Chapter 2: The Pirate Court part 1
Later: Fullalead
After dealing with the mad man Demalo Black and decimating his fleet of gullible fanatics, the Straw Hats sailed onward until they finally reached the legendary pirate island Fullalead. The island is a marvellous sight to behold, rows of pirate ships moored across the harbour, tiers of building displayed uphill, surrounding a lone skull shaped mountain which marks as the island's infamous landmark. Fullalead has been stuff of legends for decades if not centuries, even way before the most infamous pirate Rocks D Xebec carved his name in history. Before the downfall and disappearance of Blackbeard, Fullalead had been a lawless haven for pirates, where debauchery and sin thrived for those who disregards the law, order and peace. But since the alliance of the Pirate King and the new Emperors, Fullalead became neutral grounds for pirates to rest from their dangerous voyages across the Grand Line, be it battling against fellow pirates, marines, sea monsters or surviving the violent forces of nature.
After Teach's disappearance, Luffy and the Emperors claimed Fullalead as their own, making the island as their capital of their "pirate republic", sharing dominion of it and established their own laws in the form of the Pirate's Code, which one states that whoever moors and sets foots on Fullalead, no one will break the peace with severe violence. Minor violence is fine, such as roughhousing and tavern brawls, but only of said fighting is with their own fists and without any weapons. Weapons must remain sheathed at all times and never be used in public, and especially not used for murderous intent.
Those are one more of the rules written on the Pirate's Code, and it's quite fair and reasonable for those who just want to take a breather. The other code state that the area consists of 100 metres off shore from the island counts as dominion of Fullalead, making it safe and easy for ships to depart when they're planning to leave, plus it prevents anyone from sneaking an attack on unsuspecting ships, although the temptation is suggestive. Failing to follow those rules will result in the prosecution from Fullalead's Code keepers (which you might compare them to the pirate's own police force), especially from Captain Teague, Chief Keeper of the Pirate's Code.
Fortunately, no one ever risked breaking any rules on the Pirate's Code, and passerby pirates are happy to follow these rules if they want to enjoy their shore leave without any issues. So embarking Fullalead wouldn't be an issue for the Straw Hats whatsoever, it's when they set foot the island they have to worry about.
"Easy as you go," said Franky as the male crewmates of the Straw Hats steadily docks the Sunny by the harbour, they hulled on the mooring lines and securely ties the ropes onto the jetty posts so to keep their ship on dock before they set up the gangplank. Once the gangplank is up, the rest of the Straw Hats walk down to the dock so to enter the harbour of the famed pirate Island.
"Welcome to Fullalead, your majesty," said the Harbourmaster as he approached the now docked Sunny and seeing the Pirate King disembark his ship. The Harbourmaster is an old man in his late 60s, with a short thick woolly beard, half-moon glasses and dressed in any piratey kind of clothes, consist of a red cap, a dirty white ragged shirt with some holes on the sleeves, dark pants and boots with brass buckles. In his hand is a clipboard and quill which he uses to register any ship visiting or leaving Fullalead.
"Hey, old man," said Luffy to the Harbourmaster. "We're here for business."
"Oh I know, Chief Code Keeper Captain Teague has informed me of this," said the Harbourmaster with hidden annoyance. "and instructed me that I do not charge you for the docking fee."
"How... generous," said Luffy with a deadpan expression. Geez, this old Harbourmaster is greedier than Nami.
"You still exploiting everyone with your unfair prices, you old bastard?" said Nami leering disapprovingly at the old pirate.
"Your Highness, please," said the Harbourmaster with his hands out in defence after receiving Nami's terrifying leer. "I'm just doing my job. As harbourmaster, it's my duty to ensure the docks here are in pristine conditions, and that doesn't come cheap, you know."
"Yeah, and I'm sure everyone is "grateful" for your 10'000 beri per day admissions, the 25'000 beri rental on your warehouse, and your Wonderful import tax," Said Nami sarcastically.
"Let it go for now, Nami," said Luffy placing his hand on his wife's shoulder. "You know we're not staying here for long. Besides, we're not paying this time."
