Episode 11: Tournament goals! Prediction of the Future!
Wealth, Fame, Power. Monkey D. Luffy, King of the Pirates, had finally achieved it all, his discovery of the legendary treasure One Piece sent millions of men home from the sea as the treasure hunt for Gol D. Roger's fortune came to a close. However not all were spurred to return to land, as for one new group of pirates, now was the time to return to the call of the sea. Luffy may be the Pirate King, but that doesn't mean he can't be overthrown, right?
Come aboard, and bring along...all your hopes and dreams!
Together we, will find everything, that we're looking for!
ONE PIECE!
Compass left behind, it'll only slow us down!
Your heart will be your guide, raise the sails, and take the helm!
That legendary place! That the end of the map reveals! Is only legendary 'till someone proves it real!
Through it all! Through all the troubled times, through the heartache, and through the pain!
Know that I will be there to stand by YOU...just like I know you'll stand by ME!
So come aboard, and bring along...all your hopes and dreams!
Together we, will find everything, that we're looking for!
There's always room for you! If you wanna be my friend!
We are, we are on the cruise!
WE ARE!
[Blake's Shack - Ten-Cent Island]
"HAACHAHCAA~, what a lark! What! A! Lark!" Blake laughed, slapping his knee. Bellamy furrowed his eyebrows, "Hmph, ya didn't have to laugh at me like that man" he grumbled.
"W-What's so funny, Mister? Do we have something on our faces?" asked Hachi, who was trying to feel for anything on his face.
Blake calmed himself and shook his head while still chuckling, "F-Forgive me chaps, I was just caught off guard, that's all. You wanna go and see Mr Rikishi in the Capitol City? Never gonna happen!" he chuckled.
"But we got a letter from a guy who knows him, a blacksmith from Giygas Island" said Kuroobi, "He said if we found this Rikishi guy, he'd help us out."
Blake laughed again, but held it back as he calmed again, "You three must have realllllly not done your homework before coming here, hmm? Lemme explain; this archipelago is kinda like a...social hierarchy? Poor people like me live on these small, damp, dirty, cold, overall horrible mounds of mud in shacks. But the super duper omega richie rich people, like business investors and the top ranked gladiators, well they get to live in the biggest island that's in the middle!" he explained, using an a wet map to show the geography of the Flavium Archipelago.
"Seriously? Talk about medieval living..." muttered Bellamy, "So then, if we wanna find that Rikishi guy, we just gotta go to the big island in the middle? Shouldn't be too hard, something tells me he's probably living in the giant, obvious golden tower that we saw on our approach"
"That's correct! Or...well, kinda." said Blake, "Mr Rikishi lives in the Gilded Tower with his four top officers, and a lot of other people just work there like an office. But the only way normal people like us could get in is by winning the BIIIG tournaments that happen every couple of weeks! There's a bunch of different divisions for regular people, or even devil fruit users" he explained, "If you wanna meet with Mr Rikishi, that's your best bet!" he nodded.
Hearing the mention of a tournament, Bellamy's ears perked up. He had heard Blake mention gladiators before, but if there was some sort of contest then it meant it was potentially an opportunity to relieve a bit of his glory from a celebrity in Dressrosa. "Hmph, I see! And tell me, uh...can anyone take part in these tournaments?" he asked.
Blake nodded, "Yussir! There's a lot bridges and trains that run between all the islands, if you wanna apply for a tournament then you gotta go to Dime Island! That's where all the barracks and such are! I think there's one starting later today, so you'll have to be quick!"
"Perfect, that's all I needed to hear!" Bellamy grinned, cracking his knuckles and standing up. Kuroobi raised an eyebrow, "What's gotten into you, eh? You wanna cause some trouble? Or are you just looking for an excuse to let loose a little?"
Bellamy scoffed and bonked the fishman's head, "Think for a second man! We wanna meet the weird business man, whoever wins a gladiator fight gets to meet him. Thus if we wanna meet him, we need to win a tournament...dingus."
