A Step Before Paradise

* **Date Completed:**Going.
* **Users Involved:**User:Starving Skeleton, User:Shamankingaursu, User:DazzlingEmerald
* **Setting:**Unknown
* **Time In Universe:** 1584
* **Characters Involved**:
	+ **King Pirates: Daruma**
	+ **Unafilliated: Ronaldo Christiano, Hornigold Clovis**
	+ **Marines:** **Fork Gaslom**
* **Characters Mentioned**:
	+ **King Pirates: Cleopatra, Anastasia, Nisuke. Abbadon**

## A Welcomed Visitor

Sasuke and Cleopatra are back on the ship helping prepare for the fated journey while everyone else is gathering supplies. The first step into the Grandline where they will enter Paradise. Daruma couldn't believe that they managed to succeed in securing Black Drum Kingdom's secret. But he noted that something accompanied the shock. The excitement. Desire. His blows clashing against that armored bastard and his friend. The thrill that came with battle. Being pushed to the point he felt his memories flood back to his psyche. *The memories of that night...*

Daruma smiled. His body drenched in sweat as he stood before the massive stone wall of Biggum Island. The wounds were healing nicely, including the deep scar on his hip and his broken bones. He chose this mountain hidden deep within the forest to gather his head. He needed it since the King Pirates spent the past few days escaping the marines while preparing to make their pilgrimage over Reverse Mountain. The others were visiting the town and gathering supplies while the captain had asked for some privacy.

He pulled his white hair from his face. Revealing the ebony skin that complimented the bulging muscles and heavily scarred body. He took a deep breath, his signature stance, and brought his fist up while placing his fingers in the peculiar shape that resembled a claw. Daruma's strike connected with pure stone. Yet his hands continued to drive deep into the mountain until his shoulder pressed against cold rock.

"**Did you think I wouldn't feel you pulling at me? Are you finally accepting my power?**" A voice emerged from behind Daruma. A gigantic creature emerged from nothingness. A beast of massive proportions that dwarfed the mountain with eight gigantic heads each covered in shadow.

"I'm not you, Kuzu. You're just a figment of my imagination." Daruma cursed without turning to face *it*. He bit his lip but kept his gaze at the attack before him.

"**You say that but yet you were about to die before asking me for help. I don't know many people're afraid of their imaginary friends.**" Kuzu retorted.

Daruma pulled his shoulder out and took his stance once more.

"**I just wanna talk.**"

"It's about that last fight?" Daruma answered without breaking neither form nor breath. "I thought you were asleep."

"**I'm always watching**." The giant apparition barked. "**Can't allow something to happen to me on your watch. Think about how'll it'll effect the old man.**"

"You mean my master?" Daruma corrected.

"**Ain't he *my* master?**"

"You almost killed him."

"**I showed him my power and he made some emotional mistakes.**" The dragon roared in laughter.

"I'm not going to turn my back from the man who made me strong." Daruma clenched his fist. "And helped me seal you away."

"**That old man didn't want you to do that. I was in control that night and can tell you he was very much proud of me.**" The dragon's fourth head slithered downward. "**But, in your cowardice, you tried to seal me away. Like the weakling that you are, you ran. Remember how he *really* felt about the Nitoryuken**."

Daruma remained silent. He looked to the side and saw the young white haired child he once was clothed in nothing but his signature black tank top and pants. Before him stood the much younger man he called master. He listened and watched intently.

"The Nitoryuken is impressive. But it's a crutch. A symbol of fear and your self-doubt."

The young warrior stared at his master in confusion. "B-but why would you want me to...?" Daruma's voice trailed off as he looked away in sadness.

"The Ryujin has always been a difficult school to master and now add in your special circumstances and this dragon's power becomes deadly." Seihoku kept his intense gaze on Daruma. "Channelling the complete power of a dragon is difficult and training a body to both withstand and claim its transference and flow is not an easy task."

"That's why I made the Nitoryuken." Daruma answered. "I won't let the dragon win...Not again."

"A dragon is a powerful creature only rivaled by one animal, the Tiger." Seihoku smiled excitingly. "There's a place in the New World called Wano where killing a dragon is considered a rite to godhood. Hell, even the false gods that torment this world call themselves Celestial Dragons. You see, boy, to have a Dragon and harness its power is to reign supreme from the heavens."

Daruma nodded.

"However your dragon is a bit unruly. So, in fear, you instinctively divided its power through your arms. Essentially creating two smaller, more manageable, pieces of overwhelming power."

"W-what's the point?" Daruma asked.

"What's the point?!" Seihoku repeated almost insulted that his student didn't catch on already. "The dragon in common Ryujin style is just a metaphor to help people understand power through visualization." He took several steps forward and pressed his foot against the gigantic stone. The older Daruma watching as the old man's foot tapped against the same rock. This time a gigantic spider web etched outward before the cliff began to fall.

"But there are some, less than there are fingers on my left hand, who actually awaken a dragon within them. And they're able to harness even greater power and reach states far beyond their wildest imagination." Seihoku smiled as a warm memory popped up. He turned around and rubbed Daruma's head. "You've been able to defeat your opponents here on this small island with the little power within the two headed dragon. However those who pursue this life must learn to channel their dragon's full power throughout themselves. Without fear. Remember...That dragon is **you**."

*"You're not me."* Daruma looked away. His younger self vanishing as the stone cliff remained intact.

A dragon's head leaned forward before Daruma. "That swordsman was the first time you actually faced death. And just like that time you jumped head first into strength for ya survival."

Daruma inhaled and held it within his stomach.

"**Deny me all you want. Force what little power you can from me...But when you're at your weakest or facing a mountain you can't logic ya way through...You'll call on me.**"

He exhaled. His leg rose and launched forward in an explosive front kick. Power erupting from the impact and shredded through the mountain. Turning it into an earthen rain filled with gigantic stones and dust. Daruma brought his foot down and gently touched the earth beneath him.

"Over my dead body." Daruma promised. He pulled away and walked through the dragon's ghost. The power of the dragon was mighty indeed.

*"And only when you remember who **you** are will you succeed."* Seihoku's words lingered within. *"And in that moment I'll still be just as proud of you."*

Daruma smiled. Wiping away a tear while his father vanished. He made his way to the nearby stream and bent over to wash his face from dust. Enjoying the freedom from *it*.

*Tap... Brzzt... Tap... Brzzt...*
"I'll de damned, its working better than I hoped..." Came a faint, almost inaudible line of dialogue that seemed to fade quickly in the wake of the streams gentle trickle. There was another noise, however. There was a steady tapping sound, not like footsteps, but as if an object was being repeatedly knocked against a hard surface, like a nail in wood followed by the sound of faint grinding.

"I wonder how it'll fare with more power put into the strikes..." Ronaldo Christiano said to himself, gazing at a large cliff face before him. Along the face were craters, dozens of perfectly round craters indented into the side of the solid rock, minimal unnatural cracks jutting from said gouges in the rock face. He had heard the booming destruction just minutes earlier, and figured, before running into whatever caused *that*, he would freshen up his own, admittedly rusty, practice.

"I stop practicing Arte del Fútbol for a year, and this is what I get." Christiano griped, looking down at a sphere resting on the top of his slightly muddy leather shoe, a hexagonal black and white alternating pattern adorned on the surface of the ball. After a moment of gazing at the ball resting at his feet, Christiano threw it skywards using his foot. As the ball came soaring back down to the ground, Christiano timed a well placed kick to the ball, causing it to careen for the side of the cliff. Upon impact, it make a sound not dissimilar to a Miter Saw, as it shredded the rock it touched into dust. Once the ball finished it's spinning, the sphere began rotating in the direction opposite to which it had been spinning prior to entry, thus, launching itself back to Christiano like a boomerang.

"Oh well. Cant be a winner every time." Christiano said with a shrug, as the multitudes of craters blasted into the cliff face began to splinter and crack, running their way up the surface of the cliff wall like a reverse waterfall, and yet, it refused to break or collapse. Christiano assumed one more shot theoretically could do the trick, instead turning his attention elsewhere.

"Right then, fun has been had, business must commence." He mumbled to himself in a hushed tone, for no reason other than he thought it would 'Fit the mood' of the line. Originally, Christiano had arrived on this island seeking the alluring idealized lifestyle of a free man, and what type of freedom could outshine the lifestyle and sheer grandeur of Piracy? While he himself knew for a fact that his inexperience in the part would be most unfitting for a leadership role, Christiano still believed there would maybe be some hope of guidance or even a chance to hitch a ride to the Grand Line... barring he found someone with the actual ability to sail up Reverse Mountain. But the damage had been done, and noise had been made, all he needed to do from there was wait.

Daruma didn't mind being seen without his armor. Although usually it meant he was getting serious in battle. But perhaps that little session brought out a sense of vulnerability he didn't know he had. Regardless, Daruma splashed water onto his face. "This area is taken. Go find somewhere else."

Not that there was anywhere else as the stream started here and would traverse down into a river. He didn't look to the approaching man for his mind also wondered about Reverse Mountain. The countless plans to get over that seemingly impossible trip let alone survive in the Grand Line.

"I'm a pirate and not one you want to take lightly."

"Step off mate, I actually..." Christiano pauses, slinging a leather duffel bag off of his back, and eventually, pulling out a poster. HE glanced it over once, twice, then looked up at Daruma.

"Actually, you're the one I'm looking for. I needed to find a Pirate, so I guess you'll have to do for the time being." Christiano said to the Martial Artist bluntly, not as a show of disrespect by any means, but more of a quip to completely brush off the pseudo challenge of 'Don't take me lightly'. There was no time for those formalities, only time for business.

"In other words mate, You're a right bellend, but I have need of you- so I cant exactly go find another spot." The maroon-suited man said, gently straightening his dark blue striped tie as he stared at Daruma.

"I'll have to do?" Daruma rubbed his face with a cloth. A dark ominous aura overtaking him that would fill the air with one word. Murder. The young king looked down and stood up before brushing his hair back. The thick atmosphere still overtaking the space between the two.

"You have need of me?" He repeated. "Do you have a death wish?" Daruma turned to finally face Christiano. His green eyes glaring at Christiano as a dragon's aura started to emanate from Daruma. Animals ran into the woods for hiding and extra safety.

"Mate, please, I just had this suit tailor made the other day. I really dont want to rough it up." Christiano said, carefully looking every inch of the man before him up and down.

"Excellent muscle structure may I add, specifically in your fingertips, you do strike me as remarkable, but then again..." Chrstiano trailed off, as underneath his suit pants, the fabric itself tightened, as muscles seemed to sprout from what were originally thinner and more modest. Christiano's foot gently rested upon his ball, Impacto, as if this were a standoff, both waiting for the other to twitch first.

"Maybe there were better first options..."

"Chikarararara!" Daruma chuckled. "Thank you but I don't swing that way...and if I did, I'm already taken." He matched Christiano's flex with his own muscles starting to bulge through his stretchy bottoms. Almost as to prepare for the upcoming clash between warriors. His eyes stared at the ball.

"You came for me, so you go first." Daruma teased. His aura coiling around the ebony warrior.

"I didnt mean that in a flirtatious way, I literally meant the structure of your cells is fascinating." Christiano noted, staring blankly at the Aura welling up and around Daruma. Christiano looked down at the ball at his feet, and sighed. There was no way to avoid this, he assumed.

"Fine. Primer Disparo." Christiano said coolly, as his left foot launched the ball at his feet like a cannon, spiraling in the air as it shot towards Daruma in a similar vein of Superman; Faster than a speeding bullet, More powerful than a locomotive, and perfectly on target in its path towards the darkness clad man.

Daruma didn't expect *this* kind of attack. He thought the ball was maybe a prop or the man had just been playing with it. But for him to launch it with such speed, power and precision...

He stepped to the side in an attempt to dodge it. Twirling past it and launching himself forward in his whole step.

**Nitoryuken!**

He felt his hands warm as he called the musculature in his arms to awaken. His blood pumping as his body's power started to increase. He channelled it through his arms as the dragon's head split in between the two appendages. He brought his fist up so that the knuckles were just above his cheeks while his guard tightened. His foot tapped the ground, his body twisting into a straight right aimed at his solar plexus. Meanwhile his left foot moved outward.

