A Prelude To Greatness

Foreword
''The following account is a forgotten story from years past, that has been brought to light from the Marine archives. A battle between two clashing Powers, Admiral and Yonko, before either party had claimed their respective positions. A battle that would have shook the world if it had taken place a few short years later, but instead was swept under the rug by the World Government. This is the tale of a brief collision between "Gold Fist" Ralph and "Mad Monk" Daikaku during the quite beginnings of the latter's life of piracy. In an attempt to swiftly deal with the threat that this new pirate posed, the Marines had dispatched the formidable Vice-Admiral, along with a war ship, to dispose of the problem before it got out of hand.''

The Forgotten
Standing like a statue at the bow of their stolen ship, letting the ocean spray wash over him, Daikaku stared into the nothingness that was the horizon. Or at least that's how it appeared to his small crew, but the rookie pirate Captain, with his enhanced senses, could already see an island in the distance. "Oh Captain, my Captain," cried out an elaborately dressed man in a singsongy, playful manner as he approached. "It would seem as though we will be in sight of our next destination shortly."

Despite the fact that it was already visible to the former monk, he turned to face his guest and thanked him sincerely. "Thank you for the update, Pierrot." He could tell that the clown had more to say, but knew that he would speak his mind in due time, albeit in a roundabout way. So he simply turned back to the horizon and waited.

Twirling his patched up umbrella once, twice, then bringing it back up as if to shield him from the mist, Pierrot continued his train of thought. "This hunt we've been on has been progressing quite smoothly thus far, wouldn't you agree? I mean, aside from those two idiots they sent after us, or more specifically, you. But they were nothing more than wrinkles in this tale of ours."

Enjoying the view, Daikaku took a small pause of his own before responding. "Hmm, I think it isn't nice to call your crew mates idiots, Pierrot. That aside, I doubt that things will stay so smooth for much longer. We can expect an ambush waiting for us on either this island or our next, I should think."

Pierrot smiled a devilish smile and simply said "Good. You see it too," before walking away.