A/N: I try not favor a story or prioritize one over another. I fell behind on this for awhile and I appreciate those who stayed patient. The time off has given me perspective to put my best foot forward. It was good to take a break and start to press out new content after being inactive. As always enjoy the reading.
—
"My favorite time of the day!" Edward excitedly grabbed the meat leg raving about the chef's cooking, "damn you really are the best Sora, I would've killed for food like this back in the Marines!" During service he would get a limited amount of rations because of the high number of personnel in the facilities. With Sora serving as the crew's cook it was like having an all you can eat restaurant on your ship, her world class rookie chef status was well deserved.
Saul heartily laughed raising his mug eating into the seafood paella and lobster, "this is better than your folks cooking you never cease to amaze me Sora!" The shipwright smacked beer mugs with the captain enjoying the festive atmosphere.
"Oh course anything for my handsome crew mates!" She squealed wearing heart eyes in their direction settling a pitcher of ale between them making sure to wipe her hands off on the pink apron.
"I'll give credit where it's due, world class cooking curly brow." Kuina states after eating a first mouthful of the warm seafood risotto. Even Wano's traditional dishes couldn't compare to the otherworldly cooking of her friend, she'd truly grown since they last met.
"You all are too kind I'm always glad to feed my crew whenever they're in need of it." She said coming to take her seat before the crew let it all let it out.
"With our set course it shouldn't be more than a day until we reach the Polestar Islands, we'll be in Loguetown's port in no time!" Edward shouted threatening to sleep from the excitement.
"They call it 'town of the beginning and the end.' The original Pirate King was executed there about fifty years back." Kuina said drinking from the bottle of sake ever wondering if she'd feel a buzz.
"No! I don't want another damn history lesson! We're finding people to fight hear me?!" The captain said shouting at the table with a scary face wanting to get his point across.
"Calm down captain we're here to recruit Brook and gather supplies." Kuina didn't want an unnecessary adventure to hinder them before officially entering the Grand Line.
"She's right cap we should stick to the script. I could use a restock of some tools in town to keep the ship going until we eventually travel to water seven."
"How old are you guys anyway?! Stick to the script?! We're pirates!" Edward growled standing on the table pointing an accusing finger at the shipwright and swordsman.
A kick from above brought Edward crashing into the ground. "Stay off my table cap," Sora smirked at the glare Edward gave her, "I agree with you though, we should get Brook first."
"Alright we'll get Brook while you two handle the boring stuff." Edward jumped back in his seat gorging himself with food once again.
"I can't believe he used to travel with our parents' crew back in the day, he's going to be a huge addition." Saul said graciously accepting a refill of sake from the chef.
"It's true captain, a crew mate of the former pirate king? We're going to have an easier path to reach our goals."
"As long as he's a plays good music and tells corny jokes I'm happy." Edward chuckled continuing to feast on the table in front of him.
"Having a skeleton on board will scare everyone away." Saul laughed imagining villages clearing out at the sight of one of their potentially newest crew mates.
"It will be badass, no one will fuck with us."
The crew smiled at their captain's enthusiasm about the potential situation of adding a former member of the pirate king and friend of their parents. "You aren't just the little bit curious about him knowing the history of the world?" Sora asked toward the crew.
"No not interested that would make the adventure boring dart brows, I'd like to find out the truth for myself." Kuina said facing the blonde cook.
"I wasn't asking you moss hair..." Sora growled wanting to pick a fight with the longtime friend sitting across from her.
Edward finished his mug of beer loudly slamming it on the table breaking up the potential scuffle, "Kuina's right Sora, we don't need him to say anything about the past-it doesn't matter- we're on our own journey now."
Saul sighed, "jeez your a trouble some captain but I agree it would make my job discovering the history of the world pointless."
"Alright, alright it was just a suggestion." The chef said started collecting the plates from the table taking them to the sink.
The crew began to get back to their antics playing blackjack and a few rounds of poker to pass the time as Loguetown loomed in the horizon.
