Splitting up

(Unedited)

With most of the groundwork having been laid down, tasks were delegated to those most suited for them. Now that the island had the most basic of defenses, it was time to move on and recruit possible members for the crew. The core members would remain the same, yet the numbers had to be bolstered.

There were emperors needing to be taken down, a marine that was working on her nerves and the revolutionary army that needed help even more than she did.

Sighing at the prospect of splitting up, Akane leaned back in her chair, a particular den-den-mushi in front of her.

After Dazai and Shinobu had contacted all their acquaintances outside, Akane had contacted Dragon. With her base of operations now set up, a hide-out for the revolutionary army wasn't out of the question, as a secret base never stayed hidden for too long. Like they said, don't put all your money in one place. Should they be discovered, they need to have other places to settle down outside of the governments eye.

If she could increase their places to settle by even one, she didn't mind if it was on her island. She would soon face a lot of opposition as well either way. What does it matter if there is one more target on her back? With the revolutionary army settled on her island as well, it would definitely bolster her own forces as well, should she be attacked.

With everything said and done, a meeting was now being held, as every core member of the Demon Fox pirates were slowly congregating in the living room of the ship. Ban had just prepared a meal, as they had become rather hungry after a long day of work.

Putting the Den-den-mushi aside, Akane waited till everyone had arrived, before she spoke up.

"It seems like everyone is here. Good."

Putting a few files on the table, Akane immediately got to the point.

"With the island being slowly developped, new points of interest have emerged. A representative of the Revolutionary Army will arrive within a few days. Arrangements have been made to create a base for them here. Should any problems arise, you all known how to handle it."

Giving Shinobu a particularly long stare, Akane continued.

"Now as for our crew, I plan to temporarily split up."

Voices of unease and disagreement were raised, which were put down as soon as they came.

"Now that we have become strong enough to face the other forces in the New world, we need to fortify our base. We need human resources, supplies and trade to accomplish that. Soren has proposed to create a trade line with Zou, while Shinobu has agreed to utilize her ties on Fisherman island."

Laying out a crude map spanning both Paradise and the New world, Akane placed marks on the places previously mentioned.

"Through acquiring buildings on multiple islands, we can spread out a wide information net, giving us an edge when fighting future enemies. Lafitte has volunteered to take on this job, traveling across the New world and Paradise to accomplish it. Aliases will be used as a front, keeping the true backers of the stores anonymous. The rest of the crew should stay here and see to it that the island is prepared for anything."

While all of them were silently conversing with the others, sharing idea's and information, Dazai decided to speak up.

"Then what about you, captain? You did not say what you were going to do."

Dazai spoke in his usual lackadaisical manner, smirking as he brought a particular point of interest on the table. His words silenced all of them, as their attention was once more drawn towards Akane, wondering what her plans were.

"I will leave the island. There are people I need to meet, as well as some places that have garnered some interest."

Her words left them all speechless, as for all the time they had traveled with her, they had always kept her company. There was never a truly dull moment when they were with her. Now that they were settling down and building their forces, it was time for them to grow seperately.

Before anyone else could speak up, Ban beat them to the punch.

"Well then, have fun. I'm sure you can handle whatever is thrown at you. I can know, I've been with you the longest. Though if you find something to help my Elaine, do bring it back. You did promise after all."

His words broke the silence for the rest as well, as there weren't any words of disagreement to be found anywhere.

"Where are you going first, Akane?"

With Shinobu's words to bring the discussing back on point, they glanced down at the map in front of them.

"I'm not certain yet. Maybe Paradise to visit some family or Baltigo to meet my teachers. My options aren't set in stone yet. Maybe I'll wander for a bit before I decide where to go, who knows."

Leaning back in her chair, Akane listened on as the rest of her crew began to discuss amongst themselves on what they were going to do. 

It would surely be an interesting journey.

.

.

.

While Akane and her crew had made up their minds, having split up soon after, another discussion was going on somewhere else. 

"Fleet Admiral, I apologize for the disruption. I have a report. News from Vice Admiral Doberman has just come in. A new island has been discovered on the grand line in the New world."

Sengoku looked up from his report, waiting for the marine in front of him to continue.

"He has made contact with the inhabitants. While apprehensive to the sudden appearance of our men, they were granted access to their city. As stated in the report, they have their own military, government and culture similar to our own. So far, the resources available on the island are above average, even more so when the size of the island dwarves many islands, including that of Alabasta."

Receiving the report, Sengoku skimmed through it, his gaze lingering on the sizes of their cities, as well as the surmised amount inhabitants currently living there.

"What about previous encounters from outside of the island. Are we aware of pirate activity or worse... the Revolutionary army?"

The marine swallowed audibly, his hands trembling a bit as he continued his report.

"Positive. The only travelers they welcomed were none other than the Demon Fox pirates, who are hailed as saviors amongst the populace. Apparently they saved the island from destruction before the Marines arrived."

Slamming his hand on the table, the report crumpled beneath Sengoku's hands.

"It's once again his family. Damn you Garp! Why didn't you take her here when she was still young! Do we know the details!?"

Sengoku rubbed his head in agitation, listening quietly to the report of 'man-eating titans' having once scoured the island. 

With yet another incident uncovered, Sengoku wrote a note and handed it to the marine.

"Hand this to the printing department. Now that they have reappeared after their stunt at Fisherman island, another raise is in order. And one more thing before you go. What is the new island called? If marines are to be stationed in the surrouding area, we need to know the surrounding neighbors."

The marine handed another report, in which the more intricate details about the island itself were noted down.

"Paradis Island, sir."