Chapter 7: Escape Route

Hey guys! Sorry it's been a few days! I've been lazy and have been dealing with housing issues for my college next year! You've got to love conservative Christian moms who think their sons are going to impregnate you just because you're living in the same house. Anyways, thanks for the reviews, and I apologize for the grammar mistakes. As I said, it's fanfiction, and I'm lazy. I also read the reviews, and I understand you guys have concerns about Luffy and his crew entering the new world, and Luffy not going through the training. First of all, I never said Luffy or his crew wasn't going to get training; I want Conan to encounter people, including the Straw Hat pirates, but I have to bend the story at least a little for that to work. Not to mention, I'm not having Conan stay there forever, he's going to help stop the World Government, and that's about it. When I wrote these two chapters, Luffy's training was the farthest thing from my head; Conan won't even stick around for the time-skip. When I wrote these two chapters, all I thought about was how Ace should still be alive! (I cried when Ace died) Enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece or Case Closed

The detective glared at the woman, his fists were clenched. "Lady, I don't know what you take me for, but I've dealt with snakes before, I know one when I see one. It's not about the announcement, you don't the pirates or anyone to know anything's going on at all, including the World Government. I refuse to work with an asset that doesn't give me full discloser."

The woman smirked. "Don't start a war with me, boy. You don't have the experience nor the gall to stick it out."

"You're the one who first made contact with the Black Organization, and you used the Admiral's egos against them and tricked them into thinking they found a solution for the One Piece treasure. But it's not about the treasure, is it, Miss Tsuru. It's about what the World Government and Navy lose if One Piece is found and not destroyed. That's what your true intention is, isn't it Miss Tsuru. To have me find One Piece, and destroy it." Conan glared and stepped forward. "I don't know what you have over the Black Organization, but I do know you need my cooperation as well as my mental stability. So you're not going to do anything stupid by going after them, you need me to stay here and solve the world's upcoming problem: the planned execution of all of the world's pirates, using various things on the Grand Line as leverage. Such as coating the entire beach of Raftel with sea-stone salt, and the device that crushes sea-stone salt into molecules and releasing them into the air. In my world, you're essentially planning a biological terrorist attack; most commonly used disease in my world for this would be Anthrax and Smallpox."

Tsuru lowered her head slightly, smirking and her glasses gleamed, hiding her eyes. "That's what I hate about you prodigies, so damned perspective. I knew bringing you here was a mistake." She got her gun and pointed it at Conan. The detective didn't flinch and stood his ground. "Balance and order must run the world for it to exist properly, no chaos and free of war. Isn't that what you strive for as well, Mr. Kudo?"

Conan glared even harsher. "A world without chaos is just a world without spirit! If there's nothing but control, there's nothing but fear and terror! Because no one will feel safe enough in true order, for order and Absolute Justice do not exist."

"A pretty excerpt, boy." She got ready to pull the trigger. "Too bad, you won't be able to say it to anyone else. Last chance, kid: do or die?"

Crouching low, Conan smirked and got ready to dodge. "Neither for me, thanks. I prefer making my own choices!"

"You'll regret this." The old woman retracted her weapon and put in the latch in her belt, and reached into her pocket and pulled out a Den Den Mushi. "We've already hooked up the televisions to reach world-wide broadcasting signals. Use this to make it look like we've called off the execution."

Conan was floored. "You're helping me, now?"

"It doesn't matter which you choose boy. Either way, I'll get what I want. I can tell by looking at you that you can't resist solving the mystery of One Piece by this point, and you aren't the type to leave a person to die at the hands of corruption, let alone a whole world. Though it's true that no World government official or even the Gorosei match up to the intelligence of the Black Organization, it should be good practice in taking a huge operation like that down, shouldn't it?" She smiled and started walking out o the room.

Conan smirked. "You sneaky old grandma, you were going to use me no matter what."

"Indeed." She nodded. "Directly below you is a private port for the Fleet Admiral's ship, use a bomb and the weak structure of this building will collapse, and you'll drop right onto the ship. I've already arranged for trusted men to escort you to a safe location, don' worry, they don't know who you are either."

"You're a strange one, Granny Tsuru." The detective sighed.

"It gives me more authority, good luck." The old marine shut the door behind her, giving Conan what he needed. Sighing, the detective got to work, setting the Admiral up, as well as his bowtie. After taking a few breaths to calm himself. He steadied himself behind Sengoku and turned on the intercom.

"Attention men, this your commander, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and there has been a drastic change n plans!" Conan began. Sneaking a glance out of a window in Sengoku's office, he could tell it was working. "Due to some horrific discoveries by our supreme commanders, the Gorosei, it has been discovered that there have been mass conspiracy in the World Government to take over the world, using the Navy's technology. It has been discovered that the World Government was planning to release microscopic-sized sea-stone molecules into the air, thus killing anyone with a Devil fruit within twenty four hours, which includes us marines, who have been fighting alongside the World Government for years. Upon his horrific discovery, the execution of Portgas D. Ace must be postponed until further notice." Conan had to think quickly due to the erupting boos outside. I understand how you feel, however, we must consider the gravity of our current situation. If a war were to ignited now, then the Navy will be in complete chaos, and we won't be ready for any sneak attacks the World Government will obviously pull. We have to think what's best for our men. Better safe than sorry. Thank you for your understanding; this is Fleet Admiral Sengoku signing off." As soon as Conan reattached his bowtie, he ran from behind Sengoku and out of his office. If what Sengoku said was true, then he had to find an elevator or stairs!

" EDOGAWA!" Conan barely had time to react when a fire ball came fly at him. Ducking to the ground, he rolled into a wall in the corridor and looked to his opponent.

