One Piece : The Blood Emperor

Alubarna...

Marine Lieutenant Smoker arrived at the capital while escorting an unexpected visitor, three Cipher Pol "Aigis" agents. He was heading towards the marine base to grant their request of meeting Vice Admiral Kamikaze.

The leading agent was named Guernica. He wore a white bowler hat, a dark purple and blue polka dotted scarf, a white long coat, and what looks like a dark blue, light yellow-gold, red award ribbon on his blazer.

He wears his tie loosely. He has a flat face with a thin mustache and beard, a scar under his light-colored right eye, and markings under his pure black left eye. What appears to be a mask seems more likely to be white make-up on his face.

The second is a tall, lanky agent named Joseph. He appears to have double-jointed elbows, making him part of a certain long-armed tribe. He wears a light colored mask with dark streaks running down its right side, darkened lips and nose, and framed with petal-like adornments. He also sports a vertically striped red and white top hat.

The last agent has a brush-like, bluish-gray beard named Gismonda. He wears a long white robe which covers his whole body and a white beaded necklace with a light blue bead in the middle. His mask is dark red and has an angry expression, with black hair which is flat and dreadlock-like.

Although a bit unwilling, Smoker has no choice but to comply. These Cipher Pol agents are the highest ranked agents of their league, the CP-0.

Cipher Pol agents directly worked under World Government's highest authority, the Five Elders or Gorosei.

These agents can even command marines under the rank of the mighty Admirals.

They also have ranked on their own group, CP-9, CP-8, CP-7 until CP-0 being the highest ranked agents.

...

Kamikaze received the guests in the meeting room.

Smoker left the place to contact Crocodile as per the Cipher Pol agent's command.

It will take time to summon Crocodile since he was at the location named Rainbase where he was situated.

The leading CP-0 agent named Guernica patiently waited for Crocodile.

Kamikaze just closed his eyes without bothering the trio. In fact, he was annoyed being placed in this country. This country already have a Warlord, why would they still place him here. He doesn't like the harsh weather in this country one bit

Earlier, this Warlord even commanded him to clean up some weak pirates which irritates him the most. That is why he still in the marine base without doing anything.

Two hours later, Crocodile arrived with Smoker in tow. He plastered an annoyed expression while glaring at Guernica.

He said in a somber tone, "What's the meaning of this? Do you think you can boss me around like this?"

"Calm down, Crocodile. You know we are following the same bosses, the Five Elders. We came here to execute a hidden operation." Guernica calmly stated.

"And why are you still here? Didn't I told you to wipe some trashes invading this kingdom?" Crocodile glared at Kamikaze.

"You better watch your mouth. I already saw a trash in front of me. Want me to execute it now?" Kamikaze coldly glared at Crocodile. He was holding his sword firmly.

"Do it then. Let's see who's the trash in the end." Crocodile started to spread out some sand while grinning. He doesn't like this samurai at all. The latter's existence is his hidden hindrance for usurping the throne.

"Calm down both of you." Guernica tapped the table with patience. He took out a wanted poster and present it to everyone.

Smoker's eyes sharpened when he saw the face of Luffy in the wanted poster.

Crocodile also recognized Luffy as he became interested of this matter.

Kamikaze just squinted his eyes at the wanted poster, and noticed it was only a regular pirate with 22 million berries bounty.

"The Five Elders are seriously focusing their attention on this person. The task falls upon us. If we can't eliminate this person, then the Five Elders will crown him as the new Emperor of the Sea." Guernica explained with a calm voice.

"Oy, you bastard.. I didn't come here just to watch you make a joke..!" Crocodile seems angrier than ever. His face was full of bulging veins.

Kamikaze also expressed a dissatisfied look.

"Do you think I'm joking? Tomorrow, Admiral Akainu will arrive at this place in secret to help us out to eliminate this pirate. You should probably know the reason why it's a secret operation." Guernica said.

Kamikaze frowned. If the news spread that they were hunting a small time pirate while going all out with a Marine Admiral, the Marines and World Government alike will likely to become the laughing stock all over the world.

"Why would the World Government do such a massive act on a newbie pirate?" Crocodile asked with a frown.

"We are only following orders. Just to remind you all again. If we fail to eliminate this pirate, then he will be crowned as the new Emperor of the Sea." Guernica also found this task a bit overboard. He didn't know the full details of the task, but the Five Elders put this matter at the top.