Nami grunted and gives the harbourmaster one more leer, suddenly a loud voice coming out from Den Den Mushi speakers calls out.
"Attention: the Pirate Court is in session, may all members of the court please approach Skull Rock Castle so that the meeting can take place. And to the residents and visitors of Fullalead, please remain indoors while the meeting takes place and keep noise to a minimum, violators will be prosecuted and contained in the dungeons. Thank you."
"Good Old Teague, strict as always," said Luffy when he heard the Chief Code Keeper's voice broadcast all around the island. "It still wonder us how a lawman like him became a pirate?"
"Corruption in the World Government, I reckon," said Nami. "Anyway, we best not keep the others' waiting."
"Aye," said Luffy as he and Nami walks off, "come on everyone,"
"Aye," said everyone, which I mean Zoro, Usopp, Robin, Jimbei and Hancock, as they disembark the Sunny to join their King.
"Coming, Darling," said Hancock as she briskly approached her husband to stand and walk by his side, not wanting him to be along with Nami, which the Cat Burglar rolled her eyes at.
Luffy leaves the harbour with his 2 wives and most of the Straw Hats crew accompanying them. The reason of the 4 crewmates' joining is because they were each given the status of Pirate Legends, each earned by their own infamy, which is yet to be entailed.
The rest of the Straw Hats, Franky, Sanji, Brook and Chopper must stay aboard the Sunny, not just because they're the only ones without the status of Pirate Legends, but to stand guard aboard their ship and to watch over the children while the others attend to the Court meeting in Skull Rock castle. The new generation, except for Harry, are at the portside bulwark, looking at the sights of Fullalead's harbour and the outer section of the town.
Despite the emptiness of the harbour, the docks are however lined with various pirate ships, some which are very familiar, such as the circus themed Big Top, owned by Buggy the Clown, the Yellow Submarine Polar Tang captained by Trafalgar Law, the punkish Victoria Punk 2 with her Sea-King skull adorned bow, proudly owned by "Captain" Eustass Kid, and the small but ominous coffin boat owned the former "World's Greatest Swordsman" Dracule "Hawk-eye" Mihawk.
While the children sightsee on their own, Sanji, Franky and Brook stands by the main mast, keep their eyes on them (in Brook's case: eye sockets, Yohohoho). Chopper is in the infirmary, making medicines with the assistance of Kaya. And Pudding is in the kitchen, making snacks for children.
"So... tell me again why are we staying here and the other's get to go?" said Sanji to Franky. The Cook recently lit up a cigarette.
"Because, unlike us, the others were lucky to earn the status of Pirate Legend," said Franky with equal annoyance. It's bad enough to be from an infamous pirate crew, but to have only a selective few be Pirate legends while the rest don't, well that is one reason for the Cyborg and the Cook to be annoyed about it. "Meaning they get to set foot on Fullalead while the Pirate Court meeting is being attended."
"And why can't we set foot on the island?" said Sanji with a raised brow. His question may have been rhetorical, but due to his annoyance, he wants a reminder regardless.
"Because it's one of the Rules written on the Pirate's code," said Brook who is currently sipping his tea. As the oldest member of the Straw Hat's, you'd think he'd be the one to earn the status of Pirate Legend. But sadly for Brook, he's been out of the game for 50 years after his first death and he's not well known among the Straw Hats despite his former rock star career of "Soul King" during his 2-year separation back in Sabaody, so he's not given the status like the others. But unlike Sanji, Franky and Chopper, Brook doesn't mind, he's just happy to be part of the crew and bask in their notoriety. "Captain Teague is very strict when it comes to the code. When the court meeting is issued, he ordered everyone who isn't either the Pirate King, Emperor and/or Pirate Legend to either stay indoors or leave the island until the court meeting is over. And staying aboard our ship, if we're quiet, is considered not setting foot out on the island."
