Hi guys Azza here!

Reviews

Erasenpai946 – Since he just fought a Titan he won't be fighting another for awhile though I already know exactly when he will so rest assured there is one coming. And eventually they will Natsu just doesn't want anyone catching wind of her existence for the moment.

Kawabanga258 – Yeah as much as I wanted to pick Erza I felt Brandish was the better pick due to her relationship with August and yeah that ending bit was a mashup of ideas I had at the time quite a bit of that is going to change by the time I wrap the story back around though the premise of an even greater threat he needs help with is still the same.

Jeferrayane – It'll happen eventually but for now they are sticking to shadowing Natsu for the moment though as you will all see in the upcoming chapter that'll be pretty damn awkward haha!

Anyway on with the story!

I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.

Disaster After Disaster

/Mordred's POV/

"We've been looking all over the place Mordred," Chopper shouted over the noise below as Mordred flew across the city using the power behind her jumps to propel her from rooftop to rooftop.

"So what are you suggesting then," Mordred sighed as she skidded to a stop on a rooftop overlooking a small terrace. "Robin could be trying to high tail it out of here and if she gets away who knows what kind of trouble she'd land herself in then?"

"Just the two of us aren't gonna find her Mordred so we should go back and let everyone know what happened."

"Not everyone is back at the ship remember," Mordred replied prompting Chopper to sigh as he looked out over the small terrace.

"Hey look isn't that Sanji!?"

Looking over the edge Mordred realized Chopper was right as they spotted the Chef seemingly out grocery shopping for the crew, a hard task indeed. Placing Chopper on her shoulder Mordred jumped down into the terrace landing right in front of the Chef who almost dropped half the groceries in shock.

"Oh Mordred, Chopper," Sanji said as he adjusted his grip on the bags. "How about warning a guy before you go doing that!"

"Yeah well I have a good reason so just shut up and listen for a minute!"

"Robin's gone Sanji, Mordred thinks she's done a runner because of what happened on the last island," Chopper cried as the cigarette Sanji had in his mouth fell to the ground.

"Are you serious …?"

"Very."

"How can you be sure she didn't just go off by herself for a bit?"

"Well Natsu said Robin was willing to go to some pretty extreme lengths for him to leave her to her own fate, he obviously disagreed and since then the pair haven't spoken much at all. He asked me to keep an eye on her since he thought something like this might happen."

"If that's true then we'd better get to looking, I've just gotta make sure I take this stuff back to the Merry first."

"Let everyone there know about it Sanji, Chopper and I will keep looking around in the meantime," Mordred replied before launching herself back up onto the rooftops. "There's gotta be heaps of places we haven't checked yet so keep your eyes peeled Chopper!"

"You can count on me," the little reindeer human replied as the pair continued their search.

/Luffy's POV/

"So this is the place where we can get our ship fixed," Luffy asked in amazement as he looked out at the shipyards of the company they had been told was the number one pick for anyone looking for all things ship related.

"Yep, this is it. The Galley-La Company Dock One, we can apparently find someone who can direct us to this Iceburg guy from here," Nami replied as their eyes locked onto a strange looking man with a large nose which was in the shape of a rectangular prism.

"Usopp," Luffy asked cocking his head to the side only for the person in question to hit him in response.

"Just how dumb are you I've been standing right next to you the whole damn time!"

"Excuse me you three," the strange nosed man in question said with a frown as he began walking over toward them. "There is to be no violence on the dock during work hours, we've already lost enough workers this month because of people getting far too rough."

"Sorry Sir we don't mean any trouble," Nami replied quickly. "You wouldn't happen to know where we could find someone by the name of Iceburg would you?"

"Iceburg? Why would you want to speak with him?"

"An old conductor by the name of Kokoro told us to speak to him about getting our ship fixed."

"She did? Well I'm guessing this is your first time here in Water Seven then because Iceburg is both the Mayor of Water Seven and the President of the Galley-La Company," the man replied with a grin. "And I'm Kaku, one of the foremen. Now I'm not sure where Iceburg is but I can take a look at your ship for you in the meantime, speed things along for you?"

