Hey everyone! W-wait! Come back!

I know, this chapter is super, super long! It was the first chapter though, and I wanted to tell a complete 'arc' with it. You know how the first chapter of a Manga is always extra long? Well, that is kind of how I wanted to do it here. I promise however that my future chapters will be much, much smaller than this...so please bear with me just this once!

Anyway, just to clarify it for everyone: This story is set 7 years after the start of One Piece, and 5 years after the timeskip. Oda-sensei stated that a Devil Fruit will regrow once it's previous user dies, so if you have any confusion regarding the plot of this chapter; please keep that in mind. ^^

Anyway, I love receiving reviews! It really makes my day to hear all of your thoughts, good or bad! So please don't be shy with the review button. :3

Enjoy~


The date is 1529 AOP...

Twenty Nine years have passed since the legendary execution of Gold Roger. Since the Pirate King's demise, many terrifying and powerful individuals have arisen with the goal of turning the world on its head. One such person was named Monkey D. Luffy.

Setting sail from Goa Kingdom in East Blue seven years to this day, he quickly rose to fame through his great feats of bravery...feats which, in the eyes of many, often bordered on insanity. From storming Enies Lobby and Impel Down, to fighting alongside Whitebeard at Marineford; in just the first year of his journey this rookie pirate became one of the most infamous criminals in the world.

Although many thought him dead after his two year absence, he and the rest of his crew returned in force in 1524, taking the New World by storm over the next year. It was four years ago today that the legendary confrontation between Strawhat Luffy and Marshall D. Teach occurred. Shaking the very foundations of the world with their titanic struggle, when the dust finally settled; both men were nowhere to be found.

With their apparent deaths, it appeared that the legacies of Whitebeard, Luffy and Teach were doomed to fade into memory. But now, on a seemingly innocuous cruise ship drifting the seas of West Blue; one of those legacies was about to reemerge...


The Blue Maiden appeared to be an insignificant speck against the vast waters of the western sea. With a vibrant decor consisting of velvet carpeting, sterling silverware and even ballroom dancing; she offered a deceptive air of legitimacy and class to those unaware of her true nature. From across much of the world, those that might otherwise be looked upon as the dredges of society were peacefully enjoying the luxuries provided by their hosts. Underneath this apparently serene atmosphere however, there was the unmistakable feeling of tension in the grand dining hall.

With their eyes trained upon the veiled stage that overlooked the assembled passengers, it was clear that high class dining and ballroom dancing were low on the list of priorities for many of the Blue Maiden's guests. For these men of ill repute, there was but one reason to attend such a fancy do...one reason to mingle with the spoiled upper echelons of society that so very often snubbed their noses at them. It was for the auction that they had joined this cruise...an auction that could have dire consequences for the entire world depending on its outcome.

Querulously rapping their fingers against cloth covered tables, the fragile truce between bitter rivals threatened to spill over into bloodshed at the drop of a hat. Even those that had chosen to bide their time with the fine cuisine and exquisite accommodations could feel the air growing thick, even if they strived to remain ignorant of it. If the auction did not begin soon, then the Blue Maiden could find her fragile peace shattered by the bitter animosity of her passengers.

Despite the lingering sense of trepidation hanging in the atmosphere, the less unsavory guests continued with their enjoyment of the festivities. Having paid a high price to attend this cruise, most were unwilling to be frightened into their rooms by the large number of uncouth brigands that had gathered about the auctioneer's podium.

For the wealthy civilians in attendance, the great number of pirates populating their luxury cruise was an unsettling mystery. It was clear however that they had arrived ready and willing to fight for whatever prize was being offered here tonight. The auction was set to begin at 8:00 PM, and it was now precisely 7:25. While the majority of the highborn passengers clustered about the eloquent buffet to mock and ridicule the unwashed miscreants gathered about the auctioneer's podium, there was one young woman that appeared to stand apart from both groups.

In spite of the temperate climate enjoyed by all of the attendees, she was adorned in heavy winter garb. With her head topped by a white fur hat, and her body wrapped snuggly in a coat of identical style; she stood well apart from formally dressed civilians and haggard brigands alike. Sporting an alabaster complexion and waist length cherry red hair, it was clear that she shared a different ancestry than most aboard the Blue Maiden. Seemingly disinterested or even unaware of the approaching auction, her focus appeared to be on a far more mundane concern at the moment.

Oishisou! The redhead's face lit up with excitement, her green eyes sweeping over the heavenly sight before her; Everything here looks so good!

The great banquette that centered the illustrious dining hall was like a dream come true for Laura. Elephant Tuna, Mizu Mizu Buns; Onigiri and a broad assortment of fruits all populated the pristine buffet table. Never had she witnessed such a great assortment of high quality food! While she could certainly survive on bread, meat and apples; didn't everyone dream of experiencing fine cuisine at some point in their life?

"Eto...I guess I should have some of everything!" Laura exclaimed with a bright smile, taking a silver dinner plate from the stack at the northern end of the table. Eyeing the suspiciously small plate with a disappointed frown, she was uncertain of how one was expected to fit all of that food onto such a miniscule platter! "Well then, I'll just get several."

Four...no, five! Five should be enough to start out with. There were just so many great dishes available, it was impossible to choose. Sweeping down the western side of the buffet with terrifying speed and precision, the other dinner guests could only stare with mouths agape as the woman somehow balanced a total of five platters while simultaneously piling them with an ever increasing amount food.

Carefully hobbling over to an empty table where her large brown duffle bag sat, she managed to take her seat with the quintet of plates each precariously teetering atop a different part of her body. Allowing for a sigh of relief now that she had made it back with her meal intact, Laura brushed a lock of hair behind her shoulder and prepared to dig into the best meal of her life!

"Itadakimasu!"


"So that's it, huh?" Donovan's eyes swept over the strange fruit that sat within the velvet lined case before him. Solid white, with sharp zig-zagging patterns stretching across it's bulbous frame; it was unlike any plant he had ever seen before. "The power to destroy the world..."

"When the last of its outer leafs is shed, it will be ripe." Razameil explained to his bodyguard with a broad, toothy grin. The auction was set to begin any minute now...and after they had received the winning bid, they would put their plan into action. "Once we have collected the money from our 'guests', I will take the power of the Akuma no Mi for myself."

He had announced this auction through his black market connections, meaning that many of his would be rivals were likely attending the cruise at this very moment.

"And what of our passengers?" The bodyguard questioned.

