Thank you for reading my fanfic and giving me a chance.

My mother language is not English, so please be patient about the grammatical issues.

I don't own the Overlord(オーバーロードŌbārōdo?) novel or anime series created by Kugane Maruyama.

I don't own the One Piece, anime and manga series illustrated by Oda Eiicsiró.

Please review it I know I will make mistakes what I will intend to correct and try to learn from my mistakes and improve myself.

Thank you!

Now let's continue our little story!

The Falling Star: Chapter 16: Bloody Dawn, Bloody Takeover:

Somewhere in the endless blues of the New World, bloodied debris floated on the waters. Screams and smoke filled the air.

Indeed, this day did not start out as one might expect it. Worse, the rays of the sun brought an unexpected visitor — a terrifying creature with no qualms of destruction or care. Or more like, it did not know about its own wrongdoings and how to treat its own power properly yet.

But let's not haste the end so soon, let's see instead what events instigated such destruction first.

It was the night that was sure. And under the hiding of the darkness, several stealthy warships sailed, bearing the flags of the Navy of the World Government.

Ever awake, even in this pitch darkness, the crew worked diligently. Yet, no light source emitted any illumination; it was strange how the crew was able to operate at all.

"We are almost there. Turn the steer at five degrees, and keep the pace. We don't want them to recognize us."

"Umu…"

The personnel of the warships in most numbers was hardened veterans, sailing the seas for long years. But amidst their ranks, rookies can also be found in great numbers. The war was hard for all sides; even the Navy can't escape its clutches, forcing it to start a huge recruitment campaign.

Not as it mattered, all Marine on the ships know their jobs; all did their best to comply with the orders. All was the best the Navy could offer. It wouldn't go otherwise. They all know who they followed. How dangerous those people were, whose subordinates they were.

"Don't you think it is a little bit extreme?"

"What do you mean?"

"So many warships just to follow them around? Isn't we just surveying their defense? And why do we need to move in such silence, in the pitch darkness? Not speaking it shouldn't be our job. This is why the damn CP's are for!"

"I have no idea; it was the decision of the higher-ups. This is why we get the special gear to see in the darkness." the second Marine pointed on the night vision goggles before their eyes.

Each Marine wore one, making them able to see in the dark without the need of any light source.

"Besides that, you know who the commander of this ship is. You know what happens with those who fail, or refuse the order."

Gulping, every Marine nodded vigorously.

Yes, each of them was aware of what happens those who fail under the leadership of the dreadful Admiral. He was never an easy man to bear with from the beginning, not speaking a few of his orders went in an extreme degree of fanaticism.

Defy his order, and he will melt your face down. Like he almost did with that poor boy who broke down under the war. Caring not about how many people died, or how straining it was fighting against an overwhelming opponent like the Whitebeard Pirates and their allies were.

He cared not; he only pushed them forward to earn his well-sought victory, even going that far to sacrifice everyone just to defeat the enemy and bring his "justice" to fruition, at all cost.

"Sush you! Do want to lose your head? You know what happened the last guy who defied his orders!"

Nodding, all of them was aware. Basically, nothing remained from that marine, the guy just simply evaporated under the heat.

"Besides that, it is not our business. We are just here to make sure everything goes fine with the mission. Several warships already ahead of us."

Nodding, the Marines did not even know the half of it. In truth, with the warships way ahead of them several submarines also sailed smoothly under the water.

Indeed, it was strange how the Navy was able to mobilize such a force after the stalemate and losses they were forced to bear under the Whitebeard war. Either way, the Marines was sure, the higher-ups inevitably sacrificed something in exchange to be able to do it.

"What do you think? What was in that box?"

"What box?"

"I saw a huge metal box transported in the cargo before we set off. With how many Pacifista unit is guarding it, and an Admiral in the deck, I am sure it is something big. Maybe a new weapon?"

"Maybe, we can't be so sure. Let's hope, this time we can deal with those damned Whitebeard pirates once and for all."

"Aye…"

Meanwhile sitting in his office, the red dog of the Navy sat on his chair, puffing fat smokes from his mouth.

"Hmmm…" Puffing smoke, his face revealed his dislike of this action. "Idiots…"

So soon after the war, not even able to properly organize their lines, the leadership made a huge gamble with this move.

People need time to be appropriately trained, new ships to be built. Whatever those damn bratty World Nobles were up to dragged the whole World Government in their mess.

After the war, the Navy still licked its wounds. Injured, this beast was still dangerous, but even Akainu was aware. A beast without fangs and properly sharpened talons worth not much. Can hardly pursue and subdue the prey no matter how determined it was.

"I wonder what is in that box…"

Yes, the scientist and CP agents refused to share any information ever since they dragged that damn metal box into his command ship. Akainu just received the order from Kong himself to prepare his warships for moving, pursue the prey, and wait for further commands.

Every time he actually demanded an answer, those damn agents pushed a certification in his face, denying access.

The scientist soon turned half of his cargo hold into a mobile lab, just to monitor that thing. The Pacifista units are refusing to let anyone close to it. It was annoying and strange at once.

He even saw one of those damned white collars fondle the box and speaks to it, calling it in weird nicknames.

Something was there; he was sure of it. Most likely a weapon, or something else. Honestly, the feeling he got from that thing was strangely dreadful; it made him remember that time when he fought with Angel.

…

Meanwhile in the field lab, positioned in the cargo hold…

The once proud belly of the ship completely transformed in the last few days. Giving place of a futuristic place where numerous monitoring devices and security measurements set forth.

Indeed, the previous wooden insides entirely insulated by a strange dark metal, painted white as one might imagine a lab: several checkpoints, and walls with sliding doors set up, isolating the different areas.

Several CP agents and PX units stood guard meanwhile several men and women in lab attire run amok, doing their job, messing around with lab equipment, chatting how to solve different problems and doing experiments — consuming an excessive amount of coffee — just the usual things. Yet, their main attention was on the large, insulated metallic block in the middle of the room.

Around it the security was tight, only a few selected allowed to go near it, amongst them a woman in a lab coat, her body carrying well-rounded curves, any man seeing her may want to fondle her to death. On her face, a maniac grin settled stretched to its limits; shades covered her eyes — not visible out of this reason. Maybe once a while her face carried an otherworldly beauty, but now it was simply bandaged like you may imagine a mummy.

"You are so beautiful! So beautiful my dear…" like a wicked old hag, the scientist pushed her face against the smooth, cold metal surface, caressing it like a lover.

"Geez, Kurumi-sama doing it again."

"Shhh! She will hear you! Since she lost her eyes, her hearing is extra sharp."

The scientist around just watched the strange woman doing her daily ritual. Fondling, hugging the metallic block, and then. 'Lick…' The scientist around flinched in disgust, seeing her literally licking the chunk of metal.

"Even my eyes lost, I see you clearly, you precious!" 'lick…' 'Rumble!'

The whole lab, and with it the ship shook.

"Divert the energy! Give more power for the insulation field!" immediately, the scientist burst into action, pushing buttons — the CP agents and PX units stern themselves, ready to jump into action.

With multiple awakened devil fruit users in their ranks and an Admiral on the deck, they were sure they could contain this threat.

"Kurumi-sama! Get out there! The specimen gone wild!"

'Rumble! Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!'

A foggy energy field started to emit from the cube, releasing dark and light energy particles. Immediately, several weaker CP agents and scientist caught up with it, sucked dry dropping on the ground.

"Are you impatient, aren't you?" Kurumi caressed the box without fear, and for first it seemed it did not harm her at all. But inspecting her better, a thin film of energy layer surrounded her.

"I see…" she caressed the box, hugging it like a mother her child. "You don't have to wait longer. Soon the time comes, and you will be released. You will be free once more, striding the endless skies, just as you intended." immediately, the black fog with white outline receded, retreating into the box.

"I-It's over! The seizure is over!"

"Dammit! I said to reinforce the insulation field! How many times I had to say not to stay near the specimen!"

"Insulation field stabilized, we are green to go!"

Although in the background, such conversations went on and go, near the block Kurumi still stood with a gentle smile on her face.

"I wonder if I can meet the original one, one day. I have so many questions to her. Are you curious about her too, my dear?"

One last time she caressed the box.

"Kurumi-sama! Are you all right?"

On the scientist's questioned her, and she just sighed, shaking her head.

"I am fine, although…" 'Crumble!' Raising her left hand, it withered under a few moments, crumbling into dust. Just like her clothes, she was completely naked now — her figure peerless hourglass, displaying all her glory. Albeit, her face missing all the skin, horrifically mutilated and burned. Her teeth visible on both sides of her face, her eyelids missing. Her skin full of scars and burns.

"I may need a prosthetic arm. My own seemingly crumbled to dust. Ah, and of course, clothes. It is breezy here." She watched the stump remained for first apathetic expression. Then her face soon turned into elation. "Time acceleration? Indeed, even my own power can't protect from it. Time takes it all; it is only the matter… of time."

"Kurumi-sama." A scientist stepped forward. "We need to replace the insulation of the box, seeing its current state…"

Watching the once proud, flawless block of metal, now it was all corroded and on the verge to fall apart. The egghead started to feel distressed standing so close to it.

"Hmm, indeed. No matter how much I want him to be free, it is not yet the time. We need to replace the alloy on the outer layers."

"What about the insides?"

"Don't even bother with it. We neither have the personnel nor the materials to replace it all. We are already risking exposure. Opening up the shell in this stage may risk the loss of control, my dear is a very distressed state now, something most likely disturbed his dreams. Did you managed to separate those brain waves from his own?" Watching the scientist not far from her with her artificial eyes, the egghead watched his notepad.

"No, we still searching why the specimens always end up with heavy dissociative personality disorder…"

"Hmm, there must be a reason behind it…" Kurumi fondled her chin, only coming back when one of the third scientists asked.

"Kurumi-sama, if you allow me to ask. What do we do after we let it go? After all, that's the plan, no?"

Walking further away from the box, a few scientists already waited for her with spare clothes, bandages, and a replacement arm.

"Ghhh!" she bit her lip under the prosthetic arm connected to her nerves. It was not a pleasant process. "I will notify you in time…"

'Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!' "What the heck happened!" in the next moment, the boiling Akainu, and a few armed marine bursts forward, appearing behind the sliding doors. "The whole ship shook! We almost flipped by a wave!"

Kurumi did not bother by the admiral, just leisurely equipped the spare lab coat. "Nothing much, Admiral, just a minor complication with the specimen."

Looking around, the whole lab was a mess, Akainu less call it a "minor," more like a "major" complication. "I see that, still, the place looks like a freaking sea king rampaged through it! I ask you once again? What is in that box? If you don't tell me, I will consider it insubordination, and I will execute you, your whole crew, and that thing myself!"

Seeing him pointing at the box, Kurumi just watched it with a smile. "That's Admiral, the question of the century. Unfortunately, even after so much research. Even we, the members of the Government secret research division not able to identify the true nature of it. Even Vegapunk-sama was not able to fully identify what is that, he created."

Akainu just shrugged, looking really distressed. "So you say, even you don't know?"

"How should we know?" she walked closer once more twinkling her seductive eyelashes under her shades, caressing the corroded surface with her prosthetic arm. "Its true nature not yet revealed to us." then her dubious smile once more pictured on her face burned face. "But in a few days, you will know it, I am sure, Admiral. Once the time comes, we will all see its true, horrific brilliance!"

Her artificial eyes flashed, madness lingering in them for a moment.

"…" the Admiral hated the vibes he got from the women's direction, it was almost worse than the feeling he got from that box, but he had clear orders. And in order to fulfill the will of justice, he will bear it for a while longer.

"So, how long until we reach our prey?"

"A few more days, give or take and we will be in the intended position."

"Good…" the woman nodded solemn, glancing back the admiral apathetic. "Make sure everything is set, Admiral, we can't disturb the dear with bad circumstances any further. After all…" she placed her hand once more on the corroded, molding surface, caressing it gently. "We can't disappoint him. He is the dearest of all. The key to our evolution, and future. He suffered so much; he deserves some peace."

"I hope you know what are you doing, head researcher Kurumi. If you dare to endanger my crew or the whole operation in any way, I will personally dispose of you, and your little toy."

On the admiral's threat, she could only smile. Yes, how should she feel fear in the verge of greatness?

