Helmhammer of Thor Almighty
Chapter 53
Marine Affairs

Six ships came sailing rapidly into the coast. The citizens rushed to welcome the Star Pirates' return. They were horrified to see Nick's condition. What was more gruelingly important? The minimum of thirty marine warships coming after them, and they were coming fast.

The head of the fleet, Storm Devil, was a menacing symbol itself. The rest of the marines bowed down in fear to Admiral Commissioner Kragin's rule. What he said was to be done.

He himself was a relaxed and respectable man. He lay on his mat in the center of the deck sunbathing. His beauties were always there. He was a rich man, and he had quite some power in West Blue.

Noticing that they had approached Sharpshooter Island, the destination of the criminals, Kragin got up and put on his uniform. He filed the ranks and stood tall upon the bow. "My fellow marines, we are here to bring about justice. The islanders are to be spared, unless, of course, they assist the pirates. But leave them be. Our main targets are the Alba Pirates."

The marines confirmed their duties and assumed their appropriate positions. They were just miles from the island now. Kragin remained in his stance. All of a sudden, his Den Den Mushi began to ring. He pulled it out from his pocket and responded.

"Admiral Commissioner.. Kragin!?" the voice on the other end cried.

"Yes, who is it?"

"It's me, Agora!"

"I see. Did you vanquish the kingdom of Frona? Thank god it wasn't an actual Buster Call. But what were Akaiso's motives?"

"No.. no I didn't. In fact, I was completely trashed and wiped out by Zato Alba."

Kragin seemed a bit disturbed. "The pirates overcame the Buster Call? Meaning it was a failure?"

"Y.. yes, Kragin-san."

"Then where are you at the moment?"

"I am currently in Frona, trying to restore the peace."

"What did you say..?" Kragin muttered.

"Hold up, listen to what I'm saying. I've found some really disturbing material. I was going through the Frona palace when I found Akaiso's section. I still haven't found Akaiso.."

Kragin knew that answer. "Surprisingly enough, he was picked up from where we first spotted the pirates on the move. Him, along with a very large machine. It's in complete ruins, so we can't determine what it is."

"He's out at sea!? Kragin-san, I have some very important stuff to tell you.. Akaiso.. he's a fraud as a Shichibukai."

Kragin was again disturbed. "Carry on."

"His entire 'office' is filled with plans and directions for a secret, underground organization. It's just like that Crocodile a long time back!! It didn't seem very successful. My men are investigating it at the moment."

Kragin did not like the words he was hearing. "Unfortunately, I speak directly to your father, Akainu. Or I speak to Sengoku. This information is not suiting for the moment. They will not be pleased. This will not turn out good. But for now, we'll hold Akaiso in custody."

The word spread around the ship and the marines were gossiping about it. Kragin turned and glared, silencing them. Just before he hung up, Agora spoke, "Wait.. there's more."

"What..?"

"The damage done by the pirates is only focused on Akaiso's area.. other than that, the only crime they've done is steal my warships. To pursue someone out at sea.. Kragin-san, please tell me, what is that machine you have?"

"I'll investigate it soon enough, but if all they did was sack Akaiso's base.. then that would mean.. they knew about the organization.. and opposed it. Was the organization for a good purpose?"

"World domination.. threats to overthrow the government.. things like that. It seems a bit serious to me. Please contact Sengoku directly. I would rather not have my father speaking to us," Agora replied.

"That would mean that these pirates are innocent, including Fuyu Sashimi?"

"Not.. necesarily.. I discovered something else shocking. But I would like to discuss that with you in private." Kragin understood and stepped back into his cabin.

He came out in a minute with maddened eyes and the Den Den Mushi crushed in his hand. "Ranpu Yuushitsu..?"

/\/\/\

Mariejoa. The center of everything. The center of the world. The center of the World Government. Far from the events in Frona, West Blue, the ultimate ruler of the World Government sat in his office thinking to himself.

He was an aged man. He had a seagull cap on his head. This was Fleet Admiral Sengoku! His royal Den Den Mushi started buzzing. He answered it. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Head of the World Government speaking. Who is it?"

"This is Admiral Commissioner Kragin, Head of Kisho and West Blue Marine Operations speaking. I have an urgency to be clarified." Kragin explained.

Sengoku seemed rather alarmed. "I have heard of that great conflict.. but Kniex 'Storm' Akaiso, a criminal!? Lock him up at once!! I'll send an Admiral there to deal with things."

"What of the Star Pirates?"

"Let them go for now. We have much more things to worry about than just a few pirates. They did the right thing I suppose. Just make sure this is not exposed to the public! Restore the Frona Kingdom! Lock Akaiso up in the Kisho Marine Base at once. Keep him there until he is ready to be moved to Impel Down!"

