Chapter six, here we go! Now this chapter officially starts the canon story with Luffy's departure! How will our favorite Gomu-Gomu user go about his journey with an older brother that's practically hovering over him to make he doesn't make any stupid mistakes. Oh god what is Marek going to have to deal with…. Also make sure to check the bottom of this chapter, there will be a preview of what I have in mind for "Percy Jackson and the Earthshaker" story!
Chapter 6: Start of the journey!
"Fleet Admiral, you wanted to see me?" A young voice said, easily entering the fleet admiral's office. "Indeed Vice Admiral, I know it's been a few years since you've patrolled your home sea. There are reports that piracy has begun to spring up there; with the capture and subsequent execution of Kuro of a thousand plans by Captain Morgan, and Captain Smoker's guarding of the entrance to the Grand Line from there, pirates have begun taking their chances once again in the East Blue."
Marek narrowed his eyes, nodding as he stood straight. Sengoku continued, "We've also been unable to reach Captain Morgan in Shells Town, I want you to check up on what is going on there. There have also been reports of Arlong the Saw as well, as I'm sure you're aware that Jinbe had released him. We are currently unaware of his location, but as soon as you've dealt with him and the majority of the issues that have arisen, return to the Grand Line."
Marek nodded and saluted. "Yes sir Fleet Admiral." Sengoku proceed to loosen his own stance and a small smile crossed his face. "I know your brother is about to start his journey, that's why I'm sending you instead of a lower rank to investigate. Me and Garp are hopeful that, upon seeing your deeds in person for himself, he'll join the Marines or at the very least, become a bounty hunter."
Marek smiled lightly. "If I'm able to Uncle, I will. You know how stubborn my family is." The two men chuckled softly before Sengoku grew comically serious. "That's what I'm afraid of. Dismissed, Vice Admiral." Marek nodded, leaving the door with a wave of his hand.
Marek slid his hands in his pockets, his coat hanging off his shoulders with the kanji for "Justice" on the back. 'Hmm, I wonder if I have some time for Shogi with Jonathan or Issho. I could always use a touch-up on my tactical planning.'
East Blue, start of Luffy's journey
Luffy grinned softly. "Bye Makino, bye Mayor! Bye stinky old bandits!" Luffy waved his hand as he set sail as Makino, Mayor Woop and the bandits waved goodbye with Makino and secretly Dadan had tears trailing down their faces. "No Lord of the Coast since Gramps ran it over. I wonder if he learned his lesson." Luffy said as he cupped his chin. "Shishishi, I wanted to test out my new pistol punch! Too bad I guess!" After a few hours of sailing, Luffy got bored. "Man, I wonder if this is how Ace felt when he first set sail." He whined with a comically pout. "Marek had it easy! He got to go with Gramps and train!" He took a minute to think, I know surprising to come from Luffy, before he paled. "Actually, I take it back. Gramps' training was hell! I guess I'll take a nap while I wait." He opened up the barrel to see if there was any more meat in it before he heard a noise.
"Didn't Marek say something about something being common in the seas? Oh right, whirlpools!" He grinned, before he got scared. "Whirlpool! I need safety, my little ship can't handle that!" He jumped in the barrel, closed up the lid tight before taking his nap.
Meanwhile, with our favorite big brother, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE ALREADY LEFT MAYOR?!" Marek exclaimed in surprise and horror. "It's exactly what I said Marek, and calm your voice, you're about as loud as your grandfather." "Sorry." He said in a calmer, ashamed tone. "As I was saying, Luffy left early this morning, said he wanted to get a head start on his journey."
Marek rubbed his forehead. "I'm sorry for getting mad at you Mayor. It's just I set the precedent with leaving with my grandfather at noon, and Ace left at noon. I didn't think the boy would be so impatient to get going. I was going to pick him up and head to Shells Town so that he could see how marines operated." The den-den mushi with Marek's beard had said. He sighed softly in disappointment at missing his little brother's departure. "Tell Makino and Dadan that me and Ace both said hello. Talked to the little brat after I left and he's been doing well, he joined up with Whitebeard." The mushi turned off and went to sleep as Marek placed a small treat for it when it woke up.
