Londinium, Kingdom of Doyle
It was raining. Again.
Reichen Bach stared out of the window of the upstairs parlor of Watson Place. Outside, the Grand Plaza was windswept and rain-soaked, water running over it in torrents. To his right, despite the gloom, he could see Conan Plateau, and the construction site that was Holmes Hall atop it. The work had stopped on account of the rain, and the only people he could see was a pair of police officers, cloaked against the rain, dutifully performing their patrol.
It was a depressing sight. But it was the least of his problems right now.
"So then," he said, turning back to face his companions. "Germa is no more."
"It would appear so, your Majesty," replied Lord Jernigan Jenner. He was seated in an armchair to the left of a coffee table. Behind the table sat a large sofa, on which sat Justinian Lawson and Justinian Judith; nee Willow. They had married mere weeks after the Finalem siege, and Judith's elegant blue gown only just concealed the first signs of new life.
A welcome joy to come out of such a dark affair.
Unfortunately, that wasn't why they were there. Rather, it was the copy of the World Economic Newspaper lying on the coffee table; which had arrived only that morning. The headline was clearly visible.
WAR IN KAISAFJORD! Genocidal Germa Gone to the Grave!
"One of the strongest kingdoms in the World Government, destroyed in an eyeblink," breathed Lawson. "That, and a Marine fleet led by a Vice Admiral. This is…unbelievable."
Unlike Jenner, who was merely struggling to maintain his usual air of aloof amusement, Lawson actually looked worried. So did Judith.
"Do we have any further information from our…other sources?" asked Bach. "Anything at all?"
"Not much, I'm afraid; and what we do have largely confirms the newspaper account."
"So it was a leak then?" asked Jenner, quirking an eyebrow.
"Almost certainly, my lord," confirmed Jenner. "Our only items of interest come from our source at G-1. Apparently the Vinsmoke brothers are to be formally declared dead along with their father. Curiously, Princess Reiju remains unaccounted for. No one seems to know where she is or what's become of her."
Bach forced himself not to grit his teeth. He hated having so little information. But his chances of getting much more were slim. Doyle's spy network did not reach as far as the North Blue, and the Marines would be doing all they could to control the information flow. He would have to make do, at least for now.
"Assuming she is alive," he mused, "She almost certainly knows of our dealings with Germa."
He felt a shiver run through the room. How long would it be before the world remembered his meetings with Judge at the Reverie? How long before questions were asked?
"No more than what your Majesty and Lord Jenner discussed with the late King at the Reverie," insisted Lawson. "A trade deal of ores for cash…plus another matter." He and Judith shot accusing looks at Jenner. He scowled back, and cleared his throat.
"Your Majesty, that I even suggested such a thing is the greatest embarrassment of my political career." His words became a bitter hiss. "He had the gall to imply that his degraded bloodline was too good for the House of Reichen! I am ashamed, your Majesty." He sighed, looking away.
"And so you should be," Judith cut in primly. "I feel for that poor girl, growing up in a family like that. But someone like that is not fit to be our Queen. The people would never have stood for it."
"Even so!" Jenner replied. "Your Majesty, I confess my error, but I was only looking to your best interests. It was sadly desperation that swayed my hand."
Lawson breathed through his nose, and Judith looked pained.
"And your fears would be assuaged were I to marry and produce an heir, yes?" Bach replied, already knowing the answer.
"It would…put my party at ease, knowing that your sacred bloodline is secure," Jenner insisted. "Sadly, there are few who are worthy these days. So many Royal Houses have been destroyed or cast down these past years."
That much was true. Six years ago, King Riku Doldo III of Dressrosa had lost his throne to Donquixote Doflamingo over a brazen massacre of his own people; and no one knew what had become of his only remaining daughter Princess Viola after his eldest daughter, Princess Scarlet passed away. And just recently Princess Vivi of Alabasta had disappeared, leaving her father King Cobra without an heir. Under different stars, a daughter of House Nefertari or House Riku would have been ideal candidates. Prodence was a fond ally of Doyle, but Elizabello II had five sons and no daughters.
True there were other noble houses, of lesser status; who would be thrilled, no doubt, to have a daughter become Queen of Doyle. But Bach had few ties to them, and even if he did, any such marriage would be exploitative. That he could not stomach.
"I understand, my lord," Bach assured him. "But this is a delicate matter. I would prefer you consult me before making such offers."
"It was wrong of me, your Majesty." Jenner lowered his head, but his eyes were hard. "Nevertheless, I must ask that you make more of an effort; if only to appease my party's fears. Otherwise…others may act on their own initiative…or make assumptions."
Bach could not help but glance at Lawson and Judith; and saw the pain in their eyes. They knew, better than Jenner ever would, what he was really thinking. He had never had so much as a friend until Yamato and Izuku came along. What chance did he have with a wife? What woman would willingly marry a cold-hearted Reichen of Doyle?
And did Bach even want to do so at all?
"Let us put the matter aside for now, my lord," he pressed. "There is no point in worrying about what gossip Reiju might spread; assuming she is petty enough to do such a thing, which I doubt. Plenty more have worse to hide where Germa is involved."
"Indeed," Lawson nodded. "More pressing is the strategic situation. The Marines have lost the better part of sixty warships in one battle; and the North Blue is going to fall into chaos. We must assume that all available ships will be sent there to quell the mayhem before it can spread. The New World can expect no further reinforcements for the time being."
"I fear there is worse, your Majesty," Jenner cut in. "My contacts in the merchant community tell me of trouble on the seas. The Beast Pirates are raiding again, and in greater numbers than before. It seems that their recent conquests near Reverse Mountain, on the other side of the Grand Line, have emboldened them."
There was silence. Judith's hand strayed to her waist, and Lawson laid a hand over it. Bach felt sorry for them; having their happiness and hope disrupted by such news as this.
"I just hope Lady Yamato and Mr. Izuku are all right," he said.
"Captain Bay assures me that they are," replied Lawson; he and Judith perking up at the mention. "They are flourishing under Whitebeard's wing."
Bach allowed himself to smile just a little. He missed those two, especially at a time like this; but he was glad all the same. At least someone got to chase their dream in this unhappy world.
"Regarding that," Jenner spoke up, his eyebrow twitching. "Prime Minister, when was I to learn that you had subverted one of Whitebeard's favored captains?"
