7

Time Skip it is.

"Our time spent at the Ukkari Hot-Springs Resort was a complete success. Good work everyone." I congratulated my crew in my throne room after a very profitable venture.

"Doctor Hogback, your reputation may have faded into the background of the world stage, but your plan to 'cure' a zombie of an affliction, and attract the rich and stupid was genius."

"Fos fos fos! Cindry-chan was the perfect nurse!" Hogback readjusted his glasses so they glared when he finished his statement.

"Do the world a favor, and kill yourself. Pervert." Cindry replied.

"So cruel!" Hogback threw his arms up in shock.

I, I'm just going to ignore that, and keep the conversation going.

"With Hogback's contributions, we are 3,350,000 beri richer. His reputation will once again become known to the rich and famous of this world. Our coffers will only benefit from this. The name Gecko Moria will become synonymous with long life and good health among the four blues."

"Hurrah!"

"Go Moria-sama!"

"Cunning as always master!"

The tri-color minions congratulated.

"Moving on, Absalom, your kidnapping of the resort co-owner has opened a new avenue of extortion. We now stand to gain 50% of all Ukkari Hot-Springs' profits. You've secured over 200,000 beri. Your mission this time will see this crew benefit well into the future." That may seem like a small amount, but if there's anything I've learned from finance, it's that passive income is key to long term stability.

"It wasn't easy Moria-sama, but I'm using my Devil Fruit like you've suggested. I'm doing my best to realize the dream of the Thriller Bark Pirates." A large bandage wrapped around Absalom's mouth, slightly muffling his voice.

"Additionally, my presence as a Shichibukai endorsing the establishment will go a long way in dissuading the common riff-raff from cutting into our margins. Our total is near 13,550,000. We're one step closer to paying off the World Government. Ki shi shi shi!"

Another round of congratulations and back pats followed. There's a lot more clapping, and circle jerking at these executive meetings than one would think. As the boss, I could probably say a total loss was a good thing, and receive a standing ovation. Is blind obedience such a good thing if your servants never have out of the box solutions to a complex issue? At the very least Hogback is educated I suppose.

"Moria-sama, get to my part of the plan. Praise me!" Perona's bratty voice interrupted the applause.

"Ahem, and Perona, your role as a visiting royalty to increase the publicity of the resort went according to my plan. Further increasing our dividends from Absalom's extortion."

"Moria-sama, there wasn't any praise for me in that sentence at all!" Perona stomped her foot, and preceded to kick Kumashi to the ground.

"Must be that time of the month." Absalom muttered.

"What was that?!" Perona glared death at Absalom.

"Nothing! Well, if that's all Moria-sama, I have more training to do, by!" Absalom turned invisible, and left in a hurry.

"Get back here scum! Kumashi, carry me to my bedroom!" Perona instantly went limp as she sent her ghost body out in search of Absalom.

"Right away Perona-sama." Kumashi's deep baritone sounded out.

"And don't talk! Zero points."

"Oh-MmmmMMM!" Kumashi went to reply, but quickly covered his mouth.

Man, she never separates from that guy. I know if I was Absalom, I wouldn't take that shit. Heh, not my problem. Operation Thunder Taker was a success. Despite some minor hiccups with the kidnapping, this venture should see my power base rise exponentially.

"Ah, Moria-sama, about Cindry-chan." Hogback rubbed his hands nervously, a look of hope upon his face.

Right, Hogback's promised reward. Now how am I going to reprogram Cindry's shadow without Hogback being suspicious? Essentially, I'll be stealing Moria's technique. The one where he can give a shadow any command before he inserts it into a zombie. The only alteration to this skill will be that I'm taking out Cindry's shadow, reprogramming it to forget about her past life, follow my orders, and act like Hogback's perfect bride. The problem is that Hogback might come to the conclusion that 'Moria' has been holding out on him, and could've fixed Cindry the entire time. Thus, lowering his loyalty. Truthfully, Moria probably did have the skills to fix her. He probably left her hating Hogback for his amusement. She was conveniently obedient whenever in my presence. Hmm, I stroked my chin in thought.

