Chapter 8

19th January 1522
Water Seven

Selena and Isabella waited inside the Franky Family House, the silence broken only by the occasional muffled grunts of Franky, who was bound and gagged behind them. He struggled against his restraints. Selena paced impatiently, her frustration evident.

"You know, Isabella, it would have been nice if you had helped a bit back there instead of just standing around looking pretty. And you're not even pretty. Too thin."

Isabella, calm and composed, met Selena's glare with a serene smile. "Someone had to keep an eye on things. Besides, I knew you could handle it."

Selena rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure. Convenient excuse."

Their bickering was cut short by a sudden movement in the shadows. Their captain, the invincible Moria, emerged, but the sight of him made their blood run cold. He was terribly hurt, bleeding heavily from numerous wounds, his clothes torn and tattered. The most terrifying realization was that someone had been able to inflict such damage on him. Despite his injuries, Moria wore a wide, unsettling smile, clearly amused by their fear.

"Had a little counter-time," he said, his voice calm but strained. "But I killed someone important and made him into a shadow warrior. We need to leave the island immediately before anyone notices."

Selena and Isabella exchanged worried glances. The urgency in his voice was unmistakable. They had come in a small boat, but it wouldn't be fast enough to escape unnoticed. Sensing their concern, Moria stepped forward and gathered them into his arms. Selena blushed deeply at the sudden contact, her heart racing, while Isabella remained unfazed, her focus entirely on their escape.

With Franky still struggling in Selena's grip, Moria tightened his hold around them. "Hold on," he commanded. Shadows enveloped them, and in an instant, they were transported back to Thriller Bark. The familiar creaking of the massive ship and the eerie ambiance surrounded them as they arrived.

19th January 1522
Thriller Bark

Moria sat on his imposing throne. His wounds were being meticulously sutured by Dr. Hogback, whose hands moved with practiced precision, stitching up the deep gashes that marred Moria's pale skin. Moria winced occasionally, but his eyes remained fixed on the bound figure before him.

Franky, the man caught by Selena and Isabella, was tied securely, his face a mixture of defiance and fear. He had been dragged from the slums, where everyone claimed he was the best engineer they knew. Moria had initially planned to recruit him or, failing that, absorb his abilities to unlock the coveted engineer class. But now, seeing Franky up close, Moria felt a nagging doubt creep in.

Who the fuck was this guy? S-rank potential and S-rank Fate ?

[Cutty Flam]

Class: Builder
Job : Engineer

Dourikis: 760
Potential: S
Fate: S

He did not even think about it. He had to absorb took a deep breath, the shadows around him pulsating with dark energy. Tentacles of darkness slithered from the base of Moria's throne, their inky blackness contrasting sharply with the dim light of the hall.

Franky's eyes widened with a mix of horror and rage as he struggled against his bonds. "You won't get away with this!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the vast chamber.

Moria's smile was cold and unyielding. "I already have."

The shadowy tentacles pierced Franky's heart, his body convulsing in agony as the dark energy surged through him. Moria's eyes glowed with an unholy light as he began the process of absorption. The shadows enveloped Franky, draining the life and light from his body as Moria pulled his essence into himself.

Potential: A → S
Fate: B → A

Elite Shadow Soldiers : [Engineers] unlocked !

He felt himself improving, and had a look at his profile.

Gecko Moria

Class: Baron of Eventide
Job: Warlord of the Seas
Fruit: Kage Kage no Mi

Dourikis: 4,429/8,000
Potential: S
Fate: A

Physique: 1,989
Will: 542
Soul: 1,898

Named Shadow: 2/4

With that, he was one step closer to upgrade his class.

[Class Upgrade Quest]

To upgrade your Class from [Baron of Eventide] to [Marquis of Dusk]

Subquests:

1. Have a Fate of at least A: 1/1
2. Have a Potential of at least A: 1/1
3. Main Quest: A Crew for the New World! : 3/5
4. Hidden Quest: ? - 0/3

Now that he was no longer capped at 4,000 dourikis, it was time for some good old-fashioned training with Selena and Ryuma, as he had about two weeks before he went to East Blue.

3rd February 1522
East Blue

Somewhere in the sea, a rubber boy with a straw hat got sucked in a whirlpool.

