Chapter 29
10th of March 1522
Alabasta
Nico Robin stood in the doorway of Crocodile's lavish office, watching as the composed man she knew unleashed a tempest of rage. His heavy desk lay in splinters, papers fluttered through the air, and glass shards from shattered cabinets glittered on the floor.
"That bastard!" Crocodile roared, his voice raw with fury. He swung his hook, demolishing a chair into fragments. "What is he doing? How? How did he manage it?"
Robin moved closer, her eyes taking in the wreckage. "Sir, what has happened?" she asked, her voice steady.
Nico Robin was a woman difficult to surprise, but this time, she had to admit she was taken aback.
Crocodile, still seething, grabbed a half-broken desk and slammed down a copy of the Times. The newspaper slid across the splintered surface, its front page glaringly displaying the announcement of Moria's engagement to Princess Vivi.
"Moria!" Crocodile spat, his eyes wild. "That shadow-playing fool is engaged to Princess Vivi! The wedding is in a few weeks!"
Robin's mind raced. What? How did he do it? Moria's proposition, his cryptic words about them being mere pawns, and the claim that Alabasta was already his. Could it be true? Crocodile's anger seemed to intensify. "He's ruined everything! Every move I've planned, every calculation! How did he secure this engagement?"
10th of March 1522
Thriller Bark
Drake paused, an unsettling sensation gnawing at his instincts, and glanced around, his sharp eyes scanning the dense foliage. His nascent Observation Haki buzzed at the edge of his awareness. The raw, aggressive aura that suddenly assaulted his senses was impossible to ignore. It was a presence so potent and hostile that it felt like a tangible force pressing against his skin. Before he could fully process the threat, the trees directly in front of him exploded in a violent shower of splinters, sending shards of wood cascading through the air.
Shielding his face with a forearm, Drake squinted through the debris to see the source of the destruction. From the maelstrom of pulverized wood and dust emerged a figure of terrifying majesty. Selena Whitefang, partially transformed into her Direwolf form. Standing nearly two meters tall, her muscular frame rippled with lean, hard-earned muscle, every movement exuding a lethal grace. Her red hair, wild and untamed, cascaded down her back like a mane, framing her bronzed skin and sharp, predatory features. Her eyes, a piercing ice-blue, glinted with an eager anticipation of the hunt, and her elongated, lupine muzzle bore rows of sharp, gleaming teeth. Clad in only tight-fitting pants and a sports bra, her chiseled abs and powerful limbs were exposed to the elements. Her bare feet dug into the earth, grounding her with an animalistic connection to the land. Claws extended from her hands, each one a deadly instrument of carnage, capable of rending flesh and bone with ease.
She stood amidst the wreckage, and her snarling breath misted in the cool air.
"It has been a long time since I ate a Human". Selena growled, her voice a guttural rumble that sent vibrations through the ground beneath them. "I've been looking forward to this."
Drake shifted into a defensive stance, his mind racing as he assessed the situation. He tightened his grip on his weapon.
"Selena Whitefang," he replied evenly, masking his trepidation with a veneer of calm. "I can't say the feeling is mutual."
Selena's lips curled into a snarl that could have been a smile, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Let's see if you can keep up," she taunted, lunging forward with the speed and ferocity of a hurricane, her claws slashing through the air towards Drake.
Drake reacted instinctively, swinging his weapon in a powerful arc aimed at Selena's midsection. To his shock, she didn't evade. Instead, she braced herself, and her muscles seemed to harden, turning to steel as his blade struck. The sound of metal clashing against unyielding flesh echoed through the forest. Selena's body barely moved, the attack deflected effortlessly by her Tekkai, a technique Drake recognized instantly.
His eyes widened in recognition, and a chill ran down his spine. "Rokushiki..." he muttered under his breath. The realization hit him like a freight train. This information was invaluable, a critical breach that had to be reported to the Marines. Rokushiki techniques had leaked.
