11 Chapter 9: Be a Lord or King?

Since a lot of fans have been wanting for this novel to be updated I will try my best to continue it.

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The cloudy sky shrouded the horizon and the bright sun, the world seemed dark. Up on top in the largest room in my castle, I woke up with a bright smile plastered on my face. It was another day at sea just like any other regular day, Pain was busy in the highest tower using 'Rain Tiger at Will' technique to sense and keep an eye on the activity of Thriller Bark. Although when Pain uses this technique it will always rain but having a working radar is worth it. As for Sasori, he took up the position of captain of the robot guards. He has now fully mastered the shadow puppets and can now give simple and complex commands under the akatsuki's will. The time spent here has been well spent as I've been training my shadow powers so I wouldn't be the weak link of the group. Right now I can only transform my own shadow into armor for me to wear and some other tricks but it's hard to transform shadows into an offensive attack without changing its shape which takes to much focus.

'I'll figure it out one day.'

Leaving my room I walk towards Pain's tower through large hallways of the castle petrolled by Sasori's shadow puppets, apparently someone has been sensed by him approaching our island ship. After a while I reached a giant door which opened before I could do it myself, inside was one of the most powerful individuals apart of akatsuki.

Pain: "Greetings master, this morning I have sensed a few unidentified ships sailing towards our base so I would like to ask for your opinion."

"Well if you think logically about the matter the ships have a purpose for coming and it's either to invade or discuss something so let's wait and see what they do first."

Pain: "Understood master."

Just then the door abruptly opened and a shadow puppet appeared before us only to kneel right after.

Shadow puppet: "Drake-sama, captain Sasori has ordered me to report that the unknown ship has requested to be allowed entry into Thriller Bark, awaiting instructions."

Well they wouldn't be here to exchange stories so I guess it must be something relevant.

"Let them enter, but keep them under complete supervision unnoticed, we'll catch up shortly"

Shadow puppet: "Understood Drake-sama."

The shadow puppet turned and disappeared into the darkness of the shadow corridor. I turned to Pain who kept silent for a little while and decided to take the initiative.

"Well let's go, also remember to play your part as the 'leader' of the akatsuki pirates and I'll play my role as a chore boy. Don't mess up in front of these potential friend or foe."

Pain: "I understand."

With that Pain body flickered us directly to the ship port in a matter of minutes.

~Strawberry POV~

'Heading out to recruit pirates into fighting pirates!? Have the marines fallen to this point? I couldn't imagine that the cruel pirates that the marines and world government want to recruit were yesterday's enemies who destroyed and killed innocent lives. Where is the justice? I swear if one of this pirates rebels that I would personally end it with a clear conscience.'

Soldier: "Vice admiral strawberry we are almost at the island ship Thriller Bark, our scout ship has just sent a prior notice to the resident pirates to allow for entry."

I could see it written over my subordinates entire face, the disdain of working with pirates. 'I guess I'm not the only marine that has a negative opinion on this matter but orders are orders.'

"Well pass this order along, everyone to the main deck on standby with guns ready, the pirates might be hostile. Shoot only when provoked!."

Soldier: "Yes vice admiral"

As we arrived our main ship was slowly docked at this giant island ship, to my suprise only to individuals came to greet us. The taller one was giving me a horrible feeling which made my haki go crazy, warning me to run away. While I looked to the smaller person who seemed to portray the fighting strength of a captain.

"Hello, we come from the marines to recruit Moria to become a warlord under the world government in exchange to receiving benefits such as status and the marines not haunting you down."

My eyes never left the tall orange-haired individual for even a second, his eyes seemed more dangerous than the metal poles in his face.

Pain: "Unfortunately, Moria has been killed by us and now this place belongs to the akatsuki pirates, I'm the leader/captain Pain."

"So the rumours were true, anyways according to the orders from headquarters the offer still stands for you then."

Although there was no facial movement or a trace of emotions I could tell that this individual named Pain in front of me was thinking of something, if things turned south my side is ready.

Pain: "I'll consider it after I discuss with my crew, your marines should be the law enforcements of the sea so you wouldn't move towards underhanded tactics such as force or pressure right?"

'Damn smart mouth'

Since I was representing the Navy I had to put a smile in my face and play nice

"Of course not, you have 30 min. Although we aren't going to force you but the navy is busy so be quick about it."

Watching the two pirates go back I started to count down there time till I blow them to the bottom of the sea.

~Drake POV~

In a small clearing of the forest found on the island ship stood Pain, Sasori and myself. Sasori has been lurking in the shadows during our entire encounter with these so-called marines.

Sasori: "Do you want me to force them back, they don't deserve to be preserved as eternal art for how rude they were, as I was watching them I could see that at any point in time the where ready to shoot."

Pain: "I agree with the living puppet, they should just die master."

'At least they were also aware of the current situations. So there is a large force in these seas that hunts down pirates which we are. Hmm...'

