Chapter 19

18th of February 1522
Open Sea, Near Little Garden

Moria stood on the deck of the caravelle. They had left Little Garden about an hour ago, and the vast expanse of the Grand Line stretched out before them, full of possibilities and dangers. He pondered his next move, knowing he had to remain discreet but also realizing that this would slow his collection of shadows. Perhaps revealing Selena's allegiance to him…, though it carried its own risks. He recalled the bite marks in Nami's hometown—could they trace it back to her with only that? Fuck. Caution only got him so far. He couldn't afford to be a coward.

"Selena, Bege, Isabella, come here," he commanded. They arrived promptly, their expressions attentive.

"Bege, new boat," he said.

Bege nodded, and with a concentrated effort, he reached into his body, pulling out a sleek, dark vessel. Two flags fluttered in the wind—the ominous emblem of Moria's crew and the insignia of the Whitefang Pirates. As if summoned by the presence of the boat, ten Shadow Sailors emerged from the ground. Alongside them stood ten Shadow knights, three Shadow Archers, and one Shadow Mage.

"Selena," Moria continued, turning to the fierce redhead. "You'll patrol the seas for the next three days. Capture as many rookies as possible. Head towards Reverse Mountain, but steer clear of the big whale. Do not go near it, understood?"

Selena nodded. "Understood, Captain-Boss. I won't let you down."

She strode to the newly conjured boat, and jumped on its desk, before she started bellowing orders to the Shadows. Amusing, Moria thought. As if they needed orders. The vessel set sail, cutting through the waves with grace. Moria watched her go. Selena was eager to prove herself once more, and he had no doubt she would succeed and bring him many high-potential shadows.

Turning back to Bege, Moria addressed him. "Now, give me an intelligence report on the surrounding islands. I remember much from my own time, but things change."

Bege nodded, lighting a cigar as he began to speak. "Alabasta remains a key point of interest, as you know, but there's more. Just near Little Garden, there's a town called Whiskey Peak. It's become a hub for bounty hunters and is under the control of a mysterious organization known as Baroque Works."

Moria's interest piqued at this mention. "Tell me more."

"Baroque Works operates in the shadows," Bege explained. "They're a network of bounty hunters and agents, all under the command of an unknown leader. They have a presence in Whiskey Peak, using it as a base to monitor and capture pirates. Their reach is extensive, and they're known for their efficiency and secrecy."

Moria's mind raced with possibilities. What an excellent idea! A permanent supply of Shadows and of money through the bounties, maybe he could take over it?

"Perfect!"

According to Hogback, the poison should fell a giant in less than a day. However, the two giant captains were exceptionally strong, so perhaps it would take two to four days. This meant he had ample time to head to Whiskey Peak after acquiring the shadow he sought.

"Set sail for Reverse Mountain," he bellowed, his voice echoing across the deck.

18th of February 1522
Open Sea, Near Reverse Mountain

Isabella screamed as their boat was eaten by a giant whale.

18th of February 1522
Inside Laboon

The ship groaned as it navigated the vast, surreal space within Laboon. Inside was a bizarre island, with strange flora clinging to rocky outcrops and a large pool of seawater dominating the center.

As Gecko Moria's ship came to a stop, a figure emerged from one of the island's twisted pathways. It was a stocky with a bald head surrounded by white hair that fanned out like flower petals, each tipped with a soft purple hue. His split white beard framed a face marked by a noticeably larger lower lip. He wore a pink shirt adorned with a yellow and green stripe, dotted with purple circles, and blueish-grey shorts paired with sandals. Glasses perched on his nose caught the dim light, while a seaweed necklace hung around his neck. On his left wrist, three gold bracelets and a green-gem bracelet clinked softly, drawing attention to a scar.

Isabella and Bege, standing beside Moria, exchanged glances.

"What is an old man doing inside a whale?" Isabella whispered, her voice barely audible. She was still not used to the Grand Line.

"And why does Gecko Moria want to come here?", she asked.

Moria's smile spread, revealing sharp, pointed teeth that gleamed ominously. Interesting. Only a C-rank fight, which definitely meant Fate was not correlated to global importance in History. So, what did it means ?

[Crocus]

Class: Retired person
Job: Medic
Dourikis: 3 512
Potential: A
Fate: C

Crocus grunted, his gaze hardening as he assessed the Warlord. "What business does a Warlord have here?" he demanded, his voice rough. "And what do you want with lil' ol' me? I'm just an old man…"

Moria's smile widened. "Crocus, ex-crew member of Gol D. Roger," he purred, his tone laced with malice. Bege and Isabella exchanged terrified glances. They hoped this encounter wouldn't escalate into a full-blown fight.

"I've come seeking something... invaluable."

Crocus sighed and put his journal away, his movements deliberate and calm. "And I guess it's my shadow?"

Moria's eyes gleamed. "Precisely."

Without another word, Crocus's stance shifted, ready for combat. Moria's smile widened even further, his anticipation palpable. Shadows began to swirl around him, and from these emerged half a hundred Shadow Knights. They converged towards the old doctor with deadly intent.

"Fuck", swore Bege, before he started to look for a place to hide himself.

Crocus, however, was not one to be easily intimidated. He coated his arms in armament Haki. With swift, decisive motions, he exploded the Shadow Knights with his bare fists. Each strike was precise, the Haki-infused blows preventing the shadows from regenerating instantly. Moria frowned. This was valuable information. Despite his age, Crocus moved with remarkable agility, his experience evident in every motion. However, he was up against more than mere shadows. Rob Lucci's and Ryuma's shadows emerged, and charged at Crocus.

