One Peace, The Shadow Monarch

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-Seven days after Arlong's execution-

-Marineford, Fleet Admiral's office-

A tall, fair-skinned, muscular man with a long, braided goatee and a mustache. He is seen alongside his pet goat. His cap covers his hair, which is set in a large afro. He wears black-rimmed glasses and a white and gold full Marine admiral uniform that is adorned with medals. The most distinctive features of this uniform are a life-size seagull on top of his cap, and his oversized Marine coat which he wears like a cape. His coat has the kanji for justice, in blue, emblazoned on the back, and has unique colored cuffs, with his being white.

This is the Fleet Admiral Sengoku. He is an exceedingly proud, enlightened, and intelligent man who is loyal to the World Government

He was not alone in his office. An elderly woman with white hair and wrinkled skin was seated thoughtfully on the office sofa. She was Marin Staff Officer, Tsuru.

"Dammit!"

Sengoku yelled in anger. He was in a terrible mood after receiving alarming information from an East Blue Marine branch. The 16th Branch had gone silent. While such incidents were rare, they occurred occasionally when a marine branch's leader was killed or captured. Sengoku was taken aback that this issue was reported directly to him instead of being handled by his subordinates. As the Den Den Mushi relayed more details, his expression grew darker.

"Remnants of the Sun Pirates? Arlong Pirates? Nezumi was covering for Arlong? Damn it!"

'I didn't even know Arlong was in East Blue.'

Sengoku grimaced, he and his crew had completely disappeared off of their radar years ago after they split from the Sun Pirates under Jinbei.

"Stay calm, Sengoku. We must handle this matter carefully."

Tsuru attempted to soothe his rage.

He returned to his chair, sat down, sighed, and then turned to Tsuru.

"You're right. We absolutely must conceal this news to maintain the Marines' reputation."

He needed to ensure this incident did not leak to the East Blue or, worse, become global knowledge, which would tarnish the Marines' image as "Soldiers of Justice."

If the public discovered that a Marine-corrupted island had been under pirate control for years, would they not lose faith in them? Hence, Sengoku prioritized the East Blue situation and monitored it closely.

"Indeed, the ramifications of such news becoming public would be dire, particularly as we are at a pivotal point in our strategy to defeat the Whitebeard Pirates. We cannot let any unforeseen factor interfere, or our years of effort will be for naught."

As they were deliberating on the case, the Den Den Mushi on the desk began to ring.

Sengoku immediately gestured towards the receiver and picked it up:

"What's the issue? I'm currently in an important meeting."

"Mr. Fleet Admiral! It concerns the incident in the East Blue."

Upon hearing this, Sengoku quickly responded to the marine.

"Go ahead, are there any updates?" Sengoku inquired promptly.

Tsuru was also paying close attention.

"Sir... The situation is..."

The marine began to report on Arlong's execution. This information came from spies in other villages who had learned of the grand celebration on the Conomi Islands. They had gathered details verbally from attendees, and this news had swiftly reached the marine branch and then Marineford.

The 16th Marine Branch had yet to respond, but their fate was sealed by Sengoku, who would order their execution. Meanwhile, Sengoku and Tsuru, listening intently to the marine over the Den Den Mushi, wore grave expressions. Once the marine concluded the report and disconnected, Sengoku turned to Tsuru and spoke gravely,

"What is a Whitebeard pirate doing in the East Blue, setting his sights there? Hector is a threat to the East Blue."

"True, our East Blue forces, coming from Paradise, are ill-equipped to confront him. His power is unremarkable in the New World. According to the report, he effortlessly overpowered the Arlong Pirates, despite them being remnants of the Sun Pirates. We must dispatch a Rear Admiral to pursue them."

Tsuru conveyed her assessment to Sengoku.

"Considering his strength and the way he executed Arlong to win the people's hearts while simultaneously humiliating us, his bounty should be set at 200,000,000 Berries!"

Sengoku jotted down details about Hector in his notebook and reached out to the Loguetown Marine Base in East Blue, requesting them to dispatch someone to check on the 16th Marine branch.

"That seems like an appropriate bounty for a Whitebeard pirate."

Tsuru glanced at the figure Sengoku had noted and remarked.

"I want the newspapers to focus on Hector once we receive the update on the 16th Marine branch. We need to detail his actions but steer clear of any mention of Marine corruption. We'll simply state that he annihilated the entire 16th Marine branch as we handle the traitors internally."

Sengoku responded gravely.

"Understood."

After her response, Tsuru exited the Fleet Admiral's office.

