A Bitter Truth

* **Date Completed: 11th of October 2023**
* '*Users Involved: User:Cuahitl, User:Shamankingaursu, User:Ash9876*
* **Setting: New World, Rolling Tundra**
* **Time In Universe: 1585**
* **Characters Involved: Robur Tenebras Noctis, Nerluc, Kauldran Synthia**
* **Characters Mentioned: New World Pirates, Fernanda, Ressvolt C. Erkstein, Kauldran Synthia**
* **NPCs and Antagonists: Marines, Nerluc**

## A Fresh Capture

Absolute orders from above were given to the marines near Rolling Tundra, a seemigly unknown island for it's retrieval due to it's importance for the World Government, as it was found that a powerful pirate crew had taken over it and a factory was set nearby, rumoured to be one of Fernanda and Ressvolt's experiments. With many failed attempts, this one was sure to be the last one, as they had many powerful men monitoring the area. As many as four entire fleets of marines were deployed to scout the land, and they had every intention to take it back once and for all. "Search every perimeter, we need this island back!" ordered some of the higher ups to their subordinates, as they began to look around the snowy and freezing weather.

Meanwhile, a tired, hooded figure was roaming the land with steady, zombie-like steps, clearly looking for a warmer place to stay in. As the Marines quickly gained territory through the land, they spotted this mysterious figure, overshadowed by the vast snow that was covering their view. "Who goes there? Who are you?!" shouted the marines at the sight of the seemigly ghostly presence. "I...help...me..." muttered the shadow, as it quickly fell on the ground, knees first.

As the officers surronded it, they found a hooded guy lying on the snow with enormous gloves, what seemed to be a strange-looking sword and an overall pale looking appererance, almost suffering from severe hyphothermia. "What's the deal with this guy? He looks like he just got stranded here" they said, as they began picking him up and getting him to the nearest camp they set. As they arrived, they delievered him gently on a sleeping bag near the fire. While the flames were burning, they revealed the face of a young, deadbeat, albino teen that looked way too young to be there in the first place.

"Can you hear us? How did you find this place?" said the concerned marines, as they began treating his wounded body. *"I-un-unnow"* said the young boy, as he could barely speak. As they took a closer look to his now lit up face and looks, they found a roughed up chain circling around him like a snake, and an overall roughed up getup. "He looks like he came straight out of the garbage..." the marines around him whispered, getting even more concerned at the boy's appereance. "Hey, it would be crazy if he was one of *them* right?" said one of the officers that was looking straight at him, getting closer and taking his hood off. *"O-one of who-whom?"* spoke the young boy in a rough tone. "Why, one of the main guys, of course" the marine replied. *"Main...guy? ish shtat like a-a...title you're...giveh?"*.

"Yeah it is, sort of like a Commodore's insignia am I right guys?" the marine joked, as his fellow members laughed around him, looking at each other with a sarcastic look on their faces. *"I...I am acshually...a main guy...th-then"* said the barely conscious, delusional boy, in the hopes that he would be rescued by his benefactors. The marines looked at each other again, now with a more serious look on their face. "You mean it young lad?!" they exclaimed in unison, changing their tone of voice suddenly, recognizing him as a threat now. *"Y-yes..."* faintly said the teen, as he finally fell unconscious on the marine camp.

"Well now, it looks like we caught a fresh one this time, it will suffice for now. Lets report it back to G-5" said the main officer, as he used a portable Den Den Mushi to contact the base.

At the other end of the line was a tough looking man with two horns sticking out of his helmet. Letting out a deep breath, a plume of smoke escaped out of his mouth. "Ah...that was some fiery coal" he said, as he spat out the smoldering stones.

Clicking the Den Den Mushi up he let out a grunt. "What is the status report soldier?" Rear Admiral Nerluc leaned slightly against his desk. "You want to tell me what is going on? I assume there is some sort of pirate on the island? How many reinforcements do we need? What type of crew?" Nerluc didn't have time for any bullshit. He wanted to know what this call was for, and quickly get it done with. The more time wasted there would be more dead marines and the less time for justice to truly be enforced.

"We caught one of the main members of the crew Rear Admiral Sir!" said the main officer who took the boy hostage. "He's probably about 17 or 18 years old, but he seems to be one of their fleet captains. You know how young pirate crews have been getting lately sir". As those words left the officer's mouth, another one chimed in. "We didn't find any pirates around, and the lab seems to be intact sir. We installed two camps inside the building, so we're awaiting for orders to retreat!".

"Hmm a member of what crew?" Nerluc let out a grunt of annoyance. "Either way I am heading over. I should only be a few hours to the base camp. Keep a steady patrol. I don't want any pirates over running our postion." Nerluc got up and headed towards his ship. He was going to have to reach the Rolling Tundra and check out which pirate they had captured. Based on who they captured, they would need to tread very carefully. He rather not start a war with an emperor without at least getting an ok with his higher ups.

