Chapter 29

"Ahh." I sighed in contentment. Back at my room, the rays of sunshine spilling through the window warmed my bones. The sunshine was a welcome break from the previous week's monsoon like rain. Juxtaposing the heat from the sun, a cool refreshing breeze entered the room, and whisked my hair a bit.

*Crunch* Taking a bite out of my apple, I wiped the juices from my chin. Making a face, I tossed the sour thing away.

The fleeting moment of peace was soon broken when I thought about yesterdays victory. A third of my forces had been completely lost. The shadows disappeared; the zombie bodies shredded beyond all repair. A further third were heavily damaged, loss of limb, and puncture marks were the norm. The silver lining I suppose is that they kept their shadows, and could be repaired by Hogback. By far however, the worst news was my loss of Silver Knight. He, along with John, and Fu Manchu are my only zombies that could effectively utilize haki. This was a major loss to my forces. On top of that, a further third of my zombie generals were lost. Fortunately, Fu Manchu and John survived, not to mention, one third of my forces had been left on Thriller Bark to hold down the fort…but if Absalom hadn't brought the reinforcements, that would've been it for me.

It boggled my mind that Kōshirō was so powerful. I don't think I landed a single hit on him, during our entire engagement! His observation haki was in a tier of its own. Not only that, but his skill in martial arts, they were incredible! He could slice, and cleave my shadows perfectly, no movement was wasted. He had such an economy of movement, I can only hope to match him in the future. In my honest opinion, my heart of hearts, I only won because of a couple lucky shots. At the end of the day, I think Absalom's devil fruit played a key role in my victory. Never mind the lack of stamina, or half of his shadow missing, that swordsman didn't account for Absalom at the last moment, and paid the price for it.

Even at the end of his rope, Kōshirō was still a dangerous, dangerous man. Forget Silver Knight, forget the more than two thousand zombies lost, if I had Kōshirō's shadow, I could've become unstoppable. With his skills, and my devil fruit, I could probably challenge Marco, or Katakuri, given enough time, maybe even a Yonko. The man was a beast, what he accomplished, will serve as inspiration to train only harder. There's similar monsters like him, out there in the world. The next time I met one, I needed to be prepared.

"Haaa." I sighed, closing my eyes, and clenching my fists at what could've been. Oh well, no use focusing on the past, it's time to look to the future. Look at the positives, I have a brand new, powerful corpse to add to the arsenal, and I made slight improvements at haki manifestation. I even made new discoveries about my devil fruit. For one, Doppleman can be disrupted by haki, I need to see for myself how long it would take to reform him. Especially under combat conditions. This is a must for when I fight those top tier opponents.

With my thoughts on Doppleman, perhaps I'll even be able to coat my own shadow in a layer of armament haki, much like how Doflamingo coats his strings. I don't know if I'll be able to do this to the shadows I create, but when it comes to my own shadow, this should be doable.

Additionally, I ripped half of Kōshirō's shadow from him, and absorbed it. Somehow, he didn't disintegrate, and when I absorbed his shadow, I felt like I only gained a marginal strength gain. There was no transfer of skills whatsoever, no haki, or sword swinging ability. If this is the case…I rubbed my chin. This merits further study, can I still make zombies with this function? How about healing?

Could I possibly have my cake, and eat it too? Take some of the shadow from an average civilian, place it in a zombie, and get that zombie to work in a factory, or train in fire arms. This way, I can have happy civilians, and won't have to resort to breaking the biggest law on the planet. Although when it comes to certain people, like combatants, or skilled workers such as carpenters, doctors, or engineers, I may need to have their complete shadow to have their skills. Why higher a engineer who you have to pay, when you could have a loyal, endlessly working zombie engineer?

"Ki shi shi shi!" I snapped open my eyes, and let loose a wild laugh. Who cares about all this plotting? The important thing for now was that I, Gecko Moria, was alive! This fight the other day may be what's called a pyrrhic victory, but it wasn't without gains!

At the end of my laugh, four kneeling, and bound figures began shivering uncontrollably, bringing my attention to them.

Noticing my attention placed upon the four figures, Blue stepped forward to present them to the room.

"Presenting to the illustrious, and all knowing Captain Gecko Moria, Warlord of the seas, Royal Shichibukai, Prime Minister of Goa Kingdom, Savior of the Impoverished, and shining jewel of East Blue, Perona-sama's spoils of war! First up, is the warrior whose name is feared throughout the West Blue, Clamps! His vice like grip is strong enough to crush rocks! A relative unknown, he comes in with a bounty of 6,500,000 beri! Just look at the forearms on the guy, he not only can crush them, but his best known feat is throwing a rock, sinking a ship!

Next up, the honorable mercenary who is purported to do anything for money, coming in at an 8,000,000 beri bounty, Golass! In the beautiful and dashing Perona-sama's capture, Golass proved himself capable of slaying eight hulked up zombies trained by Sergeant himself! His might couldn't save him however, it was no cure for depression! Golass' sword skills pale when compared to our genius swordsman Saga, but he's a darkhouse worth watching out for!

