I shall now begin the disclaimer, with our esteemed guest! Welcome, from ONE PIECE FILM: RED, Uta, daughter of Shanks!
Uta: Thank you, author-san! Author-san does not own One Piece, Naruto, or any other referenced works therein. Also, author-san, will I be in the story proper?
Err...I'm still planning things out, so maybe? I don't know!
"All are from the dust, and to dust all return."
Humans, Fish-men, Minks, Exceeds and all other races alike had all sought to break this cycle. From dust one would have really come from, if one were to philosophise about it, really; though sperm and egg merged in harmony to form the beginnings of life, the origin of egg and sperm came from the food used to nourish and sustain one's parentage, which, more often than not, would end up having been derived from plants. These hardy organisms themselves found their foundation in the Earth, providing the nutrients and raw minerals needed to jump-start their growth processes. Death, one realised, was a permanent fixture of life, one of the two certainties of life; nothing short of a god could defy it – a true god, not the Celestial Dragons who called themselves such. Perhaps, therefore, the fixation of society upon power; the more the power held by an individual, in effect, the closer to 'Godhood'.
The sight before the Marines of G-U base and many Big Mom Pirates would however let many of them question whether gods stood before them.
Barely propping herself up with Napoleon, Big Mom did not look well; half of her face was missing, with the remaining part of her head twitching every few seconds and her right eye-socket empty, soul energy wisps floating out of it. The rest of her body fared little better; radiation burns littered much of her exposed skin, her dress was left in tatters, still smoking in places. Flesh pockets exposed themselves to the air as skin found itself torn off from the impact of Naruto's attack. Napoleon was not left unscathed; the blade appeared to be chipped all over, the homie's look full of pain.
Sage Art: Cataclysmic Nuclear Destruction was a cruel technique Naruto loathed using in any normal circumstances simply due to the magnitude of damage and devastation it could induce. Making use of the relationship between energy and matter, Naruto would manipulate high-energy gamma rays into producing matter and antimatter – which, when brought together, would again re-form energy quite violently. Barely contained by the electric fields of ions produced by his own Gamma rays' ionisation of atoms surrounding said antimatter, Naruto's firepower with that attack could rival that of a Buster call attack, though only with Senjutsu chakra could he contain the immense power called upon by his Devil Fruit.
Nonetheless, much could be said about Big Mom's endurance such that she still tried to fight; her towering bulk still trying to swing Napoleon and Prometheus towards the vice-admiral. Zeus had fled, fearful of its life. It certainly had no intention of sticking around to be destroyed.
Laxus could not contain his shock even as he began to discharge a fist of black lightning towards Katakuri, who had begun twisting his left arm and the trident he held with it – he had snapped out of his funk, after all – all whilst Big Mom tried to fend Naruto off in her crippled state. All around him, it was a similar story as Kawaki led his men through the lines of chess soldiers and the other vice-admirals, reinvigorated, started to carve through squads of pirate combatants. However, something felt strange; the tension in the air was so heavy, so palpable…
His fears were confirmed as Bickslow ran up to him, just as Katakuri leapt back as his mochi drill was stopped by the fist of black lightning. Wasn't Bickslow supposed to still be on the ships? As a Commodore, he should have known better than that…unless something was really wrong. Bickslow's Kenbunshoku Haki, much more refined than even his, was rarely ever wrong…what was so dangerous that he needed to warn him about in person?
"Laxus! Laxus!"
It must have been really wrong, for Katakuri was no longer pursuing him either, but directing his soldiers to flee, and if Charlotte Katakuri was doing something like that…
"We need to get the men back to the ships! The Boss is planning to finish it all very soon!"
Laxus was stunned. "But…Uncle…"
"I'll take care of it! Get the rest of the men back!" Bickslow's mouth told Laxus all he needed to know; though he could not see the panic in his eyes due to the visor blocking them from view, the panic lacing through Bickslow's voice was greatly present.
"Back to the ships!" Laxus bellowed after a moment.
"Father is still out there!" Kawaki argued as he kept blasting away with his bio-mechanical chakra cannon. "We can't just…"
"Do you think I don't want to stand with Uncle either?"
"But…"
"Get the men back!" Laxus began to insist.
"Vice-admiral, sir!"
"We're staying to the end!"
"We owe the vice-admiral our lives!"
"We're not abandoning him!"
The remaining rank and file all began to chant and utter their desire to stay, to give their lives for the cause.
