Hello, everyone!
So as you can see, this is a new fanfiction, and my first one, to be honest.
I've read a lot of fanfictions on this site, some of my favorites revolves around the Whitebeard Pirates.
And this is why this will also be a Whitebeard centric story, and this does include an OC of my own design. If you don't like that, you don't need to read any further.
I will be sticking to the canon plot in a few areas, but I assure you that a few major changes will be made, especially regarding the Marineford Arc. It was one of my least favorite arcs of One Piece, which is why I want to tweak it a bit.
Also note that I am not the kind of author to write out everything before posting it, and while I have started expanding and grinding out the plot enough to ensure that I will not lose interest in this ten chapters in, I have no experience in this so that cannot promise a regular updating schedule. I'm enrolled in high school, I take a couple of Honors and AP classes, and I have a regular life to lead. This includes getting sick or having to divert extra time to extracurricular activities, which will cause delays and inconsistencies in updates. Please understand.
Alright, we've got that over with, now I'm going to explain a bit about the story.
It focuses on the Whitebeard pirates, and I'm going to repeat the fact that the main character is an OC. Other than that, there will also be A large number of other characters never mentioned in canon because Oda simply never devoted too much screen time to the Whitebeard Pirates. Disappointing, I know, but it also leaves a lot of space for expansion.
From what I have planned out, this fanfiction will be split into a few major arcs, just like One Piece, and each will contribute to the plot in a different way.
With this chapter begins the exposition of this story, where the major characters are introduced, they meet and begin to interact. Once we're more familiar with the setting and major characters, the second arc will begin. I have no idea when that will be, but I'll work it out.
This is rated M for some darker themes and language. Just in case, even though I think teens should be fine with it...
That concludes everything I need to say (the AN's in the future shouldn't be so long, I guess?)
(I should have a disclaimer, right?)
Disclaimer: I cannot draw people. Never could, and most likely never will be able to. You make the connection. One Piece, mine? Never.
Lastly, comments, concerns and questions are always welcome. You can leave a review or pm me, I have no particular preference. I don't really have a lot of experience with this, so... Meh.
If you made it up here, thanks for taking the time to read what I say.
Without further ado, let me begin chapter 1.
Unknown island, Paradise, 3 PM
"Alright. This is the last one. As soon as I'm done with this, I'll be leaving for good." The shadow on the rooftop muttered to himself, trying to sound confident.
If it wasn't a cloudy, dark day, if he wasn't deliberately standing in the shadows, if he wasn't wearing a hood, one might be able to get a glimpse of choppy brown hair and hazel eyes. A glimpse of youth.
But there were no ifs or maybes in life. If he wasn't who he was now, if he was someone born with privilege and status, then who would he be?
Certainly, he wouldn't have to spend so much time pondering, assessing and weighing his decision. He wouldn't have to make it in the first place.
Alright, enough wondering about the impossible. Back to reality.
Zero was already planning the departure.
It was a tricky situation.
He was, after all, an assassin, an important chess piece heavily nurtured by the World Government from young. Needless to say, he was intimately familiar with their methods.
There was no way they would let him go. Not with the secrets and power he held.
And if they even got a hint that he wasn't content and wanted to leave, he was as good as dead. They would kill him. They'd just use some rather unorthodox methods to... convince him to stay.
As for counting on someone else to lend a hand…? That was even more laughable. There would be people willing to take him in, sure, then squeeze out every little secret he knew before putting him to use where his so-called talents lay.
Hell, if he didn't cooperate, maybe they'd even sell him back to the World Government for whatever price they'd place on his head.
If indeed. If he was born a farmer, or a fisherman, or anyone that didn't ever meet those Marines, didn't ever get saved by them. If.
This was a very tricky situation, indeed.
But the details were something he could iron out another time.
Right now, it wasn't the priority.
"My assignment this time…?" he whispered. "Right. Get that file they've got and burn the place down."
Usually, their unit, and him in particular wasn't assigned intel missions, but this was a special case.
After all, only he specialized in taking such high-risk missions.
"Just one commander and 24 crew members I need to avoid. This shouldn't be too difficult."
He had spent two days observing, and would have willingly spent more, just in case and for a few more moments unsupervised, free, but they were leaving the next morning and then there would be no opportunity.
He would rather not have his stellar record be tarnished right before he decided to retire himself.
