The After Party

Kraven laid on the ground for a few more seconds. He had passed out, he didn't know for how long he had been laying there, but he knew it had been quite some time. The sun had already set and his fight with Mikoto the sun wasn't quite there yet, probably two or three hours had passed. He opened and closed his fist a few times, feeling the energy returning to his body. Mikoto's and Shane's group probably already done left…destroyed his ship…screwed with some of his teammates. They had won and he had lost. Mikoto had managed to completely trump him, it wasn't fair…but it didn't matter. He swore the next time he saw him, he would kill him! Kraven shot up, sitting up in a flash and pulling his hood over his head, time to find his crew. He turned around and balked. Mikoto's and Shane's ships hadn't left. He picked himself up and patted himself clear. He spent another few seconds turning around and checking out his surrounding! Nobody was around him, he smirked. His chance for revenge was now! He would like to go back and talk to his crew for back-up, but if he misses this opportunity he wouldn't obtain another one. None of the Infinity Pirates were around him even Shane's crew was gone into the recessions of their ship. In other words, Kraven was all alone. He could easily locate them…and kill them! Pay back for this humiliating defeat. Kraven smirked, throwing his spear over his shoulder. He grimaced a bit, a strong remainder of pain flashing into his shoulder. He shook it off. "Focus. They may have handed me a defeat, but I'll get the last laugh. Just as I have had my crewmate torn away from me! I'll tear one away from Mikoto!" Kraven shot forward, his dark hood hiding him from sight. Even when he neared the glowing yellow lights of the opposing ships, he still had the covers of faithful shadows.

The leftover stalls from the competitions weren't taken down yet. The owners were probably lazy and realized it was late. They didn't want to finish the work, besides most of the stalls were hastily put together anyways. They hadn't planned on an event like this so the stalls were quickly put together to get them money with no real thought, leaving them out was a normal thing. And Kraven was truly thankful for that. He had already neared the ship, the rope ladder was descended. He smiled, it was like they were trying to be infiltrated by him. He shook his head, they were idiots...not planners. He looked up and noticed that Shane and Mikoto's ships were bridged together by a long plank of wood! They were working together!

Kraven gritted his teeth, they were in cahoots, working together to better their own standings. They did have a meeting about halfway through on the first night…even though Kraven had sniped one of their members. It was possible that was a ruse. The fifth event, even though Shane subsided, that was the only reason. He knew he had to give Mikoto a win. It was their plan they decided to make sure they couldn't suffer a loss! Kraven recoiled back! It made perfect sense! Kraven shook his head and sighed. Oh, well. He catapulted himself onto the ship. He admitted originally he was thinking about only taking Mikoto's head, but Shane's head would be nice to have too. Really nice. The incredible money would be an amazing boost as well. His ship could do with an upgrade, and with their money it would be incredibly easy. Kraven smiled, stealing onto the ship and disappearing into the shadows once more. The ship was big, but the majority of all ships had the same basic structure. A dining hall would be located underneath him by the kitchen. And where was the kitchen? Where there were smokestacks. Smokestacks unleashed the smoke from cooking so of course the two of them would be connected. It was just the basics of ship design, the last thing you would want is for the smoke to pile up in the kitchen where the cook would essentially die from no breathable air! Kraven smirked to himself. He knew it had been said that he and Mikoto were cut of the same cloth, but that was wrong. Kraven was a very worldly man he has acquired enough talents in each and every area, cooking, shipwright, sniper, every single end to be a man capable of sailing a ship all by himself. His ability to be a formidable one man crew was also centric to him being selected to be another Shichibukai. Mikoto, on the other hand, was completely reliant on his crew. At this point the loss of even one of them would be a huge thorn in his side. The biggest difference was that Kraven was completely independent. He was prepared if a member on his crew went missing not only did he have dozens of people ready to replace his important duty, but he himself could as well. Kraven wouldn't be taken by surprise.

