( With Ace leading the way, he and Luffy make their way to some eatery. He's all grins despite the atrocious sense of being displaced. The fear of the fate of his crew ... maybe he can get out of this weird place soon ...

But first things first.

They're seated quickly when they get there, displaced feelings fading away in favor of raw hunger. )

Ace, you've been here before right? Do you go out with Sabo or Jinbei any?

( He kicks his feet a little, bouncing in his seat, plainly at least temporarily pleased, now that he can be with his brothers and nakama. )

( Sure, the instructions are called easy, but Luffy has always been a more hands on kind of guy, so he'll really only get it when he fiddles around with it himself. Leave the reading to Robin; he quickly disregards the information.


He manages to turn it on and then the video function after some fiddling, but the camera is zoomed in on his face a little too much. It's quite a sight. He's plainly walking ... To where, he doesn't know yet. But then he stops when he notices the thing recording. )

Okay, get off my face! Do something useful and tell me where my crew is!!

( He demands this, poking at the screen. Or ... )

Or where to eat ...

( He eventually turns the thing off after about thirty seconds of messing with it. )

[Ace is sitting and staring, brows furrowed a little. This whole situation has really gotten him frustrated. He went from either dying, or being damn close to it, to this. And while he's absolutely fine with not having his life ended, there's no amount of questions that are unanswered and he's worried for the people left behind. He really did screw up, there was so much he could have done differently, so much trouble he could have saved for those who had to suffer because of his choices and convictions. He's not even sure that his attempt to save his brother worked, and he's not certain he can handle not knowing if those left behind will be okay or not.

It's easier to live without regrets when death is actually the end and you don't have to experience any further consequences.

And now, he's got this second chance but it's overwhelming somehow. He's not going to take for granted a round two at life, but where to go from here when everything is so new and different is exhausting to think about. And somehow exciting too. He's got an idea of what he needs to do, but he's still a little in shock about the whole situation.

After about a minute, he realizes that he's been filming himself, and actually decides to speak.]

Okay, so I'm-[Ace stops mid-sentence, and his head rolls back at an awkward angle. And he starts to snore, while the camera just keeps recording. This goes on for quite a while, unfortunately. And then as suddenly as he passed out, he jerks upright again and blinks. It's a confusing day as is, and narcolepsy doesn't help with that.] Damn. Happened again. Anyway, I'm Ace. If you've got any good information that might help a guy out, I might make it worth your while. [He probably won't.]

[The video feed shows Jinbei sitting at a table, sake cup in hand. It took a while, but he managed to find one that suited his size.]

It seems like there were a lot of departures as of late. Unfortunately, Ace and Sabo, my captain's brothers, were among them. Shame that Luffy couldn't be here to see them, but they'll be missed.

[With that, Jinbei downs the sake, setting the empty cup on the table before continuing.]

I probably should have told them more about Luffy's adventures while I was here, but it's probably for the best that I didn't - last I saw, he was taking on one of the most influential people in the world, and preparing to take on one of the strongest, so I'm sure it'd just worry them.

[His serious expression gives way to a hint of nervousness; he's not overly sure about asking for advice.]

I... also had another purpose for making this video. Work has proven to be more difficult than I figured; I've been tasked with showing a zombie woman "the time of her life", and all I know about zombies is that they can't eat anything salty. I'd appreciate any advice that I can get.

[Namur's voice is hoarse and he breathes harder than usual as he speaks, head propped sideways on a pillow so he can face the camera.]

Hey-

[He is interrupted by a coughing fit, followed by a few colorful words muttered weakly under his breath.]

A'ight let's try that 'gain.

Hey guys, I'm feelin' down. Thought a some shit that'll lift my sp- AHCHOO!

[He cringes. That one hurt.]

Oh, Lord a the Sea. If yer willin' t' go find some shit an' bring it back t' me, sing out an' I'll give y' a reward.

