The Ultimate Worst Generation

by stringdog

The Straw Hats have arrived on their final stop before descending to Fish-man Island and onto the New World, the Sabaody Archipelago. However, they're not the only big name rookies present, they are just one of 14 rookie crews present and the other 13 all have big names as well. Mass deep crossover with Fairy Tail, My Hero Academia, Black Clover, Akame ga Kill, and RWBY.

17. Chapter 17: The Vengeance Alliance

Here is the seventeenth chapter in this story released in accordance with my upload schedule for this story. Just a heads up, this will be the last chapter I release for any of my stories until mid May as I will be away for a few weeks. For those who also follow my Black Trio (individually, all three, or a combination of them) and my Hearts Series, I'm sorry I couldn't update but IRL stuff came up that took priority but don't worry I will return in May. Anyway, the second breakout wave is officially out of Impel Down and on their way to the South Blue so now all that is left is to sort out initial plans and of course form their alliance as their breakout officially comes to an end. That is all that I have for the administrative stuff I have for y'all and while there are no questions there is a guest review that needs a response so I will do that now. Do keep them coming as your support is the best motivation for me to keep producing chapters at this kind of rate.

To KGBeastboy (guest), as always thank you for your review and suggestions. The two shooting based Devil Fruit ideas are interesting, unique, and fitting for their users. In terms of the Rifle-Rifle Fruit, which will have its profile in the next dump of Devil Fruit databook style entries that will be released after this chapter, you've basically already described what I had in mind only now I have a something to look into for a better description though as the databook are supposed to be written as if they were Navy/World Government reports I won't be as specific for it or the Snipe-Snipe Fruit's entry (will be in the post Marineford bundle) due to those things not really existing in the One Piece world as far as I know. Still, very useful for descriptive purposes so thank you. As for Dabi's, that is a hard Devil Fruit to figure out and this is a good idea for appearance and name though I may change it if it fits better. That said, it will be a Paramecia type that shows the drawback of some Devil Fruits as you described so it's something to look forward to. Do keep reading and enjoying my work.

Anyway, that is enough for this pre-chapter note so sit back and enjoy the seventeenth chapter in The Ultimate Worst Generation.

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to these great franchises.

Chapter 17: The Vengeance Alliance

"So, what's the plan now?" Jose asked as they finished circling Impel Down and began to sail south and away from the Great Prison at last. "We're free so now need a new plan."

"We're not free just yet." Patry said. "Not until we're in the South Blue and we can lower the sails, hit the currents, and disappear into it. There are other battleships in the area so we can be chased through the Calm Belt even if we have a head start."

"True but we're as good as free at the moment." Nagant said recalling where the other ships had been when they'd taken this one. "I know these ships; they have a more or less set speed in the Calm Belt due to the lack of wind and the fact that they're all the same design. Seeing as the other ships around here are in the Grand Line right before the Gates of Justice and have to turn around and then follow us through the Calm Belt so I'd say that we're clear. There should have been more ships around Impel Down itself but there weren't any except this."

"No doubt Straw Hat's breakout caused that." William noted. "Anyone with any sense would have ordered the ships to retreat to a safe distance away from the entrance and Magellan is no fool. The Calm Belt has always been Impel Down's greatest defense."

"True but they had Jimbei with them." Kai pointed out. "A fish-man, and a whale shark one at that, can traverse these waters with ease and might even be able to recruit a few whale sharks if the rummers I heard about him back when I was a Warlord are true. No doubt he played a role in securing them a ship."

"It would explain why the other ships were all at the Gates of Justice seeing as Straw Hat had to pass through them to get to Marineford and it would explain why that man had stayed behind to open them." Nagant said getting some looks. "Right, I should have said but we were kinda busy stealing a Navy battleship. My group found a queer man who was clearly not a guard in the generator room. I recognized him as Bentham, he was once a bounty hunter but I don't know more than that. Last I'd heard about him was that he was with some outfit called Baroque Works."

"If he was part of that outfit then he was certainly an inmate." Patry said. "You've been in prison for years Nagant so you wouldn't know but several months ago Baroque Works was revealed to be a front for a criminal organization run by Crocodile that he used to try and takeover the Kingdom of Alabaster when he was a Warlord. They were broken up and their crimes revealed by the Navy some months back though many believe that there was a coverup of some kind. Regardless, Crocodile was stripped of his status as a Warlord and along with many of his senior executives he was arrested and sent to Level 6 of Impel Down. As you can tell, at least one was sent to Impel Down with him."

"That would explain especially seeing as we know that Crocodile was one of the escapees." Nagant said. "Given that the Gate controls were broken I can only presume that Bentham opened them and then closed and broke them to let the others escape. That is the only way Straw Hat Luffy could have gone to Marineford in time for Fire Fist's execution. The only question is how did he manage it seeing as only Magellan can give that order."

"I can have Rhya confirm it but if I had to bet I'd say that that man has a Devil Fruit which allows him to change his appearance." Patry said. "There are a few like that. You've got the Clone-Clone Fruit or the Glamor-Glamor Fruit which are two Paramecia types that allow the user to change his or her appearance or there's the Dog-Dog Fruit, model: Nine-Tailed Fox that is a Mythical Zoan type that can do that as well. If Rhya can't copy the man's power, but can confirm that he has one, then it's the latter."

"Regardless of the Devil Fruit, if he's eaten one that can change his appearance then he's useful ally to have then." Nagant said. "Confirm that if you can and I'll take him with me. I get the feeling that he doesn't conform to normal roles, conventions, or stereotypes surrounding gender and as there's someone like that that I need to find he could be of use to me in that endeavor. Least we can do is heal him up and take him where he wants to go as he's clearly part of why we broke out as well. We owe him that much."

"We'll repay our debt but anything more is on you." Kai said. "I have my own plan once we're in the South Blue."

"We all do but it's time we discussed this." Jose said. "So let's do that."

"First we need to sort out the ship." Nagant said seriously. "How many subordinates do we have that we can trust? I recruited 13 for my crew and with Robyn's power I can scan them to ensure that they're trustworthy. She'll also come in handy for any for anyone else who might wish to join my crew as standard crewmembers."

"I have 13 as well and Rhya can coordinate others with his Observation Haki." Patry said. "So I know I'll be able to add to my rank and file."

"I've got 10." Kai said. "And a lot more who have pledged their loyalty to me so I'll have to borrow one of your people to confirm it."

"5 for me." Jose said. "And many grunts that need to be assessed."

"And I don't have any." William said, which didn't surprise them as none of them had seen him trying to recruit anyone. "So that's 41, 47 including ourselves, that we know aren't an issue with about 500 that will be split up between your crews or who will want to head out on their own paths. I know that Gueldre and Revchi are going to remain the way they are until I need them but I don't trust Gueldre."

"No one does but he's useful so long as there's something in it for him." Patry said. "And we can presume the special 3 are like that as well."

"Mustard isn't a threat; the dude needs a gas mask for his own power and he's nothing more than a brat who didn't even merit Level 3." Jose said. "But we should keep an eye on him. The other two…"

"Are in the forecastle being worked on by Bow, my doctor, and will remain in sea prism stone shackles." Nagant said. "Once they're healed have some of your people, preferably Sally as she clearly can transport them in her gel, take them to the brig in the hull of the ship and chain them up. They're monsters but they're useful. I have no use for them but they could come in handy if used right it seems."

"I'll take them, I can beat either with my power and heal any damage that I take of they get a lucky hit in." Kai said. "And any damage they have as well so it's best if I do that. I'm also the one who's met others of their group, I even worked with two of them who fled before I was beaten, so I'm best for it. I don't know where the boss is but I'll find him and they can be of help alongside Patry."

"I'll do my part." Patry said recalling his deal with Kai and planning on honoring it as their upcoming alliance necessitated a good relationship between all of them. "But yes that is for the best with those two."

"Alright that just leaves the others we've brought with us will need to be sorted out." Nagant said as she picked up the intercom snail once again and looked out over the packed deck of still cheering prisoners, almost all the ones they'd freed with their own people or recruits, many of whom were now eating and drinking to celebrate their new found freedom. "Can I trust that your men and women can hold order with this lot?"

"So long as they have authority to act in their best judgement they can." Patry said. "And that means putting down any issues with quick, efficient, violence."

"Kendo and Rikiya can be a bit one note but they're enforcers so they're just muscle that know what to do." Kai said. "The others would listen to me and make sure any who pledged to join the Hassaikai Pirates know the score."

"They'll do their job if I say so." Jose added. "And keep order of any rabble who wish to join my crew."

"Very well then when I tell the masses what to do I'm going to place the enforcement of the situation in your crewmembers hands." Nagant said slightly confusing the men as she raised the receiver to her lips so that her next words carried over the loud speaker to the whole ship. "Escapees of Impel Down! I need your attention for a moment."

This got a hush over the crowd of prisoners and they all turned to the poop deck where Nagant and the other leaders of the escapee were standing in their bloodstained clothes. Many didn't really know what was going on but they did know who had freed them and while most hadn't been freed by the purple and pink haired woman they'd learned that she was one of the ringleaders who'd broken out of the semi-mythical Level 6 so they listened.

"I am sure that you are happy to be free from hell and ready for a new life on the outside." Nagant began but was interrupted by a cheer which she silenced with a glare. "And that is coming as we are enroute to the South Blue but I need your cooperation for a moment."

"Sure thing lady."

"Whatever you say."

"You lot broke us out we're with you for life."

"Show us your tits!"

That last one got a near instant reaction from Nagant as she turned her left forearm into a gun and shot it at the man. The round shot between the heads of two escapees and into the deck right between the stunned man's feet showing that not only did she know who'd spoken but that she could hit him if she wanted to.

"That was a warning shot, anymore shit like that and it's in your head and I won't miss." Nagant said seriously the barrel of her gun still smoking. "I am an escapee from Level 6 and as you can tell Devil Fruit user. I was sent there because I murdered a Celestial Dragon and that was just the latest in a very long string of murders that I've committed so don't think I won't hesitate to kill any of you. Understood?"

There were a lot of nods and murmurs of agreement and some cheers from a few of the women who clearly knew that the man in question was no good. Nagant just ignored that as she continued to address the crowd.

"Good." Nagant said. "Now I know that many of you are not affiliated with me or the other Captains up here with me but many of you owe your freedom to us, and by extension Straw Hat Luffy, so listen up. We have much to discuss and you have much to think about. As such all of you who are not already part of one of our crews be it from before Impel Down or at my personal invitation are to head down below decks and remain there for the rest of the day. This is a well-stocked Navy ship that needs to manage 800 souls so you will find food, booze, clothes, weapons, and beds in the decks below. Enjoy that to your hearts content but heed this, there will be no violence of any kind on my ship."

There was confusion for the gathered men and women mainly because, well, all were men and women of violence and so it was second nature to them. They may be celebrating now but there was no doubt that old grudges, simple spats, and, well, the fact that there were people of the opposite sex around and things could very quickly spill over.

"We are still in this together and we all want to be free so there is no point in dying before we manage that." Nagant said cutting through any chatter and once again silencing the mass of criminals. "The crewmembers of the Elf, Hassaikai, and Phantom Lord Pirates will make sure of this and act in their best judgement to suppress any incidents. I suggest that you use this time to decide your next moves. If you wish to join one of the three mentioned crews then reach out to the officers of those crews and see what their Captain is planning. Many of you were freed by them and made offers to you to join them or accepted your pledges during the escape, they will honor them."

"What about your crew?" Someone asked. "Can we join that one?"

"Yeah, you freed us." A woman said. "So some of us owe you and want to be part of your crew."

