This is the 20th chapter. I don't own the series of One Piece.
World's Greatest Power and Pirate Blackbeard!
Jaya, South Grove, Forest
While inside of the forest, the South Birds were given the Straw Hat pirates a hard time when they send a number of bugs at them, which the scream is loud enough to hear. Both Luffy and Chopper were mostly doing the screaming, running and being chased by a swarm of praying mantis'. Luffy slowly glances at the mantis', but it got his eyes budging when one of them is about to strike.
"CHOPPER, WATCH OUT!" Luffy yelled in panic when the mantis began to swipe with its raptorial, causing him and Chopper to dodge quickly, but it slices the tree like a knife through butter.
The South Bird felt amused when Chopper glances at the bird with a scowl while Luffy scowls at the praying mantis as they ran and the mantis chases after them again.
"Somethings wrong with these things! They aren't normal!" Luffy exclaims as the mantis slices the net, causing Chopper to scream in panic. "What's wrong with this forest?!"
The South Bird continued to mock them which it got Chopper's attention, scowling at the bird.
"It's his fault!" Chopper shouts.
"Who's?!" Luffy asks.
"The South Bird! It's him! He's controlling the bugs!" Chopper points out.
"He can control bugs and guides ships?!" Luffy exclaims shockingly when the South Bird made a sound.
While at the other side of the forest, the number of South Birds made a call which it got Usopp, Sanji, and Nami's attention when they heard the sound.
"Shh! Quiet, you guys hear anything?" Usopp asks quietly when they heard the sound and a rumbling sound coming at their direction as she round figures rolling down to them.
"Something, but it sure doesn't sound like any bird to me." Sanji answered with a serious look on his face, scanning the area.
"Up there!" Usopp exclaims when he, Sanji, and Nami noticed the round figures coming their way.
"What the!?" Sanji said, widen his eyes. "What are they, boulders?!"
"Yeah! It looks like an avalanche!" Usopp points out, looking through his goggles.
"No, you're wrong! They're bugs!" Nami shouts.
"Ladybugs!" Sanji adds as the swarm of ladybugs revealed themselves, rolling at them when they knocked Usopp and the cook kicks them away, much to the South Birds amusement.
Meanwhile, Zoro and Robin were able to knock a number of crickets which it got him annoyed.
"There's no end to them!" Zoro groans which the cricket is in tears as he bonks it in the head. "They just keep popping up! Stupid crickets! Oh come on! You think you can beat me?! Do ya?!"
"I wish those birds were easy to see as they are to hear." Robin said, also annoyed of the South Birds calling.
Then, the giant slug appeared in front of the three.
"A slug that size needs a lot of salt!" Sanji points out as he, Usopp, and Nami throwing salt at the slug.
"How could you think of cooking in a time like this?!" Usopp shouts when the slime began to writhing down.
"I'm not! Salt is off slugs, idiot!" Sanji retorted.
Then, Chopper grabs hold of Luffy and ran from the swarm of bees.
"I'm sick of all this running! Let's stand and fight!" Luffy shouts with his fist raised. "C'mon you bugs, bring it on!"
"No, Luffy! This one sting!" Chopper protests.
While at the other side of the forest, Usopp, Sanji, and Nami noticed the fireflies flying.
"Fireflies!" Usopp said.
"Pretty." Nami said with a smile, but notice a swarm of cockroaches crawling. "Ew, roaches!"
"Pigs!" Usopp shouts when they heard a snorting sound as the pigs ran after them, causing him, Sanji, and Nami to scream.
Apparently, the South Birds are having way too much fun of scaring the Straw Hat pirates.
Jaya, South Grove
At Cricket's house, Leon, Caius, and Ventus were getting ready to fight against Bellamy and his crew since they came to steal the treasure from Cricket.
"We don't have time for any of this!" Ventus told them. "We've got somewhere to be!"
"But you keep pushing it, and I'm getting tired of being nice." Leon adds with a scowl, readying his gunblade.
Then, the fight began when Bellamys crew charges after the three as the Caius slowly walk towards them with his scythe ready.
"Whorl of Death" Caius twirls his scythe, slams it to the ground as the dark sigil is revealed beneath and the dark orb flew out of the sigil, knocking the number of Bellamys crew.
"Soul Scythe" Caius then swings his scythe, slicing the number of the pirates while draining the souls as they collapse down to the ground with a number of slash wounds.
