Chapter 4: OLD WORLD
Egghead
Luffy titled his head in bewilderment as he asked-
"OLD...WORLD...?"
"It was information that was picked up from a certain island...you'd know of it of course, Robin.," Shaka spoke.
Robin glared at him angrily when this was brought up.
Shaka pressed a button as the crew's unusual shoes suddenly felt heavy and stuck to the floor as if magnetized.
"What the?! Can't move!," Luffy noted.
"Is this how you're treating the people you're asking to save you? That's some way of going out this.," Zoro noted.
"What do you know about Ohara?" Robin asked.
"It's coming across too harsh. Let's go about this more rationally," Pygathros noted.
"It was something that was imparted from that person to give to you when the time was right?... They're waiting for you.," explained Edison.
Robin paused, her eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. She knew that mentioning Ohara was a risky topic, but she needed to understand what these strangers knew about her past. The room was tense as everyone awaited her response.
"Is this...a survivor...," asked Robin.
"A lazy man kept them cool during the fires. When they woke up, they decided to aid an unexpected ally in retrieving what the archaeologists died to preserve. Giants of Elbaf- they who initially thought as mindless brutes decided to secure that knowledge.," explained Lillith.
Robin then cried as she realized-
"This person wouldn't have to be named Saul wouldn't he?"
Shaka nodded.
Robin cried happily.
"Oi, Oi. I respect ya, Vegapunk, but making Robin cry- You're getting a wallop when I get free of this stupid thing!," Franky cursed.
"She's crying of joy! You dumbass!," Sanji argued.
"Wait, Saul was a guy that meant a lot to you!... Something like that...," Chopper noted as he thought of Dr. Hiriluk as he teared up. "Would be a dream come true."
"So he's alive? Why'd he hide then?," asked Luffy.
"Because he was a Vice Admiral, a Giant, and a member of that clan that bears the D initial. Elbaf was one of the few places the World Government can't just erase so easily, so it's the perfect place to hide. And he was recovering all that time. Pondering for you.," Shaka explained.
"That sounds lovely.," Robin noted.
"You said something about OLD WORLD. What does that mean?," asked Jinbe.
"You're all in on this. The government is likely going to kill you once you know.," Atlas noted.
"Oh no! Don't say anything!," Usopp begged.
"They want us dead already, Usopp.," Brook noted.
"Oh right.," Usopp realized.
"We need to go down to the secret floor to explain it. You might be alarmed, quasar.," explained Stella.
"You have an apple in your head and where's the rest of it?," asked Luffy.
"Cut it off and it's now in Punk Records. It was getting too large. I ate the Brain-Brain Fruit, which increases brain volume based on the information gathered. So I cut it off. This apple is an antenna connecting to that brain," the scientist explained.
"Oh I see.," Luffy noted.
"That's too casual!" Nami noted.
Suddenly the room began to lower as the room became transparent all around as the crew saw what was very unusual even by the standards they saw so far-
The giant bird and golden ship from before, but there were also increasingly weird entities-
A sapient building that was torn from its foundations with a wacky face, a giant white sperm whale bigger than the usual whale, a sentient topiary in the form of a moose that was eating dirt, a lion with hoofed hind legs, a goat head growing from its back, and a serpentine tail ending in a snake head, a green slime entity, a horse constantly changing its color, a bird with brass horns on the sides of its head, a faceless, horned black humanoid with wings, a winged horse, a dog with a clock built into the side of its body, a literal snowman, a sea monster with streams of water emerging from its nostrils, an animated skeletal mammoth, a horse with wheels for feet, a fierce dog made of magma, and a set of interlocked wheels covered in blue iris eyes all around its form with a set of four eyes covered by the same eyes.
Usopp turned white with shock at the sight.
"What... the... hell...," he stuttered.
"Oi, this lab experiment is going too far. You made them to impress us right?," asked Franky.
"It was a 25% chance that Law, Kidd, or you guys would end up in this location. Or none of you at all as the remaining 25%. Law would be more willing to listen and Kidd would be too violent and stubborn. There would be no reason to do this...also not enough funding to pull it off- quasar," Stella noted.
"Maybe if we became-," York noted before Stella cut her off.
"No, we're Humans. Even if-," Stella noted before Luffy interjected.
"This is so cool, where the heck is this from?," asked the Straw Hat Captain.
