Kuroburu, that was the code name given to Hades when he joined the marines. Of the members of the Pantheon of Illinoia it was most surprising that he was chosen, given that he wasn't even a marine. Yet he accepted this fact and road with it, and he had done a hell of a job so far. Hephaestus was quite happy with his performance. Who wouldn't be thrilled to say that ‘We caught the bad guy because of a pirate we failed to execute two years ago’ but hey, Hades was not a liar.
Marines were meant to be the good guys, what kind of good guy lies to the people just for posterity? Hades wasn't innocent, and he lied from time to time, but one lie does not make a liar. Nor the several he has going on.
The Red port sat on the second half of the grand line, the New World. Here he met up with Fleet Admiral Hephaestus, the two heading up to do a report with the Gorosei.
“Alright, so according to this, Nash and Cherry went to the top and took out Arranis, while the vice captain Jaquar went below to free the slaves.” Hephaestus said, reading the report that Hades provided him while they waited for their elevator.
“Uh, no actually Cherry is Vice Captain.” Hades responded.
Hephaestus gave Hades a look of confusion. “We believed it was Jaquar though.”
“Sir!” A voice called out, it was an information division member. “Report, the Umbra Pirates have started their grand fleet, and we have their division commanders!”
“Right, first division commander should be the vice captain, this should solve the problem. Who is their first division commander?” Hephaestus asked.
“Um, it says here. Jericho V Brau.”
Hephaestus and Hades exchanged looks of confusion.
“They never make this easy huh.” Hades joked, taking a drag of his pipe.
Their bubble elevator arrived, it would lead up to the holy land of Marijoa. Before they entered the last member of their little party arrived. Admiral Shirowashi, Adam S Nash, approached with that stick up his ass that Hades couldn't stand. He got in the elevator and it began to rise.
“Anything we should know about Shirowashi?” Hephaestus asked.
“Your Fireflies are doing well.” Shirowashi stated, looking out over the world as we rose higher and higher. “My reports say they lead to the rescue of the members of Waltry Island from the pirates that attacked it.”
“Glad to hear, Finch will make a good marine.” Hephaestus said.
“I also was following up on this worst generation.” Shirowashi said. “Boar, Umbra, and Orange joined forces under the Umbra flag.”
“Aren't you a proud father.” Hades said, a smug smile crossing his face.
Shirowashi glared out the window. “Undead have gone off the radar. Dillinger was spotted near Eduoarts territory, last thing we need is those two teaming up.”
“What about Pantheon?” Hades asked, he had an invested interest in those pirates.
“Reports say they recently returned to Paradise.” Shirowashi stated. “Sounds like they gave up.”
Hades laughed. “They say Hekate has the ability to become the fifth Yonko, you think someone like that would just give up? Anyone after him?”
“Yes we had someone watching him, but nothing to report yet.” Shirowashi said.
“You say Hekate could be this fifth Yonko, but they have also been saying something similar of Nash haven't they.” Hephaestus said.
“Good point, getting a Warlord of the sea allied under you, as well as Orange. That is kinda crazy.” Hades said.
“She also now has four islands under her control.” Hephaestus stated. “Three of which she gained after killing their kings.”
“Poor Dazen.” Hades said,
“Yes, quite unfortunate.” Shirowashi said, but Hades caught the way his eyes shifted. Hades' skill of reading lies came in handy here. What was Adam keeping secret?
“What of the Mithral Hall, Starry, or Eternal’s?” Hephaestus asked.
“Casca has been farther south than we can get easy access to, nothing new with her. Starry has been spotted recently by Rear Admiral Len, she attacked his ship and he was forced to flee. Eternals have been quite a thorn in our side recently, rumor has it that they are trying to raise their bounty because of the Umbra’s bounty raise.” Shirowashi explained.
The elevator came to a stop, they admirals turned to face the great capital of Marijoa. It was stunning with its massive marble buildings, domed roofs, and high towers. Slaves kept the streets clean, slaves that made Hades angry to look at. He was told he had to turn away from them, only Celestial Dragons should truly have access to slaves is what the world government said.
Yet, they let Arranis sell slaves to anyone who could afford them. Hades chewed his lip on that one, then took another drag. He hated ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ people. And the celestial dragons were just like that.
Pangea castle stood as a crowning jewel to all who beheld it. By far the largest castle in the known world. The group entered, then made their way through the large castle. Hades requested a servant to deter them briefly.
The Empty Throne stood proudly with the collection of swords thrust into the ground around it. They say the Empty Throne symbolized how the world had no singular leader.