Light dancing off his obsidian eyes, Razameil slammed the lid of the gold-rimmed case shut with a cascading snap. "The Blue Maiden shall join the ranks of the thousands of vessels that litter this unforgiving sea, while we return to the mainland as very rich men."

Glancing down at his pocket watch, the short and rotund Razameil swept the box from its pedestal and began making his way towards his private quarters; "The fake being shown at the auction is a perfect replica. Even those with a data book won't be able to tell the difference."

Donovan silently watched his employer retreat, following several paces behind him; his thoughts unable to leave the prize encased within the ornate box. The rumors surrounding the consumption of an unripe Devil Fruit must be true if he is willing to wait until the last minute like this.

The contrast between the two men couldn't be greater. Unlike the stocky and diminutive Razameil, Donovan stood well over seven feet tall; a wall of muscle that gave even the most ruthless pirate pause. With a clean shaven head in opposition to his bosses greasy black mop, the pristinely dressed bodyguard would ensure the safety of the true prize until it became ripe.

Watching his boss hobble towards his room, Donovan couldn't help but wonder if the Akuma no Mi would be wasted on such a...sedentary individual. While it was true that its previous wielders had been widely known and feared throughout the world, did they not already possess considerable strength and prowess even without the fruit?

Just what could you possibly do with this power, Razameil?


"80,000,000 Beli!" A man dressed in a slightly haggard suit bellowed from the center of the room, drawing an icy glare from every pirate he had the misfortune of being adjacent to. The auction hall had become flooded with criminals, both great and small. Pirates, syndicate bosses and even a few petty bandits...they had all arrived with one goal in mind.

"Er, yes!" A small sweatdrop slid down the flashily dressed auctioneer's face at the enthusiastic bid; "We have 80,000,000 Beli! Do we have a 90-"

"120,000,000!" Roared a grizzled pirate captain, his boots loudly rapping against the floor. The determination in his eyes was evident to everyone in the room and many of the other raiders present seemed to give this man a wide berth, few daring to offer him an angered glare.

"1...120,000,000!" Dabble gasped out the words in astonishment. It was only the fourth bid and already they had exceeded the bounty of a Supernova rookie! It wouldn't do justice to their situation to say that the auction was going well. It was very likely that someone would make an unbeatable bid before the fruit had a chance to ripen...but perhaps that was for the best.

Glancing at the greed and lust for power lurking behind many of their 'guests' eyes, Dabble knew they wouldn't take kindly to losing; to say the least. He suddenly felt very relieved to be the auctioneer rather than one of the bidders. I pity whomever wins this auction, for they may not have very long to enjoy their victory...


'Pella pella pella pellu...pella pella pella pellu...'

Black leather oxfords clanked against a wooden deck as the imposing figure strode towards the ringing Den Den Mushi. Dressed in a pristinely kept suit with a white coat draped loosely over his shoulders, Commodore Emberfield lifted the snail's receiver to his ear; "Have you confirmation of our target?"

"Yes sir," The snail spoke with a voice not its own; "They have begun the auction, and already the bidding has exceeded 150,000,000 Beli."

His eyes widening slightly at the Cipher Agent's words, the Commodore knew he wouldn't have very much time. "Then my fleet will move to board the Blue Maiden without delay. The Gura Gura no Mi must not be allowed to fall back into unjust hands."

"It appears to currently be in an unripe state, but I shall nevertheless attempt to delay them until your arrival, sir..."

The uncertainty in the agent's voice was apparent, but Emberfield held no doubt that he would perform his duty without hesitation. If these vicious criminals were permitted to gain the power of the Gura Gura no Mi, then the world would be plunged into chaos once more. He had witnessed the terror of Blackbeard firsthand...he would make certain that nobody else ever had to.

"We will be there soon, Agent. Commodore Emberfield out."


"Hyaa!" Laura sighed happily, her face beaming with contentment after finishing her fifteenth and final platter. "That had to be the best food I've ever eaten!"

Leaning back in her chair to stretch her legs, the redhead scanned the dining area with curiosity; "Hmm? Where did everyone go?" When she had started eating there were tons of people in the dining area...now they had all vanished! Did it have something to do with that auction everyone kept talking about?

"Oh well," She shrugged, leaping to her feet and releasing a long yawn; "After eating so much, I think I need a nap. Let's see, my room was..." Reaching into the pocket of her coat, she produced her half of the torn ticket and looked at the number on it; "Forty Seven..."

Hehe, between the free food and luxury room; this was the best ticket I've ever stolen! Laura thought to herself proudly, stepping lightly towards the hallway in the distance that lead to the cabin area. Now that I've left Veldoria for good, I won't ever have to put up with Andante-sensei's boring, monotonous training again!

You could only crush so many boulders or kill so many wild animals before it got sort of boring, you know? But that didn't matter now! She was out on her own, ready to leave her mark on the world! Arriving at the door of her cabin, Laura glanced up at the number to confirm it was the right room; "Yep, forty Seven! ...Now, where did I put my key?"

Quickly stuffing her hands in both of her coat pockets, she realized that the small golden key she had been given when she boarded the vessel was gone! No, wait... Shaking her coat slightly, she heard the familiar jingle of the key. It must have fallen through an opening in the pocket and gotten stuck inside the coat!

Sliding her arms out of her heavy winter overcoat, Laura began to feel about for the key that was now trapped in between the seams. Giving this task her full attention, she failed to notice the pair of eyes closely watching her in the distance...

"Keeeh~! See? Isn't it just like I told you?" Garibaldi cackled excitedly to the trio of smaller men a short distance behind him. Standing nearly twelve feet in height with a broad physique and a mouth full of crooked or missing teeth; Garibaldi was a rare example of a 'massive human'. An uncommon sight outside of the Grand Line, they were well known for their immense strength.

"B-but boss, didn't we come here for the auction?" One of the three individuals offered his meek protest to the towering man before him.

"Hah!" Garibaldi scoffed loudly at his mention of that damned auction; "Quit foolin' yourself. The bidding's already over 150,000,000 Beli! That's so far out of our price range it ain't even funny." He hadn't expected there to be Grand Line pirates attending this cruise, ruining it for honest; low-earning criminals like himself. He had considered trying to take the fruit by force, but he recognized some of faces there from wanted posters...and they easily topped his 10,000,000 Beli bounty.

"I...I suppose that's true..." Lowering his head, the most outspoken of the trio decided to hold his tongue and simply follow his bosses lead.

