Hello, it's me again. In the first attempt at this story I started off pretty good. But with helpful advice from the Dude of Doom, Kilnorc, and Malicor the Draco I saw that it wasn't what i thought it was.

So here we go again. I don't own One Piece, but I do own my oc's. Now sit back and enjoy.

The Guardians of the Sea: Marineford's Finest

---Marineford home of Marine HQ---

Inside one of the many offices of the high ranking officers of the marines we find a White-haired man wearing a black sleeveless muscle shirt and white pants asleep on top of a pile of paperwork that seemed to be due weeks ago. The sound of knocking at the door was almost enough to wake the man up….but no cigar.

The door was then opened and in walked who you ask, why none other than Admiral Aokiji himself. Looking at the sleeping form of the man the admiral couldn't help but let out a sigh in frustration.

"If I can't sleep in peace then you sure as hell can't Jaden" Aokiji said as he placed his hand on the now called Jaden's back and applied some cool ice to his hand. The result was Jaden immediately standing up and dancing around like a fool to stop the chilling feeling down his back. Looking around the office his eyes caught the sight of the admiral looking at him from across the room.

"Damn Kuzan-san, if you wanted to wake me up did you have to do it like that" Jaden asked, rubbing his frosted back?

"Would you have woken up if I hadn't?"

Jaden was about to respond to that when he realized that he was right. Sighing in annoyance he walked over to his coat rack and slipped his Marine jacket on then turned to his superior.

"So what do I owe the pleasure of your company to?

"Sengoku-san has requested that me, you, Kizaru, and Jericho meet him in his office for a private meeting concerning a few pirates" the admiral replied.

Jaden looked at Aokiji with a look of understanding. Normally the admiral wouldn't bother to try and wake him up, and to do that would mean that Sengoku had requested the two of them. So after he grabbed his sword from against the wall he and the admiral exited the office and headed down the halls of Marine HQ.

As they walked down the halls Jaden couldn't help but think of the world as of late. Recently he had been on the patrol for some low level pirates that had been bugging the government in the last few weeks. He and his good friend Jericho Blanes had been bored senseless with nothing for weeks and could only complain. Much to Sengoku's annoyance. So he had them round up some pirates that had been causing some ruckus lately, and that still didn't do anything for them.

He was brought from his thoughts as he and Aokiji stopped before the doors to Sengoku's office.

"Admiral Aokiji reporting sir."

"Vice-Admiral Jaden Yukishiro reporting to sir."

The doors opened and the two stepped inside. Once inside they saw Sengoku sitting at his desk looking annoyed that he had o wait for them to finally arrive.

"Jay may man you finally came, thought you weren't going to show up and leave me here to suffer with these old guys."

Jaden looked to see his oldest and closest friend Jericho Blane standing up from the couch and walk over to say hi. Once they were close enough Jaden gave Jericho a high five to which the other responded to.

"Jericho. Been a while man" Jaden said as he patted Jericho on the back.

"Heh heh heh, well you know how it is. Vice-Admirals always busy with mountains of paper work and whatever."

Jaden laughed at this had he looked at his friend. Jericho was a tall dark skinned man that was about half a head smaller than Aokiji or Kizaru. He didn't wear a shirt save his marine jacket over his shoulders like Kizaru did, and black pants with matching boots. He was packing a six-pack set of abs and a tattoo of a bull on his back. He had a black goatee and no hair, and wore a bandana around his head.

"Would you two please sit down we have matters to discuss." Sengoku motioned for them to sit.

Nodding they sat on the couch across the room while Aokiji sat on the other one that Jericho sat on next to Kizaru.

"Ehrm, now that we're all here we can begin the meeting." Sengoku reached into his desk and pulled out a wanted poster and placed it on his desk.

"First on the agenda is one Blood Countess Kairi. A headache to all in the marines and even to her fellow pirates….kinda makes you wonder why she's still alive" Sengoku muttered.

Jaden scoffed. "You can say that again sir. She's become more troublesome as the captain of her own crew then when she was with that Axe fellow."

Jericho nodded and chugged down a cup of water. "Amen to that bro. I mean when she was with that Axe dude she was an ok pirate, and was much more manageable. But now days she's becoming a major pain in the ass."