Our third man of the hour, the one who's obsessed with gold above all else, his voice is to die for. The wielder of the scream-scream fruit, coming in with a bounty of 10,000,000 beri, the pirate, El Drago! His hair may be a similar shade to Moria-sama's, but don't let that fool you! El Drago's anything but brave, he has a deathly fear of mice!

Last, and most shockingly, our mistress of fear, our banshee of terror, recognized a third, surprise target! In the same pub, drinking next to El Drago, and Golass was none other than the second smartest man of East Blue, his bounty weighed in at a hefty 16,000,000 beri. For your viewing pleasure, Kuro of A Thousand Plans!" After each introduction, Blue would make goofy gestures with his arms reminiscent of a clown.

"I can't wait to modify their bodies! Fos fos fos fos! Crocodile skin, lions liver, elephants tusks, there are so many possibilities. Young men, come see me after Moria-sama is done with you!" Hogback slipped on new gloves, and pulled up his surgical mask.

"Yes! You see Kumashi, I did it!" Perona fist pumped, and gripped Kumashi in a joyous hug.

"Why am I even here?" A pouting Kenji was included in Perona's bone crunching embrace.

"Hmph." Absalom crossed his arms in an act to look tough, but a small smile peaked its way through the gruff exterior.

"That's right worm, I am the strongest swordsman on this crew!" A triumphant smirk was plastered over Saga's face as he nodded at Blue.

"Ha ha ha." A deep, genuine laugh escaped my throat at the sight of it all. It wasn't often I got to see the whole crew together like this. Although my three generals…my two generals were missing, preparing to be stitched back together by Hogback. A bitter smile appeared on my face. Silver Knight may only have been a corpse dancing to the tune of the master, but his sacrifice had allowed me to live. For that, I'll always be thankful.

"What are you going to do to us?" A terrified Golass turned his head up to look me in the eye. His green cap, and feathered headdress were torn up. He was the most stereotypical Native American looking guy I'd ever seen. He actually reminded me a lot of the Shandian people who lived in the sky islands. Only difference was this guy had no wings. Bound, the only thing missing from his get-up was his weapon of choice, a massive sword.

Beside him, an angry faced El Drago, made furious noises. But all I could hear through his gag was "Mmmnn, mmmm!"

"Ahem. What I do believe my…fellows are trying to annunciate is this: how may we be of service sir?" Kuro pushed up his glasses, asked me with a pleasant face, however, when he referred to the other two, he did so with a strong derision. He reminded me of a perfect upper class servant, the years spent as a butler hadn't gone to waste I see.

Kuro's gentlemanly attitude, and friendly face plus glasses combo was giving me flashbacks to the other day. Perhaps this one deserves additional monitoring.

A brief look at his Shadow, and I could tell Kuro was thinking about how best to stab Blue in the back and get away from here ASAP. It was a vague feeling since my shadow reading skill wasn't all knowing, and could mostly get emotions, but the man was furious at being called the second smartest person from East Blue. For someone so smart, he sure does seem to let his emotions control him, haha!

"Well said Kuro, as you've no doubt surmised, you four have been shanghaied. I would expect no less from one with an intellect such as yours to have figured it out." I placed my fingertips together, forming a pyramid and smiled at them.

"Firstly, Clamps, not much is known about you, tell me about yourself. Convince me you're Thriller Bark material."

"Uhh, I can crush rocks?" Clamps gave an enquiring look my way.

My face was not amused.

"Uhhh. I can crush REALLY BIG ROCKS!" Clamps smiled like he'd discovered the secret to the universe.

Katcha Katcha Katcha

Three bullet holes tore clean through Clamps' body causing him to fall to the ground motionless. With a care free smile, I holstered the still smoking gun. Without giving the remaining three a chance to recover from the shocking scene, I continued my recruitment pitch.

"You in the headdress, you're Golass no? My sources say that you're hell bent on collecting money. That you're a ruthless mercenary who's slaughtered countless innocents. However, while wallowing in misery on Kuraigana Island after your defeat to the Straw Hat Pirates, you've been observed helping the poor on many an occasion."

"I can explain, Moria-sama, I, I'm bad to the bone! I'll kill anyone you tell me too! I had to pay for our drinks somehow, you see.." Golass tried to convince me he was made

"Furthermore, once you give your word, you never go back on it, even when it means following stupid orders." At this, I glanced at El Drago.

"A drive to reduce excessive damages, strength, and a good work ethic. Consider yourself hired. You'll find in time that working for me is better than any other option on the market. Employee health and salary is all part of the package. Achieve enough merits, and I may even personally help resolve a grudge or two, or whatever it is you need so much money saved for." I grinned, and patted a relieved Golass on the shoulder.