"If you wish to join my crew, and while I have yet to raise my flag given that I wasn't a pirate before being sent to Impel Down we are the Rifle Pirates, you must meet with me and my quartermaster for screening." Nagant said simply the still smoking short barreled rifle that her left arm was from the elbow down emphasizing her choice in name. "I believe the others will have a similar process."

All three nodded at that to confirm it. Many could understand this given the treachery that existed in the pirate world. Still, many had already pledged to join various crews and would honor that and serve their new Captains well though some did have nefarious intents and they'd have to be routed out.

"As for the rest of you, you are free to decide what you want to do be it joining one of the crews or setting off on your own." Nagant said. "We are sailing for the South Blue and will be making landfall when we are far enough from the Calm Belt to ensure that the Navy cannot pursue us. Once there we will split up so decide by then."

Nagant paused to gage the escapees' reaction. For the most part it was muted though a few muttered to themselves or others about what they wanted to do but no one asked any questions or called out so after a moment Nagant continued.

"For the record, this is now my ship and whatever the Navy called her is no longer valid." Nagant said cutting off the little chatter that was going on. "I will rechristen her on land once she's changed to fit mine and my crew's needs but that doesn't change the fact that she is mine and so I am the top authority onboard. If you wish to have passage with me afterwards I will help out if I can but if you wish to remain where we stop or to go with the other crews you can as well though any passage arrangements are on you. Is all this clear?"

There was a chorus of yeses and agreements to this. Nagant was pleased to see that things were going well while the other Captains were impressed with her leadership. The woman hadn't become a Vice Admiral for nothing and now she was showing that she'd make a great pirate captain as well though all were curious as to what her ship would be called. Only Nagant knew that and she'd already decided the name. It would fit with her skills and the name of the crew as their ship would be called Silent Kill.

"Good now get to it." Nagant said showing that she was done. "Dazu, Olive, Spear, Fiona, and Daphne, meet me up here now. The rest of my crew continue as you were."

With that Nagant put the receiver down and looked to the men on either side of her before she turned fully around while the masses were doing as ordered and heading below decks. They understood the situation and frankly they would get food, weapons, booze, and beds so they couldn't complain. Plus with the various women around, who were just as needy as the men, there was going to be a lot of consensual fun as well.

"This is the commander's quarters of the ship." Nagant said pointing to the cabin behind them. "There's a stateroom, living and dining area, and a small meeting room reserved for the senior officers aboard a battleship. We'll meet there in half an hour to formalize our alliance. I understand the need for it just as much as you lot do but I need to get the room ready and you lot need to deal with your crews."

"Agreed." Jose said with a nod. "I must relay the orders to my 5, excuse me."

"I'll let Mimic and Chrono know, they can delegate with the 8 bullets." Kai said as Jose left. "Plus I have other things to discuss with them that I must attend to."

"Likewise." Patry said.

"I need to check in on Gueldre and Revchi." William added. "I'm going to have to work with Gueldre so he needs to know the deal."

Nagant nodded and they split up with the four men heading down to the deck while it was being cleared. She just waited where she was for some of her crew to come to her and help her out and receive general orders for what would happen while they were transporting the escapees to the South Blue.

---

"Alright here's the plan for the moment." Jose said as he grouped up with Aria, Sol, Totomaru, Sue, Boze, and for some reason Mustard who was with them as they ate and drank some of the food and booze that had been brought up in the wake of getting clear of Impel Down though there was still a fair bit of the Calm Belt to travers before they got out of it so plenty of food had been left in the store rooms. "Er…"

"I'm not like the other escapees." Mustard said calmly. "You know it as well so I didn't see any point in associating with them."

"Yeah I do but we've decided that you're going to be with the Hassaikai Pirates." Jose said. "Kai's the one who's met your friends before and was the one who suggested that you be freed so he's taking responsibility of you. I suggest meeting up some of his men below decks lest you end up like your buddies."

"I wouldn't call those monsters my buddies, they're more forced colleagues actually, but fair." Mustard said as he moved. "I don't care who I'm with so long as I get back to the New World and I'll help where I can to facilitate that."

With that Mustard left and Jose watched him until he entered the aftercastle where the path down to the area below decks was. Once he was gone Jose turned back to the others.

"Sorry for that."

"Don't worry boss." Boze said. "I was in a cell with him, I realized early on that he had no direction after his arrest and you gave him what he needed. Leave him to the Hassaikai Pirates."

"It is for the best." Totomaru said. "Now what are our orders?"

"Simple, I want you, Sol, Boze, and Sue to go down and mingle with the escapees that we picked up on the way out of Impel Down." Jose said. "Get a sense for who's already agreed to join us and who wants to. Once you do, note down their names, bounties, any powers, you know the usual info, and then find a place for them to congregate. I don't know Navy ships well but I bet there are mass barracks down there so we're going to take one for our purposes on this trip."

"Won't zat lady be upset?" Sol said. "Non? Zis is 'er ship now."

"Who is she?" Boze added. "I've never seen her before but she's clearly as dangerous as you are boss."

"Oh she is, maybe more so at the moment actually though I won't let that stand for long." Jose said. "As for who she actually is, her real name is Tsutsumi Kaina but she goes by her moniker Lady Nagant. She was once a Navy Vice Admiral who betrayed them when she committed the crime she spoke of and was tossed in Level 6 for it."

"She actually killed a Celestial Dragon?" Sue asked her eyes wide. "No one does that."

"Apparently she did and give that the Celestial Dragons would never want that intel out they would kept something like that quiet." Jose said. "They'd never reported her crimes lest it get out that someone actually killed one of them. Hell, the Navy said that she'd died in action and memorialized her as a hero to cover up that they'd actually tossed her into Impel Down to erase her from history. Patry's an evil bastard, the dude tried to commit a genocide, but she's the most lethal one here. You saw that shot she pulled off, that will likely be her only warning shot, she'll kill without hesitation."

"I take it that between that, her knowledge, and past is why she has the ship." Aria said. "It did seem strange that she'd get the ship when the other crews are larger."

"Correct, she demanded it and frankly we couldn't have made it onto the ship without issues without her power as she took down all the lookouts from inside Impel Down and without a clean line of sight." Jose admitted before adding. "Without missing and using less rounds than marines she killed."

"Oh shit." Boze said his eyes wide under his shades. "Can that be confirmed?"

"Yeah, Kai's man Mimic saw the whole thing and we knew where she was when she was shooting, there's no way she didn't pull it off." Jose said. "She's not one to be messed with so we agreed that she could have the ship. That and if you haven't noticed this is a beast of a ship and she's the only one who truly understands how to maintain it so it makes sense. Plus to have a battleship in the alliance commanded by someone who's done so before will be a great benefit to us. It's because we allowed this that she'll agree to quarters for our new grunts until we reach a dockyard in the South Blue and acquire our own ship."

"Alright that explains it." Totomaru said. "But can we trust them? The grunts that we've picked up, or will pick up, I mean."

"No we can't and I killed a few in Level 5 who showed that they couldn't be trusted." Jose said. "But that's fine. Nagant and Patry have a screener and I think the former is better as it's a Devil Fruit power so I'll use the alliance to borrow her and confirm they're loyal to us. Anyone who isn't we'll toss to the sea kings."

"Understood." The others said.

"Good now get to it." Jose said. "Aria, remain on deck and keep an eye on things. I've got a meeting to attend."

"Yes boss." Aria said.

Jose nodded and grinned at that. They were free of Impel Down and on the way to the South Blue where the Navy wouldn't be able to stop them. From there they'd rebuild starting with some of the escapees and have an alliance to back them up so all was going well. It may take some time but vengeance against the Fairy Tail Pirates would be theirs.

---

"Where's Sally?" Patry asked as he approached his officers where they'd congregated on the deck so as to be away from the other officer groups and noted that Sally wasn't present but the rest were and many were eating and drinking to celebrate their freedom which Patry wouldn't begrudge them. "Shouldn't she be here with you?"

"Apparently her gel is rather useful when it comes to staunching wounds so that doctor who Nagant picked up requested she remain in the infirmary." Rhya said gesturing to the forecastle as William walked past them and carried on to the forecastle which was where he was going anyway. "I think they're over there and using that place to tend to the two monsters we have to bring with us."

"Very well a good relationship with the Rifle Pirates will help." Patry said, he'd have a more private discussion with Rhya and Vetto at a later date regarding their race and what to do about things in Clover but that would have to wait. "We are forming an alliance with them and the others so best to remain on friendly, helpful, terms."

"They're a new crew though." Rades said. "Can they be useful?"

"They may be new but with Nagant leading they'll be a force in now tame." Patry said. "You saw a glimpse of her talent earlier and you don't become a Navy Vice Admiral for nothing, which by the way she used to be but I'll fill you in on that later."

"Wait what?" Rades asked his eyes wide. "She was with the Navy?"

"Yes but not anymore, in fact according to them she's dead and one of their greatest traitors." Patry said. "But we can deal with that later for now we need to get to work. I'm not sure how long it will take us to get through the Calm Belt and frankly I don't know the South Blue at all, and none of you do either, so we need to prepare."

The others all agreed with that as Patry had basically recruited only from the Grand Line and while some of his lower tier subordinates might have been from one of the Blues before they ended up on the Grand Line, none were from the South Blue so they needed to be ready for it. Thankfully, they had a good start.

"All positions remain the same so Valtos you're still navigator." Patry continue. "I want you to find a library or navigation room here, this is a Navy battleship so there's bound to be one, and make copies of any maps of the South Blue. Don't take them, this is Nagant's ship now, but she won't begrudge us copies of the maps we need. We have to prepare for our rebuild and that start right away. Rades, you help him."

"Yes master." Valtos said glad to be free and to atone for the sins he'd committed to end up in Impel Down. "I will make sure I find it and secure copies so I can plan a route through the South Blue that would be most beneficial to us."

"Fine but let's get some booze on the way." Rades said as they headed off to find what Patry had asked. "I need a drink it's been too long. Then we need to plan for that brat. Oh when I next see him I'm…"

"Good that will also help us in acquiring a ship." Patry said turning back to the other officers as Valtos and Rades walked off. "Sally can work on it when we get it but we need something to accommodate our new underlings and which can handle the Grand Line. Nagant will take us where we need to go through, a condition for giving her this ship but it is better suited for her."

"Agreed, we need a big ship but not a Navy battleship, it's far too conspicuous." Rhya said. "I could look for a place for a new ship."

"No, I have a specific task for you Rhya." Patry said as he looked over the others. "Geork, take Zuta and Cidane and get the info on dockyards and other key places in the South Blue and then relay it to Valtos so he can map out a good route in the South Blue from the point we get our ship."

"Yes master." Geork said while Zuta just nodded and Cidane chuckled before they headed out.

"Good, next we need to know these escapees." Patry said. "Several said they would join us as I was freeing them but I can't be sure there so it's time to find out who will be loyal to me and won't. Fluss, you're to mingle with them without divulging your affiliation and see who's got potential and use and if they aren't committed to us or another crew to try and sway them to us."

"Yes master." Fluss said and he swiftly left though he made sure to no go straight to below deck so as to obscure his affiliation.

"The rest of you are to be open about being junior officers on my crew and the strength of the Elf Pirates." Patry said looking at the other humans present. "We are in charge of maintaining order down there anyway so you'll go and mix with them and any who've already said bring them to one of the no doubt numerous barrack rooms that are below deck. We'll take over one for our purposes, Nagant will allow, if not insist on, that, and so I want you to also convert it a bit to set up a screening office where Rhya will assess their loyalty. If he gives the ok they're in as rank and file crewmembers, if he doesn't then they're out and we either kill them or let them go at the next island."

"Yes master." The remaining humans said and they headed out to do as instructed leaving Patry with just Vetto and Rhya.