"That's an order!" Laxus finally silenced the crowds. "Look, Uncle's going to unleash his full power; we're not going to be able to stand together with him this way if we get caught in the way! Get back to the ships!"
Grudgingly, the G-U Marines bid an orderly retreat towards the flotilla, the vice-admirals, alongside Kawaki and Bickslow, covering their withdrawal, though only a few of the Big Mom Pirates had the gall to pursue them at this point. Katakuri had already fled; what was the point of fightning on, and for Katakuri to decide to retreat…
"You…insolent…upstart…" Big Mom forced out a gasp as she struggled to fight through the unbearable pain-pain-PAIN. Five years of her lifespan gone…and for what? That accursed vice-admiral and the sheer power he held blasted entire chunks of her flesh off her bones! More lifespan, she frantically thought. More…more…more! Struggling, she raised her hand as another wisp of her own soul rose from it, beginning to run it over her decimated body.
"You're still alive, old hag?" Naruto blithely questioned, staring into her eye sockets as soul energy emanated from them.
"Naruto!" Kurama urged as he, too, gazed upon the grotesque sight. "You'll have to finish this now!"
"Then you know what to do, Kurama."
"Yes," Kurama sighed, "I suppose. Let me focus."
"I'll have to…exchange even more of my life…to bring…this flesh…" She gasped, before clutching Napoleon tightly as her flesh began to knit itself together again, "back!"
Though Big Mom's monstrous form reproduced itself as she began to rampage again, it nonetheless seemed somewhat abnormal. Her steps seemed slower, her Haki dulled; each slash she swung with Napoleon felt sloppier and sloppier as she continued to lunge wildly at any flash of orange flickering in sight. No matter, she kept telling herself, as she continued to tank blast after blast of Gamma Radiation. No need to worry, she reiterated, though her cells cried out in agony and pain. All of her lifespan, Big Mom reasoned, all of it shall be replenished when she comes out on top, when Uzumaki falls, and she consumes such a strong soul! Mamamamamama! Never mind that she threw perhaps close to six years, maybe even seven of her life away; never mind that black spots began to appear in the corner of her eyes. No, Uzumaki had to die, and he deserved to fall by her full power. Never mind that unreliable Zeus, however, she muttered, Prometheus and Napoleon in synchronised movement were much stronger when the three Homies attempted to work together anyway.
"Take…this!" Leaping up into the air, she again swung Napoleon and Prometheus together. "Cognac: Blade of…"
She never got very far. Naruto let himself transform as he then re-appeared in front of Big Mom, hands again glowing with the same illumination as it did before – yet its presence seemed greater, somehow. Big Mom's remaining eye widened, as she knew, in that moment, what was to come…and in that moment, she was afraid. The One Piece…the Secret of the Uzumaki…neither of these two legends would be in her grasp, not anymore…Damn you, Roger, Linlin cursed as Naruto began to throw his fist back, why didn't you just say it before you died? What is One Piece? Where was it? Your time was up, so it didn't affect you, but why did you have to open your accursed mouth? What, moreover, did you know about the Uzumaki clan and their secrets? It wasn't supposed to end like this!
That information did not come cheaply to her, Linlin raged. Only by breaking old Scopper Gaban, having cornered him on the last place she had expected him to reach – Hachinosu Island – did she even manage to obtain a whisper that Roger had left something out of his final declaration prior to his death; that One Piece was not the only mystery which Roger had solved…hmm, so old Rocks wasn't lying when he had noted that there was a great mystery beyond the One Piece?
She had never really trusted Rocks D. Xebec, not when she first laid eyes on him, nor whenever he served as her overlord and Captain. Rocks, to her, felt wrong – though he had the air of a conquering king, Big Mom never found herself willingly submitting under his hand. Neither, she thought, did Kaido nor Newgate willingly bow their heads; rather, Rocks barely kept the three of them in check. Sure, the likes of Ochoku, Shiki, John…Rocks forced them to submit with ease. After all, they were insignificant, really, in the grand scheme of things; John died by his crew's own hand for a treasure he sought to keep for himself, Ochoku and Silver Axe had seen their lives snuffed out by that brat Sakazuki not long after Edd War, and that cowardly Shiki had fled to the East Blue after having been thrown into Impel Down.
