Chapter 3: The Witch
Vira
As they arrived at the port to disembark, the Straw Hats then noticed the cake and oni-themed ships making port as well as their respective captains got off of their ships.
The first was a huge man both height and width. His face somewhat resembles a smiling totem mask as he is nearly always seen grinning. Apart from his smile, he also has what appears to be a stitched-up scar vertically descending over, and falling short just above his left eye. On his chin, he has a prominent, jet-black, and scruffy beard that extends upwards to the sides of his jaw and then converges with his equally dark sideburns. He seems to sport the short and clean-cut sort of hairstyle generally sported by monks. He also has black tattoos going down his shoulders that somewhat resemble fire.
He dresses in dark khaki robes he wears which are also worn by the rest of his crew, which includes the white full-bodied garment with severed sleeves, that exposes tattoos patterned like flames on both biceps. He wears a pair of gold earrings, black gloves, and a rather large red bead necklace. He also has a pair of large wings growing out from the middle of his back.
"Mad Monk"- Urouge- Captain of the Fallen Monk Pirates/One of the Supernovas.
And the second was a slim, curvaceous young woman with long light pink hair and purple iris eyes. She wears a white low-cut, frilled tank top that exposes both her midriff and cleavage, along with a pair of orange-and-black striped buckled shorts with long, thin suspenders. She also wears high-heeled black boots reaching up to her calves, with large laces coming from the openings, and a pair of hot pink and dark red stockings with a yellow sun-like motif on them. The hat she wears is a green Furażerka with a light-green lining and earmuffs. She has an anti-eyebrow below her right eye, bright red lipstick on her lips, and is sometimes seen wearing a brown-furred jacket.
"Big Eater"- Jewelry Bonney- Captain of the Bonney Pirates/One of the Supernovas.
"Those two are Supernovas...come to think it. We're the least acquainted with them thus far.," remarked Jinbe.
"UroUroUroUroUroUro. It seems like we just happened to have reached the same destination by chance. I'm not going to question how you vanished into that odd veil for a moment before the sky spat you out in the next. Must be an additional feature of the Old World. I can't wait to try it if it happens again.," said Urouge.
"Well, I'm not. What the hell was that? Where were you?" asked Bonney.
"We were in the Abs-," said Carrot before Robin generated arms to cover the mink's mouth and shook her head much to the other Supernovas' confusion.
"What we saw. We're not sure about it yet. Hopefully, we can learn more about it soon.," said the woman as she removed the arms.
"Oh, it's that weird lady I saw at Sabaody Archipelago.," Zoro said as Bonney pouted.
"Hmm...it's weird. There should be more Marines around here looking for us.," said Zoro as he looked around.
"Yeah, they weren't following us. Maybe 'cause they're scared of Luffy.," said Usopp.
"Oh that. Cross Guild's setting up bounties on them so they're swamped with dealing with bounty hunters going after them on top of keeping the chaos controlled. They're going to be too busy to focus on us.," said Urouge.
"Yeah, we've been lucky so far. They've also been making a mad scramble to get Koby.," said Bonney.
"Guess Buggy's helpful in some areas.," said Sanji.
"Oh yeah, that's right...," Luffy said before his expression darkened as he released an intense Haki that made most of the crew aside from Minerva nervous.
"I want to get this over with.," he said as he released a powerful Haki which intimidated Bonney but made Urouge grin.
"Becoming an Emperor has really made you a strong man. You have a nice look in your eyes.," said Urouge.
Nami narrowed her eyes as she figured out the real reason for his sudden sense of seriousness now that his distraction from going into that weird area was gone.
Vivi is missing, Cobra was assassinated with Sabo framed for the deed, Hancock was attacked, and Koby is now captured by Blackbeard.
"But your Observation's going to be messed up if you don't focus. They're gonna take advantage of that in a fight.," said Urouge as Luffy stared at him.
Luffy then calmed down.
"Thanks, Wing guy.," he apologized.
"You have more crew members- three in total. You really benefited from Wano more than Kid and Law did.," said the winged man.
Bonney then looked at Minerva with scrutiny and said-
"Hey...you look a lot like-"
Everyone then noticed the two guards approaching from the stairway leading up the port- armored like medieval knights holding spears with the sigil of the demonic skull over the treasure chest.
"They look tough.," said Carrot as she put on her gauntlets as the pirates prepared for a conflict.
Luffy marched forward as the tension rose.
"That symbol...they're wearing the flag that made Robin worried.," said Luffy.
"You bastard.," said the first knight as he lunged forward as Luffy generated Armament Haki to protect himself.
After a few tense seconds, the knight said-
"Just play along."
"You're-," said Luffy as he disengaged with the enemy.
"What's going on?," asked Usopp.
"I'm going to capture you in the name of the Grand Viser of Vira, Jewelry Maxamillion.," shouted the knight as the other knight asked-
"Really?"
Bonnie turned sour when she heard the name, Jewelry.
"Just play along.," said the first knight.
However, Luffy being Luffy didn't play along as he gave a confused look and leaped up to see what was above the staircase and was amazed-
A massive citadel with an enormous castle with a massive tree in the distance that seemed to reach the heavens.
"So awesome!," shouted the Captain.
A scouting party saw Luffy and was shocked at the sight.
"That's the second newest Emperor, Luffy. Is he here to claim our territory?" said one of the knights.
"Let Lord Jewelry Kraken know of this when he gets back. So should Grand Viser Maxamillion. We collect his bounty.," said the leading knight as they retreated into the castle.
"Damnit.," cursed the first knight.
"We lost the element of surprise.," said the second knight.
Luffy landed as Nami quickly bonked him on the head.
"Hey! Now we're gonna have trouble.," said Nami.
"That's what I thinking. Can't believe he hasn't wisened up after beating Kaido and Big Mom.," said Bonney.
