Flock of Weight

People of the Dojo
Purupurupuru A Den Den Mushi under Dexter's clothes rang. Reaching into his jacket, he pulled the small communication snail out and picked it up. Before he said anything, he took in his surroundings, looking back at the ship which had been docked at the bay this region. Spitting to his side, he took a deep breath before letting out a big sigh.

"Hello." He said, waiting for the person on the other end to speak.

"Onii-san! Onii-san!" A female voice cried out over the snail. "Where are you Oni-san? I thought you said you'd be coming directly to Kuri? I'm looking around everywhere, I don't see you, Onii-san!" Each of her sentences overlapped each other because she'd been speaking so fast while also yelling.

Pulling the Den Den Mushi away from his face, Dexter couldn't deal with the girl's yelling. It seemed, even on Wano, the women loved him and loved to yell at him as well. Sighing once again, Dexter looked to Gerhard out the corner of his eye and the only thing he could see, was the Pirate's mask. "To-chan, why are you screaming? Especially when you're so close to me. I'm at Kuri's bay, if you slowed down and turned around, you would see me."

As he said that, a girl of blonde hair performed a complete three hundred and sixty degree spin before meeting with the eyes of Dexter. Eyes widening, she threw the den den mushi into her pocket and rushed over to Dexter's location. "ONII-SAN!" She screamed, opening her arms and wrapping around Dexter's body to give him a hug. "It's been so long, Onii-san!"

Dexter's seemingly bothered persona disappeared. He met her hug with a smile of his own but did not return the hug. "It ain't been that long. No need to overdo it. I did miss you though."

Removing herself from Dexter, she looked to the three individuals around Dexter. "Who are these people, Dexter? Are they your friends? Took you long enough!"

Handing out, he spoke, "Something like that. The tallest one with the mask is Blumenthal Gerhard. The red-head is Draco D. Alastor and the black-haired one is Xander." He said, taking initiative in introducing them to her so that they could move along with their conversation. "Where's the old man?"

"Who? Oh, papa?" Holding her finger on her lip, she looked towards the clouds. "Uh, I dunno'! He told me to meet you here because he had something 'very important to do'." Walking off, she waved her hand almost signaling the group to follow behind her. "Come on, I'll take you to the dojo. Mama's waiting!"

Alastor had set foot on Wano and his body had tensed up. He did not know this place. He did not want to know this place. Frankly, he couldn't care less. While he was here for his Captain primarily, there was one other objective he wanted to fulfill without fail. He knew that the moment he stepped foot onto this land that a particular person already understood where he was.

"Hey Captain, Gerhard, Xander. My father's here, so I think I should pay him a visit, over! I have a den den, so if I need to know where you guys are, I'll call you, over?" Alastor said cheerfully, though realistically a whirlwind of emotions were stirring up inside him. Before leaving, he waited for his crew members' approval, not wanting to involve them in his mess.

Stopping, Dexter looked back to Alastor. "His father?" he thought to himself, trying to grasp Alastor's message without being too obvious. He knew that much like Gerhard, Alastor's history to him had been unknown, but if he had chosen to go on and handle his business while they were on Wano, then the least he could do is not give him a hard time while trying to do so.

The ebony teen waved his hand at Alastor dismissing him, "Be back in two days." Dexter said, continuing to follow behind the blonde girl. "We've got stuff to do, Over."

Blumenthal Gerhard lifted himself from wherever he was on the beach, looking as if he had just woken up, eyes blinking quite slowly and hair messier than usual. He blew away the sand that surrounded him. "Tis' morning already?" He glanced around, spotting the rest of the crew quite easily due to their rowdy behaviors. "Father? Oooo shoot," Gerhard scratched the back of his head.

Having walked up to where Dexter stood, Gerhard stretched himself and promptly asked. "What now? I forgot what'cha told us, and who's this?" One arm against the other, he continued while looking at the blonde girl, "Whatever tis', I'll be here by yer side, Dex." Of course, Gerhard had missed the brief conversation Dexter had.

Xander looked to Gerhard while continuing to walk behind Dexter. "Let's not ask him, aight?" Xander held his forearm around his stomach, "I have to take a dump and if we have to halt again, it'll be all along the side of my pants, got it?" A wicked tongue and aggressive set of words for someone who had been technically the lowest rank present.

The group had been walking for about half an hour before they'd finally reached what appeared to be the entrance to a dojo. The kanji written over the door read "Ryutsume Dojo". While the blonde girl began to approach the feudal japan era-like building, Dexter stopped and just looked at it.

Without blinking once, memories of his past flicked in his head. The first was when he was eight years old, sitting atop a pile of dead samurai while being approached by a samurai taller than himself with a wild ponytail. Then, to the memory of him meeting a woman of crimson hair who bathed and clothed him for the first time. Nonstop images of the training within this same dojo took control before finally, Dexter returned to the plane of the living.

Behind the girl, Dexter followed and began to walk up the steps towards the door. Nodding his head, the girl slid the door open and at the moment she did a group of people shouted; "WELCOME HOME DEXTER!" In perfect tandem, half rushing towards him and tackling him down for hugs.

Fighting his way up, Dexter swung his arms, but their affection was just too much for him to overpower. "Alright everyone, thats enough." An older female voice said, behind the large pile of young samurai children that laid atop Dexter. Her orders were clear and as she made her demand, each of them got up and rushed back to their positions. Struggling to get himself to his feet, Dexter patted what he thought would be dirt off of his clothes.

All while this had been going on, Xander had already made himself comfortable and asked one of the dojo students to guide him to the restroom. Even he had little care for the little reunion unfolding, not as though he knew what had been going on anyway.

The dojo was silent for a moment. Dexter locked eyes with the crimson-haired woman who'd also been staring at him. The people within the dojo had their eyes transitioning from Dexter then to the crimson-haired woman, waiting to see who'd make their move or speak first. It was like an old western face where the bystanders anticipated to see who'd draw their pistols first.

Placing a foot out in front of the other, Dexter began to walk to the sitting woman. His speed picking up as he closed to the gap between himself and her until finally, he'd been in a full-on sprint. "Mother," he began, waiting for her response.

"It's been way too long my son, or should I say, King of Teens as they've been calling you now." Approaching the woman closer, Dexter reached out for her hand and grabbed it. Dropping down to a knee, Dexter lifted her hand to his lips and gave it a soft kiss. The woman coughed in response to her son's actions.

Standing back to his feet, Dexter turned with his hand held out at Gerhard. "I'm sorry everyone, this is Gerhard." Dexter began, introducing Gerhard as quickly as possible. "Gerhard, back on Wavecro I told you I learned how to battle with my sword on Wano, you recall do you not and it's also when you first met, Tenrairyū. You also told me that you lost your own Meito--Cala-"

Before Dexter could finish his sentence, the woman had already chimed in. "Caladbolg, I know of it." She said, eyes squinting while she brought her hand up to cover her mouth for yet another cough.

"This is the woman who taught me the way of the sword, Kazuha." Dexter introduced her.

Reaching to Dexter's hip, Kazuha drew the sword on his side out of its hilt and once she did, her mouth had completely dropped. "Its changed!" She said, surprised by the new black-hue the metal had taken. "Didn't think you'd be able to reach this level so quickly. You must've fought plenty of hard-battles while you were away, Dexter-san."

"She is the one," Dexter said, eyes watching as Kazuha completely analyzed his sword. "responsible for crafting Tenrairyū!"

Gerhard responded naught at Xander once he said some stuff, that could surely wait. They had all reached some kind of Dojo, but he himself was still paying attention to the surroundings. They were in the Black Widow Pirates' territory, the main one even, as much of a beauty as this stage held, they had to be wary, he supposed.

When everyone yelled out for Dexter, Gerhard smoothly rose his hands and covered his ears with his fingers briefly. It was then that Dexter introduced him. "Heya," He waved at them once, taking in everyone's appearances with his half-lidded eyes, "Y'did y'did." Gerhard nodded at each word, easily recalling the events of back then, their fight with the Marines and their bonfires. "Oh- Um-"

Patting the dust off his clothes, Gerhard extended his gloved hand at the woman, Kazuha. "Nice to meet'cha."

Holding his own hand up so that Gerhard could not touch Kazuha's own, it seemed extremely rude at first. Though, in actuality, it was the complete opposite. "You can not make contact with Lady Kazuha." Dexter said, walking to her side before she herself chimed in.

"I'm sorry, Gerhard-san. I can not make contact with you. I have a terrible illness which inflicts those that come into contact with me." Pausing, she squinted her eyes at Gerhard, "For some reason, it does not affect Dexter, but everyone else instead." Lettin off a small cough, she tucked her face into her kimono.

"Yes, that is why I've brought Gerhard along, mother." Dexter began trying to explain himself. "He's a doctor, a relatively skilled one at that. I'm almost certain that Gerhard will be able to remove it."

Resheating Tenrairyū into Dexter's sheathe, she reached to her side and pulled out a pair of gloves. Placing them over her hands, she slowly struggled to stand to her feet, leaning to Dexter's shoulder so that she could stand up fully. Taking slow steps towards Gerhard with Dexter guiding her, she touched his shoulder. "Tell me, Gerhard-san. What did Caladbolg mean to you?"

"Ah..." Gerhard blinked, his shoulders almost falling off his body, "That's okay." He retreated one step and looked very briefly over all of Kazuha's form. A blink. "Ah ye, a doctor." What kind of doctor claimed lives?

Static, Gerhard waved at them. "I'd gladly give a try, miss." Before he could ellaborate on how he could do it, Kazuha had directed him a question. Gerhard's eyes widened and he blinked rapidly. "What it means...? I- It was given ta' me by the person who's like, my biological father."

"I see," she began, eyes tracing Gerhard's figure until she'd gotten a full analysis. "Then, if you are Dexter's friend, I will see to it that you get a feasible replacement. You just tell me, what you want and I'll make it happen, Gerhard-san." Limping her way back to where she'd been sitting before, Dexter lent his hand to help her slowly get back to the cushoning set up she had.

"I know the other reason you came home too, at first, we thought you were not going to come when you mentioned you had something to take care of. She cried for two days hoping you were okay and would still show up." Eyes rolling, she sighed, "Only men could make such decisions at the last moment, especially when something so important is coming up. You'll have to explain to her why what you did was much more important."

Shaking his own head, he threw his face into his palm, "You didn't have to bring that up. I can assure you though, it was extremely important. I wouldn't let anything come in between that day unless it was."

The doors of the dojo slid open gently. "We're home, mom!" A gentle female voice said from behind it. A dark-skinned girl stepped through it, accompanied by a man of white skin with his hair tied into a wild ponytail. Once the girl turned around, she dropped the bags being held in her hands and widened her eyes to a point one would have never thought possible.

Both the girl and the man stood shocked for a moment. The girl's mouth dropped while the man stood expressionless. She began to shake, almost trembling as though she had been scared. Eyes watering, her mouth changed to a sad position before the tears poured out of her sockets then down her cheeks. "DEXTTTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEERRRR!" She shouted, running towards him at first speed, her kimono flowing in the breeze she created herself, revealing her katana on her side. Crashing into Dexter, she tackled him and hug him with the strength of the gods.

"Dexter, why would you leave!" She shouted, crying a waterfall. "Then when you were supposed to come you said you couldn't. I-I-I didn't know what to think, you just hurt me you hurt me so much. I don't know, I didn't know what to do!"

Lifting himself up, he grabbed her hand. "Tsubaki, I'm sorry.. I'm sorry for the new life I've chosen to live, but even then, I love you. I love you so much."

"What I want..." Gerhard started, but the emergence of a very sudden visitor quickly shot him off. He eyed the newcomer, who fawned all over Dexter, surely, it was time for the latter to feel her up- Oh. Oh, that... wasn't happening, Gerhard rubbed his eyes with his left forearm. "Greetings," Gerhard tried, waving his hand a single time.

Tsubaki began to shower Dexter with kisses, before grabbing hold of his face with her hands and looking him directly into his eyes. "I can not believe you, Dexter. You have no manners." She's claimed, blowing hot air from her mouth before turning her nose up at him. Releasing him and standing back to her feet, she patted her kimono off before turning to face Gerhard. Approaching him, she extended her palm out.

"I'm sorry, you must be Dexter's friend. I'm Tokugawa Tsubaki, Dexter's fiancee." Waiting for Gerhard to grab her hand to shake it, she lifted her eyebrow, "Are you one of his ridiculous music friends?"

All while this had been transpiring, the man who'd entered the dojo alongside Tsubaki had his eyes locked onto Dexter, who'd also had his eyes locked onto the man. "Tch, a death stare?" Dexter thought to himself, not giving up one bit. He seemingly knew who the man was, but judging how he neglected to even address him, it could be noted that their relationship had not been a smooth-sailing one.

Kazuha noticed this ominous beef between the two and simply judge it with a chuckle. One the man cut short by dropping his own bags to the ground, slowly stepping towards Dexter.

Oh. Fiancee. Gerhard blinked a few times, looking back and forth between Dexter and Tsubaki. Thankfully, his mask hid his small chuckle. "Music friends?" He lowered his head and shook it lightly, then, looked at Tsubaki directly. "Nah, I'm- I'm just an acquaintance, nice to meet'cha, Tsubaki." Gerhard extended his hand yet again.

Though Gerhard focused the topic on Tsubaki, he glanced side-ways at the stare down between Dexter and another newcomer, a newcomer that felt... familar? Were they about to throw down? Gerhard had extended his hand not only to greet Tsubaki, but, in case anything happened, he was already ready to jump into action and intercept the man.

Drawing Tenrairyū from its sheathe, Dexter eyed the man but spoke to Gerhard. "Watch out Gerhard," he began, referring to the fact that Gerhard prepared himself to aid Dexter. "If you hesitate against this man, we lose." He ended, confirming that the duo would indeed be engaging in some sort of battle with the ponytailed samurai before them.

Without a breath's moment, Dexter kicked off the dojo's wooden floors, dropping to the ground with the forward momentum. He paused the joints in his ankles to keep his face from hitting the ground, keeping an inch gap from the surface. "Amaterasu Style —," he mumbled closing the gap between himself and the man at the same time it took a man to perform one round of breathing. With his sword holding hand, Dexter attempting a slash that would go from the man's groin all the way up to his chin. A strike that would surely split the man in two. "Hiraishin!"

"A samurai doesn't speak of defeat out loud," by the time the man had finished the first half of his sentence, Dexter had already been within striking range of the Hiraishin technique. He'd been so close, that from an angle, there wasn't anything that the man could virtually or humanly do to counter him. "He says it with his sword, boy!"

His straight stance change into thin lines of an afterimage. His true form had been nearly on the ground, matching the same stance that Dexter had taken up. The only difference was that the man had not drawn his own swords. With his right hand out forward, he lifted his index and middles fingers, completely stopping Dexter's sword from completing its strike. The wood boards of the floor crushed under his presence, yet he had not done anything to them physically. That alone showed he was indeed strong.

"He can do that!?" Dexter asked himself, caught completely off gaurd. "He completely stopped my sword with only his fingers!"

With his left hand, the man revealed a scabbard bringing it out in front as though it were his own sword. With a single thrust, though to those around, he looked like a blur, he struck Dexter in his shoulder stabbing the scabbard into his skin and slamming him into the ground.

"That was uncalled for!" Kazuha yelled to the man, trying to look through the small cloud of dust created by the collision of Dexter and the ground.

Pushing himself up, the man placed the hilt to his side. "What do you mean, Kazuha? He's pathetic.. Kid ain't worth any bit of that 1,040,000,000."

Panting heavily, Dexter used his sword wielding hand to lift himself up. However, much like Kazuha, he struggled to do so. "You dumb fu-.." Dexter caught himself, spoken rule that there was no foul language in front of Kazuha. "My shoulder, you dislocated it, Yoshitsune."

"No, you broke it. You're weak, Dexter. You weren't like this when you first left here." This man was Yoshitsune, the father of Dexter and the one responsible for explaining the sword techniques to him. "You could have shadow stitched out of it. I would have punished you either way, but you didn't even try." Looking out the corner of his eye to Gerhard, Yoshitsune simply grinned.

"Don't try anything, Blumenthal Gerhard. Your Captain told you didn't he? If you hesitate, you lose. You've already done that. But I mean go ahead and try." Yoshitsune lowered his eyes and grinned, "It'll come at your life."

Good, just more drama to be dealt with, Gerhard shrugged and rolled his eyes, Tsubaki had promptly ignored him anyway, there was no reason to let his arm remain that way. Then again, this was that man Yoshitsune just as he had suspected. There weren't many tales of that swordsman, but, there were still enough for Gerhard to keep a side glance on him.

"Yeah, fuck't," Gerhard approached Dexter to try and help him get up, trying to get ahold of his body properly. "I'mma' just leave ya' to deal with yer stuff, d'ya mind if I leave- Huh," Birds flew in the distance, the whole room shook lightly and dust fell off the ceiling, accompanied by loud rumbling, which soon ceased. "...I don't know if I should leave anymore."

Eyebrow lifting, Yoshitsune sensed the sudden shaking of the room. While he had been aware of it, he opted not to act on it just yet and instead continued on as though there was nothing wrong. He looked to Dexter briefly after taking his corner sight off of Gerhard. As his hand lowered, Yoshitsune let out a soft blow of air. Stepping forward, he walked around the broken Dexter, looking at him with the view of disgust.

"Clean yourself up and get some rest. There's someone you have to meet if you want this wedding to go smooth sailing and your notoriety has made this much more troublesome than I'd like." In all honesty, Yoshitsune had genuinely been angry that Dexter made this situation much harder than it needed to be.

Tsubaki rushed over to Dexter's side, "He's right, Dexter. You've gotten so sloppy with your sword. But, father, what do you mean about the wedding? Is there something I'm not aware of?"

Head shaking as he walked past Kazuha to the sliding doors behind her, they were access to the rest of the dojo, "As your mother, she knows. She's fully aware that even Kosaka Isshin can't help us in this one..." With that, opened the doors and walked through them, sliding them back close as he made his exit.

Looking to her mother, Tsubaki may have not said anything, but she wholeheartedly expected Kazuha to spill the information that Yoshitsune claimed she had. She didn't care how long it would take, but she wanted to hear it.

"Your father just can't let stuff happen in the shadows, can he?" Kazuha sigh, "Very well then, Dexter and Tsubaki... your wedding can't happen legally without the permission of the Black Widows Pirates' captain, Daddy L. Legs. Dexter, you coming here was very unsafe after you proudly claimed yourself to be an enemy of the World Government--a very wanted one at that. It's been virtually impossible for us to get in contact with Legs, she's dealing with a lot currently and we aren't trying to bother her too much."

Kazuha paused as she let her sights set onto Gerhard, after realizing there was some sort of shaking of the building. But much like her husband, she chose to ignore it. "Now we are in a tight spot because the wedding is set to happen day from now."

Gently removing Tsubaki's hand from his injured shoulder, Dexter mustered his strength to fully stand. "I didn't think I'd be comin' here to fight anyone." He said, opting against giving Kazuha a proper reaction to her statement. "We'll have it, even if I have to fight against a Yonko." Head slowly turning to Gerhard with a squinted eye in pain he said, "You ready Gerhard? We got more people to cut."

"Oh, of course," Gerhard mused, closing his eyes and inflating his cheeks a bit. "With how we goin', I don't think we can avoid any of those, can we?" Before he reiterated his earlier idea of them leaving swiftly, Gerhard turned to Kazuha. "Oh, tho', you still up for getting tha'... surgery?"

Kazuha and Tsubaki both sighed, they knew Dexter was reckless but right now, he needed to fully asses the situation. Not everything called for a fight in order to get a proper solution some stuff could actually be settle without the assistance of violence. Tsubaki reproached Gerhard, lifting his hand on her own. "Sorry, Tokugawa Tsubaki, I was rude a bit earlier. That was extremely unlady-like please forgive me."

Meanwhile, Kazuha had been caught off guard by the opposing Pirate's hastiness. Even though Dexter proposed they storm into Legs' estate, he had still been hung up on giving her the potential surgery needed to heal her. Her heart raced for a moment, it had been five years since a doctor attempted any other treatment on her. She felt a sense of hope, one beyond what Yoshitsune gave in his reassurances. She nodded at him, "Yes."

Dexter had also paused his own rant, "Oh, I forgot. Yeah, Gerhard, please begin the surgery as soon as possible."

Entangled in the Past
It had been a number of hours that had passed since Alastor left from Dexter and company. He was briskly moving along the island, although he was soon feeling relatively exhausted. Finally, he managed to reach the port towards Jonzu, the island which Draco D. Indiana occupied. "I'm nearly there, over." Alastor said to himself, and the other residents of Wano chose to ignore him for the most part, despite his foreign appearance.

He went onto the ship, and in about another half an hour, the small distance between both islands had been covered. Finally, he was on Jonzu. Alastor looked around at its port town. Nothing was completely out of the ordinary, although he noted that this island felt a bit more "vintage" compared to the other one he had just been on. That must have been something Indiana implemented, no doubt. He was aware of his father's eccentric tastes.