"As for you El Drago, lazy, and obsessed with gold, you're next to worthless. Ruthless, and energetic when your gold is on the line, but at all other times, listless, and unwilling to get your hands dirty. You must be strong to carry around an armor made entirely of gold, but my sources tell me you barely know how to use the scream-scream fruit. Why should I bother with you?" I lazily reached for another apple, and took a chomp while looking him in the eye. He was a tall dark skinned man, but his height was nothing next to mine. If anything, his body shape and face reminded me of a shrunk down Oars Jr.

"Mnn! MNNN!" El Drago struggled left and right, looking around wildly. It seemed as if his eyeballs were about to pop out of his head in desperation.

As an extension of my will, Doppleman moved behind El Drago, and removed the gag.

"Pwah! I can scream! I can scream just fine! In fact, not only that, I'm stronger than Golass! If anything, you should take me, and not him! I'm ten times more ruthless! I shot one of my old crew in the stomach, and left him to die, because he slowed us down! Pick me!" El Drago spewed out a word salad, speaking at lightspeed to plead his case.

"Hmm." I scratched my chin, and slowly raised my gun, pointing it at him.

El Drago began to cry, the eyeliner around his eyes began to spool down his chin, and drip onto the floor.

"Pathetic. I suppose I'll take pity on you. This one time." I once again pocketed my pistol.

"Oh thank you! Thank you, thank you! I'll never forget this for as long as I live Gecko! Now, uhh, how's about that pay? I mean, I am stronger than Golass after all." A greedy, thirsty look took ahold of El Drago's face.

Katcha

"YEAAA!" El Drago let loose with a yelp that sounded eerily similar to Tom, from Tom & Jerry.

"You'll find the pay to be quite good, Drago starting out, I'll have ten kilograms of gold delivered to your room."

Forgetting the pain in his foot, El Drago looked at me in amazement.

"That will be your salary for the next decade. From you, I want ten million beri's in loot every year as tribute. As a rule, you're not allowed to keep any money stored anywhere else, except in your room. Violation of this, and well." At the end, I held up the gun, and smiled in his direction.

"Moria-samaaa!" The crying El Drago smashed his forehead into my floor.

"Ki shi shi shi, how about you Kuro? Convince me. Why should I keep the man who spent three years meticulously planning to subvert a little crippled girls inheritance, only to have it foiled by some stupid villagers? Convince me how the man famous throughout East Blue, the man who successfully faked his own death is worthy of joining my crew?" I leaned forward to look him especially close in the eye. My tall figure loomed above him, even when I sat.

"Gladly Moria-sama. You see, those were no ordinary villagers. After my defeat, it was, much to my shock, and dare I say shame to learn about the identity of my attackers. For you see, they were no ordinary villagers who foiled my plan. It was Usopp, warrior of the sea, and son of the famed sniper, Yassop. Additionally, the prime antagonist of this sad tale of mine was one Luffy D. Monkey. The man famous in the papers for his attack on Enies Lobby and Impel Down. My plans take into account hundreds, nay, thousands of variables. However…However! This was inconceivable! I had prepared, oh how I had prepared how to take care of Usopp. I was meticulous in my set-up, even if the boy suspected me, the entire village was on my side!

However, it all ended tragically when an unseen variable entered the picture. The son of the revolutionary, the grandson of the Marine, who was I but a lowly pirate from East Blue? Who was I, but a man with his wits against a muslebound, brain dead barbarian. I am a tactician my dear Captain. My head is for numbers, strategies, and logistics! Even so, even so, my attacks had dealt damage to the boy! Not only the blades, but the blunt side, I have invented a movement technique you see, even a brand new way of striking those with devil fruits! I call it, the Nuki Ashi! Take me in as your loyal sailor, and these skills are yours." Kuro ended his statement with a nod, and likewise kowtowed, although not as furiously as El Drago had.

I scratched the back of my head, unsure what I was supposed to make of this performance. The man was slick, I'd give him that. So many half truths and misdirection in his little speech, I'm a little astonished. Although knowing a little bit of his character, this wasn't to surprising. This act of fake humility though, ha ha ha!

"Welcome Kuro! You'll find working for the Thriller Bark Pirates to be much different from your past escapades. This time, you'll truly have an outlet for that big brain of yours! The crew you used to be a part of, they're small time, always trying to run away from the Marine's. When you sail with me, I represent the World Government, I am the law! Within the last two weeks alone, I conquered the Goa Kingdom. Under my banner, we'll do great things together." I smiled, and cut away each of their bonds.

"Rise. Rise! Each and every one of you is a part of my Thriller Bark Family! I am a fair employer, and don't expect to much from each of you. While pirating under my name, you may keep 20% of all the booty. Indulging in murder, rape, drugs, etc is your personal decision, so long as it isn't tracked to me, and doesn't harm my reputation I don't care. Freedom is a part of the pirate way of life after all! That being said, in your journey's, keep civilian death to a minimum, and don't interact with the Marine's to the best of your ability. Failure to do so will have consequences. I don't need or want to draw the attention of those existences high above. Prove yourself worthy, and maybe I'll risk my skin if you anger those existences. Otherwise, you should all know the game by now. Don't be surprised when your ass is hung out to dry!