It'll have to be tonight.
Pirate's base of operations, 10 PM
The base of operations of the pirates was in an abandoned building on the North side of the island.
The hallway was quiet.
All of the pirates were at dinner, as usual, except for two sentries that he had quietly knocked out earlier.
The room was locked. That was expected.
Zero did not smash the door down, though he could have and it would be a simpler option, until it attracted attention and he was fleeing for his life.
He unhurriedly unwound a ring made of metal from his finger. While paperclips weren't as easy to use as picks, they were easier to carry around without arousing suspicion.
It only took him two minutes to pick the lock with fluid motions.
Zero shut the door behind him and scanned the room.
The room was darker than the hallway, which was lit up by electric lights every few feet. The only light in the room originated from the lampost outside the window.
He approached the piles of paper neatly stacked on the desk, flipping through them casually.
He should have just grabbed the file he needed, set the room on fire and leave.
Unfortunately, the sheer amount of information present ripe for the picking caught Zero's attention.
"Kaido's still holed up in Wano, Big Mom's rampaging for her stupid sweets…"
Zero soaked up the information like a sponge.
"Wow, they have a lot more intel than those stupid old cogders think." he snickered as he flipped through pictures of suspected Cipher Pol agents. "Don't recognize him, or this one… Not surprising they have Lucci…"
"Oh, this is the new one isn't it? He's involved in the Black Market? This maniac is Joker? Well, he certainly needs guts to blackmail the Celestial Dragons and then that strange uproar at Dressrosa happened… Well, there have been a lot of new Warlords recently. I remember it was only a year ago that some fishman became a Warlord, and three years ago it was that Kuja Empress or something…"
Thunk. Thunk. Thunk. Faint footsteps could be heard approaching the room.
"Oh, shit." Zero cursed. Sure, he had shoved the unconscious sentries somewhere out of sight, but if the pirates didn't see them… It had been truly stupid of him to underestimate a veteran crew seasoned by the dangers of the New World and loiter around.
The footsteps paused, then quickened.
Zero began fumbling for the lighter in his pocket. "Just set the paper on fire and out the window I go. Not my problem if they manage to salvage some things." The lighter slipped through his fingers and clattered noisily. I'm too nervous. Dammit, I should be calmer! Zero cursed again, but let it be.
How is he so fast? It's probably the commander,.
Right, so he was a bit irritated at how the situation was progressing, but all was good. The reason the higher-ups assigned this mission to him as opposed to the people in CP8 was because they knew it would be a bit risky.
I can handle the commander. Just need to finish up here quickly.
There were three reasons why he was so confident in dealing with this particular Whitebeard commander.
Firstly, Speed Jiru likely wouldn't have his weapon of choice, the lance, and even if he did, it would be awkward to use such a large weapon in close quarters. He wouldn't be able to display his full fighting prowess.
Secondly, he excelled in fighting in large, open areas. The speed he was famed for would be limited in this room.
Lastly, Zero himself specialized in close combat.
(Well, technically speaking, he didn't specialize in anything.
Rokushiki was a technique, when fully mastered, that allowed one to be well rounded in everything. Defense, offense in close quarters and long range combat, speed, dodging… there was even something meant for quick escapes).
Of course, it would be ideal if he also held the element of surprise, but well, sadly, you can't have everything.
There was a rattle as the key turned in the keyhole and doorknob rotated.
"Shigan."
Speed Jiru lived up to his name and managed to avoid the blow, causing his finger to effortlessly drill a hole in the wall.
"Who are you?" The pirate questioned, dashing into the room. He didn't look too alarmed.
"Soru. Rankyaku. Soru." Zero ignored his questions, opting to keep maneuver the commander into a corner so that he wouldn't be able to exit the room and cause a commotion.
The wind blade nicked the commander's arm and a gash in the wall appeared.
"Shigan."
Taking advantage of the Commander's momentary lapse in concentration, Zero decisively struck his temple with as much force as he could muster.
Yeah, he probably wouldn't die from that. It would be too disappointing if that was how easy it was to kill a Whitebeard Commander.
As expected, It hadn't taken very long for Zero to speedily knock the commander out after a short but exhausting exchange.
He was confident that he could win by dragging it out, but this needed to be finished as fast as possible.
The previously tidy room was a mess. Papers and splinters were strewn all over the floor, the latter originating from the unfortunate table that had been a casualty of the fight.