Christiano saw the punch coming, almost as if it were in slow motion. By internally controlling his body's flow of adrenaline, amping it up higher than most humans usually experience on a day to day basis, it almost seemed as if the punch was in slow motion. Christiano knew he could more than likely dodge by an inch, or maybe redirect what seemed to be an immensely powerful blow, but the sound of a tree cracking behind Daruma forced Christano to actively accept the blow. The punch struck true, as an internal cracking of ribs could be heard from the impact as Christiano was thrown backwards.

"*Guh-hack* Fuckin... twat." Christiano choked out, stumbling slightly. After a moment, Christiano planted his feet, and smiled at the martial artist. Not a smile of kindess, or of cockiness, but one of sheer indifference, even with the powerful blow, he seemed relatively unfazed.

"Behind you mate." Christiano pointed, as Daruma could hear the sound of air being blow away as the ball from earlier flew back towards Daruma.

"What?!-"

The only word Daruma could utter before he felt his body violently turn with the explosive power of a miniature meteor crashing into his head. Soaring through and back to its master. What's worst? He didn't expect it so Daruma lacked the ability to actually prepare for the blow. He could only catch his footing, barely, and try to reclaim his breathing. Once his sight stopped trying to multiply, Daruma stood up and took his mid-guard stance once more. His body serving as the core to channel his monstrous power into his fist.

*"I'd prepared for a follow up,"* Daruma thought as he recalled his earlier foot-check. But the ball interrupted his flow of power and thus forced him to reset. *"But that bastard."*

"Clever. Annoying. But clever." Daruma complimented. *"Shit....I wanted to use **that** technique. I'll have to start over."* His leg muscles flexed while he dashed at Christiano. His guard still held at his chest. It took several steps before he was within range. Daruma's arms were darkened as veins pushed against his skin. His forearms vascular and arm musculature pumped as power flowed into his fist. He took another step and contracted his abs.

"**That** technique... referring to something..." Chritiano paused, wincing as he felt the bones that had been shattered earlier slowly piece themselves together like a skeletal LEGO set. He had been too confident, and too eager to bluff. These thoughts faded instantly as his ball rebounded off of Daruma, and soared back to it's owner, being planted firmly into the ground as its gyration halted. Christiano began to slowly dribble the ball, edging closer and close to Daruma as he did.

"Referring to something strong right? I'd rather we keep thinks business oriented mate. **Pasar!**" Christiano said, launching the ball from a standstill across the forested ground, tearing up the terrain as it drilled its way to Daruma. Christiano simultaneously straightened the now slightly lopsided tie hanging on his neck, and simply watched the opposing man, almost waiting for him to move or even avoid Impacto's path of destruction.

Crunching his abs allowed Daruma to pull his body inward in order to slip past the ball. But fool him once. Daruma's senses were fired as he listened for the ball's trajectory. *"He uses the ball's elasticity for an immediate follow up,"* Daruma pondered. *"I need to keep track of its bounces."*

Years upon years of pushing his body to its limits had paid off. His master often taught that bringing up his sensory reliance beyond simple sight remained paramount. He fought in the dark. Without touch. Without hearing. Dull taste. Overwhelming scents. His sessions pushing his body to the point where his other senses were forced to catch up and compensate. Each bounce followed by the soft gust of the ball soaring from tree to rock. Rock to earth. Bush. Animal. His subconscious reflexes prepared for it to return.

Yet this hindered his movement. What should've been a rocket-like charge at Christiano became a bullish dash. Followed by an uppercut from his crunched abs. He brought his back leg in an outward step.

Breathing, the contraction and release of muscles, the fine tuned motions one goes through using a marital art... Christiano could physically see them, down to the cellular level. As doses far more than any human can withstand of Adrenaline poured into his body like hot liquor, Christiano watched the flickering of Daruma's eyes in slow motion, as they darted to follow the essentially 'Smart Cannon-Ball' that was Impacto.

"Dont you think we-" Christiano began to speak, but caught the slight twitch in Daruma's legs, Daruma's clenching muscles, as he pushed off into a full on sprint, which was quickly sidestepped with a burst of speed from Christiano. The brutal uppercut nearly missed Christiano's chin by centimeters, sidestepping the raging bull working wonders for a human body. Christiano realized Impacto was taking longer to return back, and as such, moved to plant the side of his right foot into Daruma in order to at least stall.

"**Patada Drogata, Rapido!**" Christiano said angrily, as the almost blurry kick swerved to hit the Toro before himself.

Daruma's eyes moved. He couldn't stop focusing on the potential ball coming to slam against him so instead he chose to take the kicks with a powerful block. His dense and tightened muscles providing an impressive shield long enough for him to find his proper footing. But each kick sent trembles into his flesh. It made sense why that ball was so powerful. This man is no different than a master kickboxer. And to make matters worst, his unique weapon meant diverting the opponent's attention.

*"It's like I'm fighting two people at once."* Daruma pondered from behind his arms. *"Which means I need to get rid of one of them."* He hunkered down. Awaiting. Biding his time for the opportunity to arise. His body continuing to block the kicks while his conscious left his eyes and spread throughout his other senses.

Chistiano stopped his barrage, and launched himself backwards to put some distance between himself and Daruma. Just as Christiano hopped back, the ball that had gone missing made a small impact on the ground before the man. Impacto was smoking, and covered in dirt, pressing into the ground below it as if the ball had actual weight.

"I bet you're wondering how the ball works. Ill let you in on a little secret; Its all just dense metal, but, it bounces using an internal Gyro-sphere which allows Impacto to always return to me... in other words mate, you're right fucked." Christiano finished his explanation, then kicking the ball with his toe, which blasted straight towards Daruma, barreling through the air as it closed the distance in only a few seconds.

Daruma smiled. Perfect. He used the explanation that Christiano gave him as a chance to prepare. He placed his right foot behind him and loosed his body.

**Nitoryuken**

His arms erupted with power. The muscles in his arms bulged, turning them into trunks that resembled dragon's scales as he took a deep breath. The rest of his body loosened while he sat a tad bit lower. *"This is going to hurt."* Daruma cursed mentally.

**Rice Field Hands**

Impacto collided against his heavily calloused hands. But rather than fight against it, Daruma pressed his arms back at the moment of impact to better absorb its kinetic force and keep it from bouncing away. Veins pumped against the back of his hands with his fingers contracting with extreme pressure. His arms pushed against the ball with great force while his grip tried to press down the ball's surface. A monstrous grip that easily ripped through steel now trying to fight against Christiano's impressive rotational force. Daruma slid back. Yet he didn't let the ball go. Even as he slammed through tree after tree. He fought its spinning with his dragon-like grip until the ball would stop spinning. Leaving it in his grasp where he held it under his arm.

"A ball is still a ball in the end." Daruma said with a cheeky grin.

Christiano watched in silence at the sheer metal display of Daruma, just stopping it with his hands alone. Once the ball stopped spinning, Christiano began clapping, clapping as if he had just seen the most rousing Opera in years.

"Well done! Well done indeed! Mate, you're the first person I've seen stop Impacto's travel- now If you would be so kind as to drop it so our little altercation can continue." Christiano asked somewhat politely, once again straightening the tie around his neck. Chistiano kept staring down the man before himself, now looking over the martial artist with a hawk-like glare.

"You store power and release it in explosive bursts, like a battery for energy... that's what I've seen so far, at least. Listen, mate, let's end this chicanery for a moment, and simmer down. I don't want to go overboard, on either of our ends." Christiano cautioned, still up in arms about getting his new tailored suit wrinkled and dusty from even the briefest of fighting.

Daruma dropped the ball behind him and smile. Standing between the man and his unorthodox weapon. His side throbbed. Stopping that ball in *this* condition wasn't the smartest idea. *"I'm still healing from that jerk back at Black Drum. I can't prolong this fight."* He smiled.

"My Ryujin Style works something like that. But instead of storing it, it's *my* power that I generate and claim as my own. I'm King Dragon for a reason." He answered. Daruma winced.

"I don't know what any of those words mean...But I could use a break." He smiled once more. "Or you can just call this my victory since I stopped your little parlor trick. What do you want with me anyway?"

"Parlor trick? Bruv there's more to it than- nevermind. I could have kept up with your antics for a while if that was all you were packing." Christiano replied sharply, pointing at his ball which was still being held by the draconic warrior.

"I still would quite like to have my ball back. Before we talk business," Christiano said promptly, clapping his hands together briskly, "A healthy specimen of your physique shouldn't be out of breath from catching one of my less devastating kicks. Are you injured or sick mate?" Christiano asked, walking slowly towards Daruma with his hands out in the open before himself, gently swaying in a neutral position as a display that he meant no harm.

"Once we get this trivial nonsense out of the way, I would be chuffed to bits to talk with you about business." The red-suited man explained as he walked ever closer to Daruma.

"Injured." Daruma answered promptly. "Let's just say I met one hell of a swordsman a bit back." He chuckled as he remembered Zarren's massive sword swinging about, cleaving into his side and launching gigantic flaming blast. Daruma even grinned when he thought about the swordman's claw swiping at him. "Did a number on me but you should see how I left him."

"It's why I had my crew stop here. I don't want to jump over that island until I'm all healed up and we can face the Grandline fresh." Daruma passed over Christiano's ball since they agreed to ceasefire. "Anyway, what's this business you want with me?"

"What if I told you that you could be healed within the minute? I was looking for someone... commendable to sail with, In which case, I was luckily able to run into one of the newest frontrunners, especially from your recent skirmish in the black kingdom. In any case, instead of going into casualty," Christiano Paused, now standing before Daruma. His left hand stretched out to the martial artist, as he placed his foot on Impacto, which was so kindly returned to him.

"I ate the Seru Seru no Mi, In other words, Im the best bloody doctor around. If you want, I'm more than happy to heal you. Just take my hand, and I'll do the rest." Christiano said, motioning at his open palm, his gaze holding no sign of malicious intent.

Daruma tilted his head he looked at Christiano with intrigue but decided to trust the so called “best doctor around”.

“Fine. You heal me and I’ll let you sail underneath our flag if you want.” Daruma proposed. “The King Pirates are not like other crews. I don’t care what y’all want but I have one goal above all else.”

"King or not, better you not wind up too banged up in the process mate." Christiano finished, gently placing his hand on an exposed portion of Daruma's body.

"Quick warning mate, you might feel like you need a lie down- ah, who am I kidding, you've got stamina to burn." Christiano noted, chuckling softly as he activated his ability. Immediately Daruma would be able to feel muscle and bone knitting itself back together like LEGO bricks being built internally. Bruises and other sustained injuries began fading in the meantime, all followed by a numbing sensation.

"You actually shattered one of my Ribs earlier, but here I stand, good as new." Christiano said, pulling his hand away as the healing process continued. "Regeneration, what a great tool, dont you think?"

Daruma took a deep breath as Christiano’s fruit worked. His chi mending with the magical effect to heal his body. And so when he clenched his fist, the ebony pirate noticed something was different. He felt stronger.

”I think we found ourselves a doctor.” He exclaimed with a mischievous smile. “Come, we gotta meet the rest of your new crew.”

## Daddy's Girl

Cleopatra had healed from the extensive wounds caused by Min. She was resting on Daruma's bed when she woke up and turned over. Hoping to touch his white hair but instead finding nothing. Cleopatra stood up, wincing in pain in the process, and made her way outside to the ship's deck. There she saw Kotaro meditating on the deck's figure.

"Where's captain?" Cleopatra finally asked as the wind blew. "And where are we?

"Some island before we head over the mountain. And the captain wanted some time to himself." Kotaro answered with his eyes closed. The heavily tattoo'd man kept his fingers in position. "Anastasia is sleeping still..."

"So the mission was a success?"

"Yes. Although we had a few hiccups. And wait till you read the newspapers with our new bounties and names." He smirked.

"I'm...sorry about needing you guys to save me." Cleopatra looked away. Her arms crossed. "It's just that...Well-"

As they began to talk, in the distance a marine vessel began to clear from the horizon and it was heading right for them. Standing at the front of the ship was Lieutenant Fork Gaslom.

Fork had cut his teeth in Paradise for a few months but he had been sent back to the South Blue. Since then he had risen somewhat throughout the ranks though not as much as he expected. His reckless nature had gotten him into a lot of trouble. Marines didn't just have to catch pirates. But at least he was getting something back in his wheel house. Finding Pirates, or well..not exactly.

