Chapter 28

"Puru puru puru."

Ahh, my head. Where is that god awful noise coming from?

"Puru puru puru…puru puru puru."

Opening my eyes, the early morning sunshine crested over the horizon, and cut through the haze of night. I sat up from my patch of grass, looking about. Sprawled around me, in every direction were a motley bunch of pirates. Looks like they're passed out drunk from last night's revelry.

"Puru puru puru."

Lord have mercy, my head! Last night might've been more wild then I remember. Ugh, besides the loss of control, this is why I didn't drink. However…when a Yonko says drink, you drink! I reached into my pocket, pulled out a shadow, and absorbed it. Hangover cured! Now then, where is this bothersome noise coming from?

"Puru puru puru."

Ah. It's my den den mushi! Let's see what's so pressing that they called this early in the morning. Pulling the snail out, I went to answer the call, when an arm stopped me mid motion.

"Yo." Standing before me, the grinning redhead, Shanks, casually gripped my arm, preventing it from moving. I felt a pressure settle over me, stronger than anything I'd ever faced before.

"Ah!" I flinched; my entire body shook in a moment of panic. Whitebeard's fist was vividly placed in my imagination the moment I laid eyes on the Yonko.

"Some party last night, I'd heard rumors your crew could throw down with the best of them. I didn't believe them, but now that I've experienced it, seeing is believing!" I wore a big smile, trying to recover from my goof. The entire time, Shanks's arm didn't move from it's spot, restraining my movement.

"You know, I'd be inclined to believe you, but those are some tall words coming from a snitch."

I started to sweat. Was this it? "You misunderstand!"

"Puru puru puru"

"Of course, what you told us about Teach last night sure was enlightening." Shanks spoke over me, and tightened his grip. My whole arm, no, my entire body felt like it was in an immovable vice.

At this point, I was desperate. I licked my lips, and tried to flatter Shanks. "Ki shi shi, and everyone around the world says that people from the East Blue are weak cowards, you showed them."

"Ha ha ha ha ha! The guy's will get a hoot out of this one!" Raucous laughter spewed out of Shanks' mouth. His grip slightly loosened, as a few tears spilt down his face.

I grinned along. I always thought Shanks was an easy going, laid back guy. Success!

"Puru puru puru."

Then the pressure came back three times as intense, quick as lighting. My pupils dilated as I felt shock from the sudden and unexpected pain. Any more pressure, and the arm breaks!

"No Gecko Moria, I am from the West Blue. As are you. I know how you operate. The world may have forgotten about you when you fled to the Florian Triangle, tail tucked behind your legs. It's been over a decade, but I haven't forgotten. Did you really think I would come here, to this random island in the middle of nowhere to party, when there's much more fun to be had in the Grand Line?" Shanks' overly wide smile from earlier had transitioned into a face I could only describe as being the embodiment of 'serious.'

I'm not going to say it outloud, but yeah. I kind of did think he decided to randomly party here.

"That look in your eye. It's telling me you thought I did come to this island randomly to party, am I right?"

How did he-

"How did I know? It doesn't matter, what matters is this. I know you, your modus operandi. Wherever you go, death and destruction are sure to follow. Some friends of mine told me about your little operation here in East Blue. I think we've got ourselves a little, shall we say, conflict of interest. You see, many of the islands here, in East Blue, are under my protection. I'll allow you to play your little games in Goa Kingdom, you couldn't be much worse than the previous ruler. However, step one toe out of line, and don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Puru puru puru."

"That call sounds important, you should take it. Nice clothes by the way." Releasing my arm, and resuming his stereotypically wide grin, Shanks walked away, past his passed out crew, and took up conversation with Yasopp.

The moment he let go of my arm, I began to rapidly inhale and exhale air. It felt like an insurmountable weight had been lifted off my back.

Looking down, I finally decided to answer the call.

"MORIA-SAMAAAA! MORIA-SAMAAAAAA! MORIA-SAMAAAAAAAA!"

"Stop shouting! Who is this, Kumashi?!"

"Hurry, hurry Perona is in trouble!" On the other end, Kumashi let loose a panicked tone I never could've imagined from his usual, gruff voice.

"Slow down, slow down! What's the situation!" I tried to get a handle on things, and figure out what was going on. At the same time, I looked around for John, Silver Knight, and Fu Manchu.

