Pain. That was the first thing Conner felt. It was an ache that he had felt many times before, as passing out after overstressing his body was not a new occurrence. It had been happening since that day 20 years ago. Conner slowly opened his eyes and looked around. 'Where am I?' he thought to himself before he realized where he was. 'Ah, the infirmary. I suppose I should try to get up.' he thought as he began to sit up. Once he had swung his legs over the side of the bed, the door opened and Chopper walked inside. "You're awake! Good, here's the medicine you asked me to prepare." Chopper said as he passed Conner a small glass filed with black liquid. "Ah thank you Chopper. Sorry to have to trouble you so early on our journey. It was necessary however." Conner responded as he drank the black medicine quickly. "Urgh! God that stuff tastes horrible. I hate taking it but it helps immensely. Now I suppose you are all wondering what happened?" Conner asked. Chopper nodded quietly and Conner smiled at the little reindeer. "Well then let's not keep them waiting any longer." he said as he stood up and walked to the door. Chopper followed close behind him, watching to see if there would be any residual negative effects caused by the medicine. "Don't worry so much Chopper. I developed that medicine myself and I know there are no side effects. I am something of a doctor myself, so please calm down." Conner said without looking at Chopper.

"How did you know what I was thinking? And you're a doctor?" Chopper asked as his eyes widened slightly. "Yes I am a doctor. Well at least I know the basics. As for knowing what's on your mind... you'll find out soon enough." Conner said as he turned the corner to enter the galley, where everybody else was. The rest of the crew looked up when they entered and a few gave slight smiles at seeing he was okay. Zoro and Sanji in particular didn't look very happy to see him. "I see you've woken up. Forgive me for jumping the gun but perhaps you would be willing to tell us what that was earlier today?" Robin asked calmly. "That was my plan. There are many things I must tell all of you and a few of my secrets may surprise you. They may even make you want me to leave the crew. Only time will tell." Conner said as he sat down.

By now Ussop, Chopper, and Nami looked hesitant to hear Conner's explanation and Luffy's eyes were shadowed by his hat. "No matter what you tell us, you will be welcome here. I don't kick people out because of their pasts. So please tell us everything without worrying about that." Luffy said as he looked up. Conner grinned and nodded. "Some parts of this story will be hard for me to tell and others will be hard for you to believe. Well then I guess I'll start where I was planning to earlier. All of my problems began 20 years ago when I was 5 years old. The day had begun like any other. I had woken up and was greeted by my mother, father, and sister. We lived a peaceful existence on a small island in East Blue known as Crossvone Island. If only that day had stayed normal. Not long into the day a large ship arrived carrying, what I was told, was a very important passenger. That was the day I met HIM." Conner said through clenched teeth as he paused as he shut his eyes and curled his hands into fists. The rest of the crew looked around in surprise as the ship began to creak, as if something was holding it in a massive fist.

"Conner! Snap out of it!" Luffy shouted. Conner's eyes flew open and he took a few deep breaths as he unclenched his fists. The ship stopped creaking and Conner continued in a subdued voice. "Sorry. This next part is one I do not like remembering, but it is necessary to my history. As I said, that day I met the piece of shit that ruined my life. Bastion, the Celestial Dragon. He came to our island under supposedly peaceful circumstances but as soon as he stepped on to land he ordered his guards to attack our village. Half the town was burned to the ground, almost all the island's crops were destroyed and hundreds died. By the end about 75% of our population was dead and about half of our remaining number was taken to be slaves. Among the slaves stood my family. I'm not sure why they didn't take me as well. Perhaps I was too young? That never stopped any slaver before. Nevertheless when I tried to reach my family and beg the Tenryūbito to let them go I was grabbed and thrown away from them. The bastard ordered his guards to beat me to death and they seemed only too happy to comply. For about 10 minutes I was brutally beaten until I was more scar tissue than actual skin. As I lay there bleeding to death, unable to move and helpless as my family was taken from me I had my first seizure. That one was by far the worst I have ever experienced. Most of my bones were already broken and this fit broke the rest. Death would be a sweet release after all the pain." Conner paused again to take a few calming breathes.

