Chapter 54:Meaning of Being a King
Red Line
Imu and the Red Hair Pirates had traveled to the more reddish-rock, barren areas of the Red Line, not due to care of casualties like the latter would be concerned with, but due to Imu realizing that the fight would jeopardize several operations if they remained there in the capital of World Nobles.
"I've asked to expand, but they're all indolent.," said Imu before noticing a pale-skinned, raven-haired, effeminate Okama with a more subdued, well-proportioned, and thus handsome physique. She wore a pink bandana, and had teal markings around the eyes near the nose, wore her red shirt with pink frills open, had a dull red sash around her waist, and blue pants with brown boots. She was born biologically male, but her soul was female. She drew her dual blades from the sheaths as she attempted to capitalize on what Neville had done to harm Imu earlier.
Culliford- Barber of the Red Hair Pirates.
Imu's detailed, red ripple iris eye went pinprick as he sensed a sensation in a certain sea...the worst possible outcome.
This provided a lack of focus on Imu's part for Culliford to bifurcate the angel horizontally before Imu regenerated much to her chagrin.
"It seems like he loses that trait when he loses focus.," observed the Okama.
"Then let's focus on screwing with him.," said a relatively lanky, tall man with short, scruffy hair and slight stubble. His eyes are surrounded by dark rings, due to his initial experience with the Grand Line. He wore a dark blue long jacket with dual white lines and a matching headband. He wore a white T-shirt with gray pants and dark shoes with golden shoe buckles. He drew a katana that morphed into a tonfa weighted with a metal sphere.
I don't feel a heartbeat..., thought Imu as he generated a force field to block the strike.
Gin- Chief of Gunmen of the Red Hair Pirates.
"I'm working with you to get around something that makes a certain someone I know act more like a prick than usual.," explained the former Krief Pirate member towards Shanks before refocusing on Imu.
"You're not feeling like you can just fly this off...it probably would've smashed your brains in...or what organs that freaky thing you've turned into has underneath that white skin.," the sickly man noted. "Seems like your mind's not here."
Imu scoffed as he then communicated with a certain someone.
OLD WORLD- Classic Line
Back Cup Island
The Straw Hat group disembarked onto an odd-shaped island resembling a massive teacup- being a raised hollowed-out rock range with an empty plane inside with a protrusion resembling a teacup handle on the right side of the formation. The ship traveled onto the range vertically while not causing any of the supplies or furniture to fall while the crew also kept standing as if they were adapted to the axis. Notably, Minerva and Namae were able to avoid falling backward like Luffy and the others, which Zoro took note of- their feet glowing with white and purple energy respectively.
There were signs it was once a city...but had been ravaged so heavily by something- that all that remained were broken structures of which had greenery already growing as if it had been abandoned for decades. Bias looked with sadness at the sight as if feeling guilty.
Franky looked behind to see that the ship- the Pequod- was far more advanced than the ones he was used to. This massive vessel was designed with a dark gray hull, a wide blue superstructure with a lighter blue raised structure where a set of four red chimneys with black tops billowed clouds arranged in a straight line, the lower structure had windows on the sides, the figurehead in front was a sperm whale, and it had two sets of pirate flags with a bearded skull with an eyepatch resembling Ahab with the "crossbones" being a single anchor going down the beard.
(To a more contemporary audience, this would be an ocean liner).
Zoro felt like the ship was once military-based and had been converted into a pirate ship. He didn't want to press things further due to what was about to happen.
Ahab got off with his crew, which almost all looked like rugged sailors of unusual head and body types. Only a few looking well-proportioned and threatening at first glance.
"You can seriously leave this to one of our apprentices.," said a dark-skinned older man with a gray handlebar mustache while wearing a sailor uniform complete with a sailor cap.
Richard Woodget- Chef of the Anchor Pirates.
"A-gah-gah-gah-gah-gah-gah! You know the captain wouldn't ever allow someone else to do something he wanted to do- or put 'im to fight a situation they ain't ready to handle.," said Bias.
Delezo Bias- Doctor of the Anchor Pirates.
You usually can see Haki leaking or blooming out of anyone...yet I'm not picking anything from any of them...it's like I'm seeing them with my eyes...but my senses aren't-, thought Zoro, observing how the Anchor Pirates' Haki was nonexistent.
"Hey, greenhorn. Relying on Observation is fine, but I'd learn to hone your Voice...and more importantly, actually pay attention to how a person is in order to realize what they'll do- that way, you don't get blind-sighted when that six sense gets screwy.," said a large man with a sea-green/blue striped cap with a matching tank top, blue pants, and shoes. He had brown shoulder-length hair, but his most iconic features were his full lips and round nose to make up for the fact his eyes were covered by the cap. He wielded a massive sword on his back, that had the same presence as Yoru. Zoro felt slightly intimidated by the man for reasons he couldn't get at first.
Aruba Kosaku- Striker of the Anchor Pirates.
"Hey, old man! He's likely gotten better since two years ago! Don't worry if you give up! Since you're past your prime!," shouted Franky.
