Present Day
Iwataka, tears flowing softly, was prepared to wrap up his story.
Zoro looked away, hiding his expression.
Amaiya cried loudly.
Iwataka smiled.
"Let it out you two.." Iwataka said.
Another calm breeze blew past the ship.
Amaiya wiped her eyes.
Zoro thought to himself in deep thought.
"Jiraiya-soro was fortunately able to get us to the ship before the island was destroyed. God Valley was wiped off the map along with everything that happened there. Garp was hailed as the sole hero who stopped Roger and Rocks.. showing just how easy it was for the Government to change history.." Iwataka said.
"But that didn't matter anymore. We spent the next week or so dropping off captives to their home islands throughout the Grand Line before finally going there.." Iwataka said.
Zoro and Amaiya looked at Iwataka who smiled softly.
"The Shinobi World..." Iwataka said.
Flashback (38 years prior)
Iwataka rest in the medical bay on the stolen Marine ship, reading a book.
Knock knock knock.
"Come in!" Iwataka said.
Jiraiya walked in slowly, closing the door behind him.
Jiraiya slowly sat next to Iwataka.
"You been doing alright, Iwataka?" Jiraiya asked.
"Y-Yes, Jiraiya-soro. I've been doing just fine thank you for asking!" Iwataka said.
Jiraiya smiled.
"Of course! So.. we just dropped off the last victim of the Government.. a lot of us were just wondering what you had planned next?" Jiraiya asked.
Iwataka looked down.
"I-I'm not sure... if the Government finds out I survived God Valley they'll really want me dead.. they'll send everything they have at me.." Iwataka said, developing tears.
"I-I just don't want to run anymore!" Iwataka cried.
Jiraiya consoled the young man.
"You won't have to!.. We-We want you to come with us!" Jiraiya said, "Rest in the shinobi world for all the time you need!"
Iwataka could barely contain his smile. The young man would have never imagined he'd have this opportunity.
"I-I..." Iwataka stuttered.
"Don't say anything. Just keep resting. Your family... your family saved so many shinobi with their bravery.. and then you.. slicing an entire mountain in half.. on behalf of us.. you deserve it!" Jiraiya said.
Iwataka looked away. Thinking of his brothers.
Iwataka nodded slowly.
"Become strong brothers... The news you will receive soon will hit hard... but I'm okay!! I'm going to be gone for a while.. please.. stay safe!!" Iwataka thought.
"You're both all I have left..." Iwataka said, thinking of Okua and Mihawk.
Iwataka faced Jiraiya and nodded confidently.
Jiraiya smiled back as the two shook hands.
Present Day
"I was actually able to live in peace in the shinobi world for quite some time.. until.. DEATH attacked the Shinobi World around 16 years later. Psycho and Cyclone once again being the culprits." Iwataka said.
Zoro and Amaiya didn't have any more emotions to waste on those demons and just let Iwataka wrap up his story.
"But instead of fear.. I felt curiosity.. drive.. motivation.. I wasn't even curious as to how they even survived God Valley.. I just knew that since a child, I was under the impression DEATH only had business with our lands, but I saw now that this wasn't true. Something deeper was going on with this organization.. it wasn't just a silent war between the Government and Shinobi.. DEATH is in the middle of it.. but why? Their attack clearly signaled my return home." Iwataka said.
A calm breeze gently rocked the boat. Iwataka smiled.
"I learned so many great things in the shinobi world. Like my chakra nature and using the combination of chakra and haki to amplify attacks!" Iwataka said.
Zoro was completely shocked. Amaiya looked away, already knowing this was possible growing up learning from Cyclone.
"So-So you mean?..." Zoro was interrupted.
"Yes, Zoro-soro. Haki and chakra both reside inside us. Our lands have learned over time to harness the power we call haki, the shinobi have learned to use chakra. They're the same energy, but used very differently!" Iwataka said, "My chakra nature is wind, surprise surprise! Wa ha ha ha!"
Zoro thought back to Iwataka's attacks and the way the wind moved, the shapes it took, and the air slashes that cut for miles. It all made sense now.
Iwataka continued.
"But when I had finally made it back to Alabasta I made it my first priority to ask the King what he knew. He had to know something about an entire world of Shinobi resting outside his kingdom.." Iwataka said
Zoro stared at Iwataka and Amaiya continued to listen.
"And he did! I-I just never would've guessed how much he knew though.." Iwataka said.
Flashback (22 years ago)
Iwataka had listened with shock at the truth between the shinobi and the World Government from Lily's note. Cobra cried softly.
"I'm... I'm terrified Iwataka... those people deserve to know there is more out there... this foolish "draft" needs to be stopped! Lily made the deal! As Queen of Alabasta! But she is long gone and I have the power to end this but... they'll kill me when they find out what I know!" Cobra stressed.