Kragin sighed before starting the next point, but Sengoku had already hung up. He did not know whether he was to say that or not. It was impossible to believe - Ranpu Yuushitsu was killed years before by Akaiso and Warren. No way he could be part of the Star Pirates. "Pull back, everyone!! Pull back!! There will not be an attack on Sharpshooter Island! We'll leave the pirates as it is. This is my order, and the order of Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"

He buzzed into Sengoku once more to explain the story. It was alarming. Sengoku wrote it down and tried to focus on the next of his problems.

A large figure appeared right beside him. "My servance is offered to you, Sengoku."

"Thank you, Kizaru. Go help clean up Frona.. and take care of Akaiso for me."

/\/\/\

"One Shichibukai is now being stripped of his status," the eldest of the Gorosei chuckled. The Goroseii was a group of the Five Elder Stars who served as the advisory council for Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

The doors slammed open and Sengoku himself entered. "Too much is happening in West Blue. Pirates.. they're just uncontrollable. Ever since Gol D. Roger, argh. No.. ever since Monkey D. Luffy. That's what I have to say. Luffy was something else. First with Crocodile, then with the CP9 and Enies Lobby.. and then with Impel Down and Portgas D. Ace. This Zato reminds me of him. A young rising star. He will become a huge threat soon enough!"

Another elder smirked. "Why are we concerned about such rookies? I would consider Blackbeard's disappearance as more of a problem. There's been no word from him for some time."

"None of the Shichibukai can be trusted now!" another elder shouted. "Akaiso and Crocodile have proven it. Akaiso wished to overthrow you."

"I believe everyone wants to overthrow me," Sengoku glared. "Set them aside, please. The matter of this meeting is about those pirates. What shall we do?"

"Maybe test them..?" the eldest suggested. "Cipher Pol is the most efficient way."

"Find out their motives too."

"Cipher Pol will most likely fail. The only one that was powerful enough was CP9, which was taken out by the Straw Hats."

Sengoku called for order. "You suggest deploying our Cipher Pol? It won't work."

"Oh, yes it will," a new voice interrupted. They looked around and could not find the voice.

Boom! The large man landed out of nowhere. He looked vicious. He had a silver cape and red spiked hair. His hands were concealed by thick black gloves. His eyes glared at each of the elders before stopping dead on Sengoku. "You don't know me, obviously."

"Who are you then?" Sengoku inquired. The Gorosei watched anticipatingly.

"The leader of the Cipher Pol."

"There is no such thing. The Cipher Pol is a secret police service hired by the World Government - us - and there has been no new one deployed since the fall of the CP9."

"Exactly. It's a secret police service."

"How did you get in here?" one elder cared to ask.

"I've come to negotiate," he growled. "My name is Raiki. I am a destructive man. I have led the CP10 to victory in a number of battles. Our next focus was West Blue.. before I decided to stop by here."

"CP10?" the eldest asked, surprised. "So you came because we were talking about the Star Pirates.. led by Zato D. Alba. Let me guess, you're going to offer to wipe out the pirate crew?"

"That's it? We could easily destroy Zato with any one of our Admirals. Don't think you can blackmail us. By this point, you can already be considered guilty," Sengoku snapped.

"Who said I'm blackmailing? I want no money. I just want respect. I want my organization to be bumped up. I'll take Zato off your worries for you. If you let him go after the Akaiso conspiracy, it shows how much else you have to do. Leave Zato for me. He's my enemy. I've been wanting to prove myself."

"So be it," Sengoku stuttered. "But show me, who are your comrades?"

Raiki flicked a finger and the doors flew open. Sengoku turned. His eyes bulged. "Lieutenant Doki?!?"

/\/\/\

Storm Devil sailed back towards the Kisho Base with the fleet close behind. Akaiso was thrown into a vault and locked up shut.

He just sat there in a state of misery. Just before going into a trance, a man appeared outside of the bars. "Ah, Royal Shichibukai Kniex 'Storm' Akaiso. So much for you, now."

"Admiral Kizaru," Akaiso groaned, gritting his teeth. "What are you doing here?"

"I was sent by Sengoku to 'deal with you'. It seems like you're doing fine. But I'm here to get some questions out of you as well."

Kizaru was pardoned for the tortured screaming heard in Akaiso's vault.

/\/\/\

All the while, down below the castle of Mariejoa, a dark being looked up. "The time is almost right.. to take the World Government."

/\/\/\

Admiral Akainu the Red Dog and Admiral Aokiji the Blue Peasant (along with Kizaru, these three made up the trio of the strongest marine officials who served directly under Sengoku) sat in the lobby. "I've seen Zato D. Alba's record. It's rather interesting."

"I will get my revenge. My son's failure.. well, it's all upsetting, huh? Frona Kingdom should be destroyed. A Buster Call is a Buster call. Once things here are straightened out, I'll head over to West Blue and show my strength."

"Don't be too reckless."

"Shutup, Aokiji."

All these high marines are acting!
Enjoy and review! :)