"It's bad! The mission you sent Perona on ended in success, we easily captured the two you sent us to retrieve! We even had a bonus, and found a third, unexpected target! However, we hit a snag, when this swordsman found out we work for you! He slaughtered the entire force surrounding Perona, and captured her as prisoner. I was only allowed to leave, because Perona begged the man to let me go. He agreed, but only if I would contact you…I've been calling you since yesterday! I got in touch with Absalom-sama, since you didn't pick up. He's sending a relief force! Please, please come here and rescue Perona! You more than anyone has to save her! I'll never forgive you if she dies, you hear me. You hear me, Gecko Moria!" Kumashi begged me over the den den mushi. The snail cried tears, and looked utterly pathetic.

"Okay! I'll be there soon! No one takes from me without paying the price!" A vicious expression emerged on my face. Being suppressed like I just did by Shanks hurt my pride, and had made me furious at my powerlessness. Whoever it is that's threatening my crew, oh hoh hoh, they'll pay alright.

"John! Fu Manchu! Silver Knight! Get over here! We're leaving!"

"Ahh what, but boss, I'm about to win this drinking contest!" Bottle in hand, John sat across a table from Lucky Roo. Hazy memories from last night told me that the two had been drinking since the party started.

"I win! Better luck next time John! HAAaaaaaaa!" Lucky Roo cheered himself before falling over to the side, passed out drunk.

Fed up with his insubordination, I directed all of my willpower at his shadow, and commanded him to fall in line. I felt a strong resistance, he really wanted to win this drinking contest. However, my will was stronger, fortifying my powers, John slowly stood up, and marched himself over to my position.

The other two quickly fell in line, even Fu Manchu was silent.

"We're flying towards the direction of this vivre card. A valued member of my crew has been kidnapped. This is a rescue mission boys, prepare for a slaughter." A grim line spread across my face. Whoever it was threatening me, they must've known about my Shichibukai status, and were challenging me regardless of the fact. Whoever this was, I was prepared to crush them. But if it turned out to be a trap set by a much stronger opponent, or one in which I was vastly outnumbered, would I be prepared to abandon Perona? I clenched my fists, frustrated at the unknown.

"Ja ja ja, lighten up boss, all I wanted to do was drink! Now I've lost all reputation as a man!" John raised his arms melodramatically into the air.

"Idiot! Can't you see him! His clenched fist! The deadeye expression. Can't you smell it?! The seething hatred, ready to boil out of the pot! You didn't see what happened earlier because you were too busy drinking, but his pride as a man is on the line! He is ready to go to war! Then it turns out, some fop has stolen his baby girl?! Now isn't the time for your childish games!" Fu Manchu thwacked the back of John's head.

"Hm" Silver Knight grunted in approval.

"Not you to Silver Knight!" John looked let and right in amazement.

"We set off now!" Forming a large enough surfboard to carry us, I ferried the trio at mach speeds towards our destination.

During the journey to Perona's rescue, I reflected upon what Shanks had said. I felt stifled, just when everything was looking up for me, just as I'd achieved nearly every goal I'd set out to achieve, I'd been pushed down. The entire conversation, if I could even call it that was Shanks laughing in my face and saying "What can you do? Want to fight about it?" It was infuriating, and now, with this upcoming fight, would I even be allowed to go all out. If I destroy the island, will Shanks come after me? A part of me wanted to do it out of spite, but my rational side reeled me back in. Destroying islands wantonly wasn't even my m.o. I am not the Gecko Moria that Shanks knew.

Besides, destroy to many islands, openly kill to many people, and I'll have the World Government breathing down my neck. I'll take that mans warning with a grain of salt. Don't wantonly kill civilians, especially Yasopp's home village, and Luffy's home village, and I should be fine. Some of these pirates, I swear, they're just as bad as the Marine's when it comes to Justice.

Like that, two hours had past, and we arrived at our destination. From the distance, I could see the island Perona's vivre card was pointing towards. It was an island of many hills, and green valley's. As I entered the islands perimeter, I flew low to the ground. The tug on the vivre card became even stronger the closer I got.

"You three, disembark here, these are your orders…"

"Ah what."

"This is dishonorable."

"…"

"Shut up, and just do it!" After dropping the three of them off, I now walked to my destination. Entering a large valley, there was endless green before me, not a single tree obscured my vision. Half an hour of walking later, I came to the middle of the valley.

