One Piece: Overlord of the Seas (Book 1)

by YinShadow

Monkey D. Luffy died in the battle of Marineford when his brother Ace died in his arms. Luffy lost the will to live and abandoned his dreams to become King of a pirate. But his spirit yearns for revenge and made a deal with an old evil that once plagued the seas to help him on his new life vengence. Dark True Pirate Luffy.

2. Lucifer Diablo

One Piece: Overlord of the Seas

Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece or the Overlord game series.

Chapter 1: Lucifer Diablo

5 months later: Sabody Archipelago (Shakky's Bar)

It is raining heavily on the Sabody Archipelago, so much that more of the establishments are closed down for the safety of the inhabitants. But it doesn't stop a certain old retired pirate from doing his job coating a now derelict ship which once belonged to Straw Hat. Not why would Rayleigh coat Sunny when her captain is long dead, well Luffy may be dead but his crew remains and they're probably returning from their exile which Bartholomew Kuma placed them in.

Wanting to honour the young pirate, he wants to get the ship ready, especially when the ship is under guard by both Duval and his Flying Fish Gang, and former Arlong Pirate turned Takoyaki vendor Hachi. 5 months since the incident at Marineford occurred, along with the alleged death of Straw Hat Luffy. But Rayleigh had an inkling that things aren't what they seem.

And it all happened with the incident in Greenvale, a coastal nation located on the North Blue side of the Red Line. When a new pirate Rookie named the Lucifer Diablo went on a killing spree on every Marine stationed on those waters, including the 7 Heroes of the Marine (excluding Garp). Finished with the fresh coat of resin on the Sunny's hull, Rayleigh begins to head back home, to the Rip-off bar owned by his lover Shakky.

Just as Rayleigh enters the bar, he noticed Shakky is dealing with a rather complicated patron who is complaining about the high prices she was charging for the drink he ordered. Shakky turns to see Rayleigh and smiled at him while she tossed the badly beaten customer on the floor so the poor sod can scamper off on all fours.

"They never learn, do they?" said Rayleigh

"Nope," said Shakky as she starts to pour Rayleigh a glass of whiskey. "Then again, their ignorance is what keeps me entertained."

Rayleigh nods while he starts taking sips from his whiskey glass when suddenly the bar door opens, revealing a figure dragging what appears to be a bloodied-up body of a Marine sailor. The figure in question is dressed almost in black, all this clothes, his boots, his trousers, his long coat and bandana on his head are all black while the only touch of colour is his red shirt which has a few buttons loose and a mask which covers down his upper lip, bearing a resemblances of a crimson skull with short devil horns which glow like embers and smoulders with fine wisps of smoke.

"Evening," said the masked Pirate, "You still open?"

Despite taken by this sudden debut, Shakky remains calm and smiles at this new patron and nods, "By all means, come in and out of the rain."

"Thank you," said the masked pirate as he walks through the door, while dragging the dead Marine on the floor.

Rayleigh calmly watches the mysterious masked pirate walk towards the counter while dragging a dead Marine by the scruff of the neck, leaving a trail of blood on the floor. The pirate takes a seat next to Rayleigh while dropping the dead Marine by his feet.

"Sorry about the mess," the masked pirate said sincerely to Shakky. "The nosy sod here was sticking his nose where it shouldn't. They attempted to ambush you, but I sorted them out proper."

"...I appreciate it," said Shakky as she gives the pirate a nod. "But I hope you're willing to pay for the damages. Blood doesn't come off easy, you know."

The pirate leans to the dead Marine and pulls out a wallet from his pocket, and placed it on the table.

"The fault was all his," said the pirate as he takes out every beri note out from the wallet and places it on the table. "Pretty sure that's enough."

Shakky took the bundle of notes, which was a lot for a merge Marine sailor to owe and starts counting.

"And then some," said Shakky as she took the money, "So, what can I get you?"

The masked pirate smiled as he leans on the counter.

"Some rum, please," said the pirate.

"Make it two bottles of rum, Shakky," said Rayleigh before turning to the masked pirate. "My treat."

"How thoughtful," said the pirate while Shakky takes out two bottles of rum and two mugs for her patrons. "So, what brings the infamous Lucifer Diablo here in the Sabody Archipelago? Got bored in the North Blue?"

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE

LUCIFER DIABLO

B 666,000,000

(Image: Is actually a selfie made by Lucifer when he took the camera from a government photographer which he killed. His grin under his horned crimson skull mask is visible, adding terror to his reputation)

(Lucifer sighed and grabbed the poster so he can fold it neatly and pockets it in his coat)

"Please, call me Lucy," said the Pirate known as Lucifer Diablo as he then takes off his crimson skull mask to reveal his true face. Shakky was taken back while Rayleigh remains calm, for he knows exactly who Lucifer Diablo really is.