Most of the crew looked quite distraught at this point. Nami had her hands over her mouth, Ussop was staring with his mouth slightly open, and Chopper was hugging Robin for comfort. The rest of the crew was gaping in blank shock or in Zoro, Sanji, and Luffy's case shaking with rage. Zoro looked like he wanted to cut something in half, Sanji was gritting his teeth so hard his cigarette was turning into mush and Luffy was gripping the table so hard his knuckles were white and he was making indentations in the wood. Conner looked up the ceiling and sighed before he decided to continue.

"I still don't know why but they left our doctor there and he found me. When I finally woke up, I...I could feel it. I could feel death lingering over my shoulder. For a year I was touch and go. I had to stay in bed for almost the entire time. It was so difficult. Rage boiled in my blood and I thirsted for retribution. I needed to get my family back. As soon as I was allowed to leave my bed I found a sturdy pipe and began to teach myself swordplay. A few months later a man came to our island and was impressed by my swordsmanship. He offered to give me a formal education and teach me how to properly use a sword. I was 6 when I left my home. I have been back only once since. That man became my father figure. He never told me his name. I was just supposed to call him Master. For 4 years I trained and learned. Then one day, not long after I turned 10, a merchant vessel came to Master's home island. That was when I got my Devil Fruit. It was on the ship and I stole it. I could feel it call to me. I took it and went up into the mountains to hide from the merchants that chased me. Once I was safe I ate the fruit. Unfortunately after I ate it the power I received rapidly became uncontrollable and my body vented itself. I caused a huge explosion that ripped apart the mountainside. Most of the mountain was decimated and my remains were in the middle of the crater. That was the day...I died."

The crew gaped at Conner in shock before a few of the more eccentric members freaked out. "W...W...What? Died?! But how are you even here? The only resurrecting fruit there is was already eaten by Brook!" Ussop stammered out. "Well that's the next part of the story. And the most unbelievable. I assure you it happened, even if you might not believe me." Conner responded. "Wait a minute. Is anybody hungry?" Sanji asked. Everyone nodded, although it was slightly subdued. As Sanji moved off to make dinner, Conner moved on with his story. "Well after I died I did something I didn't expect. I woke up. I was in a wondrous place. Anything I imagined was possible. As I explored a voice called out to me. When I turned around there was a man standing a few feet from me dressed in pure white robes. He told me that I had died and had been sent to Heaven. When I asked his name he chuckled and told me that deep down I already knew. I asked if he was God and he told me he was. He explained to me that I was destined to accomplish possibly the greatest task ever set upon a human being. I was to completely disassemble the World Government and end corruption within the Marines, which should have been a pure peacekeeping force. Once the Government was gone I was to rebuild it into a better system, one which everyone can be happy with. No more slavery, no more human auction, no more innocent deaths. God told me he would give me all the power I needed to succeed in this great task, the power to do nearly anything. He reached into my mind and tweaked my very self. He made me telepathic and gave me complete knowledge over my Devil Fruit. Then he told me where I could find a weapon of ultimate power, but also immense danger. That weapon was my blade Kokushibyō. He told me the fate of the world rested upon my shoulders before he sent me back to the crater. My body reconstituted itself and I woke up with my purpose in mind."

Conner paused again as Sanji walked into the room and began to put down plates of food. "Wait so you died... and met God?" Zoro asked sarcastically. Conner looked at him with blank eyes before reaching out with his mind and gripping Zoro's, forcing him to see the truth within Conner's memories. Zoro flinched as Conner released him and said, "Fine. I believe you. And please don't do that again." Conner chuckled as he ate and as he looked around at his new nakama's faces he thought, "Such good people. At least I'm out of the really bad part of my memories. Things look up from here on out.' After the crew ate they looked at Conner expectantly and he smiled before clearing his throat to continue his story.

