Season of the Beast: Justice and the Jungle. (Open thread)

Willard lounged upon the sofa of his musty quarters, as the ship rocked violently amidst bestial roars, fervent yells and gun-shots.

He snorted, then took a bite out of the salted pork-hock, skimming through the contract lain down upon the table. He barely remembered the niceties of last night's meeting, inebriated as he was with thick-scented rum, but good old Mister Finch would see to those, no doubt-

A sharp hiss tore through the air, followed by a brief scream, then a wet smacking and crunching noise; a yell of rage superseded the former immediately, along with a noise like steel sliding off stone and a wet, feline snarl. More roaring; the room pitched to a slight angle.

Willard exhaled forcefully through his nostrils, working out the gnawing pain at the back of his head with his forehead-muscles. His near-blurred sight connected with the dark text on parchment:


"Live-capture of all three 'Sacred-Spirits' of Minos Island. Advance payment delivered. Failure not an option."


A guttural keen of agony. A sudden shock blasted the glass off the quarter's window-hinges. Willard grumbled, then glared through his partially closed eyelids. Minos Island was another bright thread in the rich fabric of the Grand-Line; it's own legend regarded three beings, one of sky, one of water, and a supreme final being, which were stated to have the power to keep the oceans still with their power. The specifics of each creature

This would be easy to believe, considering the island sat in the centre of the Calm Belt. Willard distinctly recalled that last night's benefactor had been so kind as to provide an Eternal Pose for the damn place. Whoever was endorsing this expedition, Willard heartily respected their dedication.

A weak hiss drifted in through the broken windows, interrupted by a loud slamming noise, both from the mid-deck of the Shank Marlin. A sharp rapping on the quarters-door followed. Willard rocked to his bare-feet, and drudged to the door, flipping it open.

Garret stood in the door-way, blood and sweat trailing down his left arm. He had a flat look on his face, and one machete propped beside his right leg. Willard rubbed his temples for a moment.

"Caught that Yuda, Mistuh Finch?" Willard finally grumbled.

"Yes suh," Garret sighed. "We lost one of the deck hands, a Mistuh Johns, i believe he was. We should tend to the injured, s'well as the Yuda." He gestured mildly to the prone, serpentine form laying it's dreary head, mane and all, over the dented, cracked deck-planks. A bottle labeled 'Tranq' lay beside it's half closed eyelid. "Might well take a while t' revive it. Still had to knock it some; them Yudas are tough 'uns. We might wanna get the vet to-"

"An' let them Kuja find us pissin with our pants down?" Willard interrupted with a savage bark of laughter, before cradling his head with his hands in dull pain. "Son you ain't heard o' whut Kuja do to criminal men. Set orders for quick repairs tuh the Marlin, and get a restorative for the beast! We've got a job to do, so let's bag'n'tag fellas! Quick-like now!" He roared, setting the deck scurrying with motion.

The deck itself appeared no less tardier than the state of the crew; the main mast still stood, but the riggings and sails were tatters, lying limp where wind would usually blow. The Man-o-War proper had stopped rocking completely; men had begun tying a muzzle around the Yuda's snout.

Willard leaned over the side of the deck, staring over the wide vista of the Calm Belt.  Minos Island was officially sanctioned as World Government property, yet here they were. Business as usual. "Tis the season," the sun, overhead, did little to illuminate his now lengthening canines, prodding out from under his lips. "the season for takin~".

[[Off the coast]]

The marine ship was moving at a steady pace, thanks to the steam engines at the back even travelling through the calm belt was no longer a heavy chore. But even with the ease of transport there was a sense of uneasiness between the marine soldiers on the ship. One of the marines asked his superior "Sir... what is this mission? why have we been assigned it?" The leading commander, wearing his decorative medals and looking on simply shrugged "The higher ups have too much on their hands, so they send us down here. It seems like a routine catch, get the criminals and get out, that islands animals are heavily protected by the world government for some reason something about them being rare, so stop asking why we are going there!!!" The marines began murmuring amongst themselves. One marine, a female marine was reading through some notes , the island was famous for its preservation, the very fact that it was protected by the world government made it a sight to be watched by the marines. It was odd that anyone would risk the wrath of Marineford and G5 by doing this type of act. The female marine adjusted her book and walked across, she then tripped over something, as she fell her book fell out with the papers flying everywhere. "Ahhh, my notes, please someone catch them!!!" As the notes flew in the sky, the thing she had tripped on suddenly jumped up, his legs stretching as he reached and snatched each paper in the air, even though they were almost up to the mast, he then landed straight in front of the female marine "here.... be careful..." He was a sleepy looking guy with thick and long legs, it made him look like a semi giant in many ways, but the sleepy look on his face only pissed off the girl "CAN YOU NOT NAP DURING A MISSION!!!" The man then sighed as he fell back to sleep on the spot, the marine girl glaring with anger "HOW THE HELL DO YOU JUST FALL ASLEEP ON THE SPOT?!!!"Some of the other marines laugh, but some shook their heads. "Who the hell is that guy? Is he new?" The other marine responded "Dont you know? He is up and comer.. it turns out he was handpicked and recruited by an admiral.... right now he is Chief Petty Officer so his rank aint that high yet..."