"I-I dunno Bellamy! We don't know what kinda guys could be taking part!" protested Hachi, "Maybe we should ask Arlong and Buggy first before doing anything hasty!"
"Hey I don't need anyone's permission when it comes to this stuff" snapped Bellamy, "I'm a grown man, with a cool devil fruit, and an exceedingly handsome face that the press loves to eat up. Just watch, I'll enter and score that W, then we'll go to the fancy city of gold and be swimming in luxury" he grinned.
"I like your attitude!" smiled Blake, "And hey, you just said you have a devil fruit, didn't you? Maybe we'll get to compete together!"
Putting on a dried off jacket, Bellamy laughed as he stood from his chair and headed for the door. As he and Blake began walking towards the bridge for Dime Island, Kuroobi decided to tag along while Hachi nervously ran off to find Arlong and Buggy.
[Golden Capitol]
The sounds of shouting and rioting could be heard in the middle of the city, a flag being waved as a pirate crew marched through the streets. A sharp toothed man with a long beard cackled as he kicked civilians out of his way.
"BE GONE FROM ME WAY, YEE USELESS LUBBERS!" he bellowed, "TIS A FINE ISLAND, I THINKS I'LL BE TAKIN' IT!" he boomed, while his crew cheered. [Captain of the Booze Breaker Pirates - "Sawtooth" McGillicuddy/Current Bounty - 128,000,000]
As McGillicuddy's men ran amuck in the gold covered city, McGillicuddy himself laughed while he strutted towards a large golden cross that stood outside the Gilded Tower. "Pahh, would yee look at the state of dat' lads! I thinks I'll goes for a leak riiight here!" he laughed, unbuttoning his mud stained jeans, while citizens ran in terror while trying to defend themselves.
However, right before the last button on McGillicuddy's jeans were undone, the large double doors to the tower swung open with a loud boom. Everyone stopped, looking up towards the entrance as a large figure strode out with an unamused expression. "A-Ah! L-LOOK!" yelled one man, "HE'S COME TO SAVE US AGAIN!" cheered another, "RIKISHI-SAMA!" squealed a woman.
"HAHH? And who teh' hell are you?" McGillicuddy snapped, "MISTOR BIGSHOT IN 'IS FANCY SUIT!"
"My name...is none of your concern." Rikishi replied coldly, as he took a few wide steps forward to the edge of the large staircase that looked down on where McGillicuddy was standing, "The point of concern, to put it bluntly, is you. What gives you the right to barge into my place of work? My owned territory? My God's land? And what especially gives you right to even consider desecrating our symbol of hope for a better future?" he spat, looking at the golden cross that had luckily avoided being urinated on.
McGillicuddy scoffed, holding up his sharp fingers that suddenly turned black and hardened, "Well BOI, what gives me the right is that I'm stronger that yeh! I'M SAWTOOTH MCGILLICUDDY! TERROR OF PARADISE! AND WITH ME ARMAMENT HAKI, I'LL SHOW YEE WHY THERE'S A BUNTY OF ONE 'NDRED TWENTEE EET MILLYUN ON ME HEAD!" he boasted.
"Armament haki? Hmm...what sort of ability could that be?" Rikishi thought to himself, "Must just be a devil fruit ability, nothing to fear."
Reaching into his pocket, Rikishi sighed, "Tell me, Sawtooth McGillicuddy, you are a man who likes gold, correct? That's the reason you've come here?"
"OF COURSE I DO BE WANTIN' GOLD, BOI! ARE YEE STUPID?"
"Well, in that case...catch." Rikishi sighed, tossing a handful of coins into the air. McGillicuddy laughed and attempted to grab them, but before a single coin could contact his skin, he was suddenly covered in a golden flash. In just a single moment, the fearsome pirate had become a lifeless golden statue. The rest of the Booze Breaker pirates were in shock that their captain could be defeated so quickly, and all shut up as Rikishi looked in their direction with a serious glare.
