[Lord English]

The frightened male listened and took her helpful words to heart as she attempted her best to help him. He liked the solace that he was given in that he will not be fighting alone. He gave her a smile though he was still shaking. Despite her abilities and not really noticing the check she had done on herself, he didn’t seem nervous about being pat on the shoulder. He seemed to actually shake less after that. Then she explained the basics of how to kill a fruit user. He took that knowledge to his head more firmly than when he had ever heard it from anyone else. He felt that if anyone would know how to kill a devil fruit recipient it would be one who has such power themselves, no matter how diverse the abilities may be.

He was a bit confused that she wanted to take the bucket herself and then he remembered, oh yeah, she had a poison fruit. He was a bit glad she wanted to take it but it was his duty to help her. Such conflict in an eager mind. When he was finally told about how she defeated the Rear Admiral, he smiled and clapped his hands, thoroughly impressed. He understood what she said and then she asked where the bucket should be dumped and about him. No one ever wanted to know personal details. “Oh yeah just over the side,” He stood up to start showing her to where she should and continued, “My name is Fredjamin Alexilliam. I ended up here because I have no land legs and the admiral saw that and took me to sail with him.” He thought and then said, “Between you and me, I was also the laughing stock of my base.”

He got sad when he thought of his original base and his smile was lost. He looked at her more seriously and said, “Just cause of my name and part of it sounded like a pirate name so one of them stabbed me in the arm with a dagger to… well… mark me.” He pulled up his sleeve and showed the scar. “Told the admiral about it when he took me under and he said it would never happen again.” He then smiled again as he let his sleeve down, “I am hemophobic and that didn’t help but I think I have a good chance here and now you’re my upper and you’re awesome and you can help me.” He smiled and almost fell off the side of the ship walking but the rail stopped him. “Ooof!” He sighed and said, “Oh and almost everyone here has something about them. But you are the most unique yet!” He pointed at the water for the bucket and yet kept trying to yammer on. “I could help you meet nearly everyone, I am sure you already kinda met the admiral. He’s a really cool guy.” He just couldn’t shut up now that he wasn’t watching blood and torture. He was enjoying himself again though he did bend over the edge and vomit a bit, something he’d held in from earlier and couldn’t hold anymore. Then he wiped his mouth off and said, “So… How about a more in depth tour?”

[Lord English]

The sensei of the dojo smiled that this shark fishman was willing to take care of his student and said, “It will be an honor, just do not ever get ambushed…” He would show him to a shrine hidden behind a wall and allow him to pay his respects. The student stood outside, he had paid his respects many times. He took the time to focus himself. Then when Axel came out and spoke to the sensei, he bowed his head to him and said, “I will wish you the best and pray for you.” The student followed him to the blacksmith and he watched and walked with Axel.

When he was asked to get armor for himself, he decided to take a quick look. He did grab a few of the lighter and smaller arm guards just so he could block more efficiently if he so needed. This was when he placed them on under his outfit then followed him onto the ship. He sighed when he was told that he needed to work on his predator obsession. “I just admire creatures that are higher on the predatory ladder,” He explained, “I always looked at it as if there was normal fish, then human, then special humans, then at the top were your kind and among you the sharks the greatest of predators and I aspire to your kind. I am sorry if it comes across as perverse or frightening. Also… Thank you for giving me a new purpose.” He helped get everything ready to sail and helped when it needed steered.

[Lord English]

The apprentice that had barged in with her was just as stunned when the pirate appeared on the screen. He was a bit appalled as well but had a respect. He was frightened when he started to hear the voices of so many accepting the challenge of finding the One Piece again. Then he was distracted by his vomiting warden and watched her for a moment. He felt comforted once she looked alright again. He jumped a bit when she announced that she knew the one voice. He wanted to ask but then he thought he could get his answer later, sitting patiently while watching. He kept peeking over and watching her carefully though, making sure his superior was alright. He glanced again when he heard her take in a sharp breath. He just assumed she might have known something and resumed watching, sad eyes as he watched the captain be pummeled and tortured.

Eventually, the apprentice couldn’t take the sight of the torture as his face went pale and he turned away from the television. He placed his arms over the back of the chair and seemed to be shaking a bit. He was terrified. He looked back only after the rest was over and looked at the warden. When she announced that it was a new age in piracy, the young man’s face paled again. “But,” He stated to her, “With the pirates in hiding, our job was so easy… We’re not ready I don’t think. I mean…” He stumbled a bit and took a breath to think. “You may be ready… You have a fruit and the ones we saw have fruits so you can at least fight them…” He sounded a bit terrified. “Sorry I um… He’s persuasive and I am certainly glad I am not a pirate but did he… um… really have to go that far to make a point?”

He was clearly shuddering and a bit scared though he tried to redirect his attention to her bucket and said, “I can take that out for you! Oh and I still would like to know… Were you that brutal to your pirate that you killed?” He was on edge and forgot the bucket again. He really wanted to know how she felt about it went on from her perspective.