"Right we'll have a deeper chat once we have a ship as our old goals are no longer valid and frankly I don't care about Clover anymore beyond making sure that our people are treated equally there and don't have to live in isolation." Patry said. "We tried and failed but we must avenge that failure so the Black Bulls will be eliminated for that. Before that, though, we need to find Fana."

"Agreed." Vetto said with a toothy grin. "This time I will really taste their despair."

"It is what we have to do both for Fana and for ourselves." Rhya agreed. "Shall I go and find a place to set up for now though?"

"Yes go and do that and send a message to one of Nagant's crew members telling her which barracks room we've claimed as ours for the trip." Patry said. "Vetto, you can do as you please but help maintain order if need be."

"Understood." Vetto said and both he and Rhya left.

Patry watched them leave before he turned to lean on a nearby railing and look out over the calmness around him. Impel Down was no longer visible and so they were truly free from that hellhole and he smiled as he felt the sun on his face and basked in it for a moment.

He'd never thought that he'd get out and be back in nature like this but he had and while he would make sure to repay Straw Hat Luffy for it was his actions that had ensured it, well him and that Buggy the Clown character, Patry was going to make the most of his freedom. That meant forming a strong alliance, one that could threaten the Warlords at least, and getting his own vengeance and that began today.

---

"Ok here's the plan." Kai said as he met up with Chrono and Mimic who were resting on the side of the ship while the 8 Bullets were a ways off from them and enjoying the food and booze that had been brought up by the other escapees. "Frankly I don't give a shit about the people we freed in the process but they have pledged fealty to me, and we'll make sure to scan them with Nagant's crewmember to ensure that, so they have a use in rebuilding the Yakuza back to what it should be."

"That was an issue before those brats took us down." Mimic said. "Too many were loyal to the old boss and his antiquated ways. Thankfully, they were nothing more than gutter trash and not sent to Impel Down like us."

"Yes which is why we're going to use the new guys, along with any of the old ones out there who come back and understand the new way of doing things, to rebuild." Kai said. "Fortunately only the main base was taken down by the Might Pirates so we still have a strong network in the Blues which will be where we start. I need to find the boss and apologize but that is for me to do and I'll do that alone. You two will be in charge and focus on rebuilding our strength with a focus on the South Blue while I'm away."

"Hold up what?" Chrono asked. "Are you sure Kai?"

"Yes this alliance will be one of mutual aid of which our skill is the network." Kai said. "So we're going to spend the next year at least, maybe 2, rebuilding in the South Blue while I square things up with the boss and lend aid to our alliance partners so that they will return it or face the consequences."

"I see, that makes sense." Chrono said understanding and trusting Kai's plan. "Anything we should focus on?"

"For now just rebuild in the South Blue but reach out to the West Blue as well." Kai said. "The boss told me that there are tunnels through the Red Line that the Yakuza made years ago so we've got to find and exploit them to expand out influence and set up the right networks. It's a good thing that that thug Bege now a pirate in the Grand Line so we don't have to worry about his family, or his own personal actions, getting in the West Blue. This will give us holds on either side of the Grand Line. With both mine and Mimic's powers we can make ships that can cross the Calm Belt and use that for our smuggling and the continued expansion of our influence."

"You've thought about this a lot." Chrono said pleased that the young boss was well prepared but he wouldn't be the man Chrono admired so much if he wasn't. "I should have expected it."

"Most is adapted from our old plans but without the girl we can't do use her the way I had intended." Kai said. "And yeah in the Eternal Hell all you have to do is think as it's really boring down there. Regardless I'm leaving this to you two. Patry has offered to help me find the boss and I'll take him up on that and while doing so I'll reach out to that Twice fellow that I met and tell him that we now have Mustard, Muscular, and Moonfish. That will be our in for the New World and once that and my other task is done I will regroup with you and we'll head for the New World."

"It's a sound plan and you can trust us to execute it." Chrono said and Kai knew he could as between Chrono, Mimic, and Shin his plans would be done. "But what about right now?"

"Right now we've got some stuff to do." Kai said. "Mimic, head down and find a place for us to stay, both the crew and the new recruits that pass the screening process. Chrono, you're in charge of processing the new ones and coordinate with Nagant's crewmember on screening. We'll probably owe her something for this but that is fine as I'm sure Nagant will ask for my aid in remodeling the ship and it's a small price to pay for knowing that we can trust the new recruits. That's where Shin comes in, he and Deidoro will help you screen as well. Shin's power is strong but having an additional truth based power can't hurt."

"Understood." Chrono said as Mimic just nodded and melted into the deck to do as ordered. "And the 8 Bullets?"

"Break them into their teams and set them to work." Kai said looking at them. "Leave Rikiya, Kendo, and Hekiji up here as they're mainly for enforcement so should only be called on for that. The other 5 are to go down below deck. Shin and Deidoro will set up in our quarters and do the screening with you while Toya, Yu and Soramitsu focus on recruitment and general. I would use Kendo and Rikiya for that but both are too strong so they need to held back unless needed."

"Understood it will be done." Chrono said.

"One final thing." Kai said. "Befriend Mustard. He's the only semi normal one of the three special cases we freed from Impel Down and we'll need his aid. We're in charge of them so I want at least one of them on good terms with us when I contact Twice and seeing as the other two will be in chains until a handover that one has to be Mustard."

"A wise move, I'll make sure of it." Chrono said. "It's good to be back Kai."

"That it is." Kai said as Chrono bowed to him before turning and leaving.

Kai remained for a moment his thoughts all over the place. He'd been broken by his loss to Midoriya Izuku and what it had cost him but time in prison had given him the time that he needed to think and while he'd get revenge on that brat he'd do so when the time was right.

For now Kai had to focus on rebuilding and apologizing to the boss and that would take this alliance and he would do what he had to in order to ensure that his own goals were met. With that he turned and headed to the Captain's cabin to progress with the formation of the Vengeance Alliance.

---

"Hey, I just thought I'd check in on who I stashed here when I boarded the ship and as I heard that Sally was here I thought that I'd relay a message to her." William said as he walked through the door of the forecastle. "So…"

William cut off as he looked around the large room that was used for what appeared to be a mix of storage and training but right now was a field medical center and took in what he was seeing. Right by the door and stretched out on mats were Muscular and Moonfish who were propped on their sides with their shirts off and covered in bandages as they lay there. Notably both had hard gel around their chests where Nagant had shot them, not that William knew the details, curtesy of Sally who was just finishing up with Moonfish as William walked in.

It looked like both were sleeping as they lay on their sides but that was clearly not the case as it didn't look natural though there were thick sea prism stone shackles around them where they lay which was a good sign. William took that in before he looked to the side to see the still chained Gueldre and Revchi sitting against a far wall as three men, all armed with swords and knives that they'd no doubt found here, glared at them clearly itching to use them. Meanwhile a woman with short, light brown, hair cleaned her hands at a bowl on a side table and two other women were sorting out medical supplies that they'd no doubt found on the ship.

"Oh hey William." Sally said as she hopped up to look at him. "What do you want from me?"

"Just to let you know that when these two are stable you're to transport them down to the brig that should be somewhere below decks." William said looking at Sally but wary of the three armed men. "Based on my own experience being transported to Impel Down there will be cells there so take them and then get some non-Devil Fruit users to chain them up as tightly as possible. We're going to keep them like this until it's time to deal with their squad though I believe that the Hassaikai Pirates will be the ones to sort that stuff out."

"I see well I'm not allowed to experiment on them unfortunately, the one with Muscle-Muscle Fruit is a really promising test subject, so I'll sort that out in a moment." Sally said sadly. "They're stable and should be fine but they will need routine checkups to clean their wounds and apply new dressings along with regular injections."

"Why?" William asked.

"Because, oppressor, they are monsters and even in sea prism stone they should be sedated at all times." The woman washing her hands said hatred in her voice as she wiped her hands on a towel and turned to glare at William as more hatred blazed in her eyes. "They are my patients while on this ship so I will look after them but I don't want to deal with them waking up. Now if that's all that you want you can leave."

"If that is what you wish." William said a little taken aback by her clear dislike for him before he got a good look at her and realized why he recognized her accent. "Wait, you're from Clover as well, aren't you? What's your name?"

"Yes I am, I'm one of the many commoners that you nobles forgot about." The woman said as she picked up some medical supplies and jar of some kind of salve before she went to another unconscious man who Patry hadn't noticed and knelt down to peel away his bandages and see his injuries. "And my name is Bow, not like you'll remember."

"I will and for what it's worth I am sorry for how the nobility has treated commoners in our homeland." William said with a bow of his head. "I understand better than most of my ilk as I'm a bastard born of a noble and commoner. I grew up in the forsaken area of the Kingdom where I was forgotten about and feared for my scars until my half-brother died and I was named heir. I was never accepted by the nobility until I hid my scars and I was working to be the next king and carry on in Julius's footsteps but my friendship with Patry was just as important. In the end I couldn't decide between them and ultimately betrayed the kingdom because of my inaction. That is how I ended up in Impel Down."

"If you weren't scarred I'd struggle to believe you and I still don't trust you." Bow said her tone not softening but the hatred in it lightening a little. "But you can help by getting those bastards that you stashed her out of my sight. They are full nobles and if it wasn't for our desire not to piss off Captain Nagant we may have executed them for their crimes already. The fat one especially, we know who he is and the exploitation he wrought on the likes of us."

"I understand and I will get them out of your hair so you won't see them as they are my responsibility." William said understanding while Gueldre protested and Revchi denied being a noble but both of them were ignored. "I need them to aid me in my quest for atonement but I swear on my life that one day I will return to make Clover better and bring in a new, golden, dawn for all who call the island home. If you have time and can stand me I'd like to chat about that while on the ship so I know how best to help the commoners."

"I will discuss this with Dazu, she's the leader of our group so she'll decide what to do about your offer." Bow said her anger waning a bit. "But for now it's best that you stay away from us. We ended up in Impel Down because we tried to overthrow the system in the wake of that attempted genocide that you helped to facilitate. For that I guess we are grateful as it gave us cause to rise up."

"That explains why you're here and why I don't know who you are as I was already in Impel Down by then." William said as he sent out some roots to grab the pair and pull them away. "I'll take them and put them in the brig for the time being. I can at least see what it's like and make sure that it is suitable for the two monsters."

Bow just nodded at that and William left with Gueldre and Revchi who were both glad to be gone even if they were still in sea prism stone shackles and being taken to the brig. That was better than being stuck with Bow and her cohorts as they'd been scared of reprisals from the filthy Clover commoners. Thankfully they'd been saved by William and tried to thank him but William bound their mouths as well as he transported them to the brig.

William would have a chat with them later after his one with Nagant and the others of the budding alliance but that brief exchange with Bow showed him why he needed to make amends for his crimes and work to truly make Clover a Kingdom that all could live in without issue. The hatred and oppression still ran deep in Clover and he'd do all he could to stop it even if he had to join this Vengeance Alliance to do so.

---

"So what do you think of Nagant?" Joanna asked as she glanced over her shoulder, hands still on the helm, and saw that the person who'd climbed up to the foredeck was Robyn. "Honestly Robyn, can we trust her?"

"You don't need to be at the helm for the moment so you can let go." Robyn said without answering at first as she walked past Joanna and to the cannon at the front of the deck and then to the side of it to look out over the flat blue expanse of the Calm Belt taking in a sight she never thought that she'd see again. "All you need to do in the Calm Belt is keep your heading and things will be good as the paddles will take us to where we need to go. Keep us going south and we'll be out of it in time."

"Right." Joanna said as she checked the compass built into the top of the lever to confirm that they were on a due south heading and then let go of the helm and walked up to Robyn. "But you didn't answer me Robyn, what do you think of her? Personally, that is."