There meditating on a mat was a middle aged man. He wore a light grey gi that had a symbol of crossed swords embroidered around his left chest area. His black hair was in a ponytail, and the serene smile on his face combined with the reading glasses gave him a disarming appearance. If it wasn't for the sword resting across his lap, it wouldn't be any stretch of the imagination to think the man was a harmless Uncle enjoying the morning air.

I glanced to the side, and a furious looking Perona squirmed about. She was tied firmly by some rope, and had her mouth gagged.

"Shimotsuki Kōshirō" The man stood, and bowed in my direction. With a wave of his hand, he drew his sword, and cut Perona's bonds, resheathing the sword in less than a second.

This casual act of his made me focus on him. That speed of his was unreal, comparable to the speed of my shadows, or Admiral Kizaru's light attacks.

"You're in trouble now you creep! Moria-sama, kick this guys ass! He's a big meanie, and slaughtered all the zombies I brought over! All the cuties of mine that I brought from the Garden! Gone!" Perona stood up from her bonds, and shouted loudly at both me and the swordsman.

"Perona, go back to the ship. This is a serious matter, one you cannot handle."

"But-"

"No. This is not the time to be willful. Leave. Now!"

At my command, Perona looked at Kōshirō, turned to me, smiled, and ran away with all her might. I was happy to see her run at a fast pace without tiring out. A small smile appeared on my lips, no way she would lose to someone of Usopp's caliber ever again.

"Ahem. Touching as that moment may be, it's polite before conversation to introduce oneself. This girl here was quite rude, her speech, so vulgar, it was an assault upon the ears. Whoever raised her is quite the barbarian. Unfit for parenting in every regard." The mild mannered, middle aged man spoke with a friendly voice, no matter how cutting his words were.

I was about to respond when the man continued talking.

"Oh, but that's not why we're here, now is it? I must apologize, that was very unsightly of me. You're Gecko Moria, owner of the Shizāsouru, are you not?"

The Shiza what now? A bewildered look came upon my face.

"Oh. Oh you poor soul. You didn't know? This makes this whole affair so much worse. This beautiful blade has been in your possession for more than two decades, and its history is lost to you. How my culture has fallen so low." A look of pity came upon Kōshirō's face. For him, or me, I couldn't quite tell.

"You wield one of the twenty one great swords, an Ō Wazamono. Shizāsouru, the scissor soul, was forged by Shimotsuki Kōzaburō a master swordsmith. Be humbled, it is your honor to wield this blade."

The geniality, the friendly approachableness, and his utter disregard for those who lack manners. This man, Kōshirō, his voice is oddly soothing. He reminds me an awful lot of a certain brown haired, glasses wearing Shinigami from the anime, Bleach.

"So what, you kidnapped my crewmate, so you could see my sword?" At this, I drew my blades, and held them at the ready. Using shadow reading, I could tell that this man wanted to confirm something. Was I, Gecko Moria, worthy to wield a great sword forged by his family?

I had prepared myself for battle all this time, for a moment like today. For almost two weeks now, I had been training in nothing but the sword. Using the combined skills of all the shadows at my disposal, I solidified some of the sword skills I began learning way back before the battle of Marineford. For the last five days, I had been training with Saga's skills. Today, I would test all I had learned.

"Oh yes! You understand. A man's actions speak when words are unnecessary." Kōshirō unsheathed his own sword, tossing his scabbard to the side.

"My name is Shimotsuki Kōshirō, please treat me well." Kōshirō bowed.

During his bow, I lunged forward, my left sword cleaved downward, while my right plunged forward in a thrust.

Kōshirō easily evaded my attacks, going for a slice of my side. Seeing I couldn't dodge the strike, I swapped places with Doppleman. His blade struck Doppleman, slicing him into thousands of pieces. My heart palpitated, it felt as if I had lost a part of me. In a panic, I tried to reform my shadow, all to no avail. I began to panic, did Kōshirō use haki to disrupt Doppleman?

Within a moment, he was upon me. I had no time to think, but my instincts began to kick in. Dodge to the left! Block down. Block left, right, down, up. Jump! My body began to move on auto pilot. The constant sparring with the zombie generals had keyed me up to combat.

Although less than a minute had passed, I still had some time to think. I noticed that slowly, ever so slowly, my shadow began to reform. I felt that if I had time to concentrate, I could probably piece it back together in about a minute, maybe a bit longer. However, at this rate, I'd be lucky if it reformed after five, or ten minutes! Maybe even more!

