Double or Nothing: Interlude 1

The Vast Blue Sea

Oftentimes, it was all too easy to forget just how vast the ocean could be. With miles on end of nothing but the gentle waves rocking her boat and the few stray clouds drifting in the clear sky, it felt almost endless. It was only when she was alone in this blue expanse that Kuina started to appreciate the sheer size of the world.

"Hey Coo, don't you just hate how long it takes to travel between islands?" Kuina asked her lone companion, a News Coo perched on the railings of her skiff, as she leaned back against the mast. "Despite how peaceful it is out here, there's just nothing to do. It's so… boring," she sighed, glancing over to the fishing rods she had set up; Not a single bite.

"Coo," The surprisingly intelligent bird nodded in sympathy before handing her the news, the last paper from its cute little satchel.

Tossing the bird a fish and the fee, she took a peek at today's news. Drought Ravages Alabasta! It read, making Kuina frown. It seems like a certain bastard was already at work. Unfortunately for her, she was still stuck in the East Blue.

She had neither the ship capable of traversing the Grand Line, nor was she capable enough just yet. She needed a bit more refinement, more experience. Alabsta had to wait. Shaking her head, she turned her attention back to the ocean.

Checking her compass, she told Coo, "I prepared for everything. "Provisions, a comfortable ride, some maps and instructions from the sailors," She had to give up much of her cabin space just for her supplies. "but nothing really prepares you for how desolate it could be. I could do more exercise I guess" she shrugged, but it was far too hot right now. Water was already limited as is.

"Coo" Her companion replied as he scooted over before patting him on the head.

Rolling her eyes, she thanked the bird, "Thanks for stopping by the way," It wasn't pirates or sea kings that was her biggest enemy now, it was boredom, "I swear I'd go insane without someone to talk to," she laughed.

The bird squawked back, acting as if he didn't understand her. With narrowed eyes, she asked, "Do you want a fish or not?" Pulling her bucked close, she made sure he couldn't get more even if he wanted too. She was not insane.

The bird tried keeping up the act, but the allure of food was too strong. Slumping, the bird apologized, "Coo."

"Thought so," She grinned before tossing the bird a fish. Pulling out a snack of her own, a roasted fish seasoned lightly with salt, she scolded him, "Practical joke or not, that was mean you know. We've been talking for weeks!" She wasn't sure what she'd think if she just hallucinated this all.

"Coo," The bird rolled its eyes before looking over at the map at her side. "Coo?" He asked out of curiosity.

"Where am I going anywhere?" She replied, opening her mouth to answer before closing it as she frowned. Taking a deep breath, she sighed as she leaned back and looked up at the sky. "... Now ain't that a question."

The bird gave her a look of disbelief before it shook its head, "Coo…"

"Oh I know where I'm going," She replied, chuckling at the misunderstanding before pointing at the small clouds in the distance. "It's the nearest island to my village, an actual trading hub instead of some back waters," She told him.

Her village wasn't exactly the center of anything, more of a backwater island. Sure her father was getting famous for his swords, but that's about it. There was nothing of note on the island and could she really get strong with so few challenges?

Thus, she needed to go to the nearest island. It also serves as a good test run. If she got lost… maybe it's a good idea to go back to the drawing board. "After that though, I'm not sure," she admitted. "Like I know where I'm going but I don't know where I'm going," she tried explaining.

Tilting its head, the bird replied, "Coo." That earned him a head of a fish to the head. As the bird squawked, annoyed.

"It's not stupid," Kuina scoffed before she explained, "It's just I don't know what I'm going to do aside from just being the strongest." Was she really going to just wander around, finding people to test her blade against? She wanted to be strong, yes, but what else was she going to do? A single minded pursuit of things sounded… boring.

The bird paused, stroking its beak for a second, before they answered, "Coo."