"Honestly, in a lot of ways she's a broken women and she was broken by the system that she swore to protect." Robyn said letting out a sigh. "However, yes, I trust her. My power said that I could and it showed that her story is true and my power has never been wrong so we can put our faith in her. However, for someone to go through what she did, to become a cold blooded killer for justice but in reality she was just patching up the façade that the World Government shows the world, that will take a lot out of anyone. What we know of Mantle, what we've seen and fought for before we were arrested, she's seen it on a global scale. She knows how bad it is, and in the end it broke something inside her."

"Yeah I could tell that when I looked into her eyes." Joanna said. "She's in complete control of her emotions and as calm as can be, and her skills are unreal, but it's clear that she's not whoever she was before she joined the Navy. Even I'd heard of Tsutsumi Kaina when I was going through officer training, we all had. One of the top female officers who had Admiral potential and the best sniper in the world, she was portrayed as a true pinnacle of justice who didn't fail. She was who many wanted to be but none of us knew the dark truth of her position or the struggles that she was going through. They held her up but I had no idea who she was or that she'd apparently died."

"Neither but this explains a lot about how the Navy and World Government operate." Robyn said. "In a lot of ways whoever she was is dead. She's free but she's not the same woman who joined the Navy over 20 years ago. I get why she no longer uses her name but her code name because that was what she became. Tsutsumi Kaina is no more, from now on she's Lady Nagant and we should refer to her as such."

"Is it a bad thing though?" Joanna asked. "Joining with her that is."

"No, it's the right thing to do." Robyn said thinking on it and her decision to accept Nagant's offer to join her crew. "You saw her a few moments ago, she's a leader who can command respect through her skill alone and she didn't resort to fear but made it clear that she wouldn't tolerate any bullshit either."

"Yeah, she took command easily, that much is clear." Joanna said. "And she knows how to lead but then again she was a Vice Admiral so it shouldn't be a surprise."

"No it shouldn't be." Robyn agreed. "But it's more than that. I mean look at me and Dazu, we are both natural leaders in our own rights even if Dazu doesn't initially come off as one and yet we've both agreed to follow Nagant. Sure, the Captain's darker than what we were when we crossed the line and become criminals and there's no question that she'll kill if need be, I mean we've seen it just now as she's killed at least 20 if not more to ensure that we broke out of Impel Down, and she never once hesitated. Plus you didn't see her full power, that was unreal. I can't describe it but with her as our Captain, well there's no one that can stand up to us at range."

"So we're now pirates then." Joanna said wondering just what Nagant did to impress Robyn so much. "I guess that makes sense and it's not like the authorities won't go straight to Mantle to wait for us now that we're free. We can't go back there, at least not yet."

"That they will and while we must go back to liberate it we have to wait." Robyn said firmly. "So why not become pirates and see the world a bit. We were already bandits, this is just a step up and now we're following someone who can thrive in the New World, which is where we have to go to anyway, and one who can train us even more. When we do return not only will we be stronger but we'll come back with allies who will aid us in freeing Mantle from Atlas and the World Government's yoke."

"Even if she's…" Joanna began before trailing off as she tried to find the right work and failing. "Kinda evil."

"She's not evil or bad, she just became disillusioned to the point that she finally snapped and was broken by the system." Robyn said. "She saw the truth and in the end couldn't handle it. Now she's out and she wants to burn it down. That's fine you need to throw out the old to bring in the new and she knows the truth better than anyone else does and the truth is a powerful weapon. With my power and her knowledge, we can really show the world what the World Government is truly like. Besides, I think we'll be good for her."

"What do you mean?" Joanna asked confused. "We're good for her? I don't get it."

"What Nagant needs most right now is friends and support around her to show her that the world isn't broken, that there are others willing to rise up and fight with her to make it a better place." Robyn said. "I don't think she's really seen that before but we can do that because we all know the truth, well most of us do. I'm not sure about Olive or Daphne, Spear seems to have some understanding though I barely interacted with her, and it's clear that Dazu knows given the similarities between Clover and Mantle."

"I can see what you're saying about Nagant." Joanna said as she thought on what Robyn had said and trusted her friend and commander though Nagant had brought up Dazu again which gave Joanna an opening to address something else. "That said I don't get Dazu at all, I don't understand that woman or why she's the first mate and not you."

"A lot has to do with timing as Nagant found Dazu first given where she was being held so she was the first recruit but frankly I'm better at organizing and planning than field commanding so quartermaster fits me better." Robyn said. "And while I don't get Dazu well, we need to be supportive and friendly to her. I get the feeling that Bow is her only real friend and that she's been through a lot in her life."

"Most of us have." Joanna pointed out.

"Yes but myself and the Happy Huntresses still got off Mantle for a bit and were trained by the Navy, some of us come from money, and we at least lived in a city." Robyn said. "Dazu, from what I gathered, she's a true country girl who never left Clover until she was sent to Impel Down. She's sheltered but worse she's been abused by the system and probably people directly. In fact I am certain she's been abused."

"How can you tell." Joanna said. "I mean yeah she's meek and there is fear in her, anyone can see that, but that's all I got from her."

"Because I saw her eyes and heard her calmly admit to being a murderer when we were in the Starvation Hell." Robyn said. "Even without my Devil Fruit I knew that she spoke the truth. The woman is a cold blooded killer who is seething with unbridled hatred and anger at the elites of the world. She's turned what she's suffered into a rage that fuels her and from that she's become a leader. In a lot of ways she's like us but without any outlet and so beaten down by a nation that is as bas as they come for class divides that it built to a boiling point which is how she ended up in Impel Down. Don't forget that whatever it was that she did it was deemed so bad that even without a bounty they sent her to Level 5."

"I saw her with Bow so I know of the backstory of how she ended up there, not much to do in those cells but talk about how we got there and if you like women fuck." Joanna said. "And while I think Bow might swing that way she never indulged while we were in the same cell block, it was all about Dazu for her. That woman was who Bow looked up to and who she considered her best friend. From the way Bow described Dazu it seemed like she'd be able to command thousands but when I finally met Dazu, well I got confused because of how meek she appears."

"A fair confusion as I think Dazu is meek in a lot of ways but she knows better than even us what the elites can do has used that to rise up and overcome her meekness." Robyn said. "What Dazu needs is proper training in combat to get her confidence up and wash away any traces of meekness. She's a leader, that much I can tell, but she needs combat skills to complete her and we'll all help her there. She's got the potential and Nagant wouldn't have named her first mate otherwise. I am the same rank but remember the hierarchy of the ship. Dazu does outrank you."

"I understand and I will help her in any way I can while also following her orders if I am under her command for something." Joanna said. "I get the feeling that the crew's hierarchy is Nagant, then you and Dazu, then the three senior officers who command three branches needed for smooth operations, those being combat, intelligence, and maintenance. Then it's the likes of me, Fiona, and Bow who have positions but are more focused and are thus junior officers. Well and May when we get her."

"That is something that I trust the Captain to ensure, May will be back with us and we'll find a role for her on the crew so that she's the same rank as you and Fiona." Robyn said. "When I accepted Nagant's offer to join I made sure that all of the Happy Huntresses were also recruited, including Crimson, and Nagant agreed. Even with May's status unknown, but it's safe to assume that she's already broken out of Impel Down in the first wave, I know that Nagant will do what she can to ensure it. She proved as much when she had us take that man with us."

"Yeah, I was wondering about that." Joanna said. "I was busy helping lock up those two monsters as I don't have a Devil Fruit so I didn't notice that until you were carrying him. What's his deal? For that matter, who is he?"

"Nagant recognized him as a man called Bentham but I think the others will know more on who he is than she will seeing as she's been in that hellhole longer than the rest of us, well other than Olive that is." Robyn said. "He wasn't dressed like a guard or a prisoner and he was covered in bandages so he's been in a fight recently but more importantly he clearly bucks gender norms so Nagant thinks he might have a lead on May given her own gender transformation. That and it's clear that he played some role in the earlier escape so we owe him as we'd not be here if not for that earlier escape. Once Bow has him healed up and we're clear we'll decide what we're going to do with him."

"I see well if Nagant thinks that he can give us a lead on where May might be then I can use this to put my faith in her." Joanna said. "I trust you Robyn and will follow where you lead, so I'll follow Nagant as my Captain but she still needs to really show it and if she makes the effort to find May then that will show her commitment to us as her crew."

"I agree and it will help us bond with her as finding May can unite us behind a common goal which will properly establish us as a crew." Robyn said. "Even if the Captain doesn't realize it yet, she needs something like this. Give her time and while I doubt that whoever Tsutsumi Kaina was will return, Nagant may begin to heal in her own way and put her considerable skills to good use."

"With her on our side dealing with Atlas's forces when we free Mantle will be easier." Joanna said. "And we may have more allies as well."

"That we may though some of them aren't the most savory allies but so long as they help when the time comes I won't mind as we can always deal with any other issues after Mantle is free." Robyn said as she glanced back and saw William walk into the captain's quarters just as Dazu, Fiona, Spear, Daphne, and Olive exited. "And I think that conversation is happening so if you excuse me I'll go and get to know our new crewmates, see what they need so I can start preparing for when it's just us, and check in on how Fiona is doing. Maintain our heading Joanna, we're almost truly clear of Impel Down and can begin the long road back to Mantle but this time we're going to succeed and have strong allies on our side."

Joanna nodded at that as Robyn descended down to the main deck and approached Fiona and her new crewmates. Dazu said something and Robyn nodded and stepped aside so that the Clover woman could go into the forecastle before Robyn formally introduced herself to Daphne and Spear and began chatting with them, and Olive, while using her power to confirm that they were all on the same boat about joining the Rifle Pirates.

All of three women were truthful in their intentions to join and serve Nagant loyally so they now a crew and thanks to Robyn they could start off on a strong note regarding trusting each other. It wasn't the most orthodox crew formation, in fact it was a rather eclectic one, but they all had one person to thank for their freedom, someone who they could trust to have their backs and so they'd bond over that just as their Captain worked on forging an alliance that would have global repercussions.

---

While the other Captains were sorting their crews out, and William was doing his own thing, Nagant retreated into the commander's suite and assessed it as it would be her new home for as long as the Rifle Pirates called this ship theirs. The others would stay in the rooms in the central tower, there were enough officer rooms there especially once it was converted to accommodate them, while any rank and file crewmembers from the general escapees would be housed in two bunk rooms below decks that would be kept and naturally segregated by gender if applicable, but for Nagant she'd be here.

Nagant knew that there was a lot to do to get the ship how she'd like it and to make sure that it was maximized for the size of her crew, with some leeway for more recruits and guests, and their needs. All that started now as she looked around and waited for some of her recruits to come and get first orders.

The commander's quarters were about what Nagant would have expected. They were essentially 8 standard cabins, battleship size of course, that had been combined into a suite at the top of the aftercastle that could be used by the Rear, Vice, or full Admiral who's ship this was. Some had other styles, Vice Admiral Garp's ship a great example of that, but most began this way before the ship's commanding officer personalized it.

Nagant was fine with that as she really didn't need much, though she'd certainly add her own touches to her quarters which for her meant filling it with cute and pretty things that caught her eye. Well that was more for her stateroom, not necessarily this room as it would be where she entertained her crew and guests on her ship, but she'd at least make it into a welcoming and tasteful living room.

That was what this room was for, after all, as the single entrance to the captain's suite always led into a living room that was the size of two cabins and used for hosting while also keeping the necessary essentials like the intercom snail by the door. In this case, the living room was an overtly ostentatious one that was decked out with the finest furnishing and a lot of pornographic materials on the walls, well technically they were high quality artworks made by master artisans, but Nagant noted that they were provocative art.

