I really hate work - the amount of hours I receive are steady and exhausting but yet I don't get help in my department anymore... Sigh. Well to try to make it easier on myself, I tried to use some of the voice typing to compose this and apparently I have to speak with an accent in order for it to understand my English... :(
Thank you so much to my favoriters, followers and reviewers. Without your support to brighten my day, it would be hard to drag myself back over so many difficult challenges.
Revan333: Glad you enjoy. Hopefully this won't disappoint
Xerzo LotCN: Who in particular are you wondering about dying? Some will die... but who... is a mystery! I hope you enjoy
LongPastMidnight: There will be a bit more interaction between Garp and Luffy soon with the admirals kind of in and out (hard to stay away from them for long)
doubledamn: I was sorely tempted to be honest. I hope what happens does catch your curiosity however. I do intend to try to make the chapters beefier.
: Here you go!
Leska: They always seemed that way to me except as an older version of them after facing more drama/hardship/conflict of belief
Guest: I hope you like it. It'd be nifty if you signed up for FFN so I could name you!
If this voice typing thing is helpful, I'll try to use it more to get my updates a bit faster...
I do not own One Piece - that is property of Eiichiro Oda
Chapter 28: Marshall D. Teach
Trafalgar Law twitched nervously as he closed up the periscope and glanced towards his crew. They looked expectantly at him, wondering when they would intervene; if at all. "The Red Haired Yonko is on his way there. It would be foolish for us to be here any longer than necessary."
Low murmurs were silenced when his first mate, Bepo, cleared his throat. "But Doflamingo is there and..."
"I am fully aware," Law snapped a bit harsher than he originally intended. Bepo sighed and hung his head before the pirate captain felt bad and awkwardly patted the bear on the back. "Sorry... Just this whole situation already was very confusing and ugly. Now, it's just a bit more so. Then some new guy I spotted earlier seems to be approaching a bit faster than the Yonko. That is worrying but forget it. Let's bail. I won't risk you all over something from my past." Yet alone, multiple somethings with all the blessing from the World Government to do whatever they damn well please.
A tense silence hung over the crew before they obeyed their captain and began to steer the submarine away from the battle. While he never disclosed any information in regards to why he disliked the overly showy Shichibukai, they could not help but share in his disdain.
"He'll have to make a choice, Garp. You know that. Either way, this will be a win in the eyes of both the Government and the Marines."
The vice admiral's jaw tensed as he glared at his friend. "Excuse me if I can't find it in myself to give a damn."
Ace began to lean against his leg, half asleep. The combination of strength being drained away from his body due to Seastone, general exhaustion and the drug swirling through his bloodstream was taking its toll on the young logia. "If all goes well, he'll be back to normal in no time."
"If all goes well. Since when did you deal with such elastic promises, Sengoku? My grandson's condition is being wagered on an if all goes well?"
"Well, what else can we say or do at this point? He never became the marine you wanted. Your actual grandson also did not become a marine and never will be from his track record. Stop acting as if it would be a surprise that you would eventually oppose them, especially after Enies Lobby. Heaven forbid if Dragon's spawn actually gets past the admirals. You will be expected to step in and you know the penalty for failure."
"God damn it all. I am fully aware," Garp hissed and his tone was not unnoticed by a mostly docile Ace who started to whimper softly. The sound confused the marine who was not used to such an action from his volatile yet normally polite charge. "It won't be much longer. Please hang in there."
"It will be over soon enough," Admiral Akainu stated simply as he held the rubbery captain down to the ground with his leg. The magma flowing from his body he kept carefully under control because ending the life of the young pirate was far from the mission. "Just accept it."
"I won't die or my brother die," Luffy spluttered out as the heat started to cause his clothing to catch aflame.
"You know that doesn't have to happen."
"But if it does, you would allow it to be so." There was not even a denial from the stern admiral, causing Luffy to laugh. "You're predictable and in a twisted way, I like that. It means you won't hide from the truth even if you don't put it out there. Good to know there is an honest marine other than my Gramps still here."
"You think I'm honest?" Akainu asked with a frown as he moved his foot, no longer putting pressure on the man's chest but the admiral still was tense, ready to strike. "Why would you say such things?"