Marek got up and went to the ship's deck that he was on, sailing through the Calm Belt to get to East Blue. He crossed his arms. 'Little brother, you sure are reckless huh.' A smirk crossed his face. 'You wouldn't be one of the D if you weren't reckless.' The smirk faded as he thought of the other pirate with the name of D. "Teach…" He growled out as the seas rocked back and forth under him, doing nothing to capsize the boat but it signified Marek's anger. The Whitebeard pirates tattoo on his back stung in response in his anger. "How dare you…. To kill Thatch just for a devil fruit. If I find your sorry fat ass, you'll regret going for Thatch. I'll make you pay."
Marek calmed down as the seas did. 'Ace…. Call me if you find him. I know how much it means to you since Thatch brought you out of your shell, but he has more experience than you. I don't want you making the same mistake that I did against him.' He closed his eyes as he thought back to it.
Flashback
Rear Admiral Marek had just finished capturing a pirate crew when he felt a quake. He blinked softly, reaching out with his observation as his eyes narrowed. "Tanner! Get the ship as far as you can and call for reinforcements! I'll need either a few vice admirals or an admiral against this opponent!" Tanner's eyes widened before he nodded, getting the marines back to the ship.
'Why are one of them here? This is some minor pirate crew that think they have a shot in Paradise.' He thought as he growled slightly, seeing a giant Brachiosaurus with a mustache and a braid on his head for hair. The figured shrunk down to reveal a very large man, the mustache and braid still prominent along with the man's large size.
"Eh, why'd you send them away? A performer such as I always needs an audience!" The large man exclaimed comically, crocodile tears trailing down his face. Marek bit his lip as he growled slightly, hoping to buy some time for reinforcements. "Queen the Plague, one of Kaido's All-Stars with a bounty of One Billion Beri. What's a man like you doing here in Paradise?"
"Well you see, I was in the neighborhood, testing out one of my experiments, when I felt a stronger than usual lad on the island. So I figured why not treat the lad and his crew to a rare one-time performance before I ended them!" Marek's eye twitched as the fat man grinned.
"I know who you are, Monkey D. Marek. Former epithet being "Silver Hand" Marek, now known as "Hero of the People." You know, a man like yourself could do so much more than you already are." The large man cupped his chin, "Hmm, if I had to guess on your bounty based on your power right now, I'd say it's about 350 million beri."
"Take this seriously damn it!" Marek exclaimed with anger in his eyes but was praying that the All-Star wasn't. It was buying him time for an admiral or a more experienced vice admiral to show up. Queen shrugged his shoulders, "I don't often do solo performances for a single audience member, but I'll try it out! Woo I'm feeling excited!" The large man said as he raised his fist in the air before disappearing before Marek's eyes.
Marek's eyes widened before he brought his arm up to block an incoming strike from the big man that sent him skidding back through a few trees. 'Crap, even with Kizaru's training I could barely react to that in time!' Queen clapped in excitement. "Oh yeah! That's what I'm talking about! Reacting just in time to one of my strikes, that's exciting!" Marek's eyes narrowed. "I'm full of surprises, ya damn bastard. I may not be able to take you down, but I'm sure you'll appreciate a stronger opponent than I." Queen shrugged. "I'm feeling the groove now, I just hope none of those fuddy admirals show up because that's just a bore."
Marek rotated his shoulder as he slid off his rear admiral's jacket as Queen's eyes widened comically. "Eh don't start stripping now! I'm not into that kind of shit man!" Marek slipped off his bracers as the jacker and bracers landed on the ground with a thud. "I'm getting the heavy weight off of me to better fight you, you damn pirate jackass!" He exclaimed with shark-teeth as Queen blinked. "Eh? You think taking off some weight is going to work?" Marek smirked. "We'll see. I might not be able to kick you at the speed of light (1) but I can still move pretty fast for my size, as I'm sure you surprise people with your own."
Queen grinned happily and spun around. "Ooh an admirer of the arts! That's my kind of funk!" As he looked back to where Marek was, he blinked comically. "Eh? Where did he- "He looked down, seeing a smirk on the rear admiral's face. "Word of advice, keep your eye on the birdie." He threw a solid right hook into the large man's gut, his fist imbued in silver as Queen's eyes widened comically in pain.
Queen suddenly grabbed Marek with a grin, "Yeah, not my kind of funk bro." He threw him back as the two clashed. (2)
Flashback end
Marek growled, rolling his shoulder. "That fat bastard…. I'm thankful that Issho and Aokiji managed to drive him back." He coughed violently into his hand. 'Two years from that fight, and I'm still suffering from some of his plague. I need to get the healing portion of my Mizu-Mizu no Mi working.' He looked out across the sea, seeing Shells Town in the distance. "Alright Morgan, why haven't you been responding to the calls….."