The chief Petty officer was sound asleep, resting his head against the wall as he slept. The female marine while annoyed still sat next to him, after all he had saved her notes, and she really needed her notebook. In the front the marine captain leading this trip was giving his usual roll call as the long leg man slept quietly.

[[Chief Petty Officer Fukai Umizano "Black Hound"]]
[[Under the excursion squad of the Navy]]

[[Petty Officer Nerumi]]
[[ Under the excursion squad of the Navy]]

"Land-hoooooooo~" came a drifting voice from atop the crow's nest.
Garret glared after his boss, the latter being parked atop the serpent's downcast head.
Willard had chosen this spot to espy the dark mound now materialising out of the blue expanse. Slowly, but surely, the single dark rise became more jagged, resolving into three distinct shapes that rose into the sky, even from this distance. His grin widened, as he took another ravenous bite out of his pork hock.
Garret sighed, and called to him. "You double-checked for that flat-barge, Suh Willard? We ain't gettin ouh' haul back in this here man-o-war-"

Willard swung his unkempt head behind and down to his Lieutenant, donning a scowl. "Pipe down Granny Gator, ah arranged it so it'd come via a different route. Don' be gettin too riled up yet. We're only just arrivin' aftah all."

The Yuda continued it's slow, unsteady trail through the water as Commander and Lieutenant began an argument about responsibilities and etiquette. Down on the deck paced a restless feline; with each inch made towards the island, the leopard known as Lieg paced and growled with mounting intensity. The yuda's vacant, dull eyes stared ever forward, locked with the island in the centre of the triplet-

A pair of pale-golden, slit eyes peer out of the darkness.
And then the Yuda froze.

The abrupt lurch of the ship was the only indication, to Garret, that something had gone array. Willard merely leered down at the Yuda; it's dull, amber eyes were transfixed upon something out of sight, it's serpentine length relaxing in the water; the yuda slid slowly backwards through the glassy stillness of the calm belt's surface.
Willard had casually hopped off by the time it's head sunk out of sight. He spat with vicious gusto. "Worthless beast. But hell, nawt a problem!" he turned and grinned. "Ladies and gentlemen, we've arrived! I present to ya-" he gestured with flair to the triple spired island, turning to watch their reactions.

Not a soul stirred.
Lieg was in a crouch, snarling and shuddering violently. Garret glared in the direction of the island. Almost everyone else on deck were transfixed in a mix of bewilderment and horror.
Willard shrugged. "Get em row-boats ready! An' bring da tranqs too!" He left them to their stony silence, which only lasted seconds before activity picked back up again, at a nervous pace.

The marine ships began enclosing the area. The alarm on board the ship began sounding as the suffling of feet signalled the beginning of the navy marines excursion as they looked upon the island. Nerumi gasped looking at the island, it was scarier than she had imagined, and yet it was filled with that sort of curious excitement that tempted her to come in closer. She watched over the island , she could see a ship there staying still, Nerumi began running through her paces with her documents, she had to hurry of the Captain ranked will get upset. She stood in attention and she saw the tall lumbering Fukai also standing next to her, it made sense after all, since he was her commanding officer in a sense. She looked straight ahead as the captain spoke on his den den mushi which was connected to the loudspeaker. "THIS IS THE NAVY INCURSION SQUADRON, YOU HAVE BEEN COMMANDED TO CEASE TO ALL ACTIVITES YOU ARE PLANNING TO UNDERTAKE ON THAT GOVERNMENT PROTECTED ISLAND, SURRENDER OR YOU WILL BE BOARDED AND APPREHENDED IMMEDIATELY!!!"