10th of March 1522
Mariejeois
In a secluded chamber deep within the heart of Mariejois, Im sat in silence, their piercing eyes fixed on the pages of the Times. The announcement of Moria's engagement to Princess Vivi was laid out before them, with the two photographs - one of the Princess, one of Moria, who strangely looked normal and handsome. Im's fingers traced the edges of the paper with a deliberate, almost reverent motion.
10th of March 1522
Thriller Bark
Trafalgar Law and his stepped onto the rocky shore of Thriller Bark. Before they could even take in their surroundings, shadows coalesced around them, taking the form of soldiers, their bodies fluid and shifting, yet solid enough to pose a deadly threat.
"Shambles!" Law's voice rang out, and in an instant, he and his men were teleported to different positions, trying to outmaneuver the onslaught. His sword sliced through the shadowy figures, but to his frustration, they reformed almost immediately, their dark essence knitting back together with unnerving ease. The fight started.
Not even thirty seconds later, amidst the chaotic dance of teleportation and combat, Law's keen eyes caught sight of a figure approaching through the fray. The man moved with a deliberate, unhurried stride. He was tall and muscular. His long, green hair was tied back in a traditional samurai style, cascading down his back, lending him an air of disciplined ferocity. He wore a hakama and a loose kimono top, the garments flowing with each of his movements. On his feet were geta sandals, their wooden clacks a rhythmic counterpoint to the chaos around him. Three katana were sheathed at his side.
As he neared, he unsheathed one of his sword with a fluid motion.
10th of March 1522
Marine HQ
In his office at Marine Headquarters, Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral, sat back with a steaming cup of tea, relishing a rare moment of tranquility - ah, it was so much better since he gave Luffy to Tsuru… However, as his eyes scanned the latest edition of the Times, he caught sight of the headline announcing Moria's engagement to Princess Vivi. The shock was so immense that Sengoku choked, spluttering tea all over his meticulously organized desk. He stared at the paper in disbelief. How?
10th of March 1522
Thriller Bar
Gecko Moria strolled through the lush gardens of Alabasta Castle, a self-satisfied smile playing on his lips. The evening air was cool and fragrant with the scent of blooming jasmine and citrus, a stark contrast to the harsh, arid landscape beyond the palace walls. He reveled in his newfound status. Ah! Gecko Moria, the soon-to-be Crown Prince of Alabasta. His manipulation of Princess Vivin Igaram and the King had been a masterstroke, with his blend of charm and subtle hypnotic suggestions from Isabella. He chuckled to himself, the sound a low, guttural rumble. His fabricated explanation about needing a valid excuse to confront Crocodile had worked perfectly. Vivi, with her naive idealism and loyalty to her people, had fallen for it, believing that it was a necessary step to rid Alabasta of its hidden oppressors.
Now, he was engaged the first Main Quest would soon be completed. All that remained was to eliminate Crocodile and usurp his control over Baroque Works, the clandestine organization that held Alabasta's economic and underworld strings. With Baroque Works under his command, the kingdom would effectively be his. Moria's thoughts drifted to Chaka, the royal guard who seemed less than pleased with the engagement. The man's loyalty to the Nefertari family and his wariness of Moria had been palpable. It was a nuisance that needed to be dealt with. Moria had dispatched a Shadow Assassin to take care of Chaka, instructing the assassin to make it appear as if it were the work of Mister 1, one of Crocodile's notorious enforcers, as Igaram had informed him. It was a neat solution.
As he walked, Moria felt a tug through his connection to his shadow warriors stationed at Thriller Bark. A frown creased his forehead. The shadows were consuming an unusual amount of energy to regenerate. It meant one thing: Thriller Bark was under attack.
His frown morphed into a wicked grin. Pirates, no doubt, seeking to plunder his island's rumored treasures. "Shadows for free," he murmured to himself, his voice dripping with only had to wait for one hour and a half for his skill cooldown to finish, and he would be able to teleport back to Thriller's Bark.
10th of March 1522
Dressrosa
Donquixote Doflamingo lounged on his throne, casually glancing through the latest issue of the Times. Upon reading about Moria's engagement to Princess Vivi, he burst into a fit of manic laughter, his grin stretching wide. The news was unexpected, yet it presented new opportunities and delicious chaos. "What a move, Moria," he mused aloud, his fingers drumming a gleeful rhythm on the armrest.