"I'm a shitty liar so it's easier to tell the truth. I never want to be a Shichibukai either so stop trying to force it on me. I get it's your duty and job to do as you're told for everyone's sake but please, stop it. Just fucking stop it."
The admiral had something in his eye for the young pirate that looked akin to respect before he tilted his hat down at the pirate and flung himself towards him, turning into magma during the process, and pinning the rubber pirate easily. "So easy for the young and naive to protest but they never understand."
Luffy struggled further and yelped in pain as the heat began to make his skin feel like it was peeling. "Get off now!" he exclaimed as he expelled a large burst of Conqueror's Haki outward. While it did not paralyze the admiral, it did give him pause enough to back away from the Straw Hat and fling him towards the execution platform.
That didn't feel as strong as it could've been but still. I know better than to go close range with a user of that brand of Haki. "So you got something left in you. Admirable if I were to be honest but still, belonging to a pirate and not worthy of anything other than caution."
Luffy laughed weakly from the ground and sat himself up before grinning. "Good. That means you'll take me seriously right?" As if he was a runner preparing for a start up, Luffy put his hands on the ground in front of him. "Then prepare yourself!"
Admiral Akainu tensed as if expecting the rubber man to bound at him. Instead, Luffy ran towards him before inflating himself and bouncing above and over the tall marine. He then quickly expelled the air out from his mouth, propelling himself away from the conflict while he flung his right arm towards the platform. Gripping the support beam of the platform, he tugged himself towards his goal. "See you later!"
The admiral shook his head in disbelief before smirking as the pirate hurled himself towards an impassive fleet admiral and less than impressed vice admiral. "Really Garp? These are his tactics? Sakazuki obviously won't even bother at this point. He does take after you."
"He is my grandson," Garp stated blankly before blowing on his fist. He swung quickly at Luffy, hitting the rubber pirate in the stomach. He did not fly far however before Sengoku joined in with a hard punch of his own.
"Such a pity," he said dismissively as the pirate fell to where his brother was on the platform.
Garp could not even say a word or move when he saw how easily Luffy's eyes dismissed him when his brother was finally close at hand. Forcing his body across the wooden platform like a slug, the rubber pirate did not pay attention to the splinters piercing his skin; still aching and peeling from scuffling with Admiral Akainu. "Garp, will you do a damn thing or not?"
"No need, gentlemen," a sleazy voice resounded from under the platform before a darkness began to creep up the platform. The wood began to splinter and shatter as it began to ascend up. "Now, this looks like a very tasty gathering of power right here!"
"Sengoku!" Garp shouted as he bent to get Ace in his arms before leaping backwards off the quickly darkening platform.
The fleet admiral shot a look of annoyance to his best friend before understanding and kicking the young pirate captain away from the darkness. Sure enough, the enveloped wooden platform began to break down. "If the reports we have received about you are true, Marshall D. Teach, ally or subordinate of the World Government should not receive so much dangerous power without proper supervision."
"Good thing that this is my resignation then," Blackbeard snorted as he spat upon the remains of the platform. He walked on top of the splinters without a care before sneering towards Garp and Ace. "And Whitebeard's proud son. How low he has fallen that he must be coddled by a marine."
"Pity about the resignation. Now scum like you can be eliminated without further concern," Sengoku said dismissively before noticing that Monkey D. Luffy started trying to rise. "At least the grandspawn of Garp's isn't a completely detestable person."
"You're that one guy..." Luffy remembered as he stared at Blackbeard, straining his memories. "You're that pig that shitty pie. It was so bad, I thought I'd die. But... you aren't here to help me with Ace, are you?"
Blackbeard could not help but cruelly laugh at the young pirate before spitting towards his former crewmate. While the fire logia did not respond to the disgusting taunt, Luffy's eyes narrowed immediately. "Why, I'm the reason he's here in the first place!"
Luffy's eyes immediately shot towards the vice admiral and fleet admiral, both of which nodded grimly. Sengoku noticed the paramecia's fist tightening quickly and could not help but be intrigued. What will you do with this knowledge, Monkey D. Luffy?
"My brother is suffering because of you... I will... No. I can never forgive you!" Luffy shouted hoarsely. "Just look at him!"
Teach glanced over at the drooling, drugged logia before shrugging. "I don't notice a difference."
