Vintage Blessings

Monk Moves
"What is this?" Daikaku asked as a newspaper was shoved into his face. As he read its contents, his muscles bulged and his veins spread across his body forcefully. His eyes remained closed, or so his physical features gave off, as he began to shake. More than anyone, aside from perhaps Pierrot, Daikaku was filled with the most anger. The outcome of what the newspaper had written and the message the World Government had portrayed pissed him off the most. He balled his fists under a black mist began to emit from his body, sending a wave of pressure across the land.

He saturated in silence. He looked to no one and simply kept his attention forward. "What is this?" He asked again, though this time he was a tad bit calmer. The men standing within the room locked their focus onto their captain, they were also members of the Monk Pirates, but no one with names that needed to be remembered. Breathing, Daikaku carefully paced himself to ensure he'd remain calm for the rest of this time.

"Harlequin has met an unfortunate demise." A bombardment of memories flooded his thought process and he couldn't help it. A young Harlequin appeared in his mind, naive and curious about the world and though he didn't know Daikaku too well, he trusted him with his life. Daikaku nurtured him, took up the role that his father did not without any strings attached. It seemed that Daikaku possessed that same amount of sadness as Daddy L. Legs when the news became public that her son had also died in battle.

Daikaku shed no tear nor sweat, she simply hummed as he continued to take in the situation. "It seems, while the Marines could be focusing their forces on the war against the Xros Pirates, they have decided to split that focus among the other Yonko." While still sitting, Daikaku fixed his legs so that he sat criss-cross and curled his fingers in a meditative state. "I would think they wouldn't want to spread their efforts in such a way. This seems absolutely foolish. Did they forget exactly who I am?" Daikaku asked, but it was clear he didn't want an answer. "Do they forget that with the snap of my fingers, I can destroy a nation? Do they forget with the movement of my tongue, I can call forth an army? Do they forget that with my appearance, I can instill fear?"

The Yonko Captain let these questions float up in the air. The Monk Pirates within the room new he was more than capable of the things he listed, so they remained quiet and let him have his moment. Daikaku was a monk, what he was doing was reflecting over what he can do to decide what his next course of action should be. He continued to sit in silence, holding his seated position further until finally, he reached a conclusion.

"That's it, men. That has to be it." Said Daikaku, a slight grin forming on his face. "They have forgotten. They seem to look at the Yonko title as one that needs toppling without remembering what comes with that. They have forgotten. They have forgotten." He kept repeating, "They have forgotten. Then, I must remind them." He finally said, batting his eyes reaching to his side for the small den den mushi.

Lifting it, he waited for the other end of the line to pick up and once it did, he began to speak. "Call forth everyone," he said through the snail, "We will pull not only the members of the Monk Pirates but our allies as well. I want them all aligned and stationed on each island of the Monachus Archipelago. Place the smaller crews on the surround islands, we will build a true fortress. But, defense isn't the only thing necessary. I'll need more if I truly plan to make them remember."

Controlling his breathing once more, Daikaku continued through the snail, "We will deploy the Wild Cards to attack not only Marine bases but islands that have pledged their allegiance to the World Government. Orders to kill any Marine that stands in their way have been granted. True enlightenment won't come from sitting idly by, but by knowing I have avenged Harlequin without holding back."

The doors of his meditating room flung open. "CAPTAIN!" Shouted the Monk Pirate, panting heavily as he struggled to even keep himself up. He had to do so by grabbing the knob of the door and lean against it. "We've just received news sir... Zou and the Mink Tribe have retracted their alliance with us!!

"That is fine." Daikaku responded, holding the den den mushi tight within his grasp. "The Mink Tribe have fought alongside us for years, there's no need to hold arms against them." True words from the Yonko and if he could, he'd gladly relive those days.

"Our main goal may not even be a victory in this battle. It is to remind the citizens, the Marines, the World Government, and even the World Nobles the wrath of the Yonko. If I am to fall in this battle and it means I have been able to etch that memory for the next Emperor that will step to the throne... Before you leave, I want you to relay that William Parker will be granted to position of "Red Joker", crippled or not, he has the experience with the current world that is needed for this battle."

Poe Mo Revenge
The clatter of boots upon the gangplank rang upon the shores of Kold, a winter island situated in the early new world, and a Marine stronghold holding down the surrounding sea. Well at least currently. After all, this island wasn't going to be flying Marine colours for much longer. Over a hundred members of the monk pirates were currently disembarking upon its shore, heavy winter clothing covering their forms. Men and woman, big and small, this small band seemed tiny against the frozen wasteland, but their small size meant by no means that they weren't dangerous.

"Ah, I love the smell of war in the morning." exclaimed Edgar, walking down the gangplank as the last man in line. As the commander of this operation, he had acquired a number of big names to take vengeance for that which had been lost. And take their vengeance they would.

As he reached the shore, he turned towards the assembled soldiers with the most serious face he could muster as he pulled out a clipboard. "Now then, now that we're here, I suppose it's time to go over the plan one last time." Edgard said before pausing, "We're here to show the Marines that the Monks won't take Harlequin's death sitting down. Though frankly, Daikaku and I just ended up thinking the same thing."

"That being said, that's not the only objective. Everyone here but myself and our guest will be placed into two teams, I've already announced your assignments. But Elsie will be leading team A, which is most of you, with Shana being her second. Team A's objective is to secure all of the ships in the Base's Harbor and make them ready to leave. Based on earlier reconnaissance, we have enough people in team A to provide a skeleton crew for all four of the battleships in the Harbor. The other ships are to be stripped of all their cannons and their magazine's emptied if possible. But the four battleships are the main priority. We'll need them for phase two."

"Now Team B will be assigned to raid the Base's armoury and extract its contents, as well as anything else you feel is worth looting. Marshall will be in charge, with Maria assisting in the breaching. Despite being in the centre of the base, combat is not your main goal and should be avoided if at all possible. Get in, empty the place, then make for the battleships. We're going to need the gear for Phase two."

"While Teams A and B are beginning their assignments, I will attack the base directly to draw the attention of the defenders. Ideally, none of you will have to fight anything worse than the occasional guard. And well let's face it, unless Fuyuki's house is on this island, I should be able to wipe out anyone of note that's here. And now then, part four, or one depending on how you look at it, is how we're going to get there unnoticed." Edgar said with a flourish as he pointed to the one man not bundled up.

A massive scythe hung from the middle-aged man's shoulder, drawing as almost as much attention as the wild look in his eye. "Alistair here will be providing us with some cover."

"Not until I get my money, or have you forgotten Poe?" Alistair said with an almost annoyed grin.

"I have not forgotten my dear sir, I feel attacked," Poe said in a mock tone of pain as he waved his assistant forward, a small chest in his hands. "25,000,000 in gold bullion, as promised. All I need you to do is whip up a storm, and we'll drop you off on the agreed-upon island. I always pay my debts, unlike Shiguma."