—
XXX
(Loguetown)
—
The Centennial and Corona families standing at the top of the crime food chain sat across from one another waiting for a scheduled delivery to arrive the next night. The leaders of the respective families were seated at the heads' of the table directly across from one another; neither man was willing to back down from the current ordeal.
"You refuse the deal then?" The head of the Centennial family spoke lighting a cigarette. He wasn't a man willing to take no for an answer; he treated this like business, to totally annilate and crush your enemies while they're down.
"Weapons is one thing, but drugs is a dirty business I refuse to involve my family in." On the otherside of the table sat Mr. Corona; A mild manner business man who built his empire on legitimacy. He was one the bad end of a deal with no backing out.
"Your right, it shouldn't be messed with, but as you know Mr. Corona, the money is too good."
"Greedy bastard, these suppliers you allied yourself with will kill us all-"
"Then be sure to do your part!" The Centennial head shouted becoming enraged at the uncooperativeness of the other family.
The door opened revealing a several large boxes of shipments being ready for delivery, "first shipment for distribution is tomorrow I'd get on it if I were you." The Centennial family left the for the other family to discuss their fate.
"Father we have to ask our friend for help if the Navy won't then..." the son was interrupted by smack to back of his head.
"Not a word to anyone, people can't afford to know that we've lost some power to those Centennial bastards. Damn Robert and his gambling debts, everything still goes as planned." The Corona family got to work after their leader's dismissal preparing for their friend's arrival.
—
XXX
(Loguetown Harbor)
—
"We got everything set? We're meeting back here by nightfall and setting sail not too long after." Edward said already standing at the edge of dock waiting for his crew mates.
"Right let's get moving we have to walk awhile to get there." Sora and the captain made their way into the city's crowds disappearing from sight leaving the other two behind.
Kuina sighed, "at least our job shouldn't be hard let's hurry and get the supplies."
"Alright sounds good." The pair walked in comfortable silence admiring the buildings of the surrounding area viewing the upcoming marketplace. "They'll be fine." Saul offered after a moment more of silence.
"I know, but you never can guess what trouble our captain is going to land us in." Kuina said folding her arms imagining Edward and Sora starting fights with the townsfolk at this moment.
Saul let out a laugh, "Your right about that, I bet you can't wait to continue your nap." The shipwright smirked already knowing his comrade wanted nothing more than to sleep.
"I didn't mind even if there isn't a fight around-"
"What is it?" Saul asked arching a brow at the samurai's attention being drawn away. The shipwright looked at the gathering crowd on the street corner near a bakery shop.
Two individuals spasmed on the ground uncontrollably starting to foam from the mouth. The crowd was pushed back by newly arrived medical personnel and local police.
"Anyone know what happened to them?" Saul questioned to a nearby pedestrian witnessing the incident from the start.
"I heard they were fine earlier in the day, and then they inhaled an opium like powder turning em' crazy." The man said turning to the two pirates.
"Where would they even get something like that?" Kuina asked rest a hand on the sword attached at her hip.
The man took a step back, "d-don't ask me that! But if you look around town hard enough I'm sure it'll find you."
Saul furrowed his brows watching the man slip away from them. Not an hour into their venture in town before something was already happening that made him feel a pit in his stomach. It wasn't a time to be heroes, they just needed to get their crew mate and supples then leave on schedule. "Gotta stay on script," Saul muttered turning to Kuina, "Alright we should gather the—SHE'S GONE!" He shouted grabbing the sides of his head looking around for the swordsman.
The shipwright recomposed himself after not catching a trace of her anywhere in the nearby area. "She'll be fine, I feel terrified for anyone that tries to mess with her." He said heading down the Main Street to gather supplies.
Kuina ventured deep into the city catching a sword shop sign in the distance. She didn't necessarily get lost but if something peaked her interest she had the tendency to wander.
Not seeing an owner around the samurai made her way over to the barrels full of swords. She searched awhile examining each and every one of the swords carefully.
"Ah are you looking to buy today? Our shop's been in business for over two hundred thirty years, you see." The old shopkeeper asked coming to stand next to the swordsman.
"Just browsing so far." Kuina answered continuing to search the barrels full of blades.
"How bout this one? A priceless sword easily worth two hundred fifty thousand belis." He said holding up the weapon to the samurai.