"Very well Admiral duly noted…"

After this, the woman bandaged her face with a great practice, waving him away leisurely, and poor Akainu can't do anything just walk away fuming. He had his orders, and this lady had her permission to do as she wished. Working directly for the Celestial Dragons, and the Empty Throne had its perks.

Scene Change: Somewhere in the New World: With the Whitebeard Fleet:

Around seven days passed since Ace, and the rest made the vow. And ever since they prepared for the coming day. Prepared to split, train, and once again reunite in the "promised" place.

Even now, on the temporarily named command ship, the former comrades made their last tearful goodbyes, knowing very well, they most likely not meet each other for a long time.

"I will miss you, buddy!"

"Eat plentifully, will ya? What happens with you guys without my meals?" grinned a sizable man with the attire of a chef, and many pirates patted his back, drinking one last time together.

Watching them, Ace could only shake his head, turning back to see the horizon, and the calm waves somber.

"Ahh, good times." around them, the first sizable remains of the once great fleet dispersed, now only a few ships lingered around. Since the vow, day by day their comrades left, taking their way into a new horizon.

"Ace…"

"Jozu." the hulking man grinned, stepped on his side.

"Aren't you supposed to leave as well? I am sure your crew is waiting for you."

"Hmph…" the man just shrugged, shaking his head with a grin. "Not yet, besides, we decided with Marco to leave together."

"So you leave your crew, huh?"

"Not entirely, it will be in good hands in my vice's until our return. Marco and I decided to leave together to train."

"I see."

"What about you, don't you want to join us?"

Ace turned solemn for a moment, turning his head away. Since he came to this decision, no day passed not thinking about this. Indeed, it was one of the hardest decision he had to make.

"No, it will be better if I do it alone. For all of us, from time to time, you need some time alone to appreciate things. And for me to learn some self-respect and a few more moves. I need to do this alone."

"Hmm, I see…" Jozu just nodded appreciating, watching his friend concerned.

"You aware, we are being followed?"

"Yes, I know…" Ace started to walk around, inspecting his crew doing their best to prepare the ship for the two years long slumber. "They are on our heels, our lookout spot a few ships. Unfortunately, we don't know how many of them will come."

"It would be better if we spread right away, or simply tighten our ranks, preparing to battle. This is just too reckless. They can hunt us down if they want to one by one."

"Hmm, that may be true. Unfortunately, we don't know their number yet. We only glimpsed a few ships. If we scatter right away or tighten our ranks, they would be suspicious and would jump on us like hungry wolves. Considering they possibly know who we are, the least they will do is to send one or two admirals on our neck to capture us."

"Ah, I see. So you rather sacrifice yourself than letting most of our people die." For a moment, Jozu's expression was solemn, then turned angry. "Are you stupid, or what, Ace? Do you really want to sacrifice yourself once more? After all that what we, what Pops sacrificed for you?" he grabbed his shoulder with his one remained arm, looking deeply in his dark eyes. "Do you really want to throw it all away?"

"Of course not!" Firefist looked away. "But it is our only chance. If we turtle, we will be all annihilated. If we start to flee all at once, they will jump on us like rabid dogs waiting for a meal! But if we leave slowly, one by one. Even if one of us is attacked, that one will relay the message, the identity and the direction of the attackers."

"Ah, I see…" Jozu nodded with wise eyes. "It is still too risky; we need to leave as soon as possible."

"Don't worry; I don't intend to sacrifice myself. Pops and the rest of you sacrificed too much to allow such senseless game."

"I hope so very much…"

"Ace, we have a problem." in the next moment, Marco appeared, carrying a spyglass with himself.

"Look…" handing him, then pointing in the right direction. Ace right away recognized the familiar silhouettes in the glass.

"Hmm, warships closing on us? Why I am not surprised?" he mumbled, and the crew gathered behind his back, the remained ships closed on his position, prepared for battle.

"Captain, what're your orders?"

Behind him, his crew prepared, willing to fight until the end. All vicious, the worst motherfuckers the sea can offer. All bad, players of nightmares of many Navy soldiers' dreams. Yes, indeed, his people were just like that. The Navy and the WG never liked them just because they wanted to live free, not to be chained to the whims of the Celestial Dragons and the like.

"Well guys, what do you say? Do you want to piss them off one last time before we leave?"

Everyone started to grin, waiting to pick a fight one last time before their long goodbye. "Uwaa!"

"That's what I like to hear!" Ace clapped his hands.

"So then, I assume you have a plan, Ace…"

"Hmmm." Ace grinned and explained his plan. He expected them to bring at least one admiral, so he planned according to to the beginning.

…

A few hours later, in the Admiral's flagship.

"Hmmm… " Akainu hummed, watching the closing remains of the Whitebeard fleet through his spyglass.

"Admiral, why did you let those convicts go?" as natural, many of his soldiers complained him letting go the few Whitebeard ships those slowly leaked away in the last few days. Albeit he and his crew had the chance to raid them and capture their crew. It was not his intention.

"They are small fish compared to the real prize we are after. Even if they flee now, the long arm of justice will reach them sooner or later. In time, we will capture, or kill all of them. But if we allow Ace, Jozu, Marco, or the remained executives go. They can cause us great trouble later."

"A few of them already left though…"

The Admiral just hmph-ed, shaking his head. "Does not matter. Alone, they worth not much against an Admiral and the composed might of justice."

Even if it was hard to think about it, Akainu was well aware of his, and his crew's chances if the remained division commanders of the former Whitebeard fleet band together. If they had attacked one of the retreating ships back then, the pirates would have turtled right away. One needed to make a certain sacrifice, and be patient to gain a long term profit.

Akainu was a realist when it comes to combat and tactic, even against Whitebeard, he had his tactic planned in detail how to weaken, and provoke the old man before going against him — calculating the surrounding and the people around before he made his moves. The only miscalculation he made how intensely he will counterattack.

Just now, if he would have attacked the passing ships, they would have warned the whole fleet about their presence and the composition of his fleet. And that would end up the entire Whitebeard pirates banding together once more, against such force, even he had to consider his steps.

No matter how strong Akainu was, he was well aware; he can't protect every ship of his. He was but one man. And he trusted not the success of this "new project" to protect it at all cost. Believed it not enough to entrust it the life of his crew, and the success of this operation just for that thing.

Not after Whitebeard humiliated him back then! Not after Ace escaped, leaving him shambles. Not after he failed to kill Angel so miserably! Not after even in his death, Newgate pulled a huge jest on the whole World Government and the Navy!

Each of the pirates in their crew was the top notch of their kind. The cream of the top. With years of experience of dirty play and fighting. Compared to them, most of his men he managed to scrape together and fill the emptied ranks of his crew after the war were still rookies.

Indeed, most of them showed promise, and one day would live to be a great Marine, the fighter of justice. But for that, people needed time to grow. Actual fighting experience. But with that short amount of time, and with the urging deadline of this mission, this was all he had managed to bring.

"Does not matter. Our main objective to either capture or kill Ace and the remained division commanders. If all of them were here, our fleet would fall in a short time."

"Admiral, you saying…" the rookie Marine gulped in fear. "They are that strong?"

"Aren't you were there under the war?" Akainu watched the marine with a smug expression.

"No-No, Sir! I was stationed elsewhere…"

"Hmm, I see…" the red dog of the Navy put a cigar in his mouth, lighting it with his finger.

It was sensible, albeit the presence of Marines were heavy on Marineford under the war, most of their forces were still outside, protecting the domain of the World Government from the threats of other fronts.

"Hmph!"

Heavy windblown swept through the ship, making many Marine lose their balance, a few even their caps.

"It seems, they are advancing, and banded together, hmm… I see. So they recognized us."

The Admiral expected this, and honestly, this is why he allowed a few ships to slip away. All the division commanders together would be too much even for him.

Not far from him Kurumi stood, resting her hand on the shoulders of a short figure. Not one crewmember saw this kid until now. And they started to get nervous. They will fight with vicious pirates in a few minutes; a kid had nothing to do here.

"Are you excited, my dear? This will be your first show…"

Naturally, the Marines watched with dubious expression what the bandaged woman do with the short kid in a restraint jacket. "What she is doing with him?"

"Why that kid in that restraint jacket?"

On the child's head, a strange helmet was visible. No eyeholes, or any opening visible on it and it was plain dark. On its forehead, a label can be read, "PZ-1-13".

"Hmm, what the heck is this?" Akainu mumbled as he walked near the strange duo.

"Head researcher Kurumi, what this kid is doing in my ship? Better question, why is he in that restraint jacket?!"

"…" The kid watched Akainu for a moment, saying nothing. His arms hung lifeless limp in his undone jacket. Not even properly tied, the sleeves naturally were too long, dragged on the ground, giving the child an odd look.

"Oh!" for a moment, Kurumi smiled, removing her shades, revealing her cybernetic eye implants. "He is PZ-1. PZ-1, welcome Admiral Akainu!"

Looking at first Akainu, then Kurumi, the boy tilted his head, the red dog immediately recognized the sturdy collar around his neck. It was evident it was some kind of shock collar made of some type of Sea Stone alloy.

"Don't be shy; he is friend…" Kurumi pushed him forward gently, and the boy nodded, bowing respectfully.

"…"

"He is a little bit shy, but a good boy. You will see, with him, we will eradicate the scum of the sea under a short time. He is the key to our future, Admiral Akainu. He is the pride, and best hope of our research division."

Akainu still glared at the boy; he had an awfully lousy feeling come from the little guy. And he can't help, but this feeling made him remember a certain whitehead pirate with apocalyptic powers. He just gets the same vibes from him.

'Sss….' A few cannon balls and moderately heavy items started to float, and the crew began to freak out as an invisible wave reached them. Ghostly moans began to whisper and heard on the ship.

"I hear voices?"

"What is this?"

"A… A ghost?!" several of them even saw ghastly apparition appear, grinning them with an awful visage.

"Now then admiral, he can feel malicious intent and react awfully to it. Please don't anger him, for the sake of all of us. Please, at least near him, restrain what you think."

Seeing Kurumi's expression which hinted her seriousness, and being hit by that awful feeling, the Admiral can't help but shrug; a cold wind washed over his shoulders, like a pair of invisible hands touched him, leaving a bloody handprint on the back of his jacket.

"Just make sure the brat will do his work, I care not about the rest. If he goes out of hand, I will put him down for good."

'You are not nice…' Suddenly, the next sentence invaded Sakazuki's mind, making the man shudder and look around.

"Of course, that's only natural…" Nodding vigorously, the bandaged lady felt a tugging feeling on her coat; the kid watched her expectantly.

"Oh, you want more sweet? How do we ask it nicely?" even bandaged, her smile seemed motherly, emitted the warm one might expect from such person, and her feelings seemingly transmitted to the little guy.

Immediately, the voice of a child entered her mind.

'Please, give me sweet, mother…'

"Good boy…" she patted his head, giving him some sweet from her pocket. Immediately, the little guy recognized her prosthetic arm.

'I am sorry…' his voice was sorrowful, feeling awful about his lack of control.

"Ah, don't bother with it. What's an arm compared to your happiness? By the way, why not use your voice? It is more pleasant."

'Sorry, it is easier to speak like this. Less noisy. Do I fix it to you?' he pointed at her arm in the end.

"You can do that now?"

He just simply nodded, giving a smile under his helmet. 'I learn, every day. Gain more and more control. It is still noisy, but it gets better over time… the voices still loud though.'

"What do they say?"

'They want me to do things… one says awfull things, and want me to do evil things. The second says you are just using me for your own end. Both urged me to break free and find a pale lady I often see in my dreams.'

"A pale lady?" Kurumi's expression turned more rigid and serious. "I hope you don't believe those voices, you know they are not real…"

'Yes, I always say it to them. After saying it, ignoring them long enough, and taking my medicine, they usually go away… it helps…'

His voice was still fractured, but it was a lot clearer than the first time he started to speak with her. He rarely speaks, or interact with anyone else, but Kurumi and Vegapunk. Naturally, a few scientists also reported hearing his voice in their head, but they were quickly relocated.

Kurumi, naturally kept this well secret, outside of her, only Vegapunk know about this ability. It was evident how much the head scientist the WG trusted her to appoint her to PZ-1 caretaker. It was apparent how much her self-proclaimed love meant to her.