"But is she really that much of A problem? Last I heard she was seen lounging around some of the areas in Crocodile's jurisdiction. He'll take care of her most likely" Kizaru said.

"Dont hold your breath on that" Aokiji said to him.

Sengoku nodded. "Indeed she is, but that doesn't mean that she's still not a pain if not left unchecked. After all, in a garden if you don't pull out a weed when you first see it, it will grow and become an infestation in the garden."

"Aokiji pushed up his blind to look at Sengoku." Your basically saying that we need to refocus our efforts to put away these pirates such as her away before they become a real problem right?"

"Exactly Aokiji." He turned in his chair and stared out the window in thought.

Jericho nudged Jaden and leaned closer. "I swear, when he does all that deep thought crap they make these meetings drag out longer than they need to be" irritation clearly in his voice.

Jaden nodded in agreement. "True, but I wouldn't say such things to Sengoku-sama, unless you want to be on patrol duty in the east blue for the next five years."

Jericho shuddered at the thought of having to be on patrol in the east. The calmest, and dubbed the most boring of the four, having absolutely no real action unlike the other oceans. Jericho had been on patrol down there once before and he swore he would never do it again.

Sengoku turned back to look at them all. "But you are right Kizaru-san, there is no need to make any immediate moves against her. But we should still keep an eye and ear on her just in case anything of interest happens."

"Now on to the next bit of business" Sengoku said as he pulled out a bounty poster on his desk. Everyone stood up and moved a little bit closer to take a look at the poster. When they saw the face Jaden and Jericho looked amused.

"Ah, so the prodigal pirate returns from the dead, eh" Jaden said grabbing the poster and getting a better look at it. " Axe, the former captain of the Axe-head pirates before he was mutined apon, I recall correctly."

"Indeed you would be Jaden. Axe is a troublesome pireat that has been a pain in our side just like that Rayo fellow…maybe even more." He took the poster from Jaden and placed it back on his desk.

Jericho grinned as he thought back to the Axe's earlier adventures, and of what messes he made for the government. "You got to admit sir, having him back is going to be a lot more fun than him dead."

"And that's the problem." Sengoku took his cup of water and started to suck it down.

"We have had confirmed reports that the hashas gathered up a new crew of miscreants, and has entered the line." His hands slammed on top of his desk. "We cannot allow for him to continue doing as he so pleases. It is true that he is in no immediate position to attack us, but if he can find an excuse he will probably take it!"

Jaden couldn't understand why Sengoku was getting all worked up over this one pirate. Sure he was quite the troublemaker, but he alone couldn't be much of a threat....unless the danger lied elsewhere.

"Sir, you seriously can't be all that worried about just one man" Jaden asked him? "It's true that he is indeed strong, and was quite the troublemaker, but at his current level he wouldn't last in a fight against the Rear-Admirals in a fight."

"He will grow, and he will become stronger in time. He is a threat against the peace that we of the marines have fought and died to maintain, and I will die before I allow for him to ruin all that we have strived to make" Sengoku's tone carried a sense of seriousness that he only would use in serious matters.

"Well sir if he's that much of pest then why not be rid of him right now?" Kizaru received a nod from his superior.

"No need to worry about that my friends. Our intel says that at this moment he is at Alabasta with his crew, and accompanying him are the Straw-Hat pirates."

Jericho nodded his head at this. "Right, that means that ol Crocodile will handle them. And Jaden says that the Shichibuaki are a waste, and a pain." He grabbed his head as Jaden smashed his cup over his head.

"I said that most were a pain. Members like Mihawk, Jinebi and Kuma are of value and use to us. The others are a complete waste in my opinion. Heh, maybe they'll all kill each other and save us the trouble"

Sengoku let out a sigh. "Anyways as I was saying that with them in Alabasta it won't be long until they stumble upon Crocodile, and then that'll be the end of that. "Now on to the next, and possibly most important business."

Pulling out another poster and putting Axe's away he allowed them to see the face of the poster, which came as quite a shock believe it or not. Aokiji took off his blind completely, Kizaru removed his glasses, Jericho moved in closer so to get a better look at the poster, and Jaden just looked at it with wide eyes.

"Yes gentlemen" Sengoku started. "Our next bit of business has to do with the Blood Fang."

Jericho let out a whistle. "Damn, never thought I'd ever see that face again. It's been what ten years since we last saw that face right?" He nudged Jaden for an answer.