Nerumi somehow doubted they were going to surrender that easily, for a hunting company they seemed to be well armed with a array of individuals that could be assumed to be dangerous. Her documents on them werent complete due to the fact that there was no notable bounties amongst them. Nerumi then realised that Fukais ears perked up as he looked to the ship and then sniffed "That island.... bad news......" Nerumi realized how aware Chief Petty Officer Fukai was, he was glaring at the island, his sleepy persona no longer existent, it must be really something to worry about. She hoped that these hunters would surrender and leave peacefully.

Daruki was just relaxing on an island near Minos Island, he had docked his ship early and had seen the ship awhile ago but hadn't thought anything negative.  Then Daruki's ears perked up as a familiar shrill sound of the marine ships alarm, and the sound of the man yelling his words of warning from the marine on the boat.  Daruki sighed, "It seems I'm never able to truly escape work."  Daruki wiped dust off his swimming trunks and off his sleeveless gray shirt, and put on his marine coat.  "For once can I go to a resort island without running into this! Soru!"  Daruki had disappeared from the shore of the tropical Island and within a few seconds was on the marine ship.  Daruki barged his way past the many men on the ship and busted down the door which contained the loud speaker, along with the marines Nerumi and Fukai.  "Commander Daruki reporting for duty!"  Daruki took off his sunglasses and crushed them in his hands knowing his last moments of vacation and enjoyment had just ended.

The rowboats and three mini-barges touched a white-line separating the three dark mountains and their verdant court from the Calm Belt's glassy-still waters.
Willard spat a mix of brown and yellow spittle onto the white shore the moment a man's voice announced their identity as Marines. Garret shoved his bandanna over his eyes, gripping the sides of his resident rowboat in a tight, pale vice, his head inclined downwards. Lieg snarled without pause the whole trip down; there were less people on his rowboat compared to it's neighbours. Garret scratched the soft, hard nape of his furry neck; the feline's snarls dribbled into purrs, and it snuggled it's muzzle against Garret's hip. The human's lips half curved into a weak smile.

Willard spot-checked over his shoulder. A ship had paddled directly opposite to the becalmed Shank Marlin. His corn-cob yellow teeth glowed with a filthy sheen in the afternoon sun. The grin that parted his lips then lessened as he marked a distant shape arrow it's way off the very coast they stood upon, towards the Marine ship. Garret had already begun barking orders for equipment to be brought ashore; a lanky, sandy-blonde man meandered past the Lieutenant Hunter; a grey case,  as long as the blue eyed dreamer was tall. He continued walking, right for an elevated, if somewhat overshadowed, cliff-face in the distance above the tree line.

Martin Sarceau kept his dreamy pace, head swivelling left and right with deliberate slowness. His face stopped mid-swing, as he stared to the left at a shoddy grey totem-stone, rising out of the shore-born rocks. "Awfully cozy, for a restricted-access island, innit?" one of the help grunted, hoisting a cannon by the barrow up the path of sand. Garret hopped up to that rock-borne shrine, and knelt in front of it.

His eyes swept across the totem; there seemed to be three defined stacks carved out of the rock, yet the second segment from the bottom was clearly defaced, bearing messy scars and gouges that masked the initial impression chiseled there. The very bottom totem segment bore the carven bas-relief of a wave curling around a smoothed down, yet clearly five pointed shape. The upper two segments bore carved impressions of a mound with a maple-leaf upon it's summit and a funnel surrounded by jagged points respectively. The Lieutenant's brows crushed together; he didn't even look behind him as Willard hopped up the rock behind him. "Well, Mr Lieutenant," He drawled lazily, resting his elbow casually against the totem. "Anythin' worth gettin offa this here scratchin post?"

Garret's frown sunk deeper onto his face, as he fixed the bas-reliefs with his eyes. "This here totem, Suh, looks t' represent four seasons, like those found in most islands of most Blues; Spring at the bottom, Summer, Autumn an' Winter. Ah' can see three seasons here, clear as the mornin dew, but the second, which i'll hazard represents summer, seems t' be missin'-"

"That'll do, Professuh' Finch." Willard interjected, digging loose wax out of his right ear with his left pinky, striding off. "Just look alive now! Just cause it's a beach, don' mean we getta cool our heels just yet! Get movin, before em Gulls get t' us! Don' wanna express vacation to Enies Lobby, do yah!?" The band on the beach scurried with renewed intensity, like a anthill lit on fire.