Kuina snatched the sword before he could blink causing the man to twitch out of nervousness seeing her examine sword components. "The blade is rusted-hilt tilted out of place-this sword wouldn't last a day in combat barley worth fifty thousand." She said placing the sword back in pile.
"you calling me a liar miss?"
"No just greedy, that sword isn't worth a damn." Kuina adjusted her glasses to get a better look at the rest of the swords ignoring the shopkeeper.
"How would you know?" The old man grumbled.
Kuina stood turning toward him revealing the sword placed at her hip. The white hilt was all too recognizable to the old man, "n-no way! Do you know what type of sword you're carrying?! L-Lemme see that sword of yours-"
"Of course," she rolled her eyes, "its Wado Ichimonji, one of the twenty O Wazamono grade swords." Kuina handed the weapon to the shopkeeper watching him shakily grasp it with two hands.
"It's real..." He immediately felt the weight, "that means..." The shopkeeper's eyes widened having deja vu from more than twenty years. "Your Roronora Zoro's kid..." he said staggering back slightly.
"Yes I'm his daughter my name is Kuina. My father, do you know him?"
"We're practically family then, I'm Ipponmatsu!" He shouted standing with a puffed out chest on top of the counter taking pride in helping Zoro obtain the title of 'world's greatest.'
"Mm," Kuina held a hand under her chin trying to remember if his name came up over the years, "I don't think he mentioned you." She said after a few contemplative moments sending Ipponmatsu crashing to the ground in shame.
"W-well n-no matter," he laughed scratching the back of his head sheepishly, "did he ever mention the Yabashiri? A longsword?"
Kuina nodded remembering every conversation she'd ever had with both her parents. Her eyes widened, "wait, it was a Ryo Wazamono grade right?"
'So this is where it happened.' She remembered now; the story her father told her about where he obtained his first two swords. Testing the curse to earn the right to wield Sandai Kitetsu.
"Yes!"
"He told me it was the most valuable family heir loom you had and you gave it to him for performing Sandai Kitetsu's test." Kuina exclaimed tucking Wado back securely onto her hip.
"Does he still have it?"
"Sorry to tell you this but it corroded away during a the siege of Enies Lobby battling the Sabi Sabi no Mi fruit."
"I see." Ipponmatsu's let out a heavy sigh leaning against the counter for support.
"Don't feel bad friend," Kuina smiled placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "the sword was an early favorite of my fathers; he used it in his Nitoryu techniques combining it with Sandai Kitetsu. He used the sword to get back one of his family members and buried the hilt in Thriller Bark performing a ceremony to give it peace." The samurai's smile grew seeing Ipponmatsu wiping happy tears from his face with his arm.
Kuina closed her eyes reminiscing the words her father spoke regarding Ipponmatsu's sword, "he said the sword was...nice." She said visualizing her father burying the hilt after a peaceful ceremony.
She was brought out of her thoughts from the loud wailing coming from the shopkeeper, "t-thank you for telling me t-that miss."
"Don't mention it. I'm glad it brought you some peace knowing that your family sword helped my father during his journey." Kuina said stepping toward the door not wanting to hear it from the others about not sticking to the script.
"W-wait!" Ipponmatsu called hunching over out of breath halting the swordsman in her tracks. "I'm sorry, I don't have a sword worthy of you-"
Kuina chuckled, "its fine, I was just happy to share that with you, until we meet again my friend."
Ipponmatsu fell to his knees again sobbing uncontrollably at the heels of the samurai. "If you truly are your father's child and a true swordsman please help this city! It's gotten much worse in the last few years now I beg of you—" the shopkeeper raised his head from the floor feeling him get pulled to his feet by the strong woman. She looked fragile yet had the strength of an ox.
"Don't worry I'll help you just tell what's going on, everything." She said earning a firm nod from Ipponmatsu as he started telling her the new Loguetown problems.
—-
XXX
—
"Argh!" Edward grabbed the sides of his head ruffling his black hair, "its almost time to meet Brook and I'm lost." It was all Sora's fault too; they'd been walking toward their destination until she ran off with hearts in her eyes out of nowhere screaming something about handsome men.
