Within the Red Sashes, there is three who have yet to be seen of what occurred during their third year apart from the crew. The commonality between these three can be summed into a few simple, different words.
Wealth, Fame, Power…
Mind, Body, Spirit…
Brains, Brawn, Will…
But also fear. Fear of weakness. Fear of Loosing meaning. Fear of not having what it takes.
These phrases could describe these three in a variety of ways. And perhaps in some form or another could be fitting any of them.
They are; Falcon D. Leroy, Captain of The Red Sash Pirates. Arquette Jeanne, Markswoman and Mechanics Visionary of The Red Sash Pirates. And Azalea Raven, Scholar, Archeologist and Academic Researcher of The Red Sash Pirates.
This is the story of their third year.
Upon the Island of Struggle, currently Leroy was sat between Freddie and Zeke. Leroy crouched in seated horse position, hands gripped around the flared lips of pots that held candles inside of them. The flames flickering and licking at Leroys hand. Had it not been for the Armament Haki Coating his hand. Those same marks of Flames at the end of his wrists, pattern like bands around his digits, all reflecting the pearlescent red hue when the light hit the stark metallic black.
It was to help him concentrate on focusing the Haki. Resist against the temperature and pain, all while his body was tensed in the fixed position.
"The Celestial Dragons go by many names." Freddie began. Drawing chalk against the board. "Heavenly Dragons, Sacred Folk, Tenryuubito, Heavenly Dragon Folk, it all comes down to who is referring them. Most often, the World Government itself refers to them as Neutrally as Possible." A single stroke underlined the word.
"World Nobles."
Leroy grimaced. Body trembling from having held the pose for nearly 3 hours. "Wheeze…Haff…Fine by me…Always thought it was Bullshit…Callin' em dragons! Dragons are supposed to be– Cool!" He coughed out.
"Maraha!" Freddie Laughed. "I supposed so. Better than callin' them even simpler things like, Ruling Class or Rich Guys." The chalk clattered. "World Noble is a good mix of Evocative and not pompous."
Zeke pat Leroys back hard. "You can stop now."
"Wo-oah!" The Pots Clattered. Leroy stumbling back and forth only collapse against the dirt.
"Whew." Zeke blew the candle still lit with a breath. The younger one splayed out on the ground. "Ack…finally…." Sweat drenched his face and soaked the tank top. Scratching at the beard that was thick on his face. "Agh. The beards cool but man…I wanna cut it."
The Teacher Scoffed "You were the one that wanted to make a Vow that you could only shave once you were about to head off to reunite." Leroy rolled his eyes.
"And for what. A Bit of increased haki to me. Letting all the training slam into me all at once." He scratched his head.
"It wasn't a bad Idea. Some people make vows that are temporary. For that very reason. Big risk or decent give or take to their benefit once its broken. Good for training."
"Yeah yeah…I know." Leroy waved of the remark. "Keep talkin Freddie. Supposed to explain the Ranks of these Bozos next right?"
"Yes. I was." He gave a small smirk accompanied with a roll of his eyes. "World Nobles can, technically be anyone if they had enough money and sway with the government. Often many Kings and Monarchs are invited, and in their stead a puppet leader chosen by the former leads the Island in their stead."
"Theres World Nobels, with the title of Master or Madam. These are your typical Nobles who inhabit Sacred Eden in their Pirvate Estates, and essentially spend their lives spending and consuming."
"But above this, once a Noble accomplishes something, rather that be marrying into another family that bolsters them, Owns Property, Contracts, Factories or Manufacturing, Islands or Companies. Rather through owning shares of it or buying it out right. They gain the title of Lord." Chalk scratched against the green blackboard.
"When their reputation, growth, and wealth grow to immense amounts. Multiple Companies, Shares, Families, Islands, Philanthropy. Or become the heads of their families or become their heads of their own original dynasty and house, they gain the Title of Saint."
"Finally. When they reach Old Age. On top of everything else. Heading families, Holding sway in the government. They become known as Lord Saints."
While Leroy was left in shock at the information. The revelation and explanation of what the point of World Nobles were. To serve as a Class that would forever fund and benefit the interests of the World Government and be allowed to continue themselves and their operations as a recursive loop of funding, advancement all inside; Metaphorical and Sometimes literal, Incestous cycle.
Raven Mean while, in the Depths of the Library. She frantically flipped through the Pages of A Book that spoke on the same very concepts that the Leroy was Learning. The Houses of the World Nobles. The Agustus Family, Antionette, Stonefeller, Ferdinand. Countless Families all tied to some of the most recognizable and influential organizations, banks and corporations in History. Shipping Companies, Stock Trading, Broking, and so much more.
She was attempting to find any form of Collaboration for what she found in the depths of the Library…Passing over Passages that Explained Warriors of The Nobles known as The Holy Division of Archseraph. The Elders, or the Rokuseiza. The Six Elder Luminarie Constellations.
But still…
It did not explain that cube.
The Rau Poneglyph.
A Massive 7 Meter Cube of Dark Emerald Like Rock. That spoke of how many Poneglyphs there were. There were not two dozen as Tovara had thought in all of its research. But in fact. Their were countless Dozens of them. Varying in size. Tovara had assumed there were only two types…
But this one. This Gate.
Made reference of more types than those, and varying sizes. This Gate Poneglyph served as what could only be described as an Index of them.
Model Size: 5 Meter, Partial Size: 3 Meters, Compact: Up to 1 Meter.
Archive: Story Stones that possess a generalized accounting of information. Anything that could be seen as significant in life, even mundane, with the Color of Ochre. Just like the one in Skyderia.
Informational: Story Stones that hold instructions and directions to Locations in various forms. Holding the Color Deep Blue like Lapis.
Historical: Story Stones that tell a specific piece of a culture, history, story. And what Raven would assume to be potentially mythical from the perspective. A lighter blue like aquamarine.