Alastor continued to walk, however. He didn't know exactly where Indiana was, but he figured as the head administrator of the island, there would be something pointing to Indiana's location somewhere.

Ever since Alastor had stepped foot into the island, surely he could have felt the intense life energy emanating from the island itself. Eccentricity was just the tip of the iceberg. Whereas most inhabitants only glanced at Alastor once, a particular one had seen him... from quite a distance, even when his hair blocked off his eyes.

"Hah hah hah," A man with short purple hair, he panted while running frantically through the portuary town. His clothes were that of an archaelogist, he had found his true calling, indeed.

"A-Are you-" Standing before Alastor was a man called Joseyvisk, currently worth 50,000,000 and one of the Black Widow Pirates' newest members. "-The newest v-visitor? Gaaah," He panted yet again.

"I'm not a visitor." Alastor said frankly to the man. "I'm a relative. Has your boss said anything about me, over?" Alastor tone was fairly serious. He wasn't trying to be aggressive to the man. Although, looking at him closely, he recognized that the man used to travel with Gerhard. "O-oi, are you Ger-kun's subordinate, over?" Alastor asked him. He was wondering what had happened to the Notch ever since Gerhard had left. He guessed they truly had fallen apart.

Joseyvisk's blocked eyes widened. "T-Then you are just as Sir said-" He gulped dryly and moved aside for Alastor, however, he said no other word, for Alastor's comment made him freeze. "Eh?" Wait, wait, wait, this guy actually knew him?

"G-Ger-san?!" Joseyvisk asked, clutching his hand for a solid second. "He's here?! Oh god, he wants the other hand?!" Suddenly, Joseyvisk slapped himself, prompting a teeth to fly away. "A-Apologies, mister... l-like I was saying, I was told to guide you." Turning around, Joseyvisk pointed at a strange rock formation by the mountains, it had two large holes, almost like a skull.

"Ah. That's okay, over..." Alastor figured that pressing the matter might cause unnecessary animosity, so he quietened down. He saw the path that Joseyvisk lined out and grinned. "Of course he'd be there, over."

With that snide remark out of the way, Alastor made his way to the intended location, ignoring whether or not Joseyvisk was following him as intended. As it stood, Alastor didn't want to run away.

Joseyvisk merely nodded in a rapid manner at Alastor's comments, his mouth hanging open as the latter didn't even bother keep watch over him. Of course. Still, he tagged along and kept some distance between them, running up ahead so that his back stood to Alastor. Surely, standing behind would have been a bad choice, maybe Alastor would have been wary without the need to.

They both walked on for quite some minutes, passing by some intricate buildings, made of rough stone and possessing a large stature. Joseyvisk greeted some people along the way, merely rising his hand in an awkward wave. More minutes and they stood in front of the large skull, it had openings between its large teeth, allowing some light to come out.

Halting, Joseyvisk turned around and gestured at the gigantic stone. "We call it the Skullcrystal District, it's like," He scratched the back of his head and sweated, "A super market or something... it's got restaurants, two hotels, small museums, and Sir Jurojin's office-" Joseyvisk stumbled, rumbling echoed from the distance and shook the very atmosphere, his eyes almost burst out of his hair. "O-Office- What... what..."

"...Something is happening...over..." Alastor thought to himself, gritting his teeth. Perhaps he shouldn't have left so quickly. But it was too late. "So, Dad, when are you going to stop spying on me with these vines and look at me directly, over?"

"I-I..." Joseyvisk looked at the distance, only then noticing the split of the clouds, it was closer to the main island. "W-WHAT!!" Despite that, Alastor hadn't been paying much attention.

After all, something more important stood on the inside of the Skull. Cracking the ground gently, green and purple surfaced in front of Alastor through tendril-like shapes, vines. They came along a linear path and into the skull's teeth, forming some kind of open hallway in order to lead Alastor a specific path.

The moment that Alastor followed it and entered the skull, he would be surrounded with a greatly illuminated place. There were several light sources placed at the top of the skull's insides, providing light to the entire district. Around the entrance, there were a few restaurants and shops, styled just like the buildings outside.

Alastor walked on the illuminated path. The whole time, his eyes were tinged red and his hands were square on the hilt of his blade. He knew that this encounter could go one of two ways. Either his Dad intended to trick him, or kill him. Alastor wouldn't allow either.

The skull-like area irritated Alastor. It reminded him too much of the original hideout that the Draconic Mercenaries adopted, before they were abolished due to...that fateful day.

The minutes that Alastor spent following the trailed path created by the vines were not many, after but a few, he was already faced with an extremely intricate building, quite different from the rest. Atop it, there was a name banner: "Daily Vines".

An hotel. The vines led directly into it, its door was open, and a large person could be seen inside there. A man.

His arms were crossed, his legs glued together and straight. He wore a brown tuxedo. Alastor's animosity reached him even before Alastor's image did. "...Alastor," The man called out.

"Draco D. Indiana, my Dad and mortal enemy. How are you, after abandoning your family, over?" Alastor asked Indiana. His animosity poured out in the form of a dragon, and didn't hesitate to try and devour Indiana.

"Why, lad, that is a very specific way to phrase that question." Indiana closed his eyes in a chuckle, shaking his head sideways. His tuxedo almost fluttered open in the wake of Alastor's pressure, he gulped and steeled himself. "Over, right?" Indiana brought his fingers together and walked around, "To think you'd fully adopt that... farse!"

"OBABABABABA!!!!" Alastor couldn't help but laugh at his father. "To think you'd adopt this spider web as your home!"

"Adopt?" Indiana pondered for a solid second, grabbing his chin. "Yes, there was an adoption here, lad. But, it was me who was adopted!" He rose his gaze and met with Alastor's directly. "You're being more genuine now," A smile, "Do you truly think my old rear couldn't get a new place...?"

"At this point? The only person who would adopt you is an aged-care facility." Alastor sighed. "Regardless, your dead son is alive and well and this is the treatment I get? You treat me worse than Damon, and I AM a human."

"Ouch," Indiana tried another chuckle. "Bad treatment? Lad, you have been the aggressive one here," Before he could further say anything, he dropped his jaw and took a step towards Alastor.

The inwards of his brows furrowed and his lips curved down, "Don't bring that kid into this... this is no comparison to be done."

"No comparison." Alastor spoke once more again. His eyes were shut this time. "You said those same words when the World Government destroyed the Draco Family and you turned a blind eye." He opened his eyes once more. "In the Flower Capital, I pleaded to you for your help...If you would have liked, you could have been our leader within the Black Widow Pirates. But no. Instead, you threw us away, and I've had to live a lie just to survive!"

"..." Indiana's tone irritated Alastor. However, he wasn't completely incorrect. There was a part of Alastor that always blamed himself for the actions that tore apart the Draconic Mercenaries' name, and left them to the sorry state they were today.

Six years ago, in an illustrious building owned by the World Government, there stood Alastor, Dante, and several other members of the Draco Family, surrounded by a platoon of individuals suited in complete white. The people suited in white were of varying statures, builds, and possibly genders, but one thing remained key among all of them: they all wore a distinct mask.

"You're all...the CP-0?! What are you doing here? What's the meaning of this?!" Alastor bravely asked the CP-0 members that laid before the Draconic Mercenaries, all while keeping their guard up. This was no doubt a dangerous situation that had to be handled delicately.

"Black attracts white. In the same way..." A member of the CP-0 spoke up. Although masked, his presence among his other comrades was distinguished by the depth of his voice and his black and white attire. He pointed directly at Alastor as he continued to speak. "Your evil has come to our attention, Draconic Mercenaries!"

Alastor was puzzled at the voice, but soon realized exactly who was speaking. "Oi, Blanc Noir. Don't think a fancy mask like that will hide your dogged voice from me, idiot!" Fury had lined his brows. Just what did the World Government think they were doing, apprehending the Draconic Mercenaries, who had been hired as a supplementary unit for the Shichibukai? Under the very orders of the Gorosei and the CP-0, the Draconic Mercenaries had annihilated every enemy of the World Government they were told to without question.

Opposing royalty, nobility, businessmen, Underworld agents...every single one of these affiliated with the World Government and dragging them into inconspicuous rumors had been cut down to the source. There was never a peep from Alastor's side. Not even a question for his purpose. He had merely continued to follow orders to the letter and obtained money for his contracts. A purely professional relationship.

"Burararara! Knowing who I am does not change your black future, Draco D. Alastor!" The CP-0 member said confidently, all the while his mask was poised on perfectly. Despite his arrogance, his guard had not been broken in the slightest: as expected from one of the elite CP-0.

"Don't you get tired of living in black and white, Noir?" Alastor tried to weasel his way into continuing the conversation by provoking Noir, all the while contemplating an escape plan.

"Of course I don't. The world is always black or white. In-betweens like grey simply don't exist! You're either right, wrong or dead!" Noir scoffed at Alastor's suggestion, though he understood exactly what the mercenary intended on doing.

"But you're in the white this time, Alastor-kun. The World Government no longer needs you carrying our dirty laundry. The Shichibukai are now a fully functioning entity on their own after 44 years of rebuilding them following Fleet Admiral Akainu's era. Now you worthless mercenaries that sully the name of our illustrious Celestial Dragons can go die in a ditch now, yeah?"

Noir revealed a dastardly truth about the World Government that had been hidden for several years now. 50 years ago, when the World Government abolished the Shichibuki on the request of the land's Kings, the World Government lost a considerable superpower and their military power was fractioned as a result. While Vegapunk's creations existed, ultimately, the morale of the people had been lost.

After all, what ordinary man believes in the power of machines, over the ability of the World Government to subjugate the strongest Pirates of the sea and keep them under their thumb!?

Absolutely none.

The Draconic Mercenaries were but one of many sellswords hired by the World Government in order to do their dirty work behind the scenes while they consolidated power. Several opposing kingdoms were taken out, and replaced with new and better royalty that aligned themselves with the World Government's vision.

Chief among these replacements was the complete erasure of the Dressrosa sovereigns, through the timely introduction of the overpowering Longinus Niu on their grounds. Although she was a fickle King, her lack of care for those outside of Dressrosa's borders made life much easier for the World Government.

"OBABABABABA!" Alastor couldn't help but laugh at Noir's declaration. "The way you honestly believe that we're going to go down so easily is so characteristic of you, Noir. Unfortunately..." Alastor's hands gripped his sword's hilt tightly. "We're not going to lose to scumbags like you!"

"Lose? Don't think you'll stay in the white here, Alastor~" Noir said with a haughty tone, peering down upon Alastor's figure. "You'll remain in the black abyss of death!" With a flourish, the entire room was seemingly painted in black, with the Draco's physical senses being robbed from them.

"Bayonetta, Jeanne, what's the situation!?" Alastor hurriedly asked two of the female Draco in the room, who had already taken their sniper rifles out and begun to look through their scopes. Their night vision was impenetrable, so for them to not be able to see their targets through a veil of night was virtually impossible.

"Nii-san, this isn't a cover for the night." Jeanne said in a matter-of-fact tone, attempting to pierce through the veil that Noir had erected.

Bayonetta, whose eyes had been glistening a bright red, looked towards the black walls that surrounded them. "Oooh~ It's a physical barrier, nii-san. Let's be cautious~"

"Physical..." Alastor commented in his thoughts. His eyes had also been dyed a crimson red. He could feel based on his kinetic senses that the room had not been interfered with structurally. Yet, paint had been dripped all over it. Within that paint, the CP-0 hid, awaiting for the structural integrity of the Draconic Mercenaries to fall, and swoop them altogether.

Without an ounce of hesitation, Alastor swung his sword on the ground. His blade came in direct contact with the ground, and suddenly the entirety of the layer of black came peeling off. Indeed, much like Noir's persona exhibited, it was a layer of paint that covered the entire building. However, what it would transform into was the unexpected bit.

The paint across the entire room had begun to compress into itself, in a way completely unusual to the room. The substance lifted from the surfaces and became liquefied, and suddenly, the true nature of Alastor's maneuver was elucidated: as the paint had begun to fill into containers, it took the form of milk!

"Your black isn't punishing me any longer, Noir." Alastor mockingly told the CP-0 member, who would no doubt be shaken by the current turn of events.

As he stood there, perplexed, with the other members of the CP-0, Noir attempted to regain his composure and analyze the fruit before him. "That fruit...the Sachi Sachi no Mi!?" As opposed to standing still, Noir began to produce more paint from the palm of his hands. "Don't think outwitting me once will let you escape the overwhelming black, Alastor!!!"

"Who spoke of escape?!" Alastor's eyes shone a bright crimson as he stared directly at the CP-0 members. As he took his first step forward, the sound of metal ringing in the air was heard. As all the CP-0 members took up their guard, what would stand before their eyes was a sight they wouldn't expect seeing.

Dozens of afterimages of Alastor had bathed their eyes. All of them moved simultaneously, with their swords drawn, and the intent to kill the CP-0 members before them. The visual and auditory stimulus was overwhelming. Those with keen senses could visibly see the muscle movement, and hear the sound of dozens of blades flying in the air.

Yet even so, Noir was having none of it. There was something visibly off about this situation. Among the CP-0, Noir was renown for his visual acuity. After all, he was a painter of immense magnitude. He wielded the Efu Efu no Mi and could see through visual imperfections in an instant.

Alastor's illusions were potent, that was sure, but that's all they were at the end of the day. The more inexperienced members of the CP-0 near him did not understand that Alastor was the type of man who preyed on an individual's reliance on their broad senses. It was a technique he had favored: Hakkei.

Noir only had to take a cursory look, while ignoring the after-images, to perceive through the truth of Alastor's movements. As he looked past Alastor's after-images, he had seen the shadows beneath Alastor's feet, and the other Draco's, had completely disappeared. Grinding his teeth, he summoned another wave of white paint to completely smother the illusions.

All that was left was a room, now completely white, and a cavity in the center of the room, with all of the Draconic Mercenaries having escaped.

Veins on Noir's head began to pop in anger. "FIND THOSE CRIMINALS! OR OUR WHITE SUITS WILL BE SULLIED BLACK, FOOLS!" The head of the operation dived into the cavity in order to follow the Draconic Mercenaries, who had been on their merry way to escape the confines of the World Government.

The Draconic Mercenaries, thanks to the brute force available to Draco D. Dante, managed to continually destroy the buildings and obstacles in their path and make their way to the port of the illustrious settlement they were in.

That was when the true trouble began. The CP-0 weren't slow. They had only inched behind the Draconic Mercenaries' ship, and the cannon fire they had shot was fearsome. The seas had been smothered in gunpowder as the two ships exchanged cannon fire. All the while, snipers on both ships had keenly kept their eye on each other. If any of the members of the ships moved, everything would be lost on both sides.

On the other hand, Dante was the main propeller of this ship. Rather than relying on typical sailing, Alastor had to prioritize speed and longevity above all else. Nobody in the Draco Family except Dante had the strength and endurance to constantly move an entire ship at breakneck pace without stopping. In fact, the other members prioritized his safety over Alastor's right now, for if he stopped functioning, the ship would collapse.

Several time had passed. Both ships were at a standstill. Cannon fire had littered the surroundings so deeply that only Kenbunshoku would allow them to travel safely through these tumultuous seas. However, unlike the CP-0, the Draconic Mercenaries had a clear goal in mind: the land of Daddy L. Legs, Wano Country.

Several tumultuous hours passed, with both ships at full speed, until the CP-0 came to the realization of exactly where the Draconic Mercenaries were landing. When the infamous waterfall had appeared before the CP-0, although they could have scaled it, they chose not to. Incurring the wrath of a Yonko was counterproductive to their aim. Unfortunately, they had to simply accept the fact that if they continued any further, they would be intruding into the Pirate Empress’ territory.

Unfortunately...they did not have the manpower to become enemies with her right now.

That said, they did not completely draw back. Their presence would be known to the Black Widow Pirates, but they did not act in an antagonistic fashion. If the Black Widow Pirates did enough investigating, they would understand the reason for the CP-0’s presence. Although the CP-0 did not keep high hopes that the crew would surrender the Draconic Mercenaries, the World Government agents had to make the effort into intimidating the Yonko at least to a small degree.

"What a black situation...you damned Draco, I will hunt you down, just you watch…" Noir cursed in his own thoughts, as his eyes scanned across Wano Country, in an attempt to locate the Draconic Mercenaries.

At the same time, the Draconic Mercenaries were granted an audience with one of the Black Widow Pirates’ Fukujin, and one of the oldest members of the crew: Draco D. Indiana, as well as Alastor’s biological father.

“Dad...please, let us join the Black Widow Pirates! You know about how strong we are, right?! We can be useful!” Alastor pleaded to his father, exhausted from the restless goose chase by the CP-0 and the difficult pilgrimage.

He looked over at his comrades. Bayonetta, Jeanne and Dante were all in the same state. Dante, in particular, was bruised considerably from being battered by the waves. Although he attempted to play it off, everyone in the room knew he had taken a beating far more severe than the others.

He winced, and returned to look at his father. All Alastor could do was rely on him to allow the Draconic Mercenaries to become a singular entity with the Black Widow Pirates.

"....." Indiana's emerald eyes stared over each of his family members... Family members, huh. His son, Alastor, was the one that properly directed the word, the one to take the very lead. Of course, after all, their relation laid in more than blood.

But, it seemed that Indiana overestimated him. Deeply. The predictament they found themselves into struck a heavy blow upon the skills that Indiana taught him. He clutched his chest whenever he had felt the blow.

"...And then what, lad?" Indiana asked suddenly, his hat covering part of his face, and his lips curving down a lot. "You make us crumble from within?!"

"Eh? Crumble? You are part of the Black Widow Pirates! You are the strongest of the Yonko! How can you crumble?! What are you saying Dad!?" Alastor asked. His father shouldn't have been like this. Then why was he questioning Alastor? It wasn't his fault the World Government tossed them aside!

Couldn't the same be said for their Family? The strongest there ever was, and look, look where they were. On the dirt- Nay, even lower, they had been basically already buried like they were corpses.

Corpses... Indiana's grip on his chest tightened more than ever. But, then, that hand dropped.

Purple bloomed forth from it, Indiana squinted his eyes and tensed the muscles of his arm, which he rose and swung horizontally. Like a stream, the purple took the form of a thorny vine, flowing along in order to hit Alastor's head.

Alastor could see everything. Indiana's thoughts, his movements. But he was exhausted, and that exhaustion made him helpless.

He fell on the ground as the attack landed, completely unconscious.

The other members were enraged, adrenaline fueled their bodies and they rushed towards Indiana in a bid to avenge their unconscious leader.

The loud crackle of Indiana's whip against Alastor's head sounded in the distance, along with a simple gust of wind.

Indiana turned to look at the remaining members of the Draco Family- No, he frowned and a few veins sprouted over his face, though, his lips were still down, remaining was much of an incorrection. They didn't remain, there was nothing for them to remain in. Having been in contact with the ground, Indiana moved his free hand up, provoking a myriad of vines to ascend and rip through.

They circled around Dante, Bayonetta, and Jeanne. "The followers harbor the same ideals of the leader!" Indiana gestured for the vines to envelop their bodies and restrain them.

"Fuck..!" Dante looked upon Indiana in pure anger, and so did the other Draconic Mercenaries. "We'll get you for this bastard. Just you wait..!" The vines constricted him and the others tightly. The raw force within them managed to make their already exhausted selves fall unconscious.

"Hmph," Indiana scoffed and spat to his left side, having commanded the thornes to pierce specific spots of their body, no bleeding out was needed. His eyes flew from them and landed over Alastor's form, his son... a fool of a leader, of a dreamer.

"Didn't I teach you, lad?" Indiana's eyes, though hidden by his hat, acquired a glow, incapable of staring anywhere else. His legs moved, feet skidding slightly against the barren soil of Jonzu's land. "There is no harm in comitting mistakes..." Once close to Alastor, Indiana kneeled and rested his hands over his knees. "Yet, here you are, you..."

What came out were drops of saliva and a gasp, rather than the rest of Indiana's phrase. He tightened his hands into fists and clenched his teeth audibly, more than ever, his eyes trembled. "Here you are- HERE- YOU ARE NOT LEARNING FROM THEM!!!" There, saliva, air, words, they joined one another while flying off. Indiana's eyes widened once the words settled over inside his brain, he lowered his hat over his face even more. "What am I even doing... You can't even listen to me. Neither in consciousness or unconsciousness."

The CP0 were likely hovering just outside of Wano's archipelago, at least from what Alastor had said, they would probably enter soon. Koyuki and the Black Widow Pirates shouldn't be disturbed with such a minor problem, all Indiana had to do was find the CP0 before they entered the territory and... and...

And... Indiana would hand out these captured fugitives to them, so long they left Wano alone. So long... he... he entrusted these people to the CP0, Alastor... his... his son. Indiana clutched his chest, finally letting out a breath he had held shortly after speaking. His son. The vines had enveloped them all and formed a few cocoon-like constructs, Indiana connected them to a large vine.

