Chapter 6

17th January 1522
Thriller Bark

Isabella's breath came in ragged gasps as she collapsed onto the cold cobblestones of the courtyard. Pain radiated through her entire body, every muscle screaming in agony. She knew it was to make her stronger - and she knew it was amazingly efficient - but she wanted to die. The once quiet and controlled world of the West Blue, where she had stood among the strongest, now seemed like a distant, naive dream. Here, in Thriller Bark, she was insignificant as an insect, a mere plaything for monsters.

Next to her, Ryuma, the fearsome shadow, clashed with her monstrous captain, their movements so fast and violent that Isabella couldn't follow them with her eyes. Before she could catch her breath, a sharp, searing pain exploded in her belly. Selena's foot dug into her abdomen, forcing a guttural cry from Isabella's lips. The woman loomed over her, a wolfish snarl curling her lips. Selena, her personal nightmare, had taken an inexplicable dislike to Isabella from the moment they met. Moria, their sadistic leader, had tasked Selena with ensuring she reached her full fighting potential, citing their shared Zoan abilities.

"Get up, you worthless piece of trash," Selena spat, her voice a low, menacing rumble. "You think lying there is going to make you stronger? Pathetic!"

Isabella's vision blurred as she struggled to rise, her limbs trembling with the effort. Selena's piercing gaze never left her, filled with disdain and dark amusement. At least, the fucker was suffering too. Nearby, Capone Bege and his most loyal men faced their own torment. Absalom, Moria's right-hand man and a lecherous brute, was toying with them. He fought them all simultaneously, his laughter echoing through the courtyard as he effortlessly trashed them. Isabella caught glimpses of Bege's men being flung through the air, their groans of pain mingling with the cruel jeers of their tormentor.

Selena's voice cut through her thoughts, sharp and unyielding. "Resume fighting, you useless wimp. Show me you're not completely worthless. Or maybe you really are just a waste of space."

17th January 1522
Thriller Bark

Gecko Moria lounged in his private salon. His throne-like chair creaked under his weight as he shifted, his mind a whirl of calculations and frustrations. The addition of two new crew members with high potential should have pleased him. In many ways, things were progressing well. But a gnawing sense of dissatisfaction lingered.

"Baron of Eventide," he muttered, the title tasting sour on his tongue. "Warlord of the Seas." He glanced at the detailed data that flickered in his mind's eye.

Gecko Moria

Class: Baron of Eventide
Job: Warlord of the Seas
Fruit: Kage Kage no Mi

Dourikis: 4000/4000
Potential: A
Fate: B

Physique: 1,658
Will: 462
Soul: 1,898

Named Shadow: 1/4

His dourikis had plateaued, maxing out at four thousands because of his A-rank potential. The realization chafed at him. No matter how many battles he fought or shadows he absorbed, he couldn't break through this ceiling. And then there was his Fate, ranked B. To upgrade his class, to truly ascend, he needed to elevate both his potential and his fate.

His fingers drummed on the armrest, the sound echoing through the otherwise silent room. Selena had brought him dozens of new pirates to bolster his shadows, yet no new elite class had been unlocked. It was infuriating. How was he to improve?

He rose from his chair, pacing in the room. How could he enhance his fate and potential? Absorbing shadows with high fate or potential seemed the logical path. But therein lay another dilemma. Absorbing those shadows meant he couldn't use them to raise new shadows or keep them as loyal human subordinates.

Mmmm… Perhaps he was overthinking it. The date from the cursed box was about two weeks away; maybe a solution would present itself by then. In the meantime, he needed to commission a new ship to complement Thriller Bark—something smaller and more agile. And perhaps, during that process, he could find some engineers capable of unlocking a new elite troop.

19th January 1522
Water Seven, Blueno's bar

Blueno, polishing glasses behind the counter, glanced up as the door of his bar creaked open. Three figures stepped inside, immediately capturing his attention. His instincts, sharpened by years with CP9, told him these were no ordinary patrons.

