Previous Chapter Recap:-
Lucius found Luck Luck no mi, His stand ate it but he didn't gain the Weakness of sea. He fought with Omori in spar. Spandine exposed the islands where cipher pol agents are trained from an early age. Lucius Joins the Roger pirates.
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After Roger was thoroughly scolded by Rayleigh for the nth time. They quickly restocked all the supplies and left via the calm belt where Lichterheim was located. Over the next week or so, Quite a few leviathan sea kings were bold enough to attack Oro Jackson but their fate was to become Food for the crew.
They eventually reached West Blue, which was the nearest weak Sea before their Journey officially began. After traveling to a few different islands for the next few weeks and letting Lucius know how a pirate crew behaves. They reached Kano country, The home of Chinjao and his recently established Happo Navy.
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Chinjao narrowed his eyes when he spotted Oro Jackson in the distance. His body itched for a fight but alas he felt gloomy knowing he was no longer at his prime after Garp caved in his beautiful drill head, two years ago.
Roger was initially looking forward to the fight but after learning from his voice of all things about Chinjao's Situation, He also became Gloomy but his eyes quickly glinted mischievously after he had glanced at Lucius who was standing with shanks and buggy. "Chinjao! It makes me feel sad that you have become even weaker than our new choreboy here." Roger lamented yet his taunting words ticked Chinjao in the way he hoped for.
"Hmph! Your tongue is sharp as ever, Ey Roger? How about… you put your words to the test against my Son, Wei?" Chinjao, although he felt provoked by Roger's words. He was still keen enough to notice Roger held quite the confidence in this boy.
But Chinjao also felt confident in his own son, so he boldly proposed a challenge that he knew Roger would agree with and as he expected. Roger's eyes shone brightly.
But Roger, despite being an unreliable troublemaker, Respected his crew's willingness to do something. So Roger looked at Lucius and asked "Lucius-kun, What do you think..? If you agree, I will give you.. some of Rayleigh's special Snacks!" with a shameless act of sacrificing his vice-captain's stash.
Rayleigh, who was next to Roger, felt his scalp go cold and an urge to beat Roger up. But he postponed it because he knew such behavior shouldn't be done in front of another crew.
"Although I do like Snacks, But.. Wouldn't it be better if we get a reward from them? After all,They are the ones who proposed the challenge!" When Rayleigh heard Lucius's words he was relieved, feeling glad he had such a sensible Student.
'This brat...' Chinjao narrowed his eyes on Lucius. He was pleasantly surprised yet also mildly pissed at Roger after he realized Lucius was only around 9 years old, so to say he was weaker than him.. was insulting to say the least. Chinjao soon however heard Roger's infuriating words "Oi, Chinjao, you heard the kid, right..? You wouldn't want to be called a cheapskate.. right? So what do you offer if Lucius-kun defeats your son?"
"Hmph. If Your brat somehow managed to defeat My son. Then, I, Chinjao, will of course reward him Generously!" Chinjao spoke with confidence. Then after a deliberate pause he continued "As for what Reward.. He can choose what he wants for himself as long as it's within limits! Of course the opposite applies when my Son wins." Chinjao cunningly added at the end.
Roger smiled with satisfaction. Although he was slightly disappointed that Lucius wouldn't get to beat up Chinjao, he still didn't mind the son being beaten up instead.
Soon, everyone reached another side of Kano country where there was enough space for the battle to happen without any disturbance. Although before the fight would begin. Lucius decisively asked questions to prevent any sort of foul play. "How will we decide who wins? Will this be just me fighting Uncle Wei or can anyone join this midfight to help?"
Chinjao felt both mildly annoyed but also intrigued the more he observed Lucius. But Instead of answering, He opted to ask back with a hint of anger in his voice. "Brat! Are you implying we are not honorable?!" that caused a shift in the mood, both sides were ready to fight it out if it came to that.
Lucius quickly shook his head and dispelled Chinjao's attempt to stress him out. "I am merely trying to ensure everyone understands how this spar will happen. After all, both sides care deeply about their crewmate, so some might get emotional and rush to the rescue."