Spoke of the existence of Four Amber Poneglyphs. The Path Poneglyphs. When all were combined and translated. Would Reveal THE Location…
Raven figured it must be tied to the Void Millennium and Void Century.
Jeanne however. Held a different problem. Raven held her breath, and Leroy could struggle to keep breathing.
Jeanne was struggling to steady her own.
Her target sat over a kilometer away. Thoughts racing in her mind. Causing her hands to quiver and shake. Index trembling as it laid flat against the trigger guard until read to fire.
Scope Shadow Blurring in and out focus. Target vanishing before her eyes readjusted.
In her scope. Was a Nobleman. Surrounded by enchained slaves and beasts serving as pets.
"Breath. Slowly. In an out. Youve take shots crazier than this before…" Tabi offered consultation. Slowly stroking the womans back.
Jeanne though to herself…Had she taken shots more incredible than this? The Fight in Aluba. Against the CPA Agents in the Citadel of Justice. But a kilometer away. With wind in the air shifting constantly. The Target Moving with other unintended subjects in the frame…
Why was she taking this shot in the first place?
"But if you take one down. Won't another just take their place?" Leroy asked. Hands on his hips as he paced back and forth. A Calculus of Action repeating as he thought. "That would be the case." Freddie began.
"Your fathers comrade, the same one that helped you in the court case, wrote about this very idea. He posed that lone assassinations do nothing if there aren't concrete benefits to doing so. If you kill a king, or a noble; World or Otherwise. If it doesnt help alleviate suffering it mindless catharsis." He sat with a firm brow. Pipe fixed between his lips.
"But what if doing so could? Even a small way? A piece to be taken off the board to do something now, instead of potentially becoming complacent and lost in paralysis of 'Not Yet.'" The Captain looked over his shoulder at that.
"Was my killing of the World Noble mindless catharsis that made the situation worse…Or was it a necessary action even if done in haste…" His gaze fixed to the ground. If he had merely punched the World Noble, would that have allowed the Slaves to escape? Would it have sent a message that actions can be taken? What if he did nothing? Slaves would've died, executed right there by the World Nobles orders. But his death caused a distraction that allowed them to take action and get everyone away.
Even if…It Resulted–
Jeanne steadied her breath. Closing her eyes. Thinking back to that day. The day she thought that she'd die at the Hands of Benjamin Condent. Because of what Leroy had done.
'If Leroy hadn't been reckless. We may have been able to get away…' She began to think to herself. 'But those Slaves. Would've weighed on all of us in someway. Our lives were put in danger, but those freed had another chance to live.'
She opened her eye. Shadow of the lens vacant as her Target was clear. 'It gave us this opportunity to better ourselves. A Chance to grow so that we will never be split apart again.'
She blinked. And in the next moment markings shifted her eyes. Irises swirling into a vortex, a cross forming from her pupils. A yellow hue to her once pale blue eyes. Her Kata; Salinon, allowed her to see the trajectory of projectiles. Literally visualizing the calculated paths of things within her field of view.
She saw the dark purple line leave the barrel of her rifle, going straight of into the distance before beginning to form a Parabola where the shot would start to fall. Other arrows were visible, at a distance. The direction of the wind. Causing the line to sway.
Jeannes Finger lowered, grazing against a switch. Resting on the trigger, now merely half a pound. Tabi's words and touch grounding her. "There you go. With him down, we can move in and get those in chains back to where they belong."
The Shot was perfect. In every account that could be accomplished. Her standard 14mm would've been overkill. But she had been able to use the Firmament ability of 'Etch' which allowed the aura to be imbedded into an object and Shift its shape. It took an immense amount of drain to do so.
The Markswoman had shifted the standard 14mm tip into a long and thin thing of a bullet. Allowing it to pass through the neck of the Noble; Leaving no staggering devastation to the on lookers.
Her skill had been so immense, she was able to; Without even the assistance of her Kata. Cause the bullet to bounce off the soft ground, slam against the manacle cuffs, slam its rear and take a hard change in trajectory, only to then ricochet off the chains and repeat the pattern of harsh zig zagging paths across the other five bindings to finally shatter into the rock wall harmlessly away.
She had seen with Salion. But this skill, bordered on the preternatural all on its own.
Chains clattered against the ground in rended metal. Smoke blowing from the corner of Jeannes mouth, as the final echoes of the bullets report fizzled against the air.
The Shackled people were thin. A tabby cat mink, Bullshark Fishman…And an…Orca?
Brow pursed across the Steam Humans face. Tongue bit in concentration pulling back in as she picked the lock of the cuffs, looking up to the Tall, broad shoulder woman. "Uh…If you don't mind me asking…"
"What…are you?" She instantly regretted the phrasing. Wincing back in a cringe. "L-like are you a Zoan user or-" She was cut off by a high pitched, cute laugh from the Orca.
"Kikiki…" Her large hand came to over her mouth. Still very human in appearance save for the rounded nose and white shapes that surrounded her eyes. Eyes which held immense exhaustion despite the laughter.
Raven mean while. Was reading the answer to that very question in an centuries old Taxonomy Tome. 'Auxano' a series of Anthropological Volumes discussing and examining the many Races of world…
"Machalia…" Raven murmured to herself. Finger tracing across the archaic script of World Language. Even in only a few centuries the etymology of words had changed dramatically. Dropped letters and characters, symbols. Spoken the same but it took a moment to readjust to reading that familiar script.
"The Hybrid Race of…Picsine and Caprian." Fishmen and Minks. "Caprians are often denoted by their mammalian features, with Picsine physiology being that of Aquatic creatures. The mixed two results in a peculiar aberration." Raven narrowed at the words used.
"One would not be faulted for presuming that the interbreeding would cause a similar result to the Feilings, the crossing of Minks and Humans, resulting in only minor Mammalian characteristics such as eyes, ears, hands, and minor shifts in Skeletal Structure to reflect such." The Scholar continued to pour over the text, the more 'superfluous' material and annotations before continuing aloud again.