She smiled as she nodded back. "Yeah you're right, it's not like I have to decide now," She said as she picked up her map and started circling some islands. Maybe she could get a crew, become a pirate… or perhaps a marine can pick her up. As corrupt as they were, their goals were noble. Whatever she was going to do, it was not the time now.

"I can take my time, explore the seas a bit before I commit," She replied, satisfied with her decisions for now. "It's just a bit overwhelming now that I'm on my own, doing things my way," she admitted. She'd been so consumed by beating her father and escaping the island that she didn't plan on afterwards.

"Coo," Her companion sighed, looking out to the sea longingly.

Seeing his desires for something else, something better, she offered, "Heh… you know, you could join me. Maybe ditch the News Coo gig?" Maybe she could try being a pirate just for fun and what better way to start a career than have a bird? He wasn't a parrot, but he was just as intelligent, if not more so.

The bird paused, giving it some consideration, before giving his answer, "Coo," Patting their hat, he cawed proudly. It looked like he was quite satisfied with what he had.

"Thought so," She replied. Seems like Captaining might not be her thing. Still, it was worth a shot. "Hmm… you do look bored. Is delivering news all you do?" She asked curiously. They've been stopping by whatever route they flew just to talk to her after all.

"Coo" the bird nodded, confirming her suspicions. Before she could answer, the bird suddenly cried out, pointing at one of her lines "Coo!" Following his wings, she found the lines bending dangerously, enough that it started tugging at her boat.

"Ohh shot!" Getting up to her feet, she immediately grabbed the line before it could be ripped off from its base. Tugging at the rod, she laughed, "Oh boy, she's a big one!" She could feel her muscle straining as whatever she caught fought with a ferocity unlike anything she fished before.

"Anyways," She gritted out, "It's kinda a waste you know. You have this whole market cornered and all you do is deliver news and a few mails!" Tiring it out, letting the line slip before reeling them back in. Too much force and the line would break, too little and she'd run out of line.

"Coo?" her companion asked, skeptical of his offer. Indeed, for a native of this world, what she was suggesting sounded like lunacy. They were the new, what more could they do? Unlike the natives however, she knew things that haven't been even conceived yet aside from the minds like Vegapunk.

"You guys could do better," She shouted, slowly reeling in the fish. Feeling the line, hoping it doesn't break, she asked him, "Is there a way to contact your boss? I might have a business proposition."

While she was focused on getting stronger, she wasn't just about to let an opportunity slip by, not when it could give her some pocket change to spare! Sailing was expensive after all. Her supplies alone cost most of what she had squirreled away!

"Coo…" The bird replied, a bit unsure. She nodded in understanding but before she could answer, her catch was already quite close.

"Hold on," She told her avian companion before she pulled, feeling the rod break, but not before launching her catch up in the air. It was beautiful. With its deep blue scales, streamlined body akin to that of a torpedo, and its long, sword-like snout, it was a catch that any angler would be proud of, and one that would fill their bellies; her belly in particular.

With her eyes on the prize, she crouched low and hands resting on her longer sword. As their eyes met, its weapon pointed at her heart, she struck back. Silver flashed as they crossed blades. In a single moment, it was over.

"Kawa-Semi!"

She thrusted hard, her sword letting out a crack as it pierced through her queries head, leaving a clean hole. The fish didn't even know it was dead before it crashed atop her skiff. Jumping away, she laughed as she let out a whoop of excitement. "We're eating well tonight," She cheered as she flicked her blade before cleaning it of blood, "and that means you as well!"

"Coo!" The bird cheered, jumping with joy as it hopped closer. With no time to waste, she got to work, preparing the fish the best she could. Pulling out a small knife, as she wasn't about to use her baby for something so crude as preparing fish even if she was the perfect size, and started gutting it the best she could.

"Back to what I was saying," Tossing the organs to her companions who happily gorged on them, she continued, "While I'd like to hold on to this for a bit because it is a really good idea, I can understand that you can't go there empty handed."