Vega 40 shook her head as she retorted- "Right now. We're surrounded by people who'd be able to kill us in a nanosecond and go about their day without even paying a passing thought. This includes the guy's talking about...but especially the older fellow..."
"I don't know how it is currently with where you're from, but the OLD WORLD...and how things used to be where you're from...you actually look forward to getting older...and getting stronger as a result of refining your skills...Ahab's pushing 320...and he's living in a way that doesn't rely on what those freaky Dregs rely on...," said Woodget.
"W-wha?! He's really old!," shouted Luffy, his shock palpable as he stumbled back a few steps.
"That's impossible! You live to 140- and that's a record for aging!" Franky shouted.
"Actually...nevermind.," Zoro said before picturing Kureha smacking him for commenting negatively about her age.
"The point is that...you're gonna be seeing something great...," said Bias.
Nero stood with his arms crossed as he and Namae stood in the opposite corner. Ahab took a deep breath.
"We can play cribbage instead?," offered Ahab as he saw the bewildered faces of the Straw Hats. Offering cards to the CP0 Agent.
"I can't afford to come back saying I failed due to losing a game. I'm taking your heads...both of them. Along with the bounties of the lot of you.," explained Nero.
Ahab sighed in disappointment at Nero's refusal to engage in a friendly game of cribbage, his expression a mix of amusement and resignation. He looked over at Luffy, whose eyes were still wide with astonishment at the revelation of Ahab's age.
This doesn't bode well., thought the captain as he knew something was off.
Nero then received a psychic message from a familiar source-
Engage with him while I activate that empty shell..., spoke Imu's voice.
Wait...what am I...you're..., thought Nero as he looked at Namae.
Namae then sprang into action as he began to repeat-
"Namae. Namae. Namae. Namae."
As he chanted this, several black bodies emerged that formed into copies of himself.
"Wha?! There's more of them!," shouted Franky.
"He's got more brothers!," Luffy shouted.
"He's planning on teaming up with him?! Should've killed him when I had the chance!" Zoro declared.
"Wait, that's not what he's trying to do!," Vega 40 argued.
"So you're really that desperate...Imu...," said Minerva.
"Doorway.," Namae spoke as portals emerged for which the clones entered. Namae then went back to being in a state of stasis as Nero smirked.
"They're heading back to your crew...I can't wait-," Nero explained.
"You're a fool then. That would've worked...before the tree was restored and their powers were sealed...now...the Ten Tree Guardians will deal with them along with your crew if you're up for it.," Ahab explained. "That's the general gist, I'm getting."
Nero used a ranged Ryou Shigan in order to catch him off guard...but from his body, as if automatically reacting without conscious thought, it was deflected by an anchor and chain emerging from Ahab's right arm.
"The Anchor-Anchor Fruit is just the starting point...," Ahab replied. "Still rude to not even wait for the bell after forcing this conflict on me."
Nero used Tekkai: Iron Weasel as he moved with Geppou and Soru in zigzag unpredictable waves to strike at Ahab as the anchor deflected each strike.
"Gotta use that then...," Nero said as he generated a dust cloud and "hid" within it. He then appeared above Ahab by revealing himself from the cloud...only for the anchor to auto-hit him the moment he emerged.
"Starting point of what?," asked Nero. "What are you talking about?"
Nero launched a Rankyaku, but managed to hold it in place via Conqueror Haki Infusion as he built up more charge as it expanded in size...until it burst into a storm of energy sickles.
"Weasel Scythe Storm!," he said as he then hid himself again in the ensuing storm, which Franky found unusual.
"He's using the Hide-Hide Fruit, it allows him to do peek-a-die by hiding anywhere and then popping out like a jack in a box.," Vega 40 explained.
"That's gonna be a pain in the ass for the old man.," Franky noted.
"Yes. Having to deal with these parlor tricks...," noted Woodget as Franky looked puzzled.
Nero was hiding within a monochrome space while having a thermal vision of his target as he used Geppou to remain above his target.
I better be careful to time it right..., thought the assassin till he heard a series of clicks, creaks, clangs, and codas.
Why am I hearing this loud crap...unless it's echolocation...how'd you do that being a guy...unless..., he pondered before to his horror, the space was breached open as a Livyatan emerged- resembling a prehistoric whale looking like a modern sperm whales, but was much larger and had a more robust skull with teeth on both sides of the jaw- razor-sharp teeth.
The beast was massive...twice the size of the Kraken that the Straw Hats encountered in the New World. It's tail alone was thrashing about, sending waves of water from the outside crashing into the island, knocking down trees, and sending the Straw Hats tumbling.
The Anchor Pirates remained composed, knowing what was going on.
"It's Laboon's angry brother!," yelled Luffy.
"Not I know who that is, but that's not him if he has siblings!," Vega 40 argued.
"Wait, the way that part of its fins on the front and back are metallic...and the eyepatch...wait, this has to mean...so you can use more than two Devil powers.," Zoro observed.
"More like Daemon Fruit and Vegetable, but that's the jest of it. It's the Whale-Whale: Livyayan- an Ancient Zoan of a prehistoric whale in your part of the world.," explained Minerva.