"The Machila have the Distinct Features of sea faring mammals. Observed similarities have been; Whales, Otters, Seals, Manatees, and Dolphins."
Jeannes mouth was left agape at the revelation from the Orcas mouth. "Huh…I never knew that…I wonder if Raven knows anything about you guys…Here I was thinking it was only Humans, Minks, Giants and Fishment."
"Oh and the Multi's…Long arm, Hecatons and others…" She scratched her chin in curiosity. Tabi behind her having already covered the body of the Noble from sight. Currently soothing the large captive beast known as a Porcoose. Large in size, meters up to the shoulder with a massive rack of antlers that had small spines rimming the edges. Its fur having much longer ones along the back that constantly shook and vibrated from anxiety. Lowering its head and backing off from the slowly approaching Tabi.
"Kikiki…I know! I don't think I've ever seen someone like me before…But my parents told me about them! Apparently its why they called me Anastasia. Means something like 'new' or like uh 'Starting'" Anastasia had a peculiar way of speaking. Constantly repeating 'Like' and 'Apparently'.
Weeks followed. And Leroy dropped the massive 1.5 million ton plated barbell from overhead. Sweat drenching his skin.
"Ha…Hagh…" He bent forward, hands shaking against his knees. "Cmon! It's friday. Time to break through your limits!" Arnie said from behind him, where he, Zeke and Freddie sat around a small fold out table smoking.
"Take three minutes and move on to rows!" Arnie added, hand over his mouth, only to suddenly start coughing "KAFF KAFF…Damnit…"
"Don't talk while you got smoke in ya." Zeke said with a wry grin. The back and forth chastizing of the two men echoed behind Leroy. Feeling his chest burn…His scar ache across his chest…
He traced the large spiked reminder with a finger. It was as if someone had taken a brush in their fist and smashed it against canvas. Large peaks going in all cardinal direction, with smaller jagged edges between them.
Just like diffraction spikes from a bright, luminescent object in the dark.
"Ya know what fine!" Zeke said. "I'm cutting Leroys Weight Training short!" His face held a barely withdrawn smile, filled with irritation, just as arnies did. "Hey thats some bullshit! He was on his last set!"
"Sorry! I don't make the rules!" Zeke shrugged. "Oh wait! I do!" Laughter spilled from him in victory. "Leroy! Hydrate yaself. We're doing Haki lessons early, cuz someone-!" He glanced over his shoulder before returning to Leroy, now sat on the ground. "Wants to bitch and moan."
Meanwhile. Raven walked through the halls of the library, the dust ridden shelves around verging high up into the air where she could hear the faint rustling of bodies traverse them, like monkies from brank to brank in a thick jungle.
Her eyes were scouting a collected history of the World Government from over 400 years ago. How it spoke on the worship of the World Nobles of Gods. A rarity in these times. Even with Islands such as Judice. The common people saw the Nobles only as people. Human. But risen to a state of palatable Deification. No worship, or groveling. But a reverence for them from a perspective of human wit and will.
It was was a stark reminder how much the times had changed so much and yet so little.
Like the casual reference to slavery and the slave trade of Minks and Fishmen and Humans. Something that was technically illegal, and had been for over three decades. There had been an entire war in the South Blue of merchants pushed from their homes to the South from the original sea.
Yet still, the Red Sashes had seen blatantly how this was circumnavigated. If you were charged with a crime you could end up a slave that benefited the few, while starving the many. You could be marked with the Hoof of The Dragon as Personal Private Property of the Nobles supposedly paying penance for your crimes in a form of community service to them. Out right slavery, was still a 'severe' crime in the eyes of the Government. And was one of the many labels put upon Pirates to deem them…
The Enemy of All Mankind.
A noise suddenly caught Ravens ear. Far different than the dullen sound of flickering candle flames, the scurry of book worms; the tiny balls of fur black as soot that sate the dust amongst the shelves.
It was a murmuring…Frantic and quick in its pace.
Ravens Boots echoed as she herself scurried the shelves in an attempt to find its source.
When she finally came upon it, she recoiled for but a moment before relaxing–
It was. A Marine.
Still in uniform beneath a tattered Justice Overcoat, face covered in grime and hair from who knows how long going ungroomed. His hands scratched into his scalp. There were clear paths that had once been just as filled with fuzz. Worn down from the constant motion he continued even now.
Scratching.
"Sir?" She attempted, stepping closer. Raven knew how dangerous it was to see a marine at a time like this. It could ruin three years of separation because of Devil Child status. Yet her boots continued her forward. "S-Sir?"
"Ah! No! Don't!" The Marine said suddenly whipping away from her out reached hand. Sending a bead of sweat down the Archeologists brow. The Murmuring continued.
A word caused her face to pinch and lean forward.
"It was…So Black…So dark…Like a pillar shadow…!" He was like a broken record. Raven had leaned in right as he began again. "We were on the sea…During a Maelstrom. Rain boring down on us with Fury from Umi herself…"
"When we made landfall. We fought against the radicals…But their numbers were too many to count…We demanded back up…But what came–" His teeth chattered.
"Was sin…Sin incarnate! A Thing taller than three men. A cloak of black ebony. And a blade of light! It was like the sun itself! It…wiped everyone out I was the only one who survived. It destroyed the entire island to nothing but dust! Dust! It was so black…So Dark…Like a Pillar of Shadow…" Then he began again…
"Yer not gonna get much more from him miss." A voice from behind! Raven whirled around, neck craning back. A short man with a long beard sat on the edge of a shelf meters up. Coat to big for him wrapped around, and a tricorn on his thinning long hair. "Who?"