Iwataka looked up at Cobra, thinking of the shinobi and the Government's threat to destroy the shinobi world.
"There's much more at stake then just your life, King Cobra.. the Government promised to destroy the entire shinobi world if the shinobi attempted to fight back.. and they can.." Iwataka said softly, having flashbacks to God Valley.
"What do we do Iwataka?! Please, help a troubled King!" Cobra stressed, "I don't want to die.. but.. the shinobi must know that things are different now!"
Iwataka understood completely, thinking, then looking up at Cobra with determination.
"That man... mentioned in the note." Iwataka said, "The giant."
Cobra gasped slightly.
"U-Ubois?" Cobra asked, "What about him? This note is from nine hundred years ago.. Ubois is long gone.." Cobra said.
Iwataka shook his head slowly.
"No.. maybe he's not!" Iwataka said.
"Wh-What? How do you know this?" Cobra asked.
"..Only dead bounties are known only by the Fleet Admiral and the Admirals.. if any of those four claim the bounty it's added as a bonus on their next check.." Iwataka said, "A former admiral who was a great friend of our family, said something one time about really wanting to claim the bounty on a man named "Ubois.." Iwataka revealed, "Saying "He knows too much. They are paying big for him."
Cobra gasped with shock.
"Wh-What?" Cobra choked out, looking down at the note.
"Could it really be the same man? This was nine hundred years ago..." Cobra said.
Iwataka nodded confidently.
"I'm positive! His name read "Dubois" on his poster, but I'm just assuming it's because of the Government's hatred for the D clan that they merged the name.. "D" Ubois, "Dubois," it's him for sure!" Iwataka said.
Cobra continued to stare at the note before gulping and looking up at Iwataka.
"What do we do next, Mr. Iwataka?" Cobra asked.
"Nothing." Iwataka said, "Don't do anything."
Cobra was confused.
"I'm going to go pay this "Dubois" a visit!" Iwataka said.
Cobra gasped with shock.
"When the time is absolutely right.. go.. and make contact with the shinobi!" Iwataka yelled.
Cobra's eyes shot open.
"H-How will I know when the times is right?" Cobra asked.
Iwataka smiled softly.
"Once you have.. accepted your death." Iwataka said.
Cobra choked on his words.
"The path you will embark on once the shinobi are brought to light can't be avoided.. only once you've accepted your path will it be time to send the message!" Iwataka said.
Cobra sweat nervously looking around the room.
"King Cobra please be calm everything will be okay. You are a truly kind king and your heart and intentions are in an amazing place." Iwataka said.
Cobra continue to stress to himself until he calmed down and nod at his head in understanding.
"When that day comes.. and I reach out to the Shinobi.. then what?" Cobra asked.
Iwataka shrugged.
"I don't know. At that point it's in the hands of fate! Wa ha ha ha ha ha!!!" Iwataka laughed.
"What?!" Cobra yelled as Iwataka laughed.
Present Day
"When I began my journey to meet Ubois.. it is like life itself wanted to kill me. Random misfortunes plagued my entire trip.. but I remained steadfast." Iwataka said.
Zoro and Amaiya thought it would be impossible to still get surprised hearing this story but it was truly amazing.
"After what seemed like ages.. I finally met him.. "Ubois".. I told him who I was, my mission, and my journey.. I'll-I'll never forget what I learned that day.. about him." Iwataka said.
Zoro and Amaiya were confused, was Iwataka talking about Dubois or someone else?
Iwataka looked up.
"His name was Tore.. but you both know him as someone else these days." Iwataka said.
Zoro and Amaiya looked at each other nervously.
"Wh-Who?" Zoro asked.
"..Psycho. That's his real name." Iwataka said.
Zoro and Amaiya looked at each other with surprise once more.
"Tore is also who Lily's note was addressed to. Attempting to apologize for what she did.. Dubois told me everything.. from then to now.. Tore's entire story." Iwataka said, "Lily's note explained a lot.. but hearing things from Ubois's perspective.. shined highlighted many important things the note could not!" Iwataka said.
"...Like his part in all this.." Iwataka said.
It was quiet for a moment.
"I-I would have never guessed me and this man from nine centuries ago had the same problem.." Iwataka said, looking up.
"Cyclone.." Iwataka said, "Cyclone had a massive role in the damage to Tore's mental state.. he killed his parents and faked being his brother." Iwataka said.
Amaiya and Zoro couldn't believe what they were hearing.
Zoro grit his teeth as Amaiya was shocked.
"Hearing that poor man's story.. and my own history with DEATH, and Cyclone..." Iwataka stopped.
"I inherited Tore's will!" Iwataka said, "I vowed then and there, in front of Ubois, that I would end this ancient madness! Once and for all!"
Zoro and Amaiya looked at Iwataka with admiration as Iwataka smiled.