"Oh, that was Kid and Law who beat her. They beat me to it. I wanted to have a proper go at her. And it doesn't seem she's alive along with Kaido...And Buggy's the new Emperor...guess I gotta beat Shanks, Buggy, and Blackbeard instead.," said Luffy.
"That clown over those two for Emperor? Life's not fair.," complained the woman.
"That's missing the point. We're gonna be targeted now. We're gonna need to go undercover or maybe run the other way.," said Usopp.
"We're gonna die.," said Chopper.
"I heard rumors that Vira has warriors that put Wano to shame.," said Brook.
"But weren't they overthrown? That doesn't add up or maybe that was overhyping things.," said Franky.
"UroUroUroUroUro. What an interesting bunch...isn't that right? Drake and Hawkins?" asked the winged man as the knights sighed.
"How did you know?" said the first knight as he removed his helmet and his armor as did his associate.
A tall, lean, and muscular man with light orange hair spiked into a fauxhawk with prominent brush-like sideburns. He also wears a black headband with an eyehole that is slanted so it only goes over his left eye. On his chin was an X scar and on his chest and upper body he also has another large "X". He wears dark armor on his relatively thin legs and arms consisting of knee-high boots and gloves that go up past his elbows, respectively. The openings to both the gloves and the boots are also secured by the armor, which is rounded for the gloves and a sharp maple leaf pattern for the boots at the front of his knees. On the rest of his body, he wears leather pants and a leather shirt. A belt with a large ornately designed circular belt buckle secures his pants as well as his sword and ax to his waist. He also wears a black cape, which, from the inside, is crimson-colored, with a white fur lining around the neck.
X-Drake- Captain of the Drake Pirates/Captain of SWORD/Former Rear Admiral/One of the Supernovas.
And a tall man, with black triangle symbols on his eyebrows, red iris eyes, and golden hair that reaches down to his hips. He also has a black cross tattooed at the base of his throat that is at the front of his neck. He wore a black trenchcoat with no undershirt covered in tarot cards and a long black cape over his shoulders. He left it open to the chest and wore black pants with ankle-high black boots. His left arm was replaced with a robotic prosthetic. He wore a monochrome plaid kelt over his pants. The interior of the long coat had long white ruffle fabric that covered the back of his head.
"Magician" Basil Hawkins- Captian of the Hawkin Pirates/One of the Supernovas.
"Oh, it's you guys! What're you doing here?," asked Luffy.
"There were rumors that one died and the other survived but there were even more obscure ones that you left Wano in order to infiltrate Vira.," said the monk Pirate.
"You're very on top of things.," said Drake.
"You were Kaido before and you managed to survive. Are you gonna turn on us for this latest guy?," asked Sanji.
"The man who runs this nation is a part of a group that no decent pirate would ally with.," replied the Magician.
"Can't believe you healed me up and dragged me into this. This has a very low chance of succeeding.," said the golden-haired man as he then noticed the Straw Hats.
Their auras feel very different even from what I was sensing a moment ago before they entered that weird veil...what happened..., thought the man.
"Guess our paths crossed again, you damn lizard.," said Zoro.
"I feel like I can trust you and you have a habit of trying down tyrannies so I can do my own thing.," replied X Drake.
"Six of the Supernovas in one place. I feel like things are going to get interesting.," said Urouge.
Hawkins narrowed his eyes as he focused on Minerva.
"Is that...?" asked the man.
Minerva then took a sigh as she said with a scowl-
"Guessing from the sigil and your reactions. The Jewelry Family managed to topple the rightful heirs and then got ousted...only to return back into power but in a way that's hiding from being found out by parties that hate them. And it's hiding something huge."
"Jewelry...isn't that your-," said Urouge before she gave him a scowl.
"Wait, that describes the Vira situation perfectly. How would you know this without being here?" asked Robin.
"That's top secret information that not even the most secretive informers know about yet. How did you know?" asked X Drake.
"Wait, that duck called you a Red Liner. You're from the Grand Line?," asked Nami.
"What duck? What's a Red Liner?" asked Bonney.
"Yeah...long story short. Some of my crew went into hiding in the OLD WORLD while the rest made names for themselves. One of my old crewmates...was of this rightful ruling family. This was before Mancha took in me. And they were fighting off the World Noble family that decided to take refuge here- initially under the pretenses of being "advisor emissaries of the World Government" but really were just glorified regional lords that served as an extension of the World Government.," said Minerva.
"Wait, World Nobles rule here? Oh crap.," said Usopp.
"Why didn't anyone stop them? Because of the Buster Call right?" asked Franky.
"They didn't need it.," said Minerva.
"Really?," asked Chopper as she nodded.
"What's OLD WORLD and who's Mancha?" asked Bonney.
Minerva then looked around as she said-
"It's been 38 years since I was in the Grand Line...I wonder how Muffy's doing...," said the witch.
"Muffy?," asked Luffy.
She then groaned as she said-
"Thank god, I'm away from those loonies."
"Wait, you went to OLD WORLD?! But that's impossible.," said Bonney.
Urouge then raised his hand as he said-
"That's some interesting things to follow up on but let's focus on the here and now...The Last Poneglyph...was split into three pieces 38 years ago in order to prevent others from discovering the last island after a certain incident. One went to Vira, One went to Fullalead Island. And One went to Elbaf. Inside that castle...is one of those three pieces."
The crews all were astonished at the news.
"Guess you found out that too huh?" noted Hawkins.
"We'll have to put up with a temporary alliance.," said
"Wait a piece of the Road Poneglyph is here?" asked Nami.
"Guess there's a reason we're here.," said Zoro.
"So we're gonna duke it with a World Noble. Shouldn't be too hard. They must be super pretentious. Not all strong right?" said Brook.