"DWAHAHA! Names Gimilian. Guliver Gimilian." He put his hand to his chest and gave a small bow before returning them to the edge at rest. "That boys been here for…13 Years? Don't know what he's murmuring about."
Ravens eyes narrowed. But he continued. "I think he'd be better off on Fiddlers Green! Dwa-Haha!" With a push, he scooted off the ledge and landed with a squat before standing only to Ravens knees.
'Dwarfism?' She thought to herself before the next question came to the front. "Fiddler Green?" She recognized the name. Causing her to smirk. "Surprised many people still talk about that place."
"BAH! Why wouldn't they!" He said. "Oh pardon me." He said stepping back "Skirts a bit short there." But Raven flicked her wrist in dismiss.
"Fiddlers Green is a real place dontcha know?!" He raised a finger. "They say its a place where the grog never ends, were mirth never fades! A Paradise for those that labor away to finally rest! Where a fiddle never ceases to play!"
"Thats Fiddlers Green! And I betcha that poor boy 'ver there would be better off there!" He tossed a thumb over his shoulder to the Marine. Still scratching away.
"Fufu…" Raven snickered. "But that doesnt answer if its real?" She tilted her head.
"Hey! I was gettin' there!" He scoffed his head to the side. "But…I know its real." He turned to face her. Craning up. "Because Roger found it!"
"?!"
Zeke squeaked his marker against the white board as he began to his lesson. "So. You've gotten a decent grasp on all the branches of Haki. Your fight with Gall." His hand continued to write.
"Allowed you to experience your first proper Haki Bloom. You've officially reached the 5th Level High Rank of the Dan System." Zeke gave a small smile over his shoulder.
"But theres far more to learn and understand. I mentioned before that Dan Ranks aren't a direct measure of strength. But at the same time…"
"It is?" Leroy asked, leaning back on his hands.
"Yes. It is. Because if you don't have the strength, your body cant reasonably produce the Haki or containment of the Branches. Above the 5th Dan, the Strength Required skyrockets again and again." Zeke sat the marker down and turned.
"By the Fifth Dan, even the Highest Rank of it, you essentially have every ability of Haki at your disposal." A finger came up. "But. I'll teach you what there is, that you won't be able to use so that you can be aware of it when you come across it…"
"Lets start first. With what you still have to learn to be a 'Full' 5th Dan. Technicalities and jargon I know. But theres a near certainty that just about anyone with a bounty higher than yours is going to have this. Or have abilities to balance it out. After all, its about the mind and body that allows either of them."
Leroy Scratched at his beard. "So…They'll be strong."
"Incredibly so. But thats what these 4 years are for. So that you'll have more than just 'Enough' strength and skill. But to succeed to a point where the only way to grow further is to fight those stronger than you." Zeke spoke with a determination in his eye. Confidence in these four years.
It made Leroy think back to Desamare. How scared he was. The Fear he had that he wouldn't have what it takes when it was all over to protect them. For them to handle themselves.
"Then lets go!" Leroy confirms.
Zekes smile only widened. "Alright. Sit back and relax cuz this is what we need to get down for you."
"Armament Haki has levels to it. As you've seen and watched as your hardening became so defined. But its strength and resistance is equal to that of the power of its user. You may both have the same complete form, but your opponents higher strength means that it can overpower yours."
"Thus, Armament Reinforcment. Or Tsumu-Bogyo. Hardening the lower depths of your body to withstand the overpowering impact. Or to get a upper hand against anothers stronger armament whose not using Reinforcement. When you use Hardening Reinforcement, both at the Same time, your strikes strength will be twice as strong without. With standard Hardening, your Skin and top muscle is hardened and becomes rigid. But with Reinforcement, you harden further down to the bone. Forcing your entire limb to become rigid."
Zeke Demonstrates by raising his hand, and with a clench, blackened armor covers the skin with a dull silver hue. Only for when he tightened his fist, a noticeable rigidity spread across the limb. The hardening was flat before, but now had immense definition. The Muscle beneath the skin in a constant flexed appearance.
"Reinforcement is achieved through pushing your hardening deeper with concentration. Or through spreading armament from the inside, out. The result is the same.
Leroy would use this in the coming days against the inner depths of the island. Working his way deeper into the struggle. Hardening his surface and deeper reaches of his limbs to the point it became second nature to him.
"Then theres Armament Nullification. Similar to the flare you are used to, but using Raw Armament radiate through the body. Not just allowing it to flow out of a limb. But causing it to radiate like a pulse through the whole body. You may not be able to accomplish it yet, but its the foundation in idea to utilize Advanced Armament Uses like Ryuo and Fa Jin."
When it came to the island Struggle. There were a bast array of beasts that had strange abilities that affected a target like a Devil Fruit. Nullification took time, and concentration to accomplish as to for it to properly activate, it must be done in a specific way. Like irrigating the body with water.
Zeke Explained the Basics of Fa Jin and Ryou. One of a few Armament abilities that fall under 'Kosho' or Advanced Techniques. The first allowed the user to explosively magnify their power by using surplus Armament to 'Bubble' around. Causing there to be no direct contact. The second allowed Armament to flow into a target where it would violently react and expel in an attempt to leave the target. Like Oil and Water.
These Techniques were practically impossible to use, as all Kosho Techniques are, for people of even a high Fifth Level user. The body, much like not allowing the muscles to break the bones they attach to, stop individuals from such immense focus and drain of Haki due to how draining and risky it can be. If somehow, in a moment of Hysterical strength, as Zeke explained; a Haki Technique is used and the body cannot handle, it could cause them to damage themselves like over extending a muscle as well as drain them immensely.
"So how long have you been here?" Jeanne asks. Anastasia and the rest of the freed slaves sat around a small camp near their ship. Having already gotten a delivery for their next Job in the form of a Pigemail Pigeon.