It was not surprising, therefore, that Rocks was thought mad, not when he would pace up and down on the deck of his warship, head bowed and muttering to himself about Uzumaki, always insisting that the name – and just what significance was in it anyway, she still wasn't sure – held the key to all the mysteries of the World Government. Nay, she thought, not possible, not when the many mysteries she unravelled through her collection said nought about the fabled name. Yet, her memories had always alerted her to the reality of Rocks never really being much of a captain; he would often lock himself into his cabin, obsessing over dusty scroll and ancient tomes piling by the side of the dilapidated door all while cries of agony rang from the ship's decks as Shiki ran through another idiot with Oto and Kogarashi, or whenever Newgate smashed a quake fist into any moron in his way…
No, none of this was in her reach now. So close, yet so far…Big Mom began to curse for the final time. Roger, for opening the can of the worms titled the 'Great Pirate Era'…Scopper Gaban, for planting in her a seed of hope damned to be trampled under the ground…Newgate…Kaido…that bratty upstart Shanks, who was called Emperor a mere two years ago and dared place himself upon the threshold…
"Sage Art: Cataclysmic Nuclear Destruction!"
There was a flash, then the Earth shook, and as the blast finally faded from sight, there was Big Mom, toppled onto the ground, dead, curses still yet to leave her lips.
Distraught, the Big Mom Pirates fled, whether to their ships, their homes – did they even have homes anymore, one could wonder, really…
Naruto himself was not left unscathed either. Collapsed onto the ground, he lay there, utterly exhausted. Whole Cake Island itself had begun to fall apart, and much of it lay around him; he could only barely twitch as fragments of cake landed around his prone body. There, in the corner of his eye, Kawaki…Bickslow…what were they doing? They should have retreated with the rest of the men, should they have not? Indeed, Kawaki and Bickslow were rushing towards him, him barely noticing as Kawaki took his right arm over his shoulder and Bickslow resting Naruto's left against the shoulder-plates of his armour.
"You guys…heh…" Naruto could not help but chuckle. "Love ya guys, you know…"
"Hahaha, we did it, Boss, we did it!" Bickslow, too, let out a dry laugh. Not one of his normal, high-pitched laughs which he often let out when he found something funny, no. This was a laugh of relief; it was over. No more of this hellish operation to deal with; it was time to link back up with the diversionary force and get the hell out of…
"Wait." Naruto suddenly stopped letting himself be guided as he pointed to an orange tree strangely left unscathed amongst the ruins of Whole Cake Island. "There's still one more thing we need to…"
"Father! You need rest!" Kawaki tried to insist, attempting to steer Naruto back to the waiting ships.
Bickslow concurred. "Boss! This island is sinking; we can't stay here!"
Indeed, Whole Cake Island was not destined to last long; shorelines began receding as the island started to collapse onto itself. The fight between Naruto and Big Mom had, really, been as destructive as even the most tenacious of natural disasters; not even the Buster call attack afforded such destruction, though it was designed to annihilate entire islands itself. Totto Land's capital was destined, it appeared, to sink into the depths of the Abyss, not to see the light of day ever again. A move to accomplish what Big Mom could not, it seemed; attempting to avenge its master and queen in a final kamikaze manuever…
Yet he would not be deterred; Bickslow and Kawaki instead found themselves led towards the tree – and wasn't it a miracle tree? Left untouched amidst radiation burns and littered debris throughout the landscape of Whole Cake Island, the tree looked rather invigorated, refreshed almost – save for one surprise spoiling an otherwise perfect orange crop. For instead on one of the branches of the tree, there was a fruit eerie in shape; curls ran all through its body whilst the fruit's pattern held an uncanny resemblance to the howling wails of a ghost suspended within the fruit's skin.
"Here, eat this." Naruto had said as he plucked the fruit from the branch, handing it over to Bickslow.
Bickslow was stunned. "This is…"
"Take it."
As Bickslow opened his mouth, ready to bite down into the fruit that he knew would taste absolutely foul, Naruto turned to Kawaki, chuckling. "You two are definitely getting promoted after all of this."
"Father…"
"Let's go, Kawaki." Naruto allowed the two to support him as he returned to the small fleet, ready to close the curtains over a tremendous milestone for G-U and her Marines.
Big Mom has fallen.
Big Mom has fallen.
Big Mom has fallen.
Disbelief and distrust raged amongst the Totto Land Grand Fleet still intact, still fighting off the coast of Cacao Island. None wanted to believe it; to the officers, this was Mama – powerful, indomitable, awe-inspiring – how could she have died? Moreover, she was Mama – their ultimate loyalty lay with her, after all. Neither did the rank-and-file wish to accept this reality; Big Mom was their ticket to riches, to wealth and power, perhaps even fame. However, reality lay before their eyes as the chess soldiers and many other Homies found themselves crumbling into dust, soul fragments bursting out of their vessels, no longer bound under Big Mom's control.