"You there! You've got a solid chunk of gold right there. I'm feeling quite generous today, use this chance to leave my archipelago at once, and take HIM with you!" he snapped, walking down the stairs to the golden statue of McGillicuddy, where he picked it up and threw it at the pirates to knock them over like bowling pins. Thanking him profusely for his mercy, and mainly out of terror, as they ran for the docks.
"Hmph...Gasparde, see to it that those imbeciles find the correct exit, would you?" Rikishi muttered, as Gasparde approached him from behind. Gasparde nodded, "I'm on it" he grumbled, marching towards the docks.
"Hop to it!" he yelled, stabbing one of the pirates by turning one his fingers into a syrup spike, "Anyone who isn't out of here will be thrown to the fighting pits, lift those knees!" he barked.
Taking a moment to compose himself, Rikishi placed one hand on the golden cross, while using another hand to touch his shoulders and forehead, "Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Amen." he whispered. He stood at the cross for a few moments in silence, before adjusting his tie and walking through the main street.
Naturally, all the inhabitants of the city were clapping and cheering for him, not only for getting rid of the Booze Breaker pirates, but because of their genuine admiration for him. After all it was Rikishi brought them the golden city and vast wealth that they basked in, and who built the colosseum which held the tournaments that everyone enjoyed watching.
"WAY TO GO RIKISHI-SAMA!" cheered a man. "HmHm~...no thanks needed, I love you too, random citizen." Rikishi chuckled. He continued walking for a while, until eventually he arrived at a small building on the very edge of town where the waves crashed against the rocks.
Walking inside, the lights were dim, and an elderly woman sat on a rug burning her tongue on some black tea.
"a-a-ahh, is that the promised child I s-s-sense?" she mused. [Fortune Teller - Enya]
"HmHm~, indeed it is...I wanted to drop by for an update on your predictions...if you aren't busy, of course?" asked Rikishi, sitting on the carpet with crossed legs.
"o-o-of course, anything for the chosen child of f-f-fate" Enya smiled, as Rikishi held out his hand for her to get a reading on his palms.
Opening her eyes, Enya's completely white eyeballs lightly pulsed, "a-a-ahh, excellent, excellent, promised c-c-child...t-t-the outcome of utopia has been proceeding s-s-swimmingly...t-t-though it seems there's now something n-n-new..."
"Really? Perhaps your visions becoming clearer?" pondered Rikishi.
Enya shook her head, "n-n-no, my child...i-i-i see a man of springs, a clash that will challenge the era of golden heaven...t-t-that man will push you to absolute limits that you have not felt since your younger y-y-years..." she prophesied.
Rikishi raised an eyebrow, "You mean to say that my future you've assured me of the past won't come true? Who is this man, hmm? Where can I find him?"
"k-k-know this, my c-c-child!" Enya suddenly boomed as her eyes glowed, "i-i-in the pouring's of rain at a height above the heavens, the smile of perfection will shatter and the h-h-hyena will laugh...y-y-your golden heaven will flourish when the righteous falls and the tranquility has dried to r-r-rubble...t-t-this future i have foreseen...i-i-is absolute!" she boomed, before falling silent as her eyes closed.
Letting go of Rikishi's hand, Enya slowly fell backwards as her head rested on the rug, having exhausted herself from her prediction. Having heard of these many things...that his future had been changed, telling him of struggles before achieving heaven...Rikishi could do nothing but wipe the sweat from his forehead with a shaking hand and slowly standing to his feet.
"H-Hmmph...an upset it seems...but my destiny belongs to me alone...'golden heaven will flourish when the righteous falls'...surely this merely means that I'll defeat this 'Hyena' and crumble him to rubble..." Rikishi thought to himself, "I have worked to achieve heaven for ten long years, it is not about to collapse under a mere prediction..."