"Now imagine this, Coo," She told him as she wiped the sweat off her forehead, "Mail ordered items!" They did deliver mail already after all, why not step up operations and add items to the list. It wasn't like the idea was a new one, for her old life at least. Sears Catalog was a thing way before amazon even was a thing.

"Coo…" The bird replied with a grimace, looking at its parcel before tugging at it, showing how it weighed them down.

"Oh it wouldn't be big items, just small ones. T-shirt, pens, you name it, all for a little fee," She corrected. Sure bigger items were good, but it was the tiny, and cheap, nick nacks that got people hooked to shopping. "After all, what's a few Bellis for some novelty items or a shirt?" Getting people hooked as their dopamine was fried by shopping.

It also helps that if she could set this up, she could have an easy way to get small items. A bag of coal or a new sleeping bag out in the open ocean? Oh what she'd do to get those luxuries. It wouldn't be too hard to imagine a few pirates parting with their treasure in the justifiably inflated price of a mail order catalog.

The bird blinked before they nodded eagerly, "... Coo," Understanding washing over their face as they dropped their food and leaned closer, now all ears for what she had to say.

"Heh, now you're getting it. Of course, there's a bit more nuance to that, but we can hash that out once we discuss things over Snail," She chuckled, holding on to some of the idea. "So, think you can hook me up with your boss? Who knows… maybe he could make you head of that operation… Manager Coo," She tempted them.

The bird gave her a look before nodding, "Coo," Taking off its bag, it handed it over to her. Grinning, she quickly pulled out some paper and started writing.

Handing back the parcel, with her letter, she instructed him, "Tell him I'm willing to part with my idea for a small price… like say being part of this enterprise as some associate," While the idea was lucrative, money wasn't what she's after, she's after what the News Coo's boss can offer, "I'm not really after cash here, I'm just looking for a friend who knows people and knows his way around." She added conspiratorially.

The Bird gave him a look before nodding silently. Satisfied with her transaction, and possibly having a pulse into the underworld itself, she dug into the flesh of the Marlin. Just as she was about to hand over a chunk to Coo for some extra bribe, their peace would be disturbed by an explosion ringing in the distance.

Splash!

Sea water rained down on her as shots arced to her tiny skiff. Turning around, she found a vessel firing at her. With the Jolly Roger they flew above their sails, they made their allegiance known. Annoyed., she stood up and waved her first at them while her friend panicked, "God damn it, we're having a discussion here!"

Why the hell were they shooting at her anyways? She was just a tiny skiff with barely anything of worth. Canon shots were expensive! She wouldn't have to wait for long for an answer as more cannon fire rained down on her as they got closer.

Annoyance gave way to anger as she heard a tearing sound above. Looking up, she found her sail torn, flapping uselessly in the wind. "My sails!" She shouted. Hearing the faint sound of laughter as they got closer, she felt something snap in her. "Oh that does it," She gritted out as rolled up her sleeves.

"Hey Coo, you want a headline as well?" She asked as she marched to the edge of her skiff, stretching and limbering up for the swim even as the ship lined up their shot just for her.

"Coo?" Her companion asked as she paused briefly, considering what she wanted to do.
Was she really going to go around, hunting down every pirate she could find just because they annoyed her? As the cannon flashed and iron rained down on her, she found her answer. The answer was yes, yes she was and these assholes were going to be her first bounty.

The sound of metal rending as her sword met the heavy shots filled the air before two splashes shot up behind her. Eyes twitching and sporting a savage grin on her face, she told her companion, "Print this, Local Girl Terrorizes East Blue Pirates," Pulling out her other sword, she shouted, "My name is Kuina Shimotsuki and your ass is mine!"

A/N:

Tried finishing this before setting up polls. Ended up finishing just this but not enough to make a poll. Will set it up tomorrow. For now, enjoy this. Also, just finishing this series of commissions before starting the Uchiha Chapter. Still unsure how to continue.