'Not bad..' Chinjao thought, appreciating how Lucius deescalated the tension without losing his calm. Chinjao then addressed everyone loudly. "This brat speaks with reason! So don't dare to interfere unless you want to face my wrath!" Chinjao was pleased when he heard a collective "Hai! Chinjao-sama!" from His Happo Navy. "And this fight will only end if one of them surrenders or loses their consciousness.!" Finishing with an authoritative tone.
Chinjao whispered to his son "Be careful.. Although he is a brat, Roger seems to be confident in him." Chinjao warned his son, Wei. Who solemnly nodded and briskly walked towards the middle where the fight would take place despite feeling some doubts about Chinjao's words.
"Lucius-kun, Best of luck! Don't worry about injuries, I have everything in my cabin" Amara encouraged cheerfully. She knew with the Roger pirates here and Lucius's Mysterious Ability, He wouldn't be in danger. So she treated this more as a friendly spar for Lucius to learn from.
Lucius nodded his head with a smile, and strolled past Buggy and Shank, giving each of them a different style of high five. When Lucius reached the middle he saw Wei drawing his bladed Polearm, after a moment of contemplation, Lucius swiftly grabbed his long Halbert attached to his back and Masterfully maneuvered it around his body to warm up his body.
They stared into each other's eyes for a few moments before launching a measured strike at the same time to gauge each other's strength. This tug of strength didn't last long as Wei's face became serious after he felt slightly pressed while holding his Polearm. This small exchange had cleared any doubts he might have held for his father's advice for a cautious approach.
For a short period of time, Lucius and Wei merely exchanged measured blows using their weapons at spots that they deemed as weak spots.
A drop of sweat streaked down Wei's neck. 'Is he actually a kid?!' He complained inwardly. He knew Lucius hadn't used anything but his raw strength until now. Wei then decided to take the initiative by feinting his movement and skillfully aimed a haki coated attack using his Polearm but to his surprise, his attack didn't land.
'Did I miss..?' Wei doubtfully thought but when he tried to strike a few more times, He realized that Lucius was using some sort of movement technique to subtly avoid his attacks at the last moment.
To the untrained observers however, They had merely thought Wei was being sloppy and missed his attacks. Confusing mang Happo Navy members.
Chinjao frowned slightly after seeing his son starting to show signs of struggle. But he didn't intervene, knowing it would be quite shameful to do so after his words.
After taking a deep breath to come down, Wei skillfully started using his Polearm focused martial arts. His strikes were now more fluid and controlled, which Lucius noticed after he was almost hit a few times because he didn't use Soru on time.
Lucius after Intuitively deducting he might lose, started using his observation haki more while gradually lessening the use of Soru, causing the battle to become more intense. Wei on the other hand was growing slightly irritated when he noticed he was missing even more strikes now.
After a moment of dilemma and feeling shame. Wei finally decided to use His family's secret technique against Lucius, knowing he might lose otherwise.
Lucius's face turned somewhat serious after he dodged a Polearm attack he intuitively knew would have likely damaged him even if he used armament Haki, after a few more strikes, it clicked inside his head what it was. 'Hasshoken' Lucius deducted internally. It was a unique technique of the Happo Navy that caused shockwaves to their targets disregarding any defense.
'But it can be countered with enough force.' Lucius mused the weakness he had written about in his Journal. Wei paused his attack as under his now confused eyes, Lucius.. threw his weapon towards another spot.
"I think.. it would be for the better if we switched to using our fists now.. Least something irreversible happens." Wei heard Lucius say with a heavy tone after he glanced at Chinjao. He confusedly looked towards his father who merely tilted his head that Wei knew meant he approved of Lucius's suggestion.
So despite feeling confused on what was happening. Wei, obediently threw his Polearm in the distance deciding to start using melee now.
Chinjao's eyes however lingered on Lucius 'Impressive! Such monstrous Intuition at a young age…' Chinjao thought with appreciation. Like his son, nobody except Lucius noticed Chinjao was unconsciously feeling more tensed that his body posture subtly changed when he had deduced his son would likely lose his life if the fight continued and became more precarious.
