It was ten years ago to this day. A bright day on the island of Jaya. Rokuju was disembarking from the Germa 66 fleet that had just docked this morning. A dozen ships lined the bay, the immense presence from the army dwarfing the small residence called Mock Town. The Vinsmokes stepped off their craft and onto solid ground. Venus, Rokuju’s mother, walked ahead towards the town. There were a few fisherman and wharf officials out today, and they promptly made way for the woman. It was like she didn’t see them, passing them by like they were another ant on the ground.

Her little brother, Goji was next to her. A boy of ten years old strutted the length of the wooden floorboards like he owned the place. The last member who was present was her big brother, Shichiji. He was looking over at Ro, waiting patiently for her to catch up to the group. Shichiji was seventeen years old at this time, and already he was the size of a man. Ro had once overheard her mother talking into a den den mushi about his progress, telling her father about how he was already beginning to get the grayish metallic colour of busoshoku haki on his skin. A natural talent was an understatement. And it wasn’t only him, Ro had been born into a family of monsters.

They lived prosperous lives, to say the least. They were nobility, and lived a life of luxury. But the children of the Vinsmoke household were expected to lead the Germa army and to be strong and capable dictators. This is where Ro was labelled as unpromising. She didn’t take to combat as naturally as her siblings, even if she did have the same pride in her family name as the others. She was just a little twelve year old girl that wanted to make stuff.

“Oh, I left my things on the boat. Go ahead and I’ll catch up.” She called to Shichiji. Ro boarded the boat and went into the cabin to retrieve the little metallic nicknack that she had chosen as her most recent project. Disembarking once more, her focus was tuned on twisting the wire into shape so that they would slot into the receiver. She didn’t see the board that had come loose. She tripped on it, then losing her grip on the object, it sailed through the air and down onto a lower platform. Looking down at her precious contraption, she decided to go retrieve it. Arm after arm she climbed over the railing and down onto the lower level of the wharf.

The 11 year old looked around in fear. She had just joined the Revolutionaries and they were in this town on a island called Jaya for some training. Apparently there were some birds that made unusual noises. One of the Revolutionary commanders said if they were to catch one then they would be known as a powerful person among the revs. Now Aurum wasn't one to pursue power. Even if she was only a little child, but if catching one of these birds could actually earn her some respect then so be it. She only needed to find someone to help her.

Walking around the town, she would start looking for a kid her age. She didn't want an adult to help her as they were stupid. If one of them would try to hurt her then she would kill everyone on this island. A glint of death would flash for a brief moment in her mind as she continued to search for a partner. As she walked, she would come by the docks. Seeing something fly in the and onto a lower platform on a ship she would wonder what it was. A little girl who looked to be the same age as herself would go and retrieve the item. "Hey you, do you want to help me go on an adventure." said Aurum as politely as she could. She could have started a regular conversation, but she wanted to go ahead and get this over with before the others started.

It probably wouldn’t seem like it to anyone else, but the little works that Ro spent her time on meant a lot to her. As a young girl, she didn’t care for much. She escaped into her craft, finding sanctuary in the tinkering. So when she saw her project leap out of her hands, she was concerned for its wellbeing. She had climbed over the railing and down to a platform that was at sea level. The rest of her family were out of sight and the wood beneath her feet was swaying with the gentle waves. She looked around, seeing a few simple rowboats tied up to the metal hooks. There, glinting from behind the wooden row boat seat, it was a piece of metal catching the sunlight. Walking over to it, she reached in. Her short arms could not quite reach it. She ventured to step into the boat. It swayed underneath her step and Ro wobbled, almost tumbling in. Pleased with herself, she reached down and picked up the object. Then she heard a voice from above.

"Hey you, do you want to help me go on an adventure?" Ro looked up to see a little pink haired girl about the same age as herself. What was she doing there, and why was she talking to Ro? Not many commoners dared to speak to a Vinsmoke, so it was quite peculiar. “Who are you? What adventure?” Ro would reply with, intrigued as to what was going on her. She then looked back at her project and inspected it, checking to see if it had been damaged in any way. Relieved to see that there wasn’t any scratches, she pocketed it.

Looking at the girl that was around her age. Aurum would say "I am looking for the cuckoo birds. Or thats what I think they are called. I heard you can find them in the forest full of creepy crawlies near the back end of the island. If you help me I will give you some beli. Pretty please?" asked Aurum giving the girl her signature puppy dog eyes. She really needed help finding one of those birds. The girl seemed to be one of those noble girls. Was she of royalty? And if so..what family was she from. After thinking a bit she would say "Please, I know we really don't know each other...but I really need help. If I don't find one of those birds by midnight then I will be killed by a group of pirates who will also kill my family that they have in holding."

Of course the little child was lying. At the moment she just needed someone to help her out. Hopefully the lie didn't show up on her face. She held her hands behind her back as she twiddled her fingers. Her arms and hands had begun to sweat. She really did need help. She didn't want be kicked out of the revs for being to weak. Ot for not being able to play a really simole game of hide and go find.

She would thibk hard as she stared into the morning sky of jaya.

Ro looked up at the little girl with pink hair. Why was she talking to her? The inclination for children to find other children to play with didn't seem natural to her as it did for many other youngsters. Her social setting had always been one of abnormality. Apart from her brothers, she didn't interact with anyone else in her age group. Even the youngest servants and employees of her family were at least young adults. And their job description did not include personal or recreational relations. Almost as if her life was soley contained within the chrysalis of childhood. Only waiting and preparing for the day in which she would no longer be somebody else's responsibility and instead, shoulder her own.

Not knowing quite what to expect, when she heard that a group of pirates was threatening this persons family, she believed her. Lack of experience with dealing with people had left her gullible. She never stopped to question the validity of why a pirate would threaten lives on the basis of finding a bird. Ro saw the pitiful look on her face, recognising the emotion. She was in trouble! "Ok I'll come! Where are we going?" Ro wobbled as she climbed back out of the rowboat. She would run over to the other girl. The young Vinsmoke didn't know of how she could be of help, but if it was a valiant quest that required a fearless champion, then as far as Ro was concerned, she was the right lady for the job. Who knew? If she did a good job, maybe father would hear of it. Maybe then she could accompany him next time he went on an adventure.

guessing you gave up on this

~exit~
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