23 Chug those Balls

Chapter 21

Ace had fallen asleep so unfortunately I didn't get to say goodbye to him or anything. Especially with Marco having to stick by his side and nurse him back to health. I just gave him a hug and hoped that in his dreams he would feel the warmth I tried to convey. I was genuinely glad that he made it through...my efforts completely really.

Luffy apparently had faced the consequences of using the hormones like that and collapsed right before Jimbei carried the guy out. He made it out the usual way with Trafalgar Law's group and his submarine. With not as much interruption from Kizaru this time as he was busy facing the main force of the WhitebeardPirates...who still had Whitebeard standing strong. This time not in an area where his power was limited.

The war was pretty much concluded by the time Shanks had gotten there but the forces of a 3rd emperor along with Shanks himself was enough to convince the Marines to throw down their weapons and end the war.

With the den den mushi on my shoulder having recorded everything, I was planning on purposefully leaking this to a journalist or reporter to lower to morale and Justice spirit of the Marines. While the age of Pirates flourished, the World Draft that was expected to happen would certainly be a problem with Fujitora and that other unknown admiral. After having faced an admiral head on, I was not excited to face another one.

The Old man (Whitebeard) was surprisingly lenient with handing over the protection and rights of the Fishman Island to the Big Mom Pirates. Of course, the treaty between us (why would pirates sign treaties?) stated that the Big Mom Pirates would not take away the independence nor attack the Fishman without reason else the Whitebeard Pirates will retaliate, blah blah blah.

Mama would not be so dumb with her new candy factory. She had no reason to burn such a profitable and sweet producing island into the ocean; instead she would probably just monster it very carefully so that all shipments arrive on time. Whitebeard, knowing this about Mama was ok with the fact.

Jimbei probably wouldn't be too happy about it but knowing the Whaleshark, he would understand the reasoning and that it was the price for saving Ace. In addition, with the renewal of the Golden Age of Piracy, more people would find their way down to Fishman Island and contribute to the economy. So in the end, it was going to be alright.

Once again, I refused his offer to be his daughter. I was very tempted...like I was before...but now was not the time. I failed to fight on equal ground with an Admiral, and I needed the help of the family I hated to be able to save Ace. In other words, I needed to stay at WholeCake Island for a bit longer to grow in power, train, and in all honesty, I was interested in the WholeCake arc as well.

I wanted to watch it fold out in front of my eyes. I see the Mama I hate so much feel the pain and loss as her reputation is tainted by the mere rookie pirate. Perhaps...just maybe I would have changed enough to gather the courage to help the rubber boy.

Later...

I met up with my family (or most of my family) in Fishman Island. I cringed inwardly as Mama stated she was proud of my plan and work in getting her the one and only passageway into the New World for Pirates. Truthfully, it would be hard to keep an eye on this island at all times as it was quite the distance from WholeCake Island, but the flag of the Big Mom Pirates would scare away most Pirates from doing anything stupid.

Having Knight Tamago be the one the check on and collect the sweets from the Fishman Island regularly would do the job as well. Later on, as was in the manga, I found out that the Sun Pirates led by Jimbei had allied themselves (or rather became a sub-pirate crew) to the Big Mom Pirates.

For one, this way they could protect their island from harm since they were essentially family as Mama like to call them, and Mama did not attack her family. Second, this way they would know what was going on inside the Big Mom Pirates. Essentially having a radar for trouble should Mama ever go on a rampage and orders the destruction of Fishman Island or something (though very unlikely).

After listening to Mama drone on and on about her candy and sweets, she rather unceremoniously told me that I was going be become a Sweet Commander, or rather the 5th Sweet Commander. As a sign of my power, my bounty, and now that I was old enough in her opinion.

If this was before, I would have tried to refuse or been humble about it but this was after the war (though it hasn't even been a full day). By now, the world knew what I was capable of and the World Government would most certainly put an update on my files. If that was the case, I would rather have my title as Sweet Commander of the Big Mom Pirates scare away the small fishes as much as possible.

And so that was how I became a Sweet Commander...by a single sentence from Mama. Matriarch and Queen (dictator) of the Totta Land indeed.

On our way back through the New World, I informed Mama that I would make a small detour to finish some unfinished business before I head straight back. Mama, having great trust in me now, allowed me to do whatever I needed to do and left on the Queen Mama Chanter (the Flag Ship) while I took my small ship and headed for the Island of Punk Hazard. Not only Punk Hazard but one more stop along the way.

Deep down, I was worried I might not find the person I was looking for. After all, it wasn't after Akainu and Aokiji had fought...if they will fight at all this time with the major injuries both of them had sustained from the war. In addition to the fact if Caesar was here at all during this time...but thankfully my observation picked up what I needed to know.

Punk Hazard was a Spring island, so of course there shouldn't be any snow... and where was the damn ship? It should be floating around the new world somewhere.

3 Hours Later

I stood on top of the dead body of Monet holding the new fruit I had acquired. The Yuki Yuki No Mi, or the Snow Snow Fruit. While in reality it wasn't the strongest fruit, it was an ability I most desperately needed most right now. A Logia with the ability to change my form and summon an element. While Caesar's gas gas fruit was most definitely powerful as well, it wouldn't do much against veterans who would know how to hold their breath or haki cover the insides.