Lastly, I want to make one final thing crystal clear. Something you should keep in mind at all times. Don't you ever, and I mean ever think about destroying my ships, islands, and properties. This behavior is unacceptable. Got that?"

I received stiff nods in reply from the three of them.

"Excellent! Good! Wonderful! Blue, see to it that they have rooms in the mansion." I clapped my hands, addressing the munchkin.

"Oh, and one more thing before you gentleman leave. You're each on a probationary period, you know with the whole me forcibly employing you and all. For now, you Golass, you're under the command of the shorty over there with the brown hair, and band-aid across his nose."

"I'm Kenji, nice to meet you." Kenji gave a short bow Golass' way.

"Golass." He answered nervously, and smiled.

"El Drago, for the time being, you're Saga's subordinate. And no, you can't kill him Saga, if you do, there's going to be punishment."

"Tch, don't get in my way trash." Saga sized El Drago up from top to bottom, and was less than impressed.

"Hmph, silver is a lesser color." El Drago marginalized Saga's hair.

"Moving on, Kuro, you're to be Absalom's assistant for now. This is a key role, critical to this crew's operation. Absalom is my chief steward, and financial officer. Listen, and answer to his commands as if they came from my mouth."

"I'm Kuro, but you can call me Klahadore if it makes you comfortable." Kuro bowed at ninety degrees, shook hands with Absalom with a two handed grip, and followed Blue out the door.

"Uh yeah, sure." Absalom hesitantly shook hands with Kuro, unaccustomed to the finesse often found in noble's courts.

After they left, I glanced at the corpse of Clamps. Taking another bite of my apple, I chose to address him.

"Alright Clamps, enough acting, get out of here." I nudged him with my toe.

"Uhh, did I do it right boss?" Clamps looked up at me from the ground.

"You did great kid, now go on, get! Zombies like you should be practicing in the fields or something. Go see if there's any work for you to do around the island."

After the zombie got up and running out of the door, I saw a myriad of facial expressions greet me.

"What? Is something on my face?" I wiped a napkin all around, maybe some of that damned apple juice was dripping again…

"Ha! Idiots! Didn't they realize Clamps was a zombie this whole time, that their recruitment was one big show!" Saga exclaimed loudly and with great certainty. To say he looked down on them would be an understatement.

"Pffftt heh heh heh." Kenji covered his mouth, trying not to laugh at Saga.

"Something you wanna say kid?" Saga leaned in and glared at Kenji.

"Oh, nothing, nothing." Kenji waved his hands back and forth in front of his face still trying not to smile.

Saga's eyebrow began to twitch when he saw Kenji's mouth curl between a blank face and a smile.

"Obviously Kenji means to say that you didn't know that Clamps guy was a zombie either. Who's the idiot now? Horo horo horo!" Perona gave Kenji a big thumbs up with one hand, and covered her mouth with the other.

At this point, Saga had his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it at any moment.

"Children please." At my short sentence, the three of them had stopped squabbling. Wow, I can't believe it worked! Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks. Next thing I know, they'll be completing my objectives and orders without telling them anything! No, that'd be to scary. Such flights of fancy could never happen.

"Ahh, ahem. Good work on your capture Perona, you may have been kidnapped, but against someone as powerful as Shimotsuki Kōshirō I can't find fault with you. I was forced to kill him, and couldn't obtain his shadow, so although I want to reward you, it might have to be reduced. Since we have to find a suitable reward for you, how would you like a –"

"WAIT A MINUTE! You killed Sensei?!" Saga interrupted me.

"Watch your mouth new guy. You may be important to Captain, but I won't see any disrespect!" Absalom pulled a gun and pointed it at the back of Saga's head point blank.

Saga didn't even seem to register the threat as he stared at me with great intensity.

"Why, do you plan to take revenge?" I calmly asked as I took another bite from my apple.

"You, you killed Sensei. Ha ha, Sensei is dead!" Saga sank to his knees, when his hair shadowed his eyes, tears began to fall onto the floor.

Kenji moved behind him to pat him on the back. For a moment, even Absalom took pity on him, and slightly lowered his gun. On the sidelines, Perona put her hand into her mouth, and nibbled on it, seemingly in shock.

"He was like a father to me, raised me, taught me everything I know, I…I wanted to be the one to kill Sensei!" Shrugging off Kenji's hand, Saga drew his sword in one swift motion.

Absalom raised his gun again, readying to fire at a moments notice.

Unperturbed, I continued sitting in my comfortable bean bag chair, curious to see how this would play out. Since the beginning of this conversation, I had been reading his shadow. I had intentionally mentioned Kōshirō's death to test Saga. Sooner or later, he would find out, it's better I dealt with this now, rather than some time down the line. Would I gain a new shadow to add to my collection today I wonder?

With a clang, Saga placed his sword onto the ground, and kneeled on one knee, much like a medieval knight would when they were sworn to knighthood. Like this, Saga held that position for another five minutes. As each second went by, his sword would glow a brighter effervescent green glow. His eyes were closed, and his breathing slowed. The eyelids moved rapidly back and forth, as if he was in REM sleep, and his lips at a rapid pace.