Sarquiss charges after the mercenary, delivers a straight jabs while Leon dodges them easily.
"You've been getting on our last nerves, boy!?" Sarquiss snarled. "We came to take the gold from the old man!"
"It's not yours for the taking!" Leon retorted as he punches him in the chin, making Sarquiss stumbles back a bit. "And I won't let you take his work, either!"
"Bastard!" Sarquiss growls angrily, pulls out his kukri knife as he twirls it around. "I'll make you regret that!"
Leon then readied his fighting stance while Bellamy can only watch with a smirk. Ventus knows something is wrong with Bellamy since the captain isn't making his move, and not helping his crew.
Sarquiss then makes his first move as he charges after Leon, about to swing his kukri.
"Beat Fang" Leon counters by striking him three times to knock him down, then rise and stab him repeatedly, sending him flying down to the ground.
"You should've thought about it before trying to pick a fight." Leon said with a scowl.
"Looks like the boys might actually need a hand. Guess I better show 'em how it's done." Bellamy said, licking his lips as his legs turns into springs. "Spring Sniper"
Bellamy then launches himself straight towards the Reaper, about to deliver a punch.
"Spiral Blow" Ventus quickly react, move towards Bellamy and strike him to knock him back.
"Rising Drive" Ventus then twirls his lance, slashing Bellamy and slams him up to the sky.
"Spineshatter Dive" Ventus then leaps high into the air, dives down and impales Bellamy right into the spine.
It got Bellamys crew widen their eyes in shock when they failed to realize of how strong those three are. Bellamy grunts in pain after that impact from the young Dragoon. Even Cricket and the Saruyama Alliance were shocked of Ventus' power.
"You shouldn't underestimate your opponents." Ventus told him with a glare. "Also, you morons have no right on looking down on their dreams. See, it disgusts me of some arrogant bastards look down on everyone and brags on whatever is on their mind."
Bellamy then slowly glances at Ventus with a scowl.
"Your so-called 'New Era' you idiots go on and on is a load of crap." Ventus continued, then looks at Bellamy. "And...dreams never die."
Bellamy then stands up, feeling insulted of the young Dragoons words which its something he won't take kindly for that as he turns his legs into springs again.
"Spring Sniper" Bellamy then launches himself at the young Dragoon.
"Dragon's Wrath" Ventus then leaps high in the air once more, then dives down, channels his lance with lightning, and delivers a number of slash while jumping at the same time when the image of a raging dragon appeared from behind, making Bellamy yell in pain.
"Dragoon Thunderbolt" Ventus then channels his lance with lightning and delivers lightning magic to striker Bellamy, making him yell again as he collapses down to the ground in defeat.
"Bastard! Big Chop" Sarquiss spins vertically and turns himself into a buzzsaw, going after the young Dragoon.
"Blasting Zone" Leon slams his gunblade down to ground, firing a pillar of energy and making Sarquiss knocked out and flying in the air.
"Steely Blade" Leon then channels his gunblade with ice and delivers a slash combo, knocking Sarquiss down to the ground.
Cricket, Shoujou, and Masira were stunned that the three were able to beat the Bellamy pirates easily, because they're experienced fighters who fought worse than them.
"You guys should've stay out of our business when we were trying to help someone in need, but you're just a glutton for punishment." Leon said in a serious glare, making the Bellamy pirates flinch. "And you guys couldn't even take the hint, either."
"Which is why you guys aren't even pirates, you're nothing but bullies who had the fun on picking on the weak and look down on their dreams." Ventus points out. "Also, you have no right on doing that."
The Bellamy pirates didn't like their remarks, which it got them angry. Though, they thought about try to fight them again, but starting to have second thoughts since they know full well that neither of them would stand a chance against them as they stand down. However, it got them frightened when Ventus transform himself into a humanoid dragon, wondering if it's the power of the Devil Fruit.
"Now turn your tails, tend to your wounds, and leave." Ventus suggested in a dragonic tone. "Because the next time you come here, neither of you will get any mercy."
Bellamy scoffs when he's about to fight, but stop when he noticed the aura of a dragon from behind of the young Dragoon, who turns to him with a serious scowl on his face. Ventus then gives the Bellamy pirates a loud roar, telling them to leave and Bellamy and his crew did just that when they retreat and quickly sailed away.
"You guys...beat them..." Shoujou said, stunned.
"You guys are strong! I've seen Leon beat those guys before, but not that strong!" Masira exclaims.