[Lord English]

The swordsman had lead him to first to get a boat. What could be paid for was at the docks and it would need three to pilot it properly but it was explained two could do it and in the end, the ship could hold ten. He took him from shop to shop getting supplies and then took him to the preserved school. They had a class going on and the swordsman explained to this teacher that he would no longer be here and was leaving with the nice shark. He would then take him to a weapons shop though they didn’t have much variety beyond daggers, swords, and pistols. When told that he should take on to remember his home, he remembered that this wasn’t his true home but it was where he was safe. He followed the shark immediately and saw the mark, smiling but now he wanted to touch it and see how tattoos felt on that divine sandpaper flesh. He said to him, “This wasn’t my first home… But I will remember this beyond death as it was the place that granted me solace from my past. We may leave on your order, godly being of predators.”

[Lord English]

As he waited for her ranting to stop, the deep sounds of the megalodon’s breath as she spoke. Every now and again she’d hear a low growl to his breathing as she went on. He finally found his chance to speak and said, “He and I were raised together. He was a little brother to me that I tried to kill on occasion.” She wouldn’t see it but he would shrug, “The mermaid taking care of us thought it was just a boy shark thing. We were close.” His voice never wavered from sounding like a fierce predator. “We both were pirates but he didn’t take to the life, but understood not all pirates were bad and despite joining the marines, he saw pirates as a necessity.” He continued, “He saw the good and bad in people and would help good people… He always wrote to me even when we’ve clashed a couple of times. I am stronger but I never killed him, just left him a little mauled and always made sure he got help. He said he loved the town he was in, so quiet. When I would visit it wouldn’t be quiet but when that bastard took over the marines…” His voice grew darker. “We had to stop all contact… To see him again after all these years like that? It’s disgraceful… I should have been able to see him on better terms. Now the closest thing I have to him being back is just those repeated torturing images in my mind… Take care of his personal items or I will personally take you out…” He turned off his private line and let it back onto the public party line, which seemed to be wired with whispered activity.

[Lord English]

The swordsman saw the sudden turn and then speed up of the magnificent predator moments before he was grabbed and drug back onto the sand soaking wet. He wanted to speak but the sharp-toothed being before him spoke first and he took in his words and let them each sink into his mind. The mute confused him but he figured it was for the snail thing he had with him. The asking of if he had a death wish was a question he couldn’t have answered, at least not accurately anyways with either a yes or no. The kind beast did say he did not want his blood on his hands but it wouldn’t be. He was coming of his own free will and was much looking forward to spend his time with this magnificent creature. The roar startled him out of his deepest thoughts and yet gave him excitement. He listened as he said what they would need if they were to set out together and saw his hand extended to him. He stared at it a moment and looked up at this creature as the realization of him becoming a pirate to follow this proud being was now more than clear. “Sir,” He spoke clearly as salty water dripped from his being with an arm outstretched to grasp the wrist and feel the flesh. His excitement from touch was all the more clear in his damp state and not helping that his voice would crack, “I know where to get these things. But my blade needs no upgrade. This is what I have always trained with. As for um, other equipment… I know where also to get it here. And supplies.” He just kept staring at Axel with a sort of death grip on his wrist.

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The crew tended to their duties and went about not bothering her once she was in the cabin. The snail unmuted when she had asked and all those in the circle would hear her. When she said what she did, a voice came through of one of Mako’s crewmembers, a very deep and heavy voice, “Your captain… Was he the one just executed…? If so… I could tell you much more about him than you would ever know…”

The others remained silent as it seemed this member had patched a direct line to her so they couldn’t hear.

[Lord English]

Luckily enough, when the fleet admiral had his feed back, they had all of their projection equipment off. Through it was the sounds of Mako screaming at what was happening and then it getting muffled as Truble had tried to quiet her. Though it sounded as if he had some trouble right at the end and the sounds of his crew helping him out. Mihawk’s voice patched through to him, “What happened?”
“Mako bit me and ran off,” Truble’s response was in a voice that sounded a bit betrayed by her actions.

The swordsman hadn’t heard the voices on his snail and he watched as Axel flung the couch into the television, making him want to understand this shark more. He heard him apologize and even dared to say, “No it’s alright.” Then he was running off. The swordsman followed his one deep perversion of wanting to feel the flesh of this top predator and said, “I will come with you!” He ran after him and once they hit the water’s edge, he hesitated. It was then it caught up that he was going from innocence to being guilty all in one fell swoop. He then took a breath and leapt into the water and started swimming after the shark like a fool. He noticed he was talking to people on a snail and wondered if that was the sound he had been hearing so faintly as the horrors went on.