Leading the group was a man who exuded nobility. His features were finely chiseled, and his white skin almost seemed to emit a soft glow. His eyes, a piercing red, held a strange, captivating glint. Two elegant rapiers hung at his belt, their hilts adorned with intricate designs. He moved with the effortless grace of someone accustomed to command. Behind him followed two women. The first, who could easily have been his sister, shared his pale complexion and striking red eyes. Her curves were a perfect blend of grace and allure, accentuated by a form-fitting dress that hinted at both elegance and danger. Her pointed teeth and ears added an exotic, almost predatory charm. She carried herself with a regal confidence that drew the eye.

The third woman was a stark contrast to the siblings. Standing nearly two meters tall, her physique was a testament to raw strength and power. Her shorts were cut so short they revealed the bottom of her muscular rear, and her sports bra showcased her well-defined abs and broad shoulders. Barefoot, she moved with the fluid grace of a predator, every step radiating power and control.

Blueno continued to polish the glass in his hand, his ears tuned to their conversation. He decided to address them directly, setting the glass down and stepping forward.

"Welcome to Water Seven," he greeted them with a nod. "Just arrived?"

The man turned his gaze to Blueno, a strange glint in his red eyes as he smiled. "Indeed. We're looking for a good boat builder."

Blueno returned the smile, though his instincts kept him wary. "The Galley-La Company is the best you'll find. They're renowned for their craftsmanship."

"Is that so?" the man replied, his voice smooth and cultured. "Thank you for the recommendation."

Isabella leaned in closer to the bar, her red eyes assessing Blueno with a hint of curiosity. "What do you recommend to drink here?" she asked, her voice like silk.

"We have a fine selection of local spirits. May I suggest the Water Seven rum? It's quite popular."

Selena, her eyes flicking over the bar's offerings, nodded. "Sounds good. We'll take three."

As Blueno prepared their drinks, the conversation continued.

"Galley-La, you say," the man mused, his gaze lingering on Blueno. "Are they as good as their reputation?"

"They've built some of the finest ships on the seas," Blueno replied, placing the drinks before them. "You won't be disappointed."

The three newcomers sipped their drinks, exchanging glances that spoke of silent communication. After a few moments, the man set his glass down and smiled at Blueno. "Thank you for your hospitality. We'll be sure to visit Galley-La."

Blueno inclined his head. "Enjoy your stay in Water Seven."

With that, the trio finished their drinks, leaving a handful of coins on the counter. As they exited, Blueno's eyes followed them, his mind racing. Blueno felt a sudden, sharp pain in his chest. Before he could even turn around and activate his Tekkai defense, a blade swiftly pierced his heart. The glass he had been polishing fell from his hand, shattering on the floor as darkness quickly consumed him.

19th January 1522
Water Seven, Blueno's bar

Gecko Moria watched with satisfaction as the body of the man crumpled to the ground. Jackpot. He didn't know why a CP9 agent was in Water Seven, but he was certain that no one would trace the murder back to him. The shadows in the bar seemed to deepen as he stepped forward, his figure towering over the fallen Blueno.

[Blueno]

Class: Assassin
Job : CP9 agent
Fruit : Doa Doa no Mi

Dourikis: 820
Potential: C
Fate: C

Moria knelt down, placing a hand over Blueno's lifeless body. With a twisted grin, he activated the power of his Kage Kage no Mi, absorbing the agent's shadow. As the shadow merged with him, a notification resonated within his mind.

[Assassin-class Shadow Warriors Unlocked]

His intuition had been right. The gamble had paid off. Moria's smile widened. But the night was still young, and Water Seven held many secrets yet to be uncovered.

"Come," he ordered to the shadows lurking in the corners. "We have more to explore."

