Chapter 5: VOID CENTURY
Hachinosu
The Blackbeard crew and their associates got up after being forced away by the light.
"Moria! You alright?" asked a round man with thin limbs as he came to Moria. His somewhat long nose resembles a beak or knife, and he has notably sharp and long canine teeth and ears. His face has a scar in the shape of a semi-circle that goes above his eyes and connects both corners of his mouth, which is usually grinning widely, and he keeps his black hair slicked back. On the left side of his neck is a black tattoo consisting of two slashes connected to two swirls lying side-by-side on his shoulder. Hogback wears a fishnet vest, purple leather pants, a thick black tie, and a pair of purple gloves covering his long, claw-like fingers. He also wears a white surgical mask under his chin, a couple of tiny black gold-rimmed sunglasses, a violet feathery cape that is black on the inside, and a pair of purple high-heeled boots.
Dr. Hogback- Surgeon of the Moria Pirates.
"I'm fine There was this weird light that forced us out. Was it an ally of the Straw Hats? I'll kill them-," said Moria before Blackbeard glared at him with Conquerors Haki, forcing him in place.
"It wasn't the time to kill them according to Fate. We have some estimation of what they can do now- though some might've been too frazzled to fight seriously at the time- so we can finish them off immediately once we get what we're after before they can plan again.," said Teach before releasing Moria.
"And it seems like my guess was correct...there are people or rather a race that lives on the isles near Lodestar or rather used to live on Lodestar until they were forced out by the Nobles. One likely lost to the world in the public eye but still surviving to this day. We have no idea of what they can do so let's focus on Plan B.," he added.
"Where could they be? I didn't sense them.," said Devon.
"What exactly is Plan B?" asked Moria.
Blackbeard then turned to Kuzan as he said-
"There's a project called SSG that is in the midst of development. It was deemed valuable enough to replace the Warlord system that existed since the foundation of the W.G. I have an estimate that the location of the last Poneglyph and the production of SSG...is on the island that the Government supposedly wiped out. God's Valley...which so happens to be right behind us..."
"Now, I know you're going off into gibberish. There's nothing there." said the former Admiral.
"It's possible. Because certain parties are camouflaging it from the world at large. Such as Vegapunk.," replied Blackbeard.
Kuzan widened his eyes in response.
Unknown Isle
Luffy stretched out his right arm and climbed from column to column until he reached the two strangers.
"Oi, why'd ya do that? How'd ya do that trick? How are ya guys?," asked Luffy before the smaller yet still realistically taller-than-average-sized figure punched Luffy in the head enough to knock him to the ground to the shock of the three groups.
That was Conqueror's Haki Infusion...who is that guy? thought Bonney.
"You bastard...why'd you do that?," asked Zoro as he readied to strike.
"One question at a time.," said the tall figure in an appropriately deep male voice.
He then tapped on the ground and it revealed an underground passage.
"That hurt- Hey what's with the mystery door?," asked the Straw Hat.
"Come on down. It's important.," the figure said as he went further down and the larger of the two went down as well.
Luffy rubbed his head and stared in confusion.
"I'm not getting a clear reading on this guy. Think he's dangerous?," asked Sanji.
"If he is. We'll fight it out once it comes to that.," said Zoro.
"He wants us to go down? Sounds fishy.," Nami noted.
"So what do we do Luffy?," asked Franky.
Luffy put on his hat and pushed it down as he sniffed and shouted
"I smell meat!"
He then dashed into the passage.
"So fast!," Chopper and Brook shouted at the same time.
"That answers that.," said Nami.
Franky then turned to the Fallen Monk and the Bonney Pirates
"What're you guys here for?" asked the cyborg.
Urouge sighed as he replied-
"These groups of isles aren't just for finding the last island where One Piece is. It's about information...on THAT Ancient Kingdom. We thought we'd try skipping to the next island that's apparently being hidden but it seems like this is where we need to be. Plus if we do know, it might be information we could use to gain favor with the other groups."
"The Ancient Kingdom?" asked Robin.
"You mean the one that Zunesha was banished from?," asked Carrot.
"Wait, you had ulterior motives?," asked Bonney.
"Hey, they're an Emperor's crew. You honestly think we stand a chance?" asked the winged man.