Meanwhile, the boy was chained and imprisoned by his captors. As he was unconscious, the marines started to bicker around the campfire while drinking sake, awaiting for Nerluc's arrival. "Hey, I don't think we should have him so close to the lab. He might start to wreck something if he truly is a pirate" said one of the lower ranks. "Don't worry soldier, he doesn't seem to be-" the higher officer was interrupted by a loud and resounding snore that echoed throughout the main camp. "HEY, THE BASTARD FELL ASLEEP, *LOOK AT THAT*, HAHAHA" exploded with laughter the marine who was close to him, pulling up a marker and drawing a crude mustache and beard on the kid's face.

"AHAHAHA" as everyone started laughing around him, there was a creaking on the chains that imprisoned him. "Captain, are you sure he's asleep?" asked the only marine who seemingly heard the chains creaking. "HAHAHA! Eh...? Do you doubt my abilities Petty Officer?" said the main Captain in between laughs. "I-I no, no sir!" corrected the marine quickly. As time went on and the marines started to become more drunk, the chains started to creak even harder this time, with everyone hearing the tremendous crackle now. "Oh! eh, hey...what was that?" asked the Captain, perplexed. Before he could continue, the imprisoned figure broke the chains and shackles that binded him, making all of the marines jump in a circle around him in a state of alert. "He broke through!!! Dammit!!!" said the Petty Officer. "Say something pirate scum!!".

Then, a loud snore, with a snot popping out came back again from the teenager. **"EHH? HE'S STILL ASLEEP?!"** shouted all the soldiers at once, shocked as to how the "pirate" was still resting. "Get him!!!" said the officer as they all jumped him at once. The snoring boy grabbed his sword and started slashing against the marines indiscriminatedly, as they all fell to his tremendous raw strength. "Dammit, we need backup! Call the other fleets a once! Call the Rear Admiral!" ordered the astonished marine Captain.

Rear Admiral Nerluc was arriving close to the island. But was he arriving, he could hear his Den Den Mushi going off. He would lift the Den Den Mushi and speak into it. "What is going on? I am almost on the island." Nerluc glared out towards the island trying to sense for anyone dangerous in the area. But he didn't feel anyone of great strength along the coastline. But the closer the vessel got to the island, the more area he could scan with his haki.

As the transponder started ringing, something akin to acute radio interference spat out from Nerluc's side of the line. "Admi...we...eed...BAck...UP...UAGHHHH" the last line was heard as a big slash cut through the captain, then a loud snore interrupted the line, cutting it out completely. As the boy slashed through the marines, he emptied the entire camp, finally laying himself to sleep back again near the fire. Seeing as the second camp was on the other side of the enormous lab, the rest of the troops were taking a long time to get there, giving him plenty of time to take a long deserved, proper rest this time.

"Bring the sea stone cuffs, now!!!" ordered the second camp's captain, running through the snow as fast as he could with way more men this time, believing their opponent to be a Devil Fruit user. "Where is the rear Admiral? Is he here yet?!" asked one of the officers that was carrying the chains made of steel. "He'll be here soon soldier! Focus on capturing the target first!" yelled the second camp's Petty Officer as the snow was limiting their movements, coupled with the intense weight of the 100% pure sea stone cuffs.

## Secrets (Your Fire)

When the Marines finally arrived at the scene, they found the wounded bodies of their mates, but surprisingly, their lives weren't taken. "Bring on the paramedics!" said the Captain, as a bunch of medic troops flooded the first camp, ready to take care of the marine fleet.

"Captain, I found him!" said one of the seamen who was scanning the area, as he encouraged the rest of the men to take a look at the boy, who was still sleeping. "He's a monster. Imagine the rest of the crew if only one of it's members is that powerful...hmmm? And what's with the drawn in goatee?! A-anyways, lock him up!!" ordered the slightly embarrassed captain to his crew, who immediately imprisoned the kid in pure sea stone cuffs, trying to make sure that he wouldn't be able to escape this time and believing he was a user.

"Hopefully this guy is still sleeping by the time Nerluc gets here" said the Petty Officer in a concerned tone, as they waited for Nerluc at the main base, the closest to the shore. This time, the new chains were holding up rather well, as the boy couldn't even move a muscle.

Nerluc's Marine Vessel arrived on the Nearby Marine Base. Stepping off the side of the bridge he slammed to the deck with a heavy thud. His eyes shot forward glancing at all the marines at the base. He didn't see a destoyed base. Nor was it taken over by pirates. They must of repelled the attack. Or maybe they recaptured the pirate? Nerluc began to march forward heading towards the center of the base to meet the highest ranking marine at the base. "I've come to get a report on what is going on." The Rear Admiral face was stern. He wanted to get this job done and head back to capturing pirates. Returning to a base just to deal with one pirate was well..it was agravating.

"YES SIR!" reported the marine commander as Nerluc began taking big strides towards the main camp. "The pirate in question seems to be...Chief of Staff level at least..." said the marine, nervously scouting through papers. "M-maybe even Vi-Vice Captain...he took out an entire fleet of our men...while sleeping..." said the commander, acknowledging the kid's strength.