"I don't know. I'm getting strong vibes from this country. Especially from that castle.," said Sanji.
He then noticed Zoro slightly spacing out.
"Oi, Mosh-head.," said the cook.
Zoro blinked as he said-
"What?"
"You just weirding out. Have you been here before?" asked the blonde.
"Like I'd remember that...," said Zoro with a scowl.
Nami gave a glance at him before looking ahead.
"Wait. It's been split? Those things are supposed to be indestructible.," said Robin.
"What broke it...was beyond what expected to make it indestructible.," explained Urouge.
"What does that mean?," asked Usopp.
"Wait, you're more than 38 years old?," asked Chopper, which immediately changed the subject.
Minerva then sighed as she replied-
"840."
"Huh? 840 what?," asked Luffy.
"What?," asked Usopp.
"I'm 840 years old.," said the witch.
After a long time of registering it, the crew gave skeptical looks.
"Oi. oi. oi. oi. You look pretty young for a great times infinity times granny.," said Usopp before Nami slapped him.
"What he means to say is that...a woman usually says how young she is. Not how old.," said the orange-haired woman.
"First. I'm a Magus- our lifespans are in the thousands. I'm actually fairly young for my kind. And too...," she said before she noticed Nami's shadow flickering subtly and ebbing out white cross-shaped particles from the edges of the black.
"Don't move.," said the witch as she pulled out a curved staff covered in purple orbs from her right sleeve as she looked intently at Nami.
"W-wha?," asked Nami.
"What's with the staff?" asked Franky.
Minerva then began to chant in a language that Robin immediately recognized.
"That's...," she said.
Minerva charged purple spheres from the ground which entered her staff and she then fired at Nami's shadow as someone burst out of it with a purple stream of energy.
"What's that beam? Is she a cyborg?," asked Luffy.
"What the blazes?," asked Jinbe as the figure solidified.
It was an incredibly tall man with a brush-like, bluish-gray beard. He wears a long white robe that covers his whole body and a white beaded necklace with a light blue bead in the middle. His mask is dark red and has an angry expression, with black hair which is flat and dreadlock-like. He was covered in a white aura that ebbed out white cross-shaped particles.
La-Vie- CP0 Frontier Agent.
"And to think someone knows of how it works after we just figured out how this works this week. Who are you?," asked the masked man.
"W-what? He was in my shadow? W-what's going on?" asked Nami.
"What kind of Haki is that...it's so clean and white...," said Luffy.
"Wait that's a CP0 Agent, what're they doing here?," asked Usopp.
"Tch. They've learned the secret power of Justice.," said Bonney.
"Secret power?" asked Robin.
"Don't touch them. Haki doesn't mix well with Justice's power. Magic and...two certain powers are able to counter it.," said the witch as she took a battle stance.
I hope my skills are still sharp after being an apprentice for nearly 40 years-, thought Minerva as Luffy lunged forward.
She then grabbed the collar of his shirt as she said-
"I'm showing off what I can do. You can have meat afterward as a reward for letting show you what's needed to beat these bastards.," said the woman.
"Really?," Luffy asked.
"Yeah, I can do a lot of stuff with Magic. I'll make you a piece of meat for that cook guy to cook up.," said the woman.
Luffy stared at her for a long moment before he said-
"Nah I'm gonna show off."
With that, he lunged at La-Vie as she sighed as she dashed ahead of him.
"No, I want to show off.," she said as she generated purple swirl markings on her hand and palm-thrusts the man- immediately sending the masked agent flying into the staircase, causing a massive crater as his mask broke to reveal a barely conscious generic looking face.
"Wait. Hold on. The other guy had the same thing on his body when he knocked out Zoro. What's with that weird rising bubbles from the ground.," said Sanji.
"Hey! I was gonna do it! You got ahead of me," Luffy said as he tugged on Minerva's cheek.
"You would've lost an arm if you hit him. I just saved your life!," said the witch as she tugged on Luffy's. cheek.
"Wait what's going on? First shadows and then spells...what kind of crap is this?," asked Nami.
"What you saw was Magic- Magic is like the Ambition of Nature- taking in energy from natural resources like the earth, plants, animals, and people to either give you powers with elemental properties or cast spell.," said the witch.
"Magic...then you're definitely her...I've already relayed this to...Lucci...I'm sorry my comrades...I'll join you now.," he said as he clicked on his teeth and swelled up.
Urouge went in front of the groups as he shielded them from the massive explosion.
"We've definitely lost the element of surprise now.," said Hawkins.
"He killed himself.," said Usopp.
"He must be someone who valued his mission over his life.," said Franky.
"Indeed.," said a familiar voice as something grabbed his left leg and began to pull him inside his own shadow.
"Wasn't that...," said Franky.
"What the?" asked Bonney as she was also dragged.
"This doesn't look good.,' said Urouge.
"Lemme go!," Luffy said as he was pulled in.
"Oh crap...," Minerva cursed.
"Shit.," cursed X Drake.
Zoro attempted to cut off the arm but it just phased through as he was absorbed into his own shadow.
Carrot clawed on the ground but was eventually pulled in.
"Are we being dragged to Hell?," asked Brook.
"In a manner of speaking.," said another familiar voice.
Robin attempted to remove the arms with her own generated arms but it wasn't affected.
"Guess we're stuck.," said the woman as she was absorbed into her own shadow.
"OHHHHHHH NOOOOOOO!," Usopp shouted as he was the last to be absorbed into his own shadow as all of the shadows dissipated.
Dungeon
Luffy awoke in a dungeon with his crew all locked up with him including Minerva.
"I feel drained...So that's what it feels to have one.," said Zoro as Nami, Usopp, and Carrot felt exhausted
Oddly, Jinbe, Franky, and Sanji weren't as affected.