"This fucking ridiculous," said Sanji gritting his teeth with his cigarette still in his mouth. "I mean, despite hating the fact, I should be a Pirate Legend myself due to me being ... urgh ... the son of Judge Vinsmoke, King of the Germa 66. But what really get annoy is why is Moss-head... hell why the hell is Usopp even a Pirate Legend while I'm left out?"
"Well Zoro's quite obvious, same with Robin and Jimbei, but as for Usopp... your guess is as good as mine, mate," said Franky rubbing the back of his head, carefully not messing up his cyan pompadour. "But I get you, man. It's not like I didn't build the WORLD'S INFAMOUS PIRATE SHIP!"
"is dad, mums and the others left already?"
Sanji and Franky turns to see Harry leaving the ship's library and heading his way to the main deck. Harry is still trying to look for his phoenix-embossed book, but he still has no luck in finding it, much to his frustration. Harry joins the rest of the Straw Hats and the new generation to view the empty harbour, that was originally bustling with pirates coming and going. The Pirate Prince hated this, seeing the harbour so empty, so quiet, it's god-damn boring.
"No luck on finding that book, Harry?" said Brook
"No, and I looked everywhere," said Harry rustling his messy black hair, tying not to get more agitated. "I even looked in where Belle usually hides things she nicked off me..."
"Hey!" exclaimed Belle, but Harry ignores her.
"But no matter how hard I look, I still can't find it," said Harry rubbing the back of his head.
"And you still can't summon it with your Devil Fruit powers?" said Sanji
"No, I tried so many times, but for some reason it doesn't work," said Harry with a frown. "I wanted to tell Ron I can come over at his, but I can't without the book."
"You don't think it was... stolen, Harry," Brook suggested
"I already told you, I didn't steal it!" exclaimed Belle angrily at Brook.
"I-I didn't mean you did it, Belle," said Brook as he hold out his skeletal hands in defence. "What I mean is that something magical must've taken the book with magic, which explains why it can't be found and why Harry can't claim it with his devil fruit powers."
"Really? What could possibly stop Harry from retrieving his missing stuff?"
"...Yes... what could?" said Harry as a suspicion is starting to occur in his head, and narrows his eyes for he might know the suspect on who stole his book and possibly stopped his letters from being posted.
Skull Rock Castle
High in the skull shaped mountain of Fullalead resides a castle, the castle itself is built within the stone skull that oversees the island, hollowed out and constructed by an unknown pirate which, according to legends, ate a Devil Fruit that could manipulate the rocks and stones, which might be the reason why the mountain took the shape of a skull. It was once a bastion of piracy, way back when Blackbeard was under command of the island, even now it's still is a place to be wary of, especially when it's under the command of the Code Keepers and Militias under the commander of the Captain Teague.
EDWARD TEAGUE
BOUNTY: 850'000'000 B
Status: Chief Code Keeper/ Pirate Legend
Captain Edward Teague, he is a known pirate of his own league, he started out as a Marine with his own strong sense of justice. But due to the corruption within the World Government and the Marines, he resigned and took on the life of piracy, but followed it with his own former Marine creed, and moulded it into that we now call the Pirate's Code. He helped the Pirate King, the Emperors and the Pirate Legends establish the code, which is stern but fair, including the penalties which varies on what code was broken. Of course the conditions is that the Code is enforced only on Fullalead and as long as the seas remain lawless and free. Teague is fine with that, he'd be a hypocrite if he doesn't agree to that, after all he is a pirate and he enjoys the freedom on the open sea.
Teague is a middle-aged man with greying dreadlocks and a beard with some small but long braids adorned with beads. His skin is damaged and rough due to the years being exposed by the sun and battling against scurvy on numerous occasions. He wears a dark leather chapeau with an asymmetrical fold on one side of it's rim, and adorned with feathers from various birds. Apart from being a disgraced Marine and a famed pirate long ago, there were rumours of him being the bastard son of the famed Former Emperor Edward Newgate, but that was just speculation and Teague's response to that was "believe what you want, the bastard's dead so it doesn't matter."
