Island Orange Town

[Einsauer]

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!" He angrily shouted.

Polo Marco's eyes widened a bit, he was clearly a bit eager to introduce himself. His balled fists found their way to his hips and his chest puffed, the fishman marine stood in a superhero-esque pose and took an inhale to deliver what he was preparing to be a super cool introduction- "-!" Only to be immediately interrupted:

"Y'know, If it wasn't for me; you wouldn't even have the time to be yelling like an idiot?" Pompously uttered a lone marine soldier. Stationed far off in the perfect flanking position, he reloaded his musket; momentarily reeling back it's barrel. "If I hadn't shot that saber you wouldn't have been able to kill anyone, anyone at all." He continued.

"WOAH!" Polo exclaimed with a slight flinch at the sudden gunfire.

"Y'know what, Screw introductions." Herumetto dashed off to the side, laying his blade upon the first Marine he saw. He swung his saber; cleaving through the back of the unknowing and pre-occupied marine soldier. The man cried in pain and fell, his blood stained his clothes and Herumetto's blade. He reached down and looted the man's pockets, "There it is!" He pulled the man's pistol and took aim. "Let's dance Fish face!" He exclaimed, pulling the trigger!

"HEY! Hold it righ-!!" Polo was interrupted as the pirate's blade carved into his comrade. His expression shattered into a look of shock and disbelief as he stood, stunned, watching the helmeted pirate rifle through his new friend's coat. By the time the barrel was aimed at the marine, he had a hardened look to him; the consequences of failure were very apparent to the fishman now. These were the moments that defined the heart of a hero, even as the fishman looked at marine standard-issue pistol glaring back at him he couldn't shake the desire to save everyone here before himself.

As the pistol popped off in his direction the marine pulled fast to the left, narrowly dodging the bullet wide-eyed. He stood in awe at his own action for an extended period, a smile beginning to spread across his face again. He looked back excitedly at Herumetto. "Haha!" He exclaimed. "Did you see that?!"
He looked back to the continued trajectory of the bullet, making out the spot in the distant cobblestone wall with a cracked bullet hole now ingrained into it. He pointed at it and looked back to Herumetto to confirm a witness to how cool that was.
He continued exclaiming his excitement until his eyes caught the gathering pool of blood around his fallen marine ally. His eyes grew serious, but his smile remained. "Here I come!"

Polo Marco took two long bounds towards the human before stepping up into the air, attempting to climb the invisible stairs leading above Herumetto. Though exhausted, the marine promised himself he wouldn't use Geppo for the rest of the day after this and pushed through.
At an apex above his opponent Polo switched from a carefully trained (though visibly strained) usage of Rokushiki to a loose, almost freestyle use of Fishman Karate. The Betta-Fishman did a showy twirl in the air before aiming his heel down at Herumetto as he let gravity carry him towards his target.

"FIRE FLOWER HEEL DROP!" He exclaimed excitedly.

Ka Ka Kakato Otoshi (literally meaning "Fire Flower Heel Drop"): The user spins and hits his opponent with the heel of his foot.
Requirements: 21 Mastery, 21 Strength
Destructive Potency Rank: C

Spoiler: DPR

61-80: 2. Small Building Level

@Lamby

 

[Lamby]

ORANGE TOWN!!!!!
@Einsauer​

As the pistol popped off in his direction the marine pulled fast to the left, narrowly dodging the bullet wide-eyed. He stood in awe at his own action for an extended period, a smile beginning to spread across his face again. He looked back excitedly at Herumetto. "Haha!" He exclaimed. "Did you see that?!"
He looked back to the continued trajectory of the bullet, making out the spot in the distant cobblestone wall with a cracked bullet hole now ingrained into it. He pointed at it and looked back to Herumetto to confirm a witness to how cool that was.
He continued exclaiming his excitement until his eyes caught the gathering pool of blood around his fallen marine ally. His eyes grew serious, but his smile remained. "Here I come!"

Polo Marco took two long bounds towards the human before stepping up into the air, attempting to climb the invisible stairs leading above Herumetto. Though exhausted, the marine promised himself he wouldn't use Geppo for the rest of the day after this and pushed through.
At an apex above his opponent Polo switched from a carefully trained (though visibly strained) usage of Rokushiki to a loose, almost freestyle use of Fishman Karate. The Betta-Fishman did a showy twirl in the air before aiming his heel down at Herumetto as he let gravity carry him towards his target.

"FIRE FLOWER HEEL DROP!" He exclaimed excitedly.

"What kind of strange act is this?" He exclaimed, he traced Polo's swift movements with an exceptionally confused expression plastered on his face. The Fish-boy dropped his heel from the sky above, Herumetto leapt off to the side; rolling to quickly get to his feet. The boy slammed into the ground effortlessly crumbling the concrete streets leading to the docks; the sudden explosion alerted each and every fighter present and some hostages.

Herumetto shot a glance at the massive dust explosion that erupted from the impact, "What the hell?! No way someone with that goofy of a fighting style packs this much strength!" He exclaimed. A sweat droplet shot down the side of his face, and brief moment wave of fear overcame him.

​

Mayor Boodle's jaw dropped in surprise, "What?!" He exclaimed as he dropped to his knees. "The street... Now we have to fix the street..." He softly muttered. Chou Chou returned to his side and sat beside him sharing a similar expression of surprise, his sudden retreat showing a tiny dink in his stoic armor.

-​

"WOAH! New Guy pack's quite the punch," Exclaimed the sniping soldier. He cocked his musket and took aim ready to fire at his next target. The surrounding Pirates and Marines. Stared in disbelief; the once fearsome pandemonium of gunfire and clashing blades quelled into naught but a tranquil void. "N-New Guy has some monstrous strength on him. Well! What're we waiting for!" Loudly exclaimed a marine soldier, promptly breaking the silence to hopeful rile up his fellow men; he aimed to spark a new wave of motivation and enthusiasm, though they had to be wary of casualties.

