Betaread by ReadingAtTheSpeedOfLight o/
√ -√v-√ -√v—
Izou fondly remembered the time before their first meeting with Spade Pirates. A time before his Pops decided to recruit the rookie crew with two Supernovas on it. A time before Spades' captain publicly announced that he's gunning for Pops' head like uncountable number of rookies and weaklings before him tried to do.
It was so peaceful then.
They were sailing in the New World, sinking idiotic rookies who were trying to get the fame of defeating a Yonko, chasing off Marines from time to time… Robbing merchant ships and partying for entire days. Those were such nice days. Nice, normal days.
On days like that, everything was still making sense.
Pops was The Strongest Man in the World…
Izo was one of his Commanders…
Yonko's Officers were considered as a class on its own…
Pirates in New World were much stronger than those in Paradise.
There were no Rookies able to not only hold off Marco's assault but also keep him down and force the yielding.
…
Then came the first sign of the change. If Izou had known exactly where it would lead, he'd prove to himself that he was the best marksman on the crew, nevermind what Curiel says, and shot down News Coo that day.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. As such they were treated to an article about rookie pirate crew - Spade Pirates sinking nobles' cruise ship in full view of Marines and getting away with it… In East Blue. Izou remembered laughing at the rookies' gall with his brothers. He remembered looking at the poster of Spades' captain - Fire Fist Ace, together with them. The source of his name was at easy to notice and of course Marines, in their creativity, would call someone who posed with their fist flaming would be called Fire Fist… He remembered amused acknowledgement at the 25 million beli bounty - fairly respectable starting one for the East Blue… And he remembered his disgust at the colour combination of the pirate on it. Yellow and that orange shouldn't ever be worn together, and especially not with that kind of grey, almost silver eyes and black hair.
By then they were mostly just amused at the little rookies. They were far away in East Blue. They were no threat to their territories. They were just entertainment.
Then there was the second time Spade Pirates made news…
First they noticed the posters - Fire Fist Ace, still in that awful combination of clothes and even worse… with big tattoo that misspelled his name. Izou remember thinking that even with being worth 80 million by then, Fire Fist Ace was an idiot and should be kept away from intelligent people if he wasn't able to put three letters together.
And the second poster, well… The Immortal Skull they called her.
He admitted that even then he could see why would they call her that. On the poster she stood tall, visibly taking off a sword from where it went through her stomach. Izou remembered being queasy at the thought of enemy that could get dealt that kind of injury and not even lose their stride… Even Marco would need a second or two to deal with it. He certainly wouldn't leave getting the steel out of his stomach to be done later, as the amount of blood and bodies around her suggested she did. Her poster was first one in a while where Izou didn't even take notice of her clothes before taking a good look at the price on her head. 60 million for her first bounty was a bit more than simply respectable, but none of the Whitebeards could fault Marines for wanting to get rid of her quickly. Whatever Fruit she ate… It was monstrous.
It was only Thatch's ribbing that caused Izou to finally get a good look at what the rookie was wearing… and he found himself approving. Though there was a bit too much purple for his tastes on her… What with long purple hair with one side of her head braided tight near her head and the other flowing freely, purple eyes looking hard at something not caught on the camera, skin tight almost black leather suit with purple tint to it, utility belt on her hips and high heeled boots. Izou remembered whistling in appreciation, it took some serious confidence in one's body to wear something so… exposing. He also remembered the way his brothers were looking at her like at the prey they'd be able to catch and subdue… It was safe to say that those thoughts were completely squashed after Spades managed to get away from them for the first time.
And the article about Spades rampaging through the G-8 base. Apparently, they took advantage of the lack of Vice-Admiral in charge of the base to rob them blind, destroy their fleet and greatly reduce their available personnel. That was the day Izou for the first time noticed flash of intrigue in his Pops' eyes when reading about those rookies' stunt. After all, Navarone base was considered impenetrable before the rookies' little adventure. It was also the day one of his brothers suggested recruiting Spade Pirates for the first time, even if in jest… It was a thought that rooted deeply in their minds and caused all the trouble they had to go through.