Cricket then lights up his cigarette as he puffs the smoke out of his mouth, turns to the three.
"Listen, I thank you for beaten those worthless punks." Cricket told them. "But let me give y'all some advise, a worthless little punk like them who's too afraid to believe in dreams doesn't have the right to call himself a pirate."
Ventus, Leon, and Caius can only respond in silent while turning back to the Bellamy pirates, who's retreating back to Mock Town in defeat and in humiliation.
Jaya, South Grove, Forest
Meanwhile, the rest of the Straw Hat pirates were gathered around in the forest since neither of them have any luck on capturing the South Bird nor try to find it. Luffy and Chopper were tried from all the running from the swarm of bugs, and same goes for Usopp, Sanji, and Nami.
"It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack." Zoro states. "We didn't even see one."
"Well, we did, but we could never get close to grab it, thanks to those stupid bugs." Luffy told him.
"All we did was run..." Chopper adds, pants heavily.
"So, 7 people couldn't catch one bird. That's pathetic! C'mon, would you get together you guys!" Usopp said with his arms crossed.
"You're one to talk." Sanji muttered, glances at Usopp in annoyance as Nami collapses down to her knees with a sigh.
"We've been doing this for hours." Nami said. "I don't think I can run anymore."
Then, the South Bird lands on the tree branch as it starts making a call with a sinister smirk which it got Usopps attention, budging his eyes. The South Bird then starts laughing at the pirates.
"He just said, 'You morons think you can catch us? Ha! Good one!'." Chopp told them, translating.
"Morons?! What nerve! Hey, birdbrain! I'll give ya a good one, right between your eyes!" Usopp shouts, readying his slingshot and aims at the South Bird.
Robin then uses her Devil fruit powers, sprouting the arms to restrain the bird and pulls it down to the ground.
"I can grab it if I can see it." Robin points out with a shrug.
Jaya, South Grove
Then, the Straw Hat pirates walked out of the forest with the South Bird they caught.
"Hey, pops! We caught one of those birds!" Luffy shouts.
It got Cricket's attention when he walk towards the crew and notice the South Bird on Zoro's hands.
"So you did, nice work." Cricket said with an impressed smirk. "Though, forgot to mention they're hard to catch in the middle of the night. The South Bird doesn't take kindly to anyone who trespasses in the forest and they sent a number of bugs to swarm after them, just to scare them off."
"And now you tell us?!" Usopp shouts with white eyes and shark-like teeth.
"Well, you guys were busy screaming in the middle of the forest, scared out of your minds." Ventus told him with amused smirk, earned a tick mark from Nami and Usopp.
'More like you're having too much fun laughing your ass off!' Nami and Usopp mentally thought.
"Hm, hey, what happen here?" Sanji inquires, noticing the burnt marks on the ground and ice. "Better yet, who'd did this?"
"Oh, that was us. We've been fighting Bellamy and his crew while defending this place." Ventus explains. "They've got here a while ago and left."
The Straw Hat crew then began to realize what happened while try to find and catch the South Bird, which it would explain that outside of Cricket's house turned into a battlefield.
"Bellamy is no fool around with his Devil fruit power, but him and his crew are just all talk and no bite." Caius said.
"But, what about the gold?" Nami asks, worried.
"They didn't get it." Leon answered. "They just left empty-handed since those guys are here for it and pick a fight without realizing our strengths."
Zoro then scan the area and it didn't take long to figure out when he turns to the mercenary.
"Hey, Leon." Zoro called him, earned his attention. "Those ice shards, was it you?"
"Yeah." Leon replied. "I can use magic with my gunblade and fire those rounds. My affinity were ice, fire, and lightning. And like I said, I was a mercenary and a resistant fighter."
Zoro was impressed of the mercenaries combat prowess, couldn't wait for a good spar against him.
"Make sense since you're like Ventus and Caius, who can use magic." Sanji states. "But about these guys? Are they?"
"Yes, they're dead. The reason is because I drained their souls and sent them down below." Caius explains, points down to the ground which they know what that means. "But keep that in mind that I can use that ability to use dark magic along with death magic."
"R-Right...but remind to never get on your bad side..." Usopp stammered, shaking his knees with dread.
"Anyway, we check the ship. It's in no shape to make it to the Knock-up Stream." Cricket informed them, earned their attention. "We can get all of the Saruyama Alliance crew here, they'll have it fixed and reinforced by morning. You'll still be able to set sail tomorrow."