"Although I would rather not work for anyone and have someone above me, we still need more information about the strengths and other forces apart from us, otherwise we are not pirates but fish out of water. Knowing one's enemy is the first step to destroy them. Pain will become a warlord for them and record information while not bringing attention to himself as from my understanding they will be recruiting other pirates. Sasori, you continue to train the shadow puppets and be vigilant that the marines don't double-cross us first while Pain makes sure not to reveal his true strength. Our adversaries don't know much about us besides killing Moria and I would like to keep it this way."

Sasori/Pain: "Yes Master!"

'How dare they make the akatsuki take the position of a lord with others. Why be a lord when you could be a king? This humiliation will be paid back in full when the akatsuki true colours show.'

Getting out of my thought process I see Sasori returning to the shadows and pain waiting for me to go back.

"Let's wait until the last moment of the time that guy gave us as the marines graciously allotted this time just for us."

~29 min 30 seconds later~

Walking back to the arrogant guy with the weird vertical haircut I see him not pleased that we arrived 'on time'.

Pain: "Under the crews decision we have decided to accept the position of warlord."

Strawberry: "Good choice, let's work well in the future. By the way the name is vice admiral strawberry who will now act as the ambassador between the navy and the akatsuki pirates. Whenever the marines need you I will personally let you know."

'So a one sided relationship and the only benefit is that the marines won't hunt us down? This is just bullying. I guess they are the most corrupt in these seas just by first impressions with this guy but we just need to endure them until the right time.'

Watching them withdraw I decided to head back along with Pain to further practice my shadow powers and plan for the future.

~Marineford~

In the fleet admiral office three figures were presently discussing the recent recruitment of warlord Pain and the akatsuki pirates.

Sengoku: "How was the recruitment of the warlords vice admiral Strawberry?

Strawberry: "From my first interactions with the akatsuki pirates I could confirm that Moria has been killed and their group isn't all take especially their captain Pain. Although they have agreed to the position I would like to ask the fleet admiral if you have the bounties for the akatsuki pirates?"

Sengoku: "Just after you handed your report I went to check the bounty histories in the navy archives and there was no one from the akatsuki pirates. Since from your opinion they appear strong so I could only conclude that we should monitor their strengths and such when they appear here for the warlord conference soon."

Grap: "Strawberry *Munch* you said their captain made your haki danger sense go off the *munch* charts right. It seems like a lot of fun characters will be coming to marineford Bwawawawawawa!"

Sengoku: "Shut up Garp and don't eat senbei in my office. *Sigh* anyways escort Pain here the other candidates have already been selected so the warlord conference can be held now."

Strawberry: "Understood fleet admiral!"

~One Week Later~

As usual I was at the training grounds practicing my endurance by repeatedly punching air as I want to increase my physique so I wouldn't only rely on my powers and be a walking glass cannon. During these week some changes were made, since Sasori's shadow puppets have been moving and working like ninjas I felt it was appropriate to call them something special so the akatsuki system suggested "anbu" which means special assassination and tactical squad. Other than that Pain has also undergone bodily training to better withstand his own attacks in the aftermath. Suddenly a shadow puppet flickered into the training grounds in front of me with some news.

Anbu: "Pardon Drake-sama, Scum has come back again."

'Back so soon. Also it appears that Sasori's opinion has influenced the shadow puppets perceptions of Strawberry and I like it very much.'

"Go tell pain to meet them alone this time and head out if they need him to, I'll communicate through the chakra ring with him after a certain amount of time. Also tell Sasori to take Pain's position as my bodyguard as I don't want to take any chances since I could tell that at this point I'm not even Strawberry's opponent."

Anbu: "Yes Drake-sama!"

With that the shadow puppet disappeared and my plans of learning more of this world is off to a good start. I will await for the information Pain collects to add to the final backstabbing.

'It's a good thing Pain could make these chakra rings which he can use to communicate with and keep track of the ring holder, this will make receiving information on the enemy a lot easier.

~Strawberry POV~

Now I'm an escort to scum, what am I a garbage collector? I already gave prior notice for Pain to show up on time who surprisingly did.

"No funny business about arriving on time like last time is it. Good thinking, let's go I'll be taking you to the warlord conference held at marineford to discuss the suppression of the rest of your pirate friends."

What I didn't expect was to receive the most detached and emotionless response ever

Pain: "Hm."

~Narutoverse~

Somewhere in Konoha, a certain depressed kid who was staring out of the class room showed an astonished face for the first time

Sakura: "What is it Sasuke?"

Sasuke: "Someone was acting like an Uchiha more than myself, how is that possible? could it be that man!?"

His face immediately turned to one filled with anger but quickly bottled it up inside for his future revenge.

Sakura: "Are you sure you're alright?"

Sasuke: "Hm."

The girl was then instantly sent into a dream like state with stars in her eyes.

Sakura: "My Sasuke actual noticed me and answered my concern for him, I'm definitely his girlfriend now. Take that Ino-pig!"

Ino: "Why you, Billboard Brow!"

and the argument lasted for months until graduation.