Within the confines of a dimly lit cell beneath a grand manor in Marigeois, Agent Z, a shrewd CP0 operative, concealed his true identity as he endured the harsh conditions of captivity. Disguised as a downtrodden prisoner, he keenly observed the routines and conversations of fellow inmates.
Despite the opulence above ground, Zephyr, masquerading as an unfortunate soul, bided his time with a disciplined patience. He overheard whispers in the corridors, speaking about the Dancing Sun God of freedom - Nika.
The expansive meeting room within the World Government headquarters was adorned with intricate designs and an air of authority. Gathered around a grand table were two of the Five Elders—Saint Saturn and Saint Mercur—alongside Commander-in-Chief Kong, Fleet Commander Sengoku, Cipher Pol 0 Commander Guernica, and a select group of high-ranking marine officers.
Commander Kong, the embodiment of authority, leaned forward, giving a nod that signaled the next speaker to address the room. "Admiral Kizaru, the floor is yours. Share with us your plan to deal with Empress Big Mom and finish her reign."
As the spotlight turned to Admiral Kizaru, he rose from his seat, exuding an air of calm confidence. The room fell into a hushed silence, awaiting the strategic insights that the enigmatic admiral would unveil.
"Thank you, Commander Kong !".
Kizaru, his calm demeanor unwavering, began his presentation with a holographic display showcasing the calculated moves made in the past to destabilize the delicate balance between Big Mom and Kaido. As he spoke, images of key pirate figures appeared, illustrating the orchestrated conflicts that had diminished both crews' combat power.
"For our first point," Kizaru explained, "we have successfully fueled the flames of animosity between Big Mom and Kaido, resulting in an estimated loss of approximately 20 percent in their respective crew's combat capabilities." The holographic images flickered to life, capturing the intensity of past encounters and clashes.
"As you can see," Kizaru continued, manipulating the holographic scenes with a few gestures, "these confrontations have not only depleted their forces but also fostered mistrust and discord within their alliance. By strategically escalating these incidents, we can exploit the existing fractures, creating a ripple effect that weakens both sides over time."
Moving on to the second point, Kizaru delved into a psychological vulnerability they had identified within Big Mom. "During her Tea Parties, Linlin places a picture of Mother Carmel at the table. If that picture is damaged, it triggers a psychological crisis for Big Mom, rendering her vulnerable." Holographic images materialized, including an apparently alive projection of Mother Carmel.
"I possess the ability to create convincing holograms," Kizaru continued. "With this, we can exploit Big Mom's psychological weakness. Imagine a seemingly alive Mother Carmel interacting with her, only to meet a tragic end. The trauma could leave her susceptible to physical harm, and that vulnerability could be exploited strategically."
Transitioning to the final point, Kizaru introduced the unique Devil Fruit abilities of CP9 agent Blueno. "Blueno wields the power of the Doa Doa no Mi, allowing him to create and open doors on any surface. These doors grant access to otherwise inaccessible places, such as locked rooms or secure locations." The holographic display demonstrated the versatility of Blueno's abilities.
In a decisive summary, Kizaru outlined the tactical execution of the plan. "My proposed operation involves deploying a select group of elite marines, including myself and one or two additional admirals, alongside the Warlords of the Sea. Utilizing Blueno's unique abilities, we will infiltrate the heart of Whole Cake Island under the cover of a surprise night attack. Simultaneously, Marine War boats and Warlords will assault the shores, ensuring a coordinated and overwhelming assault."
"With the element of surprise on our side," Kizaru continued, "we will strategically deploy holographic illusions to exploit Big Mom's vulnerabilities and create chaos within her ranks. The Warlords, striking from different angles, will further disorient her forces. In the midst of this orchestrated chaos, I will personally eliminate Big Mom."
He paused, allowing the gravity of the plan to sink in before concluding, "This operation aims not only to eliminate a powerful Yonko but to establish the dominance of the World Government in the New World. With precision, coordination, and the element of surprise, we will reshape the balance of power and usher in an era of order and control."
A heavy silence hung in the room as Saint Saturn absorbed the details of Kizaru's audacious plan. After a contemplative pause, he addressed the admiral. "Admiral Kizaru, you have presented a bold strategy to reshape the power dynamics in the New World. You will have one year to prepare for this operation, during which time you will be granted command authority. Provisionally, you are named co-director of Cipher Pol 9, with the responsibility of personally training Blueno and, if possible, refining the skills of the others to ensure the success of this critical mission. They will accompany you."