"Which we've only got 3 hours 'til the Knock-up Stream to appear. Are you sure you can fix it?" Ventus asks.
"It'll be fine, we'll call them and help us fix this ship." Masira assures the young Dragoon. "And it'll be a quick work before you know it."
And with that, both Masira and Shoujou start gathering up their crew to get some help while Usopp follows them since he's glad that there's someone with experience to fix the ship.
"Do you think they can pull it off?" Robin asks.
"Who knows." Ventus said with a sigh. "It ain't our business to figure it out."
"Still, these guys done it before. They salvage ships before, and they'll make it something that can help you guys get to Sky Island." Leon explains.
Few minutes later, the Saruyama Alliance and the Straw Hat pirates began working on fixing and reinforcing the ship before the Knock-up Stream starts.
"Wow, Leon wasn't kidding these guys work pretty quick." Usopp said surprisingly. "No wonder they're salvagers."
While at the deck, Zoro, Leon, and Ventus were working on the main mast when Nami approaches them.
"How's it looking guys?" Nami asks.
"It's still holding on, but it won't be for long." Ventus informed her. "We still need a new ship and shipwright when this is over."
"I know. Then again, Luffy didn't thought about having a shipwright on our crew." Nami said with a sigh, but turns to Leon. "Oh, Leon? Why don't come with us?"
Leon stop banging the mast with a wooden mallet, shocked of Nami's offer.
"I mean, sure, you're an experienced fighter and you, Caius, and Ventus have a common enemy. But as a matter of fact, so do we. We're trying to find a way back to Ishgard before the Garlean Empire does." Nami explains. "Also, we could use your help for fighting them. And could use another muscle for the crew."
"She has a point, we're gonna need all the help when it comes to these guys." Zoro agrees. "And knowing Luffy, he'll just ask you to join without any simple reason at all."
"But he is the captain, right?" Leon inquires, raising his eyebrow.
"Yeah, but he's an idiot." Ventus told him, points at Luffy, who isn't helping fix the ship while Sanji keeps him on the sidelines. "He'll just get the wrong ideas."
Leon then began to ponder for a bit since they made a valid point about Luffy, but having to join their crew, it's a lot to think. Though, time is not on his side, and learned about the Garlean Empire making their move, it might a chance to fight them. Leon made his decision as he respond with a nod.
"Alright, we'll let Luffy know you're joining our crew when this repair is finished." Nami suggested as he nods.
Somewhere at sea
At the sea, 'Hawkeye' Mihawk is sailing, but notice the wanted posters as he goes through, noticed the bounties of Luffy and Ventus were increase and Zoro finally had a bounty.
'Three minor league pirates beat one of the Warlords? I bet this is causing a stir somewhere. I knew I'd hear those names again, Monkey D. Luffy, Ventus Starwind, and Roronora Zoro.' 'Hawkeye' Mihawk mentally thought, remembered the fight against Zoro back at the Baratie. "Honestly, even I didn't expect them to come this far so quickly. We may meet again sooner that I thought."
And with that, 'Hawkeye' Mihawk continued to sail with a smirk on his face since he'll meet Zoro again and couldn't wait to fight him again.
Mary Geoise, Pangea Castle
At the Red Line of Mary Deoise, the World Government were having meeting inside of Pangea Castle. The Five Elders were assembled inside of the Room of Authority after hearing the incident of Crocodile lost a fight against the Straw Hats and Ace, losing the title of the Warlord. However, it also got their attention when they heard of the Prince of Dravania, Ventus, were with the Straw Hat pirates since he stayed hidden in Brumecia and left the island.
"Red-Hair and Whitebread?" One of the Five Elders named Saint Jaygarcia Saturn inquires, being informed by the Marine.
St. Jaygarcia Saturn is a thickest, elderly man with a full white mustache and beard. He possesses white dreadlocks which he wears flat black hat over. He has a scar on the left side of his face, stretching diagonally over his eye. His outfit consists of a black suit over a dark purple tie and white collared shirt, as well as black pants. He carries a walking cane.
"Yes! Red-Hair made contact."
"That is disturbing. I assume he didn't go himself?" St. Jaygarcia Saturn inquires again.
"No, he sent one of his crew. Elder, I'm concerned. These two working together could mean real trouble for the rest of us."
"Yes, but let's wait for now." St. Jaygarcia Saturn suggests with assurance. "They haven't done anything yet, and Red-Hair isn't the type to act, unless he's provoked. We'll keep an eye on them, but I'm afraid we have more pressing worries to attend to."