"You do know I can't make a storm of the size you were talking about, right?" Alistair said with a hint of confusion.

"Not by yourself," Poe said before adopting his trademark Cheshire Grin. Those unfamiliar with it looked on with concern, while Poe's personal soldiers adopted a similar smile to their commander. "Come here if you would," he added as he raised a hand, rivers of blackness coalescing in his hand. "I can help with that.

Alistair shrugged and walked over to the older man, who merely placed a palm on the Notch's shoulder. Blackness ran across the younger man's arms, solidifying into a blue aura of solid armament, flame patterns dancing across his skin.

Alistair just looked with awe at the display, the power pouring into him drawing ice and fire across his soul.

"With what I call Zōfukushoku Haki, I can use my own soul to directly amplify the power of another's. With that much power behind it, a little blizzard should be in your reach."

"Yeah, I think I'll give it a try," Alistair said as he flexed his arms, the winds around him picking up as he flexed even more. He grabbed the air, twisted and turning it in his hands as the snow around him swirled, frozen wind pouring from his body as he drove the air around him, the vortex in his grasp growing bigger and bigger with each passing second. ice began forming in the coats of the monks as Edgar's grin grew bigger and bigger.

In only a few short minutes, the weather forecast for Kold island had changed, the clear skies becoming overcast as a wall of white rolled across the landscape, cutting off all visibility. In only a few minutes, the Marines will have lost their ability to see beyond their walls. And with that loss of sight, they will lose something even more precious.

"Let's go, everyone, let's show these Marines just how big of a mistake they made." The old man grinned before pausing for a moment, "Well, at least the ones who live long enough to find out."

The clank of large boots against the clean metal ground rang through the marine headquarters, stationed on the island of Kold. It's named certainly an homage to the intense low temperatures of the outfit, leading those within the base to be outfitted with fur-lined heated coats. As the sound of the boots became louder and louder, the cadets that bustled around the main hall of the base, looked up to the large doorway in anticipation as the steps moved closer and closer to the door...

"SLAM"

The doors swung open, slamming into the walls the held them in place. As the light would shine into the doorway, it would reveal a small figure, a purple sheen would first be apparent as a person scaled up the figure. A beautifully toned body of an ebony skin complexion moving into the light as they took another step, for most, this was enough to send them into a frenzy, forcing their hands to their heads in salute.

"TEN HUT!" Black Anysia bellowed, her hands on her hips and her large fur-lined coat exposing a white skin-tight shirt and camo cargo pants. If they hadn't already, all the marines turned to salute, giving their full attention to Anysia as she addressed them all in a strong tone.

Anysia looked them all up and down, her glare sending chills down their backs, after all, she did have a bit of a reputation. She smiled largely to the crowd before her in satisfaction, her hands still on her hips as she strutted forward, aiming to take a seat in a seat prepared just for her at a large desk.

"I've always wanted to do that!" Anysia exclaimed mentally, hiding her true feelings as she approached her desk and took a seat, nodding her head to those in the building, releasing them to their duties and prior actions.

As Anysia sat back into her head, a moment before she'd grab onto some files she had ready for her, a small boy in a big coat ran up to her desk, papers in hand, almost hiding his face. "Um, I'd just like to give you a report on the c-current situation around Kold." The boy paused before going on. "There seems to be low pirate activity for now, but I'll get into full briefing when your fellow commodore arrives." The boy stuttered, avoiding eye contact.

"Commodore!? What other Commodore?!" Anysia barked in genuine confusion, her hands banging on the desk, startling the boy, nearly causing him to drop his papers.

It was just then that some light steps could be heard from deep within the halls, calling the marine's attentions to the now-closed doors once again.

"L-Looks like they're here n-now..."

The light sketched the figure of the marine, his stature short but his presence was enormous. The man's body was decorated in a white fur, whiskers coming his nose and long rabbit ears emerging from his head. A Mink. As his left hand rested on the tip of his sword, his right seemed to hold onto something in his mouth. A carrot, holding it in his teeth as if it were a cigar.

His eyes turned to Anysia, nodding momentarily, but shifting to the other marines. He removed the carrot from his mouth, a stern face. His samurai attire only going to show even further where he'd once called home. A land that, even then, had been tarnished by the Black Widow's poison. "You lesser minks, kute." His attention to the boy who would apparently be debriefing the mission.

"Zorashi, reporting for duty. What's the kurrent situation?"

"They sent...a bunny rabbit!" Anysia laughed in her head, forcing her mouth shut as to stop and laughter from shooting out as the man removed a carrot from his mouth. She looked to the man a cleared her throat and shot him a simple nod before turning her view back over to the small marine.

"O-okay." The boy muttered loudly, saluting Zorashi and shuffling through his papers in search of the correct information, then cleared his throat. "So, there seems to be an incoming blizzard on the horizon, leaving our view of the surrounding shore's blocked and thus making us susceptible to attack. Despite there being low pirate activity in this area, a few non-marine ships have been spotted several miles offshore. Also, we're doing well in harvesting the natural resources of this island." The boy ranted, followed by a large breath as he looked to the pair of marines, hugging his papers back to his body as he finished.

"Susceptible to attack, huh?" Anysia took a moment to deliberate. She knew of the current situation with not one but almost all of the yonko crews, the odds of attack being very high especially now. She rested her head on her hands and looked to the bunny rabbit. "What do you think about this?" Anysia questioned.

Tch. Zorashi seemed to take into account all that the boy had said. He too knew that the tensions between the Marines and Yonko were at an all time high. They've managed to anger all but the Titans. World War X was announced as a direct conflict with the Xros. Then the death of Soren definitely caused a stir that the Widows haven't given up yet. And quite recently, Yeezus and his companions had claimed the life of one of the strongest amongst the Monk Pirates, and there was no telling how they'd react.

Zorashi took a bite from his carrot, chewing momentarily before swallowing. "I think we should prepare to defend. Regardless of whether these Pirates attack or not, there's no denying that this a near perfekt opportunity for them." His attention turned back to the boy. "You sayin you've spotted non-marine ships. Tell me, didya manage to make out the flags?"

"From the reports we got from the coast guards, the storm was too dense to make out any details, just a loose shape of a few large ships. They could be anything from trade ships to yonko ships, we wouldn't know." The boy ranted, flipping through his papers, reading what information he was given to give the marines proper report.

"E-excuse me!" A blonde girl approached the trio, her hands at attention. She dropped her hands in a sharp movement, her feet straight and the confidence there. "The storm has arrived on the island, we're being forced to move the operation indoors and build tents. This will set back work for a bit, but with an hour or so, we should be back on track." The blonde-haired girl spoke strongly, her eyes on the two commodores, awaiting a response.

