Back at Luffy and the Strawhats...
Everyone glanced at Luke strangely from time to time. Even in weakened state, he's still as powerful as before.
"Don't stare at me like that. You guys are creeping me out." Luke said as he enjoyed the scenery of the Drum Kingdom from the peak of the snowy mountain.
"Can't help it. You sure is a monster, Luke." Usopp felt some envy recalling the powerful weapon of Luke. If only he also had that kind of gun, he will surely be able to wipe any obstacle he wants combined with his Devil Fruit power.
Luffy also expressed his amazement of the weapon of Luke.
Luke promised the group giving them each of the crew a gift similar to his gun. It may not be a gun, but things that is good for convenience.
Hearing this, the Strawhats cheered in excitement. Even Luffy requested to have that cloud fan blades that Luke made before.
"Hm?" Luke's eyes focused when he felt the presence of Blackbeard and Laffitte roaming around the Drum Kingdom.
'What's these guys up to now?' He thought as he closed his eyes to communicate with Blackbeard using telepathy.
Meanwhile, Vivi covered herself with a few layer of clothes on her head. They will soon face a high ranking marine and she's afraid of being recognized by them.
If the marines knows that she, a princess was associated with pirates, her kingdom might be in peril from the retaliation of the World Government.
Karoo the duck and Igaram were fine since not many people recognized the two.
And as expected, they crossed path with a group of marines after racing down from the peak of the snowy mountain.
Luffy stopped as well as the rest while they stared at the leading elderly man in the marines.
The old man paused his steps as he assumed a slight hunch on his back.
He has spike white hair, thick white eyebrows, and a thick white mustache. He wore a long-sleeved black martial arts jumpsuit, light-colored pants, and Tai Chi slippers.
He also wore a marine coat with Justice Kanji printed on it's back.
There are around twenty marines that followed that old man.
Beside the leading old man was another taller old man.
He has a long beard and white, long hair with the top of his head being bald. He wore a classic-style green on blue martial arts robes.
Dalton recognized the leading old man as Bang, the Silver Fang. He was a Vice Admiral of the marines assigned on the Drum Kingdom against those escaped prisoners of Impel Down.
"My my... These old bones of mine really can't handle the harsh weather of this land. It's so freaking cold in here." Bang grumbled in annoyance.
"I told you it's time to retire and you still persistent on playing marines." The taller old man chided.
"You think so? But you know I can't retire yet, Bomb. This disciple of mine went rogue and he's out there playing pirate in the sea. I gotta teach him a lesson and let him experience jail for a change." Bang complained while shaking his head in disappointment.
"Let's talk about your disciple later. The pirate group are in front of us. We gotta deal with them quick and return to our place." Bomb turned to Luffy and his group.
Bang raised a brow when he recognized Dalton, one of the officers of King Wapol in Drum Kingdom.
Dalton didn't expect a Vice Admiral to personally intercept his group. But he was already fed up with King Wapol's tyranny on the people of Drum Kingdom over the years.
If worse comes to worst, he'd sacrifice himself just to eliminate King Wapol for the sake of the people of this kingdom's prosperity.
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy! I don't want any trouble old man! Let us through and we won't hurt you and your men!"
Luffy stepped forward. If Luke was taking caution for this old man, then the latter must be powerful just like that little girl back in Logue Town.
"Monkey D. ...Luffy?" Bang muttered in surprise as his eyes shone for a second. He glanced at Luffy's group then his sharp eyes paused on Vivi who covered her head in thick winter coat.
"Sorry, young lad. I can't let you have your way. According to the report, you arrived here carrying a banner of a pirate. I must capture you in the name of justice. And you too, Dalton. You owe me an explanation for this."
Bang took off his marine coat and tossed it to a nearby marine.
"Is this brat..." Bomb muttered in silence as he examined Luffy from head to toe.
"If this brat has a connection with that old man, then that old man has the same problem as me. I will teach this brat a lesson in stead of that old man" Bang stretched his muscles for warm up as he narrowed his eyes at Luffy dangerously.
Luffy felt goosebumps all over his body. The old man in front of him has full of battle intent.
"He's dangerous.." He muttered while putting up a guard.
Zoro, Yosaku and Usopp prepared themselves if the marines joined the fray.
Igaram, Dalton and Karoo the duck neared Vivi and Luke to protect the two from harm.
Luke never left his vision on Bang. A few seconds later, he smiled before closing his eyes.
Everything will depend on how Luffy play his cards on this battle.
"Men, standby." Bang waved his hand to the marines as he slowly walked towards Luffy.
The building tension left Vivi in worry for Luffy and the group.