Bonney gritted her teeth before answering-
"If you do something stupid then I'm ditching you the first chance my crew's ditching you the first chance I get."
"So we're gonna work with these guys? I mean we worked with some of the other Worst Generation guys before but we don't know anything about these two. Can we trust them?," asked Usopp.
"Hey, Big Guy. Is it ok we beat you guys up if you double-cross us?," asked Yamato.
Urouge then gave a responding thumbs up to Bonney's shock.
"I can't believe this.," she snapped.
"You can put faith in us. We're not ones to turn on you unless you give a reason for us to do it.," said Jimbei.
Bonney then grumbled as she said-
"Guess I'll tag along."
With that, they went down into the passage. It was dark with dimly lit torchlight.
"This is kinda scary you know...," said Usopp.
Zoro kept an eye on both Urouge and Bonney to make sure they weren't planning anything.
Robin noticed the carvings on the walls-
On the first mural on the right were five massive trees sprouting what appeared to be Devil Fruits from two of the trees, Devil Fruit-like vegetables from the ground of the tree, and a collection of them from the center of the middle tree. It was surrounded by a gradual escalation of evolving life forms. One set is that of the animals of the world and the other is covered in spirals that look increasingly demonic. The animals would eat parts of the spiral creatures to gain unusual traits.
On the first left mural was a monkey standing in front of a multi-eyed serpent curled around one of the fruit-giving giant trees. In the following one, the snake was being eaten by the monkey. In the third one, the monkey had become a woman with long hair covered in eyes. She was accompanied by another woman with hair with a large man with draconic wings in the center. They were above a castle in the sky with dragons hovering over it. In the final panel was her standing triumphant over a vaguely demonic pirate-like creature of darkness.
On the 2nd right mural was a kingdom with 20 straw hats...identical to Luffy's with two priestesses to each hat. In the center were the symbols of the sun, moon, and earth. And on the right was a set of two winged figures coming down from the heavens- a black one with a moon symbol and a white one with a symbol. In the center of the sun was a familiar-looking draconic symbol. They worked with the sun, moon, and earth to defeat a horned shadowed figure.
"Wait...that's the symbol of the Celestial Dragons...how is this possible...?" said Jimbei.
"Umm...look up ahead.," said Sanji with a slightly nervous look as they came to a clearing.
The crews then looked at what appeared to be an ancient underground civilization covered in draconic imagery similar to the totems of the surface above. But that was the most surprising element.
Luffy was eating at a random table filled with Sea Beast meat when he then noticed the crew.
"Hey, guys. These fellas living are DRAGONS! Cool right?" he remarked.
Nami, Usopp, Chopper, Brook, Franky, and Carrot were in stunned terror at the sight of the incredulous sight they were witnessing-
Dragons of various shapes, sizes, multiples of wings, spans of wings, colors, furs, feathers, etc were going about their business- maintaining housing structures, sharpening tools, conducting trade, etc. Creatures that are said to be myths and even the ones they did meet at Punk Hazard and the pseudo ones like in Wano didn't compare to these individuals.
A green dragon with a stout body, stubby, and a square head with square teeth turned to look at Usopp.
"Oh, you're here on time. It seems like you encountered Teach's group just as it was predicted for 20% of the time.," it said as the long-nosed mumbled in fear.
"You're scaring them.," said a green feathery bird-headed dragon with feminine lashes.
"Oh right, Humans of this era usually can't comprehend our true forms without going into hysterics or hostility.," said the square dragon.
With a poof, the entire Dragon populace in the underground city had transformed into human-like beings with draconic wings with the diverse body shapes one would expect of the world of the Grand Line. They dressed in tribal attire that left little to the imagination.
As expected, Sanji immediately turned pervy at the sight of the very attractive draconic women before Nami bonked him on the head.
"Ok, so they're really hospitable. I never got that take from the tales I read about. Not that I have the best impression from the last dragon we met.," said Nami.
"Tch, guess they're not Dragons.," Luffy complained.
"Oh, we're dragons alright. This is just one of our capabilities.," said an hourglass figure woman with a tribal feathered headdress over her green hair who was heavily implied to be the avian dragon from before.
"How do you poop then?," asked Luffy to which the dragoness gave a baffled look.
