Chapter 12

◇2 months of working in Impel Down◇

*Sniff sniff*

"Goodbye, Honorary Warden. I won't forget about the time we spent together~💕"

"Huh?! What are you talking about, Head Jailer?"

"It's not your business, Chief Warden."

I saw my colleagues at the port.

Domino-san and Hannyabal are arguing with each other.

"Shikage, I'm glad to work with you. Come back again when we have a large batch of prisoners."

"Me too, Thank you for working with me Magellan. I'll be waiting for the call." (Shikage)

We shook hands and I also waved to the other staff of the Impel Down.

And moved to the people who came to pick me up. My hunters and our brand new flagship.

A merchant vessel with a blue flag with our own Insignia.

The flag was different from the Pirates and Marines. It's a civil ensign.

"Welcome aboard, Guildmaster."

Blueno was the first to welcome me.

"Yo~! Shika... Welcome, It's my pride and joy to present you the ship, The Black Pearl!" (Kaku)

"Hah... It's really hard to find the budget for the ship. Luckily, The Guild is now earning a good sum of money." (Kalifa)

"I-its breathtaking... I-i-i love it... I thank you, Kaku! Everyone... Good work." (Shikage)

I'm amazed at Kaku. Who knew he could build a ship this good-looking. Also, Massive thanks to Kalifa for finding the solution for our budget problems.

I am now at the deck of the Black Pearl, She's really pretty and big. Just like the ghost ship of Brook back then.

"Goodbye~ everyone! I'll see you again in the future!! Byee~!" (Shikage)

I said my farewell to the people of Impel down. And our ship departed from the port.

With my excitement, I joined the others at rowing. I couldn't even believe that our ship's keel and the bottom part is made with Sea stones. Just like the battleship of the Marines.

Kaku made use of my status to build a monster of a ship.

Black Pearl... What a wonderful vessel.

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(a/n:Source: https://pirates.fandom.com/wiki/Black_Pearl)

The Black Pearl was a three-masted hybrid of a galleon and an East Indiaman. She had a black hull and flew sails of pure white which have the insignia of the Hunter's Guild.

The rigging of the Black Pearl had three masts: the fore, the mizzen, and the main. The fore and main masts were rigged with a topsail and a topgallant course, while the mizzen had a topsail and a mizzen course. At the bow were the fore stay-sail and flying jib, anchored with the bowsprit, both used for steering. The capstan was used to raise and lower the anchor and various cargoes were found on the main deck, combined with the mainmast. The jolly boats, used for going ashore, were found here too. The Pearl had deck guns on the main deck as well as the lower gun deck.

At the aft of the ship beneath the helm, was the captain's quarters. The captain's quarters were very spacious compared to the crew's quarters. The captain used their quarters to dine, hold private conversations, and navigate. It could also have been used as a surgery area or even gundeck if needed. Above the captain's quarters was the upper deck. The wheel or helm was found here as was the belfry. The belfry contains a bell that was rung on the hour.

The crew's quarters were near the middle of the ship. This area was filled with hammocks that the crew slept in. The crew's quarters also had a few of the ship's cannons. The lowest part of the ship was used as storage. Among the supplies kept there were ammunition, food, and, most importantly in the eyes of the crew, rum. Of course, As the ship of the Hunters Guild. The Black Pearl also had a brig comprised of five cells. Always ready for hunting of Outlaws and Pirates.

The Black Pearl was armed with 32 twelve-pound cannons: fourteen on the upper deck and eighteen on the lower gun deck. She had no cannons on the bow or stern, leaving her at a disadvantage during a pursuit. The ship still could be damaged or sunk, Nevertheless, her firepower is strong enough to damage a ship gravely or even sink an enemy ship.

(a/n: Always think of the Movie when the ship is sailing. It is just a coincidence that Kaku named the ship the Black Pearl.)

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The ship has a crew of 30 sailors, including me.

We just left the calm belt and the potential of our Black Pearl was finally revealed to us. Just like I requested to Kaku, The Black Pearl is so fast at sailing. Especially when the ship sailed with the winds.

It won't be long until the ship would be called the fastest ship in the whole world.

