Chapter Text
Tashigi's feet ached. She wished for what felt like the thousandth time that she wasn't far too disciplined to complain, and that her companion would be more understanding if she did so.
The walk from Loguetown, her and superior's usual post and home, to Grand Jipangu was nothing less than arduous. There were scarce few towns along the way, and, not wanting to waste any excess time due to the urgency of the mission, they had opted to walk as far as possible along the road before dark arrived. This of course meant sleeping arrangements were naught but a small, makeshift campsite by the side of the road. Tashigi knew what sort of conditions she had volunteered for when she joined the police, but internally, she still wept for a bath before wrapping herself in her coat and slipping into a fitful rest on the cold ground the past three evenings. Her only consistent comfort was her darling Shigure, which she clutched close to her even while asleep. The countryside could be dangerous, and she couldn't help but try to stay vigilant in case wandering bandits or criminals happened to pass by in the night.
It was the fourth day of walking, and her feet cried out for some care. Her hair could use a good wash and she didn't even want to think about how much she probably smelled underneath her layers of clothes. Even the chill of early spring couldn't keep her from sweating from the effort, and Tashigi was no slouch.
Still, even disciplined Tashigi couldn't help but allow a quiet “Oh, thank heavens,” to slip past her lips as their destination came into view, down way below at the bottom of the steep hill they'd just labored up. The faint sound of music floated over the crest of the hill, along with the chatter and laughter of townspeople. Smoker glanced back at her - for a moment, Tashigi was sure she was about to be reprimanded for her almost-complaint -- but he simply nodded at her.
They had arrived at Grand Jipangu.
“Let's get some food before anything else,” Smoker said as they began their descent down the hill. “I’m not thinking about our ‘possible corruption’ until I've got more than travel rations in my stomach.”
“Sounds perfect, sir!”
As they approached, Tashigi realized it didn’t look like an average day in the village. There were colored paper lanterns hanging along the strings of decorative chains adorning the streets. Flags were clutched in the hands of many townsfolk, who were chattering excitedly and laughing at the performers and musicians. A couple of townsfolk caught sight of the two coming down the hill and veered off uncomfortably. Even more dispersed as subtly as they could while Tashigi and Smoker descended further, closing the gap between them. Smoker said nothing, but Tashigi cringed at how they must look… and smell , considering the town was downwind. She could smell a mixture of different types of food stalls’ wares. Was it that even that wasn’t enough to cover their stench? She took pride in her appearance as an officer of the law, damnit!
“Better like this,” Smoker said under his breath, as if he'd read her thoughts. “Don't need anyone suspecting what we are.”
That's right, Tashigi thought with a sigh. No one should know they were police officers- being from a city so far off - and their superiors were counting on that fact for this particular mission. But did they really have to look so dilapidated for that?
Smoker continued strolling down the hill, but Tashigi slowed considerably, and not just due to her self-consciousness. She was a klutz on good days, and this was a bad one. She didn't want to risk a fall. Trying to focus, she looked away from yet another woman down the road as she seemed to startle at the sight of them and turn away.
Tashigi raised her eyes heavenward in shame, then halted their descent as she caught sight of a figure reclining on the roof.
She blinked. A man dressed in traditional monk's garb was lying on the roof, carefree as can be. Was he asleep? He couldn't be dead , could he? But why would anyone sleep on a rooftop in the middle of the day… during what looked to be a festival, no less?
Tashigi's face was the picture of bewilderment as the monk lazily raised his hand and tipped his headwear up just enough to peer back at her like he’d sensed her presence. A moment later, his expression reflected her shock right back at her. Along with vivid confusion and .. was there a tinge of disgust?!
Tashigi's foot caught a rock and she went flying, tumbling, arms windmilling as she let out a cry of panic. Her feet, desperately, instinctively trying to regain her balance, only sped faster and faster as her momentum essentially tossed her down the hill -- until she slammed with a huge THUD face-first into a wall.
As she slid down pathetically, Smoker caught up. He had kept a perfectly steady pace the whole descent.
“Well, you beat me down here.”
“Ughh,” Tashigi groaned. She fell backwards, resting on her folded knees, and massaged her head. “I’ll watch my step more closely in the future, Sir!”