When the grouping heard him say what he was going to do, the first voice to say anything was Kid, “First the idiot picks a name he is unworthy of and then swims off to his death like a fool… Why is this moron in our group of allies?”
The garbled voice of the undead patched through next but the sound of being displeased was evident, “You have no right to question. You were a fool once too. We all were.”
“Not as bad as this,” Kid decided to say.
Mihawk’s voice snapped in a silent rage, “Enough. Axel, grow in power first then go after him. There is time until such a thing strikes again and even then, all the other groups are fighting back full force now.”
“Don’t get yourself killed,” The haunting voice of Tanakami sounded worried for the fishman, “If worst comes to worst he may do the same to you. Only one who has lived against him is Truble and his life had to be saved to live another day and grow stronger…”
The voice of one of the unfamiliar females patched through and said, “You all need to watch. By the way, a cute fish came by and handed me a snail. Now… Axel was it? Yeah, even if they are a gathering of loons they are right. You really shouldn’t go after the Fleet Admiral until you are stronger.”
Mihawk patched through and said, “What is your name, girl of the Elemental Aviary Pirates?”
“I’m their captain, great Hawkeye,” She spoke tough, “And my name is Tekei Newgate. I have had to hide my name for so long… So good to say it!”
The snails went silent until Mihawk said, “Just don’t do it, Axel.” Then they went silent again.

[Lord English]

The male she had placed as her First Mate took the roster and used it to better place the men. He had everyone in a station where they were best suited, as he did so he started to think back. He missed his first captain and could remember what put him here. It was several years ago, he was just a simple crew member and was cleaning the deck on one of the down days for a member that had taken ill. He was alerted as suddenly, everyone gathered up and took off. The captain had seemed in such a rush that no one knew what was going on. Then people started to remove their paints and even don normal clothing and setting out in different directions. He had done none of that and approached his captain, worried of mutiny. He had a frantic expression as he said, “Captain! What’s going on?!”
Buggy had looked to him and spoke with a look of fear being hidden behind a form of strength, calmly saying, “I need you to remove all that ties you to me. Then you need to leave and start a new life. This is an order.”
He looked at Buggy, hurt. He left his captain’s room to hear a loud grunt, turning around to see he had cut his own nose off and placed it in a box. He watched him rid himself of his paint that made him who he was and place away everything. He couldn’t watch any longer and ran away as he was asked and while he was floating out on a dinghy, all alone, was when he found his new start. That was when the second captain he would ever have came from the water and instead of attacking as expected, offered a hand and a place to stay in the marines. Now he has a third captain who is saving his life, avenging his second, and possibly would allow him to thank the first. He had heard his captains voice so he knew he was alive and well and deserving of gratitude for saving as many as he could. Though his duties went from taking the work no one else wanted to now being a first mate. He will never forget what was being done for him and only within a slight pause for his reflection, he began to resume his activities with a smile on his face and the mark on his shoulder boldly showing on his pride-filled body.

Bara looked upon the woman as she first pertained to her duties as a new captain, admiring the follow through of what was going to be her vengeance. He knew he would need self-control to not fight back since he had spent years with his captain and perfecting his response to fight when attacked. The first kick to his jaw connected as he turned his head to the side, being able to force off the urge to fight back on that strike. His control would not be so as his arm shot up to take the follow up kick to his much sturdier forearm. He disliked himself for this reaction but perhaps it wasn’t so bad, it would look as if it was not just a random beat down but in fact a true fight. He would still need to restrain himself as best as he could, managing to restrain his reflexes as she jabbed him in the solar plexus. He would not bend though as he had face much harder punches from much stronger beings, namely his own captain. He managed again to detain himself as she put her full body weight into slamming into his left eye socket. This time he had to take a few steps back as that was a sensitive area for him. As he was stepping, she was bringing her knee up to kick at him and he twisted up his own leg to block instinctively before he moved to where he had wanted. He damned himself for being a fighter.

He had the restraint to allow her to grasp his hair and listened to her speak, him replying, “Don’t feel sorry.” As she tried to force his head down, his body locked momentarily in a feat of strength, pulling up against the downward as his hands shot forward to block her knee. As her knee twisted in his hands, he felt the ability to restrain once more and his hands slipped as he released his muscles, though instead of hitting the intended socket it would smash him on the cheek. He stood firm when she swept, she hadn’t even released his hair and that helped. He was tempted to strike back but that he could restrain, though without him going down, she would not be able to straddle him or do anything she had planned to do while he was down. This left him standing there as he suddenly felt his urge to fight again but managed to force himself to only rip away from her at the price of losing just the clumps that her small hand had attached to. He then stood before her and said, “If you can’t do better I can inflict the rest myself.” Though he let her say her peace though and sighed a bit. He was not ready to face more marines and knew the injuries she had managed would harm a normal marine, any more would kill a normal man so he left it as it was. He looked at her and said, “I guess no more is required… Thank you. Good luck…” This was when he went and started to trash the inside of the base to make it look like there was more of a fight had gone on.

Her crew was just waiting for her to set off as everything was in order. The townspeople had enough to begin their repairs and were glad to see those that were so helpful were now going to be somewhere they could not hold back and be themselves. The member she indicted as her first mate said, “Ready to sail captain. Just say when and where.”