"I-" Anastasia stammers for a second. Finger coming to her lips. Tugging on it gently. "I've been here only 6 months but its felt like such a longer time than that…" She explained that she had been sold at a Auction House, an illegal trade but if there was no Marines to stop it, it would persist. Anastasia had been sold for nearly 750,000,000 Berry. The buyer only needed to use a single 100,000 bill, due to the weight the currency had in that particular nation. A single berry was worth well over 10x its face value.
The rests of the freed people ranged from having been on the island for only a year, up to nearly 12 Years in the case of the Mink. She had been bought to serve as a Wetnurse and Concubine in secret.
Later into the evening, having decided to stay a while longer off the coast of the island, surrounding the camp that Jeanne and Tabi had made, the two Women sat huddled next to each other, Laying within the same bed.
"What are we going to do with them, Tab?" Jeanne held a furrowed look on her brow. Anxiously puffing away at the cigarette between her fingers.
Tabi leaned on her arm, hand holding up her head as her breasts spilled. "Well." She spoke through a teethed length of Tabacco. "What do you want to do? We've already done the job required of us and then some."
The Job was to free the Beast that had been illegally trafficked after poaching the other members of the protected species. "M-Maybe we can bring them with us?" Jeanne offered.
"Then what? They'd be under our protection the entire time. I'm already more than willing to understand our time together will be brief and soon to be over. But what about them?"
Jeanne parsed the conundrum in her mind. Rolling it over his synapses like bitter candy on the tongue, attempting to reach a sweet center. 'What would Leroy do…' she finally thought to herself.
Her eyes widened. And she muttered the words that only Tabi could hear. Causing her eyes to widen. A small grin coming over her face a moment later.
"I've mentioned before." Zeke began, days later. "That there are advanced techniques I will teach you. You do not have the Haki nor the Strength to use them yet. Its why I say by the time you leave here you will virtually have access to all the techniques. In the form of being able to use 90% of them. But holding the information of the last 10% so that you don't need to worry when suddenly faced with it."
High Fifth Ranked Haki users, by requirement, have have to fit a myriad of prerequisites in some form. Kata, Kido, Konseki, and Branch Utilization. Essentially 'points' to have gained or distributed to these, resulting in a some capacity of 10/10. Kido was '1', Kata were '3', Branches were '3', General Application were '4'.
This worked because even by having only focus on just one of these to get 10, such 4 Kata, the user must have the Haki, Ability, and Pool to do so. And thus the physical strength as well.
There was easier ways to determine this. Easiest being, time taken to drain all the Haki in the body by using everything all at once in a sudden dump. Two Hours was High Fifth Dan.
But during a fight? This time was cut down to 1/4th. Physical exertion, stamina usage, movement, thinking and the like.
"So, what youre saying by Usage of all the branches, is the use and ability of the Non-Kosho techniques?" Leroy stroked his beard.
"Exactly. Utilization of Kosho Techniques are only a factor for Rank in the higher echelons. Anyway!" He waved his hand as he began to explain. Speeding through but not skipping a bear for Leroy to get.
Conduit Haki allowed for the Control and manipulation of Flows and Elements. Positive and Negative. There was only a single 'Pool' of Conduit to use, and then mold. This much Leroy already knew. Earth, Fire, Water, Air. Negative, Positive, Negative, Positive in that order. With a total combination of 16. None being unnatural elements not caused by weather or nature.
There was as well the basic uses of Positive, to heal the body, and increase its processes. Or imbuing it into others or the environment to cause growth. How this is done is dependent on the Attribute of the user. Ejection, Ejecting it. And Precision needing direct contact. Negative allowed energy to be absorbed, a Kosho technique. Or injected into a target to worsen as well as applied to the self to allow for wounds to stop worsening or flowing. Known as Sitch and Sow. Positive and Negative. The best way to understand Conduit, was that it was more controlling directions of flows. Touching the ground, while your hand is coated in Raw Haki or Conduit, you determine rather you switch it to negative. Or to positive. Growth or Decay.
"Then Theres Firmament." Zeke explained that there was a typical ability of 'Barrier'. Though this could give the wrong image. More accurately, its the establishment of an area. A Radius of influence, that can then be imbued with a Konseki or Other Haki. Some utilize this, like the field domain that Leroy had seen in the depths of styx, to form a Konseki around. Barriers can keep an opponent in a 'ring' or 'arena' to fight within. Or used to determine a specific operational distance for an affect to not go past.
As the Right Hand of the Pirate King demonstrated, a Barrier Appeared as a simple glowing shape across the ground. It was like a sumo ring.
"Barriers can be expanded or shifted depending on your Attribute and Aptitude for its application. Rather it to be small, large, wide, precise or enclosed. Its best to be used if you want to confine your opponent to only focus on you" However, it was situational. Not something that could be used in every fight especially when moving around quickly.
"I've already explained; Etch, Shift and Embed. The abilities to shape, sway, or change a target with Firmament. The last however, is discharge" Zeke demonstrated by forming a ball of Firmament, a pink color that radiated light and held a transparency like crystal.
Discharge allowed the user to expel a 'Blast' of Firmament. Giving just about anyone a close, long, or medium range option through projectiles. Taking on either beams, blasts, waves, or as Zeke Demonstrated, Bullets. "Kata allows these to commonly gain a attribute to them, as well as being combined with other types of haki to empower it."
Spikes appeared across the sphere, then sparked with that same pink streaks he'd shown before, radiating with the field of Negative Flow. Suddenly whipping around, he released the ball! Sending it soaring through the air a short distance! Shattering against a thicket! Leaving nothing but a clearing of shattered ground for dozens of feet!
Raven currently sat on a chair made out of hands and arms summoned from her Bloom Bloom fruit. Resting her chin on her palm. "I just don't get it…" Her eyes wandered over the Poneglyph Path Stone.