Then there was the third time Spade Pirates were in the news. That time they broke into the castle in Avalon to release disgraced prince Corvin and killed off crown prince Eric. And since Avalon was one of those islands that were distributing silver and Seastone… Having a crew with at least two Devil Fruit users in top positions successfully leading a coup in there was impressive. Not as impressive as the things Whitebeards were doing every day, but it was only to be expected, after all they were Whitebeard Pirates. Being awesome was their unofficial requirement.
Izou remembered Haruta running into the mess hall with the crazy grin, waving the paper and four different bounty posters. Fire Fist Ace - 150 million beli, The Immortal Skull - 120 million beli, Masked Deuce - 60 million beli and Crazy Saber - 40 million beli.
This time posters of both captain and first mate of Spade Pirates were of them simply walking alongside soldiers of new regime. This contrast between two pirates and actual soldiers was striking, though something in their postures was eerily similar. That of Fire Fists' was more of a user of brute strength, while The Immortal was looking like she was stalking her prey. even with a man with halabard next to her.
The posters of Masked Deuce and Crazy Saber were more similar to the first posters of their officers and less like the 'harmless' photos in the new ones. In his Deuce, who was given that creative description because he was… wearing a mask, was causing what looked like an avalanche by destroying the safety net holding the stones up, while Saber was visibly fighting, with dual sabres in his hands and slightly crazy shine to his eyes… Well his name was about as creative as most Marines ever gave to others.
Next News Coo mention of Spade Pirates came without new bounties but with article about Spades burning down entire Arrancar Kingdom. Officially without cause. The only semi-survivor came in the form of the King Aizen the IV officially saved by Vice-admiral Doberman. Unfortunately poor, dethroned King died of his burns in transport to Mariejois. From the rumours flying in the New World after that particular announcement, Whitebeards were not the only crew that doubted Spades were entirely at fault. The most common theory was that Marines if not outright helped Spades to level the kingdom, then at least were certainly more focused on fighting the pirate crews than containing collateral damage, thanks to kingdom's entirely disgusting religious practices.
By then it was decided - when they'll catch Spade Pirates in New World, the Spades will join them, regardless of their opinion on that matter.
It was only few weeks after the article, that the new bounties of the Spades came in News Coo.
Fire Fist Portgas D. Ace, worth 350 million beli was leaning over who Izou's brothers identified as Vice-Admiral Drew with both his first and second mate just standing there and looking approving at their captain's form over defeated marine.
And didn't it explain a lot? Fire Fist was a D! Even if crew's own D never did quite similar stunts and only ate ungodly amount of cherry pie, Izou has heard legends of Will of the D. About their relentless pursuit of their chosen life-target and utter disregard of sanity… More than that, from what was printed in the paper and numerous rumours about the crew that had yet to show their sails in the New World, his crew was enabling him!
Then there was poster of Spades First Mate - Immortal Skull de Mort, worth 300 million beli. Her poster was of her squaring sword in hand against who Marco immediately identified as Dark King Rayleigh. Both of them were grinning above their crossed, black swords… Like being able to shrug off hole in the stomach was not terrifying enough, she was confirmed to have access to Haki. Though it was interesting that the price on her head was so close to what her captain her, against usual rules. Even Marco had almost half billion less than Pops, similar like other pairs of 'captain - first mate' in New World.
According to rumours it was because while Portgas was the captain, it was de Mort that was holding his leash… And the rumours about that relationship were varied… From those two being lovers, through Fire Fist being terrified of her, up to her having some serious blackmail on her captain. After actually meeting Spades, Izou personally thought it was something completely different, Skull was viciously protective of her crew and was more than willing to steamroll over anything to get her way. Then thought… Then he was a big supporter of the rumour of her having blackmail on Fire Fist. If only because of Thatch's campaign to get their Eldest Brother interested in little rookie, with potentially similar gift to his own.
He knew Marco was feeling increasingly lonely whenever he noticed gradual changes to the rest of the crewmates… and the lack of those changes in his own body. Which was why Pops was also greatly interested in 'The Immortal'. On the off chance that she could be what the first to join him as his son needed. And that was just that… 'off chance'. But… always worth trying.