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Wei locked his eyes with Lucius, Who almost reached Wei height of 12'7 feet despite being only 9 years old. They gripped their hands into fists before circling around each other.
After Seeing Lucius not having any intention to attack first. Wei decided to throw a jab infused with 'Hasshoken' at Lucius's Jaw, Who fluidly evaded And countered back with a series of precise hits that for a few moments made Wei feel breathless.
'Fuck…' Wei thought after staggering back and gasping for air, He had Initially presumed he would be able to easily win in hand-to-hand combat but reality made him realize. Lucius wasn't just merely a kid.. he was a kid who knew how to fight like a fish knows how to swim.
For the next period, Wei experienced a series of beating that made him at moments regret even choosing to abandon his weapon but his pride as a man refused to let him pick up his weapon despite the desperate situation he found himself in. Some Happo Marine members even looked away, unable to see his battered body.
Wei saw Lucius take measured breaths but he also noticed something else in Lucius's, Dissatisfaction, He didn't know why but those eyes tugged at his heart as a surge of guilt ignited inside Wei.but his body gave away due to exhaustion and he collapsed immediately afterwards.
There was a short moment of silence before Roger pirates started cheering loudly. But Lucius, the one who should be celebrating for his first victory, felt nothing. Or rather he felt emptiness. 'Why..?' Lucius pondered, his eyes unconsciously drifted towards the Happo Navy as if searching for an answer.
He noticed how they gripped their weapons,Their eyes filled with Unwillingness.. frustration and.. their posture that yelled their inability to do anything to change this outcome. 'Ah I see..' Lucius suddenly realized as Memories Lucius had long wanted to forget started surfacing.
"Go help Wei up" Chinjao commanded after he took a deep look at his Son. He felt both disappointed but also hopeful this fight will ignite Wei's fighting spirit that he had lost after Chinjao crushing defeat. His eyes then fell on Lucius. "Brat! Tell me what you want. But be warned I will deny it if you ask for too much!" Chinjao directly asked Lucius.
"I want.. to fight every single one of you at the same time." Everyone paused, After they registered what Lucius had said. Especially The Happo Navy and Chinjao, spoke with barely contained anger at such a degrading request. "Oye Brat… Don't take it too far, I will look away at the insult only this time.-" But Lucius interrupted and said "All I am hearing is.. The great Happo Navy is afraid they will lose to a chore boy."
Chinjao's eyes turned Cold while he spat out. "You asked for it… Brat! Don't regret it afterwards!" After taking a deep breath. He yelled "Happo Navy!" Every single member gripped their weapons "Teach this brat… some manners!" before rushing at Lucius.
"DON'T IINTERVINE!!" Roger abruptly shouted when he saw His crew members about to rush in and help Lucius. Roger's eyes lingered on Lucius before he mumbled. "I trust him."
Amara, despite feeling the urge to protect her son, held back. 'No.. Lucius would never do something like this without a reason.. but why?' She pondered while biting her nail in worry.
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Word count: 2115.
Author's note:-
I nearly finished writing this yesterday actually but I felt something was missing at the end and now I know what. Yes that behavior feels irrational but It also suits his personality. He was always one who understands people's heart.. even if they themselves can't.
Anyways, Surprisingly or not I guess, many of my readers want to see Stussy+ Robin as Lucius's Love interest. While Gerd or Black Maria as the third.
For now I will go with Stussy and Robin, then based on how the plot develops. I will choose between the latter two. Of course I will also look out for more Gerd behavior from the manga so I know if she would actually accept Lucius having more than one lover.
Also Wei is actually an Oc (Original character) because The wiki didn't mention Chinjao's son and I felt based on how Sai behaves, His father along with the family itself is probably quite honerable and cares deeply about respect but as Chinjao grew older they became shameless in order to ensure Chinjao doesn't get hurt while battling others, leading to their behavior in Dressrosa.