8

"Ahoy, land ho!" a Marine Petty Officer shouted out. Her voice loud and authoritative.

Opening my eyes from my meditation, I could see it. Mary Geoise, the Holy Land in all its early morning glory. From a distance, we were approaching a massive castle. The defensive fortification made Thriller Bark look like a toy town in comparison to a capital city. This is quite literally the center of the world. There's a saying in this new world of mine, that 'All Oceans lead to God.' For many of the people, the World Noble's might as well be like gods.

"Moria-sama! We should reach port in ten minutes, please prepare to disembark after we pass through the fortresses gates." the same Petty Officer from earlier saluted me. After the debacle with the Rear-Admiral, she had been assigned as my liaison. She had walked on egg shells at first, but soon came to treat me like any other important executive. All voyage long I would silently sit, practice my powers, eat, shit, and sleep. Just like any other normal person. It's hardly worth any effort to screw with someone so low on the totem pole with such a momentous event on the horizon.

As we pulled into the harbor, a massive city of houses, mansions, and castles came into view. I have to give it to the World Nobel's, brutality aside, they sure do know how to live in style. At the pier, a line of saluting Marine's greeted me. At the head of the contingent awaited a Marine Vice-Admiral, his scar filled face was etched in a permanent scowl. The Vice-Admiral in question was the team killing bastard extraordinaire himself, Doberman. Great, my new liaison is the second biggest asshole in all of the Marine's. Wonderful!

"Announcing the Royal Shichibukai, Gecko Moria!" Petty Officer Girl called out. If possible, Doberman's scowl deepened at this proclamation. Bless your soul Petty Officer Girl.

"Sir!" the line of Marines saluted. I may not be a Marine, but the ceremony impressed me. This must be like what Presidents and Prime Ministers feel like when visiting foreign nations.

"Let's go pirate, you're the last of your kind to show up. Any later, and the 'higher ups' might have sent me to clean up." Doberman spat every word. Hatred concentrated in each syllable.

"Ki shi shi shi! Careful Marine, the Shichibukai answer to those same 'higher ups' not you and your squad of incompetent police. I guess the events at Enies Lobby were just a picnic to you? Just you watch, your pride in Justice will be your downfall." We'll see how smug you are after the Impel Down breakouts.

"Hmph, big talk from an outdated, overrated, obese excuse third rate Shichibukai. Everyone knows that you let the Straw Hat's get away on purpose Moria. I'm watching you." With that, Doberman turned around, and led me into the castle.

Down every hallway we went, Marine's hurrying about their business would stop to salute us. Chain of command is no joke to the Marine's. Hell, Doberman killed a subordinate, because he paused for one second. One second of hesitation because he didn't want to shoot his comrades. His fellow nakama. If the Marine's are anything like most militaries from Earth, there've got to be tons of rumors about Doberman. Now that I look closer, every single salute is given towards Doberman. The pale, enormous monster is just a backdrop to the fear these common Marines must have for Doberman.

"In there scum. Thankfully I don't have to spend another second in your toxic presence. I'll leave the talking to Tsuru." Doberman stepped aside, and within the hall was a round table covered in platters of food.

At the very left of the table sat Hawkeyes Mihawk, feet propped up against the table. To his left sat Bartholomew Kuma, arms crossed. Skipping an empty seat that I can only assume was reserved for me, Marshall D. Teach engorged himself. He quaffed a large pint of beer, and let loose a loud belch. To his left sat Donquixote Doflamingo, trademark grin plastered on his face. Doflamingo sat on the top of the back of his chair, a piece of paper in his hands.

The next four seats were occupied by two Marine Captains, a Rear-Admiral, and Vice-Admiral Tsuru. If I recall correctly, she is the Devil Fruit user with the Woshu Woshu no Mi, or Wash-Wash Fruit.

At my entrance, most of the room's occupants kept up with their current activities. Resting in Hawkeye's case, and staring off into nothing when it came to Kuma. Only three had any kind of reaction.

"Fuffuffuffuffu, you're looking a tad bigger since we last met Moria-chan. It's unhealthy to eat more than you can handle." Doflamingo's goofy voice was the first to sound out.

"Ze ha ha ha ha, so you're Gecko Moria? Come take a seat." Teach patted the chair next to him with an extra greasy hand. "The Marine's are serving an all you can eat buffet!" With that, he went back to eating his food. For all intents ignoring the rest of the room.

"Yes, well, now that we're all here we can begin. Please take a seat Moria, we have much to discuss." Tsuru chimed in with a world weary voice. She may look like a simple annoying old lady, but I'd be a fool to underestimate her Devil Fruit, or her experience. No need to openly declare myself as an enemy to anyone in this room. Afterall, if I were to strike, it'd be…from the shadows!

"Haha." Muffled laughter escapes my mouth at such an ironic and overly dramatic thought.

"Something amuses you about this Moria? We've been patiently waiting for more than five days for you to arrive." Tsuru reacted to my standing about.

"It's nothing Vice-Admiral. I was just struck by how welcoming my fellow Shichibukai and the Marines are. Truly a sight for sore eyes in this age of piracy."

"Here! Here!" Doflamingo raised a glass in salute to a dead silent room. One of the Marine Captain's coughed to the side.

"Right." Her tone of voice conveyed she wasn't buying it. With a sigh she continued. "In any case, please take a seat, we have a lot to get through."

Planning out the Whitebeard War? This is going to be epic.

