one place for more than three days and avoid getting too close to Shabaody Archipelago. A delegation from the Tenryubito is scheduled to arrive there tomorrow, so the Navy activity in the area will be reinforced."

"Got it. And Pops?"

Sengoku blinked. "What is it?"

"… If worst come to worst, don't let Ise-."

*VEE VEE VEEEE*

\\

*VEE VEE VEEE*

As an eldery Den Den Mushi continued to shriek, echoing throughout all of Marineford, the headquarters was filled with shouting and soldiers of all kinds of ranks running up and down, trying to recover from the sudden alert.

"The Silver Den Den Mushi has received a signal of a request to trigger Buster Call!"

The younger and more inexperienced marines look all around them, feeling lost as to what to do in the situation, while some veterans now sported a grim look, while others adopted a stony one.

"The request came from the Gorosei!"

*VEE VEE VEEE*

"The location is from an island on West Blue, Ohara!"

"Prepare ten warships to depart immediately! Gather five Vice Admirals!"

As of now, Ohara was a target for elimination for the betterment of the world.

\\

Issei felt completely lost.

After managing to reach the docks just in time to catch a glimpse of his mother embarking her warship and promptly leaving as soon as all personnel and supplies were accounted for one last time, he decided to stay there for a while to enjoy the breeze that carried the salty smell of the sea and the unaltered view of the sea and the clear sky that almost mirrored the pristine color of the waters bellow.

One moment, the boy was soaking in the sight, occasionally accompanying with his eyes the seagull's flight, and enjoying the peaceful feeling it gave him.

*VEE VEE VEEE*

"Get moving! We need to ready the battleships as fast as possible! Move men move!"

"Grab as many boxes of ammunition for the cannons as possible and load them up!"

"Everyone to your stations and get ready to loose sails at any minute!"

On another moment, everything changed. The peaceful mood was forcibly shoved away by one of alarm. The few marines assigned to the port calmly doing their tasks was nowhere in sight. Now, the number of soldiers present easily reached the double digits.

The turmoil was enough to make Issei hesitate to move from his spot, his lack of understanding of the situation only making him stare dumbly as the preparations for something unfolded before his eyes.

"What of the Vice Admirals needed?!" Issei heard one officer shout, his voice hoarse from trying to be louder than the noise that occupied the docks

"So far, only Vice Admiral Sakazuki and Kuzan have responded to the Buster Call!" Another answered

A multitude of questions filled Issei's head. Buster Call? Why the need for so many ships? Vice Admirals? How was Kuzan-sensei involved in all this?

"And how are the preparations of the battleships going?"

"We have four ships fully loaded and ready for combat sir!"

The first officer didn't seem pleased by the number. "That's not fast enough! Increase the working speed as much as possible! The faster the preparations are done, the sooner the operation can begin so that justice can be dispensed to make our world safer!"

"Sir yes sir!"

As Issei watched the second officer broke into a sprint with a twinkle in his eyes. He didn't get the whole picture of what was happening, but from that conversation it was a big thing for sure.

The boy smiled. Buster Call was a totally awesome name, and by the officer's words, the Navy was about to go kick some criminals in the butt! He couldn't miss this! He had to go somehow!

It was a fantastic learning opportunity, Issei reasoned with himself.

With relative ease, since the man stuck out like a sore thumb, the boy found his lanky mentor as he took uneven steps in the direction of his designed battleship. Said ship wasn't among those ready to sail, as there still were soldiers hastily loading it with the needed supplies.

Issei's smile grew tenfold. It seemed that today he would have a lesson with mentor. A field trip one by the looks of it.

- Den Den Mushi: Transponder Snail

-Gorosei: Five Elder Stars

-Tenryubito: Celestial Dragons

-Guest review: Happy to see you noticed that detail, but no, it is Olivier Armstrong. We'll get to the why eventually.

A/N: And that concludes chapter 5! The plot advances to the event that I personally think is part of the saddest back story of the Strawhat crew. A few changes here and there in order to fit in what I have in mind for the story, I hope everyone enjoys them. Apologies for the wait for this chapter being longer than the ones from previous chapters, but free time was a luxury that I didn't possessed over the last month. I'm glad to see by the reviews from the last one that the reception to Issei's mom was positive and, of course, many thanks for those that dropped a review and also to those that fav/foll the story. For those that made a question on a review, I answered them via PM since most answers contained some spoilers. If possible, please leave a review after reading. Until next time, have a great day.

Chapter beta was done by TheComposcreator.