Now Bach had to force his smile to stay in place. He had grown to trust Jernigan Jenner, but it was a little soon for him to learn the whole truth.
"If and when you attain my office, my lord," answered Lawson, smiling. "Besides, I prefer to call it a diplomatic back channel, something I think we can agree is needed in these hostile times."
"Through which you agreed to supply Whitebeard with weapons and ore, using the royal secret passageway?" Jenner was glowering. "Prime Minister, did you consider what would happen if Mariejois were to find out? Or our citizens for that matter? After what we just went through?"
"Reichen Bailey is still our princess." Lawson's tone had an edge that wasn't there before. "And even if she wasn't, we owe her for sending Lady Yamato and Mr Izuku to us."
"Whitey Bay was disowned for being a delinquent!" snapped Jenner, Lawson's jaw tight as he glared back. "Not to mention a-"
"Enough," Bach ordered before Lawson and Jenner would exchange more than verbal jabs. "I authorized this, and I take full personal responsibility for it. But the situation is what it is. Even without our debt of honor, we need money, and we need allies; now more than ever."
"All the more reason to marry, your Majesty!" pleaded Jenner. "Let us look to the other kingdoms! Surely there is at least one woman out there that at least intrigues you? At least consider it."
"As I said before, that is a delicate matter," admonished Bach. "The World Government is growing weaker, but it is not so weak that we can simply ignore it."
He paused, taking out his pipe and lighting it.
"Be careful, Bach," Lawson murmured. "Some could interpret that as treason." Jenner's jaw clenched.
"It's a statement of fact. We deal with the world as it is, not as others wish it to be."
He looked out the window again, drawing on his pipe.
(X)
Pulling the hood of his rain cloak over his head and a scarf over his mouth, Monkey D. Dragon stepped out into the street.
The rain beat down hard, but he trudged on; just another rain-soaked average joe going where he was going. The handful of folks he passed were as bedragged as he looked, and none paid him any attention.
It felt good getting out in the field. Watching his son grow slowly over time in the jungles of Goa was pleasant, but seeing him send tigers and monkeys flying got old after a while. Plus he had to get a read on potential allies, according to what his agents recommended.
And if he was honest, being able to run free, especially in the rougher weather always got his heart pumping with excitement.
On he strode, through the rain-soaked streets, into the center of Londinium, stopping only when he reached the Grand Central Station. Like much of Londinium, the station was grandiose to the point of monolithic; but Dragon paid it little mind. He merely joined a line of rain-sodden travelers, patiently waiting to have his ticket to Adlerport punched by a nervous-looking ticket collector.
This done, he spent a cold twenty or so minutes waiting on the platform, until a suitable train pulled in. Once aboard, he found an empty compartment and sat there, looking grim and unfriendly, until the train pulled out. Only when he was sure no one was eavesdropping did he slide the compartment door shut, and pull out his transponder snail as he pulled down his scarf.
"Ring-ring-ring-ring-ring- click." The snail's face changed, becoming a long, tapering snout like a bird's beak.
"Sir," it said, its voice distorted just a little. "How goes your mission?"
"Fine, but I'm pulling out early," Dragon replied.
"Do you need help?"
"No, it's fine. I was checking out Watson Place."
"What was your conclusion then?," mused Karasu, Commander of the Revolutionary Army's North Army, and one of Dragon's closest comrades.
"Hmm…" Dragon sat back in his seat. "It looks like Sabo was telling the truth. King Reichen Bach has a functioning brain, and what might just be a heart; unlike that father of his. Doyle might be salvageable after all."
"Do you have any leverage on him? Anything we can use?"
"One or two things. From the sounds of it, Bach's been getting chummy with the Whitebeards; selling them ore and some weapons. Also, apparently, he and Whitey Bay have more in common than hair color."
"Seriously?" Karasu's voice jumped a bit. "I suspected a possible connection, but just assumed I was being paranoid."
"What they said implied she was a member of the Royal Family, and she got kicked out for, well, being Whitey Bay."
"Hmm…" Karasu sounded dubious. "Well anyway, it's funny you should bring up weapons. I just got a report from Raise Max; he's been scoping out the island of Melville and going to one of their casinos. Whitebeard has a shipbuilding spree going on right now. Five of their big docks, all covered; each one big enough to work on a ship the size as the Moby Dick."
"Do we know what's being made inside?" Dragon inquired, feeling a growing twinge of excitement inside.
"Smaller ships, or so they say. Max said the docks were well guarded, and he didn't want to risk getting caught. There were a bunch of allied pirates stopping by, so they might just be doing repairs."
"I smell a but coming." His father would have loved that joke.
"But, there was a load of shipments coming in too. Good shipbuilding timber from all across the New World, arriving by the shipload, in small varying increments. Max noticed, so I doubt anyone else has as of yet"
"Hmm…interesting timing," mused Dragon. "How are things in the North Blue?"
"Hectic as hell. Every pirate crew up there is on the hunt, and that's just the ones we have info on. They're capturing ships, battling each other, raiding the weaker islands, making a mad dash for the Grand Line. The Marines simply can't respond fast enough."
"Their loss, our opportunity." Dragon smirked at the thought. "We've got a little while until the Marines reinforce the North Blue; and once that's done, they'll have no reserves for anywhere else. Now would be a good time to reach out to the kingdoms; the ones we like anyway. Once they see the Marines can't protect them, they'll be ready to listen."
"And the ones we don't like?" Karasu hissed, already guessing his answer.
"Well, now might be a good time to do something about them." Dragon shot him an encouraging smirk. "Gather up everything we've got on the North Blue, and the possibles in the New World. Also, call in any officers who aren't too busy. I want to do some strategizing as soon as I return to Baltigo."
"It will be done, commander."
Dragon nodded, ended the call, and laid back in his seat. He glanced out of the window, only half-looking at the rain-sodden landscape.
"Yamato…" he whispered. "And Izuku…"
The real names of Shirou and En, the Mysterious Heroes who had battled the Finalem Brothers inside Holmes Hall no doubt. Sabo had told him all about them, with some enthusiasm. No doubt he would be interested to learn their real names; and of the King of Doyle's interest in them.
"Interesting times…" he smirked. "The wind of change, it's coming at last."
