In a single line, a motley crew of marines stood, each one of them unique in shape and size. Among them were giants towering over three meters, while others stood at normal height, and a few child trainees could also be seen.
Despite their differences, they all shared one common emotion - fear. Trembling and sweating, they dreaded the arrival of their fearsome leader, a demonic figure whose reputation preceded him.
The sound of firm footsteps shattered their terrified reverie, and all eyes turned toward the source of the approaching presence. Mixed emotions of fear, admiration, and reverence painted their faces.
Though they feared Isaac, they also held immense respect for him. Despite having spent only three months together, he had transformed them into stronger individuals, ensuring their survival during battles with powerful pirates and ferocious monsters.
Isaac was their savior, always there to rescue them from the brink of death and lead them through their harrowing missions.
...
"Welcome back, Captain!"
All the marines shouted with one voice as they saluted.
Isaac strolled leisurely before the line of sailors, a grin playing on his lips as he gazed at them. Their synchronized salute amused him every time. It all started as a one-time whim, but now, like clockwork, they would greet him this way whenever a mission called for it.
Approaching the massive second-class ship, Isaac knew he wasn't normally allowed to sail with it. However, this was an urgent task, and he had earned the privilege.
The Navy's headquarters were nearly empty, most members either on special missions or attending meetings of the branch leaders. This gave him the opportunity to utilize the second-class ship for this crucial mission.
As Isaac soared through the air, his black robe billowed gracefully around him. Landing with a powerful thud on the ship's deck, a slight swing followed, splashing water on the sailors stationed nearby.
"Ah, these ships are something else," Isaac mused to himself. Despite his total weight reaching four tons and the force of his jump, the ship barely showed any signs of strain.
Of course, ships are designed to carry substantial weight, but Isaac's random jumps could be destructive to anything beneath him.
He earned the nickname "ship sinker" among his crew after one mission where he encountered a group of weak pirates on a small ship. A mere jump from Isaac and their vessel met a watery demise.
However, in this world, it's not uncommon to encounter beings of immense size and weight. Giants like Kaido and Big Mom, for instance, weigh several tons due to their massive proportions.
The metal weights Isaac wears play a crucial role in his overall weight. Crafted from a rare and dense material, even a finger-sized piece can weigh up to 30 kilograms, contributing significantly to his impressive mass.
As the years passed, Isaac delved deeper into his research on this mysterious mineral. To his surprise, he discovered that it was no longer being mined from the Red Line, and the once skilled artisans who could forge it had become extinct in this world.
The only hope of finding a master craftsman who could work with this rare metal was in the country of Wano.
"Prepare the engine; we're heading out to take down those pirates," Isaac commanded with determination.
He couldn't help but wear a mischievous grin on his face at the prospect of plundering their treasures. Money and any means to increase his strength were the two things that brought out this side of him.
The target of their mission was the pirate known as the Crimson Chameleon, and several ships, including Isaac's, were setting sail to confront him.
...
[ After 4 hours ]
200 kilometers away from Tierra del Fuego.
...
"This ship is incredibly fast; if I were piloting a sailing ship, it would have taken me twice as long to get here," mused Isaac, his gaze fixed on the vast expanse of the ocean in front of him.
He had been contemplating the formidable pirate he was about to face ever since he joined the navy. Rumors spoke of a large man with a thick beard adorned with Berber tattoos.
Suddenly, his attention shifted as a peculiar sight caught his eye. In the distance, a strange-shaped ship appeared, seemingly like a ghostly vessel haunting the seas.
As it drew nearer, its features became clearer—the tattered naval flag hanging from its mast, the battered hull riddled with holes and fractures, and its sails reduced to mere remnants. Only a small portion of the ship remained intact.
As the marines caught sight of the eerie ship, a shudder of fear ran through them. The vessel's appearance was ominous, and an unsettling feeling crept upon them. However, Isaac, ever curious, found himself intrigued by the peculiar sight.
