9

Three days had past, and it was two hours before the execution. Tensions were high in the castle as we waited to be shipped over to Marineford. During this time, I had been ruminating on the subject of Blackbeard. When it comes to people who want to be Pirate King, he's probably one of the least insane. Comparing him to Big Mom, Kaido, Doflamingo, or hell, even Luffy, he seems to be a man with a plan. That and he's not entirely unhinged. I can't say I want to join his crew. However, if in the future Vegapunk really does come up with a plan to replace the Shichibukai it's best not to put all my eggs in one basket. In the short term, I really don't want Blackbeard to have the Gura Gura no Mi, or Tremor-Tremor Fruit.

"Don't just stand there Moria. What did you want to see me for?" A deep throaty voice entreated from within the office.

"Hello Fleet-Admiral Sengoku. I have news for you."

"Is this information accurate?" Sengoku gave me a skeptical look.

"I assure you Fleet-Admiral, my interests are entirely for the safety and security of the World Government. Blackbeard plans to-"

"Dire news Sengoku-sama! Impel Down has been breached by pirates! A ship bearing Straw Hat Luffy, Knight of the Sea Jinbe, and the Revolutionary Emporio Ivankov is heading towards the Gates of Justice." A nervous Marine aide burst into our meeting.

At the aide's statement, Sengoku's face shadowed over, and he grit his fists. "Damnit Garp." He muttered under his breath. "Enact order 'Uragirimono."

Saluting, the aide rushed off to carry out his orders. Meanwhile, Sengoku stared off into the horizon, doing that thousand yard stare thing that Marine's are so good at doing.

"You're clearly busy here, I'll see you at the battlefield Fleet-Admiral."

As I left the castle, I was surprised to see a massive fleet of hundreds of ships prepared to set sail in the docks of Mary Geoise. From what I can tell, this fleet is entirely separate from the one assembling at Marineford. Looks like I'm not the only one hedging his bets.

"Moria." An old leathery scowling Vice-Admiral marched up to me.

"Doberman." My high pitched voice retorted derisively. Lightning sparked in the air as we made eye contact. Leaves rustled because of the wind, and my shadow rippled.

"Vice-Admiral-sama, Moria-sama, the ship is set to sail. Let's go!" the Petty Officer Girl from earlier interrupted our contest in machismo.

"Very well Petty Officer, lead the way." Doberman addressed her without breaking eye contact.

"Ki shi shi shi, thank you Petty Officer." I had Doppleman follow her so I could maintain eye contact with Doberman. When she boarded the ship, I swapped positions with Doppleman. I may be a powerful Shichibukai now, but no one ever said I wasn't petty.

"Let's go Doberman, don't want to be late to the party. Eh?" Turning around, Doberman was already on the deck, talking to several other Marine officers. In the middle of his conversation, he eyed me for a moment, and gave me a small smug smirk. The six powers may not get showcased all that much past the Enies Lobby arc, but that doesn't mean they should be underestimated. Maybe I can steal a Marine shadow sometime down the line and steal that skill.

Messing with Doberman aside, no amount of inside humor can completely distract me from the coming fight. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous. People will be gunning for me because of my Shichibukai status, not to mention how easy I would be to shoot at. I'm quite literally a big target.

"Hah hah, you and the Vice-Admiral sure are funny." Petty Officer Girl laughed with a lilt to her voice. Where does this young lady get the courage to talk so blasé to me? I'm pale, tall, and ugly. Not to mention my reputation. Must be because we're on a Marine ship surrounded by so many high ranking officers.

"We were quite silly, weren't we? If you serve long enough in the Marine's, you'll come to find that people with power enjoy being quirky." I said with absolute certainty to her dumbfounded face.

"That is to say, everyone is quirky, it's just that powerful people can enact their will on another group. As a result, the weaker people are forced to bare with these quirks. If, however a weaker person was to act quirky, they'd be shunned by their peers." I patiently monologued about my opinion on quirkiness.

Absalom was a prime example of being weaker, and unable to fully act on his strange quirks. On the other hand, since I'm powerful, people can complain all they want about my zombies, but they can't take them away. This is doubly true for my subordinates.

"Am I making any sense?"

"Not really, no. But that's why you're so funny! Eh heh." Petty Officer Girl finished her declaration by pointing and laughing at me.

"Enough fraternizing with the enemy Petty Officer! Your job is to act as liaison for this scum, not be friends! Act professional for the sea's sake. Doberman shouted, interrupting our conversation. His face must be set to default as a scowl. Quite honestly, he reminds me a bit about every stereotypical drill sergeant, or asshole executive officer I've ever seen in the movies. Why couldn't I have been assigned Vice-Admiral Jonathan, or that one guy with the red mustache and that mohawk pony tail thing.