(X)
Lichtstatd, Kingdom of Deul
"This is a disaster!" Minister of Arms Menjo declared. "Germa's destroyed! We can't claim the Rainland now!"
"Worse yet, what if Lvneel decides to get big for its britches?" complained Minister of the Treasury Myer, dabbing at his brow with a kerchief. "They'll try and push their neighbors around, us included! They'll be wanting to expand their plantations on the Rainland Archipelago too!"
"To say nothing of Whiteland eyeing the northern regions too…" snarled Kugen, Minister of Industry, his arms crossed. "Iwatobi's ships have been circling around Thule Island like sharks."
"Your Majesty, what do we do!?" cried out Lehrman, Minister of Agriculture.
King Chap of Deul did not reply; not even to Lehrman. The old man had been with him longer than any of them, but he had always been finicky and panicky.
Instead he stood at the table, arms crossed, glaring down at the newspaper as if it had insulted him. The Diamond Office of Henson Palast is not fit for bickering hens, but for mighty eagles.
And now his investment to better his nation has failed.
It was a farce, all of it. He had spent a small fortune to hire Vinsmoke Judge and his army of masked soldiers so they could claim the western islands of the Rainland Archipelago. Judge had taken the money, and then pulled out his men, the job half done, without a word of explanation. The only answer anyone had been able to find was that his daughter, a not-unattractive specimen by the name of Reiju, had somehow gone missing.
And then Judge, and his sons, and Germa itself had been crushed; seemingly by a minor pirate crew.
"Gentlemen, our country is in crisis," Chap declared, gesturing to the outside. Lichtstatd stood, gothic architecture spanning across the city in the form of the residential Moderner Bezirk on one side, the smoke stacks of the Fabrikviertel billowing the never ending march of industry on the other. "For years we have built a manufacturing economy, with which we have filled our coffers. But we have become victims of our own success, and our population is growing beyond what our land can feed or house. We must follow Doyle's path, and arm ourselves for war."
Yosef brightened noticeably, and Cherline, Minstereine of Media, smirked.
"Am I hearing correctly, your Majesty?" she purred. Her eyesight was lacking, but her intuition most definitely was not.
"Pirates will surely attack our harbors and plantations in the Rainland," Chap went on. "It's time the destitute leeches of Lichtstadt pulled their weight. We will institute a draft to bolster our militia, and arm it with the strongest weapons our factories can build. With this new army we will defend our lands; and take new ones."
"My lord, wouldn't Mariejois take offense?" asked Hale, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
"How can they?" retorted Chap with a huff. "That pup over in the New World has set the precedent. Let us use it."
"Besides…" Chap gave a glance to his cupboard, opening it and seeing some items of worth. Pens, a pistol.
And a Transponder Snail with a Jolly Roger, a crossed out smiley-face inside it as Chap's eyes hardened. "I know just the way for us to get our militia armed, fast and efficiently. If Germa cannot fight our battles, we will ourselves."
(X)
Kardem, Whiteland Kingdom
Sisimut Den, the giant igloo connected to the Whiteland Royal Palace, was full almost to bursting.
From across the kingdom, village chiefs and other notables had gathered at the king's command to the city of Kardem, braving the fjords and forests and tundra hinterlands to come at the King's behest. They huddled together in the igloo, dressed in their traditional fur-lined parkas, waiting for their king to speak.
At length, Iwatobi, King of Whiteland, raised his head from the table set before his throne.
"The Rainland to the south of us is ours by right," he said plainly. "Is this not so?"
"It is so, sire," agreed Chief Gothab. "We need the island of Thule, that our people might have homes and land; and their crops might feed our people. We cannot survive on imports alone."
"Without Germa to fight their battles, Deul cannot stop us," Chief Astiat cut in. "We need only to root out the pirates infesting the islands, and we can take them for ourselves and bring them under Whiteland's banner."
Iwatobi nodded. With Germa gone, his was not the only kingdom wondering what to do now. To have Germa fight one's battles was to have one's battles won; with a minimum of risk or fuss. The fee was hefty, and the consequences for default severe, but for those who could afford to pay, it had been worth it.
But now Germa was no more; and the world had changed.
"Tell your people to prepare," he said. "For any willing to risk the voyage, there will be land in Thule."
"Sire, the Marines will notice such a move," pleaded Chief Qaqort. "And we cannot spare warriors for such a mighty venture. What if Deul attacks us directly? Or anyone else for that matter?"
"Then we will raise new warriors," declared Iwatobi. "The elder warriors will remain behind and train them. For those of our young people without land of our own, we can at least put Berries in their pockets and pride in their hearts."
He saw the chiefs glancing at one another, even as they nodded in agreement. There was a risk, but there were no better options. Gone were the days when they could rely on the Marines, and Mariejois, to solve everything.
Come to think of it, they had never been much good at it even back then.
"Sire." Iwatobi's old eyes fell upon his Vizier, Erimark as he leaned in and whispered. "We will need weapons to try and counter Deul's militia if it's bound to grow." The old king narrowed his eyes and nodded.
"Very well. You know how we can procure them?" Whiteland's trade came from oil and peat. Erimark's lower Half of his face was hidden by his parka, but he gave a smirk.
"I do. By way of a broker who calls himself Joker…"
(X)
Sphinx
It was a pleasant afternoon, as they generally were in Sphinx.
It was also quiet, and Donata Patricia - 'Trish' to those who knew her - was glad of it. The clinic was open, but there were no patients at the moment. That gave her time to sit back and read the morning paper; and deal with a small but important matter.
"Hey Chris!" she called out, hearing the front door clunk shut. "Back from Maddison's?"
"Yeah! Martha says Izzy's feeding just like you said, and she'll see you next week for his check-up if that's still okay with you."
Trish smiled, and sipped her coffee, as her son came into the lounge. Chris was the best son a mother could ask for; especially if she was the only doctor on Sphinx.
"Oh, the paper?" Chris asked, as he saw the newspaper in her hands; and squinted to make out the headline. "Germa gone to the grave…" He looked up, surprised. "Germa? From the Sora comics? They're actually real?"
"They certainly are…" said a familiar voice. "Or rather they were."
Trish smiled, and moved aside; letting Chris see the Transponder Snail sitting on the coffee table.
"Hey Dad!" His face lit up.