Verbatim. It said the following; They stood before them dead. Having left the land behind. The stones that have done made, are spread through out the world and lost to time. The soil withered and decay. Laid bare upon the rock I am left dead for a millennia. The One are Hundreds then. Bondage have bound been holding them to the ground. Hands congregated to have made deals, leaving flocks dispaired. Clouds apart in the further, past having done and gone yet to happen.
The Conviction Are Hardened, broke the bound, the dried, and found. Not to be Lost again. The wedge of the edge that formed, have happened it was the place that laid the third piece.
A Tree from the abyss is felled. The Roots landed upon to unearthed that which is revealed.
The Stump fell trees reaped and sowed on that rock.
The Deep has risen to the light. Carried and were dispersed by the tided and the Leviathans. Brought upon the dawn, their lived destroyed. Stood in the beamed dawned days lighted sky.
The Future had been founded. Reddened Palisade laid as rock. The Passed away relieved from the concealment within that place.
Decayed to lower from the unborn. Heights of the blue lowered. Leaving trapped the surfaced.
Nights come. The Rain fallen. Earth Left Barren and dried. All its bounty placed into the sodden. Powered the passed away of heightened lofts.
The Blazed Fire Burned Bright yet.
This was how it had been so.
Raven pinched her bridge. Rubbing her eyes. She'd gone through five different translations of words and possibilities for what it could mean. There were different forms of the Ancient Script known as 'Poneform'. These were made with the wedging of squared tools. Squares, Triangles, Strokes. Meant to reduce the residue when carving into tablets and wet forms of material like clay.
"Shit…I've never seen anything like this…" Another irritated rub. "They could the symbolic? This is the latest form of the script…Many of the signs and characters were simplified into vaguely familiar shapes. Originally having been far more intricate drawings like bowls or clouds…"
Her mind raced. Round and round like a racehorse. Eyes closing tight. Lips murmuring the pronunciations and different formations of what these specific lines could mean.
"Hngh…Wait-" Ravens eyes opened. Darting back across the lines. She had spent nearly a year trying to decipher it. But a spark in her synapses, like a match lighting in a gaseous shaft. Exploded the thought into her mind!
"Its…Prophetic Perfect Tense." She blinked. "A form of chronological tensing of a sentence. Depicting the events said as something so certain to happen that they are referred to as having already taken place…"
She reread lines out loud. "'They stood before them dead. Having left the land behind.' But with this in mind. It would be 'They will stand before them dead. Leaving their land behind first.'"
Eyes narrowed. "But…That doesn't make sense…Unless its symbolic? Double speak? Saying one thing, but implying another with the same words. Or the opposite…'They stood before them alive?' No…"
"Its…Symbolic. Prophetic Perfect Tense. And also certain verbs are actually meant to be the opposite? Deciphered beneath what seems to be…Quadruple speak?!"
That meant that not only was this stone meant to be a prophecy or prediction of events, referred to in the past tense before they occurred. But also layered with symbolism depending on the word and line. A single line could mean one thing, being implying another. Referencing a third event. As well as also being the opposite!
"It'll…Take months to figure out the pattern. But if I'm correct. And it seems like it. The first line would be 'They stood amongst themselves alive. Ready to leave their land behind.' Possibly referring that this was the first time they specifically had done this. While also repeating an action already taken by others and perhaps themselves. But also physically leaving their homes…But not metaphorically abandoning them? But through leaving they actually kept it with them even stronger?
But there was a word referred to here. Both the writer, the viewer, the seen, and externally referenced. It was a complex set of three characters.
A Name.
And these same characters were in the prose itself.
Hidden between the lines. Like taking the first letter of every sentence to form a secret word. It was a palandrome. Read the same forward and back. Yet also in a way. An acronym.
"You…" Raven said. "You did not want these read. Unless it was by those who knew it or could feel it. Your name is…One and Many."
"End Man."
"Wise Guy."
"Merry Boy."
"But those words can be formed differently…"
"Dandy Man."
"Joy Boy…"
It clicked. "But your name. Like deciphering the meaning of each of those tiles and phrases…Gives the true one."
"Star Boy."
A Chill Ran down her spine. "Star Boy. Who were you? Did you see a future you did not like? Or one you did not understand? Either way. It seems you and everyone around you. Worked to make it so. To also prevent it as well…"
"Star Boy…" She crossed the distance to the stone. Her blooms disappearing into ethereal flower petals that faded moments later. Hand running across the groves of the name.
"Its good to finally meet you…Star Boy." She smiled.
Jeanne held a starry eyed wide grin as she looked around in astonishment. "Wow! This place is amazing!"
Somewhere In The Grand Line.
On a specific island.
Ruze Island.
Old World, Paradise Headquarters of the Revolutionary Militia Movement, Che Division.
"Thanks again!" A Bubbly and bright blue haired cyborg woman spoke. Ika, the same woman who had been on Desamare to inform the workers of the Militia's organization and attempt to recruit them.
Jeanne however, as if both were on the same wavelength, began to vigorously shake each others hands with both palms together. "No no! Thank you! Wow! Look at you! You look awesome!" Jeanne spoke with starry eyed wonder.
"Awwwee! Thankies!"
Around them, people dressed in beige green Fatigues. Consisting of Dual Breasted pocket Tunic Jacket, trousers, and knee length leather boots. Some wearing more casual with just cotton button ups. There was no dress-code as there was in Marines or National Militaries. These Fatigues served as ways to identify one another and combatants. Despite this; many took pride in their uniforms. Wearing them with dignity.
They Carried an assortment of rifles, some of them acquired from skirmishes. Others custom made. They were one of the few armed forces that had automatic weapons in large calibers. The Auto-K's wooden and metal rifles with large curving magazines.
They sat around casually with their weapons slung over their shoulders or sat near walls. Conversing with their fellow Liberated and Revolutionaries. Rather they be civilians or other fighters.
The island had a palpable sense of jubilation. It fit the colorful and large buildings that made up the island. Squared and detailed with curving roofs, painted with bright pastels of pink, blue, white and yellow.