"Yes sir!" Petty Officer Girl's back straightened out, and she saluted.

"You represent every other Marine who puts on the uniform! If we weren't expecting trouble, I'd put you in the brig myself." Doberman spat on the deck, and strutted to the helm of the ship. Marines hurried to get out of his way. When I looked back, I saw Petty Officer Girl wiping tears away from her eyes.

"Hey, it's not all that bad, everyone's had an asshole boss sometime in their life." I felt kind of sorry for her since I sort of caused all of this. I don't have anything against the rank and file Marine's. They're just regular people trying to make it same as anyone else. For some, they signed up for the adventure, others to protect people, and some people like my dad in the old world signed up to get out of crippling poverty.

"It's just. I worked really hard for this position! Not everyone can be a liaison to a Shichibukai. I-I should go. If the Vice-Admiral see's me talk to you, he'll only cause more trouble." She walked off towards the inside of the ship.

Damn. I somewhat feel like taking issue with Doberman over this, but there's a time and place for everything. We're on a boat headed for Marineford, and I don't need to get involved in any drama bs going on for some girl I don't even know. Godspeed, Petty Officer Girl.

"…As the Captain of the Spade Pirates, you ascended through the pirate world with your superior strength. And we finally noticed that Roger's blood had survived!" Sengoku announced the official reason why the Marines were executing Ace to the whole world, the Shichibukai by my side, and the hundred thousand Marines who stood witness.

Any minute now.

"Look, in the fog!" A random Marine shouted.

Sure enough, a fleet of pirate ships emerged. Each with their own distinct jolly roger, and unique style of ship.

Doflamingo muttered something about rubber ducks, a mad chuckle escaping his rictus like grin. I ignored him in lieu of steadying my nerves. Okay, if everything goes to plan, I just have to look scary, and kill a few pirates here and there. None of the ranking officers went all out at Marineford for fear of sinking the island.

Kuma, Doflamingo, Mihawk, the three Admirals, Garp, Sengoku, Whitebeard, and Marco all have the ability to destroy the island. The pirates don't want to because they want to rescue Ace. And the Marines would lose to much face if Marineford, the seat of the Marines was destroyed.

"Look, in the middle!" The same voice called out.

Three massive vessels designed in the image of whales popped up out of the water. Standing on the bow of the ship stood the owner of the Gura Gura no Mi, Edward Newgate himself. His white mustache in no way a beard was still the origin of his moniker, Whitebeard.

"Gura ra ra ra ra" With a deep throaty chuckle, Whitebeard simply punched out with both of his arms, shattering the sky next to him. The nearby ocean immediately swelled, forming massive hills.

"Sengoku, give me back my son, and I won't sink this island!"

"Justice is on my side Whitebeard, it's the will of the people that Roger's legacy be stopped. Your plot to put his seed upon throne of the Pirate King ends here today!" Sengoku adopted a righteous disposition. Whether he believes it or is just saying that for the den den mushi recording and his men's moral, I'll never know.

"Don't lecture me about morals Sengoku, we both know what you've done in the name of 'Justice." Done speaking with Sengoku, Whitebeard addressed Ace. "Son, we're here to rescue you! Keep on hoping!"

"We have your back Ace." Marco the phoenix added on. A whole chorus of cheers, tears, and speeches followed by the rest of the crew.

"Pops! I'm sorry pops! And to everyone else!" Ace cried out. Tears streaming down his face.

The wave caused by Whitebeard's seaquake came back conveniently at the exact same time Ace had finished speaking.

"Aokiji!" Sengoku called out.

And before me Aokiji jumped hundreds of feet into the air, and froze both waves in an instant. As he met the bay of Marineford, another casual use of his power saw the entire area frozen over. Back in the old world, most people argue that Paramecia are now the strongest Devil Fruits out there. That may be an argument worth having, because the casual display of power by both Whitebeard, and Aokiji was awe inspiring.

In response, a hoard of pirates numbering in the tens of thousands swarmed the battlefield.

"Onto the ice!" Sengoku commanded.

I was impressed. With no hesitation, a similar number of Marines charged onto the battlefield. Marine officers stood on top of or near cannon emplacements, urging their men onward. Shortly into the fight, Mihawk demonstrated his badassery by firing a energy attack across the battlefield at Whitebeard.

"Woah!"

"Good thing he's on our side!"

"Take that pirate trash!"

A wave of Marine support and cheers rushed forward, driving up momentum. Only for the high spirit to dwindle as a large tanned man, Diamond Jozu, deflected the shot.