He nodded his head. "It was ten years ago since the last encounter we had with him. But things were different back then. Back then we were still young and new, and we didn't have a chance."

Sengoku stood and looked out the window. "We have reason to believe that this man has finally started to move after all these years. What his goal's are, or what he wants is unknown, but what we do know is this. Whatever his game is we must stop him!"

The four nodded in agreement. Whatever this man was up to there was one thing that was for certain. He had to be stopped….no matter what.

"For the moment that will be all gentlemen, if I have any new developments, your dismissed."

The four nodded, saluted him, and then piled out of the room.

Once outside Aokiji and Kizaru said their goodbyes and left, leaving the two Vice- Admiral's by themselves.

"Soooo, want to head back to my office and have a couple of drinks Jay" Jericho asked?

Jaden thought about it for a minute before nodding yes. "Sure, that sounds good."

So they turned and headed towards Jericho's office.

---Jericho's Office---

It didn't take too long for Jaden and Jericho to arrive at the office. Mostly because it was across the hall from Sengoku's. Once inside He took a seat on the nearby couch and Jericho walked behind the built in bar he had there. Once he was behind the bar he started looking through the large variety of booze there until he grabbed a bottle of bubbling red stuff and pored some into a glass.

Taking the glass he pored the drink in his mouth, and began to turn hot red. After a minute his face returned to normal, and he pored another glass and drank that down as well.

"I still don't know why you have that stuff Jericho. You know it tastes nasty and its practically expired" Jaden told Jericho as he sniffed the bottle of booze?

"Hey I'll have you know that is a special brand of booze that can be found only at Fishman Island. It's their special wake up juice."

"(Sigh) still think you should get rid of it" Jaden remarked, placing the bottle down.

Jericho muttered something under his breath as he opened a bottle of his finest whiskey and began to chug it away. How the guy could drink liquor like that, and not end up a drunk was a mystery to Jaden. But he had long given up on figuring that out.

"Man, I had almost forgotten how much you care about your booze Jericho."

Jericho stopped drinking and set his bottle down to look at Jaden with a look that Jaden only sees once every blue moon or so. In other words…his serious face.

"Jaden….to man booze is the most important thing in life. Booze is a coven of manhood that shows that you are a man. When I first had booze I realized that I had finally left boyhood, and enter manhood. So I spent a good many years collecting many assortment of liquor from around the world, and even learned how to brew many of good beer. But in the end…..they all fell in comparison to that almighty batch of black rum I had acquired."

Jaden sat and listened to his friend monologue on his little thing on booze while he chugged his drink.

"I had dragged my sorry black ass all around the ocean looking for booze that would surpass all others. And then finally three years ago when I came to the island of Alabasta I found what I was looking for. A merchant had found me wandering the streets of the capital, and tried to sell me some of his merchandise. I was ready to go when he brought…it out. The finest brew of Black Rum I had ever tasted. It felt like I was in heaven and took a side trip to paradise. So I bought the rum without a second thought. And as I was about to take my third step….THAT DRUNKEN BASTARD WITH THE AFRO COMES OUT OF NOWHERE AND STEALS MY RUM.

I recognized him as Azu and knew that he must have been asking for me to kill him. So I decided to answer his request and gave chase. Determined to kill him, and retrieve my precious booze. I chased him all over the country for three days straight, and I almost had him many a time. But then on the fourth day the bastard reaches the ocean and jumps in. and starts swimming away. So with no boat and not being able to swim I stand and watch him swim off with my booze."

Jericho chugged the rest of his bottle and slammed it into the table cracking it in half.

"DAMN YOU AZU I SWEAR I'LL FIND YOU, AND WHEN I DO I'LL MAKE YOU WISH THET YOU WERE NEVER BORN. YOU'LL CRUSE THE DAY YOU STOLE JERICHO BLANE'S BOOZE I SWEAR IT!!!"

Jaden was about to comment on his friends little performance when the door to the office was opened.

"Vice Admirals Yukishiro and Blane sirs, Sengoku-sama has summoned you both to his office immediately" the marine at the door said.

Looking at each other before looking at the marine they nodded and walked pass him and towards Sengoku's office.

