Momoiro Island

(The Next Day)

Momoiro Island… was a weird place.

"No! I refuse to open my eyes!" Rose protested, keeping her eyes firmly shut as she was guided through the island holding Rex's hand like a disobedient child. "This entire Island is illogical!!"

"But it's so beautiful!" Thatch exclaimed rolling around in the pink grass. "I can't believe a place like this exists. You think this Ivankov will let us take some of the plants here to liven up the ship. I wonder if pink herbs have a different flavor or nutritional value than green ones."

Rex smiles, seeing Thatch's wild sense of adventure. Compared to the other male crewmen who were all battle-hungry savages, Thatch was a refreshing change of pace.

Sugar and Monet were also having some fun, with Sugar chasing a Momo pig around in circles while Monet picked the Momo flowers. Even the usually stoic Robin couldn't help but show her appreciation for the beauty around her.

"It's beautiful here. An Island of unknown location to the World Government. How peaceful." Robin says, a clear trace of longing in her tone. It was evident that she loved the idea of spending her days here, out of the world government's influence.

"You know, if you wanted to, I could drop you off right here." Rex says to Robin. "The Revolutionaries would love to get their hands on an ancient weapon and more importantly, the only person in the world who can find them."

Of course, Rex had no intention of giving Robin up to the Revolutionaries. Instead, he was 'poisoning the well after he drank from it' by implying that everyone else Robin could seek help from only wanted her for ancient weapons.

Was it a dirty tactic? Sure. But Rex didn't play fast and loose with valuable resources like Robin.

In fact, was it even really a lie? Rex bet that if he offered Dragon a choice between Robin and Shirahoshi, Dragon would choose the ancient weapon over the poneglyph reader every time.

"While I love the offer, I think I prefer the ambiance over at the King Pirates." Robin admits. "I've spent close to a decade hiding in the shadows and I've always quite liked suntanning."

Rex grins, seeing Robin admit to forging ties with the crew. He had already noticed how her and Rose would chat or how she would play with mini Rouge but it was reassuring to know that she wouldn't jump ship immediately. Maybe Rex could consider taking her out on excursions soon.

"This, Ivankov fellow you mentioned, he is also a trans-vest-ite?" Tiger says, punctuating the new word. Of course, Tiger would never hold any bias against anyone, but he still felt it was odd for someone involved in the most secret organization in the world to be so conspicuous.

"Ivankov is… unique." Rex says, recalling Ivankov's Horu Horu no Mi powers and female form. "Don't worry though, Ivankov will love you."

Rex then continued moving with his crew, soon reaching the main city of Kamabakka Kingdom. The city was teeming with Okama as well as various spas and coffee shops were they would congregate at. Rex also saw a few Okama lingerie shops but didn't want to think about that.

Soon, two immense Okamas approach the crew, each with large smiles on their faces.

"My, my, it's been a long time since Iva brought back someone so pretty." One of them says to Rex. "You look good enough to eat, or at least you will."

"Now Fergie, don't bother the cute boy. I'm just surprised Iva already transformed three of them into women. Particularly the blonde, the brunette and that scrumptious tall green-haired woman, they look divine." The other Okama says.

"Hey!" Sugar protests, puffing her cheeks out at being ignored by the Okama's. "I'm as much a woman as they are. More of a woman. Ten times more!"

"Well, well, Charlie, at least the little one's got the confidence, you've gotta give her that." Fergie says.

"Maybe, but I still think Iva could have been a bit more generous with the chest. And the rear, Iva surely wasn't kind to the girl." Charlie remarks. "Still, I guess when I'm the meter stick even Boa Hancock would fall short."

"Now, now let's settle down." Rex said, calming down Sugar before she went insane. "While we're very understanding of your lifestyle, we're here to discuss more… Revolutionary business with your Queen."

The two Okama squint their eyes profusely at this, deeply skeptical of the intentions of these two. After all, it was decently well-known information that Ivankov was a Revolutionary, were these Cipher Pol agents?

"Iva doesn't discuss that business with outsiders." Charle says brusquely. "Now why don't you run along."