"That would be wonderful," Nami replied cheerfully. "And don't worry about money we can definitely pay for it!"

"Excellent! Guess I'll head out right now and take a look," Kaku said as he seemingly jumped into the air and with movement that seemed next to impossible he vanished from sight.

"WHOA," Luffy cried out in amazement.

"Would you shut up boy, some of us are trying to work."

Snapping their necks in the direction of the person who spoke all three were surprised to see a tall, dark skinned man with a massive scar that ran across his face all the way down his exposed chest glaring at them with almost glowing yellow eyes.

"Why don't you make me!"

"Fight a weakling like you," the man snorted in amusement. "As if you could even hope to match up to me if Kaku's performance brings you awe."

"Why you …!"

"That's enough, back to work with you!"

The man scowled before returning to work but not before redirecting his scowl in Luffy's direction.

"I do apologize for him, despite his less than favourable personal skills he is one of our most productive workers. That aside however I have heard you lot have been asking around for me-?"

"Enough messing around Sir there is much work to be done!"

"But Kalifa I am working …"

"That's sexual harassment!"

"WHAT!"

The trio were each put off by the pair though Nami was clearly just happy to have found the person they were looking for and sighed in relief.

"Thank you for coming to see us Mayor Iceburg I understand that you have a busy schedule so we all do appreciate it."

"It isn't any trouble at all especially not after Kokoro's personal endorsement," Iceburg replied with a smile. "She phoned me this morning and told me that you lot would be coming with a ship that was in dire need of repairs."

"Thank you so much Mayor Iceburg our ship definitely needs some work," Nami sighed in relief.

"Since Kaku is checking out your ship I'll wait for his recommendation but until then we can talk price, if that is alright with the three of you?"

"Of course," Nami replied as she turned around to pick up two of the briefcases full of money. "We have all the cash we need right … here."

"What the," Usopp gasped having not even noticed the money vanish from where he'd put it down.

"It was those guys there," Luffy called out as he pointed to a pair of strangely dressed people flying off on even stranger creatures.

The trio were about to go after the thieves when suddenly they were knocked off of the creatures by a blonde haired man with the group falling to the ground in a giant heap.

"Ouch … god damn air traffic …"

The man blinked for a moment before noticing the two briefcases that had fallen next to him as a grin began to form on his face.

"Well now, looks like this is my lucky day! With this I can finally pay off my debt!"

The man picked up the briefcases and was about to walk off with them until yet another newcomer appeared from thin air and punched him in the chest, catching the briefcases with ease before vanishing and reappearing in front of Iceburg.

"Here."

"Ah thanks for the save," Iceburg replied prompting the man to nod in response. "Sorry about all that you three, those thugs are always causing trouble around here but thanks to my foremen such as Rob Lucci here and Kaku they are nothing more than nuisances."

"Who are they," Nami asked with the newly arrived Rob Lucci replying in Iceburg's stead.

"A gang of dismantlers, scavengers, led by a man named Franky who are known to perform despicable acts such as bounty hunting, petty thievery and racketeering. Do not concern yourself with them too much because soon they shall be dealt with by the Marines, their leader has a bounty yet he does not try to hide his location so it is only a matter of time before they come for him."

"I see," Nami replied slightly unnerved at the man's emotionless tone.

"Anyway now that they've been dealt with what say we talk terms," Iceburg asked prompting Nami to nod in response. "Excellent I just have one more thing to do before we go."

Walking over to the man Lucci had punched earlier Iceburg sighed and shook his head.

"How many times must we go over this Paulie, stop getting involved with the underground of the city! You almost cost us potential customers when you tried to take their money!"

"Look man we're all out here struggling ok!"

Iceburg simply sighed as the man now identified as Paulie turned his attention toward Kalifa and began to blush heavily.

"K-K-Kalifa! Have you no shame woman!"

"What are you on about Paulie," Kalifa sighed. "What shame should I be feeling?"

"You brazen woman, exposing yourself in public like that have you no shame!?"