Currently, Anastasia and the other freed slaves were being cheerfully talked to by a group of Revolutionaries. Something caught her eye…Behind them. There was a group of women passing around a Red Book…That had been the third time she'd seen that same cover…
"Hey…Ika?"
"Yeah?"
"Whats that Red Book I keep seeing people read…Is that like…your guys' manual?"
The Cyborg turned on her heels and dramatically leaned forward with her hand on her brow as if to help her see. "Oh!" Eyes widening, she spun back. "That…No…Our is Green. The Little Green Book is what most call it…"
"But that." She thumbed over her shoulder. "Its a book thats been going around. Apparently it has no known author. But its quite the radical piece of writing. Quite a few libraries and nations have out right banned it!"
"Banned it? I would ask why ban a book but…" Jeanne scratched her neck. Already knowing that answer… "What makes it so important that it seems everyones reading it?"
"Well for one. Theyre free to read what ever. We have people asking and requesting books all the time." Her eyes gazed up as she thought. "The Red Book however…Its caused quite a fire to light in. Its filled with encouraging words to convince people to fight back!" She pumped her fist in excitement.
"Really stick it to their Masters! Even the White Tiger, Tigre, thinks its exceptional! Who ever it is that wrote it. He feels we should team up with them. Especially since the Book has got some really smart things to say. The person, who every they are, clearly knew their stuff!"
"Hey! Sniper!" Someone yelled from behind. Jeanne whipped around to see where it came from. Only to see that there was…No one near by. Everyone else looking in confusion.
The Steam Logia user narrowed her eyes. "Who…Was that? Did you hear that?" She turned to look to Ika.
"It…Almost sounded like The Secretary Commisar…" Ika put her pointer upon her chin in confusion…
"Who?"
"Oh. Dont worry about it. I dont wanna infodump a buncha stuff on ya!" She shook her hands out in front over her with a slight blush. "Besides…I think she left with her council a bit ago…"
Still upon the Island of Struggle. Leroy erupted! Dumping everything he had all at one! Different hues of all of his Haki colors flooding out of him! A true bon fire!
"Hagh!" Leroy breathed out heavily. Suddenly collapsing down to the ground. Panting hard. Sweat soaking his facial hair and clothes.
"Conquerors Haki has Two Abilities I've yet to mention." Zeke began. Not waiting for his student to catch his breath. Figuring that with such fatigue, it was the best time to get it to stick. "One an Advanced, and the other is not."
"Negation, the Last Basic Ability of Conquerors Haki. By focusing on your intention, and narrowing in your projected energy to a target. You can Cause them to falter. Forcing their abilities, when applied strongly, to temporarily lapse or deactivate entirely. Giving you an opening."
"The Second, and Advanced Technique. Is known as Infusion. One of the Hardest Abilities to truly master." He leaned down and hoisted Leroy up, as if like a cat from the scruff. "It is the act of coating your body or attacks in Conquerors. The Raw Energy of it causes the potency of your attacks to be multiplied as if it the power of 2.5"
"Huh..?!" Leroys eyes widened. Suddenly fully in focus of understanding the implications. "Thats fuckin' nuts!"
A smile spread. "Indeed. And it is one of the primary ways that so many of the most potent abilities known as Melds. But that? You'll have to witness for yourself."
THUD!
Leroy collapsed again, Zeke dropping him back to the floor as he continued to speak. "Theres only so much time I have to explain what you'll encounter. But for some of them, the most advanced forms, you'll have to fight and witness first hand. You'll only over think and overcomplicate yourself if I explained them.
"Yeah…I get it." Leroy rubbed the back of his head. "Kinda like being told about all the stuff in the ocean on top of being taught to swim. You'll just confuse yourself…"
Raven sat with her journal and Konseki copy of the Path Stone. Looking back over it again. Next to her Gimilian stroked his beard. "I'm quite astonished that you could read that…" He sat with a limp shoehorn pipe between his lips.
Slowly, Raven closed her book, a thought came to mind. "Mr. Guilver?" She asked. Resting her hand on her cheek.
"Yes?" He pulled his pipe from his lips. Brow cocked
"What is Fiddlers Green exactly? You said that Roger of all people found it…?" She thought back to the legends and stories of Rogers exploits. All the places he'd said to have found.
"Well. Im sure youre aware. When Roger was young, when he was considered a Premier by many of the Pirate Expose Journals, he was said to have found a variety of lost islands. The Emerald City, El Dorado, The Edge of The World. And yes Fiddlers Green. But tell me Ms. Azalea, what do you know about it?" He smirked with satisfaction at seeing the Scholars eyes go wide with surprise.
"The Emerald City? It was said to have been lost 600 years ago. A city of emerald and crystal. A wonderland of invention and knowledge. Though many said it was a sham run by a phony Wizard…" She dropped her gaze. "But Fiddlers Green. Thats been a legend for even longer. Even ancient writings speak of a similar place if not by the same name."
"A paradise, some think a Utopia. Most commonly thought to be the is the place Sailors, rather pirates, merchants or those of the seas can finally make landfall one last time. A Half Way house because they don't deserve heaven and hell would be to fitting for them." A place said where mirth, songs of fiddles, never cease. Where drink and eats never stop. Said to be where if people exist there, they wouldnt even recognize what an Oar or Sail was from a life of easy living.
"Yes." Gimilman Confirmed. "But theres more than just that. Roger knew that Fiddlers Green had to be real. And what he found was exactly that."
Raven narrowed her eyes in suspicion at the man. "How do you know all of this?"
"Because." Guilver stared into Ravens eyes with a hard look. "I was there with him when he did. I'm surprised my name did not cause you to figure it out. Though perhaps my Epithet will jog your memory…"
"Wait…" Raven murmured to herself.
