"You fucking monster... Why? Why? I told you that I wanted to surrender!" The man roared, desperation seeping through his voice as he tried to make his opponent show some leniency. Yet, his adversary continued to babble about how long he had been in the Marines, how he longed to return to his family, and serve his master once more, on and on.
"Why... why are you telling me all this? I know you have no intention of sparing me. Just kill me and be done with it," The man finally lost his patience, realizing his opponent was toying with him. He had already lost both his limbs and growled at the young man standing before him, whose entire navy uniform was stained crimson with blood.
"Do you know how hard it is sometimes to pretend?" The young man mused, almost conversationally. "Living a life undercover is hard. Sometimes, even I need to vent my anger and frustration. So, I share things before I kill people. Dead men tell no tales, after all."
"Ptui! For someone who calls himself the Blood Raven, one of the Twelve Zodiacs, you are quite the coward." Vergo couldn't help but chuckle. After their attack on Marine Base G9, Vergo and Admiral Raylene had arrived in time to reinforce the Marines.
They had chased the two Zodiacs who had laid siege to G9 separately to finish them off, and after a month-long pursuit, Vergo had finally cornered the Blood Raven in the New World. After a grueling battle for over two days, the man worth 1.6 billion berries had fallen into the hands of Rear Admiral Vergo.
With a swift thrust of his haki-clad metal pole, Vergo pierced through the neck of Blood Raven. He ensured no one was in the vicinity before picking up a small transponder snail used to send coded messages. Vergo knew that if the information Blood Raven had shared was true, Master Doffy and Young Master Ross needed to know immediately.
Vergo watched as Blood Raven gasped his final breaths, his eyes wide with a mix of rage and fear. Vergo felt a strange satisfaction. This was not just another victory, because the information that he had acquired would be something that would help the family in the future.
"Blood Raven, you talked too much," Vergo muttered, wiping the blood off his pole. "You should have kept your secrets to yourself."
With precise movements, he activated the transponder snail. The coded message needed to reach Dressrosa swiftly. He knew Doffy and Ross would be waiting for news, and this information could change everything. Vergo's mind raced as he composed the message, every word carefully chosen to ensure it was deciphered correctly by the intended recipients.
As the snail transmitted the coded message, Vergo stood over the lifeless body of Blood Raven, reflecting on the nature of his work. Undercover life was indeed hard, but it was moments like this that made it worthwhile. He was a soldier, a spy, and, above all, a loyal servant of the Donquixote family.
He looked out over the horizon, the sun setting over the tumultuous seas of the New World. The battle was over, but the war was far from won. Vergo knew that many more challenges awaited, but with each victory, they moved closer to their ultimate goal.
"Master Doffy, Young Master Ross," Vergo whispered to himself, "we're one step closer. The world will soon know our true power."
Turning away from the grisly scene, Vergo made his way back to his ship, his mind already planning the next move. The message had been sent, and soon, the gears of the Donquixote family's grand design would turn once more. The New World was a place of chaos and opportunity, and Vergo was determined to seize both for his masters.
***********
Elbaf , New World
The entire island of Giants was in turmoil as news of the missing princess spread throughout Elbaf. Initially, they had believed Dora was simply hiding somewhere on the island, as she often did, vanishing for days at a time. But this time was different. It had been three weeks since anyone on Elbaf had seen their little princess, Dora.
"I don't care how you do it, find her today!" Prince Loki's voice echoed with a majestic aura, bellowing at the group of giants who were supposed to keep an eye on Dora and ensure her safety, even though she rarely needed protection.
"Please punish us, Prince Loki. We were negligent in our duties," two of the giants knelt before him, their faces a mix of guilt and fear. Though Loki was furious, he didn't entirely blame them. He knew his sister well, how headstrong and adventurous she was. Faulting just these giants for her disappearance would be foolish.
"We can think about your punishments once we find my sister," Loki said, trying to contain his rage. "Have you managed to contact all the ships that left Elbaf in the past month?"