It was a fitting room for the former occupant and something Nagant knew wasn't affordable on a Vice Admiral's salary. All that did was reinforce how corrupt Nouken had been as most of this had to come from either ill-gotten gains, embezzled funds, or straight up theft. That didn't really bother Nagant as the quality of the items would fetch a good price so she could sell the art and furniture to help raise initial funds for her crew to work with.

That said, Nagant would keep fixtures like cabinets and the bookshelves on some of the walls as they were built in and were useful. They'd serve as the building blocks for Nagant's own designs on the room which was to turn it into a more relaxed place for her and her crew.

Nagant noticed and thought all of this as she walked around the room before she headed to check out the other two rooms at the front of the quarters. First she went to the port side of the room and opened the door in the center of the wall to check what was in the room and nodded in approval.

Inside the converted cabin was a small conference room for the commanding officer to meet with his senior subordinates in an official capacity, complete with a long rectangular table that could seat 8, a series of charts on the walls, and even a rough com suite in the corner with a desk below it, though there'd be a proper one elsewhere on the ship. Nagant knew that this would be perfect for the meeting that was about to happen and so she left the door open as she turned and walked across the room to the door on the other wall.

Like with the conference room, Nagant checked inside that just as the crewmembers she'd asked to meet her here were arriving and noted that the other front room was a small kitchen with a fridge, stove, sink, oven, cabinets, and pantry cutting off part of the room. This wasn't a feature that Nagant had had in her ship, these two rooms and the ones in the rear of the quarters were usually left to the commanding officer to do with as he or she saw fit, as she'd never seen the need for one.

However, now that Nagant had a smaller, more intimate, and less regulated crew she knew that it could come in handy when she hosted her crew so she wasn't going to change it though she might update it. That would come in time, just like most of the changes would, and Nagant left the room to see Dazu, Fiona, Daphne, Spear, and Olive standing in the center of the room on the plush carpet with mixed reactions to the decor.

"It's a bit gaudy which shows that the former occupant was rather corrupt as a Vice Admiral couldn't afford most of this but that just means that there is value here." Nagant said to the women and they all turned to her. "Fiona, this is why I wanted you here despite the fact that I know that you'd like to be with Robyn right now. I need you to use your Store-Store Powers to clear this room of anything not fixed into place. We can sell most of it in the higher end markets in the South Blue and as we've stolen it it's all profit. I'll outfit this with my own tastes and input from the crew as I intend to use this room as a place to entertain the crew in addition to the common room for all of us to use that will be sorted out later."

"Yes Captain." Fiona said and she began to do as ordered and headed over to an ornate and gold plate coffee table. "I'm sure that we can get a fair bit for this stuff."

"So you're going to change this whole ship then?" Olive asked as Fiona laid her left palm on the table and began to store it. "I mean it is for the best but it will be hard to disguise a battleship. Still, some tweaks will be needed."

"Oh we're going to gut and redesign this, with some aid from Kai's Devil Fruit I feel, so that it serves our crew's needs better." Nagant said. "It will be more personal to us and not the standard Navy stuff that these things tend to be."

"What does that entail?" Dazu asked. "I don't even know what standard is."

"Standard just means uniform and what is best for a detachment of marines." Nagant said. "And while some of that is of use to us, not all of it is and as such we'll change what we don't need so that it better suits us."

"And that is?" Dazu asked still trying to understand things.

"Well for starters, each of you will get a cabin in the central tower with the top level being a common room for all of us to use and hang out in when not on duty or training." Nagant said as she began to reveal some of her plans for the shit. "Whatever is below me in the aftercastle I'll have that changed into a proper kitchen and dining area while the forecastle is left as is as it's good to have a general storage and utility room at deck level."

"Makes sense, I don't know my limits but I can't store everything." Fiona said as she stored the last of the furniture and moved onto the artwork. "Plus we'll need things that can be accessed without having to go through me."

"Precisely, as useful as your Store-Store powers are we need to diversify our storage based on need." Nagant said. "Anyway, below decks we'll keep the medical bay as it is as that will be top notch thanks to the World Government but most of the barracks and mess hall can be changed to additionally and more specialized training facilities, a library, a bathhouse where it works best, repair and engineering suite, a bar, and any other useful things that we see fit to add. The brig in the hull will remain as is just in case it's needed though, as will the store rooms down there. Oh and we're going to add structures to the aftercastle, central tow, and masts for navigation and disguise while also repainting it purple and pink to match my personal colors."

"You're gutting it then." Olive said understanding the general idea even if the color scheme might be a bit much though Nagant was the Captain so if she wanted it then it would be done. "And adding enough touches to clearly show that it's not a Navy ship."

"We have to, our crew won't be as large as what a battleship is used to, which could make maintenance a bit of an issue but I have faith in Daphne and those under her to keep the ship in good condition." Nagant said to which Daphne just nodded though she was more interested in the repair and engineering suite. "And besides, we've got better uses than barracks and a massive mess hall so it's better to reorganize them into training facilities and personal comforts. Plus with Fiona's power we've got a great way to deal with the junk here and preserve it if need be."

"I will do what I can." Fiona said as she finished clearing out the room of what Nagant had asked of her. "It helps that everything I store is preserved as it was when I stored it for me to remove at a later date."

"So it's frozen in time then." Daphne said.

"Correct." Fiona said. "Part of why I ate it was because Solitas is a winter island and, well, when we became bandits we had to retreat into the cold, inhospitable wastes where the old mines were so being able to store food, fuel, shelter, and other survival items for that was invaluable."

"Huh that is useful and different to mine." Daphne said. "Like you, I've got a pocket dimension type Devil Fruit but my pockets are fixed where I create them, though they are tied to what I fix them too so if it's say the deck of a ship it will be that point so movement isn't an issue, and there is not freezing of time when you're in one. They're more for if you want to work off the grid, yes, yes."

"Or they can be used as prisons." Nagant said simply surprising all of them. "What? They can't be broken out of, can they?"

"Nope, only I can access them and if I turn one off, or my powers are negated by water or sea prism stone, then the contents are ejected to the real world." Daphne said. "I mainly used it to work though, but, well, when I tested my creation I got caught."

"All powers are useful if used right." Nagant reminded them. "There is no such thing as a useless Devil Fruit power, just misunderstanding, mismanagement, and misuse of it. Those of us with Devil Fruit powers need to understand precisely what our powers can do and figure out what is best so any help is welcome."

"Yeah I'd never have thought to use it for imprisonment mainly because I used them more to protect my work." Daphne admitted. "Though I'd need to send food there, yes, yes."

"It's a different application but you've used it well already." Nagant said. "I was thinking of it right now given the mass amount of unknown escapees here and with limited space in the brig, space that already has a few priority occupants, so I want you, Daphne, to aid in detainment of any unruly escapees. We'll note who they are and leave them at some port town in the South Blue but if any get out of hand on my ship put them in a pocket dimension."

"Aye, aye Captain." Daphne said. "And what about my actual work? I want to get to that as soon as possible."

"There is a workshop, repairs room, and other facilities below deck for you to use." Nagant said. "I won't change them and in fact I'll expand them to better suit your needs and what is best for the crew. All of my officers will have their own special areas on the ship with free reign over how they are used."

"So I'll get a place to set up whatever I need to do my job." Olive said. "And I take it plenty of money for clothes and other necessities if I am to engage in spy craft."

"Yes, I'll leave it to you to decide what you need and how to work the intel suite but you'll get the free reign though I will set a budget once we've got a sense of our finances following the sale of the shit we don't need." Nagant said. "As for you, Fiona, there will be a special navigation room that is all yours but in part to change the ship I'll be changing the various crows nests into huts or other enclosed structures. One will be reserved for you to use both for navigation and visual scouting. As a faunus your eyes are better than any of ours so I'll be relying on you for scouting and at times spotting though the latter will only be when I'm pushing the edge of my range."

"I will do my best but, um, spotting?" Fiona asked. "As in…"

"For me." Nagant said not adding that a side effect of the Rifle-Rifle Fruit was that her eyes were significantly better than average, probably better than even a faunus's when it came to distance, but a spotter was always useful. "In addition to being the Captain I am also the sniper of the crew and, well, when I say that I'm currently the best marksman in the world that's not a brag it's a statement of fact. Similar to how Hawkeye Mihawk is the world's best swordsman, I am the world's best shot and my range is 3k. I use a scope and my Observation Haki at that range but having a spotter can help and the sharp eyes of a faunus are much better than a human's eyes."

"Oh ok." Fiona said. "And I presume that some of the huts will be for you then."

"Most will be hides yes." Nagant said. "I will make it such that I can move between them with ease and keep things nice and unpredictable. In most engagements, they'll be over before the other ship is even close to canon range."

"I've heard of your talents." Spear said. "They're really that good? 3k is an unreal sniping range."

"They are and I'm more than just range so I will aid in training as well because I do expect all of you to be strong fighters as we will engage in conflict at close quarters as well." Nagant said looking around the girls before her. "I know things not taught outside the Navy and will train all of you in them as best I can while also helping tailor training to your skills. That said, I'm not exactly a melee specialist and most of the actual training regime and planning will be on you, Spear, as you are in command of that aspect of the crew."

"That's fine I'm an expert with a spear and will train on my own if need be." Spear said. "I just need a new one as I lost mine when I was arrested."

"Huh, both Joanna and I also use staff based weapons." Fiona said surprising Nagant. "But they were specially made by an expert weaponsmith who lives in Mantle and designed to also have a ranged element. Robyn's a mid-range specialist though she's got strong hand to hand skills, but we'll, um, need to get our gear remade. Until then we can make do with spears as well but any training there will help."

"Of course, as the Captain said, that is my role on the ship, well in addition to protecting her when we're off ship." Spear said. "I will aid were I can and prepare training regimes for everyone once I understand your current skills."

"Any material or schematics that any of you need note make a list of them and give it to Robyn." Nagant said as she turned and headed to the back door in the room that led to the stateroom and two other rooms in the suite. "As quartermaster her role is to make sure we have everything that we need to run this ship smoothly and right now we need a lot. She'll be in charge of inventory, material, finances, documents, pay, the works. Once that's done, Daphne can make anything specific I presume."

"We'll help, we have basic engineering understandings to know how to make our weapons as we had to do maintenance on them." Fiona said as the others followed Nagant. "And they are custom designs so we need to work together to recreate them."

"Oh sounds fun, yes, yes." Daphne said. "Just get me the materials and schematics and I can whip them up no problem."

"See to it and anything else we might need while I'm having my meeting with the other Captains." Nagant said noting that Dazu was being oddly quiet since Nagant had answered her earlier questions but this was a lot for a sheltered, poor, girl who'd never left Clover until she was sent to Impel Down to take in so it should be overwhelming and they'd all need to help Dazu once they were finally able to set sail. "Now let's see what this is about. Brace yourselves, this is almost certainly going to be a lot."

At that Nagant opened the door and walked into the commanding officer's stateroom. It was, well, as ostentatious as expected though even she was taken aback by just how lavish and over the top it all was.

A massive, ornate, four poster, king sized bed with velvet curtains and special features on it that were clearly for certain sex acts filled the room with windows looking out onto the rear deck and the sea behind it. Along the walls were fancy wardrobes no doubt filled with clothes, or other stuff that Nagant didn't want to think about, a few bookcases with books mainly about sex, and more erotic paintings. Finally they all notice a large white marble statue of Nouken having rough sex with a woman that was placed in a corner of the room.

The only thing of note, to Nagant at least, was that against the wall between the living room and stateroom was a large, very expensive looking, desk that was actually practical with a chair before it. She guessed that despite his clear corruption and depravity, Nouken was still a Navy officer and took his job seriously even if he did so at such a desk.

"Er, is this what a Navy Vice Admiral gets?" Dazu asked really confused. "It looks like what I'd expect from a noble on Clover. Same for the last room in fact."