He shifted his attention back to his adversary, using the opportunity to land a mighty right hook to the tyrannical pirates jaw! The Pirate fell back to the floor and opened a space in between them, allowing him to free the hostage. "Hey!" Shouted the pirate, he stood and prepared a retaliation.

POW!!
A musket sounded, the cold and discomforting reverb of gunfire flew wildly as the Pirate fell to the floor. He wasn't dead, not yet but mortally wounded. "C'mon now, we're on the battlefield-" He began as he reloaded his rifle.

"We can't be stopping just because some special soldier decided to show-off."
-​

"Well then- I guess it's just you and me." He said, groggily standing; he gripped both his weapons exceptionally tightly for he was now wary polo, he was fearful. "How do I approach this guy now? AGH! Screw it, Captain's orders come first!" He thought. He aimed his pistol and in a quick flurry fired several shots; bombarding the crater and the dirt cloud kicked up by the rookie!

21-40: 0. Street Level

 

[Einsauer]

he Fish-boy dropped his heel from the sky above, Herumetto leapt off to the side; rolling to quickly get to his feet. The boy slammed into the ground effortlessly crumbling the concrete streets leading to the docks; the sudden explosion alerted each and every fighter present and some hostages.

The tall, young fishman caught some debris to the face as he watched his foot make impact with the ground below. His eyelids squinted in a fruitless attempt to protect his eyes from being coated in rock shards. It would've been clear to any seasoned soldier that despite the ensign's natural talent, he lacked any sort of battlefield experience (if his klutziness wasn't shrouded in a cloud of dust that is). As the fishman rubbed his eyes free of pulverized concrete he heard another shot ring out:

POW!!
A musket sounded, the cold and discomforting reverb of gunfire flew wildly as the Pirate fell to the floor. He wasn't dead, not yet but mortally wounded. "C'mon now, we're on the battlefield-" He began as he reloaded his rifle.

Polo ducked a bit as he dislodged a small pebble from his watery eye and blinked cautiously a few times. He began waving away the dust and attempting to relocate his opponent, when a volley of gunfire rang out from the direction he was facing. Polo Marco could hear the first few bullets rush right by him!
His eyes widened and his stance shifted to a more battle-ready position, however the very next bullet met his right arm, then another to the same arm on the shoulder. Polo reflexively retracted his arm and rubbed at the bloody impression the bullet had left on his shoulder. The small metal pellet fell out of the shallow crater it left in his body as he processed the sting of being shot for the first time.

Spoiler: Damage Taken

DPR 2 or more below dura: Not very effective

The fishman rotated his rotator cuff to make sure his shoulder still worked properly, despite some pain it glided as usual. That was all the confirmation he needed to push on, the fishman sprang forward towards the direction he had been shot from. He burst from the settling cloud of dust, whilst gathering momentum, he attempted to jump through the air as before but his legs gave out from under him after only the first attempt to Moon Walk. Polo fell forward towards the ground in front of the pirate clumsily, but improvised with a handstand-somersault, allowing himself to spring upwards with a kick aimed at Herumetto's chin.

"RISING THRUST-KICK!"​

Kachiage Haisoku (literally meaning "Rising Thrust-Kick"): An inner-sole kick to the chin of the opponent.
Requirements: 21 Mastery, 21 Strength
Destructive Potency Rank: C

Spoiler: DPR

61-80: 2. Small Building Level

@Lamby

 

[Lamby]

ORANGE TOWN !(x6)
@Einsauer​

The fishman rotated his rotator cuff to make sure his shoulder still worked properly, despite some pain it glided as usual. That was all the confirmation he needed to push on, the fishman sprang forward towards the direction he had been shot from. He burst from the settling cloud of dust, whilst gathering momentum, he attempted to jump through the air as before but his legs gave out from under him after only the first attempt to Moon Walk. Polo fell forward towards the ground in front of the pirate clumsily, but improvised with a handstand-somersault, allowing himself to spring upwards with a kick aimed at Herumetto's chin.

"RISING THRUST-KICK!"

Spoiler: DPR

61-80: 2. Small Building Level

Polo's exceptionally strange movements were quite captivating, his swift change motion after failing to geppo was a remarkable maneuver though how far would this innate sense of skill get him? Herumetto's groggy movements compared to Polo's skill granted a clear outcome, he took the kick right to the chin! Struck right off his feet his head lead him backwards as a small dot of blood shot out from between his forcefully grit teeth!

Durability: 35
21-40: 2. Small Building Level vs 61-80: 2. Small Building Level = DPR equal to dura: normal damage

His head smacked against the pavement whilst the pandemonium of marines and pirates raged in the background. Slowly but surely the hostages were being freed and with minimal casualties... but what says Captain Shu and Mikazuki?

Herumetto picked himself from the ground, he was plagued with a splitting headache however he wasn't down for the count. He swiftly rose to his feet and immediately swung his saber, though it seems he was a bit disoriented from the contact he'd made with the pavement. He withdraw his hand and wobbled on his feet. "Dammit..." His consciousness was far from slipping however an impact like that left him temporarily unable to effectively attack.

-​

Back at the epitome of the Docks, Mikazuki and Shu clashed ferociously! Though a clear question floated about nosy soldiers who'd lingered nearby, "Why hasn't the captain used his devil fruit?" It takes quite a grand level of skill to defend from blades in such a manner without sustaining cuts but it seemed almost in human, was this the power of Rokushiki?

​

"C'mon Captain, you must be getting tired from defending yourself for so long!" Confidently sneered Mikazuki, a blatant tease as he'd grown confident after every matched hit of their clash.

