Chapter 2: Stellar Strategies

Fleet Admiral Kong sat in his office, papers stacked to the roof, annoying studdering subordinates interrupting constantly - a day filled with everything he hated. And it was just like every other day. Always the same routine, always the same annoying routine.

"What's got your panties in a twist, Kong?"

For the brief second of acknowledgement, he allowed this particular subordinate, hate is what filled his gaze. "Nothing, Zephyr. Or maybe the fact that you are here when you should be out and doing your job."

The man in question sneered provocatively. "I did. No leads. This is a totally new one. A crazy one without a doubt."

Kong didn't hesitate to slam his fist down not he desk. "And you've been sitting here for ten minutes without telling me that. I thought you hadn't left yet." He had to actively tell himself not to kill the admiral sitting casually and smoking in his office.

Zephyr didn't acknowledge the statement with more than a shoulder shrug. He knew Kong and all the ways to rile him up.

"What fun is there in only chasing pirates all the time. Messing with you is a hundred times more enjoyable." He stated happily as he exhaled a large ring of smoke.

"If you weren't essential for the Navy at this time, I would throw your ass out so fast it would make your head spin. Now, what else? What do you mean with it being a new one?"

"I mean a new type of crazy. A pirate fleet was decimated. Granted, it was just some Paradise low-level pirate scum. Nothing like the New World terrors. But, it was the way they were dealt with that was new to me."

Kong let out a large sigh. "Don't hold your breath now, tell me." He said with a firm tone.

"Sliced apart. The entire fleet, massive ships cut like fruit. Now, we've seen similar things in the New World, but it was also the crew onboard. Most were killed brutally and effectively, a standard raid. But a small majority were dealt with in ways I've never even heard of." Zephyr said with a look of annoyance. He wasn't a fan of the unknown - especially when the subject in question could slice entire fleets to pieces.

"Are you gonna make me ask again? What was unique about the kills?"

"It was creepy beyond belief," Zephyr said with an actual look of concern. "They were smiling. Like, full-on smiling. A sort of unreal, animated grin. The mouth was smiling but the eyes showed fear. The scariest thing I've seen in a while." Kong knew that meant a lot coming from an admiral and especially this particular one. Zephyr was one of the greatest admirals in generations.

"The smiles were stuck, even after death? A devil fruit? Some sort of chemical weapon? What is your assessment of their strength? You think they will make a move in the New World?" Kong asked. His tone laced with weight.

"Nah, not yet. The fleet was low-level, nothing in comparison to myself or any pirate in the real sea. But, I do believe we should find the culprit and eliminate them ASAP. I think they have the potential to become yet another terror of the New World."

Kong sighed and his expression scrunched up. "When did things become so damn complicated. It all started with that maniacal pirate." He turned his gaze toward the window. "I should never have taken this position. Maybe I should have done like Garp and stayed as Vice-admiral."

"Lazy 2-bit marine, if you ask me!"

"Stop picking your nose in front of the Fleet admiral, it's disrespectful." Kong flicked a pen that hit the admiral right on the forehead. Before the refute could emerge, the wall to the office exploded and in came a white blur that punched Zephyr in the face.

"ZEPHYR!!" A voice followed as Zephyer together with the blur disappeared out the opposite wall.

"GARP!!" Not a moment later another blur appeared in the room - in front of Kong's desk. This one stopped and saluted the Fleet Admiral.

"Sengoku! Didn't I tell you to keep Garp out of here today?" Kong asked slowly, but his voice was dangerously low.

"I tried my best, Sir!" Sengoku was the only one that even remotely acted respectfully toward Kong. "But do you really think he wouldn't find out Zephyr was here?"

"I was hoping that you could do the job I assigned to you. Would it be so difficult to make up some lie about Dragon? You know Garp will move heaven and earth for his son." The realization hitting Sengoku was clear in his expression - and Kong got even angrier.