((Daruki, no one is supposed to be at the island yet cause its dangerous))

Nerumi was stunned, the man standing before them was a Commander, the entire group of marines saluted except for Fukai who was again watching the main island they were going too. Fukai growled as Nerumi nudged him in the stomach "Its commander Daruki you know!!! Salute Chief!!" Fukai looked back at her and sighed "uhh... ok , right salute is it? " Fukai did a lazy salute before looking back at the island, for some reason his entire mind was preoccupied with that island, he could feel it.

One of the commanding officers looked to Commander Daruki "Sir, there is a group trying to enter a strict no acess island belonging to the government sir, there are some rare species on the island and we have called to them to stand down!!!, They have not complied, what should we do next Commander ?"

Just then
The Commander personal Den Den mushi ring.
On the other side if the Commander choose to pick up the voice would say," Greeting Commander but, I will  take charge of this mission if you didn't mind." Just then  a large ship roll up out of nowhere it was a large battle ship class marine ship it seems like a  vessel a flag ship someone important but why would they come here ? Sea stone was line at the bottom  of the vessel as this ship was used to help perform buster calls too.

A man who is dressed with a pink robe which even hides his feet who are covered by a pair of sandals. On the robe, there are several different colored petals drawn. He has scars all across his face and he has a slightly tank skin. His eyes are dark colored, like his short messy hair.  He have a small x across his cheek under his right eye he consider this an mark of his great and countless battles he won. Under his pink robe is a marine standard uniform which he wear in pride his marine cap laid on his head to a pink marine cap of course.

He yelled," FUHAHAHAHAH!! I HAVE ARRIVE!!"
Why would a high rank such as him arrive he had a idea to gather a large marine crew. In hopes of capturing a someone who would be needed to
extend his fame as  Sea Admiral it is also a way to show the power of a Sea Admiral the very first Sea Admiral in this case. He reappear on board the vessel of where Fukai was at this vessel he walk along the deck heading to the door as he open it he said," Officer on deck!" With a giant grin on his face one that he can't hide either he enter into the room where the officer was at.

[Introduction Plot
Sea Admiral Rafu Ressia
Commander of North Blue G-6]

((.......erm, did you get that PM?))

Did you get my reason throught pm?

One day Ramus would love to be in charge of a battle ship with a sea stone bottom capable of crossing even the calm belt.  For now he was just a captain with no personal ship.  He worked under those who lead their own teams and for the missions he was assigned to he would be counted amongst their subordinates.  But that didn’t mean Ramus was going to work hard the entire time.

Fuaki wasn’t the only one aboard the ship who was sleeping. Ramus was just doing a better job off it even the though there was some slight variety amongst marine ships Ramus had accrued enough knowledge to know where the best sleeping and hiding spots were.   After all this wasn’t his mission so he had no reason to lead things. There were plenty of higher ranks amongst the various ships.  When the ships landed and it was time for him to do his job only then would he get up. Until then he would be content right where he was.

Thoughts of the mission casually passed his mind. He was usually more privy to the secrets of mission. But the details were a vague this time. What were they getting into?

[[ON the marine ship]]

Nerumi looked to the front and saluted "Oh my god, its the Sea Admiral, why is he here for? This is a huge chance for us... hey... HEY!!" Fukai wasnt focusing as Nerumi hit him on the head "LISTEN TO ME!!! ITS A SEA ADMIRAL YOU KNOW KORAAA" Fukai looked back slowly rubbing his head "... that hurt.... sea admiral? Oh... them.... their quite high rank right?" Fukai looked foward to the island in front of him, he wanted to get off this ship and hunt, he was sick and tired of waiting any longer.

The commander stood in front of Sea Admiral Rafu and saluted "Sir, welcome sir, we didnt expect you on the grandline, of course i dont mind you taking over the mission sir, but are you up to speed on the info regarding this mission?" The commander the other marines stood in salute and waiting.

He said, " At ease marines." He toss a salute back at the crew then said," You can start your update now Solider I also want a head count of how many troops I have ,and goal to complete this event. As why I am here is because I have my on assignment that great then this one currently but I love to get side track those!"