"After all, while we may only look like delicate flowers." Fergie continues, showing off his freshly manicured nails. "We have our thorns!"

"I see, if the queen does not wish for our business, we'll take it elsewhere." Rex says smiling genially. "However, I am curious if your queen has ever mentioned… Fisher Tiger to you. If not, I feel that we should be going now."

Rex says, turning around to leave. He makes a signal to tell Tiger to put up his hood, revealing his fishman appearance as he leaves.

"Now wait right there, boys!" Fergie says in a panic, recognizing Tiger immediately. "You said you were here for Revolutionary business? My darned earrings must have been messing with my hearing, I though you said confectionary business."

"What's wrong with confectionary business?" Thatch said with a grimace, putting his hand on his sword. Thatch was a very chill guy, but his love for food could sometimes get him upset.

"Iva is… lactose-intolerant!" Charlie says, not wanting to mess with such important business.

"That's great!" Thatch says with a beaming smile. "I have some Soy Cake recipes I've just been eager to try out. This Iva can eat gluten right, or maybe I should go with the gluten-free option just to be sure."

"…" The two Okama look at the beaming Thatch guiltily, surprised that he bought up their excuse.

Rex just smacks his forehead. Thatch's sole character flaw was that he was much too trusting. That was probably the reason Blackbeard had managed to kill him without any fuss.

Regardless, the crew is quickly escorted to the palace lobby where a guard says Iva will join them shortly. The crew decide to relish in the luxury.

"It's you!" A blonde Okama shouts, after seeing Rex. "You bastard! Guards arrest these villains!"

Rex flinches at the insult, only to see that the Okama is Tibany from the Gamsey Games. This would be a problem.

A dozen Okama guards rush into the lobby, all dressed in frilly ball gowns.

"Honored 99 chef Tibany, what's the problem!?" An Okama guard asks, running to Tibany's side. "These are guests of the Revolutionary army."

"Guests of the Revolutionary army my fine toned ass!" Tibany scoffs. "He is Vesta Rex, a brutal pirate and his first mate robbed my ship clean and beat up all my pretties! I want the standard punishment, have him beaten, flogged and then castrated!"

Rex frowned, weren't Okamas supposed to be all about peace and love. What was this talk of floggings and castration?

"I see…" The guards say, trying to figure out a peaceful way out of this. However, without warning Tibany leaps out and attacks Thatch.

"You greasy bastard!" Tibany shouts, having lost to Thatch in the Greased-up Gauntlet.

Thatch widens his eyes, not having been on guard for an attack from people who were meant to be allied with him and getting kicked back several meters.

And just like that, the powder keg was ignited.

"I don't care who you are. NO ONE, ATTACKS MY CREW!" Rex roars, leaping towards Tibany with his claws out.

"Hakucho Arubesque!" A massive, red-haired Okama cries out, kicking towards Rex blocking his attack.

Immediately, the combat begins. Monet and Sugar deal with the Okama guards while Robin and Tiger attack Tibany.

Bang!

Rex kicks the red haired Okama back, fusing fully with his Tiger-print jacket.

"Oh, a Devil Fruit user, eh? Don't think your powers will protect you from my, Caroline's fists!" The Okama, Caroline, shouts out leaping towards Rex. "I am the strongest Okama in Queen Iva's guard fear me for I-"

Slash!

Caroline widens his eyes as he barely avoids an attack from Rex. Rex's attack shears through Caroline's dress causing the Okama to glare at him with hatred.

"THAT WAS MY FAVORITE DRESS YOU BASTARD!" Caroline shouts out in a rage trying to assault Rex with a flurry of punches.

Unfortunately, it is all for naught as Rex's Observation Haki allows him to dodge them with ease, counterstriking ruthlessly to disable his opponent. Soon, all the Okamas are down for the count with Rose having resuscitated Thatch.

"Let's get out of here befor-" Rex starts before dashing out of his spot.

"Death Wink!" A massive shockwave pulverizes the spot Rex was standing on as a massive, huge-headed figure appears. "Now, can someone tell me what's going on!"

