Meishu lowered herself into the water.  It was tepid but bearable.  From the corner of her eyes, hidden by the dancing shadows, Gerld did likewise.

"When I was younger" the old man gritted his teeth while he lowered himself.  "I would think about getting a devil fruit, as I rose through the marine ranks, and what kind it would be.  But it never happened because the higher ups never had anything good for me.  Now that I'm not sinking to the bottom of this ocean, watching the world dim because I couldn't move, I'm happy nobody ever knew where to find the ones worth eating."  

"I didn't notice any traps when I swam to the shore, but that doesn't mean they haven't deployed anything yet.  So keep your eyes open and stay close to me."  Without hesitation she disappeared under the surface.

"Not one for small talk, that girl is, huh?"  Gerld sighed before taking a deep breath and disappearing beneath the black surface of the water.

******************************************

"Looks like the Fishman is on the boat."  
The captain didn't bother to respond.  His impassive face, with the lack of any interest in turning around to look at the hunchback, was a very clear indication he was well aware the fishman would make it to the boat, as it was a Fishman, and if nothing else, they could swim.
"Yes.  Right.  Well," the hunchback looked down at his hands.  "Should we open fire then?"
"Hold it.  I want to see if there are any more troublemakers.  Would be best, if there are more than one, we get them all in a single fell swoop."
"Right.  Right."  The hunchback nodded.
"So don't do anything stupid.  Wait for the boat to start moving."
********************************************

 

[@The Irish Tree]
The tiny boat rocked ever so slightly as someone climbed aboard.  Tere was a scent in the air wasn't the right one.  Fenrir knew the right smell when it came to him, and this wasn't it.  This was an intruder, an unwanted, several of them.  Fenrir would get rid of them, post-haste.

Slowly, he uncurled himself from his spot by the wheel and sniffed the air.  The intruder wasn't far.  Grinning the large, Candid like creature got t his feet.  Head lowered he left the cabin and started towards the smell.  It wasn't far.  

The intruder was female, that much he could tell.  She was odd, smelling like fish and person.  The others weren't odd, they were just unwanted.  Not that that mattered though.  The captain hadn't told him about anyone getting to board, which was WHAT DID matter.

Licking his chops Fenrir got closer.  With a growl the beast launched itself in the air, jaws snapping at the strange human.  He'd take care of her first and then throw the others off the deck.  The only concern he had was if there was enough time to clean up the mess before the captain got back. 

[@Crimson Lion]
"Oh damn it!"  The captain shouted, pointing his hand at the devil fruit user, as the small man spread wings and flew over head.  "If it's not one thing it's another!"  The man thrust his fist at the sky.  "Hurry up and shoot hi down."  Spit flew from his lips, big angry globs, heavy enough to been seen in the dancing shadows.  
The bullets flew, but it wasn't easy to get a good shot what with the dark and growing distance.

As he moved further out into the ocean he saw a small boat, purple and strange.  It's design was unlike anything the pirates or marines were using.  As he sailed towards it he became more certain the ship didn't belong to anyone who was actively trying to kill him.  

Upon the last leg of the approach to the boat, the young man would see a pile of bodies, the odd female from earlier, in the cell, and a massive fuzzball of a creature, slithering up towards her like a snake before the huge thing leaped towards her.    

*********************************************