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE

STRAW HAT LUFFY

B 300,000,000

DECEASED

(Image: Luffy smiling while the smoking remains of Arlong Park is shown in the background along with the back head of Usopp photobombing the image)

(Lucifer grabs the poster of his former self and starts crumbling it in a ball before lobbing it over his shoulder as he walks inside the bar)

"Luffy," Shakky said in a shocked whisper, but this isn't the Luffy he met before who was full of life and high optimism. This LUffy, or Lucy as he goes by, has a now pale complexion, heavy bags in his eyes to the point that his eyelids are now darkened, and his eyes are glowing and gold.

Lucy frowns at Rayleigh when he spoke his former name and stares intensely at the old former pirate.

"It's Lucy," The now named Lucy corrected the bartender while he starts pouring his rum in his mug. "Luffy is dead, died a broken man, lost his brother, his crew, his dreams. All that remains is me, a man with nothing but hatred for the Marines and nothing left to lose."

"The Straw Hat Crew are still out there, waiting for you." Said Rayleigh, hoping he could give could give Luffy some relieve about the fate of his old crew. But Lucy is unfazed and turned away as if he no longer wants anything to do with them.

"They wait for no one," said Lucy, "their captain is dead, and I doubt they'll be happy to see me."

"Why is that?" said Rayleigh.

"Because I'm a cold-blooded murderer, a demon raised from hell, that's why," said Lucy, "I'm Lucifer Diablo, scourge of the North Blue with a kill count of over 6000 marines and a bounty of 666 million. You have no idea what kind of things I did there."

"Then enlighten me," said Rayleigh, "I have heard of your exploits in Greenvale through the paper, but I'm more content with hearing it from the man himself."

"You wish hear my tale?" said Lucy with a raised brow.

"Why not? Isn't that what pirates do?" said Rayleigh with a smile. "To regale of their tales, their battles, their escapades."

Lucy chuckled while taking another sip from his drink.

"If you don't mind paying for drinks, I can tell you some tales." Said Lucy.

Rayleigh then pulls out a wad of cash and placed if on the counter.

"Shakky, fetch us some crates and a keg of rum," asked Rayleigh while his eyes remain fixed to Lucy.

"Got it," said Shakky as she leaves at the back to collect the required rum from the reserves.

"Alright, what do you want to hear first?" Lucy asked Rayleigh

"Everything, from the beginning," said Rayleigh as he takes a sip from his own mug. "How did you come to be who you are today?"

Lucy smiles and sighs.

"Now that is an interesting tale indeed," said Lucy "Well, if all started when Luffy died from a broken heart..."

Disclosed Location: 5 months ago

"and after leaving the mortal coil, Luffy woke up on board a vessel, a great ship which appears desolate and worn down judging by how much disrepair it's got."

Luffy wanders on-board the aforementioned vessel, where he appears to be the only passenger.

"Hello?" said Luffy, his voice echoes aloud from the vast oblivion which the ship continues to sail on. He looks up at the helm where the wheel is being steered all on it's own. He rushes towards the bulwark and leans over the ledge of the ship to look down at the Hull, only to find that the water is eerily calm, misty and non-reflective as if there is no life in the waters at all. He looks up in he sky which is also obscured by a dense fog meaning he can't see the starts, following with horizon where no islands of sea rocks are sighted.

"He was confused, unsure why he was on board that ship, or why he was the only person on it. But it all changed when visions of his final moments starts to form right in front of him"

Apparitions starts to manifest, which to Luffy takes in the form where he is now holding a dying Ace after Akainu punched his magma fist fight into the pirate's back and through his chest. He can hear the red beads which Ace wore scatter on the floor and his orange hat drop off while collapsing into Luffy's arms.

"N-No, no," Luffy shuddered when that memory starts to recall, and the reason why he died. He then look at the apparition of Akainu with pure rage. "You bastard!"

Luffy dropped the apparition of Ace, which just faded into smoke and charges at the other murderous intent. Luffy reaches out his arms and attempts to use his Gum-Gum pistol, but to his shock he couldn't do when he throw that punch and his arm didn't stretch.

"W-what?" said Luffy as he then tries again, but his arm doesn't stretch again." Akainu's Apparition starts to fade in front of Luffy, which the boy starts to roar out in anger. "COME BACK! COME BACK SO I CAN FIGHT YOU!"

Luffy tries to chase Akainu, but what he is doing is inevitable, he can't get the Admiral, every time the apparition forms afar to haunt and torment the now dead pirate. Luffy, still denying the fact that he lost his powers, tries to use Gum-Gum pistol but his punches couldn't reach him.

