Chapter 34: Birth of The Grim Reaper

A pair of binoculars in my hand I stared at the three navy battleships in the distance.

Which is slowly closing since those bastards are gaining on us.

Soon they will be within firing range with their cannons.

Clicking my tongue in annoyance I took the binoculars away from my face and turned to the others. "Can't we go any faster?" I asked.

"We're going as fast as we can right now captain." Reiju informed me. Manning the sails along with Weisz.

While Bepo is driving the ship.

Robin, Alfia, and Law are on standby.

"Understood." I replied. "Ok everyone, prepare for battle." I spoke.

Since it looks like we're not going to be able to escape those navy ships. Man I wish the Black Pearl had a Coup De Burst feature like the Thousand Sunny. Then we wouldn't have to deal with shit like this.

That thought on my mind I made a quick mental note to have Weisz and Reiju look into building something similar for the Black Pearl in the future.

I then drew my sword and directed all my focus to the upcoming battle.

Since there's no way my crew and I are going to lose in a place like this.

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(3rd Person: POV)

As the three navy ships continued to close the distance to the Black Pearl Roberts gave orders to his crew for the upcoming battle.

After he did so Bepo turned the Black Pearl around and instead of running away the Thanatos pirates ship started heading in the direction of the navy ships instead.

Standing on his flagship and seeing this captain Harlock simply drew his rapier blade with his right hand and pointed it directly at the Black Pearl.

"So it looks like those pirates have chosen battle instead of fleeing. Men prepare for battle. Also, send a message to the other ships. Tell them to start cannon bombardment." Harlock ordered.

"Sir! Yes sir!" The men under Harlock shouted in unison.

They then scrambled to their battle stations. While also sending Harlock's message to the other two navy ships in their small task group.

However a moment after that message was sent a giant blue sphere encompassed all four ships, and a bit of the surrounding ocean.

It was Law [Room].

Receiving the order the other two navy ships both unleashed a barrage of cannonballs in the direction of the Black Pearl.

But before any any of the cannonball's could make contact with the ships hull Law used [Tact] to send them all in the direction of the ships they were fired from.

Seeing this the navy soldiers on all three ships couldn't believe their eyes.

But they didn't have much time to focus on the cannonball's flying back towards them before the two ships on either side of Harlocks' flagship were struck with their own attacks.

As both ships took damage flames and smoke began to rise from their hulls were the cannonball's struck them.

Seeing this Harlock grit his teeth.

As he did so the Thanatos pirates didn't waste any time.

They fired their own cannons at the three navy ships, landing direct hits on all three of them.

Standing at the front of the deck of the Black Pearl Roberts pointed the tip of his blade in the direction of the navy ships.

"Alright Alfia, go." Roberts spoke.

"Yes." Alfia replied.

She then transformed into her siren-human hybrid form and took flight.

Soaring in the direction of the navy ship on the far left Alfia soon found herself in the air above its deck. The moment after she was Alfia began raining down sonic screams on the navy ship. Not only causing it damage, but also killing the marines on board and throwing the entire crew into a general panic.

Seeing this Harlock quickly spoke an order to one of his subordinates. "Shoot down that bird woman."

"Sir!" The marine replied.

He then went to relay Harlock's order to the marine sharpshooters.

As soon as they received it they took aim with their rifles and started working to shoot down Alfia.

But all of their shots missed without fail.

Due to Alfia using her observation haki to avoid each and every single one.

As she did so she continued raining down sonic screams on the navy ship on the far left.

When she had done enough damage Alfia flew away from the navy ships she was flying over.

The moment after she did so the Black Pearl fired a barrage of cannonball's at it, striking the navy ship on the far left and causing it even more damage.

This was what took the ship out of the battle.

Seeing this Harlock got even angrier, but he didn't let his anger guide his next action. He knew if he did more of his men would die and he didn't want that.

"Tell the other ship to provide assitance to the sinking vessel. Meanwhile we'll take the fight directly to those pirates." Harlock told his men.

"Yes sir!" His subordinates shouted.

Harlocks' flagship then began closing the distance to the Black Pearl alone. While the ship on the far right went to aid the vessel on the far left which had actually began sinking due to all the damage it had taken.

Seeing this Roberts smiled.

"All according to plan." He mused.

Now instead of his crew having to deal with three navy ships they only had to deal with one before making their escape.

Still Roberts didn't let his guard down, since through his observation haki he could sense someone strong on the navy ship sailing full speed towards the Black Pearl.

In no time at all Harlocks' flag ship pulled up parallel along the left side of the Black Pearl.

The second after this happened multiple marines through grabbling hooks in the direction of the Black Pearl. The hooks notching themselves into the railing along the left side of the Black Pearl.

Right after this happened Harlock jumped onto the deck of the Black Pearl, a contigent of marines from his ship following suit.

Just as this happened Alfia began flying over the Black Pearl and the navy ship.

While on the deck of the Black Pearl Weisz, Reiju, Robin, and Roberts were preparing to face the marines who had boarded them.

Law was busy keeping an eye on the other two navy vessels. While Bepo was ready and waiting to assist anyone who needed it. But it main job was to steer the Black Pearl through a path of escape as soon as the rest of his crewmates made one.

Soon enough Roberts group was face-to-face with Harlock's group.

The moment this happened both captains locked eyes.

"So, you are Soren D. Roberts." Harlock spoke.

"Yep, that's me." Soren replied. "And who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"

"Captain Phantom F. Harlock III. Commander of the 69th Marine Branch and the direct commander of the marines you and your crew slaughtered when you robbed my base." Harlock stated, Anger in his voice for all to hear.

"Oh, so you are the commander of that base." Roberts said. Nodding his head as he did so.

"Yes. I am. I am also your executioner." Harlock said.

"Yeah, sorry. Nope. I don't plan on dying here." Roberts said.

"I'll make it so." Harlock replied.

"Ah, looks like we're at an impasse then." Roberts said. "Well anyway enough foreplay, let's get to the main event."

"Took the words right out of my mouth. Men, attack!" Harlock ordered.

But the second after he did so several of his marines dropped to their knees.

"Ah!'

"My, my strength!"

"No!!!"

Hearing the shouts of his men, Harlock looked for the cause. But he didn't have to look far.

For the cause of his men's pain was Roberts.

He was absorbing the vitality of several marines without mercy.

Seeing their friends and comrades turning into literal husks and the ethereal white energy leaving their bodies and being transferred into Roberts who is wearing a feral grin on his face the marines under Harlock started going weak in the knees and were overcome with fear.

"Grim Reaper!" One of the marines shouted. Pointing at Roberts when he did so.

"Grim Reaper. I like that." Roberts said, nodding his head. "Thanks for the nickname." He told the marine.

Which is one of the ones Roberts is draining vitality from.

But soon enough that ended.

For Roberts had completely drained the vitality from several marines. All of whom fell face down on the deck of the Black Pearl.

Completely and utterly dead.

Which Roberts knew would happen.

Since he discovered long ago if he completely drained the vitality from a person they would die or at least end up close to death.

Because vitality and life go hand in hand after all, and Roberts can absorb vitality.

So the marine he just killed calling him a Grim Reaper is entirely accurate.

Staring at the dead bodies of his subordinates Harlock said nothing.

Instead he turned his gaze to Robets and then launched himself at him. His rapier raised and ready to strike.

Seeing this Roberts rushed forward as well and also raised his blade.

As the two got within striking range of each other they swung their respective blades down and clashed.

Initiating the battle between ship captains.