As Nerluc was arriving to the base, the boy finally came to his senses. "Where...am I?" he questioned, as he looked around the marine camp and the hundreds of men with slash wounds, then looked over at his cuffed hands and legs. "Sea stone. Excuse me my good man, do you happen to know why I'm imprisoned in such a tight spot?" he said to the marine looking over him. "Shut your mouth you pirate scum, you will be meeting with the Rear Admiral Nerluc soon, so hold your words" said the marine. "I'm...sorry? This must be a misunderstanding of sorts" replied the boy again, without the marine acknowledging him this time.

Just as the teen was finally awake, Nerluc arrived at the scene, watching the hundreds of men violently slashed around him, with the Commander who was in charge of escolting him at a loss for words as to how it happened.

"An entire fleet of men while sleeping?" Nerluc had heard of stories like this. But still he found it quite sad that they allowed a single boy to defeat a whole group of marines. Nerluc stepped forward towards where the teen was. He watched as hundreds of soldiers were just cut down around the young man. "Hmm? No it can't be a devil fruit..since you are chained up. You're gonna wanna tell me who you are and how you're doing that boy". He glared at the young man as he rolled up his sleeves. He was going to have to take care of this kid. Putting a permanent end to this problem might be his best solution; he couldn't let him cut down more marines.

"Me, sir?" asked the young man politely, even after seeing him roll up his sleeves. "My name is Noctis. Noctis Robur Tenebras. I believe my family has business with the marines, perhaps sir could help me get to the end of this misundersanding? I wasn't on a right state of mind...as you can see" Noctis then looked around with the vast amount of soldiers defeated around him, incredulous as to why he was surrounded by so many defeated marines.

"I might know who you are." Nerluc calmly said. "But you have comitted a crime attacking a marine base. You have caused considerable damage or death. Your reputation is what keeping you from being thrown at my boot. So I am going to ask again how did you attack the soldiers. You are chained up and should not be able to move." Nerluc let out a grunt glancing at the cuffs. He moved his hand. "One of you make sure the chains and cuffs are connected to a wall or something. So he cannot keep attacking people. Just chaining someone up with Sea Stone will not stop that!". With that order said, some of the marines began to move over and follow his orders to make sure Noctis was securely cuffed.

"I'm sorry mister...Nerluc? Is that your name sir?" said the boy this time, beginning to feel the strain of the sea stone rigidity on his extremities. "Uh...I have no recollection...ugh...of what happened here". As Noctis began to strain more and more, his stare grew wider and wider towards Nerluc himself. "Maybe I could...nego...negotiate things in a more diplomatic manner?" said Noctis, with a smidge of snarkyness letting out of his usual polite persona, betraying his true intentions to the Rear Admiral.

"Well, you can try I suppose. Do you have something to say. I will have to talk to your parents most likely. I'll have to let them know you are here and ask them to compensate for their child causing such trouble." Nerluc would glare at the young man. He was considering all his options on how to deal with this kid. But killing him or arresting him could cause a lot of problems. He either needed to talk to the boy's parents or talk to the higher up's. But for now he decide to let the kid try to spin his way out of the mess he had created.

Noctis' eyes darkened, the sea stone chains now being pulled by him instead of away from him, no matter how much the marines pulled. "How about you settle this with **me** instead, Rear Admiral? I know about the LORE business, and it seems that the World Government is trying to hide *something* to do with it" said the boy in a serious manner, dropping the polite act entirely and opting for a challenging tone of voice. "Or maybe your blind sense of *justice* won't let you see what they're hiding from you instead? I heard that News Coo will like to hear more about it".

"Blind Justice?" Nerluc would look down at the man. "I am not blind. Nor do I care about the LORE Business. Now I ask again, why should I unchain you?". If the Five Elders allowed it to be so then he had no place to question it. No, Nerluc was never blind. He just knew where he was needed, and he was not needed to handle that sort of business. So, his knowledge on this was...limited to say the least. "Anyway, I don't like you trying to threaten me when you're in chains". Nerluc crossed his arms and motioned for the marines to back away from Noctis. He didn't want them getting hurt. This kid was clearly quite strong. Well, strong for a kid. Nerluc was sure he could handle him.

"You clearly...care...enough for you to bargain with me. **Where's your pride in that?! Your sense of morality?!**" said Noctis as he pulled the chains further and further. "Why don't we just take a look at...ugh...this marine lab itself then?! Maybe that will change your mind!" as he said this, Noctis coated his arms and legs with busoshoku haki, then pulled the chains harder. As they began crackling, the marines took guard of his blade, forming a perimeter around it. "Don't let him get his sword! We're screwed if he does!" yelled the main captain, watching the boy break the steel chains. As Noctis finally freed himself, shackles and all, he immediately started sprinting as fast as he could towards his captive sword, in an attempt to grab it, with all events unfolding through Nerluc's eyes.

He watched as the Steel snapped at the boy's power. He was pretty strong for a kid. But while the other marines looked upon fearfully at the young man's strength Nerluc just glared. Breaking Steel was an impressive feat. But if he was afraid fo those who could snap steel, then he'd have no business being in the New World. "He can grab his sword if he wants." Nerluc would begin to walk towards Noctis as he dived for his sword.