[Dime Island]
"Woahh! Look at all this stuff!" Bellamy exclaimed. After arriving at Dime Island, Blake had taken Bellamy and Kuroobi to the main barracks where gladiators could apply to compete in tournaments. Due to not being a devil user, Kuroobi was not allowed to compete, but had been granted access due to him posing as the manager for the two men.
"Remember Bellamy, you're just gonna win one or two matches so we can find the Rikishi guy, don't be going crazy out there" Kuroobi ordered. His words fell on deaf ears however, as Bellamy was wandering around striking up conversation with some of the other contestants. "Is he always so eager about this sort of thing?" asked Blake.
Kuroobi shook his head, "Not really, usually he's more reserved than this. Maybe it's just a sign that the guy is getting more comfortable with adventures again?"
"You're telling me you weigh ten thousand kilograms?!" Bellamy scoffed, "C'mon, you're thin as a stick! That's gotta be an exaggeration" he laughed, as he talked with a woman in a poofy hat with a parasol.
The woman scoffed, "It is not an exaggeration! That's what my Kilo-Kilo Fruit does!" she explained, "You know I can become light as a...well...single kilogram and float if I really wanted to!" [Former Member of Baroque Works - "Miss Valentine" Mikita/User of the Kilo-Kilo Fruit/Former Bounty - 7,500,000]
"She's not kiddin' you know." said a man leaning against the wall, "Me and Mikita here used to be partners back in the day" ["Mr 5 Gem]
"Heh, is that right?" asked Bellamy, "And let me guess, your power is blowing wind to make her fly?"
Gem shrugged, "Sort of close, I blow...things up, I'm a bombman with powers from the Bomb-Bomb Fruit"
"Ah...of course you are.." snarked Bellamy, "Ah...sorry, I'm probably sounding like a dick, mind if we try this again? Name's Bellamy."
"Gem, good to know you" nodded Gem, firmly shaking Bellamy's hand, "The woman is Mikita, she's irrelevant though, don't bother with her."
"HEY! Don't be an ass!" Mikita snapped, bashing Gem on the head with her parasol.
Gem yelped, his reflexes making him jump forward into the wall, "WATCH THE BACK MAN!" he snapped, his bandages on his back poking out from underneath his jacket.
Mikita rolled her eyes, "Shut up, you big baby! Just walk it off, it's a reminder that you have to be careful here." she pouted.
"What happened to him?" asked Bellamy, "Some kinda injury?"
Mikita nodded, "He got cut up pretty bad during his last match a few days ago, one of Rikishi's top officers jumped him from behind...Whirlwind Eric, I think it was?"
"Yeah that's the one, the ice cream cone head" replied Gem.
The mention of Eric's name made Bellamy's ears perk up, remembering that it was on one of the wanted posters that Buggy had found a few days ago. "Eric, huh? Is he taking part in this thing too?"
"Mhm, yeah that's right" replied Gem, "Let's see, there's uhh...Eric the nail guy...that huge guy with the hot hands, says he's strong as steel or something like that...and...uhh...who's left?"
"There's the lion looking man who screams a lot, and I know one of them used to be a marine?" added Mikita.
"Guy who screams...that's gotta be the lad who fucked up our ship!" Bellamy snapped, "See we were just sailing along, looking to dock, minding our own business, when KABLAMO! BIIIG fucking beam goes right through our ship and sinks us, I nearly died!"
"Ahh, lemme guess...you're a merchant who was sailing around and got captured?" asked Gem. Bellamy shook his head, "Nah, I've been back into the pirating game for a couple weeks, we were coming here intentionally to find Rikishi guy" he explained. Gem and Mikita laughed, thinking Bellamy was joking. "Kyaahaha~. you came here willingly? What an idiot!" Mikita giggled.
Bellamy raised an eyebrow, "What? Did I...miss the punchline of some comic relief?"