"I won't ever be tired, my job is to stop you here and that; is what I will do!" He ferociously replied! As Mikazuki stepped in to take a grand slash with his saber, Shu veered off to the side; he swiftly "vibe-checked him" mercilessly high kicking him right in the nose and sending him rolling on the concrete. He gave chase to the flying body and continued his assault, Mikazuki's joyous taunts were immediately wiped from his face. He quickly got to his feet, shifting his momentum to allow him to catch on his right leg; he cocked his pistol... And then fired a few shots!

BANG! BANG! BANG!

​

A brief moment of silence and suspense befell the battlefield as the ferocious gun shots reverbed through the streets... With an unyielding spirit Shu effortlessly caught each and every bullet that flew. Simply extra-ordinary! He clutched the bullets between his fingers and immediately rusted them.

"Is that all you got?" He cockily commented before beating Mikazuki to the floor again! Like a resilient and driven mutt, Mikazuki got up again to clash with the Captain, "Tch- Don't you dare mock me!"

 

[Einsauer]

Herumetto picked himself from the ground, he was plagued with a splitting headache however he wasn't down for the count. He swiftly rose to his feet and immediately swung his saber, though it seems he was a bit disoriented from the contact he'd made with the pavement. He withdraw his hand and wobbled on his feet. "Dammit..." His consciousness was far from slipping however an impact like that left him temporarily unable to attack effectively.

Taking advantage of his growing momentum in the fight Polo closed in on Herumetto, placing down his large hand overtop the pirate's sword-hand and clenching tightly in an attempt to lock up the pirate's ability to counter attack with the blade. The fishman's cheery grin came within inches of the dazed pirate's own face. In a swift movement Polo reached his other arm overtop the interlocked grips and then swung inward to hook the back of Herumetto's neck with his bulky arm-fin and yank it to the side.

"ARM BLADE SLASH!"​

Wanto Giri (literally meaning "Arm Blade Slash"): The user slams their arm-fin into the back of their opponent's neck.
Requirements: 21 Mastery, 21 Strength
Destructive Potency Rank: C

Spoiler: DPR

61-80: 2. Small Building Level

While being sure to juggle his strength, in order to not break Herumetto's neck, (a talent he learned to perfect while sparring with fellow marines) Polo Marco simultaneously pushed downward on the blade in an attempt to disarm the his opponent. Polo fought to maintain his attention, the excitement happening with his superior officer and the pirate captain's catching the corner of the fishman's vision before he needed to squeeze his eyelids shut due to the rolling sweat stinging the corner of his eye.

The sound of gunfire finally overwhelmed Polo's mental-fortitude and forced his neck to turn and meet the other scuffle:

A brief moment of silence and suspense befell the battlefield as the ferocious gun shots reverbed through the streets... With an unyielding spirit Shu effortlessly caught each and every bullet that flew. Simply extra-ordinary! He clutched the bullets between his fingers and immediately rusted them.

"Is that all you got?"

The fishman was moved to tears by the sheer awesomeness of what he was witnessing. He had fantasized of moments exactly like this: fighting alongside a marine captain, defending innocents against the nautical villains of the world.
"S-So cool." Polo hardly managed to utter through his overwhelming amazement. It was just like his fantasies- no, even better...This was really happening.
For a brief moment, the rookie disconnected as a participant and became an awe-struck audience member. His heart raced with giddy excitement as he began getting lost in what Captain Shu might do next against his villainous opponent.

@Lamby

 

[Lamby]

ORANGE TOWN!(x7)​

Taking advantage of his growing momentum in the fight Polo closed in on Herumetto, placing down his large hand overtop the pirate's sword-hand and clenching tightly in an attempt to lock up the pirate's ability to counter attack with the blade. The fishman's cheery grin came within inches of the dazed pirate's own face. In a swift movement Polo reached his other arm overtop the interlocked grips and then swung inward to hook the back of Herumetto's neck with his bulky arm-fin and yank it to the side.

A swift and brutal takedown! Deflecting Herumetto's saber to the side Polo snuck upon the tactless pirate and forced an upper hand upon him. He struck at the pirate's neck, taking advantage of his daze from the slight concussion he had experienced after colliding with the floor. He fell, back to the pavement; dust kicked and littered his face as he groaned and grit his teeth. His head spun from the sudden movement and the bulking weight and strength exhibited by the fish boy temporarily put him in a bind. A bind in which he was incapable of moving.

Durability: 35
21-40: 2. Small Building Level vs 61-80: 2. Small Building Level = DPR equal to dura: normal damage

"Damm...it... Damn it all..." He grumbled and groaned, a sharp sting seared and pained his nape as Polo continued to apply pressure to keep him down. Within his stumble he had dropped his saber and with the dominating position Polo had placed in him (pause) he was unable to aim his pistol. He fluttered and kicked his feet the best he could, attempting to kick the fishman off of him. "Get off of me!" He yelled!

-
Hostile takeover...?​

It seems as though things then began to die down. The pirates' effective numbers dwindled and the marines were managing to secure the hostages quite well. The echo of gunfire only sporadically flew through the air; and it was time for Shu to finish his confrontation with Mikazuki or atleast subdue him momentarily...

WHOOSH! POW!
Were the unique sounds of a saber swing into a gun shot, both which narrowly missed their target. Captain Shu took notice to lowered frequency of gunfire and thus concluded that an end was coming near; Mikazuki's threat had to come have come to an end sooner or later and he was ready to push for that notion.

The pirate took a final swing of his blade aiming to slice the Marine Captain's neck but he was too slow and sloppy, Shu lifted his leg and met the tip of the blade with the hardened soles of his boots. He showcased a strong discipline and martial skill in the kick he had just used. "I think it's about time we wrap this up, wouldn't you agree?" He cockily remarked, continuing to taunt the pirate.