"Just back away all of you. I will handle this." Nerluc would crack his neck as he began to speak. "I don't care about the laboratory and I don't care about morality. You know those things only bring you misfortune. Morality is really easy to break. No, the only justice that a marine needs to follow is the orders of the higher up's. If it was deemed law then the secret base can stand firm". Nerluc cared that it existed. But once again, he needed to deal with this kid and put him in his place. "Grab your sword. If you want to fight then go ahead; I'll bring you back to reality".

As the marines backed down, Noctis grabbed his sword and began revving it like a motorcycle. "I'm sorry Rear Admiral, but I didn't grab my sword to fight you. My main mission is to *tear this place down*". As he revved his sword, heavy blue flames started to come out. **"Charge I"** said Noctis, as the sword emmited a clicking sound, he slashed the air towards Nerluc and emmited a bursting flame attack that cut the ground itself and travelled all the way to the Rear Admiral. "Feint".

Nerluc raised his right arm as Haki clad his hand. The Flames smashed into the outstretched arm. He could see the marines behind him fleeing as the flames danced at the tip of his hand. "Hmp. Is that how you wanna do things?" Some small burns marks laid on his hand despite the protection of his haki. Nerluc muscles twitched with energy as he began to walk towards the young man. Kicking off the ground he'd charge forward to unleash a heavy elbow. Buso clad his arm as he unleashed a devastating shockwave trying to snap the sword and break all the armor off the young man's body! "Hassoken!"

Noctis was sent down flying from the devastating shockwave and narrowly regained his footing, as he was about to hit the main gates of the lab, barely stopping in the process and burying his feet in the ground slightly. He blocked the attack with his sword coating it in buso haki. "It's gonna take more than that to break my weapon!" exclaimed the boy. "Reverse Feint" he said, as he launched another ranged fire slash, this time horizontal, but passing straight above Nerluc.

'He has haki.' Nerluc thought as the boy blocked the attack with his weapon. Still, if he increased the power, the young man would be taking damage every time they clashed. Then again, he'd be in the same position with the flames that danced on the boy's weapon.

They were near the laboratory, which gave Nerluc time to scope it out. He didn't know the island had a laboratory. So the boy's words were true. He would like to take a look at that. But not yet. This boy needed to stop first.

When the next firey slash flew out, Nerluc leaped to the side. The flames raced past, but Nerluc didn't care. He told the marines to move away. If any of them got hit by the slash, it was their own damn fault. Nerluc charged forward and swung his leg down trying to drop a massive kick down on Noctis's head! If they clashed, then a shockwave would also travel through his weapon to damage Noctis's body.

"I don't know if you noticed, Rear Admiral; but that slash wasn't directed at you in the first place" said the prince. As Nerluc's kick was approaching, the roof covering the entrance to the lab began crumbling, as the ranged attack cut through the stone pillars that were holding it. The crumbling rocks began to put a reasonable amount of space between the Rear Admiral and Noctis, closing off Nerluc's side temporarily. 'This blockage won't last nearly long enough for someone who knows haki as well, he's coming for me. I need to hurry' thought the boy to himself, as he shouted from the other side to the Marine: "I'll deal with you in a minute, but I'm entering this lab no matter what!". Noctis then slashed through the doors leaving a burned off X-shaped hole through which he quickly got in.

## Science Fair

Once Noctis was inside the lab, he scooted past thousands of weird experiments and creatures encased in jars, wondering what kind of things were people doing on the island in the first place. Distracted by the contraptions and experiments, he stumbled and smacked face-first against what it seemed to be a steel wall. In clear pain from the incident, the young man looked up and saw a weird machine with the name "Ressvolt C. Erkstein" etched onto it in big letters.

Putting his engineering skills to the test, he began inspecting the machine and came to the conclusion that it was some sort of weather-altering device. 'This island's weather isn't natural' he thought. 'Why would they need to make this place a frozen wasteland?' with no more time to think, Noctis heard a loud **BOMP** coming from the main entrance's rubble. "Shit!" he instictively said, as he ran further down the lab, trying to evade Nerluc as much as he possibly could.

'Oh? That is pretty impressive.' As he raced in, the rubble began to fall between them. But Nerluc swung forward, batting the rubble aside to open an entrance. But by the time he did, Noctis had headed into the laboratory. Nerluc began to walk forward, sensing where the boy had gone. It was pretty close. Nerluc kept walking. He could see the boy running away, but he would not get too far. Nerluc kicked off the ground, racing forward to close the gap between them. 'Soru'

It was a technique that most marines had learned. It was not one Nerluc used that often. The Six Powers were a flawed art. In his mind, they had been built for sneaky killing. In straight combat, most of the powers were less valuable. Using them in straight combat became a crutch for the Marines. Of course, Nerluc didn't use them as such. Some of the arts were useful to learn and use in combat. In this situation, he uses the Soru to boost his speed to reach the escaping engineer.

Nerluc's fist twisted as he swung the whole brunt of his arm towards the side of the boy's head to send him spinning right into a wall and stop any more attempts to run away.