Indiana walked, and walked, and walked on. Along the way, sometimes, he just stopped, his breathing seemed normal, yet, his eyes hovered over the cocoons. He marched on. Not a long time passed, Indiana found himself inside the Black Widow's palace, standing before none other than her.

Shouldn't be disturbed by such a minor problem. The words echoed through Indiana's mind, suddenly hammering from the inside out. His knees gave him, he palmed the ground and kotowed before her.

Words and glances were exchanged. They looked at one of the cocoons.

Indiana walked to one of the lesser ports of the entire archipelago, vines dragging the cocoons behind him, his expression harboured no particular characteristic. He stared ahead, passing through everyone until he was by the docks. Through Kosaka Isshin's mighty Kenbunshoku, Indiana had been directed there.

Where CP0 was.

"And that's that. You gave the World Government an illusion of my corpse, with my other family members, and avoided any problems with CP-0."

Alastor recounted his past. His head was boiling, but there was one thing he couldn't understand.

"But why didn't you simply kill me!? If you were going to reject me, why give me the chance to rise up again? Yes, I fooled the CP-0 through the Emperor and Over alias. Sure, through my dealings in the Underworld I have managed to cause the World Government to spill more secrets to me..."

Alastor paused, "But wasn't the risk too great!? Why would you, the most calculating person in the Black Widow Pirates, go with such a risky plan!?"

"Any, rather, most problems." Indiana corrected, pointing one finger directly at Alastor.

However, that same finger found itself faltering once Alastor's questions came over, sweat glistened his skin. Kill, reject, rise, fool. Indiana swallowed dryly, his hand found its way back to his chest and he held the tie of his tuxedo, fingers clutching it, he tightened it around his collar. He truly wanted an answer, didn't he? They were not there as they were back then, feet over barren earth, eyes trembling more than anything.

Eyes set over Alastor, Indiana almost let them glance away once the image of a kid flashed by his mind. "Because, lad..." Indiana licked his lips, feeling the dryness of his beard. "Back then, I..." His fists were tight, hat almost obscuring his vision. "I learned that... I, too, am faulty. Just like my foolish family..."

Alastor's eyes widened. To think his own father would confess his foolishness. The most stubborn, most logical man in the world would finally admit he had father-like emotions.

"OBABABABABABA!!!" Alastor couldnt help but laugh. It overtook the whole building. "So it took us being fooled and nearly killed by the World Government for you to show some parental emotion, did it!?"

Alastor couldn't help but feel a bit of pity for Indiana. "I suppose the 'Reaping Thorn' has finally been killed."

Memories flashed once more. Of Indiana in his prime, ruthless, cold and logical, performing every mission with absolute efficiency and no emotion. The only emotion he had was for women, and even then, only to subdue his libido.

To think that cold man became so sentimental, was almost laughable to Alastor.

"I'm done here. I won't say thanks for being a good Dad. But thanks, for giving me the one chance I needed to surpass you."

Alastor turned around, and began walking out, satisfied with what occurred today.

Alastor's stare, laughter, and subsequent absent crashed over Indiana's form, sending ripples throughout its entirety. Yet, he closed his eyes and remained with his lips hunched down, hand still on his tie. Yes, it had taken that much, that much and a bit more, all the time Indiana had had since that time. Many spent theirs training, honing their powers, but, he chose that, just that.

While Alastor's figure faded in the distance, Indiana turned around, fixing his hat. "I'm afraid you had done that even before then, lad." He walked further into the hotel, his footsteps fading slower than Alastor's image.

Satisfaction, after all.

Motherquake
It wasn't unusual for Daddy L. Legs to personally meet with people who came to Wano Kuni, but it had been quite sometime that she traveled to the prisons south of the Royal Capital. However, after hearing that he was here, and the he personally requested her presence, she couldn't refuse him. The trip had taken hours, yet she had finally arrived; she stood face to face in front of a chained, Cain D. Abel, captain of the Holiday Pirates.

"An enemy of war comes to meet me in my territory," Legs begun, her voice authoritative, yet calm. "You must either be confident or stupid."

Legs' large figure completely filled Abel's visage, even before he had rose his head to directly look at her. Seastone chains, shackles, and blocks surrounded his body tightly, the chains connected the latter two to the walls of the room. Nothing less for someone such as him.

Though, whatever he was was just a thing in comparison to the one that stood before him. One of the Yonko, the four strongest Pirates in the entire world, and arguably the strongest amongst them.

A bead of sweat ran down his face, he remembered very well their past encounters, they were just another day for her. Abel had to choose his words properly. "Maybe I'm both..." Abel smiled, moving almost no inches, not that he could properly. "But, that's out of question right now, Koyuki-san... Koyuki-chan?" Purple and yellow flared from him, signalizing the presences of Kozuki Adaemon and Vryrch Seth. "You already know why I am here."

Legs' blue eyes flashed a bright red for but a moment when Abel uttered her name, Koyuki. She hadn't heard that from someone she considered an enemy in a very long time. However, her Kenbunshoku revealed to her the Abel's ruse. He wasn't who he seemed to be. Well, no. He was Abel, but he was also so much more than that.

Legs smirked. "Seth-sama," she begun. "It seems that the dead really don't stay dead anymore."

A single breath escaped Abel's lungs, but, it felt like the entire oxygen had left him. His eyes wide and mouth gape, he extended a hand out at Legs, only for it to be held back by the many restrictors. "Koyuki... child," The yellow from before intensified, as if trying to push over the other colors, Abel frowned, "You weren't there... when..." Still, the colors struggled.

"So I suppose... it's confusing."

Legs put her hand up into the air. In a moment, several security guards flooded the area, and removed the constrictors from Abel. Yet as quickly as they entered, they departed, leaving the two alone again.

"Seth-sama, stand, and speak your mind. You may have arrived as an enemy, but you are far from it. You are my beloved mentor, my former captain and brother-in-arm. You have nothing to fear from me."

Abel looked at each of the guards as they got rid of his shackles, his mouth slightly open by then. "Koyuki-chan, you're giving me much freedom while in this body," He rose a palm and cupped the left side of his chest, by budging his muscles, the room shook lightly, his body free. "I know that you've already met us beforehand... But, under very different circunstances." That time, Adaemon had taken full control.

"I'm very grateful, child, that ya' still hold me so dearest to yourself." Abel let a tender smile grace his features. "Even when I'm not fully myself." Indeed, much like he had said earlier, Legs was not with them by the time that Seth had perished, she had no clue. "If there is any difference in my behavior, you're knowin' now. After not seein' you for so long, the least I'd want is unwarranted anger."

Although Legs directed those words at Seth, those within Abel couldn't help but still hold their breath at the presence of such an Emperor. For all they knew, they had no business there, interrupting the talk was out of question. Abel crossed his arms, "Lad, do you know why we came here?"

Legs smiled. "Um...because you're bipolar and you need help?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Look, I'm pleased you came to me, but look, my own damn doctor is a psycho. I don't know how much we could help. Mental health is a big problem in Wano."

"YAKORORORORORORORORORORORORORORO!" Abel didn't help it and his laughter filled the entire facilty, "It seems ya' haven't lost your humour, child." He waved a hand at her, while the other whiped the tears off his face. "That's not it, this... thing is actually a result of our Devil Fruit."

"Regardless, Koyuki-chan," Abel was back to crossing his arms, he chose to cross his legs as well. "What I came here for... concerns the wedding that'll be taking place."

Legs tilted her head to the side in confusion. "The Wedding? You don't mean the one between Dexter and the Tokugawa girl, do you?"

"Spot on, nice as ever, child!" Abel clapped a bit, eyeing Legs, though it was short lived. "Dexter has caused quite a few troubles to the allies of the Xros Pirates..." A bit of red flared from within the yellow. "I've been... trying to cut certain ties off, but right now I'm tasked with overseeing the Numerals, I'm sure you know them."

"Of course," Legs replied. "However, you don't have to worry about that anymore, Seth-sama. Your pirate organization will be leaving the Xros and joining the Black Widow Pirates soon enough."

Abel shifted the legs that were crossed, putting another over the other. "Koyuki-chan, I'm afraid I'm not alone in this decision... it is another me that rules this very organization." Rather than stop, Abel uncrossed his legs and pointed at himself. "The other one here, the one that you've met... is a hardass, takes a lot to convince."

Legs put her hand on her chin. "I see...so what you're telling me is that I have to convince...Abel? Or do I have to convince someone else? Whose the one who actually needs convincing? This is so confusing..."

Confusing, that was not new at all to them. Abel chuckled again, "So ya don't remember him lad? He doesn't want to manifest fully... He fears you." Of course, the only ones that didn't fear Yonko were the Yonkos themselves.

Right?

Abel couldn't stop relaying information, even as the subsequent one could bring out bad memories. "You may remember him as a... Kozuki."

The moment that Abel uttered that name, Legs was fully aware of who he meant. "Ah, yes, you mean Adaemon."

It made sense to why he was afraid. After all, Legs had slain all the Daimyo that ruled this country, including his own mother. Perhaps he thought he was next. However...

"He has nothing to fear from me. He and I were both victims of his mother's evil. I do not punish children for the sins of their parents."

Abel blinked rapidly. "Ya truly have a good memory!" Yet, he seemed to take one or two steps back, not even glancing at his own actions. "However, he speaks of the time that he came here," Indeed, long ago, when Adaemon entered a frenzy, the first thing he raided was Wano.

His heart beat louder.

"I will-" Purple surfaced yet again, Abel held his head. Suddenly, he was covered in sweat and hesitantly looked at Legs with half lidded eyes. "Fukuoka woman..."

Legs exhaled deeply before she begun talking; her very breaths pouring from her lips with the same sound as that of a steam-engine train. "Adaemon," she finally started, her tone and voice calm, and soft. "Tell me, can you hear me? " Legs inquired curiously, her voice sweet like sugar. "No, can you taste it? The sincerity of my tone."

Abel clutched his hands into fists and remained firm where he was, gaze drawn to Legs. A tremble threatened to force his body into motion, yet, her soothing words and the reasurrance both her and Seth gave at him... Abel held himself.

He nodded.

It was in that way that Legs had power. For, even a subtle thing such as sweetness could appeal to the senses. Even with words, she could make those around her taste them. In a way, she could literally make those around her eat her words.

"I hold no malice for you. Your mother was an evil woman, and the Wano you raided was one of her creation. It is no longer. This Wano, the one that you see now, is one that I sought to create from the ashes of the old. In this Wano, children don't starve. They don't fight, or die. Mothers don't betray their families, because, in this Wano, everyone is connected by something deeper than blood."

"...I, you..." Abel held in but another breath, his lips curved down as he bit into them. "You don't..." Head lowered a bit, he let the air out. "You have evolved beyond, much further." This time, Abel had spoken with a double voice, evident by the purple and yellow.

"However..." Abel closed his eyes, the image of the Numerals came into his mind. "...I have come to like some of the individuals that that bitch of a rookie attacked!" Suddenly, Abel stopped, waiting as if he got ahead of himself. "...Fukuoka... Nah, Legs, what is that fuckstar to you?"

"I..." Abel almost seemed to rise his hand to slap himself. "Those are some manners... But, I mean my question."

Legs smiled. "No need to apologize. I understand. However, that boy means much more to both of us than just me alone, Seth-Sama."

Taking the chance, Adaemon vanished within Abel, allowing Seth to contiue. "He means? What do ya' mean, lad?" Abel shook his head, "I haven't ever met him."

"Sure, you haven't met him. But his mother was a former five star," Legs continued. "She served together with me. Surely you know who I'm talking about."

"...." Abel let his eyes bloat out towards Legs, his mouth thin. He blinked not once nor twice, but several times. "Are you telling me Daikaku had children?!"

"........" Legs blinked. "It's Amaka."

"...Oh," Abel lowered his head and nodded while looking at the ground, of course, that made more sense. Way more. He tapped his head with his finger, yet, his eyes almost shot out of his skull again. "MAKA?!" The figure of a younger Amaka was an easy memory to both him and Legs.

"Yes, Amaka!" Legs responded, throwing her hands up in excitement. "She had quintuplets! All of them, at the same time. Shit must've hurt!" Legs paused briefly.

"Why did you think it was Daikaku? I don't think he even likes women."

"Quintuplets? Oh dear... but, I had no doubts towards Daikaku-kun, he-" Abel's tone had shifted yet again, the colors shifted around and red took charge. "Oh dear..." Abel leaned back, he bit his lips, more sweat dripped off his face, "S-So... you're the Yonko, Daddy L. Legs."

Legs tilted her head in confusion. "Y-Yes? I'm Legs? Who's talking now?"

"Y-Yeah, you're Legs, okay!" Abel breathed in and out, holding the side of his head, "I'm... one of the others... I... I was called Lambert Evelyn when alive." He eyed her up and down, despite having seen her through the others.

"Okay, Evelyn...Do you think that literally anyone else can come out and play right now?" Legs inquired.

"...." Abel blinked yet again, "I-I'm deeply sorry, Lady L-Legs..." Looking to his sides, he pondered on his options very briefly and quickly, after all, this wasn't just about anyone before him. "I l-learned that you had matters to discuss with me."

Legs exhaled. "Evelyn, are you the one who is trying to hunt Dexter?"

"...Both me and Adaemon are set on it, dear Lady." Abel responded almost immediately, trying to remain firm where he was sitting. "Like he said, we're the two that manage the Numerals..." Words, choices, they had to choose the proper ones. "However, I-I do know that Dexter has meaning to both you and... one of us."

"Yes," Legs responded. "He means a lot to us. Seth-sama included. Adaemon should always be made aware that Dexter was taught by Yoshitsune, as well. He's a citizen of Wano, or at least he is deeply connected to Wano."

Legs smirked. "I take it that you can make an exception, right, Evelyn-sama. After-all, you have come to Wano for my blessing. I take it that you hold my opinion in high regard, right?"

There it came again, that sweet, warm tone that tasted like chocolate.

"Yes, I really do. We have met you before, even if I haven't..." Abel continued, bringing his hands together and interwiening his fingers. "I was the one to give this idea of directly talking to you." This was... there was no word to properly describe this. Here they were, faced with her, and without many options to be considered, yet, it was not supposed to be an impossible situation, not for him.

Abel rose his gaze highly and was met with Legs once again. "Would you allow me to at least meet him?"

Legs squinted. "To meet the child, Dexter? Is that what you want?"

"It would be a disrespect to go against your wishes and hunt him down." Abel opened both his arms, palms faced upwards. "But I still hope to get some satisfaction from him..."

"I see," Legs responded. "Yeah, sure. I'll allow you to meet him under the one condition that you promise not to lay a single finger on him."

"Yes!" Abel got up from his seat, "Thank you, Lady Legs!" However, he soon laid back down. "...What if he attacks me?"

Legs smiled. "I think you know the answer to that, Abel-dono."

"I would actually like to hear what you think, Lady Legs, if you so allow it." Abel inquired.

"Come with me, and I'll give you my answer," Legs replied, turning around and walking through the door. She would lead Abel outside of the prison, to the outside world, where her men reunited him with his famed weapon. As they continued walking, Legs turned around, and faced him.

"If you're anywhere as strong as I remember seth-sama being, then Dexter should pose no threat to you, right?"

A nod was offered at what Legs said and Abel followed her instantly. Legs' footsteps echoed greatly through the region. Abel didn't even touch the Mabulrega, rather, it began to float towards him once he saw it. They all halted.

"To tell you the truth, Lady Legs, we have trained intensely with this body..." Flashes of the many fights and conflicts Abel participated flashed by once he closed his eyes. He opened them to look at Legs. "I understand it now."

There was no more words needed between them; for in that moment, Legs' very own Saisho simply appeared into existence upon her back as she pulled it into her grip with both hands. The sword itself was approximately 175 feet, and weighed approximately 8 tons. She stepped forward, establishing her right foot as her pivot foot, and brought her sword downwards towards the earth, and towards Abel.

Another breath made its way out of Abel's lungs, his muscles budged, veins bursting throughout his body, and the Mabulrega was within his hands under a second. It had been called forth by nothing more than his own power, the power of presence.

He opened his legs shoulder-length in distance, using both his feet to firmly estabilish his body, and looked towards above. With a swipe of his arms and press of his hands upwards, Abel put the Mabulrega over himself to intercept the blade of Legs' sword with its flat face.

Legs' sword clashed against the Mabulrega with the force resembling a small asteroid, which, in turn, generated an enormous shock wave of pure power that sent the men around them flying backwards in response. The winds churned into a ferocious storm around them; one soldier in particular went tumbling across the earth, slamming his sword into the ground to momentarily stop himself from rolling. He squinted as the winds battled against his body and the dust was spun into the air which obscured his vision. However, as he looked up, there was but one noticeable sight indicative of a battle between royalty. The heavens were split.

Though the both of them exherted an incredible amount of pressure, Abel and all of those dwelling within knew the difference between his and Legs' move. The ground beneath Abel had acquired myriads and myriads of cracks, they spread faster than fire through alcohol, many waves reverberated through the air as if it was liquid. His muscles were almost tearing through his armor, and beads of sweat left his face.

Truly, the Clash of Kings and Conquerors, but, even beyond that, the heavens themselves had acknowledged their presence and rumbled, roaring out for everyone else to do the same. Everything around them had darkened for those brief moments, sparks barely visible from their point of contact.

Abel skidded backwards several meters and, too, noticed the effects of their clash upon the heaven. "Hoooh? That is new..."

A rumbling was heard stones overturning, dust flying. As a massive cloud of land came sprawling across the terrain, flying past both fighters as the dust continued on, propelled by sheer force. Two thuds were heard and before they could even see what was there a voice shouted beyond the dust.

"Legs what the hell is going on?! I felt something was off and headed over as soon as I could, then this massive explosion of haki. Are you okay?" The voice was a mix of concern and anger, belonging to none other than Thatch Vincent. The man was slowly revealed as the clouds of dust parted and moved past. He glared up at Legs, demanding an answer. That was before the man to his left came into view. Thatch paused a moment turning away from Legs to fully face him. He adjusted his scarlet hair, blinking his eyes. There was no mistaking it. The hair, the body, the very feel of him.

"Abel...." Thatch's voice trailed off. He gritted his teeth, nodding. "I see what this is about, I insist on helping Legs." He stood next the the massive woman moving nary a hand as the ground beneath him began to crack and ooze purple. "I'll make sure you pay for Heili." His outstretched arm reaching to point directly at Abel. From his being 4 massive dragons of poison flew forth, diving towards Abel with wicked grins on their faces.

Legs eyes widened in surprise. "Thatch, no! Stop it! That's our beloved, Seth-sama!!!"

Meanwhile, in Impel Down...

"You don't have to be so tough, boy." A hard crunchy voice said in the dark crevasses of a prison cell. The lack of light completely shadowed the person from being seen, all that had been there was a visage of his floating white eyes and teeth. Even then, he had a wide grin as though he had seemingly been happy to be there.

On the opposing side of the cell, slumped in the corner with seastone chains wrapped around his hands, wrists, ankles, and neck, laid a man of dark skin with messy silver hair that drooped over his face. Scars and wounds all over his body, it seemed as though this man had just participated in a battle for his life. Ironically he did, yet he didn't at the same time.

Only half of that assumption had been correct. Yes, he fought in a battle for his life. No, it was not recent. An arrow with flames on its head shot through the cell bars and with a quick jerk of his head to the left, he managed to dodge its strike. Even though he did just that little bit of moving, he let out havy pants as though he'd just performed a million-mile run.

"KEEEEEEEHAHAHAHAHA!" A voice laughed, by its base, it was much different from the one that had spoken earlier. The newcomer approached the cell's bars and gripped them with both hands. "You've got some quick moves! No wonder you escaped death once! KEEEEEHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

The man laughed, but it was to no avail that he'd get a response out of the chained up man. "You used to be so high and mighty when I read about you at first. "Vader the Drake! Lays waste to yet another island and takes many Marine and innocent lives!" He shouted, reading the news headline word for word. "Your bounty was set at 415,000,000 prior to defeating and nearly Vice-Admiral Yamichō. I'm almost certain it was over 600,000,000 following that and image if you would have survived your battle with Fleet-Admiral Kurama."

Snicking he cheesed wide, sticking his head through the bars. "Look at you now! Look at where it's gotten you, going after the biggest of them all! Kurama was no joke was he? KEHAHAHAHA, YOU EVEN STILL HAVE YOUR WOUNDS FROM THAT BATTLE! KEEEEEEHAHAHAHA! I'll catch you later if you don't die from your own wounds." He said, giving his signature laugh as he walked away.

"Lonzo," he muttered softly, but the man could hear him. "When I get out, huff, huff, I'll kill you first." His words were hard to get out, his energy had nearly been completely depleted, but his will allowed him to get this out.

Waving his hand, Lonzo-- the prison guard said, "Good luck, Vader."