"Hey son. Bet you're wondering about that, huh." The snail grinned Marco's familiar grin.
"Can I?" Chris asked, nodding at the paper. Trish nodded, and handed it over.
"So how do you know about it Dad?" Chris asked, flicking through the paper to get to the Germa articles.
"We were in on it from the start," admitted Marco. "Germa sacked Brew Island, you see; and Pops reckoned enough was enough."
"Brew…" Trish sighed, her heart sinking. She had liked that quaint little place; and their stouts were strong and flavorful. "Why didn't Bartleby take his flag?"
"Wanted to have his cake and eat it." Marco was still smiling, but his smile had faded somehow.
"But there's nothing about the Whitebeards in here," Chris cut in, looking up from the paper. "It says it was the Heart Pirates, and this…Traffy guy."
"We weren't there," Marco said, his smile vanishing. "Izuku and Yamato, well, they took it badly; worse than any of us. They wanted to do something about it, and Pops let them go. They must've teamed up with Law, and that three-eyed guy, whoever he is. We've been trying to contact them, but no answer."
Trish looked down at the paper again. It was open at the Heart Pirates article, and she saw the picture of the 'monsters'. That black, tentacled monstrosity, the Three Eye tribe fellow, and that giant wolf with the rope belt.
She had seen it before.
"So the Black Beast and Storm Demon they're mentioning… that's Izuku and Yamato?" she asked. The snail nodded.
"They fit pretty close, anyway," Marco mused sadly. "To think Yamato had a Mythical Zoan…"
"But she…" Trish shuddered at the bared fangs and the glowing eyes. "She looks…angry. Is she okay?"
"Pops believes in them and so do I, but he's starting to get worried. I just wish I knew why they haven't called us. And it's a good thing the photo didn't show her tattoo; otherwise…"
Trish's heart sank even more. She felt Chris' hand on her arm, and put a hand over it.
"Kaido would know. And it would be war."
"And the less he knows, the better," insisted Marco. "For now, we can only trust them. The minute we hear from them, that's where we'll be."
"Even if they're taken to Marineford, or Impel Down?" Trish asked, her blood running cold.
"Then we go in guns blazing." Marco's eyes flashed. "Pops will call in everyone under his banner, and anyone else we can get. We'll break Impel Down open, and sink Marineford into the sea." He paused. "But that's only if the worst happens. I know Izuku; he'll call us when it's safe." He smiled.
"Alright…well, I'll pray for them," Trish said. There wasn't a lot else she could say.
She was almost relieved to hear the clinic bell ring.
"I've got somebody out front," she said, standing up. "Chris wants to talk."
"Sure thing."
Trish ruffled her son's hair, then headed into the clinic to see who it was. She was glad of the distraction.
'Please be safe, you two.'
(X)
Wano, the Prison Mine
"BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAAAAAA~" The Prison Mine rang with the sound of Queen the Plague's anguish. "JUUUUDGEEEE NOOOOOOOHOHOHOHOOOO~"
Down below, Ace glowered up at the Warden's tower. This had been going on for hours.
"Mmmnnghh… hnnnnghhh….!" Queen blubbered. "How could you die! How could you…! NOW I'LL NEVER GET TO SEE YOUR STUPID FACE WHEN I SHOW OFF MY TRUE CYBORG BODYYYYY AND HOW IT TRUMPS YOUR CRAPPY GENETICS! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DIEEEEE~!"
So that was it.
Ace shrugged, and pushed the mine cart down the rail; as he had been doing all day long. The cart was huge, and each one normally took ten to fifteen men. But he was doing it on his own.
This Ryou thing…it was something else. Developing it was slow work, but nothing he had ever learned before had ever felt like this. Such power.
He gritted his teeth, as he pushed the cart onward. He was going to master this power; and when he had, he would break his seastone shackles, and the explosive collar round his neck. But to do that, he would need to build up his physical strength; or so Hyogoro had said.
He reached the end of the rail, and the cart clunked into place. Leaving it to the others, he headed down the rockface; where Hyogoro and the others were working. He took a pickaxe from the pile, and clambered over the rocks to join them. Just another prisoner, working away his days.
He glanced back. There weren't many guards today, and all of them were staring at the Warden tower; in what looked like mingled fear and bewilderment. The tower wobbled and shuddered, as Queen howled and wailed, bemoaning his misfortune.
As satisfying as it was, Ace turned away; and focused. The pickaxe turned black in his hands, the same black he had seen on his fist, during his fight with Queen.
He swung, and the pickaxe struck the rock in front of him; cracking it perfectly down the middle.
"Not enough…not enough…" he muttered. He had to get stronger, if he was going to get out of this place, and kill Queen, and Kaido, and King; and burn Onigashima to the ground while he was at it.
He glanced along the line, at Hyogoro and the others. They had been good to him; that old man, and his little crew in this place. They had stuck by him when other prisoners tried it on, distracted the guards when he was in trouble, snuck him extra food when his stomach had tried to eat itself. Thanks to them, he had not been alone in this place.
He would get them out of this place. He would free them, and their people, and their country. He was the least he owed them, after they had done so much for him.
And if he ended up in the same place as his old crew, so be it. It was the least he owed them; after he let them down so badly.
"Not yet…" Ace hissed, swinging the pick down as he channeled his Haki. "Not yet…!"
(X)
Somewhere in The New World
The seas churned, and the wind whistled.
Standing on the quarterdeck of his flagship, the Desecrator, Spytand Malice stared out over the ocean. There was nothing to see, besides ocean and more ocean, but he stayed all the same. No crew, be they Marines, pirates, or anything in between, respected a commander who lounged in his cabin. It was good to be seen, and to keep an eye on things.
Not that it mattered. Despite weeks at sea, they had found nothing. Not so much as a trace of Yamato or Deku anywhere. Not from the ships they had taken, or from the countless spies scattered around the New World.
How hard was it to find a nine foot oni girl and a flying green haired brat!?
He gritted his teeth. Even his lead on Doyle had come to nothing. He had risked his ship to distract the Marines, so that the two spies could be extracted. They were now safely on their way back to Onigashima, having sworn blind that there was no sign of Yamato or Deku there.
Malice turned back to the roiling sea; glowering. Kaido had given him this task to redeem himself, to atone for having allowed Yamato and Deku to escape. But after many weeks he had nothing to show for it. He needed to find something…anything.
