After leaving the strange island, the Going Merry finally set sail again. It was good to be away. Nothing was more horrible than being stuck in a place that breeds strange animals and strange people. Something about being on the open ocean brought a calming effect. The rocking of the ship and the blue sky were just peaceful.
Once I was fully healed, I went out onto the deck to get some fresh air after being stuck in a small room. I leaned against the rail when I spotted a ship in the distance. It wasn't a Marine ship or another pirate ship. I looked closer and saw the emblem on the sail. So, there are more of the Order out there. That makes me happy. I wonder what they want. I thought. As soon as I thought this, a message from one of the hawks landed on the rail with a note attached to one of its talons.
Katherine, we are all that remains from the Old Order. We wish to meet with you and discuss terms with you. You must understand that we mean you and the others no harm. But this must come to an end. The fact that we are trained to be cold-hearted killers makes no sense. As the New Order, we believe that being humans is what makes us all united. Please come to our flagship and come alone. If you bring any of your friends or Zoro, things will get messy. Victor
I blinked and held the letter before tearing it up and throwing it into the ocean. I headed into the kitchen, where Nami and the boys were eating and talking. Something about what Victor said in his letter sounded threatening. I was not going alone since I had a bad feeling about it. Since becoming friends with Luffy, he had opened my eyes that I didn't have to take my missions alone. It felt good to finally have people that I could count on. "Luffy, can I talk to you and Zoro for a moment?"
Luffy looked at Zoro, who nodded. "Sure. What's up?"
"Outside. Alone."
The boys looked at each other, a little worried. "Kat, what's going on?" Luffy asked, concerned.
I sighed. "Luf, I'm gonna need your help."
Luffy smiled. "You bet. What do you need?"
I pointed towards the upcoming ship. "You see that ship? It's not a Marine or pirate ship. It's a ship from what's called "The New Order. It's a group of assassins who think that being trained to be "emotionless killers" Isn't a good idea. The way I was trained is how all assassins have been trained. They wish to speak with me and insist that I go alone. Something was off about the letter they sent."
Luffy nodded. "So you want Zoro, and I want to come with you in case something goes wrong." His smile vanished. He knew what I was asking him. "I understand, Kat. I've come to understand that what you've done in the past is dangerous. But this is suicide if you go alone."
Zoro said nothing; his eyes were fixed on the flagship that was approaching. He knew that if they got close, war would break out. He had seen enough bloodshed to understand how the life of an assassin worked. Being a bounty hunter. He went over to me, placing a protective hand on my stomach. "If they want to talk, they can come here."
I looked at him. "Zoro, please don't do anything rash."
"I'm with Luffy on this. Either we both go with you, or you don't go at all."
"You do, and you both will get killed."
Luffy placed a hand on my shoulder. "Kat, we're family. I told Zoro before you came in that I would do anything to protect Henry. I know that we're not related by blood, but he is my nephew."
I smile. "Thank you, Luffy. That's very sweet of you." I sighed. "Let's do this." I stood firm on the deck of the Going Merry with both Zoro and Luffy.
Luffy looked at me. "Are you sure about this?"
"I have to do this, Luf. I'm not scared. If they call themselves the New Order, then they will get a reality check from the Old Order."
Luffy nodded. "Right." He gently put a hand around my waist and looked at Zoro, who also nodded.
A few moments later, Luffy, I, and Zoro landed on the flagship Redwood. It felt weird being on a separate ship. Luffy stood beside me, just in case a fight broke out. Zoro had his hand on the hilts of his swords and the other on my stomach.
Victor, the boy who had sent me the letter, walked over to me with a grim look on his face. He was not happy that Zoro and Luffy were with me. "I thought I told you to come alone or that your friends and fiancè would die."
I looked at Zoro. "It's ok. I have this."
Zoro nodded. "I don't think this is a good idea, Pretty Kitty."
"I know. But at least let me see what he has to say." I looked at Victor. "Speak. What you say can be said in front of my faincè and my best friend."
Victor looked first at Zoro with his size, and the three swords gave an intimidating look. "You engaged to a bounty hunter? And your best friend is a pirate? You have fallen."
I looked at him. "And that surprises you? As assassins, we run with the pirates and bounty hunters. So you're not realizing this is hilarious. I'm not the one who has fallen, but the Order is the one that has fallen. One thing you and your followers have forgotten is that assassins are humans. We're just trained to hide our emotions, not to become robots. So, that fact you think that you can outwit someone who can read you like at a book."
Victor blinked. "What are you getting at?"
"Simple. The first rule of becoming an assassin is to gather intel. Always know your enemy and your surroundings. You see Zoro and Luffy and are terrified. I look at them and see family. I look in your eyes and see fear. You claim that you are the "New Order," yet you always forget that there will never be a New Order. Only those who forget their training."
Victor came running at me, thinking he could take me on. "DAMN YOU WOMEN!!"
I smirked. "Think you can take on a trained assassin, huh?" I winked both Zoro and Luffy nodded, understanding what they must do. "Tell me something, Victor, can you take on a trained assassin, a swordsman, and a pirate?"