Chapter 30
15th of March 1522
Thriller Bark
Zoro laid under the gnarled branches of an ancient tree in Thriller Bark, the knotted roots twisting beneath him like a rugged mattress. He found a strange comfort in sleeping outside, a nostalgic nod to his days as a wandering bounty hunter, when the open sky was his roof and the ground his bed. He stirred, opening one eye lazily. Huh. Strange. He could have sworn he felt something—a presence, a shift in the atmosphere. Fully awake now, he sat up, one hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword.
Through the dappled light, he saw a figure approaching, its silhouette growing clearer with each step, dripping with waters as if it just came out of the sea. The man was not entirely human; his broad frame and blue skin marked him as a fish-man. The man's face was stern, with yellow eyes that gleamed with intensity and a lightning-shaped scar that bisected his left eye.
Zoro's eyes narrowed as the fish-man came into full view. Zoro remained seated, his hand resting casually on his sword.
"Where is Moria?" the fish-man demanded. "And is he responsible for the massacre of my kin?"
Zoro shrugged, an indifferent expression crossing his face. "What of it?" he replied, his tone unconcerned.
The fish-man's eyes flashed with displeasure at Zoro's nonchalant response. Without warning, he moved with the speed and power of a tidal wave. Zoro barely had time to react before a massive fist connected with his midsection, the impact so forceful it felt as though his insides were being rearranged. He was hurled backward, crashing into the trunk of the ancient tree, the impact sending a shockwave through the ground. Gasping for breath, Zoro struggled to rise, only to be met with another brutal blow that sent him sprawling. The fish-man didn't relent, his attacks precise and devastating.
The fish-man stood over him, his expression a mask of fury. "You will answer for your master's crimes."
Zoro, battered and bruised, tried to push himself up again.
"Who... are you?" Zoro managed to croak, his vision swimming.
"I am Jinbe, Knight of the Sea," the fish-man replied, his tone unwavering. "And I will see justice done."
As Jinbe spoke, Zoro saw, with a mix of relief and trepidation, the massive, two-ton form of Selena in her Dire Wolf transformation slam into Jinbe. The impact sent a shockwave through the ground, but Jinbe barely budged, his eyes narrowing as he faced the new threat. Behind her, Absalom executed a Soru, appearing in a blur and thrusting a Shigan aimed at Jinbe's throat. Jinbe's response was swift and devastating—a single punch that connected with Absalom's midsection, sending him hurtling through the trees, snapping trunks like twigs in his trajectory.
Selena, her voice a guttural growl and hardly understandable in her transformed state, warned Zoro, "Be careful! He's a Warlord... like Moria!"
Shadows began to surge from the ground, dark forms coalescing and lunging at Jinbe with lethal intent. But Jinbe moved with the precision and power of a seasoned warrior, dispatching the shadow soldiers as if they were mere flies, each strike dismantling the dark entities with effortless might.
Absalom returned, limping but undeterred. He glanced at Selena and Zoro, then grimly reported, "Moria has been notified, but he's still on Alabasta. He needs time before he can teleport back. We need to hold him off for about 45 minutes until Moria can get here."
Jinbe, standing amidst the fallen shadows, looked at the trio with unwavering determination. "I won't let you continue your master's atrocities. Prepare yourselves."
A voice of a small girl pierced the tension-filled air. "No, you, prepare yourself."
Zoro, Selena, and Jinbe turned to see Nami standing confidently. She was dressed in an outfit that was both provocative and unsettling—a slutty nun costume, complete with a blindfold. The habit was scandalously short, barely reaching mid-thigh, and clung tightly to her curves, the black fabric contrasted starkly with white trim. The neckline plunged deeply, revealing an expanse of skin that left little to the imagination, while the blindfold over her eyes added an eerie touch. Stockings climbed her legs, ending in stiletto heels that clicked sharply on the ground.
Behind her, Absalom noticed with relief the imposing figures of the Shadows of Rob Lucci and Ryuma. Their presence bolstered the group's spirits. They could hold.
"Selena, Absalom," Nami called out, her voice carrying a commanding tone that belied her appearance. "You're not alone in this."
Jinbe's eyes narrowed as he took in the new arrivals, his stance shifting slightly as he prepared for the next wave of confrontation.
"You may have numbers," Jinbe rumbled, his voice steady, "but that won't be enough."
Nami's lips curled into a confident smile. "We'll see about that."
Then, Nami began to sing, her voice transforming into a guttural, throat-rattling chant that seemed to come from the depths of a nightmare. The sound was ancient, echoing with a resonance that defied comprehension, as if an old man's spirit had taken hold of her vocal cords. The words were a series of alien syllables, twisted and warped, forming a melody that clawed at the edges of sanity.
"Ghr'k'thru, s'valga nn'aloth, y'rketh blargh'ka, l'minoth ts'reth."
The chant spread through the air, curling around them like a sinister fog. Even Jinbe felt an unnatural shiver run down his spine. Driven by a primal instinct, Jinbe knew he had to stop her. He lunged forward, aiming to silence the source of this creeping dread. But before he could reach her, the shadows of Lucci and Ryuma were upon him, their attacks precise and unrelenting, forcing him to defend himself.