3rd February 1522
East Blue, Yotsuba Island, Shells Town

The sun hung low over the sea, casting a warm glow on the quaint island of Yotsuba. In Shells Town, the streets were bustling with activity, yet a palpable tension lingered in the air. Moria, accompanied by Selena and Isabella, walked through the narrow lanes, their eyes keenly observing the uneasy townsfolk. Unlike when he followed the directive of the Blessed Box, he had not yet deduced the purpose of their presence here. Why had the box contained these coordinates? The locals cast wary glances their way, their discomfort evident. It was clear that something was amiss in this otherwise ordinary town.

They made their way to a bar, the same strategy that had proven useful in the past for gathering information. The establishment was dimly lit, with patrons huddled in quiet conversations, their eyes darting towards the newcomers with suspicion. Moria led the way to a corner table, the presence of his two subordinates commanding attention despite the low hum of conversations.

Selena scowled. "Everyone seems on edge. Weak cowards."

"Let's listen to the rumors. Something must have stirred up this tension," Isabella replied calmly.

As they sipped their drinks, snippets of conversation reached their ears. The atmosphere was thick with unease, and soon two crucial pieces of information became clear. First, the marines stationed on the island were notorious for their harshness and corruption. In other words, they were assholes. Not entirely surprising, but still noteworthy. Second, and more intriguing, a local big shot named Zozo or something had been captured for some reason and was being held at the Marine base.

"Zoro," Moria mused. "Perhaps he's the reason we were led here. Another potential recruit?"

They left the bar and made their way towards the Marine base, keeping to the shadows to avoid drawing attention. The imposing structure was visible from afar, a symbol of authority—and oppression. As they approached, they saw the figure tied to a post in the courtyard—a man with green hair, bound and exposed to the elements.

Moria's eyes narrowed as he took in the sight. His mind raced, piecing together the puzzle.

[Roronoa Zoro]

Class: Swordsman
Job : Swordsman

Dourikis: 343
Potential: SS(wordman)
Fate: SS(wordman)
Swords.

How could a random guy in the Blues have higher potential and Fate than himself, a Warlord, or the fucking boogey-man of the CP9? How was it possible? And, apparently, that was without even having a devil fruit…And…what was the deal of the system with the swords? He should either recruit him or raise him into a shadow.

He needed that man. Even if he had to break him. And he did not look like a man easy to break.

"Let's watch for a bit longer," Moria said, his voice low.

3rd February 1522
East Blue, Yotsuba Island, Shells Town

The night was falling over Shells Town, casting long shadows across the courtyard where Zoro was tied to a post. His stomach growled painfully. He gritted his teeth, determined to hold on despite the gnawing emptiness. He had to endure.

During his journey, Zoro had arrived in Shells Town, where Helmeppo, the spoiled son of the corrupt Marine captain, Axe-Hand Morgan, had released his pet wolf in town. The beast had attacked a young girl named Rika, but Zoro had intervened, killing it to save her. Helmeppo, furious, had demanded Zoro agree to be tied to a pole for a month in exchange for amnesty, a deal meant to preserve Helmeppo's reputation among the Marines.

As the days passed, Zoro held onto the certainty that Helmeppo would keep his word. He had just over a week left. The hunger and exhaustion were brutal, but he clung to his resolve.

His vision blurred, and the shadows played tricks on his mind. Suddenly, Zoro saw a figure emerge from the darkness. He blinked, wondering if he was hallucinating from the lack of food. But the figure remained, growing clearer as it approached. It was like a figure from myth—an aristocratic presence with white skin and red eyes. Two elegant rapiers hung at his belt, their quality undeniable, though not quite graded blades. Zoro's eyes narrowed, trying to discern whether this was reality or another figment of his imagination.

"Roronoa Zoro," the figure intoned, his voice smooth and chilling.

Zoro's gaze sharpened. "Yeah, that's me. And you... are you a vampire?"

The figure laughed, a creepy, hollow sound that sent a shiver down Zoro's spine. "I am Gecko Moria, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

Zoro's eyes widened, his guard instantly up. A Warlord? Like Dracule Mihawk? That meant this guy was strong. Very strong. The thought ignited a spark of determination within him. Could he measure up to this man? Could he beat him?