19th January 1522
Water Seven

Iceberg stood at the edge of Dock 1, a rare smile on his face as he watched the busy scene of Water Seven. The day was good, and the arrival of three peculiar clients added a twist to his routine.

The leader of the trio had eyes that almost seemed to glow, exuding an air of command. Two elegant rapiers hung at his belt. Behind him were two women. The first, pale with striking red eyes, wore a form-fitting dress that highlighted her curves and exotic charm. The second woman, nearly two meters tall, had a muscular physique displayed in her short shorts and sports bra, moving with the grace of a predator.

Despite their unusual appearance, or perhaps because of it, Iceberg found himself intrigued by these clients. They were special, no doubt about it, but what truly piqued his interest was the wealth they carried with them. And Iceberg was a business man, and from the looks of it, they had more than enough money to afford the finest vessel Water Seven could offer.

"Follow me," Iceberg said, his tone brisk and professional. Khalifa, his ever-efficient assistant, trailed behind, her notebook at the ready. They weaved through the bustling dockyard, the trio following closely.

As they walked, Iceberg stole another glance at the tall woman. Her minimal attire, revealing the bottom of her muscular rear and showcasing her well-defined abs, drew more than a few stares from the shipwrights. She did not seem to revel in the attention, and she even growled to one of those who dared to look. Strange clients indeed, Iceberg thought, but ones who could bring significant business.

They arrived at a spacious workshop where Kaku, one of Iceberg's best shipwrights, was hard at work. Iceberg smelled the scent of fresh sawdust and listened to the rhythmic sounds of hammering and sawing. Truly one of his best man. Kaku looked up from his work, his long nose casting a shadow over his face, and gave a nod of acknowledgment.

"Kaku," Iceberg called out, his voice cutting through the ambient noise. "I want you to meet some new clients."

Kaku wiped his hands on a rag and approached, his eyes curious and appraising as they flicked over the trio. Iceberg introduced each one, their names still a mystery, but their presence undeniably compelling.

"Kaku here is one of our best," Iceberg said, pride evident in his voice. "He'll ensure you get the finest ship Water Seven can offer."

The man with the glowing eyes nodded. Kaku shook his hand, not noticing something going into his shadow.

19th January 1522
Water Seven

Evening had settled over the Franky Family House, leaving it unusually quiet. The usual noise of laughter and clanging tools had faded, replaced by the steady hum of machinery. Franky, always the night owl, was the only one still awake, tinkering with his latest invention in the workshop.

The peace was shattered when the doors burst open with a deafening crash, sending wood splinters flying. Franky jumped to his feet, adrenaline pumping. "Which asshole dares to attack me?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the room.

Amidst the settling dust, two women strode in, their presence commanding and starkly contrasting. The first woman exuded an eerie elegance, her pale skin and sharp, red eyes giving her an almost inhuman appearance. The second was her polar opposite: towering and formidable, with muscles that spoke of raw, unrestrained power. She moved with a predatory grace, her minimal attire—a sports bra and shorts that barely covered her muscular rear—emphasizing her chiseled abs and broad shoulders.

Franky let out a low whistle of appreciation, a grin tugging at his lips. "Fine abs, damn ass," he muttered, unable to resist the comment.

The pale woman snarled, her voice dripping with disdain. "You Franky? People say you're the best inventor and shipwright in town."

Franky flexed his muscles and puffed out his chest. "Supeeeeeeeeeeer! Damn right, I'm Franky! The greatest engineer you'll ever meet!" He started boasting about his achievements, his voice full of pride.

The woman's lips curled into a feral smile. "The boss told us to get the best engineer we could find. Looks like it's you."

Before Franky could respond, her body began to contort and shift. Bones snapped and elongated, muscles bulged grotesquely, and within moments, she transformed into a massive, two-ton wolf. Franky stumbled backward, shock and a hint of fear replacing his bravado. "What the fuck?!" he screamed, eyes wide as the monstrous wolf loomed over him, growling menacingly.