"I've fought with this pirate."

Everyone turned their attention to Lieutenant Smoker.

"He defeated me with a couple of punches in the nearby Town of this kingdom and he got away after our fight while taking one of my subordinates as hostage... Yes, he's strong. However, I don't think he qualifies to rival an Emperor." Smoker explained with a serious face.

"White Chase Smoker... From what I know, you are a Logia Devil Fruit Holder. How did that pirate defeat you so easily?" Guernica asked with interest.

"I don't actually know. His fast punches can hurt my body with ease." Smoker still felt the sore in his body after his bout with Luffy.

"Haki user." Kamikaze narrowed his eyes. He didn't think a newbie pirate knows how to use this concept.

Crocodile took a deep breath. He knew this concept as well. However, due to him also having a Logia body, he neglect learning this concept.

"What about his crew? Do you have any information about them?" Guernica asked Smoker.

Smoker shook his head, "I only recognized one of his crew, that number one pirate hunter in the East Blue, Roronoa Zoro. Most of the members should also came from East Blue as well and they all looked.. young."

"Well then.. This operation will start after Admiral Akainu arrives tomorrow. For now, we must know their exact location and where we should set our ambush. It would be best if no witnesses around or we'll execute all of them as well. No one shall know of this operation other than us." Guernica said in a low voice.

...

Back at Strawhats...

The Going Merry was closing in towards Yuba before the day ends.

The Strawhats are still in shock by the information from Luke.

Turned out that One Piece really do exist!

Luke remained mysterious after that revelation. He only said that they will need someone who can read the inscribed words of poneglyphs in order to formally seek for the whereabouts of One Piece treasure.

Luffy finally set on recruiting Ms. All Sunday. In addition, Luke also agreed about her being a good natured woman.

Luke made a good harvest of monster souls in the desert. He can now fully utilize his physical strength without any backlash. Taking note that his physical attributes alone can rival Kaido at his hybrid dragon form.

As long as he doesn't use too much blood manipulation ability, he will be alright. Plus, he already have two powerful Special Homies and two Devil Fruit ring. It greatly boosts his overall power with this set up.

Right now, he already decided the third Devil Fruit ring. He got the new batch of Devil Fruits from Laffitte at Drum Kingdom.

There's only one notable Devil Fruit he received out of the bunch. Later, he will integrate this Devil Fruit into his third golden ring.

This new Devil Fruit is very good for battle. It can be said that, this is one of the underrated Devil Fruit he knew. He will surely utilize it's full capability in this journey.

...

Night...

Luke hid the Going Merry inside a rock formation.

All of the Strawhats aside from Luke and Liz went on foot to visit the Town of Yuba. It is the rumored place that the rebellion is currently forming according to Vivi.

"Why are they going there?" Tashigi rubbed her arm as the weather in the desert at night dropped significantly. She felt cold without extra clothes to cover her body.

"To kill and plunder the treasures of that town. This is what we do for a living." Luke smirked.

Tashigi frowned and said, "I don't believe you.."

Although she's only been with Strawhats for a day, she knew all of them are good people.

"Why? We pirates are scums, remember? This is what you said earlier." Luke chuckled.

"You..!" Tashigi was annoyed and gone to the other side of the ship.

"You seem interested in her." Liz smiled as she closed in with Luke.

"Am I not showing my interest on you more?" Luke stared back at Liz while smiling.

"It's good that you are back to your old self." Liz laughed.

Luke paused as he became puzzled. Did he change or something?

"It's not what you think. I meant you are recovering well." Liz said with a smile.

"Mm. Thanks." Luke smiled back as he continued, "Have you considered dating me now? I swear I'm not interested in that lady."

"Nope. And don't lie to me. I have a special way if a person is telling a lie or not. You always lied to me." Liz covered her mouth, giggling in suppressed voice and her expression was like 'I already knew'.

"Really?" Luke's eyes twitched as if he got exposed by her. Does a Goddess race can truly detect lies?

"So why are you interested in her then?" Liz further asked like a busy body.

"Nothing much. I want her to be part of this crew." Luke shrugged.

"Is that so..? Too bad she's a marine at heart." Liz nodded. In fact, she lied about this special ability of her. It's just called a 'woman's intuition'.

"Yeah. We can still befriend her. We can get away with troubles if she cover for us." Luke chuckled as he started to fidget with his ring.

His third Devil Fruit ring is about to be born.