'Damn!' He cursed; it was one of the Admirals!

"Edogawa…this postpone is your entire fault! It's been confirmed that Fire Fist has escaped, and it was also confirmed how that startup was knocked out- a small volt of electricity. You forgot to move the body out of your cell after you knocked him out." Akainu stepped closer, and readied another magma blast.

"Didn't you hear him? Sengoku-san just said to focus on the World Government!" The detective exclaimed, trying to buy himself some time.

"Ah. I did." The magma admiral nodded. "I don't believe for a second, that Sengoku is that much of a spineless coward. If the World government wants war with us, will merely take them on like the pirates. Either way, we have to show the world the dawn of justice, by killing Fire-Fist."

"How's is the life of one man so significant?" Conan blinked, starting to think the man was crazy.

"You don't know then? That's a surprise." Akainu took off his baseball head and scratched the back of his head. "Fire-Fist Ace is none other than the son of the Pirate King, Gol. D. Roger." Conan faked the shocked look on his face, giving Akainu enough arrogance to continue. "By dying, Gol. D. Roger started the golden age of the pirates; by killing his son, we end it."

"So you're killing a good man for the sake of symbolic ideology that you want the world to live by." Conan glared. "That's not justice, that's tyranny, you're no marine, you have no right to call yourself a man of justice!"

Akainu put his hat back on his head. "Take that back, brat."

"Are you kidding?" The detective hissed, now completely pissed off. "You're willing to sacrifice your men, innocent civilians, and drag other worlds into this war all for the sake of proving Absolute Justice? Men of justice serve the greater good by protecting their ideals and their men, and treat both with equal respect and power. Two friends of mine are international thieves, and even they have stronger sense of justice than you. You're no marine, you're just a mercenary given a free pass to the world's population."

"URUSAI!" He blasted another ball at Conan, who thankfully jumped out of the way. Darting down another hallway, he cursed when he saw it was a dead end. Facing the Admiral, Conan put on a brave face, not breaking it even after being harshly lifted up. It was than Conan realized just how freakishly tall the Admiral was, as well as a lot of people around him. Feeling the hand squeeze, Conan gasped in pain, when he felt the pressure increase on his neck. "That's right; that wound I gave you is still there isn't it? Has it healed yet?" The Admiral smirked and squeezed harder, loving the way the boy's face scrunched in pain. Conan's hands raised over Akainu's huge hand and attempted to pry him off of him, but the large man was simply too strong. "It's the end of the line, kid."

"FIREFLIES!" Suddenly glowing red balls appeared around Akainu. "IGNITION!" They all blasted Akainu, causing him to drop Conan. The young detective to see Ace staring at him with worry behind Akainu. Rubbing his neck, he got up and ran towards the pirate.

"Ace-san!" The pirate picked up the child and started to run for it. "Wait!"

"Are you kidding? We have to go!" Ace ran with the kid in one arm, while focusing on finding the best window to jump from.

"Just listen to me!" Conan yelled. "Make those glowing firebombs again, and make sure they're on the ground when they ignite!"

"Are you crazy? The building will collapse!" Ace pointed out, still running.

"TRUST ME!" Conan parried himself out of Ace's grip and landed in a crouched position behind the pirate. Ace stopped and turned to Conan. The detective stood up and sighed. "Trust me…"

Ace looked at Conan's eyes and sighed. "Fine. But then you follow me, and no arguments."

"Sure." The detective replied and braced himself. As soon as Ace ignited the glowing balls, the floor along with the support beams of the buildings collapsed underneath him, sending them into chaotic freefall. "Brace yourself!" Ace grabbed Conan and held the kid close to himself, prepared to take any damage for the kid. "Ace-san?"

"Trust me kid, you brace yourself!" Without another word, Ace transformed into a mass amount of flames, and gently guided them down. Conan was amazed by what he saw, realizing the older boy had transformed into fire and yet he was still being carried by him. He also realized it wasn't even hot, just warm; Ace must've been able to control the temperature. Before Conan knew it, the flames vanished and Ace was holding him normally again, and he realized that they landed on the boat Tsuru had promised.

"There you are!" Conan and Ace snapped their heads towards a familiar voice. A frantic Coby approached them. "Edogawa-kun? What happened to you? Are you all right? Who's this and where's Helmeppo-san?"

'He doesn't recognize him?' Conan thought exasperated. "I don't know! I'm scared!" Ace turned to Conan, surprised at the behavior.

"It's okay!" Coby reassured him. "I'm sure Helmeppo just got reassigned! Why else would you be with another escort?"

"That's true…" Conan nodded.

"Okay!" The pink-haired marine patted Conan's head and turned to the disguised Ace. "Let's head off! Vice Admiral Garp said we had to head to San Faldo!"

The detective turned to Ace, who wore a frown. He whispered to the small detective. "That's the Carnival Island, it's connected to Water 7."

"What's Water 7?" Conan asked.

"The island for shipwrights. It's just weird we're heading to San Faldo in this situation, because that island's not particular y equipped for battle." Ace replied.

"But it's a huge carnival, right?" Conan asked.

"Yeah." Ace confirmed. "Why?"

"The best way to evade Coby is to disappear into a crowd, that's exactly what's being given to us." Conan explained. Ace stood up straight when the young marine ran to him.

"Come on, help me cast off!" Inwardly grumbling, Ace bit his tongue and did as he was told. Conan sighed and leaned against the wall of the captain's quarters of the ship. Before the detective knew it, he was sound asleep. Apparently, stress-induced insomnia does that to a person.