"Mama can't be gone! She can't!"
Katakuri sighed, barely holding back his tears. "Mama is gone! And we can't bring her back!"
"Then," Perospero suggested as he, too, cried from his ship, screaming into his transponder snail, "we need to avenge Mama!"
"Do you think we have the ability to do so?" Katakuri snarled, livid; though his wicked snarl was hidden by his scarf, the snail reflected the sheer anger and hate within his eyes. "Those fucking Marines outflanked us perfectly. Had I not the foresight to remain on Whole Cake Island to remain with Mama, she –"
"A lot of good that did." The remaining transponder snails all began to chatter.
"Yeah!"
"Katakuri couldn't protect Mama!"
There, were, nonetheless, many voices speaking up in favour of Katakuri, fighting for dominance with the panic-stricken wails so eager to blame Katakuri, all whilst Iron rods, high pressure water and cannon-balls continued to sink Tarte after Tarte even with the withdrawal of the Marine fleet. Damn those Marines…damn those Vice-Admirals! To think, the Marines had such a powerful weapon at their disposal all this time…Katakuri could only gnash his teeth as the Marine ships sailed away, never to be seen again.
"Big Bro did his best!"
"He's still the strongest!
The debate continued as the officers of the Big Mom pirates continued to flounder around, unfocused, consumed by emotion, wrecked by grief. Katakuri sighed. With the Big Mom pirates in this state, how, even if they had the firepower to compete, could they pursue that Marine fleet? Not to mention, those annoying vice-Admirals, especially that accursed Laxus…
Katakuri winced as he attempted to move around. Those electrical burns hurt a lot, he raged. That damned black lightning…oh, how he wished to pay Laxus Dreyar back tenfold, no, a hundredfold for what he did to his family! He would get stronger, much stronger than he was now. Mama's throne had to be reclaimed if he were to keep his family safe, and he would be the one to do it…
Then Daifuku's one question silenced all the voices on the snails.
"So, who's going to be our new leader? With Mama gone, we need strong, decisive leadership."
Immediately after this was asked, the officers again erupted into a flurry of activity.
"Katakuri should lead…"
"No, Cracker should…"
"I think Smoothie is a better…"
"I'm the eldest sibling!"
"And why should we listen to you, hmm?"
"Like you have any room to talk!"
"I'm stronger than you, Perospero!"
"Then I should lead, Cracker!" another voice interjected. "I'm even stronger than you are!"
"Shouldn't Big Bro Katakuri lead us then, if we…"
"Katakuri isn't trustworthy!"
So, this was your plan after all, Uzumaki? Despicable scum – as if killing Mama was not bad enough, now your actions threaten to tear the family apart, hmm? No matter, Katakuri thought, he would get much stronger, he would take control of the Big Mom Pirates, he would prepare his revenge.
Remember my name, he vowed.
Remember my name, Uzumaki Naruto.
As his siblings continued to bicker, however, he ordered his ship to turn back to Kemugi Island. He had preparations to make.
Naruto let out a small breath as he continued to recount the tale. "We were very much exhausted, you know? It was an ultimate trial by fire for the boys, and it was hell. I had promised the men I'd try and bring as many of them back as we could…"
"Did you not?" Sakazuki bluntly questioned.
"We almost didn't make it, you know? No resupply. No support whatsoever, remember?" Naruto bitterly remarked. "The men were desperate for food by the time we had returned to base. Sure, we could hunt Sea Kings and fish for food, but the men…they were spent, you know."
Sakazuki sat in silence. He should have gone with them, he thought. Should have fought Sengoku tooth and nail on this. It was a miracle that the Marine force hadn't been annihilated, and even more of a miracle for them to return largely intact – yet it was a miracle that should not have needed to happen. Shameful as failure would have been, should the proactive action not have been to support the troops such that they had no chance to collapse? Had the leading vice-admiral not been Naruto, had there not been those vice-admirals under his command…the New World was perilous as it was.