"Your man power's getting much weaker than my own."

"Shut up!" He exclaimed, he retracted his saber and aimed his pistol... But he hesitated to shoot. "He's right..." He monologued. "The situation had swung right out of my favor and now our take on this town is loosening. Should we retreat now? That wouldn't make sense, my men are surrounded and abandoning them is nothing more than a coward's way of doing things. Ugh... This is stupid, this is so... STUPID!"

 

[Einsauer]

"Get off of me!" He yelled!

Polo's eyes widened as his attention was pulled back to Herumetto, pinned beneath him. "Oh!" He exclaimed as he took his arms off of the pirate. "Sorry." He said whilst instinctively obeying and rising to his feet. He offered a hand to the pirate to help him off the ground as if they had just completed a casual spar.
"Sometimes I don't know my own strength-" He said pensively, reiterating the advice he had been given dozens and dozens of times from his training officers.
The fishman's misguided smile loomed over the downed pirate innocently, smile so genuine it creased his eyes into cheery lines.

"Shut up!" He exclaimed, he retracted his saber and aimed his pistol... But he hesitated to shoot. "He's right..." He monologued. "The situation had swung right out of my favor and now our take on this town is loosening. Should we retreat now? That wouldn't make sense, my men are surrounded and abandoning them is nothing more than a coward's way of doing things. Ugh... This is stupid, this is so... STUPID!"

Taking his eyes away, but not retracting his offered hand, Polo Marco turned to the scuffle between Captain Mikazuki and Captain Shu. Polo's eyes painted a picture of confusion towards the pirate's remarks.
"It's never too late to do the right thing!" He shouted reassuringly to the grizzled pirate captain. "We can end the fighting right here!"
The fight was over, wasn't it? This was weird, everyone still seemed angry to the fishman... Was this normal?

@Lamby

 

[Lamby]

ORANGE TOWN!(x8)​

Taking his eyes away, but not retracting his offered hand, Polo Marco turned to the scuffle between Captain Mikazuki and Captain Shu. Polo's eyes painted a picture of confusion towards the pirate's remarks.
"It's never too late to do the right thing!" He shouted reassuringly to the grizzled pirate captain. "We can end the fighting right here!"
The fight was over, wasn't it? This was weird, everyone still seemed angry to the fishman... Was this normal?

"Not everything is so clear..." Sprung Shu drawing all eyes to him as he openly and loudly answered the fish boy. Herumetto's eyes drew upon their captain, the fish boy had taken him down but foolishly let him roam free. The captain, once intrigued by the boy's words gazed upon him in the moments Mikazuki took to monologue aloud, he was surprised the pirate had stayed down on the ground.

"The fine lines between right and wrong are often skewed by selfishness and arrogance and because of that no one ever wishes to go down easily." He finished.

"Tch- I stupidly spouted my thoughts..." Shakingly thought Mikazuki, he was a bit embarrassed; a sweat bead darted down his face near his side burn. The clash came to a conclusion, the remaining big helmet pirates were taken over and the hostages were secured. The lone sniper who had covered the marine and disarmed Herumetto got into position and his scoped in on the confrontation between the triad.

"New recruit's really getting his words in. I wonder what he's up to letting the big shot's second hand go free like that." He muttered to himself, the pirate... being as he is; was extremely attentive of their conversation but he wished to get in one last sneak attack before everything came to a sound conclusion. Turned about and began to sneakily scurry; worming about on the dirt preparing to reach for his pistol...

POW
The sounds of gunpowder and the cold reverberation of gunfire shot along the docks! All eyes darted about trying to find the source of it all, a soft whiz of smoke escaped the sniper's barrel and a similar simmer of dust and concrete poured upwards from the concrete ground inches away from Herumetto's chest stopping him in his tracks! His heart pounded and his nerves were completely shaken, he was fearful and so he began to quiver...

"Ensign Polo, did I get that correct? Ensure that your captivee doesn't escape. This assault on Orange town warrants them a trial and possible imprisonment in Impel Down for their attempted Tyranny. The world government does not tolerate outlyers trying to cause chaos." He confidently uttered. He pointed at the adversary before him and continued onwards; heroically spewing his sense of justice... "Captain Mikazuki of the Big Helmet Pirates. You are under arrest for assault on my men, kidnapping and endangerment of the town's people and attempted murder of a high ranked marine officer!" He boldly announced!

 

[Einsauer]

"Not everything is so clear..." Sprung Shu drawing all eyes to him as he openly and loudly answered the fish boy. Herumetto's eyes drew upon their captain, the fish boy had taken him down but foolishly let him roam free. The captain, once intrigued by the boy's words gazed upon him in the moments Mikazuki took to monologue aloud, he was surprised the pirate had stayed down on the ground.

"The fine lines between right and wrong are often skewed by selfishness and arrogance and because of that no one ever wishes to go down easily." He finished.

While Polo had no trouble taking his superior officer's word as fact, he still seemed to be struggling to grasp the concept of combat with genuine stakes. It was clear to the fishman he had much to learn, he understood he was missing a fundamental factor- he just couldn't wrap his head around it.
He nodded in response to the marine captain, to show he was listening and attempting to understand.

POW

Polo Marco jumped once more, all these gunshots after a long swim were jarring to him despite his hunger for excitement and real battle. He looked down to see the foiled villain, he had been scurrying for a weapon it seemed. Marines held strong over the position and seemed to control the battlefield, sparing Polo a harsh lesson in trusting the wrong people. The innocent-hearted fishman failed to realize fights often ended with death.
Sure enough, Polo looked more confused than angry at Herumetto; he lost the fight, were they supposed to keep going?