Kraven immediately hid in the shadows and watched as a man from Shane's crew wandered in front of him. Kraven shrugged it off, he already knew that Shane was much more like him. Shane had replaceable crew members. Members who Shane recruited simply because it would help fill out his quota make him a much more formidable captain, he knew that in these seas…more men equaled more power. So, of course, he rushed and filled out a bunch of blank crew slots just for that reason. Kraven shook his head, in order for him to exact any sort of revenge against Shane he would have to take out Shane or someone close to him like Reymundo or even Suzanne. However, he couldn't live with such a thing when it came to Mikoto. Mikoto would have to pay for it with his own life, it was the only way for Kraven to recover his pirate pride. On these seas there was no such thing as an unfair victory…if you leave yourself open, it's your fault. Kraven would be sure to drill this into the minds of these young crew…well, everybody other than Mikoto…he would be the one to disappear! Yes, his death would be most satisfying for Kraven. Kraven lowered his head, disappearing further into the shadows. It took him a few more minutes before he got the dining hall. He smiled. Mikoto and Shane were both were there in the same room, the two captains were having a good time…it was going to make him so happy to wipe those delirious smiles straight from their faces. Kraven went down a little bit lower, shooting across the floor, moving like a phantom he disappeared against the back wall. He smirked as he heard the many people talking, he shook his head, but kept going. They were all talking about the Davy Back Fights, he chuckled to himself. What stupidity. He'd just ignore them. A few more steps…and finally he was right where he needed to be. His staff hung at the ready, he brought it out and tensed his muscles, a quick movement like a snake was all that he needed. He kept his eyes open and looked at the vague figures.

It was hard to see them, but he could make out their sides and as a result…he knew where their throats were. Almost anyone could tell you that as an assassin the neck was the best place to strike. It was open, no hard bones protecting the vital organ or veins, even if you just nick the only bone in there there's a chance of life-long paralysis. Kraven chuckled to himself, he wondered how much Mikoto would like that. His speed being taken away from him in little less than a few seconds. "I'm just saying," rumbled Shane's voice, "if it was me, you'd be dead by now!" Mikoto laughed, he wasn't one of those kind of guys who minded sharing meals with someone who wanted to beat the crap out of him.

As a matter of fact Mikoto looked like he was honestly enjoying himself. After a long hard fought battle, it was obvious that he didn't want any kind of trouble, but Kraven didn't care. Revenge, that one word had echoed through his mind nearly the past 20 years and finally! FINALLY he would be able to silence it! He eyed his opponent and prepared to strike. Kraven went to move in one swift movement, aiming to cut Mikoto's move in one swift motion, but he felt it stick. Something was stopping him. "Boss, it is over," muttered the voice of Goro as he tightened his grip on the spear.

"Why are you stopping me!?" shouted Kraven shooting forward and tackling Goro to the floor. "I was this close to getting revenge for Illiaster! Did you forget about him!?" Kraven's voice roared, covering the air. The entire ship shook with his boisterous scream. "He saved your butt about as many times as I have! He's been by our sides for all of those years, he trained you, he brought you up when you were abandoned for having a devil's power! And yet, you dare defile his revenge with your petty pride!" Goro shied back. A man who valued his friends more than his pride, that was the kind of guy Kraven was to the bone. Joining the ranks of Shichibukai was done to save his current crew from the same fate of Illiaster, he spent years training to be able to protect, and he refused to allow them to die. He would try his hardest to the end to help them out. To him, they were family. Goro felt horrible for this, but…he needed to rescue his captain.

"Iliaster wouldn't approve of this," Goro said as he threw the spear to the side. "I know as well as you do that he always tried his hardest to overcome the obstacles in his way. And he always did it head-on. You lost this time so do what Iliaster would do, get stronger and challenge him again." Kraven grumbled something beneath his breath apparently not satisfied with this turn of events. Goro chuckled before nodding forward and at the party before him. Kraven's men were spread amongst the room and all of them were happy faces, they were clanking beer glasses happily. "It has been awhile, hasn't it?" asked Goro as he looked around. Kraven paused for a few seconds, examining the entire room. He had no idea what was going on. His men usually ate in stoic silence. Kraven was shocked and amazed that everybody seemed to be so happy. It felt like he was back in the past back with Iliaster.

Iliaster would be standing on top of the center table, boasting in a loud voice about the recent villain he had taken down. He would add exaggerated movements, laugh off people's insults, and get into drunken brawls with random people for fun. And now Kraven saw it as the next generation did the same thing. Ridley was on top of the tables, reciting tales from his journey…of course, with Ridley most of the tale was obviously straight from his imagination, but perhaps it was because of that that everybody listened so intently…just so they could laugh as they put together that everything was a bunch of lies, but regardless of that. It was hilarious and they couldn't help but laugh at it all the same. "It was like this, wasn't it? Back when Iliaster was around." Kraven nodded. "I'd like to imagine that things could still be like this." Kraven slowly nodded. He understood it well…the biggest change since Iliaster's death was him. He knew these changes came about because of him, but he knew he couldn't come back to what things were like before Iliaster's death.