Gem shook his head, "Nah nah, nothing like that. It's just weird that you actively sought this place out...look around, you seen all the people here on these shitty little islands, right? Alllll of them, Mikita and me too, were taken here and forced to live here...I mean, we can choose to compete in tournaments to make a living, but once we get taken to the archipelago, we ain't allowed to leave."
Bellamy was taken aback by this, "You serious? Damn, tha-that's pretty fucked up"
"Mhmm, fucked up indeed" added Mikita, "B-But we have a plan! See, if we win just one tournament, we'll be able to go and meet Rikishi, get a boatload of money, and escape outta here!" she explained, "Maybe I'll even use some of the money to open a chocolate factory! They could call me Mikita Wonka!"
"Nobody would say that." said Gem, bluntly. Of course this resulted in another whack from Mikita's parasol.
[Quarter Corner Pub - Ten-Cent Island]
Just like how a dog can find a bone or a bird finding it's nest, Buggy and his men could sniff out the slightest trace of alcohol from up to 300 miles away. Having wandered around aimlessly while avoiding anyone that resembled security, Buggy, Arlong, and the others were slamming pints and talking shite to each other as if they weren't in enemy territory.
"GYAAHAHA~, ANOTHER ROUND ON THE EMPEROR!" Buggy laughed, standing on the bar and holding up his mug as tavern was filled with cheers. "Oi Oi, relax Emperor, don't go blowing all our budget." scoffed Alvida, who was sipping the most expensive wine in the tavern.
"Hey Emperor Buggy! Come arm wrestle our buddy here!" yelled a patron. "Pahh! Bring it on, let's see how you stack up to one of the most wanted men of the seas!" Buggy laughed, splitting his torso from his legs and floating to the table where a group of men were sitting.
Alvida sighed and shook her head, "For the man who's supposed to be our boss, he really does act like a child, even after all these years."
"Ah *munch* come on" mumbled Mohji, chomping some steak, "I heard you *crunch* getting off with him last night." Alvida blushed and slapped Mohji across his pudgy face, "Keep such dirty things out of your mouth!" "That's what she said." whispered Cabaji.
[Golden Capitol Port]
Lighting up a cigar, Gasparde folded his arms as he watched the ship belonging to the Booze Breaker pirates sailing away. It had taken some time to gather some supplies that would allow them to leave, but Gasparde made sure to have them away by the end of the day. "I take it the ruffians have departed?" came a voice from behind. Gasparde glanced to the side, noticing that it was just Rikishi.
"Mhm, they won't be back here, Sir. I roughed them up a little just as a reminder to never come back." Gasparde explained. Rikishi nodded, "Good, good...you see, this is why you're my righthand man, Gasparde. I know for a fact that Drago and Bear-King wouldn't be able to handle things like this so simply."
"Oh yeah? What about Eric?"
"Ah Eric...smart man, powerful ability, but I always feel like he's not...one of us, in a way." admitted Rikishi, "After all, he's only been apart of our alliance for 3 years."
Gasparde nodded, "He is quite slimy, figuratively speaking of course, not literally. Between me and you, I don't think he would've survived our adventures in Wano."
"HmHm~, no doubt about that. If I barely made it out alive, surely Eric would've ended up with his head on a spike." chuckled Rikishi.
"Heh, I hear you on that one, Sir." laughed Gasparde, puffing his cigar.
As the men continued to chat, a figure behind some crates scoffed. "Hmph...'I hear you on that one, Sir'..." said the voice in a mocking tone, "So do I."
Quietly leaving without being noticed, Eric sauntered away while pushing up his sunglasses.
As Eric left, he passed by Flynn, who was walking towards the docks. The two men gave a passing nod of acknowledgement, but shared no words. It's a man thing.
"Yo, Goldmember!" Flynn called, slapping Rikishi on the back, "Heh, y'know I been hangin' round here long enough. Think it's about time I take my leave, y'know?" he smirked.
