104 Chessboard Moves II
The Grand Line, Paradise.
Alabasta.
I found myself enveloped in a vast expanse of darkness, a place where I often sought solace multiple times a day. I've always been drawn to quiet spaces where I could focus on myself and my studies. Veyron's gift to me was remarkably perceptive in many ways.
This darkness has become an integral part of me now. The Yami Yami no Mi is an incredibly versatile yet enigmatic fruit. It doesn't possess many of the properties I initially expected, but it boasts many other capabilities I never imagined.
One of its intriguing attributes is the ability to 'conceal within darkness.' Literally, within the depths of darkness, there exists no sense of distance. There is an infinity between one end of a shadow and another. Initially, I struggled to explain this phenomenon, until Veyron clarified that everything in our world is composed of minuscule particles so tiny they cannot be seen by the naked eye, no matter how hard one tries.
What astounded me even more was his revelation that between each of these minute particles, there exists almost infinite empty 'dark' space, the quantity of which varies with the temperature of the matter and intensity of the energy. I recall laughing at his ignorance back then, despite his repeated demonstrations of his superior intellect. I had always considered myself clever in a world of dullards until I met him.
The underlying principles of his power and mine are fundamentally the same. The endless dark space between each particle, what he referred to as a 'kinetic field,' enables him to control this field through his 4th Haki, psychokinesis, thereby influencing these tiny particles. In contrast, my power is darkness; I can manipulate the 'dark' aspect of the kinetic field.
I would never have unlocked the potential of my Devil Fruits without his guidance, and I learned from all of them in my own way. Adjusting to my new reality as a 'powerhouse' wielding an immensely potent Devil Fruit was challenging.
Auntie Prim, Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold instructed me in the art of elegant combat.
Mihawk taught me not to overly rely on my Devil Fruits. Observation Haki and Armament Haki proved just as crucial.
Stussy revealed that my body could be a deadly weapon for gathering intelligence and seducing men.
Veyron... beyond teaching me the intricacies of love and receiving love, he imparted to me the essence of everything, how to live freely without fear, how to manage oneself and one's resources... his teachings to me were a way of living. I was his one and only 'disciple.' In some ways, perhaps I disappointed him, despite absorbing all his teachings. I never managed to develop the 4th Haki.
It's intriguing how our powers complement each other so remarkably, and we share a profound thirst for knowledge. What remains unknown to me is whether he loves me as deeply as I love him. Back then, I couldn't follow in the footsteps of my teachers or my sisters and overlook his young age. Maybe that's why they are now his wives, and I am not. There's now a 'kinetic field' between us filled with endless variables.
This field, to a large extent, is my own creation due to my perceived failure. But the truth remains that I wish to be of service to him. With his mind constantly focused on the next project, there are details he often overlooks. No one in this world is perfect, not even him.
"Big sis, are you there?"
**
**
Outside the royal court of Alubarna, the capital of Alabasta, two figures stood.
One was a striking young girl with light blue hair, and the other was a man in his early forties. The Princess Nefertari Vivi and King Nefertari Cobra, they were standing together with a cloaked man wielding a sword.
A swirling darkness materialized atop the court's dome, where the largest concentration of darkness coalesced, and from it emerged the figure of a woman. She exuded an eerie aura, her flawless beauty accentuated by a simple black shirt and skirt. In her hand, she held a notebook and a pen.
She stood upside down, her black hair cascading down as she walked on the ceiling and walls, defying gravity. The swirling darkness around her continued to flutter.
"Do you need me? Have you found what I asked for?"
"I apologize, big sis. The ancient records of our Nefertari Family lie buried beneath tons of sand in various tombs. Recovering them is no simple task" The blue-haired beauty apologised awkwardly, bending down just like the king and their subordinate.
If not for this woman, their family would have been overthrown already.
"Don't worry, I can wait until the river of time scatters our bones away~."
Her words, while brutal, carried a certain amiability that sent shivers down the spines of those in the room.
"Big sis... Crocodile's men are attacking the merchant district."
"Do you need me to take care of it?"
They felt ashamed to ask this request, but as long as that man was involved no one on this island except her could stop him.
"I'll accompany you, ma'am." The knight, Pell, suggested courtly, "A small army unit will chase after".
"I'm not that old, by the way..." She giggled and nodded.
"Sorry."
Robin placed her notebook and pen into a black-like portal that appeared beside her.
"Shall we go then?~"
"Ha!"
Pell, the man known as the guardian of the royal court, transformed into a falcon thanks to his Zoan Devil Fruit. Robin mounted his back, and together, they shot out of the palace.
**
**
Two years ago, I set sail from Shandora with Crocodile; it was just the two of us. We travelled south while Hancock and her sisters ventured east on their second expedition to the new world. I still recall how it deeply motivated me to sail.
Hancock had fought to a standstill against Admiral Akainu after fiercely smashing a celestial dragon who sought to take a family away from their home in Sabaody. It was her personal retaliation over five years of slavery. One that earned her a bounty of a billion bellies. The Kuja Fleet was then recognised in the whole world as Veyron's right hand. It wasn't only him who was strong, his people were strong too.
It motivated me to sail and gain a name for myself other than just the 'devil child'. Reading poneglyphs was my blessing but there was more to me than just that.
Over those three years, Crocodile and I forged a unique bond, which some might call 'friendship'. During our time in Shandora, we trained and sparred together extensively. Crocodile considered himself immensely powerful until his encounter with Veyron revealed his vulnerability. He had been overly confident in his Suna Suna no Mi, a Logia-type Devil Fruit like mine.