Iwataka left Uubois's castle and looked around, taking a deep breath and breathing out.
Iwataka eventually returned home to Applegrove island to continue his training, everything he had been through up to now, everything he knew about Psycho, Cyclone, and DEATH flying through his mind.
Ohara was destroyed a few days later, leading to the murder of six hundred Marines in retaliation and the killer disappearing immediately after, just as Iwataka expected.
"When they come back... I'll be ready!" Iwataka thought as someone read him the newspaper of the incident.
"I know they'll be back!" Iwataka said.
A few days before Vivi's departure
"Shinobi?" Vivi asked.
"Their history with us in a troubled one.. our oldest Queen banished them outside of Alabasta.. my Princess... I need you to go and meet with them, on behalf of this Kingdom! I want to bring them out of the dark!" Cobra yelled." Vivi was confused but smiled big.
"I won't let you down dad!" Vivi smiled.
Cobra smiled as well.
"You leave in a few days, daughter! I will send for you soon." Cobra said.
Vivi smiled big with excitement before leaving the throne room.
Cobra immediately turned and looked at a recent paper.
"WHO IS DEATH? WHAT DO THEY WANT?"
"They're back... it has to be the right time... it has to be! Right? Iwataka!? I pray we're making the right move.." Cobra said nervously, clutching the note.
Two days ago
Iwataka relaxed on Applegrove island, sitting indian style on a mat next to the forest, sipping tea as a certain man and woman spoke near him.
"Not only are you weak... you disgraced our family by becoming a Marine... you remember what I told you about Marines don't you? The only good Marine... is a dead one." Cyclone said, raising his sword.
Iwataka smiled to himself before slowly raising his tea and sipping loudly, gaining Cyclone's attention.
Amaiya, beaten, bloody and dying, looked over with small surprise to see the man sitting on a mat, his back to them both.
"You... you-you died... all those years ago..." Cyclone said, thinking about the destruction of God Valley.
Iwataka smiled.
"Unfortunately for you, I did not! Instead I took a page out your book and retreated to the Shinobi World.." Iwataka thought, sensing Amaiya's fading energy.
"But that's not important... none of it does! The past is just that! The only thing that matters is the hearing and now in the present! And right now.. that young Marine needs my help!" Iwataka said, setting down his tea.
"You call yourself a swordsman?" Iwataka said to himself. Once more thinking of everything he's been through. Before finally declaring loudly,
"A man who raises his man to a woman.. is not a real swordsman!!!" Iwataka yelled.
Amaiya looked at Iwataka with admiration, and slight happiness, before passing out.
Present Day
Everything had finally come full circle. Zoro couldn't help but wipe his eyes at Iwataka's story and his history with DEATH, with Cyclone.
Amaiya's expression was hidden by her hat.
Iwataka smiled big.
"And that's it! I-" Iwataka was stopped by Amaiya hugging him and screaming loudly with gratefulness.
Iwataka hugged the young woman back as Zoro smiled.
Amaiya continued to cry as Iwataka pat her back.
"Thank you so much Iwataka... for everything..." Amaiya said.
Iwataka smiled.
"Me? Twas purely fate! King Cobra did his part.. sending word to the shinobi.. everything that has happened after is purely the world working the way it is supposed to!" Iwataka said.
Amaiya let Iwataka go.
"For nine hundred years... Psycho and Cyclone have manipulated fate in their favor.. but it will finally come to an end!" Iwataka said.
DOOM!!! DOOM!!! DOOM!!! DOOM!!! DOOM!!!
Suddenly, ships lined along the night horizon turned on their giant headlights.
Zoro and Amaiya were blinded by the lights as Iwataka focused on what might happen next.
"Wh-Who the hell?! Are these Marines?!" Zoro yelled, closing his eyes tight.
"Wh-What would Marines be doing out here?!" Amaiya asked.
"ATTENTION CAPTAIN OF MARINE SHIP!! TURN AROUND NOW OR WE WILL BE FORCED TO FIRE!!" A Marine announced.
"What are we doing Iwataka?!" Zoro yelled.
Amaiya grit her teeth.
"Will they really sink us?!" Amaiya asked.
Iwataka sweat lightly as he tried to think of a way out.
"Yes.. they will.. Amaiya-soro.. this.. is Cipher Pol Negative!.." Iwataka said nervosly.
Amaiya looked at Iwataka with shock, as well as Zoro.
"Cipher Pol... Negative? There's more than just that one unit we fought?" Zoro thought to himself.
On the Marine ship, a Cipher Pol agent saluted the captain.
"Captain Stillwell!! The ship refuses to change their course! Do we sink them?" The agent asked.
A man with a bird mask stared out at the ship.
"GOOSE" STILLWELL
"Give them a few more seconds.. no need to make a mess." Goose said, focusing on Iwataka.
"..Actually.. let them have it." Goose said.