"As part of this directive," Saint Saturn continued, "you are entrusted with the paramount task of eliminating Big Mom within the given timeframe. The success of this operation hinges on your meticulous preparation, strategic brilliance, and, ultimately, your ability to carry out this mission. Your dedication to this endeavor will determine the fate of this operation and the future of the World Government in the New World."
"Gentleman, prepare. For in one year, we are at war with a Yonkou".
Banaro Island quaked as Ace and Blackbeard threw down, fists swinging and flames blazing. Blackbeard unleashed his Yami Yami no Mi, swallowing the town in darkness. Ace retaliated with a blaze cutting through the shadows. Blackbeard's fist slammed into Ace, sending him crashing into the wreckage. Blood sprayed, a rare sight for Ace. But he rose, launching fiery attacks tearing through Blackbeard's cocky defenses.
Every punch and explosion rocked Banaro. Ace, vengeance personified, refused to back down. Blackbeard gloated, claiming supremacy over Devil Fruit users as a black-hole man. Ace wasn't having it. Ace unleashed a fiery apocalypse, scorching the island. Blackbeard's darkness clashed, and the place exploded, a chaotic spectacle of power.
In the ruins, both stood battered but unbroken. Blackbeard, grudgingly impressed, offered Ace a chance to join forces. Ace spat out a defiant "no."
Yet, the battle wasn't over. Blackbeard, wounded and determined, grinned through the pain. He swung a heavy punch, Ace defiantly standing his ground. With a brutal blow, Blackbeard knocked Ace out cold, leaving Banaro Island in the aftermath of his victory.
" ".
Blackbeard passed out as rays of light pierced his torso.
Heh. Haki in Paradise was so useful.
Lost and clueless in the vastness of East Blue for over a year, Luffy faced an unexpected conundrum: no pirates to challenge meant no chance to prove he was the strongest. The absence of other pirates left him scratching his head—how was he supposed to prove he was the strongest when there was no one around to challenge? Undeterred, Luffy devised his own makeshift challenges, engaging in epic showdowns with towering coconut trees, challenging them to duels as he practiced his Gum-Gum moves. His shouts echoed through the silent jungles, declaring victory over imaginary he argued vehemently with a particularly unimpressed seagull, Luffy couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, there was no other pirates on East Blues.
Far away, a man in a yellow suit sneezed.
The Moby Dick sailed peacefully through the vastness of the Grand Line, its mighty frame cutting through the waves like a floating fortress. On the deck, the Whitebeard Pirates were scattered about, engaged in various activities – some were engaged in friendly sparring matches, others were enjoying a hearty meal, and a few were engaged in a boisterous game of cards.
As the crew relaxed, a subtle tension washed over the ship. The most proficient Haki users among them, abruptly ceased their activities. Their expressions shifted from contentment to alertness as if a switch had been flipped. Whitebeard, seated at the helm, sensed their unease and nodded at them with a raised brow.
A blinding flash heralded the arrival of Kizaru on the Moby Dick, his body materializing in a burst of light. In one hand, he cradled the limp form of Ace, and in the other, the severed head of Blackbeard. The deck erupted in stunned gasps as the Whitebeard Pirates, caught off guard, were left wide-eyed in the wake of Kizaru's flamboyant entrance.
The admiral's voice cut through the shocked silence, "Well, look what I brought for the party. Euh…Who, I meant."
The deck of the Moby Dick crackled with tension as the Whitebeard Pirates, blades unsheathed and fury in their eyes, prepared to launch an all-out assault on Admiral Kizaru. Marco's transformed into a blazing phoenix.
Yet, just as the air became thick with the imminent clash of swords, Whitebeard's thunderous voice echoed across the chaos. "Hold! Listen to what the boy has to say!" His command reverberated through the ship, temporarily quelling the storm of hostility.
"Oho ! Indeed, I am Young ! The embodiment of Youth !" Said Kizaru, wagging Blackbeard's head in the air.