"Damn." Anysia's mind thought of all the possibilities as she was given a report from the small boy, and not only that, but the storm had arrived, it was a less than ideal situation, but it was one they could work with.

"Okay, do what you must to get things going as soon as possible, and get some eyes on the waters, we can't risk leaving ourselves exposed, especially now," Anysia ordered, looking past the group and out of a window, the storm raging and blasting into the windows, there was no telling what lied beyond the snow.

A sigh broke through the minks mouth, closing his eyes as he gathered all his thoughts. “Don’t get komfortable, men.” Years of experience taught him to never let his guard down. But most especially when Pirates were detected in the area.

''Knock... Knock... Knock...''

A set of knocks boomed across the base's courtyard, the entire gate rocking as the noise resounded over the roar of the storm to alert the base to its new visitor.

"PIZZA DELIVERY!!!" Yelled a voice over the storm, the erstwhile delivery man announcing himself as he continued to rattle the gate with his fists.

"We didn't order any pizza..." A group of Marines standing behind the said to themselves before one commented, "no one even delivers pizza around here." Before a final one said louder, "Shouldn't the guards outside the gate have stopped him.

5 Minutes Earlier

A figure in a greatcoat was walking down the road from Kold's largest town to the Marine Base, humming merry toon. He spun a marine hat around his finger, remnant of the patrol that he had met during his trip up the road.

"Halt!" The guard in front of the gate yelled as he raised his hand to the figure walking up the road.

"No!" Yelled the man back, his voice barely audible above the storm.

"No? What do you mean no!" The Marine responded a moment before he noticed the group surrounded by a mass of dark orbs.

"Parley?" The guard asked.

"No," Poe responded.

Present Time

The gate blasted off the hinges on the thirteenth knock as wisps of darkness leaked through them, one door careening through the air before punching a hole in the base's external wall to the South while the other tool out the Marines milling about behind the gate.

A large shadowy figure walked through the gates, Raven feathers mixed with grey blowing off of him.

"Anyone Home!" Edgar shouted to the base, "It's Party Time!"

The Tengu had landed.

There had been plenty of destruction and chaos as Monks made their strike. It occurred in such a degree that it would be foolish for one not to notice the multitude of destruction occurring around the base. And the powerful presences that emanated from those involved on the Monks fronts, most notably he who led it. Powerful wills that defied the World Government’s control, and burned with fury when needed.

The sound of feet tapping against the ground in rapid succession was audible, speedy, someone running to the case. “Party? And I was invited?!” Zorashi spoke, taken aback by the thought. His eyes met Edgar’s for a moment, showing the man for a second. “Ahh, just the Monks, false alarm.” He started to walk away, until he realized the situation. “-WAIT!” Zorashi reached for his sword, unsheathing with one flawless movement. Lightning ran down the length of the sword, the Mink’s Electro at play. “Know this name, Poe Edgar, as you greet Harlequin in hell! The Ronin Rabbit, let him know that it was I who struck you down!” Zorashi slammed the blade of his sword into the stone that composed the area. It curved about, erupting through the ground as it lunged towards Edgar almost like a serpent.

Anysia leapt into the air without a second thought as the large door shot into the air and her eyes met Edgar. She watched as Zorashi went on the offensive and took that chance to ensure the safety of her fellow marines. As the gate soared in the air, a group of marines stood in its path, nearly taken out by it, but in a swift blur, Anysia slammed her leg into the door, smashing it forward towards Edgar and the monks. "Don't kill the party guests, it's only just started," Anysia remarked, making her way to Zorashi's side as he attacks Poe, waiting to see the succession or failed succession of their attacks as the door soared over their heads aimed right at Poe.

"Such a warm welcome, I'm touched," The old monk crooned as he hopped backwards, buying a couple more seconds as he stood in the hole that used to be the front gate of the base.

The door reached him first, Anysia having to move closer to him in order to protect the marines than Zorashi had before striking back. Poe stretched out his left hand, arresting the momentum of the heavy gate with nothing but strength alone even as he manoeuvred it between him and Zorashi's attack.

"Bugutai..." Poe uttered as he drew back his right, blackness leeching out of it as his arm became encased in darkness. His arm seemed to swell as the darkness became thicker and thicker, armour forming out of it as his will forced its shape upon the world. A steel fist marked by three razor-sharp feathers across the back of the forearm.

The air groaned as his fist rammed forward (I'm not done yet, just don't have time to finish this post.)

Pillow Talk
On the seas of the New World, the Flying Nimbus, main ship of the Cloud Pirates rested in an unknown location. It was an open area on the sea with no land in sight, yet for some reason, despite all the things Kobe had to deal with, he found it okay to rest in the middle of the sea. He had yet to make a name for himself in the New World and his Jolly Roger held literally no weight just yet, but he had no fear and that is perhaps what set him apart and fed his ego.

He, along with the other two members he brought with him; Mont Blanc Drake and Red Riding, sat on the deck of his ship looking over the sea. "Aye, here she comes." Kobe said, smiling to the ship coming from the sea. Much like his own Flying Nimbus, this ship sailed a Jolly Roger, but the design was much different. A skull and crossbones, that bore small bat-like wings behind it. Drake nor Riding had seen this flag before and had they lacked the knowledge of who they'd be meeting with, they would have been in the dark on who this was.

The trio waited until the ship reached and once it did, Kobe created a bridge made of clouds that connected from his ship to the other. Stepping onto the cloud, a woman dressed in a bodysuit stood and looked to the members of the Cloud Pirates. Behind her, people stood but upon closer inspection, it was clear they were no longer "people". Instead, they were like zombies, corpses at her command that seemed to not want to fall just yet.

Holding her hand up, she ordered her crewmates to stay where they were as she would cross the bridge and land onto the Cloud's ship alone. Upon arrival, her full figure came into view. Her bodysuit covered all portions of her body from her neck all the way down to her feet, leaving a split in the middle to reveal a small glimpse of her bust, but nothing that screamed "slut". Her cyan mane flowed in the gentle breeze, yet her ponytail remained stiff. She rested her left forearm along her blade that strapped to her back by a brown belt.

"It's been a while, Kobe-kun." She said, twisting in a seducing manner. "We talk all the time, but ever since you've gotten busy with that Athena of yours, you keep me far away." Rolling her eyes, she looked to Drake and Riding. "I know Drake, but I've never met this one, Riding the Twin, right? Nice to meet you."

Kobe laughed, "Clahahahaha! You know why that is. Can't have drama in the big house, ye know what I mean. Regardless, ye always been an ally to the Cloud Pirates before it was even a crew."

Riding was in the dark on the unfolding situation, while Drake simply closed his own closeable eye. Pulling her pipe from her mouth, Riding nodded her head. "No, the pleasure is all mine. Any ally of the Captain's is an ally of mine, though I also have never even heard about you either."