Luffy felt the muscles in his legs stretch then compress before letting out the tension, sending him flying towards the pirate captain. The two older marines forgotten in the rubber man's rage just watched the spectacle with appraising eyes. Garp felt proud of his grandson when he saw the series of jabs that Luffy delivered towards the other pirate. Each and every one of them fueled by rubbery fury. "I taught him how to punch like that," the vice admiral said proudly before glancing at his other grandson. "I also taught you that too."
"You're getting soft, Garp." Sengoku's voice was not as sharp as it could be however. "That boy has potential if he could control his temper."
"You have a temper as well or have you forgotten?" Garp pointed out sharply as he noticed the dirty pirate pulling out a gun. "And that is just damn disgraceful in a fight."
"Well wouldn't his fruit be useless against your grandson's anyway?"
Indeed a bit of darkness was trying to surround the older pirate but Luffy instead used one advantage he certainly had over Blackbeard: speed. Darting around to and fro, he made sure that nothing could get near him whether it be bullets or whatever the power was going to do to him. "Bullets can't really affect him either unless they are something special. Seastone maybe?"
Sengoku snickered slightly before motioning to the flame logia near them. "Against devil fruit users it would be understandable if they are somewhat honorable like Gol D. Roger's son. A crew of backstabbers however when you yourself are a devil fruit user? Bloody suicide." He watched carefully as a bullet embedded itself uselessly in a nearby wall. "Nope, regular bullets."
"Standard grade or did he at least opt for something above basic..."
"Nope. Probably torn out of some poor bastard's body on the battlefield."
"Cheap too. Disgusting. Way to go, Luffy!" Garp exclaimed as he saw Luffy propel himself towards Blackbeard and knock him out of the vortex he was creating with his power. The large pirate was hurtled out of Marineford and straight into the water with a startling splash. "Eh Sengoku... Does a fat devil fruit user sink or float?"
"Don't ask stupid questions, Garp," the fleet admiral sighed as they watched Blackbeard's body quickly fall below the surface. Sure enough, none of his crew could be seen attempting to go to his rescue for fear of dying themselves. "Make sure we conduct a search later today for his devil fruit. That power still needs studied."
"Under controlled circumstances? Like Ace's imprisonment?" Garp muttered bitterly before making a notation with a small notepad he pulled from his coat before stuffing it back in. "I should check on Luffy."
"He's breathing and that'll be good enough for the Gorosei," Sengoku scolded the vice admiral but his friend already had started approaching his grandson, the worn pirate with a motor mouth. Luffy tried moving away from the fleet admiral but Sengoku merely walked behind him without any concerns. There was no burst of speed the tired pirate would be able to muster to escape his situation. "Bring Ace with us. We need insurance from any fool behavior of your grandson's."
"Leave Ace out of this," Luffy groaned weakly but he did not flee as he noticed both marines treat his brother gently despite his despondent state.
"He is just as involved as you are now," a deep voice growled. Garp glared at the magma admiral but sighed before allowing him to continue. "If you do not cooperate with us, this will happen to all your devil fruit using crewmates. If I ever was in your position, I would just give in. Not even for my own sake or a family member but at least for people dragged in because of your relationship to that revolutionary. Pity isn't it? Something you cannot control but you didn't try to make it easier. No. Instead, you make it worse. You assault Enies fucking Lobby for the demon of Ohara. Your legacy may be less bloody than other pirates but it is no less influential or infamous. Dangers like you the World Government love to leash."
"Is that why you are so damn bitter?" Luffy spat in annoyance.
Surprisingly, Sengoku's jaw tensed slightly and Garp coughed to disguise a snicker. Akainu, who had come on over to confirm Blackbeard was out of commission, however just clenched his fist and aimed a punch near the prone flame logia. Luffy shouted in alarm as the admiral allowed the intense heat to coat his arm. "Different class of logia. As powerful as this pirate's flames can be, I can and will overwhelm any resistance he would have been able to try to put up. Even in this stupor he is in, he knows to fear the obviously superior force."
Sure enough, Ace was whimpering in fear of the magma flowing from the admiral's body. "Run... Luffy."