"Chasing ghosts, on a vessel of death is quite ironic but all he ever cared about is chasing after the bastard who murdered Ace and he. It felt like hours, and the more time continues to fly until he comes to a realisation, that all hope is gone. It is the end for him, HE. Lost. EVERYTHING."

Luffy finally stops his pointless chase on the apparition and collapses onto his knees. He gives out a scream of frustration and sorrow as tears now pour out from his tightly shut eyes. He pounds hard on the deck and curls in a call while he wallows in despair.

Suddenly a crimson glow starts to shine upon the ethereal vessel, causing it to stop suddenly as if the winds stopped blowing on the sails. Luffy took notice of this and looks up, and saw what appears to be a red wisp, like you find burning on a candle but it doesn't perch on it's waxy vessel.

"All hope was lost, but suddenly he was graced with another who is on board the ferry. Luffy approached it with curiosity reaches out so that he can maybe get to fell it's warmth that he forgot about. Then it spoke."

"Monkey D. Luffy," the crimson wisp speaks to the pirate. "Such injustice has fallen upon you."

"W-Who are you, said Luffy as he removed his hand away from the wisp as it starts to grow larger and larger.

Once it was the size of a 100 beri coin, now it grew into the size of a Great White Shark and manifests into the form of a giant crimson skull with long crimson dreadlocks. This skull hovers over the bow of the ferry and looks down upon the bewildered Luffy.

"In life, I was known as Rocks D. Xebec, which sadly only a few handful of people can remember that name. For 40 years, I was considered the terror of the seas, their mighty Overlord, but I was stuck down by an unusual alliance of pirate and marines which resulted in my death.

"I had a dream, you see, a dream to covet the world under my rule, but the World Government doesn't want to share it, and neither did I. They tried so hard to take me down, they sent in fleets, assassins, even Dyna-stones but their efforts where futile. My strength was considered legendary, not even giants or sea kings are of match with me. That is until the alliance between the pirate Gol D. Roger and Marine Commodore Monkey D. Garp was formed, along with the backing of the legendary Vice-admiral Wizard and the others from Greenvale...

"Luffy sat down to listen to the tales of Xebec's final showdown against the Pirate King and the Marine fleet which Garp formed up. How the now 8 heroes of the Maines and Roger had the Overlord cornered and yet neither of them struck the final blow on him for he just died suddenly.

Confused by this, he asked."

"You just died?" said Luffy,

"Indeed, for you see before the eve of battle I asked two certain members of my crew to extract my soul, leaving only enough for me to live only for a few hours in battle. Then, until my body is but bones and bleached by the sun, it would be returned to my skull to harbour for my return. I faked my death and waited for the right moment to exact my revenge, but I didn't count on Roger's ow demise along the way so I'm content on plotting against the Heroes who killed me.

But I can't do it alone, I needed some help and that is where you come in,"

"Me?" said Luffy

"I have proposition for you, a deal," said Xebec, "I know you lost everything to the Marines, your crew, your brothers, even your Grandfather who rather bow down to those pompous nobles than turn to save any of you from harm. You may think that all hope is gone, but it doesn't have to be. I can take you back to the land of the living to exact your revenge, and in exchange you help exact mine."

"Exact your...revenge?" said Luffy

"That's right, I may have cheated death but I cannot do much in the form I am currently in, so I need your help by taking over what left of my crew and captain my ship on the voyage to Greenvale, the homelands of those accursed "heroes". Said Xebec as he scowls at the word heroes as if left a bad tast in his mouth. "So, what do you say? Hunt down the bastards and my ship, my crew, and my power is yours for your pursuit for revenge."

"Luffy gave out a scoff as if he was being told a very bad joke. I mean he barely gave it his all against the entire force comprised with seasoned Vice-admirals -some skilled with Haki and the Rokushiki, 3 Admirals each bearing powerful Logia fruit powers, and a Fleet Admiral with a Mythical Zoan which can turn him in some golden god. And that is WITH Whitebeard's crew, 2 former Warlords and a handful of Impel Down escapees backing him up.

So, tell me, what are the chances do you think he'll have if he ever gets to have another go at them, on his own?"

"Are you serious?" said Luffy turning away from the giant incorporeal skull. "Why would I want to go through that again, just for... revenge?"

"Don't you want to avenge your brothers, and your crewmates."