He knelt down and looked deep into Herumetto's eyes and sincerely asked: "When do we stop?" The question, while intended to be straight-forward and earnest, could seem complex in its unintentional implications. Polo didn't want to hit a man on the ground, that seemed bizarre to him- unheroic even.

"Ensign Polo, did I get that correct? Ensure that your captivee doesn't escape. This assault on Orange town warrants them a trial and possible imprisonment in Impel Down for their attempted Tyranny. The world government does not tolerate outlyers trying to cause chaos." He confidently uttered. He pointed at the adversary before him and continued onwards; heroically spewing his sense of justice... "Captain Mikazuki of the Big Helmet Pirates. You are under arrest for assault on my men, kidnapping and endangerment of the town's people and attempted murder of a high ranked marine officer!" He boldly announced!

The fishman looked up in response to his name, standing and saluting to his superior officer- "Yes, sir!" -then his bright eyes fell back on Herumetto. He undoubtedly had the upper hand over the downed opponent; he scratched at his sweat-brushed head whilst reflecting on the situation. Polo Marco reached his hand out once more and if fallen pirate didn't take it- he would be forced to snag his arm and pull him up regardless of his wishes. Once he had the pirate standing he'd attempt to gather his arms behind him; unfortunately he came without any sort of handcuffs so instead he'd simply opt to hold Herumetto's hands together with one of his own, relatively huge, hands and await the baffling fight to come to a finale.

He glanced back at the woman who had hit the ground to be sure she was getting care and should she not be getting attention, he would call over attention to any nearby marines aside from the preoccupied Captain Shu, to check on the citizen and the mayor. He owed all the aid he could lend to these poor people.

@Lamby

 

[Lamby]

Polo Marco jumped once more, all these gunshots after a long swim were jarring to him despite his hunger for excitement and real battle. He looked down to see the foiled villain, he had been scurrying for a weapon it seemed. Marines held strong over the position and seemed to control the battlefield, sparing Polo a harsh lesson in trusting the wrong people. The innocent-hearted fishman failed to realize fights often ended with death.
Sure enough, Polo looked more confused than angry at Herumetto; he lost the fight, were they supposed to keep going?

He knelt down and looked deep into Herumetto's eyes and sincerely asked: "When do we stop?" The question, while intended to be straight-forward and earnest, could seem complex in its unintentional implications. Polo didn't want to hit a man on the ground, that seemed bizarre to him- unheroic even.

"When do we stop?" He rhetorically reiterated whilst rotting in fear, this question sprung a bit of confusion within him. It radiated hints of merciful kindness rather than the forceful justice often exhibited by usual marine soldiers, mostly apparent in the kind of Justice Captain Shu is attempting to inflict upon Captain Mikazuki and so this caused the downed pirate to ponder. "Why would you ask me that? I- I don't know how to answer it, I can't- I hadn't considered..." His thoughts muttered as they sprung one after the other, slowly but surely descending into a state of rumination.

The fishman looked up in response to his name, standing and saluting to his superior officer- "Yes, sir!" -then his bright eyes fell back on Herumetto. He undoubtedly had the upper hand over the downed opponent; he scratched at his sweat-brushed head whilst reflecting on the situation. Polo Marco reached his hand out once more and if fallen pirate didn't take it- he would be forced to snag his arm and pull him up regardless of his wishes. Once he had the pirate standing he'd attempt to gather his arms behind him; unfortunately he came without any sort of handcuffs so instead he'd simply opt to hold Herumetto's hands together with one of his own, relatively huge, hands and await the baffling fight to come to a finale.

He glanced back at the woman who had hit the ground to be sure she was getting care and should she not be getting attention, he would call over attention to any nearby marines aside from the preoccupied Captain Shu, to check on the citizen and the mayor. He owed all the aid he could lend to these poor people.

It was only when the young fishman showed his hand in kindness to help the man up had he snapped back to reality, he was surprised. Littered on his face was an obvious sense of guilt and resentment, one could say he repented; lamenting in his current choice as he had come to realize the depth of all he had done. "Captain's orders..." murmured all through his mind, scene by scene he remembers all that he had done in accordance to that notion.

He took Polos hand and with minimal resistance he was subdued by the young marine with little resistance.

Marine soldier rushed about, after putting away the pirates through cuffs; they began freeing the civilians one by one. Medical soldiers ran from the shadows and came to the aid of the injured both of the marine soldiers and the woman who had been deathly struck by Herumetto. Gently they examined her, freeing her from the restraints and cleaning up the gash wound to her head.

-​

"Ensign Polo, did I get that correct? Ensure that your captivee doesn't escape. This assault on Orange town warrants them a trial and possible imprisonment in Impel Down for their attempted Tyranny. The world government does not tolerate outlyers trying to cause chaos." He confidently uttered. He pointed at the adversary before him and continued onwards; heroically spewing his sense of justice... "Captain Mikazuki of the Big Helmet Pirates. You are under arrest for assault on my men, kidnapping and endangerment of the town's people and attempted murder of a high ranked marine officer!" He boldly announced!

"Tch-" He exclaimed. His men had been subdued and their plan thwarted and now faced with an enemy who had been wailing on him all this time, he wavered. He lowered his gun and dropped his saber, his men were out of commission and as a proper captain would he was willing to go down with his men. Reluctantly he raised his hands over his head, he sulked and lowered his head in shame. "Damn it all..." He muttered. "I give up."

"Good. Else I'd have to wail on you some more." Replied Shu, he took Mikazuki and placed him in hand cuffs. The Mayor's stress had greatly diminished, he cried tears of joy as he knelt in the far distance. Shu looked over at the Fish-boy, "You did well for a new recruit, next time though. Always pack a second and third pair of handcuffs just in case pirates these pop on your missions."