"Your reward. I perform this task for you with the understanding that you'll continue to treat patients I send to your door."

"Yes, Moria-sama." Hogback grimaced, but answered positively anyway.

"Good. This new technique of mine. I need to be absolutely alone for it to work."

"But Moria-sama, I need to be with Cindry-chan, encase she's hurt." Glasses askew, naked concern was written all over Hogback's face.

"Leave! You may wait outside the room with the zombies as company."

"Yes…of course." He walked out dejected.

As the door shut, I was alone in the room with Cindry. I held out my hand in the iconic 'Darth Vader' choking motion, and focused on the shadow within the zombie body. I felt a vacuum like suction, and her shadow came out squirming in my grasp. Cindry's corpse fell limp in response.

"You will answer to the name Victoria Cindry. You are in love with Doctor Hogback, and will strive to act like his ideal bride. You will obey his orders above all others save mine. If Hogback ever plans to betray me, inform me immediately. If he ever attacks me, stab him in the back." The shadow didn't once stop struggling to escape my grasp until it was too late. With little effort, I stuck the squirming shadow back inside the corpse of Victoria Cindry.

"Arise, 'Corpse Bride' Victoria Cindry! Muahahahaha!" Alone for once, I broke character, and let loose with a cheesy laugh. I had lost myself in the spectacle of it all. Maybe a zombie army could be viable if I had stronger corpses, and equally strong shadows. I have a long road ahead of me.

"Purupurupuru…purupurupuru…" A sound woke me from my nap.

"What's huh?" I groggily shifted about.

"Purupurupuru…purupurupuru…" There it is again!

"I-It's the Marine's!" Before my eyes, Red held a den den mushi. The snail had a seagull hat, glasses, and a Fu Manchu mustache. Comical appearance aside, this must be Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

"Gecko Moria, the Shichibukai have been summoned to the Holy Land, Mary Geoise. A Marine ship has been dispatched to your location. Be here in seven days or less. This is an issue important to those higher up. Be there or face the consequences."

"Katchak! " The den den mushi ended the call with a click.

A man of few words, and no tolerance for latecomers. He must get enough of that with Kizaru and Aokiji. Hold on. How does Sengoku know where I am this quickly?...The Cipher Pol sure is a scary organization. I'll have to look into starting my own information network, or ask Absalom who our contacts are. I looked down at the ground, deep in thought. Ace is probably going to be executed in seven or eight days. I only have a week to master any last-minute techniques before the Marineford War.

"Doppleman!"

These last few days, I had stayed near the resort so that Sengoku didn't think I was running away. My entire crew was on lookout for the Marine escort. I had considered flying to Mary Geoise, but didn't want to reveal my ability. Not to mention, I'd risk getting shot by trigger happy Marines. I'm pretty sure the place has a no fly zone anyway.

"The Marine ship you expected is approaching Moria-sama. They're signaling for us to open the gates." Absalom lowered his spyglass, and turned to me. "You sure you don't want me coming with you Moria-sama? You can't trust Marines to have your back. Even if you are a Shichibukai!"

"Ki shi shi shi. You worry to much Absalom. Simply follow my orders, and continue to search for the things on that list. I trust you to look after things while I'm away." I smiled. He's not the best steward, Hogback would probably do a better job of it. But if there's one thing that could be said about Absalom, it's that he's loyal.

"Moria-sama!" Absalom saluted in farewell.

"Take care Red, Blue, and Yellow." Of all my servants, these three are the ones who I've grown most fond of. They always wait on me hand and foot, serve me food, and carry out any order. They lack in battle power, but can never betray me. I'll sorta miss these guys.

"Take care, Moria-sama." Red bowed.