Eyeing the young girl standing alone in the hallway with a carnal hunger, Garibaldi's eyes scanned over her when she removed the heavy winter coat that had obscured her figure. Both curvaceous and well toned, boasting an impressive bosom and a heart-shaped face...they were obviously meant to be together! His normally obsidian eyes now replaced with rapidly beating hearts, Garibaldi pressed forward towards the object of his affection.

"Hee~y cutey-chan!" The towering pirate called out to the redhead who was less than half his size, "Having some trouble with your door? You can stay in my room if you like!" Flashing her a toothy grin, Garibaldi placed his hand against the wall immediately to their left and leaned his face in close to hers, nearly having to bend halfway over to do so.

"Ah...that's okay, really..." Laura rubbed the back of her head awkwardly for several moments, gazing up at the massive individual that was attempting to preposition her; "My key is in my coat, I just need to work it out." Crinkling her nose slightly upon receiving a blast of his rancid breath, she suddenly regretted eating so much food.

"Now don't be like that, baby! The ladies always leave Garibaldi with a smile!" Or they would, He thought in irritation, If they would ever stop running away long enough to enjoy the great service he could provide them! Reaching towards the girl with a hand that was more than half the width of her body, Garibaldi was shocked when she slapped his palm aside with a surprisingly strong swipe of her much smaller hand.

"I'm not going with you." She reiterated, deciding to use her considerable ability as a diplomat to diffuse the situation; "You're ugly and you smell like hobo socks!"

"S-she..." the faces of the three men behind Garibaldi were suddenly drained from all color as they watched their captain's eyes become blood shot; "...she's really done it now..." One muttered, taking a step back in fear.

"YOU'RE DEAD BITCH!" Curling his fingers into a massive fist, Garibaldi swung down at the far smaller human in blind rage. In spite of his great size, the strike was far from lacking when it came to speed. Yet, in the instant before it hit...the young woman completely vanished!

N-nani? Where did she- It was the flash of her red hair that drew his eyes skyward, where the formerly motionless girl was now mere feet from his head; a kick careening towards him at a nearly imperceptible speed.

Feeling her leg imbed itself deep into his face, Garibaldi's eyes instantly rolled up into his head; the concussive force of her attack lifting his great form off the ground and sending his unconscious body spiraling down the hallway where it smashed through the wall of a hopefully unoccupied room.

"B-BOSS!" Rushing to the side of their fallen leader, the trio immediately set about prying his twitching form out of the hole his massive body had created. Offering a brief glance towards the inhuman woman who had now returned to examining her coat, the group of outmatched brigands decided to cut their losses and limp away with their insensible captain.

"Ah!" Laura's face lit up in excitement, her hand leaving the left pocket of her coat with the small golden key in tow; "Finally...I was afraid I might have to break down the door!"

Stepping through the now open door, the redhead swiftly approached the ornate bed near the back of the room. Laying her brown duffle bag beside it, she offered a quick glance to the bathroom at the opposite wall. Maybe I should freshen up a bit before I go to sleep...the ship may dock before I wake up!


"We have 245,000,000!" Dabble exclaimed in disbelief. The bidding had been intense before, but now that man was driving the anxiety in the room to critical levels. When one pirate had bid 150; he had thought the auction was over...but somehow this well dressed individual had managed to top his bid, and with it everyone in the room seemed to find their second wind.

Standing by himself amidst the piercing glares of his fellow bidders, Ienari of CP4 bravely withstood the silent death threats constantly streaming towards him. If the Commodore didn't arrive soon, it would be impossible for him to keep the auction from descending into bloodshed. The entire room appeared to be at the end of its tether...

"250!" The pirate captain responsible for the earlier bid of 125 threw his money back into the fight with a smirk. In truth, Saegen 'Black-Bones' Morgana never had intended to pay these fools any money. Paradise had been less than generous to him in these past several years, and he had no more than 50,000,000 beli to his name. Even he, a pirate that had sailed the treacherous seas of the Grand Line, couldn't hope to compete with these syndicate bosses in terms of wealth.

But that didn't matter! All he had to do was keep bidding higher until he won; and when the auctioneer came to collect his money, he would swipe the fruit and claim the power of Whitebeard for himself. With the Gura Gura no Mi, I will at last have the strength to conquer the Grand Line... Nothing in this world could stop him from achieving that goal now.

"250! Can I get a 255?" Dabble swept his eyes across the room as if to dare anyone to top this already monumental bid.

"275,000,000 beli!" Ienari shouted, his confident smirk hiding the trepidation within him. He felt as if he had now just narrowly avoided a bullet to the head from one of the many pirates attending the auction. Worst case scenario, the Commodore calls me and blows my cover...

Watching several people in the audience angrily take their seats, Dabble slowly wiped his brow with a white handkerchief. "275...does anyone feel they can top this?" The increasingly nervous auctioneer scanned the crowd briefly for a reply. Receiving none, he began to give the final count; "For 275,000,000 beli, going once...going twice..."

"400,000,000 Beli!" Startled gasps washed over the room as Saegen proclaimed his final bid with darkened eyes. The idea that he might see that much money at some point in his life was a far off dream, but he was certain that not even the wealthiest of criminals present would be able to top that. Now was the time for him to spring his plan.

For the first time since had joined in on the auction, Ienari felt the ire of the crowd shift from him onto the pirate that had bid an impossible to top price. He wanted to bid again, but it was impossible for him to top that, even with the funds provided to him by the World Government. If he had to pay up before Commodore Emberfield arrived and couldn't; then he would really be done for.

"...Sold to Saegan Morgana for the extraordinary price of 400,000,000 Beli!" Dabble exclaimed with an almost paled expression adorning his face. He never imagined that the bidding would reach such astronomical heights. Even more extraordinary, he had somehow made it through the auction without receiving a bullet between his eyes!

Watching the victorious pirate ascend to the stage, the auctioneer offered him a courteous smile; "Allow me to congratulate you on your victory! That was certainly some bid." Bowing deeply to Saegen, Dabble took a moment to look over the man in front of him. There was something wrong here... "Er, now...if you'll be so kind as to provide the promised amount...?" Something definitely feels off...everyone else has brought suitcases or bags presumably full of beli; but where is Morgana's?