"No, this is what corruption gets you." Nagant said looking around the room. "And the man who used to call this place home was an example of all that is wrong with the Navy. I'd heard a few rumors about him, especially his vices, and I'd rather not think about it. I don't need most of this and frankly don't want it but there is value here and that includes that eyesore of a statue. Fiona, store everything but the desk and chair."

"Even the bed?" Fiona asked. "Where will you sleep?"

"On a mattress pad, I don't need much, especially after Impel Down, and there will be plenty of spares on this ship." Nagant said. "But I will get a bed, something cute with pretty sheets and pillows in pink and purple. Likewise all of you will be able to decorate and appoint your cabins in the central tower as you please but for now I'm going to ask that all of you stay in this area given all who are on this ship. We need to plan how to change the ship and prepare for our life as pirates so now is a good time to do it."

"Makes sense." Olive said though all were surprised at their Captain's admission that she wanted a cute bed with pretty sheets, it was an oddly soft side to the lethal woman who'd freed them and showed that there was more to her than met the eye which was good. "Can't trust anyone else and as you said we need to prepare so we can all do that in here."

"Exactly and those who do opt to join us as crewmembers without position will need to pass Robyn's power." Nagant said. "Plus I'm sure the others will want to borrow her and have requests so there's going to be plenty of wheeling and dealing coming up. For now this whole area will be our barracks until the ship is unloaded."

"Alright I'll get to it then." Fiona said as Nagant turned and walked to the port side room to check it out while Spear and Dazu went to the other room and Olive began to check the wardrobes but stopped when the first one she opened was filled with sex toys which Fiona saw just as she placed her right hand on one of the bedposts and went wide eyed at the display. "Well that's a bit much."

"I'll say, I don't recognize some of these items." Olive said looking at them with an appraising eye and realizing that she'd need to get some kind of manual to fully decipher things. "But these may be of use to me, in my official capacity as the crew's spymaster of course. Sex is powerful in seduction and a useful tool in gaining intel be it via a honeytrap, extortion, blackmail, or just simple pillow talk as people tend to be their most open after they've had sex. Once I regain my looks I may need some of these though I'm going to have to brush up on a few things."

"Well the Captain did say store it all so I will do just that." Fiona said as the bed was fully sucked into her right hand pocket dimension and she went over to the wardrobe. "When we have the ship to ourselves I'll make an inventory of what I've stored and we can decide what to keep and what to sell. I'm sure Nagant won't mind keeping some of these things if they're for your position."

"No she won't." Olive agreed as Fiona began to store the sex toys glad that they were clean.

For her part Nagant heard none of this as she entered the port side room and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was a nice, well appointed, private bath chamber. It had all she could need ranging from a large and comfortable looking tub, to shower which was more prudent to her as a Devil Fruit user, to the usual toilet, sink, mirror, and even a bidet. She'd of course make it more suited to her and have Fiona deal with the male grooming and washing products here but it was nice to have a private bathroom.

Of course Nagant would also have a whole bathing facility complete with precautions for Devil Fruit users installed either below decks or as a third level to the central tower, whichever worked best, that would be for communal use. Naturally, she would bath with the women of her crew at times as that was a good way to bond and relax at the same time but that was all to come.

For now, though, they were just sorting everything out. As such, Nagant turned and walked back into the stateroom as Fiona was storing stuff and Olive leafing through a book that Nagant had a feeling would be really useful to a seductress so she ignored it as she walked over to where Dazu and Spear were in the other room.

"So what's here?" Nagant asked as she reached it and blinked. "Oh, well, I guess he does have a practical side as well but then again he was in shape and a Naval officer so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that he'd have a room like this."

The final room was, rather than a closet or storeroom that Nagant expected, or some kind of sex dungeon that she didn't want to see, an armory. It was filled with weapons and all were clearly well-kept. There was a rack filled with standard rifles, one for spears and staffs weapons, another for swords that ranged from cutlasses to straight swords to katanas to things that Nagant couldn't identify, hand held canons, and tables festooned with pistols and several kinds of daggers and knives.

"Yeah they're amazing." Spear said as she walked up to the spears and reached out her right hand to run her fingers along the shaft of one of them. "Can I take one? I really need one and I kinda feel a little naked without a spear by my side."

"Of course, these are ours now so arm yourselves with whatever you want." Nagant said as she went to the table of knives and daggers and looked over them as she had no need for guns given her Devil Fruit. "I understand that most of you aren't like me and always armed, well so long as I'm not in sea prism shackles that is, so get what you feel comfortable with."

"Thank you Captain." Spear said as she examined the spears and lifted one off to heft and test its weight before returning it and going for another one. "But I did want to ask you? What is your policy with Devil Fruits? Do you expect us to all have one?"

"No, I have no policy there." Nagant said. "I'd like at least one person on the crew to not eat one as we need someone who can swim, preferable two or three, but other than that, if you're not a user you're free to eat any that we find but brush up on the known Devil Fruits before eating any that we find."

"What do you mean?" Dazu asked as she approached the knives and daggers and Nagant noticed a slight gleam in her eyes and had a feeling that this would be where Dazu shined when it came to weapons, and which would work well with her build and personality. "I, um, know very little about Devil Fruits. I accidentally ate mine as I thought it was a normal berry called a Catalyst-Catalyst Fruit for some reason and didn't realize that it wasn't normal than that until I almost drowned when I next took a bath and passed out."

"That doesn't surprise me." Nagant said. "But don't worry, you will learn. For starters, there are encyclopedias of Devil Fruits out there and their powers. It is of course incomplete as books like that only contain the ones that have been found and recorded and there are always new ones but many are known and plenty are hunted by various groups for their powers. It's why a Devil Fruit can cost 100 million berries on the black market and that's the low end, the highest offer that I've seen made was 5 billion but that was a special case."

"5 billion!" Spear said turning and staring wide eyed at Nagant. "What kind of Devil Fruit goes for that much!"

"The Op-Op Fruit." Nagant said simply. "13 years ago I was part of the unit that was sent to pay the Barrels Pirates for it after they found it. It's sometimes referred to as the Ultimate Devil Fruit for its ability to grant someone eternal youth in exchange for the user's own life. That's why the Navy was willing to pay 5 billion for it. Course the mission went to shit and we lost the Op-Op Fruit, I'm pretty sure some third party snuck in and stole it for his or her own purposes, but sometimes that happens."

"Holy shit." Spear said. "That sounds both amazing and terrifying."

"Such is the power of Devil Fruits and the Op-Op Fruit is up there in terms of power so I'm sure that one day we'll see it being used by some notable pirate or criminal." Nagant said. "There are others that are that valuable, if not more so, that I've heard of. The Create-Create Fruit for example is worth a few billion, as is Rhya's Copy-Copy Fruit, and those are just some of the top Paramecia types. Logia type Devil Fruits like Sally's Gel-Gel Fruit on average run around 1 billion or more given the advantages of them and then there are Mythical Zoan types, those are on a whole different level."

"I've heard of those ones, Mythical Zoan types that is, Admiral Shirokami's got a few loyal subordinates with them." Spear said. "That's how they ended up under her direct command."

"Doesn't surprise me, Esdeath may be a bloodthirsty, battle mad, bitch but she's good to her subordinates and can recruit power like no one else I've met." Nagant said. "The Fleet Admiral, Sengoku, at one. As did Kaido of the Four Emperors, Whitebeard's 1st Division Commander Marco is another user, as is Rear Admiral Ryuko. Well, Ryuko was a Rear Admiral in my day but she may have been promoted since then."

"I take it a Mythical Zoan type is really powerful." Dazu said.

"As with all Devil Fruits it depends on the nature of the power as some are more utilitarian but for the most part yes, when it comes to sheer power nothing compares to a Mythical Zoan." Nagant said. "We'll try to avoid those types of Devil Fruit users, or at least prevent making them enemies."

"Could we find one of those fruits?" Spear asked. "Would be useful to have one on our crew, or a Logia type at least."

"If we can, we will keep them even with how much they could go for." Nagant confirmed. "But they're hard to find, harder than normal Devil Fruits."

"But Devil Fruits can be found, didn't you get yours from the World Government." Spear said. "I recall my father saying that Lady Nagant's skills were a Devil Fruit that she was given and I know that there are slave assassin units that were forced to eat Devil Fruits as well."

"Yeah those units are basically all Devil Fruit users who were forced to eat specific Devil Fruits that aid with assassination." Nagant said. "Rather cruel as many didn't want to eat them but what do you expect from Celestial Dragons."

"That is par for the course for them." Spear said. "But that wasn't the case with you then?"

"No, I wasn't forced to eat my Devil Fruit though you are right in that I was given it rather than finding it." Nagant said. "That was because the Navy had found the Rifle-Rifle Fruit, along with the Homing-Homing Fruit and the Snipe-Snipe Fruit, and kept them so that they could be given to marksmen and women who proved worthy of them."

"Worthy?" Dazu asked confused having been listening to the conversation as she examined the various knives and daggers but looked up at Nagant's words. "What do you mean?"

"The best people to eat Devil Fruits, well to eat specific ones, are those with the skills to maximize that Devil Fruit's power." Nagant explained. "The ones that I just listed are three Devil Fruits that supplement the skills of a sniper. For me it was the Rifle-Rifle Fruit, it's the best of the three and I was the only one to make the qualifications for it. The Homing-Homing Fruit allows the user to manipulate what he shoots to hit his target within 600 meters and was given to a good male sniper who's the second best the Navy's ever produced after myself, though he's not near the score for the Rifle-Rifle Fruit let alone my score, but I took the Snipe-Snipe Fruit."

"To eat?" Dazu asked as Nagant finally found a promising weapon and picked up a standard marine issue dagger and unsheathed it to look at the blade. "But you already ate one? Can you eat two?"

"No, a person can only eat one Devil Fruit, eating two will cause you to explode and there has never been a case of someone who can wield two Devil Fruit powers." Nagant said shaking her head. "No I picked it up because I had the authority to do so and decided that it would be better to use my own judgement to decide who got it rather than earning it by scoring a certain score as there is a difference between a paper target and a sentient one."

"Makes sense." Spear said. "So did you give it to someone before you, er…"

"Snapped and killed a Celestial Dragon, yeah I did." Nagant said without emotion as she finished inspecting the dagger and deemed it suitable. "I gave it to a promising sniper I knew, a Captain Najenda. That woman had potential and wasn't fazed by field work so I figured it would work for her so when I could I gave it to her but I don't know if she ate it."

"I see." Dazu said as she picked up a combat knife and checked the blade as Nagant sheathed the dagger that she'd selected and went to find a strap for it as it helped to have something sharp just in case. "There is a lot to learn then. I barely knew about other types let alone subclasses like Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits."

"There is and I would like to find a healing based Devil Fruit for Bow to help her medical skills but that's going to be in the distant future." Nagant said as Spear finally selected a long spear with a single sided head that was taller than her and picked it up with ease showing either her natural strength, the lightness of the spear, or some combination of both. "Don't worry we'll all train you in more than just combat but speaking of combat I see that you know knives."

"I'm a good cook, I enjoy it in fact, and so was used to them." Dazu said as she put the knife away and looked around for a strap which Nagant had found and handed it to her in the process noticing that Dazu and pulled the sleeves of her prison outfit up a bit and reveled a diagonal scar on the back of her right forearm for the first time which Dazu noticed Nagant looking at. "A souvenir from my work in the fields shortly before the incident where I learned of my husband and mother-in-law's true feelings towards me, nothing more I assure you."

"I wasn't going to ask, the scars we all carry are our own to talk about, just noticing it that's all." Nagant said. "But know that you don't have to cover for anyone anymore, Dazu, you're free of both that life and Impel Down. Soon you'll be a wanted pirate with a large bounty, you're moving up in the world."