Crocus fought valiantly, his fists a blur as he struck down Shadow Knight after Shadow Knight. He eve, managed to destroy Lucci's shadow with a powerful blow, but the continuous assault wore him down. His breath came in heavy pants, sweat beading on his forehead.

Seeing an opportunity, Moria unsheathed his rapiers and joined the fray. His movements were swift and precise. The old man, tired, despite his strength and skill, could not withstand the combined onslaught. With a final, decisive strike, Moria's rapier pierced Crocus's chest, ending his life.

Crocus fell to the ground, lifeless. Moria stood over him.

"Absorb".

Fate: A → S

Elite Shadow Soldiers : [Healer] unlocked !

[Gecko Moria]

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

Dourikis: 4,749/8,000
Potential: S
Fate: S

Physique: 2,001
Will: 849
Soul: 1,899

Named Shadow: 3/4

With his will past the eight hundred, he felt like he could soon start using Haki while moving and in fight conditions. Perfect!

"Kishishishi", he laughed maniacally. After all, why be a villain if you could not laugh over the corpse of your enemy?

18th of February 1522
Inside Laboon

Mister 9 and Miss Wednesday swore under their breaths, their hearts pounding with terror. They had come here with the simple, brutal mission to kill the whale and harvest its meat - only to witness instead the most brutal and terrifying spectacle of their lives.

A battle raged before them that their eyes could not follow. Monstrous Shadow Knights, summoned from the depths of darkness, clashed with an old man who moved with agility and power they had never witnessed.

As they crouched behind a rock, straining to catch fragments of the dialogue, the realization of who the old man was hit them like a sledgehammer. An ex-member of the King of the Pirates' crew? And they had been about to attack him? The other combatant, the terrifying pale figure with an aura of malice, was Gecko Moria, a Warlord of the Sea. What in the world was he doing here?

Miss Wednesday's skin was slick with sweat, her breath coming in shallow gasps. "Is this... is this the power of a Warlord?" she whispered, her voice trembling. She thought that Alabasta was lost.

Mister 9's face was pale, his eyes wide with fear and disbelief. "We need to get out of here," he hissed, glancing nervously at the ongoing battle. "Before they notice us."

But even as the words left his mouth, it was too late. They did not see the two shadows emerging behind them. Before they could react, darkness enveloped them, and they felt a cold, suffocating pressure against their skin. Their vision blurred, and the world around them faded to black. Then, everything went silent as they lost consciousness.

18th of February 1522
Thriller Bark

Absalom stepped out of the cold shower, droplets of water glistening on his patchwork skin. His body, a grotesque masterpiece stitched together from various animal parts, showcased the thick hide of an elephant and the powerful muscles of a bear and gorilla. Every fiber of his being ached from the grueling Rokushiki training regimen the Shadow of Lucci had taught him. He already felt immensely stronger than he had been a few months ago, but the process was nothing short of excruciating. Still, he refused to be left behind. He was Moria's first mate, after all. He dried himself off and began to dress, the familiar ritual bringing a sense of purpose. He loved his new uniform. He loved above all the long, fitted black coat with high collars and silver gothic embroidery.

Fully dressed, Absalom stepped outside, the chill of the castle's corridors clinging to him. He observed the Shadow Soldiers patrolling diligently. Above all, he noted the Shadow Workers, tirelessly transforming the architecture around them. Since Captain Moria had unlocked the Shadow Engineer, Thriller Bark's appearance had begun to evolve. The castle, once a gothic stronghold resembling a massive cathedral, was now taking on a grim, dark steampunk look. Absalom watched as hidden cannons were installed behind ornate facades, mechanisms clicking and whirring beneath the stonework. The spires of the castle, once purely decorative, now housed intricate machinery, their peaks adorned with gargoyles that hide barrels in their mouths or eyes. Massive gears and pipes were being built within the gothic arches, their dark metal surfaces glistening with oil and shadow.

Hehe. He almost wanted someone to try and invade Thriller Bark.

19th of February 1522
The Beginning of Paradise

Moria stood in the hold of his Caravelle, eyes fixed on the two sedated figures behind the iron bars of their cell. The system was strange - why display sometimes the name, sometimes the full name, and sometimes a nickname? But he had more…interesting informations to ponder.

[Nefertari D. Vivi]

Class: Royalty
Job: Princess of Alabasta, undercover as a Baroque Works agent

Dourikis: 87
Potential: B(?)
Fate: SSS

[Mister 9]

Class: Bounty Hunter
Job: Baroque Works agent

Dourikis: 117
Potential: E
Fate: E

Miss Wednesday - well, Princess Vivi - laid sprawled on the rough wooden floor. Her blue hair, vibrant even in the dim light, cascaded around her face, framing delicate features. Her slender form was clothed in the tattered remains of her disguise, a simple yet functional outfit that did little to conceal her curves. Beside her, Mister 9 slept, his figure more rugged and less refined. His rugged features and tousled hair gave him a scrappy look. The symbols of Baroque Works adorned outfit, marking him as one of their agents. One of the "Numbers", had explained Bege…

Moria smirked at the twist—a princess undercover as a Baroque Works agent. He had anticipated capturing mere lackeys, but fate had handed him something more valuable. Far more valuable. What to do with the princess was still a question he pondered. For now, he decided to focus on the man. With a deliberate motion, Moria stepped forward, unlocking the cell door with a creak that echoed through the hold. He bent down and roughly shook Mister 9's shoulder, his cold fingers digging into the flesh. The man stirred, his eyes fluttering open, confusion and fear quickly flooding his expression as he took in his surroundings.

Moria loomed over him, his shadow casting an ominous silhouette. "Wake up," he commanded, his voice a low growl. "We have much to discuss."