Chapter 15
AN : Four chapters were published in less than 24hours, check you read them befroe starting this one !
15th of February 1522
Sea, East Blue
Smoker stood on the deck of his ship, the cold wind whipping through his hair as he took a long drag from his cigar. He was in a complicated situation. His prisoner was apparently the grandson of Garp the Fist…and the man was coming to talk to him. But nobody was above justice. Nobody.
The calm was shattered by the piercing sound of an emergency call crackling over the transponder snail.
"Urgent! Urgent! Marine base at Conomi Archipelago under attack! Requesting immediate assistance! We…AAARGH" The voice was frantic, filled with the unmistakable edge of terror.
Was it the Arlong Pirates? Fucking Weaklings! But…they were brave marines soldiers...
Smoker's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching around the cigar. He turned to his crew, his voice a bark of authority. "Change course to Conomi Archipelago! Full speed ahead!". They could reach the base in four hours, and he could only hope they wouldn't be too late to stop whatever was happening.
15th of February 1522
Conomi Archipelago, East Blue
Nojiko stumbled through the chaos, the acrid stench of smoke and burning wood filling her lungs. Her village, once a peaceful haven, was now a nightmarish inferno. Flames licked at the thatched roofs of homes, turning them into roaring pyres. The screams of her fellow villagers and friends echoed in her ears. She clutched her chest, her heart pounding with fear and helplessness as she navigated through the debris-strewn streets.
Through the haze of smoke and fire, Nojiko's eyes widened in horror as she saw the source of the carnage. A massive, two-meter-tall wolf, its fur a shock of blood-red, rampaged through the village. Its muscular frame moved with terrifying agility, and its glowing eyes burned with hunger. The beast tore through the villagers, its claws rending flesh with ease. Blood sprayed in gruesome arcs, and the air was filled with the sickening sounds of bones breaking and flesh being devoured. The wolf's jaws snapped shut on another victim, the gurgling screams abruptly silenced as it feasted.
Panic surged through Nojiko's veins, her survival instincts kicking in. She turned and ran, her legs pumping with desperation. The landscape blurred as she fled, her mind a whirlwind of fear and disbelief. She darted between burning buildings, the heat singeing her skin and the smoke stinging her eyes. Her breath came in ragged gasps, each step fueled by the primal urge to escape the nightmare behind her.
Somehow, she managed to break free of the village, her feet pounding the forest floor as she pushed through the underbrush. The darkness of the woods enveloped her, and she finally allowed herself to slow down, leaning against a tree to catch her breath. Her heart still hammered in her chest, but a glimmer of hope flickered in her mind—she had escaped.
Just as relief began to wash over her, a sharp pain exploded in her side. She looked down in shock to see an arrow made of shadows, its shaft embedded deep in her flesh. Before she could react, another arrow struck, and then another, each one pinning her to the tree. Her vision blurred with pain and confusion. Nojiko's breath came in shallow gasps, her strength ebbing away as the forest around her seemed to close in, the darkness swallowing her final scream.
15th of February 1522
Conomi Archipelago, East Blue
Moria felt great. It had been a long time since he truly indulged in the primal essence of piracy, where the strong took what they wanted without remorse. The chaos, the burning, the screams—it all made him feel alive, as though the very core of his being was revitalized. He stood amidst the destruction, inhaling the acrid air deeply, a grin spreading across his face. He felt energized, as if he could grow wings and take to the sky. Maybe he could. Concentrating, he drew upon his shadow powers, feeling the darkness within him surge and coalesce.
With a burst of shadowy energy, two magnificent wings exploded from his back. They were vast and dark, made of pure shadow, each feather a glimmering fragment of the night itself. Moria's glee was palpable as he tested his new appendages, flapping them once, then twice, before lifting off the ground. With a whoop of exhilaration, he began to soar above the wreckage of the village, his laughter mingling with the cries below.
He climbed higher and higher into the sky, feeling the wind rush past him. He performed loops and spirals, reveling in the freedom of flight. For the first time in what felt like forever, Moria felt truly free. He was untethered, unbound by earthly constraints, and the sensation was intoxicating. His laughter echoed through the clouds as he declared his liberation to the world below. "I am free! Free!"
As he soared above the landscape, Moria's keen eyes caught sight of a Marine boat approaching from afar. The weather was foul, with dark clouds roiling and rain beginning to fall, providing perfect cover for his approach. His grin widened as he considered his next move. "Maybe I'll destroy it too," he mused, excitement bubbling within him. Another act of piracy, another step towards fulfilling his hidden quest. Two acts of piracy in one day! Silently, he descended upon the ship, using the shadows to cloak his presence.
He landed quietly on the deck, melding with the shadows as he moved. The crew, preoccupied with navigating the storm, remained oblivious to his presence. Moria explored the boat, his dark wings folded neatly behind him. He spotted the captain, a tall figure.
[Smoker]
Class: Marine
Job : Marine Captain
Devil Fruit : Moku Moku no Mi
Dourikis: 683
Potential: S
Fate: B
"A Logia type," Moria noted with interest. Maybe he could absorb him? But it was the murmurs of the crew that truly piqued his curiosity. They spoke in hushed tones about a prisoner. Intrigued, Moria slipped into the lower levels of the ship, his shadowy form almost invisible in the dim light. He approached the cells, eager to see who was held captive and if he could make a potential servant.
"What... What?" Moria could not contain his surprise upon seeing the stats of the boy bound in the only occupied cell. He was so stunned that he partially rematerialized, his shadowy form flickering into solidity.