"Round them up and take them back to the ship!" He suddenly commanded, increasing his tone to alert the other men. He softened his speech once more and shifted his attention back to Polo, "the town is bit in ruins; so before we leave we're going to help the Mayor rebuild. At least until he can take over, we can't be situated out here for too long." He said right before walking off with the Captain to lock him up on the ship. Other soldiers followed Shu's lead, transporting the subdued Big Helm pirates to the prison bay.

 

[Einsauer]

"Why would you ask me that? I- I don't know how to answer it, I can't- I hadn't considered..." His thoughts muttered as they sprung one after the other, slowly but surely descending into a state of rumination.
"Captain's orders..."

The fishman's sincere smile met the eyes of the pirate, Polo sensed that he may have struck through to the honest man behind the villainous façade. "Mistakes are natural-" He said whilst assisting Herumetto to his feet. "-it's what we do after that matters." He chuckled to himself a bit before adding: "Or as my mentor would've said: 'Do not mourn the defeat of who you were moments ago, have faith in the great man you can always become.'"
Marines rushed around and began taking complete control of the situation, the battle was truly ended and was only awaiting the captain's cry of surrender and soon enough that arrived as well.

Marine friends with handcuffs inevitably met Polo's large form and took the pirate from his hands. Once he had free hands he turned a few times looking for something to help with, feeling suddenly out of place amongst the well-trained marines around him.

"You did well for a new recruit, next time though. Always pack a second and third pair of handcuffs just in case pirates these pop on your missions."

The fishman's head snapped to the marine captain whilst he delivered praise upon him (as well as a solid piece of advice). He saluted with an enormous grin plastered across his pale face. "Aye-aye, sir!" He responded. Polo Marco was being spoken to by a real marine captain, his heart thumped spastically. It felt as if Polo had a stomach full of moths, he was eager to do even more to impress Captain Shu and his new comrades.

"the town is bit in ruins; so before we leave we're going to help the Mayor rebuild. At least until he can take over, we can't be situated out here for too long." He said right before walking off with the Captain to lock him up on the ship. Other soldiers followed Shu's lead, transporting the subdued Big Helm pirates to the prison bay.

His smile widened a bit more and his eyes fell open, this was perfect. He had a chance to do more for the people of Orange Town, they needed all they help they could get by the looks of things. As the marines moved off he watched for a moment, beginning to follow, then looked back to the mayor. He stopped and turned, slowly approaching his kneeling form. "You did great, sir." He knelt as well to show an equal level of appreciation. "Thank you for all you've done and for all the things you've endured in justice's absence."

"I'm Polo Marco and I'm here to help!"

@Lamby

 

[Lamby]

His smile widened a bit more and his eyes fell open, this was perfect. He had a chance to do more for the people of Orange Town, they needed all they help they could get by the looks of things. As the marines moved off he watched for a moment, beginning to follow, then looked back to the mayor. He stopped and turned, slowly approaching his kneeling form. "You did great, sir." He knelt as well to show an equal level of appreciation. "Thank you for all you've done and for all the things you've endured in justice's absence."

"I'm Polo Marco and I'm here to help!"

The Mayor's stress, his guilt and the weight of the responsibility of the situation had wrinkled his poor face even further. The worry that had come from the brief overtake of the pirates, the anxiousness of the future; it's too much for an old man such as himself to bare all alone. "ARF! ARF! " Barked ChouChou.

"T-Thank you. Thank you my boy, this wouldn't have blown up in my face so horribly had I not succumbed to my desperation. Thank you marines, thank you for your services. Since our town was ravaged there's a most definite demand for resources to strike a proper foundation for money of the broken houses darted along our streets. Luckily dock is still in tact and therefore we can be accepting of any large scale imports." Began Mayor Boodle.

"Your captain... At most it'd take about 3 days to kick start any forms of reconstruction; our people need time to rest and I'm not sure if we'd have the resources necessary. If anything some of your men will have to stay much longer than any other, is there a specific time frame at which you all may be able to stay for?"

 

[Einsauer]

The Mayor's stress, his guilt and the weight of the responsibility of the situation had wrinkled his poor face even further. The worry that had come from the brief overtake of the pirates, the anxiousness of the future; it's too much for an old man such as himself to bare all alone. "ARF! ARF! " Barked ChouChou.

An aura of shame radiated off the spectacled, old man and it was unmistakable to Polo's empathic soul. He placed a hefty hand on the shoulder of the mayor with a sense of gentleness. With the old man's fuzzy companion seemingly eager to help the old man, it seemed to Polo that this man could only go up from here.

"T-Thank you. Thank you my boy, this wouldn't have blown up in my face so horribly had I not succumbed to my desperation. Thank you marines, thank you for your services. Since our town was ravaged there's a most definite demand for resources to strike a proper foundation for money of the broken houses darted along our streets. Luckily dock is still in tact and therefore we can be accepting of any large scale imports." Began Mayor Boodle.
"Your captain... At most it'd take about 3 days to kick start any forms of reconstruction; our people need time to rest and I'm not sure if we'd have the resources necessary. If anything some of your men will have to stay much longer than any other, is there a specific time frame at which you all may be able to stay for?"