[Lord English]

One of the pirates that were under her command nodded to her and ran to go talk to the barkeep. Bara looked at her and smiled as she spoke the shark’s name. It was clear to him that she was trusted to the former ally and he would thus help her in any way he could. He pulled out a tiny snail and opened a direct line to his captain, whispering to it and then receiving whispers back. He did this as she went to the others and set them up. Her men began signing their names to her and writing what they could do. The one who had first revealed himself to her nodded and said, “I will not let you down, captain.” He started to organize the men and get them ready to head out on the ship.

The doggy wagged its tail when spoken to and ran out to go help take care of the town. The town was already attempting to rebuild, more strong than they had before.

Bara was done with his conversation once she returned her attention to him. He closed the direct line so that the snail was back on the party line but muted. He knew he had a spare and said to her, “I have several ways you can grow stronger, but in return I will ask of you to beat my face and body beyond recognition.” He handed to her his tiny snail and said, “This is a direct communication to the unspoken and their allies. This is inclusive of some of the voices you heard and the faces on the interrupted broadcast. I would suggest you get a log and head into the grand line. Only the strong make it and the allies will assist you if you prove no threat.” He’d wait for her to take it before placing his jacket back on to hide his wings and held his arms out as he said, “Do your worst and I will live…”

[Lord English]

The marines of the base and the townsfolk all seemed to feel enlightened by the pirates. Their dark and yet strong appearances seemed to fill them with hope instead of fear. To hear the voices of people willing to stand for freedom was a majestic thing to them. They jumped back from the screen only when the screech was heard and the gunshot at the end. Beyond that point, was pure dread. Some of the townsfolk left as they watched the torture, weak constitutions abound. The marines clenched their fists and some looked away. They knew him to be an excellent man and pirate or not, he was the best person they could have ever known. When the total deed was done, they felt fear but they also felt an urge to fight back.

 

This was when the one left in charge of them began to act on her own, her words assuring that there was somewhere new they could go. When she had her say and no townsfolk would stand up as they trembled, one of the marines walked up to her and said, “Ma’am… They are frightened… You can take his ship and we will come with you…” He then took off his button down navy shirt and showed her that he had a mark as well, upon his shoulder the mark of Buggy. He looked to her and said, “The captain gave us all second chances… But never the name of the man who saved us from the noose…”

 

Others began to shed their tops revealing marks of every conceivable grouping there could have been out there. Only a few were not pirates and one of the ones who didn’t reveal themselves immediately felt this was safe company to do so in. He strode up to her and his face was matching to the man on the screen that stood behind Truble and he removed his jacket as six wings spread out. He looked into her eyes and said, “Who you saw on the screen was of Himeiwoageru’s design. I have been watching the Marines with a close eye. I will be reporting back to my captain.” He turned to the few true marines left and said, “I would suggest you all join with her. You won’t be living life the same if you stay long enough for that asshole to show up.” He looked back to her and spoke in a more calming voice, “The Neo-Whitebeard Pirates will protect this town. Don’t worry about them.” He stood firmly as he waited for her.

 

Those around them were stunned that he was even among them, the few townsfolk still there ran out into the town, saying their thanks on the way out as they went and told the others who’s watch they were under. The doggy seemed perfectly happy and started licking at Bara’s ankle, Bara picking him up and petting him. “Perhaps I can stay long enough to help… But I need to go get a paramecia if I wished to stay long enough to…” He looked in the dog’s eyes and gently stroked his fur.

[Lord English]

The male nodded as she corrected him and said, “I am so sorry. I didn’t know what to call you and you’re the only one on the ship with such an amazing power! Admiral Cancer told us that no matter what the Fleet Admiral wants us to believe, fruit users are an amazing asset that should be cherished.” He got her to her door and said, “Hell even the Fleet Admiral himself has power! Three in fact!” He opened the door for her and asked, “May I follow you in? I can take the bucket when it needs emptied or do what you need. I could grab a girl if you would be more at home Warden Skylark.” Then he asked, “He told us what you did… What was it like to fight a real pronounced pirate of such level as one of such as myself?”

The admiral listened to his call and gained his instructions as he ran around the ship and yelled, “EVERYONE TO EITHER A TELEVISION OR A PHONE! EVEN A SPEAKER WILL WORK! FLEET ADMIRAL HAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT! WE GET TO SEE A TRAITOR EXECUTED!”

The seaman apprentice looked back at her and said, “Oh, this is so cool!” He barged in and flipped a panel in the wall to reveal a television, it showing the marine flag on it of an announcement about to be made. He then sat himself in a chair at what would be her study desk while the bed sat open for her.