"The OLD WORLD. It's something even more ridiculous than the New World. Rayleigh must've told you about it right?," asked Shaka.
"No, all he did was train me and hang out.," Luffy answered, which made Stella look stern.
"I see- quasar.," Stella noted.
"What're we doing with the history lesson? Shouldn't we get going?," asked Zoro.
"And my dad, Kuma! You're gonna explain why you did this? Getting history lessons like this doesn't matter to me.," Bonney spoke up.
Stella looked to the side as he sat down.
"The OLD WORLD is deeply connected to the Void Century as is the D-Clan and Kuma-," he said before the alarm rang.
"It's the ships on the horizon! It's Kizaru...and it looks like one of the Elders is with him!," Atlas reported.
The Straw Hats and Bonney tensed up, recognizing the gravity of the situation. The Marines had found them.
"Kizaru...that jerk!," Luffy remembering how he humiliated the crew on Sabody and kept him from saving Ace. The other Straw Hats outside of Jimbe felt the same way.
"It's not going to be the same as before. You have that white form right that beat Kaido?," asked Zoro.
"Yeah, that form that I'm the most free!" Luffy replied as this perked Stella's curiosity.
"The White Warrior of Liberation- Nika is one of the many names of people with this power. The Free God with Boundless Forms. Can be free and like a comic book or folk comedy tale when happy or a chaotic creature of madness when angry. While weak alone, he becomes stronger in the company of others allowing his rubbery body to...," the scientist noted as Jinbe overheard, remembering Who's-Who.
"Wait, one of the Elders is here?," asked Robin remembering the conversation with Dr Clover.
"Elders? Who are they?" asked Usopp.
"The Marines hold the peace of the World by fighting off Pirates, but these Elders are the top World Nobles who run the World Government. As a Warlord or Admiral, you're required to meet them.," explained Jinbe.
"World Nobles!, Like that Charlos bastard and Doflamingo?," asked Sanji, remembering Charlos who tried to enslave Camie and Doflamingo, a former Warlord and someone who had caused severe harm to Dressrosa and Law.
"Then they're jerks!" Chopper noted.
"I've talked with them, they're approachable but can be cross when you pester them enough-," Stella remarked almost sheepishly.
"Are they strong or pushovers?," asked Luffy bluntly.
"No.," replied Shaka.
The room grew quieter as everyone waited for him to elaborate.
"Why do you give off a freakier vibe than the others?," asked Luffy towards York out of all the Satellites.
"York...you didn't...," Stella noted.
"Wait, what's going on?," asked Nami.
"Tch. For such a doofus in almost all other ways, you have that uncanny ability to sniff out the true intentions hidden behind a good act...," the blonde cursed.
"Why are you suspecting such a cutie?!," Sanji cursed before suddenly a shadowy winged figure appeared behind them as a beam of light shaped like a heart covered them. When Luffy was unaffected, the figure brought a piece of meat that made him starry-eyed, which caused him to be tricked into being petrified as well.
The figure came into view- it was a giant child version of Boa Hancock with white hair and green iris eyes with star-shaped pupils.
"Good work, S-Snake. Luffy is a novice Emperor despite his power. Delivering him to THAT PERSON is a top priority.," York said as she observed the stone figures.
She picked up a Transponder Snail and answered-
"Vice Admiral Doberman. He was doing even more audacious research than previously imagined. I can't tell you the details, but I recommend not coming in contact with it."
"Good work. We want to avoid a Buster Call as we did in Enies Lobby. It took two years to repair it and fortify it stronger than before.," explained the Vice Admiral's voice
"Guernika failed to capitalize on finishing him off. But this is much easier. The promise still stands right? You're with Saturn who can override the commands in case I back out of the deal," asked York.
Before he could continue, an unexpected voice rang out-
"What the hell are you talking about? This is SUPER lame for you to be a turncoat!"
She turned to see Franky half turned to stone while Brook was unaffected.
She gritted her teeth in frustration.
"York. What's the meaning of this? What was the Cyborg and the Soul King?," asked Doberman's voice.
"He's half robot and the skeleton is undead- that must be a loophole to the Love-Love Fruit we just found about.," York complained.
"I'd be heartbroken to hear that...but I'm all bones! Yohohoho!," Brook remarked.
"What's with the giant girl? I'm not like Sanji, I don't pull my punches. So you better undo whatever that was and call off whatever you want.," Franky noted as he prepared his Strong Right as it was unaffected.