"Where're the other guys?," asked the Captain.
"In their own cells no doubt.," said Jinbe.
"Those voices...," said Sanji.
"Why did we give them all Sea Stone cuffs?" asked a feminine voice.
"It's a precaution.," said a deep voice.
"We were lucky to be stationed here. We knew about Hawkins and Drake's plans to infiltrate here for the Poneglyph but to think four of the Worst Generation would be here as well. And a surprise guest in addition to the Straw Hats.," said a familiar suave voice as its owner came into view as did his associates.
"LUCCI!," shouted Luffy.
"Rob Lucci? That would mean.," said Robin.
The figures came into being as they were illuminated by the dim torch light.
A young man with big round eyes with round black irises that had 3 eyelashes on top of his eye, and a long nose similar to Usopp's, only rectangular in shape. He wore a white variation of his previous black CP9 attire except for a larger hat instead of a black cap, and he also has a tie.
"Towering Giraffe" Kaku- CP0 Agent under Rob Lucci.
A big, round, oddly-shaped man with a zipper across his mouth, dressed in white formal wear and has green, well-groomed hair, purple dimples on his cheeks, and a green goatee on his chin.
"Mute Owl"- Fukuro- CP0 Agent under Rob Lucci.
A very tall man who had massive hands, a huge mane of pinkish hair, and a right eye that rarely seems to be open. He wears a white suit, white pants, and a white shirt, but he also wore flip-flops with green socks, a green tie, and hand guards covering the backs of his hands that were tied around his palm.
"Hair Master"- Kumadori- CP0 Agent under Rob Lucci.
"We lost some of our top men in Wano. And the leader had the survivor killed anyway.," said a tall man with big lips, a black beard, and black hair in which his hairstyle resembles the horns of a bull. He wore a white two-piece suit with a black handkerchief in his breast pocket and a sweater undershirt.
"Door Guard"- Blueno- CP0 Agent under Rob Lucci.
A dark-skinned man, with a Fu Manchu mustache, a pointed goatee, and long hair braided in a thick queue, that somewhat resembles a scorpion's tail. He also has a scar running diagonally down his left eye. He has the kanji for "wolf" tattooed on the front of his shoulder. He wore small, pointed sunglasses on his forehead, small hoop earrings, and a white tie over his bare chest. He wore a white tangzhuang, that was white down the middle and always open. He also wore a red sash around his waist over white pants and shoes.
"Deceitful Wolf"- Jabra- CP0 Agent under Rob Lucci.
A slim, pretty woman with blue eyes and oval glasses. She wore a long-sleeved short white dress over a fishnet shirt and stockings along with white gloves and high heels.
"Soap Sheep"- Kalifa- CP0 Agent under Rob Lucci.
A tall and slim, yet muscular man with arched eyebrows, and a close-shaved short beard with a ball-like end tip. He has shoulder-length wavy black hair that is sometimes tied in a ponytail. His pet pigeon Hattori, which wore a white top hat, white tie, and a white overcoat tailored to its size perched quietly on his right shoulder. He wore a blue-white suit with a white coat draped over his shoulders.
"Justice Leopard"- Rob Lucci- Leader of 7th Seat of CP0.
A pale, slim man with visible whiskers in addition to a goatee. He puckered his lips to show his front teeth at all times. He wore a white cowboy hat with a blue plume and a white suit.
"Scythe Weasel"- Nero- CP0 Agent under Rob Lucci.
And lastly, a man who had face faulted on the ground due to sheer bad luck before he got up. He was a pale man of slim stature with wavy, wild lavender hair in a layered style that is roughly shoulder-length and parted in the middle. He has black markings around his large eyes. He wears a brown studded leather mask that covers the bridge of his nose and scars on his moderately high forehead just above his eyebrows, long brown leather gloves white business suit clothes, a bowler hat, a striped vest, and a feathery coat. He has white shoes with brown tassels extending from their heels. He was being carried on the back of a gentle, friendly-looking, white elephant, about one or two heads taller than the man himself. Much of his upper body is covered by an elaborate leather harness vaguely resembling a jhul cloth, with headgear somewhat similar to Spandam's mask.
"Elephant Sword Loser"- Spandam- CP0 Informant.
"We barely missed each other at Wano but to think we'd meet in Vira of all places.," said Lucci.
"What was that you guys did just now to pull us into here?" asked Zoro.
"Think of it as what Six Powers replaced due to a certain individual making the arts lost for 400 years until a certain scientist cracked the code and allowed the World Government to relearn the arts. And it's both powerful and easy to learn. Even a Seaman can learn it. It's called the Seven Virtues.," said Kaku.
"Virtues...someone like having Virtues sounds like a cheap joke.," said Franky to Spandam.
"EHHHH?!," the lavender-haired man shouted.
"He doesn't recognize me. It's been a while after all.," Nero remarked to himself.
"What was that shadow thing? You kill Moria?," asked Luffy.
"He's with Blackbeard who has that Koby whelp. Strangely, his home of operations and himself have vanished from their location and no one knows of the Blackbeard Pirates and their fleet's location.," said Fukuro.
"What?," asked Luffy.
"You keep on saying vital information.," complained Jabra.
"Don't beat around the bush.," said the Straw Hat as he released a powerful Haki as even the cuffs cracked and broke apart from the pressure.
Unsurprisingly, Spandam fainted forcing Blueno to slap him awake.
"What did you bastards do? Are you sure you don't know where Koby is?," asked Luffy as he stood up.
To think he's adjusted to being an Emperor this quickly., thought Lucci.
"We used Shadows of Humility. Using the shadows via Justice Ambition to travel through them and make others travel through them from long distances. And currently, he's nowhere. Otherwise, we'd have reported on his whereabouts.," explained the Fukuro as Jabra scowled at him.