Spinning in the air, I came down with both swords. In a mighty clash of power, Kōshirō held his single blade aloft with one hand. He began to push me back! For the first time since a Yonko, someone has pushed me back in a power struggle! With a heave, I was tossed away. My body crashed into the soil, creating a long furrow similar to that of one created by a farmers plow. I didn't have a moment of respite; he was upon me before my momentum was stopped by the hillside.

What speed! My eyes widened in shock; I did my best to block the incoming strikes. During my many spars, I had learned how to turn and twist my bulk, even plowing into the soil like I was now, I could dodge several of his strikes, turning the ones that connected into shallow cuts.

Blood seeped out of my now many open wounds, and flew every which way during Kōshirō's pursuit. I used my momentum to cartwheel away, and gain some space.

Kōshirō was faster, and physically stronger than me. Not to mention, a technically better fighter, every move of his limited the amount of energy exerted to the bare minimum. When I used shadow reading on him, it was as if he was one with his surroundings. Every strike I threw his way, it was as if it was predicted a minute in advance. I may as well be a snail in comparison to him. Nothing but a nuisance.

To hell with fighting as just a swordsman. I thought it would be good practice, but turns out, next to a bonafide sword master, my skills are worth piss. I began to strike at Kōshirō with my shadow attacks.

I began to hop backwards, creating more space between the two of us. I had no Doppleman to switch places with, and in this wide open field, there were precious few shadows for me to hop to. I decided to hold off on entering my shadow armour state, and created a surfboard shaped shadow. Jumping on, I sailed away, while firing javelins, and other shaped attacks at Kōshirō.

Adjusting his course, and without a pause in his stride at seeing my abilities, Kōshirō rushed towards me at unimaginable speeds. I did all I could to keep him from me. A hail of javelins spread from my position, backed up by a pack of birds, wolves, and all sorts of animals. Even a few spinning buzzsaws reminiscent of the destructo disc were thrown in. Kōshirō easily dodged, or sliced every attack to smithereens.

I stopped running, and stood still to concentrate. I formed thousands of shadow javelins, with a thought, I sent the storm his way. I generated wave after wave of attack, but they were all rebuffed. This wasn't going to work, I might have to chance Shanks' wrath, and utilize one of my ultimate techniques! I began to generate a mass of shadows above us, all the while, continuing with my attacks against Kōshirō. Soon, the sky was blotted out by a blob. Very few traces of light broke through the screen I had set up.

Kōshirō walked steadily in my direction, energy attacks began to emerge from his blade, and pierce towards my position. Was this ki?

When the energy attack reached me, I held out my blades. Impel Down prisoners, don't let me down now!

"Hn!" With a grunt, I met the energy attacks head on. In my attempt to coat my blades in defensive haki, I could feel an energy briefly coat both blades. Success! Over the course of the next minute, I maintained my defense, and directed the energy from the ki strikes to my sides. At the same time however, Kōshirō also successfully defeated my deluge of shadow javelins, and was almost upon me. Glancing into the sky, the amount of shadow I had generated wasn't as much as I had used to destroy Rock Fire Island, but it would have to do.

Through shadow reading, I could tell Kōshirō had something he wanted to say. I could also tell he was beyond furious, and barely winded. Covered in light wounds, I wasn't at my peak, but I wasn't that bad off either. If anything, my mental concentration was pushed to the limit, any delay in fighting was a welcomed one. Kōshirō stood a few meters away from me, I had stopped sending attacks his way to relax my mind. A frown marred his usually friendly looking face.

"You are a disgrace upon my family name. I was hoping a man with your reputation would be worthy of Shizāsouru. You do not deserve this blade. At first, I hoped to be honored by a fellow swordsman. If this would not come to pass, at the very least, I could take the blade, and bestow it to one more worthy. My honor, would no longer be besmirched. However, not only have you misused Shizāsouru, you, Gecko Moria, have so shallowly copied my family sword style, your act of disrespect not only harms my face, but that of the entire Shimotsuki clan. And that. That I cannot forgive. My name is Shimotsuki Kōshirō, may you find peace with the Shinigami." Kōshirō bowed once more, and strode forward.

I decided then, that since I was facing someone as strong as Kōshirō, I was going to kite backwards, and wear him out. Hopefully, I can launch a large attack, or catch him off guard.

Right when I was going to move upward into the sky, Kōshirō moved and sliced my surfboard in twain. I jumped from the crumbling platform, and formed shadow wings upon my back, intent on escaping into the sky. At the same time, creatures, big and small began to fall from the blob of shadow in the sky. A dragon made of shadow, the size of several busses roared, as it charged at Kōshirō.