"Of course, I have it right here..." Saegan lowered his hand to his hip with a slight grin, causing the auctioneer to arch a brow and instinctively take a step back...but it proved to be a futile attempt at escape. Flashing across Dabble's torso at a speed that could barely be called human, Saegan 'Black-Bones' Morgana found himself standing over the bloodied corpse of the auctioneer; his gleaming cutlass drawn for all to see.

"Y-yarou!" One of the pirates shouted, springing from his table with his pistol already drawn. Several other brigands swiftly followed suit and trained their sights upon the treacherous scalawag for daring to pull such a bold stunt before they could think to do it first.

"There's no need for a standing ovation, gentlemen!" Saegen smirked, quickly sweeping his blade across the audience to unleash a powerful wave of destruction that sent the crowd diving to the ground for cover...if they were lucky. Wasting not a second of his self made distraction, Saegen charged for the box and in a single motion dove off the back of the stage with it securely underarm.

I wasn't the only high bounty pirate in that crowd, he thought to himself warily; glancing down at the unripe Devil Fruit within the box. Without the power of the Gura Gura no Mi, even I can't fight all of them. If I can make it to a lifeboat, I'll be able to get back to my ship before they can catch me! This had been a plan in the making since he had first heard of this auction...his crew were waiting close and when he gave the signal, they would sail in to meet him.

Disappearing into the western wing of the vessel's cabin area, the pirate captain knew he couldn't afford to stop, not even to look behind him. Not even to look in front of hi- "Wraack!" Okay, maybe in front of him.


"Quickly, secure the auction area! Let nothing stop you from finding the Gura Gura no Mi!" Commodore Emberfield barked to his subordinates over the roar of battle, his eyes flaring in anger at the sight before him. Their attack on the Blue Maiden had been perfectly executed; the marines under his command had grappled onto the opposing vessel and quickly detained any personnel that were above deck at the time. Only a short time later were they inside the grand hall, where they encountered dozens of notorious pirates and other criminals already in a state of panic and chaos.

Apparently, somebody had stolen the Akuma no Mi that had been the purpose of this entire cruise. Gently lowering the bloodied corpse of Ienari to the ground, Emberfield frowned deeply in both regret and rage; "I'm sorry we couldn't get here sooner...I will make sure this criminal scum pays dearly for your life." While the marines and Cipher Pol did not always see eye to eye, Agent Ienari had performed his duty with bravery and distinction. He wouldn't allow his sacrifice to be in vain!

Silently rolling the cuffs of his sleeves back, Commodore Emberfield charged forward into the surrounding battle that had engulfed the interior of the ship. Taking out his rage upon the first brigand unlucky enough to be in his path, the commodore sent the unfortunate pirate crashing head first through the wooden floor; the velvet rug that acted as cover being pulled into the chasm behind him.

No words were sufficient to express his outrage at the loss of one of the men placed under his charge. It was his responsibility to see that they all returned home safely, and now because of this wretched filth one would not be seeing his family again! Charging forward and seizing a pair of marauders by the back of their heads, the enraged marine officer slammed the criminal's faces together with a sickening crack; as if they were a pair of bone crunching cymbals.

Allowing their limp forms to fall to the ground, the commodore reached out and grasped a fourth pirate by the head, "Where did the man that stole the Gura Gura no Mi run to?"

"H-he..." The scar faced raider trembled within the much larger man's grasp, struggling against his chattering jaw to form a coherent sentence; "He ran behind the stage...! Into the c-cabin area!"

Glancing towards where the brigand had gestured, Emberfield lifted the man high into the air and hurled him through the wooden stage where the prized Akuma no Mi once sat.

Tearing a path through the platform with his body, the pirate eventually came to a stop at the opposite end of the stage, his broken body twitching amidst the splintered debris; "Y-yurushite kure..." A weak beg for mercy escaped his lips before his consciousness betrayed him.

Wordlessly stepping through the path made by the criminal, Emberfield trained his eyes on the hallway in the distance. His blood still boiled with a thirst for vengeance. The one that had taken the Devil Fruit and thrown the Blue Maiden into chaos was attempting to escape...he would die before he allowed that to happen!


The rush of warm water swept over the young redhead's face as Laura submerged herself within the tub, holding her breath while she rinsed the shampoo from her hair. Resurfacing several moments later, she blindly reached for a towel to dry her dripping bangs.

"This is the life..." Laura sighed to herself with a broad grin, "It must be amazing to live this way all of the time. Those nobles sure have it lucky..." Still, I bet they have a whole bunch of annoying rules they have to follow; She thought to herself while wrapping her hair up within the towel. Not being able to speak her mind or go where she wanted...no amount of wealth could be a substitute for true freedom.

Stepping out of the rather ornate bathtub and drying her body with a second towel, Laura threw open the duffle bag full of clothes which she had brought with her for the journey ahead. They...were mostly the same winter outfit she had been wearing before, with only a slight variance in color presumably from the animals they had been created from.

"Well, I guess I will go for the winter garb." She remarked with a sarcastic smile. Veldoria had no real fashion industry...life was harsh and there was little time for such pleasantries. Hopefully the next island they stopped at would be less impoverished and she would be able to diversify her wardrobe a bit.

Deciding on the only remotely unique version of her common attire, Laura slipped into the grey-black winter outfit and made her way over to the luxurious bed that centered her equally well furnished room. Draped in red velvet covers and silken bed sheets, she felt as if she were somehow committing a crime just be sleeping in it. Well, considering I stole my ticket...

Sitting at the edge of the bed, Laura gave a brief glance to the window; noting that the sun had grown significantly dimmer since she had last saw it. Perhaps sleeping the entire night was in order; they probably weren't going to arrive anywhere until morning anyway, right?

With her hair still in a bun, the redhead peeled back the covers and leaned over to untie her boots. Why'd I put my shoes on when I was planning to go to sleep? Such a ditzy thing to do. Laura rolled her eyes at her own absentmindedness.

Anyway, this will be the first time I've ever slept in such a ritzy place! I almost feel like royalty! She thought excitedly as she watched a rather greasy looking swashbuckler explode through her door to demolish her waiting bed beneath his massive form. "HYEEEEH~?"

Large rivers of tears streaming from her eyes, Laura looked upon the disaster in pained disbelief; "B-but...I never even got to lay on it..." I just wanted to know how it felt to be rich for one night...

Slowly tracing the path of destruction from her ruined bed to the broken doorway, Laura was greeted to the sight of a tall, muscular man in a pinstripe suit. Draped over his shoulders was the white coat of a high ranking marine officer. "You...you were the one that did this, weren't you?" She snapped at him, bolting to her feet as if to greet a bitter enemy.