"Who's the one in charge here? The one who put up that flag?," asked Luffy.
"Why don't you come out of that cell and we'll settle it.," said Lucci.
Suddenly, white cuffs jutted out of nowhere, phased through the bars, and clamped onto Luffy, instantly depowering him.
"Lucy. You shouldn't be assuming people stay at the same level. You're an example of this. Also, the Grand Viser has plans for them.," said a figure now entering the dungeon.
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. He was reading a comic strip at the moment.
"Enlightened Infinite/The Honored One/The Enlightened One"- Nirvana Mugen- CP0 Leader of the 3rd Seat of CP0.
"This one's pretty funny.," said the man as he noted the newspaper.
"Oi, Blindfold Guy. Where have you been?," asked Jabra.
"Oh, somewhere you're not ready to go yet.," said Mugen as he patted Lucci on the hat.
"You still feel mad about him kicking your ass two years ago?" asked the blindfolded man.
Lucci glared at him intensely.
"Who's this weirdo?," asked Sanji as Jinbe and Robin looked at him with trepidation.
"To think he was here? And to finally meet here of all places..." asked Robin.
"One of the five Cipher Pol agents said to be on the level of an Emperor if not a Pirate King.," the Fishman noted.
"Eh? This guy?" asked Franky with a skeptical look.
Mugen then focused on Minerva with a more serious frown.
"You come back from OLD WORLD finally. You've been gone for a while...former Chief of Staff of the Rocks Pirates, Monkey D. Minerva.," said the blindfolded man.
"Monkey?," asked Nami.
Yamato immediately recognized the name of Rocks but before more could be made of it a laugh was heard from the far end of the dungeon.
"Buyoyoyoyo. It seems like we snared in quite the catch.," it laughed as a figure was brought on a carriage carried by gaunt and almost skeletal child slaves for a few moments before resting in front of the Straw Hat's cell.
Inside the carriage was an elderly, plump man with lightish-gray skin, balding on the top of his head with a mullet of white hair that reached his lower back, black sclera eyes with red irises, a thick mustache, and a long white beard that extended down to his abdomen. He also had two curved ram horns on the sides of his head. He sported a perpetual sinister, toothy grin with sharp teeth. He wore a pair of brown curved shoes, a dark purple shirt, a black belt below his belly with a human skull buckle and long baggy light purple pants, and a red robe with white fur lining draped over his shoulders. As he got out of the carriage, he was revealed to be taller than a regular fairly tall man at 10 feet. He was currently holding a bag with things squirming in it. He had the same sigil of the flag on his left brooch pocket.
"All Consuming Goat"- "Former/Currently Reinstated Grand Advisor of Vira- Jewelry Maxamillion.
The CP0 officers kneeled before him with indifference while Mugen merely bowed with a scowl as Maxamillion picked up a handful of babies from his bag...and proceeded to eat them like an afternoon snack.
Luffy stared blankly as angry veins began to swell up and his hands clenched into a fist as the crew glared at him with utter contempt.
"So you're the one running this country...," said the Captain.
"Namae...It's glaring at me. Take care of it like usual.," said the elder as a figure rose from his shadow.
It solidified into a slim yet muscular slightly short androgynous young man in a white suit covered in blue alphabetical letters with white dress shoes, white tie, and white gloves. He wears his black, shaggy hair over his eyes which are even further obscured by the opaque glasses that hid his black sclera eyes with red irises.
"Name Taker"- Mojigo Namae- CP0 Leader of the 4th Seat of CP0.
Minerva tensed up as did Robin.
"Who's four eyes?," asked Sanji.
"No...," Robin said as sweat dripped from her brow.
"Ok...," said the young man in a monotone voice as he raised his left hand as suddenly black material emerged from the chests of the Straw Hats and Minerva.
"What the?," asked Usopp as the black material formed into his name- Usopp in addition to his middle initial and surname that he couldn't make out yet.
"Our names...," said Carrot as the respective names were absorbed into Namae's hands.
"I'm feeling weak.," said Zoro.
Suddenly, the Straw Hats turned monochrome and felt much weaker.
"What the hell?! I don't know what I am now! What you do?," asked "Luffy".
"A man is dead when his name is forgotten. The other Elders would've made a spectacle of this. Better let them rot in the shadows of history.," said the elderly man as he got back on his carriage and went off.
Lucci remarked-
"What a devastatingly simple power."
Mugen then patted Namae on the head as he asked-
"Wanna see a puppet show?"
"Sure.," said the boy with no enthusiasm as he left with the other CP0 agents.
The "Straw Hats" were left in the dungeon confused about what was going to happen next.
"I have an idea...," said "Franky".
Vira Streets
6 Minutes Later...
In the town square, a family was brought onto an execution stand by the local police as the citizens looked on in horror, all having nooses on their necks- including the baby and a puppy.
"I wish we do something but that would anger the Jewelry family.," complained a villager.
"These people failed to pay their taxes. And therefore must be set as an example for those who do not respect his wishes.," said the leader of the policing forces as he nodded to the executioner as he pulled the lever.
"Please...someone...please restore the rightful family to the throne! I know not their names! But God please take down these demons who infest our kingdom so that they can return!" shouted the mother.
"I'm scared! Mama!," shouted a little girl as the baby cried.
In an instant, the family was about to be choked to death when a random cannonball flying at high speeds from further into the distance blew apart the noose holding the family to the shock of the police.
"Who did that?" asked the leader.
"It was from further away from our shores.," said a random soldier.
Suddenly, a figure jumped into the middle of the town's square filled with taverns, markets, puppet shows, etc.