"I returned to Master's house after and explained everything to him. I couldn't show him my memories since I was a novice with my powers, so it took a lot of convincing but he eventually believed me. He told me I was not allowed to leave to search for the sword until I had learned all he could teach me. I stayed with him on that island for an additional 4 years, sharpening my mind, honing my swordsmanship and mastering my Devil Fruit. A few months after I turned 14 I left to search for my blade. For half a year I traveled, training against strong opponents and trying to get any information on Bastion and his whereabouts. Eventually I reached my destination: the top of a mountain in the northernmost point of the Red Line. As soon as I picked up the sword I felt...something. I learned later of what it was. It invaded my consciousness and attempted to eradicate my identity and take over. I repelled the force with all my will and forced it to communicate with me. I found out that the sword had a soul in it. There were many rumors surrounding Kokushibyō of the 12 Supreme Grade Swords, such as no one has ever even picked up that sword besides it's creator and live, and that the sword contained the very essence of Death itself inside. Many of the rumors are true." Conner said as he pulled out the sword.

"This blade is probably the most dangerous combative weapon on the planet. It may not rival powers of Pluton, Poseidon, or Uranus but it is certainly more powerful than anything else. Everything about this sword is disastrous including it's method of forging. Made from a collaboration of all the world's toughest metals and Seastone, heated with dragon's fire and beaten out with a simple hammer. With Adam's Wood making the handle this sword is unbreakable and unstoppable. Which is part of the reason I beat Zoro so easily." Conner said as he looked at Zoro. "Humph. Sure whatever." he said as he crossed his arms.

Conner chuckled quietly and took a calming breath before he said, "As I was saying, Death spoke to me and I to it. I told it my mission and it decided that I was worthy and that it would help me, but it gave me a warning. If I was ever consumed by pure anger or if I passed out in the middle of a battle, Death would come out of the sword and take control of my body. It seemed like logical conditions so I accepted. I traveled for another 3 years before I met a man that once again changed my life. Monkey D. Dragon." As these words fell from Conner's mouth everyone except Robin gasped. "You know my father?!" Luffy exclaimed. Conner chuckled and said, "Yes I do. I told him of my mission and he believed me after I showed him my abilities. I joined the Revolutionary Army that day. I was barely 18 and already well on my way to beginning my conquest. I trained with the Army for 2 years before being allowed to go out and fight alongside the others. I battled together with the Army for another 3 years and during that time I made many friends and enemies. It was also during this time I earned my bounty of 795,000,000 beri, my epithet of 'Death's Cross' and I became the right hand of Dragon."

"WHAT?! You're Dragon's right hand man?!" Ussop shouted. "HAHAHAHA!" Conner laughed. "Yes I am. Or rather I was. I have since left the Army. I needed to continue my mission and I had also gained another. I wanted to join you. To protect you from our mutual enemies. Even though Fleet Admiral Sengoku resigned and Admiral Aokiji is no longer with the Marines they may still consider me their enemy. I know Kizaru and Akainu along with most of the Vice-Admirals still wish me dead. I guess that's what happens when you kick all their asses in a single fight." Nami decided that now was a good time to ask her question. "But how did you get so many powerful people to hate you, besides being in the Army? What kind of devastation would earn the attention of so many powerful people?"

Conner grinned at her and said, "Easy, the Celestial Dragons don't really like getting slaughtered. Out of the 70 Tenryūbito I have personally killed 28 of them. All in the search of Bastion." The crew gave him looks of shock. "Wait...you've killed 28 Celestial Dragons?! But...why? I don't understand." Robin queried. Conner sighed and said, "For the greater good and as part of my mission. Those bastards stand at the middle of all the world's problems. Slavery, the killing of innocent lives, and the corrupt government all stem from them. I plan on destroying every last one of them. Then rebuild from there. Ah, well after that long tangent allow me to continue with my history. I left the Revolutionary Army 2 years ago to begin a journey of utmost importance. Dragon gave me permission as I had more of a chance away from the main force. I became a pirate that day. That was also the same time I left the New World and returned to East Blue before beginning my journey. I helped the Army one last time at Tequila Wolf as a sort of last favor to Dragon and the returned to my home. To Crossvone for the last time. The few people that knew me there were surprised I came back. I told them I was only there for a short visit and went to that place. The place where everything I knew was destroyed in a single moment. Where I had last seen my family and where I almost died. I swore to find my family and get retribution right there. I had done it a few times before in my travels but I knew it was succeed or die trying."