"Calm down and be quiet. At least wait 'til we've set foot in town before you decide to blow our cover."
"Yes, sir."
She slowly got up, stretching out, and felt a sting of annoyance. She may be clumsy, but she wouldn’t have tripped if she hadn’t been so caught off-guard by that stranger & his judgemental gaze. Who the hell did he think he was, glaring at her for no reason like that? Trying to seem casual, she raised her eyes, scanning the rooftops again, but it was no use. The guy had vanished.
“Hey, there's a place.”
“Huh?”
‘Food,” Smoker simply said, jerking his thumb at a pinwheel-like wooden sign hanging by a door down the road.
Her expression cleared. “Oh, right!”
She found herself jogging to catch up with her superior officer before it occurred to her. “… um, are you sure we're.. you know… decent?” she said weakly.
Smoker was already half inside. “What?” he asked in a tone that did not recommend repeating the question.
“Nothing, Sir.”
It was a neat little place, though there was a table broken neatly in half leaning against the far wall. The restaurant was also nearly empty, save for the cook chopping away at something behind the counter and a red-haired woman sitting at the table closest to him, flipping through a few papers and grumbling under her breath. As they entered, the woman’s face lit up and she jumped out of her seat.
“Welcome, please come in, sit down! Make yourself comfortable!” she greeted, ushering them to the table. “Here, I'll fetch you a menu. Did you travel far? Please, rest your feet!”
Somewhat bewildered by the sudden pleasantries after the rudeness of the townspeople outside, Tashigi allowed herself to be escorted and seated across from her superior officer. The lady's energy was far too much for her, but even in her exhaustion, it wasn't in Tashigi's nature just to grunt with a pipe planted firmly between her teeth like her partner. “Thank you,” she said, “we walked from a few miles south of Doan this morning. Do you know any good bathhouses nearby?”
The girl's overly cheery smile faltered for a second. “Wow, that is really far. You must be exhausted.” Suddenly, the grin returned twofold. “Would you like to freshen up here? I'm sure it would make you feel so much better after all that walking. Please, you should just use my washroom!”
Tashigi's eyes widened. “Would… that really be okay?”
“Of course!” The lady's already wide smile widened further, to a near crooked degree, and both Tashigi and Smoker could practically see berry signs shining from her eyes. “I'll hardly charge much, and Sanji will have dinner ready by the time you're out.”
Smoker snorted at the obvious ploy for more money, but all she felt was gratefulness. “I would love that, thank you so much, Ma'am!”
The girl’s eyes flashed with a hint of something other than pleasantness for a second before she got it under control. “Call me Onami! I'm way too young to be Ma'am! Okay?”
Tashigi wilted under the surprisingly heated smile.
“O-okay.”
Tashigi nearly wept at the comfort of cleaning herself off - there was water that the cook (who had graciously and dramatically introduced himself as Sanji) had been heating already for Onami's bath a while later. When she looked stricken at the thought of inconveniencing the two, he assured her it wouldn't be any trouble to heat more. He also pressed his hands to hers a bit longer than strictly necessary when complimenting her on her great compassion and beauty before returning to the kitchen, but with the kindness she was being offered, Tashigi could hardly find it in her to care. As she sunk into the small tub and allowed herself to enjoy the soak, she closed her eyes.
Allowing the shocked and appalled expression of the strange rooftop man to resurface in her memory.
She shot up, face aflame in embarrassment and anger again.
“Ugh!”
Tashigi emerged a little while later, hair mostly dried, dressed in a set of clean clothes she'd kept safe wrapped away in her pack. Re-entering was a bit embarrassing when both Sanji and Onami began fawning immediately.
“You look like you're feeling better! Oh, your hair smells amazing, too! Didn't that just hit the spot?”
“Tashigi-chan looks so lovely with her hair wet like that! And what a beautiful outfit!!”
“Um… thanks?” Unused to the attention, Tashigi slid into the seat next to Smoker, who gave her an “it's your own fault” look.
“S-so.. what's for dinner?”