A flutter of wings drew his eyes from the waters. A News Coo had landed on the quarterdeck rail, and Shang, his second-in-command, was slipping a coin into its pouch. The bird turned over a rolled-up copy of the World Economic News, and then flapped its wings and took off; soaring away into the sky.
Malice regarded the younger man. Shang was quite young for a Headliner, with a lean frame and a narrow, well-formed face topped with black hair worn long and straight; a combination that made the maiko giggle. His costume was a blend of Wano silks and Beast Pirate armor; while the red scarf that marked him as a Red Reaver was tied around his right arm. An expensive-looking katana hung at his hip, matched by a wakizashi at the other hip, and a pair of sai thrust into his belt. He looked out of place among the Red Reavers; but he was capable, and remarkably loyal.
And something in the paper was amusing him.
"What is it, Shang?" he asked, striding over the deck towards him. Shang drew himself up.
"Germa has been destroyed, my lord," he said, offering him the paper. "Apparently by some nobody named Trafalgar Law, and some monsters he recruited."
"Hmm."
Malice took the paper from him, and looked it over. Apparently Germa had indeed been destroyed, and the entire Heavensward fleet destroyed along with it. The World Government was a step closer to its long-awaited destruction.
All very strange. But not worth mentioning to Onigashima. He was about to hand the paper back, when he spotted a note at the bottom of the article.
'Heart Pirates exclusive profile! Pages 7-8!'
Then again, if the Hearts make it through Paradise, they might be worth checking out. They could be worthwhile recruits; or threats to be crushed.
He flicked through the paper, until he reached the two-page spread. His eye was drawn to the photo of the smirking Trafalgar Law; with his spotted cap. A promising rookie to have pulled off such a feat.
And then he saw another picture further down. It was a vaguely humanoid shape, but entirely black; or so the photograph had rendered it. A penumbra of strange light surrounded it, dancing like flames. From its body reached long, black tentacles, wreathed in that same light.
Tentacles…
Those eyes…
That light….
His blood ran cold as he read on, until he reached the final image. It was blurred by fog, but he could make out the shape of an enormous white wolf, clad in what looked like tattered clothes, with a rope belt like a samurai's.
Around its shoulders, blazing bright through the gloom, was a halo of fire.
And it had horns…
"No…"
"My lord?" Shang looked worried. "My lord, what is it?"
"You have the bridge!" Malice turned, leapt down to the main deck, and stormed through the doorway into the rear cabin. Pirates stepped out of his way and as he passed, until he reached the door of his private cabin. He kicked the door shut behind him, and strode over to the snail cabinet.
"Ring-ring-ring-ring-ring! Ring-ring-ring-click!" The snail morphed into a familiar featureless mask, marked only by two eyepieces.
"Malice," it said, in the voice of King the Wildfire. "What's the matter?"
"My lord." Malice glanced towards his snail-fax. "I have vital news."
(X)
Onigashima
The throne room was silent, but for the words projecting from a pair of Transponder Snails, sitting on separate trays before the throne.
"You're sure of this?" asked one snail, wearing a pair of flashy red sunglasses.
"I am certain, Joker," replied the other, Malice. "The article distinctly names him as Trafalgar Law, and includes a picture."
"That punk…" growled Donquixote Doflamingo, better known as Joker. "After all this time."
"So you do know him?" asked King, standing next to the throne.
"Yes, I did," replied the snail. "Law was very nearly a part of my family. Until…someone betrayed me, and disappeared with him. Him and a very valuable Devil Fruit."
"When was this, Joker?" Kaido growled, narrowing his eyes and making Joker flinch.
"Nine years ago. Thought the brat was dead from ALS." Joker hissed. "To say nothing of the wounds my associate gave him." Kaido rolled his eyes and growled. Nothing can be done about that.
"ALS? Amber Lead Syndrome? If he caught it, how did he survive?" Who's Who inquired.
"Law was the only survivor from Flevance, coming from a family of doctors," Joker replied. "He must have eaten the fruit and then cured himself through brute force trial and error, plus his medical knowledge."
"Hmmm…" Kaido rumbled. "Malice, are you sure those two are Yamato and Deku?"
"I am certain, my lord." The snail representing Spytand Malice lowered its eyes. "The Black Beast's aura and tentacles are the same as Deku's. I have never seen anything like them anywhere else. The other looks like an image I saw of Wano's Guardian Deity, the Okuchi-no-Makami. And the Makami never bore horns according to the ancient myth."
"Yamato did eat some kind of devil fruit once," King mused, cupping his chin. "To think it would be that one of all Fruits."
Kaido narrowed his eyes as he saw his subordinates look at him, silently asking for an explanation.
"The Dog Dog Fruit: Model Okuchi-no-Makami. The power of Wano's protector God, a wolf god of ice, storm and winter. Fitting for one who can be Shogun of Wano."
He growled, the sound making the walls shudder. His eyes blazing down at the picture of Yamato's form, and at the black morass that was Deku.
"Perfect…" he snarled. "Too perfect… annoyingly perfect! Such a power belongs to Wano's true inheritors and guardians… the Oni! Not someone who inherits Oden's will!"
"Kaido…" warned King, flicking his wings as dust fell from the rafters.
"Show me!" Kaido barked. "Show me the images in clearer resolution! The ones Joker sent us!"
King nodded into the shadows. A screen slid down, and a projector came on with a click. On the screen was the image of the wolf creature, expanded and cleaned-up by King's specialists. All present stared, taking in the sight.
The eyes. Those glowing emotion-filled eyes.
"Yes…" hissed Kaido. "She's done it, can't you see? The Bloodrage, the fury that lies in the heart of every Oni. Rage, joy, sadness, any strong emotion; these things awaken it, and it makes us unstoppable if only for a time, going by the flaming eyebrows she now bears. You lot," his eyes turned to the Flying Six present, "Would do well to learn and master it."
"So we have to be… super angry to reach it?" Sasaki inquired.
"That's what he just said," Black Maria rolled her eyes.
Anger.
Kaido fell silent, Sasaki's words lingering in his head.
For Yamato to be in such a form. The eyes, her bestial fury. Only one thing could have driven her to such a height of rage…
"Hnhnhhhn…" he began to shake.