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The swordsman kept his blade upon him and carefully moved to offer him a seat on the couch while he prepared the guest room. As he bustled he heard the question and thought to pause. He wanted to blurt out the very first answer in his mind but it wouldn’t be correct, that issue had long been dealt with. Then the second in his head he knew would simply come off as perverse, but who doesn’t want to pet a shark? He then focused and thought about what he really wanted and said, “Devine shark… There are two things I seek. These are what I exist upon and yet I may never get to see them at the same time but I will. The first, true freedom. One where a man no matter the species can walk freely without fear. The second peace, but not of the world. Of myself for things I have done or haven’t done. Things I have been blamed for that I know I did not do.” He clenched his fist and looked right at him, “I feel that your kind has more freedom than any human can grasp right now… You have an understanding king while we bathe in the innocent blood of a tyrant while the true government turns a blind eye…” He looked at the floor and said, “Perhaps… It was meant to be like this…” He shook his head. “But I do not want it to be.”

He looked up as the television forced itself on and the damned marine flag showed itself upon it. He sighed and went to sit on the ground, leaving the guest to sit more comfortably.

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The marine would look to her and said, “The only instruction received was to gather and watch the television. I believe he said it was to be an execution of a traitor?” He shrugged and turned on the tele. Soldiers gathered the people of the town so they all could watch as well. Even the dog came to see. This was when the marine symbol appeared.

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The items of visual images throughout the world’s broadcasts would become interrupted, the marine symbol being showed as if there was a form of announcement. Then all of them would taste the sudden static as every sound and seeing devices were hacked. Those with a visual would see a man standing forefront and center to the screen, his muscles suggesting strength as he stood with others of strong appearance behind him. This man who took the front had marks of recent battle, cleaned up and left un-bandaged and unclothed. His top was bare, exposing a series of five nearly parallel marks upon his chest from his left shoulder that arced down around mid-chest to head south upon his form. He had another set of marks crossing on his right side and close to his six-pack of abs. He had three scratches running down through his forehead, a fourth joining on his nose until the tip whilst the other three crossed his mouth. His eyes despite the wound were fierce and filled with a confidence serving beyond pride. His lips were thin upon the strong jaw surrounding them, head held high upon a strengthened neck. Below this the clothing he bore was leather straps on his biceps, studded with steel raising an inch from him in the shape of crosses, six of them circling his arm in inch length and width with an inch between, measuring his arms’ thickness to be twelve inches around. On the edges of these straps was two small rounded studs to hold the leather edging together. Upon his hands were fingerless gloves whose lower ends were cuffed around the middle of his forearm, suggesting an extra four inches in length. His nails were thick but well kept, suggesting he was very healthy. Upon his waist was a studded leather pants held close to his form by a silver belt. The leather ran down his legs both tight and loose, hiding his muscular legs but showing their thickness. He then bore boots, those were unseen but assumed still to be of the same leather that lavishly adorned his body. His waves of red hair licked around his body until the blades of his shoulders.

Behind this man stood a confused array of beings who appeared to be that of his crew, two men stood directly behind him to his right and left. The one to his right had a hat of black suede, encompassed with black leather as dressings. The bottom half of his face concealed by a bandana of similar materials, held firm upon his head by thick leather. In the dark that surrounded them, only some portions of flesh could be seen upon his chest, forearms, and his ears. Beyond these features it was muddled. The other man had a face fully exposed, though shadowed by the room with hints of blue attire draping him. Behind them were more figures of various gender and sizes but the one that stood directly behind the man at the forefront appeared to be the very essence of death itself.

This was when the booming voice began to take hold as he would announce himself to the world, “To those who do not know me, I am Truble, captain of the Neo Whitebeard Pirates. To those who do, it may be a pleasure or a dismay for you to see me again.” His prideful stance did not waiver though blood slowly dripped from his wounds still and ran over his form. “What you all see upon me are the marks of the Fleet Admiral. I have lived twice now to his rampages and have come to stand and speak before the very world. He slaughtered many pirates, and the one we should not speak of I will speak of now. Monkey D. Luffy had been king not too long. Where do you think that precious treasure went? The One Piece is still out there and it calls to the pirates that will seek its power to name them the new king.” His posture became more dominant as the light began to be shown through a bit more, revealing all the faces of his eight crew members and himself.

Those of knowledge would think his group a band of misfits by what would appear behind the two normal men. A tanned woman with clear robotics upon her form and integrated in various positions, a standing wolf with red war paint drawn from the scars hidden beneath his fur, a browned man with feathered wings for arms, a man with bat wings as long as his body, and a man with six wings tight to the back of his form. The light revealed the man behind Truble was in fact what appeared to be a living spectre, though his form was just an appearance no one would ever unsee. With this revealed, Truble said, “This is my crew! Shori!” The man in the hat tipped his hat a bit with his left hand and raised a pistol in the other. “Senpu!” The man in blue drew six swords between his fingers and held them to cross in front of his body. “Chamu!” The tanned woman with robotics clicked and her arms took the forms of blasters. “Itsudatsu!” The wolf bared its fangs and showed its two inch claws. “Okashidesu!” The male with wings for arms raised them and let out a quick loud squeal that if someone sat to close to the source of sound would make their ears bleed, the camera gaining a small crack in the top corner. “Kuru!” The man with bat wings revealed sharp fangs and opened up his wings with a hiss. “Bara!” The man with six wings opened them all and stared at the camera, cocking his head like a bird locking onto its prey. “Himeiwoageru!” The spectre seemed to weave its cleared black clothes around like smoke between its boney fingers and a staff of similar make was woven into its hands. “I caused the tremors that shook the earth!” He balled his hands into fists and slammed them straight out to the sides in one quick snap. The camera would see the bends in the air where he shook it apart and yet his men stood firm against his might, perhaps because he was not showing his full power. “All of you so called pirates, if you do not fear the Fleet Admiral, then throw off your binds! Come out and come to the grand line! Someone needs to be the king! Not of the land or of the sky… BUT OF PIRATES!”

