Chapter 21: New Crewmate: The Pink Ranger

(Roberts: POV)

Staring down at Reiju head I looked into her eyes.

"Sorry, but can you repeat what you just said. I don't think I heard you correctly."

"No problem. I asked if I could become a member of your pirate crew." Reiju spoke.

'Right. That's what I thought she said' I thought. Pinching the bridge of my nose with my free hand as I did so.

Since I can't even tell what Reiju is thinking right now.

But thanks to my observation haki I know she is being completely serious right now.

She wants to join our crew.

"Hello no!" Alfia shouted. "You join our crew, ridiculous." She looked at me. "Roberts ignore her. Throw her head and the rest of her body parts in the ocean and let's be done with this whole mess."

"I agree." Law added. "Besides we know nothing about her. If we keep her around it will only cause us trouble in the long run. Let's do what Alfia said and toss her into the sea and put this whole ordeal behind us."

"What you two are saying is the completely logic thing to do in a situation like this. Especially given what took place between us a short while ago. But I am asking you not to. Allow me to join your crew. If you do I will be loyal and not betray you. Of course I know none of you are going to take my words at face value. That's why I'll make it worth your while if you let me join you. I can give you access to incredible technology since I am a member of the Germa Kingdom royal family. Vinsmoke Reiju, thirteen years old. A pleasure to meet you all." Reiju stated.

'Well Reiju certainly isn't shy about saying what she wants.' I thought.

I also feel she is telling the truth and from what I know of her from my foreknowledge I'm inclined to believe her.

Still allowing Reiju to join my crew would definitely put us smackdab on Germa's radar.

I know Judge doesn't give a shit about Sanji but Reiju is a completely different matter. Since he believes she is one his "perfect" children there is no telling what he might do to get her back if he finds out she's sailing with us.

Now on the flip side we simply could release Reiju and put this whole matter with Germa behind us. But Reiju just offered to share her countries technology with us.

Technology even that fat old cannibal bitch Big Mom wanted to get her hands on in canon.

Having access to that kind of resource would certainly make my crew stronger in the long run.

So the question is do the pros of allowing Reiju to join us outweigh the cons.

Then there's also the opinions of the others.

"Wait, wait, wait, did you just say your from the Germa Kingdom?" Weisz asked. "Like the same Germa Kingdom from 'Sora Warrior of the Sea'. It's real!"

"Sure is. And I'm Poison Pink." Reiju admitted.

"No way. You are poison pink." Alfia said.

"Tch, so the evil Germa is based on reality then." Law spoke.

Him, Alfia, and Weisz all obviously talking about the famous North Blue comic strip 'Sora Warrior of the Sea'. Which they all obviously read as kids.

I should know since I read it as well.

Me and Alfia read it every week like clockwork and I have to say the comic strip is pretty amazing.

Even though I knew that Germa was a real place with real people I couldn't help but wait for the weekly issue of the comic to come out.

Alfia was the same.

On that note I should mention her favorite character in the comic was Poison Pink.

Now here we are face to face with the person the character was based on.

Life sure is strange sometimes.

As Alfia, Law, and Weisz processed the information Reiju has just revealed Bepo remained steering the ship, looking completely lost.

I'll definitely have to fix that.

Once this is settled I'm going to have him read the comic strip.

"Even if what you say is the truth there is still the matter of why we should trust anything you say." Law spoke after a while.

"And like I said I am willing to work to earn your trust." Reiju replied.

"Why? Why do you want to join us so badly?" I asked Reiju.

"Freedom. Pure and simple." Reiju answered without any hesitation.

"I see." I replied. "Guys, what say you?"

"If she's not going to try and kill us I don't see what the harm could be in letting her join us." Weisz said.

Though I know his interest in Germa technology is likely influencing his opinion.

But he is speaking from his heart and that's what really matters to me.

"I still say we throw her into the ocean." Alfia spoke.

"I don't think we should risk keeping her aboard but I'll defer to the captain on the matter."

"Bepo, what say you?" I asked him.

"I think she is a good person so let her stay captain." He said.

Meaning the last vote is mine.

I took a moment before speaking.

Raising Reiju head into the air I look her directly into the eyes.

"Despite the worries of my crew I am inclined to take you up on your offer. You can stay on aboard and are now a member of this crew." I spoke. I then narrowed my eyes. "But take note. If any of the crew even suspect you might be betraying us then they have my permission to kill you where you stand."

Since I will not allow myself to get cocky or complacent due to my foreknowledge.

That will lead to trouble for me and my crew.

Which I will not allow.

So until I am absolutely sure Reiju can be trusted I'll be keeping an eye on her at all times.

"Law put her back together. Then Alfia please show our newest crewmate to the women's quarters." I said.

I then tossed Reiju head to Law who caught it.

After he did so I started heading for the kitchen.

Since given all that's just happened I need a strong drink.

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(3rd Person: POV)

Following Roberts orders Law put Reiju back together.

After he did so Alfia led her to the women's sleeping quarters aboard the Black Pearl.

But the moment they entered the room Alfia closed the door.

She then grabbed Reiju by the back of her shirt collar and slammed her against wall. Moving in front of her the silver hairs girl pulled out one of the many hidden knives she kept on her person and placed it against Reijus' neck.

Specifically her jugular vein.

Reiju looked at Alfia dead in the eyes, the latter girl having a crazy look in them. As well as sporting a slightly crazy smile on her face.

"Listen well you pink-haired bitch. Roberts has decided to let you stay on the ship and taken on as a member of our crew. I don't agree. But I trust his judgement. However know this if any and I mean any harm comes to him our my other crewmates due to your actions whether directly or inadvertently then I'll have you getting for death once I am done with you. Are we clear?" Alfia spoke.

"Yes, crystal." Reiju calmly answered.

"Good." Alfia said.

She then stepped back from Reiju and tossed her onto a bed.

Leaving the room after she did so.

But before she closed the door she looked at Reiju with an even greater intensity than before.

"Oh and one more thing the bed on the far left corner is mine. Touch it or anything around it and you'll lose a finger." Alfia said.

She then finally closed the door completely.

A few moments after she did so Reiju began to lightly chuckle.

"What an interesting group of people." Reiju mused.

Now she knew she had made the right decision in letting herself be used as a hostage.

Honestly she wasn't sure of her plan at first.

And given what happened to her brother Sanji all those years ago she had resigned herself to live in Germa if only as her own personal hell for not being able to protect him from their father and brothers more.

But after seeing the determination of this pirate crew she suddenly felt it was the right thing to try and join them.

Well only time will tell if her feelings were right.

Either way Vinsmoke Reiju is happy.

Because for the first time since she can remember she was able to make a choice all her own.