---Sengoku's office---

The two stood in attention in front of their superior, waiting for him to tell them what it was they were called back here for. Sengoku looked at the two, a letter with the seal of the Gorosei stamped on the back of it. When they saw this they knew immediately that it must be a very pressing matter if whatever was in that letter was from the Gorosei.

"Yukishiro, Blanes, I have just received word from out intelligence division. While they were monitoring all communications on the Den Den Mushi's around the world they intercepted a message from a convoy ship to one Marcus Graves." Jaden's hand tightened slightly before he uncurled it. "The message was partly scrambled up, but ended up with enough. Apparently Marcus was waiting on a certain delivery from a black market dealer. The contents of the purchase were unclear, but we know that it was to arrive to him in about two week, and he was paying the man seven-hundred million berries in gold for it." Jaden's eyebrows rose at this while Jericho let out a whistle. "Whatever it is, we need to find and intercept that item before it falls into his hands."

The two nodded as he opened the letter and began to read its contents. "An executive order from the Gorosei. In light of the acknowledged threat of the pirates Kairi Lumina, and Samuel D. Axe, as well as the return of the threat of Blood Fang, and many other pirates a task force headed up by Vice-Admiral's Jaden Yukishiro, Jericho Blanes, and Cassandra Senryu is to be assembled. Their main objective is to find, and destroy the Blood Fang and all parts of his organization, as well as the capture of other threatening pirate crews. Do you understand your orders men?"

Jaden and Jericho nodded to their commander in understanding. "Yes sir we understand our orders" Jaden told him. Jericho put his arms behind his head and grinned. "Roger that sir."

He nodded at this. "Also with this newly formed task force, the commanding officers are given executive jurisdiction and are now able to move about and answer to no government official or marine except to myself, the Admirals, or the Gorosei.

Jericho's grin widened at this. "So your saying that even if a noble was to get in our way that we can actually shut him up and not be punished for it?"

Sengoku and Jaden sighed at this. It was common knowledge that Jericho had a deep rooted hatred for the World Nobles, and would give anything to shut any of them up, and put them in their place.

"Yes Jericho, that's what it means…regrettably" he muttered the last part.

Jericho shot his arm up in the air in excitement, Jaden just shook his head. Sengoku then handed them four files labeled task force.

"These are the files on the people that have been assigned to the task force. Some you may be familiar with, some may be new to you. But I assure you that these guys are the best at what they do."

They scanned through the files and nodded their heads in approval at the choices that were made.

Then Jaden thought of something. "What about Cassandra. She's on an assignment at the moment, and won't be back until God knows when."

"True, but we have contacted her, and she's headed back as we speak. Now your team is waiting at conference room twelve, head on over there and get them ready to head out" Sengoku told them, his voice now all about business.

Jaden and Jericho nodded, saluted, and turned to leave. But before they left the room Jaden turned back to Sengoku. "Sir would you kindly tell Cassandra to instead of coming all the way back here to meet us at Casino Island?"

"What for, what reason do you have to go there for?"

Jaden grinned at him and turned to the door. "Just a little side trip, I need to see and old friend and ask him for a favor" then he exited the room.

---Conference Room 12---

Walking down the halls of Marineford the two finally came to a stop at a door labeled conference room twelve. As they opened the door they saw four figures sitting at the conference desk waiting for the two of them. They eyed each one of them carefully, taking everything about each of them.

The first one was about 5'11. He had no hair on his head, a long scar the started across the top of his left eye, ad ended at his nose. He had brown eyes, wore no shirt, black pants, and no shoes. He also carried a long bamboo looking spear.

The next one was quite the strange one. He wore a long-sleeved grey shirt and pants. Black shoes, leather gloves, and trench coat. He also had bandages that covered his face from his neck up to over his nose, a pair of goggles that covered his eyes, and a black leather bandana that covered skull.

Next was the only normal looking one. He had spiky blonde-hair and blue-eyes. Wore a sleeveless red shirt and jean jacket, and jeans, with white shoes, and in his hand were a deck of cards.

The last one was a giant to the others. He stood at 6'5 was well built with muscled arms and chest. He had black-hair in a buzz hair cut, wore a navy blue sleeveless jacket with no shirt, black pants that ended about six inches from below the knees, had blue wrist bands, and a eye-patch over his right eye.