Well, I just wanted a fast ship to catch the fleeing pirates and capture them if we ever come across them. Sometimes, The seas are filled with pirates. Waiting for pirates at the islands is good but It's better to chase them in the sea.

I'm really excited to fight pirates again. Although I fought some prisoners back at the prison, I wanted to fight more battles to improve my Haki.

"Oi Kaku... Where are the coffins of my zombies?" (Shikage)

Although we shipped the coffins and corpses back to my mansion whenever my hunters came to the prison. Not all zombies are the same in value.

The commanders and the elite zombies are always with me. While the fodders are sent to the mansion for manpower and stuff.

"They're at the storage area. You do know that it's unusual for a human to be with zombies... Hah... You're a little bit crazy, Shika." (Kaku)

E-eh? But it's also part of my abilities. I won't give it up.

"But you can't deny the advantage of a zombie. They can even replace the sailors. Zombies are just creepy for humans." (Blueno)

Nice. Tell them more!! Well done Blueno!

Then the next words of Kalifa felt like cold water damping my ignited spirit.

"But... Zombies are ugly!" (Kalifa)

Oof!

I took a massive hit on my confidence for the zombies.

"Tch... As if you can beat those ugly zombies." (Shikage)

Now, It's my words that hit their confidence.

Although they're strong, You really need to have Haki if you're going to be a powerhouse in the Grand Line.

My commanders can use Haki. They have their own specialized Haki.

And my hunters are just starting their training with me. It means that my zombies are more advanced than them.

"Now now, Let's train hard, okay?" (Shikage)

I better cheer them up.

And then we engage in some idle talk to pass the time.

We still need more personnel to recruit. Especially the position of the helmsman and navigator to make our Black Pearl be the true fastest ship in the world.

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It took a week of sailing before we reached the Island Ship.

We are currently close to the middle of the 1st half of Grand Line.

Right beside the Island of Jaya. The paradise for the pirates.

And it's also the hunting grounds of my Guild.

The Thriller Bark is anchored at a day's worth of distance from the Jaya.

After disembarking at my mansion port. I separated from the sailors and hunters. I left together with my zombies who are carrying their own coffin.

Climbing the staircase with my zombies, We easily made it to the mast mansion. This is a different mansion than our HQ.

All the staffs here are zombies. Their home was also here in the mast mansion. The giant freezer where we kept the corpses of Oars and Oars jr.

Then I let them take their positions in the mansion. The general zombies are placed in the barracks. Commanders are to be in charge of the army of zombies.

After arriving at my very own room. I quickly jumped to the king-size bed. The comfy bed felt like I'm in heaven.

"Aaaah! Feels~ good~! Finally! Home sweet home!" (Shikage)

Then I slowly emptied my mind and close my eyes.

Nothing beats your very own home. Even if I slept okay at the captain quarters of the Black Pearl or my personal room at the Impel Down. My room here in Thriller Bark is the most comfortable for me.

There weren't many things in my room. I have my personal transponder snail there, a study desk, a large treasure chest, my king-size bed, and my large wardrobe.

Oh, By the way, due to the hunts of the Guild. We have looted a large sum of treasures from the pirates they hunted. So, The treasure chest isn't empty.

Plus, with the authority of a Shichibukai to legally plunder the pirates, It means that the treasures are mine.

Enough! I'll sleep first. It seems that I'm also copying Moria's habit now.

◇On a certain day◇

*Slam*

"Good morning! Young master, Please wake up... You have an important thing to do today. Kalifa-san is already at the dining room."

The heavy slamming of the door and the clear voice awoke me. I slowly raised my heavy body and head. A peaceful morning greeted me.

"Urr... What time is it?" (Shikage)

"It's 7 a.m, sir."

Hmm... Somehow, I'm feeling great.

Looks like I slept well, I feel so refreshed after waking up. I get off the bed and head straight to the bathroom.

"Oh before that, Thank you Cindry-san!" (Sihkage)

"I'm honored to serve you, Young Master." (Cindry)

No one knows about her but I have read the Shikadiary. Cindry-san is the only zombie who has recovered her humanity. I really thought that this would someday be explained and be helpful to me.

Imagine bringing back the old personalities and capabilities of the corpse.

I can't wait to do it in reality. That's why I needed her. Of course, I valued her position right now.