Marine Ship
Vice Admiral Doberman and Kizaru hung around Saturn as they hovered around the Transponder Snail.
"So you made a deal with York? Vegapunk can't even trust himself. What a sad scenario," the Admiral noted, covering his feelings with his glasses.
"If it were Kidd, things would've been easier since he's even more foolhardy and reckless than Garp's grandson. And even simpler with Law considering his former allegiance to us giving us leverage we can exploit as a last resort. But, the Straw Hats have abnormal members that don't operate like normal folk so we need to be more strategic. This would've been done more easily and covertly if it were anyone else. Now things will escalate to our annoyance. At the very least, all three didn't choose the same destination and make things easier for us.," Saturn remarked to the surprise of the others.
"So you anticipated all scenarios one of the three Novas were going to Egghead? As expected of one of the Five Elders. But that young Emperor is especially a threat if we allow him to run loose. The Oracion Seis are the island and Cipher Pol has also infiltrated the location. Let's hope they don't butt heads.," Doberman noted.
"I think you're forgetting two factors...," Kizaru noted.
"What could those be?," asked Doberman.
"Straw Hat Luffy...brings back memories...makes me want to join in on the mission as well.," said the Admiral.
"Please inform us!," asked Doberman.
Kizaru took a breath and said-
"The World's Strongest Shield and protegé of the good doctor. Things are escalating too much. If only he just played it safe...," explained Kizaru.
"If it takes too long. We have the means to replicate and improve on what Vegapunk did and he will be a distant memory.," explained Saturn.
"Oi, oi. Isn't his protegé a relative of yours? You and the other four are so above everything that any intel on close relatives outside of the extended families is a big deal. Wouldn't it be prudent to wait till that-," asked Kizaru.
"When you live long enough- annoyances are just something to deal with and then forget about it as well the world. As for that one...they don't accept the ideology of the World Nobles...so they're no longer family and can be treated as annoyances...and not something to be concerned about.," Saturn answered.
Doberman was stunned reading between the lines.
"So resolute. We didn't take such actions before with Straw Hat...that white look looks abnormal...and it fits with certain folk-," Kizaru remarked before Saturn glared at him.
"Borsalino. You're not the first Kizaru and you won't be the last. Even as someone as valuable as you needs understand your limitations.," the Elder remarked.
Saturn took a bit of the sausage and sipped on wine as Doberman looked down and clenched his fist.
"It's a shame we're having to rid ourselves of such a brilliant mind. I really doubt anyone-," the Vice Admiral remarked.
He immediately stopped when he sensed he'd die on the spot via his Observation Haki if he uttered another word as Doberman left the room.
"I'll go as a backup plan. The good doctor has defenses that most of us will be trounced by. And I'm familiar with the locale. We go way back.," Kizaru explained.
"That won't cause any issues will it?" asked Saturn.
Kizaru went silent and shook his head before leaving.
Internally, Saturn thought-
Joyboy...Joy...Even in death...you still find ways to cause trouble for us...and his Will...of THAT MAN...always insults my...our... intelligence...to be reminded of it recently...
Mary Geoise- Weeks Ago
Back in Mary Geoise, Umi sat on the throne as a hidden figure snuck into the room to hide behind a pillar.
"For you to bring up the OLD WORLD...it makes sense since you were one of the 20 families. You helped out a great deal in dealing with that Clan of D...they're now remnants with no knowledge of their heritage- empty and meaningless. So I'll humor you before you have to die.," Umi noted.
Mars was about to interject but quieted when Umi glared at him.
"We'll see about that. As for what I learned...The New World is a land that defies reason and logic with islands that seem out of a fairy tale or legend reigned by powerful individuals...But even that pales in comparison to the OLD WORLD, which is even more absurd...," explained Cobra.
Umi's eyes narrowed.
"You probably know this, but given how old you are and how irrelevant it seemed till now, you need a refresher since fate is pointing in that direction. I've read ancient texts on it dating back to 790 years ago since the Void Century is taboo. The reports were scarce but they told of a place that was an unexplored territory waiting to be discovered and exploited. However, explorers from there suffered diseases and alterations that defied logic, brought creatures that seemed out of fantasy and nightmare, and home to individuals that were godlike in power. Why would this relate to this current era?" Cobra explained.
The Elders said nothing as they readied their hidden weapons as did the hidden figure.