Shells Town
The young Vice Admiral stepped off his boat at the harbor. He noticed the looks of fear coming from the populace as he walked through the town. 'Why are they afraid? It's like Akainu walked through and made an example out of someone….' He slipped his hands into his pocket as he walked through the town, eventually coming to a small restaurant. He took a seat there. "Excuse me miss, but why is everyone so afraid? I've noticed that I've gotten fearful looks as I walked through the town."
Ririka walked up to him with a slight fearful expression. "Y-you should know! Y-you're one of them after all!" Marek raised an eyebrow. "Ma'am, I just arrived here from Marine HQ, could you fill me in on the situation here?" Now less fearful and more hopeful, she told him everything. How Morgan was demanding tributes from the populace, how his son basically got away with everything and how the son's pet wolf (in which Marek raised an eyebrow about) was causing a ruckus and her daughter tried to swat it away with a broom and it turned on her. It eventually was cut down by the Pirate Hunter Zoro, and the Captain's son demanded that he be tied up for a month as punishment, and how her daughter had snuck food to him earlier that day and hadn't returned yet.
Marek's eyes narrowed and was about to get up when he heard the doors open. "Momma I made it home! The pink-haired boy and the boy with the straw hat helped me!" Marek's eyes widened at the mention of the straw hat and not soon after, the two mentioned boys came in. "How could he be so cruel to order them to throw her over the fence like that! I thought marines were supposed to be good people and help others!" The pink-haired boy complained in a heartbroken tone, which Marek took note of. He lowered his hat to cover his eyes.
"Kid, we're not all like that." Marek said, bringing the attention of the boy and the straw-hat kid to him. "I was sent by the higher ups to investigate why Captain Morgan wasn't responding to any calls. I guess I know why." He stood up, towering over the two of them as Koby, the pink-haired boy, shook in fear. Luffy tilted his head, wondering why the marine guy sounded so familiar.
"I came for that, and to also see my little brother off on his journey." His tone became sweet-sounding, an underlying threat in it. "But when I went to call ahead to tell the people of my town that I'd be coming, he took off earlier than expected. Isn't that right, LUFFY?!" He gripped the boy by his red shirt as he tried to run off. Koby's eyes widened as Luffy struggled out of his grip. "I left because I knew you were going to be like Gramps and try to make me a marine! I don't wanna! I wanna be the Pirate king!"
Marek growled as he, in similar fashion to their grandfather, slammed a fist down onto Luffy's head, sending the boy crashing to the ground. "You damn idiot! You know I'm more lenient than Gramps about it! At the very least I hoped you could become a bounty hunter and at least work with your big brother on some pirate hunting!" Koby's mouth dropped as he had seen Luffy taken a mace to the head and feel nothing, and here was this man claiming to be Luffy's older brother punching him in the head and almost knocking him out! Marek sighed as the hat uncovered his eyes. "What am I going to do with you Loo?" He shook his head as a blonde-haired kid that wore his hair in one of the most bizarre fashions imaginable and wearing a purple suit came in. 'Oh this should be interesting.' Marek thought with an amused smirk on his face as the boy ran his mouth off about how "his daddy lets him do that" and "that he's going to execute Zoro in a few days because he's bored with him."
Marek cupped the boy's shoulder with a smile. "Excuse me lad, I'm looking for Captain Morgan. You seem to know him pretty well, being his son and all." The boy shivered under the man's gaze as the grip on his shoulder was becoming uncomfortable. "Oh, and the execution of Roronoa Zoro? That won't be happening." The boy, forgetting about his fear and the pain of his shoulder, exclaimed. "Why not? He committed a crime of killing my poor precious puppy!" Marek's eyes narrowed dangerously as he just smiled. "Because you have no marine rank first off, and because I'm a Vice Admiral." The boy gulped as Koby's jaw dropped as Luffy whooped, you know, just Luffy things. "Now be a good little daddy's boy and run back up to the base and let him know that I'm coming."