"Of course, I do, but I'll just be putting them in more danger because of my recklessness," said Luffy as he closed his eyes tightly as he starts to recall certain actions which put many around him in danger. The Grey Terminal incident, which resulted in the death of Sabo, Enies Lobby just because he wanted to rescue Robin despite her sacrifice, punching that Celestial Dragon in Sabody Archipelago which resulted in summoning Admiral Kizaru, and the break-in/break-out of Impel Down all because Luffy learned about Ace's incarceration and appointed execution in Marineford. Reflecting those actions, Luffy is for the first-time taking responsibility and wanted nothing more to do with his former life. "It's...best for my crew if I stayed dead, for their own safety."

"Well, you could always disguise yourself if you're concerned for your crewmates," said Xebec, "Take advantage on the fact that you're dead, meaning that your bounty is no longer active and the heat is completely off you. You can get a new life, and a new purpose which I can offer you, if you accept."

"Tempting as if sounds, Luffy is still not sold to the idea and contempt in giving up on life."

"I said no," said Luffy as he walks away and leans on the bulwark to gaze upon the oblivion.

"Are you saying that yo...Luffy gave up completely?" Rayleigh asked

"Did you, when you lost your Captain and friend?"

Rayleigh didn't reply, but Lucy didn't need to hear it as the silence is loud and clear.

"It would've ended like that, the end of Straw Hat Luffy. But it's just the very beginning of mine, and all it took is just one rhetorical question."

"And are you sure with it? Knowing the fact that in your death, the man who murdered your brother and the men who tore your crew apart are still alive, basking in their triumph?"

Suddenly more apparitions took form in front of the deceased pirate captain, one which repeats the murder of Ace by the molten hands of Akainu and later it shifts of that of Kizaru and squad of Kuma-like cyborgs call the Pacifista attacking the apparitions of his crew with their beams of light before the Original Kuma uses his Paw-Paw Fruit to banish them to random places of the world. The wound on Luffy's chest, which Akainu gave starts to burn, as if he was attacked by the molten bastard recently.

Luffy grits his teeth hard from both the pain and searing anger which he feels from the burning sensation in his heart.

"Akainu...Akainu!"

Luffy then turns to leer at Xebec and roared out in pure hate.

"I'd be damned and let that bastard feel any feeling of triumph!" said Luffy, in such rage that his conqueror King's Haki unintentionally flared up and caused the entire ship is creaking from its intensity. But to Xebec, it's like a cool fresh breeze on a warm summer day. And despire his skeletal appearance, the malicious spirit of the Overlord grins with equal malice. "Damn him and the rest of the Admirals. Damn Aokiji for reminding Robin of her tragic past, Damn Kizaru for breaking up my crew, and damn that bastard Akainu for taking away my brother!"

Luffy hastily approaches the giant ghostly skull of Xebec and looks straight up to his glowing eye sockets.

"I will not let them use my death be a milestone for their victory," said Luffy. "So whatever you're offering, and whatever price you're asking. I'll take it, in exchange for my revenge!"

"Xebec laughs in amusement when Luffy finally offered the deal, unaware that the pirate's life is about to change his entire destiny. The Overlord's skull inverts back into it's crimson wispy form and integrates into Straw Hat's broken soul."

"Glad to see it my way, Straw Hat," said Xebec as his integrated soul starts to shift Luffy's very own. "For with my power, you will exact your revenge on those who wronged you, but only if you avenge me against those who wronged me.

"A... deal's a... deal!" said Luffy before in a sudden flash of crimson light, as the former Straw Hat is engulfed by the evil light, he feels as if he is being burned alive and yet invites the burning at the same time, for this is nothing compare to the burning sensation his rage gives him upon his soul. Suddenly the giant skull of Xebec starts to shrink and shrink until it's now at normal size, and starts to crumble away until the upper face remains and clasps onto Luffy's own.

"Then the deal is made, no longer are you Monkey D Luffy, Captain of the Straw Hats," Xebec's voice echoes in Luffy's ear while the skull fragment starts to form as a mask on the boy's face. "Sent to Hell and now risen as the devil to punish the corrupt and govern all evil, you are now Captain of my crew, Lucifer Diablo of the newly risen Rocks Pirates."

Present day

"So... Luffy is gone?" said Rayleigh with a sad frown.

"Yes...and no," said Lucy as he takes a swig from his mug. "The soul, albeit broken from the loss of his crew and brother, was reforged thanks to the power Xebec bestowed upon him. And not wanting to let anyone to be in danger or get in the way of perusing his revenge, he abandoned his former life and became yours truly."

"You still feel responsible for what was beyond your power?" said Rayleigh.

"It was because of what was beyond my power is why I decided to abandon my dreams, for I am not willing to sacrifice anyone else for it, despite their devotion and convictions. No, it was a childish dream, and an impossible one at that."