"Clahaha, there's plenty of allies I've got that yer ain't met yet, Riding. But, I can introduce ya. She's the one yer called while we were at Zou. Nightgale Iris, Captain of the Shadow Pirates. She's a long-time friend, we go way back before the formation of the crew, hell, before I even got tha' devil fruit." Stroking his chin, Kobe whistled. "I guess yer could say she's a reason I chose being a Pirate too."

That was facts. Iris was the first pirate Kobe had ever met and when he was on the path of deciding how he'd stand against the World Government, her skill and reputation are what help him decide on chasing the road of Piracy. Indeed, Iris wasn't your average run of the mill pirate. She possessed great skillset and built a reputation around it. She possessed a bounty of At Least 500,000,000 and was reigned as Iris the Undead Army, a skillful user of the Kage Kage no Mi that had collected plenty of strong shadows and an even stronger one more recently.

"Oh, your flatter is just too much, Kobe-kun!" She blushed, batting her eyes and placing her fingers over her mouth. "Well, that aside, what am I needed for this time?"

Flopping to the ground, Kobe placed his fist against his chin and sighed. "Kinda dug myself in a situation. I'm gonna need yer help in this battle," Pausing, he turned to Riding for a brief moment. "Could ye get me something to drink, Riding. I'm super dehydrated for some reason." Without even responding, Riding fetched Kobe's request. "They're makin' me aid tha' Marines in tha' defeat of tha' Monk Pirates."

"Hm? Kakaha, you've got to be shitting me, Kobe-kun." Said Iris, struggling to keep her laughter back. "You, being made to do something? Kakahahaha... If that were even possible, then you and I would have been married a long time ago, Kobe-kun. If it's one thing you have, its most definitely a sense of humor."

Behind Kobe appeared Riding, holding a glass of water. Reaching for it, Kobe began to drink from it. "Clahaha, yer right. Okay, okay. I had a plan, with Benjamin Tabart to attack the Monks, but I got myself into somethin' in raidin' a World Noble's lab. As a bargain deal, they want me to assist in takin' down Daikaku. Everythin' for Tabart and I to do it on our own ain't been put into place. Wouldn't have been for at least another year. I'm kinda' in a rush now." Reaching to his head and pulling the straw hat off and placing it onto the ground, he looked back up to Iris.

"Originally, I ain't wanna involve the allies since I wanted to hold their firepower back for somethin' much bigger than tha' Yonko, but, it can't be helped. Gonna have to swap those roles, so I'm gonna need yer."

Hazel eyes following his hat's placement on the ground, Iris gasped. "Ah, I see. Now that makes waaaay more sense. Well, you know I'll lend my hand and my forces to you. Just lay out the plan and tell me what's needed. I'll be sure to get it done."

"Good." Kobe said, simply. "I have the rest of tha' Olympians still at Olympus. They'll be contacting and bringin' in allies as the weeks past. Comin' in as a force didn't seem like tha' best idea. Right now we have Tina of the Waving Pirates. Her Nami Nami no Mi will serve a great use and Vangaurd Vanta with his Kezu Kezu no Mi. These are two fruits I'll be needin' to basically secure our victory. Well... at least in the early stages."

Nodding, Iris took in what Kobe's said, but through that, she couldn't find her purpose. "Understood, Kobe-kun. But, what is it you'd like for me to do? It seems you already have people dealing with the contacting of allies."

"Clahaha, you, I actually need you. The very basis of this plan revolves around yer skills and yers devil fruit! Unlike everyone who will split to take on different Monks, ye'll be right at my side. Your fruit has a very specific power that can dwindle the power of even the Yonko." Kobe grinned his favorite grin, "Do we really need to discuss tha' obvious?"

Surprised, she lifted her hands. "I love it when you talk like that. Gets me all wet and bothered," she smiled, pulling on the zipper of her bodysuit and her breast nearly burst out. Kobe and Drake both flipped back, nose streaming out blood as they did. Riding even had a bit of blush, turning her nose up at Iris's actions. "Hm, Kobe-kun. What's the straw hat thing all about?"

Slowing rising up and stuffing clouds into his nose that would suck up the blood, he sipped from the glass once more. "We'll head for our first Monk island. Drake and Riding are also in the dark. So, if you really want to know, I'll tell you while we are on our way..."

Attack on G-11
A wave of ships sat on the sea just a few yards away from Marine Base G-11. Each ship flew the jolly roger of the Monk Pirates and they positioned themselves akin to that of a Buster Call. Their cannons were aimed the at Marine base but there was no fire. Well, at least not yet. The man who led this specific fleet of pirates was Hondura—7 of Clubs and a man worth a bounty of 313,000,000.

The ships continued along their path until finally, they reached a decent distance away from the base. With a den den mushi in hand, he spoke through the device to the rest of the crew's members. "Listen up men. We will destroy this base in the name of the Monk Pirates and for revenge on what they have done to Sir Harlequin. The only defeat that'll be accepted is death. Fight until your last breath. Until this place is buried in the sea below. Now. If you truly bear your loyalty to Daikaku and the Monk Pirates, charge forward!"

In an outburst of cheers, the Monks cheered after Hondura's speech. Leaping from the ship like a motivated bunch, they landed onto the Marine base firing off rounds and attacking the defending Marines by orders of Hondura. Fire arrows flew from the ships to the land, setting the place ablaze with the intention of burning everything. "Kill them all!" One of the Monks shouted, charging forward with his sword cutting down every Marine in his way.

Blood splattered across the terrain and shots continued to fire. In the span of five minutes, the entering area of the base was destroyed by the Pirates. They forged a path to the main gates, the blood of pirates and marines merged down the lane. Finally, he made his own appearance known. Jumping from the center ship, Hondura sprang up and transformed into a bull in midair. Landed to the ground, the island shook slightly. Dragging his front leg along the dirt, he set his sights on the giant gate that separated his men from the heart of the base—the Monk's true target.

"Step aside, I will clear a path!" With the ending of his foot drag, Hondura tucked his head as he ran towards the gateway. His horns extended forward and in no time he reached the gate sending not only the doors from the hinges but the wall on both sides to go crashing down. His destructive power caused somewhat of an explosion over the vicinity. Dirt, crushed breaks, and the splinters from the gates kicked into the air.

The Monk Pirates gather behind Hondura with a momentus cheer, while throwing their fists into the air. "YEEAAAAH, Hondura, way to go! Now everyone, let's charge forward!" They shouted as the cloud of debris began to push away.

However, they all stood stiff in place once the shadowy figure slowly began to unravel itself from the dust. With a single blow, the cloud pushed away and a new being revealed itself. "Why do you guys have to be so loud?" A feminine voice asked, one of her gloved hands holding Hondura up by his horn and the other gripping her golden trident. "Oh, no no no. This isn't good, Vice-Admiral Gintaka and Seiryū are going to be so angry if I don't defend this place!"