Marek took his hand off the boy's shoulder who whimpered and ran back to the base. Luffy's eyes shined brightly. "So cool!" Koby walked up to him in nervousness. "Um… mister?" Marek looked down at the young boy "Eh? You're the kid who made sure Rika was ok. What's up?" "D-do you think I-I could be a marine?" Koby asked in nervousness. "I don't see why you couldn't. I can put in a word with the higher ups for you, see that you get some good training and the likes." Koby's lip quivered before suddenly hugging his leg. Marek tried to shake him off as the kid repeatedly said thank you. "Oy, get off my leg!"
He turned serious as he looked at Luffy. "You were up at the base Loo, what do you think about Zoro?" Luffy grinned, "I think he'd make an awesome first mate for my crew! That is, if you're still adamant about not joining me." Marek chuckled softly, "Loo you know how well that'd go. I have too much information about stuff that I'd be hunted down by two of the three admirals." Koby's eyes widened as Luffy picked his nose. "Eh, why not the third?"
"Eh pops…." Marek deadpanned as Aokiji used his coat as a blanket as he went to sleep on the floor. 'Why did I intern for him, and why did I let him be my father figure while dad isn't around?'
"Let's just leave it at that." Marek murmured. "Anyways, let's go deal with this "Captain"." Luffy nodded as the two brothers headed up to the base with Koby following behind. Marek had his hands in his pockets as Luffy had his hands behind his head, grinning. "You haven't grown much brat." Marek spoke up, frowning softly. "You've only grown a few inches since I saw you when Ace left. How are you still shorter than six feet?" Luffy grumbled as Marek's frown turned into a teasing smile. "You're still going to be the shortest of us Loo. Seriously, with gramps being as tall as he is, and our parents being tall in their own rights, it makes me think you're going to take after Grandma Tsuru, but even she is almost seven feet tall herself!" Marek started laughing before they arrived at the gates of the 153rd branch.
He looked at the two marines standing guard, feeling their nervousness coming off of them. He nodded at them. "At ease men, I can practically smell your nervousness. Open the gates, I have to see….." His eyes drifted upwards as a statute was being pulled up at the top of the base. He narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Captain Morgan." The two men nodded in relief and opened the gates for him. "Luffy, Koby, go untie Zoro. Tell him what the captain's son had planned for him and that he is being pardoned by Vice Admiral Monkey D. Marek." The two nodded and ran off as Marek walked into the base.
Luffy grinned, seeing the tied-up swordsman. "Oy, Zoro! We're freeing you!" Zoro looked up, "Eh you two again? I don't need your help; I'm getting through this month." "Shishishi, no need!" Koby smiled as he started undoing the knots. "The captain's son planned to execute you in a few days." Zoro's eyes widened slightly as Koby continued. "Luckily though, a vice admiral just showed up and heard what's been going on here. He's granted you a full pardon and he's dealing with Captain Morgan right now." Zoro narrowed his eyes slightly. "What's one of them doing here? Shouldn't they be at the Grand Line or something like that?" Luffy grinned more. "Usually, but it seems big bro had some important work to do here!" Zoro's eyes widened, "Wait, this vice admiral is your big brother?!" Luffy just laughed.
Meanwhile with Marek
'Geez this base is fancy looking. It's like I'm at Loguetown or Vice Admiral Jonathan's base. Yeah there is definitely something fishy going on here, and it's not fishmen or mermaids.' He narrowed his eyes more. "Sengoku would have a field day with what's going on here." He muttered as after a few minutes of walking; he reached the roof. He coughed to get the attention. "Hello, I'm looking for Captain Morgan." "That's him daddy! That's the man claiming to be a vice admiral!" Helmeppo shouted, pointing his finger at Marek. Marek looked at the statue that had finally been raised. "Hmm, that's a pretty impressive statute Captain. How did you get the funds for that I wonder…." Morgan started to sweat lightly, before he calmed himself down. "No way you're a vice admiral, you're too young! Who are you and why are you here?!" Marek took a glimpse at the man before looking at the statue. "Now I know that I'm a hero and all, but even I don't have a statue of myself anywhere. I'm kinda jealous really." He walked up to it, patting it softly as the men gulped in fear as Morgan's eyes narrowed. Suddenly, Marek pushed it and it was sent flying into the ocean, making everyone's jaw drop and eyes widen comically.