11th of March 1522
Thriller Bar
Gecko Moria sat upon his grand, gothic throne, facing his lieutenants and their prisoners. Zoro and Absalom stood at the forefront, their expressions stoic yet tinged with satisfaction. Their recent victories had bolstered their confidence, their progress evident in the aftermath of their respective battles. In stark contrast, Selena stood with her arms crossed. She sulked, her gaze avoiding Moria's piercing eyes. Her fight against X Drake had taken an unexpected turn when he transformed into a dinosaur, overpowering her and forcing the intervention of the Shadow of Rob Lucci. The sting of defeat was fresh.
At their feet lay the bound and unconscious forms of Trafalgar Law, X Drake, and Urouge. Law and Drake were shackled in seastone cuffs, their powers effectively nullified by the unforgiving restraints.
[Trafalgar D. Water Law]
Class: Surgeon
Job: Wannabe Doflamingo Killer
Fruit : Ope Ope no Mi
Dourikis: 1 744
Potential: SS
Fate: S
[X Drake]
Class: Undercover Marine - SWORD Member
Job: Drake Pirates Captain
Fruit : Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Allosaurus
Dourikis: 2 644
Potential: A
Fate: C
[Urouge]
Class: Mad Monk
Job: Fallen Monk Pirates Captain
Dourikis: 1 272
Potential: B
Fate: D
"Well done, Zoro, Absalom," Moria's voice echoed through the throne room, a deep, resonant sound that carried both approval and expectation. "Your progress has been exceptional. You have earned your place among my elite." And it was entirely true - under the guidance of Ryuma and Lucci, they had made extreme progress.
[Absalom]
Class: Master of the Graveyard
Job: Thriller Bark Pirates' first mate
Fruit : Suke Suke no Mi
Dourikis: 1 344
Potential: B
Fate: C
[Roronoa Zoro]
Class: Swordman
Job: Swordman
Dourikis: 1 844
Potential: SS
Fate: SS
Zoro nodded, a flicker of pride in his usually impassive eyes. Absalom grinned broadly, his tusks gleaming in the torchlight.
"Selena," Moria continued, his tone softening slightly, "we all face setbacks. Learn from this, and grow stronger. The next time you face such an opponent, you will prevail."
[Selena Whitefang]
Class: Warrior
Job : Captain of the Whitefang Pirates
Fruit : Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Dire Wolf
Dourikis: 2 465
Potential: A
Fate: E
Selena's jaw tightened, but she nodded, accepting the rebuke and the encouragement hidden within. Her defeat had been a blow to her pride, but it would also serve as fuel for her relentless drive to improve.
Moria's gaze fell upon the captives, his smile widening into a sinister grin. "And as for our guests... They will serve their purpose well. Each one of them adds to the strength of our army, whether they realize it or not. Absalom, give Urouge to Nami and Hogback for interrogation…and experimentation. I'm not sure they already experimented on someone from a Sky Island. As for the others…"`
13th of March 1522
East Blue
Jinbei stood among the ruins of Arlong Park. The air was still thick with the scent of charred wood and the echoes of lost lives. As he walked through the debris, some survivors from the human village recounted the massacre, describing shadow soldiers that had descended upon the island with merciless precision, slaughtering everyone in their path. Shadows, he thought grimly. He only knew one man who used Shadows. He was going to pay him a little visit - and who was going to stop a Fishman capable of using salt? His zombies ? Ah!
13th of March 1522
Marine HQ
Garp's eyes scanned the latest reports until they landed on a photograph that made his heart skip a beat. The image showed Gecko Moria's transformed human face. Garp's grip tightened, and with a growl of recognition, he tore the paper to shreds. It correlated perfectly with the description of the enigmatic figure that may be responsible for Luffy's arrest. This information, plus the testimony of Mihawk having pronounced Moria's name…There was no doubt now; it truly was him.
He really had to deal with the man. He should ask Sengoku for an authorization to take care of him : he had enough proof that he was the one behind the massacres.