"Your excellency won't, nay, cannot lose! You're undefeatable under the sun great one." Blue brown nosed as always.

"We look forward to your return, master." Yellow finished in a level tone.

"I'll have a new training regimen for Absolam when I get back. Make sure he keeps training with his Devil Fruit while I'm gone you three."

"Moria-sama!" Absalom yelp.

A small sadistic smile passed my lips at Absalom's action. After taking care of matters with Absalom, there really was no need for me to go talk to Hogback and Perona. They already knew what I was doing, and we weren't close like that.

I waited at the entrance of Thriller Bark island for the Marine ship to dock. As it got closer, I realized how massive the ship was. The Marine battleship was so tall, it barely passed through the gates. As the islands current carried the vessel towards the pier, I got a better look. The top of the ship's masts surpassed the walls surrounding Thriller Bark. On the back of the ship was a paddle, and I assume the underneath is covered in sea stones. That must be how the ship is going to get me to the Holy Land so fast. We'll go straight through the Calm Belt, bypass all the crazy weather and dangers on the Grand Line, then go right to the meeting. The Marine's must be excellent at logistics and moving their troops.

As the ship pulled up, a gangplank was lowered. Standing at the very top of the gangplank was a figure I did not recognize. He looked like generic Marine 242, middle aged, brown hair, black suit, and a Marine officer greatcoat. Did they send a Marine Rear-Admiral to pick me up?! Where's the respect?

"Gecko Moria, Shichibukai?" He asked in a gruff no nonsense voice. Either I'm being snubbed, or this guy's just following policy. Like how a McDonalds employee will always ask you if you 'want fries with that.' In any case, time to turn it up to eleven.

"Ki shi shi shi. You have the honor of speaking to him. Now be a good dog, and take me to your master."

"Y-You!" the Marine's veins in his neck were bulging. He reached out his hand as if he was going to strangle someone.

"Let's go, you're on the clock, right? It sure would look bad if the 'higher ups' plan was ruined because of a lowly Rear-Admiral. Right?"

"Raaagh!" He unsheathed his sword, took one step towards me, and stopped.

"Aahh-ahh, what are you-" His muscles strained as he attempted to move. He had stood in one place for too long, his shadow was ensorcelled by mine. My moves were his moves.

"Shadow capture complete." I slowly, ever so slowly reached into one of the many pockets I had 'tailor zombie' stitch on, and pulled out a pistol. It had a basic wood design, and was overlaid in iron. It wasn't anything fancy, but it'd get the job done.

Katcha Katcha I fired off two shots, directly into his knee caps.

"Ahhh!" he screamed in pain. My shadow held him in place. Continued pressure was applied to his knee caps as he was forced to stand.

"A-Admiral!" His crew looked on, unsure if they should engage me. I looked around, seems one or two might try to do something stupid. Probably not the best time to massacre a cadre of Marines. Time to wrap this up.

Releasing the shadow binding technique, the Rear-Admiral hit the ground like a sack of potatoes. Pain and a burning ferocity that bespoke revenge was clear in his gaze as we made eye contact. It looked as if he was about to give the order to fire for a moment, but duty must've won out. He averted his gaze, and commanded his men. "Listen up men! We're to escort the Shichibukai, Gecko Moria to the Holy Land! Now someone get me a goddamn medic!"

As I reached the deck of the ship, I recognized a problem. I couldn't fit through the doors leading into the ship! I was going to have to spend this voyage of three days on the deck!

AN: Not quite at the Shichibukai meeting yet, lol. I did skip the Spa island arc tho, had to "tell and not show" which I'm unhappy with, but the recap was needed. If Moria was to have a 1 on 1 conversation with another Shichibukai, who should it be? FYI in sailor's vernacular, a Rear-Admiral or Vice-Admiral can still be called "Admiral" and the Captain of the boat can be ranked as low as Lieutenant or as high as a Fleet-Commander.