"Not very sturdy though. Seems a shame to waste so much money on it. Now to answer your questions captain." Marek put his hands back in his pocket before seeing Luffy slingshot his way up. 'That idiot….' He sighed internally, before seeing him grab the captain's kid and run off, hearing something about "Hi big bro just grabbing Zoro's sword" or something like that. "Well that was interesting." He said with some mirth as Morgan was starting to get pissed off. He narrowed his eyes at the Axe-Hand captain.
"My name is Monkey D. Marek, Vice Admiral and grandson of Vice Admirals Monkey D. Garp and Monkey Tsuru. I've been sent down here by Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself to deal with rising acts of piracy since 1. You seem to not be doing your job, Captain Morgan, by missing any form of contact; and 2. To deal with the threat of Saw-Tooth Arlong, a Grand Line veteran who is supposedly roaming around these waters." The men gulped as Morgan's eyes narrowed in rage.
"Now I know you're lying. Why would a Vice Admiral be down here in the weakest seas, and I haven't missed any calls!" Marek smiled slightly. "Oh? Well there are three marine branches here. The one on the Conomoi Islands, Loguetown's, and of course, this one. It's interesting because they've all answered and sent replies, all except yours. So tell me Captain Morgan." He slipped his hand out of his pocket before he raised a finger to block a strike from the Axe-handed captain, of which the marines there stood in shock comically as Marek stared at the man. "What the hell do you think you're doing here?"
Luffy was dragging Helmeppo through the halls. "Oy, where's Zoro's sword?" "I-i-i-in my room! W-we just passed it!" Luffy went back a few rooms before staring at the purple room. 'Huh, never would've guessed.' He went to thank him before noticing he was unconscious. "Oh well." He looked at the swords resting against the wall. "Oh man, which one is his? I'll just have to take all three." He snatched up the swords before smashing through the window and landing in the courtyard. "I didn't know which one was yours, so I grabbed all three." Zoro smirked, having been untied just a few seconds earlier by Koby. "They're all mine, I use Santoryuu (Three Sword Style). But I'll tell you this, you get in my way of being the Worlds' Greatest Swordsman and I'll cut you down, you hear me?"
Luffy grinned. "The Pirate King would expect nothing less from his first mate! Now where's the captain and Marek?" As soon as he said that, Morgan landed flat on his back on the ground, panting softly as Marek looked like he was walking down from the air. "Boy for a Marine Captain, you sure got taken down pretty quickly. Must be training my generation harder or something because you suck." Morgan sat up with bruises and scowled. "What the hell are you?!"
"I already told you, I'm a Vice Admiral. Oy, Luffy, go ahead and finish him off. I have to make a report to the Fleet Admiral about what's been going on here." Marek turned his back before a shout rang through the courtyard. "Nobody move or the kid gets it!" Helmeppo was holding Koby hostage as Marek turned back around. His gaze turned stern and cold. "Now that you've drawn your weapon, are you willing to use it? Would you risk your life?" Helmeppo gulped as his hand started to get sweaty. Marek continued. "Guns, swords, any kind of weapons, it doesn't matter what they are. They're not made to be for threats but for action. So, with that little thing you call a gun drawn, are you willing to risk your life, son of Morgan?"
Captain Morgan got up and went for a swing on Marek and Zoro slashed through the captain while Luffy nailed Helmeppo in the face, knocking him out as the captain fell over, unconscious. Luffy grinned, "Where'd ya hear that from big bro? That sounded really cool!" (3) Marek smile as the atmosphere around him lessen. "I got it from Shanks believe it or not." He looked at Zoro who had a small smirk on his face. "So you're the Pirate Hunter. You've done a pretty good job at keeping the small fry here down Zoro." Zoro smirked, "Heh, high praise from someone like you."
Marek smiled, "I'd take his offer you know." Zoro raised an eyebrow. "Luffy's offer to join his crew. You're reliable, a good swordsman, not the best as I have talked with your goal before. You'll encounter a lot of people that'll improve your skills. I say go with him, keep my little brother as safe as you're able, eh?" Marek stook his hand out for a handshake and Zoro accepted. "Now then, who's the next one in charge after Morgan?" He shouted as a man stepped up. "I am sir, Commander Ripper at your service." Marek nodded. "Good, you're going to help me with my report to HQ. The rest of you, chain up Morgan! I don't need him escaping and thinking he can do this again!" The marines saluted before cheering for the defeat of Morgan.