“Whatever you'd like, but you should have a variety. Taste the best of everything. A beautiful woman deserves to be treated well, especially after a grueling trip.” the cook leaned over the serving window, giving her what she assumed to be a wink (one of his eyes was obscured by his bangs). Onami whacked him on the back of the head with a serene smile.
“Don't flirt with customers on my dime, Sanji-kun!” she cooed.
“Of course, dearest! You know you're the only woman I have eyes for at the end of the day!” Sanji’s aforementioned eyes were practically heart-shaped. Onami rolled her own, a slight smile on her face nevertheless.
“Yeah, yeah…”
“You're paying for this,” Smoker grumbled under his breath while Onami brought out several dishes, each looking much more elaborate than either of the police officers were used to or had requested. Upon Tashigi's questioning, Onami simply laughed and informed them that they didn't get customers often enough for Sanji to really enjoy himself, and they were delighted to serve a couple of newcomers to the village. Tashigi couldn't help but wonder what could possibly be the reason for their lack of business, as every dish they tasted was as phenomenal as the last. They were a quirky pair, sure, and Tashigi couldn’t get a read on the nature of their relationship at all-- but they weren’t nearly strange enough to put anyone off such an amazing meal. Between food like this and Onami’s lovely service, they should by all rights be packed with customers every day.
Tashigi let out a nervous laugh as the final dish was placed on the table. “Wow, this all looks amazing! Thank you for the food!” she said, picking up her chopsticks.
She hoped desperately for Onami to move on and get back to the now-abandoned papers she’d been fiddling with before they entered. It would be helpful to get some privacy to discuss the next step of the plan.
Fate was never too kind to Tashigi, and it did not intend to begin being so now.
Onami smiled and folded her hands in front of her. “So, what brings you two to Grand Jipangu? If you’re here for the festival, you’re still on time, because it only started yesterday! The contests start tomorrow & go on the rest of the week.”
Tashigi swallowed a mouthful of food. “Contests?”
“Yeah, contests! The mayor loves encouraging everybody to work hard and hone their skills, so he offers prizes to people who can complete a series of challenges the best in different ways. If you think you’re good enough to maybe win with your sword skills--” she nodded towards Shigure. “--you even have a couple of days to prepare. The sword fighting contest is this weekend.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t compete in things like that,” Tashigi said firmly. “I’m not interested in using my Shigure for a contest.”
"She doesn't need to compete," Smoker said suddenly. "It would be unfair to the other fighters."
Tashigi stared at Smoker, who continued eating without making eye contact. What?
"So she's good, huh?" Sanji called from the kitchen. "I know I'd bet all my money on you, Tashigi-chan!"
"I'm not that impressive," she said, still thrown off by the blatant praise she'd been given. Whatever character he was playing as her companion, she was still embarrassed to be openly given attention. "I just wouldn't want to fight anyone unless I thought they had something to teach me. I don't want to fight for petty reasons like winning money."
“Winning money? Petty ?” Onami giggled. “We’ve sure got different definitions of the word. I guess you’re just here for the festivities, then. There are lots of parades scheduled, and games- and there’ll be a fireworks show this weekend, too, so stick around!”
Tashigi smiled weakly. “l suppose we came at a good time. We didn’t know about the festival at all…” Why their superiors wouldn’t think to warn them about what would be going on at the time was beyond her. Smoker didn’t seem to care one way or another, busy refilling and re-lighting his pipe.
“Oh?” the woman rested her chin on her hand. “Interesting. So you’re not here for the festival… You aren't criminals or anything, are you?”
Tashigi choked on a bit of salmon. “ACK - Of course not!”
Onami was unruffled. “Well, we do get a lot of crime families passing through. Can’t blame me for asking! A lot of them seem to have personal issues with our police force.”
Tashigi felt Smoker stiffen ever so slightly beside her. She put on a smile. “The police? What, are they untrustworthy or something?”
Onami sighed deeply and leaned in conspiratorially. “I wish it were that simple,” she said. “No, Boss Luffy is just… well. Let's say he makes a lot of enemies.”
“Boss Luffy?” Tashigi pretended not to know the name. “Is he the one the criminals call Straw hat? I heard he's a loose cannon.”