Within the room, we were silent as the grave. Awaiting Saga to make a move.

With a strong inhale, and then soft exhale, the light on Saga's sword began to dim. With a flick, the blade had been sheathed.

"Since you claim to have killed Sensei, I hope you're prepared for the consequences. His family is on a whole other level. Especially, her." Saga stood up, panting, he had a look of exhaustion on his face, as if he had just single handedly held back a hoard of demons from entering the gates of heaven.

"The Shimotsuki? I don't know much about them, but aren't they a family deposed by Kaido in Wano?" I tried my best to think about this clan, but my brain was drawing up blanks.

"No, that's not it." Saga shook his head.

"…Roronoa Zoro? I understand he has great potential, should I kill him before he can grow into it?" I mused, seriously considering doing the deed. At this point, the man would likely seek revenge if he ever found out.

"No! Ahem, no, it's not Zoro, Sensei wanted him to take over his sword art and dojo, not…not his other work. I speak not strictly about the family of the blood, but the one forged through brotherhood." Saga was quick to deny Zoro, and shift the blame.

"Stop being obtuse Saga, this isn't like you at all. If not Zoro, then who?" Fed up with Saga's beating around the bush, I got to the heart of the matter.

"The Wu Tang Clan." Saga solemnly announced.

With a clatter, the gun in Absalom's hands fall to the ground.

"Absalom?"

Absalom looked more shook than at any time I'd ever seen him. My announcement of forming the crew back together, my participation at Marineford, taking over a kingdom, negotiating with the Germa 66, none of these things phased him. This must be serious for him to take this kind of reaction.

"What's the Wu Tang Clan? They don't sound so tough!" Perona crossed her arms.

To the side, even Dr. Hogback, and Kenji looked on with curiosity.

"I wish you never had to know Perona. The Wu Tang Clan was founded a little more than twenty years ago, around the same time Wano fell to, well, you know who. The point is, it's the most feared assassin group in all of the underworld. Ten people formed from the worlds ashes to spread bloody murder and mayhem. There isn't a yakuza, or gangster who hasn't heard of them.

When it comes to massacres, this group of fellows taught those higher ups in the World Government a thing or two. For the last decade, they've been particularly silent, but that's not to say their work hasn't shown up here and there over the years. Looking at that guys corpse one more time, he reminds me of a wanted poster I once saw in the papers. I never knew him as Kōshirō, to me, and everyone subscribed to the special underworld newspaper, he was known as the Buddha of Samsara. One meeting with him, and you'll be ten steps ahead of everyone else on your journey to the after life!

And we killed one of the founding members! These men are known for disrespecting all that is holy and sacred. They've successfully assassinated Kings, Celestial Dragons, Vice-Admirals, even an Admiral has been killed when they teamed up!"

"Well then, how do we stop them?" Kenji, pale as a sheet voiced his concern.

"No one knows where they're based…even the Buddha of Samsara was on a dinky little island like this, way out here in the boondocks of East Blue. They could be anywhere, at any time. If there's anyone who knows how dangerous an intangible enemy could be, it's me. Damnit! Damnit damnit damnit!" Absalom looked down at the ground, and kicked his gun away in frustration. He lost his composure like I'd never experienced. The anger in his voice was laced with depression.

"It's not like anyone even knows, right? It was just us and that stinky old man in the field, right?" Perona spoke up, the nervous energy in the room made her stand on edge.

"Ahh ha ha, I wish that were true, but, uhh, yesterday, I found this. I was going to bring it up after the meeting, but things developed to this point." Held up in Absalom's hands was a recording den den mushi.

All the while this was going on, I was tapping my fingers away at my armrest in thought.

"Absalom, you, Kuro, and Saga will ransack Kōshirō's home and dojo for any leads we might have for this Wu Tang Clan. I don't know exactly who this enemy is, but I'll crush them like all the rest." At the end, I spit the words out. If I had to fight another nine opponents of Kōshirō's caliber unprepared, I might as well jump into the ocean and kill myself.

"Right, and here's your shadow back Saga. This silence is very much unlike you. You you're your blood pumping, something to set you straight. After this assignment with Absalom, your bandit camp, and pirate clearing duty is to begin. Take El Drago, fifty of the hulk zombies, and a further hundred generalist zombies with you on one of my spare pirate ships. Likewise, Kenji, you'll lead Golass, that platoon of hulk zombies you trained with, as well as an additional hundred generalists. You two boys hurry off now." I shooed them away with my hand.

Right when I was going to address Absalom, Perona interrupted me.

"Moria-samaaa, what about my reward? I've been a good girl, ate all my vegetables, and id the training you had stupid Red supervise! I even did all that double training stuff to keep Kenji around!"

"Ki shi shi shi, and because of you, we're now in this current predicament. What with the Wu Tang Clan and all. As a reward, you can take the same amount of zombies with you, and clear out the bandits and pirates nearby. Ah, and don't attack the places marked on this map."