"Wow…what a bunch of weirdo's…they'll do just fine eh Jaden" Jericho said as he nudged Jaden's shoulder?

Jaden returned the nudge. "Yeah, but don't let them hear you say that" he whispered. They then signaled the four to come and line up in front of them.

"Ok you guys, I surmise that you all know as to the reason that you have been gathered here for" Jaden asked them?

"Yes sir we're all aware as to the nature of the mission. And we will all act to our fullest, and work in perfect order sir" the bandaged one replied with a salute, mimicked by the others. Jaden and Jericho stared down each of them with stone cold expressions…then they all broke out into laughter. Jaden began to shake hands and be pulled into bear hugs from them, as did Jericho.

"Ha ha ha ha ha, It's good to see you guys again" Jaden told them. He walked up to two of them and placed a hand on their shoulder.

"Good to see you again Brandon" he said to the bald one.

The one called Brandon grabbed his hand and pulled it into a hand shake. "Good to see you again to Jaden-san."

Then he moved to the bandaged one and stuck his hand out at him. "It's been a long time Michael."

The now named Michael smiled from under his bandages, and shook Jaden's hand.

"It has been a while, at least five years I believe."

While Jaden was catching up with those two Jericho brought the other two into a bear hug. "Ah Jack, Hugo it's so good to see you both again. Hey jack did you grow or something" he asked the blonde as he ruffled his hair.

"Ha ha ha ha ha, yeah it's good to see you again two Jericho-san. And actually yes I did grow. I'm now 5'9 now, instead of being 5'5" Jack told Jericho.

Letting both of them go he looked at the other one and grinned at him.

"Heh heh heh, man Hugo your still a giant I see" he said looking Hugo up and down.

"Hoh hoh hoh, someone like me always stays as tall as this. Though I think I may have gained a few more pounds then when you last saw me."

After they had all caught up with each other Jaden and Jericho had them fall back into line and stared them all down.

"Now you know I hate all that protocol crap" he told them, causing them to laugh. "But we're still in HQ so let's bare this crap, and get it over with. SOUND OFF!!"

"Colonel Brandon Long, Commander of the martial arts division of the navy."

"Rear-Admiral Michael Pain, Commander and chief of the interrogation division the navy."

"Captain Jack Kings, Second in command of the intelligence division of the navy."

"Commodore Hugo McCain, chief, and head shipwright of the shipwright division of the navy."

Nodding to them all Jaden and Jericho walked towards the door and then turned back to them. "Well boys, now that that's all done with don't you think it's about time that we get ready to head out?"

The all nodded in agreement and followed the two out the door and headed towards the docks.

---Docks---

Jaden and Co. had arrived at the docks and looked at the many vessels that were there. As they continued down they dock they finally came to it. At the end of the dock stood a ship that was by far more…original then the others were. Though it looked like any other, it was painted silver, and at the front of the ship had been painted to look like a wolf. Needless to say it was quite a beauty.

Jaden turned to them and smirked. "Gentlemen, I proudly present to you all the Ocean Fang. This baby here was made by Hugo-san over here, and is to date the fastest ship in the navy" a hint of pride hidden in his voice.

The others couldn't stop looking at it, even Jericho found himself glued to the ship.

Jaden snapped his fingers at them. "Oi, are you all just gonna stand there or are you going to get on so we can get a move on already?"

Snapping out of their stupor the all hurried on to the ship. Jaden watched them all scurry on to the ship, and couldn't help but laugh,

"Yeah, this is going to be an adventure that I won't be forgetting anytime soon. Or these guys too" he thought to himself as he stepped onto his ship, and took the helm as the sails were raised. Then they headed out of the harbor, and into the endless blue. The adventure had finally begun.

Long, definitely longer than it was last time. Once again I want to thank kilnorc, malicor, and the Dude of Doom for showing me how crummy the first one was turning out to be, and setting me on the path to a new, and better one. And I want to say sorry to you DoD. I hope you're not still not angry with me.

Now on to the preview.

Jaden: We'll stop here for a bit while I take care of some business.

Jericho: Careful Jay, you know he's a tricky one.

Cassandra: Huff, just like Jaden to head off and not bother to wait for me.

???: Ah Jaden. Whatever can I do for you?

Jaden: Use your sight and do some good for once.

Seeing is believing

???: All it will cost you is…your eyes.