No researchers would be willing to work near — as they call it — the "thing" if they get wind it can read most people's mind — those with little to no mental resistance — from a distance, through the insulation field. It will cause a massive drop in their staff members if it gets out. That, considering the hazard of this job would be quite unfortunate.

"Hmm, I see. I am glad…" she patted his head once more. "About my arm. Thank you, but actually, I like this arm better. It is a lot more functional than the old was…"

'I did well?'

The small boy watched her with an unknown expression on his face.

"Hmm, no, I would say no, because you damage the equipment, but you were not bad either. Next time, please watch out those impulses; those devices are quite expensive."

'I see, can I still get sweets?'

"Very well. You deserve it." offering it from her open palm, the little pebble started to float, passing through the restraint helmet like it was not even there.

'Yummy…'

"Now, let's speak about your task."

'Will it, makes mommy happy?'

"Hmm, very much…" she hummed with an innocent expression. "There are bad people there…" she pointed at the closing Whitebeard fleet. "They hurt many good people. They need to be punished."

'They were bad?'

"Umu! Pretty much! Your task will be to punish them once I give the signal. Easy, right…?"

The boy just nodded, understanding his task.

'Go, now?'

"No, once I say so, my dear. If you do this task right, we can visit those kids in the lab. For now, please try to sense how many people are in those ships."

Like a giddy boy of his age, the good news made the boy jump up and down in happiness. The whole ship shook and trembled under the uncontrolled impulses of his. Immediately after that, he was doing his job.

Sakazuki just shrugged, going back to do his work.

"Admiral, one more word…"

"Hmmm?"

"Once I say the word, please withdraw your forces, immediately. We don't want unnecessary collateral damage."

"Just what do you think, who are you to order me. The Admiral of the Navy around!? Don't you feel you will lose your head?! You whore!"

His tone was definitely, pissed off. How dare this trollop order him around!?

"Wha, What's happening? Admiral, help!"

Immediately a certain pressure descended on the whole crew, guns pointed at the Admiral, fully loaded and ready to fire. All his team with weak mental resistances affected. Weapons are laying around loosely also raised, loaded themselves. The floating blades started to emit a strange glow, giving Akainu a sense of danger. Every people in the ship felt their movement became sluggish.

"Admiral, please. We don't want any unnecessary collateral damage. I ask you, please, withdraw your forces when I ask you. Else, I will be forced to practice my authorities the Empty Throne, and Commander in Chief Kong bestowed me."

Akainu was conflicted. He knows it very well; if he destroys this lady and the brat, he will be condemned as a traitor, the enemy of justice. But he can't help but had an awful feeling coming from that kid; his instinct told, no! Screamed to him to destroy the child now, and deal with Ace and the rest with his own hands, or he will regret it later.

"Hmph! Fine then, but one bad move, and I will crush both of you. For the sake of justice, I will put you down!"

"Duly noted, Admiral. Now then, be a good doggy, and do your job."

Fuming, the Admiral retreated, for now. And the pressure immediately lessened, the Marines with weak mental resistance regained control and collapsed, and many weapons clanged on the deck, losing their hue.

"Thank you; it was, impressive; I did not know you already have so much control."

'Said. Learning…'

The duo turned back, watching the warships before them. Naturally, the Admiral's flagship was several rows back. Command ships out of defensive and command structure reasons rarely sail at the front line.

"I don't like this…" muttered Kurumi, biting her index finger. Those ships come too straight for her liking; something was not right…

'Mother…' PZ-1 pulled her sleeves.

"Hmm, what's the matter, did you found something odd?"

'Yes…'

…

Some time passed, and the Whitebeard fleet was on the line of fire.

'Bang! Bang! Bang!'

The front cannons of the Navy Warships fired ceaselessly, caring not about any life, or the fact they might damage any vital target.

"Hmm…" Akauni huffed, watching the scene with contempt. He felt no pity for those bastards. It was too easy to act himself or send any of his vice commanders to take care of them, and all in all, it would be too reckless. Why should he go, when he can blow them to smithereens from the far.

For now, the most he will do is to wait until they reach closer, and attempt to board them.

"Aghhh!" one by one, the defending pirates fall. Their ships still strode forward without stop, not even slowing for a moment.

The ships of the Whitebeard fleet were sturdy ones, Edward Newgate made sure his every vessel made from the best material, reinforced in the right places to be able to rip through an enemy of the ship if the commander decided to ram the enemy.

Their usual tactic was this. Speed near the enemy, board them, then either capture them overwhelming the opposition with sheer numbers or sink the enemy ships with broadside cannons. And considering the sheer size of their vessels and the barrels they had on their side, this was the most logical plan for each encounter.

He felt something was off though, although the enemy fired back. Their numbers were less than he expected, a lot less he might say, he barely spotted any movement on the deck. Thought, maybe most of them hid in the belly of the ship, sparing their numbers and strength for close quarter combat.

"Something is wrong…"

The cannon fire went on and off. But neither side seemed to care much about this; they just get closer and closer to each other without caring about the causalities.

And then…

"What are they doing?"

"Is they increase their speed?"

The Marines started to feel uneasy in the first rows, seeing the ever closing, and speeding humongous ships.

"Increase the fire rate!"

"Stop them!"

"Brace for impact!"

"Diversion maneuvers!"

Many commands went up and down, and numerous rookie Marine panicked. Only their superiors who experienced various battles kept them in line.

The Whitebeard fleet advancement was too sudden, with the ships behind their back the Marines had no time to move out from the way.

"Brace for impact!"

Most ships and their crew in the front rows of the attack line prepared themselves for the coming impact. It was not unusual the pirates use such a tactic, and Akainu directly ordered expendable ships he would have decommissioned soon to take the front rows, equipping them less manpower than other vessels. Even if those pirates destroy them, it will be not a significant loss.

'Crash!'

The battle went on, but as Akainu first expected, something was off. The pirates barely exerted any effort to board them, and it was strangely off why their number was so scarce. According to the reports, their numbers supposed to be higher than this, a lot higher, as well, the number of ships was also gappy. It was around half he expected.

"Dammit…"

"Admiral, look!"

"What is it!?"

"They! They are speeding up! They are pushing our own ships against our lines!"

"Dammit! I know something was off! Evasive maneuver! Keep those damn wreckages out from us!" he gives the order, but Kurumi already made her decision.

"Hold the line Admiral, hold it at all cost!"

"Wha- How dare! What are you doing you crazy bitch!"

"Upon my authority, I order you, hold the line, and turn the ships 180 degrees. Prepare to move forward when the enemy appears."

"What do you say? Our back will be completely exposed to cannon fire and those wreckages if we do that? And what enemy, the enemy is before…?" The Admiral remained silent for a moment, grabbing his handheld communication snail.

"Where is that damn submarine division? Report!"

'Static shizzle!'

"Those crafty bastards…!"

He started to glimpse what happened, despite their best efforts, the enemy managed to scramble their communication lines somehow, and either divert, destroy or evade their submarines in short order. But that can't be! There was no way Whitebeard…

"That bastard equipped his ships before the war…" his arm started to boil, and poor snail-like creature can only vail for a moment before cooked alive. "Dammit!"

Subs were somewhat new things in warfare, and the ones the navy used were extra expensive. It was impossible to cover the whole area with submarines; even the Navy would go bankrupt with such endeavor. Also, the waters underneath them turn muddy under the chaos of the battle; without radar, it was impossible to detect other ships underwater. And there were a few good methods to hide the ships from detection.

"But where are they?"

As the Admiral asked this, the Whitebeard ships got dangerously close, pushing on and on the Marine ships forward to the main line. "Admiral, if we not move…"

'Boom! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!'

At the next moment, the almost emptied Whitebeard ships self-detonated. Destroying the marine ships near them, and crippling the closest vessels. Some completely crippled, unable to move anymore, some slightly damaged. The pushed wreckages accelerated the process as the carried powder detonated, vomiting further waves of wooden, and iron shrapnel.

"Aggh!"

"My arm!"

"My leg!"

The pirates were prepared, filling their ships with explosives, and items functioned as shrapnel once the ships detonated, tearing apart many brave marines, or injuring them severely.

'Fhvum! Fhvum! Fhvum!'

Around Akainu a few rookie marines immediately died or got injured. Only those with Haki, experience to dance away from the way of the explosively accelerating shrapnel, adequate devil fruit, and standing in a protected zone survived.

"Status report!" Sakazuki barked angry, the holes on his body immediately filling up with lava and formed anew.

"Our ranks suffered heavy casualties Admiral! Many of our freshmen injured, not combat able."

"Dammit!"

Looking in the direction of Kurumi and the brat, they still stood motionless, completely calm. The woman lighted a smoke, puffing it leisurely.

Around them, the deck was like a slice of swiss cheese, everywhere, except a half circular place around them — where the area was like some kind of bubble protected them and the rest of the scientist team and CP agents behind them — the ground and environment was charred.

"Hmm, so you say, they are underneath us?" Kurumi sipped her expensive cigar, puffing out the smoke lazily.

'Yes…'

She just smiled, chuckling low. "Oh, how sly of you, Firefist, Jozu the diamond, and the rest… you did well notifying me back then. Who knows, maybe they could even get away in confusion."

Watching them, Akainu started to shiver, not because of the kid, but because of the feeling, he got from that woman. Her smile signed the battle would end soon, not a way one might expect at first.

"Admiral, order your forces. Whatever happens next, don't act, even if it's Firefist or any division commander that appears. Hold your soldiers back! Move not an inch! Don't let them provoke you!"

"What are you planning?"

"Just a little bit demonstration…" she said only that much, watching the set holographic watch on her prosthetic.

"Calculating their possible speed underwater, adding the variables, yes!" her eyes flashed in a mad glee.

"Ten seconds."

"Nine, eight, seven…" she counted slowly, then gave one last look to PZ-1, a motherly smile one might not expect from a crazy scientist like her.

"Yūrei, go, let's play with them. It is time, show them, your grace…"

'Is those people want to play? What if I make them mad too? You know what happened last time. I was scolded by Mr. Vegapunk. All those kids, they don't play with me anymore. They must be mad at me. They just laid all around in pieces, ignoring me completely.'

Kurumi remembered the accident. It was the first time they tried to introduce a PZ-1 unit to other kids to give at least one of them some foundation, and emotional training.

It was too easy to figure out what happened; they needed to thoroughly clean, and disinfect the whole room after the accident. A few from their staff right away requested their relocation, which, afterward came with their elimination.

"Don't worry about it, dear. They want to play. Besides, they killed many of our friends. They are bad people. You don't have to worry even if you break a few of them."

'Bad?' innocently, PZ-1 asked, seemingly, he did not know this word at all.

"Bad means, they did wrong things with our friends, dear. Their acts were less than desired. But, let's give them another chance. Go, let's play them. Don't worry about holding back… they are quite sturdy fellows."

The scientist lady patted his shoulders, and the boy nodded. Immediately his legs left the ground, an invisible force started to move his body up in the air and forward.

"What the…" several items also started to float upward, like gravity not even affected them. And just like that, the boy leisurely floated, floated and floated until a point. 'Fhowm!' disappeared for a moment, then blinking into existence into a different place.

'You can't hide! I see you! Let's play!'

Tendrils of darkness and light started to materialize, forming small wings on his back. And for a moment, nothing happened. Just when PZ-1 raised his oversized sleeves the water underneath him started to tremble.

'Rise! I found you!'

"What the…!"

Akainu and his crew saw many things, the red dog of the Navy even know an admiral candidate who had a similar ability — gravity manipulation. But this, this was absurd in a whole new level.

"A whole block of water, in such size?"

The gap remained after the removed humongous block of water quickly closed, creating great waves almost flipped even the huge warships positioned at least several kilometers away.

"Their ships! All of them in that water block!" many Marine gasped, brushing their eyes, thinking it was some kind of mirage.

"Hmm…" Kurumi made notes in her notebook, smiling satisfied. "His growth is astonishing! After so many failures, we finally have a breakthrough! Vegapunk-sama will be elated!"

Yes, indeed, the missing Whitebeard ships tried to sneak away underwater. Using scrambling equipment Whitebeard got before the war, using, secure channels to blind the submarines and taking advantage out of the chaos, and the detonation caused to get away.