"L-Lord Kaido?" Page One spoke.
"WOOOOOORORORORORORO!"
Kaido threw back his head and roared with laughter; so hard the whole palace shook. For the first time in months he was smiling. Overjoyed.
"He's dead!" Kaido roared. "Deku is dead! That sniveling little nine-soul rat is dead! Yamato, you failed! At long last he's…!"
Then he faltered, as the reality sunk in.
"He's…"
Deku was dead.
"Deku is…dead…"
His laughter faded into a glower, and the storm clouds rumbled outside. His joy was gone, as suddenly as it had appeared; replaced with an empty hollowness.
"Tch!" he griped, deflating on his throne as he sat back down..
"Commander?" Who's Who quirked an eyebrow.
"Dead," growled Kaido. "Those Germa bastards had to have killed him. They had the nerve to kill him. Lucky for them they're dead, or I'd kill them myself just for that!"
"My lord." Black Maria sashayed to his side, running her silk-smooth hands along his arm.
Page One glanced at his sister. Ulti was still and silent, her head lowered.,
"He got away from me!" Kaido snarled, Black Maria flinching at his glare. "He stole from me, made a fool of me in my own lair and he got away!"
The throne room was cold and gloomy. No one dared look Kaido in the eye. He took a deep breath and sighed, and a hand ran down his face.
Deku… won. Never had he suffered such an embarrassment and not repaid it a hundred fold.
"Kaido." Jack spoke up. "How do we actually know he's dead?"
All eyes fell on him, Kaido lifting his head to look at his subordinate.
"The paper only mentioned the Marines, Vinsmoke Judge, and his sons," Jack went on, a hint of panic in his voice. "If there's no body, how do we know Deku's dead? He might still be alive."
"True…" rumbled King. "But then…what if Yamato can no longer see reason? What if her Bloodrage has driven her insane on top of her Devil Fruit's false awakening?"
Kaido felt cold.
"It can…do that?" asked Page One nervously. "The Bloodrage or the Zoan?"
Both… at once?
"The Zoan," King went on. "If a Zoan fruit awakens, and the user is not strong enough to control it…it destroys them, utterly."
"And the Oni Bloodrage makes us… lose reason..." Kaido uttered.
"And when a failed Zoan awakening occurs, like the Warden Beasts at Impel Down… they become mindless animals," Who's Who concluded. Kaido's eyes widened.
"Forever…"
His hand covered his mouth as the realization set in.
He felt ice in his stomach, and sick; in a way he had not felt since he realized Yamato was gone. No, it was worse. He hadn't felt like this since his mother died. When Yamato's mother died in childbirth. His legacy, his heir, the only family he had left, had been reduced to a raging mindless beast. All because of her Zoan… and her blood.
But most importantly of all…
Because Deku poisoned her mind. All because he convinced her that her delusions were right; that the world was full of fun and joy.
Damn him.
"GODDAMN YOU DEKU!"
He slammed down his fist onto his throne's marble armrest. Outside, the thunder roared; and lightning crackled around the Skull dome.
"Beast Pirates!" Kaido bellowed, stepping up from his throne. "I'm going to Kaisafjord! I'll save what's left of my wretched daughter!"
"My lord! I beg you!" pleaded Black Maria. "Do not go! It's dangerous!"
"If Big Mom or the Marines see you leave-" Sasaki spoke up, and Kaido glared at them, teeth bared. Page One stepped in front of Ulti, trying to shield his sister. But Kaido's Haki thundered out of him, and all fell to their knees, heads lowered, overwhelmed.
"I. Am. Going. Now" Kaido growled, eyes starting to become draconic.
"Kaido, allow me to go!" King cut in. "I can bring her back!"
Kaido rounded on him, but his old friend did not back down. He stared up at him, eyes clear and unwavering, as they had always been.
"I will go, with seastone cuffs and chains," King went on. "If Deku is still alive, I'll beat him; and bring them both in."
Kaido paused, as King's words cut through his fury.
"I might be able to help," suggested Joker. "My inside man, Vergo, is part of a fleet heading to the North Blue to hunt for Law. If they capture Yamato, he can get word to me, and I'll pass it on. King can handle the rest."
"That's assuming everything goes to plan," Jack cut in. "We don't know what state they're in, or what they're…"
"Hold on a minute." Joker narrowed his eyes, as if concentrating. Kaido watched him, wondering what it meant.
"Change of plans," Joker said suddenly. "Turns out CP-0 is involved. Their top agent, Guernica, is en route to Heavensward. The Five Elders have taken an interest."
Kaido let out a hiss. Mariejois was sticking its fat nose in; its minions hunting for his daughter. If they found her…
"If they so much as touch her…" he growled, and the chamber shook again. "I will finish what Fisher Tiger started, and bath the Red Line in the blood of every damn noble that gets in my way!"
He glanced down at Malice. Even via the Snail, he could see the fervor in his eyes.
He wanted a drink. He needed a drink.
But he wasn't going to waste this chance by acting the fool..
"King, go find her," he ordered, sitting down. "If Deku really is dead, then all the better."
"And if he's alive?"
Kaido's grip on his throne started to crack it, Kaido's aura flaring. "Bring him in whatever state he is, just make sure he's still breathing when he gets here. Make no mistake, he is MINE to kill, understand!?"
"It will be done," King replied.
"Malice…" Kaido turned his attention back to the Snail. "Head to the Calm Belt and keep watch on our holdings there. If Deku is alive, he may have flown back with her. If you encounter either of them, do not engage. Call me first. I will come personally."
"Yes, my lord." The snail lowered its eyes.
"That will be all." Kaido sat on his throne as the snails disconnected, and his officers filed out.
He wanted a drink. Just one.
No, not yet. He would stand by his vow. He would not drink again until Deku was dead; whether in celebration at his defeat, or sorrow at having missed his chance. But not until then.
No, until that brat was lying, broken, bleeding and barely alive at his feet, until Deku's life was his to end, he would not have another drop.
But for all that, it didn't feel right. Something was growing inside him, something his drunkenness had suppressed. Uncertainty, anxiety, gnawing at his sober mind and empty stomach.
His fingers clenched, scratching grooves in the marble armrests. The thunder rumbled, and the lightning flashed, briefly illuminating the throne room.