"What is wrong with my state of dress Paulie," Kalifa asked confused as she checked herself over.

"And you," Paulie snapped pointing at Nami. "You're just as bad as her!"

"What did I do!?"

"Nothing," Iceburg sighed whilst face palming. "Paulie has … certain views on how women should present themselves, views that belong in the last century."

"What Mayor Iceburg means is that Paulie is a sad virgin who can't be around a woman without getting a raging hard on," the dark skinned man snorted in amusement. "A truly pathetic man."

"HEY, WHAT WAS THAT YOU JUST SAID," Paulie growled though to everyone's shock Rob Lucci actually chuckled slightly at what the man had said. "YOU WANT SOME TOO LUCCI!"

"Enough from all of you," Iceburg snapped after several moments. "We've all got work to do!"

"Of course Sir," Lucci replied with a nod before vanishing.

"Alright now that all the distractions are out of the way let's go talk terms."

"Alright Luffy and I will go, Usopp you stay here for now since this is really a job for the Captain and the Treasurer."

"Yeah no problem Nami Usopp the great and powerful will be here when you get back!"

"Cool, thanks Usopp," Nami called out as the group left to discuss just how much it would cost to fix the ship.

/Natsu's POV/

"This place looks depressing as hell," Natsu sighed as they walked through what was essentially the slums of Water Seven. "Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't we near the source that powers the whole city, that can't be healthy for all these people to live near?"

"And where else would they live if not here Natsu? The city below wouldn't take them since they would be nothing more than an eyesore," Ahnkseram replied with a deep frown. "The plight of these people aside have you noticed there is something in the air?"

"Pheromones, not animalistic ones either," he replied pausing only to sniff the air several more times. "It's rather strange but these almost feel like the ones let off when a female wants to mate, surely that can't be right though I mean what human is capable of that?"

"This world is full of strange oddities Natsu don't be surprised if there is someone here doing it, besides look at the way every last person here is positioned."

Pausing in his steps Natsu examined the homeless people and was surprised to see that they all appeared to be looking in the same direction, seemingly unintentionally as they went about their business.

"This should be interesting …"

Following the general line of sight the people were looking Natsu followed it inside what appeared to be an abandoned power station though it had been converted into a rather fancy looking home with hundreds of homeless children laying about seemingly in a trance of some sort.

"Ahh … you have come after so long."

Looking up above Natsu was shocked to see a woman who could only be described as a Goddess of Beauty, despite the two large black and pink horns protruding from her head. She wore a predominantly golden robe that didn't leave much to the imagination with a slightly smaller cloth draped over her horns.

Her glowing golden eyes sparkled with mischief as she gently moved a stray lock of her black hair to the left of her face, licking her lips as she vanished and appeared several metres before Natsu before he could even comprehend it.

"Who … are you?"

"Me," the woman asked softly as she placed her hand at the centre of her rather exposed cleavage. "You want to know who I am; you can still remain sane standing before me even at this age?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh my," the woman said with a blush. "To think you held such … prowess even at such an infantile age! Truly now I do see why …"

"Natsu," Ahnkseram said slowly as he felt fear begin to emanate from the usually calm Hybrid. "We need to leave, NOW!"

"Why," Natsu asked in confusion as he felt the first Hybrid begin to panic.

"I've been wracking my brain trying to remember anything I could about these pheromones and then it hit me when she began to speak in the manner that she had been! This woman is-!"

Ahnkseram suddenly stopped speaking, his voice simply vanishing as the woman began to giggle in an almost playful manner.

"He almost spoilt the fun, no one spoils my fun," the woman said as she began to glide toward Natsu with her arms outstretched. "Now come to me … I shall release you from all the darkness hovering over you Natsu …"

"What the hell are you," Natsu gasped as he jumped away prompting the woman to pause midair as the golden glow in her eyes increased in density.

"I have many names however most of them are not important nor do they answer the question of what you desire. Perhaps it would be easier to simply calm you down first and explain things later; yes I believe that would be for the best."