It would have worked flawlessly, if not PZ-1 around. From his supernatural senses, such measly methods can't protect. From magic, the psychic capabilities of an Esper, and the overcharged supernatural senses Angel's blood granted PZ-1, hardly anyone can hide — even if the latter three things were still in the maturing stage, it provided enough feedback for the young man to sense several humongous ships passing underwater easily.

"Is he, freezing it!?"

In the next moment, a transparent crystal shell started to form around the humongous bubble of water, enclosing it in a diamond-hard ice.

'Pretty…' thought Yūrei with a fascinated expression under his helmet, and then…

'Shake! Shake! Shake!'

Like a kid who gets his hands on a snow globe, or more like a Yo-Yo, PZ-1, Aka, Yūrei shook his clenched fist, and the water filled "snowglobe" followed custom floating in the air, making many Whitebeard ship collide in the chaos inside, crashing against the hard outer shell and each other. A twister started to form, increasing the confusion even more.

Their Seastone coating, the reinforced body, and the air bubble protected the vessel from seawater still held itself despite the violent treatment, as it was extra sturdy, but if this goes on, they will inevitably break each other to smithereens.

"What the hell!?"

"What's happening?"

Jozu, Ace, Marco and the rest of the former Whitebeard pirates could barely get a hold on the deck. Many of their comrades already fell out from the thin layer of the oxygen bubble, suffocating. The ones with devil fruits right away lost all their strength, drowning, like a heavy rock.

"Ace! What's happening?"

"Do you think I know? I am just as confused as you!"

If you think, it was some kind of Super Tier ability PZ-1 used, you are wrong. It was a simple telekinesis. Telekinesis was the most basic Esper class ability back in the game — worked like a specialized mage hand in DND — and being Yūrei originated from Angel's DNA — from the person who was one of the strongest, if not the strongest Esper back in the game with World Champion title and classes — even in his flawed, incomplete state he could do this easily.

As for the shell, it was simple ice formed through extreme reactions, reinforced, held together, and compressed to its utmost limit by supernatural forces.

To resist, or even try to block psychic skills, one needed the have the necessary resistance value against reality warping, and supernatural effects and skills. Also, anyone without mental resistances was a sheep before the hungry lion once they meet an Esper class character.

Now, Ace or anyone with high enough Haki control might resist simple telekinesis or other low tier abilities for a certain level. But being the water had no will of its own, being it was just a physical object, a mass of the lifeless particle, no matter the mass, or the quantity, it can be easily manipulated as the user willed it.

All it of it took from PZ-1's part to control that huge mass, and form the ice shell around it was concentration. A matter of processing capability that was needed to process the reality equations necessary for every Esper skills and ability.

Trapped in the water bubble which formed a huge sphere high in the air. Ace and the rest was like fish washed on the shores. If they could not give the environment resistance, or will of its own which can resist this effect, they would be mercilessly crushed by the Whitebeard ships continuously collided against each other, and the outer layer. Yanked left and right by both the twister formed inside and the centrifugal force PZ-1 generated by playing Yo-Yo with the sphere.

"Ace!"

"Thinking!" Ace roared back, grinding hard both his brain and his teeth. His body might be made from fire, but the air bubble around their ship strained dangerously, it was on the verge to burst.

"Head Researcher Kurumi! What the heck is this!? Who is that kid?!" On his ship, Akainu grabbed the woman's shirt, bringing her close to his smoking face. "Answer me! What kind of monster you created!"

Immediately, the CP agents and the PX units prepared themselves. Having the order to protect the head researcher at all cost, they hesitated not, not even against an Admiral.

"Admiral Akainu, stand down! In the name of the Empty Throne and the World Government, I order you! Let go Head Researcher Kurumi!" one of the agents warned him, but the admiral did not respond, just glared daggers with the apathetically staring woman. It was evident she was not scared at all. From her face completely missing the common, scared to death expression Sakazuki was so accustomed of.

'Suuu…' she huffed out the smoke from her mouth, directly into the Admiral's face.

"I said to you Admiral, don't you remember?" the Admiral let her go, and she dusted her lab coat leisurely, turning back towards the "battlefield." "He is our best hope. The catalyst of our evolution."

In her artificial eyes, the light of want, the view of curiosity and regret lit anew. So many sorrow, so many tries, so many hope, she experienced all of it, just as her research crew. Just as every deceased, and survivor members of the staff. They know too well what would entail if they simply give up. The consequences most likely would be apocalyptic.

"We failed so many times; we restarted so many times. We sacrificed so much to let this chance go! Our every attempt was a failure before. But after every fall, we learned new things, a new path opened! We stood right back, and continued our path… pushing further and further ahead."

Before her eyes, the numerous death, and the times when they had to discard the specimen flashed.

"And we tried, and we tried, and we tried. Over and over and over again… And here he is now." with an open palm, Kurumi reached forward, trying to grab the bouncing floating orb in the far.

"I wonder, what she would say seeing our efforts — seeing him. Would be she angry about what we had done? Enraged? Furious? Would she destroy us right away? Or proud we managed to recreate one of her own. Her own blood and flesh…" pulling back her hand, she continued to take notes.

Amidst writing intensely, Kurumi mumbled all of this and was both terrified and giddy like a schoolgirl. Indeed, it was one of her greatest desire to know; what was the opinion of the "original" one about their work. But, she did not want to showcase PZ-1 yet, they still so much work to do. Once presented, she wants to show him in his best.

'Ugh…'

"What happened?"

PZ-1 grabbed his chest; it was evident he had some kind of seizure. 'Cough! Cough! Cough!'

Only thanks to the blood collector installed in his helmet he could throw up, it was evident the creators of the mask expected something like this would happen.

"Oh…" Kurumi just sighed disappointedly. "Yes, it is too early for him; he is still not battle tested…"

Amidst his violent coughs, Yūrei lost his concentration, and the surface of the water globe started to ripple violently, the ice crackled and started to fracture, and like when you pop a soap bubble, it burst apart, vomiting sharp ice islands, pouring all the water back in the ocean.

'Splash! Crash!'

Millions of gallons of water crashed back in the sea, causing mighty waves — thousands of tons of ships fallen back, crashing against the hard surface of the water. Evidently, only a few ships survived, or, better said not fall apart right away.

Barely breathing, Ace gasped for air. A few crewmembers managed to resuscitate him before dying.

"Ar-Are we survived?"

Looking around, many of his comrade missing, or their bodies lying around bloodied and dead, torn apart, or plastered to mincemeat. The missing either dead suffocated in the water, killed by one of the stray projectiles the deadly twister throw around, or utterly crushed by the sheer force of collisions with other objects the water carried.

Under the sheer gravitation pressure, centrifugal force and every other impact coming in the calculation, even their fishmen members could hardly survive. Most who tried to get out from the bubble by swimming through the storm and tried their luck in the water either pasted into mincemeat when two ships meet, turned into swiss cheese when the revolving projectiles hit them, realized there is no way out meeting the diamond-like ice wall, or even, simply failed to reach the outer wall of the globe at all.

Strangely, this bubble constructed that way not to let anyone escape without the proper piercing power. Even Jozu could hardly crack the outer layer.

"Barely…" Marco stood up, drenched completely; he felt horrible. A deep gash visible on his side. Even with his powers, immersed in seawater weakened his regenerative abilities considerably.

"What the heck was this!?" Vista roared enraged, strapping back his words on his side. His head is bleeding badly, barely a few of his crewmates alive around him.

He was on a separate ship than his comrades traveled, planning to leave with his crew the shortest way possible when all went shit.

"What are they waiting for? We are fully open…" Vista did not like the sight came before him. Not at all! Those Navy warships just waited there, not even moving an inch since the whole thing started.

"Captain! Something is in the air?"

"Is that a kid?"

Many survivor members already recognized the figure floating in the air, clothed in a restraint jacket which was strangely too big for him.

'Gulp. Wheeze. Wheeze…' PZ-1 breathed heavy, under his restraint helmet his face was full of perspiration. His eyes and nose are bleeding. 'My head. Hurt. The voices… too loud! I need to land.'

"Who is that kid…" Marco gritted his teeth. The kid was strangely familiar to him.

Before it all started, when the water began to move strangely around them, he saw this kid floating in the air. At first, he thought nothing about him, believing him as a simple mirage. But now, out of the water, he started to worry, he had a bad feeling about this.

'Touch…' PZ-1 landed on the deck Ace, Jozu, Marco and a few survivors stationed, and all of them just stared him.

Breathing heavy, and sitting down to catch his breath, the kid started to speak.

"Hello. I am PZ-1-13. Or as mom used to call me, Yūrei, it is nice to see you." his voice was gentle, but a little bit coarse thanks to the blood he caught up.

Innocently, PZ-1 bowed forward, cross-legged, and the people around just stared him confused.

"Who is the kid?"

"Why is he wearing that helmet?"

"Ace, I have an awful feeling…" Marco whispered to Firefist, and the captain had to agree. Since he spotted that kid, he can't help but shiver.

"Thank you, to playing with Me." like a good child; he bowed once more.

"Playing? What the hell are you speaking about the boy?"

"It is called, Yo-yo, right…?" collecting some water in his hand, starting to play with it once more the same way. "It was fun, more fun than sitting in that gloomy box mother always tell me to stay…"

Everyone just stared at him in disbelief, unable to believe what he said, most even smiled on the very idea such a small kid was able to do such a thing, and decimate their crew and forces this way.

It was maybe just to calm themselves after such a humiliating escape attempt; it gave them some kind of a relief to think and joke around with such an absurd thing that such a small child was able to do this. But for a few, it was a real possibility, the few who saw him floating outside of the bubble, a few who was able to spot him waving his arm around like some kind of maestro started to feel just how much danger his mere existence entail.

"Kid…" Jozu stepped before the kid, on his face a dour expression. "I hope you can explain yourself. Do you have any idea what have you done!? You killed thousands of people! How could you do this to us?!"

Yūrei just tilted his head, looking around. "Sorry… I am sleepy now… can I go to sleep now? I… I start to feel tired…"

"Sorry? Sleepy!? Tired!?" Jozu's started to see red hearing this. "Is that all you can say!? You killed them! What kind of monster capable of killing in cold blood!?"

He grabbed the boy's jacket and raised him without resistance. "What kind of monster you are?"

"But, mother said, you are bad, and I can play with you… monster? What that word means?"

"What!?" Jozu backed for a moment, unable to believe what he hears.

"Kid, I think, your "mother" misled you…" Marco stepped forward, still angry. But if what the kid said is true, then it was not him to blame, but the Navy who brainwash a kid this way.

"Misled?" Yūrei tilted his head; there were so many words he knows not the meaning of.

"Lied…"

"No, she would never… YOU ARE THE ONE LYING! SHE WAS RIGHT! YOU ARE BAD!"

Jozu felt pushed back and crashed into the wreckage, PZ-1 immediately started to float.

"Kid! Listen to me! Those people of the Navy and the World Government lied to you! They want to use you as a weapon! Don't believe their lies! They always do the same thing, manipulate people and turn them on each other! Believe me; they are not as good as you may think about them."

Ace was aware, this was a horrible idea, but to save his crew, he would have done anything, even risking to make an attempt to invite this kid in their ranks. Seeing his power, most likely he was their only chance to survive and get away.

"Come with us! We will show you the world! We will…!" Ace offered his hand, but the boy's next sentence stopped him.

"You… I feel you are not lying. But… then mother… she as well not lying. I, I am confused…"

Grabbing his head, an absolute pressure started to build up in his head, and around him. The whole ship and the surrounding environment shook, creating terrible waves and creating a storm, several lighting colored black and white charred the ship's deck. Even Akainu command ship hit by the waves, shaking.

"Why! Why! Why!? MY head! ENOUGH! ENOUGH! ENOUGH! ENOUGH! I HAD ENOUGH! STOP SHOUTING! YOU BURSTing MY HEAD!"

Under his helmet, his eyes filled with blood, and an immense psychic might started to gather in his body.

"Shit! Ace!"

"Fire on him!"

"No!" Ace cried out and tried to block the projectiles with his body, but it was too late, one by one, the remained pirates started to fire missiles both with their remained cannons and guns. Yet, it was all without avail, as all of them stopped by a barrier, grabbed by an invisible hand.