As Noctis hit the wall, he screamed in pain, coughing a litle blood in the process and falling to the ground. "ARGH! \*cough\*, \*cough\* "I...I'm busy Rear Admiral!" said the boy in a hurt, disjointed tone. "Do I really need to fight you to get to the bottom of this?!" as he said this, he revved his sword once more, now covered with haki. **"Charge II"**. The sword emitted another clicking sound, as it was now completely covered in blue flames. "Inertia Drift!" - starting from the back, Noctis slashed forwards violently in a verical motion, leaving blue flames behind.

Nerluc began to walk towards Noctis slowly. That blow had dealt some good damage, but the boy still crawled towards something. Whatever was in this place must have grabbed this boy's attention. Nerluc got ready to swing his fist around and smash the boy again, but Noctis had turned to fight. The blue flames that swirled around the blade seemed dangerous. Nerluc decided to avoid the strike.

Nerluc leaped to the right, dodging the blue flames. As they danced across the laboratory floors, Nerluc spoke up making sure to keep his distance from the blue blade. "Is this what you wanted to show me? A laboratory created by the world government to serve it purposes? What do you hope to accomplish? Do you want me to report this? That will do you no good. Or maybe you were hoping for some closure on your families actions?" Nerluc would raise his arms, getting ready to charge in once more. But he merely stomped his foot down, causing the ground to break apart. As it split, the rubble was flung forward and flew towards Noctis to knock him around. But Nerluc also used the rubble to charge forward and tried to swing a full-power blow to his stomach!

"IF YOU DON'T CARE, NO ONE WILL!" shouted Noctis helplessly, trying to find a reason to adhere to his code. **"ALL I'M ASKING IS FOR HELP!".**

The young engineer stood up in pain and stuck his flaming sword to the ground. He saw himself being knocked out unconscious by Nerluc's blow, unable to do more damage and dying to severe hypothermia, abandoned on the artificial island.

He remembered his days on Hikarigashima while he was being trained by his mentor, Iris, as her voice echoed throughout his mind. *"Your opponent unknowingly telegraphs his actions, young prince. All of them do. You just need to pay attention, and stay calm".* He started recalling all the training he made with her in the island. *“Preoccupied with a single leaf...you won't see the tree. Preoccupied with a single tree...you'll miss the entire forest".* Flashing images of countless defeats at Iris' hands passed through his mind.

*"I don't get it sis" said a 10 year old Noctis. "How do you even know what I'm about to do? It's just not fair!" - "Young prince...Don't be preoccupied with a single spot. See everything in it's entirety...effortlessly. That is what it means to truly "see.”*

As it turns out, the image he saw of himself was a brief glimpse into what could've happened if he got hit. Noctis had unlocked **Kenbusoshoku Haki.**

His eyes briefly glimpsed a shade of red as Nerluc's blow went towards him. He quickly grabbed his arm and used the momentum caused by his extreme speed to narrowly evade him, Indirectly throwing him and crashing straight into the next experimental room.

### Petrified with F.E.A.R

Noctis saw the huge hole left from throwing Nerluc into the next room, and felt an intense, puncturing pain on his left arm. It turns out Nerluc's punch *did* cause him damage, as when he grabbed him, the speed and intensity was so much that it ended up breaking his bones. He could no longer use his left arm anymore, but that barely mattered to him, as his real goal was to investigate the LORE fruit business. However, he ended up encountering something much worse. "Nerluc. I would suggest you thread carefully from now on...I am not the biggest threat on this island right now" said the boy in a calm, yet careful manner, as he scanned the the room with his newfound power, identifying three potent yellow-ish auras and one blue one, coming from the Rear Admiral. "This...is bigger than I thought".

Nerluc Blow should have landed, but the boy wrapped his arms around his own. He tried to throw him, but Nerluc planted himself. But once the boy let go, Nerluc skied, smashing into the wall and breaking it open. Nerluc would be unharmed, however, merely looking up at the boy with annoyance. 'Kenbonshoku huh? Well, his arm is a wreck so he won't be much more of a threat.' Nerluc went to attack him once more, but the boy's words had some weight to them. Nerluc had his ability in Kenbonshoku. So, the same things Noctis sensed he did as well.

Nerluc turned his body, facing the energy of the incoming foe. 'This laboratory must have some weapon. And he has awoken them. This Kid is going to be piss me off.' Nerluc had bigger fish to fry. "You don't move. Your still under arrest." He calmly added to Noctis. As if he had time to deal with this incoming threat and Noctis.

As the smoke from the rubble began to clear out, both the marine and the boy were met with three separate, human-sized test tubes, each one reading a rather familiar name to them. Kauldran Synthia. Each one of them had the number I, II and III on them. "Rear Admiral...these...are prototypes" said Noctis in a fearful and extremely concerned tone of voice. As the smoke finally cleared, it was bone-chillingly revealed that the last level of the marine laboratory contained three tests of the infamous five star pirate, that had been said to be genetically modified to have all of the traits of the most powerful species in the world. The three experiments opened their eyes in unison, staring at the two opposing forces outside the test tubes, almost as if they were looking for some kind of prey to feed upon.