Damn Kuzan and his softness, Sakazuki thought. Damn his whimsical nature and unwillingness to take a proactive stance. That softness, he raged, had begun to seep throughout and infect the entire Marine organisation. What he would not give for Naruto to take his place. "Merciful Justice" – heh, this would have been something he would never have allowed to develop had it not been Uzumaki who had adopted the creed. There was just something about the wily vice-admiral which transformed the hearts of men, something irreplicable in Sakazuki's mind. Much more superior, in his opinion, than that mockery of the Marines' principles in "Lazy Justice" …
"It was thanks to you," Sakazuki finally replied, "that the people would finally have their confidence in the Marines reignited again. Knowing that you would fight for them – for justice – which really helped to give the masses life; to empower the Marines and our goal to achieve justice. Your men braved through horrors unimaginable and brutal conflict to achieve that. We mourn them, and we move to immortalise their sacrifice. They embodied justice, Uzumaki. Their sacrifice saved us all; would your men wish for you to wallow still in despair and regret?"
"Sakazuki…"
"I should have fought with you. We all should have. I will allow that. But you should never shame your men by dwelling on what-ifs. It is a much greater dishonour to the Marines – especially the Marines of G-U – for their commander to spit on the sacrifice of his men like this!"
Naruto laughed – a laugh that he had not heard in such a long time. A rather joyful, mirthful laugh so genuine, so full of life and happiness left his lips; even Sakazuki let a smile appear on his face. When was the last time someone had spoken so frankly, yet with words so true? "Your words, Sakazuki, your words…ha! Spoken like a real shinobi, one who endures!" he exclaimed as he finished laughing. "I still feel like my task there is unfinished, you know? The remnants of the Big Mom Pirates are still out there…"
"Sengoku would never allow that; not after your latest stunt."
"He had it coming."
"That may be true, but he doesn't see it that way."
"Ugh…." Naruto sighed again. "The struggle for Big Mom's old territory and influence – it's still going on to this day. The right thing to do should be for me to return and settle it down, you know?"
"I do. However, Sengoku would not approve of such a plan. Not after this whole campaign turned out to be such a success so profound the precious status quo of his was threatened." Sakazuki himself let his disgust show upon his face. Big Mom was gone, but those pesky children of hers, left alone, would develop in power and influence over time. The pragmatic action would have been to uproot fully these remnants, to prevent the extinguished ashes from burning again. However, Sengoku and the Commander-in-Chief were adamant that there be no further action taken – something Sakazuki considered irresponsible and utterly moronic. Heaven forbid if the Big Mom Pirates rebuild themselves from their demise, Sakazuki thought as he cursed Kuzan under his breath.
It was not just the 'Three Crown Princes of Totto Land' becoming of concern in the New World. Two fast-growing pirate crews had begun to emerge not long after Charlotte Linlin's demise, competing for land and influence amongst the remaining territory of Big Mom and forgotten regions of the New World itself. Damn those new Red Dawn Pirates and White Snake Pirates, the thought was, amongst both officers as they stared into the twilight of the sun. It was surprising, really, that these crews had not been assimilated into either of the remaining three Emperors…
Yes, Sakazuki thought, he had much to think about as he eventually found himself led towards G-U proper, leisurely pacing himself as he began to climb down the hill overlooking the old village of Uzushiogakure.
The Vice-Admiral lounge at G-U found itself that night filled, packed to the brim.
It was not often that one could find all the vice-admirals at the lounge at a time, as G-U was indeed a very busy base, leaving most of the vice-admirals at the base with little time to all congregate together at the lounge. If they weren't out on assignment, one would often find the vice-admirals in a courtyard or training ground, training – group exercises, combat simulations, developing their devil fruit – if it was a form of training, usually, at G-U base, a vice-admiral would be found doing it. Even today, with all of the Whirlpool Ten – bar Laxus, however – congregated in the lounge, it somehow felt different, really. Sakazuki, who had not set foot in such a place before, marvelled at the décor, the atmosphere of the place as he sank into a cushioned chair, bewildered at the sight in front of him.