Everything around him began to distort as the strange power source he'd been feeling began to grow, centred around the woman before him as she released a flood of it right into him.

"Wh-what-!"

"Does it feel good, pleasurable even? Does our fated meeting bring you an ecstasy you simply cannot begin to fathom!?"

Natsu's vision began to distort as he felt a power flow through his body, his Crash Magic proving to be entirely ineffective against whatever it was. Never before had he encountered someone so bizarre and he found himself strangely desiring more from her.

Shaking his head frantically he couldn't even keep himself from drooling slightly as he felt his right leg buckle, a pleasurable feeling shooting through his entire body as the woman came to a stop before him.

Pleasure …

Desire …

EXistence

GRAteful

HEAVEN'S …

Natsu collapsed, his entire body feeling like it was on fire however instead of pain it was pleasure as each slight touch pushed him so far beyond anything he'd ever conceived before. This was only amplified when the woman placed his head in her lap and began to run her fingers through his hair.

"Never could I have anticipated this would be our fated meeting, your caution last time was well founded."

Natsu couldn't respond as he found himself watching the woman strip until she was fully exposed to him, however what she did next would shock him more than anything he'd ever witnessed before.

The woman ran her hands over her body, moaning whilst maintaining eye contact with him until her right hand wrapped around her neck where a strange pink marking had been etched into her flesh which ran all the way down to her navel.

"You asked for my name," the woman panted as she grabbed onto the flesh and began pulling it like a zipper opening up something he couldn't even begin to comprehend as he found his body slowly beginning to float upward. "Come and meet the true me Natsu …"

Natsu entered through what was essentially a portal and found himself floating in deep space, still unable to move yet he found he had his mental faculties had fully returned. Gazing around what he could see he was surprised to see the woman appear yet again however this time she was big.

No, big couldn't even begin to describe her size with his body being gently supported in the palm of her hand even being an understatement. Her hand was larger than an ocean, her face larger than the sky itself which gazed down upon him in a loving manner as he felt his limbs regain some degree of control over themselves.

"What … what in the world …"

"Do you understand now what I am, beloved Natsu?"

The sheer amount of power and control on display was unfathomable as the naked colossus of a woman seemingly swam around the cosmos, holding him in one hand whilst pleasuring herself with the other. His eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets when he watched her 'sit' on an entire planet with it entering her form never to be seen again.

Then her eyes turned to Natsu, a sultry smile on her lips as the entire space changed into an endless cloudy expanse with a fully nude Natsu and the mysterious woman already in the middle of having sex, each and every thrust being performed without him even truly realizing he was still doing it as she trapped him within a leg lock before kissing him passionately.

Everything suddenly changed again as he found himself under what felt like an ocean, still naked and still 'linked' with the woman though it appeared no form of breathing was required for either of them as they used the water to their advantage in their heated and passionate …

"Mating session?"

The entire scene shattered like glass revealing Natsu to still be standing on the woman's palm, the glowing in her eyes ceasing as she moved her massive head closer to inspect him.

"Was that all just an illusion …"

"Was it? Perhaps it was, perhaps it wasn't," the woman replied in amusement. "I must admit you have gotten me quite worked up though, such ferocity during copulation …"

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU!?"

"Still haven't worked it out yet," the woman sighed shaking her head sadly. "I had hoped that the climax would have brought you to the truth however it appears you desire another round …"

The woman brought her hand to her face and gently blew him off into the cosmos though he found himself suddenly appearing in a room full of the woman all centred around another version of himself.

"What …?"

"I am Pleasure …"

Feeling arms wrap around his body as he was gently pulled back into another version of the woman who began nuzzling his cheek affectionately.

"Body, Mind, Soul … core concepts of those deeming themselves as Beings. The Five Senses, Sanity and Insanity … Reality, all things concepts that define those who call themselves Beings."

"Wait a minute," Natsu said breathlessly as he felt the woman's tongue begin to explore his body. "You aren't saying that …"

"Mmhm," the woman moaned as she took Natsu into her mouth, grabbing hold of his hands and placing them around her horns.

