Yolo!!! I somehow managed to pull off another chapter in this period of time (ugh… just one login was an enough temptation for me to do so). There may be some errors to be found due to me being half asleep haha, but I hope you enjoy it!
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"Spandene."
Spandine, a man in a black suit, spoke in a gentle tone as his gaze headed towards the individual within the cell.
The individual was none other than Baten, who lost against Teach in Jaya.
Watching how his son remained unresponsive to his call, Spandine couldn't help but sigh.
"It took us 3 years to find you. Haa, how did things turn out like this? You used to be a prodigy to be praised upon, unlike that another son of mine who keeps on worrying me…"
Hearing Spandine's words, the veins popped out of Baten's forehead.
"I'm not Spandene of CP9... you lost me since that day in Ohara." Baten spoke dryly with vivid rage within his eyes.
The Buster Call of O'Hara, where countless numbers of civilians were sent to death. It could be said that since such an event, Baten has acquired a trauma in regard to the massacre.
'Celestial Dragons, Kong, Akainu, Spandine, and Grimheart…' To Baten, this has become the purpose of his life; to avenge the countless number of innocent civilians, scientists, and marine soldiers, who were mercilessly killed in front of his eyes.
Through complex means, he transferred out of the Cipher Pol, and climbed up the rank of Marine all the way from the bottom. After having attained the rank of Rear Admiral in short amount of time, he refused to learn Haki in Marine under the facade of 'lazy personality,' in order to prevent his promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral. In usual cases, this would've been impossible, but his father was none other than Spandine.
It was ironic, for he who cut his ties with his own father, used his father's name without any care. In truth, Baten was none other than a hypocrite.
Ultimately, he was waiting for a contact from one particular organization known as the Revolutionary Army, thinking that if he were to continue to act just as now, they would eventually attempt to recruit him. Once the connection is established, he would've worked as their spy. However, the moment Rowan and his crew crashed into G-11, the rage that Baten held in for years broke apart—bringing an end to such a naive plan.
Spandine watched Baten's emotional outburst with a stoic expression. After some time passed by, Spandine leaned closer to the bars, with a grim expression on his face.
"...I haven't told you, have I?" Spandine stated with his eyes locked onto Spandine, "Nico Robin, the very woman that you claim to have sinned against, joined the Grimheart pirates."
Baten's eyes widened and his lips quivered unconsciously, unable to hide his shock.
"You know what that means, don't you?" Spandine's eyes revealed a concern for his son, "Your victim joined forces with your sworn enemy."
"Nico Robin..." Baten clenched his teeth as he lowered his gaze with complex emotion.
"Oh, Spandene, my poor son." Spandine shook his head as he retracted from the cell, "Although I understand your perspective to some extent... it is time to wake up from your naive belief and face the truth. All you are doing is nothing but hypocrisy; to claim that you will fulfill a true justice, yet do nothing but laze around in G-11, and fail to even protect your own.."
"Don't... don't you dare mock me." Baten glared at Spandine murderously, as he slammed his cuffed fists onto the floor out of anger.
"No matter how many times I plead, you won't listen." Spandine sighed before speaking up, "I suppose that there is no other way. I really didn't want to do this, but... order has been sent from the above. I am sorry, my son."
Lifting up a device with a button in the middle, Spandine explained with evident conflict in his expression, "In your brain, we've planted machinery that will induce an incredible amount of pain to you. If you don't listen... well..."
After a momentary halt, Spandine pressed the button while shutting his eyes tightly.
"AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" Immediately after, Baten thrashed wildly as he cried from an incredible pain that overwhelmed his whole body, earning a flinch from Spandine.
"Huuuu... this... happens." Spandine released the button with a shaky hand while letting out a deep breath, ending Baten's pain.
"*Huff*...What... *Huff*... do you want..."
Spandine lowered his head in a pang of guilt, but spoke up in a grim tone,
"You see, we are heading to the Marineford right now, where the Grimheart pirates are expected to make an appearance. Our primary objective is to capture Nico Robin, and while we do so, I want you to prevent the other crew members of the Grimheart pirates from interrupting us."
Even in midst of inexplicable pain, Baten's eyes sharpened.
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"F***!!!" Job screamed at his lungs as he furiously rowed on a small boat that was close to sinking, "What are we doing even?!!!"
Currently, Job, Mob, old woman, and Urouge were seen to be crammed in a small wooden boat, with all of them rowing the boat as fast as they can. If they stop for one moment, the boat will sink due to overload.
"*Huff* *Huff*... whatever!! We are out of time anyway!!" The old woman shouted back with a tickmark on her forehead.
"Out of time?! OUT OF TIME?!!!" Job shouted with crazed eyes, "Granny!!! Why are we going to the friggin MARINEFORD in this puny boat?!! Are you out of your mind?!!!"