Conner paused as he put his head in his hands at took a few deep breaths. The crew looked at him with sad eyes. The man was obviously hurting inside. "Ah, sorry. I left my home later that day and returned to my Master's home. Unfortunately...I was too late. He had died a few years before. I decided to leave right after I found out. That island no longer held any purpose for me. I traveled to a large island with a small village that one of you is very familiar with. I had arrived at the great starting point of your journey Luffy. Windmill Village in the Goa Kingdom." Luffy looked surprised by this. "My home? But why? Why start there instead of going straight to reverse mountain after leaving your Master's home?" he asked. "I wanted to start where you did. The stories told about you and your crew inspired me. They were what caused me to leave the Army. I wanted to help you. So I decided to go to were it all began. I met everyone you've ever known or helped. Makino, Dadan, Rika, the people of Orange Town, Kaya, the Ussop Pirates, Nojiko, Genzo, Zeff, and others. All before I went to the mountain."

Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Ussop, and Sanji looked at Conner with dumbstruck faces. "So you met everyone we care about in East Blue?" Sanji asked. "Yes. I wanted to know everything about you. I even traveled to Shintomaki Village to see where Zoro trained. After I learned all I could I traveled back into the Grand Line. I followed your exact path through to Saboady. I even went up to Skypeia. I met Crocus, Laboon, Kureha, Vivi and Carue, Iceburg and Lola's crew. When I arrived at Saboady I met Shakky, Camie, Papugg, Hacchi, the Rosy Life Riders and one whom you may all hate but shouldn't. Bartholomew Kuma. The one who separated you." Conner said. "The Bear-guy?! Why shouldn't we hate him? He separated us for 2 years!" Luffy exclaimed. The rest nodded in agreement except Robin and Zoro. They already knew why they shouldn't despise Kuma. "Because if not for him you would all be dead or locked up. He sent you to places where you could learn and become stronger. And then alongside Hacchi, the Riders and me, he defended your ship from enemy attacks. That man had done much for you." Conner said as the crew looked shocked. "I stayed on Saboady for nearly 2 years awaiting your arrival. The rest you already know. I found each of you and returned you to Sunny." Conner sighed as he finished.

The crew was silent for some time as they digested all of this. "Didn't you have a crew? And you really haven't explained your powers yet." Franky asked. "No I did not have a crew. I sailed alone. I needed no one else. I had the skills to do everything myself. I also didn't want to make a crew to do I would depart after I met all of you. No, the Cross Pirates was a 1 man show. And before I showcase my powers I have some things to give you." Conner said as he reached into his coat. "I have...letters for all of you from your friends." The crew gasped in surprise and jumped up when Conner pulled out a stack of envelopes and packages. "Whoa, guys cool down. Luffy I have 2 letters, one from Makino and one from Dadan. Zoro, here's a letter from your old sensei. Nami, here's a package and a letter from Nojiko and Genzo. Ussop here's a letter from Kaya and your old friends. Sanji, one from Zeff and the Baratie boys. Brook, this is a letter I wrote but it is from Laboon. I translated his thoughts into words when I told him you were alive. Chopper, here's a letter from Dr. Kureha. Franky, a package from the Franky Family and a letter from Iceburg. I'm sorry Robin, but I don't have anything for you." Conner said as he handed everyone their surprises. Robin nodded sadly when she heard she had no messages. While the others opened their letters and looked at the packages, Conner made small talk with Robin. After everyone finished their messages Conner said, "I have one more package for you guys. Or more specifically for Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Ussop, Sanji and Chopper. It's from Vivi." The 6 Strawhats gasped and Nami reached out to take the envelope from Conner. She opened it slowly and pulled out 3 pages covered front to back with writing. The crew all sat quietly as she read it out loud for them all to hear. After she was finished reading it Sanji was muttering 'Mellorine' and the rest all had happy smiles on their faces. "Thank you Conner. For doing this. It means a lot." Luffy said quietly as the others nodded in agreement. "You're welcome. Now as for the demonstration I believe the deck would be a more suitable place." Conner said as he stood up.