"But Moria-samaaa." Perona had tears in her eyes, and her lip quivered. She lowered her head shading out her eyes.

"Not bad kid! When we have a moment of peace, I'll see about getting Dr. Hogback to stitch up some more cute things for you." I rubbed the top of her head in affection.

"Yes!" Sparkles in her eyes, she took off with Kumashi.

"Such a simple girl." I smiled at her exit.

"I'll have to be extra attentive when I stitch something cute for her. Maybe Cindry-chan has some ideas?" Hogback rubbed his chin.

"She'll grow up into a maneater, that's for sure. Ah, if only I had such a girl to call my own." Absalom scratched his chest above the heart.

"Now that the kids are gone, there shouldn't be any drama to get in the way of business. Absalom, I noticed the Germa 66 fleet is missing today. Is the factory complete? Did we deploy spy rats onto their ships before they left?"

"It's been completed Captain. All I'm waiting on is for the finalized designs from Hogback, and his, err, Cindry-chan. We have a small labour shortage after our latest scuffle, but it's not enough to stop the work at the factory. We may be low however for our next large scale battle. I suggest we get new shadows, and new zombies ASAP. And yeah, I released no less than a dozen of those little guys onto his ships. Not only that, we've received reports from the rats you spread in the Goa Kingdom. They found several abandoned mines, and quarries that could suit your needs." Now in business mode, Absalom left behind much of his usual temper in favor of focusing on our conversation.

"Duly noted, I have an idea on how to get more shadows quickly that I'll introduce later. In terms of raw materials required for creating a zombie, many of the body parts required can be recycled from the battle yesterday. Additionally, our new monster trio are going to be responsible for bringing back bandits and pirates. Their shadows or corpses will help make up for our losses. Dr. Hogback, your current priority is to finish those designs for the factory. Any additional income those products produce is invaluable to our cause. Not only that, but I have dreams of bullet resistant, if not outright bullet proof clothing, and even something to do with hot air balloons."

"Balloons Moria-sama?" Hogback asked in a befuddled voice.

"Yes Dr. Hogback, balloons, they could change the way we live our lives forever. However, it's not something we need to discuss now. When you finish your work at the factory, I need you to work around the clock on another project. I need the zombie corpses from last battle to be patched up, and have the non-zombie corpses recycled. Patching up Fu Manchu, and John are a priority. I cannot stress enough how amazing your creations are Dr. Hogback. They're an inspiration to us all. I'd be very appreciative to once more see the work of your creative genius." I hit Hogback both with the carrot, and stick, flattery, and work.

"I'll get on it right away. Come Cindry-chan, we have greatness to achieve!" Wiping some sweat from his forehead, Hogback grasped Cindry's hand, and rushed out of my room at doubletime.

Like always, Absalom was last in my room after a big meeting.

Finally done with my apple, I tossed it to the waste bin, only to have it go full circle, and land with a plop on my carpet.

"So, tell me Absalom, is the threat of the Wu Tang Clan really as harsh as you made it sound? Have they really killed an Admiral?" I stood from my bean bag chair, and looked out the balcony. Several birds playfully chirped to one another in the mid afternoon air.

Absalom leaned in with a conspiratorial whisper. "I didn't want to say it in front of the others, because it could dampen morale, but years ago, when a Shichibukai died, it wasn't an accident. The former crewmate of Roger, and world famous swordmaster, Kozuki Oden is rumored to have been killed by those people. You know who is also rumored to have ties with them."

Kozuki who? Absalom is looking at me like this should be common knowledge to me. But I'm utterly clueless! And no, I don't know who!

"Oh, of course! Oden! I always wondered what happened to him! You're saying the Wu Tang did in someone who was a strong member of Rogers crew?!" I feigned shock, and understanding.

"Yes! I'm glad you get it Captain! That's why I follow you, you're the brains, and I'm the muscle!" Absalom pointed at himself with a thumb, and grinned fiercely.

"R-right, well I'll be here holding down the fort while you scout out Kōshirō's home on Kuraigana Island. Oh by the way, since you'll be going out, I have the perfect mission for you! I may not be a Lannister, but I'll try my best to pay my debts."

"A Lani-what? Wait, this means, not more work! Moria-samaaa!"

"Hush, it's for your own good. You need to live a little, get some fresh air. Staying indoors all day, or directing zombies to work can't be healthy."

"B-but, making coffee on a moving ship, it's impossible!"

"Bon-voyage, happy sails."

"My coffee!"

I spent the next two weeks in Goa Kingdom's town square generating good will by healing people of their physical ailments. This time around, I didn't pay anyone to help along. There was a line of willing volunteers to help the injured out, and donate their shadow. Specifically, many of the people I had fixed last week came back this time around to help out their neighbors. In my experience, those most effected would most often be some of the best givers. I'd heard about tons of cases, where someone's family member was ill with some disease, and needed a transplant. After a donor came forward, often times, the healthy family member would then choose to donate their own cells, or organs. In this way, a circle of good will could be created.