"A-a Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates!"

"I heard he's the owner of the Kira Kira no Mi, turning his body hard as a diamond!"

The same Marines this time voiced their thoughts out loud in shock, rather than in jubilation.

"Hoh~ this won't do at all. Don't you think I should brighten up their day? Eh, Sakazuki?" I barely heard Kizaru speaking with Akainu over the din of the battle.

A moment later, Kizaru moved so fast, he appeared to have teleported into a zone above Whitebeard. Light in the shape of diamonds sped towards Whitebeard.

"You've got him Admiral!"

"That's the strength of the Marines!"

"Justice!"

More Marines cried out, only to be once again disappointed by the competence of Whitebeards Commander's.

Marco blocked most of Kizaru's attack, but much of it went through to the sides. Large holes were created in the ice around the ship, and several pirates were caught in the explosion. If Kizaru really did fight Whitebeard one on one, it would be a site to behold. If I was Kizaru, I would just keep kiting my opponent, fly, and try to get them to drown.

"Jess, no!"

"Wait till I find your family Kizaru!"

"For our Nakama!"

A myriad of cries and calls responded to Kizaru's quick burst attack. Whipping the pirates into a frenzy.

Out of the sea came a threat so huge, so massive, so mind bendignly large, that those with weak constitutions wished they could flee at the sight of him. His name was Oars Jr. and he was one mean green, tall ugly bastard.

As he approached, a frantic Marine Captain approached us. His name was Oda, or something.

"Respected members of the Shichibukai! As Vice-Admiral Tsuru predicted, the giant, Oars Jr. is approaching the battlefield. Please, show the world your might!" The Marine glanced between us back and forth at a rapid rate. More and more sweat accumulating on his brow for every step Oars Jr. took. "Please!" Desperation entered his voice.

Eyes glinting, Kuma stepped forward. Extending both of his paws, he gathered up air and compressed it into a small, tiny palm. He then sent it over, ever so slowly towards the giant. It's a shame that 'big people are stupid' is a trope of this world. Oars Jr. could've easily dodged that attack if he had any sense of the battlefield.

As expected, a large shockwave tore through Oars Jr. causing him to stumble.

"Don't give him an inch men, fire! Shoot all the cannons you can!" A random Marine Captain shouted nearby.

Cannon shot had him walking like a drunk as he moved towards the platform where Ace was held.

"Impressive moves Kuma, but you'll find that anyone can use a powerful charge up attack. Observe."

With my power to generate shadows, I began my attack by forming a spinning javelin. I preceded to wrap and condense the javelin made of shadow tighter and tighter with new shadows as fast as I could generate them. With every fold, the javelin would spin faster. All I concentrated on was folding and weaving as much as I could. When I finally sensed Oars Jr. about to get to close, I released the shadow made missile directly at his stomach.

"Javelin Arc!" I shouted the name of my attack.

Seconds later, it made impact. About a quarter of Oars Jr.'s stomach was shredded, prompting him to immediately collapse. He was either dead, or fainted. Either way, I was going to make sure of the job. Dad always said that if you were going to start a job, that you better finish it.

"Oars!"

"Fucking government pig! You betrayed all pirates!"

"Oars, no!"

With a mighty roar, I asserted control of the javelin before it entirely lost its shape, and rammed it into the back of Oars' skull. Blood and bone matter flew everywhere. Sadly, the javelin had lost most of its momentum, as well as the shadows binding it together. Otherwise, he'd be short one head.

Absolute silence greeted me from the Marines side. What, isn't this what a hero is supposed to do? Defeat giant monsters in a gory fashion?

"M-Monster…" Several Marines around me gulped, fear palpable in their eyes. Fuck, I shouldn't have even thought I'd be treated like a hero. If it's a monster they want, it's a monster they'll get.

"Ki shi shi shi! That was only a taste of my power! All will bow down before the Ruler of Shadows!" I grandstanded. I hope that the den den mushi is recording this. Take that, you bear prick! Hell, Doflamingo can't even hope to claim I'm too weak for the Shichibukai after this performance. Reflecting on my attack, it wasn't too bad considering the charge up time. All in all, my attack took somewhere between ten to thirty seconds. Not to practical in a fast pace fight, but great against a static enemy.

Katcha Katcha

Woah! I barely swapped out the top of my head with Doppleman's as a bullet passed right through me.

"You and me, we're gonna have a reckonin, punk!" A green melon capped man in a pink shirt, and camo pants held two smoking guns as he shouted at me.

Wait, two smoking guns? Pride may have gotten the best of me.

AN: Some crazy shit's about to unfold.