"We need to focus on the 7 Warlords. With Crocodile gone, we're in need of replacement." A second elder named Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro points out. "Pirates? They may be, the Warlords keep things balanced. With one on their number gone, we may encounter serious problems. What plans have we made so far?"
St. Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro is an extremely tall man of advanced age, with pale-grayish complexion and neither head nor facial hair. He has wrinkled face, a hook nose, thin eyebrows, and wears round, metal-frame glasses. He wears a loose-fitting keikogi held closed by a golden obi, but open enough to expose his chest and abdominals, and for footwear has beige geta sandals. He carries a katana.
"Sir, we've called all of the Warlords to Mary Geoise for a meeting, but there's no way to know how many of them will actually show up. They are pirates after all, they do as they please."
"Dammit, Crocodile! It's because of you that we're in this mess." St. Jaygarcia Saturn growls, looking at Luffy's wanted poster. "We can't let the pirates that defeated him go unpunished! We have to retaliate swiftly, I want all of our energy concentrated on finding this Monkey D. Luffy!"
Then, one of the elders named Saint Shepherd Du Peter turns to the Marine.
St. Shepherd Du Peter is a tan-skinned man of lean build and incredible stature, being the second tallest with full head of hair and little in the way of facial wrinkles. His hair is blond and kept in regular, short taper cut while linking to a full beard and mustache. He wore a plain suit jacket and pants of dark-maroon color, paired with a white, buttoned-up, tieless dress shirt that has a wingtip collar low enough to expose a scar above his chest, which reaches from his lower cervical area down toward his right armpit.
"What if Prince Ventus? Any news of his whereabouts?" St. Shepherd Du Peter questions.
"Yes, we were informed that he's with the Straw Hats, but he's not with Anna, the Baroque Works, or the Marines. Even after escorting them to Ishgard, they didn't say anything about where he'll be heading next. But last time we heard from him, he told us of former Marine Minchey betrayed the Marines and working with the Garlean Empire as their double agent."
"Then, we need to start a search for Prince Ventus as well." St. Shepherd Du Peter suggests with a scowl. "We've lost enough of the Grand Dutchess of Dravania's family as it is, and we're not looking forward of losing the sole heir. We need to bring him back and fight the Garlean Empire."
"But sir, he's with the pirates-"
"And he's the heir to the Dravanian throne!" St. Shepherd Du Peter interrupts, sighs. "But with him as a pirate, I believe he'll be considered a threat if this goes on. I really don't want to do this."
The fours elders can see that St. Shepherd Du Peter didn't want to have him die or executed, because the young Dragoon is the only son of Starblaze and Merida, and the sole heir to the throne in Dravania.
St. Marcus Mars is a very tall and thin, elderly man with long white hair, including a mustache and goatee which reach down to his upper chest. He wears a navy blue suit over a black tie and a white buttoned shirt, as well as navy blue pants.
St. Topman Warcury is a bald elderly man who has a very large white mustache as well as a birthmark spots on his forehead. He wears a black suit over a black tie and a white buttoned shirt, as well as black pants.
At the shore, two of the Warlords were making their way toward the Pangea Castle.
A first Warlord named Donquixote Doflamingo, known as Heavenly Yaksha, is a very tall, light blond-haired, very lean, and muscular man with tan skin. He generally dresses in flamboyant clothes. In reference to his animal theme, the flamingo, his clothes are brightly colored, with his light pink feather coat most distinctly of all. He sports a pair of curved, thin white sunglasses, which appear to serve as his eyesight with purple lenses. He has a red shirt with black stripes, a purple belt, and black pants with red stripes. He also wears dark shoes that are somewhat pointed.
A second Warlord named Bartholomew Kuma, known as Tyrant, is an enormous man and is usually carrying the Bible. His hair is generally long and curly, and he commonly styles it to include a pair of round protrusions that resembles bear ears. He wears glasses with clear-mirrored lenses which covers his cybernetic eyes. His white hat and dark blue fabric of his pants are covered in brown spots. His jacket contains a large white design of a target crosshair or a coda sign. There are also several white paw prints lining the bottom hem of his coat. He also has a long protruding chin. He bears a tattoo 'PX-0' on the left side of the base of his throat.
Once the two Warlords arrived inside of the Pangea Castle in the meeting room, Doflamingo decided to have a little fun by using his Devil fruit power to manipulate the Marine, making him strangle his fellow Marine by pulling the strings from his fingers.