"Ok, where's the guy that led us down here?," pondered Zoro.
"He's at the bar over there. I'm Emerald by the way.," said the green-haired woman as she pointed to a crude-looking building that resembled a pub.
Zoro then looked over to see a large elderly yet well-built man with a balding head with a white mullet, dark glasses that obscured his eyes, and two axes on his back sitting on one of the stools. He wore a worn-down yellow tank top with blue pants and brown shoes.
"Ok, pal. You led us down here. Mind if you tell us who you are?" the swordsman asked.
The man sipped on a greenish liquid from a cup before turning around.
"You're here. Just as Roger said you would 19 years ago when he died. To learn about that...," said the man.
"You know Roger?," asked Chopper.
"You mean 24 years ago? I think your math's wrong.," Franky said.
"Oh that's what the world says, but...," said the man as his glasses showed his eyes- one with a light blue iris with a golden x pupil in the right eye and a black sclera eye with a ripple red iris in the left eye.
"The Government tends to obscure the truth in the shadows...ain't that right Minerva?" said the man before turning to his larger associate who had since uncloaked herself-
A well-endowed, pale-skinned woman who looked slightly younger than Nami with purple rippled iris eyes, purple back-length dreadlocks that reached her upper back, a black, billowing sleeved robe with an opening for a midriff, black curved shoes with purple-black striped socks, an oversized witch hat, and round glasses with purple rims. Notably, she was around 8 feet tall.
"Hey, what's the hat? You some witch or something?" asked Franky.
"I prefer Spell-caster. Now, leave me alone.," said Minerva much to Franky's annoyance.
"She's very reclusive.," said the heterochromatic man.
Robin narrowed her eyes before widening them in realization.
"I know you...Dragon had the Roger Pirates' members logged into the files. You're the Man Marked In Flames, Scooper Gaban. The Third in Command of the Roger Pirates. The Chief of Staff of the Roger crew.," said Robin.
"It's been a while since anyone's talked my past like that.," said the man.
"Man Marked In Flames"- Scooper Gaban- Former Chief of Staff of the Roger Pirates.
"Oh, Monkey D. Dragon...is he here with his revolutionary buddies?" asked the bartender, a round nose yet a gaunt man with thin wings.
Luffy then widened his eyes
"Wait, you were on Roger's crew?! Cool!," he shouted.
The Draconic population immediately had a collected groan when Roger's name was mentioned.
"What's up with that?," asked Luffy with a pout.
"Roger met them during his early years back when he was one of...Never mind, I wouldn't mention him here. It brings back bad memories.," said Gaban.
"So what did...he wants you to learn about...?," asked Brook.
Gaban then scowled as he said-
"The VOID CENTURY."
Urouge, Bonnie, and Robin all collectively went into a state of astonishment with the revelation of the news.
"How?," asked Robin.
"It wasn't clear at first when we reach Laugh Tale but after talking to them- I have a better picture. I've helped them rebuild after THAT incident 38 years ago.," said Gaban.
"Oh that's good for them, but why are you guys hiding? You seem big enough and tough enough to take on anybody.," said Luffy.
"Because of a certain man named (beep) coming into power. We have to keep ourselves from being exposed for too long. To avoid THEM.," said a tall humanoid green-scaled lizard-dragon humanoid with long blond spiky hair, he had curved branch-like horns and tribal attire. He walked towards the Straw Hats with his back turned.
"I am Topaz. A warrior of the Dragon Army.," he said with his back turned to the group.
"Being rude much?," asked Zoro.
"No, that's his quirk.," said Emerald.
An old woman tripped and fell on her feet, Topaz immediately dashed and helped her to her feet...while still having his back turned to her.
"He's very shy.," the dragon woman noted.
"You should rest for the night. Your ships have already been relocated into the underground port and have been given the resin of the amber of the Hustle Muscle Mangrove that we cultivate. It's not like the ones proceeded by (beep)'s cult of worshippers.," Topaz said.
"You keep on saying something but it's not coming through. And you did what exactly?," said Sanji.
"You coming here was something we've waited for since HIS time. To see someone inherit HIS Will.," said Topaz as he walked away... backward.
Bonnie and her crew went one way and Urouge's went the other way.