Then for the long time there were just wild rumours reaching them from time to time…
Fire Fist refused post of Shichibukai.
Fire Fist announced he's gunning for Whitebeard's head.
Immortal Skull survived getting sword to the heart.
Immortal Skull was hailed as The Woman Hated by Death Itself.
Masked Deuce was able to predict storm few hours ahead.
Fire Fist was a Logia.
No, Fire Fist was a Paramecia.
Immortal Skull had strange purple flames.
Spade Pirates had a Kraken under their control.
Immortal Skull could heal others.
Fire Fist was able to escape Garp the Fist.
Fire Fist was related to Garp the Fist.
Spade Pirates met up with Redhair Shanks and had wild party together.
Spade Pirates landed on Wano.
…
And the one rumour they were waiting for:
Spade Pirates were sailing towards Eden Island. An island that belonged to Whitebeard Pirates.
√ -√v-√ -√v—
When they landed on Eden Island and found out Jinbe was trying to defend Pops against a Rookie… Pops was angry. And even angrier that Spades' First Mate used it as a pretext to step in the place of her captain… With all arrogance of pirate straight from Paradise thinking they're hot stuff in the Sea that was killing pirate crews around as often as the yonko or marines did.
So Pops' allowed her to dictate terms to the fight and sent Marco to beat that arrogance out of her, or at least Izou hoped that was what Pops' was planning for.
Unfortunately, it seemed little rookie had a hidden talent or two.
He could only look on shocked as his Eldest Brother, the second most powerful member of their crew struggled in a fight…
Against a Rookie to the New World!
Honestly, if not for similarly shocked expression on his Father's and Brothers' faces he'd think he was going crazy… Few more or less painful Haki-enforced kicks helped all of them make sure they're not simply dreaming. On the other side of the beach Jinbe was watching the fight with similarly shocked expression.
In fact… The only people not shocked that… That Rookie was not only able to hold her own against Whitebeard's First Division Commander but to make him work for it, were the Spade Pirates. From what he could see from the distance (and he had excellent eyesight, thank you very much) they were utterly unsurprised and more than a little pleased with that fact.
Izou on the other hand… From the moment Izou was brought to the Moby Dick, he was told that Marco was incredibly powerful and experienced. Worse… He's seen Marco wreck some pretty respectable New World crews on his own… And so he felt like something was breaking reality he lived in, with every strike The Phoenix exchanged with that… that girl!
…
Well… at least Marco was having fun. There was fire in his normally bored eyes, his lips pulled into eager grin and his body moving faster with every blocked or avoided Haki-enhanced strike.
Similarly de Mort's eyes from what he noticed were shining with purple colour, her lips that up to the moment those two exchanged first blows were pulled back in a furious snarl, lost a bit of that fury and rather somehow were able to convey violent determination.
The longer their fight lasted, the more respect Izou felt to the little rookie and the man that managed to recruit that hellcat.
…
Two days in, Fire Fist still had that viciously pleased grin whenever looking at the two combatants doing their very best to break every bone in their opponent's body. Two days in Jinbe (this time sitting among the family) was still refusing to talk about that growl purple-girl gave out in reaction to Pops' Conqueror. Two days in and the rumours about the Rookie being able to use some kind of purple fire were finally confirmed with shy flickers appearing sporadically over her body. Two days in it didn't look like they were anywhere near finishing their bout.
…
Three days in, both his brother and little rookie (could they even honestly call her a rookie?) were simply wreathed in blue and purple flames respectively, immediately healing every injury the other gave to them. THe grins both of them wore, were full of teeth and as the day progressed it looked like both of them would be more than happy to go for the throat in almost every moment. In fact, most of the hits they attempted to land or even landed were what would be a killing blow on literally everyone else… Three days and they finally stopped to hold back their strength, whenever their blows landed there was a small shockwave from the point of contact, whenever any of them did not block properly, they were propelled back hard enough to break a palm tree or two… Three days in and Pops finally noticed that Marco was honestly struggling and not playing around, and started to pay some serious attention to the rookie. Three days in Spades finally shared a bit of their booze with Whitebeards and started to bet amidst themselves how many feathers 'birdy-boy' would lose by their First Mate's hands.