He looked over the notes he was provided, he could not believe it when they told him what he had to do. He was assuming just up route some pirates and be on his way. Instead, he needed to take down some pirates and obtain back someone of importance. Fork frowned at the news. He was not a negotiator. He knocked heads around not tried to understand anything about those heads he knocked around. But just punching could mean the hostage would be put in great danger. He glanced at the coast of the island he was heading too. With a narrowing of his eyes he looked towards the docked ships.

"King pirates...King pirates."

He muttered looking towards the notes he was given. Then he saw it. Among the docked ship was the Jolly Roger of the King Pirates.

"Get me a Megaphone."

He would glance at one of his marines who gave a nod and ran over to get him a megaphone as the ship sailed closer to the coast. Fork was not a man of subtly.

"King Pirates! I been looking for you pirates for a few days. Really had to run around to find you guys. I'm gonna give you guys one chance to give the hostage to me. If you do this, I'll give you guys a 15-minute headstart. You might have a chance to flee out to sea."

He was totally a great negotiator, no ways pirates would not take up that offer. The Same marine who brought him the megaphone whispered into his ear as Fork nodded.

"Right they may not know who I'm talking about or they will play dumb. Good point."

Fork would of turn back to the King Pirates and boom into the megaphone.

"Don't try to bring us the wrong person. We are looking for Chloe Stratus. We know she is on your boat. I would recommend handing her over without incident. You hear my pirates! That is who we are looking for. Not anyone else you might of taken on the boat. Though..if you kidnapped some more people please hand release them as well. You should know holding hostages is pretty illegal!"

Maybe they didn't know if they had the guts to kidnap Chloe Status. From what his report told him she had family in the marines. And not just any marines, Strato Varius, a powerful and well-respected marine instructor. Shame on these Pirates for doing such a thing! They would have to pay for these crimes after Chloe Stratus was safety removed from pirate hands. He could not cut loose if a hostage was in the way.

The marine lieutenant was correct in his original statement. Nisuke hadn't the slightest idea who he meant when he spoke of hostage. IN fact, he thought the approaching marines were here for Anastasia who slept soundly upstairs. It wasn't until he said *that* name when confusion hit.

"W-who the fuck is Chloe?" He asked. His eyes opened as he stood up next to Cleopatra. Meanwhile Cleopatra had wrapped her hands around her chest. Her gaze locked onto her feet.

"I-I'm Chloe. Strato Chloe. Daughter of Strato Varius and youngest in the Strato Family." Cleopatra mumbled.

"W-what?!" Nisuke's hand raised and the girl's throat appeared within his finger's grasp. He started to squeeze. Crushing her windpipe so that she couldn't breathe. "You're a fucking marine. We trusted you. You were sent here to infiltrate us?"

"N-noo....I-'m not..." Cleopatra struggled against his hand. She tried to pry it open but couldn't. Yet she refrained from transforming in fear of fueling his suspicion. "I...I promise....I...I....Love...." Nisuke stared deep into Cleopatra's eyes. His pupils empty. A signature trait for those who worked in his family's industry. He'd killed countless times before...This would be no different if it meant protecting his captain. That's what it meant to belong to the Sarutobi Clan. The head family of the Spider Empress's Sanada Ten Braves which are ten ninja families she commands to work in her shadows, with the Sarutobi being the clan most famous.

And here the clan's current head, Sasuke's son, stood prepared to add another mark to the clan's long list of victims. Or so he would've had her eyes not told the truth. A truth he understood all too well. Nisuke dropped Cleopatra who fell to the ground grasping for air.

"I take it Captain doesn't know?" Nisuke asked.

"No." Cleopatra managed. "I didn't want to tell him because I was afraid he'd....he'd leave me."

"So you took that decision away from him?" Nisuke crossed his arms. "I'll leave it to him when he returns. If you want to fight for your freedom, nows the chance to provide me with evidence to present to him."

"Why're you helping me?" Cleopatra asked.

"You're not the only one with family drama." Nisuke stepped to the edge. He looked at the marine and screamed.

"We know holding hostages is illegal. But we're pirates, that's sorta our thing." He grinned. "Anastasia and **Cleopatra** are now King Pirates. Go home and *we'll* give *you* a 20 minute head-start."

Fork watched as one of those pirates seemed to think it was a good idea to start strangling the hostage. They seemed to not been aware who she was. So that meant he had to go into action.

"Move the ship forward and get the weapons ready."

Fork would leap off the boat into the water before he began to swim over. Large ripples of water flared out as he swam as fast as he could towards the boat. His head bobbed a few times up out of the water to eye that she was still alive. He had to hurry before they killed her. But because he was focused on this he didn't see him stop nor that he decided to defend his new crewmate.

Leaping out of the water after paddling himself from his boat he'd smash onto the deck of the boat with a heavy thud. He shake his head as water flew everywhere before his head rose up to look towards Nisuke. He had let go of Chole which was good. But he had tried to kill her. So 15 minutes had been cut down to zero.

"I asked you nicely before."

Fork fist coiled back his muscles bulging with great strength. His fist swung forward to slam into his chest of Nisuke. No mercy for scum like him. That was his creed, so he swung with all the strength he must in his superhuman frame.

"NISUKE!" Cleopatra screamed.

**Ninpo: After Nothing**

Nisuke could tell that Fork's fist would demolish his chest cavity. He'd traded blows with Daruma countless times so many times prior, he *knew* when he faced a powerhouse. And Fork was the whole damn mansion. Instead he held his fingers up with his index hidden behind his middle. Suddenly the space between Fork's fist travelled seemed to carryon endlessly. Nisuke thought about this technique before. Using his eyes to take the space before him and continuously stretch it. Essentially increasing the distance his fist is traveling despite it appearing only inches away from his body.

*"I can easily dodge that but I can't let him get near Cleo."* Nisuke bit his lip while focusing on stretching the space. "Protect the ship from the other boat, Cleopatra! We gotta hold him off until the captain returns." He ordered.

"Yes!" Cleopatra bit down. She knew what she needed to do and did it well. Her body changing as she grew in size yet her body losing its bust. Her black clothing becoming white cloth befitting a goddess.

Meanwhile, Nisuke dispelled his jutsu and jumped back. Evading the last of Fork's monstrous momentum. "Are you sure you want to fight me?" Nisuke smiled.

"I'm Nisuke Sarutobi of the Sarutobi Clan."

Fork fist swung into the space his eyes glancing at the space now between them. It was like his fist was trying to travel a 100 feet instead of less then 1. Maybe even longer? This must be a devil fruit ability. Fork knew about devil fruits, but he didn't see a lot of them in actions. And each one was different. His guard had been raised greatly by this. He could deal with guns or swords. But how to do deal with a devil fruit of this nature? If the space between them kept increasing?

As he was in thought the seemed to be prepared to fight. He would handle him while Chloe seemed to be willing to handle his fellow marines.

"And I thought you were a hostage. Not sure what they did to you lady. But I was tasked to bring you back. Stockholm syndrome can be a hell of a thing. But traveling with pirates makes you a criminal. The life of a criminal does not end happily."

He would pull his fist back as Nisuke dispelled his ability and leaped back. It didn't seem damaged. So it was a defensive ability? He could not assume that fully but he would turn his head slightly to Nisuke as he proclaimed who he was.

"Who?"

The marines who were getting near seemed to hear the deceleration. The marine he handed the megaphone yelled out,

"EHHHHH! The Son of Sasuke Sarutobi! What is this crew backstory! They are the Legendary Shinobi Clan of Wano! Vassals to the demon empress herself! Lieutenant, we should call for back up! This guy must be super strong! The Ninja's and Samurai's of Wano are only able to be matched by the strongest!"

The marines on the boat seemed very worried now as Fork had to let some sweat drop from his face. He was not the smartest guy but he knew of Wano's reputation. It was a powerful place. All the marines are taught about some of the states of the world. Wano had been mighty filled with great Samurai and Ninja's. And he was the son of the greatest ninja of them all! He should call for back up. It might be safer that way.

"Alright then. Get the Den Den Calling. Call whoever is willing to come. We should be sure on stuff like these. Capturing the son of a great ninja seems to be somthing the world goverment would want. Maybe will help crack the code that is Wano. I heard they got taken over years ago. Maybe you Ninja's know how to take it back for the world? Is that why your out at sea."

Fork realized how rude that was to ask he bowed his head.

"Sorry it not my business to know your past...wait no i'm not sorry. Your a pirate. Regardless I gotta admit you got me sweating. I know of Wano's reputation for strong warriors. And with a last name like that, it must mean your quite strong yourself But a name not gonna scare me. If it was, I'd not of been here for Chloe. And I'm not too shabby myself. I got my own name to follow up. Prince Henry Gaslom. I bet you never heard of him. He been dead for too long and no doubt is nowhere near as famous as yourself and your family."

He really needed to be on guard. This guy was a Ninja. He must of had a ton of powerful abilities besides his devil fruit. Fork raised his fists.

"Anyway, I talking enough. Too many words for a fight."

Fork rushed forward his fists flying out in a barrage of blows. While throwing more punches meant he had less power behind them he had speed and numbers. He needed said numbers to get past this guy ability, that was his theory. If he could get around the space maybe that would work. Plus, he was still testing and he also was the type to walk forward into trouble.

A name so powerful the marines outside the Grand Line would be wary to even approach him. It wasn't new to Nisuke. He remembered what his mother would tell him before he tried to sneak out to start his journey.

*"Nisuke, you have powerful blood in you. Honorable blood. Your father...is one of the greatest shinobi in the history of Wano. Be proud of where you come from...but strong enough to choose your own path."* But Fork wasn't a lightweight. And while Nisuke spent most of his adolescence and childhood in Wano, he still wasn't quite there yet. His mom stole him way before his father could *really* morph him into the next **Brave**.

He tried to stretch the space again but the marine's fist moved much quicker than the stretching's speed and over a wider range. Causing several fist to slam against his head. Nisuke's vision shook. Causing him to fall over. He swiftly used his nimbleness to evade Fork's remaining onslaught while trying to regain his footing.

*"Shit now they're calling for backup. Dammit. I didn't think they'd try to capture me too!"* He kept weaving the punches. They were much faster but lacked severe power. However their speed creating an offense that seemed impossible to overcome.

"I'm at sea for my own freedom!" Nisuke barked. "I don't care what those old people do with that smelly place." He reached into his back pocket and slammed several balls onto the ship's deck. Hoping to use the erupting smokescreen to jump upward as opposed to backward. Obscuring his vision while throwing his other hand forward. Several invisible balls of space flew at Fork. Each one meant to expand and crush him by twisting the space if they landed.

Fork felt the impact but Nisuke was not down. He was tough. Even when he was throwing fast blows he was still strong as hell. This guy really was a ninja. He must have had an insane amount of training to be able to take his blows and stay conscious. But it was not as if Fork had not trained before as well. He tried to catch the retreating Nisuke but he was fast. Fork lumbered forward his blows now only hitting air but he knew eventually the ninja would slip up.

"If you were out at sea for freedom you'd not be flying a jolly roger! That is what a pirate does. You can sail and have a nice life enjoying the sea's as a sailor for fun. But you fly a Jolly Roger. That is a crime. Because, your not just sailing for freedom, your proudly proclaiming your disregarding the laws and rules we all have to follow."

Fork went for another punch but instead, he was met with smoke. Smoke bombs? He was a ninja so it made sense. So where was he going. Fork looked around through the smoke noting that something seemed to be moving through the smoke. Though he could not see what it was but when something pushes through things like smoke, it moves. And the smoke was moving towards him. However, he didn't realize the danger of the situation until his side began to twist and be crushed.

"What the fuck!"

Even his tough body could not handle the crushing power of space. He quickly darted away with another one of those balls expanding and crushing part of his left arm. Through the smoke, Fork bursted out blood flaring from his two new injuries. He would grab his damaged arm and squeeze on the crushed area feeling out the damage it caused. Damage to the bone and the muscle in the area. He could still use the arm but not like he'd want. And his side he felt a few ribs were contorted as a result. For most people they might be laid out crying but for him he just really ticked off.

"I don't feel pain like most people. But you shouldn't of used that smoke with your power. If you had not, you might of already won I'll admit."

Fork grinned, he was on guard now. Even more so than before. This guy devil fruit had an offensive punch he had to worry about. If he got hit in the face or a vital organ he would probably die or at least be out of the fight.