Half an hour later
"And that's the report Fleet Admiral. Morgan's been exploiting the people here, terrifying the men under his command with execution if they didn't do what he said, as well as having his son who is no marine rank do whatever he felt." Marek said, sitting back in the chair as the Mushi that Sengoku's appearance took it all in. "It's a mess huh?" Sengoku said with a sigh. "Very well. Commander Ripper, you are in charge of that branch from here on out. I'd recommend you checking on the other marine branch on the Conomoi islands, just to make sure they haven't been given us false reports. Captain Smoker is reliable, so I trust him that he's sending the appropriate reports; he has also sent us quite a few prisoners that are in level 1 of Impel Down." Marek nodded. "That's all for now Fleet Admiral, I'll be continuing my investigation." Sengoku nodded before the call ended as Marek made another call.
"Who are you calling now sir?" Ripper asked as Marek smiled at him. "I'm calling my grandfather. The pink-haired boy that was with my brother wants to be a marine, and I see potential in the captain's son. Garp would have a ball training them. Also this is a slight punishment for Helmeppo." Marek grinned as the mushi picked up. "Vice Admiral Garp's office, what do you need?" "Bogard, it's Vice Admiral Marek. I need to talk to Garp on marine business." Bogard nodded as the Mushi changed to Garp's face.
"Bwahaha what do you need my dear grandson?" "I've got a few kids here in the East that would benefit from your training. A pink-haired boy, whose dream is to be a marine, and a boy that'll probably be wearing a purple suit and the worst haircut I've seen in a long time." Garp just started laughing, tearing up slightly. "Geez Marek, you've certainly got my tact! How's Luffy doing? He's with you on your investigation right?" Marek sighed softly. "Gramps, he's set on being a pirate. He just wants to be free to live his life how he wants to. He's got our stubbornness, but he does have the Pirate Hunter looking after him."
Garp hummed in response. "Well, I'll be around Shells Town to pick up those two kids. See if I can't whip them into good marines like I did you." Marek chuckled, "Gramps, you know you can't take all the credit for it. That's all I needed to talk to you about. I'll see you in about a month when I come back to the Grand Line." "I'll see you then Marek. Good luck." The call ended as Marek crossed his arms, sighing softly.
A few minutes later
Marek walked into the restaurant. "Oy Luffy, no stealing your friend's food. He needs it more than you do currently." He rolled his eyes, smiling lightly as he sat down with the three. "No need for food for me right now, I'll be in later Ririka. I just wanted to see this knucklehead off. I'll be staying here for about a week." Marek smiled, putting Luffy in a headlock.
"Oy, let me go big bro!" He said with laughter, grinning happily. He eventually got out of his grip and smiled at him. "So why are you staying here for so long? Don't you have one of those inves…..um….. search things to do?" Marek sighed softly. "I thought Makino and I fixed your education problem. It's an investigation, and I do. I'm waiting for grandpa to get here so he can take Koby for training and taking Morgan to Impel Down."
Luffy paled, "G-Gramps is coming here! Oy, Zoro, we need to get out of here now!" Zoro looked on hazily as he finished up his food. "Why's that?" Marek laughed softly. "Hehehe, Luffy's a bit traumatized from our grandfather's training. Think of the hardest training you've ever done and multiply that by a thousand." Zoro paled as well upon hearing that. "How are you even sane!" "Because while I did my training with our grandfather, I had my grandmother making sure he never took it too far. So, best be off with you two. He'll likely pound Luffy's head into the ground for still wanting to be a pirate." The two nodded quickly, saying their thanks and leaving the restaurant.
Koby's eyes watered as he realized that he'd be becoming a marine, but also be training under his hero, Monkey D. Garp. "Oy, Koby. Let's go see your friends off eh?" Marek said with a smile, getting up and putting his hands into his pockets. Koby got up and followed him as Marek walked out. He heard his mushi going off and picked it up.
"Vice Admiral Marek here, who is this?" "Marek!" The feminine voice rang out from the other side as it shifted to a blonde-haired woman with glasses. He paled slightly, 'Oh god not her…..' "Hello Kalifa, what do you need?" "You never call! Don't you like me? Oh, that's sexual harassment by the way Iceburg." Marek's face had a bit of mirth as he responded. "Oh, you're in Water 7 now? Very impressive Kalifa." Kalifa blushed in happiness. "Oh you think so? I thought it'd be a boring assignment! I'm with Blueno, Kaku, and the others. Rob's here too if you want to talk to him." As she continued talking, his expression darkened at the thought of CP9's golden boy, Rob Lucci. The man was ruthless, sadistic and cold, as well as being able to hide his emotions easily. 'The perfect assassin' Marek thought with a slight growl.