Other than being the Chief Keeper of the Code, Teague is also a Pirate Legend so he'll be attending the Pirate Court meeting with the others who will be coming in due time. Right now, after drilling his militia and fellow code keepers with orders, Teague enters the Court Room and sits on his seat to await the others attending the court. He already announced the meeting via Den Den Mushi for he knows that everyone has arrived on the island after getting their letters delivered by his own flock of Dracula parrots, even though the meeting was requested by a fellow Pirate Legend Silvers Rayleigh.
The doors suddenly open, Teague turns to see the Pirate King, his two queens and 4 of the Straw Hat pirates who earned their status of Pirate Legends. He recalls the recording of these legends the first time they previous came here to claim their status, the records are still fresh in his head, and not even over-indulgence of rum can make him forget.
"Pirate Hunter" Roronoa Zoro
Bounty: 2'000'000'000 B
Status: Pirate Legend
Purpose of Status: Earning the title of World's Greatest Swordsman after defeating the previous titleholder Dracule "Hawk-eye" Mihawk in battle.
"Demon Child" Nico Robin
Bounty: 1'300'000'000 B
Status: Pirate Legend
Purpose of Status: Surviving member of the "Devils of Ohara", elusively evading capture by the World Government for over 30 years, studying the "forbidden" and "dangerous" poneglyphs connecting to the infamous Void Century.
"Knight of the Sea" Jimbei
Bounty: 1'500'000'000 B
Status: Pirate Legend
Purpose of status: Previous member of the Seven Warlords of the Seas, notorious break-out of Impel Down with Straw-Hat Luffy, Buggy the Clown, Sir Crocodile and Emperio Ivanov.
"God" Usopp
Bounty: 1'000'000'000
Status: Pirate Legend
Purpose of Status: ...You wouldn't believe me if I told you – Cpt. E. Teague
Teague always knew how amazing the Straw Hats were, but not even he could believe in the actions they committed, especially Usopp, who is among the "cowardly trio". But despite the lying coward's reputation, Teague couldn't help but give Usopp the status of Pirate Legends, even though he couldn't believe in the actions Usopp did which were sounded too good to be true. Regardless, Usopp is proudly content in his status, but didn't let that get to his head... most of the time.
Teague didn't give every member of the Straw Hats the status of Pirate Legends for he believes that the rest didn't contribute enough to earn their own titles. Not even Sanji, who is considered strong himself due to him being part of the monster trio (before Jimbei inadvertently overshadowing him), earned the status of Pirate Legend, although he was close if it wasn't for Jimbei "cock-blocking" him again. Sanji is still pissy about this and blames Jimbei for it, although it wasn't the helmsman's fault and had to deal with the blow from the cook's jealousy.
"Welcome your majesty, Straw Hats," said Teague as he welcomes the first arrivals.
"Teague," said Luffy tipping his hat at the Keeper of the Code while and his crewmates take their seat. As Pirate King, Luffy sits on that would be considered a throne, especially when it's big and fancy. And because if the size, Luffy shares his seat with Nami and Hancock, considering them to be his Queens. Teague saw this and chuckles amusingly, of course Luffy would show off his King status while his 4 legendary crewmates sit on their own respected seats. "are we the first to arrive?"
"Apparently so," said Teague as he remains seated. Suddenly more footsteps are heard and more enters the courtroom.
One by one, the Four Emperors made themselves known, and they aren't alone for some of from their crew, like the Straw Hats, earned their own status of Pirate Legend. First from the four is Shanks, and accompanying him is his first mate Ben Beckman and Gunner Yassop Sr, the only 2 from the Red-haired Pirates to earn the status of Pirate Legend. Lucky Roux wasn't fortunate to earn the status, but the rotund pirate doesn't mind for he's not one for Pirate politics. Shanks gives Teague and Luffy a nod before he and his 2 famous crewmates take their seats on the north quarter of the table.
The next Emperor to enter is Trafalgar Law, and unlike Shanks he doesn't have any Pirate Legends among his crew, which is probably for the best seeing that the crew itself is already infamous with their captain as one of the 4 Emperors of the Sea. Law silently heads for this seat at the Western Quarter and sits without saying a word.