The dragon was one of many creatures and shapes. Drills, buzzsaws, and javelins spun at crazy speeds as they descended towards the swordsman. Some attacks tore through the ground, to attack him from below, many that he dodged still had energy as long as I directed them, and turned around to attack him.

This still wasn't enough! Koshiro dodged at the perfect time, every time. The way he moved was perfect, many of my own attacks canceled each other out. A swarm of javelins collided with the dragon, dispersing it completely.

I could read from his shadow, the complete and utter contempt he had for me.

"Kōshirō! You expected, nay, hoped for a fight with a world class sword master! The Shimotsuki sword style you hold in such high praise is barely worth learning! One of my weakling crewmates, Saga taught it to me! Perhaps after this, I'll kill him for teaching me such a worthless sword style!" I tried to rile him up, and try to get any advantage I could.

"Now I know where that rude girl learned such foul speech. Barbarism has no place in cultured society." Kōshirō's glasses reflected brightly with the scattered sun, and I couldn't see his expression much with the limited light. However, with my abilities, I could tell one thing. The man was absolutely livid! I began to grin. Mission success!

A moment later, more than five hundred energy crescents blasted towards the mass of shadow I had floating in the sky. Each crescent was similar in size to the ones Mihawk had used to cut Aokiji's ice at the battle of Marineford.

"Oh shit!" I barely had time to dodge the strikes, before the shockwaves sent me tumbling to the ground. I flipped end over end, and slammed face first into the ground, creating a large crater in the already torn apart landscape.

Blood began to pop from my nose, mouth, and ears at the crazy amounts of pressure imbalances created by his attack.

Kneeling, and then standing up with great effort, I spit blood from my mouth to the side. I absorbed another shadow, healing my physical wounds. My use of haki from earlier, and the generation of such a large amount of shadows was beginning to take its toll on me. It was at this point, that I very seriously considered fleeing to fight another day. No one is born undefeatable. A loss, so soon after the humiliation from Shanks smarts something fierce. However, I did get Perona back, so it's not all bad.

"Prepare yourself." Was all I heard, before a flash of steel descended upon me.

"Damn…I distracted myself again." Was all I got out, before I fell onto my back. It felt like I had been cut down to the waist. Kōshirō moved to my fallen body, tossing my swords away.

"Now!" I distantly heard a shout. Turning my head to the side, I saw a hand emerge from the ground. Silver Knight's arm gripped Kōshirō's leg in a vice-grip. At the same time, both Fu Manchu, and John charged at him. Without any hesitation, Kōshirō cut his left leg off at the knee to avoid the incoming strikes.

My vision began to get dimmer and dimmer, a circle of darkness spread across my eyes, with every heartbeat, the circle of darkness beat like a drum. It slowly began to close, my vision cut off from nearly all light. All I could hear was my heart, beating furiously, and the faint clash of metal. Loud thumps, and explosions, sounded distant. Vibrations shook my body, and I was caked in a layer of dust. I tried my best to command my body to do something, anything, but it was unresponsive. I tried to command the shadows in my pocket to enter my body, to heal me. But nothing was happening! I began to panic, was this the end?!

Soon, all feeling began to leave my arms, not even the wetness or heat of my own blood could be felt. Am I dying? Resigned to my fate, I tried to rationalize my upcoming death. Maybe this is for the best, why fear death. How I became Gecko Moria is a mystery to me, it's unexplainable. Hopefully it's reincarnation, that sounds nice.

When I had this thought, my minds image was initially of my smiling parents from my past life. Peace is good. I smiled content, at peace with my death.

"I HaaaaaaVEEEEee something FooORRr yOUuuuAh" A crooked, and crusty voice sounded throughout my entire being. The voice reminded me of an old man, hoarse, and done with life, yet perverted, like the dirtiest pedophile seeking the flesh of the youngest boy. At the end of a narrow tunnel, a hunch backed creature crouched low to the ground. It's outline was grainy in the low light tunnel, I couldn't make out any distinguishing characteristics. All except one, its eyes were perfectly empty circles that seemed to go on forever.

I blinked my eyes, and turned away in fear.

"mOrIa. I'lL sEe YoU soOOOOooooOOONnnAh"

Is this what's waiting for me in the afterlife?! I WANT TO LIVE!