"Then what happened?" said Rayleigh, knowing that belaying the tales would be wise, considering how dangerous Lucifer Diablo is notoriously known for.

"After my soul reforged with the powers of Xebec, I woke up..."

5 months ago: unknown location

"I know I'm back alive for the first thing I noticed is the smell of salt in the air, stating that I am somewhere at sea, especially when I can hear the waves churning from outside. I opened my eyes and saw only darkness. I wasn't sure where I am but when I reached out with my hands, I know that I am in fact locked up in an enclosed container, a coffin perhaps. Ironic for did recall when I- I mean Luffy had to encase himself in a barrel to escape from his dinghy that's being dragged by a random whirlpool... anyway, I banged hard on the lid of my wooden tomb in hopes of alerting anyone that I am in fact alive."

Lucy keeps on banging the top of the coffin with his fist. And to his luck, his banging was answered for the lid starts to open where he is then greeted by a few figures, which are hard to descript for his vision is groggy from his recent return from death. Lucy continues to look up with confusion but remains still for his body is stiff from Riga Mortis.

"Help him up!" a woman's voice spoke from among the blurry figures while they help lift Lucy up.

"Wh-where am I?" said Lucy as he slowly moves his hand towards his face and starts rubbing his eyes to help them clear. He then moves his hand towards the top of head when he noticed that something is missing. "My hat, where is my hat?"

"If you're referring to the straw hat which made you famous, I'm afraid it was returned to Red-haired Shanks after you died," said the female voice again as she explained Lucy of the whereabouts of the straw hat, "I am sorry, I can't risk getting it back for the ship we are sailing isn't... friendly to the likes of him."

"Ship?" said Lucy as he slowly gets out from the coffin, with help from the unknown figures which he has no idea what they are. "We're on board a ship?"

"That's right, your ship," said the woman's voice before she gives out orders to the others. "Help him up deck."

"Unsure where I am, I was being escorted to the upper deck on the alleged ship that I woke up on, my vision was still hazy and my body stiff from how long I was dead for. But in time, I've gotten limber to the point that I can walk on my two feet and my vision is slowly becoming clear. As they brought me up on deck, I can smell the salty sea air and feel the wind in my hair. I looked around to see that the ship wasn't m...Luffy's own, it was a larger and much darker ship."

"The Sanguine Skull," Rayleigh immediately named the aforementioned ship which Lucy was on in the tale.

"Aye, the Sanguine Skull, once captained by Rocks D Xebec himself and now under my command. Of course, I wasn't aware at the time for I was still disoriented by my resurrection and starts to wander around to see what type of ship it was. It was a Man-o-war, a ship built for battle, a floating fortress suitable for the once mighty Overlord. She is 50 metres long from stern to bow, armed with 50 or so cannons and 6 mortars. The crew consists of inhuman creatures that you can imagine in fairy tales; Goblins, Imps, undead skeletons and, what at first were thought to be fish-men, but comparing to the likes of Arlong and Jimbei, they're more like cursed humans which the sea claimed as their bodies are encrusted with coral, fused with broken wreckage and mutated with various sea-life which made them almost resemble fishmen."

"Welcome aboard the Sanguine Skull, Captain," Luffy turns back to see the owner of the woman's voice, and there he sees her.

"Among that inhuman crew, there stands a dark beauty of a woman, dressed in dark sexy clothing which consists of a red corset over her blouse, black-lace sleeves and a skirt which is open to show her legs and her knee-length boots. By her side is a huge shark fishman, a man in black and green ninja attire, whose face is covered by a green face guard which resembles the snarling maw of a ferocious beast, and another woman in an exotic magenta attire which you could say is a cross between that of a dominatrix's leotard and belly dancer while draped over by a beige overcoat. Her face, like the ninja, is covered by a mask but made in the form of a thick magenta veil. Compare to the others on-board the ship, I assumed that they're the officers in charge, my new crewmates.

And I'd be right"

"All us to introduce ourselves, Captain," said the woman as she gives Lucy a curtsy. "I am Black Velvet, sorceress of great renown, and a fellow criminal because of it. With me are Nanaue, prince of the Shark Kingdom."

"Hey," the shark fishman greets briefly with an equally brief wave of his webbed hand. "I'm commonly known as King Shark."

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE

KING SHARK

B 199'400'000

(Image: Nanaue charges in with his mouth open, proceeding to eat the photographer the moment the image was taken)

(Nanaue chomps on the poster and tore it to shreds)

"Syzoth, Lizardfolk assassin, exiled for his human appearance by his ilk."

"Nice to meet you, you can call me Reptile" said the black and green ninja named Syzoth.