"God...\*cough\* dammit" said Noctis, as he grabbed and revved his sword with his right arm in a state of clear exhaustion, somehow still being able to coat his weapon with busoshoku. "I...I will take care of them...sir" said the young man, in a sincere and direct manner, no longer trying to oppose to Nerluc.

"!!!!!"

Nerluc glanced at the three Clones of the Five Star Hunter. The ordinarily calm marine had a look of shock course across his face. This wasn't good. The Rear Admiral ripped off his cloak, cracking his neck. "You may have haki, but you're still a pup." Nerluc glared at the three monsters before him. "I will allow you a reprieve. Retreat to call the Marines for backup. Tell them under Rear Admiral Nerluc's order that I am issuing more marines and those higher than my station. Vice Admirals, at the least." He could not tell how strong the clones were, but this was a replica of a Five Star. The Top of the Hunting Pirates. One of the Four Strongest's crews on the ocean. The island would be devastated even if they were a 1/10th the scope of her fearsome power.

"Right now you'd just get in the way." Nerluc glared back at Noctis. Buso swirled over Nerluc's body as his muscles bulked up slightly. Soon, he covered his entire body with the Black Armor. It was a way to protect himself and deal severe damage to the clones. Of course, such a form had a great cost of stamina. Nerluc was well aware of the trade-offs, but his nickname was the Behemoth for a reason. It had been given to him because Nerluc was an unstoppable force. He didn't ever stop moving at his foes.

Nerluc remained in his position glaring at the three clones. He'd make a move soon if they just stood and watched him but he knew charging in would put him in a bad spot. As much as he just wanted to start ripping them to shreds. He found it pretty disgusting. True strength could not be created in a laboratory. Projects like the Pacifista only were good for weakening the marine orders not making them stronger. But did the world government care? No. But of course, it had all been the Will of the Gorsei. Strength was not always the key. It was control. And an army that could produced in a bottle. It was far more efficient then raising a child to maturity and teaching them the ways of fighting alongside haki.

"Come on. Attack me. Or you three are just gonna stand there." Nerluc growled at the three clones and stretched his arms letting his aura race off his body. An Intense feeling permeated the room. Nerluc was going to fight these creatures with 100 percent of his strength!

The imperfect clones burst through the test tubes and coiled around Nerluc. They were still calm. However it was known that Synthia prototypes would become bestial once they got angered enough. *"Rear Admiral...I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation we're in if you're gonna fight them all on your own"* whispered Noctis carefully, as to not disturb the copies. He then remembered the machine he bumped into earlier and suddenly had an epiphany. 'The weather machine! It serves to keep their bodies stable, that's why it's here!' he thought. "I'm gonna need you to buy me some time, Rear Admiral Nerluc" said Noctis in a calm voice, as he carefully got up and started running backwards to the machine. To destroy it would mean to weaken the copies drastically, maybe even destroying them in the process.

The beasts were starting to get angrier and angrier, with one of them finally jumping Nerluc using electro and trying to slash him with it's transformed claws, in a brutal attempt to take the Admiral's life.

'Fast!' Nerluc was hit by the clawed strike sparks flying off his body. No matter how tough one's armor was, a lighting attack would deal damage! It was a simple fact that a humanoid body couldn't absorb the shock of a powerful thunderous blow. However, it didn't defeat the Rear Admiral. No, not even close. The sharp claws dug into his Haki frame as he thought. 'They might still be growing to their normal strength. They just awoke after all so this is my chance.' Nerluc swung his fist to punch the clone away imbuing the blow both with his haki and Hassoken!

The clone that attacked him was sent down flying and hit a wall, still conscious, it got up and signaled to the other clones to attack him. Now the others began jumping at him, one shouting a strange song, and another releasing fire from her fists. As Nerluc was fighting the powerful creatures, Noctis arrived at the machine, proceeding to quickly destroy it. **Charge III**. He clicked the sword once again, this time releasing violet, frenetic flames that could barely be contained by the kid, almost melting the sword itself. "Agh...there's a reason I don't use this charge!" as he struggled to contain the flames, he stuck his sword into the weather machine with all of his strength. "Hell's...\*cough\* Paradise".

The violet flames burst immediately and engulfed the machine, spreading through the entire room Noctis was in. The machine burnt itself almost in a flash, and the clones started to resent the change in temperature, unknownst to Nerluc as he was too busy fighting them to notice anything.

Nerluc hit the clone backward but it was still standing. He hit it with a pretty good shot. These Clones really seemed underdeveloped but even then? They were really dangerous. One of them began to sing some sort of song. And then some fire and some one leaping forward to strike him. Nerluc guarded the clawed striked with his buso-clad body. However, the fire raced forward and hit him sending him flying backwards. Nerluc could see a lot of flames more then he expected and it was all around him? Had that brat done something? Nerluc kicked the ground trying to rip it apart. With his Hassoken he'd create a large canyon between himself and the Clones with a wave of rubble racing to strike all three clones.