Edward slammed his fist against an alleyway wall descending steps catching a glimpse of a sign at the bottom. "What the hell." He laughed hearing shouts from the rowdy bar never wanting to miss an opportunity to drink.
'Gold Roger bar.' Edward couldn't help be impressed by the reference to the Pirate King, the stories were still feared nearly half a century after.
The captain entered the lively bar dodging the waitresses and rowdy patrons finding an unoccupied space in the bar. "What can I get ya young man?"
"A pint of dribble belt and shot of whiskey." He said lifting his hat up while placing two gold coins on the counter.
"Ain't one to judge but this is a lot of alcohol for a kid your age." The bartender said with a laugh sliding the drinks toward the young captain.
Edward chuckled as well, "I can't waste an opportunity to experience freedom like this."
The bartender thought those words sounded familiar. "You're an interesting kid, I'm Raoul." He said holding his hand out to shake.
"Edward." Upon shaking hands the navigator told him of his journey to venture to the sea with his crew mates becoming known as the strongest man in the world. "I would stay longer but I'm busy right now, I'm meeting an old friend."
"Oh?"
"The soul king Brook is going to be my new crew mate."
"EHHH!" Raoul's eyes nearly popped out of his skull hearing those words. "H-how do y-you know pirate king Luffy's crew mate. Why would he join your crew?" The old man was now truly curious about the nature of Edward's origin.
"I'm not sure he will to be honest," Edward said sheepishly scratching his cheek with a finger Raoul to fall over suddenly, "but he was a former crew mate of my father's..."
"You mean..." the owner of the bar held his chest seeing the same kid walk into the bar more then twenty years ago. He had the same blood as the previous pirate kings that stepped through the bar throughout the years. Tears pooled around the old man's eyes as he shouted loudly to the bar that drinks were free for the remainder of the night.
The owner just kept laughing loudly clutching his stomach, "so you're the prince huh? Gonna reclaim your father's glory?" Raoul asked gleefully giving Edward another round on the house.
"Tch I ain't no damn prince," Edward growled continuing to drink slamming the cup down, "and I ain't out for his fame."
"You just want freedom to achieve your goals, I understand."
"Damn straight, even without a One Piece we'll always strive for unkillable dreams although we may die in the process, that's what I'm about."
Raoul's eyes lit up seeing Gol D. Roger as
well as his father in the young upstart. "Well back to it then," Edward placed the telltale hat onto his head, "hope we meet again someday." The owner cursed to himself noticing the gold coins had been stolen from bar, he never paid a single beli anyway.
A figure entered the saloon witnessing the brief exchange before Edward walked through the other side's exit. "Is that really you Monkey D. Edward?" The man made his way to the unoccupied space taking Edward's previous place at the bar.
"Come on geezer hop to it." The young man dressed in a rear admiral Navy coat gritted his teeth watching the old man slowly fill his ale.
"I don't care much for the Navy, Kenny the pirate hunter." Raoul snorted giving the man his drink while happily taking the money offered.
"You see that man in the black vest that was just here? It was Monkey D. Edward the pirate king's son wasn't it?" Ken asked chugging the mug of beer.
"I-I don't know-"
"Save it gramps," Kenny lit two cigars smoking them roughly, "Where is he heading?"
"Like I'd tell." He said giving silent signals to waiters and waitresses around the bar.
"He's nothing but a Navy deserter, the blood of the D. runs in his veins, it only knows chaos and anarchy." Kenny spoke puffing tobacco clouds in the air.
"You better stop him then, or he may just change the world again." Raoul said knowing how those words would effect the Navy rear admiral. With a tip of his hat Ken left the place as quickly as he entered it leaving behind a faint trail of smoke.
—
XXX
—
Brook stood on the stage built of the outdoor concert hall strumming his guitar to the melody putting the patrons at ease. More than a few thousand people were in attendance eagerly cheering and singing the words to the soul king's track.
The Corona family guards stood in every nook and cranny of the place. It would take a small militia to match them for a frontal assault. The members of the family never got tired hosting events for the famous musician whenever he was in the city. Rows of people began to crowd the stage filling the place to capacity.