It was a short man with a stocky build whose appearance is somewhat similar to that of a Mafia boss. He sports an oiled-up and slicked-back hairstyle befitting that of a crime don. His facial features have a very stern look to them further accentuated by his rather sharp but hooking beak-like nose. He also has five o'clock stubble on his upper lip. He had a thick black goatee. He wears a black-and-white pinstriped attire, complete with a green scarf around his neck, with the excess, tucked inside the suit - making it look like a cravat. He wears costly golden rings with precious stones mounted on them, but because he has two hands, all his fingers including the thumbs have them. As for his personal effects, he has a pirate captain's coat with red and gold trimming draped over his shoulders and a black fedora hat. He is often seen smoking a cigar.
Capone "Gang" Bege- Captain of the Fish-Tank Pirates/One of the Supernovas/Don of the Capone Familia.
"Thank you sir.," said the man as he and his family departed from the sight.
"Another pirate after those Rookies showed up just earlier?," asked the leading knight.
"After my close friend's wedding, we decided to go to Vira for his honeymoon on top of it being the location of one piece of the Poneglyph. But what the hell? It's so medieval primeval here. It would be fun but I feel the stench of World Noble here. Better tear this place down and find that Poneglyph wherever it is.," the Pirate Don said as he pulled out his cigar.
"Get him! He has a high bounty!" shouted the leading knight.
"Arrrggggh!," the other knights shouted as they charged at him but suddenly they were either magnetized to nearby shields or jumbled into pieces.
"I can't move.," said one knight.
"What's going on?" asked the other as he saw his body shattered across the ground.
"Damnit! More Pirates.," said the leading knight.
"WHY'D you come here?" asked one voice.
"Why'd YOU come here?' asked the other.
"Oi, can't you admit it's a coincidence that we arrived here.," said the third.
"Maybe it's fate.," said the fourth.
"Shut it!" shouted the first two.
Four figures then landed in the town's square-
A tall man with long arms with two elbow joints instead of just one, making them much longer than a normal person. He has a rather broad chest cavity, the lower jaw is also somewhat wider than the upper half of his face, and his teeth resemble piano keys. He wears a set of black headphones with his name on either side over his ears and his hairstyle with the hair on his scalp has been pulled tightly so that his roots resemble a lightning pattern and the center portion of his hair resembled a triangle shape. red Chinese garb with his crew's Jolly Roger with the kanji for sound at the center of a large flower-like print splayed across the chest area, as well as on his back. He also has a yellow scarf around his waist. He also has what seems to be the design of green rose sewn on the front of his left shoulder. He wears a set of orange sunglasses. He wears his long brown hair in a ponytail connected with round silver bands to braid them.
"Roar of the Sea"- Scratchman Apoo- Captain of the On-Air Pirates/One of the Supernovas.
A tall, muscular man. He has long wild blonde hair that reaches down to his upper back. He wears a plain, white, and light-blue striped full-head helmet with many rows of holes in it, and what looks like modern headphones on both sides. He also wears a blue striped shirt and an open collar that shows his chest, with blue riding chaps over his black pants. Additionally, he has a red sash around his waist. He carries a pair of handguards that have very long detachable scythes connected to them. When not fighting, these scythes are placed in a large sheath tied to his right hip.
"Massacre Soldier" Killer- First Mate of the Kid Pirates/One of the Supernovas.
A tall, muscular man with light skin and bright red hair, resembling flames that were slightly pushed back. His nose has a particular shape, being quite pointed and having little protrusions on both sides. He has dark reddish-purple-colored lips and fingernails, red/orange eyes, and no eyebrows.
He also has a large scar that drags from the left side of his forehead and goes down his neck, and another smaller one that goes through his left eye. There are two parallel scars on his lower right arm also. He lost his left arm to just above the elbow in a battle against the Red Hair Pirates a short while back and he replaced it with a mechanical, advanced prosthetic. His attire consists of his trademark spotted pants, a pair of dark studded, square-shaped goggles on his forehead, and a black opened vest, held down by a belted war kilt. He also has a long dark red coat, worn over his shoulders. He also has scars on his right forearm, left pectoral, and the left side of his abdomen.
"Captain of Magnetism" Eustass Kid- Captain of the Kid Pirates/One of the Supernovas.
A slim young man of a relatively tall height. He has faint shadows right under his grey eyes and his face is usually seen with a smirk. He wears a northern-style fur Wool Skipper hat, which is white and has a spotted pattern along the bottom and the long bill. He has short dark hair, a majority of which is obscured by his hat, save for his sideburns and a small goatee.
He has many tribal-style tattoos on his arms; on both of his hands are letters spelled tattooed in black on the back of each of his fingers. He also has a black cross on the back of both of his hands. On his chest, he has a tribal-style heart tattoo with his Jolly Roger on it. He has a simpler heart tattoo on his shoulders and his Jolly Roger tattooed on his back underneath his outfit. He also has a black cross on the back of both of his hands. On his chest, he has a tribal-style heart tattoo with his Jolly Roger on it. He has a simpler heart tattoo on his shoulders and his Jolly Roger tattooed on his back.
He wears a long black coat with his crew's jolly roger along the hem and on the sleeves with a yellow shirt and blue spotted pants with dark shoes underneath.
"Surgeon of Death"- Trafalgar D. Water Law- Captain of the Law Pirates/Former Warlord/One of the Supernovas.
"Why'd go here?," asked Killer.
"Shanks' at Elbaf and I don't want another repeat of what happened. So his Poneglyph's off the table.," said Kid.
"Eh? You scared?," asked Law.
"Shove it!," shouted Kid.
"Yeah, Shanks is skilled in Haki in ways we can't imagine. And Blackbeard's gone off the radar- island too- which is insane. Even if it weren't the case, he's also a friggin monster. So Vira's the only situation that makes sense.," said Apoo.
"They're coming.," said Killer as the soldiers approached.
"Anyone who has the merit step up! If not Fuck off!," shouted Kid as his Haki knocked down all of the soldiers.