Sake bottles littered tables as the vice-admirals drank from saucers and cups. Inuzuka Kiba and Gajeel Redfox, both with faces flushed red from drink, faced one another, each attempting to overpower the other in an arm wrestle. Black ran across their arms, coating them in Busoshoku Haki – and didn't this awe and shock Sakazuki, for who would use Busoshoku Haki just to win an arm-wrestling match? Actually, that old geezer Garp would if he had ever faced someone who could match his monstrous raw strength by itself, come to think of it, but that was Garp. No one would ever match the sheer craziness that was Garp the Fist, Sakazuki thought, as he continued to look around. Sure enough, Panther Lily and Shizuma were themselves engaging in drunken sword fighting in another thankfully empty corner of the lounge all whilst mugs and bottles flew throughout the room courtesy of Bickslow, Kawaki – now a proud vice-admiral – and Rear-Admiral Sarutobi Konohamaru, a man perhaps entering thirty years of age – didn't Sakazuki remember that Sarutobi name from somewhere, he mused, perhaps from when he was a Marine Officer Cadet? Amidst all this chaos, Vice-Admiral Gaara would be found calmly sipping on some tea, hesitant to involve himself into a potential brawl. How eerie was his calmness, Sakazuki wondered, when he could sit perfectly still with lidded eyes and demure expression, one hand on the cup, the other on a saucer, as
Not that Naruto would have been able to break it up; his leg was found immobilised as Juvia, face flushed vermillion and speech delirious, clutched tightly onto it. Desperately trying to pry himself away from the clingy woman – and wasn't the Ganma Ganma no Mi extremely unhelpful in the situation, what with the harms of Gamma radiation to the flesh and his unwillingness to hurt any of his men without cause – even if it was a drunk Juvia and she was giving him plenty of cause to do so. Sakazuki only laughed as Naruto kept flailing his arms around, gesturing for help. After all, what insane man would disregard the attention of such a beautiful woman? Surely, Naruto must be joking around, as he always did…
There was just one thing that Sakazuki could not put his finger on. Someone, he felt, was missing, and it seemed to be such an uncharacteristic absence, too…
Vice-Admiral Laxus Dreyar stared into the setting sun from the deck of a Marine battleship.
The East Blue, to any other Vice-Admiral on the Grand Line, had always been an afterthought banished to the deepest recesses of one's mind. And why would it not have been that way? One could always ask. The East Blue, though the birthplace of those criminals most heinous – Dragon, the revolutionary, and that thrice-damned Pirate King, Gol. D. Roger – had yet to produce figures of such prominence atop the world stage. Many a great personality, Laxus thought, had nothing to do with the backwater East Blue. The original Four Emperors had three of their ranks hail from the Grand Line; Shanks, the sole exception, sprang out from the West Blue. Save for the old Hero, Monkey D. Garp, no prominent Marine had ever arisen out of the East Blue. Admirals Akainu and Kizaru both were born in the North Blue, he recalled, as was the Great Strategist, Tsuru. Aokiji and the Buddha both originated from the South. Old Issho, Uncle and himself all called the Grand Line their place of birth. No, the East Blue certainly did not draw the attention of headquarters the same way an up-and-coming crew of Grand Line origin would – and for good reason, Laxus reminded himself; those living on the Grand Line tended to be already hardened, bitter, their blades honed by experiences not suitable nor appropriate to a civilian pushed into a life of marauding.
He would certainly not have missed the opportunity to attend the commemoration ceremony otherwise. In addition to the lives of many a Marine lost during the Totto land campaign, the day represented a period of special mourning for the Thunder God Tribe, for it was on this campaign they had lost one of their core. Sure, Bickslow joined him afterwards in the Whirlpool Ten, and Freed Justine – a rather young man whose waist-length green hair with two rather disturbing lightning-shaped strands jutting from its sides contrasted greatly with the maroon – almost as if it were soaked in wine – double-breasted coat covering up to his knees – a respected Commodore, the Thunder God Tribe was not the same without Evergreen, their late comrade and a respected Marine Captain. The loss had hit the squad greatly. Sure, they knew why she chose to gave her life; that she died valiantly, and most certainly not in vain, for her death only came as she sank a number of Tarte ships and perhaps even two or three of Big Mom's officers. It was still surreal, however, to remind themselves that she was gone, Laxus mused. Uncle surely knew this; Uncle remembered everyone who perished in that hell. Yet…
What was it about the East Blue which demanded his attention so? No news had come out of the place which seemed to be of significance, yet his gut – and Uncle had demonstrated upon many a time just why one trusted it so much – kept nagging at him to investigate the situation further. Uncle did not, however, seem to express any reservation towards my claims, Laxus recalled. Yet, he himself did not seem to have much to…
His monologue was suspended as a News coo flew over his head, turning perhaps one or two total revolutions before holding a paper out in its hand. Flicking a coin over, Laxus sighed as he grabbed the crisp yet oily paper held in his hands. Hmmm…. Shiki, Capone Bege…all not so interesting…what the?
There, staring back at him, was a simple sentence which was there, against the backdrop of the words of the newspaper, pushing against the walls of text it was confined next to.
CAPTAIN MORGAN DEAD, UZUMAKI BORUTO IS BACK.