“Loose cannon ? Try loose pirate ship. He's way more trouble than one lousy cannon.” Onami sighed. “He's insane, and he's always costing me a ridiculous amount of money! Just this morning, he broke one of my tables when he got into a skirmish.” She nodded towards the wreckage on the far wall. So that explains that, Tashigi noted. “Actually, before you came in, I was trying to figure out how much I should charge him…”
“He never pays for his food, either,” Sanji shouted from the kitchen, not bothering to hide the fact that he was eavesdropping. “He's insufferable. Stay away from him if you can help it, sweetheart, you'll only get swept into his problems.”
Tashigi's heart sank and Smoker grunted through another mouthful of rice. This was the worst possible outcome. It would make their jobs easier and a lot more pleasant if Boss Luffy had been doing his job properly and caring for the townsfolk, but obviously, he was the type to throw his weight around and expect everyone to accommodate for his behavior. He was the type of police officer that she deeply, personally despised, and that meant she and her partner were going to have to do some cleanup.
“So he's a bad person, huh?” she muttered, looking down at her food.
Omashi's expression clouded. “Well, I don't think I'd say that …”
“It sounds pretty clear to me,” Smoker said, dropping his utensils. “ Where does this guy spend his time, anyway?”
Tashigi sat up a little straighter. That was a bold question. Letting the target know he was under any sort of investigation would ruin the entire point, which was to see what he was doing when he wasn’t under direct supervision.
Some higher ups had gotten wind that Boss Luffy was keen to do things his own way, and while it seemed to get jobs done, there was a nasty stench wafting around the paperwork that resulted in it. Some things seemed to end up a little too neat, certain ends tied in ways that were a little too vague to be trustworthy. Even if Mayor Cobra and his daughter has written letters assuring headquarters of their competency, how sure could they be that they weren’t being bribed, threatened, or otherwise taken advantage of? Perhaps they were even totally unaware of the truth?
Unfortunately, Onami was in no mood to share information she wasn’t being paid for. She waved her hand in a careless motion. “Ahh, who knows?” she sang. “He’s always doing his own thing, sleeping on the ground somewhere, eating me out of house and home, picking fights with criminals… you can always rely on him to be unreliable.”
Smoker and Tashigi exchanged a stony glance. There wasn’t anything more they could learn here. “May we have the check, please?” Tashigi asked. “I think my friend here needs some rest. Do you have any recommendations for places to stay in the area?”
Onami rested her chin on her hand. “Well, like I said, festival’s happening all week. You came at a bad time. A lot of accommodations are spoken for already. Last I heard, there were hardly any places left, not to mention having to get room for two…”
Tashigi and Smoker glanced at each other. Were they going to be camping again?
Before she could fully panic, though, Onami spoke up again. “Hmm.. normally, I wouldn't offer this, but…” She rubbed her chin. “...we do have a friend I think might have some room to offer you.”
“We'll take anything!” Tashigi blurted. Anything but the ground outside again. Onami smiled, not unkindly.
“Well, he’s definitely got his share of eccentricities, but he’ll help you out! Franky House is by the edge of town down south, and it's pretty big. I'm sure he'll take you in if you mention you're friends of ours. It wouldn't hurt to mention Boss Luffy's name, either!” she winked.
Tashigi barely bit back a disdainful comment. So friends of the police get special treatment, huh? What kind of place was Franky House - some sort of hub for criminals and other unsavory characters?
“If there's nowhere else, we'll be glad for the recommendation. Thanks.” Smoker said.
Onami beamed once again. “No problem!” She cheered, sliding a small, folded paper on the tabletop between the two. “And here's your check!”
The weak smile on Tashigi's face vanished as she turned the paper over “Ehh?! That much for a bath?!!”
Onami had been right. All the inns were full. At least, that’s what they all kept claiming.
It didn’t help that Smoker, who had not had a bath yet and whose natural expression was already pretty unwelcoming, was accompanying Tashigi on their sub-mission lovingly dubbed “operation find a place to sleep that’s not the side of the road”. She had a sneaking suspicion he was a large part of the reason they were being turned away, between his stench and his attitude and, of course, the fact he wouldn’t stop smoking that damn pipe at their front desks.