The rest of the crew stood up and followed Conner out onto the deck to watch his show. Conner walked to the middle of the deck and turned to look at the crew. "I will not be showcasing all of my techniques because many of them are quite destructive, but I will demonstrate a few for you to get the idea. But first an explanation. My Devil Fruit is probably one of, if not the, most powerful out there. Some of you may already have guessed what it is and if you haven't you'll recognize the name. The fruit's name is the Enerugi-Enerugi no mi." Conner said dramatically. Robin, Sanji, and Brook all gasped. "But that fruit is a myth! It was never proven to exist!" Sanji exclaimed. "Yes and a few others. Another prominent example that's probably tied in terms of power is the Mondai-Mondai no mi. Those two fruits could destroy the world!" Robin said.

Suddenly Conner began to chuckle quietly but after a few seconds it morphed into full-blown laughter. "The Mondai-Mondai no mi!? I have a lot of experience with that Fruit as well. It was eaten by a very close friend of mine in the Revolutionary Army. Hmmm. I wonder how she's doing?" Conner trailed off with a dazed look on his face. "Hey! Daydream about your girlfriend later! Finish your damn explanation!" Zoro shouted. Conner shook his head and said, "Ah yes of course. My Fruit allows me to manipulate all forms of energy, including light, sound, kinetic, and elemental. I can give that energy to people for their own use, increase the power of weapons, and speed up healing processes. It is a Logia type fruit, so I can turn into a cloud of energy at will. Now on to my techniques. These will be lower level versions of my attacks as they are quite destructive. I'll start with something simple. Although you may want to cover your ears." Conner said as he flexed his arms and released his blue aura.

The crew placed their hands over their ears as Conner intoned, "Sonikku raiu!" A low buzzing sound began to fill the air before it escalated into a loud wailing sound. "Stop it! That hurts!" Chopper shouted. The sound wavered and decreased until it disappeared and Conner said, "Ah, sorry Chopper. I forgot your senses are far more attuned than ours. Hmmm. What next? Ah I know! A little bit of elemental power. Brace yourselves!" The crew grabbed hold of anything around themselves that was solid as Conner prepared for his next move. "Senpu!" he shouted as he twisted his arm through the air like a corkscrew. The air in the bubble began to move slowly but built power quickly, until it became a strong gust. As the wind died down Conner turned toward the water and said, "Taifū!" Before the crew's eyes the water outside the bubble began to dance and swirl around until a solid column of water appeared and jetted off until it hit one of the mangrove roots.

"Amazing! And these aren't even your strongest powers?" Ussop exclaimed. "No these are relatively weak compared to my Overdrive techniques." Conner said as he smiled. "Overdrive? What's that?" Luffy asked as he tilted his head slightly. "It'll be easier to show you. It increases my energy output by 200%. I have to activate it to be enable my most devastating abilities." Conner said as he spread his legs to about shoulder width apart and locked his knees in a slightly bent position. He bent his arms at the elbow so they were perpendicular to his body and clenched his fists. "Ōbādoraibu!" Conner said through clenched teeth. His aura reignited but began to rapidly increase in size until it was almost triple its previous mass. Conner grunted as he stood up straight and looked over at the crew. His eyes were cloaked in power and trailing ethereal smoke as he swept his eyes over astonished faces. "There you have it. In this state I can use techniques that would crack an island into pieces. But I try not to overuse it as it drains me of my energy far more quickly." Conner said as he took a deep breath and released it as his aura died down and his eyes went back to normal.