"Shut up, Job-"
"It's Sebastian, you deaf granny!!!"
"-according to my prediction... Bob and his crew will face great danger in Marineford!!" The old woman retorted in a cold sweat, "If he indeed is the true heir of our clan, we can't allow him to die here!! He's our only hope!!!"
"Tch, as if your prediction was ever right!" Clicking his tongue, Job faced the front and continued to row with slight fatigue.
"Urouge..." From Urouge's left, Mob spoke up in a monotone, "Can't you fly with those wings?"
Urouge shook his head with a grin, "Unfortunately, no. Perhaps my ancestors could, but these wings are more of a nuisance to me. How about you, Mob? Can't you lift up this boat and help us travel faster?"
"No... I got my fruit very recently, and am unable to control it well enough to do that."
"Hmm, I see."
"I heard that there is a fruit that is similar to mine... I think it was Float Float fruit." Mob said in curiosity, "I find that pretty cool. Almost every fruit has a similar version of its own, like brother Bob's Bounce Bounce fruit and Tyrant Kuma's Repel Repel fruit."
"Like Magma Magma fruit and Flame Flame fruit." Urouge nodded as he thought of Carmen.
"Like Ice Ice fruit and Snow Snow fruit." Mob carried on in monotone.
"Like Glint Glint fruit and... Rumble Rumble fruit." Urouge stated as he thought of Enel.
"Like Ton Ton fruit and Kilo Kilo fruit."
"Like-"
"You two, if you have time to chat, row harder!!" From the front, the old woman stated in an urgent tone, "We don't have much time left!!"
Looking at each other temporarily, Mob and Urouge faced the front and nodded,
""Yes, ma'am!""
The old woman faced back to the front with a cold sweat.
'The ancient context indicated that the inheritor of the eyes of Gorgon shall have the eye colour of either purple, red, or dark red. Its incredulous ability is none other than... the insane enhancement of Conqueror's Haki, to an extent where the wielder of the eyes is able to physically manifest the Conqueror's Haki itself!
Tell me, Youchiha Bob... are you the one?'
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*BOOOOOOOOOOM*
With one clash, the sky split open.
"Why are you blocking me, Red Hair?!!" One humongous individual with large horns on his fearful visage, roared.
He was none other than the Strongest Creature of the World, Kaidou of the 'Beast.'
The red-haired man with one arm, 'Red Hair' Shanks, glared back at Kaidou with his crushing Conqueror's Haki dominating the whole area around the two, although if seen closely, his grip on the sword was shaking from Kaidou's incredible strength.
Currently, the two of them were seen to be standing on top of a notably small island, which was rapidly getting destroyed by the clash between two of the Four Emperors.
The ship belonging to the Red Hair pirates, Red Force, lied at one end of the island, with the crew members of each Emperor spectating the fight with cautiousness. On the other end of the island, one man covered in black, with large black wings attached to his back, King the Wildfire of the Beast pirates, was standing by.
"This war isn't meant for you to participate. You shall not cross... Kaidou!" Shanks simply stated as his sword met against Kaidou's spiky-mace-like weapon, known as Hassaikai.
*BOOOOOOOOOOM*
The whole area shook as the black lightning, the infusion of Conqueror's Haki, crackled wildly. To others' amazement, their weapons did not touch, but were repelling one another—indicating the use of the emission of Armament Haki.
"Hm...!" Kaidou's face revealed a slight interest upon seeing how Shanks is capable of going toe to toe with him.
Shanks frowned as Kaidou's blow began to become stronger.
"Fine then!"
With Kaidou's statement,
*BOOOOOOOOOM*
The clash between the two ended as Shanks was sent skidding back.
"I will give up on the idea of going to the Marineford. However, in exchange for that," Kaidou grinned savagely as he lifted up his Hassaikai once more,
"Satisfy me, Red Hair!! Worororororo!!!!!"
Shanks's eyes narrowed as he swung his sword again.
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AN: Kaidou just now might have seemed to be out of character. From manga, Kaidou is more intelligent than what he gives; he probably decided to retreat during his clash against Shanks to avoid the guaranteed huge loss whether he wins or not. However, I decided to alter the event here, because... Kaidou's first appearance was literally him trying to commit suicide! I felt that he should be more brash and unafraid in this situation. The dragon man isn't retreating, but having some fun! And do you know what that means?
Red Hair pirates vs Kaidou and King.
If Shanks come to Marineford, Kaidou will follow. Shanks can't come to the Marineford.
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[Near Marineford]
"A... floating ship?!" Jinbei muttered in disbelief as he repeatedly turned his head left and right, amazed by the capability of Prominence, which was carrying off the Grimheart pirates, Nami, and Jinbei at an incredible speed.