Just then, another giant came running in, panting heavily. "Prince Loki, we have news. Princess Dora is with Saul's group. She had unknowingly snuck onto their ship before they departed for West Blue."
Loki's fists clenched in anger. "Why the hell didn't they inform us earlier? Do they think such matters are insignificant and don't need to be reported?" His voice rose with fury. If he had known earlier, he would have personally ventured out to sea to drag his sister back.
The hall fell silent as Loki's words hung in the air. The tension was palpable, with each giant feeling the weight of their prince's wrath. Despite the anger, there was an underlying current of fear and concern for their princess, known for her spirited nature but also her vulnerability in the vast world beyond Elbaf.
One of the kneeling giants spoke up, his voice trembling. "Prince Loki, Saul's group might not have realized she was aboard until they were too far to turn back. Princess Dora is known for her stealth. It's possible she remained hidden until the ship was well on its way."
Loki took a deep breath, trying to calm his storming thoughts. "Prepare a ship immediately. I'm going after her myself. Ensure we have the fastest vessel and the best crew. We set sail within the hour."
The giant, who had come running with the message, scratched his head awkwardly and gulped. "Prince Loki, there is more to the message we received from the group." He hesitated, unsure whether he should share the rest of the news.
"Speak!" Loki growled, his patience waning as he saw the hesitation on the giant warrior's face.
"Well... it seems the princess has declared her intention of becoming a pirate and has joined the Donquixote Pirates. She sent a message saying she's embarking on a journey to find Dorry and Brogy," he finished, his voice trailing off.
Loki stood dumbfounded, and even the other giants present couldn't help but want to slap themselves in disbelief.
"What were Saul and the rest thinking? They should have just brought her back, by force if necessary. What nonsense is this about becoming a pirate? And that Donquixote—damn you! I will break every bone in your body when I get my hands on you," he roared.
He knew his little sister must have been tricked. Dorry and Brogy had likely perished long ago, and whatever she had been promised was probably just a ruse to deceive her. Giants were naturally naive, making it easy to fool them.
"Prince Loki, you should know that despite her young age, she is strong. I don't think Saul and his group would have been able to subdue her. I'm sure the princess must have used her authority as royalty to command the rest of the giants," an elderly giant standing nearby informed.
"We knew this day would come sooner or later. If that is what she truly wishes, we shouldn't stop her."
Loki sighed deeply. Giants had the freedom to choose their own paths, and as a prince, though he cared deeply for his sister, he couldn't deprive her of her choice.
"For now, let's watch from the sidelines. I've heard the Donquixote Pirates are a powerful group in the New World, so she should be safe. Let Saul and his team return. Once we get a clearer picture of what's happening, we can decide on our next steps."
"Now that we know Princess Dora is safe, we have other matters to address. The disappearances of giants have been increasing. In the last six months alone, we've lost contact with four giants. I fear the World Government is behind this," the elderly giant added gravely.
Loki's bloodthirsty aura burst forth. Earlier, his anger was due to his missing sister; now, it was a terrible killing intent aimed at their enemies. The giants knew far more about the World Government than many others did, and they had been patiently waiting for centuries for the time to strike back. Sooner or later, that time would come, and the promise they made all those centuries ago would finally be fulfilled.
Loki clenched his fists, his voice filled with determination. "We will find out what the World Government is up to and protect our people. The giants of Elbaf will not stand idly by while our kin are taken. Prepare our warriors. It's time to cleanse the surrounding seas of those scum and hunt down any Marine or World Government members that enter the territory of the Giants, and if the World Government truly did have something to do with the vanishings, then we will teach them a lesson they will never forget."
The giants nodded in agreement, their resolve hardened by Loki's words. The island of giants was no longer in turmoil over a missing princess with her safety confirmed; it was now preparing for a confrontation that had been brewing for centuries.
*********
Marine HQ, Marineford
Inside the grand meeting hall, most of the high-ranking Marines were gathered. The room was filled with a sense of urgency and tension. Fleet Admiral Sengoku glanced around the table, eyeing the participants of this important meeting. Seated to his immediate right was Admiral Zephyr, a veteran of the Marines for close to four decades.