"You shouldn't be so bent up on fighting it, that's why ye can't breathe boy." The voice from earlier spoke once again. "Seastone counters devil fruits and makes you completely drained of energy. It's what almost all devil fruit users know and it's why they fall to it so easily. It's a mental game boy. Stop thinking it'll drain you and put you in a slowed state, and just be strong."

Breathing slowed, Vader got a grip of himself and took the man's advice. "In that moment he had a better handle on himself and managed to lift himself up. "How'd he know that?!" Vader asked himself, looking through the darkness to try and get a look at him. "We've been in this cell together for weeks, who are you old man?"

"Vehahahahaha!" the man laughed, before a flicker of light shined the cell the two laid in.

Eyes widening, Vader pushed against the wall and let out a subtle chuckle. "Well damn, I didn't expect to be in the same cell as such a legendary figure as yourself; Gambi Vincenzo."

Day of Fate
Poison was extremely dangerous to most that met it, even seasoned warriors who built resistance to it, like Abel, though, only somewhat. Still, one had to touch it to feel most of its effects. He wasted no time on brandishing his weapon, the Mabulrega, once again, first, he held himself with his left foot forward and drew back both of his arms to his right side, bringing it over his right shoulder.

Abel spun his torso and swung his arms, bringing the Mabulrega along, its dark appearance blurred in front of him and caused a wide wave of pure pressure to emerge. Given his motion, the wave was like a broom over the dust, wiping away whatever stood in its path. The poison would surely be pushed away before it even reached Abel, after all, it was liquid given shape.

"Heili?!" Abel inquired, taking a few steps back, he frowned at Thatch, though he didn't see him completely. "I am on your side, Black Widow!!"

The wave of pressure washed the dragons away, scattering them to drops of poison in the air. Thatch didn't bat an eye as the wind washed over his body, causing his bangs to flutter. But those droplets began to slow, standing steady as thousands of them hung loosely in the sky. "Seth is a corpse Legs, the dead are no longer our concern. Even if Seth was still around, it'd be our duty to put her to rest. You realize that yes." His tone was grim but he did not look at her, refusing to break eye contact with Abel. An aura of dread emanating from the Doctor.

"Abel killed Heili, your daughter and my crew mate. For that I cannot leave him alive, it would be in poor taste." His presence loomed over the area as the drops that hung loosely in the sky began to rain down on Abel, piercing bullets of poison falling like heavy rain.

"As for you Abel, don't play coy with me. If you've got a reason I should trust you, stay alive and say it." The ground around Thatch cracked, black ichor flying outwards. Then the ground changed, it was almost instant but if one had a quick enough eye they could see the earth bubbling away. Save for an area of ground where Legs stood, a sea of black liquid encompassed a majority of the wasteland they stood upon. Hard packed dirt replaced with a sea of poison.

"Thatch!" Legs announced, stepping forward slightly, making sure to avoid stepping into the sea of poison that flowed around her like a viscous tide. It wasn't Legs' first time seeing Thatch's awakened powers, and it surely wouldn't be her last, but seeing it again only served to remind her as to why the world addressed him as Thatch of the Black Sea.

"Stop this! That's Seth-sama, and Adaemon. You remember who we made Heili from; well that's her son!" Legs continued. "If anyone deserved to fight Heili, it's no one other than him.....besides, Heili is alive!"

Upon seeing the full visage of Vincent's appearance, Abel let his shoulders drop and his muscles relax, another one of the runts, of course, one that regularly stood by Legs' side. This all despite the wave of animosity that Vincent sent at him, he had all the reasons to adopt that kind of reaction, his captain was seemingly attacked. Still, Abel didn't back away and took it in, swinging his weapon the opposite way to its first strike, yet again in an attempt to disperse the many poison droplets. They had an even less tight form like this and were likely less manageable.

"I will agree that that corpse has likely rotted away by now, little Vin," He gestured with his hands and jumped over the Mabulrega, which oddly was afloat without being held by anything seemingly. "Heili? That woman attacked us first, was she your crewmate?"

How strange, after all, Heili was attacking him and Moses under the banner of the Marines, at no point she had talked about anything involving the Black Widow Pirates. Though, Abel cupped his chin, he had learned that she was actually Adaemon's mother, therefore, she must have come from Wano...

"Wait... wait, you have said, Koyuki, that she is alive?" Abel asked.

"Heili is alive," Legs responded with an exhale of utter relief. She looked towards Thatch. "She's alive, Thatch. However, she's not Heili, per say. At least, not anymore."

There was no doubt that there would be confusion revolving around Legs' words. Truthfully, she hadn't understood what happened either. But, there was one thing she was certain about. Heili was alive. She could feel that her illusion had still been cast, though it had been changed into something different and new. Perhaps it what Heili desired to be, and therefore the illusion mutated to encompass her ideal form, or maybe it was just a random occurrence.

"My illusion is still alive," Legs revealed outwardly, "And it has been changed to something different. I don't know exactly what changed and what became different, but the illusion is still around. I can feel it. We need to get Heili back at all cost before anything else happens to her; I would have her by now too, if that meddling Fischer hadn't built and given her one of the fastest ships in the world."

She folded her arms across her body as she shook her head in disappointment. "Regardless, there's no need for you two to go at one another. Not right here, at least. Heili is alive, so Thatch should have no grievances against you."

"Listen up you crone, I don't need to be freakishly tall to beat up your phylactery." Thatch replied, staring unimpressed at the second swing. The even further scattered dots of poison once again hung in the air. "You know they'll eventually be small enough to simply move through that wind. We can do this all day Abel." He did pause a moment as Abel questioned him about Heili.

"Yes Heili was ours, I think it's a little late to play senile." Though as Thatch stared at Abel, the raging sea of black beginning to slosh and rise, Legs' words made him pause. He stopped, the sea warping back to a calm state. He took it all in, staring at Legs in befuddled amusement. Finally as she finished her speech he let loose a low chuckle. "You're really telling me, this whole thing is a fucking joke. That this retainer for dead souls is in the right on attempting to kill our crew mate, a daughter you made. But oh now she's fine but not herself, just gone on another adventure. Of course it's like that. The entire reality of this crew operates like some manic game of 3D chess." His voice was dry and carried a hint of malice in it.

"How can you be so carefree about everything Legs. Ever since you've become Yonko it's just been getting worse. You spare so many souls, you entertain yourself on super rookies and marines. You barely seem to feel concern for yourself anymore, it's like this entire nation is going through the movements. That flame of rebellion your eyes once possessed is simmering out. I'm worried about you Legs. This irrational behavior needs to stop, we haven't won at all. Your dream is still so far away and you just stopped moving towards it." He let out a seething breath, staring up at her. He was frustrated beyond belief with a friend he cared so much about.

"I want you to look me in the fucking eyes Legs. None of the games, none of the fucking excuses. " His hands were curled into fists. The sea of black around them raged as if a storm was brewing over it. "I want you to give me one good reason why we shouldn't take Abel down right now. Our only benefit in even taking him alive is a bartering chip for Xros, and at this point I don't think our business with them is any good. So please make another excuse for that man, that's what you do now isn't it. You excuse our enemies."

Legs grimaced, and looked directly towards Thatch, refusing to take her eyes off of him. Even if she couldn't see the frustration on his visage, it was evident in his aura, and in his expression of his devil fruit. The black sea churned like a tsunami around them. However, Legs didn't fear anything. She knew that Thatch would never hurt her, and no matter what happened, she would never hurt him. All that was left for her to do was to tell the truth.

"You're right, Thatch. You're absolutely right," Legs said, exhaling in relief as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her being. "I don't feel any concern for myself anymore, and I do spare a lot of people, and my dream is still far away, and we haven't won yet. But, I don't think I want to, not anymore, Thatch."

As Legs spoke, her eyes remained focused on Thatch, yet they wandered endlessly, as if looking at something that wasn't right in front of her. Something...distant.

"Although I wanted to end all the fighting, there was some part of me that couldn't see myself without war. What point does a shinobi have in this world, if it is peaceful? So, I asked myself, was it truly peace that I desired. Or was it just a world where I was always the victor? I ruminated on those thoughts, Thatch. I honed in on them, and I realized that Koyuki is a piece of shit!" Legs continued, clenching her fist.

"So, i suppressed that part of myself. For the betterment of this world. However, I'm stuck now. In this world, where Amaka, Seth-sama; where big figures are emerging and my people are being threatened, I can't continue sitting here and being passive."

Legs exhaled deeply as a tear slid down the front of her cheek.

"I'm afraid of becoming the person I once was. But, if I don't, then I won't be able to save all of you."

Thatch frowned, he extended a hand towards Legs but then dropped it. "Le..no. Koyuki. It's been a long road to the present. I get that believe me, it's been 40 years since we started this. I get it, you're scared of what you once were. Sometimes I can be too." He paused letting out a sharp breath.

"We can't afford to play our games anymore though, you can't press her away into a dark corner. I think it's finally dawning on you. This world isn't really better, if anything its gotten worse with all the dreamers rising up from the seas. Every day we stand in silence, relaxing on our ivory thrones another path to our dream becomes crowded. Koyuki has to return, do not be afraid. Remember it's that same Koyuki that convinced a hateful man like me that there as more to this world, that we could do something better." A genuine smile began to crawl onto his face.

"You've been gone too long, I think you've forgotten who you even were. You're not some monster or some unrelenting warrior. You're a pirate, a pirate who's just trying to right the wrongs of this world. A pirate who's passion for a better life ignited the hearts of your entire crew. You are the Koyuki the Paradise Weaver. The single woman in this world that can stitch the ruins of our scattered world into a patchwork of true beauty." He glanced to Abel, smiling back to her.

"Once and for all, end this illusion. Stretch your web across these seas. Unravel our enemies at their core. Koyuki, let the legend come back to life."

"Koyuki... If you allow me to speak," Abel had stood there for most of the conversation, but, time ran and it came the one when things ought to be said. "I agree with little Vin, however, I think... fear is good." His lips were thin and his eyes stared at Legs' gigantic figure. "By fearing your past self, you strive to become an improved version, don't you? Yet, you are not consumed by it..."

Of course, of course she wasn't, there wasn't any ounce of doubt into any of those within Abel. "After all, you are who you are. You don't get dominated, you dominate," Then, he had turned over to Vincent once again, "And like I had said, I agree with you in many aspects, you have certainly grown," A brief smile graced his lips. "Even in regards to my actions... However," Abel opened his arms and tried a fierce expression. "Allow me to defend myself."

"...We are certainly not in the right for what we did against your crewmate, even if we didn't know. We have been punishing Adaemon for his reckless actions, something like that can't go away. We are to use you, Koyuki, as our inspiration."

Legs paused, taking in the words of both Abel and Thatch. Her breaths hastened, and sweat dripped from the edges of her hair. "N-No! I can't! If I break the illusion, my seal, the one I placed on my own strength will--"

Thatch turned to her, his red eyes piercing her false flesh. “It’s your power, isn’t it?”

Legs eyes widened, snapping her from her daze as she looked down towards Thatch. There he stood, that genuine smile plastered to his pale visage; the smile that he held when he first joined her. When she first convinced him to serve the world with his talents. He had tried to run away from it then, and it was the same as what she was doing now.

She closed her eyes.

"Yes....It is."

A gentle light dissipated from her giant frame, carelessly sliding from the pores of her flesh like a bedazzled dust. However, immediately following it was an explosion of Haki that erupted from her being like a bright aura, ripping apart the very earth with its weight. It was the Haki of decades that had been restrained; the repressed spirit of Koyuki that had been held captive for all those years. She was finally...free.

The muscles in Koyuki's body noticeably strengthened, as if they were finally being made active.

"Ah, yes," Koyuki begun, her voice noticeably lighter, "This is that strength. I remember it fondly, now."

She glanced out towards the black sea, and flicked her finger, summoning forth a raging gust of wind that swept through the viscous ocean, and splitting it with its sheer power as it passed through.

She smiled. "Yes."

Thatch's face lit up, a mix of admiration and pride at her display. That will he'd come to know so well. Unlike most who would collapse and break under it, this was the will of the woman he knew so well. He basked in it recalling the empires that once fell under the downpour she'd brought. It felt warm to him.

The sea of poison split apart, a wide gash creating two massive waves that rose into the sky, climbing towards a sky they would never reach. He waved his hand aside, the sea collapsing upon itself, scattering as a massive canyon was left in the wake of his display. Now all that ichor stood beside him, a floating guandao. He grinned across the marred earth at Abel.

"If you truly wish to stand under our flag, I'll only say this once Abel. I'd advise you allow us to take you in chains. Anything less would simply be disrespectful to Koyuki. If not I'm sure this canyon would make a dazzling tomb for your menagerie of souls."

To say Abel's eyes widened would be an understatement, an understatement to how his body had reacted. His mouth fell agape, his pupils trembled, his body shivered visibly, like it was struck by some kind of vibrational spell. Sweat sprouted all over his body, however, it did not fall, it surged along with his hair. No mere illusion, no, all of the beings within him stood awake at once.

The one that Adaemon had briefly met, the one that Evelyn had heard legends about, the one that Seth saw with her very eyes. The one that the two others just met. Abel's Haoshoku had burst forth without any of them even noticing, as if it was an instinctual response... but not to exhert his will over her, rather, to protect himself. His body hadn't moved, only his spirit.

"Fukuoka Koyuki..." Abel uttered out, eyes half-lidded and teared up, though, tears had yet to come out. Even as Vincent talked to him, Abel spared him no look, "I've agreed to it once and I'll agree to confinement again, if that is what you two wish."

Legs smirked. "No, there's no need for that. I am a liberator, a breaker of chains. I will not have my subordinates in chains."

She looked down towards Abel, her eyes piercing through his aura of Haki as her exploded forward yet again, pulsating like a heartbeat as it flushed across the land.

"Abel, Evelyn, Seth, Adaemon. I will allow you but one opportunity to swear your fealty to me, and to acknowledge me as the one, true Queen."

Her glare intensified. "Down on your knees."

There was no second, no breath, no blink, the world around them didn't move after Koyuki issued out her words. It had no chance nor choice, but to stare in silence under her presence.

But, not Abel. His figure brimmed with shimmering lights and auras that could top over most enemies, however, that who stood before him was no enemy. Even if that was the case, that route wouldn't be the one to be taken.

His left knee met the soil, his right one bent as his foot skidded forward, Abel hunched forward and extended his right arm over his right knee. Right hand open and facing upwards, Abel reached out at her. "We have come to love you," Dfferent colors passed by him, "Fukuoka, My Lady, Koyuki, Empress. Just as we would love a mother." Each one signalizing each person.

Greatest Doctor
Gerhard cracked his neck to both sides, his hands were stretched in front of him and their backs faced the door in front of him, they had gloves over them. Over his face was a dark mask, way simpler than his beaked one. Kazuha had been laid to sleep inside the reclusive room ahead, so that the surgery could be done properly.

Looking behind him, Gerhard inquired. "Any of ya' think y'can provide some sort of assistance 'n this?"

Much to Gerhard's dismay, there had been no one around. Each of the dojo trainees had found themselves helping around the dojo, finding ways to prepare it for the following day--the Wedding. So much needed to be done and since Dexter had just gotten there today, they'd decided to hold off on any decorations until it had been certain he'd be coming. Everyone had been busting their asses around the dojo and that left Gerhard and Kazuha all alone.

"I'm sorry, Gerhard-san." She apologized, laying on her back with her sights stuck on the roof above. "Everyone's so caught up in the wedding, it'll be virtually impossible to get a helping hand around here. After all, the last wedding that ever happened here, was my own." She pondered a bit, "I could try to do what I can. Even though I'm sickly now, I was once really strong."

CA-LANK

"Oh?" Yoshitsune said, speaking through the special snail used in Wano Country. His eyebrows lifted and so did the snails', mimicking his every expression. "I've been trying to contact you for a couple of days now, Daddy L. Legs. The Yonko aren't the easier bunch of people to get in contact with."

"Tell me, Yoshitsune, how many Yonko have you tried to contact? You speak as though I'm not the first," Koyuki joked, speaking through the particularly large snail that rested on her desk.

Yoshitsune responded with a chuckle, “I may or may not have told the Monk I’ll kill him when I see him.” The samurai ended, leaning his back up again the massive tree trunk.

“Well, regardless, Koyuki. I have been trying to get in touch with you for quite some time. I’ve even tried contacting that damned Isshin. Let me guess,” he said, pausing to let out a cloud of smoke from his pipe. “Ever since he’s gotten a little stronger he can’t accept calls from an old comrade. Or does the strongest woman have him whipped?”

Koyuki leaned against the back of her chair, exhaling in relief as she looked up towards the ceiling.

"That's a good joke. But, I hardly think I'm the one who has him whipped. He makes my schedules, directs the Fukujin, and manages most of the empire. Then, when he finally comes around, i attend to him. I have my chefs prepare his favorite meals, and I ask him to come to bed earlier....If anything, I'm the one whose whipped," Koyuki elaborated, having caught herself in a monologue.

"U-Um! But yeah, he's busy. That's my main point. So, please forgive him."

“That’s good Koyuki,” Yoshitsune said, “Thought I was gonna’ have to cut down an old friend. Our number one rule was to never let a woman control us but to control them.” Funny thing for a man who wins money from gambling and spend it on women to say.

“I’m sorry to have wasted you time in my rambling. But there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask.” Removing the pipe, Yoshitsune lifted the Den Den Mushi closer to his mouth. “I have a daughter who’s going to be getting married tomorrow. I know this is sudden and I should have asked a while ago, but the groom’s mischief made it hard to even come to terms that this would be possible. I would like permission to wed my daughter, Tokugawa Tsubaki and my son, Dragon D. Dexter here on Wano.”

Koyuki leaned forward. "Dragon D. Dexter....You don't mean the super rookie do you? The one that has recently acquired a bounty of 1 Billion?"

"Got damn it." Yoshitsune cursed, giving off a slight smile. Even though he scolded Dexter within the dojo a few hours ago, he had genuinely been proud of Dexter's success as a pirate. But it was true that his swordsmanship had been lacking severely. "Yeah."

"Oh, this is just perfect! You wouldn't happen to know where Dexter is right now, would you?" Koyuki inquired excitedly. A smile crept into the corners of her visage.

"I have two people who were dying to meet him, actually! I knew he was somewhere on Wano, but I thought I was going to have to dedicate resources to actually finding him."

"Two people want to meet him, huh? Then I should inform you that he is somewhere at the dojo," Spitting off of the tree, Yoshitsune continue on. "But if ya' can Miss Yonko-lady, I'm gonna have to halt the meeting until after wedding is over. In fact, how about you haul your ass on down here and attend it."

Though it had not been in his original plans it would all probably work out for the best. "Whatdya say?"

"Hmm? I only have one question for you before I answer that, Yoshitsune," Koyuki replied.

"Wow, Koyuki. Ya sure are talkative today... What's up?" He asked.

Koyuki smirked. "There will be enough alcohol, correct?"

"Who do you take me for, Koyuki? Some sort of mongrel? You know damn well there's gonna be alcohol."

"Then I'll be there. When will it be?"

"Almost all day tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?!" Koyuki shrieked. "You waited till today to tell me?!"

"Woman, I have told you. I've been tryna' contact ya'. You, are, a very busy person I imagine. I have tried getting in touch with you, but you're a hard woman to catch." Yoshitsune stopped dead mid-sentence. "Wait, what? Women I told you at the beginning of this, I've been TRYING to contact ya, don't flip this on me. Tch, women... I'll see you tomorrow 7AM sharp."

Without allowing her a response, Yoshitsune hung his den den mushi up and continued to push on his pipe.

"Eh," Gerhard shrugged, "I just wanted ta' look cool to someone, no worries. I'd imagined," Though, he did rise a brow at her remark, she had been married, maybe to that Yoshitsune. "Late congrats ma'am, I've no doubts on ya'," She had just the aura.

Kneeling by the side of her body, Gerhard touched the ground to summon a "Dungeon", looking over Kazuha's frame. "D'ya want me to explain how this'll go on?"

“Umm,” Kazuha began, rolling her eyes in attempts to figure out just how she should begin. “There’s a piece of titanium in my heart, cutting a piece of it as well as clogging one of my valves. There were previous doctors who have attempted to remove it, but each one, upon contact, a hyper-bacteria infiltrates their body even past their clothing and just causes them to pass out before they could remove it.”

Kazuha pondered even further, “Or at least that’s what I think happens. If you could use a third means and refrain from making contact with whatever item is pulling the shard out, you could be just fine. But I don’t know, Ger-San.”

"Noted, noted, quite some quest info ya' got there," Gerhard wasted no time in gauging her reaction to how weirdly he talked. No, not only that, also his terms. He approached her steadily, extending his left hand to touch her hand, "I'll kind of... kill ya' at first."