On the front of the deck, Rowan was seen to be staring off far away, with the purple cape draped around his shoulder.
As everyone aboard the Prominence too readied themselves and stood by in serious demeanour, Robin opened her mouth.
"Two prominent threats that we must be aware of, are Sengoku the 'Buddha' and Garp the 'Hero.'"
Rowan nodded, as he remembered the ferociousness of Garp.
"Interestingly enough, the reason why Sengoku is known to be called the 'Buddha,' is unknown. I personally speculate that he may have consumed a devil fruit according to his known feats, but... the marines have been great at concealing such information." Robin momentarily halted to take a breath, before continuing,
"After them, there are three Admirals, with Aokiji being one of them. Akainu or Sakazuki... known to possess the ability of Magma Magma fruit, and Kizaru or Borsalino, known to possess the ability of Glint Glint fruit." Robin frowned upon remembering Sakazuki's horrendous deeds on Ohara's destruction.
"Glint... light itself...?" Dan stated in a cold sweat, "Travelling at the speed of light grants an infinite mass. Is it possible to defeat Kizaru even?"
Carina shook her head with her arms crossed, "That's probably not the case. Travelling at light speed is something that is beyond the ability of human cognition. He likely has to pinpoint the position in which he is going to travel at, and stop before making an attack."
Robin nodded in agreement, "That's the most likely. After all, according to the intel, Kizaru cannot outdo Akainu, who is known to be very strong even in Admiral standard.
And finally, the Warlords. Crocodile is dead, Blackbeard betrayed, Pirate Empress isn't present, and Jinbe is with us. Currently, there should be four of them in the Marineford: Donquixote Doflamingo the 'Joker,' Bartolomew Kuma the 'Tyrant,' Gecko Moria the 'King of Depths,' and... 'Hawk Eye' Dracule Mihawk, the Strongest Swordsman in the World."
Cavendish laughed, "Guahaha! I can already imagine just how chaotic the war is going to be."
Rowan placed a hand under his chin in thought.
Jinbei opened his mouth with evident worry for the Whitebeard pirates, "The only ones who can match the three Admirals, apart from Whitebeard-san himself, is Marco-san. Maybe Jozu-san and Vista-san can as well, but I cannot guarantee. There are many other strong individuals within the Whitebeard pirates, but the situation doesn't seem good."
"If so, we should be as sneaky as possible. It shouldn't be us bulldozing our way to Ace from the back, but our involvement should begin with freeing Ace." Dan suggested with confidence in his tone, "Since Prominence is capable of flying high above, how about we hide behind the clouds, and drop right onto Ace's execution platform? With captain's fruit ability, we can trigger the instant collapse of the whole platform, and when dust rises-"
Dan turned to Carina, who lit up in realization,
"-Carina teleports Ace onto Prominence, and we free Ace from the seastone cuff that he is going to be wearing for sure."
Rowan turned to Nami, who too was standing by with a mix of seriousness and nervousness, "Sorry to trouble you again Nami, but I think we will have to leave that role to you."
Nami made a shaky grin, "Of course. When it comes to picking, leave it to your favourite Cat Burglar."
"...Your favourite?" Carina's eyes narrowed, to which Nami simply snorted.
"We are going in with kaboom." Rowan continued as he swept his gaze through his friends,
"Start off by freeing Ace." Rowan stated with a dangerous gleam in his eyes, "Then, we make a mess of the whole Marineford; helping the Whitebeard pirates at their crucial moment is our first step in gaining a stable foundation in the New World."
The members of the Grimheart pirates nodded with determination; they were ready to return the humiliations that they faced few days ago in G-8.
Ever since Rowan was arrested, they realized that in order to be of help to Rowan, they had to get stronger.
'Don't worry, Rowan.' Carina thought as she flipped the knife in her hand, up and down, 'We are no longer the same as we were few days ago.'
One instance was Dan's enhancement of his reflex through the use of electricity. Although they were not able to improve their strengths in such a short amount of time, through the exploration of many creative means to use their abilities, they made a vast improvement in their capabilities—even Robin.
And in terms of Farul... it can be said that he finally mastered the very technique that he was yarning for—the very reason why he's been putting himself under the harsh exercise routine for the past three years.
Silently watching the solidarity of the Grimheart pirates, Jimbei couldn't help but be amazed.
'It's as if I'm watching the rise...' Jimbei thought within himelf, '—of a new Emperor.
The successor of the Whitebeard himself—hold on, what am I thinking?!' Jimbei shook his head frantically all of a sudden, earning confused looks from the others.
Nevertheless, the domineering Prominence continued to fly at a rapid pace towards the Marineford, with the Marine and the Whitebeard pirates unaware.