"I KNEW IT! YOU JUST WANT TO HURT ME! The voices were right! Mother was right! You are really…" a drop of tear rolled on his cheek. "… are bad. AHHHHHHH!"

Like a banshee, Yūrei cried out in pain, immediately knocking down every pirate, firing back every projectile twice as strong as it was shot on him.

"Ugh!" their numbers dropped once more, many cannon fodder pirate immediately died and annihilated.

"Sorry kid!" Jozu immediately came. 'Crash!' his punch shook the whole ship, making the PZ-1 head-butt the boat, slightly cracking his helmet.

"This will do. Ace…"

Strangely, the dread-filled Jozu, as a presence raised behind him once more.

"I HATE YOU!"

Jozu felt his every bone breaking like frail cookies, blood filling his internal organs. He was too late to strengthen his body with his power and Haki. His Kenbunshoku Haki was only a second late to warn him for the danger.

"Ugh!" 'Pak!' he has blasted away who knows where. His landing will not be pleasant; wherever he will land in the water or land, it would be a miracle if he survived this endeavor.

"You bastard!" the approaching cannon fodder's bone broke, their bodies torn apart, evaporated right away. Without haki, devil fruit powers and resistances to protect them, they were annihilated under a moment.

"What have you done! I will cut you apart!" Vista was there right, away, with his epithet curly mustache, fuming, red eyes, he really offered a menacing picture.

The man wasted no time, seeing his colleague and most likely former friend's sad fate. He attacked with all his might and technique. Before his eyes the kid every move was apparent, his blades pitch black from the haki he infused them.

'Slash! Slash! Slash!' deep gashes come to exist under his storm of the blade, spouting black blood with a golden outline.

"Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!"

The kid just bore with the storm with raised hand for a few seconds, then jumped away, grabbing a sword from the ground sluggishly.

"Hmph! Do you think you can challenge me with that!? Sorry kid! But I can't give you that chance! You will die today!"

"Vista! Come back! We had to flee! I had an awful feeling!"

"Flee, where?! If you don't recognize it, we are surrounded. Our only chance if we fight together, or someone holds the line."

A sad smile forced on Vista's face, watching his friends one last time.

"Ace, Marco, everyone, flee! I will hold him back!"

Vista is willing to sacrifice his life, ready to make this last stand for his friend. "Come on!" thus, he charged, thus he cut the kid over and over again. He would have won; only one thing blocked his way.

'Clang! Clang! Clang!' After each strike, more and more of his attacks blocked, and in some way, PZ-1 started to get on par with him. In every other day, it would be impossible as he was a famous swordsman, many said almost on par with Mihawk.

But this kid! This devil started to learn how to fight with a sword slowly, and was on almost a point after a few minutes to keep up, and almost overwhelm him. One of PZ-1 hand, held a third-grade blade he picked up, surrounded by a black miasma, a second formed from pure white light energy carried by the other, continuously cracking the Haki coating Vista infused his blades with. If he is not careful and refreshes the coat continually, his swords would snap at two under a moment.

Ace, Marco, and the rest tried to help him, but an invisible hand grabbed them and threw them to the water — or right away crushed their bones. Their comrades still trying to save them.

"How this is possible!?"

"Grrr…" from Yūrei's cracked helmet one of his eyes clearly visible. It looked quite unnatural, a glowing yellow eye with red strokes, a black sclera visible around it. From his eye, his black colored, golden outlined blood continuously flowed.

"I need to end this quickly! This kid… he is learning as he fights! He will be a troublesome opponent if we let him go!"

"Rose Rond!" Activating his secret technique, Vista jumped back, making rapid strikes, hitting the kid hard, slicing him continuously.

He was fast; even the freshly resuscitated Marco was barely able to keep his eyes on him. Naturally, he had other things to do; they needed to make sure to find a way to escape. Even if he goes to help now, he would only hinder Vista, from the seawater, he felt like shit.

"Just die already!" the kid was somehow able to block his strikes with the third-grade sword he just picked up.

Any other similar garbage sword would have snapped at two long ago under the crushing strikes of the commander of the 5th division. But not the kid's, he was surrounded with some kind of weird haki that wanted to grab Vista's swords with each time their swords meet. The other was so hot it even cracked the haki coating of Vista's swords and endangered the weapon's integrity.

PZ-1 skin was unnaturally thought like it would be infused with Haki everywhere. Vista can only slash him really bad a few times.

'Clang! Clang! Clang!'

In the next moment, darkness emerged, blocking Vista's strikes, repelling them. And PZ-1 only needed this much opening.

'Punch! Slash!'

Teleporting before him. Yūrei punched Vista's chest with his small hand surrounded by golden light, making his chest to collapse inward. "Ugh!"

'Slash! Slash! Slash!' his body filled with cuts, and two huge spectral arms emerged grabbing Vista's arms.

"Agghhhh!" the bones in his arms broke into smithereens, then both limbs were torn out from its place with just one move.

'Tear!'

"H-How…" trembling, refusing to fall, Vista lost his consciousness, his eyes turning backward, both of his arms missing, his swords lying on the side broken to pieces.

PZ-1 only walked to him. "Thank you, I learned much…" he bowed before Vista, giving him the respect before the man fallen on his back unconscious.

"PZ-1, please be a good boy and capture the rest!" came the order through a loudspeaker, and Yūrei compelled to follow it — even in the verge of collapse, his massive blood loss and death, it was his mother voice after all.

"I… don't feel so good…" he basically limped forward, heavyweights on his eyelids.

'Step…'

In that time, Ace and the rest managed to reclaim Vista's body, and the still living crewmembers started to tend his wounds.

"Not good, his lungs collapsed completely… multiple internal damages. If we do not cauterize his wounds he will bleed out."

The situation was dire, and that monster made its steps very slowly. "Sorry, mother said so…" 'blech…' "Once more, PZ-1 vomited blood; his body is on the verge to fall apart, his seastone alloy masks heavily cracked.

"Ace… get as many away here as you can… I…" Ace started to have enough, first Jozu, then Vista, all those people sacrificing themselves just to save him.

"You idiot!" he scolded the bloodied Marco — not as he would fare better, even helping Vista, they were thrown around like ragdolls.

"…" Marco looked away defeated; it was the end of the line for all of them.

Ace turned back the kid with a resolute expression.

"If I surrender to you, will you spare the rest?"

"Ace…"

"I…"

"Don't you dare!"

In the next moment, Akainu landed on the deck, drenched in lava, in the background the Navy warships closed in rapidly, and many Marines already was in the boats to capture the few remained pirates floating in the waters.

"Akainu…" Marco spat with all the contempt he could muster. "Of course, who else willing to go this far just to capture us? What kind of monster your Government created this time."

"Not your concern, filth! Surrender now, and you will be taken into custody, attack, and I will crush you in the name of justice. Either way, you lost."

Marco looked away, watching the kid pleading for a moment.

"Kid, listen to me, he is a madman! Help us!"

"I…"

"Now you can speak, eh, you mutt! Go back to that crazy bitch and let me do my work."

PZ-1 wanted to kill this man; a deep hatred rose into his gullet. But he swallowed it, what would she say if he attacks him? He was directly told not to attack him. Everyone, but him… Aside from that, he was tired. Very tired, a strange feeling of emptiness filled his mind, and the voices slowly started to quiet, and disappear.

Teleporting back to the command ship, Kurumi welcomed him.

"I, did well?" he asked one last time.

"You did good, little one."

"I am glad…" immediately, the kid started to cough, intense amount of blood leaving his body. "It hurts! It hurts so much!" literally clawing his neck, PZ-1 started to suffocate in his own blood.

"Tch! His cellular structure eroding faster than we expected!" pulling out a seastone injector, the scientist injected him with a strange fluid.

"Ugh, ugh…" PZ-1 started to suffocate, and the scientist jumped in action, removing the cracked restraint helmet and collar immediately.

His expression pain-filled, his skin grey and black. His messy white hair is falling out in lumps like he got some kind of radiation poisoning.

Every Marine saw the child's face trembled. It was the face of a human child, yet different. Half of his mouth filled with sharp teeth, half with normal ones, twisted, like his face stopped in the midst of a demonic transformation, one side of his mouth reached almost to his right ear, filled with normal, and needle-like teeth.

"Dammit! Cellular death comes faster than expected! Start the data extraction!"

Scientist jumped into work, placing a strange machine in his head. Suffering, convulsing constantly, PZ-1 stopped for a moment, saying said his last words.

"Mother… I feel, so cold. The voices have gone silent…"

His body started to go limp, and a silent 'Pak' resounded from his brain…

'Pak!'

Kurumi stood up, shaking her head before lighting a smoke with a trembling hand. It was evident she was angry.

"Tch! Even with constant stabilization fluid intake, degradation is just too fast. Constant stress and damage just accelerate the process! We need to find a way to stabilize him even stressed environment."

"What now, Kurumi-sama? Do we notify Vegapunk-sama about our failure?"

The woman just watched the egghead, shaking her head with a passive expression turning slowly to a smile.

"It was not entirely a failure. We managed to collect many valuable data. Oh, if we just have a clean blood sample from subject zero or even some blood marrow, our work would be light years easier. Then we would not need to suffer with a few skin pieces, hairbreadth or with that stained blood sample she left behind after the war to clone specimens."

"The samples we already running thin…"

"That's true, but I don't think Subject Zero would willingly give us any of that if she knew what we are doing. Rather than that, I think she would right away annihilate us."

"Well…" the woman snickered sinisterly. "We don't know if we won't ask, don't we?"

On this thought, the scientist behind her shuddered, not even able to imagine asking Angel — whatever was she — to willingly donate bone marrow and blood knowing the purpose they are using it.

'Bang!'

"Huh?" looking in the direction of the Whitebeard wreckage, Kurumi could only blink seeing the smoke and fire. "That idiot Admiral and the rest. Can't they solve the thing without fighting, eh?"

…

'Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!' the Admiral's fist bathed in lava, but the figure held his rapier steady, barely bothered by the terrifying heat emitted from the man.

"Who the heck are you!? Why are you standing in our way!?" Akainu roared infuriated, unable to understand where this strange figure came from.

'Crash!'

Pushing the unknown person back, then hitting in his way. His fist only reached the air as the anonym person jumped back agile. Akainu's flaming fist right away cracked two the already damaged ship with a big crash.

"Ohohohoho!~" laughing jolly, the person landed acrobatic on the other side. Smoke and fire covered the area, slowly revealing a figure in a thick trench coat. "Stand against you? Good admiral? Sorry to disappoint you, but I stand, not against you…~" his voice carried a heavy accent, anyone from Earth may say it was French.

"Then why are you attacked my men and me? Why are you blocking our path to take these pirates in custody? Are you the enemy of justice, if that's the case, you will be put down as well!" Akainu's arms started to bubble, and transform to lava once more, increasing the heat to the utmost limit.

"Oh, justice, such an interesting word, and it can be interpreted so widely. Hmm! My muuuseee~! I like it, but so bad, our point of views so different. We can't interpret it in the same way. Oh! Such tragedy!~" like an actor with over exaggerated motions, he played his act, enraging Akainu, and confusing the people around even more.

"You damn clown! Get back here and fight!"

His face covered by a scarf, his upper face by the shadows the fedora dropped on it, it was evident he positioned in a way so that no one can see his face. A look that had a weird egg shape from Akainu's point of view.

"What do you mean? Fighting you? Dear Admiral? Sorry, I did not come to fight! Although, I am surreeee….~!" the man made a gesture with his glove covered hand that only contained four digits, and each digit was weirdly long. "It would be legendary…"

This figure started to get on Akainu's nerves. First, he appears out of nowhere before he and his men could detain Ace and the pirates, blocking their way with his swordsmanship and injuring many of his men. Then refusing to reveal who he is, and why he is here!

Whoever this figure was, he had an awful skill with his rapier and throwing daggers. Under a few moments, he managed to turn the tide, only out of Akainu, and a few Vice Admirals were around the criminals not escaped yet.

"Unfortunately, my dear Admiral, our goals, and view of justice are different. I serve my master's. Meanwhile, you serve your own feeling of justice, isn't that exciting? Hmmm~! Such a tragedy! But also, this is what makes it all worth!~ There are many truths and opinions, and when two collides, legends, and new stories born!"