"aWAkehna UP! gET UPAh!"

NO, this won't be my fate! I CANNOT ALLOW THIS! With every fiber of my being, I resisted my death. Any peace of mind I had established last time was taken to the incinerator. I urged every iota of my being into living on.

"Hah hah hah" With a gasp, I came to. Light streamed into my vision, and the acrid smell of smoke filled the air. I breathed in and out rapidly, as my vision began to clear, the first thing I noticed was my size. I felt like I'd quadrupled in both weight and size. A monstrously large scar ran from my right shoulder down to my waist. I was so spent; my exhaustion was at its peak. At this point, all I wanted to do was sleep. But I had to know what happened. After taking my body into account, I began to look around. I saw a valley that was completely unrecognizable from an hour ago.

There wasn't a single spot of grass that hadn't been left unmarred from battle. Scorched earth was the least surprising thing about my surroundings. Not only that, hundreds of decayed limbs lay about the ground. Next to me was the motionless corpse of a giant animal zombie. One of my animal variant general zombies had been slain?

I gingerly raised myself from the ground, sitting down, I could see far and wide. These must have been the reinforcements Absalom sent for the rescue operation of Perona. I never realized he cared enough about her to send this many zombies! This is more than 2,000 zombies, the majority of our forces! Sadly for me, it was a killing field! Nothing but motionless corpses dotted the land as far as the eye could see. In the distance, a bloodied and legless Kōshirō battled with a nearly destroyed Silver Knight. Fu Manchu, and John were nowhere to be seen.

Upon my observation, Kōshirō looked over, and his expression turned into one of shock, and fury.

"You! You're still alive! How dare you!" Kōshirō began to furiously battle Silver Knight. I could tell that Silver Knight could last only a few more moves, then Kōshirō would come for me. In my current state, I wasn't overly confident in defeating him. Even in his fatigued and injured state, the man had me spooked. His skill with the sword, his martial prowess, it was terrifying.

However, now that he's distracted, this would be the perfect time to snatch his shadow! I looked around for my blade, but I couldn't find it! I'd never taken someone's shadow before without the help of my sword, the Shizāsouru! Can I take his shadow without the help of that blade? Only one way to find out!

Slowly, Kōshirō's shadow made it's way over to me.

"I know about your devil fruit Gecko Moria. It won't work on me!" Composure broken, Kōshirō turned towards me in a blitz.

"No!" Only a few more seconds, and his shadow would be within my grasp!

I saw the shadow of Kōshirō's blade descend, I closed my eyes, and prepared myself for a dance with the devil.

*CLANG* A large sound of metal clashing on metal screeched to the heavens.

Opening my eyes, Silver Knight had interposed himself between me and Kōshirō. The armour holding him together had been cut, slashed, and nicked in so many places during his fight with Kōshirō. Damaged as it was, Silver Knight's armament haki was so impressive, Kōshirō's sword only cut down from the crest of Silver Knight's helmet, to the base of his neck. With a thumbs up, Silver Knight fell to the ground. The shadow animating his body dissipated into the horizon.

"An admirable attempt, but ultimately futile. You need Shizāsouru to remove my shadow. Without my family, your career as a pirate never would've began. You can view this as nothing more than a transaction. I'll be collecting upon years of rental fees. The price will be your life." Kōshirō wound up his arm to swing.

A loud tearing noise took place right when Kōshirō was about to bring his sword down.

Struggling in my hand was a little more then half of Kōshirō's shadow. I immediately absorbed the shadow. Looking on with glee, I saw Kōshirō's face lose all color. His sword clattered to the ground, as he got on his hands and knees. He wretched and barfed his breakfast all over the floor. Wiping his mouth, he shakily stood on his good leg, and wobbly moved to pick up his sword.

Why isn't he disappearing? The sky is bright with sunlight. Sun? Hello, sun!? SUN?!

"Let's do this, one last time. My name is Shimotsuki Kōshirō, prepare to die." He slowly walked towards me, I tried to summon Doppleman, but he was unresponsive for some reason. With my exhaustion, all I could do was summon a single blade of shadow. This is my last hope! It rushed towards Kōshirō, it was large enough to cut him in two. Just like always in this fight, he dodged at the most optimal moment.

With a genial smile, my killer brought his sword down.

*Shink*

With a genial smile, my would be killer smiled as blood dribbled to his mouth. A sword poked out of his chest where his heart is. Kōshirō took a step forward, raised his blade one last time, then fell to the ground, dead.