Though the deck seemed empty, an inexplicable sensation told him otherwise—a sense of malevolence lurking within those abandoned walls.
"Hmmm, interesting," Isaac muttered to himself.
With a casual command to his crew to return to their duties, he slipped out of their sight and leaped towards the ghost ship, driven by an inexplicable urge to explore its mysteries.
Isaac walked amidst the grim remains, and within a minute, he noticed that his ship was already distant, leaving him stranded.
"Hmm, this is quite a predicament," Isaac murmured to himself in a dark tone. His hasty decision to board the destroyed ship proved foolish, for now, he was left behind without any means to catch up. With the weight he wore, swimming was an impossible option, leaving him isolated and vulnerable amidst the desolate wreckage.
"I'll manage, but first, I have to figure out who's watching me." After wandering the deck for a while, Isaac discovered several lifeless bodies—some marines and others plainly dressed, clearly pirates.
"It seems they were caught in a fierce battle with the pirates, but how did the ship end up here?"
"Well, well, if it isn't Lieutenant Junior Grade Isaac Mangus. What brings us the honor of your visit?" A man, heavily wounded and with a deathly pale complexion, emerged from behind Isaac, his voice filled with a dark sarcasm.
"Oh, Lieutenant Joffrey, what a pleasant surprise to see you here. Escaping from pirates, as usual, I presume. That's to be expected from someone like you."
Over the past three years, tensions between Isaac and Joffrey had escalated, especially after the incident from a year ago when they were on a mission to escort a royal ship.
They were ambushed on the way, and while Isaac fought the pirates to protect their ship, Joffrey abandoned them and continued with the royal ship, leaving them to face the danger alone.
If Isaac hadn't hide his strength and killed all the enemies that faced him, he wouldn't have survived that day. Ever since that incident, he vowed to seek revenge on Joffrey, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
"Haha, you always crack me up, Isaac. Where's your crew? Did you come here all alone?" Joffrey's eyes darted around, a growling edge to his voice.
Several hours ago, during the battle, Joffrey sneaked into the Crimson Chameleon's room and stole his personal safe. Inside, he found a valuable Devil Fruit and one of the Meito swords and its among Skillful Grade.
The treasures he acquired would make anyone's mouth water, and so he had decided to abandon the navy and fake his death. With the power from the Devil Fruit and the wealth he had accumulated, he planned to build his own kingdom and live like a king.
He intended to play dead and assume a new identity, but all of his grand plans were now in jeopardy because of Isaac. If he escaped, his secret would be revealed, and he would be hunted down as a deserter from the Navy.
"Don't worry, if I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't need to ambush you. You're so weak," Isaac taunted with a sarcastic laugh, unsheathing his sword. He knew they were now at a deadly crossroads, and one of them would not walk away alive.
Despite mocking Joffrey's strength, Isaac couldn't deny that this man was skilled in Rokushiki, making victory uncertain. Only by removing his weights would Isaac stand a chance against him.
"Big words from a rat like you." Joffrey retorted before suddenly activating Soru, appearing behind Isaac in an instant. Reacting quickly, Isaac turned and raised his hands to defend against the incoming attack.
"Shigan."
Isaac expected a punch, but to his surprise, Joffrey's Shigan was a thrust of his finger aimed at Isaac's stomach.
"What is this, Tekkai, no?" A shocked expression spread across Joffrey's face as his finger failed to penetrate Isaac's stomach. Before he could fully comprehend what happened, Isaac swiftly retaliated with a punch, but Joffrey managed to evade it using another Soru to move away.
"This bastard is clever; if it weren't for the weights, he would have landed that hit. I underestimated him because he was injured," Isaac thought to himself. The weights were slowing down his reactions, putting him at a disadvantage.
Both Isaac and Joffrey got back on their feet, eyeing each other cautiously. The quick exchange had made it clear that their confrontation wouldn't go as smoothly as they had anticipated. A battle between two marines was about to unfold.