"Now I know your still in the smoke so!"

Fork grabbed the deck his muscles budging. "GRAHHH!" Tearing into the wood of the ship would go to rip it apart sending the splinters of the deck towards the smoke screen to knock whatever was inside back to the world where he could see. He was not stupid enough to stick in the smoke screen seeing as then this guy could use other abilities to attack him and keep his senses diluted.

Fork had a point regarding how Ninsuke should've avoided using his smokescreen. But Nisuke couldn't risk it. He needed that smoke or the mad marine would've pummeled him into Queen's deck. A ninja must accept the situation's reality to better judge the necessary steps. Unfortunately it ended up backfiring a bit and landing Nisuke in a troublesome predicament. While Nisuke attempted to evade the oncoming wooden shards, he had foolishly blinded himself. Causing Fork's wooden blades to rip into his leg. Messing up Nisuke's own flowing flip and leading him to stumble backward until his bum slammed against Queen's deck. He quickly scrambled to his feet.

"Look I don't care about the philosophy of freedom and what it means. Just don't fuck up Kingdom anymore." Nisuke ordered. He used his smokescreen to move sideways. He opened his hands and created an invisible ball which he placed on the ground.

**Ninpo: Delayed Reaction**

He then looked up and pursed his mouth before blowing through. The space between his lips becoming a gentle stream which opened a hole large enough for him to see outside. That being one of his fruit's only downsides. He needed one of his senses to *interact* with the space in order to manipulate it. His body vanished. Reappearing high above the smoke while his invisible ball expanded and blew it away. Clearing Queen's deck so that all could see. His goal being to draw their attention to his smoke's sudden disappearance.

Meanwhile, Nisuke looked behind Fork and stepped into that space. Aiming to catch Fork off guard with a punch covered in spatial twisting. Aiming to rip and tear apart the space, and anything occupying it.

**Ninpo: Uzumaki!**

He screamed.

Fork stepped forward-looking towards the wound that he managed to land on the Ninja. He seemed more annoyed about the ship being ripped up then being pierced by the ship itself.

"Can't promise that. But your boat has indeed done nothing wrong..wait your boat has a name? Its just a boat? Then again, maybe that just what it is. Giving something a life and a name makes come to life."

He had been a clone afterall, if no one gave him a name or just called him Henry like his genetic template, what would he be? He would hardly be alive. Just a shadow of a man. While he was certainly in this genetic template's shadow that didn't mean he was lifeless. Anyway, he needed to not focus on this thinking, it really hurt his brain. He needed to defeat Nisuke and then go help his men take down Chloe.

Nisuke was on the move somehow appearing in the air, could his fruit allow him to move around. Then the smoke seemed to vanish. It must have been his devil fruit ability that caused that effect. If he could move that quickly it meant that he needed to keep an eye on him. Fork leaped back to increase his vision range. The closer things were the less they could see. So when Nisuke did appear behind him, Fork would have been leaping back to be behind him. Fork fist coiled back to grab onto the Ninja's backside and try to lift him and plant him into the deck.

"Sorry, It not gonna be that easy to get behind me!"

"Gah!" Nisuke coughed after Fork slammed him onto the deck. He held onto Fork's wrist and dug his nails deep into the marine's skin. *"Dammit. I'm so weak...This isn't like Rey. But I don't want to be a ninja anymore so I need to get used to this."* Nisuke growled. *"I need to get stronger so I can fight people like Captain."*

"So," He caught onto something Fork had said. "Sometimes a name is just that a name." He replied. "My father would've had your hands mingled into twist yet here I am getting turned on by being choked. So how important is a name, marine?"

Fork glanced as his fist slammed the ninja into the deck of the boat with great force. The man had not given up his hands clawed at his own. Fork though grabbed onto the shirt of the man to lift him up after slamming him. The man noted that his father would of kicked his ass, but he was just being turned on.

"Disgusting. You should not be enjoying being beaten up."

Fork leaned in slightly looking into Nisuke eyes.

"As for this name business, it is important. But people can be their own. But what did you choose? You could of been fighting against your father helping that demon empress. Joined the marines? Maybe a resistance? But you choose to raise a Jolly Roger. Just like your Father helped raise a Jolly Roger over a country of free people. You stepped in and out of the shadow your name has cast. If you wanna step free of that, you should not of sailed the flag of a pirate!"

Fork went to lift and slam Nisuke again with full force through the deck of the boat. This guy seemed too far gone in his mind. He would bring him in and then let the higher-up figure out how to handle him! They would surely put his background to good use.

"Gah!" Nisuke violently coughed as he felt every ounce of air explode from his body. He wanted to continue fighting yet his being couldn't move an ounce. But rather than give up, the young loud shinobi spat at Fork. His saliva mixed with blood. He stared at the marine with hateful eyes. *"Captain...hurry...please."*

"I'm going to break your fucking neck." Daruma exclaimed calmly. Suddenly appearing before Fork with a ferocious glare.

He felt the spit slam in his face, it was a defiant gasp. Trying to rest some control over his situation. It was not going to work. However, before Fork could perform another attack he heard the voice of Daruma behind him. He would slowly turn to face the man dropping Nisuke.

"I'll admit I ain't the most well informed on things. But I assume your the captain."

With the threat he gave off no way was he not going to start a fight.

"You sure you wanna do this Pirate?

Fork cracked his neck.

"You threatened to kill an officer of the marines is a bad idea, trying to make it reality is an even worse one."

The Marines on the boat looked toward Chloe as she transformed.

"Is that a zoan type? She does not look that different?"

The Marine with the Megaphone mumbled looking at her.

"This is your last chance. Please surrender peacefully we don't wish to hurt you. But we will defend ourselves and take you in."

He motioned for the marines to grab nonlethal weaponry, they could not kill her. Nets, Sticks, and fists. That should work well enough. Some marines did keep their rifles ready through. Even if they wanted to do this without hurting her, not everyone was ready to start fist fighting as the marine pointed out, a potential zoan-type user. That seemed like suicide.

"Then you idiots leave!" Cleopatra screamed. "And you tell my bastard of a father that I'M NEVER COMING BACK. TELL HIM TO LEAVE ME ALONE AND I HATE HIM AND THE STUPID, HYPOCRITE GOVERNMENT!" She raised her hands in an attempt to harness the power given to her by that evil fruit. The winds started to blow as she attempted to use the a whirlwind to push them away.

"Dammit, Daru....Hurry up."

The marines on the deck were blown back slamming into the side of the ships with a heavy thud. The Microphone wielding marine was sending tumbling as well though he grab onto a net slinging it around.

"Well I'm sorry that you feel that way!!!!"

The Microphone marine slammed hard into the deck before grabbing something to get up. They had a job to do. And she was riding a ship that had a Jolly Roger. So that meant she was a pirate. And they had to take her in. Weather a run away or a hostage.

"Get her out of the air!"

He would throw the net towards her while other marines began to get up and prepare themselves to do the same. If they could trap her in a net then they not need to fight her but with those gust of wind she seemed to produce it not be easy. The Microphone wielding Marine had to consider his options, they had to capture her. And Lieutenant Fork was busy taking on that Ninja guy. It was up to them to capture her.

Cleopatra was so focused on the ship she missed the net which wrapped around her. "Dammit!" She grabbed onto the ropes and started to press forward. Attempting to use her boost physical powers to resist their tugging.

"Let. Me. Go!" She screamed. She pushed and pushed. And to a trained eye, one would catch the bloodline flowing through her igniting. For she made the same face all who encountered him would recognize. The Bear's Power exploding with Cleopatra's every step.

"PULL!"

The Marines all got together to yank on the rope to pull her in. As many as they could muster as more men got ready to throw extra nets. However, fear struck the faces of the marines that face she made reminded them of the fearsome marine trainer.

"Hey, guys keep pulling!"

The grip loosened the tugging weakening as the fear struck the marines. The Megaphone marine was scared too but it was their job to capture her. So he kept tugging but now it was just him. The rest were panicking and unsure what they should do.

Cleopatra continued pulling. Her body leaning forward as she placed all her strength into each step.

The marines kept sliding trying to pull Celopatra but they were eventually forced to let go by the strength.

"GRAHH!"

The marines were sent tumbling including the Megaphone marine who roared up.

"We have to capture her!"

But the marines were terrified and so was he. He would draw a flintlock aiming towards her chest. He would fire the gun hoping to nonlethally shoot her to slow her down. They could not kill her but maybe they could harm her just a bit. Capturing her was not gonna work when she was so damn strong!

*Bling!*

The crimson scythe known throughout South Blue as Autumn Harvest clanged against the marine's bullet. Abbadon appeared before Cleopatra. Her feminine body clothed scantly. "Sorry babygirl. I had to tear apart the whole island for Sylvia's medicine." She said jokingly. Her hands worked swiftly to slice up the marine's net. Freeing Cleopatra. "Looks like I made it just in time."

As the marine fired off his bullet it was cut apart. The man stood before the next pirate in line.

"They got so many members...what the hell. Lieutenant!"

But he realized too late he was already in a fight with Daruma.

"Oh crap yah we really need to call for back up. Get on the Den Den. Any Marines in the area need to be called right away."

## Would Dragon Be Sushi?

Daruma took a deep, deep breath, which caused veins to press against his ebony skin, sent blood roaring throughout his arms and fully activated their functionally while calling upon their maximum output. Meanwhile his arms held in a high guard to allow him to fire them off.

**Nitoryuken**

He appeared above Nisuke who was pressed down by Fork. His seemingly materialized body twisted forward from a leftward slip. Sending forth a powerful left hook aimed at Fork's head. His muscular arm and large fist carried by Daruma's explosive torque. Amplifying its power and speed.

**"Menshi!"**

Fork words fell on deaf ears. The man just attacked and with rapid force as well. The fist slammed into his face sending Fork flying off the boat. The marines near by cried out as Fork slammed into the water creating a heavy splash.

"Lieutenant!"

Fork touched the bottom of the bay, surprising himself? Had he been unconscious for a moment. This guy was way stronger then Nisuke. He really must of been the captain. Planting his feet at the bottom of the bay he would kick off causing the water above to ripple. With the mighty leap he broke free of the water slamming back onto the deck soaked with water and a tinge of blood running down his mouth.

"I'll admit this, your fucking strong. I don't understand martial arts that well, but you somehow released a lot more strength that might first appear. I ain't a normal human though myself. And i've seen the rigors of many sea's."

He would clench his fist back his muscles bulging. He was not gonna throw some weak ass blows at Daruma. He was going to swing with his back in it.

"Take this!"

He would throw a haymaker downwards at Daruma to test his strength with his own!

"Announcing your attacks is called telegraphing!" Daruma roared. *"That punch should've killed him."* He pondered while dipping his body into an uppercut. The colliding fist against fist released a shockwave that caused Cleopatra, who'd ran to Nisuke's side, to cover her face. He thought about Zarren who had to use his special powers in order to survive one of Daruma's strikes and yet Fork was able to come back with an equal fighting spirit. In fact his haymaker caused Daruma to crack Kingdom's deck. A strike that would've killed Nisuke...*"So you were holding back this much against my crew?"*

Daruma matched Fork's strength but switched his feet so that his left would be his rear, which he used to throw a roundhouse kick at Fork's ribcage. He threw down his massive left arm to generate a gigantic counter weight. Adding to the rotational power. Yet he kept his foot straight so that his toes would slam against Fork.

**Naifu!**

His Haymaker was matched by the Man's uppercut. What the hell? Fork had not been matched in combat that often. He couldn't lose focus. His free arm drew down being meet by the Roundhouse kick from Daruma. He felt his lunch starting to come up. That fucking hurt. And he got a rib even with the guard.

'This guy, he ain't normal.'

Otherworldly even. Fork knew what it was like not to be a human, he was stronger than almost everyone he had meet even if he only seen a small expanse of the world. He was a clone, genetically created to be a copy of a powerful man. He was anything but normal. Was this guy the same, or was it just training to be this strong? The well timed roundhouse said it was just training. But maybe it was all of the things he could think of this guy had done. Using the arm he used to block the kick he would try to wrap around Daruma's Leg. Then he would try to lift the man and swing him like a ragdoll across the deck!