"You're …"

ADVENT BEAST

AN EVIL OF HUMANITY MANIFESTS

One Of The Seven Evils Of Humanity

The Third Pleasure Heaven Of Deeply Grateful Existence

Heaven's Hole

Primordial Beast Of Pleasure - Lust

BEAST III/R – RAPTURE

Again reality itself seemed to shatter as Natsu found himself back in the strange room he'd entered, his head still on the lap of the woman wondering if any of it truly had occurred.

"Oh it did," Beast III/R replied with a soft smile. "It was … quite enjoyable."

"Y-you're a Primordial being," Natsu managed to choke out only for Beast III/R to run her fingers through his hair in a soothing manner. "How can you be here!?"

"I appeared here in the form of Kiara Sessyoin, a conduit for whom I often find myself operating through however this time something was different. My presence within this world should not be possible, not whilst another lurks within this world's dark depths yet I found myself here with my power fully at my disposal."

"Wait … there's another one?"

"Oh yes," Beast III/R replied sadly. "I am not sure where it is or which one it is however I can sense its Authority across the entire world like a vice."

"You mean the ring up in the sky?"

"No … no that is the Noble Phantasm of Solomon the Grand Caster, no this is a power you couldn't even begin to comprehend Natsu."

"Then show me how to feel it!"

"Are you certain you wish to bear such a burden?"

"You are one of the Seven Primordial Calamities so why would my suffering matter to you?"

"You are not human," Beast III/R replied softly prompting Natsu to freeze in place.

"What?"

"You are not human; we who were born from the attributes that embody humanity as a concept hold no grudge against those not bound to its confines. We are existences that encompass all of humanity yet you are not human rather you ascended much in the same way we did."

"I see …"

"However if you truly wish to experience the Authority of the Beast holding this world then prepare," Beast III/R sighed as she placed a gentle kiss on Natsu's forehead as he felt his Hybrid's Aura's ability to sense things skyrocket to level's he'd never even believed were possible.

"What is this," Natsu hissed as he felt something of ever increasing Envy and Regret overlapping with an ever increasing power.

"The Authority of a Beast," Beast III/R replied as she kissed his forehead again removing the ability to detect the Authority bringing a sigh of relief as it vanished. "However I did not lead you here so that you might lay about with me, as much as I would have preferred it, no instead I have acquired something that belongs to you."

"So you aren't planning on doing evil stuff in this world?"

"To reveal myself would be to expose myself to another Primordial Beast who is likely far stronger than I, such an act would be foolish. Primordial I may be however I am the Beast, the Sin of Pleasure whereas that Beast clearly is more combat inclined."

"So what am I supposed to do to beat it, you toyed with me without even trying," Natsu sighed prompting Beast III/R to giggle in response.

"I would have thought the answer obvious, is it not?"

"When you are telling me a Primordial is someone I'm gonna have to face yet I'm not even as strong as a God of Creation or Devil of Destruction yes it isn't so obvious!"

"The answer lies within these …"

Beast III/R plunged her fingers deep within herself eliciting pleasurable moans as she withdrew an all too familiar object covered by her bountiful juices, juices that she began licking off of it like a delicacy.

"Want some?"

"Uh …"

"I have been keeping this safe for you ever since I arrived having been somehow summoned right at its location," Beast III/R explained as she ran a finger along the slick surface of the faintly glowing crystal. "Of course with it spending so much time within my Heaven's Hole I do believe whatever did lay within it has been changed somewhat."

"Is it dangerous for me to reintegrate it with myself?"

"No it is perfectly safe I was referring to the fact that it possesses part of yourself but it has changed to accommodate being one with myself. To put it simply it shall grant you an aspect of myself though what exactly that entails even I do not know."

Too stunned by what she had said Natsu opened his mouth as Beast III/R slid her finger into his mouth coated with her juices which seemed to grant him some kind of surge in his overall Magic reserves.

"Now then … it is time you brought this piece of yourself back into the fold; prepare yourself for this may feel strange due to my influence."