He stare at Fukai as he walk over the look at the girl as he said," What is your name cutie pie ?" His eyes was that of a prevent as he un dress her with his eyes. His hand was wrap around his hilt well one of them was.

The commander followed Sea Admiral Rafu "Sir we have a independent hunting company thats trying to access the restricted island of Minos, the government has closed off entry to that island to outsiders because of the rare animals and dangerous conditions of the island!! None of the hunters have any known bounty but they seem to be armed and dangerous sir!!!"

Petty Officer Nerumi saluted as she blushed while being questioned by the Sea Admiral "Sir, Petty Officer Nerumi sir!!!" She wasnt comfortable being looked at like this, but she couldnt really say anything, she didnt want to anger a Sea Admiral. However next to her, Fukai ignored Rafu looking at the island still, tapping his feet so as to prepare himself.

The Sea Admiral slam his open palm directly at Fukai face he seeing if the man was paying attention too this was a attempt those. He said," As a Marine it your job to pay attention to detail and focus at all times." He then said," Petty Officer Nerumi, tell me about yourself please!

He smile as he said, " FUHAHAHAHAH, Commander prepare a Intel team please to see who on the island now please!"
He fold his arms as he study all the officer in the room in disapproval look was replace with a face of happiness.

Ramus stood up not because he couldn't sleep through the commotion but more so he was curious what was going on. There had been sudden surge of noise and rustling about based on the whispers some famous marine had taken over command of this operation. Peering out from his hiding spot wipe the sleep junk from his eyes and pushed the crates out of his way. Making his way the front of the ship he looked about waiting for eyes to adjust to sun light. Bust-call class warship. No one below rank Vice-Admiral could use these ships and even then most Vice Admiral could use these ships outside a buster call? Was it some one who was of higher clout? Whoever it was it meant trouble Ramus would had to perform under the watchful eye of someone of high rank. "What did I do to deserve this?"

[On-shore; fore-jungle]
The jungle lay under the sun like a jade carpet. There was no leaf in the canopy that did not possess a green radiance. Under the green blanket, however, a band of ragged individuals snaked through the damp, faded under-storey; Garret felled one of many creepers in his path, as he and his leonine companion dug through the humid air, leading the rest of the weary band on. Willard, gnawing on a toothpick with a slacked, dull expression on his face, looked left and right. His 'fellow' hunters shot harried expressions at the surrounding jungle, expecting the dark fronds and glistening leaves to throw something at them. With a yawn, he kicked the ground ten times, vanishing and reappearing from behind to in front of the column, sparking yelps of surprise and irritated grunts from the haulers.
"Try sendin' Lieg up again." Willard commanded Garret. The lieutenant scratched his head with irritation, and barked at the leopard. "Lieg. Soar!" The big cat's ear twitched, and it hopped up the boughs of a gnarled, moss and fern draped fig tree; it's spotted back soon disappeared behind the upper canopy.
The column continued heaving their cargo- boxes and three large, wheeled cages –amongst the chirps and calls of tropical birds, adding to the medley of sounds with their mutters. A sharp snarl from above brought all their heads up; the leopard fell into a crouch, yowling and shaking it’s head amongst a cloud of leaf litter and yellow feathers.
Garret shook his head as the rest went on with business, scratching his feline behind it’s ear. “Ain’t gonna happen. The winds weren’t like this on the coast. Guess nothing’s flyin’ inland then.” Willard shrugged and moved on. He peered back for a second-