Next and loudly entering, "Captain" Eustass Kid barges in, in such a rude and roguish manner. He is accompanied with 2 of his crewmates, his masked first mate Killer, and a young teenage girl with long cyan braided pigtails that goes down to her thighs, a pale complexion with light blue cloud tattoos on her right arm, and purple eyes that has a crazy shine. She is dressed in a brown sleeveless crop top, purple and black short shorts and a pair of brown fingerless gloves and a pair black leather boots.
"Massacre Soldier" Killer
Bounty: 400'000'000
Status: Pirate Legend
Purpose: Members of the "Worst Generation", Involvement of the Battle against former Emperors Kaido and Big Mom in Onigashima.
"Loose Cannon" JINX
Bounty: 200'900'000
Status: Rookie, Pirate Legend
Purpose of Status: Wanton Destruction in Piltover and Zaun in the West Blue, Adoptive daughter of former Emperor Buggy the Clown. Youngest pirate to ever claim Pirate Legend Status.
Killer, the first mate of the Kid Pirates, and Jinx, a new member who joined the Kid Pirates months ago were the only members who earned the status of Pirate Legend. Jinx is what you would call a parallel to Shank's own adoptive daughter Uta, with her being the adoptive daughter of Buggy the Clown. Buggy adopted Jinx years ago, when an incident in Zaun warped her mind, triggered by the unintended manslaughter of her former adoptive father Vander and being "abandoned" by her elder sister, the now Marine Captain Vi. Jinx is, as her alias implies, a loose cannon, a psychopath which is prone to blast anyone to kingdom come if they piss her off, and she's quite the chip off the old clown block since she's like her new father Buggy in personality, crazy, ill-tempered and chaotic. She joined the Kid pirates for she saw Kid as a "kindred spirit", and Kid sees the same in Jinx, especially how efficient and chaotic she is in battle.
So before entering the court room, Jinx needs to have EVERY arsenal in her person confiscated so she wouldn't cause any trouble during the meeting. She disapproves being "frisked by perverts" but regardless, her weapons were taken and she's permitted to enter with her captain and crewmate as they approach the Southern Quarter of the table.
Lastly, Charlotte Katakuri, 2nd Son of "Big Mom" Charlotte Linlin, enters the Court room with a couple of his siblings/crewmates who earned the status of Pirate Legends. The two which are of his fellow Sweet Commanders who later became his well trusted officers after succeeding Big Mom.
CHARLOTTE SMOOTHIE
Bounty: 1'500'000'000
Status: Pirate Legend
Purpose of Status: Mass mutilations and bodily drainage of lady nobles of the world government, leaving them as barely alive withered husks for the Marines to rescue and collect.
Years after Big Mom's downfall in Onigashima, following with the family dispute between her two brothers Katakuri and Perospero, Smoothie decided to sail off and make a proper name of herself while removing herself from Big Mom's shadow. She, along with her sisters Citron and Cinnamon sailed all across the Grand Line, seeking fortune and glory on their own terms, and they did well with exceptional results. On their voyages, they would harbour on islands, either to rob and pillage or rest between voyages, but the only thing Smoothie had on her mind is her twisted sadistic pleasures. She would go after lady nobles and beautiful women, kidnap them and wring them dry until almost of their bodily fluids were extracted and distilled into fine wines. This twisted hobby is what made her more infamous, for she would sell these unique vintages to the highest bidder, which surprisingly got everyone hooked.
Supply and demand is the word, and Smoothie would do that, she go around kidnapping fair maidens and juice them up to make her popular liquors. There was one time when Smoothie went and gone after princesses, especially certain ones that were friends to a certain pirate crew.