Daruma flipped through the air and landed on the ball of his feet. He calmly smiled yet a fiery dragon consumed his body. The flames shined brightly but didn't burn, flickering and dancing until the gigantic beast consumed his being. Purely illusionary in nature, it was an intense and bright display of tranquility raging about. Those influenced would understand it as his might projected outward by an unrelenting spirit.

One thing was for sure. Daruma wanted to overwhelm Fork.

"I hate throws." He pulled his hair back and took his stance. Light on his feet with his muscular arms in a middle guard. "Come on, it's your turn to take control."

*"That bastard's tough. I'm not going to let you treat me like a toy again."*

"I-It's the Evil Dragon!" Nearby marines pointed at Daruma.

Fork glanced as Daruma landed with a calmness, despite being thrown like a ragdoll he landed as if pushed by a slight breeze.

"I was trying to throw you like a stone. But guess you won't be skipping out to sea."

Fork spat a glob of blood from his mouth and cracked his neck. This guy really was monstrous. Fork could swear he could see something around the man. It was almost like there was a dragon surrounding him. But he knew just looking at it, it was not some devil fruit. It seemed to be more akin to a manifesting his fearsome battle lust. It was different from any other pirate he had ran into as a marine. This guy was dangerous. He had not seen the mence's of the new world but this guy? Just looking at him he almost thought he was heading there right now. Hunting, to slowly grow stronger. As if the Dragon was going to eat what was in front of him to add its aura to his own.

He heard the marines call out he was the Evil Dragon. Now he had heard of that name a bit ago. Some marines talking about it. Now he could remember who these folks were. Or at least a bit.

"I heard Black Drum got attacked a while ago. They not told me much since I'm not that high rank. But I did hear Evil Dragon being thrown around. Must of been for your bounty."

Fork tilted his head towards Daruma who seemed to want him to take the lead.

"You want me to attack you? Alright."

Daruma prob had a plan but Fork was not gonna think about it. Fork rushed forward pulling his fists back. Instead of thinking about all these things, he'd just take down the pirate. That was the job of the marines. So pushing forward he unleashes a volley of fist towards Daruma trying to crack open his guard.

"You should let me teach you marital arts!" Daruma exclaimed excitingly while totally ignoring all Fork's accusations and his declarations. Fork was bringing out that hunger. The marine wasn't some no name officer or random nobody chasing promotions and rankings. No. His punches were fast and overwhelming. They lacked the refined discipline of Martial Arts yet still Daruma couldn't immediately counter or respond. He had to weather the waves. Fork's endless fist clashing against Daruma's engorged forearms.

Martial Artist have this elitist approach to battle. They believe that without it, an enemy is nothing more than a child waiting to be guided throughout battle. However, time and time again, this proved untrue. Fork was a mighty foe. Every second Daruma tried to swat away a fist or find an opening, another fist was already on its way.

*"Martial arts is just combat with logic."*

Seihoku's words rang true. Fork's punches, as mighty as an oak, were just punches without rhyme or reason. They were strong but didn't have logic. He just wanted to break through Daruma's guard using force which he could've if Daruma stayed and tried to enter his pissing contest. But instead backing up, as one would instinctively do against a man like Fork, Daruma first took count of each punch. Finding Fork's rhythm before stepping forward. A burst. He hoped to clash his forearms against Fork's punches before they reached their targeted length for power transferal.

He jerked his hip towards his leading leg. Hoping to slam his shin against Fork's legs to knock him off balance and onto the deck.

"Sorry. I ain't good with fancy footwork. Though I will admit it is very impressive."

He was not sure why he was getting into a semi friendly conversation with a pirate who threatened to kill him a few moments ago but here they were. It didn't matter the why, it just mattered that he fin da way to push past the skills of Daruma and find an opening.

Fork punches flew forward but they did not have the effects he expected. Daruma moved his body not backwards to avoid or to stand strong to block no he'd find the weak points in his barrage and close the gap. Not allowing the full extension of his arms meant full power would not be released. Then he was meet with a shin slamming into his legs and forcing him onto unsteady feet. He began to fall over before placing one hand onto the ground to keep himself planted.

"That stung asshole!"

Using the leg as a plant he would spin sending his right leg towards the side of Daruma before pumping both legs back to deliver a donkey kick to the Martial Artist.

Thankfully Daruma still had his guard up. Or this kick which sent him slamming through Kingdom's upper deck would've done a lot more damage besides hurting like a bitch and shaking the bones in his forearms. Daruma got back up and made his way back out the darkness. His forearms bleeding with steam coming from Fork's kick.

"Yeah and you lied." Daruma smirked. "I ain't good with fancy footwork my ass." His body changed as his arms returned to their normal musculature. His legs booming with power with a dramatic increase in size and definition as his muscles bulked up. He dashed at Fork. This time his step carrying tremendous explosive power that broke Kingdom's deck. He pounced up with his leg shooting up. Aiming to slam his knee against Fork's face like a thunderous hammer. Hoping to use his swift switch from arm power to leg power as a tool for confusion.

**Hanma!**

Fork kicked forward but Daruma still had a guard up but he did force him back. Fork flipped to his feet with a wobble. Planting his feet he would watch as Daruma muscles bulked up. He must be even stronger now. Before they had been matching blow for blow. Now? He was not so sure. It did not matter, he had to keep moving forward. He charged forward as Daruma rushed in to attack with the powerful knee. His own foot flew out slamming down to meet the Knee. But he didn't match the knee. He felt the bone in his foot crack away by the force was he was flung into the air above Daruma. But he didn't stop. Instead he would bring his other leg forward flying downwards to throw a heavy knee downwards at Daruma!

Daruma knew he couldn't block the falling leg with his arms. He could transfer his power upwards but he wouldn't have enough time to come to a full defense. Especially considering Fork's seemingly instinctive approach to battle. For the first time in a long time, Daruma felt like someone could talk his language.

He drove his hip up and through. Launching an upward kick aimed at the knee. Meant to collide against it. The resulting force drove Daruma deep into the deck. He felt Fork's might traverse his bones. Causing his knee to start collapsing. When all his force was finished, he pushed his leg past Fork and brought it back rapidly. Hoping to catch him in a reverse round house. Aiming his heel at Fork's head.

Knee meet leg but with momentum on his side Fork got the edge of that clash. He hit him with a strong blow. Fork moved in but he was meet by the heavy roundhouse kick by Daruma right to the dome! Fork staggered his vision going blurry. He would take heavy blows but his brain rattling in his skull? It was not like he could do much about that. Fork planted his feet and roared in rage. He would throw out a kick towards the mid section of Daruma to try to fold him in two!

Daruma spat out blood as the kick sent him flying back. He felt his newly healed ribs start to crack under Fork's maddened strike. After all, nothing makes a person stronger like getting kicked in the face! And what's worst was that Daruma didn't expect Fork to respond so quickly after getting hit like that. Daruma almost wanted to extend his hand out to invite Fork to his crew.

*"**C'mon we just got those ribs fixed!**"* *He* said in Daruma's head. The ebony's left iris seemed to leak a lighter brown river. Almost cracking across his eye. *"**Let me handle this one, idiot. You almost got me killed against Zarren since you wanna be stingy.**"*

"*I don't need you. I'm strong enough without you"* Daruma stood up and looked at Fork. He blinked. And blinked again. His eyes now a solid dark brown.

*"**"You fall asleep and I'm taking over. And I'll kill you myself.**"*

"You're not so bad, marine." Daruma offered Fork, ignoring his farewell promise. "Why do you fight so hard for the World Government?"

What was going on with the eyes? Fork had landed some blows that kill most men but Daruma was still alive, in fact something seemed to be going on. Fork would step forward raising a fist towards Daruma.

"Why do I fight? Good question. I am not a human like you all here. I was born in a test tube. I was suppose to be a copy of a men named Henry Gaslom. He was a prince in one of the kingdom's around here. Strong fighter but he was killed by a stronger pirate. Anyway, that came to me and being born not knowing what I was I joined the marines. Because what I did know was I was strong and I didn't like people bullying the weak. So i'd stop that. And what you pirates do. You bully those weaker then you. One day you find someone you can't push around. That when you get a smile on your face. Ain't that right? Seem happy I can match you but when we meet, you were gonna kill me? Anyway, your a pirate, a dangerous one at that. You can surrender still you know. Bounties say dead or alive afterall. I am required to take your surrender seriously. Of course, i'd be asking for the surrender of your entire crew."

Fork honestly used the time to rest up, that last attack really left him in a daze but since both of them seemed pretty exhausted it seemed like a good time to regain some energy. All he did was harden his gaze like a predator. His goal was simply to intimidate the captain into submission. Afterall, they were reaching the point of no return. Someone was about to die at this rate. Sure as hell was not gonna be Fork.

Daruma also took advantage of Fork's long winded explanation. It was definitely a unique reason coupled with his own weird backstory but Daruma knew that these were the things awaiting him on the seas. "Neat." He said with a grin. "Usually you're supposed to ask me that question back but I take it you've set your mind on pirates are mindless cowards hellbent on power...You wouldn't be completely wrong though." He took his stance. His calm aura enveloping the intimidating glare. Daruma was an existence of tranquility. A subconscious mechanism meant to...

"As much as I enjoy this though...We really need to get going."

*"And besides...I'm sure there's backup coming soon."* Daruma pondered. He looked over to the marine ship and grinned. His arms exploding in a muscular state as he activated them once more. "So I'm going to bid you a little farewell present. Though we'll meet again. I'm going to make sure of it."

**Doragon!**

The captain's left eye, a light brown, met Fork before he turned to the marine's crew. A fiery aura enveloped him before forming a silhouette of a Japanese dragon. He launched his hand forward in a straight right. Except this time the dramatic twist commanded the surrounding wind into a dragon shaped twister. It's roar enough to disturb the water below, his strike slammed against Fork's accompanying ship with such force to send his men flying.

"Cleo let's get moving!" Daruma screamed. Nisuke started to get up, his hand rising.

"You are not going anywhere. And no a lot of pirates are not mindless or cowards. But that are villainous. Pirate are in for themselves. The Marines and the World Government stand for something greater then the sum of its parts. That is the desired goal of peace. And that is something Pirates get in the way of. So even if I liked you, it not get in the way of the fact your breaking the law and need to stopped."

Fork growled as he watched Daruma formed a large aura like a dragon. Then launching forward he seemed to form a twister to smash right into his ship. He could see the marines falling into the ocean. Marines who were not really gonna be able to survive that long considering they been flung right into the sea. But did that stop Fork. He would save them once he defeated the Pirates! That was what it was about being a marine!

"You should not focus on them. I am still standing on your boat!"

Fork rushed in try to grab Daruma by the side of the face and slam him into the deck of Kingdom. Then he would try to push him through the deck and throw him across the ocean right into the docks of the island.

The last sight Daruma had was making knowing contact with Nisuke's gaze. A successful plan as his body skipped across the ocean's surface, slammed into the docks and onto the beach. He quickly regained his composure and started standing up. His body covered in bruises. *"**Okay you had your funm brat.**"*

His eyes opened. Both a light brown as Kuzu rubbed the back of his head "It feels good to be back where I belong!" He roared in excitement. "Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'll let you play me when this over. I told you. I'm not gonna let you get me killed."

"What do you mean how?!" Kuzu asked. This conversation with himself ongoing despite how it might've seemed to others. An ebony warrior arguing amongst himself. "This is my fucking body! My body to use for conquest and creating the largest harem ever seen."

Nisuke had held his hand up previously to prepare his own attack. An ever growing invisible ball of newly created space. Nisuke formed it before his fingers and blew into it with full concentration until it distorted the area right before him. He then closed his palm and tapped the ball. Sending it floating at Fork's back. A Ninja tactic which banked on Fork's attention being stuck on Daruma.

In but an instant, Nisuke's marble sized sphere of new space expanded outward. Exploding with enough force to serve as a concussive cannon meant to also send Fork flying towards his captain.

"Come on, ninja," Kuzu said while awaiting Fork's appearance. "Get him over here so ya'll can get the Evil Dragon Harem to safety." He grinned mischievously.

Fork slammed his fist forward sending Daruma flying away. He really should of been paying attention. He landed such solid blow on him and he was sure the fight was quite over. Damn though, he was in such pain. If they kept going he might be done. But he still had to catch the rest of the pirates. But the man was getting up and seemed to be talking to himself. What the hell? He seemed to gotten up pretty quickly as well. He took his full blow head on and got up so fast? Damn, he thought the fight was over too.