This complicated things, Laxus lamented, as he rested his hand in his palm. Whenever Boruto was involved in something, it would never remain 'small' or 'confined'. If he had surfaced in the East Blue…actually, what on Earth was he even doing in the East Blue? What had the weakest of seas to offer Boruto? Protection? Even if G-U could not officially protect him, there were many more options within the Grand Line and New World alike. Fame? Ditto. Wealth? The One Piece was believed to be at the end of the New World, not hidden in the open on Dawn Island! A rookie pirate crew to sail with? What crew was there in the East Blue? Would not Eustass Kid or Capone Bege have been a more logical choice to go for?
Something felt off about this sea, he reflected as the waters around him became calm and the wind stopped bellowing. As the ship sailed across the Calm Belt with the corpses of Sea Kings perhaps too observant floating in the wake of the ship, many with burns and scorched skin running across their great forms, Laxus let himself relax as he sat on a chair he had placed earlier on the deck of the warship. He had not the patience to deal with whatever the East Blue had in store for him, not with such an air of subterfuge and deceit swarming the sea. The "Justice of Strength" he so espoused detested those Branch Marines, he thought; a philosophy where it was the duty of the strong to enforce Justice, to uplift those who could not do so themselves, whilst those of the Marines had the obligation to obtain strength; to become stronger, to strive towards strengthening oneself. Hopefully this trip would not be too long, for when he had asked for about perhaps up to two months to investigate this problem, there would have been ample time for some shore leave for the men accompanying him on his operation. There really was not much to see in the East Blue save for perhaps the Baratie restaurant or the Goa kingdom – provided where you knew where to go exactly and who you knew, although the peaceful waters of the sea were a nice break from the storm-infested seas surrounding the old village of Uzushiogakure no Sato.
First, to Lougetown, he supposed. At least Captain Smoker could be considered somewhat dependable out of the Marine officers in that sea, and his command over the Polestar islands appeared to have borne noticeable results for the time being.
The chaos would come later, of that, he held no doubt. What he could do, then, was merely prepare, he told himself, as the soothing sound of waves crashing against the hull of the mightly battleship began to rock him to sleep.
Despite Zeff's reassurances, Sanji would not go and become a pirate within the next few days.
Neither Luffy nor Boruto were willing to concede on this matter either, and in the Baratie each dining session the Straw Hats partook in would often feature more of the same – that is, Sanji fawning over either Nami or Boruto's Sexy Technique (the name given to his disturbingly attractive transformation), refusing to join the Straw-Hat Pirate crew; Zeff would overhear him, call him a nuisance to the restaurant, and this would immediately provoke Sanji into a fight – not that he would win, for though 'Red Leg' Zeff was old and crippled, he was still Sanji's master in all that he knew, and could still pack quite a punch – of course, he wouldn't actually punch anyone, though Sanji would still get kicked – into the Straw-Hats' table, every time, he would get asked again, and so on, and so on.
This day would however be different, however, as a battered galleon began to sail – sail perhaps being too strong of a word here, perhaps it appeared to just drift along – to the Baratie. Initially masked by the fog permeating throughout the atmosphere around the restaurant ship, it eventually came into view to reveal what used to be the Dreadnought Sabre, former flagship of the Krieg Pirates. The vessel may have been magnificent once upon a time; however, it now resembled a ghost ship. Tattered sails were accompanied by many a hole in the ship proper, a jolly roger on black fabric greatly fraying at the edges, and the sabretooth tiger figurehead itself missing entire chunks off its side.
As the remaining patrons began to cower and shake, Boruto looked at Luffy. "Should we sink their ship?"
Nami and Usopp were stunned. "How can you talk of sinking that ship so easily? That's Don Krieg! The 'King of the East Blue!'"
"I'd be down for it," Zoro muttered. "Haven't had a good fight in ages."
Boruto turned to deadpan at the two shivering crewmembers. "I'm much stronger, of course!"
"Shishishishi!" Luffy just chuckled, before adopting a more serious demeanour. "Not just yet!"
"You're the captain," Boruto acquiesced, though both he and Zoro looked rather disappointed.
"THIS ISN'T GOOD!" Usopp was now shaking, mouth opening and closing as he took in the sight of the massive ship. "Shouldn't we just get out of here?"
"What a huge galleon!" Nami whimpered as the ship passed by the window-side table they were sitting at.