Meanwhile, the Marines struggled to get away from the burning wreckage as far as they can; they know too well what happens when Akainu starts to fight.

"Enough of your crap! I will break your face, then get Ace and the rest in custody! Whatever it cost…" Akainu was resolute; he will do anything to get his hot hands the remains of the Whitebeard pirates.

"Ah…" the man grabbed his fedora dramatic, shaking his head. "Unfortunately, my dear Admiral, our time is short. But I am sure; when the time comes, we meet again."

"Hmph! Do you really think you can get away? Do you really think anyone will save you? Don't be a fool, surrender, and I will consider bringing you before the judges. You are surrounded, thousands of Marines and Cp awaiting my command, just a click away. No matter how good you are, you and those lackeys behind you can't escape!"

"Ohohohoho!~" the man laughed full-hearted. "This is why you are my perfect match, cher admiral!~ Your willingness, focus, and attachment make it all worth coming all this way! But you are wrong now, because, I am more than able not only to get away but doing it in style!" the strange figure pulled his hat in his eyes, giving the word mysterious, a new meaning.

"What the heck are you speaking about?" Akainu felt it will not end well for him.

"Now then, before I go, let me introduce…" bowing exxagarated, the man removed his fedora, displaying his egghead, and the two holes that were his eyes. "Next time we meet, you can call me, Rorschach… of course, if you can recognize me at all…" he added in the end.

"Stupid clown!" the Admiral was prepared, jumping right away. Without fear, without regret, without even thinking about Ace, Marco, and several bigshots was also on the deck. He was sure, in their beaten state, and his Vice-Admirals around, he can take care of them.

"Next time, Admiral, next time."

Akainu rained molten magma on the deck from the air, but he was a moment too late. Rorschach pulled out a strange parchment under his coat, tearing it apart. "[Scroll of Mass Teleportation]!" immediately, the scroll which was made from some kind of strange leather engulfed by blue flames, turning into dust. Ace and the rest of the pirates disappeared in a flash of light.

Akainu left alone in the wreckage, fuming on his failure.

"Kurumi-sama! Did you saw this!?"

"You ask I saw it?" she grinned like a maniac. "I recorded every moment of it. And, it was beautiful!" she bit her finger, and the bandages on her hand started to turn red from the blood. Like a madman, she grinned excitedly. "This is more and more interesting. First Angel, then this strange man. I wonder what the future brings…"

"Kurumi-sama, Vegapunk-sama wants to speak with you, in private. He sounded quite angry."

"Ah, yes. I go right away…" she walked towards the "room," giving a glance the doe-like CP. "Pick our people up, then let's head back into the operational base. We have work to do…"

"Acknowledged…"

Smoke, fire and the desperate screams of the pirates left behind still filled the skies. Bloodied debris floated on the waters. The morning, this time brought death and destruction to whoever was around.

Scene Change: Calm Belt:

In the waters of this world, there were areas called the Calm Belts. In truth, it was two distinct "belt" like areas just north and south from the Grand Line.

These areas almost never have ocean currents or winds blowing and are also nesting grounds for Sea Kings. They were very dangerous natural barriers for those trying to enter the Grand Line. Also, it is very effectively kept away every unprepared raider or person with malicious intent.

The few who came unprepared or was not strong enough to survive, either starved to death, died from thirst, stuck here, or eaten by the sea kings. Only with specialized ships, or towed anyone can sail these waters. Naturally, there were a few people crazy enough who tried to swim all their way here, every one of them died out of exhaustion or was eaten by the animals mentioned above.

Amongst them, only one known who survived the journey and reached the island we see now.

It was a huge tropical island, filled with green and several small pieces of earth around it.

The focal point of the island is a large mountain situated in the center. It is carved with gigantic curved snake statues and the name of the native tribe of the island, Kuja, engraved in Kanji. It was evident a civilization resided here, and the statues above and Kanju were visible tens of miles away.

Within the center of this central mountain is a deep valley stationed, where a village is located. The architecture and decor of the town resemble that of ancient China.

This island said to be the island of women, Amazon Lily, where the Kuja tribe lived, ruled over by their Empress, Boa Hancock. It is mentioned only women lived on the island, and any man who set foot in it will be hunted down and executed mercilessly. (Naturally, there were exceptions in rare cases.)

"Ugh…" rich black hair draped over the work desk filled with papers. Indeed, since the war, the palace of Amazon Lily became much livelier. This also showed on the workload burdened the Empress. Since the war, it grew severalfold.

"Now, now, sister, we have much work to do…" near the voluptuous woman in the chair, a humongous stood. Be it was out of her training method, or the amount she ate for every meal, the muscle, and fat on her was considerable. Her hair is arranged in a way that it looks like the patterns on a cobra's hood and to some extent, a Valkyrie's helmet.

"I don't want to do it, I want to see Luffy…" mumbled the one in the chair, looking up. If beauty could kill hers would have killed anyone severalfold.

"Huh, don't you remember, Rayleigh-san said so, bringing Luffy food, or visiting him now will hinder the effectiveness of his training."

"I can't help it!" the Empress grabbed her face flustered, her eyes filled with the haze of love. "He is just so charming and manly! I can't be without him for long!"

The big woman, Boa Marigold still fumed on this, she can only shake her head seeing her elder sister's act. "You are childish…"

True, Luffy was a strange guy, genuine, he protected their secret from the people, and she grew to respect him since heard the guy punched a world noble straight in the face — ever since secretly she snickered on this.

But the state the guy pushed her older sister ever since — in some way — Hancock fell for him started to turn merely irritating.

Hancock was the empress of Amazon Lily, The Snake Princess; she supposed to care about her people and work for them diligently. Carry herself with some dignity as she did before.

Even when she said she cares not about her own people, it was only an act; Marigold know her sister too well.

But now, Hancock just daydreaming all day about that guy, and fall sick out of her lovesickness, wasting resources to send him food and support him. All in all, act like a love-crazed damsel.

'Pinch' "Yeep…" Marigold pinched Hancock on her neck, and the woman immediately yelped uncomfortably.

"Not now, sister. We have work to do." no matter their tribe's warrior nature, paperwork needed to be done, or the clan can't function properly.

"We need to speak about how we can protect our people after the war. As you know, some time passed since. The navy and those ruffians bolder and bolder with each day."

"What do you mean, we are in the calm belt, the only ones who can reach us those damned Marines because of their new sea stone technology. My people are safe, don't you remember, I am one of the Seven Warlords. Also…" she brushed back her voluptuous black hair. "I am forgiven whatever happens! I am too beautiful to anyone hold a grudge! Whatever I do, it will be pardoned!"

Leaning back on her lavish chair, her loose snake patterned gown revealed a steady cleavage.

"That may be true. But with Whitebeard's death, the balance between the sides collapsed. Under our last patrol on the seas, we found several pirate ships stuck in our waters."

"Hmm, and what of it? It is not unusual the stupid ones lose their way and end up in the calm belt. Their fate is the same, death. Either eaten by the sea kings, starved to death or die out of thirst on the waters, or even found by us and executed on the spot. Our pirate crew not accidentally notorious."

That may be true, but it was not the reason Marigold was hesitant.

"It is not what makes me worry, what is more, troublesome their numbers. Day after day we find more and more. A few of them even set their feet on our island. Of course, after interrogation, we executed them right away…"

"What did they said?"

"Nothing much, just they were hired to explore the calm belt, hoping to find a "rumored" treasure."

"Rumored treasure, huh?"

According to the Kuja tribe best knowledge, no noteworthy treasure resides in this area. Only absolutely clueless people, the Navy, and madmen with a tendency to die come here to bother their Empress with their unimportant business, or die trying.

"And what do I suppose to do with them? Simply capture and kill them. Or put them in the arena against our warriors, it will be good practice for the younger ones. Aside from that, it is not my problem. Do what you must!"

"Hancock…!" her sister glared at the Empress, and the princess only spared her a glance. "Know your place!"

Marigold remained silent, fuming in herself. Her constant glare made Hancock snap after a few moments.

"Is there anything to add…?"

"Just one more thing. Something is brewing up in the borders of the calm belt. Our warriors might be without par, but even they had their limits. Even with you, it is limited what we can do."

"Is Luffy in danger from those vagabonds?"

"Not likely, it is our people those are…"

"Then, it is not my concern, go back and do your duty, keep our borders safe if you worry that much..."

Waving her away, Marigold was not even surprised by her sister's behavior and lack of care. For everyone else, it may seem she cared not, and was just a selfish, pompous and spoiled individual — a woman who used to have her own way.

She can also act arrogant and cruel, usually justifying her less-than-admirable actions with her apparently unmatched beauty, causing her to think that she can get away with anything because the world will forgive her — and save for the handful able to resist she is largely successful in this approach, with gleeful suitors of both genders happily forgiving her every transgression.

Only Marigold, her sister, and a few selected know the sad truth behind this lie. One of Hancock's biggest lie amongst the many small ones.

"Snap out of it, sister, don't forget, you are an empress, not a spoiled brat. Sooner or later, we need allies, or we remain alone." reminding her, Marigold had her way out of the room, closing the door seemingly angry.

"Hmm…"

Hancock just leaned back on her seat, drinking some wine. She was not angry, not infuriated. On her face, a completely indifferent expression settled. It was evident; she couldn't care less — or, it seemed so in the surface.

"Hmm, the notorious pirate named Angel occupied an island…huh…" Hancock grabbed the today newspaper after seeing the headline, reading it. Despite the fact that her tribe was isolationist, she was a Shichibukai with certain privileges. She had her channels to get her daily newspaper and beauty products she gets her eyes on.

The article rough content shortly put was the next.

It spoke about how Angel appeared on one of the contested islands one day, beat up every pirate and the local authorities single-handedly — without caring about the civilians — and announced this is her place now. Going that far to kick out from his palace the provincial governor, kill the general of the army — who heroically protected the governor — then take place as her own.

As she put it: "Sod off, or I will kick your butt from the island! This is my place now; fat prick!"

Naturally, the newspaper spoke not about the number of victims. Just stated, there were victims. About who killed them mentioned nothing. But from how the articles were built, it was evident everyone would think it was actually Angel fault if even one civilian died.

The last part was the usual propaganda text.

…

"The Navy's investigation is still ongoing. But we can state, without doubt; her crimes defies everything the World Government stands for. Warning, she is extremely dangerous. Under any circumstances, do not attack or provoke her. It is suggested to notify the local authorities if you see her anyone near your living area. Yata, yata…!

…

Hancock was aware it was the usual propaganda of the World Government to give anyone stood against them a notorious status.

It was an old tactic but worked well enough to use it even today.

On the newspaper, Angel wanted poster was visible, a picture Hancock can only scoff off.

"Hmm, I must admit, her looks not that bad…" from her, this equaled with the biggest praise one can get from anyone. "But this picture? She looks like an idiot, why does she pose like that? Once we meet again, I need to show her how to pose normally."

Discarding the paper, she spent the coming few hours thinking on things and mostly daydreaming about Luffy and their future "wedding." Planning every step with the utmost detail. But once a while it came to her mind. It would be good to invite Angel here. If she could gain her as an ally, or just make an alliance with her. It would benefit both her and her whole tribe. She as well was a woman, as a fellow, she most likely understands their struggle in the world filled with the lies of men and their brutality.

Scene Change: Somewhere Else in the New World:

"Achoo…!" a pale girl sneezed a good one, making her long white hair fall in her face. She felt someone mentioned her name somewhere. "Must be Ainz-san, he must be worried about me…"

"Bless you, my Lady. Do you need assistance with your nose?" on her side a butler stood, prepared to wipe away the possible snoot from her nose.

"No thank you, if it comes to that, I am able to wipe my own nose…" measuring the butler on her side, he was a balding, middle-aged man with a posh posture and a monocle. An always stuck expression sit on his face. If Angel had to guess, if he would sit in a cactus, his face would remain just as collected as he looks now. He would simply remove the Plantae from his arse, then with all calm say: "Au…" then proceed with his job to serve his masters.

"You seriously wiped the noses of those bastards?"

"Yes, indeed, my former masters required such a service."