"You... you're really a Warlord? What do you want with me?" Zoro demanded, his voice steady despite his exhaustion.

Moria laughed again, the sound echoing through the quiet courtyard. "I see potential in you, Zoro. I want you to join my crew."

Zoro snorted despite his weariness. "Join you? I want to be the - I will be the world's strongest swordsman. I won't have a boss, and I won't be a pirate. I didn't even want to be a bounty hunter."

"If you stay here, you will die without your swords. What foolish deal have you made?"

Zoro's jaw tightened. "I agreed to be tied here for a month. Helmeppo said it would grant me amnesty."

"I heard Helmeppo say he won't honor that deal. You are to be executed in five days." Moria's smile twisted into a sneer.

Deep down, Zoro wasn't surprised. His instincts had warned him of Helmeppo's duplicity. "Even so, I won't submit to a Warlord. I don't even know if you truly are one."

Moria's expression grew serious. "I will save you, prove my strength, retrieve your swords, and help you become stronger to accomplish your dream. In return, you will join me."

Zoro hesitated. He should refuse but…What if the man was right? What if he truly died here, and not even with his swords and by the sword? What would have Kuina thought about that?

"I need to see your strength first. I will never obey someone weaker than me—I want to be the strongest."

Moria's laughter filled the night air, a chilling sound that echoed through the quiet courtyard. "Very well, Zoro. I'll show you a sliver of my power."

With a fluid motion, he unsheathed one of his rapiers. The blade glinted in the moonlight. Zoro watched, his disbelief growing as Moria moved with effortless grace. In a single, swift arc, Moria swung his blade towards the Marine base.

Zoro's eyes widened in sheer awe and disbelief as the tower of the Marine base—made of steel and stone, more than thirty meters high—was sliced cleanly in two. The structure groaned and trembled before collapsing in a cacophony of destruction. Dust and debris filled the air, and Zoro's mind went blank.

Impossible. How could anyone possess such power? He watched the tower crumbling, unable to process what had just happened. Compared to this, he felt insignificant. Was he too arrogant, thinking he was near being the greatest swordsman? Had he been a frog in a well, blind to the vastness of the ocean?

Many Marines must have perished in the collapse, their lives snuffed out in an instant. Zoro could only stare, his mind reeling. Then, something even more astonishing occurred. A knight of shadow materialized from the ground, holding three familiar blades. Zoro's blades. Another shadow knight untied him, handing him back his swords. He gripped them tightly, feeling a rush of emotions.

Before he could fully grasp the situation, Captain Morgan appeared, blood trickling from a wound on his head. His face contorted with rage, he cursed and screamed, charging at Moria with his massive axe-hand raised. Moria barely spared him a glance. With a casual flick of his wrist, he swung his blade again, bisecting Morgan and his axe in a single, effortless stroke. The captain fell in two pieces, his rage extinguished in an instant.

Zoro stood in awe, the reality of Moria's power settling in. He had never felt so weak, so outmatched. But in that moment, he also felt a spark of determination ignite within him. This was the strength he needed to reach. This was the challenge he had been seeking.

Zoro met Moria's gaze, his resolve hardening even as the sounds of battle raged around them. Shadow Soldiers, summoned by Moria, were ruthlessly massacring the Marines, ensuring there would be no survivors to trace the carnage back to him. He had to keep his title as a Warlord, after all. The screams and clashing of swords filled the air, but Zoro remained focused. "You've…you've more than proven your strength. I will join you, if you…", he had to force the words through his throat. "If you train me. Help me grow stronger. But remember, I will never stop striving to be the strongest. And I'll surpass you…and...Dracule Mihawk. Is he…Is he as strong as you?"

Moria's lips curled into a satisfied smile as the chaos continued in the background. "Welcome aboard, Roronoa Zoro. Together, we will conquer the seas and fulfill our ambitions. And I'll help you surpass even Hawkeye". And he even believed it. With a SS-rank potential, maybe he had a chance.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave reviews, I'm not sure how much people read on this site, and I also crosspost to Questionable Questing, where interactions are a bit easier and fiction can be discussed. Feel free to make recommendations for directions you'd like to see fiction take.
PS: merendinoemiliano only one did.