His crew shouted out a sharp sound together of, “YES!”

“We will go after it! We expect the real pirates to do so to!” He pronounced it. “If not, I will be the king alone while the rest of you suffer under the tyranny of the marines! I AM NOT AFRAID OF DEATH BUT EMBRACE IT AS A TRUE PIRATE SHOULD! Live life to be free!” He glanced over to a small snail that belonged to Mako sitting on a table close to the camera and listening equipment. He then looked right back to the camera and said, “Make yourselves known!”

He was silent for a moment but then Mako came out from behind the camera, her hair swaying as she walked and her beautiful orca flesh shining softly in the light. She took off her wraps from injuries and her beautiful webbed fingers brushed her hair back and let her eyes shimmer into the light. “I am Mako, captain of the Neo Sun Pirates! Your challenge is accepted!” She looked at him, her smile wrapped around two protruding lower teeth.

Finally the snail passed through its first voice as Tanakami yelled through it, “I am Tanakami! I reside and run Thriller Bark! Your challenge is accepted! I don’t fear that pussy either!”
The next voice through was Darcel, “I, Darcel of the Neo Big Mam Pirates, accept this challenge!”
“I, Buggy, accept this challenge!”
“Captain Kid accepts this challenge.”
“Dracule ‘Hawkeye’ Mihawk accepts this challenge.”
It began to read lower frequencies as others began to profess to the challenge. “The Usopp Pirates accept!”
“The Tornado Pirates accept!”
“The Dinghy Pirates-“
“-Ultravone Pirates-“
“-Mitreblen Pirates-“
Several names were gargled through and then the sound of three girls came through clearer than the rest saying, “Hello, Truble. This is the Elemental Aviary Pirates. We accept your challenge and I have a challenge for you. Don’t smear grandpa’s name.”

Truble and Mako smiled at one another, hiding their concern about the last voice as they heard others accepting and then Truble looked back at the camera and yelled, “YOU CAN’T KEEP A TRUE PIRATE DOWN!” He would then glare at the camera and speak in a cold tone, “Make your move.” His gunner would shoot out the camera and the equipment so fast, it could hardly be seen.

The televisions would be taken over by the Fleet Admiral then, broadcasting from his ship. His eyes were fierce as a wolf, as if demons were dancing in his very soul. He was topless as well though his wounds were bandaged and he had his jacket on stating justice. His hair was straggled over his eyes but not obscuring them as his smooth voice came out, “Good show… Very good… You interrupted a very important broadcast… Your words were nice to the eager and somewhat naïve ears… But here is something that you are mistaken in, Truble…” He moved closer to the camera and flashed a smirk. “I have all the power here…” He stepped away from the camera and revealed the Captain that was a Fishman, the Sand Devil. His marks from his escapades on saving the pup evident, his jacket nowhere to be found. He was bound in the heaviest stone and arms and legs locked, he was still weak and couldn’t break out. The Fleet Admiral walked back to him and his black pants flowed against his legs and hid the tops of black dress shoes. He grabbed the Sand Shark by the throat and looked back at the camera with a sickening grin, “You gave me enough time to prepare our special guest… A traitor… This marine… A CAPTAIN no less! The sixth rank in our infantries and he has committed an act of treason!” He released his throat.

“I have done no such thing…” The Captain uttered out, his eyes read of betrayal and hurt. This was an embarrassment as it was broadcasted globally, “I have been nothing but loyal!”

The Fleet Admiral chuckled and one of his crew members handed him a clipboard with papers on it and he ran through them as he said, “According to the pirates listed in the stolen broadcast… How many of them have you helped?” The captain remained silent and closed his eyes as he wasn’t going to go through with this. “I want an answer…” The Fleet Admiral punched him in the face and managed to actually knock out one of his teeth. He then let the tooth grow back.

The Sand Devil looked at the camera and then at the Fleet Admiral as his head was forced back towards the camera. He took in a deep breath as some blood was running from his mouth. “I helped… Many of them…”

“That,” Nomikomu stated as he paced away a bit, “Is proof of you being a traitor…”

“I didn’t know!” Yalbagoth insisted but it resulted in another punch and another tooth knocked clean out.

