Chapter 71
20th of April 1522
Marineford
Moria stood on the front lines, his fingers still twitching from seeing Whitebeard. As the tsunamis loomed overhead, casting an enormous shadow over Marineford, panic spread through the ranks like wildfire. The sheer size of the waves was staggering, an unstoppable force of nature that seemed poised to obliterate everything in its path. Marines screamed and scrambled, their fear palpable. But amidst the chaos, Doflamingo was laughing maniacally, his excitement a stark contrast to the terror around him.
Suddenly, Aokiji vanished from his seat, leaving behind nothing but a faint shimmer of cold. In an instant, he reappeared high above the bay, his arms outstretched. "Ice Age!" he roared, his voice echoing across the tumultuous waters. The temperature plummeted, and the massive waves began to freeze, solidifying into towering walls of ice before they could crash down on the base. The sight was awe-inspiring, a testament to Aokiji's immense power. The Marines' morale surged, their panic subsiding as hope flickered to life.
Aokiji didn't stop there. He lunged towards Whitebeard, intent on taking down the pirate captain. But Whitebeard was ready. With a thunderous roar, he unleashed another devastating airquake. The very air seemed to shatter, the force of the attack rippling outwards. Aokiji was caught in the blast, his body splintering into icy fragments. For a moment, it seemed as though he had been utterly destroyed. But then, the shards of ice began to coalesce, re-forming into the Admiral's imposing figure at the edge of the bay.
With grim determination, Aokiji extended his powers once more, freezing the bay itself. The once tumultuous waters became a solid expanse of ice, trapping Whitebeard's ships in place. The Marines cheered and, seizing the opportunity, began to bombard the immobilized fleet with cannon fire. The air was filled with the deafening roar of explosions and the acrid smell of gunpowder. Moria watched with a dark satisfaction as the pirate ships shuddered under the relentless assault.
Mihawk made the first move, his eyes glinting with determination. He stepped forward, unsheathing his massive black sword with fluid grace. "I want to see the difference in strength between myself and Whitebeard," he declared, his voice calm yet filled with steely resolve. With a single, powerful motion, he unleashed a tremendous slash, a wave of cutting force that surged across the frozen bay, heading straight for the Moby Dick.
The attack seemed unstoppable, but before it could reach the great ship, Jozu, the Third Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, leaped into its path. Living up to his title, Jozu's body shimmered and transformed, becoming as hard and reflective as diamond. The slash collided with him, sending sparks flying, but Jozu held firm, the attack deflected harmlessly off his diamond form. The ground trembled under the force of the impact, yet Jozu remained unscathed.
High above, Kizaru decided it was time to strike. He materialized in the air, a radiant figure against the darkening sky, and unleashed a barrage of light beams, each one streaking towards Whitebeard with lethal precision. But once again, the attack was intercepted. Marco, the First Division Commander, soared into the fray, his body enveloped in blue flames. The beams struck him, but instead of causing harm, the flames absorbed the energy, flickering even brighter. Marco grinned, his fiery wings outstretched. "You can't take on Whitebeard on the first turn," he declared, his voice ringing with defiance.
Kizaru, landing lightly on the ice, raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. "The Whitebeard Pirates are truly terrifying," he remarked, his usual nonchalance tinged with genuine respect.
As Jozy threw an iceberg at the Marines, Moria decided it was time to make his move. He discreetly sent four shadow warriors to disable the den den mushi - the World, for who he was a, aristocratic hero and savior of a country, did not need to see that.
"Kishishishi!" Moria's laughter echoed ominously as four of his Shadow Assassins slipped into the shadows. In a flurry of darkness, the first three swiftly dismantled the broadcasting Den Den Mushi. The fourth assassin paused, his gloved hand hovering over the last Mushi before gently pressing down. This subtle act ensured Moria could control the broadcast at will. He would curate the narrative, presenting himself as the valiant savior when it suited him, while shrouding the bloodshed and chaos in darkness.