"Kalifa, I'm on an investigation right now in East Blue for the Fleet Admiral. I don't have time for phone calls like this. We'll talk later when we're both off-duty okay?" He ended the call, not knowing that soon they would be enemies and not friends. 'If Gramps is coming from the way he should be, which is the easiest for him, I should sense him in a few days. At least then I can leave.'
A few days later
'There he is.' Marek thought, sensing him with observation. Even at his current state, he was only reaching about half of his grandfather's power. It had waned a little due to age, but it was still a strong pillar. He sat up. "Commander Ripper, Vice Admiral Garp will be here in a few days. I'll be taking my leave." Ripper saluted him as he put his hands in his pockets. He went to the dock, saying his goodbyes to Ririka and Rika and went on his way. 'Hmm, think I'll go to the Baratie, catch up with Zeff and see how that brat of his is doing.' Marek thought with a fond smile.
And with that, the first half of romance dawn is done! For those who will surely complain "What about Usopp? What about the Buggy pirates?" Those events will happen as they do in canon, only having Luffy taking less damage against Kuro due to Marek's careful training of him. The next chapter will be Baratie with Krieg and Mihawk, of which our favorite Straw Hat crew will see how much of a gap there is, witnessing a fight between two Grand Line veterans.
(1): This is a reference to Kizaru and his lazy, but brutal, training of Marek, as well as just Kizaru in general.
(2): I wanted to give Marek a rival in the New World that would push him, and the fight was cut short because I may touch up on that later.
(3): Remember, Shanks didn't save Luffy from Higuma because Garp was coming home when he received a call by Marek that Luffy had eaten a devil fruit. So Luffy never heard that, but does repeat it to Usopp because he really looks up to Marek.
And with those few notes, a preview taste of Percy Jackson and the Earthshaker!
"Oy…. Percy….." A familiar voice had reached Percy's ears as his twin brother, Edward, sat on the opposite side of the bus. "What do you think about this trip? It seems pretty cool if you ask me." Percy shook his head, smiling slightly. "Only you could find field trips interesting Eddie." Edward looked out the window, his arm resting on his knee with his hand on his face. "You can't argue that being out of the school is a bit freeing. I like the feeling, plus it's Mr. Brunner taking us on this trip. We both know how much he wants to help you, as well as seeing him look younger when I take to this mythology stuff like a fish in water."
Grover, their mutual crippled friend, shook his head. "M-man, I've never seen Mr. Brunner smile the way he does when you can recite stuff from the top of your head Eddie." Edward smirked slightly, "It's a gift, what can I say?"
"Percy, duck!" Edward shouted as the boy ducked under the flying creature that was their teacher, Ms. Dodds. "Where is it!" She shrieked as she flew at Edward. "Maybe the younger twin might not know where it is, but surely you do!" Edward's eyes narrowed. "I don't have a clue what you're talking about, but I'm not letting you hurt my brother." Determined to not let this thing harm his brother, seeing it quickly approaching them, Edward threw out a punch, one that any martial artist would be proud of. The sound of window cracking and the air vibrating came from Edward's fist as he punched the creature. 'No way, Eddie just hit her without hitting her!'
"Percy, water now!" Edward shouted as he shoulder tackled the hellhound off his brother. A white bubble appeared around his hand. "Attack my brother will you!" He slammed his fist down onto the hellhound's head, causing the ground to shake around the forest and stream as the hellhound disintegrated into dust. Annabeth went to check on Percy as she paled. "Oh gods…. I had hoped it would be Zeus…" The rest of the campers checked up on the two as Chiron's eyes widened.
"It hasn't happened since the birthing of the twins….." Chiron muttered as Edward ran over. "You alright Percy?" Percy panted, feeling his wounds close and feeling rejuvenated in the water as he got up. "Y-yeah…. But what's that above your head Eddie?" They got up out of the stream as Edward held onto Percy as he stumbled.
"It has been decided…. All hail Percy and Edward Jackson! Twin sons of Poseidon, the Earthshaker, the god of the sea!" Chiron decreed as Edward chuckled in amusement. "Well then, seems like we're stars now Percy."