"What the-Hey! Stop it! What are you doing?!"
"It's not me! I don't know what's going on!"
"This isn't the time for you stupid pranks!"
"It's no prank! It's like somethings moving my hands and I can't stop them!"
"That's ridiculous! I can't...breathe..."
Then, the third Marine decided to intervene.
"Stop it! What the devil are you fools doing?!"
Apparently, an elder Marine named Tsuru noticed the display and narrowed her eyes since she knows that it was Doflamingos work.
Tsuru is a tall, thin, and elderly woman with gray hair tied in a bun. Her attire appears to be less formal than the other high-ranking officers, consisting of an untucked shirt, with sleeves rolled up and a tie around her neck, and calves-long pants, which made her somewhat resemble the animal of her name, the crane. She sports earrings made of beads, and wears two bracelets on her right wrist. The epaulets on her Marine coat are golden for the outer epaulets and purple with two white dots for the inner epaulets.
The Marine glances at Doflamingo.
"This is your doing! Do you find this entertaining, Doflamingo?!"
"Yes, actually." Doflamingo admits with a smirk. "But if you don't mind, I'd like to get this little shindig started some time in the future. Unless you've hadn't had enough."
Doflamingo then start gesturing his fingers, making the Marine pull out his sword which made the other Marine spooked while drawing out his sword.
"You idiot! What do you think you're doing now?!"
"This foolishness has gone long enough, Doflamingo!"
And just as the two Marines began the fight, a Marine Sengoku decided to intervene.
"Stop! Enough!" Sengoku yelled. "There's no time for this! Now sit down, there's pressing matter to discuss!"
Sengoku is a tall, fair-skinned, and muscular man with long, braided goatee and mustache. He's usually seen alongside his pet goat. His cap covers his hair, which is set in a large afro. He wears a black-rimmed glasses and white and gold full Marine Admiral uniform that's adorned with medals. The most distinctive features of this uniform are a life-sized seagull on top of his cap, and his oversized Marine coat which he wears like a cape. His coat has the kanji for justice, in blue, emblazoned on the back, and his unique colored cuffs, with his being white.
"I apologize for the late welcome." Sengoku apologizes, turned his expression to smirk. "Thank you for coming, scum of the sea."
"Thank you, so thoughtful of you using my formal title like that." Doflamingo remarked with a chuckle, smirked when Kuma closes his Bible as the meeting began.
"Let's begin." Sengoku said. "I'd doubt any more of the Warlords planned to attend. Truth be told, 2 out of 6 is more than I expected."
"Smart man. I didn't plan to come either, but the business back home is going to well, it practically runs itself. So, I took a vacation." Doflamingo told him, walks around the table and slams it with his hands, then climbs on the top of the table as he crossed his legs. "Ended up here out of sheer boredom."
"Forgive me for implotting a business success." Sengoku apologizes sarcastically, crossed his arms. "I'm afraid that for the rest of us, there are few things more distressing than a booming pirate industry."
"Well, I admire a man who's not afraid to speak his mine." Doflamingo said with a chuckle. "I would remember, Admiral, that there are limits."
Then, they heard the sound of footsteps coming at the hallway when 'Hawkeye' Mihawk arrived.
"So good to hear your dulcin tones again, Doflamingo." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk said, earned their attention. "And you, Admiral Sengoku, I hope you've been well."
"Hawkeye!?"
"I must say, I've never understood why the Seven Warlords and the Marines insist on pretending they get along, but perhaps you can enlighten me." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk points out seriously, walk towards the room.
"'Hawkeye' Mihawk. Perhaps this little get-together would be interesting, after all." Doflamingo states.
"What brings you here, Mihawk?" Sengoku questions.
"Well, I heard about your meeting and thought I might sit in on it." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk informed him. "I have an interest in a pirates you'll be discussing and I like to stay informed, that is all."
"Forgive the intrusion, but if 'Hawkeye' is staying, perhaps you won't mind adding one more to the party." The voice of Laffitte said, earned their attention when they saw him sitting on the railing with the tip of his hat. "I will tell you though, my intentions are a bit less passive than his are."
"Who are you exactly?! And how'd you get in here anyway?!"
But, one of the Marines knew exactly who Laffitte is.