Nero used Kami-E: Billowing Wind to generate enough flexibility to be like the wind to avoid the initial bite...only to be kicked in the gut as he turned into his Hybrid form complete with a blue loop that was a perfect halo instead of whispy clouds like other Awakenings thus far.
Nero then used Rokuogan- placing both their fists right in front of the target from a ranged distance to focus his physical strength to launch a devastating shock wave from his knuckles in a forward direction. It generated six energy weasels as he hid within one to then appear from another angle to repeat it and again until the area was surrounded by energy weasels.
The clouds rumbled and started to dissipate around the entire Classic Line...except for the island they were currently on.
Across the Classic Line
"Oh, it must be Ahab...he only allows storms just so others can be trained to withstand storms.," said a cartage delivery man to his understudy.
"Go to page 150. Detailing how he managed to solve our constant storms. Only permitting them when needed. Ending eons of suffering.," explained a teacher.
Several people were praying to an image of Ahab.
"Yeah, I heard he's like the son of Neptune Triton!," said one sailor.
"No, he's the reincarnation.," said another.
"You know what...he's just a man who saw the problems of this society..and took a stand for his freedom.," said a third, wiser former sea captain.
"Wow! Rainbows!," yelled one child as others looked with glee.
A mother silently prayed in gratitude, once again being grateful for what Ahab did.
Back Cup Island
The battle grew intense as Nero tried to adapt to Ahab's unorthodox tactics. The Livyatan's eye were red with anger as it swung its massive tail, the wind from the impact causing the vegetation to sway violently as more of the Rokuoguns were blasted away.
He then looked at Luffy directly.
"You want to be a Pirate King to have ultimate freedom, believing that the title represents the ability to live life without restrictions and to do whatever you want, essentially allowing you to explore what you want, do what you want, help friends when you want, and fight against those that get in the way of that freedom. And having a worldwide party. Powers too generic of a goal, avarice is the second most, and altruism is the third. Being able to live on your own terms, and die on your own terms...even if it means on the gallows... having no armies, no legions, just you and a ship exploring... that's any pirate who doesn't earn notoriety or doesn't stand out in the spotlight!," Ahab said.
"Huh?," Nero asked. "Going senile?"
Luffy went dead silent at Ahab's statement- it perfectly encapsulated what he wanted for being Pirate King yet it was trivialized at the same time. He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth.
"Old man-," Luffy yelled.
"There are countless old men like me! But only one Moby D. Ahab! No confusing Nicknames because you can't bother to remember! Just Moby D. Ahab!," Ahab shouted as Luffy got even more incensed.
"To be a Pirate King- isn't a trophy to get what you want like a report card to get good grades to get into school or winning a game. To be a Pirate King- Is to be someone who rejects the norms of society that define generations! One who lives by their own created and unique code of morals, virtues or laws that define them! Don't bother hiding and being a martyr to inspire- that's a hero! Heroes are puppets of the system! Pirate Kings must be greedier than anyone- not just for wealth, but for getting their treasures of any kind protected- whether it's crew, personal pride, dreams, loved ones, family, ideals, etc. and not letting it disappear on the whims of the ignorant who want to suppress it! They hold the weight of the inherited will of those who didn't succeed and wish you to succeed in your place! Live more boundless and emotional while willing to embrace the past without feeling shame! Acknowledging it because it's something to learn from and look on to see how far you've come! Be in the present to truly appreciate what you have without dismissing it! And being aware of the future of what you'll do next as part of a never-ending cycle to keep yourself free! That requires more than just raw power! But knowing that others need to be free for their sakes as long as they're willing to fight for it, but also be willing to aid them when it's too much for them on their own while being willing to rely on others when you're not able to do it alone! We are not good saints! Nor are we vile villains! All have good and evil! Strive for balance to fully embrace yourself! Don't be ashamed of how others envy/admire you because you feel you don't deserve it or need it! That unbridled will also inspire them and it's good to have more than just a crew to rely on to not fall into despair- especially if you lose a loved one- having a well of bonds will keep you afloat! Be relatable! Or dismiss it all! How you chose to be a Pirate King is up to you!," Ahab replied with a grandiose speech as lightning in the form of ancient whales rained upon Nero.
"Tale of Golden Whale!," Ahab declared as the lightning dissipated and Nero fell across the sky, charred and unconscious before he landed with a thud. Luffy noticed the skies were now clearing up and the storm was calming down, as if in response to Ahab's speech.
"The Weather-Weather Tomato. Outside of my Livyatan Vegetable and my Anchor fruit. I got this to free my world from the storms... what does freedom mean to you...what does it mean to be king?," asked Ahab.
Luffy, Franky, Zoro, and Vega 40 were in awe of the sight as they saw the sun shining as if saying something...
Next Chapter: What a Crew Is
Author Notes: The entire chapter was a build-up to what Ahab believes a Pirate King to be with hints of what it means to his Line and what that would mean for Luffy's much less concrete (as of now) dream in comparison.
Next up is focusing on the crew's current situation.