[Monkey D. Luffy]
Class: Freedom God
Job: Savior of the World
Devil Fruit: Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika
Dourikis: 253
P̵o̵t̶e̸n̵t̵i̵a̸l̵:̸ ̸E̷X̷
̵F̴a̴t̸e̸:̴ ̷E̸X̸
Moria's jaw dropped. The stats were unlike anything he had ever seen. His mind raced, trying to comprehend the implications. How could someone with such immense potential and a godlike class exist? Ni…Nika? He remembered the man from the dream and…Before he could ponder further, a deep, commanding voice echoed through the dimly lit corridor.
"Hmm... So you must be the one behind my son's arrest. The true culprit of the massacre, come to gloat. If I had not been visiting Loguetown... Now, tell me who you are before you will answer for this."
Moria spun around, his eyes wide with shock. Emerging from the shadows was a man of imposing presence. He was tall, with a lean but powerful build, his skin weathered and scarred from countless battles. A distinctive tattoo marked his left cheek, and a long, dark cloak billowed around him as if stirred by an unseen wind.
Fuck. He should not have gloated about his newfound freedom so much.
[Monkey D. Dragon]
Class: Revolutionary
Job: Ex-CP0 leader, Revolutionary Leader
Devil Fruit: Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Vayu - Kaze no Ryū
Dourikis: 27 387
Potential: SSS
Fate: SSS
Dragon's eyes flickered to his right, as if expecting something. Before Moria could react, the wall of the boat exploded, and a massive figure barreled into Dragon with incredible speed. The force of the impact shook the entire ship, sending splinters and debris flying.
"Dragon, naughty boy!" boomed a voice that reverberated through the chaos. Garp, the legendary Marine hero, stood in the gaping hole where the wall had been, his fist still raised from the punch that had sent Dragon sprawling. Garp, who had just arrived using Geppo, didn't even spare a glance at Moria, his eyes locked onto his son. "So, it's you, huh? You organized all this to make Luffy hate the Marines, and then free him to make him join you?"
[Monkey D. Garp]
Class: Marine
Job: Hero of the Marine
Dourikis: 28 252
Potential: SSS
Fate: SSS
Moria saw his chance and didn't hesitate. He unfurled his shadow wings and took to the air, his form becoming a blur as he fled the scene. Dragon, recovering quickly, tried to pursue him, but another powerful blow from Garp sent him reeling back. "Fuck Fuck Fuck…", cursed Moria while flying into the stormy sky. At least, neither Dragon nor Garp had recognized him as Moria.
15th of February 1522
Thriller Bark
Isabella was in the midst of pillaging the city, her hands full of loot, when suddenly, she felt a powerful grip on her arm. Before she could react, Moria had grabbed her with a speed that left her breathless. His urgency was palpable, and she barely had time to register the presence of Zoro, Nami, and Selena, who were already gathered around him.
"Moria, what—" Isabella started, but her words were cut off as the shadows around them began to swirl and coalesce.
"We're leaving. Now," Moria barked, his voice brooking no argument. With a wave of his hand, the shadows enveloped them, and the world around them seemed to dissolve into darkness.
In an instant, they were transported back to Thriller Bark, the familiar eerie landscape of their haunted ship rising up around them. Isabella stumbled slightly as they reappeared, the sudden shift leaving her disoriented. She looked at Moria, who seemed both furious and exhilarated, his eyes gleaming with a manic light.
"Why the rush?" Zoro asked, his voice gruff but curious.
Moria took a deep breath, his chest heaving as he tried to steady himself. "We had some... unexpected company," he said, glancing around at his gathered crew. "The Marines were the least of our worries. Dragon and Garp the Fist showed up."
15th of February 1522
Conomi Archipelago, East Blue
Garp stood amidst the smoking ruins of the city, the acrid scent of burnt wood and charred flesh filling the air. He had already inspected the wreckage of Arlong Park and the devastated villages, but the scenes of destruction and death remained just as harrowing. The old Marine's eyes, usually filled with a mischievous twinkle, were now hard and steely as he surveyed the devastation. He paid attention not to work on one of the corpse. Beside him, one of the promising youngsters, Captain Smoker, stood with a determined expression. Garp could see the potential in the young man; he had the right head, the right heart, and the right fists. Maybe, Garp thought, he'd take him a bit under his wing.
They walked through the debris, the crunch of rubble underfoot the only sound in the eerie silence. Garp bent down, inspecting the remains for any clues. He noticed a disturbing array of blade marks and deep, savage bites. The pattern was puzzling—indicative of a massive creature, likely a Zoan type with the characteristics of a wolf. He briefly considered this rookie, Selena, but dismissed the thought. She was reportedly still in the Grand Line. Jabra, the CP9 operative with a wolf Zoan, came to mind, but he couldn't fathom what advantage this carnage would provide for Cipher Pole. But Garp was conscious that he was far from knowing everything that went behind the scenes. Maybe he had been mistaken in thinking it was Dragon - his son would destroy a Marine Base, yes. But such a carnage? Dead civilians?
As Garp continued his inspection, he grew increasingly perplexed. The bite marks could not be from a newly awakened Devil Fruit user. And the blade marks…These were precise and deadly, resembling the Rankyaku technique used by CP9 agents. Was…Was that a Shigan hole, on the wall ?
He realized he needed information from CP9 urgently to piece together this puzzle. And…What if the Cipher Pole, knowing Luffy was Dragon's son, wanted to put him behind the bar and framed him?
"Fuckin' Pol'", he grumbled. He would personally pay a visit to Spandam.