"Gotta admit I'm impressed, though I could really use some meat right now." Edward's stomach growled fearing all they served was champagne, he needed real food.
"There you are captain!" Sora swooned appearing next to him. "Where the hell have you been?
"Me?! I should be asking you that!" Edward sighed recomposing himself, "at least you ditched those losers." The captain held in a laugh seeing Sora's look of surprise.
"Well yeah they bought me a lot of nice stuff for the trip just for spending time with them, why jealous Edward?" Sora asked with a giggle closing her eyes.
"Of course I'd be jealous you wouldn't be able to cook me meat, and I'm hungry all the time." Edward kept his wide grin ignoring the steaming bumps left by the cook after those words left his mouth. "Right. Let's go wait for Brook backstage." He said gesturing the fuming chef to follow him.
Sora held a hand stopping the captain in his tracks they could hear muffled voices coming from a far room. A man that looked in his mid thirties walked hurriedly towards the duo before taking off in a sprint in the opposite direction.
The pirates sprinted toward the direction the man came from coming upon private chambers. They came to a bathroom ten times the size of theirs on the ship. A woman lay naked in the large bathtub blood running down her slit wrists.
"Damn that guy." Edward snapped realizing that man that ran away did this. Sora wanted to jump to that conclusion but noted the knife in her limp grip.
"Let's warn Brook, he must've known her." Sora and Edward made their way to the upper deck of the backstage area. The soul king came to greet them after bowing to the applause officially starting the show's intermission.
"You two," Brook said wanting to burst into tears upon seeing the reincarnations of his crew mates approach him.
"Brook." Edward called causing the skeleton's eyes sockets to widen seeing both his former captain and navigator in the new man. "I'm Edward it's good to me you."
"And I'm Sora you knew my parents-"
"Yes I know Sanji-san very well and your mother too, how are they?" He asked politely tapping his cane on the floor.
"Brook," Edward called again causing the skeleton to gasp hearing his former crew mates' voices in one, "we can save pleasantries for later, a woman is dead in one of private quarters."
"What?!" Brook's demeanor changed instantly, "it could be...?" He trailed off searching the answer to himself.
"She was with some one else," Sora said drawing the skeleton's attention once again, "her a man were talking, they seemed to be close if he'd been in the bathroom with her."
Brook nodded gesturing the duo to catch his strides, "it makes sense now, I thought something was up... why didn't they tell me...?"
"Tell us what's going on." Sora said catching up to the skeleton.
"I will, as soon as I pay respect to my ward." Sora's eyes widened realizing that he'd lost what he considered a friend, someone he should've protected.
The captain and cook watched Brook lay a sheet over his ward lowly whispering departing words. "Sorry for your loss." Sora said as he approached the duo holding the small knife in his hands.
"She committed suicide because of a hit."
"Woah holdup, your saying she was marked for death?" Edward asked wondering how someone like her got caught up in something like this.
Brook nodded, "the Corona family is being betrayed from the inside by their son, I knew something was off about him time around."
"So it was her brother then, why would he want to put a hit out on his own sister I wonder?" Sora questioned holding a finger under her lip trying to conjure a motive.
"Money, power, this world creates evil that we can't understand sometimes-" Brook halted knowing that there would be an attack coming.
"Don't worry Brook we're going to sort all this crap out one way or another, count on it." Edward grinned earning a chuckle from Sora.
A familiar light began to shine through the skeleton hearing the words from the captain, he reminded him of a young Luffy before his prime. "I have a plan captain, if you're willing to hear it." Brook suggested towering over the others.
"Alright all ears." The trio huddled together listening to Brook give details.
—
Kenny's naval forces surrounded the outside area following orders to secure the perimeter for a potential family war. The concert hall guests didn't pay any mind to the Navy presence screaming louder to the amped music.
The rear admiral answered the screaming transponder snail, "sir we're drawing heavy fire from a group of armored men at least a dozen—location east entrance."
"Understood hang tight bravo team." Kenny began shouting orders to the forces entering the concert to converge on the enemy.