Luke still communicated with Blackbeard through telepathy while issuing some secret commands.
He didn't expect that Blackbeard still continued to create a pirate group. However, his aim is not in line with his original goal.
Blackbeard was searching for something. Something so precious that even hidden powerhouses in the world yearned to achieve it just like One Piece. This thing that Blackbeard was searching for has something to do with Celestial Dragons.
With so little details Luke received from Blackbeard about this thing, he temporarily put the matter at the back of his mind. He will know it soon anyway since this contractee of his is so into this precious thing.
SWISH! SWOOSH!
Meanwhile, Luffy and Bang's exchange started.
Luffy didn't use any transformation gears. He just used every skills he had, trying to hit Bang as much as possible. However, his attacks seems to be ineffective as if he's hitting nothing but air.
Although surprised by Luffy's aggressiveness and Devil Fruit body, Bang remained poised while his hands to secretly swiped every attacks to the side.
The battle looked intense, but Luffy did all the movements while Bang didn't move his position, even bystanders barely saw the latter's hands move.
"What's happening? Is Luffy playing around? Why does his attacks doesn't land on the old man?" Vivi rubbed her eyes as if she's hallucinating.
"No. That old man is just good at his hand techniques." Zoro had a serious expression. Those skilled hands deflected Luffy's attacks with precision. This Vice admiral barely used any strength at all.
Usopp, who's proficient in Observation Haki than the rest of the Strawhats, shivered in fear. He clearly saw every moves of the old man. But on other perspective, the old man barely moved.
Their exchange continued for minutes without stopping.
"You have a talent, boy. Still, you are amateur on doing combat. I believe you only focused on training to get stronger while neglecting combat training." Bang commented while swiping attacks in every corner.
Luke agreed with Bang's insight. However, in the original story, this unorthodox style of Luffy just brought down an overwhelmingly powerful Emperor.
However, seeing Bang's fighting technique, he recalled that encouraging phrase in his previous world, 'Work smart, not hard.'
"You are really strong, old man. Just like my grandpa." Luffy didn't shy out on his praises. He noticed the old man was testing his combat limits. Although he gave it his all without using any boost, the old man still looked relax and compose.
"Get serious now, kid. I know you are hiding something from me. Do it now or you'll regret it." Bang started to get impatient from dodging the same attack pattern of Luffy over and over again. Although he has a good impression of the kid, with this mediocre strength, it might as well save the latter by doing a suicide for being a weak pirate.
"You asked for it, old man." Luffy's skin tone turned pink in color as his body produced a hot steam.
Bang's eyes lit up and he could tell this brat has reserve power in him.
...
In a certain palace at Marigoa, land of the Celestial Dragons...
Three shadows were seen discussing while each sitting on an oversized chair like thrones.
"It's almost been a week. What's going on with those two you sent?" Shadow A in the middle muttered in a neutral voice.
"Strange.. I sent two of my strongest subordinates. They can even contend a Pirate Emperor without a problem." Shadow B replied while tapping the arm chair with his finger in contemplation.
"Could it be that boy awakened the power of Nika?" Shadow C commented. His eyes shone with expectation.
Of the three shadows, Shadow A is dignified, Shadow B is indifferent and Shadow C is lighthearted.
"If that's the case, I'll send another stronger group that's capable on subduing him." Shadow B paused before continuing,
"That boy's power is incomplete. Since the Lunarians are on the brink of extinction, no one can help him complete his power this time."
"Forget about that boy. Let him have some fun for now." Shadow A seems to have the highest authority over the two as he waved his hand to let the matter rest in the meantime.
He continued, "The Gorosei are planning to let another puppet to balance the New World since they confirmed that little girl, Big Mom already perished from an unknown attacker. What do you say about this?"
"A new Emperor huh? Let them decide on it. It won't affect us anyway." Shadow B commented calmly.
"How about we crown that boy to be the new Emperor. Ain't it fun if we declare that?" Shadow C grinned from ear to ear..
"Hmm.. I guess. However, to become an Emperor, there are some criterias to be met. But I'll pass your suggestion. Let them evaluate that boy." Shadow A waved his hand. His eyes narrowed as he continued,
"One of our enemies hundreds of years ago is back to overthrow the reign. It will be a secret war."
Shadow B just stayed silent as if he's on deep thought.
"Aizen, from what I recall, defending this time goes to you and your team. I also heard they are plotting big this time. I can't wait to watch your presentation." Shadow C gloated at Shadow B. Shadow B just lost subordinates that could rival an Emperor, of course he was happy about it. It'll make things more interesting.
Shadow B that named Aizen squinted his eyes at Shadow C and he muttered while smirking,
"They're just. ...mere ants."