"Harem? Man you must of really got hit hard. Your not forming anything. Your going to prison."

Fork cracked his knuckles, he got ready to attack. But something tapped his back. "!!!!" He spun to look at Nisuke who had hit him with some attack. It was carrying him away! Right towards Daruma! Dammit, he had lost focus. It had been a one on one battle. He had assumed Nisuke was unable to keep fighting but he must been able to keep going. That meant he was flying right at Daruma.

"Dammit all!"

Fork tried to slow himself down but with no ground to grip he had no way to slow down as he flew towards Daruma!"

Kuzu blinked. He stared at Fork who landed not too far away. He decided not to go on the offensive just yet. No. He's going to enjoy this. No if ands or buts. He wanted not a single question about whether his victory counted or not. "Come on clone, we're not done yet."

He said. Kuzu took a difference stance from before. His body burning as his muscles started to fire throughout. Kuzu's musculature and definition increasing in pronunciation. His own Ryujin form which his old man gave a unique name. For it combined the different strikes he learned from the various martial forms he observed in his free time. Accumulating them like a collector until he reached a position where he could fire them unhindered.

**"Ryujin Style"**

"We got the shore to ourselves Marine. Fuck your assignments. This is about willpower! Or are you just a sad copy?"

Fork was not attacked when he was mid air. Instead he called out that it was not time for him to end. Fork got up from the ground and looked towards Daruma.

"You should of attacked while I was down. But instead you wait? You sure that was a wise course of action."

Fork raised his arms to block as Daruma leaped in with some sort of new attack's. Or at least they seemed knew. Right now he could do was guard from the blows for the moment just waiting for a opening. But he did not see one so he just kept his guard up trying to withstand the series of blows until that opening came. But his guard would eventually fall apart. He was hit by a series of blows and sent flying back.

'Fuck. This guy is stronger now too. What a pain'

Some bone were broken, he couldn't feel it but he knew as he got back up. But it did not stop from standing. He felt quite odd in that moment. Thinking how he had broken leg's and arm's but they didn't seem to impede from at least standing. Questions for later. Right now he had a pirate to take down.

"Attacking a downed enemy ruins the taste of victory, idiot." Kuzu said deviously. "Though I shoulda had my new doctor heal ya up to make this a fair fight. Oh well."

*"That's right. Because you're fighting **me**."* Kuzu mentally answered Fork's exclamation with a slight smile. *"This is **my** power. Gramps saw me as a Martial Artist and as a student but never as his predecessor."* He remembered Seihoku's draconic gaze slamming against his body and suddenly Kuzu was up. His eyes staring at a warm and loving smile.

*"He mastered the Ryujin Style to protect himself,"* Kuzu continued. *"But it's a limiter not a power. This is **Our** real martial expression!"*

"Fine! I'll come to you!" Kuzu pounced at Fork. Swinging his left hand once more into a hook aimed at Fork's head. However he sat down, throwing his weight opposite to the right of his body. His hip starting to turn inward.

'This really is a pain'

Fork eyes stared forward as Kuzu launched forward the hook slamming into Fork's head. He felt the bones on his head creaking and cracking. Of course he could not feel pain. Didn't mean he couldn't see the effects. The world began to spin around him. This guy was a lot stronger then before. He had his limits too. Fork staggered back planting his feet once more to the ground. Seeing Kuzu seemed to lower. He bring his right leg back swinging it forward to try to kick Kuzu right in the middle of the face. However, because he was seeing more in doubles the kick would instead aim outward to the side of Kuzu's face instead of the center.

"You're not some greenhorn punk!" Kuzu screamed excitingly. But his turning inward lead to Kuzu dipping backward as he'd already started throwing his kick. A similar roundhouse that slammed into. Fork's own kick with a booming force. He brought his leg back down and switched to slamming his hind elbow forward. Aiming the point at Fork's face.

"Yes! Show me that fucking spirit!"

The two kicks clashed mid air as Fork face twisted in annoyance. Why was the kick so far from each other. He would see the elbow coming and move to the left to dodge but he actually smash right into cause of his fucked up depth perception. Fork face shot back before he trying to launch forward with a barrage of punches most were hitting thin air but some would fly towards Kuzu trying to nail him with a heavy handed strike.

Kuzu slipped between the first few punches. Weaving into the barrage with an explosive elegance. "Yes! Yes!" He screamed in excitement. He took the heavy handed punch, his face turning, but pushed against it too look back at Fork. A punch meant so Kuzu could grab Fork's hand and hold him.

Why *would* someone go from a kick to an elbow? Especially against someone with as much might as Fork? Kuzu was playing with his own range. He wanted to get in close enough, no matter what, to finish this once and for all. And so he stepped forward with a ferocious empty palm strike. His open hand aiming to collide with Fork's chest with thunderous might from his body's maximum output. Kuzu's bulging muscles covered in veins, he sent raging power transferring from an explosive leg twist. Letting Fork's arm go simultaneously so as to hopefully finish the match and do what *he'd* asked.

Fork fist slammed true despite, Kuzu speed he was able to hit him with at least one strike. But his arm was grabbed surprising him. What the hell was this? He glanced trying to break hismelf free but it was too late. He felt the impact of the palm strike slamming right into his ribcage.

"Guah!!!!!!"

Fork felt his ribs bend back from the impact sight. His body was flung into the town proper people scattering away from the marine was his body made a large crater in the stone road's. Fork body kept moving as it skipping across the ground before slamming through one of the nearby costal houses.

"Oh my gawd is he dead?"

People ran over to check on the fallen marine. Fork was durable, he didn't feel pain. But he was not immortal not invincible. Fork laid rolled back as his body laid in the rubble of the small town. Despite the marine's best effort's Kuzu efforts proved too much. People called right away to get some sort of medical personal to help treat the heavily injured marine and keep him from bleeding out.

Kuzu took a step forward. He was about to finish the job when his left eye turned a deep brown.

"That's it!"

***"No! No. We need to finish this!"***

"Dammit anymore time and I'll be surrounded by marines."

***"Fuck your cowardice!"***

"Go....AWAY!" Daruma roared. His deep brown eyes looking at the coastal house. He took a step back. "Fuck!" A sharp pain shot up his hip. A muscle tear? Just how much power was raging throughout his body just now? "Dammit." He didn't have time to question. No. He needed to get the fuck outta there. Daruma leapt into the water and immediately swam after his ship which had enough time to get away.

## In Search of the Black King

A lone boat drifted onto the shores leading up to the Black Drum Kingdom. Hornigold Clovis sat toward the back while another man with a paddle rowed the boat to a stop. "This... this is as far as I can take you," said the man, nervous droplets of sweat dripping down the sides of his face. With a wipe of his brow, he looked back at Clovis.

Clovis quirked a brow. "Eh? It's only a few more minutes to get to the docks. At least get me to land, mate."

The man took in a deep breath. With a sigh, he opened his eyes and responded firmly. "Are you crazy? Have you not read the news? The King of this kingdom was murdered recently!! They say the killer is still on the loose... I'm not going any closer than this, it's far too dangerous! If you want to get to land then you can swim from here."

Clovis, who had a newspaper rolled up in his coat, rolled his eyes. With a sigh, he stood up to his feet. "Why must everyone be so... useless?" With his expanded reach, Clovis caught the man in a choke hold. As the man began to struggle for his life, legs kicking around underneath him, Clovis spat in his face. "I can swim, you said? I can swim? Here, have a swim for yourself!!"

With brute strength, Clovis lifted the man up with one arm and slammed him into the water. Bubbles rippled in the water where Clovis held the man against his will. Eventually the bubbles seized and Clovis plucked his arm out from the water, leaving the corpse to sink to the bottom of the ocean. "Next time, don't leave a job half done... useless piece of shit."

Taking control of the boat, Clovis paddled his way onto the docks; setting foot onto land, he threw the paddle back into the boat and stood before the view that was the Black Drum Kingdom. Dark skies and tall castles made of stone welcomed him in the distance. Clovis pulled the newspaper out from his coat, thumb running over the frontpage which showcased two of the biggest names South Blue had to offer: Daruma and Zarren.

"Where are you maggots? You've made me look far enough," Clovis mumbled to himself as he continued onwards. When he came upon a group of people, he showed them the two bounty posters. This has been his strategy over the last few weeks as he paid visits to Karate Island, Centaurea, and the Torino Kingdom in search of them. "Ahoy. You seen either of these two lads around these parts? Oh, you have?" Clovis smiled a crooked smile and shoved the papers back into his coat.

Several Weeks Later
The man's search lead him from Black Drum Kingdom to a nearby island, so unimportant it lacked a name, located right off the South Blue's entrance to Reverse Mountain.

The King Pirates took refuge here after the previous marine ordeal. Choosing to lay low while they prepared to begin their official journey. But for now, they commandeered an old tavern. Some twenty men partied below. They played with the maidens, drunk their ale, and told their tales of that great battle which circulated throughout. It was a merry time indeed. However those with rather important responsibilities were upstairs around their captain, including their newest member, Ronaldo Christiano.

"I'm glad you're all healed up, Sylvia." Cleopatra said while hugging the girl. "We were worried about you."

"T-those big guys weren't the easiest to deal with." Sylvia responded with a sheepish tone. Her eyes looking down. "But it's all thanks to Christiano!"

"Well Doc...I'm not necessarily a fan of your fashion decisions," Nisuke said while tilting his head. "However I'm willing to overlook it with how useful that power of yours is. Ain't that right, Captain?"

"Hmph." Daruma smiled. "Doesn't matter what you wear in battle. Your blood's gonna ruin it either way. That's why I wear a red jacket and black clothes." He took a sip of ale.

"So what's our next step, Daruma-baby." Song added while strumming her guitar's strings. "We got our shipwright and ended up with a doctor on top. Talk about the wind blowing-Wait! That's the next album name!"

"S-shipwright?" Sylvia asked.

"Yeah the person in charge of taking care of Kingdom." Cleopatra answered.

“Ummm…I-I don’t know anything about ships.” Sylvia revealed while tilting her head.

"What!!!!!????" The King Pirates roared in shock.

"Y-yeah. I was locked away most of my life. I can create the metals needed for things and even some weapon designs...But I-I don't know anything about ships."

"Captain...now that she put it that way, that kinda makes sense." Nisuke sulked.

"I mean...she **was** locked away...how would she know anything about ships." Daruma sulked.

"Quit it you two!" Cleopatra slammed her fist against their temples.

"Gah!" Daruma rubbed his chin after recovering from her blow. “Well, then that means we need to find an actual Shipwright. I mean its still a good thing you're with us. It's like we found the ultimate toolbox and now we just need to find a craftsman."

"Can't just be anyone either." Nisuke leaned against the bar. "Paradise and the New World aren't places for any old ship. There's countless abnormalities I can't even describe to you."

"Yeah." Cleopatra agreed while mimicking Nisuke's exact posture. "Even when father took me to Paradise, there were things straight outta my nightmares."

“Well...I might know someone." Sylvia interrupted.

"How? You were locked up this entire time?" Daruma asked innocently.

"You asshole!" Cleopatra slapped him. "Why'd you bring that up?!"

"No no it's okay." Sylvia chuckled. "Sometimes I heard the scientist talk about who placed the orders and where my metal was going. There seemed to be an island in Paradise, called G-7, that were repeat customers."

"G-7?" Cleopatra repeated. "Makes sense. It's a marine base in Paradise that used to be an island called Water 7. They were and still are world renown for their shipwrights. They say some of the greatest marine ships were invented there. But Sylvia, my love, we can't just pop up in a Marine Base and ask for a shipwright. Especially after Fleet Admiral Kurama made it illegal for G-7 Shipwrights to make stuff for pirates. Its a crime punishable by death, no one would risk it."

"Well no. See, there’s someone I heard on a call one day. She’d broken through their system defenses to place a personalize order. Heavy duty stuff-that order took me a week to finish. I had to eat like twenty times a day! I overheard my overseers saying that she must be a descendant of an Iceberg or something."

"A descendant of an Iceberg?" Thanatus repeated from a table. She chuckled. "You sure you weren't dreaming cutie."

"No! She did say that. I heard it loud and clear!" Sylvia protested. "They also said that they might belong to something called...Umm....uhhhhh."

Everyone leaned in.

"Galley-La." Sylvia finally remembered.