Rex gulps, coming face to face with Ivankov, head of the Okama.

Meanwhile, at Marineford.

"So, you're a woman now?" Kong said, struggling to keep a straight face as his most blasé admiral candidate get his comeuppance.

Garp and Zephyr who are also at the meeting cannot help but burst out in laughter as they hear the words coming out of Kong's mouth. Even the usually stern Sakazuki cannot help but let out a dry chuckle as he sees Borsalino getting his just-desserts for his laziness.

"Is that all you got from my story!" Borsalino cried out. "Fisher Tiger is working with the King Pirates! They may be headed off to the revolutionaries. I met Ivankov barely five kilometers off from their position! We should mobilize the fleet! Capture that bastard Ivankov and force him to turn me back!"

Tsuru shakes her head at this. "Impossible. The Levely is in a month. All forces in the Grand Line are working security for the Kingdoms. Since we don't know the location of the Kamabakka kingdom, pursuing Ivankov is nigh-futile. Besides, even if we captured him, we couldn't force him to turn you back."

"It seems, my most derelict student, that you will have to live with this for a while." Zephyr says with a grin. "Too bad you weren't better at the Rokushiki, if you were, you could've beaten Ivankov without your fruit."

Borsalino hisses at Zephyr, while internally noting that her physical skills did indeed need some work.

Wait her!? No, he was a man! Borsalino urged himself, a big, manly tough, dude!

"Regardless, I feel it is important to penalize Borsalino for his failure to capture the King Pirates." Sakazuki says resolutely. "He had them in his grasp but he let them escape. What's more, he failed to capture Fisher Tiger and Ivankov as well, failing three major missions, all of which were within his capabilities!"

Kong frowned, seeing this problem as well. Ordinarily, Kong gave Borsalino a long rope, because his devil fruit powers were useful if the marines needed to make a quick response to distant locations like Sabaody. However, this failure was indeed shameful.

Sengoku also shook his head in disappointment. He had seen a lot of potential in Borsalino, but his attitude was just too derelict. For him to have engaged in conversation with a pirate known for his intellect, it was just too foolish.

Still, Sengoku cannot help but re-evaluate Rex vesta in his heart. To square off against Borsalino and get the better of him, no matter what tactics he used…

"Marshall Kong, what measures should we take against Vesta Rex?" Sengoku finally brings himself to ask, feeling it pertinent.

Kong rubs his brow in irritation. "Vesta Rex, huh? Can someone tell me how a teenage pirate from the South Blue has escaped encounters with two Vice Admirals, two Rear Admirals and dozens of Commodores!? Not to mention a Shichibukai, Doflamingo and more!? Did this Vesta Rex eat the Cockroach-Cockroach fruit!? Somebody find him and arrest him!"

Kong was extremely exhausted with having to hear that name. The first time he paid attention to it was in relation to the Revolutionary, Jacket D. Hoodie and now it seemed that Vesta Rex was everywhere. Meeting with Red-Hair Shanks, branding a Rear Admiral, saving a terrorist and now beating an Admiral candidate.

"Up his bounty to 180 million. Task the Shichibukai to deal with him while we're dealing with the Levely. Inform them that should any of them fail to capture either Vesta Rex or a number of Pirate Captains whose bounties add up to 200 million in the next three months, they will be replaced!" Kong decided with a sigh.

"Sir, what about the announcement." Kuzan muttered, recalling that he, Borsalino and Sakazuki were meant to be announced as Admiral Candidates at the Levely.

"The announcement!? To hell with that!" Kong roared. "Borsalino, your task in the next month is to capture or kill as many pirates as possible. You will go to the New World and relieve Vice Admiral Giant. I hope this lesson will teach you to take your job seriously! Dismissed!"

At that moment, a burning hatred of Vesta Rex nestled its way into Borsalino's heart. He vowed that the moment Rex entered the New World, he would make his life a living hell.

(AN: Sorry for the lack of Double Releases recently. Its been exam season and it takes almost everything out of me two write two chapters. Still, I'm hoping that after this Thursday (my last exam), I can put out a few more doubles.)