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE

REPTILE

B 199'200'000

(Image: two photos of Syzoth, one in his human form and the other in his original reptilian. The human photo shows him leaning on a wall with his arms crossed. And the lizard-folk photo shows how savage and dangerous he when he displays his open maw full of teeth and salivating green acid.)

(Syzoth burns the poster by sitting acid on it)

"And lastly, Mileena, former princess of Edenia, a kingdom from another realm which she was exiled from for her...condition."

WANTED: DEAD OF ALIVE

"Demon Princess" Mileena

B 199'300'00

(Image: A close up of Mileena with her exposed face, showing her sharp monstrous mouth stained with blood and viscera, specifically the photographer's.

(Mileena thrust her two sai into the poster and tears it apart with annoyance)

"Not to mention to rot in Impel Down for 30 years," said Mileena, her voice has a feral tone to it. "Speaking which, it's nice you again, Straw Hat."

"Have we met?" said Lucy turning to Mileena.

"Not face to face, but I was among the prisoners contained in Level 6 where your brother, Jimbei and Crocodile were formerly placed in. Velvet released me after Blackbeard offered anyone to join his crew if they survive his...initiation. I was among the victors, but I refused his offer for I only wanted to live and fought to survive the onslaught of the other prisoners. Then again, that bitch Catarina did leave me a souvenir before she left the prison."

"And how did you escape?"

"Velvet came to recruit me after your little stunt in Impel Down, and with a more...convincing pitch, such as a treatment for my Tarkat affliction."

"Tarkat?" said Lucy tilting his head at the masked woman until she starts to pull down her veil to reveal her face.

"It is a virus which turns their victims into a demon race known as Tarkatans," said Mileena as she revealed her face, showing how horrifying it is as her mouth contains a row of sharp menacing teeth and her mouth is slit apart from ear to ear to form a gruesome permanent grin. She pulled back her veil over her face so she wouldn't want to freak her captain even more (even though she hasn't) "I caught the virus when I was, against my mother's wishes, left the palace to explore the kingdom, until I was attacked by a Tarkatan, who a first believed to be an ailing beggar needing help. Mother was angry at me and tried to hide my afflictions from everyone, sadly it got worse despite my...treatment when my behaviour became...erratic.

"Erratic?" said Lucy

"She went on a frenzy which resulted in the deaths of hundreds while spreading the disease on those who survived." Said Velvet "Sadly amongst the victims was her father, King Jerrad of Edenia when he attempted to help Mileena, only for him to get his throat ripped apart. Which forced Queen Sindel's hand to exile her from the realm, stating that Mileena is no longer her daughter, but a monster."

"I begged for forgiveness, but Mother was grieve driven by father's murder that she refused to listen or help me." Said Mileena snarling at that memory. "She banished me in this realm, where I became a problem for the World Government until I was captured and locked away in Impel Down for 30 years."

"Damn, I'm sorry to hear that?" said Lucy with a frown.

"It's fine, it's all in the past, which I'll eventually face should the opportunity to return to Edenia rises," said Mileena

"And are we...safe, from the virus, I mean?" said Lucy

"Of course, I treated her weeks after I recruited her," said Velvet "I can't guarantee her not trying to eat you however."

Mileena only scoffed at Velvet's little joke there and turns to reassure her new Captain.

"Fortunately, my conditions weren't so severe as it only affected my mind," said Mileena to Lucy, "unlike the victims of Tarkat, I kept my hair, lack any horns and spikes protruding on my body, and my arm don't jut out blades made of bone. The virus has cost me my beauty...but velvet is currently working on that."

"I only managed to halt the virus's progress on her mutation and modified the virus so that the infection will one activate on her command. Reversing it however can be a challenge," said Velvet. "The treatments those sorcerers gave her were mediocre, crafted by complete amateurs. No doubt by boring old virgins with no sex appeal."

That only made Mileena chuckle and made her feel better about herself.

"And what's their story?" said Lucy as he points at Nanaue and Syzoth. "How did you recruit them?"

"I released them in from Impel Down too," said Velvet simply "Syzoth was in Level 5 which the cold kept him immobile due to his cold-blooded physiology and Nanaue was contained was also contained in Impel Down, but only in Level 3 due to him being a fishman".

"Damn, that must be rough," said Lucy to Nanaue

"Indeed," Nanaue

"I was surprised did you didn't notice him when you descended with that clown and wax-man", said Velvet, "I mean he was there, completely dried up from the lack of water and on the verge of death. But I rescued him, brought him back to the sea and was forever grateful for his freedom."

"Staying in that desert for 30 years was indeed hell," said Nanaue with his arms crossed. "And it was bad enough after sharing the cell with Arlong after he was apprehended by then Vice-admiral Borsalino, and it would've been much worse if it weren't for Jimbei letting him out as a condition to be a Warlord."