Rikishi scowled at being hit, but shook it off, "Ah yes, uhm, very good to hear. Pleasure as always having you Flynn." he smiled.
Flynn smirked and gave Rikishi and Gasparde a firm handshake each, "Well then gentlemen, good to catch up, I'll let you boys know when I'm back in town." he called out as he walked away towards his small ship.
Walking through the main street to the Gilded Tower, Eric passed the golden cross and climbed the large staircase. As he entered through the double doors, he made his way to the 23rd floor where his living quarters were located, and found Drago lounging on a couch with cucumbers on his eyes and a woman painting his golden nails.
"Ahem, your highness?" Eric spat in a sarcastic tone, making Drago stir awake.
"Hahh? Who's that, hmm?" Drago grumbled as he sat up. Removing the fruit from his eyes, he scoffed and swished a hand at his stylist, "Be off with ya, Yaso, we'll finish this later." The woman nodded and exited the room, while Drago stretched.
"What'd you go waking me up for, hmm?" he grumbled.
"Drago my man, I'm gonna let you in on something that I recently just discovered, just now, prepare yourself, it's heavy." said Eric, grimly, "I believe that Rikishi...is not to be trusted."
Drago blinked, letting the cogs in his head turn, "...nah, you're lying." he shrugged, placing the cucumbers back on his eyes and lying down again.
"Tch, he called me slimy to Gasparde! A-And said I wouldn't have survived going to that Japanese country Wano!" Eric exclaimed.
"Slimy?" grumbled Drago, "Outta curiosity, when's the last time you showered again?"
"Irrelevant."
[New Marineford - New World]
In a smoke filled office, Akainu sat behind his desk checking the newest report papers that had come in from the marine branches across the world. He was specifically looking at reports from the vice admirals, wanting to promote someone to make up for Smoker's incompetence. Koby and Hina were performing well, but not as great as desirable. Aramaki had thankfully been picking up the slack in the New World, but having only one of the four admirals in constant service was hardly productive.
"Hmm, let's see...let's see..." Akainu grumbled, "Tashigi...Fullbody...oh, Grount's numbers aren't too shabby..." he muttered to himself, as a knock came on his door, "Come in!"
The door creaked open as a marine walked in holding a Den Den Mushi. "Pardon my intrusion, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, but there's a call for you from Paradise." said the marine, with a salute.
Akainu nodded and picked up the receiver. "What is it? I'm in the middle of something here." Akainu snapped.
{"Heh, there's the magma man I hear! What's goin' on, Fleet Admiral? Flynn here, that's me by the way 'ncase you didn't know."}
Akainu rolled his eyes, "Flynn? Where are you? I was expecting you to show your face days ago!" he snapped, "Did you get a look into Double Rikishi?"
{"Relax toots, I got it sorted. He's chilling at his islands just doin' his thing, ain't nothin' to worry about y'know?"}
"I take it that means you did some digging to see if he was up to anything?" asked Akainu.
{"Ehhhhh...basically. Y'know I did my thing, said a quick hello, watched some guy with an axe fuckin' split some guys, had me some lasagne soup, some puttanesca, little tiramisu on the side, y'know? That good shit, all authentic, nothin' like that cheap plastic shit you'd get at most big swanky joints."}
Akainu clenched his teeth, "I sent you out there to work and arrest those jokers, NOT TO STUFF YOUR FUCKING FACE AND PUT YOUR FEET UP!" he yelled down the receiver, steam simmering from his body.