"Listen well, Kid Coyote," muttered Kraven as he stood up, brushing some dirt off of his shoulder. "You won…round one, but you only won cause I decided to take it easy on you. I accepted your challenge when I had no need. We were winning throughout the entire Davy Back Fight. You only won round one, wait a few months and I'll wipe the floor with you in round two." Mikoto smiled, it was nice to see somebody getting their confidence back…although Mikoto would admit it he wasn't too happy that that person wanted to kill him. He looked around him and suddenly felt overwhelmed…he was between Shane and Kraven two men who wanted to fight and kill him. "We're leaving, crew!" Kraven's entire crew smiled, happy that their old boss was back, but despite this they all seemed a little down. They returned their gazes downwards and at their dishes. A nice celebration, but for some reason it seemed as if things shouldn't end. They all had fun these past few days despite fighting for their lives, but with the celebration going on…things just seemed nicer than before. They knew this form of niceness probably wouldn't last long, but it didn't matter…they would enjoy it for the time being that seemed like the best plan all the way through. But if their boss wanted to leave…then they supposed it was their duty to oblige him.

However, Kraven could read the look on their faces. He sighed, he was tired and nearing exhaustion, he didn't want to sail out any more than they did, but he definitely wasn't going to sit around and allow his opponent's to take it easy on them! If he did that what kind of pirate would he be? He had already lost most of his pride when Iliaster died…and then sold the remainder when he joined the Shichibukai. For this period of time he had shouldered the weight, but he refused to accept any more. He turned around, facing his opponent for a second before scoffing. "Hah, I'm sorry boys, but as pirates we don't get vacations."

"Then don't think of it as a vacation," mentioned Mikoto with his same child-like simplicity, but Kraven rolled his eyes and kept on going out the door. "Oh, you might want to re-stock on food, too!" shouted Mikoto which actually caused Kraven to stop. "See we invited your crew as long as they brought some food and a few chefs to help out in the kitchen. So technically some of this food is yours. Then again I guess if you leave it here, we'll just consider it spoils of war." Mikoto immediately took another chunk of meat off of a chicken leg, munching happily. Kraven shook his head, but moved inwards, sitting down next to his one-time enemy and beginning to eat alongside him. It was almost as if the entire atmosphere from a few moments ago when Kraven had tried to kill Mikoto was gone.

Of course, with Kraven returning a new subject was brought forth: the Shichibukai. Mikoto and Shane asked him several questions both of them planning to take down as many of them as possible. However, ultimately Kraven couldn't give them too much help, only a warning. That the remaining Shichibukais weren't going to go down easily. Other than Kraven and Melanie and with Trevor's spot still vacant the remaining Shichibukai were more dangerous than it was previously believed.

The Fox Brothers. Three different men all in occupying the same slot of Shichibukai, an unheard of situation, but they were the ones that suggested it. They had staged several big coupes, both for and against the Marines, so when they finally offered their services as long as the Marines hired them as Shichibukais the Marines agreed it would be for the best. However the exact reason for them extending the olive branch was unknown. Kraven stated that all three of them were odd people and he didn't much care for them…but when it comes to strategy, power, and skills he would be hard pressed to find three people who were better together than them.

Next up, was 'Lucky' Lin. The youngest current Shichibukai and also a pirate who was technically classified as a Supernova. In just one year after sailing out from her home, she traversed the first half of the Grand Line and found herself in the New World, obtained a bounty exceeding 100 million, and was offered a position as a Shichibukai! Some people stated that her extreme success was only due to luck, but Kraven and all of the other Shichibukais knew the truth…she was every bit as powerful as any of the other Shichibukais…perhaps even moreso.

Next to last was Kurai Ai. A woman dubbed 'Black Illusions'. A woman who preferred darkness and death to light and life. She wasn't a bad person, but you always got the feeling that she wasn't a fan of the Marines. However, she kept her mouth shut. She played her cards well, even Kraven was clueless to her past. However, Kraven could also attest to the fact that she was probably the most dangerous amongst the Shichibukai. She was a master of hiding and obtaining information, she wasn't someone who'd flaunt her power…so, in all honesty…nobody knew anything about her.

The last one was a man whose name evoked as much as fear as Trevor's did in today's world. Raphael Ravenbone. A Shichibukai with an immense crew and power at his beckon, which could quiet children and freeze blood. People feared him for good reason.

A Proposal for a Union

Hate to say it, but I'm running out of witty things to say in the author's note section. I mentioned already that I'm taking it to a slightly faster paced story line and cutting out anything that can be considered filler so here's a quick run-down of the next few targets. These are all of the Shichibukai who need to be destroyed!