The Centennial militia made their moves taking out any Corona members on sight. Through the chaos of the fighting Edward made his way through the ravenous crowds trying to decipher friendlies from enemies. He found the armored ones more dangerous figuring them to be his targets, they were manhandling the Corona guards.
Edward grabbed stuffed his pockets full of cash from the Centennial family members he put down. "Damn these bastards are rich." The captain smirked wishing more than anything they had a buffet around.
"Take me on a date!" Sora swooned at some of the hostile because of their looks scaring them away. "Eh they're lame anyway." The cook said examining her nails, she'd be damned if she got rejected, the girl gave her aunt Reiju a run for her money.
Brook secured the family urging them and their security staff to leave the event. "We'll catch up soon Mr. Corona and compare notes about the events plaguing your family, sorry about your loss." The skeleton waved to the rest of the family making their way toward the exit.
The soul king drew his cane sword slashing through waves of Centennial enemies disarming them of their firearms in an eased frenzy. Brook met Edward and Sora heading toward the exit of the outdoor concert hall running directly in the crosshairs of a Navy's assault. A few hundred soldiers gathered around taking Centennial members into custody.
"Did you not know about this?" Sora asked looking in her captain's direction.
"Why the hell would you ask that I-"
"TRAITOR!" Kenny yelled stepping through a path the soldiers created coming to stand in front of the pirates. The trio didn't back down an inch from the rear admiral as he removed his shades continuing to puff on his two cigars. "Monkey D. Edward"
"Eh?" Edward scratched his hair pushing hit back on its string. "I ain't no traitor friend just looking for freedom." The captain placed his hands in his pockets unsure the man's intentions.
It took a few moments to sink before Ken realized it. "You don't remember me do you arrogant bastard!" He yelled pointing an accusing finger at the captain who was busy picking his nose.
"Brook infamous the soul king, used to sail for the previous pirate king, we have no incentive to take you in but we will if you resist—" Kenny stated taking a step toward the tall skeleton.
The skeleton strummed his guitar not paying much mind to the current situation. "I always wondered what the child of former vice admiral Smoker and former rear admiral Hina, Kenny 'the white hunter'." Brook said causing Edward's eyes to widen remembering exactly who this guy was.
"It's all comin back now," Edward said becoming suddenly serious, "I was the third ranked rookie in my class, you graduated fifth."
"You know him Edward?" Sora questioned taking a step forward.
"No, aside from annual battle events to showcase our talent, top prospects rarely met one another, we've all trained in different parts of the world." Edward exclaimed turning his attention back to the rear admiral in front of him.
The cook rolled her eyes having crossed paths with Ken once before "I barley remember you." Sora grumbled turning her nose up at him.
"Sora." He acknowledged throwing a general frown in her general direction. He would enjoy delivering the woman's parents the news she'd been arrested. But he would savor capturing the prince of the pirates who carried the royal blood through his veins.
"Finally remember huh?" Kenny asked puffing smoke out of the cigars, "they always said you had the scariest potential out of us all."
"I ain't coming quietly." Edward grinned showing his signature smile throwing his uncle's hat on.
"You're outnumbered, the less you the resist the less—"
"A HUNDRED EIGHT POUND PHEONIX!" A great blast took out a majority of the Navy standing around unable to comprehend what just hit them.
"ICE AGE!" Saul placed his hands on the ground to freeze the Navy marksman waiting on the rooftops and the remaining forces not taken out by Kuina's attack. The musician and cook finished of the platoons with ease using the combination of Brook's ice slashes and Sora's flames caused devastation on the battlefield.
Edward and Kenny remained unmoved from their spots continuing to fiercely stare one another down. "You know your outmatched." The captain said letting his knuckles turn white from the pressure he applied.
"Edward!" Kuina called drawing his eyes to hers, "we have to be somewhere are you coming?"
"Just go I'll meet you guys there! Let me focus on this guy." His glare darted back to the rear admiral's indicating he wasn't playing around.
Kuina smirked knowingly, "Brook welcome, we'll catch up on the way." The samurai said gesturing the pair to follow her.