In fact, that hand carried the power of the Temporal Order. Order in order to cease all movement and activity, so that Kazuha's brain was to stop working for that time being, or else she would actively feel the shock of what he was about to do. Gerhard's hand hovered over her, he simply waited to see how much time it would take for her to fall to its effects. Once she did, he already readied his other hand with another command and already stretched it out.

Normally, hearing the expression, "I'll kind of kill ya' at first" would have made any other person's stomach turn sour. However, as she had mentioned to Gerhard moments ago, despite her sick look she was a rather strong person: physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Kazuha nodded her head to his words and without bothering him any further, allowing him to begin his work. She had no reason not to trust him, considering Dexter brought him all the way to Wano in efforts to aid her. If Dexter did not believe in his abilities, then he would have not insisted he could help at all.

Closing her eyes, she'd died and the rest of her fate had been left entirely up to Gerhard.

Arms wide, fingers stretched, Gerhard's bones creaked, he closed them in and got a scalpel on his left hand. Temporal Order had a set limit and it was on him to act on it, not that that was anything new, he had done this quest so many times, the other command ressonated from his right hand. The proccess was, in fact, supposed to be quite simple. With a quick swipe of his left hand, Kazuha's shirt was opened up and a line appeared from the middle of her chest to just above her stomach.

Finally, his right hand touched her, but, nothing seemed to happen or, instead, it was so subtle that only the most keen listeners would notice it. With her brain inactive, Kazuha's blood was stop flowing, yet, through Tidy Chaos, Gerhard managed to keep it moving and keep her organs functioning.

Scalpel gone, Gerhard's left hand, too, approached and touched her. The cut on her chest ripped open, Ensuing Chaos, but very little blood spilled out, after all, he had controlled its flow so that it wouldn't go go too much to her heart, resulting in bloodloss. That specific Chaos prompted the effect to drag out for quite some time, just like Temporal Order, which had Kazuha's bodily layers gradually open.

Her heart was swiftly reached, also opening up under a few seconds, revealing the piece of Titanium, easily seen due to the scarcity of blood. Still, blood surrounded it and floated due to Ensuing Chaos. Tidy Chaos couldn't be stopped, thus, Gerhard used his left hand again and touched the floating blood, "New Order." The blood around the titanium piece molded itself into a long stream, which Gerhard dragged to the side, effectively throwing the shard to his left without making direct contact.

Left hand still under New Order, Gerhard touched Kazuha's body directly again, prompting the flesh and skin that was ripped open to gradually fall back into place. As the heart, the tissues, all closed back in, Gerhard ushered the blood circulating through Kazuha's body to flood in through her heart. A few seconds passed by as he set that in, he rose both his hands and moved them over to her head. "Tidy Chaos," Gerhard tapped at her head, sending a signal to restart her brain.

"Don't panic."

Taking a huge gasp of air, Kazuha's heart raced as though her adrenaline had been triggered. That wasn't the case though. It was actually in response to suddenly being restarted through Gerhard's power. But that was just the thing, Kazuha could feel her heart beat. Something she couldn't do at first. Lifting herself up, she reached to her chest and could feel her heart beating once more. Eyes drifting to the floor, she found the piece of titanium that Gerhard had thrown to his side.

For the moment she remain station on the table and flipped her hands back and forward to their front and back sides. "There's no way... there's no way you did it, Gerhard-san." Closing her fists tight, a burst of pressure in the form of wind released from her body crushing it beneath overwhelming power. It wasn't a form of haki, but rather her presence itself released and causing the immediate portions of the building to fall instantly.

Leaping from the table, Kazuha smiled slightly. She turned herself towards Gerhard and hugged him so tight that he would be forced to struggle and gasp for air. This mostly due to her bust.

Gerhard's whole appearance flared backwards, his form barely hanging to where it stood, as Kazuha... felt her own rebirth. "Yes way, ma'am," Gerhard tried to say amidst the creaking of wood and the destruction of the scenario around him. "I-" His eyes almost flew off his skull and widened incredibly, Kazuha tightly embraced him, and he only stood there, not even capable of sparing a glance at her expression.

More than her arms, something else had surrounded his being in that moment, not even the tightness seemed to hinder him. For a second, Gerhard pondered on rising his arms and retributing it... but, it never came through. Instead, he just patted her back, "Es' no trouble, yeah, I'm glad to help a friend of Dex's," Gerhard blinked, "More than a friend, but ye."

The doors of the room flung open and from behind them emerged Yoshitsune. "I know that feeling.." he said, eyes looking through the cloud of smoke past Gerhard and locking onto Kazuha. "Well damn, he actually fixed ya. But I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing..."

Oceanic Fuse
"DRAGON D. DEXTEEEEEEEEEER!" A strong feminine voice shouted across the landscape of the Ryutsume Dojo followed by a strong fist to the back of his head.

Reaching for the back of his head, Dexter rubbed it and looked to the three newcomers. "Damn, I can't lie." Dexter began, starting to rub the back of his head. Walking closer to the trio, he spoke not another word and wrapped them all within his grasp, "Zoe, Osiris, and even you Lucina; I missed you all."

"You damn blockhead, you had us worried. Don't you ever do that again." Lucina said, sighing with relief before returning her own group her before separating from them. She looked to her surroundings and as she did, she couldn't help but notice the rather peculiar decorations being set up. Looking back to Dexter who'd been accompanied by his beloved Tokugawa Tsubaki.

Shaking her head, "Wait, it all makes sense now... Ryutsume Dojo, all of your techniques... got damnit, Kazuha... Why'd you come here?"

Osiris, on the other hand, began to walk over to Dexter, shoving his elbow into his arm. "Yo, Dex, who's the cutie with ya? Think I'll have a shot it if I tried at her?" He tried whispering, hoping that Tsubaki wouldn't hear him.

"H-hey," Zoe began, hesitant on speaking to him. She tried to hide her expression, but much like any other time she'd seen Dexter.

Dexter became puzzled, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't tell you guys, but.. I'm getting married tomorrow. They're in the middle of setting up the decorations. This i-"

"Hello!" Tsubaki said with a wide smile on his face, happily cutting Dexter off. "I'm Tokugawa Tsubaki, Dexter's fiancee. I've never heard anything about any of you, but I'm sure you are all great friends of his."

In tandem, Osiris and Lucina's eyes widened as they both shouted at the top of their lungs, "FIANCE?!?!?!"

Wedding Day
6:30 AM...

"Oh my!" An elderly woman shouted, "Where's the bride?! Where's Lady Tsubaki?!" There was panic in the first room of the Ryutsume Dojo. Flower petals were spread all across the floor with literal bouquets literally hanging from the ceiling. The woman ran through the room and out the door, it was unknown how she held her big ass head up while she sprinted but she did.

She ran up to the first person in her sights, "Have you seen lady Tsubaki? I can not find her! Don't tell me she's run away, this is not good. Lord Yoshitsune will be quite angry!"

Before she could take another step, Kazuha dressed in a very beautiful kimono hakama combo stepped in front of her. "Calm down, my daughter is just fine. She's in the restroom putting on dress now. Do not panic, Ishijo." Kazuha assured, rubbing along the woman's shoulder.

"And the boy!" Ishijo asked, "What about the boy?!"

Kazuha smiled, "Rest assured. Dexter is fine and well prepared. He's in the room with with the rest of the men."

"What about Yoshitsune, milady? Is Lord Yoshitsune present?"

Once again, Kazuha smiled. "Yoshitsune stated he'd be going out the retrieve a wedding gift for the group. He may be outside greeting the guest though, I haven't seen him smile that wide in quite some time to be honest."

---

Meanwhile in the room with Dexter...

"Oh my sword, oh my Shiguma, and oh my old women..." Dexter said, trying to hold everything he could in so that he didn't fall into a nervous break down. "His eyes transitioned from Osiris, Gerhard, then to Alastor. "I can't do this shit, who the fuck signed me up for this shit?!" Looking to the three individuals again, "I'll kill whoever did it!" He shouted, reaching to his dresser to lift Tenrairyu from off of it.

Again, his eyes transitioned between the trio. "It was me! I'm the dumb ass. Goodbye boys, Gerhard, I want you to take the crew over!" Holding the sharp end of Tenrairyu to his chest, he closed his eyes. "I would give it to you, Alastor. But I don't know you that well yet. Osiris, I hate you, and I almost had sex with your cousin when we were on Alabasta. But I told her I had a fiance and saved myself. Gerhard, my brother from another mother, I don't know my mother so we might have the same momma'. I'll miss you almost the most. You were always there and tell Yoshitsune if I could, I woulda killed him forever ago!"

"Oh shut the hell up!" Osiris screamed, summoning a small wave of sand which removed the sword from Dexter's hands. "You ain't dying, you're doing this wedding today. I talked to that Yoshitsune guy... he's scary. He said and I quote, 'If Dexter doesn't show, then its your ass, Osiris.' So you got this all fucked up."

Sighing, he deactivated the sand. "Tsubaki is so hot, why would you bail on her?"

"Why ta' fuck me to take it over?" Gerhard pointed at Dexter, while his other hand held a bottle of booze. His head flailed around a few times. Dexter surely was sending out some information, "I doubt yer mother a nobody like mine, but same bro," He tried to form a heart with his fingers.

"Still tho'," Gerhard, somehow, sipped his booze and mouthed a sigh. "Are ya' sure we goin' to stop this wedding? If we do... well, the deal with that woman..." Daddy L. Legs' image flashed by his mind, he swallowed dryly, sweat appeared all over his face. "Won't she be angry...?"

Many stories had been told to him about Daddy L. Legs' power, about her presence, her terror. A little while ago, Gerhard remembered seeing her updated bounty, presented to him by Henry, the numbers almost prompted his heard to stop and laid very clearly to his eyes:

4,500,000,000

"I'm just sayin' ya' shouldn't bail on the Yonko too."

"...Are you crazy Captain, over!?" Alastor's eyes widened. "Why would you pick a fight that you can't win, over?" Alastor was almost close to slapping Dexter, but he held his hand back.

"This is your fault, so you have to fix it, over."

"Both of you suck. I just really want you to know that, okay?" Lifting himself up to stand straight, he pulled on the collar and bottom of his black kimono to put it on his body correctly. Looking to the trio once again, he took a good look at their clothing as well, the same as his own, signs that this wedding was much more in the traditional feudal era than it would have been anywhere else.

"Thirty more minutes, then it's show time!" He ended, turning to face the door.

"Not like I already didn't know," Gerhard rolled his eyes, rising the bottle and downing it on his throat again. Somehow. He creeped towards Dexter steadily, who had just then noticed his kimono, a black piece adorned with many white crosses.

Gerhard gestured for the door, "Go, only the gown- spouse- fiancee- WHATEVER YOOO, can be late."

---

6:40 AM In the women's restroom... 20 minutes until the wedding starts...

Tsubaki looked into a mirror, picking around in her face to make sure it was as clear as it could be. Reaching for the comb on the bathroom's countertop, Tsubaki removed the rubber band that held her hair in a ponytail allowing it to flow over her shoulders. Through the reflection of the lens, Tsubaki did what she could to comb the back of her hair out. She needed it to be straightened so that she could achieve the look Ishijo wanted for her.

"Gah," she said, struggling to even see behind her combing portions she'd combed out multiple times.

Accompanying her in the bathroom was Zoe who had stood to her feet and stepped behind Tsubaki to help aid her in straightening her hair with her own two sets of hands. "Here, let me help you, Tsubaki-chan. Four hands are better than two after all."

"Thank you, Zoe-san!" She smiled, continuing to work on her area of her hair. "Hey Zoe, I know right now isn't the time for this. But I see the way you look at Dexter... you can be honest with me... you liked him didn't you."

Flustered, Zoe jumped back and threw her palms in front of her, shaking them. "I admit, in the past, yes! But I never knew a thing about you, I would never intrude if I had known!"

"Makes sense, he probably did it to protect me or something. Or maybe he liked the attention, is a spotlight kind of person anyway." Signaling Zoe to continue helping her, she sighed. "But you've been with him all this time, so that means you know some stuff that I do not and I'm sure after this, he'll be heading back to the seas. Can you... please, Zoe-san... protect him."

Cheeks blood red, Zoe's eyes widened. "Uh-uh, YES TSUBAKI-CHAN! I promise! B-but we shouldn't talk about stuff like that right now, we only have twenty minutes until the wedding is set to start. You have to be out of here in five minutes and you still have to put on your kimono-dress thing!"

"Will do!" Tsubaki said, before their conversation continued on to more... girly things.

---

6:50 AM, Ten minutes until the wedding is set to begin...

At the back of the dojo where the wedding would be held, the setting had been completely finished. There were hundreds of chairs all across the back of the dojo's grass, each occupied by the butts of people from almost every race. Humans, Minks, Elves, Fishmen, Giants, just to name a few took it upon themselves to attend this wedding. Was it really that big of a deal? No. In fact, the people of those races were all natives to Wano and had not been granted any sort of special entrance into Wano. After all, it was still a Yonko protected territory.

Sakurai leaves covered the ground and tabletops. The seats and tables were all covered by white covers to help aid the white and pink theme of the wedding, a design put together by Lady Ishijo herself. To her, it was flawless. Yet, to others, it was basic but not in a bad way.

Yoshitsune rested in the tallest tree looking down over the scene. There were hundreds of people present. "I don't even know these people, who the hell invited them." Eyes drifting, he noticed quite a few familiar faces. Not people he knew personally, but most certainly people he'd read about in newspapers. Famous faces and each boasting power either equal to or far beyond his own. After all, he was but an average swordsman.

As he continued to look among the crowd, he fell upon Koyuki. The largest being to attend it and the one who approved this turn of events. She had a seat built just for her with icy filled trays of alcohol that had been exclusive to her. Yoshitsune couldn't help but smirk before reaching into his own black kimono, a change from his normal one, and pull out his smoking pipe. "I guess if you're the best you get treated the best. I wonder where're the people she claimed wanted to speak with Dexter."

In her time as an Empress, Koyuki had frequented many ceremonies, and her favorites tended to be weddings. It was a day dedicate to the holy matrimony of two individuals; an expression of true love. Well, at least that's what she hoped this one was about. The last wedding she attended was really about politics, and stealing Redbeard's country from under him. However, it turned into a weird kind of terrorist attack, and a bunch of other things that Koyuki didn't pay much attention to. All she knew was that she was successful and that Kurama wasn't. It was she who allied with the Elbaf Queen, Alessandra and gained her armies as her own.

She had extended the invitation to them as well, and used the powers of her crew to ensure that they could attend, even in short notice. Therefore, there were several dozens of giants running around, drinking, laughing, and partying before the ceremony even begun. How rambunctious those Elbafian brutes were! Koyuki could never understand what they were seen as the pinnacle of Giant society by humans. It was probably because humans were incapable of understanding anything truly elegant, however Koyuki preferred not to dwell on those thoughts. She wasn't a racist.

Besides, who could focus on anything except the cups of alcohol elegantly laid before her. Although she hated to admit it, the Kumamushi and were closely related to one another. While they seemingly splintered and developed separate features, they had both inherited a distinct love for alcohol that could not be quelled by anything other than liquor. Even through all of her illusions, Koyuki found that she couldn't break her minor drinking habit. Every so often, she found herself needing a drink, and weddings were the perfect opportunity for her. It gave her an excuse to gorge herself on the finest world's finest liquors. Hell, it's why she had her own people arrange that she bring some of her own so that she could be served.

Though, she did more than that. She had ordered her servants and workers to attend to the wedding. She expected that Yoshitsune had placed this wedding early in the morning to ensure that few people came, but that's exactly why Koyuki made sure to send out mass invitations to allies and people everywhere. This was a big deal, even if Yoshitsune didn't think so. Above all, it was personal.

Koyuki had watched Tsubaki grow up into the beautiful woman she was, and Dexter was Amaka's son, and thereby very important to her. They deserved the most extravagant wedding possible, so without Yoshitsune's permission, she commissioned hundreds of servers, servants, and businesses to prepare massive feast, decorations, and entertainment for the ceremony and the after-party.

Koyuki took a sip from a glass of wine, making sure not to spill it upon her dress. She chuckled and laughed as she glanced to the side of her shoulder.

"Oh, Isshin! Cheer up and have a drink, Kumomomomomomomomo!"

He didn't respond. He wasn't in the mood. He never was; contrary to popular belief, Isshin was not a morning person. He hated them more than anything, which is why his office hours were usually after 10 am. Neither was Legs, but she didn't mind getting up early for important events such as this one. Especially when alcohol was involved.

She her drink down and smirked. "Let's see where this wedding goes, huh Isshin!? It should be a grand time."

"Just let the man mope Koyuki." A voice called from her other side, it was none other than Thatch Vincent. The normal sized man sat in a chair beside his massive friend, currently eating a baked potato. He reached up to hand a a candy from his pocket to the pet on his shoulder. "He's probably just recovering from all the paperwork this impromptu venture of our resources took." He leaned an arm on the table and stared over at Isshin. "You want me to prescribe you something bud? I take my pills on the go."

Isshin took a glance over at Thatch from Legs' shoulder. "A prescription? I don't know if that's a good idea coming from you..."

Isshin sighed, "That said. Who would have thought I would be attending a stranger's wedding before my own-"

Isshin stopped. Memories of Soren began to emerge, and he held himself back.

Thatch chuckled. "Oh come on Isshin, I've got.." Though his voice trailed off as Isshin cut him off, speaking almost aloud but to himself. Thatch inhaled through his teeth, starting at Isshin through the corner of his eye. They'd known each other long enough for Thatch to realize where his thoughts had gone.

Thatch reached out to him, via Kenbunshoku. The usually sharp tongue of the man being much softer here. "I'm sure he's somewhere man, he can't be gone. I know it." Thatch's voice echoed in Isshin's head.

"Oi!!!!" Another male voice came from the distance. When the others turned to look at him, it was a white-haired male, about seven feet in height, and with features similar to Isshin himself.

"Who made the wedding this early!? Don't these guys know that it takes ages to look good! Also, my reduced sleep has given me EYE BAGS! Inexcusable honestly."

The man who now crossed his hands and looked the other way in exasperation was Kosaka Kumozu, the second child of Koyuki and Isshin and now the sole heir to the Black Widow Empire.

"Say, is that Dexter guy strong? He seems to be hella infamous, but I don't know if it's cause he's actually worth it, or if he got on the World Government's nerves. Trust me, I know how easy that is."

"Thanks, Thatch. I suppose until we see a dead body, we have to rely on our Night Parade." Isshin smiled in response, before looking at Kumozu.

He chuckled. Of course Kumozu was performing the dramatic flair for Isshin. He appreciated the gesture and told his child, "For a 7am wedding, it looks like you arrived at noon. Good show, Kumozu."

"Oh, thanks Dad!! But I swear, if I grab a hold of that Dexter kid..."

Thatch nodded and turned to Kumozu as well. "Now now bud, no need to get all riled up. If this Dexter guy causes any trouble we've got it under control." Thatch laughed, motioning to Koyuki, Isshin, and himself.

Standing very slightly to the side of the group was a blond man wearing a completely white kimono. "It is just as little Vin says, kid," It was Cain D. Abel, who held a large container of booze with his hand. He sipped it and gulped down much of its content, then, he turned to Kumozu once again. "And, it is I who has to meet him first!" A bit of liquid dripped from the corner of his mouth, prompting him to clean it.

Though, the kid had just said something rather peculiar. "You're Ishi and Koyu's son?" Abel inquired at Kumozu, he would rather ask him than the very quiet Isshin, they hadn't had time to interact since now. And a piece of Abel really felt like he didn't want to.

"You know it's odd Seth, I think you're the only person here who calls me by my first name." Thatch commented, taking another bite of his potato. He was still watchful of Abel, but far less angry. Especially since the man had basically pledged himself to Koyuki, an arrangement he wouldn't break if he knew what was good for him.

Abel sipped his booze yet again, completely emptying it, he set it aside gently. "I'm not sure why everyone else doesn't, lad," He looked around, checking to see if there were any other booze flasks, "then again, I'm very old, old ways, aye?" Surely, it seemed Abel had taken to enjoy himself at the very wedding of whom he originally chased. Abel noticed some booze next to Vincent. "Are... ye' drinking that?"

"Well you're collectively like what, 200?" Thatch called back, grabbing his glass from the table. "And yes, I poured myself a drink to drink this. If you want to get intoxicated so bad I can just inject you with some mild hallucinogens." He huffed, downing his drink with little effort.

Stopping for a moment, Abel counted up quite quickly, "173, actually." His eyes poked out for a moment, his lips thin. "Hallucinogens? Damn no, little Vin, I don't do drugs," Abel said while gulping down a can of booze he found to his side. For sure. He pointed at Kumozu again, "Kid ain't speaking up?"

"Medically speaking, alcohol is a drug." Thatch replied, shrugging as he downed another glass of liquor.

Standing next to Abel with his chest sticking out was none other than Natnael, a member of the illustrious Holiday Pirates. His orange hair brushed to the left in the morning’s breeze while his black kimono had been fitted rather loosely to his body. Natnael looked to his left and right, he noticed faces that maid the front page of the news, but clearly they weren’t here to attend to that, so he decided to stay in his lane.