"Kishishishi!" Moria's laughter echoed ominously as his assassins slipped into the shadows. In a flurry of darkness, the first three swiftly dismantled the broadcasting Den Den Mushi, their movements precise and deadly. The fourth assassin paused, his gloved hand hovering over the last Mushi before gently pressing down. This subtle act ensured Moria could control the broadcast at will. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction; he would curate the narrative, presenting himself as the valiant savior when it suited him, while shrouding the bloodshed and chaos in darkness. This careful orchestration would cement his image in the eyes of the world, maintaining the upper hand in the battle's unfolding drama.
Recalling the fourth shadow assassin to his side, Moria felt a sudden shift in the air with his Haki. Something was approaching rapidly from behind, and it wasn't the pirates. Spinning around, he barely had time to react as Donquixote Doflamingo lunged at him, eyes blazing with fury.
"You'll fucking pay for what you did to me!" Doflamingo snarled, his voice a raw, venomous snarl.
[Don Quichotte Doflamingo]
Class: Fallen World Noble
Job: Warlord of the Seas, Dressrosa King
Douriki: 10,984
Potential: SS
Fate: S*
Moria chuckled darkly, his monstrous form slowly morphing into a more presentable one. Still towering at 22 feet, he took on a more human and handsome visage. Meanwhile, one of his shadow assassins discreetly uncovered the Den Den Mushi, ensuring the world could witness the confrontation.
"So, you plan to kill me like you did the kings of Dressrosa? Or maybe you've got your eyes on Alabasta now?" Moria taunted. "Just like you used your twisted powers to control King Riku and made him slaughter his own people in Sebio."
Doflamingo's anger flared hotter. "I don't give a damn about your shitty Alabasta! I'm here to rip you apart and make you suffer!" His denial of Moria's accusations was half-hearted, sending ripples through the watching world. In the distance, Morgans cackled with delight at the unfolding drama.
Moria smirked. "You're a pathetic excuse for a king, Doflamingo. Unworthy of the title. You've controlled soldiers, forced them to butcher innocent civilians, and watched it all with that sick grin on your face. You and your cronies waited in the shadows to act like heroes to Dressrosa's citizens, didn't you? You manipulated King Riku, took over the castle with your inside spy Monet, and kidnapped Princess Viola. When the people lost faith in their king, you swooped in with Diamante, Pica, and Trebol, playing the savior. Pathetic."
Doflamingo's rage boiled over, his fists trembling with fury. "I'll kill you, Moria! I'll make you beg for death!"
Moria feigned surprise, his expression shifting to mock concern. "Kill me? We're both Warlords, Doflamingo. We're supposed to be fighting against Whitebeard together. How could you possibly turn on me now?"
In truth, Moria had anticipated this confrontation. He had even maneuvered events to provoke it, but he had to maintain his façade for the watching audience. His mind raced, calculating his next move.
Doflamingo's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Oh, I'll kill you, Moria. And you know what's the bast part ? The Marines asked me to. They want you gone."
Moria's eyes widened, the shock genuine. This wasn't part of his plan. The implications of Doflamingo's statement, broadcasted to the world, were dangerous. But there was no time to dwell on it.
Doflamingo lunged at him, strings from his Ito Ito no Mi devil fruit slicing through the air with deadly than the eye could follow, Moria unsheathed his rapier, a gleaming blade that seemed to hum with power. He smiled, the predatory grin of a man with a hidden advantage. If Doflamingo thought he was the same Moria as before, he was in for a brutal surprise.
The clash was immediate and explosive. Both warlords moved with blinding speed, their weapons a blur. Doflamingo's strings lashed out, but Moria parried with ease, their Haki-infused blows creating shockwaves that shattered the ice beneath them. The initial exchanges were even, both warriors using Armament and Observation Haki to counter each other's attacks. The world watched in awe as they battled, the air thick with tension and the crackling energy of their duel.