And then they passed through a gateway, carved of black rock and covered in vines, and arrived at a grassy overlook, facing three spires.
Whatever movement occurring before ceased in a heart-beat; Lieg resumed his snarling, Garret pulled his bandanna off his head, gaping, and Willard all the while shook his head, muttering under his fetid breath. Everyone else began to curse.The overhang they stood upon rose over a rift, out of which rose one of the three spires, it’s granite apex standing above them and it’s spiral-twined body hidden by mist; from it, one of three paths extended to the overhang. From the west, the ocean spilled into the chasm with a distant roar over a semicircular waterfall. From the east of the overhang, a path led over solid ground to a cliff from rocky, windy terrain, to the second spire, tall even at a distance; small shapes could be seen darting all around it. The last path lead north across the foaming rift, to an area branching off the rocky land across the rift; the spire in the distance rose out of a dark area with equally dark storm clouds wheeling overhead.
Willard shook his head, eyes closed. “Looks t’me like here’s halfway on the Grand-Line proper. Sorreh bout’ that Enies-Lobby joke fellas. Hihihihihi!” A few people glared at his joke, while Garret peered over the scenery. A reedy voice then spoke up. “Done~. Dials and traps set. The Gulls will run into most of them if they enter from the shore we went into the jungle from.” Martin Sarceau glazed his eyes over the scenery. Willard snickered. “Welp, there be more than one path from different sections of coast, fella. Still, onleh one path through the jungle leads ere. Whadya see Marty?” Martin almost leered at the foremost spire, and chirped, “There’s a path leading down that way. The north-path leads across the big water-hole to some burned-looking areas-can’t see much else. Also-“ he cut off when Willard belched. Garret grit his teeth, while Lieg paced left and right without end. “Boss, the barge’s comin in from the South innit?” Willard shrugged. “You tried the communication’s link with that den-den before right? Just ring em, an' get em t’ stay put where they are for now. They’re parked on an island on the Grand Line right?” Garret frowned, then reached in for his pocket. Willard strode forward, as the roar of the falls masked his subordinates’ growls of discontent. If he noticed, he didn’t cast them a glance. The glare he cast to the east bore a ravenous glint. “Wanna coin-toss, Garret?”

[Off-shore]
The Marine vessels sat adrift on the Calm Belt’s surface, one being larger than the other. The majority of soldiers on deck had just disengaged from their salute; Sea Admiral Rafu had begun to chat up a slender female marine, by the name of Nerumi; next to her stood a tall, dark skinned and long-legged man, Chief Petty Officer Fukai, who spent most of that time glaring at the distant outline of Minos Island, ever tapping his foot. One of the captains now walked out of the shade of the sails, an unamused expression on his face.
Lieutenant Damon, however, spent the whole time sweeping the deck with his eyes, searching for the one person he needed to find, trying to keep his bubbling panic beneath his skin, his teeth grit regardless; it was only natural that Anna would choose to pull a stunt like this at a crucial moment.
Far above, perched on the precipice of the vessel’s crow’s nest, a young girl squatted, gazing out at the blue horizon; her head tilted and bobbed, as she adjusted her footing, her blue eyes scanning across a flock of seagulls. One particular specimen flew above the bow. Her eyes now pinned upon that avian straggler. It hadn’t noticed it’s scrawny admirer yet. The admirer, who was known as ‘Anna’, sunk her squat into a crouch, with her unsuspecting quarry drawing closer, closer still….

[[Marine vessel]]

Nerumi was stuttering as she spoke, she didnt know why Sea Admiral Rafu was questioning her non stop, she really wanted it to end , she had never felt so stressed before. "well... sir ... im from the rebuilding isle of Dokomi sir, im 19 years old and i just received my promotion sir!!!"

The commander also saluted and began sending out a group of marines to check out the island, Lieutenant Damon and his group were chosen "Lieutenant scout out the island and tell us what you see... remember the Sea Admiral wants to know whats going on!!"

Felt bad
He cleared his voice then
He said, "Fuhahaha, 19 you say well mhmm I see just got promote huh you say. Indeed well I have an order for you to carry out my dear. I want you to gather all the marine who is able to fight on the level of a devil fruit user bring them here please at once! Also make sure no one is sleeping, drinking ,and all the other things you shouldn't do while on a mission if someone is doing those things bring them to me with or without force please."

He rub his chin as he said," Very Good Commander. I request a laid out of the this island here ,and I want to know where the location of these pirates ,and where are the cargo of these animals we must protected. I Also want the pirate vessel main vessel destroyed as soon as possible fire at will."

He walk behind the desk as he sat there behind the commander desk he like the commander taste he said," By the way I am Sea Admiral Rafu Ressia of North Blue! Better known as the Momoirohyou . I want the things I ask for done before sunset you have your order get to them Commander.!"