Whitebeard hit the floor with his Naginata, creating a shockwave that forced even Kizaru to be serious
Following that, Kizaru casually tossed the unconscious Ace to Marco, who adeptly caught him and instantly started to heal him. The admiral then took a seat on the Moby Dick's floor, slipped a hand into his pocket, - everybody tensed - and, to everyone's bewilderment, pulled out an enormous bottle. Kizaru uncorked the bottle, took a sip, and sighed in contentment. Facing Whitebeard, he spoke with his usual nonchalant tone.
"Ah, Whitebeard, you've got to try this whisky. It's a little something from my childhood that I couldn't find anywhere on the Grand Line," Kizaru remarked, holding the bottle up for emphasis. "So, I thought, why not make some myself? Turns out, it's not too shabby." He took another sip, seemingly unfazed by the tension in the air.
"What do you want, Yellow Monkey ? Do not think for a moment that I am unaware of the plots you have been running for two years ! "
With an easygoing demeanor, Kizaru took another sip of his homemade whisky and casually dropped his bombshell, "Yeah, Indeed…And wait for the next two years ! You know, Whitebeard, just planning a little two-year itinerary. I've got a date with destiny, or should I say, with Kaido and Big Mom. They'll be meeting their end at my hands."
The unexpected announcement left everyone staring in disbelief. Whitebeard, however, burst into laughter, "Gurarararararara! You, taking down Emperors? Now that's a show I'd pay to see, Kizaru! ! Gurararararara !"
Kizaru joined in Whitebeard's laughter, his nonchalant demeanor intact. After a moment, he continued, "So, when I saw the Blackbeard fellow, the very same who gave Shanks the Red a bit of trouble, strolling about—well, not to kill Ace, mind you, but to capture him—I was a bit perplexed. You didn't need to be a genius, even with the Cipher Pol tipping me off that he'd been petitioned by him, to figure out he wanted to hand Ace over to the Marines, make him a Warlord, you know?"
Kizaru, still sipping his whisky, leaned back casually and continued, "And, you see, if I'm going to wage war on two emperors at the same time, I don't need a third one coming knocking on my door. Plus, I don't think the upper echelons' obsession with Ace's sperm donor is very healthy for them. After all, I am an existentialist. Existence precedes essence, like said a great man".
The strongest man in the world looked at him intently, as, with a thoughtful expression, Kizaru kept going.
"Ethics, existentialism, it's all about choice and freedom, isn't it? The choices we make define us, and like true freedom lies in embracing those choices, consequences and all, true identity lies in the choices we make more than the blood we have !". The Admiral took another sip.
In response to a gesture from the World's Strongest Man, Kizaru casually sent Whitebeard his bottle of whisky. Silently, the crew observed as their captain took a swig.
"Good stuff," Whitebeard remarked, wiping his mouth. Then, with a quizzical look, he added, "But you want me to believe a man working for the Celestial Dragons is an...existentialist?" The crew listened intently, curious about Kizaru's response.
With a nonchalant flick, Kizaru sent the head of Blackbeard into the air, effortlessly following its trajectory. As it hovered, he raised a hand, and a focused laser beam shot forth, obliterating the severed head in a burst of light.
Kizaru, still as composed as ever, answered him "You see, in this vast sea of chaos, reality is a curious thing. What we perceive, what we believe – it's all a play of light and shadows. Just like this head, illusions can be shattered, truths can be distorted."
He continued, "Maybe I died. Maybe I am dreaming. Maybe I am not Kizaru, but a deluded man in a coma dreaming about mangas. And yet, amidst this maelstrom, there's an existential beauty. We navigate through the uncertainty, make choices in the face of chaos."
He sighed as he stood up. "I'm not asking you to understand my choices - and therefore my identity. I don't even know if you can understand me - if anyone can."
"You would have attacked Marineford, had we captured Ace and decided to execute him ?"
Whitebeard nodded gravely.
"You know, attacking Marineford would have cost the lives of many of your weaker crewmates and even some of your own sons. All for the sake of honor. Killing many sons to save one - but you find dignity in that. I don't understand."
Kizaru took one last contemplative glance at Whitebeard before speaking, "Just remember, it was Admiral Kizaru, not the Marines, not Yourself, not your crew, who saved your son. I didn't do it in a transactional way; it's not about honor. It's about cherishing every life, even if it comes at the expense of honor. Think about that."
With a final act of flair, Kizaru tossed another bottle of whisky to the pirate. In a mesmerizing display of lights, he disappeared, leaving the Moby Dick and its crew in the wake of his enigmatic presence.