Chapter 118: Tashigi Encounter

Ben and Alvida walked into the town. Kaya, Alvida, Mikita, Honey, Nojiko, Vivi, Marianne headed to a nearby shop to get some new clothes. BM and HQ stayed on the Miss Love Duck to protect the ship. As they were leaving, HQ rushed out and gave the girls money for their shopping spree. 

Ben and Alvida walked through the town. They saw the streets filled with activity. The bazaar was bustling with life. People were selling various items such as jewelry, food and household items. There was haggling going on with some shoppers getting discounts while others being refused. 

Avlida had leaned onto Ben`s shoulder and held his hand while they walked through the market. "You sure you did not want to go shopping?" Ben asked.

"No my love, I have clothes and also this is a nice chance to be with you right now," Alvida replied. Ben smiled, he thought it's been a while since it was just the two of them. Alvida looked content. She was smiling ear to ear as her head rested on his shoulder. 

Ben looked to see a small, wooden structure with a thatched roof. The stall was adorned with hanging bundles of dried herbs and spices. A large, traditional clay oven is at the heart of the stall. The stall was selling slow-cooked, tasty, marinated lamb. The scent that wafts from the stall is nothing short of heavenly. As they approach, their nostrils are greeted by a rich, mouthwatering blend of aromas. The predominant note is the deep, savory fragrance of slow-cooked lamb, which was marinated in a secret blend of spices for a full 48 hours. 

"Let's go to that one," Ben pointed out. Alvida nodded. 

They saw people eagerly wait in line, their mouths watering in anticipation, as they watched the lamb slowly transform into a masterpiece of culinary delight.

"There is a queue my love," Alvida said. 

"The food must be good for it," Ben replied. Ben and Alvida waited in the queue. The queue moved rapidly and they got to the front. 

There they saw the lamb roasting. The lamb's juices slowly dripped onto the open flame below creating a subtle smokiness that permeated the air. "Can we have one plate?" Ben asked. 

The man nodded and gave one plate of lamb. Ben gave money for the purchase. They went to the side. Alvida took a piece of meat in her hand. She held it in front of Ben. "Here my love," Alvida offered. 

Ben smiled and opened his mouth. Alvida fed the lamb to Ben. He ate the lamb. The spices infused with the meat carried hints of cumin, coriander, paprika, and a touch of cinnamon. 

"Delicious," Ben said. Ben then took a piece of lamb. Alvida closed her eyes and opened her mouth. Ben then fed the lamb to Alvida. She slowly chewed it. She swallowed and smiled. 

"Yes it was delicious my love," Alvida replied. Alvida then took another piece and fed Ben. They repeated this until they finished the lamb. 

"That was really good," Ben said. 

"Yes it was my love," Alvida replied. 

Alvida looked at Ben. She had love in her eyes. "Let's go and find where the Strawhat crew is," Ben said. 

Alvida nodded and held Ben`s hand and leaned on his shoulder. They started walking to the bazaar again. 

"Stop there pirates," a feminine voice was heard. Ben and Alvida looked behind them and saw a woman with dark brown eyes and black short hair. She wore rectangular glasses with red frames. She was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and a waist-length blue leather coat, dark blue jeans and black shoes. She had a sword holster in her hand. 

"Tashigi," Ben said. 

"How do you know my name?" Tashigi asked.

"I know the names of all beautiful women. My name is…," Ben said however he got interpreted. 

"Iron Mace Alvida with 25,000,000 Beli and Demon King Ben, 20,000,000 Beli," Tashigi finished. 

"And what do you mean beautiful?" Tashigi added.

"I want you to join my crew," Ben said. 

"What!" Tashigi yelled. 

"My love, you want a Marine to join us?" Alvida questioned. 

"She is different from the rest of the Marines and she will be great for the crew," Ben said. 

"My love she is beautiful, however she can betray us," Alvida said.

"She will not," Ben replied.

"How do you know and why would I join you," Tashigi shouted. 

"Because you want to help others. You want to save people. You will not be able to do that with the Marines. They do not value you," Ben said and added, "Join me I will help you to get stronger and together we can go far."

"Pirates are the root of all evil," Tashigi said as she took out her sword from the holster and charged at Ben and Alvida. Alvida left Ben's side. She had her iron mace in the other hand. She moved forward and clashed with Tashigi`s sword. 

"I won't let you hurt my love," Alvida said. They both jumped back. 

Ben walked up. "You can't think the world is that black and white. You are smarter than that," Ben said. 

"I," Tashigi muttered. 

"I can't let you go," Tashigi added. Tashigi then charged with her sword again towards Ben attempting to strike him. Alvida then jumped in the way. She swung her iron mace at Tashigi`s sword. They clashed again. Alvida pulled back. Tashigi followed up with another attack. She tried to stab Alvida. Alvida moved to block with her iron mace. 

"You are strong," Alvida said. Tashigi jumped back. 

"I will capture you," Tashigi said as she ran towards Alvida with her sword. Alvida swung her iron mace at Tashigi`s sword. The force in which Alvida hit was great enough that the sword was knocked out of Tashigi`s hand. 

Tashigi was in shock. She realised the power difference in between her. "I want you to join," Alvida said. 

Tashigi, still in shock, refused. "I will never join you pirates," she said. Ben walked up again to Tashigi. 

"I will never force you to join but I want you to know I will be there for you. I want to see you get stronger and I can help. We are not bad people but I wont show mercy to anyone who hurts my crew or friends," Ben said.

"I think of you as my crew," Ben said as he walked up to Tashigi. Tashigi panicked a bit as she saw Ben walking towards her.

"Stay back," she panicked. Ben smiled and opened his arms and hugged her. 

Tashigi went red as a man embraced her. "Back away," she said as she tried to push Ben away.

"I will always be there for you," Ben whispered. Tashigi froze after hearing that. She felt the sincerity in his voice. 

"Get away from her, you pirate," a man was heard shouting. Ben backed away and Tashigi dropped to her knees. 

"He has hurt our Master Chief Petty Officer," said a man wearing Marine uniform as he was charging with a sword. 

"Alvida lets go, we need to keep a low profile," Ben said as he grabbed Alvida`s hand and ran into the next street. The marines followed however the next street was crowded and they disappeared into the crowd.