"Oi, Sanji!" Luffy waved over the Sous-chef to the Straw Hats' table. "Do you think," he pointed at the galleon sailing by the Baratie, "that Gin has come back to repay your kindness? Although it's strange that their ship is so beat up…"
"I doubt it," Sanji answered as he moved between chairs and tables to make his way over to the Straw-Hat Pirate crew, menus held in hand, ready to distribute them out. "But you're right, it does look quite battered, although it doesn't seem to be the work of cannons, or anything manmade…"
Boruto let out a snort. "Luffy's grandfather could probably do that in his sleep," he pointed to the ship before sipping on the Junmai Daiginjo-shu that Zoro had always ordered for them at meal-times. Nami, Usopp and even Zoro turned their heads at Luffy. Who was this mysterious grandfather capable of such destruction, that Luffy would not say a word of to his crew (whenever they tried to press the issue they would always be met by a terse 'don't ask', and that was that.) and made such an impression on their absurdly overpowered resident ninja in terms of their strength?
The door to the Baratie soon opened to reveal Gin supporting a larger man by looping his arm around Gin's own shoulders – a large, muscular man with rather distinct lavender-grey hair and cut sideburns, considerable gauze lining his head. Furthermore, he wore a rather bulky fur-lined coat with his arms through the sleeves over a rather dull yellow vest with black spots not unlike the patterns of a leopard, with a slight portion of what seemed to be golden plating below the vest. Indeed, Krieg looked quite pitiful, not like his usual self.
"Sorry…" he whispered as he entered the dining hall, "Can I have some water and food? We have money…tons…of money…I don't even remember the last time I ate…please…water…food…"
Krieg never got to finish the sentence as he collapsed to the ground, taking Gin with him.
"No way…"
"He's so weak…"
"Is that really Krieg?"
"He seems hungry." Luffy simply stated, though Boruto seemed to have different ideas.
"He," Boruto snarled, "is a rat. Look at him. Really look at him. Tell me that he is here just to receive food to eat."
Luffy could not answer.
"All I need is your order, Luffy. Just give me the order, and Krieg will die here."
"No!"
"What?"
"If we kill him here, Sanji will never join us!" Luffy's statement was as assertive as it was unexpected.
However, Sanji was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the restaurant itself was abuzz with murmurings between chefs and patrons alike about the heinous criminal in front of them.
"Let him starve…"
"He deserves it!"
"Why should we let him eat?"
"Contact the Marines right away!"
"He'd just attack this restaurant if he gets to eat!"
Krieg tried to get up from the ground. "I won't do anything…I won't do anything," he tried to insist. "Once I eat…I'll leave this place quietly…"
As Krieg began to kowtow in an attempt to demonstrate his insistence, Gin was aghast. "Don Krieg! You shouldn't be doing something so disgraceful! Please stop!"
"Even…leftovers would be heavenly…"
"Don!"
"Hahah! Are you trying to gain our sympathy…" Patty, standing on the spiral staircase between the dining hall and kitchen, never got to finish his sentence as Sanji's kick struck him in the face, knocking him down to the dining floor through the railings, whilst Sanji himself walked over to Krieg, carrying a steaming, heaping bowl of fried rice.
"Sanji…"
"Here, Gin." Sanji set the bowl down on the floor. "Let him eat it."
Another chef came running down the stairs as Krieg began hastily shoving handfuls of fried rice into his mouth. "Sanji!" he yelled, desperation lacing his voice. "Take that food away right now! Do you know who that is? That is 'Foul Play' Krieg! Known for raising Marine flags to attack harbours and merchant ships, as well as using the white flag to do those same things…he would do anything to continue winning!"
"So, he plays dirty?" Luffy wondered.
No sooner did Krieg finish his meal, than did he throw out his right arm, striking Sanji down, his arm in contact with his neck, sending him sprawling onto the floor of the restaurant.
Gin was shocked. "Don!", he called out. As customers began to flee from the hall, Gin continued to protest. "This isn't what we agreed, Don Krieg! I brought you here under the condition that you wouldn't touch this restaurant! And that man saved our lives…"
Krieg did not respond, instead picking Gin up by the right shoulder, twisting his arm and breaking the shoulder proper.
"Yeah, that was delicious. And I feel alive again!"
Usopp himself was shivering, whilst it seemed that Nami had already made herself scarce. "Shouldn't we be prepared to run?"
"Why?" Zoro smirked as he moved his hands to his swords. "Are you scared?"
"Don't be silly!"
At this time, Krieg had finally finished turning his head around, having drunk in the sight of the ship. "I'll be taking this ship! My old one got wrecked, so I wanted a replacement. You'll get off this ship after you take care of what I tell you to do."
I want to apologise.
Sorry for not updating in a long while.
I only have two words.
Medical School.