As the facilitator of all this, I once again wasn't here just to generate good will among my subjects.

"Okay, go ahead and sit right there, I'm going to try something new this time. When I take your shadow, you should feel weak, but won't pass out. How about you try my new treatment?" I asked the shadow donator.

"Yer tellin me I don't have to pass out to heal hem? Whell why not?!" The donator answered in joy.

Smiling in response, I pulled out my scissors, and with a snip took a quarter of his shadow and inserted it into the burn victim. Observing the results, it was slightly disappointing. The burn victim that received a quarter of a shadow lost the majority of his burns, however some traces still remained.

"Can you try moving the arm that was injured? Do you still feel some pain?" I held a clipboard, ready to take notes.

"It's mightily reduced yer lordship, but ah, could you ah." The burn victim licked his lips trying to ask me if I could use the entire shadow to heal him, but appeared hesitant, because of my nobility. That's part of it, and maybe because I'm Gecko Motherfucking Moria. It could be either reason why he's tongue tied honestly.

"Let's try this." Taking a further half of the donators shadow, I plunged it into the burn victim.

"How about now?" Looking at him, it appears all visible damage has receded.

"Heh heh, thanks yer excellency! Let's go Jenkins!" With a bow, the now healthy man dragged a wobbly Jenkins out of the pavilion.

-Patients with light symptoms require part of the shadow, using the entire thing could be a waste.- I wrote down on the clipboard.

Hmm, that guy left before I could return his shadow to him. He's currently roaming around with only a quarter of his shadow. This will make an excellent test case! I pulled a zombie rat out of one of my pockets. At this rate, I didn't leave home without at least a handful. "Search for the man with a reduced shadow, he should be nearby, and is named Jenkins. His one stand out feature is his bright red bow-tie on his threadbare grey linen clothes. Observe him for any abnormalities, such as a weakness or sensitivity to light. Go!"

In between sessions, I took a ten minute break. This was the perfect time for me to meditate, and focus on the world around me. Shadow reading, observation haki, they were both used for one of the best boredom killers known to man. Gossip!

"I heard Hans the other day proposed to Grettle. It will be a lovely marriage!"

"Did they now?! Aren't they the two who, claimed that, as children escaped that horrible witches candy castle. They said that they were going to have their souls stolen, but tricked the witch to eat some cake instead. Those two don't belong in Goa Kingdom, a couple of loons!"

"I think it's sweet, hah hah!" I could barely make out the blurry laughing face of a man. Based on his voice and bearing, he must be middle aged. The slump in his posture indicates he has a broken leg. The left? No, the right!

"You're an idiot Joe." I heard the sharp slap of a facepalm. This mans face was filled with pockmarks.

"O'really, if I'm such an idiot, then what about your cousin? He's still a mountain bandit, even after the Prime Minsters declaration?"

"It's pronounced Prime Minister. Kami, some people. And this is this, that is that. My cousin is his own man. Although…I heard he got captured by…them!" I could barely make out what the pockmarked man had said. His whisper was so quiet, I had to focus to the max to hear him over the din of the crowd waiting outside my pavilion, not to mention the general noises of hawkers, and street vendor's so close to the city square.

"THEM. Whose them?!" Joe screeched to the air.

"Damnit Joe, it's who's. As in who is. Besides, you should say Who are they?" The pockmarked man tried to keep things quiet and on the down low.

"Fuckitall, I said whose them, and I meant it! Whose them?!"

Indeed, who are these people that have got this pockmarked man so secretive about? I leaned towards them, focusing extra hard on the next few words about to be spoken. Am I under threat of the Wu Tang Clan, and just don't know it? It took every fiber of my will power not to rush out of the tent, grab the man, and rush back to base for a swift interrogation.

"They call them the kingdom's executioners. Legally sanctioned enforcers of the Prime Ministers will. They say if you come across Demon Blade, run. Don't even try to fight it. Everyone who runs into him gets sliced in half. Everywhere he goes, it's followed by the most horrid shrieking voice. The other enforcer, he's called Hero. Rumor has it, he's nearly as tall as a giant. All the women bandits I've asked said he's got a killer figure. Everyone who runs into him gets taken prisoner. Most of them end up in a Marine holding cell, however, all those fellows without bounties simply disappear…" The pockmarked man shook and shivered. I could feel the fear coming off of him in waves.

"Now you'done it! You've been walking in circles! Them, whose them, then you say that 'they call them..' whose they!"

"If you weren't married to my sister Joe, if you didn't bring her happiness, you have no clue, no clue at all. Maybe if I pray to the Devil of the Sea, He'll set Despresso to haunt you at night. You'll be so tired of living, you'll want to commit suicide."

"Now I know yer lyin, what kinda idjit would be called Despre-"

Hmm, what's this? Intruders?

"Cipher Pol. What have you come here for?"