If the one that stole the Gura Gura no Mi was indeed Saegen 'Black-Bones' Morgana as this man claims, Emberfield offered a glance to the pirate that was now lying unconscious amidst the remains of a once luxurious bedstead, ignoring the ranting civilian just to the side; then the situation is more dire than I ever imagined. If that veteran of Paradise were to gain the power of Edward Newgate...

"Ano yarou..." Laura's eyes began to burn with anger as she watched him simply turn away from her and begin walking out the door; "He's not even going to apologize for wrecking my room?" Reaching out to grasp a small vase filled with water and three white roses, she felt a slight smirk cross over her face; "Unacceptable!"

Although Saegen isn't a terribly cautious man, even he wouldn't attempt to eat an unripe Akuma no Mi. If I hurry I may be able to- "Ghaagh!" Commodore Emberfield gasped in surprise, stumbling forward slightly as the porcelain vase smashed against the back of his head. Feeling the water sweep through his hair and down his face, he watched silently as a trio of white roses fell at his feet.

"Junsho-sama!" Several of the Marines accompanying Emberfield rushed to the side of their commanding officer, their faces flashing with a mix of shock and outrage at this impudent woman's actions. "Assaulting a marine officer is considered treason! You're under arrest!" One of the lieutenants snarled, drawing his saber and approaching the civilian alongside several other navy men.

Sweeping his dripping bangs to the side to clear his vision, the commodore raised his hand in an effort to call off his men; "Forget her! We have to-" His order was cut short when he saw all four of the arresting marines lying on the ground before the unscathed woman; "N-nanda to?"

"Don't worry," Laura offered him a reassuring grin; "They're just unconscious...there is no way I'm going to prison after just setting sail!"

Seeing this unknown woman's current stance and form; he could instantly tell she was no ordinary civilian. The position of commodore was not something just anyone could achieve within Marine Headquarters. To hold this rank meant you had fought and won many battles against the unjust and the wicked. Emberfield was no exception to this rule; "Who are you?"

"Oh? So you're interested in me now, huh?" The redhead puffed her substantial bosom out in pride, a small sweatdrop rolling down the side of the commodore's face in the process; "My name is Laura D. Alden. It may not mean much to you now, but I'm going to become a Yonkou and create a place where only the people I like are allowed to exist!"

"Yonkou...?" Was this girl for real? Did she just proclaim that her dream was to become one of the most dangerous criminals in the world to him, a marine officer? "So you intend to become a pirate, and endanger the lives of innocence for your own selfish ambitions?" His knuckles growing white as he clenched his fists, Emberfield narrowed his eyes upon the smaller figure standing across the room; "If so, then I will crush your wretched dream here and now!"

In but the breadth of a second, the massive form of the marine had vanished from the doorway and reappeared above Laura, his fist already careening towards her. Hayai! He wasn't like the others, that much was certain. She couldn't afford to hold back against him! Slamming her foot down into the velvet carpet covering her room, she vanished only moments before the officer's fist impacted the floor; causing that entire section of the cabin to cave in.

Reappearing above her new opponent, Laura swiftly kicked off the air to launch herself towards the much larger human. Drawing her free leg back, she unleashed a witheringly powerful kick towards the officer's midsection. To her great astonishment however, her shin instead made contact with his forearm as he successfully guarded against her attack.

S-soru? ...And Geppou? Emberfield thought in disbelief as he slid backwards across the room, managing to halt himself just short of the wall. Glancing down at his right forearm, he could feel a sharp tingling sensation running throughout the limb. Where could she have learned such advanced techniques? Only someone affiliated with the marines or World Government should have access to Rokushiki!

Shaking off the slight numbness that was making its way throughout his arm, the commodore charged towards the woman for a second attack; his left fist suddenly appearing mere feet from her. Watching her vanish again, the corners of Emberfield's mouth turned upwards ever so slightly; She is skilled...but inexperienced when it comes to facing a true opponent. Following her movements with his eyes, the marine kicked off the ground to suddenly appear in midair above of her.

Eeeh~? He...he was able to predict where I would dodge? Knowing that she would be unable to evade his strike from her current position, Laura swiftly raised her arms in an upper crossed block before tightening every muscle within her body to withstand the oncoming attack. Wincing slightly when the powerful blow struck her forearms, the Veldorian could feel her teeth chattering from the impact as she was sent soaring through the air.

Slamming clean through the rear wall of her room and coming to a stop only when she impacted the carpeted floor of the adjacent hallway, Laura slowly opened her eyes to see the gaping hole left by her abrupt exit.

"Nnnngnn..." Even with my muscles hardened, that hurt... She thought to herself, slowly climbing back to her feet in spite of her dizziness. I'm not sure I can beat this guy...and there is really nothing to be gained by fighting him...

Watching the massive form of the marine officer step through the hole to pursue her, Laura cautiously took a few steps back to maintain her distance from him. Her head was still spinning slightly, and if he were to attack again right now...

"Well, that was fun. We should really do it again sometime! Ja ne, Kaigun-kun!" Waving her hand enthusiastically, the young woman bolted in the opposite direction of the officer with every ounce of speed she could muster.

"You think I'm just going to let you get away?" Emberfield snarled, preparing to give chase to the admittedly quicker little girl. Matte, Before he could break into a full sprint, his mind was suddenly flooded with images of Saegen's bounty poster; What am I doing wasting time with this girl? I have to stop Morgana from obtaining the Gura Gura no Mi's power...! Silently cursing his own incompetence, the marine turned away from the retreating woman to pursue his true objective...


"Chikuso!" Razameil cursed under his breath, watching the last leaf of the unripe Gura Gura no Mi cling to the fruits surface; "Ripen already, you damn plant!"

Things were not going to plan, to say the least. The Marines had somehow found out about the auction and boarded the Blue Maiden! Not only would he not be able to claim the money from the auction, but if the fruit didn't ripen soon, then he would be captured along with all of the other criminals in attendance! I...I don't want to think about what they'll do to me if they put us in the same cell...

Watching his boss pace back and forth in front of the Devil Fruit, Donovan couldn't help but smirk at the sight of the little rotund gangster squirming in his shoes. He held no love for Razameil...he was slime, and was unworthy of the Gura Gura no Mi's power. He had happened upon it by chance after one of his slave transports had been shipwrecked by a storm, and was now consumed by delusions of grandeur.