Tashigi slumped down against the wall outside the latest failed attempt to find asylum. “Sir, I think we’re going to have to track down this Franky fellow.”
“Are we really going to trust the word of that con artist from before?”
“Hey,” Tashigi said weakly, “Onami was…nice, at least.”
“She took practically all of your money.”
“Well, she did let me use their personal bath. And that food was amazing!”
“How are you going to survive the rest of this mission if you don’t have the money to eat?” Smoker said. “We need to be more careful of the company we keep. I should’ve walked out when I learned she knows Straw Hat personally.”
“It sounded pretty bad,” she admitted, folding her arms. “As for money, I don’t know. I should have brought more with me. Maybe I’ll do some work around town…”
“Or you could put your talent to use and win that sword contest she was babbling about.”
Tashigi looked at him in surprise. He shrugged.
“I don’t think your sword would mind. But that’s just my opinion. Feel free to follow your own gut here.”
“Thanks for your advice,” she replied. “If I run out of money, I’ll consider it.”
"The way you're going, it'll be later this afternoon."
The two of them seemed to be the only people out and about who had any care in the world. The crowd of ever-shifting delighted people danced around them, clad in bright colored, beautiful outfits and waving pinwheels, fried food on sticks, or masks. Tashigi kept a stony expression in front of Smoker, but inwardly longed to enjoy herself even just a bit. How bad a job could the police force be doing if everyone felt comfortable enough to flock to the streets in a week-long celebratory festival?
Smoker grunted, drawing Tashigi’s eyes back to him. “Sir?”
“I’ll check out the next inn myself,” he said. “You look around and see if any of the folks at those booths have information.”
“What? Oh, but Sir, I might have --” she hesitated. I might have better luck? I don’t smell as bad as you, so I’m more likely to get us a reservation without you than vice versa? I know you're a very kind man, but you tend to glare people down like they killed your family in front of you, and they don't want someone like that sleeping in the same building?!?
“I gave you an order,” he said, turning away and striding towards the next door. Tashigi blinked at his retreating figure. Why in the world…
Well, she wasn’t complaining. The stall nearest to her, manned by a beautiful older woman with long, flowing white hair, was covered in hair pieces, pins, and combs. She walked over, taking a moment to glance over the wares. The saleslady smiled.
“We have some for your length of hair as well,” she cooed, reaching over to stroke Tashigi’s hair, then swiftly snatched her glasses from her face. Instantly, Tashigi colored at the overfamiliarity.
“Oh, no! Sorry, I just - I was wondering, do you know any places near here that have room for two people to stay?”
The lady shook her head, smile not fading. “You should try a pink or red piece,” she said, ignoring the question completely. “Or perhaps a gold would stand out against your eyes… Here, pin it back with this.”
“Oh, no, sorry, I just have to - I’m going to find my, um, my friend!” Tashigi panicked, trying to retreat. She was getting roped in. Too much money is gone from my wallet already, lady! The saleswoman gripped her shoulder and tugged her back in.
“Please, this would fit your hair shade beautifully! Yes, yes, here you are,” the lady said, pressing a pin into her hair. “You look so very lovely! Impress your man when he returns, yes?”
“No!” Tashigi was aghast. “No, no, thank you, thank you though, very much.” She pulled the pin out, wincing as it snagged on its way out. She grabbed her glasses back and jammed them on her face, ignoring how they landed askew. The woman paused halfway through holding up an ornate mirror to her face and tutted in disappointment. “I’ve got to - to go ask someone else, thank you!”
“Come back soon!” the lady called cheerfully after her, turning her attention almost immediately to a fresh young lady duo who appeared at the table to coo over the items, and Tashigi shook her head in amazement. So far, both people she’d spoken more the two words to in this town had tried to scam her out of her money - unless she counted the other person, who’d done nothing but hit on her in front of his -- wife? Business partner? What the hell was up with those two, and why were they friends with the suspicious Straw Hat when he did nothing but cause them trouble?!? Tashigi did not understand Grand Jipangu, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to.
What she wanted was a return to something familiar. Anything.
As if in answer to her silent prayer, a blood curdling scream ripped through the crowd.