Looking left and right in befuddlement, who saved me, one of the zombies?

"I'm right here Captain." Appearing out of thin air, a serious looking Absalom held a bloodied blade. His clear-clear fruit had given him the perfect opportunity to save me.

Shimotsuki Kōshirō I would have loved to have had your shadow. As a learning tool, and placed within a zombie. Sadly, it was not to be.

"…It was a close one this time Absalom. You're my most reliable sailor. No one works harder to revive the crew than you. The Thriller Bark Island wouldn't run without you. I'm just a waste of space, always making trouble for you huh? Creating more and more work. Ha ha ha. Maybe we should just retire to the Florian Triangle, and relive our peaceful days." I gave myself a self-deprecating laugh. My nearest bout with death had shaken my resolve.

*Tcha* A loud slap rang out.

"With all due respect Captain, that's not true! You're not making trouble for me! After this fight, you can't go back to the same lazy ways! What was with that promise you made to me?! The promise you made to our crew? You said that the world was going to change. That we had to be prepared for it, or we'd be swallowed whole! You have the fire, don't lose it because of a set-back like this! So you lost many of the zombies, rebuild! You still have Hogback, you have Perona, you have those new recruits! You can still make it!"

"And I have you. Thank you Absalom, for sticking with a headstrong, idiot of a Captain. Thank you for setting my head straight, no man is an island unto himself."

"Glad you see it my way Captain."

"Good, we're on the same page. Now, clean up this mess." With a pat on Absalom's back, I fell to the ground, and went to sleep, utterly exhausted from the fight.

Meanwhile, in a land faraway

Within a dark, smoke filled room, gangsters, killers, and all sorts of people from the underworld congregated. Poker chips, bets, and other unique wagers had been placed on a board. Written in chalk, such bets as "less than 500 zombies is a two to one pay out." or "Defeat the knight in less than 100 strikes, 5 beri entry" "Moria begs for death, 500 beri." "Kōshirō lets him go, 10,000." were common. Inside the room where once there was gambling, and wild cheer, now, not a soul made a noise.

A young buxom, blue haired woman sat curled into a ball teary eyed, her cat eyes, and lightly freckled face were enough to entice any man. She rocked back and forth as she bit her thumbnail. On the screen in front of her projected by the den den mushi, the corpse of Shimotsuki Kōshirō lay on the ground, only a few steps away from the Shichibukai, Gecko Moria.

Someone went to erase the bets from the chalk board, breaking the silence of the room. The dealer rubbed the washcloth across the board only once before every eye was upon him. The dealer stopped his action, as soon as he noticed everyone's attention. However, it was too late. As the water spilt down the chalk, some of the words got jumbled, and it appeared like a new message had been spelt out.

MORIA KILLS KŌSHIRŌ

The table everyone sat at instantly shattered. Cups, saucers, and glasses flew into the air, shattering. Nearly everyone within the establishment fell to the ground, slumped and unconscious.

"Ozai, give the order to the Crazy 88's, I want that man dead. Post a bounty of 750 million beri's. Don't bother me over the next week, I'll be telling my Uncle's about this. And tell that idiot Kyoshiro not to get in my way!"

"Yes boss." Ozai bowed.

Cowering in the corner near the chalkboard, the dealer had no clue what was going on. Why did everyone drop to the ground unconscious! Ah, maybe the boss would know.

"H-hey boss, what happened to everyone."

Walking up to him, the boss straddled his crotch. At first it was nice…is the boss coming on to me? But as soon as the pleasure came, the pain began.

"Ohh, we're going to have fun today." She cooed in his ear.

"Boss? Boss, that hurts! Why hy hy!"

With one last bow, Ozai closed the sliding door to the dank, smoke filled room. Leaving behind the sounds of screaming and pleading, he bowed one last time for the fallen.

AN: If you wanna see the guy Moria fought, google "One Piece Zoro Teacher."

Thanks for the reviews, they actually do impact the story. A part of the Shanks interaction, and Doppleman being attacked by haki was a direct result of viewer feedback!

Interesting? side note, the darkening vision of Moria is me describing the time I almost died irl. I didn't see anything like what Moria did, that's part of the plot. No ROBs, I swear, I hate those things as a plot device.

Maybe I'll do an interlude next chapter or soonish, write a pov for Saga, Perona, Kenji, and a few words about the new recruits.