"I know but it's actually the truth, it was a careless and cut myself." Dazu said a little taken aback by her Captain's words and concerns but pleased, nonetheless. "Bow patched me up."

"Alright well you may get more scars as a pirate." Nagant said. "Just so you're aware."

"Yeah I have one as well." Spear said as she rested her new spear on her shoulder and raised her prison shirt up and turned to show a long, straight, red scar on the right side of her abdomen that ran under her ribs and out her back. "Captain Daidara almost bisected me when they came for my father but I was just fast enough to avoid it. The rest of the guard died and they patched me up before sending me to Impel Down."

"You're lucky to be alive." Nagant said as Spear lowered her shirt. "That looks like it went through you."

"I did, I've lost some of my intestines because of it but the Admiral had promised me to her Captain Nyau so they made sure I didn't die." Spear said. "But it left this scar. Still, it's technically on my front so there's no shame in it and I know I'll get a few more in your service Captain. I'll wear any I get with honor."

"Yes, I expect to get a few more scars but I don't mind, I want to learn to fight and defend myself and serve the crew well, Captain." Dazu said as Nagant nodded at Spear's conviction. "Though I don't think it I will ever get over my meekness around those in power or naturally stronger than me and who I don't know and trust. Still, I can use that to get in close and then stab, that's how I killed before I was arrested, and rallying people who are of a similar background to me isn't an issue as I know how to speak to them. Bow prefers poisons though but she is skilled with herbs after all."

"Both are useful to me." Olive said as she and Fiona walked in, the latter having finished storing the contents of the stateroom while the former had been pursuing some manuals regarding the sex toys, and stared at the selection of weapons before them. "I'll need them in my work for the crew so any help with poisons especially will be appreciated."

"Sort that out with Bow and then get any ingredients you need for poisons or medicine to Robyn so that we know what we're looking for." Nagant said as Spear left to wait in the now near barren stateroom as the side room was getting a bit crowded. "For now, grab what you need."

With that Nagant walked out with Dazu in tow. As she did she noticed that Olive quickly went to the knives and got two stiletto daggers that could be easily concealed, a neck sheath knife, and a small, concealable pistol, before going over to a few wooden mallets for some reason while Fiona started examining the arrow point spears. It was almost time and so Nagant left them to it as she walked through the stateroom and back into the living room just as Patry and Jose walked in showing that they were the first two to arrive for their long awaited meeting.

"Gentlemen." Nagant said gesturing to the side room where the meeting table was. "That's a small conference room for the senior officers so please have a seat there and make yourselves comfortable. Dazu, I hate to ask but can you make us some tea? There's a kitchen through there."

"Of course." Dazu said as she moved towards the door that Nagant had pointed to and Nagant had a feeling that the woman would also be the crew's cook, or at least temporary one, for a bit. "I'll see what they have."

Dazu reached the door to the kitchen and went in just as Patry and Jose entered the conference room. Almost as soon as they were there Kai walked in and without a word followed Nagant's gesture to also enter the conference room. He did so just as Olive and Fione exited the stateroom the weapons on the former concealed though Nagant would have to ask about her interest in wooden mallets later while the latter had a double ended spear strapped to her back and was carrying a short barrel rifle.

"For Robyn." Fiona explained when Nagant looked at the rifle as Daphne emerged from whatever she'd been doing which Nagant realized she had no clue but presumed that she'd simply found something that she wanted to check out and used a pocket dimension to do so, which was true as Daphne had taken the schematics for a sex machine and started reworking it to be more useful to the crew. "I've stored a similar but larger and heavier spear for Joanna but Robyn's preferred weapon is a specially made, wrist mounted, crossbow so this will have to do."

"Sounds interesting." Daphne said surprising Fiona. "I can make that if you provide blueprints."

"We will." Fiona said. "Robyn created her own weapon and just had a weaponsmith make it so she should be able to recreate them."

"Good, sort all that out when you can but it's time for my meeting." Nagant said as Dazu emerged with a steaming pot of tea and 5 cups and crossed to the other room to quickly hand them out to the other Captains present. "Head to the deck and do as you please but remember your roles and current tasks so try to get on top of them. Feel free to inspect the ship as well, we do need to know what we have here and what is being eaten, drunk, and used by the escapees."

"Yes Captain." All 4 said as Dazu reentered the living room.

"Good then you're dismissed." Nagant said.

At that, all nodded or bowed to her and then left the room and returned to the deck just as William, the final one for this meeting, walked in. Nagant nodded at him and gestured to the side room which he nodded at and entered without a word.

Only after William had entered did Nagant follow and when she did she closed the door behind her to ensure their privacy while their subordinates kept things in line on the ship. The other four were already seated at the table with Patry in a center seat and William and Jose on either side while Kai sat across from William. All had cups of hot tea before them though none were touched yet and a 5th was next to Kai and across from Patry.

Nagant understood that, and was glad that Dazu hadn't put her at the head of the table as this was about being equals, so she just took her seat and picked up the tea. It was still hot but she pointedly took a sip, noting that it was a classic staple on a Navy ship, albeit better than the swill one got in the mess hall as this was reserved for the commanding officer, but expertly brewed showing Dazu knew what she was doing and after nothing but water for several years Nagant enjoyed something different for once. With that the room broke and the others all took a drink though it was in part politeness.

"Right, is everything sorted with you lot?" Nagant asked as she put down her tea and looked around the table. "They know the score regarding the ship and what is to come."

"They have their orders." Jose said. "But we'll need some help from you to make sure that my new grunts are loyal to me."

"Likewise." Kai said. "Shin's Devil Fruit will be of use but it doesn't hurt to have a second opinion from your crewmember."

"Rhya has that covered for me but our crews are growing and we need places for them." Patry added. "At least until we make land."

"Well that and a lot else will be discussed then as I'm sure we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement for the journey especially as I have need of Kai's powers as well." Nagant said before taking another sip of tea that allowed her to pause before continuing. "So shall we get to this boys? Patry was the one who suggested it first so you can explain it as it is your idea. What is the alliance that you want?"

"A simple alliance of mutual aid and benefit." Patry said as he took another sip of the surprisingly good tea though he had had better. "We were all locked up in Level 6 and are all powerful enough to either be a Warlord, match a Warlord, or reach the rank of Navy Vice Admiral so together we can really shake the world. We also have enemies that we wish to take care of because they put us where we are and so together we can enact our vengeance on them hence why I propose we call our pirate alliance the Vengeance Alliance."

"That was the name you first threw out but it works for me." Jose said. "I want vengeance on Fairy Tail and those who defected from me so it's fitting for my main goals. Once that crew is no more, well if you help me crush them I'll help you with your own goals and show just how strong our alliance is."

"I'm not really that concerned with vengeance against the Might Pirates but they will get in your way if you cross paths with them so you should be ready for them and how they mess everything up." Kai said. "And I did agree to join an alliance in exchange for help seeing the boss again. You can count on the Hassaikai Pirates and our network in this endeavor."

"My own vengeance is different and directed directly at the World Government though how I plan to execute it is still being worked on." Nagant said. "I will make them pay, though, and I will aid in bringing down the corrupt system. It will take time though and I have duties to my new crew that I will see through first, along with dealing with that man that I found in the generator room who no doubt inadvertently helped us all escape. That said, in the end it was you lot who ultimately freed me and enabled me to do this so I will join but we need to work out the terms of this alliance."

"Of course." Patry said before he glanced at William. "William? Are you in? We could really use your power and leadership skills in this alliance."

"About that." Jose said leaning forward to look at William his tea untouched but for the first sip. "What exactly are you going to do? Honestly, I'm wary as you're close to Patry and that could give him a de facto second crew with representation on the alliance council. Doesn't seem too fair to me."

"I am sure that there will be a solution to assuage your doubts, and you should know that I am not seeking vengeance, especially not the kind that Patry is, but I won't stand in his way." William said though if he could he'd try to warn Yami about Patry as he owed the Wano exile that much. "Rather, I must atone for my treason to my Kingdom and how I betrayed a great friend and that is what I intend to do."

"Which by the way is somewhat opposed to what I want." Patry said. "Though my focus is going to be the Black Bulls. As you can see, William and I are not always in agreement."

"I'll be the judge of that." Jose said still looking at William. "But if atonement and not vengeance is your goal, how do you intend to achieve that and why join with us if you want that?"

"I admit that I am limited being an escapee but I intend to achieve my goals by forming the Golden Dawn Pirates and working to bring this world into a new, better, dawn." William said. "I know all too well the elitism that exists and I will work to end that. As such I intend to travel the Blues for a few years recruiting from them so that I can form a strong crew that will achieve my goals. However, I do need help which is why I am willing to join this alliance as I could use your aid in getting started, and as I have Gueldre I can use him to return the favor."

"I'm not opposed to that ideal." Nagant admitted, it may be more noble then her own goals but it was still somewhat in line with them. "This current system must be destroyed and that is what I will aid in but if you can rebuild it better then you will have my support when the time comes. What is this favor that you can offer though?"

"On that." Patry said heading off William before he can answer so that he can address the main issue before they all revealed too much. "Before we divulge our cards I propose that we first agree to the rules of our alliance. Once that is agreed to then we can begin divulging what we bring to the table."

"That's fair." Kai said. "What do you propose?"

"First off as this is an alliance that makes all 5 of us equal partners in it." Jose said before Patry could say anything. "I am sure that both Nagant and William are at least aware that in a pirate alliance all Captains are equal and cannot order the others around. There is some leeway over the crews though but at the end of the day the crews ultimately answer to their Captains."

"That's not going to happen." Nagant said simply. "I agree that we are equals and can't order each other around but that goes for my crew as well. Even if I can't fight I have contingencies for that and they will take over for me."

"Likewise." Kai said. "That is the role of the first mate after all."

"That I think is a given." Patry said. "We all have senior officers who can take over so that's fair, we can't order the other crews around. However, that's not necessary as the main goal I want out of this alliance is simply that we offer each other mutual aid in our goals."

"I mean that is an alliance after all, we are working together towards a common goal." Jose pointed out. "And in this it is our common goal of vengeance against our respective enemies, well other than William."

"Yes but for our alliance the mutual aid is a bit broader." Patry said. "Because our vengeance is broad and not specific to a single target like an alliance of lesser crews that band together to try and take down an Emperor of the Sea. We all have specific targets and so when we are dealing with them and feel like we need assistance we can invoke the alliance and the others, if they can, will come to aid and vice versa. Of course part of this aid is the sharing of information if requested and resources. For example, the Hassaikai Pirates control the Yakuza so you have a vast network that can be of assistance. Likewise, Gueldre has that and he is in the control, and debt, of William."

"That is what I have." William said using Patry's entry to admit to his biggest card. "Gueldre is a business tycoon with ties in both legitimate and illegitimate businesses throughout the world so I intend to use him to establish myself and my crew and anything I learn from him will be shared with the alliance. That and the combat aid that I can provide of course."

"Information and resources, that is what an alliance should share." Jose said. "Right now all we have is this ship which we've agreed to give to Nagant but that does mean we can call on you and your ship when needed and right now there are requests that we have."

"I understand and ask them." Nagant said. "If they are within my power then I will grant them."

"So are we agreed then?" Patry asked looking around the table. "We form this alliance. I'll start and pledge the Elf Pirates to it."

"We'll seal it by sharing sake but I'm in." Jose said. "You can count on the Phantom Lord Pirates."

"The Hassaikai Pirates and the Yakuza will join." Kai said.

"I may be a crew of 1 but that will change." William said. "The Golden Dawn Pirates agree to this alliance."