As Nami's chant reached a fever pitch, grotesque tentacles began to emerge from her shadows. Each was covered in gaping mouths, rolling eyes, and gnashing teeth. They slithered and writhed, moving with a life of their own, rushing towards Jinbe. The tentacles lashed out, their mouths snapping hungrily, eyes glaring with a disturbing awareness. Jinbe fought back with all his might, his fists connecting with the squirming appendages, but they were relentless, continuing their assault despite his efforts. The mouths bit and the eyes followed his every move, creating an almost living nightmare.
Nami's chant reached an even more unsettling pitch, and then, with a convulsive heave, she vomited forth a staff made of human bones. The grotesque artifact ended in a skeletal hand, clutching a gem that pulsed with a sinister light. She gripped it tightly, her eyes, hidden behind the blindfold, seemed to burn with an unseen intensity. Absalom, Selena, and Zoro regrouped, their previous shock giving way to renewed determination. They launched themselves at Jinbe, coordinating their attacks in a desperate bid to overwhelm the Warlord.
Jinbe, however, remained far superior to them, his movements fluid and powerful as he parried all their blows.
Nami began to chant again, the guttural sounds filling the air with an almost tangible weight. This time, her voice broke with an eerie sob, and blood began to pour from her eyes in torrents. The crimson streams flowed down her cheeks and pooled at her feet before coalescing into blobs of writhing blood and teeth. These grotesque masses leaped towards Jinbe with terrifying speed. Jinbe fought back valiantly, but the sheer number of these monstrous entities, combined with the relentless assault from Zoro, Selena, and Absalom, was starting to make him go on the defensive. The blood blobs latched onto him, their teeth gnashing and tearing at his skin.
Even Nami's allies found themselves disturbed by the horrific spectacle. Selena, still in her Dire Wolf form, growled low, her instincts screaming at the unnatural display. Each second felt like an eternity as they waited for Moria's return.
15th of Marche 1522
Thriller Bark
Gecko Moria emerged from the shadows, his towering form materializing at the edge of the battlefield. His eyes widened at the sight before him—a scene of utter carnage. Blood stained the ground, and the air was thick with the metallic scent of violence. His subordinates lay scattered and bleeding, their bodies battered and broken. Selena was unconscious, her massive Dire Wolf form surrounded by the protective figures of Shadow Warriors. Zoro, bloodied and bruised, stood with his swords drawn, his breathing labored but his spirit unbroken. Nami, her blindfold soaked through with blood, clutched her… bone staff ? And how had she grown so strong?
[Oykot Nami]
Class: Witch
Job : Creepy Girl
Fruit : Wara Wara no Mi
Dourikis: 2 185
Potential: S(?)
Fate: S
Amidst the chaos, Moria's gaze locked onto Jinbe. To his surprise the Knight of the Sea was also in a dire state. His once formidable frame was marred with deep gashes and bruises, his skin pale and slick with blood. His breaths came in ragged, pained gasps, and his stance, though still defiant, betrayed the exhaustion and injury that wracked his body.
[Jinbe]
Class: Fishman
Job : Warlord of the Seas
Dourikis: 6 171
Potential: S
Fate: S
Moria's lips curled into a grim smile. "It's alright," he said, his voice carrying a weight of assurance and command. His subordinates, hearing his words, allowed themselves to collapse, their tense bodies finally surrendering to the overwhelming fatigue and pain. Zoro and Nami slumped to the ground, the fight draining out of them as they trusted Moria to handle the rest.
Unsheathing his twin blades, Moria stepped forward. Jinbe straightened as much as he could, his eyes meeting Moria's.
"You've fought well, Jinbe," Moria said, his tone almost respectful. "But this is where it ends."
Jinbe, though exhausted and gravely wounded, raised his fists. "I won't go down without a fight. You killed my kin," he replied, his voice a raspy whisper.
Moria's blades moved with deadly precision, slicing through the air with a grace that belied their lethality. Jinbe, drawing upon the last reserves of his strength, countered with powerful strikes of his own. The ground beneath them trembled with the force of their blows. Despite his injuries, Jinbe fought with the heart of a true warrior. Blood flowed freely, and with each passing moment, Jinbe's movements grew slower, his defenses weaker. Finally, with a decisive strike, Moria's blades found their mark. Jinbe staggered, a look of resignation mingling with the fierce pride in his eyes. He fell to his knees, his strength at last depleted, and with a final, shuddering breath, he collapsed to the ground.
"Absorb"
Elite Shadow Unlocked : Quartermaster
Hidden Quest 2
?
0/3 → 1/3
Uh? He progressed on one of the hidden quests ? Was it because he absorbed Jinbe's Shadow ? Did he…Did he have to absorb three Warlord's Shadows to Upgrade his class ?
[Gecko Moria]
Class: Marquis of Dusk
Job: Warlord of the Seas
Fruit: Kage Kage no Mi
Dourikis: 6,011/8,000
Potential: S
Fate: S
Physique: 2,612
Will: 1,020
Soul: 2,379
He also felt a qualitative shift in his Haki as, after the absorption, his Will stat passed one thousand.
Soon, Kaido. Soon.