Laffitte is incredibly pale, and tap dances while he walks because of his shoes. He's also very tall, and slim. He wears an off-white collared lone-sleeved shirt patterned with yellow crosses and navy jumper pants. His most distinguished accessories are his black top hat and red wooden cane, with which he also wears a pair of gold hoop earrings. His lips are abnormally dark red.
"Quite a prestigious group you've assembled here, Admiral. I'm truly impressed." Laffitte said with a smirk, twirls his cane while doing a tap dance. "I was hoping I might join you. I heard the news about Crocodile...It's a terrible shame he's gone. Fortunately for you, I've come here to offer a solution to your little problem. The Six Warlords just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?"
Tsuru knows of Laffitte's plan and didn't like where this is going.
"I know him, that man's Laffitte!"
"Who's Laffitte?" Sengoku inquires curiously, turns to the Marine.
"Uh-huh, someone here has heard my name before." Laffitte said, twirls his cane behind him. "But I thought it would've been forgotten."
"A long time ago, he was a respected Peace Officer in the West Blue Sea! He disappeared after a scandal ruined his reputation!"
"Glad to see you're so well-informed." Laffitte said with an impressed smirk, chuckled. "Who I am doesn't matter, all that's in the past. I've come here to talk to you about another man, one who I believe would make an excellent addition to the Warlords."
Somewhere at sea
Meanwhile at sea, one of Shanks crew delivered a letter to Whitebeard.
"Shanks? I haven't heard that name in a long time." The voice of Whitebeard said. "So, after all these years, he sent me a letter?"
Whitebeard was an abnormally large man, with a height of 666 cm and a white crescent-shaped mustache. He had a long face, ploughed because of the advanced age with many wrinkles around his eyes, and many scars around his chest, and was very muscular. He had his own Jolly Roger tattooed on his back. He wore a black bandanna around his head and adorned himself with a white captain's coat, which hung loosely from his broad shoulders and bore his Jolly Roger symbol. He was always seen bare-chested, and wore light, loose pants tucked inside his large black boots, and a dark pirate sash around his waist. He also had his oxygen on his nostrils, and attached to several machines.
"Yeah, and whatever is says, must be important or else he wouldn't have chosen me to deliver it for him." A pirate named Rockstar explains.
Rockstar is a fairly tall and burly man with dark skin and a red liberty-spikes-like hairstyle. He wears a colorful attire composed of a dark purple, double-breasted coat left open on his chest to reveal a light-orange, wide-collared shirt, and a red foulard around his neck. He has a yellow sash tied around his waist, that instead of hang only one side, hangs down on both sides. He wears light-blue pants and brown boots and carries around a green-hilted saber, hanging on his left hip from a belt he has over the right shoulder.
"I see." Whitebeard said. "You're high up on the food chain, are you?"
"Well, uh-Not exactly. I mean, I am still new to the Red Hair pirates." Rockstar points out. "But it's not like it's my first pirate gig! I've been around for a while, and I'm pretty sure I made a name for myself. Hey, you guys have heard about that famous pirate name Rockstar, right?"
Unfortunately, neither of the Whitebeard pirates have heard of him, much to his dismay. Then, Rockstar turns and it got him shocked when he saw Whitebeard ripped the letter to pieces.
"Hey! What are you-"
"He sent me a letter?! When did that kid become so important that he thought it would be okay to send me a letter?!" Whitebeard shouts furiously. "Time to take him down a notch!"
"Wait, hold on!" Rockstar protests, noticed the ripped letter. "What do you think you're doing?! That was an important letter! This is Shanks you're dealing with! The leader of the Red Hair pirates!"
"You forget, I'm Captain Whitebeard!" Whitebeard retorted, then drinks his alcohol when one of the nurses informed him.
"Captain, it's time for your medicine again."
"I've got all the medicine I need, right here." Whitebeard remarked, slams the keg down to the table. "Now silence and fetch me another keg!"
"I hope you know my boss will hear about all of this!" Rockstar shouts furiously, stands up and look at Whitebeard.
"Don't make me laugh. Anyway, I already have a pretty good idea of what the letter's about, he's worried about Blackbeard and that kid, Ace. And we were about to set sail towards Ishgard, after I've got word from Ace about the Garlean Empires whereabouts." Whitebeard told him. "Tell Shanks that if he wants to talk, he can come see me himself. Now why don't you take off, I'm too busy to talk to a snot-nose rookie. Run home to your boss."
Somewhere at the island
After Rockstar informed of Whitebeard to Shanks, who's having a party with his crew, the captain began to laugh.