Placing the crystal onto his chest Natsu felt it slowly enter like all the others did however he then began to convulse violently as he felt something within him begin to change before blacking out.

/Nami's POV/

"Well it looks like you guys found Iceburg."

"Ah Kaku, just the man we were waiting for," Iceburg said cheerfully as he motioned for the funny nosed man to approach. "What's wrong Kaku you don't seem to be too happy?"

"I went and had a look at your ship," Kaku said turning toward Luffy and Nami. "I'm afraid that the damage it has sustained … well I'm surprised it even managed to make it here."

"What do you mean," Luffy asked in a slightly strained voice as Kaku avoided his gaze.

"I'm afraid that there is severe damage to certain portions of your ship that make it impossible to fix, to fix it would cost more than it would to just buy another whole ship or even have one made from scratch."

"What," Nami gasped as Luffy clenched his fists. "Surely something can be done!?"

"I'm afraid not …"

"Are you certain the ship can't be fixed," Luffy asked quietly as Nami felt tears begin to escape her.

"I am."

"I see, thank you for telling it to us straight."

"I can tell you guys really like that ship," Kaku said sadly. "I wish there was something we could do but I'm more than happy to help you guys out on your new one should you want to have it made."

"Thanks for the offer," Luffy sighed. "I need to discuss this with the rest of my crew before we make a decision."

"I understand, a change of ships can be hard on everyone involved," Kaku replied with a nod. "I'll be around Dock One when you guys are ready."

Luffy nodded as the pair stood up giving their thanks to Iceburg who echoed Kaku's earlier statement before departing with Kalifa. Walking out of the building Luffy sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"This is going to kill Usopp …"

"It's killing me," Nami sniffed. "The Merry has been with us for so long, it's like a member of the crew!"

"I know."

"But it's like Kaku said it would cost way more to fix it than to get a new one and … well we can't really afford to blow the entire three hundred million plus all our savings just to fix the Merry!"

"Nami," Luffy said softly as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's gonna be fine, it'll hurt for awhile but this … this is it for the Merry."

"I know," Nami sobbed as she wiped away several tears.

Once her vision returned Nami felt her blood run cold as she gazed past Luffy who was far too focused on consoling her for the moment.

"Luffy …"

"What?"

"Behind you …"

Turning around Luffy initially didn't understand what Nami was talking about until it hit him. On the ground were two empty briefcases, briefcases that they had left with Usopp who was also not present.

"You don't think Usopp heard what we were talking about do you," Nami asked barely above a whisper prompting Luffy to shake his head firmly.

"No I think it's obvious who are behind all this," Luffy said through grit teeth. "Those bastards working under Franky!"

"Luffy wait," Nami cried which fell upon deaf ears as he disappeared into the city leaving her alone. "Damn it!"

Walking over and grabbing the empty suitcases Nami went to return to the ship. Waking out onto the main road she froze in shock as she came across Usopp's bloodied and beaten form lying face down on the side of the road with not a single soul in sight.

"USOPP!"

Rushing over to him she spun him over and found that he was indeed still somewhat conscious as tears began to fall down his face.

"Nami … they took it … they took the money for the Merry …"

"Usopp …"

"I couldn't stop them Nami … I tried but …"

"Usopp enough," Nami said softly as she gently placed him back down. "I'm gonna go get the others and we're gonna get the money back alright."

Usopp didn't seem to hear her instead seemingly lost in his own mind leaving Nami no other choice but to return and find the others.

/Mordred's POV/

"We've looked all over the place yet there hasn't been a single sign of her," Mordred sighed as both she and Chopper walked back to the ship. "Where the hell could she have gone!?"

"I saw her with some weird masked people," Sanji cut in as he appeared from the right having come back to the ship the long way. "I tried following her but both she and the masked people vanished before I could catch them."

"There's something off about all this but I can't quite put my finger on it," Mordred sighed as the trio hopped back onto the ship. "Oi Zoro are you here!?"

"Yeah," was the call from up in the crows nest. "What do you want?"