The sound of fighting was growing ever closer, and even though their room was in a private area of the ship; both men knew it wouldn't protect them for long. If either the marines or the pirates were to find them, it would be all over...for the likes of Razameil at least. Unlike that piece of filth...I am strong enough to defend myself against my enemies! Donovan thought while looking down at his open palm. He had been hired for his skill and strength, and everyone thought he was merely a dumb brute...but soon he would show them.

"N-no...I can't wait anymore!" Razameil stammered in panic at the rapidly approaching sound of gunfire and clashing steel; "Ripe or not, I'm going to eat it now! Then I can make my escape and sink this ship with everyone on it!" Rushing towards the box, the rotund criminal reached out to grasp the pale white fruit.

His grip would fall short, however, when an unbearable pain rushed from his lower back to the rest of his body; his knees cutting out from beneath him as he was forced to grab onto the table for support, "NNGHAAAH!"

Slowly glancing behind him, Razameil was greeted to the sight of his bodyguard Donovan holding a smoking gun; his mouth twisted into a confident grin, "D-Donovan...! You would betray me...? After all I've done for you?" The shorter man snarled, eyes bloodshot with rage and hatred for this oafish buffoon that would dare think of turning on him.

"The power of the Gura Gura no Mi would be worthless in the hands of hobbling sack of lard like you, Razameil!" Donovan spat at him, raising his gun until it was firmly positioned at the bulbous gangsters head; "I'm the one that will inherit the power of Whitebeard!"

"D-damn you...Donovan...!" These would be the last words Razameil ever spoke as the sound of a second gunshot rang out through the room. Falling to the ground with a darkened hole in the center of his skull, an expression of pure hatred for his former bodyguard was left etched upon his lifeless face.

Looming over the velvet lined case that held the prized Devil Fruit, Donovan quickly slammed the lid shut and tucked the container underarm. It was said to be fatal to attempt to eat an unripe Devil Fruit, with one's body reacting in much the same way as if they had eaten two. There was no immediate rush for him however...he would be able to escape the Blue Maiden with the true Gura Gura no Mi safely in his possession. When it finally did ripen, the power to destroy the world itself would be at his command!

Stepping out of the safe room and into the narrow hallway, Donovan turned to make his way towards the small transport ship that Razameil had prepared for them. I hope the marines haven't found the ship...if they have then things could get dicey even for me! His mind suddenly consumed by worry and pessimism as he rounded the corner, the ex-bodyguard failed to notice the young woman charging down the hallway in the opposite direction; "Waah?"

Despite their difference in size and weight, the pair smashed into one another with enough force to throw both of them onto their backsides. Worse yet, the container that had been nestled underneath Donovan's arm was thrown high into the air; its precious contents being flung from their resting place and into the open mouth of the girl laying dazed on the ground.

"Mmmnph?" Laura's eyes suddenly shot open after having been winced shut from the previous impact, her vision now dominated by the bulbous fruit that was lodged in her mouth. Instinctively reaching up to try and pry it free, the redhead found that it was locked securely within her jaws. Nanda kore? Where did this nasty thing come from? Its outer skin tastes horrible! She thought, accidentally brushing her tongue against its surface.

Slowly climbing to his feet after shaking away his disorientation, Donovan opened his eyes to a sight that caused his heart to skip a beat; "T-the Gura Gura no Mi!" It...was in her mouth! In the mouth of some woman! How could this have happened? It was as if fate itself was mocking him. It had been right under his arm, inside of its case...and now...

Wait, Surveying the scene before him; Donovan quickly realized that the skin of the fruit had yet to be broken by this strange woman's teeth. It wasn't too late! "Oi, onna! You better give that Akuma no Mi back if you know what's good for you!" Unknowingly stepping on a small green leaf that had fallen to the ground, Donovan thundered towards the bewildered girl; his eyes alight with panicked fury.

His first gut reaction was to assume it was either a pirate or Marine that was attempting to steal his prize, but after giving her a swift look over he had concluded that neither was very likely. Standing a bit less than two feet shorter than his impressive height of 7'6, this girl might have been considered attractive were it not for her mouth being stretched over the white Devil Fruit. She must be one of those stupid civilians that purchased tickets thinking that the Blue Maiden was just a normal cruise...

"I said spit it out!" He commanded her when she failed to pry it loose from her mouth quickly enough. Seizing the stem of the fruit with one hand, he began to tug furiously at it; drawing his fist back and slamming it into the forehead of the girl in conjunction with each pull.

"Ichai, ichai!" Laura released muffled cries of pain from around the fruit, wincing slightly with each punch. W-what's happening? Why is he hitting me? I don't even know him! She thought in anger, her agitation edging closer to the breaking point with each strike that impacted her head. Was some fruit really worth attacking somebody over?

"Let go or I'll split your skull open!" He threatened her with a snarl, his face growing more desperate by the second.

Her eyes finally flaring with indignant rage at his continued assault, Laura brought her teeth down upon the skin of the fruit; swiftly cleaving through the part that was lodged in her mouth. Swallowing it quickly as it's horrible juices washed over her tongue, she quickly began to spit on the ground in disgust; "Oh, rancid!" That's the most disgusting thing I've ever eaten!

Slowly looking down at the half eaten Gura Gura no Mi that now dangled from his hand by its stem, Donovan found himself completely speechless; his mouth seeming to drop to the ground while his eyes nearly leapt from his skull. S-s-s-she ate it...!

Using her sleeve to wipe the foul juices from her mouth, Laura glared angrily at the man that towered over her; "You jerk! How could you just start hitting a perfect stranger over something so silly as a fruit?" Reaching into her coat, she produced a pair of pure white leather gloves. Their color was similar to the outfit she had previously worn, but contrasted sharply with her current attire. Sliding them over her hands, the young woman raised her fists into a ready combat stance; "Let's see how well you do when I can hit back!"

His face twisted by rage, Donovan drew his pistol and aimed it at the woman; pulling the trigger without a second's delay. I'll kill her...yes, I'll kill her and then the fruit will grow again...! I just have to find it! The power can still be mine! Before the bullet could leave the chamber to make his ambition a reality, however, Donovan suddenly found himself face-to-face with the much smaller human; her palm rising into his chin and knocking his head back with enough force to nearly snap his neck!

Trying to kill me now? She thought indignantly, Then I won't hold anything back!