…
Four days in, there were almost no trees left to surround the beach and the beach itself had some suspiciously tall, new dunes. Four days in and Pops' got suspicious shine to his eyes whenever he looked at the fighters. Four days in and Izou simply knew… There was no way they were going to let Spades go. No matter if they'll escape from their clutches then and there. Spades would become part of Whitebeard Pirates. Four days in and Marco finally used his Fruit ability to fly against the girl… Four days in and the girl has finally started to lag.
…
Five days in, Immortal Skull was visibly barely keeping up with Marco's relentless assault. Feather-head's vicious grin when he noticed that was a thing for the books… At least up to the moment when de Mort has somehow managed to get that crazy burst of speed and broke through Marco's defense to put her hands on his skin… Izou had no idea what she was doing to him then but Marco swayed and his fire died down. After that it took only few carefully executed hits for her to have their Oldest Brother on his back with her above him. Gloved hand on his throat and other on his shoulder in a position that informed everyone exactly how easy it would be for her to simply squeeze...
It was not an easy sight for the Whitebeards… Izou more felt than seen the sudden tension in Pops' and his brothers' bodies, his eyes trained on two fighters, once again being surprisingly closer to the middle of the distance between the crews than not. After all it was one thing to find a person able to match pace with First Mate to a Yonko. Finding someone able to defeat First Mate of a Yonko was something completely different.
That tension was also felt by the Spades if their sudden, very obvious fight readiness was any indication…
What was that woman doing with those absolute rookies?
"Anything you'd like to tell me Mister Phoenix?" Skull purred, for that was definitely a purr, leaning above him with victorious smirk, that didn't lose its effect even with her chest heaving when breathing above him as she was doing.
Something had to be wrong with their Eldest if that silly grin was anything to judge by… Did she land any hits on his head?
"You've won, yoi" Marco admitted easily, his hands ignorant of obvious danger were almost gripping the woman's hips.
She laughed…
Breathless, throaty laugh, full of triumph and… something promising dire consequences should she be displeased.
"So I did." Spades' First Mate purred again and… That was disturbing. Almost as disturbing as the way Marco's grin grew even sillier at the sound. Either his Phoenix healing did not heal concussions… Or he was absolutely fucking smitten by her…
…
Of course Marco the Phoenix would fall head over heels for a woman able to kick his ass… Why was he even surprised?
Said woman finally got serious again. She looked up at them and challenged Pops with the way her hand flexed in obvious threat.
"Very well…" Pops grumbled behind them, his displeasure, though tempered by Marco's expression, was almost tasteable in the air. "You may go"
She had the fucking gall to beam at them at that…
"Thanks for the spar birdy-boy" She chirped happily, bent down to place a big, loud kiss on Marco's cheek and almost ran to the ship with that crew of hers.
And oh, how Izou wished that it would be the end of that particular recruitment…
Pity that it was not meant to be.
√ -√v-√ -√v—
Next time they've seen Spades it wasn't even really a meeting. Just a distant sight of enormous tentacles sinking what according to the jolly roger still on the mast, was ship of Cloud Pirates with Spades ship close by. The crew looking like they were ready to start the party, before they spotted The Moby Dick and turned tail.
…
Spade Pirates had a fucking Kraken! A real. Living. Swimming. Ship sinking Kraken!
That… was not fair… They had only Stefan. Why didn't they have a Kraken?
How did rookies get it to obey?
And it was domesticated enough, that they were happy to see it close to their ship on the open Sea…
Fuck…
A Kraken…
It was terrifying…
And of course neither his Father nor his brothers… well those of his brothers that were in position of Commanders had even thought about giving Spades up. Nooo… Rather than do the sensible things and let them go, Pops gave out orders; Haruta and Izou himself were supposed to plot their possible courses, since Moby might be home, but she definitely was not a fast ship, while Jozu and Thatch were ordered to mobilize those of their siblings that were sailing under their own Flags or on other ships in the Fleet… All to catch those fucking rookies.