Luffy and the Straw Hats sailed with haste to go after Smoothie when the news that Rebecca and Vivi were kidnapped by the Long-legged piratess. Once again, the Charlotte sisters' cross blades with the Straw Hats like the time when they crashed Big Mom's tea party and Pudding's farce of a wedding with Sanji so to trap Germa 66 and steal their technology. Only this time, this rescue mission is focused on the two princesses that Smoothie captured in her wringing hands. When Luffy saw Vivi and Rebecca in Smoothie's "juicing room" and on the verge of dehydration, it got personal to the Pirate King and he and Smoothie exchanged pummelling fists and swinging kicks in battle.
But as they fight, one thing led to another when Smoothie attempted to wring Luffy dry and sampled his juices, Smoothie became infatuated by the taste of Luffy's wrung out juices. She never thought the juice of the Pirate King would be this intoxicating. So a deal was made, she'd rehydrate the princesses if Luffy lets her juice him instead. Luffy reluctantly accepted for Vivi and Rebecca's sake, which lead him to be juiced in every 3-4 years, that and get sucked dry in another way, if you catch my drift.
Although Luffy isn't happy with Smoothie kidnapping his 2 "friends", he can't fault her in her ways of piracy, after all he doesn't care what happens to the others victims, for they aren't his friends. So, he lets Smoothie do what she does on the condition that she needs to be careful on who she kidnaps, making sure they aren't affiliated with the Pirate King whatsoever. That, and the Straw Hats keeps 15% of the Profits whenever Smoothie wants to produce wine out of the Pirates King's bodily juices, which Nami issued personally.
Apart from that, her questionable juice distributing business is left alone. She looks ahead at Luffy and gives him a wink, which Luffy and his Queen took notice of this. Luffy couldn't help but blush, Nami chuckled but Hancock only scoffed at the Long-Leg human hybrid for she still happy about the deal her beloved made with the long legged harlot.
CHARLOTTE CRACKER
Bounty: 1'300'000'000
Status: Pirate Legend
Purpose of Status: Surviving and won a battle against Vice-Admiral Labrador in the coast of Totto Land, thwarting a Marine assault on Emperor Katakuri.
Cracker remains loyal to Katakuri when the family dispute divided the Charlotte Family, and the prime example of that proof is when he defended Totto Land against an attempt naval incursion fabricated by Vice-Admiral Labrador, a Dog-Zoan type Marine who captains a fleet of 7 battleships which would've been the downfall for Katakuri if it weren't for Cracker's loyalty and bravery. Cracker has led of a fleet of Tarte ship followed with his own flagship to confront Vice-Admiral Labrador's own. The battle was immense, but it won in Cracker's favour when the Sweet commander boarded Labrador's ship and fought the Vice-Admiral personally. It left Cracker some scars but it won him the battle, resulting in Katakuri's power as Emperor in check and a major blow on the Marines when they lost themselves a valued marine officer with a keen strategic mind.
And when that news spread across the four quarters of the world, it didn't take long for Cracker to become a Pirate Legend like his sister Smoothie.
Katakuri and his 2 siblings/commanders take their seat on the Eastern quarter of the table. But they aren't the only ones to enter, for there are 4 more to enter, 4 more Pirate Legends.
"Dark King" Silvers Rayleigh
Bounty: (Sadly, any records of his bounty 28 years prior was lost after retirement to the point that I couldn't record it. And in my defence, I wasn't Keeper of the Code when that occurred so... not my fault – Teague)
Status: Pirate Legend
Purpose of Status: Former First Mate of the Former Pirate King Gol D Roger, returned to piracy after 25 years of retirement where and his wife Shakky commands a crew of their own. (Guy must be either inspired by the current Pirate King or got bored of his retirement, I don't know -Teague)
Sir Crocodile
Bounty: 2'500'000'000
Status: Pirate Legend
Purpose of Status: Former Warlord of the Seas, involved in the jail break in Impel Down with "Knight of the Sea" Jimbei, Buggy the Clown, "Straw Hat" Monkey D Luffy and Emperio Ivankov. Involved in the Summit War of Marineford "with" Edward "Whitebeard" Newgate and "Straw Hat" Monkey D Luffy. Co-founder of Cross Guild, teaming with Dracule "Hawk-eye" Mihawk and Buggy the Clown.