“Captain, I need to get married.” He said, reaching for the hilt of his sword. “For without a wife, life will feel very... absent.”

Abel glanced at Natnael for a second. "We'll arrange someone to marry you, lad." Surely, the strangest of the Seasons was Natnael, at least for Abel. But, he was very likeable

Watching the guests interacting from afar and trying to parse their conversations, Minnie couldn't help but make a sigh in agreement with Nataniel's comment. Alas, being an Emperor bodyguard and advisor, with its myriad of duties, required her to be sharp as a blade and hard as armor, leaving little room for the weakness any commitment to a relationship would entail.

The constant body-hopping she was subjecting herself didn't help much either: as useful during fights the strength and size of Kumamushi were, changing your frame from respectable 11' feet to being over three times as tall as an average giant would confuse most people she would find herself attracted about. Certainly not one of those guests giants ogling over her and making a big ruckus in the dining room. She didn't quite hate noisy people, but like hell, she couldn't stand them.

Still, Minnie was relaxed enough, given that few rambunctious big boys were the worst happening in the party. Her foresight didn't trigger, which meant no disaster involving any of the presents would happen, at least during the ceremony. In particular, the only red thing about Legs' aura was the sheer volume of alcohol radiating from every pore of her body, and the rosy hue of her cheeks. Alcohol she made sure was pure and untainted, for Minnie had controlled ten times every jug of liquid and every crumble of bread with the help of Thatch to assess their quality... and then other ten times without Thatch to make sure the doctor hadn't drugged anything for the fun of it. Always better be safe than sorry.

People all around her were having a good time, barring the occasional broken glass smashed on the floor: Minnie watched everything with a smile on her face. Her attention shifted to the Holiday Pirates, the new crew the Black Widows had just recruited. Legs had talked to Minnie about them, how their fearsome captain's history was deeply interwoven with that of the Empress. How fortunate they were to have such man coming to their aid in these perilous times, where nightmares and premonitions of war were choking even the most festive occasions.

Sitting herself up, she walked toward Abel to give him a proper greeting, lowering herself as much as she could. The size difference between the two was staggering, as even his normally imposing frame looked midget in comparison. Yet Minnie knew they hardly reflected on his real strength, which if it had to be measured in a context, would leave Abel triumphant with barely an effort spent. The many, many powerful auras inside him left no doubt about that.

"You must Abel, I suppose. My name is Fukuoka Miyoshi," she gave off her fake name, to not puzzle him for the time being about complicated body-hopping shenanigans.

"I am Legs-sama bodyguard. On behalf of of the crew, I welcome you onboard, so to speak. I am sure your strength and power, renowned across the Blue Seas, would be of great help of us. And I can promise we'll be of help for you, whatever your deepest wishes are". Minnie spoke from the bottom of her heart, well knowing that every Widow's dreams were Legs' dreams, one she would fight tooth and nail to see fulfilled.

Abel turned to the gigantic figure covering his figure even before she had addressed him. He gave a quick sip to his bottle and cleaned his mouth, "Fukuoka? Another of Koyuki-chan's familiars aye?" He called out at her, waving one hand. "Pleased to meet you, lad." Another chug, Abel's throat budged as he gulped the liquid.

"Don't promise too much lad, at the end of the day," Another chug, Abel smiled at Miyoshi. "The only ones who can help us are ourselves."

Braid dangling over the center of his face, Jack Frost stood proud next to his Captain. He kept his words to himself, he wasn't the chatterbox like the rest of his crew. He was always a man on the edge and honestly, he was too damn cold to speak most of the time. Even then, he held a small cup in his hand filled to the brim with vanilla ice cream. While everyone took this time to waste themselves on alcohol, he took it to cheat and eat as many bowls of ice cream as he wished.

"It's nice to see the brat after the events at Aurora." He said, "But to think he'd shoot up to one of the most wanted people aside from the Yonko was not a fate I saw coming."

Abel turned around, squinting his eyes as he looked over Jack Frost.

"Yo, Captain, who're you glaring at? Someone causing you trouble, someone you don't like?...Tell me!" From his sitting position, Dario shot up straight, his kimono flaring as he stood with his chest pumped up, scanning the area for any disturbances to his captain.

He sat down after a few people began to stare at him. He was purposely goofing off, as being in a wedding brought back painful memories, memories he'd like to have stay buried.

He scratched his head, and pulled out a small bottle he had hidden in his kimono, and drank from it, offering a sip to Abel. "This is so unusual. A kid that shot into the scene from out of nowhere, caused a big stir, and now is marrying in Wano. I can't wait to see him in person. Is it true that he is like ten feet tall?"

Looking out the corner of his eye, Jack made slick contact with Abel. He could sense something about him, but if Legs made no effort to address it he wouldn't either. "No, you can't have any of my ice cream." He said to Abel.

Rolling his eyes, Abel had turned to the approaching Kumozu.

"Yep! Their second kid, Fukuoka Kosaka Kumozu! Just call me Kumo though. Who are you?? Are you a new ally? Man we really need better accounting...Where is Tokugawa???" Kumozu looked around earnestly for the Black Widows' manager of finance.

"Second kid..." Abel mused, something clicked within his mind and a newspaper came into his thoughts. "Okay lad, erm, Kumo-kun, my name is Cain D. Abel! It's as you say, I'm the newest ally, though I have met your parents long ago," He frowned, but smiled, at Kumozu's eagerness. "And I really don't know who might be Tokugawa."

"Oh, Toku-san is our accountant. He isn't here though." Kumozu looked around from side to side. "Anyways! I'll check up on decorations and food. Hey Dad, want something to eat?"

"I'm good, Kumo." Isshin responded.

"Alright!" Kumozu departed.

Isshin was alone with Koyuki and Abel. "So...I've heard from Koyuki. Who are you right now? Lord Adaemon, Captain Seth, or Evelyn?"

"Byeee," Abel waved at the vanishing Kumozu, then, turned at Isshin once words were directed at him. "Oh, now you speak, Ishi-kun." He beamed, eyes closed, he chugged more of his booze. "You should easily know, lad, but I don't want to annoy you. Captain Seth speaks!"

"It has been a long time Captain. Although..." Isshin looked over to where Amaka was, "I suppose all we're missing is Daikaku for the grand reunion. It is too bad." Isshin mulled over more innocent times.

"Say, Captain. Apologies for my son. After Soren's...passing...he has tried to hold the burden of the family on himself. He has always been shy, but he tries his hardest for everyone else."

Setting the bottle aside, Abel completely focused on Isshin by shifting his own body around as to face him. "...I've only read about the lad, but... My condolences for you two kiddos." Glancing down, he looked at his own hand, but went back to Isshin. "Maybe you could have a talk with the kid."

"As for the Baldy Kid, imagine the disaster," Abel tried cheering, the topic much different. "That one went on to become an Emperor too! Y'all growing so fast, so renown! I heard you're a monster, Ishi-kun."

"Shikikiki. Monster? Captain, you know me better than that." Isshin chuckled, "I'm just a terrible copycat. Probably even inferior to that monster Shiguma."

Abel rose a hand for Isshin to wait and chugged down on his booze again, only to spit it and laugh. "YAKORORORO!" He beat his foot against the ground, shaking it lightly. "Ya' right, I've actually seen that man's powers, he is a rip-off, Ishi-kun." Abel cleaned the booze off his figure with a single swipe of his arm, "That doesn't mean you are to be underestimated."

Suddenly, however, Abel stared at nowhere, not even bothering with the bottle that he moved to pick again. "Since you said it... how much do y'all know about his power?"

"As much as I know about Aoshin's acquaintance named Dazz...in other words, absolutely nothing." Isshin sighed.

"Dazz...?" Abel shook his head, smiling once again. "Well, guess what lad, I have seen its engines in action," Some memories came by. "What it does-"

---

Yoshitsune continued to survey the crowd, his main goal was to ensure nothing out of the norm happened. There seemed to be just a bit of pre-wedding chit-chat. Nothing too crazy as everyone waited for the two main attractions to reveal themselves. He took this time to relax, leaning up against the tree and enjoying his pipe even further.

The curtains flung open and from them, five individuals revealed themselves in a line. Dexter stood at the front of the line, then Gerhard, Alastor, Zander, and finally Osiris in that exact order. They approached the altar and as they did all talking ceased and where it did exist it was extremely toned down. Walking along the steps, Dexter stood on the right side of the alter with all four of the individuals behind him.

Dexter look among the crowd and saw many memorable faces. Everyone that had been absent from the dojo just yesterday were present today. Yamakage Kamui sat in the first seat next to Kazuha, then Yamakage Ishitarou, and finally next to him, Akeboa Sato.

"Well damn," Dexter said, shaking his head. "It seems they've invited the Captains of the Shinsengumi. Second Division Captain Yamakage Kamui, Fourth Division Captain Akeboa Sato and Sixth Division Captain Yamakage Ishitarou." he sighed, "This is going to get way out of hand."

Looking around to the crowd again, he couldn't spot Yoshitsune in a seat and for some reason it came as a sigh of relief. "Uh..." he said outloud to where everyone could hear him. "Where the hell is, Tsubaki?"

Kazuha, Yoshitsune, Kamui, Osiris, Sato, Ishitarou, and Lucina call twitched their eyes will steadily growing angry. Almost as though they linked themselves through some sort of haki they shouted with the exception of Kazuha, "That damned brat!"

"Well, that's him, huh?" A voice said, standing next to Yoshitsune. Much like Yoshitsune, she too had been looking over the crowd. "Oh my, there's so many memorable faces here! It's been so long, Yoshitsune!"

Stunned, Yoshitsune slowly removed his pipe from his hand. Before he could speak all he could do was look. He seemed like a whole new person, Yoshitsune was never known to act like this. "Well I'll be damned," he began, leaning back up against the tree and closing his eyes all while placing his pipe back in his mouth. "The newspaper was true. You're here, Buster D. Amaka and in the flesh too."

"Indeed, Yoshitsune. I was shocked that I was able to cheat death and have a second life as well." Amaka pulled on her gloves, ensuring that they sat over her sleeves. In fact, her outfit had been rather different than the previous times she appeared. She wore a white crop top which completely exposed her abdomen revealing a tattoo she'd gotten done. Though not many people got a chance to see it, she'd actually had it way before her death and revival.

Around her neck was a unique gold piece of jewelry. Rather than her black pair of pants, she wore a white pair that transitioned into a pair of short-heeled boots. Her shoulders were no longer occupied by her dark purple cape, but now a dark teal jacket with burgundy ruffles at the end beneath a single white stripe, which hung from her shoulders like a cape.

"But I'm not here to shock everyone with that phenomonon. I am simply here to see my son."

Eyebrow lifting, Yoshitsune couldn't help but to ask. "Your son? Whatcha' talking about Pirate Princess?"

Amaka smiled, while nodding her head towards the groomsmen standing on stage. "The man of the hour, Yoshitsune." Smile growing even larger, "Dragon D. Dexter as you all know him, but Buster D. Dexteris as I've named."

"Well, I'll be damned again.." Yoshitsune looked to Dexter then to Amaka, then back to Dexter. "Now that I think about it, you two have a lot. Wild, but he's a bit worse. I'm guessing Kazuha doesn't know about this?"

"She does not. The only one with this knowledge is Koyuki."

"Oh, so it must've been you when she said someone wants to meet him.. But she said two people.. so I wonder who."

Blanking out, Amaka had missed everything Yoshitsune had just said. "Captain Seth...?"

---

"Oh?" Koyuki begun in the midst of Jack and Abel's exchange.

"I would have never imagined that she would have come. Though, I guess it's only fitting that she's appeared here. A mother shouldn't miss this," she continued. Koyuki continued looking forward, sipping her alcohol in the process. "Wouldn't you say, Abel?" Abel tilted his head. "She-" No longer were his words needed, his mind instantly gazed what Koyuki truly meant and he fell silent for a few seconds. "She is here!" He cheered, almost not holding himself.

Eyes shifting around, Abel inquired at Koyuki. "Koyu-chan, do you think our little miss will dislike it if we go greet her?" He smiled. Koyuki smiled. "Of course not. She would be delighted. However, I am an Empress, Abel. You are my ally as well. Therefore, in my lands, you will be treated as royalty should."

Koyuki snapped her fingers.

"She'll come to us."

And like that, several of her royal guards, dressed in wedding dresses and suits moved from within the crowd to deliver her message to Amaka. Eyes budging, Abel almost spilled the booze he had just gulped. A myriad of colors flared around him for a moment. "R-Royalty?! Koyu- Fukuo- Lady?!" How long ago was it? No... there was no way to know.

Adaemon was expunged to Udon as soon as he was out of his mother's womb, Evelyn remembered guarding around the halls of the Umi Kingdom, Seth only ever saw the sea. "Are ya' sure, lad?" It was yellow, Seth, that remained as Abel spoke.

Surely, despite his protests, many guards were already on their way to Amaka.

"It amuses me that you still are fond of sitting in trees, Yoshitsune. It seems some things refuse to change." Amaka said, eyes locked on the group of men approaching her.

"The Princess calls you, Amaka." One of the men said respectfully.

She shook her head and said, "No. Not at this moment, for I wish to let the wedding happen first. My goal is to not cause a scene, but explain the coming one. Tell Koyuki I am sorry, but I have information she will need to he-"

From behind the same curtain Dexter emerged from, Tsubaki appeared as well. Behind her stood Zoe, Tomoe, and Asuka and the group began to walk down the aisle. She was beautiful, gorgeous, and any other descriptive word that fit into those categories. She wore a shiromuku covered by an sakura colored iro uchikake, while Tsubaki and Zoe wore only the shiromuku. As she strut through the isle, people tried grabbing her attention as they snapped countless photos but she remained focused and walked straight.

Stepping up to the stage, Tsubaki turned to face Dexter and she was met with the boy's large smile. He couldn't help but be swept off his feet by the appearance of Tsubaki from her clothing to the slight touches of makeup. While Tsubaki couldn't help but to be stunned by the clean look of Dexter.

"Family and friends, we are gathered here today to celebrate the unison of these two youths: Dragon D. Dexter and Tokugawa Tsubaki, daughter of Daimyō Yoshitsune!" The officiant began, arms extended out over the crows as he stood between the couple. "Some may ask who gives the bride in marriage, but I ask simply if she comes of her own will and if she has her family's blessing. Tsubaki," he said, turning to face Tsubaki. "Is it true you've come on your own free will?"

Still looking into Dexter's eyes, she responded, "Yes."

He carried on, "With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you?"

Asuka responded, "She comes with her father, and her mother, and is accompanied by all of her family's blessings."

"Then there is no need for me to emphasize the importance of the vows you two are about to exchange." He allowed them no response and continued on, "Then please, will you do the honors, groom."

Much like Tsubaki he was also ready and wasted no time:

"This woman, I marry. No matter what the health situation is. I will love this person. Respect this person. Console this person. Help this person. Until death. Protecting fidelity. I swear."

The minister looked to Tsubaki, "And you bride?"

"This man, I marry. No matter what the health situation is. I will love this person. Respect this person. Console this person. Help this person. Until death. Protecting fidelity. I swear."

"Very well then," The minister said. "Dexter, you this woman marry and become her partner. Will you in peaceful times, during sickness, this person love, this person respect, this person comfort, this person help, until death, do you promise to fulfil?"

"You damned right I am."

"Tsubaki, you this man marry and become his partner. Will you in peaceful times, during sickness, this person love, this person respect, this person comfort, this person help, until death, do you promise to fulfil?"

Eyes rolling at Dexter's response, she answered, "Yes, I promise."

"Then, we will proceed to the exchange of rings."

Dexter and Tsubaki both turned around. Tomoe stepped for and from beneath her kimono, she pulled out a case which held the ring that had been purchased for Dexter. With a warm smile, she held onto Tomoe's hand trying to keep in all the blush that was painted all over her face. Grabbing the box she turned back to face Dexter again.

As Dexter turned around, he was met with Gerhard who'd opted to sport a different mask. He looked him in his eyes with a smile, but if Gerhard looked closely, he could see that his Captain had been holding back a laugh. Not laugh at the wedding in a negative way of course, but he'd been that excited.

Hand extending out, he waited for Gerhard to give him the box that held the ring he purchased.

"What ya' asking for?" Gerhard tilted his head repeatedly to one side to the other, "Kiddin' dude, here it is." Tugging at the insides of his kimono, he held a large box, though it didn't seem large due to his size, in his right hand.

Despite his subsequent question, "Ya' ready, Dex?" Gerhard handed the box towards Dexter's hands, his gaze never leaving Dexter's frame, his voice straight and low.

"I've done so much that I'll need you to cover for me for, okay? Good!" He whispered, turning back around with his same smile.

At the same time, they both opened their boxes. In the box that Tsubaki held rested a normal gold ring on it which the initials "D.D.T" written on it meaning; "Dragon D. Tsubaki." Gripping his hand and holding it up, she slid the ring his finger.

Dexter proceeded to open his box next and the ring that sat within it was completely different from what he was given. Taking it out of the box he held it up for the crowd to see. The ring portion of it was a fine silver with diamonds all around the edges outlining the giant ruby rock sitting in the center. Turning back to Tsubaki he slid the ring onto her finger and held his arms out.

"A ring for my trophy." He said.

The minister smiled, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Stepping forward, Dexter wrapped his right arm around Tsubaki's waist pulling her closer to him while also leaning in for a dramatic kiss. They exchanged saliva with their tongues for about forty seconds before the crowd erupted into claps. Releasing Tsubaki he grabbed her hand and held it up while waving.

"Oh shit..." he thought to himself as Tsubaki began to walk down the aisle with him in her hand. The people flowergirls flung petals over them as they walked and thus concluded the wedding.

Koyuki clapped jovially and rapidly at the conclusion of the wedding, having taken a moment to stop drinking.

"Awhh mah goshhhh!!!!" she cried out, tears of utter bliss streaming down her face, creating lakes of water beneath her.

"It's soooo fucking addoooraabbllleeeeee!!!"

There was no doubt...Koyuki was hammered.

How much Dexter had left himself open in those very moments, Abel constantly chugged down some booze, his fingers grabbing the subsequent container as soon as he finished one. He downed all of them, no break in-between, part of the liquid spilled from the corners of his mouth. Most likely, people were clapping and cheering so loud that this scene would be very much omitted from some eyes.

"A promise..." "It's a shame." "That's Maka's." "..."

So open... why? Abel very much knew that not everybody held Dexter in amiccable ways here, even as he had been approved by Koyuki herself. Kenbunshoku Haki mildly active, his mind was bombarded with a myriad of emotions and thoughts from a few guests, while his eyes scanned around the vicinity. He chugged more booze, all of these and Dexter opened himself like that- Abel almost dropped his bottle, eyes hovering on the figure of Tsubaki, they were both smiling. He clutched the bottle, letting his gaze drop for a few seconds.

''"What is this?"' "Longing." "Couldn't tell." "...Do we deserve it?" Their eyes widened, looking at the source of the voice, beforehand naught but silent.

Amidst the celebration, Abel clapped his hands over his thighs and rose from his chair, quietly walking to the gigantic table that harboured many drinks.

Yoshitsune had finally jumped from the tree branch and stood before both Dexter and Tsubaki. He looked Tsubaki in her eye, before switching his gaze to Dexter. He said nothing initially and just waited for the perfect moment to speak. "Ya' didn't disappoint me, kid. I can't believe it."

Chuckling, Yoshitsune removed his pipe and placed it into his kimono. "I know I'm supposed to wait until its time to give out gifts, but you'll be so busy you won't have enough time to even open the gifts." Reaching to his hip, Yoshitsune gripped one of the three hilts on his side and drew the one in the middle.

Holding the sheathed blade across his chest as though he were showing it off to sell. "This is for you..."

Silence filled the place as everyone who was a member of the Ryustume Dojo looked with widened eyes. No one said anything verbally, but the gasps among the crowd could be heard like a max volume radio. The blade even in its sheath was slightly curved. It was black in its sheathe with a flame-shaped hamon and black no-hi in its design. Its tsuba was in the shape of a trefoil. On both sides of its hilt and down its sheathe rested light, five-petaled flower motifs.

Yoshistune smiled before looking Dexter in his eyes. "It's a treasure from our ancestors of the Kozuki Clan. It is called, Enma."

Conflicting Schedules
Koyuki glanced down towards Abel as he approached her table, and her smile widened as she leaned towards the approaching ally.

"A-Abel-shamaamamaaa!!!" Koyuki called out, hiccuping as she addressed him, "I can tell when's something is up you knooow!"

She grabbed a drink from her table. "You want more alcohol right, right?!"

"Look at ya', Koyu," Abel uttered out loud, managing a smile with his eyes closed, he had almost forgotten how much she had drunk as well, "having fun!" Unsurprisingly, a hundred more than him, after all, with her body mass, she could drink more than anyone present.