With his pride shattered and his dignity reduced to that of a mere labourer, it didn't take long for him to kneel and request assistance in becoming stronger. After serving his year-long sentence as a slave, Veyron had no qualms about training both of us. Thus, our friendship grew. I even learned an intriguing secret about him during our time together—he shared with me that he had once been a woman. However, he asserted that the majority of his life had been spent as a woman and a very feminine one at that. I doubt Veyron and the girls would believe it if I ever shared this revelation with them.
Despite our different backgrounds, our circumstances weren't dissimilar. While I was hunted for my association with the 'sinful' Ohara, Crocodile was hunted for his connection with an equally 'evil' figure so malevolent that the world government had erased all traces of him. She didn't have the opportunities I did, and her home sea was even more perilous than Paradise, the New World. Her feminine side quickly turned into ruthlessness in the face of danger and betrayal. Thus, there was only one option for her to escape a dire fate: abandon her female identity and become male.
It's ironic that this revelation came about during one of our training sessions, where I jokingly accused him of being distracted by my seductive body. That's when he mockingly expressed his disgust at the thought of seeing me 'that way.' It was then that he disclosed this stunning truth to me—an astonishing revelation.
As I reflect on our friendship, the current state of our relationship pains me.
...
WHOOOOOSHH!!
The source of the conflict was not difficult to discern. A colossal sandstorm was wreaking havoc on a massive building.
I leapt from the falcon's back and extended my arms, torrents of darkness leaving my body.
A massive sphere of darkness formed mid-air, ruthlessly swallowing the relentless tornado that continued to rampage on the land. Meanwhile, a group of local insurgents aided Crocodile, who stood at the forefront wearing a simple shirt, trousers and a coat,
I landed in front of him, ready for the challenge. A fight against him -who is now a warlord- would never be easy.
"In what world do you all believe that destroying your international commerce building will alleviate Alabasta's drought?" I taunted his subordinates, insurgents from Alabasta.
"We want the Nefertari Family gone!" They answered me with their minds numb with anger after experiencing countless days of thirst and hunger.
I fixed my gaze on Crocodile with clenched fists.
"When will you be satisfied?"
"When you hand over Pluton."
"I've told you, it's not here!"
"AND I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!"
*RUMBLE!!*
"Forget about me and destroy the district!" he ordered his quirky group of followers already hard at work. On my side, I had Pell, the Royal Family's guard, and the dwindling army.
This civil war has raged on for two years now. I don't mind maintaining the status quo until the Nefertari Family retrieves the ancient records from their underground tombs. Typically, Crocodile would help me with this, but he refuses to listen.
Those records were never supposed to be unfolded and the only reason the Nefertari Family is complying with me is because of their dire situation, they need me... and I need those records to unveil possible locations of more poneglyphs.
When we arrived on this island together with his underling, Mr. 1. I read the Poneglyph, and it indeed mentions that the ancient weapon Pluton is located in the Country of Wano. However, the weapon itself is not here, and he doesn't believe me.
I suppose, just as I didn't entirely trust him, he doesn't fully trust me.
...
Hundreds of dark sparks clashed with the sandstorm he had created. He could constrict the sand so tightly that it obstructed someone's breathing capacity, inducing lung failure—a lethal power he had learned from Veyron. Despite being potentially stronger than Crocodile, the sandy terrain gave him the upper hand, especially since he was well-versed in the weaknesses of my Devil Fruit. In this battle, though disadvantaged, I could still hold my own.
As we charged at each other, our arms infused with advanced Armament Haki...
BOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!
His objective was not to defeat me; it was to delay me until Baroque Works destroyed the financial district. This would further plunge the country into chaos and escalate the unrest until the Nefertari Family was overthrown in this civil war.
But I couldn't allow that because the Nefertari Family was, in reality, the Nefertari D. Family... I read that in an ancient letter left by their ancestor who disappeared.
I have my doubts, but at least I know... they must not fall here!
"I know there is still good in you, Ali!"
"Don't f*cking call me that, Robin!"
*BOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!*
A cannon of pressurized sand slammed into my stomach, sending me crashing against the nearest building. I gritted my teeth and phased through it, flickering through the shadows created by his sandstorm before manifesting before him.
I struck first, breaking his stance, and then gripped his head with three hands, driving him to the ground.
"You don't want to kill these people... a single sandstorm of compressed sand would have been enough. I don't want to kill you either! We are both liberators, Crocodile!"
"I never accepted that crap he said! Moreover, if we go by that, am I not showing better options than you!?"
A fight between us was futile, with no clear winner in sight. However, I could see my side losing. Pell alone couldn't handle Baroque Works, and the Alabasta Army was powerless against them.
He had a point. By all rights, the Nefertari Family didn't deserve the throne in a land they couldn't control, plagued by a drought for which they had no solutions. The only reason I staunchly upheld the Nefertari Family's existence was because I believed in the legacy left behind. I believe that 'D' must have a meaning. The Boa Family of Amazon Lily were descendants of Nefertari Lili, and they were all kind and warm-hearted people.
It had to mean something!
BAAAANGG!
His golden hook, covered in Armament Haki, struck my face, followed by a blow to my stomach and a knee to my chest.
COUGH!
Breathing was becoming increasingly difficult within the sandstorm, but I couldn't give up.
"The Boa Family are descendants of the Nefertari. Primrose, Hancock, Sandersonia, Marigold... have you forgotten?"
"Tch, aside from Primrose... I don't know who those are."
"Eh? What are you talking about?"
BOOOOOOMMMMM!!!
I delivered a merciless kick to his nose and then flickered through the darkness to grab him by the neck, my corrosion ability threatening to activate.
"Even if you're stubborn, you shouldn't claim you've forgotten them!"
"I'm telling you I don't know who you're talking about, dammit!"
"..."