"The old man hasn't changed a bit." Shanks said, laughing.
"How are laughing at this, boss?" Rockstar asks.
"I figured that would happen. Don't worry about it." Shanks told him.
"Just give me a little bit more time. I promise, I can straighten this guy out!" Rockstar suggests, but Shanks says otherwise.
"I don't know what you planned to do, my friend, but forget about it." Shanks declines. "You did a good job. Now just get yourself back to base, alright?"
"But...But what about my pride?! I have to show this guy who I am!" Rockstar protests.
"Hey, your life is more important to me than your pride. C'mon, there's nothing more for you to do out there." Shanks told him. "And we have some things to plan."
"So, what are we gonna do, boss?" Lucky Roux asks, eating his meat.
Lucky Roux still had the same attire, but he has a yellow coat draped over his shoulders like a cape, with a fur-lined collar and red epaulets with black stripes on them.
"We're going." Shanks answered simply. "Prepare to set sail, men."
"You're going to see Whitebeard?" Beckman inquires.
Beckman has now gray, medium-length, slick back hair, and a large, X-shaped scar on his left temple.
"Sure am." Shanks answered.
"Even you can't think the Government won't react if you pull a stunt like that." Beckman points out.
"No, Backman, I'm fully expect them to. I just don't care." Shanks points out with a smirk, stands up when his crew turns to them. "Nows not the time to worry about the Government. Before much longer, they'll be the ones worrying about us."
It got his crew cheered of his statement.
"You heard him, men! Let's get going!" Lucky Roux shouts, raising his fist up with cheer.
"Alright, boys, lets get some grub ready to take with us!" Shanks ordered, getting ready to leave the island.
Mary Geoise, Castle Pangea
The Marines were surprised that Laffitte wanted to add his captain as part of the Warlords of the Sea. Though, 'Hawkeye' Mihawk didn't like the idea since he's aware of Blackbeards actions.
"Teach?" Sengoku inquires.
"That's right. He's the Captain of the pirate crew to which I belong." Laffitte replied when Sengoku glances at him.
"Tell me, if I've never heard of him, what use is he to me?" Sengoku questions seriously. "With no reputation, he would pose no threat."
"You know, I thought you might feel that way." Laffitte states, twirls his cane. "And I assure you, we need only a little bit more time. We'd drawing up a plan at the moment, this should take care of everything."
"Well, he's caught my interest, anyway." Doflamingo said with a chuckle. "Why don't we give him a try, Admiral?"
"The crew I belong to is known as the Blackbeard pirates." Laffitte informed him. "I suggest that you remember that."
Jaya, Mock Town
After the Bellamy pirates were able to get back into Mock Town, they're right now patching up their wounds while sending their dead crew into the watery grave. Bellamy and Sarquiss were very mad that Ventus, Leon, and Caius had beaten up and killed the number of their crew. They're about to pick a fight again when one of the pirates arrived at the hotel since he's been carrying a wanted posters with panic.
It got Bellamy and his crew widen their eyes in shock that Luffy, Zoro, and Ventus' bounties were higher than his. Even they notice the young Dragoon's bounty is high and it got them realize that if they try pick a fight, they'll be killed.
However, it got Blackbeard's attention when he notice some wanted posters.
"Huh, this kid looks too bright-eyed to be 30 million, but 100 million?" Blackbread said, notice Ventus' bounty. "That brat, Ventus! His is higher that the kids, 180 million!"
"So, what's our next move, Captain?" Jesus Burgess asks with a smirk.
"Well now, I was looking for a bounty that's worth my time. Hell, I was even looking forward on paying Ventus back for what he did back in Drum Island." Blackbeard said with a sinister smirk. "The crew's gonna be rich soon, boys! Very stinkin' rich!"
"That's what I wanted to hear!" Jesus Burgess shouts excitedly, pumping his fist in the air. "It's about time we all had full pockets again! Hey, Captain, weren't we're meeting up Laffitte in Mock Town? I haven't seen him around anywhere!?"
"Guess we'll just had to leave without him." Blackbeard told him. "We can't let our bounties like that get away! Am I right, Augur?"
Van Augur can only respond with a nod silent while Blackbeard laughs.
"Good idea, we gotta do all the living we can right now. There are comes from everyone, sometimes, even pirates." Doc Q agrees as they now start heading out of Mock Town to search Luffy and Ventus.
That's it for the 20th chapter.