The Head maid of the mast mansion. Even her shadow was the head maid of Hunter's HQ. I discussed with the human head maid to remain always in the mansion to avoid exposure to the sun.

Cindry-san continued to assist me when I was preparing myself. Helping me wear a black suit, To look like an important person or something. I even styled my hair to look clean today.

Then I joined the zombie maid and arrived at the dining room.

Another perk of having zombies is that I don't need to worry about their food supply. A large number of foods are present on the table.

Kalifa and I begin digging in. Although, Kalifa had almost finished her meal.

A short time passed until I finished my meal. I was wiping my mouth with a napkin when Kalifa started to report the schedule for today. She said that the reporters are already at the venue.

(Oh shit... hah... Let's do this!) (Shikage)

I listened attentively to Kalifa. We left the mansion and ride the carriage prepared by her. She handed a list and schedule to me. Kalifa told me to familiarize the people in the documents she gave.

Inside my schedule is to Inspire any recruits and officially announce what the Guild does. Also, To declare my position as the Guildmaster. And it is broadcasted to the whole world.

For now, Let's think about the Guild first.

We have a decent amount of Bounty hunters in our ranks. And the most active one is the owner of the Wolf Wolf fruit's ability, Jabra.

Due to his competitiveness, He was challenging the Ace of our Guild, Kaku. And a hunting competition happens between the two.

Aside from the ex-agents of CP9, there are also the previous enemies of the Straw hats. The former Baroque Works members, and their agents.

I was quite surprised to see their names and records in the documents.

The former agents were originally doing stupid work of maintaining their livelihood on just a small cafe, The Spiders Cafe.

But they were informed by their own sources that a different organization is hiring Bounty hunters and It was a legal business.

They were originally Bounty hunters until they were recruited by Crocodile to be an Officer agent of his organization.

I guess this would help our guild. The Guild isn't the only one benefitting from hiring them. There are also many advantages of being a hunter in the Guild.

Our posting agency is really up-to-date with any kinds of information from the news coo. Updated bounty posters, predicting the locations of the wanted pirates or outlaws, and the requests of clients other than the World Government.

We also provide supplies for the hunters. I discussed with Blueno in the past to make a weapon factory at Shadowfen. The town's markets are filled with things that are used to hunt and capture pirates.

And if they really want to be part of the Guild, the hunter can be a resident in this Island Ship. We all know that being a Bounty hunter is being adrift. Some have no home, and for others, hunting pirates is the only thing you can do to sustain yourself and your family.

The Bounty hunters want to be protected from financial risk.

The Hunters Guild will provide these for the hunters. And if someone is asking 'what will the Guild get from this', The answer is simple. To help the people who are afraid of the outlaws and be an assistance to the public. I was a victim of Piracy and I hope to leave a mark in this world.

Of course, The Guild couldn't function without financial support. We work together with different organizations such as the Doskoi Panda who sponsored my secretary. We are tasked to be their defenders if ever there are pirates who would raid their base or even take over their cargo ships.

As for the hunters, The Guild would take 20% possession of the treasures they have looted from their hunt. And even this would be beneficial to that hunter. Because 80% of the treasures would be their legal property.

Well, It's my status that helps it to become legal. The title of a Royal Shichibukai.

The Guild also has a fee for the clients to post their requests. They would assign an amount to the outlaw they have chosen. A proper investigation would be done to ensure that the outlaw has broken the law.

But the requests aren't that many on the request board. We need to spread the Guild's reputation even more. And a good reputation would be needed.

For the structure of our Guild:

The Hunters' Guild is composed of many smaller teams and bounty hunters that operated nearly independently.

They're held together by our Hunter's Guild.

At the top of the Guild is me, the Guildmaster.

Supporting me are the administrators of the Guild. Each has its own divisions.

And for the bounty hunters, they are free to do as they will but the Guild has the Hunters creed to keep them in check.

The Guild has the Rank system and reputation system for the Bounty hunters. The Rank system is base on the objective ability of the Bounty hunter, While the reputation is built on the success rate as well as the number of complaints about the Bounty hunter.

Most Bounty hunters start by joining the existing team to build a reputation.

Our organization is in the middle of expanding to the whole world!

Oops, I ended up thinking too much. Welp, Better get ready for my speech!

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