"And you seriously did it? Don't say you wiped their assess too…?" Angel wanted to refuse to accept anyone would willing to do such job, no matter their loyalty — although, remembering the times before she and her friend conquered their world, she indeed remembered a few noble who would request such, and worse, inhuman services from their servants. So, deep inside she was not even surprised.

The butler's expression not even flinched on such a question, he simply answered with a cold face. "Hmm, in certain cases, the Lord's family and he himself required such service. On such occasions, the Lord usually asked one of the maids to do so; he preferred the underage ones, both in bed, and service."

The disgust morphed further on Angel's face, shaking her head. "This world really needs a thorough the clean sweep. Once I established the portal home, built my network here, and finished what I promised to that kid, I sweep clean this world; with fire and iron if neccesary…"

She had no intention to remain here, nor to build an Empire and rule forever like a glorified Empress who can't die out of old age. She let such an endeavor for Ainz to enjoy. Once she finished here, she will leave this place, hopefully in good hands.

"Then why did you stay after I kicked your former master from his own mansion and drove away his forces?"

"Ah, you see, my lady. My family serves as household servants since generations. Basically, we can't do anything else. Out there, we would surely die, and as a servant of this well-hated family, my family would surely fall the victim of the locals. They see us as traitors, serving their tyrants."

"I see…" Angel nodded, starting to see things clearly. Indeed, if she sends this butler and his family away, in the first corner of the town, they will be mugged and stoned mercilessly by the locals.

She could transport them away, of course, giving them some money and a ship — many stationed in the bay which was left without crew when the local forces and the criminals fled. But as the butler said, he and his family only know how to do butler and maid work. Her supernatural senses and anti-lie divination worked on full capacity; there was no way he would have lied to her.

"Even if I send them away, and give them crew to sail. Even if they get out there… Where would they settle? One day it would surface who they served, or even someone recognizes them… why do I even care? Will I go senile? This is absurd!" biting her lip, she doesn't know what hit her, and it was awkward.

It was a long time she really cared about the suffering of the people. Not because she was a bad person, but because it was usually taken care of by others.

Since Ainz ruled over his kingdom, everyone maltreated their subordinates was taken care of in a short way, and all in all, it was not her line of work to be social and rule over someone. The few times she was forced to socialize and attend parties she acted just like she practiced it before the mirror — just like Ainz did — trying to find a dark corner to hide and wait it out, drinking an excessive amount of alcohol to bear with the stupidity of the people around.

She was always awkward both in her past self, and her current life when it came to socializing. How she acted before the people was usually an act, a habit she forcibly picked up to not to destroy Ainz, and his Kingdom's image.

The image of the wise, all-seeing ruler, and his unpredictable enforcer and head scientist was their trump. An Ace that kept in control and filled with dread Ainz's enemies, giving hope for the subjects. Yes, that's what was she… in truth, she preferred to play her games, adventure and read either alone, or with her friends.

"I don't need this shit…"

Even when she woke up here in this world, meet the Admirals, Luffy and the rest, she acted this way because she was nervous and had to do something to divert her attention, and absurd jokes and actions were the best for that if you asked her. It was her usual image she wanted to hold up before others.

"Dammit! Momonga-san, where are you when I need you most? This is supposed to be your task to play the "goodie good King" meanwhile I can sulk on the corner, doing a few experiments, or explore some unknown place! This is not fair!"

"What exactly the previous governor did? The people almost mugged their whole family before I put them into jail…"

True, she put the mother and their bratty kids in a house arrest. But the rest of the family — who not managed to flee in time — put in prison.

No matter the age, kids do not suppose to suffer because of their parent's wrongdoings. Maybe it was because of her weak heart, but Angel hated to see when a child experiences such a thing.

"Dammit… just like back then with the kid. Just like in Zeno's case? Why am I so weak?"

"Ah, let me explain my lady…" since first she arrived, the butler showed a genuine sad expression, cleaning his monocle with a handkerchief.

"The family of the previous governor ruled this archipelago for a long time since many generations I might add. Like kings, under their rule, no one really dared to oppose them. Both the World Government and a few underworld organizations had a hefty deal with them and supported their rule. Their family did as they liked — often going in lengths of committing atrocities against the locals, appointing their inside men for important positions — but because the money both sides gained from their deals, connection and rule, until now they simply ignored what my previous masters had done, the said sides even supported their actions a few times. Giving them soldiers and resources."

Angel bit her thumbs; she was somewhat angry to a certain revolutionary leading her here. "Damn, Dragon-kun! This is how you pay me? I asked you a barren, mid-sized island without any people on it! With the necessary resources. And you point out one which is eyed by both the WG and the underworld, packed with a bunch of locals and towns? Damn you, you filthy prick! Once we meet again, I will push my fist up in your ass!"

She would not be even surprised if one day Dragon or one of his colleague would give her a call. "Hey! Angel-chan? Can we install a few bases on your archipelago? Thanks in advance!"

"I will kick his ass?" she mumbled, making the butler look somewhat strange.

"Is there anything wrong, my lady?"

"Nothing, I just made a bad deal. That's all." fuming, she looked around once more.

She hated how posh this "palace" was. Everything covered with gold and gems — diamond, ruby, aquamarine, emerald… you name it, and you can spot it on the walls, embedded on the ground, on the ceiling, or in the furniture.

Angel felt she had to vomit no matter where she looked; it was all arranged in a tasteless, spendthrift sense. Now, Nazarick was also full with gold and jewelry, but her home at least did it with style, used it where it was tasteful and give some artistic value to the environment, not this wasteful way.

"Whoever designed this place, really deserves to be entombed in the Black capsule for at least a month. Or handed to Neuronist-chan to teach the person to sing a little bit! There, they would learn a few things about not to be this wasteful and tasteless…"

Now, Esdeath, aka Angel was not a person who shows prejudice at first sight, and she liked Kyouhukou the area guardian of the second floor — they even used to have a good chat at least once a month — but that place creeped out even her.

Usually, they only used the Black Capsule to punish those who committed grave crimes against them or wanted to break the person.

There, Kyouhukou's servants — giant cockroaches — used to eat the people inside out, consuming their organs. Meanwhile, they continuously regrow the lost organs with healing magic. One doesn't have to guess, even the toughest warrior break under less than a day, turning into a broken shell of their former self.

She watched the process once from the beginning to the end, and she just can't decide what is worse… to entrust someone to Neuronist Painkill's care — Neuronist was the tomb's t orture master — or to experience her organs eaten then regrow continuously — she experienced such a pain a few times, and she almost went completely mad, she knows first hand how horrific that place could be.

"I see, about my family and me, my lady. Can we stay to serve you, or we will be sent away? Please, I beg you, don't send my family to their death!"

Literally, the butler fallen to his knees, touching the ground with his forehead.

"You and your family can stay, as well the rest of the staff. It would be hard to find someone to upkeep this place amongst the locals. I assume they would not very likely want to work here after how the governor and his family treated them."

"Yes, that's most likely the case, my lady. Thank you very much for allowing me, and my family to stay. If you allow me to say this, they most likely resent the idea. If your grace accepts my opinion, if not that fishmen outside, and being grateful for your actions, they would have long ago burned this whole place down."

"I see… so you say… they are grateful for a pirate, no less, the one who disbanded the guard force and overthrew the lawful rulers of the island. Leaving great destruction and calamity in their wake? Huh?"

"Yes, very much. Angel-sama really made a great impression on the locals, I am sure of it. They long ago planned to overthrow the family, but their attempt and plans every time had been exposed by his spies, and the implementation was impossible due to their lack of weapon and fighting force…"

"Hmm, I see…" Angel fondled her chin thinking, the butler spoke true, and not an inch of a lie was detectable amidst his thoughts. Her anti-lie detection abilities and supernatural senses would have made her realize if he would have lied.

"It was a long day…" she sighed deep inside, shaking her head.

She and Shoki really left a great calamity when they take their way here. Right away beating up or destroying their attackers. Basically, the trail they used to come all this way can be traced back amidst the destroyed rubble, and the bodies of the governor's soldiers, WG lackeys, and criminals.

But they warned them right away when they arrived, don't stand their way, or they will be pulverized. She warned them to hand back the payment Dragon sent here as a supplementary thing, but they refused to do so. Instead what they had done once she introduced? Attacked her... Do you believe it!?

"Damn Dragon-kun… you did it on purpose, do you? Sending me to an island where you know I need to fight my way through a whole army, and overthrow a stupid tyrant. You are really a mean person…"

More of that, at the moment they saw and recognized her, the governor sent down the message to capture her dead or alive at all cost, thus, chaos went overdrive, and for more than a full day, a miniature war conducted between the two arriving pirates, and the local forces. Cutting great calamity through many cities as they proceeded forward this villa.

True, it did not take half of the way here, and more than half of the opposition started to flee, or surrendered to the locals, joining their quickly formed "revolutionary" militia.

"People are really are stupid sometimes, knowing my bounty, and my participation in the war, one might expect him to act reasonable and try to flatter me or something. Not to send down the message to attack me and capture me right away. Ah, but I believe, greed was always a big player in the fall of many great nations under the wheel of history."

"Now then, rise, a butler like yourself should carry himself with grace, dignity, and professionalism. I will need your help to make this place livable once again. Please, just rise…"

"Yes…" the butler stood up, nodding his head and wiping the perspiration, and tears with a handkerchief. It was evident he was really glad of Angel's generosity. "Thank you once more, my lady. I see now, the dreadful tales of the White Demon are just fabrications."

"Please cut the flattery; I have no time for that. Instead, please tell me, how can I call you? I can't just call you "butler," can I?"

First, since she arrived, the butler offered a friendly smile.

"No, I believe not, my lady… It is Alfred, Alfred Bellyworth, at your service…" with all the dignity he could muster, the butler bowed, placing his hand on his heart respectfully.

"Wow, I have my own Alfred now! That means…" A mischievous smile curled on her face. "I am Batman? Batgirl? This is so cool!" Angel snickered deep inside, imagining sitting in her Batcave and Alfred coming to serve her meal, complaining not having family and always hunting criminals at night. At home, she had her own butler servant, even maids, but this was different. They almost never complained, and even then only said their honest opinion when she insisted them to speak.

"Well, Alfred, it is good to have you and your family on the deck. I hope we can all fit together nicely."

"We all hope so, my lady…"

"Hmh… very well. Tell me the details of your contract with the governor. Add it to the other servants too. I want to know who lives in this household and how that man treated you and the people."

"As you wish…" Alfred started to list the details of his, and the servants, giving a detailed explanation of how this family treated the locals — adding what kind of agreement they had with the governor. And with each point, Angel's mood turned more bitter.

"The guy made them literal slaves! The servants of his basically owned nothing! The ones desperate enough to leave either can't because the debts they owed for that prick, or had nothing else than the clothes they wore! Basically, they bound to the governor for all their life! The little money he paid for them was only nominal, they can't possibly support themselves from it outside of the manor, and even the little payment they earned they had to give back so they can live in the dilapidated servant quarters!"

After beating out the opposition and secured the place, Shoki reported what he experienced. The servant quarters nearly not big enough to house that many servants Alfred spoke about, and the living circumstances were less than satisfactory. It was more like a cockroach den than a proper place where people can live safe and well. They had no flush toilets, just buckets, and the building was on the verge to collapse. Considering the living conditions, and the technological level of this world, this was more than sad; it was infuriating.

Going onward, speaking how the locals were treated, it was even worse. Many of them locked into work camps on the second biggest island located right next to the mainland, mainly out of petty forged crimes. There, they had to mine the valuable minerals that the archipelago hid deep below all their miserable lives.

"I see… this is sad."

"Indeed my lady. Do you wish to meet the other servants?"

"Umu, in a few hours, call them in the main hall. I have a few important changes in my mind I wish to announce. Both for you, and the people of this archipelago."

"If I may ask, what changes?" the light of hope lit in Alfred's eyes, hoping their life will turn better, not for worse.

Angel just turned her head to the man with a mischievous expression. "Wait a few hours, and you will find it out… dear Alfred…"

This expression both made the head butler fearful, and somewhat hopeful. Hoping his, and his family life circumstances to improve, and this master will not be even much of a tyrant than the old was.