{"Hey you listen 'ere, wise guy, you wanna come down 'ere? You wanna wear my shoes and get girls wet because you can literally turn into fuckin' water? Hah? How 'bout you do your job the way you fuckin' want to and I'll do mine how I want to, aight?"}
Akainu looked like he was about to pop a blood vessel out of anger, standing up and slamming a heated fist on desk, "SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND LISTEN TO M-"
{"Ay look if you're gonna start throwin' a damn tantrum I ain't 'boutta listen to that shit. I'm gettin' outta this fuckin' bullshit weak ass motherfuckin' part of sea and goin' where the real fun's at in the New World to find that Strawhat bastard, got that? Call me up when you wanna talk like a fuckin' man to me, aight? I'm out."}
And just like that, the call went dead as Flynn hung up on his head. Akainu clenched his fists as magma burst from between his teeth and steam violently vented from his body as he began slamming his desk and punching the walls. The poor marine who had the misfortune of holding the Den Den Mushi had no choice but to stand silently until he was allowed to be dismissed.
[Navy Ship "Great Justice" - On route to the Flavium Archipelago]
Waves crashed against the hull while dark clouds gathered in the sky. Standing on deck in the pouring rain, Smoker folded his arms as a man stood in front of him, having suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"Straits, was it? I got no business with you, what're you here for?" Smoker growled, puffing his cigars.
"Aw, such a nice way to greet an ally...come on Smokie, why so hostile? We're on the same team, aren't we?" laughed the man, cloaked in black and gray. [Strawhat Hunter - Straits]
"Tch, same team my ass, I don't align myself with criminals." scoffed Smoker. "Criminals? Don't say that, you'll make me blush..." snarked Straits, "I'm just here to see little ol' you...Fleet Admiral Sakazuki is worried sick about his precious boy..."
Smoker raised an eyebrow, "Wha-...What the fuck are you talking about, you know Sakazuki isn't my father, right?"
"Duh, it's a figure of speech, you dingus." mumbled Straits, "Come on, let's move out of the rain and step inside...I'm feeling awfully chilly, and sopping wet over here."
Smoker sighed, and face palmed, "Alright alright, I get it...you're definitely here on orders from the Fleet Admiral?"
"No words of a lie! He's just wondering why his golden boy admiral is wasting time hunting some no name chumps, when there's a big, strong, pirate king to play with in the New World..." smirked Straits.
~BZZT.~
Suddenly, Straits had...vanished? Smoker looked around, confused as to where the man had gone. "Huh? What th-?!" he yelled.
"Aw...did the admiral get a little scared?" Straits whispered, his breath was cold on Smoker's ear. Smoker whipped around, catching a brief glimpse at Straits before...
~BZZT.~
Straits was gone again. "Hey! Stop messing around!" Smoker yelled.
"I'm just gonna say this to you once, and one time only..." said Straits, who's voice was now coming from above, in the crow's nest.
~BZZT.~
"Stop playing silly games with pirates, and go do some real fucking work." Straits whispered, now directly into Smoker's other ear. "Gah!" Smoker yelled, whipping around to throw a punch at the man standing behind him. Right before his fist could connect...
~BZZT.~
Straits was gone again, now standing on the prow of the ship as it rocked in the waves, it was almost as if he was teleporting around in circles. "Remember me, Smoker-kun..." Straits called out in a teasing yet ominous tone, "Time is such a limited thing, isn't it? Some have more than others...just as some have less than others...we wouldn't want your time to be up too soon now, would we?" he chuckled.
"Tch, what's that supposed to mean?!" Smoker shouted, turning his legs into smoke and flying forward ready to punch Straits in his smug mouth.
"Kekeh...toodles." Straits giggled.
~BZZT.~
And just like that, he was gone. Smoker's punch missed as Straits vanished once more without a trace. Smoker looked around, but there was only himself standing on the deck. Sighing, he lit a fresh cigar as the rain pelted his face. "What a weird guy...I wonder what type of power that was..." he said to himself, "Either way...I'm not gonna let some errand boy from the Fleet Admiral stop me. I've decided I'm capturing an Emperor and a shark, so that's damn well what I'm gonna do!" he boomed. Clenching his fists, Smoker shouted over the side towards the raging sea, "YOU HERE ME, YOU BASTARD?! I'M GONNA CATCH THOSE PIRATES IF IT KILLS ME!"
{TO BE CONTINUED}