"Hey, why's Gaban here? I mean I only got a little bit about him from Rayleigh. What's he been up to all this time?," asked Luffy.
"There's a lot of questions here. Starting with that...," said Robin as she pointed to the central mural in the center of the town-
It had the sun with wings with several races being kept in chains until a figure similar to Gear 5 overthrew him, the next one had the figure standing over an eerily humanoid shadow, and in the following one was the figure himself driven to exile by the revived sun, and the final two were that of a bald saint and one of a man with hair like the sun. The latter two didn't seem as ancient- the former having a less eroded look and the latter looking to be recent enough to be at least decades old.
"That looks like Luffy's.," said Yamato.
"I wonder if they have any treasure here?," asked Nami as a couple passed by.
"Why do they want those shiny minerals? Aside from decoration, I see no value in them.," muttered one of the two.
Robin noticed the writing on the walls, identical to the Poneglyphs.
She then thought back on what she had learned at Wano. The particularly interesting yet darker truth...
She then saw some of the draconic children skip on by her
"How do you think they'll react to it?" asked one of the children.
"How?, How?" the other asked as well.
Robin gave a solemn look.
"Robin? What's wrong?," asked Nami.
"It's nothing...," replied the archaeologist with a weak smile.
"Let's explore this place!" Luffy shouted as Yamato yelled in agreement.
They then ran in no particular direction.
"Very adventurous, aren't they?" Carrot remarked.
"There's lodging for you in the resting quarters.," said a dual-headed tall male with red short hair on one head and short blue hair on the other.
"Great for relaxing these old bones...since I'm a skeleton after all. Yohohohoho.," said Brook.
"After what we've been through. A nice rest would be swell.," Franky noted.
Nami then looked at the mural and remarked-
"VOID CENTURY huh?"
Carrot then looked in shock as she shouted-
"Luffy ate a bunch of candies! They turned out to be tranquilizers!," shouted Carrot before the group collectively went-
"Eh?!"
Elbaf
On the isle of Giants, on one of the steep rough mountains with what appears to be an extremely large tree placed around the center of the island behind the mountains- was a man.
He was a tall man just under two meters, well-built, tan-complexioned, and in the prime of his mid-adulthood. A man with deep crimson hair that was wavy, slicked back, except for some few strands he lets fall down the sides of his face, pushed farther sideward than said prior bangs. A triple set of parallel, linear scars that pass vertically, at an angle over his left untouched eye. A missing left arm below the deltoid. A squared jaw, sharp, narrow pair of eyes, and a chiseled, more prominently bridged nose. He had a neatly thin connection of beard and mustache stubble, forming the beginnings of a circle beard. He wore a sweeping long, sleeveless, high-collared cape of black color bearing a lighter, gray inside and beneath a simple, white shirt half-buttoned up, exposing the middle of his chest and upper abs. Additionally, he was wearing pants cut below the knee, collected halfway up the shin. Finally, his footwear consists of simple brown sandals, their soles gray-studded.
"Red-Haired" Shanks- Chief of the Red-Haired Pirates/One of the Four Emperors.
He then turned to see a man suddenly appear in a black flash of lightning Haki-
An elderly man of relatively tall height with a very strong, defined build and tan skin. Two of his most distinguishing traits are his round glasses and facial hair, which is arranged embattled across his lower jaw. He also has a scar over his right eye, which he has had for many years.
He dressed nearly plain dark t-shirt, shorts, and sandals. He also large silver hooded cloak.
"Dark King"- Silvers Rayleigh- Former 1st Mate of the Roger Pirates.
Shanks' stern expression then turned to a softer smile.
"It's a long time.," said the Captain.
"Buggy's become an Emperor. Probably due to this Cross Guild he's founded. The Marines and Government are now having to watch their backs with bounty hunters that used to work for them deciding to turn them as well on the behest of very angry citizens. He does have the charisma of (beep).," remarked Rayleigh.
I didn't catch that..., thought Shanks.
Rayleigh then turned stern.
"Teach just fought Luffy. And Gaban worked with Minerva to save them. I got word from him after a long time.," said the silver-haired man.
"Wait? Gaban's alive? But why was he working with her since she was with...," asked Shanks before switching topics.