"Heh." The Dwarf chuckled at the realization. "Oaken the Dread Shield. The Fiend Giant. Man at Arms of The Roger Pirates, Gimilman Guilver, the Broad."
"I will tell you this, Azalea Raven. Fiddlers Dream is a thing that even everyone that calls themselves a Pirate in the Great Pirate Era, and this Supposed New Dawn of a Golden Age."
"Its the One Piece…Isnt it?" Raven Said bluntly.
"I wouldn't be much of a Pirate if I told you know would I? Roger Said that what he found and was searching for was Fiddlers Green. But he did not call that Island he found by such a name."
Ravens Focus hardened with intensity. Trepidation at the words to come.
"The Final Island at the End of The New World. The place every pirate is heading to rather they realize it or not, is where the One Piece is. Who will find it, and where it is…"
"Even I do not know. Samel was the Navigator after all. We just followed Roger and Decided together."
Ravens voice carried a palpable inquiry of seriousness as she spoke "Then what did he call it?"
The Dwarf Smiled a toothy Grin. "This wont make your work any easier, young Scholar. May even make it more difficult. Roger called it-"
"Fairy Tale."
That was Fiddlers Green. Where the One Piece lays. The Final Island that all who seek to Become King of The Pirates will inevitably realize is the very same as that myth of final destination.
Fairy Tail Island.
Meanwhile, with Tabi and Jeanne. They sat upon the stairs of Tabi's Ship. Quietly passing the pipe of a Hookah between themselves. "So-" Tabi began, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
"What now that you have a single year left?"
"I think I should go out on my own before heading back to Desamare and rejoin the Crew." Jeanne said with her own exhale. "Of course you can come with me. But we'd be moving around quite a bit. Be a bit of a Vagabond and go from place to place Just to see the world before being back on the path."
Tabi drew in a breath. "And what is that path, Jeanne-Chan?"
"For the longest time I said that my Dream was to be a world renowned inventor. But after seeing all that has come from inventions of the world. And how with the way things are right now, my inventions would only be going into a a world where they would be used by the wrong hands."
Jeanne inhaled for a few seconds before breathing out a line of smog. "My Dream now, To Become a Woman of Progress."
"A woman of progress huh?" Tabi couldn't help but blush. "That certainly fits you Jeannie." She said leaning forward, and clasping her lips on the others. A deep and full embrace that lasted a long moment before she pulled away. "I think it'd be best for you to see that out on your own. I've taught and guided you as much as I could. But now-"
"Its your path to walk."
In the final Days of the Third Year of these Three. Zeke finished teaching Leroy all that he could to be ready for re-entering the world in a New Era.
"Observation. There are two basic techniques to know and utilize. Both are extremely important in understanding the battle field. Intention, by shifting your focus to your opponent, and by focusing, on their own aura and form. You can sense what it is that they are intending to do. This is something I've seen you utilize without knowing it."
Just as he did back on the Island of Tortuga against the Burnt Wolf, Howl. "Even at just a basic usage, it allows you to get a feeling for what the person will choose to do. Not in definite terms, but you can feel that they wish to do you harm, seek anger, or are about to do something intense. Tied with Danger Sense, this can be a fundamental tool in reading your Opponent even before they make the first move."
"Like understanding how, and then sensing before it happens. Intention and Danger Sense." Leroy pursed his lips in thought. "See? Youre getting it!"
"The second one. Is known as Telecom." Leroy suddenly looked up as Zeke finished speaking. Only to notice that Zekes lips were not moving. "Or, Telepathy. It's said that when two people fight, the sound and words travel at the same speed as they do. Makes sense how you can have conversation despite moving like lightning in the fraction of second don't it?"
The sound was coming from inside his head! Like he was wearing a set of headphones, while still being aware of the sound around him!
"Telecom allows you something similar. By being aligned in frequency with those you wish to speak to, often through shared time such as being on the ship, your Auras will begin to resonant with one another without even changing. Like two gears meshing together in perfect coordination." Freddie and Arnie from behind looked with amusement at Leroys befuddled look. Knowing exactly what Zeke was doing to the poor kid.
Zeke finally spoke aloud. "It doesnt matter the distance as long as you are at least within the same location, such as an island, you will be able to communicate with those from a far. You could even resonate with a target, or even force yourself in to their minds and speak regardless if they wish to be heard or not."
Leroy folded his legs into a pretzel. Hand on his haired chin as he thought. "And with Haki…I can Blend branches together and use them in tandem or even use one as a vessel for another like expanding my aura outward. I could probably expand my aura outward and then imbue Observation into it and communicate with a massive amount of people at once. Maybe even then use conquerors Haki to force my Words to have weight and command!"
'This kid…!' Zeke thought to himself in astonishment. "Yes. In deed you could. You've all kinds of Brushes and Colors to work with. How you use them? Thats up to you to figure out!"
"But-!" Zeke lifted a finger of emphasis. "While on the subject of Invention and Telecom. There is a phenomenon you should be aware of. When two Haki's Clash together for long enough, either in battle or in friction with each other."
"Something known Aiki Occurs. Essentially, an exchange of information in an instant. Have you ever heard the saying; through battle, you see the truth of a man?"
The Pirate thought about it. "Yeah? I think so? Why?"
"Aiki is that, made literal. When two fighters give it their all. All of their Haki, as the very manifestation of ambition, sentience, and intelligence; Carries echos of their emotion. Which is why all Haki Feels Different, even from moment to moment when the user is in a state of constant flux of emotion. Because of this, when both are clashing" He slammed his fists together, causing a minor disturbance in the air for added emphasis.
"You will begin to literally see and feel them. Who they are. Who, What, When, Why. All of it will dump into the both of you in an instant. Its thought that because of this, you are truly able to understand your opponent, and give them exactly what is needed. Rather thats a fight, or calling it off entirely from new found understanding." Zeke intertwined his fingers, visualizing the phenomenon.