"But, yes please!" Abel looked around for any kind of bottle. "I... I don't know what you mean with something up, Koyu."

"Komomomomomo," Koyuki chuckled, throwing Abel a bottle appropriate for a drink for a woman of her stature. "Don't die on it!"

Abel bowed slightly. "Thanks Koyu," Instantly, the bottle was open and he had started to chug it down.

By this time most of the regulars had either left or took it upon themselves to go within the dojo and watch a few of the sparring matches take place. Yoshitsune found himself in a nearby tree like he usually does, while Amaka had leaped down from her former position to approach the same table that Abel had walked over to.

Hair bouncing as she walked across the pathway, she stood at Legs' side and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Koyuki, I was unaware that you were the type to attend weddings." She spoke, interrupting the exchange between the Yonko and Abel. Foot extending, she walked past Koyuki and stood before Abel. Though one could see her move, her presence had been completely erased in those few steps as she stood face to face with Abel.

"I am no fool," Amaka said, eyebrow lifting as she looked the Holiday Captain dead in his eye. "and after evading death, I am more entitled to expect the unexpected. Does my Captain, Seth, lie within you?" The ebony asked, getting straight to her point.

"Woah, Woah......woah," Koyuki started, sitting her drink down on the table. "Amaka, baby..sshhhhhhh."

She paused, having been interrupted by a hiccup.

"Seth-sama is our friend now! You see! She came back again...like she always does...hey, Abel, c-can we call you Kakarot now?! Because u keep growing and growing like a carrot!"

"Oh," Abel uttered, letting along a burp, "MAKA!!" He suddenly opened his arms, swinging alcohol off. "It's just as Koyu say, I'm here friendly! I am speaking just me, none of the others!" Abel bounced around.

"A carrot huh..." Abel chugged the large bottle again, threw it away, and quickly snatched another. "What do ya' think Maka? I forgot you were here."

Turning her head at Abel who embodied Seth, Amaka showed her attitude of a teenage girl. "Hmph, it seems even the withered must live on. I must say, you have here in a pitiful state, unlike me, Captain Seth."

Yoshitsune cleared his throat loud enough for the group to hear him before point his finger towards the approaching figure. "The man of the hour and a half has come."

Approaching the group in its entirety, Dexter stood with his arm rested on the hilts of both Tenrairyu and Enma. Eyes slowly lifting, he looked up to the massive being that was Daddy L. Legs one of the four Yonko that Dexter would have to defeat in order to see his dreams come true.

"Damn..." He though to himself, his kenbunshoku active as some sort of scanner. "She's drunk and even though her guard is down, it is not." Slowly looking to the corner of his eye, Dexter noticed the guardsmen surrounding Legs as well as the many high-ranking members of her crew as the inner wall that was ready to not give their lives but take the ones of those bold enough to even bite at their Captain. "Jack Frost," he said under his breath, rolling his eyes. "I heard about your battle... you froze an entire island and dropped the citizens down to the ocean without hesitation. You've got people callin' you the "Ice Cold Killer". I guess its good to see you again."

When Dexter had addressed him, Jack had been in the middle of placing his icecream filled spoon in his mouth to which he paused in order to respond back to Dexter. "Shaking words for the boy who, when I had seen him just a month ago, managed to piss the World Government off enough to reach 1,040,000,000. It is nice to see you have not been murdered."

He then looked to Abel and fell upon his figure once more, but his presence was a rather shaky one. But that was just it, it wasn't just one presence that he felt. The man was there, yet he was not alone in his body. "Odd ball..." And finally, his eyes fell upon Amaka, but not in the same way that they did at Abel and Legs. They danced with sparks and dazzling in the bright light of the sun and were filled with emotion.

"Excuse me, Legs, you may be someone above beautiful, but she..." he said, eyes still etched onto Amaka, "She's absolutely heaven-sent. I'm sorry ma'am if I were not a committed man bounded by love and emotion, I would take your hand in the night sky and give it a ring that even the Nobles would be jealous of."

Yoshitsune burst out into laughter, "HAHAHAHAHAHHA! OH YOU'RE GONNA' REALLY REGRET SAYING THAT IN A MINUTE, DEX!" He shouted, forearm wrapped around his stomach as he continued to laugh to the point that tears began to roll out of his eyes.

Dexter ignored Yoshitsune, "I was told this group wanted to talk to me, what's it bout?"

Abel hung his arm which held the bottle, he looked at Dexter, who stared at Amaka, then, at her. Before he could rise the bottle, Dexter began to speak and Abel's eyes widened, his mouth hung open, he looked at Dexter again and pointed at Amaka. Blinking several times, Abel pointed at Dexter and looked at Amaka.

His shoulders rose and his mouth bloated, cheeks way larger, Abel turned around, "GOD-" The sound of liquid being spilled could easily be heard, Abel rest his hands on his knees, as they had been bent slightly.

"Everyone, everyone let's settle down first," Koyuki addressed, raising her cup into the air. "A celebration is in order. Is it not?"

She smiled.

"To have thought that Amaka's kin would have married before my own! What a beautiful day. But, this is the world I strive to create. Where individuals like ourselves can get married, drink and laugh together."

Her eyes fell upon Dexter. "So thanks are in order child. You have made my goals clearer, because now I have visual proof that my path is the right path. If this is what my efforts create, then perhaps the world is worth conquering. Therefore, lets give a cheers to for the newlyweds good health and let Dexter be blessed for the consumation of his marriage as well!"

Scratching the back of his head, Dexter lifted his eyebrow in confusion. All three of them left him in a foggy haze, he had no idea what was going on, but he felt it'd be best to just take Legs' advice and simply accept her cheers. To an extent of course. Dexter had been instructed to come over to her location by Kazuha. Supposedly there was something he was needed for and while he may have been left in the dark, Dexter also had something he wanted to tell the Yonko as well.

"I was told to come over as there were people who wanted to speak to me." Dexter began, his voice much more serious than any other time. He couldn't waver nor stand down, especially not in front of such an influential figure such as a Yonko. He needed to be on his best behavior if he wanted this to be a success. Eyes closed he sighed, "What is it?"

Having used that fair time to clean himself properly, Abel turned around to face the group, rather, to face Dexter himself. Still, as he did so, there was a certain wobbliness to his movements, surely the many bottles he had drunk alongside Koyuki had more than caught up to him. A shaking hand rose to his chest, glowing yellow, Abel touched it, the glow disappeared and he blinked.

A single step, Abel carried himself forward with posture and let behind the many bottles. Under a moment, the drunkenness that plagued him was seemingly gone, under that same moment, Abel was standing near Dexter himself. "Greetings, Popstar, could I be the first to talk to ya?"

It was him again. The guy that Dexter could sense, but not in the way he could the rest of the people around. He wasn't as menacing as some of the others, but there was a fact that he wasn't one. His sixth sense seemed to have been failing him and after constant battles with little recovery time, Dexter may have been losing his mind a bit.

But there was something he knew would never fail him. And that was the scent of what his nose would pick up. Sniffing in a less obvious way, Dexter inhaled the scent of Abel only to get a mix of multiple at once. "What the hell?!" He thought to himself, trying to wrap his head around the general concept, but for some reason, he just didn't want to force himself to believe that he was more than just him.

Dexter shooking his head softly, "Yeah, I don't care who goes first."

"Good," Abel mused, cracking his neck by moving his head to the sides a few times. A smirk crept into his expression, he stood over Dexter, though then, he sat just there on a nearby chair, allowing for him to stand eye to eye with him. Looking at the sky for a minute, Abel gestured with his left hand at it, "What comes to your mind with the word, Numerals?"

Almost in harmony, both Dexter and Jack lifted their eyebrows because they knew the term too well. Jack was one of the prominent members of the fleet that was massed to take down the Numerals so why wouldn't he. The cold pirate decided to slow down on his ice cream treat, opening his ears to hear the conversation further.

Amaka had also been listening, as she was more curious to what Dexter's response would be as opposed to the face that Abel had even brought them up. Amaka had been gone for eight years. She had no idea what the Numerals were, only about the fact that they were led by her father. Did Seth's host have information about them that could benefit her?

Dexter brought his index finger to his ear and began to fiddle around in it as though he were digging for wax. "Ye, I remember the old tanned bald dude who kept yellin' the whole time." Dropping that same hand to his blades' hilts, he continued on. "I cut 'im down with Tenrairyu, but barely... That old dude put up a fight and he hadn't even been conscious."

Truth. Every word Dexter spoke was the truth and every thing he was about to say after fell into the same category. "If that guy was at full power. He would have taken me out in one strike! His crewmates were just as scary... I know for a fact that neither of them are dead. The plan to their downfall was led by Ferrothorn Braxton, who supposedly is my brother." Gripping his forehead, Dexter sighed. "Oh, Shiguma, no... Please don't make me think about that whole shit again."

"Your brother..." Abel mused, his eyes falling upon Amaka for a second before settling back to Dexter. He tapped his chin for a second, then, said, "I see." One needn't even Haki to gauge the sincerity coming from Dexter's words, there weren't an incredible amount of details, he hadn't taken the vanglory given in the newspaper, there was absolutely no reason for someone to deem what he was saying to be lies.

Regardless, one thing remained untouched, for which Abel rose a single finger. "You and the Black Ops have taken them apart." Another finger rose. "I've already met Umori Kenshiro some months ago, he has yet to fully indulge in the consequences of attacking the Numerals, just like Mauricio Kerrim and you." His third finger was up.

Before any questions could arrive, Abel continued. "Even as a former ally of Xros, two within me feel tasked with the Numerals and the whole incident." He closed his eyes, giving out a simple sigh, this could have been so much simple, why was he even voicing this out? "But, when I learned that you are the child of one of my precious crewmates from long ago," Abel gestured for Amaka, "I had to hold myself."

For the most part, Dexter had been slightly familiar with what Abel had been speaking of. However, the names Kenshiro and Kerrim rung not a bell and as such he turned to look at Jack Frost who'd been eavesdropping. Other subtle hints flew over his head and he had no idea what Abel had been trying to get at, but he could at the very least understand that the Numerals held some sort of value to the blond man before him.

"Aye, I didn't mean to be personal or anything, dude." Dexter began, gesturing his intentions before finally telling them. "I needed to dwindle the Xros Pirates' forces so that I can knock the King off the chessboard. But, those two people you spoke of, don't know 'em." he shrugged his shoulders, it wasn't that Dexter had been blatantly lying, but it was that he didn't remember half the people who allied themselves in the Black Ops.

Jack finally spoke, "Mauricio Kerrim and Umori Kenshiro were the two who helped aid in defeat the Numerals, Dexter. They were apart of the Black Ops." he said, taking a spoon of ice cream and placing it on his tongue. "It's best you remember your allies, especially those considered a member of your fleet."

"Ahhhhh, those two. Alright, alright, what is it again?" Dexter asked Abel, trying to get him to reach his actual question.

Abel blinked briefly at Dexter's cluelessness, though, he quickly continued on his statements. "There are no questions here, kid," He gestured with his hand. "If anything, I'm just being honest with you that you've hurt my associates, I think it's very easy to predict they will be coming after you sometime, even if you got your own crew."

A shrug, Abel started to walk towards one of the tables with bottles. He still spoke. "However, what I'm saying is... don't worry on me going after you." Abel turned around, hand ready to grasp a bottle. "After all, you're Amaka's kid, she's like a daughter to me." Finally, he was back to his booze.

"Oh, it's the Pirate life. If they come, then we fight. I ain't runnin' from anyone but the Marines. And that's only sometimes." Dexter responded, swinging his hand. "I'll try and go for the kill next time, if that's the case."

Amaka stepped forward. She'd been silent for the most time as she found it very disrespectful to step in while Abel had already asked to speak with him first. "You will do no such thing, Buster D. Dexterous." She said, calling him by a name he had been unfamiliar with. "Family sticks together, we do not harm one another for we are all we have. Braxton's reasoning for doing what he did was for the sole purpose of my revival so that I could meet you."

Eyebrow lifting, Dexter furrowed his brows. "Uh, who the hell is Buster D. Dexterous? And, excusing your beauty, who do you think you are?"

"Who do I think I am?" Amaka asked, closing her eyes as she had images of running from the World Government with a pregnant belly, nearly losing her life in the process. The amount of back pain she had to suffer over the course of those long nine months. "I am Buster D. Amaka, Dexter, I am your biological mother."

Dexter burst out into laughter, "HAHAHAHAHAHA, You ain't my ma'!" Dexter said, continuing to laugh before gripping his abdomen and rolling on the ground. "I don't know my real ma, she abandoned me long ago. Kazuha's the only mother figure I know."

Amaka simply smiled, she expected no other reaction from him. "Dragon D. Dexter born May, 30th 1560 diagnosed with ADHD. You sometimes have a tendency of starting off and it leads people to believe that you are not paying attention, though you are you just blank out from time to time."

"You just made it weird lad-" From behind Dexter, Kazuha appeared resting her hand on his shoulder. She looked past Dexter, Legs, Abel, and anyone else who'd been around.

"C-Captain..." She struggled to utter, her tongue-tied with words. "These words are no lie, Dexter. She is without a doubt your mother!" With a burst of speed, she released her hand from Dexter's shoulder and fell into Amaka's arms with tears pouring down her face. "Captain Amaka-sama! It's been so long, it's been so long! I didn't believe it when Margie-chan said it, but it was true. The older he go the more he began to act like you. Throwing himself in danger yet somehow finding a way to prevail. He's just like you."

The ebony teen was stunned. Though he didn't say anything, he was lost for words evident with how he dropped his head and shook with anxiety. How could this be? Kazuha knew and didn't say anything? But why? Were they hiding something? Thoughts on top of thoughts cluttered his mind to the point he began to breath heavily.

Another hand rest on his shoulder, this time it belonged to Yoshitsune. "Yo, Kazuha and Amaka, go into the dojo and catch up. Surely there's other shit Dexter has to ask." Nodding, the duo entered the dojo and disappeared. "Fix your face. You're in the face of enemy and ally. It ain't wise to show your soft spot in front of enemies."

Dexter did just as Yoshitsune instructed because he knew he'd be able to get answers soon. But for now, Legs stood in front of him and he had something he needed to say. Lifting his finger he pointed at Legs. "I need your strength, you're strong." Dexter began, "I'm trustworthy enough, ask Jack. I don't want to take over the world as a King of Pirates or anything, I ain't go interest in the One Piece. But my goal is a performance on Laughtel."

Pausing, he knew his next words would seem foolish to a figure as powerful physically and politically as Legs, but he never backed down from a challenge. "Ally the Black Widows with the Black Ops... Aww, that sounds so racist."

"Kumomomomomomo!!!" Koyuki exclaimed, bursting into a drunkard's laughter. As she tumbled and rolled in her seat, her alcohol spilled from her glasses, soaking the ground in a puddle of liquor.

"I love the confidence, boy! You really are Amaka's son, huh?! Kumomomomo!"

Koyuki took another swig of her drink.

"But, my answer is going to have to be no."

Sighing, Dexter turned his back to Legs. "Welp that was worth a shot." He said waving his hand at Legs, while waking away from the group. "You don't have to join with the entirety of the Black Widows. But I'm keeping Jack Frost!"

Festive Call
Cain D. Abel downed some booze down his throat for a few seconds, while the oceanic breeze hit his body. Not only had the wedding been done, the reunion at that Dojo with Amaka and the others lasted not too much either.

Before him and standing over the ocean of Wano's beaches was a ship, not too big, not too small either. It bore a flag, background black, the skull was round and had no jaw, wings sprouted from it alongside a myriad of other symbols.

This was one of the Holiday Pirates' ships, the Partying. Abel didn't even stare at it, though, he knew some members were still aboard. One of its bridges sunk into the sand, so that there could be free movement.

"I figured i'd find you here Abel". Khan said as he casually walked on to the sandy beach, stretching slightly after discarding his black feathered coat. Setting down his ever present Sake Jar on the sand near Abel, he took a seat across from his Captain.

"So what's on your mind?" He questioned Abel while pouring himself a drink and refillig the empty class of Abel as well. Downing the entire cup of liquor in a single shot, Khan refilled his galss before giving his long time captain his full attention. A small commotion was heard from inside the ship, followed by a burst of wind on the deck. Something, or rather, someone was the cause of this, and Abel would already know who. From above, the source of the disturbance would reveal himself. As he descended from the high altitude he jumped to, he landed on the beach, creating a small tremor upon his arrival. Gusts of sand were spread outwards, however he landed far enough so this didn't reach Abel. Enkiru Dario made way towards his captain, his face visibly irritated at something. On his left shoulder, he rested his precious Nodachi, and on his right hand, held a gourd filled with booze. "Oi. It's really annoying you had these fools tie me up in the ship after the wedding's recession. I just wanted to go explore the scenery a bit..." Dario's deep voice casually addressed his captain with a laid back tone. While others addressed Abel more respectfully, Dario addressed him famiarly, which annoyed many of the members. Though it's possible this was due to Dario being a long time member, and also his general attitude. He reached Abel's side, and stood with his plate of armor shining with the sun, chest up high, chugging down some hard liquor. "Bararararara!!!" He wiped his lips, and chugged down some more booze. His gaze turned to Abel, without turning his head or body. "Tell me, Abel...what have you plotted that you haven't told us yet?" Lifting his gaze from Abel, he looked into the distance. "You never let any of us close to the Xros...yet we're here, in the middle of Yonko territory..." He sniffed, before chugging once more. "I suppose you'll tell us soon what you were doing, after all, you always decide stuff without our input, Barararara!...Either way, count on me always being your shield and sword." He said as he proudly smacked the gourd on his chest.

"If anyone deserves to be tied up, its you Dario." A voice rose from behind the gathering Holiday Pirates. Gilad Galen walked forward, having been on his own little adventure since arriving in Wano. "The weird little bee chick probably had a literal blast seeing you like that!" Galen broke out into laughter, cupping his stomach as he released his joyous amusement.

Suddenly, his laughter stop, his eyes becoming more blank as he kept his attention on Dario. "The taxes that went towards those ropes still upsets me though. I suggested we just boot you into the ocean in seastone awhile ago, but everyone told me that I should be respectful to my elders and stop plotting ways to raise my salary." He crossed his arms, almost like a child. "I still think that's bullshit. Like honestly, if I wanted yous guy's money I could take it."

Whole Lotta Training
It had been approximated two days since the wedding and things seemed to have settled down a bit. Dexter had spent hours and hours catching up with his Amaka to which she shared so much information with him. He learned the same information that was told to Legs, but not her full story. He was made aware that he had four other siblings out there in the world and it was his choice of how he'd like to go about the information.

Amaka made it a point to let him know the meaning of family and that she would not judge him by his decisions from here on out. She shared with him that Gambi Vincenzo was her biological father and their loose past. Everyone that was someone sat within the room, Amaka, Kazuha, Legs, Cain D. Abel, Yoshitsune, Gerhard, Dexter, Alastor, Xander and finally Tokugawa Tsubaki.

The former Pirate Captain turned to Dexter with a stern look. "Regardless," Amaka began, turning back to the group at large. "For the sake of Abel and myself, I have a plan to free my father." Her tone changed ever so slightly, "But we will need many allies strong and numerous." Turning to Abel, she continued, "For I believe stealthy approaches to infiltration tactics are a common feature. This plan involves a ruckus at the front door."

Hand sitting under his chin, Dexter took a quick second to think. "I'm in." Dexter put simply. "But, I'm not gonna' act like I have the strength to hold a frontal assault. I mean, I do." He said, pausing before gripping the hilt of Tenrairyu. "I don't have the fatigue to."

Yoshitsune smiled, "I gotcha ya' kid. I got something new I'd like to teach ya!"

While the conversation went on, Xander looked to his left and to his right. The figures that were around him were all historical. He'd heard tales of nearly all of them in the past and couldn't believe he'd been in their breathing space. "This is sendin' chills down my back." Though he had many questions, he knew it wasn't his place to speak out just yet.

"This is a two way win situation." Amaka said, referring to the Impel Down break in. "For if we are successful, we gain more allies to aid in each of our goals. And if we lose, then our lives are no longer in our control. And the second time for myself."

Gasping, the captain turned to Kazuha and Yoshitsune. "Will you two be aiding us in this?"

Head shaking, Yoshitsune shrug his shoulders. "Nah. Not really my forte. My only job is to train the kid." Eyes falling onto Koyuki, then to Kazuha he sighed. "Now that he has Enma, I'll teach him Gogyō Kohō. He should be stronger by the time I'm done with that." Yoshitsune said, sure of his methods.

Eyebrows from those that knew of the style lifted: Tsubaki, Amaka, and Kazuha alike. Amaka was first to speak, "Oh. Then I'll see to it that you continue his thorough training."

Then Tsubaki, "Tch, his body will break."

And finally, Kazuha. "He will, without a doubt get much stronger."

Everyone who spoke knew of the Gogyou Kohō, but Dexter had been completely clueless. He looked around to see if anyone had anything extra to say, hoping they'd give him some sort of hint. "What's Gogyou Kohō?"