Luffy's eyes widened hearing his once proud brother grunt out a response. The paramecia knew any options were limited. Three of the marine's most powerful were surrounding him with expectant looks and a cursory glance around revealed that many of the allies brought over were in dire straits. The marines seemed to have expected the assault and did not appear to be aiming to kill but rather, maim and stun any nearby pirates. "I can't run any longer. Fleet Admiral," he turned towards Sengoku with a glint in his eye. "Spare the others. I'll... give in."
"We can't make any promises if they refuse to leave but if they are to leave, we will not pursue. It already is a victory. A treacherous Shichibukai is gone, his fruit will be recovered, a Yonko's crew will be severely weakened, and new blood will be involved. A win in my book."
"But.. it must be convincing," Garp said and before Luffy could inquire exactly what was happened, Garp's fist flew quickly and impacted with the top of Luffy's head. "Fist of Love," he declared solemnly after blowing off his knuckles. There was a sting that had nothing to do with the blow tugging at his soul.
Sure enough, everyone seemed to hear the Straw Hat captain's final impact on Marineford's plaza. Sengoku lifted the pirate easily and slapped him in Seastone cuffs. His eyes took in the various shocked looks from every pirate's face. "Bring it," he announced as he gave a challenging look to everyone. His gaze finally settled on Whitebeard and he brought up his hand and made a motion, as if daring him to strike.
Whitebeard noticed Garp's firm grip on Ace. The vice admiral seemed to be murmuring quietly to his adoptive grandson as if still trying to calm him after Akainu literally frightened him. "After what you did to many of my sons, do you think I could let things go so easily?"
Akainu smirked darkly as the two older marines nodded to him. "Sakazuki," Sengoku muttered quietly to him. "You, Kuzan and Borsalino are in charge. Primary objective has been achieved. If any resist, capture or eliminate but do not pursue. We have other issues to deal with."
A few short whistle bursts sounded through the air, causing the lower ranking marines to back away warily from the pirates they were engaged with. Some of them on both sides glad for the interruption. "Why are you stopping? We do not abandon one of our own!"
A snort of disbelief sounded from one of the pirates previously associated with Blackbeard himself. "You say that but did you know the plans our captain had for you? I'm getting my ass out of here and if the marines allow it, which they obviously are, you're fucking stupid for staying."
The aged pirate grabbed the cowardly pirate off the ground, disregarding his own wounds which ached and bled in response to the swift actions. "Do as you like but I do not abandon my sons. You used to be one of them before you followed Marshal D. Teach down the path he took and look where it got him."
"You'll be in that same boat, Pops, at the rate you're going. Firefist is a lost cause. And look at that pirate whelp whining about his brother. Lost cause. Which means there is no winning it for the pirates today. Coward or not, at least I will live." Whitebeard dropped the pirate in disgust and spat next to him.
"I had once believed in you, Burges. What had changed?"
"I grew up, old man. Stay five minutes longer, I dare you." With that, the pirate turned away from his former crewmates of the two pirate crews and made his way back towards the ship. "Anyone with a brain who can shut their yap is welcome to come with me."
While none of Whitebeard's current crew moved a muscle, several other pirates jumped at the opportunity to leave the battlefield that was Marineford. For a few moments, it felt like a battlefield would be eternally still. Not a single person dared to breathe. No one dared to even move ever so slightly for fear of causing further conflict. While Whitebeard was worried for his former son's safety, he had others to worry about. He had his crew and the brother of one of his favorites to fear for. "Men gather around. You may feel fear, that is normal. You may feel scared, that is normal. However, when you are with us, I will not let you down. That is my promise, my sons. I honor every promise I make. I will honor it with my blood if necessary. I would give my life, my heart, my lifeblood if it saves each and any one of my sons. Are you mad with me?" Whitebeard looked around before grinning immensely. "Well then my sons, shall we? I would hate to keep these marines waiting and we got some rum to bust open afterwards!"
Sengoku shook his head before giving a swift, silent motion. The three admirals burst into action with a grin on their faces. Before the sound of their scuffle with one of the greatest pirates began, a certain fire fist began to thrash around. Sengoku noted with alarm that his body temperature was steadily rising but yet, he manifested no flame or strength. It certainly was something if he could feel it from a meter away. Despite this, his thrashing but the only sound that resonated through the battlefield was Ace suddenly crying on his adoptive grandfather's shoulder before being knocked out by the fleet admiral. "That is the most he's reacted since his captivity. Troubling."