"You think you can beat me, you stitched-up freak?" Doflamingo sneered, launching a barrage of razor-sharp strings.
"You talk too much," Moria retorted, deflecting the attack and driving his rapier into Doflamingo's shoulder. Blood sprayed in an arc, staining the ice.
As the fight wore on, Moria began to reveal his true strength. His movements grew more precise, his strikes more devastating. He parried a particularly vicious string attack, then countered with a thrust that Doflamingo barely dodged. Moria's eyes gleamed with a cold, calculating light as he pressed his advantage, his rapier cutting through Doflamingo's defenses with surgical precision.
Doflamingo's confident smile faded as he realized he was outmatched. Moria's power was overwhelming, his attacks relentless. With a final, desperate flurry of strings, Doflamingo tried to regain the upper hand, but Moria was relentless. A powerful slash from Moria's rapier cut through Doflamingo's chest, sending him staggering back. Blood stained the ice as Moria moved in for the kill.
"You... bastard!" Doflamingo gasped, clutching at the gaping wound in his chest. "I'll... I'll—"
"You'll die," Moria interrupted, driving his rapier through Doflamingo's heart. The warlord gasped, his eyes wide with shock and pain. Moria leaned in, his voice a cold whisper. "You underestimated me, Doflamingo. That was your last mistake."
With a final twist of the blade, Moria ended his rival's life, blood spurting from the wound as Doflamingo's body crumpled to the ground. Moria stood victorious amidst the carnage, the world watching in stunned silence as he yanked his rapier free and flicked the blood from its blade. His smile was one of triumph and cold satisfaction, the echoes of the battle still reverberating through the air.
Quests Update !
Take part in the Summit War : 0/1 → 1/1
Kill a celestial dragons : 2/3 → 3/3
Uh? Doflamingo was... a Celestial Dragon? So that's what "fallen noble" meant. But it also implied that the status of a World Noble was tied to blood rather than title; otherwise, the system wouldn't recognize him as such. Moria clacked his teeth in realization. This meant he wouldn't have to kill the World Noble he had sedated in his basement after all.
Hidden Quest - The Obsidian Night : [?]
2/3 → 3/3
Quest Completed !
The Obsidian Night : [The Aura of a King]
Show your might to the World!
Impress the good citizens of the world by rising as a true king who dares to challenge the very heavens and face any consequence with unwavering resolve and strength.
"Quests…", he whispered.
Main Quest : [Summit War - The Obsidian Night]
Objectives :
Take part in the Summit War : 1/1
Kill a celestial dragons : 3/3
Kill a bearer of the D : 0/1
Kill three Whitebeard Pirates with a Fate of A or higher : 0/3
Kill three HQ Marines with a Fate of A or higher : 3/3
Unlocks 'Prince of the Abyss ' quests
Unlocks "Pombero's quests
Secondary Quest 1- The Obsidian Night : [Mourning Night]
Absorb the Shadow of 'Pops' Whitebeard : 0/1
Secondary Quest 2 - The Obsidian Night : [Wedding Night]
Marry three princesses of Kingdoms of the World Government : 3/3
Hidden Quest - The Obsidian Night : [The Aura of a King]
Show your might to the World! : 3/3
This meant he wouldn't have to kill the World Noble he had sedated in his basement after all.
Moria's laughter echoed through the battlefield, "Kishishishi!"
Now, he only had to kill three Whitebeard Pirates with an A-ranked Fate, absorb Whitebeard's shadow, and... fucking kill Monkey D. Garp. Easier said than done, but he could begin with the pirates. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he envisioned the chaos and destruction to come. Mentally, he commanded his shadow to place its hand on the Den Den Mushi, ensuring the world would not witness his horrifying acts. As he began to morph into his eldritch, horrifying form—more terrifying than ever—he turned to the battlefield. His fingers tightened around his rapier, shadows swirling around him, ready to strike. The plotting was over; now was the time for action, for bloodshed, and for Moria to cement his legacy as a force to be reckoned with.