"Now on to my more helpful techniques. I usually use these for defense or just to get around easier. First off, Inazuma no ugoki!" Conner said as he disappeared. The crew looked around in awe before they heard Conner's voice from above them. "I use that technique to get around quickly by myself. I have other ways to transport multiple people." Conner jumped down from the cabin roof and walked to the crew. "For the next demonstration I need a volunteer." Once the words left his mouth Luffy began to jump up and down in excitement. "Ah Luffy thank you. Stand still!" Conner said as he tried to get his Captain to stop bouncing excitedly. Conner growled quietly and said, "Fine. Have it your way. Dorein!" Luffy quickly dropped to the floor as his energy left him. "Ah! What's happening?" Luffy shouted. "I'm taking your energy. I'll give it back to you in a minute. I commonly use this to remove dangerous people or to get my spent energy back. Here you go Luffy." Conner said as he put his hand on Luffy's shoulder and gave him back his energy.

"For the next demonstration I'll need all of you except Robin, Chopper and Brook to attack me." Conner said calmly. The crew however, was far from calm. "What?! Why? One or two of us I can understand but almost all of us?! Are you crazy?" Zoro exclaimed. Conner chuckled and said, "I might be a little crazy but who isn't? Trust me. You won't hurt me. This is my strongest defensive technique." The crew looked hesitant but prepared anyway. "Ready? Shīrudo!" Conner shouted as he flung his arms out and formed a large shield. "GO!" he shouted to the crew and they attacked. "Gear Second! Gomu Gomu no...Jet Gatling!" "Santoryuu...Hyakuhachi Pondo Ho!" "Franky Radical Beam!" "Hissatsu! Tenryu Boshi!" "Gust Sword!" "Diable Jambe...Poêle à Frire: Spectre!" The crew shouted in unison. All their attacks struck the shield head on but nothing happened. Conner relaxed and said, "See? Nothing can get through that. I believe that's enough of a demonstration. Sure enough you will get to see the rest of my attacks later. For now though, what do you guys think? Am I worthy of being a Strawhat? Or have the things I've done, and plan to do, ruined that?" The crew looked at each other and Zoro said, "Well personally I think you're as crazy as the rest of us. And to join this crew you definitely have to be a little insane. You certainly seem qualified though. I say welcome!" Everyone but Sanji nodded and the resident cook asked, "Wait a minute. I hate to be the stick in the mud but what do you even do? What is your profession?"

Conner chuckled and said, "Ah, you need to know if I have any uses outside of combat? Well I like to think of myself as a scientist but I can also navigate to an extent, and treat many injuries. I have been told I can cook quite well, I am a talented musician, and I can repair things. I also am an ordained pastor under God himself and I have been told I have great tactical wit and give good advice. Just think of me as a jack-of-all-trades." The crew's eyes widened slightly. "So basically, if need be, you can do all of our jobs? Oh, and where's your stuff? You know so you can move in." Nami asked. Conner nodded and said, "Yes I can help fill the gap left by any injured or sick crewmember. I also plan on giving you all gifts as we go along. Ussop's is almost ready now. As for where my clothes, equipment, and other things are..." Conner said as he raised his arms, "Allow me to show you. Jigen no mon!"

Before the crew's startle eyes, a hole opened between Conner's arms. The rip between dimensions became bigger and bigger until it was the size of a door. Conner lowered his arms and gestured toward the portal as he said, "Now I welcome you...to my world. Come on!" Conner walked through the portal and disappeared. The crew looked hesitant, but acting on good faith, Luffy walked forward and stepped through the doorway. After a few seconds his head popped back out and he said, "Come on guys, you have to see this!" As the rest of the crew stepped forward Luffy grinned and pulled his head back through the door. After everyone had walked through they looked around and noticed that they were in an enormous place, far bigger than all of Sunny. All around were piles of equipment and tools. Books, medicine, mountains of lumber, weapons, everything anyone could ask for.