He was worried about Yamato. There was no point in denying it. He had never come so close to losing her, and he might have lost her already; to madness, or to that thief Deku, who might be dead too.
Or maybe he had lost her long ago; that day when she saw Oden die.
He didn't like it.
Not one bit.
(X)
East Blue
The sound of a shattered plate and a shout of shock made Head Chef Zeff perk up.
"Ack! I got soup on my dress!"
"What the hell is that for?! Damn idiot!" grumbled the old man, as he limped through the kitchen and into the main dining room. It was busy, as always, and it took him a moment to see what had happened.
"What is the trouble?" he asked, limping towards a rich-looking gentleman and the well-dressed woman Zeff charitably assumed was his wife. The woman was glowering, holding her dress, and the man looked furious. As Zeff drew closer, he saw a reassuringly small soup stain.
"Ah! The man himself!" barked the gentleman. "Your brat of a waiter just spilled soup on my wife, then ran off with my newspaper! What do you have to say for yourself Zeff!? "
Zeff forced himself not to growl. Time to salvage this.
"My deepest apologies for my sous chef's mishap." Zeff bowed. "Consider your bill on the house; and please accept a bottle of our finest vintage, as my personal gift."
"On the house, you say?" The man was breathing hard, but Zeff knew that look.
"With our compliments, and our apologies." Zeff bowed.
"Well, since you put it like that." Hook, line, sinker. "Your wine list then, and be quick about it. And another newspaper while you're about it. Your idiot waiter made off with mine."
"By all means, sir." Zeff snapped his fingers, and Aster came striding over. He was a newcomer to Baratie, having fled three months ago from a rather unpleasant pirate crew. The woman perked up a little, and Zeff suppressed a smirk. Aster was a little on the pretty side, and it went down well with the ladies.
"Aster, a wine list and a newspaper for our guests," he ordered. "Then take their order, on the house. Understand?"
"Of course." Aster hurried off.
"Now, if you will excuse me," Zeff bowed one last time. "I'm going to give that sous chef of mine some continuing professional development." He cracked his knuckles for effect, and limped off towards the kitchen.
Stupid boy. Zeff had put him on table duty for flirting with those socialites last week; in front of their husbands no less! There was chivalry, and there was being a tactless fool.
Zeff limped through the kitchen, his cooks giving him a wide berth, and out onto the side deck. The sun was shining bright, with only a dusting of clouds, and the waves were as calm as could be. There, sitting with his legs over the side, was the target of his wrath.
"What the hell is wrong with-"
He faltered, as he saw the hunched shoulders, and heard the barely-suppressed sobs. The boy was sitting there, holding the paper he had made off with, tears dripping onto it.
The rage was doused instantly.
"Kid…" he said, kneeling down behind him and putting a hand on his shoulder. "What's the matter?"
The boy didn't reply. Zeff had never seen him like this, not even when they had been stuck on that island.
"You'd rather die than spill soup on a lady's dress. Talk to me."
"Hnngh… Old man…" the boy uttered, and offered the paper to him. Zeff took it, wondering what on earth could have upset him so.
"Once thought a myth…" he mumbled, reading the article. "The Germa Kingdom…destroyed. King Vinsmoke Judge was found among the dead, as were his three sons Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji… Princess Reiju still missing…"
He looked again at the heartbroken young man, whom he still - and probably always would - thought of as a boy.
"Sanji, what's all this?"
Sanji wiped his eyes. Zeff had a twinge of deja vu, and looked back at the article; at the pictures of Vinsmoke Judge and his children.
Those chins, those cheekbones…the swirly eyebrows. Sanji had never told him much about his past, or where he came from. Now he knew why.
"Sanji…they were your family," he stated. "Vinsmoke Sanji."
"That was my name!" snapped Sanji, rounding on him; eyes blazing through the tears. "I'm not his child! None of us were!" He hesitated, and gulped hard. "He…he told me never to call him father."
Zeff wasn't quite sure what he meant. And it didn't matter.
"You told me you ran away from home," he said. "You never said anything about being royalty."
"You didn't ask, did you old man…" Sanji grumbled, his voice tight and bitter.
"True… I didn't."
It seemed unreal, more like some made-up scandal story even that bird brain Morgans wouldn't touch. Sanji, whom he had saved from starvation, and given a share in his dream. Sanji, who was a lousy waiter and a constant womanizer, but a prodigy of a chef.
Sanji…was actually a prince.
Baratie welcomed all through its doors; be they pirates or Marines, commoners or Royalty. If anyone needed a meal, Zeff would feed them. That was his code, the dream he had held for so long.
Zeff turned around, and eased himself down, sitting beside him.
"Losing your family like that," he said. "I can't imagine what you're going through."
"They're not my family!"
"Then why all the tears?"
Sanji hesitated, and gulped again. His chin was quivering.
"Not for him." He paused. "My brothers were…what he made them." He almost spat the word. "But Reiju…she protected me from them. After Mom died, she got me out of there. They were all I had, Mom and Reiju…now they're both gone." Zeff frowned, sighing through his nose as it all came clear to him.
He finally understood why Sanji so revered women; even if his attentions sometimes fell into the obsessive category. The men in his life had done little but hurt and demean him; and only the women in his life had done him any good.
And now they were gone.
"You're not alone, boy." Zeff squeezed his shoulder. "At least, I hope you don't think so."
Sanji's eyes widened, as he understood.
"No I… I didn't mean that to you, Zeff. I… I'm grateful… every day I am I… I'm just…" He couldn't find the words. It was all too much, all at once.
"Take the day off son. I need you at your best," Zeff ordered, gently but firmly. "Head to your room, shed your tears, rest and regroup."
"Kay." Zeff took a deep breath. Time to be the Head Chef.
"But, you're on opening and closing duty tomorrow. And dishes at night. You cost me a fine bottle of vintage after all."
"Did I…stain her dress?" Sanji asked, shame hanging off each word.
"It was just clam chowder, and you got the bottom-most hem," Zeff replied. "Nothing a little water and elbow grease won't shift." Sanji nodded, and Zeff patted his shoulder; grunting as he got to his feet.
"Hey… old man." Zeff looked back.
"Hmm?" Sanji kept his eyes to the ground.