Two clones stayed behind and only one of them managed to climb through the rubble, the fire striking one. "Fire". From the back of the lab, Noctis furiously threw his violet sword like a spear, a more proper way of using the Robur family style. As it travelled in an *extremely high* speed, it impaled the clone that was using fire moves, as he used kenbuso haki to find the frogfolk organ and destroy it. "They are weak to fire Rear Admiral! To high temperatures as well!" the clone quickly ripped a part of herself to gain freedom, regenerating herself, but not the organ. "Catch!" shouted Noctis, as he threw a Den Den Mushi back to Nerluc. "I've called them already".

"Hmp?" Nerluc caught the Den Den Mushi, a rush of disappointment from the strength of these clones. The Boy could hit the clone and stab one of its organs. It seemed they couldn't use haki. They didn't have the strength of the Five Star Pirates. Then again, he shouldn't be so disappointed. If they had been at full strength, the world would be dealing with three new terrifying monsters.

"Weak to fire huh?" Nerluc Caught his Den Den Mushi. "Can't say I have the ability to create fire." Nerluc would tackle the clone that got through the rubble to send them flying back to the other two.

Suddenly, the two clones left behind started to bulk up and grew twice their size, eclipsing both Nerluc himself and Noctis. The song one of the clones started playing was that of a siren, which enhanced their physiology to even more extremes. As the three clones felt the change in temperature, they became feral and started going for the two of them this time. Two of them attacked the Rear Admiral with extreme power and precision, almost as if they were teleporting around him, making it almost impossible to keep up. The third one went straight to Noctis, as a sort of revenge for ripping her organ out.

With a dose of almost miraculous luck, Noctis managed to dodge the powerful monster and get a hold of his sword. However, the monster immediately came back. As the flames propagated throughout the lab, the scene resembled that of a sort of a spectral hellscape that only the wildest demons on earth could roam around in. "Well I can!!" Noctis grabbed and stood on his sword parallel to the wall it was stuck to with the last remnants of energy that he had. "TRY TO GET BEHIND ME ADMIRAL! THAT IS IF YOU DON'T WANNA GET COOKED" he shouted, about to get annihilated by the returning, bloodthirsty creature.

The clones inched closer in moments. If even a second continued, Noctis and Nerluc may not have made it. However, a divine miracle intervened. Three bolts of lightning, each one precisely targeting the clones of Kauldran Synthia, struck down from the sky. That lightning appeared out of nowhere. Not even a rumble of thunder had been heard thus far.

From a small distance away was none other than the real Kauldran Synthia, the Perfect Hunter. "I can't believe these things were still active..." Synthia mumbled to herself in irritation. "Oi, you two!" She called out to Noctis and Nerluc. "I don't know who you are, but leave! I'm going to exterminate this place for good!"

"Behind you!" Nerluc roared in disgust. He could sense the three clones were growing stronger. Despite what the boy had done, they were getting into action. It didn't matter; he'd crush them all. "You stay behind me! I'm about to destoy all three of them!" Nerluc was nailed by the two attacks of the Clones and sent flying backward, blood flying from his mouth. But he quickly planted his feet and skidded back, some of the haki fading off his body. He took in a few deep breaths as he glanced at the two new claw wounds that had formed on his upper chest. They almost got his heart. But that was their last chance to kill him.

Nerluc raised his right arm as sparks of haki flew off the arm. An arm of judgment. An arm of God. He was the Behemoth. He was a Weapon of the Celestial Gods to destroy anything threatening them. These three beings before him were threats. And he'd wipe them off the face of the Earth even if he had to die to try such an effort. The aura faded slightly as a blue flame rushed forward up his arm. The Aura of a Hassoken Master. He remembered the days of his youth seeing it once. The Grandmaster of Hasshoken cracking the Land with a kick.

"The Dragon Drill Nail. A blow that can even erase all of the heavens! But only the Next head of the Hapo Navy can use such a move. It is the decree of the Gods."The Old Grandmaster flashed in his memories after showing off the move to a very young Nerluc and the other students of the Hapo Navy.

What rubbish. It was just a technique. Anyone who mastered Hassoken could learn to use such a move. But to take it higher, the sparks of haki raced off his fist as he got ready to attack with the blow. It was on a level that he was confident it would at least deal damage to these clones. Of course, after he might get torn apart. But did that matter? He was a Dog of government. They could find another one. His duty didn't require him to survive or thrive. Only to serve until he couldn't anymore.

"Dra..."

Before he could attack, the three bolts struck the clones, stopping him completely. The aura faded as Nerluc covered his face. "What the hell!?" Nerluc was not sure what could have done that. There were no marines so powerful on this island? Had another pirate arrived? The voice that called out confirmed as such, and the aura around her was...it was majestic. The power that he could sense dwarfed his own. He was sure it dwarfed these clones as well. The Perfect Hunter had arrived.

Her words were simple. Leave, or else death would follow swiftly, Nerluc assumed. He was not stupid. To engage an Emperor's crew was downright foolish. He would need the permission of the government for such an action. Attacking a Five Star over an unknown laboratory? It would do the Marines no good. All he could now was report these findings. "Your still under arrest boy." he said, trying to grab Noctis by the throat to lift him up to eye level. He was sure the Hunter would handle the clones. But he still had to deal with the boy before he left this place. He had killed his men. He was going to pay with his life.