"Welcome! This is my domain. I created it out of a pocket dimension with my energy. I store everything I acquire in here." Conner said from a small ways off. "SUGOI!" Chopper and Ussop exclaimed. "Please explore! There are many wonders in here that may excite you. But! Please do not go near the large black safe or Kokushibyō. Bad things will happen to you." Conner said as he gave his warning. The crew split up, going to look at whatever caught their eyes. Zoro went straight to the weapons, Nami found piles of maps, Ussop was looking at some of Conner's experiments, Sanji found cookbooks, Chopper and Robin were pouring over a mountain of novels, Franky was examining the stockpile of wood and metal, and Brook was reverently playing various instruments. Luffy stood next to Conner and said, "This place is incredible! You have so many things. But...what's in the safe?"

Conner rapidly turned to Luffy and said, "Nothing of importance to you! It is something that can not be released! Maybe there will come a day that it can be safely used by someone truly worthy but not now. Please, just leave it at that." Luffy nodded slowly and moved off to see what Ussop was looking at. There was a large, black strange looking object on a table that Ussop had been staring at for the past minute. "Ah I see you found it. That will eventually be yours Ussop. I don't have an exact name for it yet but I can show you how it works." Conner said as he walked up. He picked the weapon up and turned to Ussop. "I created this weapon specifically for you. It is an energy rifle. It can use normal bullets or special energy shells I call knockout rounds. They are designed to incapacitate but not kill. I made it collapsible so that it can fit into your bag. Do you want to try it?" Conner asked as he held the gun out to Ussop.

With shaking hands Ussop took the weapon and shouldered it, sighting down the scope. "To load it you just take one of these cartridges and jack it into that slot. The you pull back this bolt to load it. You have to pull back the bolt after every shot. Go ahead!" Conner said as he showed Ussop how to use the rifle. Ussop nodded as he realigned his sight and took aim at a metal plate around 100 yards away. When he pulled the trigger, the recoil surprised him slightly and the gun almost left his hands but he held on. With an almighty bang, the metal plate took flight and landed far away from where it started. When the smoke cleared a massive hole stood out on it's surface. "Holy shit! This thing is powerful!" Ussop exclaimed as he handed the rifle back to Conner. "Yes I made it that way to give you an edge. The energy rounds can even hit Logias. I need to give it the finishing touches but you can have it soon." Conner said as he put the gun back.

"Now then, I have a request of all of you. I would like to know if I could look into your minds so I can get a feel for your essence. That way I can be linked to you at all times so I can tell you things without others knowing and so I will know if you are hurt. I will never get invasive after this." Conner said as he looked at them all in turn. They all looked hesitant but slowly realized that this would be highly beneficial and they all agreed. Conner grinned and said, "Great! I'll start with Brook." Conner went down the line submerging himself in each crew member until only Luffy, Zoro, Nami and Robin were left. "I'll look at both you and Zoro together. I want to see if I can read two at once." Conner said to Robin. She nodded and Conner connected to her and Zoro. After about a minute Conner separated and was chuckling softly as he did. "What's so funny?" Zoro asked with a slight edge in his voice. "Oh, nothing important...yet. I just found out something rather surprising. And no, I'm not going to tell you." Conner said before Zoro even asked.

"Now for you two. Same deal as Zoro and Robin, I'll do it together." Conner said as he turned to Luffy and Nami, who nodded. Conner submerged himself into the swirl of memories and emotions the two had. 'Well that's as interesting as Zoro and Robin.' Conner thought to himself before resurfacing from their minds. Instead of a simple chuckle however, Conner gave a loud bark of laughter which caused a few frowns among the crew. "What now?!" Nami seethed at him. Conner stopped laughing and gave her a small grin. "Nothing. Just some feelings in there that were astonishing and yet very lovely." he said quietly and slowly. Nami blushed and said in a small voice, "No. You didn't see that did you?" Conner patted her shoulder and said, "Oh but I did. Just let me tell you something though. That feeling? It is reciprocated." Nami blushed deeper but grinned now as she glanced at Luffy, who was watching her worriedly.