"Robin's missing!"

"Missing," he repeated as he climbed his way down. "What do you mean she's missing?"

"Some masked people seem to have her," Sanji said prompting Zoro to frown.

"That's strange …"

"GUYS!"

Everyone turned their attention toward Nami who appeared to be in tears as she scrambled onto the ship as fast as she could.

"What's wrong Nami my beautiful swan-!?"

"Shut up Sanji we don't have time for this, someone attacked Usopp and stole two hundred million Berries from us!"

"Is Usopp ok," Chopper asked only for Nami to shake her head.

"He was pretty hurt when I found him but … but I know who did this."

"Who was it," Zoro asked as he grabbed his three swords.

"This group called the Franky Family; I got a bunch of the Dockhands to tell me where their base is."

"I'm guessing Luffy is on his way there?"

"He ran off to find it before I found out where it was but yeah he's actively hunting them too."

"Then we'd better get moving," Zoro said with authority, not even Sanji making so much as the slightest remark as one by one the crew disembarked save for Nami who remained on the deck watching the four walk off into the distance.

"Go get em guys …"

/Meanwhile With The Franky Family/

"WE DID IT BOYS," a loud voice boomed prompting the entire group to begin cheering loudly. "WITH THIS CASH WE CAN BUY ALL THAT WE'VE EVER WANTED AND MORE!"

Reaching into a sack he tossed out several hundred thousand Berries which the group began scrambling to catch as he turned around to leave.

"I'm heading out boys; don't spend it all in one place-."

An explosion rocked the front entrance as someone ran through the door holding a slingshot in his hand, a follow up attack prepped and ready aimed right at the leader himself.

"Give me back the two hundred million Berries," Usopp shouted as the man narrowed his eyes dangerously.

"This is the guy you stole it from isn't it?"

"Yeah that's the runt boss!"

"Then I guess you guys didn't do a very good job of putting him in his place did you?"

Faster than Usopp could react the man had closed the distance between them and hit him in the gut which knocked the wind right out of him as he fell to his knees in both pain and shock.

"Be thorough this time boys."

"You've got it boss," several of the henchmen behind him said as all their sadistic eyes turned toward the downed Usopp, many beginning to draw blades or grab melee weapons to use.

"Good."

Tales From The Tale Verse

Ainz Ooal Gown And The Great Assistant Debacle II

The Gauntlet Test … Sort Of

/Ainz's POV/

"My Lord whilst I never would dare to question your reasoning for doing anything I must ask … is this truly necessary?"

"Indeed it is Ainz," Elias replied evenly. "In order to properly prepare for such strenuous events you will need to gather the necessary resources …"

"Lord Ainz you look so dashing," Albedo cried out as she attempted to throw herself at him only for Shalltear to kick her away and latch onto him instead.

"Lord Ainz … in all my years I never expected to see so much of you!"

"Little flat chested slut!"

"Filthy skank," Shalltear hissed back prompting Ainz to sigh and shake his head.

"This is why I said it wasn't a good idea," Ainz sighed as he motioned to his current clothing which consisted of nothing but a pair of basic shorts with some runners.

All in all a very disturbing look on a skeleton.

"Let's just get this over with, what am I supposed to be doing dressed like this?"

"Don't you remember from back when I trained you Ainz?"

"Oh no … no not that!"

Snapping his fingers the ground twisted and warped into a deadly gauntlet full of countless traps that, whilst not lethal to Ainz, would kill anyone not suited for such lethal attacks on a regular basis.

"The gauntlet that granted you your fabled endurance, can you still conquer it Ainz and more importantly can your Assistant?"

"Y-you want us to run through that," Shalltear gulped.

"Not that I would ever agree with the little wretch but this does seem rather excessive …"

"Nonsense," Elias replied dismissively. "Why when I finished with Ainz he could run this gauntlet with his eyes closed! Sure many years have passed however I doubt his skills have dulled to the point that he could fail this gauntlet."