"Luffy has the Human-Human: Nika. I doubt any earthly power can defeat it unless...," he added before Rayleigh's glasses shimmered and obscured his eyes.
"The Dark-Dark, no...that false Dark-Dark was the Singularity-Singularity Fruit that serves as the evolutionary springboard for the Human-Human: Moon God Madden.," said Rayleigh.
Shanks' expression darkened.
"That's worse than if he just had the Dark-Dark. And he has the Tremor-Tremor on top of...," the Chief remarked.
"That's not all He's added the...," he said as the winds drowned out his voice while Shanks looked in shock.
Shanks clinched his fist.
"Where did they fight?" asked Shanks.
"At the isle right next to Lodestar...Teach is there to get information on the last Poneglyph...but knowing him, it's going to lead to a great catastrophe.," Rayleigh told Shanks.
Shanks then stepped off the mountain as did Rayleigh.
The redhead then approached his ship with the serpentine figurehead as Rayleigh crouched down.
"I heard a message from Roger in a dream 19 years ago for me to wait here for the next step for his journey and protect Elbaf...you do what you have to do.," said the older man.
Shanks then nodded before getting onto his ship.
Sorry, Luffy...As much as I want to...I can't meet you yet...but I have a feeling that someone over there will halt Blackbeard's plan...but still...to think Buggy's involved in this..., thought the Redhead.
"We head over to Sphinx! first Time to work with Whitebeard's legacy! Because something is happening- in Vira! While it has publicly been overthrown with the aide of the Revolutionary Army- the old regime is working from the shadows and using Buggy's influence to regain prominence. It is necessary that we have to stop whatever is going on and we need allies to withstand whatever is going to happen!" shouted the man as the others cheered.
Rayleigh gave a soft smile.
Luffy's Dream
He was somehow a yellow straw hat as he danced around a circle. 19 other identical hats appeared and joined him. They were dancing around a deep pit called All-Blue containing a black sphere called VOID in bold purple letters.
He then turned into a monkey as he saw his crew- Zoro as a tiger shark, Nami as a cat, Usopp as a serpentine tongue chameleon, Sanji as a duck-winged sheep, Chopper as a reindeer-antlered elephant, Robin as a cockerel-tailed crane, Brook as a skeletal horse, Franky as a rhino with two bullhorns, Jimbei as a boar, Yamato as a lupine dog, Carrot as a rabbit, Vivi as a dove-winged dragon, and then some weirder ones such as a long-whiskered beaver, a vermillion phoenix, an angelic chimera of various animals, an owl, a crying whale, a sleepy turtle, a t-rex, and a white bird in a cage with the words- ONE-PIECE emblazoned in gold.
Suddenly, a hippo with missing teeth appeared and laughed- Zehahahahahha as it slowly opened its mouth-
It revealed the World Government symbol coming out and attempting to go after the VOID sphere to use it for their own purposes. Then the scenery became chaotic as several hyper-realistic visions with no rhyme or reason occurred before ending on a confusing note-
In the midst of an island with the words Laugh-Tale on the surface of the ground and the moon close to the earth was a beautiful and delicate-looking young girl of average height with curly, light blue/pale purple hair, which appears immaterial, floating, and moving like a cloud with hair tips resembling the edges of a blue-purple cloud. Her eyes had a blue ripple design similar to Mihawk. She wore a white midriff exposing toga with brown sandals. She was standing on the edge as the island had a line that stretched into 19 other lines leading to a sign called All-Blue where VOID was being kept secret. Thousand Sunny's exterior shattered to reveal an even larger ship capable of
"I've been waiting for you.," she said.
Sleeping Quarters
Several Hours Later...
Luffy awoke to see his crew all around him. The space was big enough to accommodate all of them, even if the structure was stone carved and somewhat primitive.
"You're awake! Thank goodness.," said Brook.
"You were out for a long time. What were you thinking doing that?," said Zoro.
"Shishishi. I had a dream...that was kinda weird.," said Luffy.
"What kind of dream?" asked Robin.
"The same kind as mine?" asked a voice from the doorway as they turned to see Minerva.
"What do you want?" asked Zoro.
Minerva then gave a beckoning gesture.
"C'mon...I'd get out of this room if I were you...the shadows are a bit unfriendly.," said Minerva.