"Sorry… for being a bother." Zeff sighed, and gave Sanji a hard look.
"Sanji, if grieving is a bother, then why do we do it?" he asked. "We laugh, we rage, we sulk, we cry. Those things are what make us human." He crouched down next to Sanji, who turned to stare at him.
"Grief is the price we pay for love," Zeff went on, then poked Sanji in the chest. "It means you loved them, and they loved you. And I'll tell you this right now… there's folks out there who'd kill for that. It's okay to be sad. Don't ever apologize for that fact."
Sanji sniffled, and nodded.
"If you do want to apologize, apologize to the madam and her husband. Take their tongue-lashing, and vow to be better. Understand kid?" Sanji nodded.
"Okay…"
"Good." Zeff ruffled his hair, giving him the ghost of a smile. "Do that, then go back to your room. Get some rest."
He straightened up, groaning as his old body strained, then limped back into the restaurant.
(X)
Sanji watched Zeff go, then took a breath.
The old man was right. He had to apologize to that couple, take the dressing down, then walk it off. He deserved it for wasting good food; and dirtying a lady's dress into the bargain. The thought of it made his insides turn.
He reached into his pocket, and pulled out his cigarettes. He lit one, and inhaled; looking up at the sky.
At least Reiju was free now. Judge, her brothers, this world, they could hurt her no more. She was with Mom; and wherever they were, it was a better place.
But…what if she wasn't dead? The paper said she was missing; so what if she was still alive? What if she'd been out on a mission?
Did he dare to hope?
He pocketed his lighter and cigarettes, and looked at the newspaper again. He read the article again, and again. Still nothing. No mention of even a sign of Reiju.
But plenty about the Marines stranded up there. Cold, probably starving; huddled in what was left of their ships; their nightmares haunted by what they had seen.
All because of those monsters. Law's monsters; worse than anything Judge had created. The Three-Eyed freak. The monster wolf. And that black squid demon thing.
He glared down at the picture of Law; at that sneering face, flipping the bird.
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
'DOCTOR OF DEATH' TRAFALGAR LAW
BOUNTY: 335,000,000 BERRIES
What did he know of pain? What did he know of love? He was one of those dicks who sauntered through life, flipping everything off and thinking he was so cool. He probably wasted food, too.
And Reiju might be dead by his hand, or in his hands. If he was able to kill his brothers… then Reiju was at his mercy.
"Trafalgar Law…you and your damn monsters. You'd better pray she's still alive; because if you did anything to her…"
His cigarette flared, as he glared up at the heavens.
"I will kick every last breath out of you and your fucking monsters."
And there it is. The world reacting to the Germa War.
Big thanks to IKnowNothing , Juubi-K and WildJoker000 as always.
We had to trim and delete some sections. Including a segment with Morgans(getting the news), Hawkins(setting sail), and Totland(Katakuri's PoV as Big Mom laughs at what occured).
Next one will be written up by Juubi(this was a mix of me and Juubi). Will be a shorty before we return to our heroes. Where could they be... Let shope they get out of the North!
Anyways, the plot idea I had in mind
Spoiler: KURAPIKA X DRAGON X FAMILY
Kurapika's Dragon Family(or Familia).
Basically, Kurapika post Hunter Election finds Tohru dragon, and she becomes his maid. And along the way he brings in Kanna and Fafnir, and they come with him on Black Whale One to protect Oito and Woble during the Succession War.
Ging and Pariston would discuss Don freecs' book "Journey to the New World" and note that the Divine Dragons who reside there on the Dark Continent are essentially Gods of Nen, and could be considered Calamities to Humanity. Dragons are long lived, with Kanna being just over 100 years old. Tohru and Fafnir come from the Order of Chaos, being Chaos Dragons.
There would lie 3 factions of the Divine Dragons that reside in the Dark Continent. Chaos helps bring change and upheaval, Harmony helps keep the Peace and restore things, and Balance ensures that both sides are equal in measure.
Chaos tends to cause whidespread damage and destruction, but chaos is necessary for species to evolve, to adapt and grow beyond their limits. Tohru and Fafnir are members of this.
Harmony brings peace and fights chaos, but if Harmony lingers for too long stagnation occurs and a species can wither away. Elma would be a member of this faction naturaly.
The Balance Faction ensures both sides get equal sides, back and forth. Quetzalcoatl is the Matron Goddess in charge of this(although she is a lazybones).
Kanna isn't sure on where she belongs, but she made quick friends with Tohru and followed her into Lake Mobius. She more or less becomes Kurapika's daughteru.
you've seen Tohru and Kanna 'rough house'. And Tohru and Elma 'spar' and how much they altered the GEOGRAPHY and HORIZON. Imagine them serious.
Aim is to have the Dragons just upend the whole cloak and dagger situation so we can get stuff HAPPEN in the Black WHale and not sit on our ass with the Nen Condition stuff(like Camilla would try to shoot Oito and Woble, gets smashed by Tohru, and before Cat's Name can try to Kill Tohru for instance, Kanna just eats Camilla's port mortem Nen ability, effectively killing her) and Tohru and Fafnir can shrug off dangerous Nen abilities. Wanna kill em? Better be good at running hands against these living breathing calamities.
And with Oito not taking any other assigned bodyguards, that means Benjamin won't be able to get her. And because tohru is strong and capable, her presence makes Tesseridnich break into hives out of pure misogynistic rage.
I'd change things around so that the Princes who looked past Woble because baby, suddeNLY everyone is looking at Oito and Kurapika and seeing them as the most dangerous element in the conflict because Tohru and Fafnir would simply brush off bullet-fire and turn the Army guards into paint on the wall.
It'd be like One Punch Man or Eminince in Shadow were the rest of the world has to react and adjust to these overpowered entities. The Elder Princes. The Spiders in the lower levels. The Three Mafias. Nasubi.
All while Kanna is being a good big sis to Woble, Tohru is warming Kurapika's heart, and Fafnir is being a good bro and ironically a better potential husband for Oito. And playing board games and Kurapika learns how to be a human again. With the lesson being:
Follow the golden rule and not devolve into Game of Thrones backstabbery. Be nice, be kind. And good karma will flow.
If anyone is knowledgable on both series DM me so we can talk ideas back and forth.
More to come over time of course. Hope you enjoyed this and I'll see you in the next one.