Her swinging green fin was enough to give her identity away instantly. She was Ariel, a  who enlisted in the Marines and obtained the rank of, but pirates and Marines alike referred to her as Kuronin, her codename for the operation to take down the Monk Pirates.

She wore a custom Marine coat with pink shoulder paddings that matched her undid top revealing her heavenly breasts. Ariel's figure shadowed the rest of the fighters around, Marine and Pirate alike. Slamming Hondura into the ground with an exceptional amount of force, she was able to knock him out. Then twirling her three-pronged golden trident over her head, she whipped up a gust of wind that blew her ponytailed hair up into the air. "Sorry guys!" She exclaimed, swiping Triton across the terrain taking out each of the pirates in one mighty blow.

Her strike was like a calling for the pirates that waited on the ship to send their own assault. One after another, cannonballs bombarded the walls of the base setting off a chain of destruction. The wails and cries from Marines and Pirates filled the air as their bodies were ragdolled into the air and flung with no regard for life. Hondura's orders were to destroy this base until their last breath and he meant that order with every fiber in his body. His men know that they were going to need to carry this out even if it meant the killing of their own comrades.

"Rude!" Pouted Ariel still standing tall. Stabbing her trident into the ground, she threw herself up and coated her green tail and find in the darkness of her Busoshoku Haki and expanded its size. Catching five cannons with her tail, she flung the cannons back to the ships destroying each one with her action before landing back to the ground and pulling her trident out from the ground.

She looked to the many fallen Pirates and the destroyed ships on the sea. "Okay guys," She said with a smile, "Let's clean this up. I knew they were going to attack, but I didn't think they were so soon. It's only been almost two weeks!" Pulling her loose hair behind her ear, "We have to move to Vice-Admiral Gintaka's location. Our battle is only starting!"

Cloud Club
"Clahahahaha!"

The unique laughter of Kobe spread throughout the Meldy Village of the Monk's protected Rubbing Island. This specific island was nothing unique to the Monk Pirates, but it was one that had turned into a location where many of Daikaku's followers implanted a giant statue of him in the middle of the village, to approach it twice a day and lend their rubbings to some portion of the statue. For them, it was good luck that would keep the island protected and the only offering they had to give to the Yonko.

"How'd you get here? The whirlpools here are ridiculous, there's no way you should have been able to reach here." A muscular man wearing a white tank-top said, squinting at the trio that was Bryant D. Kobe, Mont Blanc Drake, and Red Riding. He was known within the Monk Pirates simply as Jonathan—Ace of Clubs and a commander in his own right. He held a bounty of 505,000,000 for his betrayal of the World Government and crimes as a Pirate.

At Jonathan's side was another member of the Monk Pirates who held the rank of "Club"; Trevor the "9 of Clubs". Like his superior, he too had been keeping a keen eye on the trio of Cloud Pirates, but his eye was focused primarily on the two standing behind Kobe. "Sir," he whispered, "Its an enemy crew." Said Trevor.

"Clahahaha," Kobe lifted his hand and look at his palm as though it were a mirror. "Aye, ye must not be familiar with me. If yer think whirlpool's are gonna' stop Kobe from gettin' here, yer got another thing comin'." Dropping his hand he looked to Trevor's neck. "Judging by, uh, is that a neck?" he asked, shaking his head. "Judgin' by no neck, yer gotta be members of tha' Monk Pirates. That's good then-"

Banding the side of his head with his palm, Kobe cursed to himself. "Stupid, stupid, stupid. That talking is unnecessary now."

"Kobe... Cloud Pirates sir. He's the Super Rookie that took down the Black Widow's Commander a while ago. He ventured into "uncharted" territory. Supposedly he holds the title for "Great Navigator in the World"." Trevor was well educated, but he put the pictures and faces together much better than Jonathan. The Ace of Clubs may have been up to date with most events, but his role as a commander called him to do much more on-hand work at times forced him to forget.

The teen bowed, pulling his straw hat to his chest as he did, "I humbly appreciate you being aware of me." Claimed the grinning pirate Captain. Lifting himself back up, he did away with his grin. "I ventured here looking for the main base of your captain, Daikaku. Me, personally, I'd like to skip all of this back and forth with his crewmates. Leave stuff like that to the Marines. I just want to take the big guy down and get my job over with."

"I would never," Jonathan quickly took up his fighting pose. He was a man that had pledged his loyalty to Daikaku years ago. He'd rather lay down and die, before giving up his captain's location for someone to try and take his life. But, why? It had to have been something much deeper. He knew deep down inside that Daikaku would be able to take this kid with ease, but it was a matter of pride. The feeling that he needed to repay Daikaku for everything he'd done for him in the past.

Paceful breathing, Jonathan covered both of his fists with Busoshoku Haki. "See, this is what the Captain was talking about. Every forgetting who he is and the power he holds." The haki then spread along his arms stopping at his shoulders. Jonathan had no devil fruit, no super fancy gimmick. All he had, were the understandings of haki and the teachings of Rokushiki. "Trevor, I'll take the Fake Straw Hat. You take care of the other two until I've defeated him."

Nodding, Trevor took heed to Jonathan's orders and took up his own unique fighting stance. "Understood, sir." Said Trevor, fully prepared for battle with his black top flowing in the blowing wind. "I'd be happy to..."

Leaping into the air, Trevor rushed away from Jonathan's location. His goal was to drag his two opponents away because if he fought while within Jonathan's range, he'd do nothing but get in the man's way. He wanted to win, not add a secondary burden to his shoulders and this was the best way. This was also a rule of Jonathan, 'Get the hell out of my way when I'm fighting' rule that many Pirates had written. It was less a rule and more a call of respect.

Head jerking, Kobe metally ordered Riding and Drake to follow Trevor to which both of them did. The situation was pretty much mutual in a sense. But, to be honest, Kobe enjoyed fighting at Riding and Drake's side. They had worked together so much, that their coordination was virtually perfect and they all knew how to capitalize off of one another. But, he was more than capable of holding his own.

"Did you really have to do that?" Kobe sighed, holding out his right hand and release a pillow of clouds. As the clouds evaporated, a Marine with a top lip mustache appeared, standing to his feet with his armed propped along his back. "Long time, Geyer. I've missed that diabolical mustache of yours."

Eyes closed and head tucked, Geyer politely greeted Kobe before turning around to face Jonathan. Just as Kobe said, it had been quite a time since Geyer and Kobe had seen one another. For the past three months, he'd been operating within Kobe's Sky Dimension on a very important project. To Marines that knew Geyer and would have heard about his recent allegiance, they'd call the man a traitor. Even with his recent decisions, he was still far from it. A tale to be told another time.

"Ah, Former Rear Admiral, Jonathan the Juggernaut ," Geyer said, removing his glasses from his eyes for a brief moment and re-placing them to his face. "Now that is a face I haven't seen in quite some time."