Suddenly, his instincts were bellowing at him to run, run, run. Zero began to frantically search the floor for his lighter. "Where-" Too slow-
"Are you perhaps searching for this, yoi?"
Pirate's base of operations, 10:15 PM
As they say, if you didn't do anything wrong, you won't feel guilty, you wouldn't have nightmares when you sleep.
Zero's heart all but lept out of his chest when he heard the drawled question. He stood, frozen, facing a wall.
I didn't manage to detect him until now? Damned lazy bastards that said there was no f***ing danger on this mission! Shit. Shit. Shit… Who is it?!
He began to ponder the chances of successfully escaping out the window when the person spoke again.
"I really wouldn't try that if I were you."
Very slowly, the hooded youth turned to face the door.
And casually leaning on the doorway was Marco the f***ing Phoenix, with his igniter in hand.
"I, am, so, freaking, screwed." Was the last thing he said before he saw a blur rush towards him and lost consciousness.
14 years ago, unknown island, South Blue
"Commodore, Sir, up till now, we've gathered a total of fifty three."
"Fifty three?"
The soldiers held their breaths as their superior looked up from his book.
"That is acceptable. After all, the easy pickings have long since been taken." The man with small eyes and a mustache nodded in satisfaction. "Let us return to Marineford."
"But, sir, there are many more refugees on the island awaiting rescue…"
"That is correct. Set sail."
"Commodore, we have space and we can allow more people onboard…"
"The amount of resources the World Government is dedicating to the relief effort is sadly limited. We can only save a portion of these people. That is why the command was to focus on only gathering the children. We have spent 3 months here. It is time for us to leave."
This island was but a dot on a map of the vast South Blue.
It had never been officially named, but there were two kingdoms established on it- the Kingdom of Dusk and the Kingdom of Ripple.
Unfortunately for the citizens of this island, the two kingdoms were almost always constantly at war.
Now, fifty years later, after being struck by both plague and famine multiple times, neither could take it anymore.
Rebels were rumored to have murdered the royal family of Dusk, while the royals of Ripple had fled. Pirates had taken to terrorizing the island, looting and establishing little territories of their own.
For the civilians it was a calamity.
When this matter was brought up to the World Government, it had been promptly decided to send forces to calm the unrest and provide aid.
And now, with fifty-odd children on board, the very last team was departing, abandoning thousands upon thousands of lives that they simply didn't wish to save.
The World Government would often send these 'relief efforts' to islands ravaged by civil wars and natural disasters. They would often leave with orphaned children and raise them.
The public knew that when they grew up, most chose to be integrated into the Marines, while others left.
For this, the public chose to praise them for their benevolence, for their generosity.
What they didn't know, was that those that they praised had ulterior motives. They didn't know many of these children were not raised and then given a choice to stay or leave. They didn't know anything.
After all, why would they just feed and clothe them from young only to let them go, for free?
13 years ago, Guanhao Island, Paradise
"Alright, this time, we're whittling the number down to a hundred." He mumbled, green eyes scanning the clipboard.
"Right. Originally, there were almost 5 times that number, huh..." The man with the white overcoat next to him nodded. "Alright, listen up! I will be calling your names and assigning you a number. Remember that number! If you don't receive a number, then you will follow him!"
"Lucci, 1. Celestial, 2. Brix, 3…"
"...Sti, 99, Troy, 100." The man frowned.
"Is there a problem?" White Overcoat questioned.
"Yeah. There's another name on the list, but we've clearly already reached a hundred…" The man scanned the orderly rows entirely made up of children. "There is a hundred of them."
"Who is it?"
"Val."
"Well, he's been marked as a pass, so just assign him a number and ask about it later." White Overcoat suggested. "It might just be a mistake of the system, but it wouldn't make too much of a difference either way."
"That is true. Val?" The man gave the boy that approached a glance. "Behind Troy. You'll be 101…"
"Rest of you, come with me!" White Overcoat commanded.
And what would happen to them?
Do you really wish to know?
Just mentioning, when I had this in docs, there were a lot of italics, but then they all vanished? I couldn't figure out how to fix it, other than rewriting everything here... Which I am not doing. Any suggestions? By the way, I'm uploading this one my phone, if it makes a difference.
Again, all comments and questions are more than welcome!
Bloom, out!