"TO THINK I EVEN WANTED TO HELP YOU, SCUMDOG MARINE" shouted Noctis, as he swiftly evaded Nerluc's attempts in order to catch him with the help of his newfound haki. In an apocaliptic dance of lightning and fire, with the top of the lab open due to Synthia's actions, and the massive threat of the perfect hunter roaming above them; Noctis, holding on to dear life, uttered what seemed to be his last words: "Burn...The...Witch".

With his only good arm, he coated his sword with buso haki and stabbed the ground violently. "RRRR...AAAAAAGHHHHHHH!!!!!" he screamed, as the violet, spakling flames took an almost humanoid form while going into overdrive, managing to violently explode the entire marine base. The engineer somehow managed to escape the massive explosion and was nowhere to be seen after the fact.

Meanwhile, the three clones emerged from the explosion, burnt off and angry, they started violently attacking the real Synthia. Ignoring the Marine that was left behind on the remnants of the lab, this time they were the most feral and angry, teleporting themselves right before her and trying to land a mortal shot that shook the air and sent massive waves in the sky.

Synthia was almost saddened to see the past iterations of her continue to remain in existence. As it stood, Synthia herself was a massively flawed existence. To think these entities were also made before her. "Seems like those two finally left." Synthia spoke as the clones sought to erase Synthia with another strike.

"Axis Mundi." Synthia spoke as the three clones pushed closer. Immediately, her body was covered with a gel-like ocean blue armor that briefly glowed with the aura of lightning before she disappeared from view. While the clones were no doubt looking for her, Synthia reappeared in the sky, this time with the bow that was on her back now in her hands. "Axis Mundi: Three Arrows!" As she pulled back the bow's drawstring, six distinct arrows were formed; three formed by flames, three by lightning. Each were placed in sequential order, until she pulled back the drawstring in full.

Fire and lightning combined to create volatile energy that shot out from the arrow at full force. The three arrows gathered in one place, before the volatile energy caused them to split apart. Each arrow was aimed precisely at one of the three clones Synthia was facing. The crackling of pure energy sought to pierce through each clone in a single shot, and hopefully, cause them all to explode from the sheer heat in each arrow.

The arrow travelled through the three clones relentlessly as it pierced through them with an immense force, almost as if a divine punishment had set upon them. As it hit all of them one by one, they started glowing and inflating, pulsating with the astonishing amout of energy that moved through them.

Then, the clones exploded one by one, as they released the energy that was flowing inside of them. As the explosions concluded, a grim scenario was left behind: mutant blood started raining from the sky as if it was a natural phenomenon, caused by the same exact explosion that killed the clones.

Synthia was being showered in it.

A mixture of pure grief, sadness and pain set into the lab ruins as the crimson rain seeped through the creeks of the destroyed lab and the disaster left behind by such a powerful attack. However, the dark scene contrasted with the sun rising for the first time in Rolling Tundra's history, as the snow started to melt and the massive fog began to clear. It was a bittersweet sight, much like Synthia's own feelings.

As much as he wanted to stay around, he knew staying longer would mean getting in the crossfire. But he still needed to grab that young man. The flames blasted around him, burning his hand as he tried to grab on. "GUAH....." Nerluc recoiled his hand back as the explosion engulfed him. His Haki protected most of his body but was still badly burned. Forced to step out of the shaking rubble of the science station, he could not locate the young man. 'He must of ran off. And there's too much power to find him.' He could have hunted for that young man if the Perfect Hunter and those clones were not around.

It wasn't very pleasant. And now he needed to work on getting all the marines off this island. Stepping from the rubble, he yelled, "We are pulling out!" Nerluc was pissed about it, but this was the Perfect Hunter. To challenge her, even with an entire army of marines, would be asking for death. He was going to have to report this blunder to his commanding officers. Nerluc grumbled to himself at how much paperwork he would need to file. He kept his sense keen on the Perfect Hunter just in case she turned around and attacked them. She may have assumed they were guilty of these experiments.

Nerluc was glad he had gotten out as he saw the massive explosion emitted by the Perfect Hunter's attacks. The powerful explosion caused Nerluc to cover his eyes. The clones vanished from his senses, leaving only one pirate left. Nerluc gritted his teeth at the brutal display of power. The gap between himself and a Five Star was massive. Being a marine and knowing he couldn't do anything it was frustrating. This was a pirate with over 800,000,000 in bounty. Yet, all he could do was flee. Like a Dog whose tail was tucked between its legs.

The explosion bathed Synthia but before it could directly harm her body, she covered herself in the gel-like armor once more. It absorbed a majority of the impact and left her mostly unharmed.

The Perfect Hunter descended to the ground. She noticed Nerluc fleeing and did not bother to pursue him. Her issue was solely with the laboratory, and it was finally destroyed.

"Another one of these disgusting places finally destroyed..." Synthia turned around and began walking towards her ship. "It's time to find the next one."