Following up her palm strike with a crushing chop to her opponent's side, Laura felt his ribcage collapse into his lungs. This hallway was too narrow for her to be kicking about in, so she would beat him through fisticuffs alone!

Dropping his pistol and spitting up globules of blood in response to her second attack, Donovan staggered back in disbelief. "Y-you bitch...! Give back the power of the Akuma no Mi!" He demanded, his bloodshot eyes quaking within their sockets; "It belongs to me!"

"Akuma no Mi...?" Laura tilted her head to the side in disbelief, "Don't tell me you believe in silly legends like that! Devil Fruits are just myths made up by superstitious sailors!" She ridiculed him with a slight chuckle.

She had heard of them before, of course. Most in the Blue Seas had...but everyone with half a brain knew they weren't actually real, right? That reminds me of the time Andante-sensei tried to tell me about them...he actually thought I was that dumb!

"Y-you...you don't even know about them?" Donovan almost screamed, watching as the woman slipped into her own thoughts. She is just some yokel from the Cardinal Blues...and she was the one fate chose to give this power too? Clenching his fists in unbridled rage, the former bodyguard unleashed a barrage of high speed punches at the girl; seeming to completely ignore the pain that was working its way through his body.

Quickly returning to reality when the bald man renewed his attack, Laura simply relaxed her body and allowed it to literally float around each and every punch that was thrown in her direction; as if she were a sheet of paper dancing in the wind. "It's impossible for you to hit me in such an erratic state of mind, just give up."

"JUST SHUT UP AND DIE!" He had hinged everything on this...he had betrayed his employer, ruining his reputation as a bodyguard; he would never find another job again! He was going to be arrested by the marines...he would be locked into the hell that was Impel Down! My dreams...my power...! She's stolen everything from me!

He isn't going to stop... Laura reluctantly admitted, extending the index finger of her left hand as she continued to evade his strikes. Eventually the marines would find her here, even if that big commodore person hadn't given chase.

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to end it now." Drawing her arm back, Laura stepped under his final punch. Raising her hand to the level of his head in the breadth of a second, she jammed her finger into his skull...right between the eyes.

His gaze still clouded with madness, Donovan opened his mouth as if to speak...and yet no sound was heard. Slowly falling backwards onto the floor below, he felt the life quickly draining from his body. This...was supposed to be...my lucky...day...

Frowning sadly at the sight of her lifeless opponent, Laura silently stepped past his body while wiping her glowing finger clean. "...EH?" Actually, it wasn't just her finger...her entire hand was now shining with a bright white light!

"N-nani? What is this?" She asked herself frantically, shaking her arm in a desperate attempt to remove the mysterious light that had engulfed it. In spite of her best efforts however, it seemed to only glow more brightly as she waved her palm about in vain; "Get off of me!" She demanded, thrusting her hand down towards the floor in a last attempt to dislodge the strange luminosity.

This was a mistake...


All throughout the once peaceful Blue Maiden men now fought viciously for the sole reason any pirate or marine had come. While initially confined to the auction hall, the fighting had long since been carried above deck; with both sides of the law becoming increasingly desperate to gain possession of the Devil Fruit. All of this was merely a side show, however, for the true battle that was taking place against the starboard railing...

"You can have the Akuma no Mi when you pry it from my cold, dead hands; marine scum!" Saegen "Black-Bones" Morgana taunted the commodore with a broad smirk, unleashing a series of visceral air blades towards his bitter enemy. There should have been lifeboats here for him to sail back to his ship with, but no matter where he looked there hadn't been a single one!

Narrowly managing to dodge the power of destruction unleashed by the pirate; commodore Emberfield gritted his teeth in frustration as he continued his increasingly futile attempt to close the distance between them. Beneath Saegen's arm he could see a box that surely contained the unripe Devil Fruit. This restricted his opponent to only fighting with one arm, which should have given him the advantage...

Damn you 'Black-Bones'... The marine officer thought with a fatigued sigh, your reputation has been well earned. I may be forced to use 'that' power if things don't- Suddenly torn from his thoughts by the sound of yet another wave of destruction, Emberfield narrowly managed to weave away from it.

"I should expect the famous commodore Emberfield to know better than to let his guard down in battle!" Saegen remarked gleefully, raising his ornate blade in preparation for his next strike. In spite of his facade of confidence, however, the pirate was just barely holding his enemy at bay...and his stamina was running thin. I can't keep these big, flashy attacks up with only one hand...hurry up and get here, you swarthy bilge rats! He had fired his signal flare several minutes ago, and yet his crew was still nowhere in sight!

Chikuso... Emberfield bit the corner of his lip, a slight trickle of blood flowing down his chin. For every moment they continued fighting, more of his marines would die. He wouldn't allow Saegen to have his way, even if it killed him- "Guh?"

Without even the most subtle of warnings, the Blue Maiden suddenly found herself overtaken by a violent and erratic series of tremors that threatened to rip the vessel apart. Embattled pirates and marines alike were suddenly knocked to the ground as the cruise ship began to literally break apart!

"N-nanda to?" Saegen stammered, stabbing his sword into the deck of the Blue Maiden to avoid losing his balance. It was as if somebody had detonated a bomb in one of the lower decks...was this the work of the World Government? "Do you aim to kill us both, you fool?" The pirate snarled towards his opposite.

Does he really believe this is my doing? Emberfield thought in disbelief, having been reduced to one knee as he grasped the railing with his right hand. Their entire center of gravity was shifting drastically, as if the ship itself was breaking in two. Were the ones responsible for this auction also behind this? Had they decided to sink their own ship to prevent the thief from escaping?

"Damn it...I'll take this Akuma no Mi to the ocean floor with me before I'll hand it over to you!" He threatened, the pirate's grip on the box tightening as he prepared to leap over the edge to whatever might await him below.

Saegen's bold proclamation was suddenly rendered moot, however, when a familiar sight broke through the night's fog. Suddenly, the grizzled pirate's face was adorned with a beaming smile as he spun on his heel to greet his approaching vessel; "It's about time, you worthless dogs!"

"Sorry, captain! If the wind hadn't been against us we would've been here sooner!" First Mate Ragnvald shouted back with a slight laugh. Although they were still some distance away from the cruise ship, he could see that his captain was holding a small chest underneath his arm. Hah! That's our captain; he got it!