"Good to see you moss hair," Sora smiled.
"Same to you dart brows." Kuina chuckled earning a growl from the cook before she made heart eyes reuniting with Saul before he could greet their new crewmate.
Once his crew mates left the area Edward began to cause the ground to shake showing his power without moving an inch. "Always the showoff." Kenny said aiming a fist directly for the captain.
They both caught each other's fists indenting the ground with their powers rapidly increasing. Edward stomped his leg forcing a wall of rock into Kenny's stomach sending him flying into the nearby buildings.
Edward walked leisurely toward the crash sight cracking his knuckles preparing to take out a top five Navy rookie. He was confident enough to take all but one, and Ken wasn't him.
The rear admiral walked the captain tossing the Navy cloak aside cracking his knuckles as well not taking his eyes off the deserter. "Your crew may escape but we both know captain, you're not leaving this island unless captured."
Edward let out a laugh clutching his stomach, "big talk for a second placer, just quit yapping and let's do this." The navigator adjusted his hat to return his opponent's glare.
"Arrogant fool. You're fortunate to have your old man the fleet admiral, the heads of the World Government and Navy are pissed off your not under service." Ken moved his own hat readying for the fight. A long jitte appeared settling steadily in his right hand.
Edward remembered that weapon very well; Ken had the habit over the years of tinkering the sea prism ladened weapon to try and make every improvement. The new model appeared to be larger than any previous ones he'd seen over the years—he was looking to kill the prey with a single strike.
Kenny charged dragging the jitte behind him throwing a wild strike toward the captain. The weapon clanged off the pavement and buildings sending debris in the streets. Edward growled surrounded his fist in a shockwave hitting the ground forcing the rear admiral to jump back several meters from the potential danger.
The navigator wasn't sure how his former rival planned to hit him with the enlarged jitte, it was far too heavy to use like a regular sized one. One thing he did know was he couldn't get hit with the dangerous weapon, it might put him down for the count in a worst case scenario.
Edward charged first dodging the heavy jitte watching it slam into the ground aiming a direct fist toward Ken. His eyes widened noticing the jitte break into a smaller version as if were contraption. He didn't have time to contemplate anymore as the weapon slammed into his side before his foot could deal the finishing blow.
The captain grunted loudly being sent into the second story of a nearby building feeling the full brunt force of the attack. "Ha! Where's that arrogance now Monkey?!" Kenny laughed loudly seeing the ex-vice captain laid face down on the second story building unmoving.
Bricks from the floor above buried the captain further beneath rubble. He underestimated the ingenuity and determination of the rear admiral of the Navy. Relying on devil fruit powers could make even the best sloppy at times.
"What a joke...this isn't enough to stop me..." Edward wheezed somewhere underneath the debris. 'I got a crew to get back to...' The pile of burying the navigator alive began to shift slightly falling on the sidewalk.
"When I finally take you in, I'll officially take your place as an admiral candidate—I was always better than you." Kenny stopped speaking staring up at the debris falling onto the ground below where Edward was. The rear admirals eyes widened witnessing the pirate captain rise from below the bricks standing tall letting blood from from his body.
"It's like I said before, your a second placer you won't stop me from getting to my crew." Edward stated letting the hat cover his expression.
Kenny reconstructed the jitte to its massive size again willing to take whatever his opponent would throw at him, "there you go, talking big like always."
A great power consumed Edward's fist in a hypocenter, continuing to gather concentrated shockwaves imitating an earthquake. The surrounding area vibrates from the massive outlet of power gathering in the nearby vicinity.
Kenny brought the giant jitte behind his back prepping it for the incoming attack. Edward dove for his position coming down at a blazing speed rearing the glowing white fist gradually beginning to increase in mass.
The rear admiral's eyes widened after swinging the oversized jitte missing his target. Edward swiftly spun out the way continuing his path toward his opponent. At the last moment Ken once again pulled out the smaller jitte meeting Edward's powerful attack hoping to neutralize devil fruit.
He gritted his teeth knowing that without the heavy form of his weapon he'd have no chance of stopping whatever the pirate threw at him. Ken's jitte abruptly snapped as the white glowing fist connected with his cheek sending him crashing into the ground.