However, it was the man sitting to his immediate left who drew particular attention. This man had risen to the rank of Admiral after the World Military Draft, alongside Admiral Raylene. He was known by the epithet "Haiirokaku," meaning "Grey Elephant," but his real name was Hazard.
With his striking appearance, sharp features, and calm demeanor, Admiral Hazard exuded an air of intellect and quiet power. He wore sleek, round spectacles that glinted under the room's bright lights, adding to his scholarly appearance.
He was the current user of the Plasma-Plasma Fruit, a Logia-type Devil Fruit that granted him control over plasma, a state of matter created by superheating gas. His abilities were a terrifying blend of destructive power and precise control. The fruit was a direct gift from the World Government to the New Admiral so that he could serve the World Government better.
He was casually transferring plasma bolts from one finger to another, and though it seemed playful, he was practicing to gain better control of his new devil fruit. His entire body seemed to shimmer and glow with a deadly, almost ethereal light. His marine coat draped over his shoulders like a cape, barely moving despite the palpable energy that radiated from him.
Hazard's calm, collected demeanor often made others underestimate him, but those who had faced him in battle knew the truth. His strategic mind and overwhelming power made him one of the most dangerous figures in the Marines.
He had a reputation for resolving conflicts with minimal collateral damage; his precision in combat mirrored his meticulous personality. He was already a powerhouse, but in recent years he had come to consume the Logia-type Devil Fruit, making him even more formidable.
As the tension in the room reached a critical point, Hazard adjusted his glasses, his eyes narrowing slightly behind the lenses. His every movement, though subtle, carried weight.
"Where is Kuzan?" Sakazuki couldn't help but ask as he saw an empty seat next to him and Borsalino. As of now, almost the entire Marine Corps was aware that these three would be the next generation of admirals. Borsalino simply shrugged while turning to Tsuru, who must be aware of Kuzan's current deployment.
"Aokiji has been assigned the mission to track down Nico Olvia and her daughter, who are on the run. We cannot have the survivors of Ohara prowling the open seas. They are too dangerous, especially if they were to garner support from the wrong factions," Tsuru added while she was going through the folder that contained all the information regarding the upcoming World Nobles' native hunting competition. She showed a sick expression as she read through the folder.
"Tch, if Kuzan had done his job back then properly, those two wouldn't have slipped past through the net. We could have finished them off then and there," Sakazuki scoffed in frustration. He still remembered clashing with Aokiji at Ohara.
"Like how you finished off those civilians from Ohara?" Zephyr couldn't help but ask in disdain. Though it was reported that the rescue ships that Sakazuki escorted with the civilians met with an accident after Sengoku ordered Kuzan to chase after Olvia, almost everyone understood the unspoken truth that Akainu was directly involved in the so-called accident where none of the civilians of Ohara survived.
"Enough! This is not the time for petty squabbles. We have much more important matters to discuss today," Fleet Admiral Sengoku intervened. He knew Zephyr was not a fan of how things were handled regarding the innocents of Ohara. What they carried out was genocide, and Sengoku knew this as well, but before the elders' orders, he couldn't do anything and had to carry it through.
"The Marines sure lack the internal cohesion that I expected. We must work in that direction," Hazard mused as he scribbled on his notepad. Even Sengoku couldn't truly gauge what kind of character the new Admiral was.
His background was clean, and he was an ex bounty hunter who used to work closely with the Marines back in the day, and even the World Government was positive about his appointment, unlike the case with Raylene, which was a headache to get the Elders' approval.
"Sengoku-san, why don't you just start the meeting? We're all eager to know if the rumors are true. Are the World Nobles really going to restart the native hunting competition?" Borsalino questioned, his usual nonchalance barely hiding his curiosity.
Zephyr's face soured at the mention of the hunt. Admiral Hazard, sitting with an impassive expression, merely observed the proceedings. Sakazuki snorted, his thoughts unreadable.