The comprehension of the old man's plight was shallow, and this much Polo was aware of, nonetheless he was eager to assist this brave old soul. Seemingly vacant smile wasn't just for show, as he asked:
"Oh, you must be the mayor!" He said cheerfully. "A leader with heart strong enough to take up arms and fight is a good man as far as I'm concerned, sir. You aren't alone and there's no time like the present to start getting back on your feet!" He said ignoring his own sweat beading across his forehead. Polo Marco had not the foggiest idea of what logistics went into rebuilding a town, but his enthusiasm was like a contagion. "Where are all of the townspeople?" He asked the mayor. "Many of the houses were nothing more than stacks of rubble."
@Lamby

 

[Lamby]

An aura of shame radiated off the spectacled, old man and it was unmistakable to Polo's empathic soul. He placed a hefty hand on the shoulder of the mayor with a sense of gentleness. With the old man's fuzzy companion seemingly eager to help the old man, it seemed to Polo that this man could only go up from here.

The comprehension of the old man's plight was shallow, and this much Polo was aware of, nonetheless he was eager to assist this brave old soul. Seemingly vacant smile wasn't just for show, as he asked:
"Oh, you must be the mayor!" He said cheerfully. "A leader with heart strong enough to take up arms and fight is a good man as far as I'm concerned, sir. You aren't alone and there's no time like the present to start getting back on your feet!" He said ignoring his own sweat beading across his forehead. Polo Marco had not the foggiest idea of what logistics went into rebuilding a town, but his enthusiasm was like a contagion. "Where are all of the townspeople?" He asked the mayor. "Many of the houses were nothing more than stacks of rubble."
@Lamby

"The towns people. I evacuated them in secret, that was until you and your captain showed up. Some of the hostages down there were escapees who'd been caught. Luckily I wasn't brought in as collateral, if it's rubble that's left then can you ask your commander if he can help us?"

"No need to ask." Interjected Shu. "We won't be able to completely restore the town but what we can do is set up some temporary camps to serve until I send a ship load of resources to help you rebuild. If it adds I can send some capable men to offer aid; though it wouldn't be an authorized operation so by some length of legality I'd be taking a risk having my men sparsely dispersed from our ship."

"Polo, get word out to the men. They're by the docks, inform them of our next plan of action. You, several of our heavy lifters and a few snipers will camp out here. The rest of the crew need to make a drop-off of the prisoners at the nearest HQ and then they need to venture off to collect some lumber and construction equipment so that we can help Orange town get back to acceptable living standards. It's the least we can do considering the situation they were in."

 

[Einsauer]

"Polo, get word out to the men. They're by the docks, inform them of our next plan of action. You, several of our heavy lifters and a few snipers well camp out here. The rest of the crew need to make a drop-off of the prisoners at the nearest HQ and then they need to venture off to collect some lumber and construction equipment so that we can help Orange town get back to acceptable living standards. It's the least we can do considering the situation they were in."

The marine ensign's smiling face became quickly ornamented with a hearty salute to his forehead. "Aye aye, captain!" His voice was openly fueled with eagerness. Polo Marco took off in a mad dash obediently in the direction he believed the docks to be in, not even hesitating long enough to consider directions. His legs protested his over-exertion, but nevertheless fought alongside his well-meaning heart as he relayed plans to all the marines he could find along his zig-zagging path to the docks. Sure enough, he did eventually stumble into the dock area with untiring vigor.

With every word he spoke upon his arrival, it was clear that he was whole-heartedly invested in this mission of aid. The rookie couldn't even attempt to mask his jubilation, he had been given a direct order from a marine captain!
He looked around, taking in the faces of his comrades, his bright yellow eyes bouncing from friend to friend as he transitioned from relaying orders to fanatically praising their work as marines.
Most, if not all, of these marines were physically quite a bit smaller than him- still he managed to effortlessly look up to each and every one of them. These men and women surrounding him, just like Captain Shu, were heroes and inspirations to the fishman.

Despite the shower of praise and admiration, he couldn't help but notice the pirates from before being rearranged on the navy ship. He looked to the nearest marine and pointed to the imprisoned criminals. "Where do we take the pirates?" He asked his new friend with a childlike sense of intrigue.

@Lamby

 

[Lamby]

Orange Town #12​

Despite the shower of praise and admiration, he couldn't help but notice the pirates from before being rearranged on the navy ship. He looked to the nearest marine and pointed to the imprisoned criminals. "Where do we take the pirates?" He asked his new friend with a childlike sense of intrigue.

"We take them to a holding cell in HQ, well "HQ" in the sense that there's an outpost on an island where we go to hand in the pirates we capture so that from there onwards they are convicted and then transported to Impel down where they're kept forever. The outpost we usually head to should be nearby, without it we'd have to be crossing a multiple seas for practically no reason."

"It's like catching a purse-snatcher and having to travel thousands of miles just to teach them a lesson. The outposts are the intermediary that allows us to drop off without having to go too far, on a separate convoy the pirates will be transported to Impel down and that usually isn't our cup of tea." Replied the officer.

"Wow, you really have the heart of a parent. You didn't have to give him the step-by-step in how and why we take pirates to outposts y'know." Teased one of the snipers.

"New recruit, we have to show them the ropes. It's the little kindness we have that adds to the missions. Say, tell you what. Next time we're transporting pirates to the outpost I'll make sure you get front seats in the procedure."

"You're saying that as if he wouldn't have to do it anyway, he's going to be a soldier." Added the sniper. Polo's new friend was getting a bit peeved at his subordinates cheekiness. "Don't you have a camp to guard? Dilly-dallying only gets you yelled at!" He playfully replied, trying to whisk away the sniper. Luckily enough it worked, though the man who shared the last laugh wasn't our helpful officer. He marched off with his rifle slung over his shoulder, nonchalantly he began parading the docks until...

"C'mon new recruit! Captain sent you down here to rally us didn't he? Can't leave him waiting." Loudly called the very sniper Polo's new friend whisked away.

 

[Einsauer]

"We take them to a holding cell in HQ, well "HQ" in the sense that there's an outpost on an island where we go to hand in the pirates we capture so that from there onwards they are convicted and then transported to Impel down where they're kept forever. The outpost we usually head to should be nearby, without it we'd have to be crossing a multiple seas for practically no reason."