“Everyone can tell who is and isn’t a pirate!” The angered tone was calm and fierce, him walking off camera and grasping a sword, placing down the clipboard, as he said, “All pirates have a mark… A tattoo… The way they act… The way they talk… Signatures of them being what they are… So tell me… Out of that list given on the previous cast…” He placed the sword to the fishman’s throat. “Who did you help?”

Yalbagoth shook his head and said, “I will not… tell you…” Nomikomu then turned the blade and ran it down a bit then crossed over to his gills. He grasped one of the flaps and cut it off. The Sand Devil let out a yell with his head thrown back, his rows of teeth revealed to the camera in his mouth. He then said, “With all due respect sir… Go fuck yourself…” The blade was traveled down to the next gill and cut its flap off. He yelled out again and then let his head drop to watch the blood drip over his chest and to the ground. “You’re… A disgrace sir…” The last gill on that side was severed and the blade moved to the other side. Yalbagoth cringed and growled at this, taking harsh breaths. He then said, “The pirates… have more honor than you…”

Something in Nomikomu seemed to make him smile more, taking the blade and running it down to a special place where he knew he wouldn’t hit any organs and slowly pressed the blade into the flesh. “I would advise you start to speak…”

The stubborn fishman refused and the blade was slowly pushed in until it was the whole way through and he left it there. The Sand Devil grit his teeth as it was pressed through him and it was witnessed as Nomikomu went and grasped another sword. Though it was noticed with him moving that the first sword he had pressed into Yalbagoth was part of a three sword set that only those familiar with it would know. The second sword was revealed to be another part of the set, it being placed against another mark. The Sand Devil said, “I helped Truble…”

Nomikomu smirked and said, “Tell them all how you did it and then who else…”

“I… told him how much of a fucking pussy you are… just now…” The Sand Devil retorted, leaving out a painful grunt as the second sword was driven into him. “I have helped them all by doing this!” The third sword of the set was grabbed and plunged into him. The Sand Devil breathed deeply as he hissed in pain. “The pirates… shouldn’t fear you… You should fear them…” Nomikomu then reached into the victim’s mouth and ripped out a handful of his teeth with some effort. Yalbagoth screamed out and bled as he did so. Then he went off and got one of his marine’s normal blades and moved behind him, forcing him to bend forward to show his dorsal fin. “I only… Helped lost innocent souls… Who needed assistance…” Nomikomu sliced the dorsal fin from his body, causing Yalbagoth to roar out in pain.

“They are not… By any means… Innocent…” Nomikomu whispered harshly and loud enough the sound equipment picked it up. He then sliced the fins off the man’s arms and legs, seemingly enjoying the screams of pain. “Now… All the names… How you helped them… And then why…” He was greeted by silence and pointed at the clip board, “That told me all… I want you to tell the people…”

Yalbagoth stared at the camera and then said, “Truble… When he was young… I told him where he might find the fallen body of the man holding much power… Information on the fruits… He looked like he could have been true to the power… I helped the Usopp pirates with their ship because the three boys wanted to sail… I helped every single one in every way possible because… I respect them…”

“You don’t respect them!” Nomikomu smirked and then did the embarrassment of cutting off all of his skin tight clothes in front of the camera and found the bright red tattoo of the sun pirates wrapped around his upper leg. “This… Is why you are loyal to pirates. You are one!”

“I am not a pirate!” Yalbagoth exclaimed.

Nomikomu’s arms began to radiate with darkness and it swallowed the ship so the camera could see only them moving and he gripped his leg and twisted it as the darkness licked up like smoke as the leg snapped and he kept twisting. Yalbagoth yelled out in sheer pain, as he threw his head back. He wouldn’t give into it though and crumble, just letting him do it. Nomikomu twisted until the leg came off and waved it in front of the camera to reveal his hands were clawed like a lizard but with fur poking out halfway up his arm and onto his chest a bit. “Those marks you came here with,” Nomikomu accused, “You probably got them as one of the people you were supposed to protect clawed at your back as you stole their valuables! Just like a pirate…”

“I got them…” Yalbagoth retaliated, “protecting… A dog from his home… collapsing on him… Those marks are where the stones I crumbled to keep it from dying… Ask my men…”

“LIAR!” Nomikomu punched him again and then before the teeth could grow back in the places they had fallen out, he grabbed a searing hot poker from one of his men and seared his gums shut. Yalbagoth yelled in pain but didn’t bite down on the stick to give the Fleet Admiral his sweet satisfaction. “You… Are a traitor. As a pirate… You will be executed…” He handed the poker back to the one who handed it to him and then grasped the first sword. He pulled out the swords and watched as Yalbagoth bent over a bit and tried to stand up strong despite his blood dripping over his body. Nomikomu then took out two things, a normal red apple and an orange devil fruit. He looked to Yalbagoth and said, “Any last words?”