Feeling the Blue Maiden tilt further onto her side, Saegen turned his attention back towards Emberfield; "I'm afraid we'll have to postpone our little duel, commodore. Presuming you don't sink along with this husk; we'll settle the score at a later date!"

"I'm not letting you get away, 'Black-bones'!" Emberfield roared, releasing his grip on the railing and kicking off the deck towards the fleeing pirate. Saegen appeared to have anticipated this reaction, however; for he managed to narrowly dodge the marine's blow with a nimble backflip...right off the edge of the ship!

With the Gura Gura no Mi still safely in its case, Saegen grinned up at the enraged naval officer standing above him; "You can join me if ya' want; the waters great!" He taunted, watching the marine hesitate. There were rumors that Emberfield had eaten a rare Devil Fruit...and given his apparent reluctance to pursue him over the railing, it would appear they were true. Turning towards his approaching vessel, the pirate wasted not another moment in swimming to his waiting nakama. This day was his victory!


"S-sugoi, captain!" Ragnvald stammered in disbelief, looking over pale Devil Fruit nestled snuggly in its container. "I can't believe so much power could be contained in a mere plant!"

Grinning at his first mate, Saegen 'Black-bones' Morgana quickly gestured towards the small green leaf that still clung to the fruit's surface; "Once this falls, the power of Edward Newgate will be mine!"

Having safely escaped from the Marines and the sinking Blue Maiden; the crew of the Kurohone Kaizoku-dan began to congregate about the small wooden case with wondrous eyes. For most, it was their first time ever seeing an uneaten Devil Fruit...never mind the legendary Gura Gura no Mi!

"With this power now behind us, we can finally take the New World by storm!" Morgana proclaimed with a beaming smile, his hands gently sweeping over the bulbous fruit in anticipation; "I shall become a Yonkou surpassing even Whitebeard himself...and then, the title of Pirate King will be mine!"

Erupting in a cheer of approval for their captain's great ambition, the Black-bone Pirates began to dance joyfully in celebration of their successful theft of the Devil Fruit. Rum was quickly passed about the deck of their ship, Marrow's Bane, as they began a toast to their future success.

"To Captain Morgana!" Ragnvald roared in drunken laughter alongside his nakama, stomping his foot to the sound of a nearby accordion.

Cackling merrily alongside his crew, Saegen lifted his keg to his lips and did not part with it until the last drop of alcohol had been wiped clean. Slamming it down to the applause of his crew, the pirate captain withdrew his hand from the paint-stained glass.

"Hmm...?" Tilting his head to the side in confusion, 'Black-bones' glanced down at his whitened palm. "Where the hell did this come from?"

It's paint, he immediately recognized the smell, but how did it get on my- "M-masaka...!" Dashing towards the Devil Fruit with a face every bit as white as his hand, Saegen opened the case to see that the Gura Gura no Mi's distinctive zigzag patterns had been distorted.

"C-captain...what's wrong?" Ragnvald stepped to his leader's side with a worried gaze.

"Its...a fake...!" The pirate captain choked out the disbelieving words, his bloodshot eyes trembling within their sockets.

"THE AKUMA NO MI IS A FAKE!"


Phew! I hope you had a fun read! But I have something special for you now: Profiles!

I may be requesting characters in the future, so I am making these character sheets in part to help you understand my expectations! It also helps you track the progress of the major characters within the story as they grow and change with time!

Name: Laura D. Alden

Age: 18

Sex: Female

Height: 5'7

Weight: 141 lbs

Appearance: Laura has cherry red hair that comes down to her waist and pale green eyes. She is possessed of an alabaster complexion like all Veldorians, and boasts a curvaceous frame that is complimented by her well toned build. Some would consider her to be attractive or even beautiful.

Combat ability: Laura was trained in the art of Rokushiki by her mentor and sensei Andante. While proficient in its use, she has yet to attain the level of skill possessed by a true master of the art.

Laura posses a natural physical strength that far exceeds that of a normal human, which has been further enhanced by her decade long training with Andante.

Her skill - or lack thereof - with her newly acquired Devil Fruit makes using its destructive powers highly unpredictable and dangerous. Uncertain and somewhat fearful of this new power, Laura tends to avoid relying on it whenever possible.

Name: Gorivar Emberfield

Age: 33

Sex: Male

Height: 12'7

Weight: 742 lbs

Appearance: Emberfield has short sandy brown hair that is parted at the bangs and is always kept neatly combed, in keeping with his overall professional look. His eyes are periwinkle blue, a stark contrast to his generally hardened demeanor. He is broad shouldered with a well muscled build and towers over most people.

Combat ability: Emberfield has served in the Marines since he was 17. He has fought in numerous battles throughout the world, including the Grand Line. During these trials he has acquired a formidable arsenal of skills including a proficiency in Rokushiki.

His skill with Tekkai is such that he is able to harden the muscles in only a single limb if he so desires. This allows him to block oncoming attacks with said limb while still moving about freely, and can also be used to break the guard of even another tekkai user by striking at them with the hardened limb.

It is rumored that Commodore Emberfield posses a rare Devil Fruit, though any information surrounding its nature and power is still unknown...

Name: Saegen Morgana

Age: 37

Sex: Male

Height: 6'3

Weight: 203 lbs

Appearance: Saegen has dirty blond hair that he keeps tied in a small ponytail which comes to his upper back. His eyes are obsidian black orbs filled with a zest for life and adventure. With a firm build and roguish good looks complimenting his devious mind, he gives pause to even seasoned raiders that might otherwise look upon him as a potential target.

Combat ability: Saegen is a veteran pirate of the first half of the Grand Line, commonly known as 'Paradise'. Possessing a keen tactical mind and an impressive skill with the blade, he is a formidable opponent for any Marine or Pirate that might cross his path.

His style in combat focuses on speed before strength, taking his enemy's off their guard before they have a chance to formulate any sort of counterattack. When forced to stand his ground and fight, Saegen prefers using his Nito-ryu style of swordsmanship; which he has honed to near perfection over his decades on the high seas.

He is considered one of the most dangerous pirates in 'Paradise', and his presence in West Blue has caused a great stir at the local Naval headquarters.

If you did not notice, none of these profiles had a biography section. This is because I like to write their backstories myself and reveal them in-story! I look at character sheets for inspiration on future characters, rather than simply taking them as-is. You may find I have rolled two or more of your posted character sheets together to make an all new character! ^^

Anyway, I will try and update regularly, and I hope you all will continue to read my story and offer your much welcome insight!