Left to himself, Sengoku resumed making calls with his Den Den Mushi, dialing another number.

"Rear Admiral Kadar, there's a mission I need you to undertake."

-Three days later-

Alone in his office, Sengoku listened to the report on the incident at Conomi Islands in East Blue.

"What has become of the 16th Marine Branch? Why have we lost contact with them?!"

He demanded of the officer he had sent to investigate the 16th Marine Branch's status via Den Den Mushi.

"Sir, there was no response from the 16th Marine Branch! Hina attempted multiple contacts without success. Consequently, Hina personally visited the 16th Marine Branch to assess the situation... The outcome is..."

Hina's voice shook as she spoke to the fleet admiral.

"What's the situation, Hina? Speak up!"

Sengoku's patience wore thin as the Den Den Mushi fell silent.

"The 16th Marine Branch has been utterly decimated! Every marine stationed there has been wiped out, and all assets, including weapons, funds, and even the buildings, have been plundered!"

Hina communicated through the Den Den Mushi, bracing for Sengoku's outburst, which never came. Instead, Sengoku sported a self-satisfied smirk, pleased that he wouldn't need to intervene directly, yet still irate over Hector's theft of an entire marine branch.

"Understood, you may leave. I will notify you of further instructions."

Settling into his chair with a sigh, Sengoku pondered briefly before reaching out to Smoker via Den Den Mushi.

"Pay attention, Kadar. The pirate likely vacated the Conomi Islands some time ago... The marine branch is in ruins, and he's left no trace."

Kadar, initially taken aback by Sengoku's revelation, was quickly brought back to focus by his commanding tone.

"You must track him down relentlessly. He can't be far, and with diligent pursuit, you're bound to apprehend him eventually, understood?"

Sengoku's grave, authoritative voice resonated with Kadar.

"Affirmative, sir!"

Kadar responded promptly.

-Shell town 8 days before-

"If you help me, they will kill you"

Zoro tried to reason with Koby, who had tears streaming down his face as he screamed, struggling to untie the ropes.

"I don't care. I want to be a good Marine, and good Marines don't do this kind of thing! I'm going to be a real Marine and fight for justice! Just like Luffy is determined to be the Pirate King!"

"He was serious about that?"

Zoro asked with a light smirk.

"I was shocked when I first heard him say it."

Koby admitted, finally loosening the rope slightly.

"But he's determined! He'll bet his life on it!"

"Bet his life on it, huh."

Zoro mused, his eyes shadowed but grinning. Then, gritting his teeth, his eyes widened in shock as Koby fell to the ground screaming, clutching his bleeding shoulder, just as the crack of gunfire sounded.

"AHH, I'M SHOT!"

Koby cried out.

Zoro growled.

"Get out of here, kid! They'll kill you!"

"No! They'll kill you if I leave you here! And if I let you die to these scumbag Marines, then I might as well give up on my dream! This isn't justice! Luffy is risking his life for us; for people he hardly knows! I have to do the same!"

Koby yelled back, getting to his feet.

Zoro nodded in acknowledgment, thinking.

'So, this is the kind of person that Straw Hat attracts, huh?'

"You don't have to become a Pirate, but please help Luffy! You'll all be able to escape!"

Koby implored as he returned to the post, his hands trembling as he worked on the knots.

"That's enough!"

two men bellowed as they cocked their guns.

"You've betrayed Captain Morgan!"

More men arrived, with Morgan himself at their heels, all pointing their rifles at the pair. Morgan advanced, his heavy footsteps echoing, his giant axe over his shoulder,

"Roronoa Zoro. I've heard of you. But do not underestimate me. Before my strength, you are nothing."

Zoro clenched his teeth, thinking.

'No, I can't die here! I stil have things I need to do! I must keep my promise!'

RACE: Human■■■■■■

NAME: Hector Barbossa■■■■■■

Level: 25

Health Points: 5,800

Mana Points: 4,320

Stamina Points: 2,900

Attunement: 216

Vitality: 145

Endurance: 145

Strength: 145

Dexterity: 250

Perception: 145

Skill: 145

Safe Rewards From Daily Quest:

+Stat Points: 0

+Skill Points: 0

Skill Tree:

+Haki:

-Observation Haki: C Rank

-Armament Haki: B Rank

-Conquers Haki: S+ Rank

+Rokushiki

-Moon Step: E Rank

-Iron Body: E+ Rank

-Tempest Kick: E+ Rank 

-Shave: E+ Rank

-Finger Pistol: E+ Rank 

-Kami-e: E- Rank