At my utterance, three figures in white suits utilized one of the six powers, soru, and seemingly appeared through space and time to stand behind me.

Not to be outdone, I teleported behind the three of them, swapping places with Doppleman. The shadows of the three Cipher Pol agents slowly, very slowly, almost imperceptibly dragged across the floor in my direction.

Jumping forward, and turning in my direction, I got a full frontal view of the trio. From left to right, they wore masks to hide their identities. The one on the far left had a mimes face, a yellow collar, and wore a red/white striped hat. The agent to my right, the tallest of the bunch, who came up to my chin, had a red mask, surrounded by sunflower patterned black hair? Finally, the one in the middle, who I could only assume was their leader wore a bowler hat, and his great coat had a blue scarf on top with a blue polka dot pattern. His mask had one eye black, and the other white. I hazily recognized them as mooks from the Dressrosa arc. CP-0.

Without directly answering my question, the one in the middle began speaking in a slow, deliberate drawl. "You know. Slavery is illegal. It's a crime punishable by death."

The agent's shadows continued to travel towards me at a snail's pace.

"Don't make me repeat myself a second time." My face broke out into a mad grin.

"Should you find any such activities. Be sure to report them to the proper authorities. Namely. Cipher Pol."

At this point, the three shadows had reached me, and I held them in my grasp. The agent's however, remained unphased, they didn't make a single move.

"Boring. One of these days, you're going to play with a fire to big to be put out." I released my grasp, and like a spring being released, the shadows zipped back to their owners. I wasn't the only person to conduct loyalty tests after all.

"The World Government is fortunate to have a loyal follower like you. Take this." Tossing a letter my way like a shuriken, I caught it, causing my hand to sting a little bit. Bastard through that thing imbued with haki. Right when he threw the letter, they disappeared. I never took my eyes off of them as they soru'd away.

"Try hards." Attempting to divert my attention so they can disappear when I'm not looking at them. CP-0 just tried to pull a Batman on me. Like the masks didn't key me in to what kind of goons these guys were. Oldest trick in the book.

Now let's see what this letter is about.

-Gecko Moria, Royal Shichibukai, you have been summoned effectively immediately to take part in a gathering of Shichibukai…Impel Down escapees…great honor…we are gladdened by your steps to safeguard our kingdom…Goa Kingdom has a history of free expression…Subversive elements have been spotted in your current location…In these trying times, anything could happen. We take the safety and security of our Shichibukai very seriously. Regards.-

A letter personally delivered by the World Governments top wet works unit. Ordinarily, I'd ignore a summons by the World Government, seemed like it was common for only Doflamingo to be present at these things. Although in the movies, Mihawk seemed to be at every single event. Should I go? With that one agent talking about my dark secret, it could be that they know about my prisoners in the Freezer Block. However, I think the agent was making more of an educated guess, based around my activities, and issuing a warning. Considering I have a near one hundred percent zombie force, I don't know who could've told them.

Hmm, better make more spy rats, some might say its paranoia, but when the Cipher Pol can swoop down on you with barely any forewarning, than shit could hit the fan at any time. Better to have and not need, then need and not have.

"Puru puru puru" Ah, seems I have a call.

"Moria-sama! I completed the mission." Absalom sounded intensely happy, like a man dying of thirst that had finally found water.

"So, you've found leads on the Wu Tang Clan? Where are they hiding?"

"Ah, that. Well, yes, and no. We didn't find anything at the dojo, however, Saga remembered something, and now we have a possible lead." Absalom sounded hesitant to continue.

"Well, You see, the thing is, this possible lead, it would be in Wano." The den den mushi cringed after Absalom said that. As if it was about to be struck at any moment.

"…"

"You're absolutely certain on this?" After the silence stretched, I finally replied.

"100% it sounded like a credible lead, but with that kid, who knows what's running through his mind? You'd have to question him yourself Captain."

"Maybe another time, there's a Shichibukai meeting I've been requested to attend."

"You're not actually thinking about going this time, right Captain? I thought you said those things were for government arse kissers?"

"…"

"Captain?"

"I'll see you in a few days."

"Uhh, sorry Cap-"

Click

If the rumors are true, Saga should be clearing out bandits right about now. I'll have plenty of time to question him after this World Government shenanigans. No use putting it off till later, time for me to head out, and answer this summons. Here's hoping it's nothing like Marineford and I don't have to challenge a Yono or their crew. Hell, maybe it won't be so bad. Maybe I can socialize more with my peers? Images of a laughing Doflamingo as ducks fell from the sky, and hatred beyond reason being sent my way from Hancock. The way they extorted me for my information on Blackbeard. Even Mihawk was complicit! Aw, who am I kidding, those guys are a pain in the ass to deal with!

AN: Absalom is an unreliable narrator, and Moria doesn't have perfect knowledge of One Piece. Saying now, he's mostly familiar with the big things up to Wholecake island. Some things that may not be as important, like Momonosuke are ignored for the most part. Who even liked or was interested in that guy pre-Wano anyway? Heck, I find him annoying now.