"Galley-La?" Cleopatra looked at Daruma. "Can't be. That company was destroyed and discontinued when Kurama took over Water-7. That's impossible."

"Wait, what the hell is a Galley-La?" Nisuke asked.

"The Galley-La was a company of famous shipwrights started by a man named Tom. This Tom guy worked with the first Pirate King, Gold Roger. And then his successors became the Galley 5 who built the previous Pirate King, Monkey D. Luffy's, ship."

"Wow Cleo you know so much!" Sylvia said excitingly. "I can't wait till I know as much about the world as you." Cleopatra went and hugged her younger sister.

"You will. I only know this because of my father. We used to go to Water-7 to learn about how Marine Ships operate. But there can't be anything going on with the Galley-La."

"Well if Sylvia knows all of this and she was locked away all her life," Nisuke started.

Cleopatra grilled him. "Will you guys stop saying that!" She screamed.

"And you're verifying all this information then that should be enough evidence that somethings going on. Captain?"

Daruma rubbed his chin. This was a lot of hearsay. And it involved dealing with basically breaking into a marine base in the Grandline. Surely it could spell life or death for his crew. Yet he couldn't help but smile. His spirit filling the tavern with a fiery excitement as he smirked. "We're going to go to this Galley La and get our shipwright.”

“But why can't we just get any shipwright," Song asked. "Why does it have to be her?”

“There are masters of the craft who are so dedicated they don’t care about morality or the outcome." Daruma smiled. "The fact she almost outted herself for an order just shows us she's a mad genius committed to furthering her craft and overcoming mountains.” He thought back to his endless hours striking mountains. Slamming his fist against calm water. Mind-numbing cycles of katas and breathing techniques that seemed to never end.

His maddening pursuit to reach the pinnacle without relying on *him*. That thing which slept inside...or so he often prayed for even now he felt it twisting and turning. He was awake, listening and also excited.

"We all know what's that like. That's why we sail under our flag. To overcome everything life throws at us. So yeah. We're going to get our Shipwright."

It was a merry time indeed about the old tavern, where some twenty men partied below, played with maidens and drunk their ale. The King Pirates were far from alone in this environment which was free to all, yet they spoke as if their words were discreet when in reality they were hardly anything but.

In one corner of the room, a woman whose melons nearly ripped out from her corset slapped a man with a big black beard across his face. "Not even in your wildest dreams!" she screamed, splashing the ale he had bought for her right back in his face before storming out from the tavern. The man stuck out his tongue and licked around at the droplets he'd caught with his beard; his hands brushed the hairs down, aligning them with a soft tug.

As if nothing had happened, Hornigold Clovis addressed the silence in the room seeing as how the woman's outburst had attracted all the attention onto him. "What a lofty plan ye got there, mate. Brilliant, ey?" he mocked. "Do what the previous Pirate King did. Follow in his footsteps. That's a sure fire way to become the next one, isn't it lad?"

Clovis slammed his tankard against the wooden table he was seated behind. "If that ain't the softest thing I've ever heard! Where's the fun in that, eh? You following a manual by taking a page out of the Pirate King's book? Pitiful." He forced the tankard back to his beard and took a long gulp.

“Why you fucking-“ Nisuke started. But Daruma waved his hand to calm down the men and women who loved him dearly. He simply smirked at the fat bastard.

“If that’s your way of weaseling your way into our conversation, it worked.” Daruma responded calmly. “You call it taking a page I call it paying homage. It’s no different from using a technique your master taught you to build your own Martial Arts. You’d be wise to learn from your predecessors.”

“Why’re you explaining yourself to this nobody, Captain?” Abandon interrupted. “He can’t even charm a tavern maiden’s heart. And they’re the lowest ranked maiden.”

"Because your Captain is insecure," said Clovis as he weaseled more and more into the conversation of the King Pirates. He was manipulative, he was toxic, he was a trash talker who tried to get into the heads of those around him. "The lowest ranked maiden? No, sir. That would be your mum."

Clovis started dying at his own joke. "Pwahahaha!" Since the world had seen him last, his hair had really grown out. He now wore it in the form of dreadlocks that fell down his backside. Black rings covered his eyes. "The way I see it, we're all different. The ones who came before us and the ones who'll come after. We all gotta find our own ways to do shit." Clovis observed Daruma's demeanor, noting how calm and relaxed the pirate captain was. He had a whole group of companions who seemed devoted to his cause. They were talking about leaving this sea and going onto the next one. The Grand Line, they called it. Clovis had heard it was a dangerous place.

"So what are you off to do, eh? Gonna be the Pirate King like all the rest of these lads?"

Daruma ignored Clovis's insult. Touching Cleopatra's shoulder who was about to pounce on Clovis. His heart was as calm as ever. Yet his spirit seemed to fill the room with a dark ominous presence. Something that would tell Clovis he'd lose his life at any second. A spiritual power which, even the wolf, both warned and inquired about after their battle. But his heart kept its calm beat as he maneuvered through Clovis's goading.

"Becoming a King of Pirates? Kirararararara!" Daruma laughed. "Everyone here sails under their own goals. But I'm going to reign supreme over all fighters in the world as the King of Fighters. A title that stands over both the Strongest Swordsman and Strongest Martial Artist."

His mentor often spoke of those two individuals. A man he clashed against during his early years who could charm even the heavens above. His martial prowess almost mythological. And the second, a man who founded a school of swordsmanship that spread throughout. Daruma would defeat both and claim his throne as a God of War.

What was this? Clovis' eyes widened. For a moment it felt like he was paralyzed. He couldn't even swallow properly, feeling his throat tighten as if every ounce of saliva had been drained out from his mouth. Was this Daruma's killer instinct? No, it couldn't be. He was so calm, so composed... this was something a bit different, yet perhaps still of the same nature.

When Clovis had visited Karate Island, he had heard its inhabitants speak of this. This was... *will*. This was... *ambition*. Clovis didn't believe in any of that shit no matter how much they tried to convince him of it. But because they spoke so fondly of the concept he never fully dismissed the possibility of it existing.

All living things were said to carry a will. The trees, the leaves. The sea, the clouds. Mortals especially could bolster truly impeccable wills. As he regained his ability to swallow, Clovis gulped and looked about the room. It was no wonder these pirates followed Daruma. They weren't loyal to him but they knew what they could gain for themselves while being around such an imposing man.

"The King of All Fighters?" Clovis didn't have an opinion on that just yet. That would take some time to think about. He did, however, stand up to his feet. He gulped down the last of his ale and slammed the tankard down so hard against the table that it split in two. Wiping his face, he sighed in relief. "Ahhh." Daruma's dream made Clovis wonder about himself. Daruma expected so much out of himself. Should Clovis have been aiming so high, too?

Trying to outdo Daruma's goal, Clovis made his own declarative statement. "Then I'll be the Pirate King!! Pwahahaha! What do you say to that? Doesn't that mean we gotta fight here and now, eh?!" Clovis was curious about this "will". He wanted to see for himself if Daruma was the guy his crew and the papers were making him out to be.

King of Pirates?

Daruma heard about that title countless times before. And while he wanted to be a King himself, he didn't care for it. Some pirates are fighters while others are tricksters and schemers. He didn't really care for piracy to be honest. Daruma *wasn't* looking for a crew. Everyone in this room was someone who he crossed at some point who decided to sail beneath him. Even his beloved Cleo often said something deep within intensified that love she held for Daruma. He ain't understand it or really bother asking. In fact, anyone *could* join the King Pirates if they wanted to. But if they survived was up to them. However, Clovis challenged him to a fight. And his spirit wouldn't let him decline a fight even if it was an utter waste of time.

"Fine. You want to fight?" Daruma asked.

"C-captain, we shouldn't-" Sylvia started. Abbadon suddenly appeared next to her with her arm wrapped around Sylvia.

"Babygirl, there are few rules we King Pirates have. Don't take food that don't belong to you. Don't gossip or say anything you haven't said to someone's face are among them. But first and foremost...We can never interrupt or stop the captain from fighting. Just prepare to save him should he lose." Abbadon smiled. "And before Black Drum Kingdom, I'd never seen Daruma on his knees."

"I admire your courage." Daruma praised Clovis. "I'll let you set the terms of this fight."

"The terms?" Now that sincerely confused Clovis. Since when did fights have rules? Did Taichi Tara stop to think about rules when she hid inside of his parents' house and surprised Clovis with a bunch of other marines? Did the citizens of Baterilla stop to think about rules when they piled on top of him with their far superior numbers?

Clovis pointed at Abbadon as he spoke, glancing at Daruma with a knowing expression on his face. "You hear that? They're already planning to jump in if anything happens to you. I'm severely outnumbered here. And you want to talk about 'terms'?" Clovis shook his head and clicked his tongue dismissively.

"Don't act all high and mighty with me. The only rule to a fight is that there is no rules. You fight me however you want. Just don't make excuses when you get your sorry ass beat." Clovis grinned while cracking his knuckles. His arms were abnormally long and Daruma may have already been thinking about the advantage Clovis would have in terms of his greater reach. "After all, you want to be the best fighter in the world, right? The best fighter wouldn't make any excuses."

Clovis lifted up the table and threw it at Daruma. Then, behind its cover, he began to sprint after it.

Daruma was able to explain Clovis's previous concern when the table flew at him. *"Seems about right."* He said while striking the wooden furniture. He quickly brought his right leg back but kept his arms a bit lower than his usual guard. *"Those arms would make for some serious striking power."*

When Daruma struck the table, it split in two, unveiling Clovis who was charging in behind it. He had already reached forward with his arm to try and deliver a palm thrust to Daruma's chest, hoping to send him crashing into a nearby table where one of his crewmates was sitting.

Daruma's back foot nudged.

His sculpted chest banging against Clovis's palm with a shocking reverberation. Daruma tilted his head and in that slight second realized what his master meant about certain races have innate abilities. By all means Clovis's palm should've been a slap. That's what Daruma prepared for. Yet he pushed Daruma back. Even though by a tad bit it still was some form of movement.

He smirked.

Daruma's right hand which was held below his chest popped up. Aiming to slap Clovis's hand upward in an explosive outward parry followed by his feet sliding forward as he fired a flickering jab into the forced opening. Slamming a neutral fist at Clovis's head. He used an approach to bypass the Longarm tribesman's reach similar to that of a swordsman. If Clovis didn't take his steps back to avoid letting Daruma inside he'd be screwed. His right foot moving forward and left hand falling to his hip. His feet jumping up into a kick.

Clovis' hand was deflected; it shot up and was removed from the picture completely. He managed to use his other hand to catch Daruma's fist as it almost slammed into his face. He grinned at the accomplishment, looking beyond the captured fist as if to boast to Daruma that he had managed to counter the fighter's prowess. And then in that same moment Daruma planted both feet into Clovis' belly; the force was immense, causing Clovis to forfeit his grasp of Daruma's fist as he stammered backwards.

Using his feet to balance himself, it took several steps for Clovis to regain momentum. He didn't fall, he didn't crash into anything. There was enough space behind him so that he could backpedal and catch himself. When he looked at Daruma he saw that the fighter had already returned to taking another stance. This one was different from before. Was he going to try another approach?

Sadly Clovis was far from being as versatile as Daruma. He didn't have the means and he didn't have the experience. He charged in again with the same exact idea; use his long arms to devastate his opponent. This time he zipped forward and twirled his arms off to the sides; the second joint in his arms would contract and his fists would come at Daruma from the sides. Clovis was trying to confuse Daruma, hoping that he would not be able to measure the distance of their approach simply because he had altered his trajectory of them.

Clovis was right. His massive appendages were nearly impossible to get an accurate range on in the heat of battle. Especially considering that it felt like fighting a sword master with swords attached to his shoulders. Perhaps had Clovis spent his years on Karate Island, he would've been a martial artist unrivaled in all Four Blues. His reach. His ability to generate power. All things Daruma spent endless nights and days learning to master given to this man from birth.

Daruma was a lil jealous.

But Clovis was no more than a man throwing around a sharp weapon. He didn't know *how* to use his limbs properly. They were coming from his side aiming to converge at one point. He pressed on his lead foot into a sudden dash. A swift burst forward, at Clovis, so that his fist would slam together at that point. And since his limbs were so long, Daruma had more than enough space to lean down into an uppercut followed by right cross.