"He is a great marine, of that it is no doubt. But Dragon has the uncanny ability to be easily forgotten or overlooked. So, it's not really my fault when you think about it."

"Oh, is that how it is? Then I guess your paycheck for this month just happen to have developed this uncanny ability... GET HIM AWAY FROM HERE!" Kong roared as all his anger was released at once.

"At once, Sir!" Sengoku ran after Garp and Zeryph.

*** A few days ago ***

"So, you think I'm ready?" A man as remarkable as he was mad asked his certified torturer and friend.

"I suppose we will find out, won't we, Hatter. I will take care of the majority of the fleet. I will only ask that you handle one or two ships. We don't want anyone escaping. If we are to join the Navy we can't have anyone identifying us, even if the odds are low." Mihawk had wanted to test Mark's strength - so here they were, Grand Line, the weaker half of it - Paradise as the New World populace referred to it.

Mark and Mihawk were sailing in a tiny boat barely big enough for two men at their size. Their target was only a few miles away, and they could already see the shape of a pirate fleet in the distant darkness.

"Will this be the first time you kill?" Mihawk asked.

"Technically, I guess. I've killed before."

Mihawk released a sigh and looked at Mark. "Not what I meant. Have you ever killed like THIS before? We are not just about to take lives, we are gonna slaughter them. Granted, they are a murdering and pillaging crew of pirates. But it still affects one to commit to slaughter.

All he got in return was a chuckle and a slight tap on the shoulder. There was no worry or fear in Mark's eyes.

"I'm the Mad Hatter. The remarkable Mark! This is a Tuesday for me." He tapped the ordinary-looking blade hanging from his waist. "I have my trusty sword to absorb all the guilt in my place. If I should for some reason start to feel bad about murder."

"Oh yes. The blade... What was the name again of that weapon of yours?" A barely contained smirk graced the Hawks lips.

Mark replied in an inaudible whisper.

"What was that?"

"C-Crawl for it."

"Right. Crawl for it. What in God's name possessed you to name it that. Even for the Mad Hatter, it's quite abnormal, is it not?"

"Goddess." He answered silently.

"Hm?"

"A goddess, Hawkey. Not God. Goddess. God does not grace you with his gaze - but the goddess does. And a bitch, she is." As he said it, a blast of wind rocked the boat and knocked him into the sea.

"And that... is karma." Said Mihawk with a large smirk.

----

Horrified screams echoed out in the night. A fleet made up of a brutal group of pillaging pirates were filled with terrifying girly screams. This spoke volume of the terror inflicted upon them. Among the fresh corpses, Mark danced between the blades and bullets with spectacular grace. But he wasn't as skilled as Mihawk yet. A few blades still hit him.

It wasn't until the last boat when the two met up again. Mihawk had easily sliced apart both ship and human and looked no worse for wear. Mark looked like he had been in a barfight, scratches and bruises mostly.

When they met Mihawk walked right up to him and grabbed him by the collar. "What the hell is that sword? Do you know the state in which it leaves all that it cuts down?"

Mark only grinned. "I know, Hawkey. I had no idea it had such an ability. Honestly, before I washed up on your beach, I had never tried it before. She didn't mention any of its abilities."

"I will say this, Hatter. This ability will very quickly be noticed by the Navy, so if you don't want them to arrest you the minute you use it when you join - I say we leave it behind." The frightened swordsmen looked around at all the smiling dead people.

"You worry too much. We will figure this out, I'm sure of it. I just have to learn to control it, shouldn't be too hard." Mark chose to lie. He had no idea how to do that, nor had he any confidence in his skill to master the sword. If it even could be mastered.

"Well, do pray to that goddess you keep going on about. I feel like right now we could use some divine guidance. Especially if that isn't the only thing your sword does."

"I will certainly pray," Mark said as he let the concerns wash away with the sun rising over the horizon. Its warming rays showering the new day with hope.

_____________________

End