Bege then noticed CP0 Agents casually lounging at a local pub while Namae sat with Mugen at a puppet show.
"Isn't that Lucci and his cronies? I heard he has a rep for being really violent.," said Bege.
"They're normal...but the two...I can't believe no one's sensing this...," said Law.
"Yeah, they're the real monsters.," said Kid.
"And they have a nasty rep in the underworld. One of them makes people disappear like they never existed...I can't bring up examples because that's how effective it is.," said Bege.
"I wanted to keep him preoccupied from seeing the violence. Since we're essentially protectors of the Nobles' whims...but you just ruined that.," said Mugen as he released an intense aura of white Justice which made the Supernovas panic.
"I hope you're ready to answer for that.," said the man as he took a battle pose.
"You...I'm going to take your names.," said Namae.
"Let's leave it to them...at our level...Emperors are still monsters...but to them...Emperors might as well as be big cats against unfathomable horrors.," said Blueno as Lucci had a stern look.
"Yeah, Yeah. That's indeed true!," shouted Spandam in agreement.
Namae and Mugen rushed at Law and Kid.
Vira Dungeon
Two guards walked through the prison cells and remarked-
"These guys used to be big shots but now they're literally nothing. Guess they're in Level 7 of Impel Down if it were a level eh?" asked the first one who had a pudgy, laidback and cartoonish appearance.
"Shut it. Lord Maxamillion feels that those latest punks will attempt a breakout. Better to kill them now while they're nameless.," said the second one with a more serious appearance as he drew his sword.
They then approached the cell and readied to attack.
"Now whoever you used to be. Now-," said the second one before seeing a baffling sight.
The blobs all stacked on top of each other to make a makeshift mecha.
"Docking Complete- I am Gargon!," "Luffy" said.
"Please don't give it that name...," said "Nami".
"Of all of the stupidity...," said the second Knight as he charged up a mix of Armament Haki and silver swirl energy as he entered into a drawing position.
"Silver Range.," said the man as he released an energy slash that seemed to be a mix of Haki and metallic silver as it hit Gargon- splitting it back into its individual pieces.
"Stand watch in case they pull this crap again.," said the first one.
Vira Town's Square
Namae was holding the necks of Killer and Apoo as he sat on Bege while Mugen had Law and Kid pinned to the ground with his feet.
"Monsters...they didn't even use their Devil Fruit or whatever powers they do have now.," said Apoo with a strained voice.
"Shit...even the brat too...," said Bege.
"Guess the rumors were true...," said Killer.
"Hey. Law...you could be a Marine. Your mentor was one. Why not switch sides and let's not resort to bloodshed.," said the blindfolded man.
"I've experienced how the Government does this to what it doesn't like since I was young. And frankly, the way you were jerked around by Doflamingo...I'd rather stick to finding One Piece.," said the man with an audacious grin.
"It's not what you think it is. That's for sure. But that's a shame...," said the man as he picked up his Transponder Snail.
"Oi, words aren't gonna get through to them. They only understand one thing.," said a voice from above.
Suddenly, a curtain colored like a blue sky appeared in midair.
"You're back from THERE...Your Majesty...," said
A 15-foot-tall young man with a muscular build, dark tanned skin, and dark hair with purple tints styled into dreadlocks with the distinct curl on the back like a horn emerging from the back of the head. He wore a variant of the World Noble spacesuit with a midriff exposure with baggy pants. He wore black sunglasses that obscured his eyes. He also had white wings that ebbed out ice particles. He generated a bubble around him and wore white gloves.
"Dimension Dominator"- Jewelry Kraken- Heir to the Grand Viser of Vira/Future Head of the Jewelry Family.
"What the-," asked Kid as Mugen retreated as the figure landed on the ground.
"Power.," said the man.
Vira Dungeon
3 Minutes Later...
The "Straw Hats" lounged doing nothing but staring at the other cell which had a black blob but much darker and eldritch in design.
"Creepy." said "Usopp".
"Oh that. That's what you are whoever you were. A Nanashi- a nameless thing with no history, no dreams, no identity, no power, no future, and no freedom.," said the first one.
"I'd get comfortable. Eventually, you'll all lose all sense of your individuality. And the only way to return to your old selves is to force Namae to give back your names. Killing the user doesn't do squat as-," he added before the second one went ssh.
"We don't talk about what happened here in Vira 18 years ago. That was a nightmare to witness.," said the second one.
"Oh right.," said the first one.
"Zoro" narrowed its eye as it focused on the conversation.
A figure phased through the shadows of the dungeon-
Namae and a new figure with dreadlocks hair holding the remaining Supernovas in a net as they squirmed around.
"These guys are next. They're very feisty. Oi, get some guys to locate their crews then we can get their names taken.," said Kraken as the guards bowed to him reluctantly.
"Law!," shouted "Chopper".
"Those voices...they're familiar but I don't recognize them.," said Law.
"A very faint nostalgic yet irritating memory.," said Bege.
"Yes sire.," said the second one as he picked up a transponder snail and whispered something into it.
"You piece of shit.," Kid.
Kraken then noticed the "Straw Hats" and smirked.
"Oh it's...some nobodies give a shit about. Just like you guys will be.," said the man.
"Um...weren't they an Emperor crew?," asked Namae.
"We can select some other dunce to fill the slot. It's how we've been controlling the Pirate World for years. Ever wonder why the Underworld and Pirates name themselves Emperors?," said Kraken.
"What?," asked Law.
After a few moments, Kraken asked-
"How was it going THERE?"
Namae looked to the side and said-
"It's heavily guarded. We won't be able to free THEM as HE wants."
"I see. Well, at least there's Teach. He's definitely gonna come here to get our Poneglyph piece.," said Kraken.