This is not epic. For the last ten hours, we've gone over scenario after scenario. Ten. Hours! This must be some kind of revenge because I was late. What are we to do in case operation 3A fails? Follow up with operation 5D. If operation 'Kento' is a go, where are the Shichibukai supposed to be positioned? It doesn't help that Doflamingo keeps suggesting new plans at every turn!

"So Tsuru-chan, how about we add explosive rubber ducks to the back up plan of operation 'Fat-Boy.' The pandemonium it would create would confuse the Whitebeard Pirates. In the ensuing chaos, we have the three Admirals unleash their strongest ranged attacks all at once." Doflamingo read options off his list. Constantly editing his ideas as they come to him.

"Haah." Tsuru sighed, and pinched the bridge between her nose. "No Doflamingo, we can't use exploding rubber ducks at the battle of Marineford. Even if we could procure these ducks, there's no way we could have them ready for Fire Fist's execution." This woman has much more patience than I think I'll ever have.

"Fuffuffuffuffu, I have a guy." Doflamingo's bluff face showed no tells. Hell, at this point, if he really could bring a truckload of exploding rubber ducks to Marineford, this plan would have some merit. Let's be honest. If the three admirals really did combine all of their attacks, I don't know if there's anyone who could block that.

"You…have a guy." Disbelief was clear in Tsuru's voice.

In response, Doflamingo just grinned, and placed his hands in his pockets. I can see why he gave himself the moniker 'Joker' that smile is completely unhinged. With that train of thought, he probably even came up with the name 'Smile' for those shit Devil Fruits he sells to Kaido.

"Very well, I'll place 'exploding rubber ducks' as the back up plan to operation 'Fat-Boy.' Moving on."

"I changed my mind." Doflamingo interrupted. I swear I saw the light sheen off his glasses.

At this point, I'm the only other Shichibukai paying any kind of attention. Although Teach who has been eating this entire time, and seemingly ignoring the conversation shook in silent laughter. Mihawk twitched, or maybe he just shifted in his sleep. And Kuma, that bastard, just kept staring off into the distance.

"Kuh!" In response, the two Marine Captains face vaulted onto the floor.

"He changed his mind!"

"Just like that!"

Both of the Captains did a double take, and looked to their superior officer for guidance. The Rear-Admiral had his arms crossed, and looked like he really didn't want to be here.

Doflamingo could be called many things. Killer, thief, tyrant, insane, asshole, and many more epitaphs. There's not a soul out there that would call him kind, just, merciful, or loving. Despite all that, one thing no one can deny is that he's a mad genius.

"That will do it for today's meeting. In closing, we plan to execute Fire Fist at noon in three days. You all know your positions. The Fleet Admiral will finalize the meeting tomorrow, and answer any unanswered questions." At the end, Tsuru gave Doflamingo the stink eye, and excused herself from the room. Her Marine subordinates quickly followed her out.

"Well gentleman, it was fun, but I have some old acquaintances to catch up with." Doflamingo jumped out the window into the night.

Without a word, Mihawk stood up, and left. Kuma wasn't far behind him. That left just me and Teach in the candle lit room.

"Ze ha ha ha, what a guy that Doflamingo. I don't know whether to admire how he handled that Marine bitch, or whether I should hate him for taking up my valuable time. You've been in the Shichibukai for a while, what's your take on him?" Teach asked me as he casually devoured a giant turkey leg.

"Ki shi shi shi, so you're the one who took down Fire Fist Ace. Marshal D. Teach, or as your moniker would be, Blackbeard. I'm sure your name will soon be famous across the four Blues. When it comes to Doflamingo, all I'd say is don't underestimate him. Out of all the Shichibukai, I'd say he goes out of his way the most to make trouble for others." I'm somewhat curious what a Blackbeard vs Doflamingo fight would look like. Maybe if I throw enough suspicion at Doflamingo, Teach might fight him later?

Teach grunted in response, and moved on to a pig. There must be something tied to the will of D and eating. There's got to be.

"Oh? What about you? Lurking in the Florian Triangle all these years, most people have forgotten about the horror of Gecko Moria." Teach casually responded, food dropping out of his mouth. "Especially after you lost to Kaido."

Heh, this guy's trying to get a rise out of me. Or maybe, maybe he's just trying to get a read on me. It's true, Moria has been out of the public spotlight for a while. How do I react to this? Looks like he's stopped eating, if I wait any longer, he'll get even more suspicious.

"Ha! Oh, you know how it is being a Shichibukai. A little piracy here, a little piracy there. It's my policy to let your subordinates do all the hard work, and have the leader relax." A small sweat drop fell onto my spine at the ad libbed lie.

"No need to be so nervous my friend, we all have our secrets!" Teach, no, Blackbeard slapped my back in a comradely fashion.

"I'll give you a piece of advice." Here his eyes sharpened, and the dullard he had pretended to be at the meeting disappeared. "The world is about to shift. We sit on a crossroads, and the power vacuum left behind by the results of this upcoming war will shift the world's destiny for an entire age! Only people with their own strength have a hope of surviving it. When the time comes, you should reevaluate your loyalty to these 'Nobles.' Ze ha ha ha ha ha ha!" With that, Blackbeard patted my shoulder and walked out. The lifeless eyes of a pig skull and mountains of plates filled with animal bones stripped of the smallest scrap were my only company in the vast empty room.

AN: Marineford won't be identical to canon. Have any ideas/theories on how to make it spicy? Stay tuned.