Smiling, Kobe patted Geyer on the shoulder. "Oh, then that's fantastic. You are aware of who he is personally? And he's a former member of the Marines? This might be a two in one special." Teased Kobe, gripping his straw hat within his palm. "I only called you out to give me a bit of information. Does he have a devil fruit or anything I should be aware of?"

"No." Geyer responded simply.

Much like Geyer, Jonathan was also aware of who the Marine was. They worked as comrades in the past, Geyer working under Jonathan's tutelage but never would he have thought the latter would end up betraying the Marines. Jonathan's rank was higher, so the same could be said about him, but that wasn't called for at the moment.

The Monk Pirate simply shook his head, "The mighty truly have fallen. What a world we live in."

Clouds reforming to cover Geyer back up, the man vanished within the covered leaving nothing behind. "You're one to judge, Rear Admiral Jonathan. I'll have you know, Geyer is doing everything he can to ensure his brother remains safe. Call it selfish, but only a real man would go to the lengths that Geyer has." Said Kobe, his tone much different from earlier. "But, that's here nor there. You and I have something we must take care of. I want to get to Daikaku and you don't want me to. What do you say about us getting that taken care of?"

Jonathan vanished through Soru. If there was one thing Kobe liked to do, it was talking a lot and even though this was the first time the two had met, he picked that much up at least. With the backside of his hand, Jonathan revealed to be standing at Kobe's side with his strike well prepared.

But, Kobe was skilled in Kenbnshoku Haki. The one that allowed its practitioners to unlock their unknown sensory ability that went well beyond the other five senses. It was that tucked away sixth sense that allowed Kobe to quickly identify Jonathan's location. Hat still within his grasp, much like the Monk's body, the item became shrouded in the darkness of haki.

Holding it up like a shield, Kobe countered Jonathan's strike with his hat. Upon contact, a repulsive pulse spat and pushed Jonathan away from Kobe to which the Monk Pirate dragged his hand along the ground and lifted his heels so that he could stay to his feet.

It was their first collision, but in that single exchange, Jonathan learned that Kobe was an advanced user of busoshoku haki. Straightening himself up, Jonathan looked to the teen with a smirk. "I'll be honest... After I heard you were a Super Rookie, I didn't expect you to be on that level. I have been led astray, kid."

"Clahaha, I am truly baffled by your expectations. Then, I hope you've changed your mind and will allow us to skip and take me straight to Daikaku. If you do, I promise not to kill him." Smirking, he placed his straw hat back on top of his head. "I'm trying to complete a mission, in case you didn't hear me earlier."

With a deep sigh, Jonathan closed his eyes and relaxed his muscles. Haki began to emit off of him in the form of shockwaves whilst shaking the very ground he stood in. Cracks in the earth formed beneath his feet, as the pressure continued to get heavier and heavier with each burst. In a sense, it could be compared to the manipulation of gravity, but as mentioned earlier, Jonathan possessed no devil fruit. This was just the man's power and skill with haki, one that went with the greatest among the crew.

In a glimmering flash, Jonathan's entire body became shrouded in a thick layer of Busoshoku Haki. From his head all the way down to his feet everything was black. His entire body was like a walking mass of iron. This form was what earned him the well-known epithet Jauggernaught and impenetrable form that came with an overflowing amount of strength as well.

Opening his palm, he released a wave of pressurized air that had the effects akin to gravity. It successfully held Kobe and placed and with a step, Jonathan disappeared only to reappear at Kobe's front with a barrage of strikes. From a distance, it appeared as though Jonathan just struck wherever his fist hadn't landed before. But, in actuality, he struck soft spots with the intention of dealing additional damage on top of his already increased strength. He was proficient in hand-to-hand combat, probably the best when it came down to it within the crew. He knew which points would have amplified damage and which wouldn't.

Pulses of air came off of Kobe's body with each new strike. A printing of Jonathan's fist was inscribed all over Kobe's body. In counting, there were twenty-five strikes in Kobe's body in the matter of a breath. Spit and blood gushed from Kobe's mouth as the teen gripped his abdomen and stepped back before falling to his knee. Eye bulging, Kobe panted heavily as he dropped his palms to the ground to hold himself up.

"What the hell was that?" Kobe asked, continuing to get the rest of the spit and blood from his body. The pain he felt was unimaginable and thanks to the location of the strikes, that pain stacked on top of the scar across his chest. "Each strike took more than just my breath... he nearly destroyed an internal organ with them."

---

A distance away from Kobe and Jonathan's squabble was the face-off of Ares and Artemis. Standing back, Artemis sought it best to cover Ares's rear. Her goal, as usual, was to provide support and her fighting style was completely foreign the Trevor. Something that gave both of them an advantage over this stray member of the Monk Pirates. She kept a close eye on them, but she played her part. Only the exchange of blows would decide her first move.

Drake looked to Trevor with his single eye. Much like Riding, he was quiet and simply waited for the moment he could do battle. Though he may not have been as big as his uncle, Mont Blanc Burling, he still towered Trevor with a fiery sensation. That cold stare combined with the scar over his eye and large hammer across his shoulders made him intimidating on its own.

Reaching under his scarf, Trevor fiddle around until he drew a den den mushi. Eyes locked onto Drake and by extension, Riding, he began to speak into the snail, "Trevor checking in, a battle is ensuing on Rubbing Island. We are under attack by the Cloud Pirates. Jonathan is facing the Captain of the Cloud Pirates. Send back up as soon as possible."

Throwing the snail to the ground at his side, Trevor pulled out a rifle. Lifting it to his eye, he said nothing more but pulled the trigger to let the hammer bang and release a shot fired directly at Drake.

The giant, in comparison to Trevor, didn't move an inch. He stood still and just before the bullet would connect with his face, a light arrow shot in front of him and knocked the bullet off of its path. Though she didn't say anything, this was the clear cut doing of Riding, the Sniper of the crew. Her 167,000,000 wasn't much compared to Trevor's 271,000,000, but that was because her appearance to piracy was a newer thing. She was a capable warrior, but an even superior archer. No shot would be able to land so long as she was around.

Teeth gritting, Trevor quickly turned his barrel towards Riding. With seven trigger squeezes a bullet was fired towards her. His thought process was that if he could take Riding out the game, his chances against Drake would increase. An obvious way of thinking, but in a sense, he was far from incorrect.

What he did forget, however, was that these two were not simply helping each other because they had a common goal. But, that they were both members of the same crew. Meaning, in the same vein that Riding had his back, the Mont Blanc had hers. Hand clad in haki, he brought the backside of his hand in front of her to catch the bullets in his palm. Steam erupted from his hand in each location the bullets landed.