"Because in the OLD WORLD, is where the fabled island of Laugh Tale where One Piece can be found. And the time is nearing to access that place once again. The Poneglyphs reveal that location to be there. And it was done on purpose since this is the will carried by my family, you must be aware of it.," Cobra continued.
"Even if it was true, no one has the capability of reaching there. But the fact you've brought it up, you're under no delusions of surviving.," Umi noted.
"Of course not, that Will of D...isn't trying to run from death like you lot.," Cobra said as suddenly the hidden figure emerged to attack Umi.
"Wait...Lili...you were...," Umi realized.
"So this is what you intended to do?" noted Peter.
"You brought this on yourself, peering into what you were never meant to see.," observed Warcury.
"Sabo!," Cobra realized
"Didn't think there be a guy behind the Elders. Better to deal with it-," the Revolutionary said before suddenly, Saturn glared at him causing Sabo to suddenly feel an internal blast to his gut that caused him to spit out blood.
"You're Luffy's sworn brother...you can't die now...at least not with me...," Cobra said before suddenly he was stabbed through the chest and head. Sabo panicked as the king fell off his wheelchair.
Cobra rose to his feet much to Umi's surprise due to his condition.
"I lost the ability to stand...but...for something...dying crawling on the ground...didn't seem like a good way to go...," the king noted.
"Sabo...you overheard everything...let them know...Luffy, Vivi...and the others of the D...the answer...is in the OLD WORLD...," Cobra said as he bit on the back of his teeth.
"Cobra...you're...," Sabo said before being pushed away.
"This is going to upset Vivi...but...let her know...I'm proud of her...," Cobra said as he began to glow as the Elders and Umi realized what was going on.
The room exploded in a flash of burning light before it quickly dimmed as Sabo ran out of the room before noticing Wapol scurry away frightened by what he just saw.
Nusjuro looked up at the pillar of frozen fire as the Elders in their normal forms saw Cobra smiling, the sheathing of his sword implied he was the one to cause Cobra's intended explosion to be nullified.
"Wapol is a disgrace- no one will believe him...However, Sabo has inherited that checkered fate, making him too dangerous to live...you don't mind if he dies... right?," Saturn inquired Mars who looked to the side, obscuring his feelings on the matter.
"Lili...how could you! I thought you were one of us! Damnit, so it was true! You sided with them!," Umi cursed.
"Berriririririririririri. We've been telling you for centuries, Imu...no Umi. You've been too obsessed with her to admit it.," said a jovial, gentle, and soft-spoken voice that barely hid malicious malice inside their heads.
"Midas!" Umi internal voice snarled.
"Nerorororororo.
"Rurururururu.
"Wriririrriririri.
"Howawawawa."
Gūgū-Gūgū-Gūgū,"
"Prarararaa."
"Irererererere."
"Mao-mao-mao.."
"Ramumumu."
"Acacacaca."
"Misesesesese.
"Vi...vi...vi..."
"Imumumumumu."
"Misesesesese. We all became immortal via THAT method. That promising offspring Doflamingo attempted to use that Law urchin to achieve it but failed! Being so long around you meant we'd find out eventually!" said one of the voices that seemed to be in their minds but also heard all around them. It was obnoxious and nasally.
"Miser. You need to watch your tone!" said Peter.
"Prararara. You're the one who needs to be silent, Peter...no Peter is what the current generation calls you...Germain!," said a more confident-sounding voice.
Peter gritted his teeth.
"Acacacaca. Rather than bicker, we should work as a 20 united, as we did all those years ago. Umi's methods lately have proven inept.," said a deep voice as Umi grunted in frustration.
"Irererere. His words were surprising but the sudden words of a dying man it's not like anyone believes in that-"
"Don't be too sure.," said a mechanical robotic voice as the Elders and voices turned their attention to a magic circle of silver coloring as it summoned a metallic bird that opened its mouth to speak. However, it spoke in a muffled, radio voice filter.
Saturn grimaced at the sound of the voice-
"You..."
"It's been a while, Saturn...no...your name's...Ezekiel!"
Unknown Location
The ship that had encountered the golden ship before was now sailing in the same direction as 18 other ships towards an island that seemed to emit laughter constantly.
On its banks, it read-
LAUGH TALE
Next Chapter: Assassins
Author Notes: This chapter reads as an alternate to the York mystery and setup to the Egghead siege. As for the 14 mysterious voices, it will become clear who they are eventually.