"Teach...you mean Blackbeard.," said "Luffy" as he slowly began to grow arms, legs, a torso, and eventually became a black silhouette that felt ominous and oppressive.
"That shape...it reminds me of someone.," said Law.
"Those guys must've been to the- Oops almost said it out loud.," said Kraken.
"I really need to improve.," said Namae.
"I'm dreaming this aren't I?" asked the first knight.
"No one outside of THAT WOMAN can do that.," said the second knight.
As the silhouette marched up to look at Kraken.
"Move, I'm getting out of here with my crew.," said the silhouette.
He then turned to his crew and asked-
"Are you guys gonna stand around and let that fatass get away with what he's doing?"
His crew went from being simple blobs to silhouettes of their former shapes with Minerva on the ground chanting something.
"Shit...he's really a hope bringer that's too dangerous to be kept alive. Guess letting him rot in a cell wasn't the best idea. Better to just cut to the chase and-," said Kraken before he noticed what Minerva was saying.
"Namae! You brat! Get away!" he shouted as Minerva charged a purple sphere from the ground from the gathered energies from the bars and ground.
"Will O Wisp.," she declared as it shot through the bars and collided with the bespectacled boy. Instead of blood, he spat out the respective names of the Straw Hats which entered their chests.
" . . This can't be...Merlin?," asked Kraken as the black dissipated like flakes as Luffy punched the bars apart into pieces.
Kraken went livid as he saw Zoro.
"Impossible...the Z Roronoa...You're alive...," said Kraken.
"You know me?," asked Zoro.
"What?," asked Sanji.
"So you were here...damn Straw Hat.," Law said.
Luffy then turned to Minerva and said-
"We can talk later..."
He then turned to Kraken nonchalantly punching the guards away as he asked-
"Where's the fatass?"
Kraken then dropped the net as he said-
"He's up there. But you aren't going anywhere. Essentially, now that I know you and the Roronoa are more connected than you could ever know."
As he said this the dungeon warped- with the cells, ceiling, and floor randomly blending into and out of each other.
"He's Jewelry Maxamillion, the "descendant" of the founder of the family stationed here. And I'm his son, Kraken. You beat Doffy the reject but I'm a true Celestial Dragon that has a bite to go with his bark. And I've been THERE...OLD WORLD- to and from for decades so I'm experienced. And I ate the Dimension-Dimension Logia Fruit. You can't beat me you noob." he said as he noticed Namae get up and glare angrily at Minerva.
"That one...she's mine...," said the boy as he proceeded to generate blackish demonic wings with white spiral patterns on his back.
"What the?," asked Nami.
"As if I care.," Luffy said as he threw a punch...only for it to not reach Kraken no matter how far he pushed like it was infinitely stalled.
"What the?," asked Luffy as he then saw Mugen raise his hand with a ninjutsu hand signal.
"Since we're sharing. I ate the Infinite-Infinite Fruit. I can manipulate Infinities while Namae ate the Devil-Devil: Namer- can manipulate names. Still think it's a good idea?" asked the man.
"That's insane! Infinities and Devils?! What the hell?!," shouted Usopp.
Suddenly, a nearby cell burst open as a large figure holding two people under his left arm and one hoisted over his back.
"Wing guy!," shouted Luffy.
"Muffy...where's Muffy?," Urouge said as Minerva's eyes widened.
"Hey...I thought your power was foolproof.," said Kraken.
"How would know that name?," asked Mugen as he began to lift his blindfold.
Minerva then chanted something as several circles with runes covered the feet of the Supernovas as it illuminated the room before dimming down- with them all vanished to the confusion of the other parties.
The space went back to normal as Lucci's group entered the room.
"What happened?" asked the top-hat man with the pigeon on his shoulder.
"She's probably going into the Bewitching Forest where Mimameith and THEY reside...Only Maxamillion deals with them...," said Mugen.
"They helped out with dealing with the replacement leader and returning the old rule into power without the World noticing...but I wouldn't recommend going there...they're dangerous...," he added.
"I heard Dwarfs live there.," said Spandam.
"Dwarfs are just one subsection of what resides there. And it's off-limits...but knowing them...they'll come out sooner or later. We'll just increase the excuses to execute the peasants...and besides...there's the Knights of the Sacred Tree who going to come very soon to clean up the mess of these pirates.," Kraken remarked.
"Hmm...that green hair guy...isn't that the hair color of the previous reigning family... And isn't Roronoa their-?," asked Namae before Kraken clenched his fist and scowled.
He then turned to Kaku and asked as he grabbed and strangled his throat.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded.
"What? Roronoa's not a common name?" asked the long-nosed man as he was then tossed around a jail cell bar.
"That name...was that of a man who served as the right hand of the enemy of the World Government's predecessor and was the previous ruling family who came to Vira 400 years from a place outside of the Grand Line to establish seeds to make the Sacred Tree and build a kingdom here. I've been so preoccupied so long...to think that one of the 26 managed to escape our grasp.," he said to himself.
"So that swordsman's...is an heir to a royal family?" asked Lucci.
"Yeah...more than that Monkey guy...he has to die.," said Kraken as he vanished into his shadow.
Blueno then asked-
"Who was Muffy?"
"You don't need to know.," said Mugen as he vanished along with Namae.
"Something's interesting occurring in this country. Let the Elders know about this.," said Lucci to his group as they nodded.
In the distance, a feminine silhouette was watching the fight unfold and cried.
Next Chapter: Bewitching Forest
Author Notes: This chapter was very, very long but it covers the inciting incident for the Vira arc with all the major parties except two more that will arrive soon and will assemble and cause a massive shift in the world.
Vira has a medieval western theme to counter Wano's Eastern theme.
And this chapter essentially introduces the basics of Minerva before she will be fleshed out in future chapters.