Koyuki shook her head side to side in disappointment as Dexter made his inquiry. "I told you, Yoshitsune. There's no way an outsider can even begin to master the basics of the five elements breathing style."

She folded her arms across her body and looked down at Dexter. "The boy doesn't even know, Senjutsu....For a while, I thought that he was maybe exactly like Amaka. However, I don't sense any of the same intelligence or skill that I sense in her. He's nothing like her."

Yoshitsune nodded his head agreeing. "Yep.. I tell Kazuha he's an idiot all the time. She doesn't believe me." Placing his pipe into his mouth, he chuckled. "It's fine. If I can learn it, this dumb ass can too."

Dexter then faced Koyuki. "Senjutsu?" He asked, completely clueless. "Say what you want, but I can learn it. There ain't nothing I can't learn so long as it involves a sword."

"Except this doesn't involve a sword," Koyuki replied. "This is all about your body. Senjutsu is a difficult process, where every part of you is broken down and remodeled. To understand how your body works, it is imperative that you know every part of your body, from your veins, to your fingernails, even to the tips of your hair. Because of my training, there ain't a part of my body that I can't control, kid."

As if upon command, Koyuki's hair begun to move around behind her, weaving into intricate forms as she continued speaking.

"Once you master your own body, you can learn how to make your body even better. There ain't nothing the body needs in any moment more than air. Air is used for everything. You can eat all the food you want, and drink all the water you want, but if you forget to breathe for even a few moments, your muscles tense up. When you learn to control your breath, you can do anything. You can dictate where all that air and oxygen go, and use it to empower all of your cells. You can increase your blood circulation, muscle strength; everything. When you do that, you'll become faster and stronger than you could ever imagine."

As though her were a child, Dexter's eyes widened with each capability and feature that Koyuki listed. Though he wasn't a user of it himself, he had heard tales of Yoshitsune being able to do such a thing as she explained. It was one of the many reasons he was feared yet, in his time of learning under Yoshitsune, he only taught him the art of the sword. "Sounds like some pretty hardcore stuff."

Yoshitsune chuckled once more, "I don't know if he can learn it Koyuki, what do you think?"

"I doubt it," Koyuki responded, standing up from her seat as her hair fell back down normally.

"Hell, if the kid can master it in the next three months, then I might consider actually allying with him."

Though they were not words he expected, they were words that brought a sense of ease to him. Yoshitsune suggested that he would be incapable of learning it, but his words really never held much weight towards Dexter. I mean, if they did, then he wouldn't be a pirate. A smile crept to his face as he turned not to face Legs, but Yoshitsune.

"We are still sitting here becasue?" Dexter asked Yoshitsune, his blood pumping as he relished the challenge. "She said three, then I'll learn it in two." Arms folded across his chest in his custom made kimono outfit, Dexter closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. "Let's go, Yoshitsune."

"So, while ya' train with bossy over there..." It was Gerhard who finally spoke, two of his fingers pointing at Dexter and Yoshitsune. Of course, with the many things that had been happening, including the many conflicts that Dexter both instigated and participated on, there had to be... what could he deem it... a level up for Dexter's skills.

Actually, that was in for all of them. They may have been in a Yonko's territory, but that was willingly from her. "Me an' Lastor," Gerhard pointed at Alastor as well with his thumb, "could whip somethin' up in the meantime, what'cha think?" Though he looked at Dexter, he glanced at Alastor too, directing the question to both.

Dexter shrugged his shoulders, "Go for it." He said, more so excited to receive this "holy" training by Yoshitsune that has even the Yonko doubting him. He was overdo for a powerup, had Dexter waited just a few more months before setting out to sea, he'd be at least four times stronger than he currently was. To pass up such an opportunity would be foolish for not only Dexter but a great disgrace as a swordsman. ---

After all short conversations had ended, Kazuha pulled, Dexter, Gerhard, and Amaka to a secluded room. The rooms had no light sources aside from a forge that had been placed up against the far wall. Across the wall were all kinds of swords: katanas, nodachi, just to name a few. She stood behind a table with her arm folded across her breast, which sat a few inches above three weapons that had been wrapped separately by cloths large enough to keep their bases hidden.

Kazuha's clothing had changed quite a bit. Rather than her former long flower-patterned kimono, she now wore a pair of crimson trousers known as much like Dexter's own. The only difference was the color. Her top had been a white that split around her chest into a "V" revealing her cleavage. And finally, her neck was a necklace of sphere ruby jewels given to her long ago by Amaka.

She looked to each of the three individuals. "I've managed to finish your requests," Kazuha said, placing her hands underneath the cloths. "First are your blades, Amaka. Forge." She said, subtly before a billow of illusive flames filled the room releasing a wave of heat without the flames. Pulling both of the blades from underneath the cloths she held each in her hand.

"Kokugeki, the "Noble Poker"--a meant for stabbing in rapid successions. Not a blade meant for finishing blows, but one made for accumulating damage over time." Holding the blade in her left hand higher she went on, "Nichihaku, "Day Foil"--a cutlass meant for dealing heavy damage to your opponents." Kazuha took a moment to pause and smile, before reaching over and handing both of the blades to Amaka.

"Well, Kazuha," Amaka began, grabbing the blades and holding them up as she evaluated them. "It seems the quality of your blades are even better than before. I look forward to encountering many foes with these blades."

Kazuha kept her eyes on the blades, "False, Amaka-sama. In the past, I would be able to craft weapons of this quality in less than a day. I have not crafted a sword in five years. I feel as though I have become rather rusty. However, the quality of them are not their only feats." She pointed to Kokugeki, "Kokugeki, upon each strike cuts through the skin and leaves a puncture that halts the blood flow in a body by emitting a pulse of the user's haki." Then she pointed to Nichihaku, "While Nichihaku can release blasts of white energy--hence the name--that can cut through even the toughest of vessels."

Smiling, Amaka placed both of her new weapons to her waist before folding her own arms. "Well, I am far from disappointed and well past impressed. I am truly grateful, Kazuha. Even happier to see you nursed back to full health. The Tan Tan no Mi would not be more useful in hands other than your own. Your ability to create swords with special abilities is unparalleled."

The blacksmith blushed before turning to Gerhard, "Yes, I also have a gift for Gerhard-san as well." Reaching under the cloth in the middle, she drew a relatively large sword. The blade resembled a broadsword, yet it was smaller. It had a silver lining around the edges and in the middle a pure black metallic look. "Kokuhaku, the "Dark Doctor"--a mini cleaver. I managed to tone down the size so that it can be swung rapidly, it was crafted from that piece of titanium you took from my heart. Kokuhaku has the ability to absorb blood and store it within its blade for three uses: later on for blood donations, the other to be converted into pressure blasts of red-energy air, and the last if the blade is ever broken it will use the blood to regenerate itself. Kokuhaku has a few commands you'll have to get acquainted with on your own."

It was a mouthful to say, but each word was worth it. In that sword held the very appreciation she held towards Gerhard for aiding her in removing the metal. And even then, she felt as though it were not enough. Reaching across the table, she extended her hand to pass the blade to Gerhard. "Sorry to exclude this, but these blades are all Meito and their ranking is up for you all to grow them and decide. "A blade is only as strong as its wielder."

She paused and waited for Gerhard to grab the blade. "I usually do not make alterations to blades, but in your case, if there is anything you wish to have changed I am willing to do it, Gerhard-san."

"Nah, the fuck," Gerhard mused out, one of his hands quickly grappled the sword by its handle. It easily moved with his grasp, contrary to what many deemed, as he was just supposed to be a simple doctor. "Mah' previous one sat 'n the O Wazamono, but I climb up again, sure sure." He nodded with each 'sure'.

Gerhard took a few steps while swinging the weapon in a myriad of ways, around himself. "How th' fuck ya' put all those abilities's beyond me, but... I'm no blacksmith, so don't be too bothered, Kazuha-san."

Still, the fact that Gerhard could have more than one use for it could definitely prove worthy. Each for one kind of strategy. He sure as hell knew what he could train with Alastor, even more now.

"I'm sorry Gerhard-san," Kazuha said, excusing herself for her own lack of explanation. "It's like I grab a concept in my mind," She said, tapping her index finger up against her temple. "And I take it into my forging abilities. It's hard to explain properly. It's like magic."

Satisfied that Gerhard had been rather okay with his new blade, Kazuha went on with the final person and that was Dexter. However, for his request, it wasn't as simple as reaching under the cloth and pulling the blade out. No. Instead, she removed the cloth from the table and revealed seven blades that were all identical to one another.

When compared to the other blades Kazuha drew, these were much smaller. They were not swords but as previously stated, nothing more than blades with red hilts bearing no crossguard. "It didn't take much time to craft these at all, Dex-san. In fact, you wanted them to have nothing unique?" She asked, confused as could be. "They don't get a name like the three blades before it, but I call them the Seven Ninja Blades or Shichiken if you'd like. Though I am unaware of what you plan on doing with these blades, I wish you good luck."

Before they all separated, Amaka and Dexter looked to one another. "See you in three months, ma." Dexter said, waving her off before walking out of the room with his new set of blades. "It's my duty to free my grandpa." He thought to himself.

Beyond a Ninja
On Yamatani, Dexter stood alongside his teacher and father, Yoshitsune. Both had on kimono-like attires, while Yoshitsune himself seemed to be a bit more relaxed than usual. By now, he'd have struck Dexter in efforts to kick off their training but he'd been rather passive with him at the moment.

"Well," Dexter began, breaking the awkward silence he had never been used to. "Where do we begin? I want you to teach me that technique the Yonko talked about." He asked, gripping on the hilt of Tenrairyū.

Reaching for the end of his pipe, Yoshitsune release a light cloud of smoke. "Aye, Senjutsu ain't that easy, Dexter. Its why she laughed at the thought of you trying to learn it." Arm extending, Yoshitsune took Tenrairyū from his hip and flung the blade into the center of the mountain's peak. A dark abyss that even when the blade would hit the ground, they were so far up he wouldn't be able to hear it.

"Hey!" Dexter shouted, looking over the peak only to see that Tenrairyu had been long gone. "What the fuck, Yoshitsune you dumb ass!" Fingers spreading before locking together, Dexter gripped the hilt of his new blade Enma, he drew it from its sheath and attempted a strike at Yoshitsune, but before he could complete it, he fell to his face left arm in a shriveled haki state.

Laughing, Yoshitsune held his own palm out and released a pulsation of Ryuo to dispel the strike. "If ya wanna get Tenrairyu back then you're gonna have to get past Senjutsu, Gogyō Kohō, and mastering that blade's power for your own." Stepping up to Dexter, Yoshitsune stepped on Dexter's shriveled hand kicking Enma away from him.

Yoshitsune took a seat on a nearby rock and looked to Dexter. "You probably can't move right now and that's the best way for oyu to be, otherwise you'd be too hasty. That's your biggest flaw, you're too hasty and while you do take that and use it as a speed increaser, you're still too naive. The reason I threw Tenrairyu down there was that I knew you'd flash out. That's your problem, Amaka once told me, 'The most dangerous thing for a warrior to possess, are emotions.' You are overflowing with them and let them make decisions for you. It's like thinkin' with your ."

"Mastering Enma is the easiest part. Just teach him who's boss and you'll get the gist. It plays tug-of-war with what you pirates refer to as "Busoshoku Haki" and takes it to amplify its strikes. If you can harness that so that you are both in perfect harmony, then you'll be able to achieve control. But, before I let you try that, I need you to understand what Senjutsu is."

Dexter struggled to move, in that single moment, Enma forced his haki out and used it for itself. "Tch, fine, I'll listen. Only because I want to prove the rest of you wrong."

"That's good," Yoshitsune said placing his pipe back onto his lips for another puff and removing it. "Now before you can learn the breaths, you have to first learn Senjutsu, heh. I'll try to explain it so your little pea brain doesn't overload. Though I ain't a ninja like you and Koyuki, I was able to learn Senjutsu so you should be able too. As I hinted, Senjutsu is catered to those skilled in the craft of ninjutsu. You have to be the strongest of shinobi in order to survive the extensive training of Senjutsu in order to grasp the full concept. To begin to qualify for Senjutsu, one must be a master of all ninjutsu, possessing exceptional levels of mental and physical fortitude, for without that the student has no hope in surviving beyond the basics."

Yoshitsune smiled a wide smile, "As you are now, you simply lack the strength to wield it. Your body would crumble as your minds collapsed into madness." He then grinned, "In short, that just means I get to break you down and rebuild you into a stronger man."

---

A month had passed since the duo began their training and contrary to popular beliefs... it had not been going in Dexter's favor. Dexter made no progression towards mastering the art of Senjutsu aside from his control over Enma. Hos body was a shit show, clothes torn and ripped while his skin had bruises beyond any sort of basic training. His wounds cut so deep that the "white meat" showed.

Yoshitsune leaned back against the boulder, continuing to smoke on his pipe while simply looking at a struggling Dexter. The Daimyō of Kuri did nothing to help and simply watched Dexter's desperate glare. "I told you boy," Yoshitsune began, facial expression as blank and emotion lacking, "If you come into this arrogant, you will fail and your body will collapse upon itself. Thirty days and you've made no progression. What? Taking haki back and forth with Enma? You call that progression? I did that in one day, you should be ashamed."

Standing to his feet, he looked down on Dexter. "I could let you die here right now," Drawing his sword with his free hand he pointed its sharp end to Dexter, waiting for the moment he could pierce into Dexter. "I could tell Kazuha and Amaka that you fell into darkness and the method of Senjutsu was just to much for ya." Pulling the pipe from his mouth, he continued, "Ya thought I had been pickin' on you when you got back? No. You're weak as shit and your body, while to most may seem strong, is weak when compared to the true might of shinobi. You physical features pale in comparison to my own and even Tsubaki could take you on."

"And for what?" Yoshitsune asked, squatting down to Dexter and lifting his wrist. "All because of this little piece of seastone. It's not even strong enough to stop ya from moving, but it nullifies your devil fruit power, no? Do you want to know why? Do you wanna know why you can't see the light beyond? Cause your spending time thinking 'How can I incorporate my devil fruit into this'? Listen, don't."

"If you choose to lay here and die without hearing the news from Tsubaki, then I'll fuckin' kill you again, kid!" While Yoshitsune hadn't exactly said it plainly, he had indeed been hinting towards something. He was never the type to be an encourager, hell, he wasn't the type to even show much emotion aside from interest in battle. But now, despite all the harsh statements he made towards Dexter across his life, he wanted to be the one who motivated him at his lowest. That was how one would need to be taught Senjutsu, breaking the learner down to their lowest and then bringing them back up.

"Stand to your feet, and say it loud.." Yoshitsune smirked, "I AM THE STRONGEST AND I DO NOT ACCEPT DEFEAT! YELL IT!"

It was then that it all occurred to Dexter. In his darkest hour, he felt as though he could not progress but refused to give up even though the odds were power stacked against him. A low point in life beyond even that of his past and to hear even those bare words of encouragement from the man he looked up too and sought only validation from this man.

Gripping the dirt with his hands, Dexter sniffled and squeezed his eyes shut tightly. His right hand slipped, nearly causing him to fall back the ground, but he caught himself and bit his lip. "Tch, I can't give up." Dexter thought to himself, slowly rising. "I ain't givin' up!"

Standing to his feet fully, he gripped the hilt of his sword and held it. "I AM THE STRONGEST AND DO NOT ACCEPT DEFEAT!" He screamed those words until his brown face began a red hue.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Yoshitsune laughed, "Damn you looked lame. Now let's try this again."

---

A few days later..

"Well, I'll be damned." Yoshitsune said, forming a smile as his eyes followed the steaming figure of Dexter. "Ya, that's it right there... Senjutsu in its complete form. It only took you fifteen days to get your mind right."

Dexter met Yoshitsune's smile with his own, with Enma in his hand he twisted his arm as though he had no join connecting the bones in a completed circle. In the simple motion, a wave of wind exerted from the blade backed by control over his arm lifting debris and pebbles into the air before blowing them all away at the same moment. "This is it then, huh?"

"Senjutsu is just some bullshit shinobi form of the technique known as "Life Return" taught by the Marines I think? Something like that, I never paid much attention when it was being taught to me. It grants complete control over the body," Muscles tightening, Yoshitsune released a gentle grunt. Almost like magic, his hair grew down his back. "And you can do weird shit like this if you want. But Shinobi and Swordsmen use it to increase their combat abilities."

Releasing the Senjutsu, Yoshitsune continued on. "Koyuki is a master in this art. You can even do it with your body to achieve a size comparable to her if the time called for it. Senjutsu is only limited by the user. It's been a month and fifteen days and you've reached this point, that's commendable. Not on my record or Koyuki's, but it's good enough. Our record; fifteen days flat." With a small laugh, Yoshitsune sighed.

"Learned this in fifteen days?!" Dexter questioned with a surprised look. "There's absolutely no way! Just how strong are you? I always threw you off as some sort of glorified samurai."

Yoshitsune sighed again, "Oh yeah? You've read the tales of Amaka and Legs in the past, correct? Clashes on clashes that level and destroyed islands? Kinda had that same sort of thing going on with Koyuki's husbando, Isshin. This generation ain't got shit on a battle of swordsmanship between myself and Isshin. That's not amplifications of Ryuo or anything, straight up blade to blade action."

"Isshin? I heard that name when I had been doing some work for Baron at the time. On Legs' crew, ain't he?" Dexter asked, his body spitting out more sweat than it could contain as steam continued to blow from it.

"That's a history listen for another time boy, right now we train." With a simple nod, Dexter prepared himself for the next bit of information that Yoshitsune had lined up for him--the next stage of his training. "Now that you've gotten the gist of Senjutsu, it's about time we move on to the Gogyō Kohō. Try to not get lost, cause I ain't repeating myself and there ain't no going back. Whichever breaths you are incapable of learning, you'll have to do so on your own."

"Listen up, Gogyō Kohō is moreso a concept than it is a technique. It involves breathing in various different methods to achieve "elemental" usage with the sword. I read the newspaper, you fought that swordsman Bimore O. Jack, yeah?"

Dexter's eyes drifted to the side as he remembered the battle with Jack at Alabasta. "Yeah sure," he began to mumble while he crossed his arms across his chest. "If you wanna call that a fight. He used wind moves and basically kicked my ass."

"Right, he "used" wind correct? Whether he would like to admit it or not, that's an advanced level of Senjutsu that he calls "Song Melodies" something of his dojo, but in our case, we call them "Five Element Breathing Method". Senjutsu grants complete control over the body, I've said this right? Well, if you didn't piece the two together, it also allows one to control their breathing to such an extent that they could become "superhuman generating elements". It's why I didn't want you eatin' a devil fruit, dumb ass. The Moon Styles at their base were all derived from Gogyō Kohō. Moon Style: Engetsu, the fire crescent technique I taught you to do with sparking two metals together to create a small burst of flames? Yeah, it came from this method, except you weren't strong enough to learn to do it without metal."

Yoshitsune stood to his feet and placed his pipe into his kimono. He slid his hand along his hip and drew his sword in a single motion, this blade was Inryokuhime--a Meito crafted by Kazuha. "Observe..." He slowly pulled the sword to his right cheek and took a deep breath. Each action he would perform next, he made sure to do it in frame-like intervals so that Dexter wouldn't miss a thing. Sweat slowly began to drip down his body, "Moon Style:" he began, bringing his legendary sword over his head before the sweat suddenly flickered into a cloak of water. "Mizugetsu!" The samurai emphasized, releasing a crescent of water into the area behind Dexter, drowning the ground as though he were a water hose.

Eyes widening, Dexter couldn't believe what he had just saw. Though he saw it movement by movement, he just couldn't believe what he saw. Was it real, or had Yoshitsune been playing some sort of trick on him. Breathing? All of this from a simple order of breaths? He chose not to interrupt Yoshitsune, he wanted to learn more.

Exhaling, Yoshitsune re-sheathed his blade and pulled his pipe from his kimono. "Water Breathing Method: forces your pores to close temporarily and heats your body up to get your sweat glands pumping in an accelerating manner until it gets to the point of a cloak of water surrounding the body."

"Earth Breathing Method: Might sound crazy, but hear me out on this one. Forces to creation miniature stones in the kidney and spits them out of the pores like bullets, to gather around the user like a cloak."

"Lightning Breathing Method: Utilizes the hair throughout the body in the same form as the minks, to create static electricity potent enough to be used for attacks.

"Wind Breathing Method: Through strokes of breathing and exceptional body control, you can basically command the existing air and wind currents around your sword to use for attacks as though you are generating it yourself.

"Fire Breathing Method: Again, superheating your body by closing your pores heat can either slowly or quickly transition into a cloak of flames to shroud the body and also be used as a method for combat."

Pausing, Yoshitsune took a smoke of his pipe. "Those are the five methods and what they can do... roughly. It's about time I teach them to ya, kid. Prepare yourself."