"As you wish…"

…

In a different room, filled with expensive toys and child accessory, 46664 browsed the wares.

"I never had one toy, and these kids had all of this? Why they need this much? I don't understand…"

Munching on this, 46664 remembered the events played out after they docked.

Nothing much really worth mentioning though. It was a quite fast takeover, ended under a day.

His master and Shoki made a short work all who resisted them; he could only stare the two as they just cut a wide path on their ranks. Like a storm, no one really gets close to them or really get a good shoot. They were too fast, like a blur, pulverized everyone who resisted them — pushing forward and forward, a steady support building behind their back from the locals who picked up their weapons to fight against their tyrants.

Just like always, he felt himself quite pathetic; since the start of his training, he can't even make himself useful. He only managed to defeat a few enemies, and one of the soldiers almost sliced him at the half, if not one of the locals, he would have died on the place.

"Is something wrong, my Lord?"

In the room, a maid watched over him. She was beautiful with big green eyes, and blonde hair with a custom French maid attire.

"Well…"

He did not really ask her to stay, she insisted it, saying it is her task to watch over the kids — not as he needed it, he was more than able to take care of himself. Since a young age, he was accustomed to being, and survive alone. He was always alone…

"No, it is nothing…" wearing his new clothes which consisted a well-made shirt, a leather vest, pants, and boots — all tailored for him, he can't complain about his wellbeing. All in all, with his new short sword on his side, and his belly filled, he felt better than expected, no, better than he ever felt himself in all his life.

"My lord…"

He was called a lord; a simple slave called a lord? 46664 never know a better joke… he was so confused he had no idea to laugh or cry. Be joyful to reached this high from nothing, or cry in desperation experiencing such thing. Slowly becoming one of the people he despised since he was aware of how sorrowful his life was.

No! He was no lord in any chance. And he never wanted to be one! He only started to learn how to read and calculate, and it went awfully — according to Angel's standards.

If anyone deserved the title, it was Angel. He had no idea about where his master came from, as she never speaks about herself, and when he or Shoki asks she just divert the topic with something completely unrelated, or calling them stupid, yelling with them to get back to work.

But one thing he was sure, he and the Fishman karate master was sure she is some kind of noble, or royalty came from some faraway kingdom. It cannot be. Otherwise, she just carried herself with the dignity of a monarch and acted with the generosity one should — even if she tried to hide it under her blunt attitude, it was evident for the two.

"I am no lord…" the half-blood turned to the maid, giving a serene smile.

"Oh…" the maid tilted her head, blinking.

"Aren't you?"

"No…" 46664 shook his head.

"Then, a noble revolutionary from the Revolutionary Army? You came to free us from the tyranny? I heard from the revolutionary army from the news. Thank you for your work!"

The maid folded her hands before her generous chest, pushing them together then raised her heavy skirt and made a curtsey; this sight made the boy's face redden for a moment.

"I-I am just master's apprentice, or, I try to be…" 46664 turned his head away embarrassed. "Rather saying, I work as a cabin boy on her ship. I am no revolutionary, we just." full red, 46664 gulped, looking back to her. "We are just pirates…"

"Ah, I see… if you allow me…"

"Wha…" the maid stepped closer under a moment, fondling the sleeves of his clothes.

"These are really good materials… are you sure you are not a noble, my lord…? If you allow me to say this, I hardly think pirates can pay for this good material."

"No… why do you ask?"

46664 just blinked confusedly. When he and Shoki roamed Dressrosa, and Angel sent them to buy some clothes and a few things, they asked around where they can buy the best stuff for a reasonable price, leaving the clothing, and other non-priority shops at last in their trip.

Showing the money, this is what the shopkeeper recommended for such amount.

"These clothes… yes, these are luxurious materials. Only nobles or rich merchants have such clothes."

"Really?" he was astonished, never before he owned anything else than rags. Nor he knows the real value of the money Angel handed them. Shoki only said, it was more than they can spend in one place, and he was satisfied with that.

Naturally, the hulking karate master went with him not to accidentally the shopkeeper swindle him, but when he asked how much his clothes worth, Shoki only said: "Nothing much, it was almost free…" then the shark fishmen grinned with his vicious dental.

"Now I understand why the other customers took a short way out when we stepped in the shop… this is, it was funny…" 46664 gave away a small chuckle remembering the people literally jumping out of the shop screaming.

He realized, Shoki most likely meant the shopkeeper gave the clothes, and other things to them heavily discounted, almost free in his fear the big man beat him up.

Seeing a ragged half-blood kid, and a hulking shark fishmen enter your shop most of the times scares the people out of their wits. No, it was evident, the man almost peed himself when he saw them browsing his goods.

"And we bought multiple sets for me…"

Now, as a slave, he gets used to stealing from others in the name of survival, but to steal from normal people who just wanted to earn their living? In his current situation, it was quite questionable.

"May I know your name?" he asked the maid, and she just blinked.

"I am Diana, Diana Bellyworth. Nice to meet you, my Lord. If I may ask yours…"

"My name is…" before he said his name — the name, Angel gave him out of the reason not to call him always "kid," the door opened, revealing Alfred.

"Oh, Diana, my Lord! The lady is waiting for you in the main hall. She had an important announcement."

…

Soon, 46664, and the rest of the household servants arrived in the central hall.

Standing on the top of the stairs was a pale girl with heterochromatic eyes, wrapped in a strange white military uniform with the same white stylish military trench coat, a cap adorned her head.

On her side a burly great shark fismen stood, his appearance was menacing, several scars covered his half-naked scaled body.

"Angel-sama, they are all here…"

"Thank you, Alfred." Thanking him for his assistance, Alfred returned to the line, and Angel glanced once more through the servants. Her gaze was hard as steel, making many servants squirm uncomfortably.

"I assume, you know who I am?" she left a moment of pause before continued. "Anyone who doesn't recognize me, I am Angel, or, as the navy like to call me, White Demon, and subject Zero. Whatever… I am not here to brag about my accomplishments, but to start my expansion in this area. As you know, the World Government thinks me as a pirate; I rather call myself a free spirit, an adventurer…"

She chuckled, whispers resounded for a few moments before Alfred made them quiet once more.

"To control an area, the first step always to stabilize the said point. And in this current state…" she looked around spiteful. "This place is a mess; I don't like it. The people are starving, a great calamity that is me, and my colleague…" one moment, she glanced to Shoki who just chuckled proud, remembering the great battle. "…Swept the land, before that, a tyrant and his lackeys ruled over you. Now then…" she clapped her hand, making the servants give her extra attention.

"I don't believe in tyranny, nor slavery, as both are inefficient practice. In fact, I believe hard work deserves its own reward. Evidently, the governor shared not my opinion, you can see where he is now…" she flipped her scabbarded sword in style, leaning on it like a lord before her servants.

"I understand most of you want to go, leave the island and go on with your life. And I will not hold you. Anyone decides that way, I open the governor treasury, and you can take as much from it as you feel it. I even prepare a ship for those who wish to leave the island; make sure you and your family are safe."

The whispers started to intensify. Indeed, most servants wanted to leave. Only fear, their lack of money and roots held them here. Without money, they can't even leave the island, not speaking the manor.

"But who decides to stay, those can expect fair treatment, fair payment for fair work. That I can promise. Who slack, I kick them out. But who work hard, those can earn money, and a higher status under no time. Enjoy the fruits of their labor. It will be hard, yes, every beginning is hard, and you may even sweat blood. But I assure you, it will well worth it. Now then…"

She flipped her sword once more, resting it on her shoulder.

"You have a few days to decide. I need to speak with this, so-called "revolutionary committee." Which may be older than one day…"

Judging how fast it appeared, and organized the resistance once she and Shoki cut the way forward, it was evident the locals definitely was prepared for the total takeover since some time, they just don't have the tools to enforce this "revolution" yet, or, their outsider allies can't spare the resources to send one of their bigshots this way.

"And maybe I know who was behind it…" The face of a revolutionary leader flashed before her eyes, urging her to kick his ass, making her do the dirty work. Then, in the next moment, a dubious smile sneaked on her face.

"But it's fine, really, this place is just perfect for serving my base of operations for the time being, and the nearby islands have the necessary minerals, materials I need."

The map of the nearby waters flashed before her eyes.

"Moreover, has enough space to build up my lab complexes. Because of the people, the navy most likely will hesitate to utilize the use of weapons of mass destruction — not as it held them back previous, they are really mean — and also, the trade in the archipelago and taxes will gain me some plus needed coins. Making me more independent from other sources. This is, almost perfect… now I only need to weed out the remained spies and the criminal elements and invite a few people who are willing to invest in the business. Just like we did back in the Sorcerous Kingdom with Ainz. Business not only good for the people, but me…"

In the hall, Angel continued her speech after her momentary villainous moment.

"Also, I need to re-organize the whole command, supply, and social structure of the whole archipelago. And we don't even speak about the industry — which is heavily relied on slaves until now. All in all, everything is a mess now. People basically kill each other for a piece of bread. It is recommended not to leave the manor until I put some order out there. I ask you to consider your options, I promise, once it is safe, I personally escort who wish to leave…"

Turning to Shoki, she gave the order. "Shoki, I leave things you there. Make sure no sabotage happens. Protect them…"

"Yeah, you can bet on that…" he nodded, and the servants started to tremble when he grinned at them.

"Don't bully them…"

"Au!" the big man grabbed his head in pain after Angel gently hit the top of his head with her scabbard. "Yes, ma'am!"

Walking towards the entrance, she turned back, giving Alfred a look.

"Oh, and Alfred, can someone remove all this gold and jewelry from the walls and take it out from the furniture, all this shine just fucks my eyes."

"As you wish, my lady, we will do our best…" maybe Angel was not the most well-mannered Lord he served, but at least she recognized the wastefulness of this place. "Put them in one place, it is still worth a great deal of money, money we need to make this shithole livable once more…" she looked to the kid, giving him a simple nod and a grunt, and 46664 followed her close behind.

With that, she and the kid left, leaving the servants on their own devices.

"The lady gave her orders. Chop! Chop! You can rest later!" the head butler clapped elegantly, and the servants went back to their own devices.

Seeing the damage the establishment suffered after Shoki and Angel broke through the final barricade, and defeated the general, they indeed had much to do.

"That battle went faster and was less bloody I ever dared to imagine. The general was the strongest in the army, and she just broke his, and everyone's neck who charged, or insulted her from the far, using some invisible power."

It was evident, after the general's, and many foolish loyalist soldiers limp bodies fell on the ground, and Angel asked leisurely: "Who's next…?" every soldier threw their weapons away and surrendered, they were not fools, nor loyal enough to stand against her anymore.

"Is the lady a devil fruit user? Possibly…" Pondering a moment, Alfred just shook his head, he had other things to think about now, the house was a mess, and he had a whole brigade to keep his eyes on.

"Let's do our best. It is not every day we gain a second chance…"

With that, he went on his own work. He felt, with Angel's takeover, their archipelago will be a paradise once more.

"Damn Dragon-kun…" marching on the streets, Angel still fumed angrily, 46664 just watched her with a confused face.

In the next moment, Angel stopped on her track, hummed, like she heard a voice in her head.

"Umu, so you saved them? Good, proceed with the mission…"

"Huh…?" 46664 just watched his master confused, understanding not what she mumbled under her nose, not even recognizing when she proceeded forward with her steps.

"Hurry up goldenrod, or you will be a permanent resident here…"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Thus, 46664 hurried after her, making his way through the ruined streets and rubble.

Maybe neither one of them was aware, but a few cloaked individuals appeared a few days later above the sea, somewhere, who knows where coming from a different world to save the lost master.

"We are here…" one of them spoke, and the others nodded understanding. "We are here to save you, master. Hold up a little longer!"

A/N:

Well, that's it!

Sorry for the long delay!

My muse had been murdered several times under I wrote this chapter, and as usual, I was busy.

(I know it is starting to get old, but this is the truth! My truth! XD)

I hoped you liked the chapter.

In the next chapter, the search starts!

"Building a base was never this exciting, it is like LEGO!"

Tell me your opinions and questions through a review or one, or multiple PMs.

And of course…

RNR!

May Al Bundy's socks be with you!

Sail safe! Be safe! Good night! Good morning! Good day! May we meet again soon!