Lifting his hand to his face, Drake sniffed the steam coming from the bullets. There was an unusual scent coming from them and for a man who had been captured twice in the past, he knew it all too well. "Seastone, huh? Tried to take her out for good." Said Drake, lifting himself straight back up.

Positioning his hammer high over his head and twirling it across his fingers, a rapid gathering of winds formed around his mallet over his head. With faster he spun the wind's speed increased before forming into a legitimate tornado. "Yochiheki—Wind Howl," he called out, slamming his tornado-encased mallet over Trevor's head.

---

Slowly bringing himself back to his feet, Kobe couldn't help but stretch his face in pain. He may have been injured beyond his imagination so early on, but the teen was far from done. That's what made the Super Rookies so annoying. It was their ability to be so persistent and their drive to virtually never give up. Even now, unintentionally, Kobe possessed a certain look in his eye.

Stepping to Kobe, Jonathan lifted the pirate captain by the neck and squeezed on it until he reached for his oversized hand. He looked into Kobe's golden gaze with his own big eyes. Tilting his head sideways, he tried to not only read his gaze but read Kobe's soul. He needed to understand something that he could comprehend. The Juggernaut was strong, not some sort of super psychic who could read minds so his attempt to comprehend him ended in blatant failure.

"Tell me, little boy." Said Jonathan, squeezing onto Kobe's neck tighter. "What do you plan to do when you reach Captain Daikaku," Turning him to the side, "Do you honestly believe this makeshift group of three "pirates" will be able to take down Daikaku let alone his crew? You know nothing, boy. Believe me when I say that. The terror of the Yonko is beyond your imagination. The tales you hear are just tales, half of those people have never even faced the might of a Yonko."

Struggling to lift his hand, Kobe held his palm in front of Jonathan's face. Clouds emit from the palm of his hand, all gathering around Jonathan's face to block his view. His hand shook as it took his all to even lift it while saliva continued to drip from the side of his mouth. "T-T-To kill him... O-Of course..." Kobe tried uttering, his words spinning on the tip of his tongue as his speech lost its control.

"Wrong answer kid," Said Jonathan as he lifted his knee into Kobe's gut robbing him of all flowing wind within his windpipe. Propping him there like a burping baby, Jonathan shook his head left and right. "The ass-whooping your mother needed to give you, kid." He ended, interlocking his fingers and smashing his combined hands into the upper portions of Kobe's back.

"GAAAH-" Kobe spat, dropping to the ground fading in and out of consciousness. His eyes rolled to the back of his head as he tried to gather his thoughts, but he failed horribly. Plainly put, Kobe was defeated at the hands of Jonathan.

Reaching down he grabbed an unconscious Kobe and threw him over his shoulder. "Since you're so bent on meeting the Captain, I'll take you to him personally." Sighing, "But I'll be honest, with the current situations, I don't think he'll be too fond to see you, kid. You are without a doubt, our prisoner." He ended, vanishing into thin air.

Just minutes after Jonathan fled, Drake and Riding appeared. Much like Jonathan, they too had an unconscious and beaten man in their possession, Trevor. Angry, Drake threw the cigar resting between his teeth to the ground and looked at it. A silence ensued the area for a moment while Riding simply tossed Trevor over her shoulder and headed towards the Flying Nimbus. She wasn't sure what Drake was about to do next, but she knew it was best that she get away from him while she had the chance.

With a might stomp and vibrant shout, Drake shook the island and cracked it with a single strike of his Yochiheki. The ground caved in as though it were hit by a meteor and Drake dropped to his knee. His feelings mixed as more and more thoughts filled his head, but he refused to level himself. Why'd he take so long to deal with a measly pirate? If he had acted differently, would his captain have gotten captured?

He didn't know how to answer those specific questions but he knew one thing: He had to save his captain.

Silver Seedling
There, at the center of the island, Ferrothorn Solomon stood with two members of the Monk Pirates within his single hand. Around him, a platoon of Marines as well as other Monk Pirates that laid out on the dirt ground. He had that look on his face, the one only his comrades knew and his enemies feared. Though what had happened may have remained unknown, from the many pirate bodies laying out around him, it could easily be deduced that Solomon had a slaughter fest.

With a grand smile, Solomon threw the two pirates in his grip to the ground. As he did, a Den Den Mushi ringing caught his ears. Turning to the direction of where it had been coming from, Solomon quickly approached and knelt down to reach through the dead man's body until he finally discovered the communication snail.

Picking it up, Solomon said nothing and just let the person on the other end speak first. "Sir! Are you fine?! We've just reached the island, we apologize for our delay. We will be heading to your location right now." The man said anxiously, sounding as though he had been running to the location of the man he had called. "Hello?! Are you there, Koffie?!"

Taking a seat on top of the many bodies around, Solomon grinned even wider. "Commander Koffie isn't in at the moment, he's kind of stuck in a hard spot right now." Gaze shifting to the man he'd just robbed of his den den mushi, Solomon shook his head. "He's trying to figure out if he can fight his way back to the realm of the living. But I'll be sure to leave a message if you'd like."

"Marine scum!" The man spat back through the snail, the creature mimicking his every expression. "I'll rip you limb from limb and ship you back to your headquarters. Even the most skilled in autopsy won't be able to figure out who you are once I'm done with you."

Solomon spat a laugh back into the snail. "Oh? I relish the challenge!" Then, I'll be sure to leave some of the scenery for you. Maybe something to get a bit of your mind stimulating." He ended, hanging the snail up and flinging it across the area to the nearby lake in the middle of the small town.

"Vice-Admiral Solomon, sir!" A younger Marine made his appearance heard, stepping in front of Solomon with his handheld high up to his forehead saluting. "I'd like to report some recent information, sir! The Monk Pirates have captured the Pirate Captain deemed an "ally" to our operation; Bryant D. Kobe of the Super Rookie group." It seemed information traveled fast, it hadn't even been a proper four hours since the events of Rubbing Island, but the Marines were right on it.

Stroking his chin, Solomon shook his head up and down. "I see... Well, that was, rather quick." His gaze shifted to the Marine before him. "It still baffles me that they wanted us to use him in this operation. I heard he was good, but to throw him into some sort of thing like this was naive no doubt." It may have seemed like an assumption, but Solomon was right. Kobe had jumped into this way too early and the fact he had other options but chose to do this first was foolish of him.

"Then," the Vice-Admiral started, "Are you aware of which Monk is responsible for his capture?"

Pulling his other hand from behind his back, the soldier held up a picture of the man. "Yeah, I was able to find something. It was Jonathan, a commander amongst the Monk Pirates by the name Jonathan. Apparently this Jonathan was also a former Rear-Admiral in our own Marines."