“Don’t ever… Give up…” Yalbagoth stared at the camera and breathed heavily. “You pirates… Are all that is left… Of this… World’s freedom… Show us… What… This means… To really be… Free…”

Before anymore could be said, Nomikomu grasped his head and taped over his gills and then over his nose. He took a cup of water and poured it over the tape to show that it was absolutely airtight. A hand ran over his body as he was handed more stones and locks to tie onto him. He forced the Devil Fruit into the Fishman’s mouth and slowly backed him up to the edge as he taped over his mouth, watching him struggle and writhe for air as he kicked him over the side. He looked to the camera and slowly came back towards the awkwardly placed table then stood there with his hand on the apple and said, “You are foolish… All of you…” He looked down at the apple and smirked as it began to have a swirled pattern and its stem curled, its color changing from red to a golden yellow. “Everyone…” He tossed the devil fruit and caught it. “Will face similar fates… No human… No Fishman… No Merfolk… Not even an animal… Shall disobey me… None shall resist persecution if they prove to be a pirate… Or a traitor… So tread lightly…” He ended the broadcast.

[Lord English]

The doggy barked happily once more and went to the debris and started to dig. The people of the town looked as if they had their doubts but their main priority was rebuilding. The marine sat as the woman approached him and said, “The bird was a skypian. She said we should stand up to our captain and not fear him. I decided to bide my time and wait until he was weak to show my courage.” He chuckled and gazed her in the eyes. “So fuck it. If I am wrong, then I will die knowing I am right.” He snickered at her. Another marine came by and knocked gently.
“Madame… There is an order from the fleet admiral… All activity is to cease… something is going to happen so I suggest if you are to execute the traitor, do it swiftly and dump the body.” The marine suggested and then ran off to prepare something.

[Lord English]

The Captain responded before he left to her and to her alone, “Yalbagoth.” Then he took to his trip and swiftly cut through the sea to hit his mark.

The marines nodded and followed her word, grasping the assailant and taking him to the brig as he screamed, “I WASN’T DOING ANYTHING WRONG! I DID THE THING THAT THE BIRD SAID WE SHOULD! STAND UP! DON’T FEAR HIM! HAHA!” They took him there quickly and locked him in. Then they began to gather supplies and help the townspeople begin to rebuild. The doggy came out and sat at her feet, its tail was wagging to see her but when it gazed upon its shop, it whimpered. It’s little eyes looked hurt.

[Lord English]

The last of the tremors ceased and the land became calm, the ocean still showing after shakes. The sailor she would stop from stabbing the Captain would yell out in pain as he had the knife twisted from him. The Sand Devil peeked back at the incident and gave a small smile. This was when one of the marines from the base ran up to them and saluted the captain as he said, “Captain! The Fleet Admiral wishes for you to meet him on his ship mid-way from here to Drum Island.”

The captain looked concerned but pulled away from his own men then and said, “Alright… I will be fine in the water. You all tend to this, and girl…” He looked to the young woman who saved his life. “No paperwork necessary, take charge here while I am gone and report anything that happens.” He’d wait for a moment before he would walk to the ocean, hoping to hear her say something. Once it’d be said or left unsaid, he’d take to the ocean and swim as fast as he could.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The admiral watched the young and new recruit take to the side. He had a feeling with the information he’d given her that it was more of the cigarette that was at fault than the ride on reverse. Other of the crew followed her to where she got sick and one pat her on the back as he said, “Cool, by that color I take it you’re a fruit user. No wonder the Admiral added you to the roster.” Another one said, “I puked my first time over reverse too. But it is so much fun!” A third member said, “You’re gonna fit right in.” A fourth one said, “I wanna touch it.”

The admiral watched from afar until people were literally crowding her. He then stepped over and said, “Give her some breathing room.” He had them disperse and he grabbed a bucket on his way over to her and handed it to her. “Go to your room and I will have someone retrieve you buckets if you fill that one, alright?” He straightened his posture and said, “Once you are well, I will give you your duties and I am sure the other sailors will help you adjust to life on the grand line.” He heard his snail phone going off in his office and motioned for one of the others to take her to her room.

The marine was a white male with black hair and he was a Seaman Apprentice under this Admiral. He looked at her and he was the first one to speak to her. He said, “I will help you to your room Mrs Fruit.” He meant it respectfully and held out his arm like a gentleman.

[Lord English]

The crew-mates around her ran over to tend to the captain. They cleaned up the wounds formed on his back and took off their uniforms to make temporary fixings for him. They even tried to set his dorsal fin to stand back up. The captain looked up at her and shook his head as he forced himself to stand, the crew members asking gently for him to stay down but him resisting. He spoke directly to her with a yell, “I broke it… I bought it… I will take care of this… All you did was all you needed to… Saved the owner…” The crew finally gave up on keeping him down and instead helped him to where he wanted to go, the tremors were slowing and finally coming to a halt. This made it easier to get him there. One of the crew-members holding him pulled a knife from his pocket and looked like he was going to press it into the captain’s side while he was in this condition.