I was at the Guardian debates recently, and I've been reading all of the information, but... I still don't understand.

What authority do humans have to choose those that govern them? Isn't that a birthright, reserved for royal families? We might make a mistake and doom this world, right?

Or maybe... Is it a mistake that I'm receiving this notification? Maybe this is meant for some sort of "chosen" voting council? 

[Yeah, Hector looks pretty annoyed. And...also very wet. His hair is plastered to his skull and his vest is completely gone. The red tie is still there, but also dripping wet.]

Okay, okay, okay. Look, whatever this Halloween that is coming up is, I get it has to do with scary things.

But! I am already a skeleton, si? So, why do I need to be 'scary'? Enough people have screamed to prove that.

[He gives a little grunt and hefts himself out of what appears to be a river, a bony fish tail coming into view as he settles on the bank. There are beautiful, colorful marks all along the fin. Spirals of bright green lined with petal like shapes of gold and purple.

At his waist are a pair of extra fins, just as skeletal but the bones are a completely purple.]

Can someone explain? Por favor?

[Namur's face on the screen is pale grey, his eyes a deep red, and he has a few extra teeth hanging out of his mouth from the top lip.]

Hey, listen up y'all. Know 's weird turnin' int' somethin' y' usually ain't. This shit ain't usually my look, either. But yer gonna be okay. All a y'. Yer still the same person on the inside, aye? An' y' ain't got no reason t' be 'shamed a what the world saw fit t' change y' int' for a time. This ain't some shitty crisis, 's an opportunity t' experience the world in a new way, catch me?

That said, some a y'all might find yerselves targeted cuz now yer differnt. Ain't gonna name names or nothin', but some folk 'parently feels like they's got every right t' be yer judge an' they don't give a shit 'bout yer situation or how y' got t' where y's at, so be careful out there, aye?

An' maybe there's some a y' out there that's used t' bein' differnt, an' now yer stripped a the physical shit that gave y' an edge an' helped y' survive. 'S gonna be okay. Don't let fear keep y' from makin' the most a yer days.

Anybody thinks they need some backup, I'mma add my name out there as one t' call. Do that kinda shit every day, so really it oughta be obvious me an' my boys'd be willin' t' help.

[Private Text to Jolly Eddy's Employees and Koishi]

Team mtg tomorow 6pm @ hq
Pot luck
Drinks provided

If u cant maek it u betur hav a damn gud rezon

[Action]

["Hold fast, men! As soon as Luffy makes it out of her territory, our task is done!"

"Life or death?"

The memories of his recent battle against the Big Mom Pirates are still fresh in Jinbei's head as he wakes up in the Bay. Spotting the water on the ground, he acts without thinking, scooping some of it up and flinging the water out of the cave. Hopefully, there's nobody directly across from one of the openings, because that water's going to be airborne for quite a while, and if it hits someone, it's going to hurt.]

Strange... I don't think Big Mom would underestimate me this much...

[The massive fishman takes a few hesitant steps forward, keeping an eye out for one of the many Devil Fruit users and homies in Big Mom's forces, when he nearly steps on the phone.]

[Video]

[Anyone looking through the network may be greeted by an up-close look at a large blue ogre-like figure tapping at the screen.]

--think I've got it... [After taking a closer look at the device, Jinbei sits back, eyes closed in contemplation.]

It's clear that wherever this is, it's not in the Grand Line. I suppose I'll be delayed in getting to Wano...

My name is Jinbei, and I am grateful for all of this information; it's very helpful. If any of the Straw Hat Pirates are here, I would appreciate it if someone could direct me to them. ...Or perhaps they'll find me. They are quite the energetic bunch... [A small smile crosses Jinbei's face as he thinks back on his short time with the crew.]

I will need to find work and a place to live... but I can figure that out later. [It clearly doesn't concern him; if worse comes to worse, he can find a large body of water and build something under there.] Thank you for your time.