"You should learn to use those gifts of yours." Daruma said playfully.

"Captain's pulling his punches." Cleopatra noted.

"As annoying as that Fat Bastard is...He's a unique challenge for our captain." Nisuke responded. "A longarm is rare on these seas. You could say this is captain learning for future battles. Look at his eyes. He's analyzing the arm's movements, their construction, everything."

Clovis felt the uppercut square into his chin, meaning Daruma had scored a direct hit. His teeth pushed together, keeping the blood that gushed from his throat in his mouth. Clovis let out a hard grunt. Daruma had ducked under his arms, using Clovis' superior size and length against him to exploit an opening within close quarters.

There was little time to think as Daruma delivered a combo attack, stacking another punch along with his uppercut. Another solid fist connected with Clovis' face, but the fat bastard failed to fly. His heavy body simply would not lift off the ground; not from the uppercut, not from the following punch.

Holding his ground yet unable to calculate Daruma the way he was reading him, Clovis instinctively tried to wrap his arms around Daruma because of how close he had come to him. He just tried to lock him into a tight bear hug; if successful he would begin to squeeze Daruma with all his might.

*"Clever!"*

Daruma prepared himself to jump high into the air or duck beneath Clovis's grasp. But instead decided to face it head on. Some would've called it curiosity. But was it Daruma's inquisitive spirit that made him stand there and let Clovis wrap his arms around him? Or the fact one of his eyes had lighten to a hazel shade in that slight moment. Daruma blinked *him* away. Keeping his arms flexed to press against Clovis's grasp.

"B-but he was about to jump?" Sylvia asked.

"Baby love there's something about captain you're going to learn. But not today...hopefully." Abbadon said. The King Pirates watched their exchange with entertained smiles.

"Tch." Daruma resisted with all his might while keeping his dark brown eyes on Clovis. Attempting to pry himself out with pure strength. He could feel the unnatural strength born in all Longarm'd warriors. Yet Daruma wasn't some random human.

"That's...The...Best...You...Got?" Daruma teased.

Clovis, admittedly, was struggling to keep Daruma at bay. He grinned as he and Daruma came face to face. "Urghhh... you're a stubborn lad, aren't you?" Daruma was still challenging Clovis despite being caught. "Fine then, I'll show you a technique only a few people from my tribe even know about. You could call it my ace in the hole."

This was it. Clovis knew he had to defeat Daruma with this or realistically his chances would be slim. Long ago, it was discovered by the members of the Longarm Tribe that their arms possessed a certain explosive power. A boxer by the name Ideo who belonged to the fleet of the last Pirate King employed this tactic masterfully to ignite explosions at the point of contact of his punches.

Using similar mechanics, Clovis could generate a literal explosion from his arms by contracting the muscles within them. However unlike his predecessors he was far from an expert in this craft so using it now without practice was more like a double edged sword. He was going to blow himself up along with Daruma hoping to take him down with him.

"Hakai... Ho!!!"

**Nitoryuken!**

Daruma's upper-body bulged as his arms pumped. Becoming like a dragon's body while his muscles resembled its scales. This man wasn't some bumbling oaf or babbling buffoon. Daruma understood that now. But, Clovis was still several decades short of being a proper martial arts master. There were concepts Clovis hadn't even began to comprehend. One being the flow of power created with every movement and how to launch attacks without telegraphing it. When he started to contract his muscles, Daruma maximized his arm's muscular output. Allowing him generate an exponential boost in power in an opposite direction.

Perhaps if Clovis was a bit more seasoned...it would've worked without a charm. Yet Daruma felt his explosive contraction and added his own power outward. An eruptive flex meant to counteract Clovis's contraction seconds before he would reach that point of no return. Like grabbing the hand over a grenade right before someone pulled its pin out. He aimed to intercept its own energy with his own powerful burst.

A phenomenon capably by only someone who mastered the Ryujin Style. Whereas Clovis was born with a gift of generating might, Daruma spent his entire waking minute practicing it. And his dreams were nothing more than battle simulations against everyone he fought previously achieved by Lucid Dreaming.

"That would've been bad." Daruma said while smirking. He hoped the neutralizing power of their combining attack would send them flying back. Allowing Daruma to land on his feet. Panting. "But property damage is never okay. I can afford a table but...a whole new tavern would delay my plans a bit."

Smoke fumed from Clovis mouth as his eyes turned white. Daruma had turned his attack against him while taking minor damage himself; all while minimizing the impact on the tavern and his crew. Clovis stammered back, his feet backpedaling faster and faster until he tripped on the leg of a chair and fell on his back.

He was defeated. For several seconds he remained unconscious, smoke constantly pouring out of his mouth. It did not take long for him to regain consciousness; his eyes opened and he could even lift up his head but that was as much as he could manage. His body would not move without excruciating pain and soreness. He looked at Daruma, then threw his head back to stare up at the ceiling.

All that doubt started to creep back into his mind. Failure. Useless. Worthless. Good for nothing. "This doesn't prove anything, does it?" Clovis spoke only so he could focus on something other than the insults that were resounding him from his past. "Your crew was ready to jump in if anything happened to you. So whether you beat me or they did, I was bound to lose anyway."

**Whap!**

Daruma slammed his fist against Clovis, pulling back enough to snap him outta his slump and get his attention. “I fought you as a fighter and you lost as a fighter. Not one single person made a move to stop that last move you did. Everything after our fight would’ve just been piracy.”

“But more importantly, that’s why you’ll never be great. You talk a big talk to hide that massive insecurity and self-doubt. You need to believe in yourself even when facing a lost. Learn why you lost and change it.”

”Daruma..” Cleo said.

“You need to learn how to use your reach to your advantage and keep your opponents at that range. And also learn to generate that explosive power without telegraphing your intentions.” Daruma said. He spoke with great interest. His eyes gleaming like a child, after all, he was talking about fighting!

That's one way to end a scuffle, with a life lesson and a mighty whack up the backside. But bloody hell mate, why is it balls to the wall-combat when you meet new people?" Christiano asked Daruma, having silently viewed the ordeal prior.

"Anyways, this right Belland looks beat up, am I to assume he- and you need a touch up?" The Maroon-Suited man asked, moving his hands to straighten the Dark Red tie on his neck, making his way over to Daruma slowly, figuring that he should at least do his bloody job under the pretense that he hadnt really enjoyed the fight as much, unlike the majority of the crew present.

It wasn't so simple for Clovis. In his mind he constantly was at odds with himself. It took hours or prep talk each day to be able to convince himself that he wasn't worthless. As he laid on his back, defeated by Daruma, he leaned his head back. Not because his neck was especially stiff or sore, but because it was the only way he could keep the tears from pouring down his face.

It was hard. It was hard not to overreact in moments like this when he wanted to feel worthwhile, he wanted to feel like he was making progress, yet in reality he was beaten and lain on his ass. He brought himself to sit up and wiped his face with his sleeve. He started at his mouth so it looked like he was wiping off the blood; fortunately his long arms took up enough space of wipe off the tears as well.

"It ain't so easy, is it?" Clovis smiled. He felt pitiful. "When you want to believe in yourself but you can't do one thing right." Clovis sighed. When he looked at Daruma again he saw a man with so much to offer. Clovis had nothing. He was dirt poor with no goals, no incentive. No clear path lain out ahead of him. His life was just an empty canvas. But what he did have was a deep hunger to improve in all facets of life. To see his life to the end on his own terms.

Daruma, the eagle eyed martial artist, saw the tears and he could feel deep sadness radiating from Clovis. Ironically, Daruma knew what it felt like to feel helpless. Like nothing he could do was good enough. To realize just how weak he was in the face of true strength.

What was his name?

The ebony boy with white hair looked at his surrounding siblings…or their remains with emptiness in his eyes. He’d killed his sister the other day by bashing a rock against her head. Slamming it again and again and again and again and again until she stopped trying to gauge his eyes out. He had too. It’s been three months and pretty clear that their father was telling the truth. Now only a few survived in this dingy, stone temple.

They were stolen or sold for this very purpose. Forced to fight until only one would survive to be Mara’s host. The young boy was good at fighting but he wanted nothing more than to survive. What happened after death? How did dying feel? Those questions kept him awake at night and allowed him to sleep with one eye open. His fear of death unlocking a power few possessed.

However his youngest brother stood opposite to Daruma. The one who bore that monster’s full DNA. Everyone suspected that he’d crawled out of this hell alive. Yet the ebony boy noticed something crucial within his future victim. His youngest sibling only fought to survive. He didn’t kill or maim while allowing the others to fight among each other.

“You’re a coward!” The ebony boy screamed. “You’re just waiting till we’re all tired!”

“No….No…I’m not going to take part in this. We were a happy family all this time. I’m not going to.” His youngest sibling responded. “Even if it means I die. I’d rather that than to kill my family.”

He approached with Christiano and covered Covis’s visage with his own body. giving him the visual okay to heal Clovis.

“Don’t ask for it to be easy,” Daruma said. He looked down on Clovis but with soft paternal eyes. Like a caring brother who watched his younger fall off a bike. His words filled with enough faith in his former opponent for the both of them. “Become strong enough that it doesn’t matter either way and you can back up your talk.”

He smiled. “Being born weak is a matter of fate. Remaining weak…well that’s your choice. You have it in you. You just need proper guidance.” He hesitated. Thinking for a second before revealing an offer.

“Join my crew.” He blurted almost interrupted by this crazy idea. He blinked. His eyes an extremely light hazel.

”WHAT?!” Everyone screamed.

“We’re gonna get a shipwright. But we need someone to steer the shit.” Kuzu said. “And this man has a shit ton of strength in those giant arms. Shit I can tell he hasn’t trained a day in his life. Imagine sailing under King Dragon himself.”

”C-captain?” Cleopatra asked worriedly. “Is Daruma going to be okay with that?”

”D-Daruma?” Sylvia asked. “I-isn’t that our captain?”

“Sylvia baby and our horribly dressed doctor. There’s something we’ll need to explain to you later.” Abbadon answered. “Just know that **is** our captain. Though it looks like he’s not trying to take complete control this time. Probably just wants to talk.”

“Hey,” Kuzu barked at Clovis. “Hurry up we don’t got all day. But keep in mind this is my Harem.”

"First off, Im dapper as fuck, respect the suit. Second off, you speak like it's a mental issue... is it at all possible that this poor bloke has-" Christiano cut himself off, taking a hard look at the captain, something clicking in his mind which was far more prevalent to him at the moment than any personality issues.

"Mate, Did you really just call this whole lot a 'Harem'? Did I sign my fucking life away to a sex ship?" The Doctor asked Daruma, no- the new man standing before himself. Christiano during this time had still been making his way over to Clovis to heal the other party, figuring if the request for the other man to join, and the subsiquent thumbs up, was more than enough of a go-ahead to help the man. This sudden development had already caused his brow to furrow, both from concern and confusion, but he assumed that this was the norm considering Abbadon's lackadaisical response to the development.

"Alright, Sorry for the confusion mate, this is new to me as well." Christiano said to Clovis, discreetly motioning to Kuzu, "If you wouldnt mind, Im going to need to touch you in order to heal you."

It caught everyone by surprise when Daruma suddenly invited Clovis to join the crew. Clovis had been tailing the King Pirates for what seemed like weeks; it was his aim to profit off of their bounties and make a name for himself. He was certain that if he defeated their captain he would be known as the top person in all of South Blue.

While he had indeed lost to Daruma, somehow Daruma's words uplifted Clovis. Because he was right, after all. Clovis, all that he had now, was based on his natural disposition. He hadn't spent any time honing his skills. Being around someone with a work ethic like Daruma who was extremely devoted to his craft may rub off on him in all of the right ways.

"You would invite someone who just tried to kill you into your crew?" Clovis wondered aloud. He was genuinely confused by that. Wouldn't Daruma be afraid of Clovis trying to kill him again? How could he trust Clovis enough to do something like that?

Still, for Clovis it wasn't a hard decision to reach. He had nothing left here in South Blue. His last goal was to capture Daruma; but if Daruma himself was leaving this sea, Clovis couldn't possibly accomplish that here. "You're going to the Grand Line, aren't you?" Clovis recalled. As Christiano came to tend to his wounds, Clovis did not retreat. He allowed the doctor to do his job. "I've no place left to go. Nothing to lose, everything to gain. Okay, alright. I'll sail with you."