[Intro
Sea Admiral of North Blue
Rafu Ressia
Momoirohyou]

Walking along the deck he had come to find out that one of the Sea Admirals had come along for this mission.  It would be a great opportunity to sea how someone of higher caliber handled his mission.  Perhaps it would also teach Ramus something. Setting on the deck amongst the rest of crew member as they worked Ramus would take observation role. That Fukai was a pretty sharped one.  He will make a great leader.These thoughts were kept in Ramus' head he wasn't above giving praise when do but it was to early for that. Praise would come after the mission was done.  Ramus felt his stomach rumble but didn't feel like going into the kitchen he had just choose a new spot to set and was confortable.  Whisltling sharply he drew the attention of an enlisted boy. Rushing over he saluted. "Um you can put your hands down... Mind getting me a smoothie, no make it a pina coloda. Surprised at the request he agreed and ran off to the kitchen.That's really going to hit the spot

Daruki sighed in relief, "Yes relieved from power by Sea Admiral Rafu.  Anyway, what is he doing on the Grandline? He should be back in the Blues, if they wanted an investigation of a matter of such importance, surely they would've deployed a more mobile Vice Admiral instead."  Daruki rubbed the stubble on his chin and he felt queasy, "Something's fishy about all this."  Daruki remembered back, that as soon as Sea Admiral Rafu walked through the door, he slipped out and came back later, only to eavesdrop on Rafu's conversation with Nerumi.  "Haha this recon stuff is actually fun, but I'd rather prefer doing my own solo recon.  I've never worked well with groups, with is actually quite contradictory with being a marine."  Daruki caught himself, from having even more conversations with himself, remembering he needed to collect data, and there was no way to collect data, if the enemy knew what he was planning."  Daruki saw the sand on the shore, defiled by footsteps of people ethereal earlier, Daruki decided it would be wisest, to go a different way, and travel by tree, so his tracks couldn't be followed by any incoming intel groups. "Soru!"  Santo flew into a nearby tree, safely hiding his marine outfit within the tree trunk, leaving him in only a tank top and shorts, Daruki then took maple and attacked leaves to his body for camouflage, a handful at a time.  "Now I can start this recon."

"I see.. so Iken isn't here." On the top of the ship a voice suddenly erupted. Anyone with a high sense would have felt Alphonse slowly drifting down into the group. From bellow anyone that heard him could see his long black hair, pale skin, and dark and almost daggering eyes. He wore metallic boots with leather in them, skinny-ish black pants, and a loose black shirt this day. Alphonse looked very young for his age, and had the complexion of a noble. He hovered in the air, looking at the giant marine ship. "Hmm.. perhaps these men can give me information." Alphonse hovered down to the group within 10m of the marines. He almost didn't care that a high ranking officer was in the ship.. probably cuz he didn't know. In his eyes there was only one goal, to find Iken.

"You, marines, I am looking for my Nakama; His name is Iken, you may all know him as the Yonku. I've been searching for him for a very long time, and I would like to know if any of you have found information on his whereabouts, or if you've found him yourselves." Alphonse looked at the crew, unfazed at their reactions to seeing a floating man with no platform or objects underneath him. To them it looked like Alphonse was literally levitating without any support or reason. Alphonse asked nicely, but if the marines showed any sign of trouble he'd probably hurt them. What he didn't know was that he was possibly interfering with an ongoing marine investigation. Whoops.

Alphonse:

Anna's nose twitched; her eyes left the flying seagull and beheld the floating figure above the ship. She sidled along the crow nest's round edge on her feet and faced the newcomer, crouching and sniffing in his direction. The other human smelled odd to her; like the others of her pack. Like the shiny thing Damon had on his back. What was this creature?
She heard names from his(it's) mouth; Marines? Her pack. Nakama? Damon. But-
........I....ken...?
Her head tilted to the side and her ahoge tilted with it. Her tongue rolled behind her teeth, as she mulled the word over in her head. She finally parroted:
"I.....Ka.....nu......Ikene." came Anna's repeated chirps, her eyes goggling at the metal-scented man in focus. "Iki-en!"

Damon stood on the deck, rigid as a board among his peers, dripping with sweat like a full sponge pressed by a rolling pin.
Why? because three things were cutting his lifespan down to size:
Firstly, a man was floating in the air, out in the middle of nowhere on the Calm Belt; if that didn't shriek "DEVIL FRUIT USER" to the Marines, he'd be a sea slug.
Secondly, he mentioned Iken's name. THE Iken. The EMPEROR Iken; this stranger had said the Emperor's name in a casual fashion, tying it with the word 'Nakama'.
Thirdly, Anna, his subordinate, was now within 2 metres of this Emperor-friend, sniffing at him like he was a free meal on the road, and had just begun squawking Iken's name in every pronounciation excluding the correct one. His throat was stopped up, and his tongue wriggled with impotence; he couldn't even get a word of warning out to his ensign.