"What do you mean?," asked Nami.
"Hoohoohoo. Want to know?," Minerva declared before Luffy gave a look of excitement
"That laugh's like an owl...I get it now...you're the owl person from my dream that's supposed to join our crew!," Luffy shouted.
Nami gave a confused look while Minerva froze in place.
"Yup...that's what I also wanted to talk to you about as well...," said Minerva.
Something began to rise up from the shadows.
Mary Geoise
Pangaea Castle
On the top of the Red Line and above the extravagant city, is a gigantic castle where the World Government meets and works; it is also where the Levely takes place. This castle seems to have at least six floors, plus extra structures on top, including a number of towers. The main entrance of the castle is guarded by a group of soldiers clad in armor. There is also a fortified wall surrounding the castle, with the symbol of the World Government plastered above the front gate.
Within the highest room, sits a very tall and very important quintet of men that decide everything for the World Government- the Five Nobles, all of them except one dress in full-body black suits with white shirts. Their membership rarely changes, with the last occurring only thirty years ago, leading to the induction of the youngest-appearing member to replace the previous seat. In an ornate room with five green chairs, these five elders sit as they listen to the latest reports of the soldier kneeling before them.
"It seems like the Straw Hats and the Blackbeard Pirates are near the island of my project.," said a stout yet muscular elder with a short white beard, a scar on the left side of his face, a black square hat over his head, wearing a black skullcap over neck-length gray dreadlocks, and holds a walking cane.
"Iron Club"-? Ezekiel- Overseer of the SSG Project/Head of Weapons/Head of the Science Division of the World Government/One of the Five Elders.
"Do you think they're forming an alliance?" asked the seemingly youngest of the five, a tall and well-built man who sports blond hair combed to the right, a short beard of the same color, and a scar on his chest. He also wears his suit with the shirt buttons open, and without a tie. He also has faint eyebrows symbolic of the Vinsmoke family.
"Master of the Air, Land, and Sea"- David-? David- Head of Interracial Politics/Head of the Judgement Corps/Overseer of the Judicial System of the World Government/One of the Five Elders.
"It would make sense if it were Shanks and the Straw Hat were the ones doing the alliance. But those are at each other's throats for obvious reasons. I see Buggy making an alliance with either Shanks or Blackbeard but not with Straw Hat.," said the slim yet fit elder that was bald and wearing a white gi, which contrasted with the others. He wore round glasses, the only member to be bespectacled. He also held a samurai sword with him. He is the only one of the five to not have visible facial hair.
"Tenryu Shinken (Heavenly Dragon of the Divine Sword)"? Byakuō- Head of The Military Defense of the World Government/Head of SWORD/Former Overseer of the Warlord System/One of the Five Elders.
"So they were fighting right next to it? What if they breach it? I can see either Blackbeard using it to cause more anarchy on purpose...or that Straw Hat destroying it which would cripple our assets.," said the stout, round-headed, bald elder with large birthmark spots on his forehead and a large white mustache.
"Walrus Warlord"-? Darwin- Head of Cipher Pol and World News Distribution/Overseer of the Marines/Head of Information Distribution/One of the Five Elders.
"In any case, they're too chaotic to be allowed to go freely. It's time to send in the more competent agents of the World Government-.," said the tall and thin bearded elder with long white hair, both on his head- reaching his upper back and a long beard- who seemed to have the most authority over the group.
"Wind Meister"-? Abraham- Head of the Historical Records/Head of the Holy Knights/Overseer of the Religious Aspect of the World Government/One of the Five Elders.
Suddenly, a man burst in, holding what appeared to be a half-transformed raccoon Zoan user dressed in bounty hunter garb. He is an incredibly tall, light-tan-skinned, unusually muscular man with a square-shaped face, very pronounced facial features, and short black hair. The right side of his neck and face is scarred, and a chunk of his right ear is missing. In addition to his injuries, he also has a mustache and goatee. He wears a white double-buttoned suit with a red floral pattern shirt underneath and wears orange gloves. He wears the standard Marine cap.
Fleet Admiral Sakazuki- Akainu "The Red Dog".
"I was preparing to deal with Buggy for doing this audacious act of putting bounties on the Government. When I spotted this assassin trying to kill the lot of you...I was shocked...that you even had names.,"
"Of course we do. It just doesn't come up in conversation.," said Darwin.