"Sigh! It's better we get to the point. Yes, the World Nobles are planning to reinitiate the native hunting competition, and they expect us to get involved directly. They fear that incidents of the past might repeat, so the Marines will be providing security for the event," Sengoku announced, his tone heavy with reluctance.
"I will have no part in this matter, I..." Zephyr began, his disdain and opposition clear, but Sengoku immediately interjected. With Garp throwing a tantrum and Raylene causing chaos in the New World, he needed Zephyr to take control of the situation.
"Zephyr, if you deny my orders, then I have no choice but to redeploy Vergo from the New World to the team handling the security for the event," Sengoku asserted, his voice firm. He knew Zephyr wouldn't want his son involved in such a despicable matter. It was outright blackmail, but with Garp out of the picture and two new Admirals, he needed Zephyr at the helm.
"You..." Zephyr's eyes narrowed, ready to challenge his friend, but then he took a deep breath and calmed down. He wasn't like Garp, who would smash things and just leave. He knew Sengoku was serious about redeploying Vergo.
Sengoku felt bad for his friend but continued, wanting Zephyr to understand the gravity of the situation. "We have intel suggesting that the information about the competition has somehow spread. No one knows the source, but it seems that they are even aware that the event will take place in South Blue. We have reports that Charlotte Linlin has already moved, despite her base being destroyed. I'm afraid she will use this event to cement her position in the New World. We can also be sure that Golden Lion Shiki will make a move," he explained, his eyes scanning the room to ensure the information sank in.
"What about the rumors regarding the prize for the event? Is there any substance to them?" Admiral Hazard asked, flipping through the reports. "The Logia-type Yami Yami no Mi, a Mythical Zoan-type, and the Paramecia-type Ope Ope no Mi. If these rumors are true, we can expect more company. It won't be just the Big Mom Pirates and Golden Lion Pirates moving; we can expect more interested parties," he added.
Sengoku had to praise him inwardly—unlike other hot-headed admirals, Hazard was a man who used his brains first rather than brawn.
Sengoku nodded, acknowledging Hazard's point. "The intel on the Devil Fruits has not been confirmed by the World Government. But we cannot underestimate the allure of such powerful fruits. The Marines must be prepared for the worst. Our priority is to ensure the safety of the World Nobles attending the event and prevent any major incidents," he stated firmly.
Borsalino, leaning back in his chair, chuckled softly. "Well, this just got a lot more interesting," he mused, his eyes gleaming with curiosity and excitement.
"So, according to the report, the kingdom has already been taken over by the terrorist organization known as the Revolutionaries," Admiral Hazard mused, his eyes sharpening with interest. "Officially, everyone in the kingdom has been declared a revolutionary. The World Nobles have certainly found a convenient excuse to raze a kingdom affiliated with us. But why do I feel there's something more to this matter?" He questioned, his tone laced with skepticism.
Hazard, with his precise intellect and lack of moral scruples, saw the World Government as the righteous governing body and the World Nobles as privileged descendants of gods. Although he wouldn't grovel at their feet, neither would he challenge the established order.
"You're not wrong to be suspicious," Sengoku replied, his expression grave. "The timing of this 'uprising' is too convenient. There's more at play here than what meets the eye."
Sakazuki leaned forward, his fists clenched. "Regardless of the underlying motives, our duty is clear. We must quash any threat to the stability of the World Government, even if it means dealing with the revolutionaries harshly."
Zephyr, still simmering with anger, interjected, "But as Marines, how can we let innocent lives be sacrificed for the sake of the World Nobles' whims? We can't allow this event to happen in the first place, as it is sure to become a massacre."
Admiral Hazard adjusted his glasses; his calm demeanor was a stark contrast to the tension in the room. "Hehehe! While I understand your concerns, Admiral Zephyr, our primary objective remains the same: to maintain order and uphold the laws set by the World Government. If the World Nobles demand action, we are bound to comply. And the report here declares the whole Kingdom as a base of terrorists, and everyone there is a criminal, there are no innocents involved, and it's our duty to deliver justice."
*********
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