Dracule "Hawk-eye" Mihawk
Bounty: 4'000'000'000
Status: Pirate Legend
Purpose of Status: Former Warlord of the Seas, Impressive kill count of Marines and Pirates in History (which is too much to count but it's surprisingly a lot -Teague) De-facto leader of Cross Guild.
Buggy the Clown
Bounty: 4'000'000'000
Status: Pirate Legend
Purpose of Status: (I must be still drunk on Rum when I wrote this -Teague) Former Warlord of the Seas, involved in the Jail-break in Impel Down with Sir Crocodile, "Knight of the Sea" Jimbei, "Straw Hat" Monkey D Luffy and Emperio Ivankov. Involved in the Summit War of Marineford with Edward "Whitebeard" Newgate. Founded Buggy's Delivery and the Cross Guild with Sir Crocodile and Dracule "Hawk-eye" Mihawk. (I serious don't know how and why this sad excuse of a pirate end up with such renown, plus Shank did give me amazing Rum if I accept his recommendation to make him a Pirate Legend. - Teague)
Rayleigh, Mihawk, and Crocodile silently enters through the door and heads for their seats. As before, the Pirate Legends must enter the courtroom unarmed, as the Code decrees. The three didn't mind, Mihawk surrenders his Yoru, which he had reforged after it was sliced in half from his defeat by the hands of his new successor Zoro. Mihawk bears scars to prove his defeat, which is ironically placed on his exposed chest, a long deep diagonal scar that would've killed any normal human. Despite his defeat, Mihawk was spared so to remember his defeat, but the swordsman is content with that and is personally glad that he found someone to succeed him, and he's glad to have and call Zoro his successor.
"Roronoa," Mihawk welcomes Zoro calmly.
"Mihawk" Zoro said stately to his predecessor, nodding with acknowledgement at him.
Crocodile has to detach his golden hook off his left wrist before he can let himself enter the courtroom. He noticed Luffy staring at him with discontent, which he doesn't mind or care at the moment while he takes his seat.
"Straw Hat," Crocodile said with a slight smirk.
"Crocodile," said Luffy discontent for he's still holding some grudges after seeing the tall hand-less pirate. The Pirate King never liked or was ever happy with seeing Crocodile, and it's not just about the plotted conspiracy that the Croc and his former Organisation Baroque Works planned in Alabasta, and it's not just about the reluctant team up in Impel Down. It's something else but it's between Luffy and Crocodile personally.
"I hear that young Harry attended some school," said Crocodile calmly at Luffy, which got the King fuming. "How was his first term?"
"It's none of the your damn business, Croc!" Luffy exclaimed angrily at Crocodile.
"Luffy, please calm down," Nami said as she holds the enraged Pirate King, keeping him calm and not cause any trouble while the Pirate Court meeting is attending.
"Sorry, I was just wondering, rumours of him going to some magic school reached even me so I was just wondering." Said Crocodile holding out his only hand and amputated wrist stump in defence. However his face remains calm and collected for he does find Luffy's outburst humorous.
"Whatever Harry does is NEVER your concern, be sure to remember that!" said Luffy seething through his tightly grit teeth. His anger for Crocodile is slowly waning when the embrace from Nami and Hancock helps ease his mood.
"Of course, your Majesty," said Crocodile, but by the tone of his voice, he nary has any respect for Straw Hat at all. And the feeling's mutual.
Buggy however, being a showman at heart, tends to show off as if he's some bigshot. As the Clown Pirate enters last, his associates Cabaji Mohji are shooting confetti, playing circus music and shining colourful lights for their captain's announcement . The others only express their deadpan looks at Buggy, some either palming their faces or simply ignoring Buggy attempt for attention, well not all for Shanks only found it amusing when he sees his former crewmate trying.
"What's up, bitches!" exclaimed Buggy eccentrically as he flips everyone the bird and sticking out his tongue out of his wide-open grin.
"Daddy!" suddenly Pirate Legend Jinx leap out of her chair and glomps on her father in a loving hug, which Buggy accepts.