'Reciprocated huh? Now that IS interesting.' she thought as her grin turned devious. 'Not now. Tell him later.' a voice resounded in her head. 'What the?! Conner?' she thought as her eyes widened. 'Indeed. I am connected to all of you now.' he answered back in her head but out loud he said, "Alright then let's get out of here. We need to remain alert on our descent. Many things lurk down here." Conner walked to the doorway and gestured everyone through. After everyone was out he closed the portal with a snap of his fingers. As soon as he snapped his fingers however the ship shifted to the side as a massive tentacle appeared and attempted to grab the vessel. "Whoa! What was that!" Franky shouted. Conner's expression turned displeased as he said, "The Kraken. A large and dangerous beast." Luffy's eyes sparkled as he said, "Can I catch it!?" Nami turned on him and angrily asked, "What for?! For a pet?!"

Luffy shrugged and Nami gave up. "Fine, go after it. If you want to drown." she pointed out. Just the Luffy remembered they were below sea level and he sighed heavily. "Ah. Right. I forgot we were underwater." Conner chuckled and said, "You sure? There's a way to go out there." Luffy jumped up and said, "Really?! How?" Conner walked up to Luffy and grabbed his shoulders. "Like this. Hogo kēsu!" he said. Energy quickly wrapped around Luffy until he was surrounded by a glowing barrier. "This will allow you to go out in the water and move like you normally do. The barrier will also break down water molecules to create pure oxygen for you." Conner said to the astounded crew. "So who else wants to go?" Conner asked the crew.

It was quickly decided that Zoro and Sanji would go with Luffy. Once they were properly equipped the 3 jumped straight into the water to confront the Kraken. Luffy began to set himself up for the final blow. "Gear Third! Busoshoku: Koka!" he shouted as his right fist grew massive and turned black. Sanji took out one of the tentacles quickly before it could attack Luffy or the ship and watched as Zoro cut a tentacle into huge strips. "Zoro! Sanji! Move now!" Luffy shouted as he began his attack. "Gomu Gomu no...Elephant Gun!" he shouted and the crew watched as the giant creature was punched across it's face. "Undo rifuto!" Conner shouted and dragged the monster trio back to the ship. Once they were safely on board the crew cheered loudly for them in victory. Conner smirked but the smile soon faded from his face as he watched the Kraken. Before his eyes a giant shark crawled out of one of the Kraken's ink holes. 'Hmmm. Curious.' he thought to himself before he noticed they were picking up speed.

"Oh shit. We hit the current! Hold on to something!" Conner shouted as the ship lurched forward at impressive speed. "Yahoo! Now we're really moving!" Luffy shouted. Then before they realized it, they were out of the current. Before them was a gigantic underwater island, surrounded by a huge bubble. "There it is. Fishman Island." Robin said quietly. The had reached the halfway point on the Grand Line.

Sorry this took so long. My muse suddenly disappeared not long after I finished the third chapter. But next chapter starts the Fishman Island Arc. It's going to be a much more condensed version as I want to finish this story and move on to my original story projects. I have quite a few stories waiting in the wings for this one to end. Hopefully all of you were satisfied by my explanation of Conner's powers and liked his history. I also updated his bounty from 290 million to 795 million because I really thought about what he could do and the whole killing Tenryūbito thing. I'll see you next chapter! Please review!

Definitions:
Sonikku raiu: Sonic Thunderstorm

Taifū: Typhoon

Ōbādoraibu: Overdrive (In case you didn't get it)

Jigen no mon: Dimensional Gate

Hogo kēsu: Protective Case