Much to Solomon's surprise, this young Marine soldier was prepared with all the information he wanted to know. He was satisfied in thought, but it even reached the realm of reality to which he clapped at the boy. "Well informed, Lieutenant Commander Yugi! I'm liking this side of you. Truly, you're a young man who embodies Justice." Running his fingers through his brown hair, the Vice-Admiral sighed. "But, that makes sense for Kobe's fate. If they," he said, pointing up to the clouds. "Want him to aid us, then we'll probably be tasked with retrieving him too."

Head nodding and agreeing sighs, Yugi asked, "Are there any preparations you want me to make? If we leave now we can get away before the other Monk Pirate gets here." Though the man seemed like he was en route, Yugi's speculation was correct. If they left right now and no later, they'd have been able to escape the Monks.

"Nah," Said Solomon, "Actually, I just thought about an equal exchange. Go ahead and gather all the treasure from the shacks and load onto the ship. Don't let anyone touch anything Yugi, alright?"

Hiding the image behind his back and his hand up to his forehead to salute, Yugi gave a hard. "Yes, sir!" Before running off towards the rest of the Marines a bit of away from where Solomon and Yugi had their little debriefing.

As he ran, he collided with the wide body of a Marine. The opposing force was like a brick wall and forced Yugi to lean back and fall to his butt as his Marine cap fell to the ground. "Ouch," he rubbed his head and looked up only to meet with the bulky figure of Commodore Tom.

"What're you doin' here, kid?" Tom asked, gripping three cigars with his teeth whilst looking over the boy. "You just love to get in my way, don't ya?" His Marine coat blew in the wind which also prevented the smoke from gathering over Yugi's head.

Eyes shifting to the side in a moment of anger, Yugi apologized. "I'm sorry, sir." His head was tucked to try and hide his shame, or guilt, or whatever you could call he was feeling at this moment. With an effort to try and recollect himself, he quickly looked up to Commodore. The man had a cold stare, one that bore no emotion whatsoever.

"Get up on your feet," as he opened his mouth to speak, the wind slowed down and finally the smoke gathered above the fallen Yugi. "What kinda Marine falls to the ground after he runs into a wall. You take the force and continue to stand kid." Even though he spoke to Yugi, his attention was not on him and he simply continued to look over him to Solomon's seated location.

"Now, scram... Before I give you something to actually fall about, but I ensure you. You won't be able to get up from this one." He ended, stepping over Yugi and continuing along his path.

Yugi reached for his hat, quickly grabbing it and throwing it back on top of his head. "I hate you," he mumbled, running off to the rest of the pirates in aiding them with Solomon's request. He threw loose gold into treasure chests with anger and continued to pout and mumble under his breath as though that were going to help with anything.

Another Marine, a few years older than Yugi approached his side and began to help him. "C-Calm down, Yugi. You don't have to get so angry. You should know that Tom just wants us to have a stronger Marine force so that we can continue to fend off the Pirates. I mean, you see just how strong Vice-Admiral Solomon is. He took down those Pirates in just a few moves. That's how strong we should aspire to be." The Marine tried motivating and covering for their superior.

"You don't know the frustration," Yugi started, throwing the golden wine cubs and jewelry into the chests with more and more force as time went on. "Vice-Admiral Solomon tells us we can take a break, he tells us to go and scrub more floors. Like what's up with that guy," Asked, Yugi. "He's all brawn no brain. I hear what the other high-ranking officers say. They don't like him much either."

The other Marine quickly lifted his hand, "Quiet! You don't want him to hear you. He'll have us cleaning clouds until we rub them from existence if he manages to hear you. Just, calm down Yugi. I don't want this to go left for either of us." He helped Yugi place the treasure away, but he remained controlled with his actions. "It's our goal to one day become Admirals too, right? I'm pretty sure everyone had to go through something they didn't want to do to get there, Admiral Ernest, Pine, and Terell have all gone through something, I'm sure of it."

"Yeah, but as long as he's around, we'll never get stronger. Solomon has barely had time to teach us anything because he's been so busy and Tom makes sure he stays that way." Turning whilst leaning his elbow on the chest of treasure, "Kenta, you can barely use Kenbunshoku Haki and I can barely use Busoshoku Haki. I came here cause I wanted to see them in action and takes notes, instead, we are told to take cover in the ship and remain in hiding. The only thing we're getting better at is observing. Technically, only you're getting stronger."

Laughing, Kenta shook his head. "Look, buddy. It's a process," Said Kenta before turning to a Marine who'd called his name in the distance. "Hold on, I'll be right back." He said, standing to his feet and running over to the soldier who'd called him. "And keep putting everything up, we need to put this away and take it to the ship so that Tom isn't riding our asses!"

Waving him off, "Heh," he giggled, "As if he'll ever stop doing that." Concluded Yugi, picking up piles of treasure and slamming it into the treasure chest. "If only I could get stronger," he thought to himself, lifting up another pile and slamming it once again. He repeated this action over and over with the same thought in his mind. "If only..." he said to himself again, "I just need to get stronger!"

Lifting the final pile, as he looked back to the empty ground there remain a single item. It sat in the shape of an oversized sphere, black in white in color with swirls all across it. Yugi froze with an opened mouth as he looked to the object just sitting there resting on the ground. He didn't say anything and he was so shocked, simply because he was well aware of what this was. His prayers, were they just answered by the god of the sea? That couldn't be it. The sea hated these, it was the natural weakness to these. It had to be the devil down low, sending his seed up to the earth to bless Yugi with what he had sought out so badly—power.

As he continued to stare, Kenta looked over to Yugi from the distance. "Are you alright, Yugi? If everything is okay, then pack it up and bring it over here!"

"Y-Yeah!" He hesitated, the shock was getting to him. "Alright, I'm coming!" He shouted back, kneeling down to pick it up but he ensured himself to remain hidden behind the chest. "A devil fruit..." Turning it to its sides, he wiped off the dirt from the fruit. "I wonder what kind it is. I've seen horrible abilities from these. I don't want to be unlucky."

"Hey!" Tom shouted from near Solomon's side. "Hurry the hell up and take that chest with the others. You're really startin' to piss me off, Yugi!"

Looking over his shoulder at the yelling Tom, Yugi burrowed his brows into his skin to form a look of obvious anger. "I don't care what it is!" He thought to himself, "If it means I can get stronger and get closer to my goals. Then, I'll do it!" Without another thought or moment, Yugi stuffed the devil fruit into his mouth and swallowed it whole with a single bite.

His face changed from anger to sour due to the horrible taste the devil fruit left on his tongue. He nearly choked on air, that's just how nasty the taste on devil fruits was. Twisting his lips and closing his eyes, Yugi's facial expressions on got worse as the time went on before he had bent over to his palms and begun to pant heavily as though he were out of breath. He spat out saliva consecutively hoping it would clear his taste buds of that horrid feeling, but it went nowhere. At least not yet.

"This power, Kumo Kumo no Mi, Model: Darwini..." He said before a large smile formed onto his face. "The power, I've sought... it's finally here."