Sighing to himself both Shalltear and Albedo were unprepared for Ainz to unleash a monstrous amount of energy and charge toward the gauntlet as if he were charging an old enemy. Elias had a pleased look whilst Albedo and Shalltear wore shocked ones as Ainz seemingly phased through every last attack, raising his forearms and knees to shatter any incoming attacks until he reached the end.

"And TIME," Elias called out before he began clapping. "When you showed apprehension earlier I was worried you may have indeed fallen in skill, thankfully I was wrong."

"I'm glad I proved your faith was not misplaced Lord Elias," Ainz sighed as the Elder Devil turned toward the two still stunned Assistant hopefuls.

"Alright which one of you shall attempt the gauntlet next?"

"I suppose I should be the one to go next since I am the current Assistant," Albedo sighed as her usual clothing morphed into a form fitting tracksuit as she flapped her wings several times. "Please watch closely Lord Ainz for I shall not fail you!"

What followed was humorous to say the least as Albedo, despite being powerful in her own right, was smacked around like a ragdoll until finally being spat out at the other end of the gauntlet half an hour later.

"Albedo," Ainz asked gently. "Are you alright?"

"N-never better … Lord Ainz."

"Well then Shalltear now that Albedo is done I suppose it is your turn," Elias said as the stunned Vampiress looked between Ainz and Elias before sighing and trudging over to the gauntlet.

"I must do this to impress Lord Ainz and prove that the hag has lost it," she kept chanting over and over again until she finally darted into the gauntlet.

To the surprise of both Ainz and Elias Shalltear began doing quite well, true she did get hit quite a few times in the beginning but after some trial and error she began dodging most of the attacks allowing her to reach the end in a much more presentable state.

"Well then it seems this round goes to Shalltear," Elias said prompting Albedo to cry comically.

"But it's not fair she's so small!"

"Now now Albedo as you'll recall Ainz is around your size so there will be no excuses," Elias remarked prompting Shalltear to begin laughing at the poor Overseer's misfortune.

"So if you made me do this does that mean that we will be performing all the trials I had to do to get this position from you Lord Elias?"

"You catch on quickly Ainz, indeed if one is to be your Assistant they must learn how to perform your role to an acceptable extent."

"So that means that the next task is-?"

"Yes indeed," Elias said cutting him off as Ainz donned his usual robes once more. "Come along for we don't have much time."

"Why is that Lord Elias?"

Elias paused as he turned around to face Ainz with an almost terrified look in his eyes as they darted around the area before dragging him close enough to whisper his reply.

"If I don't get home on time Chise will tear into me for it."

"But Lord Elias I thought you said that she was a kind and gentle soul, a perfect counter to your usually chaotic self?"

"I did which is why it makes her being made so scary," Elias replied fearfully. "She get's this look in her eye that makes you want to run and hide, it is both beautiful yet scary!"

"I see," Ainz replied as he watched Albedo and Shalltear drag themselves back inside Nazerick's walls. "Then we had best be off and finish this business so you don't get into any trouble Lord Elias."

"Tell anyone I fear my Wife and you won't even have an existence to comprehend in the afterlife Ainz," Elias growled as the Overlord stifled a chuckle.

"Of course my Lord."

"Now then you know how to set up the next task?"

"Of course I remember, you spent years drilling it into me!"

"Oh of course how silly of me to assume your skills went rusty without use."

"Yes I am aware of-LORD ELIAS THERE'S A PORTAL OPENING UP BEHIND YOU!"

"WHERE," Elias screeched fearfully, nearly jumping ten feet in the air only for Ainz to burst out laughing.

"HAH, I GOT YOU GOOD DIDN'T I!"

"Ainz," Elias growled as his head swivelled back around to face the skeleton, eyes narrowing.

"Come on Lord Elias take a little joke.

"Ten thousand laps on the pit Ainz."

"B-but-!"

FIFTEEN THOUSAND!"

"You're no fun," Ainz grumbled as he trudged inside with an annoyed Elias trailing behind, eyes still darting around fearfully not entirely sure if what Ainz said was truly a joke or not.

He would come to wish it was.

Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!