"...Pardon?" said Lucy when the mention of Arlong pricked his ears, the very same fishman who made Nami's life a living hell for 8 years.

"Oh, didn't Jimbei tell you?" said Nanaue with a raised brow. "Yeah, Jimbei was offered to become a Warlord by the World Government, under the condition that they release Arlong from Impel Down. God knows what that bastard did afterwards."

"I do," said Lucy seething in anger, which Nanaue noticed immediately.

"Of course, that was before I learned about how you knocked a few pegs off his inflated ego," said Nanaue holding out his hands in defence for his ignorance, "sure fishmen are physically superior to humans, but even we fishmen have our limits that makes us inferior to you."

"Nice save there, Nanaue," Syzoth said in sarcasm, "At least you don't have to endure the hypocrisy we lizardfolk had to endure."

"Hypocrisy?" said Lucy

"Where I come from, my abilities were...offensive to the lizardfolk community due to their isolationist and xenophobic prejudice towards the warm bloods- humans I mean." Said Syzoth as he explained the term "warm bloods" to his captain. "Many attempted to hide their shapeshifting skills, but it goes against our nature and some refused to hide with shame...myself included. I was told by the elders that this power was a burden to me, but in truth they were extremely beneficial. So, I left my tribe after learning the truth from the elders, vowed to never return."

"And taking the form of a human," said Lucy

"I didn't want to overwhelm you by revealing my true form," said Syzoth rubbing the back of his hooded head nervously. "I mean compare to Fishmen, Lizardfolk aren't so easy on the eyes and appear ferocious than ever."

"I use to captain with a man-reindeer, a cyborg and a literal walking skeleton," said Lucy with a deadpan expression. "Whatever you look like under that human skin, wouldn't faze me."

Syzoth is hesitant, but nods as he undoes his transformation to reveal a large reptilian creature with a long tail, long clawed limbs which he still walks bipedally like any humanoid. His flat human face is now a long snout with protruding fangs which hands over from his upper lip while his long-forked tongue slithers out from the gap between the front of his snout. Taken back by this, but not out of fear but of amazement, Lucy stares with immense awe at Syzoth's true form before the reptilian ninja transforms back into his human form.

"As you can see, quite overwhelming," said Syzoth as gives out a nervous chuckle.

"No kidding, that was cool," said Lucy with a smile.

"Indeed, I'm kinda jealous myself," said Nanaue with his arms crossed, "With that skill, I could go into human towns and cities without them running away from me with fear and hatred. Typical humans."

Lucy nods as he understands the human nature enough on how they would react to an 8-foot-tall shark fish-man wandering around in their city.

"But to be fair, I do get hungry and help myself with a couple of chubby ones who are too slow to escape," Nanaue said with a chuckle.

Velvet sighed with a face palm.

"And you wander why we humans are so hesitant around fish-man, specifically shark-based ones." Said Velvet.

"What can I say, it's in my nature," said Nanaue shrugging his shoulders. "Ain't my fault they're delicious."

"Well can you refrain eating me or your captain please," said Velvet "I only got him alive and kicking and I can't have him ripped apart and chews up between your teeth."

"A'ight, I'll stick to eating Marines and Pirates," said Nanaue was he takes his leave. "Maybe I'll pick one of the minions here and have a snack."

"Only a few, please," Velvet called out to the fish-man while he leaves to resume his duties. "We are out at sea and need everyone ship shape."

"Fun guy," said Lucy with a smile.

"Aye, he can be a real pain as he once tried to eat me," said Syzoth, "fortunately we lizard-folk can regenerate lost limbs and tails. The process however, not fun."

What do you mean?" said Lucy

"What he means is that he had to spent a whole day hoppling with a crutch after Nanaue tore off his leg and ate it." Said Mileena, "Nanaue had it bad too, with Syzoth spitting acid at his face."

"And I'M STILL ANNOYED BY IT, BY THE WAY!" exclaimed Nanaue while he's in the middle of feasting on an unlucky goblin who was slacking on it's duties.

"YOU HAD IT COMING, YOU TWIN DICKED BASTARD!" Syzoth retorted back as he flipped the bird at the shark.

"Don't either of you have two dicks?" Mileena muttered in a deadpan.

"I think that concludes the introductions," Velvet said hastily as she then drags Lucy away from the others. "Come, let's get you all ready for your first day as captain, Cap'n,"

"R-Right," said Lucy as he was taken away from the now awkward ranting between Syzoth and Nanaue, "Why am I getting a feeling of deja vu from them."

