I'm Gonna Kill You, Moria!

Standing before the girl, Tsuru's hand was raised in surrender, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and fury. As Jack's eyes followed her gaze, he saw the pirate captain responsible for this despicable act. Grinning like a madman was Gecko Moria, one of the pirates Jack despised most.

Gecko Moria was a monstrous man, an abnormally large humanoid creature with very distinct, devil-like features. He stood at 22 feet in height, making him one of the tallest creatures he had ever seen.

He had two horns protruding from the sides of his forehead and stitches running vertically from the top of his face and down his neck, which was rather long and thick in comparison to his body. His ears and teeth were both pointed, while his lower body was relatively fat and stubby in comparison.

His hair was red, and his skin was a pale blue, matching his lips, armbands, and the edges of his gloves. His coat and gloves were black, while his pants were bright orange with pale window shapes imprinted on them. He wore a fishnet shirt underneath a cravat, a necklace, and a blue crucifix-like ornament with claw-like appendages sprouting out from three of the cross's points. Moria was known for kidnapping people and using them to strengthen himself and his crew, making him one of the most feared and hated pirates in West Blue.

Jack felt his blood boil as he watched Moria taunt Tsuru, the little girl's life hanging in the balance. But Jack knew that he couldn't let his anger get the best of him; he needed to remain calm and focused to save the girl and bring Moria to justice.

As Jack approached, his eyes locked on Moria, his voice was cold and steady. "Moria, let the girl go. This fight is between us, not her."

Moria's grin widened, revealing a row of yellowed, crooked teeth. "Ah, Jack, just the man I wanted to see. You're right, this fight is between us, I still haven't forgotten the wound you caused last time."

Moria's eyes narrowed, recalling the humiliation he suffered at Jack's hands three years prior. Back then, they were both just starting their respective careers - Moria as a pirate and Jack as a pirate hunter. Their paths had crossed when Jack was in search of a bounty, and Moria, an aspiring pirate eager to prove himself, had challenged him. The outcome had been a resounding defeat for Moria, one that left a festering wound in his ego.

Ever since that day, Moria had harbored a deep hatred for Jack, biding his time and waiting for the perfect opportunity to exact his revenge. And now, fate had brought them together once more, on an island where Moria had business with Lafet. The two pirates had struck a deal – in exchange for Moria's assistance in the fight, Lafet would provide him with the kidnapped villagers and civilians he so desperately craved.

As Jack's icy blue eyes met Moria's malicious gaze, the pirate's grin widened. "It's been too long, Jack. I've been waiting for a chance to repay you for that little beating you gave me three years ago."

Jack's expression remained cold and unyielding, his stormy blue eyes never leaving Moria's face. "Your grudge should be with me, Moria. Let the girl go and face me like a man."

Moria's laugh was cruel and mocking. "Face you like a man? You mean like how you faced me when I was just starting out? No, Jack, I think it's much more fun to watch you squirm as I threaten the lives of these pathetic villagers."

Tsuru's eyes flashed with anger, but she kept her voice steady. "Moria, you're a coward. Hiding behind innocent people won't change the fact that you're a weak and pitiful excuse for a pirate."

Moria's eyes narrowed, his grip on the little girl's hair tightening. "Weak, am I? Let's see how weak I am when I slit this little girl's throat, shall we?"

A sudden, chilling fury emanated from Jack, his ocean-blue eyes darkening into a stormy rage. "Touch her, Moria, and I promise you, it will be the last thing you ever do."

Moria hesitated for a moment, the tension in the air palpable. Then, with a wicked grin, he released the girl, shoving her roughly towards Jack. "Fine, have her. She's no use to me anyway."

As the girl stumbled forward, Jack caught her, holding her protectively as he glared at Moria. "You're a monster, Moria, and I'll make sure you pay for your crimes."

Moria's laughter echoed around them, filled with malice. "Oh, I'm sure you'll try, Jack. But you'll find that I'm not the same weak pirate you defeated all those years ago."

With that, Moria lunged forward, his massive body moving with surprising speed as he charged towards Jack.

"Tsuru, you deal with Lafet," Jack hissed, "He is mine!"

Moria, after being beaten down by Jack, had found a devil fruit, the Shadow-Shadow Fruit. For three years, he had been practicing his abilities, and now, it was time for payback. Moria charged at Jack, who swiftly dodged his attack, his eyes stormy with anger. He knew he needed to end this fight quickly, before any more innocent lives were endangered.

"I'll show you how much I've grown since our last encounter, Jack," Moria taunted, laughing maniacally as he summoned shadowy tendrils from the ground, aiming them at Jack.

Jack quickly dodged the tendrils, using the Bead's ability to enhance his senses, allowing him to anticipate Moria's attacks. He then retaliated with a First Level Thunderous Blow, aiming it at Moria's chest.

Moria was momentarily stunned by the powerful punch but quickly recovered, a malicious grin on his face. "Is that all you've got, Jack?"

Jack remained silent, his icy blue eyes never leaving Moria's face. He knew that Moria was baiting him, trying to get a rise out of him. He couldn't let his anger cloud his judgment. Instead, he focused on the Bead's abilities, preparing to siphon energy and vitality from Moria during their battle to replenish his own strength.

Moria smirked as he attacked again, this time using his newfound Shadow-Shadow Fruit powers to manipulate the shadows of the villagers, forcing them to fight against Jack. Jack's heart clenched as he realized what Moria had done, but he knew he couldn't afford to hesitate. He quickly used the Bead's abilities to increase his vitality and regeneration rate, allowing him to recover quickly from any injuries sustained during the battle.

As he fought off the shadow-controlled villagers, Jack looked for an opening to strike Moria. He decided to use a Second Level technique, the Hurricane Strike. Jack unleashed a flurry of lightning-fast punches, creating a powerful gust of wind that knocked Moria off balance.

Jack gritted his teeth as he dodged Moria's shadowy tendrils, his movements swift and precise. He could feel the exhaustion creeping in, but he refused to back down. His mind raced, planning his next attack as he tried to find a way to break through Moria's defenses.

With a sharp intake of breath, Jack unleashed a Second Level Hurricane Uppercut, the whirlwind lifting Moria off his feet and interrupting his control over the villagers' shadows. As Moria crashed to the ground, Jack took the opportunity to quickly use the Bead's abilities to siphon energy and vitality from the fallen pirate, replenishing his own strength.

Moria's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly recovered, his malicious grin returning. "Clever trick, Jack. But it won't save you," he snarled as he forced himself back onto his feet. He summoned his own shadow to fight in his place, the dark entity lunging at Jack with wicked intent.

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