"It's like catching a purse-snatcher and having to travel thousands of miles just to teach them a lesson. The outposts are the intermediary that allows us to drop off without having to go too far, on a separate convoy the pirates will be transported to Impel down and that usually isn't our cup of tea." Replied the officer.

Polo took in his words with a telling nod (stroking his bare chin with his fingers thoughtfully), indicating he was listening to the best of his abilities. His eyes widened a bit as his fellow marine used the word 'forever', the fishman stood in quiet contemplation as his new friend nicely explained protocol to him. Polo pensively stole glances of the marine ship as that word bounced around in his head-
'Forever?' Polo wondered to echo in his mind.

"C'mon new recruit! Captain sent you down here to rally us didn't he? Can't leave him waiting." Loudly called the very sniper Polo's new friend whisked away.

Snapped from his trance, Polo smiled brightly. "Yeah!" He cheered and pushed up fast, his lengthy legs pulling him ahead of his comrades.
"You can call me Polo Marco!" He introduced himself whilst moving, but facing his comrades behind him and only narrowly avoiding a few tripping hazards as he briskly walked backwards. It was apparent by the dopey look on his face that this wasn't a skill based feat, his boots merely fell with luck on their side. A torrent of questions suddenly came rushing as Polo successfully distracted his mind from the concerning wording used by his fellow marine.

"How long have you with Captain Shu? How long have you all been stationed here in Orange Town? When did you decide to become a marine?" He asked, his leg once again stepping only barely over the length of a fallen length of house-frame. His eyes bounced around, seemingly expecting more than just the one marine to join in on the conversation.
"Do you know anything about town construction? Have you ever met a fishman? What if the pirates regret their actions?" The questions had continued chaining together, the last being a totally unintentional invasion from his subconscious. A pause followed, his mind slowly processed his verbal slip-up, he had hoped to save the discussion for the captain. His eyes widened a bit, the last question potentially being a faux pas; Polo still wore a large (now slightly nervous) smile on his pale face.

@Lamby

 

[Lamby]

Orange Town #13​

Snapped from his trance, Polo smiled brightly. "Yeah!" He cheered and pushed up fast, his lengthy legs pulling him ahead of his comrades.
"You can call me Polo Marco!" He introduced himself whilst moving, but facing his comrades behind him and only narrowly avoiding a few tripping hazards as he briskly walked backwards. It was apparent by the dopey look on his face that this wasn't a skill based feat, his boots merely fell with luck on their side. A torrent of questions suddenly came rushing as Polo successfully distracted his mind from the concerning wording used by his fellow marine.

"How long have you with Captain Shu? How long have you all been stationed here in Orange Town? When did you decide to become a marine?" He asked, his leg once again stepping only barely over the length of a fallen length of house-frame. His eyes bounced around, seemingly expecting more than just the one marine to join in on the conversation.
"Do you know anything about town construction? Have you ever met a fishman? What if the pirates regret their actions?" The questions had continued chaining together, the last being a totally unintentional invasion from his subconscious. A pause followed, his mind slowly processed his verbal slip-up, he had hoped to save the discussion for the captain. His eyes widened a bit, the last question potentially being a faux pas; Polo still wore a large (now slightly nervous) smile on his pale face.

"Woah-woah-WOAH... Kiddo, slow down. You don't have to bombard us like that. Ask your questions one at a time." Replied the sniper. "My name's Aegis, nice to meet you Polo. And to answer your previous questions, on behalf my self..."

"How long have you with Captain Shu?"

"For 6 months now, I've switched between units due to the demand for soldiers and I've been comfortable in Shu's care because of his morals and so they, by some strange coincidence, stopped calling me to aid other units."

"How long have you all been stationed here in Orange Town?"

"The stalemate started yesterday and so we've only been here for almost a full day. Confrontations like this aren't really supposed to last this long but since the Big Helmet Pirates tried to kick at the civilians whilst they're still down we had to carefully take them down."

"When did you decide to become a marine?"

"I don't actually remember, partially because I had a horrible first day."

"Do you know anything about town construction?"

"Nope!" She jokingly replied.

"Have you ever met a fishman?"

"No, aren't you a fishman? I mean you pretty much fit the description."

"What if the pirates regret their actions?"

"Regret doesn't really atone for what they did. Actions do have needed consequences and everybody needs to face their consequences to learn to be better. Unfortunately, some consequences are permanent and forgiveness can only go so far..."

"I think you're going of course, Aegis." Commented one of the other nearby soldiers as they marched through the docks.

"I am? Well- My mistake. Say Polo why don't you tell us about yourself, why'd you join the marines?" She asked, darting the conversation right back at the tall fishman.

 

[Einsauer]

"Woah-woah-WOAH... Kiddo, slow down. You don't have to bombard us like that. Ask your questions one at a time." Replied the sniper. "My name's Aegis,

Polo astonished expression began to blush a bit as he realized how much he had excitedly blurted out. He still smiled and nodded in response to his new marine friend, Aegis. Still, he walked backwards- stepping around hazards unintentionally. Eyes fixated on the admirable marines before him (though technically behind). He gave Aegis small nods of affirmation as she spoke to him, taking her responses in like a sponge. He thought heavily on some of her words, but then she addressed him:

"Say Polo why don't you tell us about yourself, why'd you join the marines?" She asked, darting the conversation right back at the tall fishman.

"Oh!" He responded. "The marines are heroes!"
"I was actually found as just a little fishboy by marines!" Polo Marco added to service his point.

"I'm gonna help everyone who needs it!" He said. "--and stop those who hurt others!"

Soon the group would reach their rallying point.

@Lamby