"So you're not collectively called "Five Elders" as your actual names?," asked Sakazuki.
"Why would you think that?," asked Byakuō.
There was a brief and awkward pause.
The raccoon Zoan then awoke and giggled as he revealed a timer in his mouth.
"Arai-arai-arai. Playing possum did the trick. I knew doing so would bring me into your laps. Now take this.," said the assassin.
"You bastard...," Sakazuki said before the raccoon was suddenly shot through the head by an unseen target.
Darwin then turned to see the person materialize from the shadows-
A lean, tall man around the same size as an Admiral, who is considered relatively attractive, mainly due to his facial features. He has pink hair that props his hair to give it a spiky look due to wearing a white blindfold over his eyes, the blindfold has the World Government symbol in the center. He wears a white sweat jacket with a high collar that's also fairly wide. He wears slim-fit matching white pants and white dress shoes.
"Enlightened Infinite"- Nirvana Mugen- CP0 Leader of the 3rd Seat of CP0.
"Mugen here. Hello Saka.," said the man in a lackadaisical and playful tone.
"Mugen...where have you been? The Government's on the verge of collapse-," said Sakazuki before Mugen appeared behind him and snapped the raccoon's neck and tossed the body out of a now opened window, far off into the stratosphere as it exploded.
"It's always been under the threat of collapse. It's up to people like me to keep the order to prevent civilization from devolving back to the dark ages. Even if said civilization is run by impotent goldfish brats.," Mugen said.
"It's that disrespect towards the Nobles that prevents you from becoming one of the two higher seats of CP0 but it's good that you're here.," said Darwin as he approached Mugen, being notably taller than the latter.
"It's about the boy who's become very close to the sun and achieve its powers and is now on the verge of going where he's not supposed to? This has to be done as discretely as possible right? Don't worry, I've put some of my best operatives on the case. It won't be the same blunder as Wano. Well, I'm just gonna head over there just to make sure they're safe...," explained Mugen as he dissipated into the shadows.
He then poked his head out of the shadows as he said-
"Namae's dealing with Blackbeard by the way. See ya."
He then vanished into the blackness.
"I never understand how that man's mind works...or What this is Namae is.," said Sakazuki.
"He's naively moralistic but he gets the job done. He's very skilled with his Devil Fruit, even if it's not conventionally the strongest- in some ways, he's more of a threat than Whitebeard.," said Darwin.
"So what of the Marines?," asked Sakazuki.
"That's for you to deal with. We're busy dealing with Buggy who's busy setting back up the Old Regime of Vira for unknown reasons. Shanks seems to be moving to stop him. We might have three more slots for the Emperors to fill up by the end of this.," Byakuō replied.
"Is it for the peace of the world or is it to persevere your reputation of infallibility?," the Fleet Admiral asked before Abraham glared at him as the former was paralyzed in place via Haki.
"I would not take those assumptions so lightly whelp.," the older man said before releasing Sakazuki.
The Fleet Admiral then glared before leaving.
David quickly shut the door and somehow the room got very dark.
Abraham then looked at the others as he asked with a weary tone-
"We were right to side with him? The signs are showing. How long can we keep this up for Lord Im's wishes?"
Byakuō then gave him a sneer as he said-
"You're backing out now? It's nearly a millennium too late to have second thoughts."
Darwin gave an aside look that shared Abraham's concerns.
"Again, JOYBOY's legacy proves to be a hindrance. First, him at the start of the age of W.G's foundation, then CHEER 700 years ago, then GLAD 600 years, then JUBILANT 500 years ago, then HAPPY 400 years ago, then Sunny 300 years ago, then Jolly 200 years ago, then Merry 100 years ago, Xebec from 50 years ago, and Roger of all people inherits Merry's will before this whelp shows up. It's fucking annoying," complained David in a much more informal and crass tone of voice.
"It was a shame to lose Roger...it took great pains to hide his connections to the Government and to hide THAT fact about him to preserve the reputation of the now dismantled Warlord system. Merry was a nuisance and a bad influence...," he added.
"I wonder if the Going Merry and the Thousand Sunny were named with any indications to their memory," asked Darwin.