"Mutual aid and support but free to pursue our own goals." Nagant said and the men nodded as they looked at her. "Very well, as the Captain of the Rifle Pirates and officially a full defector to the Navy I pledge my support and that of my crew to this pirate alliance."

"Then it is formed." Patry said with a smile. "Where's the sake?"

"There's going to be some in the kitchen but we can drink it to close the meeting, first tell me what you need." Nagant said. "What can I aid with to start this alliance off?"

"First we all need designated quarters." Patry said. "There are no doubt barracks below decks. Designate three of them for the three established crews and allow us to conduct business in them and sort out those who wish to join our crews without interference from any other crews and permission to deal with non-affiliated escapees who violate our spaces or trust as we see fit."

"That's easily done, get me the ship's layout and I'll designate areas for each of the established crews as well as find a place for William." Nagant said knowing that this would be a request. "Once that's done you can treat the areas as if they were your own until we part ways and that includes enforcement against non-affiliated escapees. However, anything between crews will be dealt with by me as the Captain of this ship."

"Works for me." Jose said as Patry and Kai nodded while William was glad that he'd get a place for himself as he had a lot of things to plan for. "It is your ship so any inter crew issues that arise fall under your discretion as we are your guests."

"Precisely." Nagant said glad that they understood the score. "Also, once all is done and you have your paths sorted in the South Blue, I will need Kai's aid in some remodeling of the interior. I have plans for this ship and the Matter-Matter Fruit powers will expedite the process."

"I will do what I can but I'm no engineer or shipwright so make sure you're clear with your instructions and plans." Kai said and Nagant nodded at that knowing that she'd have to be if the ship was to look how she wanted it and she intended to discuss with Daphne and Robyn about that later. "That said, for everyone here, I do have some contacts in the South Blue so acquiring a ship there won't be too hard."

"The South Blue's worst rookies are no longer there so there isn't much threat." Patry said though after his losses to the Black Bulls he didn't dismiss rookie pirates the way he once did especially seeing as the most notorious South Blue rookie was Eustass Kidd and his current bounty was 315 million berries. "And capturing ships work as well. So long as Nagant is willing to aid there."

"I will but only if the ships are Navy or pirate." Nagant said. "I won't aid in attacking civilian targets; they aren't covered by this alliance and I don't harm innocents."

"That's fair and fine." Patry said, he had no qualms attacking human civilians but there was no point in pissing Nagant off by mentioning it. "But good to know as we do need ships. Once we all have one we can really start to sort things out. I know that I intend to head back to Paradise even if I have to use Reverse Mountain so that I can find my final senior officer and begin getting intel on the Black Bull Pirates. Kai, you can join me if you want."

"I was going to suggest just that." Kai said. "Once I have a new ship I am going to leave most of my crew here under the command of my first mate as my business with the boss is mine alone. They can work the networks that we have in the South and West Blues while I can reestablish the contacts that I have in the first half of the Grand Line as well but for most part we'll be focused on the former so don't expect the Hassaikai Pirates to reenter the Grand Line for a year or two. Thankfully that bastard Bege is no longer in the West Blue so we've got a free shot there."

"We need forces in the North and East Blues though." Jose said. "And none of us have contacts out that way. Well Gueldre might but he's not one of us."

"No but there is someone who does and could be of use to our alliance." Patry said. "At least in the North Blue that is, our fellow former Warlord and the only one of us to avoid Impel Down in the last year, Torchwick Roman."

"That conniving bastard." Jose said with a grin. "We can't trust him at all. He'll do whatever he can to survive. Plus I thought he was from the West Blue."

"No, he's originally from the North Blue but was forced out of it by one of the major crime lords there." Kai said simply. "And by forced out I mean he tried to skim from her and fled for his life. He ended up in Eat Blue and then moved into the Grand Line once he'd secured what he needed in the Eat Blue and thrived there. From there he kept expanding his network which was what led to his Warlord status that he then used to try and make a move on the West Blue."

"And wherever he is right now, he's no doubt in need of allies." Patry said. "So I say we reach out to him and invite him and the Torchwick Pirates into the fold."

"Even I recall him from my Navy days." Nagant said recalling the name though she'd not realized that he'd become a Warlord, and then lost his status, as all of that had occurred after her arrest. "He's a bastard for sure but he's well connected in the underworld. Plus if I recall he has a good network in the South Blue."

"That he does." Kai confirmed. "I clashed with his organization a few times but I know for a fact that his network covers this half of the world. Apparently, according to the old boss, there was a war between him, one of the bosses in the East Blue, and Lil' Miss Malachite who was the boss in the North Blue that he pissed off when she tried to expand her operations into the East Blue during Roman's early days there. He won it and eliminated the East Blue outfit in the process and then spread into the Grand Line and South Blue. His status as Warlord helped but he got to ambitious when he went to the West Blue and a failure there led to an obsession that led to his downfall in the Grand Line. Still, he has contacts."

"Well that's good but what about the North Blue?" Nagant asked. "Anything there?"

"I'll see what Gueldre knows about it." William said. "And get back to you on that front. However I may have to go there personally to establish things which I don't mind doing."

"Alright good." Nagant said. "That covers all but the New World then."

"I'll do the same as I am going to head to the North Blue personally once we can move so I'll see what I can do there however if we're looking for more I'd say we reach out to the White Fang as well." Jose said. "They're a strong presence in the New World and vengeance is the name of the game with them so that would give us a good ally within the New World that we can use to get a foothold there once the time is right."

"White Fang?" Nagant asked. "Are they like that White Fang group that fought for faunus rights? I was once tasked with assassinating the leader of it, some guy called Belladonna Gira, but he wasn't a valid target at the time, just a nuisance to racist Celestial Dragons, so I refused. Presumably, they then sent some slave assassins after him but seeing as he was still around when I was locked up I presume that they failed."

"They were an activist group at first but now they're pirates." Patry said. "There was some fracture in it about 3 years ago and a power struggle ensued. From what I heard, and I heard a lot as I have sympathy for the faunus race, Gira stepped down in favor of the radical faction leader, a woman called Khan Sienna, and she became a pirate to fight for faunus rights with violence. Her bounty was well into the 200s by the time I made my move on Clover but I don't know her current status."

"Sounds like there's potential there and frankly if we are all equal then debates would be settled by a vote so we need a 7th to break the tie." Nagant said. "Faunus are strong to begin with and they come from the New World so that adds to it. Plus that's a serious bounty to have."

"I'll see what I can find out when I travel to the New World." Jose said. "But there is one thing that we will all need. Vivre Cards."

"We'll find a place to sort that out." Patry said. "And I'm sure someone in the escapees can do create them but I agree we should do that."

"Same." Nagant said. "It makes sense. We should also make sure we all have long range snails and pass out the numbers to each other so we can quickly contact each other when we need assistance. From there we can use the Vivre Cards."

"I'm on board with that." Kai said and William nodded confirming that they were all in support of this idea. "Alright that's settle then. What else is there to discuss?"

"Nothing that I can think of and unless you lot have anything else to add, I'd say that our business is done for the moment." Patry said. "The only thing to do is seal this."

They all looked at each other but no one said a word as no one had anything else to add. True there would be more to discuss and add to their plans as they sorted things out between now and when they split up but the general structure and goals of the alliance was sorted.

"One sec then." Nagant said once it became clear that no one was going to speak and she rose. "It's my ship and quarters so I'll get the sake."

The others nodded as Nagant turned and left the room. She quickly strode across the living room and into the kitchen to see what was there. Nouken had taste and Nagant quickly found what she needed in the fridge as there was a bottle of pretty good, and notably expensive, sake in it that was unopened. She quickly took it out and then checked the cabinets where she found 5 sake cups and returned to the meeting room.

As soon as Nagant was inside she kicked the door shut with her heel and placed the cups on the table. They were in front of Kai so he passed them out as Nagant opened the sake and poured 5 cups of it before putting down the bottle and picking up her cup without retaking her seat.

The moment she did the other 4 Captains did the same and rose around the table and as one they held them out and clinked their cups. This was purely ceremonial but it would forge their alliance and one which would, in time, play a big role in events that would rock the world when they happened.

"To the Vengeance Alliance." Patry said.

"And freedom." Jose added.

The others just nodded and then once again as one all 5 drank the cups and sealed the pact between their 5 crews. They'd all keep the cups to show that they were part of the alliance and with this it was time to get down to business. Well almost business.

"You know, by this point I'd say that that war is kicking off in Marineford." Jose said as he put his cup in a pocket. "No way that Whitebeard doesn't attack and prevent Fire Fist's execution."

"Agreed so how will it go down?" Patry said. "Any clue?"

"I don't know how this war will go or the guy who's at the center of it as Ace came to prominence after my time but one thing is for certain." Nagant said as they all felt the ship shift beneath them and they all instantly knew that they'd exited the Calm Belt and entered the South Blue. "It will change the world."

The other members of the Vengeance Alliance agreed with that but didn't have anything else to say to Nagant's statement so they just left the room and then the cabin to sort things out. They'd successfully broken out of Impel Down, formed an alliance, and now it was time to really get to work. It would be a long time before the ramifications of this meeting were truly known but when they were it would add to the chaos to come as the War of the Best kicked off and the current era came to an end in Marineford.

Well there it is, the Vengeance Alliance has been formed and they've discussed the potential new members along with the requirements of the current members, and are now completely free from Impel Down. This is of course the end of the arc and now we will return to the main storyline and see what is going on at Marineford as Ace's execution nears. That of course means that with the end of this arc, the next batch of Devil Fruits to the Devil Fruit databook supplement will be dropping so stay tuned for those as well. I don't know how long the Marineford arc will last but expect it to be long and focus on how the Night Pirates affect the events there so there's a lot of action to look forward to. As for the Vengeance Alliance, it will have a long ranging impact in the post time skip stuff, especially Wano and the two concurrent arcs to Wano, so they will play a major role going forward but it may be a while until we see them though I'm sure that y'all know who will be with the Golden Dawn when they return as a full crew. Anyway, I have two things to conclude this arc, an offer for suggestions if y'all want to give them and a question. First the suggestions and those are Devil Fruits for some of the Rifle Pirates, mainly Bow, Spear, Joanna, and May when she's found. They currently don't have Devil Fruits as I either couldn't work them in around their magic or semblance (Bow and May) or they don't have a revealed semblance (Joanna) or an Imperial Arms (Spear) so I didn't give them one. As such, I am open to any suggestions for Devil Fruits for these four or just suggestions to keep them as is, I can go either way with them. Also if you want to suggest outfits for Bow and Spear (or anyone for that matter but most importantly those two) feel free to do so and I will see what works. Second the question; do y'all want a Rifle Pirates finding May arc? This is an arc I've been thinking of doing as part of the general post Marineford/early time skip arcs and would focus on revealing where the other members of the Vengeance Alliance went (though more just a recap there) and on Nagant's mission to find May starting with Bon Clay's information about Iva and Peachy Island so it would involve finding an Eternal Pose to Peachy Island, going there, dealing with Iva, getting May, and then heading to the New World with a look at Nagant's current state of mind, turmoil, and the growing, bonding, and training of her crew. It would also involve a scene with Sanji and Bon Clay after everything. It would add about 3-7 chapters to the story and alongside a chapter focused on Charlotte going to see Hancock on Amazon Lily which would give the update on Luffy and reaction to Marineford chapters would serve as the kickstart to the time skip arcs that are going to focus on the various new crews and how they handle the time skip. If this is of interest to people do let me know and it can be worked in. That is all that I have for y'all at the conclusion of this long arc so I will leave this chapter off here. If you liked this please favorite, follow, leave a review, or let me know in a PM and if there are any questions will posed in reviews and PMs I will try to answer them as best I can. Until next time.

Stringdog