Me: Sorry Monet…no personal feelings but to be honest…saving your life against gaining your fruit? It was a good trade.

Snow on the other hand was so much more versatile than pretty much almost any fruit. Being a logia only added to the bonus, despite the fact that it was a direct sub fruit to the Hie Hie No Mi, at least Snow had more uses and was actually intangible unlike Ice.

In addition to that... *blush* this was I would have some similarities or rather be on the opposite side of Ace. Snow and Fire...a weaker ability to Ice and Magma...but something about that just made me feel...warm?

Once I consume the fruit, I would let it know that I have no intention of becoming a harpy. I just want the snow abilities...and maybe a pair of wings on my back would be nice as well but I would not like to be turned into a bird human hybrid.

Throughout my search for the ship, I consumed my second fruit and thought I was going to die. I was in so much pain that I thought ?? had made a mistake increasing my body but thankfully the pain subsided just in time for me to feel the differences.

Not much in outward appearance, but I knew I was snow. I looked down to see my own feet and legs...yup, definitely not harpy. I still wanted the wings though... and just like that I felt something change.

I felt a tug on my mid back as snow gathered to form a pair of angel wings twice my size. I tried moving it around and found it a little confusing. It's not easy to use a new pair of limbs immediately. After a bit, I was able to use it like another pair of arms (without hands) and the basics of flapping it around. I'll have to try flight later. I didn't want it risk it right here.

Just as I thought about the trouble of sleeping with these giant things, the wings dispersed into snow. Leaving me with just my normal back again, no wings.

Interesting. Now seriously…do I need to continuously sail around this region until one of us finds each other?

One Week Later

It took a full week. A full fucking week for me to find the very ship I was looking for. During the time I did have my doubts that perhaps the ship did not exist after all being a non-canon film but I swore to myself that I heard news of the ship in the World Economics Paper and that Morgan's papers usually never lies. Easily the richest ship in the world. Grand Testoro's Golden Casiono ship which holds over 20% of the currency circulating around the world. Excluding the Celestial Nobles that is of course.

I would make sure to steal quite a fortune before I leave but that was not my main goal here nor was his devil fruit. Sure controlling gold sounded pretty fun but in the end it was still inferior to most forms of Logia if used correctly. I was after Baccarate's Luck Luck fruit.

Me: The role in which fate plays in this world is simply too ridiculous…

It truly was. Roger should have never been Pirate King, having been defeated multiple times by many many of his opponents, should it not have been fate. Luffy would have died on Alabaster by Crocodile; Blackbeard would have never become an emperor (well he's dead now but I mean in canon), Buggy would have not become a Warlord of the Sea and half of Wano's plot would not have existed should it not have been the pull of fate.

In each and every decisive battle by the Straw Hats, it is often not their combined strength that defeats the antagonist but rather the work of fate at work with impossible situations. Luffy's victory at Dressrosa was not only his strength at 4th gear but rather a part in the large scheme of things including Law's fatal blow towards Doflamingo's organs, Sabo and Fujitora's fight, Marine's ignorance, the gladiators and the people earning 10 expensive minutes for Luffy to recover as well as their final farewell which led to their ultimate victory and creation of the Straw Hat Armada…as I said…impossible situations.

I know that sooner or later the Straw Hats will arrive on Whole Cake Island and though I do not know what the Will of D has with Fate, I do know that I don't want to be on the opposing end of fate. Fate warps the reality of how things should be into how things turn out to be…and the only way to fight back against such an impossible force would be to get a counter ability.

Luck

Throwing a dice without any tricks whatsoever should get me a 1/6 chance for landing on one number, but with the manipulation of luck? Anything is a go-go. The greatest thing to note here is that the manipulation of luck is not messing with the dice to give a specific number nor is it messing with the wind to turn the dice. The manipulation of luck only affects me and by doing so the user of the fruit can literally break every rule set by possibility…giving the ability to defy and break apart fate. After all, what use is fate if everything goes my way?

WORLD ECONOMICS JOURNAL

Charlotte Syrup, the girl who shook the world, does it again.

In the past evening, it has been found that the Grand Testoro, the Golden Casino of Gild Tesoro, has been completely devastated and burned into ruin. The corpses of the confirmed employees Baccarate, Dice, and many more along with the mutilated body of Gild Tesoro himself.

NewsCoo has spotted the flying flag of the Big Mom Pirates waving above the ruined paradise along with none other than Charlotte Syrup. Charlotte Syrup is a notorious Pirate not only for her lineage but also her strength which is feared far and wide even in the New World. It is highly speculated that it was her that has laid waste to the once-paradise and robbed the place of it's great wealth.

As the forces of the Big Mom Pirates expand with entrance of Syrup, will the balance between world crumple?

-Big News Morgan

AN: I love reading your comments and reviews :) Stay safe everyone. We're heading into the 'New World' now.

Heavier...stranger...stronger enemies. Seriously, some are literally heavier.