"Jinx, my sweet crazy harlequin, it's been so long!" said Buggy hugging his equally eccentric daughter. It's clear that their relationship as father and daughter, although both are crazy, is surprisingly healthy. "I trust that thieving punk is treating you well."
"Of course, Daddy, Kiddy's very hospitable since he allowed me to join his crew," said Jinx with a sweet yet crazy smile.
"Ah, good," said Buggy as he lets go of Jinx so to pat her cyan head before turning to leer at Kid. "Because I would have to force him to be respectful if he wasn't."
"Oh piss off, you circus has-been," exclaimed Kid as he gives Buggy the middle finger from his cyborg arm. "in case you failed to see through that fat nose of yours, Jinx and I got along very well. Her chaotic nature and her love for tinkering weapons of mass destruction made her a kindred spirit."
"Don't you get any Ideas, Kid. And WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT MY NOSE!?" said Buggy before he yelled an outburst when Kid made a snide remark about his big red clown-like nose.
"Honk!" Kid honked his nose mockingly at Buggy, which made Buggy's rage skyrocket.
"Oh that is it!" exclaimed Buggy as he splits his body in half and lets his upper part fly towards Kid so he can give him a piece of his mind. "First you steal my Emperor Title, then you try to make a move on my dear daughter Jinx, and now you mock me even further?!"
"And what if I did, you poor excuse of a children's entertainer?" said Kid as he retract blades from his cyborg, despite the no-weapons policy in the court room, and swings it at Buggy. But the blade did nothing to Buggy, only splicing him in half without causing any damage before the clown reforms back again. "Now piss off and sit your detached ass down."
Buggy snarls before he completely reforms, he gesture his two officers to leave the court room so he can sit down.
"Are we done?" said Rayleigh shifting his bespectacled eyes at Buggy and Kid, "Emperor Kid, I trust that you keep your hidden weapons sheathed during the remainder of the meeting. I wouldn't want Teague to confiscate that arm... again."
"Fine" Kid grumbles as he puts his hidden blade away and cross his arms. "Let's get this over with."
"Alright," said Rayleigh as he stands up from his seat and begins to speak out. "I want to thank who bothered to even come in this meeting, even in such short notice."
"Yeah, well you were lucky that we were in the New World when you asked for us," said Buggy as he fidgets with a coin that's twirling between his gloved fingers. "And since it's you that called for us, of course we'd come due to the high respect we had for you."
"indeed," said Mihawk, for once he agrees with Buggy. "Normally we'd ignore any calling since it's optional."
"I was tempted to ignore it if it didn't sound urgent," said Crocodile as he starts to light up his cigar. "So... what is that you want to talk about, Silvers?"
"Yes, tell us what you want us to know," said Luffy.
"Of course," said Rayleigh as he turns to Teague. "Bring in the Prisoner."
Teague nods and place his finger on his ear so to use his Den Den Mushi earpiece to commune with the militia. "Bring him in."
The door opens and entering the courtroom, two pirate militia and a chained up prisoner enters through the doors. The Prisoner is dressed in dark robes, a silver skull mask and a long pointed cowl. One of the Militia pulls off the cowl and places it on the table, along with... a wand which the militias confiscated from the prisoner. They let the mask on for Rayleigh stops them from taking it off the Prisoner's face.
"This is why I requested this Pirate Court Meeting," said Rayleigh
Luffy frowns when he saw this and looks along with his fellow Straw Hats, for they all have the same bad feeling about this. They are in the presence of a Death Eater.
Meanwhile at Fullalead
Up on the rooftops, Harry is leaping over gaps between buildings, currently chasing after the true culprit for the theft of his Phoenix-embossed book, and also stopping his letters from coming and going: the House Elf Dobby.
"GET BACK HERE DOBBY!"
"DOBBY CANNOT, NOT UNLESS YOU PROMISE!"
Harry roars in anger when the chase causes them to approach the Skull-shaped mountain, where the Pirate Court is in progress.
To be Continued