"Rivalries between pirates are quite common, cap'n," said Velvet, "you should've seen me butt heads with Linlin and Strussy."

"Who?" said Lucy

"Old crewmates, not important," said Velvet as she reached the door to the captain's quarters and opens it for Lucy. "What's important is that we're on a mission, and you have debt to pay."

"Debt?" said Lucy before he was slightly pushed inside by Velvet.

"It might be the fact that I was risen from the dead, but it didn't take long to realise that I in fact have a debt to pay, in blood. Black Velvet, a former crewmate of Xebec's Rocks Pirates and now my first mate took me to my captain's quarters so I could change from the clothes that were last worn by Straw Hat Luffy, sans the Straw Hat, and into the very attire you see now.

Velvet explained the duties of my new crew. Syzoth, the Lizard-folk ninja is the ship's scout, his job is to scour the area for any worthy quarry for us to plunder and determine their worth. It helps when I also learned that Syzoth can turn invisible, which helps a lot as he can breach though enemy bases and cause internal damage to benefit our future raids.

Nanaue is the bosun and navigator, he is in charge is enforcing discipline to my minion crew, under threats of devouring them should they slack off on their duties. Plus, Nanaue is keen to seafaring given his time at sea as a fish-man.

Mileena is an adept fighter, proficient to the sai and her vicious bite that could rival even the fish-men and lizard-folk. I'm unsure what good she can do at the ship, but it's good to have a fighter by me whenever we attack Marines and pirates.

And lastly, the minions are my personal army and deck-hands which are controlled by me by this dark iron gauntlet in my left hand. The Gauntlet was forged from the knowledge of the forbidden Void Century, and was formerly owned by Xebec himself. The Gauntlet is the source of the power which the Overlord has granted me for my quest for revenge, I just need to learn how to use it."

Velvet helps Lucy change into his new clothes, she is taking her time after for strips him of his old attire so she can admire the pale and athletic form of her Captain. Months at sea and years training did wonders to the revived pirate, especially when the tales how, back when he was Straw Hat, fought many challenging foes like Arlong, Crocodile, Enel and Lucci. She noticed the cross shaped scar on his chest, it feels hot whenever she gazes upon it, and it's no shocker for it was given to him by the bastard Admiral Akainu.

Velvet shock herself from her admiration of her captain's body, she starts to help him dress up into his new attire. Luffy is still recovering from the Rigor Mortis which explains why Velvet is helping him dress up.

"It may take time for your body to regain it's mobility, Cap'n," said Velvet as she then starts to massage Lucy's stiff shoulders. "Fortunately for you, I can help with that."

"What do you mean?" said Lucy.

Velvet smiles as she continues to massage Lucy's shoulders which helps allot, her name not without irony for her are indeed soft to the touch, like Velvet.

"It'll take some time before we reach out destination," said Velvet, as she then leads Lucy to the bed and lay him the on his front so that his back is exposed. Velvet then undoes his red shirt and pulls if off despite her recently putting it on him. She hands the shirt and takes out a small jar from the handing shelves near the bed. "In the meantime, we let's focus on your recovery and training."

"Training?" said Lucy as he remains lying flat on the bed.

"Of course, I can't have a novice for a captain," said Velvets as she pours a sweet-smelling oil on Lucy's pale back and starts to slather it all over. "Despite your past endeavours, you only scratched for surface of your true potential, something which the Marines denied you achieving."

Lucy slowly starts to moan in comfort when Velvet is massaging his shoulders and back, undoing the knots which his Rigor Mortis has given him.

"Getting to my destination does take time, so during the journey I undergo many massage sessions to treat my Rigor Mortis in order for my body more freely without any complications. And I must admit, every session with her was enjoyable, especially how soft her hands are, soft like velvet...like her name, even hearing that name is amazing to my ears...among others which I longed here their voice."

Present Day

"Am I hearing regret and sentimentality in your voice?" said Rayleigh, "I thought you abandoned your old life as Straw Hat."

Lucy slams his fist hard in a controlled anger, enough for Rayleigh to shut up.

"Do not mock me, old man," said Lucy with a slightly raised tone, "My decision to abandon my old crew is not out of ill will, but out of the sorrow of my former self. I can't get them involved for what I did back in Greenvale. What I did there was personal."

"What's personal about murdering the 7 hero which you never met?" said Rayleigh, "I mean, you haven't met them and they neither to you."

"We may not met before, but my hatred for them was given to me to Xebec for they are entwined by a common reason." Said Lucy as he takes another swig from his mug before he continues the next chapter of his tale. "And every kill I make on them, it brings me satisfaction. Especially on that old bastard, Wizard."

End of Chapter