"If the Straw Hats are the true inheritors of his will...then they need to die...and be erased from history to prevent another rise of piracy.," said Byakuō.
"So Namae's purpose isn't just for Blackbeard but for the Straw Hat as well. His Devil Fruit has never failed us before...," said Abraham.
Ezekiel then sighed as he got up and began to shimmer with a blue light.
"Where are you going?," asked Byakuō.
"Seeing the endgame of the SSG project. These talks are pointless.," he remarked as he teleported away to an unknown location.
"...I'm going to take a party to excavate Kaido and Big Mom...whether they're dead or not...their Devil Fruits are too useful to allow rebels to take their powers for their own benefits.," said Byakuō as he vanished in a flurry of white human-shaped talismans.
David then sighed as he smirked, speaking to the other two as he asked one of them-
"I'm worried that a certain fish might say something he shouldn't...Mind if I borrow one of your men?"
Darwin then sighed as he replied-
"Which one?"
David then shrugged as he raised an eyebrow.
"The one that gave that performance at Loguetown on that day and gave that speech to lure out those bastards? This time in case those rats manage to slip through, their reputations will be destroyed. And we'll get those two items at the same time.," he replied.
Darwin then sighed as he answered-
"Do what you need to do to lessen the Straw Hats as a beacon of hope to rally behind. That kingdom was nice but for the greater good- they must be punished for their allegiance to the pirates"
David gave a nightmarish smirk as he vanished in a puff of pink smoke.
It was only David and Abraham now.
"Are you going to explore THAT side of the world?" asked the bald elder with the mustache.
He nodded as he replied-
"They act as though this barricade will last for another 200 years and have enough time...but we're the ones old enough to know about THEM and what THEY can do...so it's better to gather enough intel and pass it to Vegapunk to find countermeasures."
"And to do it in a manner the OTHER FIVE don't find out. The true concern is that those particular crews are on the brink of opening the forbidden door. The one who knows what's beyond it or the ignorant one who has no inkling. Either finding out before we're ready is setting the World Government, let alone Grand Line up for extinction.," Darwin said.
"So they need to be stopped...a shame...," Abraham said with weary eyes as he vanished in a gust of wind.
Darwin then pulled out a very worn-out portrait of an obscured figure wearing a Straw Hat as he shuddered.
"What are you doing?" asked a domineering yet subdued voice as another figure appeared in the room which startled Darwin enough to hide the photo before the figure noticed.
It was a humanoid figure with a hand resembling a human's and sharp almond eyes with red irises that have thin circles surrounding the pupils. They wear a crown that has four sharp, incredibly tall spikes on the top and an extremely long robe that flows upon the ground a great distance behind them.
Im- Secret Ruler of the World Government.
"L-lord Im. What're you doing here?," asked the old man before Im immediately forced the latter to his knees via Haki. His eyes then turned sky blue with a golden x cross in one eye and a black sclera with red irises and a third eye revealing a pure red eye with no irises or pupil.
"Those whelps will be dealt with by either your agents or by Ezekiel. David's already procuring THAT PIECE. And Abraham's going to get HIM for me...And you'll be on the hunt for the Nefertari who's gone missing.,"
"I w-will...By the way...who do you mean by HIM?," asked Darwin before being forced to the floor with his chin on the ground under more intense pressure.
"The VOID century wasn't named due to it being erased from history nor was it a dull time...it was named after an individual that shaped that era that led to our rise in power...yes...to counter THEM...we'll need HIM...," Im explained.
"HIM...you don't mean...," realized Darwin.
"Yes...Flintlock D. VOID, the conqueror of the world 1000 years ago- the reason why looking up any evidence about him was punishable by death...because others would stop me before I freed him and he'd help me take down these rebel pests.," Imu replied with a wild grin showing.
Next Chapter: Magic Trick
Author Notes: This chapter sets up a lot of conflicts to be resolved in the future while making a big revelation at the end about the nature of the Void.
I thought since we have Beast people in Minks and Fishmen, why not have Reptilian People in Dragons and eventually Bug and Avian People?
I thought it would be a nice twist that VOID was a person in a similar vein to how the Golden Age of Piracy was named after Gol D. Roger.
I'll reveal more about Gaban and Minerva in a future chapter.