Did no one tell them that they were supposed to be scared of a Yonko?
And if like that was not enough to smart at their combined prides… Then they were treated to the way Marco, after hearing one of the nurses say something about how she certainly wouldn't want a man weaker than she was, was running himself and his division into the ground in the name of training. Ostentatiously because 'Whitebeard Pirates are Yonko's crew and so they couldn't get beaten up by a Rookie, fresh from Paradise' of course… He was acting like a man possessed. His blue eyes were starting to burn whenever someone even mentioned Immortal Skull or when he looked at the girl's bounty poster. And whenever he wasn't obviously obsessing over the girl that beat him, he was almost frantically researching different Devil Fruits to find the one de Mort had…
It wasn't going well last time Izou checked on his progress.
Honestly that particular information was interesting enough for him to even lend a hand… As much as 'never seeing that woman again' was a tempting dream, it was not like Pops would give up on making them part of the Family… And he was curious as to just what kind of Fruit would give powers so similar to the ones Commander of First Division boasted. Curious enough to maybe… neglect his paperwork a little bit among all those orders and helping his brother… Yes, that was it! It totally wasn't a hope that the paperwork would complete itself, or that his Lieutenant would have mercy and fill all the forms… He was busy helping around.
Either that fire of her was healing her at such rapid pace she could still fight when injured or it was something completely separate from her announced Immortality… Izou was not sure what would be worse.
In fact, there were no documented Fruits that would allow for that level of healing factor and the purple fire.
He did find some Fruits that would fit the bill for one of the criteria, if one cocked their head and squinted a bit, in Fruit Encyclopedia, though.
There was of course Mera Mera no Mi, Logia class. Flame Flame Fruit would explain the fire and if she simply stopped being material for whatever it was that was going through her for the moment she could have her faux immortality, alright... Pity that Marco was swearing that she was material for their entire fight and all the time after it. Plus, there were rumours that that was the Fire Fist's Fruit. Him being a Logia? That Izou could believe.
Chiyu Chiyu no Mi, Paramecia class, while could explain the instant healing but would in no way grant immortality, even fake one, nevermind the fucking fire… And besides according to Encyclopedia it worked through user's tears and not fire…
Then there was something called Netsu Netsu no Mi, Paramecia class. Heat Heat Fruit would be able to show distortion of air that could be taken as purple flame and it was rumoured to make all the emotions greater… which could explain that battle crazed grin she had. There was no way how to explain the healing though.
Of course there was a possibility that she'd have Meimu Meimu no Mi, Paramecia class. And that was some kind of elaborate illusion that got them all… Or at least it would be if Marco would not point out that Encyclopedia author swore up and down that pain would break one out of the illusion and the Phoenix definitely felt pain in that fight. Of course pain could also be an illusion, but…
Devil Fruit Encyclopedia for all its usefulness was in no way complete and so the fact that a Fruit was not described there, did not mean, it didn't exist… As seen at example. It could be some kind of Mythical Zoan, or some other rare as fuck Paramecia… Marco's fruit was described in there only after Marco himself ate it and started to terrorize the Seas after all.
…
When they had finally cornered Spade Pirates again, on the island of The Quiet Refuge, a summer island under their protection, right next to the Calm Belt, which made docking there a bitch and a half… The Sixteenth Division Commander was almost grateful.
There…
They found them.
Now Pops will simply beat their captain into submission, Izou would find out what kind of Fruit de Mort ate and Marco will be able to actually admit to himself and everyone else, that he wanted that girl and simply seduce her, rather than…
What the fuck was he doing?!
Izou wanted to hide himself from that view…
That was not how one was supposed to seduce someone…
Against Izou's most fervent wishes Marco was standing at Pops' right side and was… looking at the Immortal Skull like it was only Pops' order that had him stay in place and not start a fight again, trying to leave permanent scars on her body… In the shape of his talons.
What was worse, the posture of Spades' First Mate was just as violent-ready as his that of his brother…
Luckily this time Fire Fist was in perfect condition and so it was Pops's turn to fight.
Captain against a Captain…
If one could call that a fight, that is.