"Helmet Break!" Edward shouted making sure to complete his attack and burying the Navy rear admiral into the pavement blowing the nearby streets apart.
"REAR ADMIRAL!" The navy soldiers screamed seeing their commanding officer lost in the explosion sending a furious wind across the city. Soldiers from every platoon began desperately running toward Kenny's position.
Kenny coughed loudly upon being dropped back onto the ground roughly landing on top of a pile of rocks torn from the pavement. Edward stood on the side fastening the hat on his head properly. "Guess I'll be seeing you." The captain marched off leaving the rear admiral.
The Navy man let out a bellowing laugh, "your just delaying the inevitable traitor, we'll eventually catch you bastard."
"Maybe so," He said turning back with a wide grin, "but not today rear admiral."
Kenny couldn't help laugh louder laying on the boulders as his men surrounded his position. He would catch that traitor one day but for now he would enjoy a cigar.
—
XXX
—
Edward eventually caught up to his crew mates finding them on the south harbor docks. "Everything alright?" He asked the group coming to stand next to them. "Who're the hell are these guys?"
His crew turned toward him with small smiles happy to see their captain unharmed for the most part. "Yeah we stopped the shipment coming into the harbor, and these are the head of the Centennial family and the Corona familiy's traitorous son." Saul said pointing toward the tied up men on the ground.
"That's right I recognize you." Edward said remembering the guy run out of the back rooms at the concert hall. The navigator pulled the cloth from the man's mouth after hearing his muffles.
"I-I did to get a seat at the high table, it should've been me that got the seat from mother's will!" The man screamed hysterically unable to control his anger. Edward rubbed his ear with a pinky immediately regretting his decision quickly slipping the cloth back onto the man's face muffling his voice again.
"Supposedly that's the truth, he went to this rival members to pay back a loan from a gambling debt and when he couldn't collect enough he promised them a high table seat vote if they spared his life and forgot the payment." Kuina exclaimed earning nods from all around.
Sora frowned, "these guys are scum. But they're also stupid, who could've they corroborated with to pull off dealing street level drugs to the masses. Someone that wanted to incite chaos at the expense of others' wellbeing."
"I know who-" a voice broke through forcing the group to turn their attention that way.
"Mr. Corona," Brook said coming to shake the man's hand showing his immense respect for the man, "Good to see you again."
"Brook a pleasure as always." He said with a smile. Corona Jr. appeared punching his brother across the face after seeing his face wanting to do more for everything he'd done up to that point but they had business.
"Listen you guys I can't thank you enough for helping my family at this time I didn't know things would go like this—" Corona Jr. put his arm on his father's shoulder both letting themselves grieve for the recent loss.
"It's fine, we're glad to help friends of Brook's, he's our crewmate—" Edward said taking a step toward the father and son.
"T-then will you help put a stop to all of this, defeat the man at the center of it?" Mr. Corona asked snatching the collar of the earnest captain. He simply nodded in response silently asking the pair for a name. The man sat on a nearby crate taking his top hat off, "the man's name is..."
The crew glanced at one another exchanging curious looks, "DON'T TELL THEM!" The tied up brother shouted watching his younger brother restrain their father from kicking his teeth in. "IF HE FINDS OUT YOU SENT THEM...YOU'LL DOOM US ALL OLD MAN!"
Mr. Corona tapped his younger son's hand forcing him to be released after calming down, "you already doomed us all you idiot." He said turning back to the pirates.
"His name is—" The crew leaned in further now truly on the edge of their seats, "Capone Bege, captain of the Firetank Pirates."
Everyone in the room's eyes widened with the exception of Brook and Edward. The captain hid his eyes under his hat grinning like a madman. "It just got interesting." He said slightly chuckling.
—
A/N: I thought it would be cool to put Brook in during the official start into the grand line. Since he was the last straw hat to join pre-timeskip in canon I wanted to give him more time to shine with the newly established crew. I think his experience and personality would balance out the young and hotshot attitudes of the rookies who've yet to truly experience the world's challenges.