“It is quite a feat of craftsmanship isn't it?” A wizened voice said from the side of the room. Hades spotted him then, he had snuck in, threw a side passage and was cloaked in shadow. Saint Tethys Olike. The man was ancient, with a set of mutton chops that draped down past his face. He wielded a blade at his hip, the blade encrusted with gems. “They craft this beautiful work of art for no one to ever sit upon it.”
Hades smiled at the Gorosei, one of the five elders. “I agree, those ancient people could have easily have just made it a shitty seat and called the job done.”
“Yet it would not stand out like it currently does.” Saint Tethys said. “People respond quite well to symbolism wouldn't you agree?”
“I agree there as well, such as the twenty swords dug into the ground in front of the throne, symbolizing the twenty kingdoms that started the world government.” Hades said, knowing what he was saying. “Yet, seems you're missing one?”
Saint Tethys smiled, he had prepared this lie. “The last symbolized the king of Kaminari Kingdom, who decided it was best to rule their island instead of joining the Celestial dragons.”
“Ah yes, Kaminari Kingdom, they still rule in the New World don't they? Pretty much right between three different Yonko’s territories.”
“Yes, King Ruji has been ruling for several decades now.” Saint Tethys said, keeping up his facade. “He should be coming to this year's Levely. He is a good man.”
Hades backed down, there was no more to gain from this interaction. “I thank you for the knowledge lesson.” Hades said with a straight bow. It was then that he caught sight of the other one hidden in the shadows.
He was dressed like a slave, chains wrapped around his wrists, ankles, and throat. His chest was bare, revealing the mark of the Celestial dragons, yet it was his eyes that pierced Hades soul. They seemed to be the eyes of a demon, pure red with a slit for a pupil, almost like a cat.
“Ah, I see you have noticed my guard.” Saint Tethys said, acknowledging the person to his side.
“I have seen eyes like that once before.” Hades said. He thought about his interaction with the Sapphire Pirates. The eyes were not like the Sniper of the Sapphire pirates, who they called Demon Eyes, those eyes looked like crosshairs on a sniper. No, the red was what matched. “What is he?”
Saint Tethys looked at the man. “Something repugnant.” The words seemed lost on the slave, his eyes showing no sign of hurt. “This one is named Warlock. Warlock, introduce yourself to the Admiral.”
The man stepped out of the shadows, then got on his hands and knees and bowed to Hades. “This one is Warlock, Admiral. This one lives to serve the Gorosei.”
“Warlock, what are you?” Hades asked.
Warlock looked to Saint Tethys for approval, who gave it. “This one is known as a Hecaton.”
The word was unfamiliar to Hades.
“Come now Admiral Kuroburu, we have a meeting.” Saint Tethys said, Warlock got up and began to follow Saint Tethys as they walked. Hades followed behind.
The last four members of the Gorosei were already seated, with Shirowashi and Hephaestus joining them. Saint George Mimas was a balding man with a halo of gray hair around his head. Saint Ence Ladus was broad of shoulder with his long beard that reached past his chest braided. Saint Dio Ne had a pointed piece of gray hair that made his head look like a cone. And Saint Micheal Rhea had his hair pulled back into two twin tails that then wrapped under his ear and back around to sit across his chest, distracting from his broad glasses.
“Admiral Kuroburu, it is good to see you, Admiral Nash was just informing us of updates.” Saint Geroge said. Hades didn't miss the way they didnt use Shirowashi’s codename like they did with Hades. They always did this for reasons he never understood.
“I apologize to have held you up.” Hades said, taking a seat.
“Tell us, what are these rumors about Roger’s son?” Saint Ence asked the table.
“Leva Olivier, he is a rising threat in the East blue.” Shirowashi said.
“Recent intel tells us that he has entered the grand line with a fleet of twelve ships.” Hephaestus said.
“And what are the Marines doing about them?” Saint Dio asked.
“We tried to intercept them at Reverse Mountian, however they had some way to get threw the calm belt, sneaking their whole fleet past us. We are in pursuit of them now.” Hephaestus stated.
“Is there any truth to the rumors of Leva being Roger's child?” Hades asked.
“Most likely not, our records say he was born almost a year after Rogers death.” Shirowashi explained. “However, he claims it quite loudly, and people believe him. Not to mention he has conqueror's haki, which draws people to him.”
“We will be capturing him, a public execution would do well to dissuade future people claiming rogers title.” Hephaestus explained.
“What of the Yonkos?” Saint Micheal asked.
“Ylva is preparing a wedding for her brother, though you already know about that.” Hephaestus said. Hades eyed the Gorosei, why had they gone along with that marriage? They could have stepped in right? “Reports say the Sapphire pirates have officially begun sailing again, leaving a host behind on their home base. Edouart has also been seen sailing near the red line. Though the big threat that should be known is Baihin, he has been quite aggressive with any marine ship that comes even close to his territory, and its said he is preparing for war of some sort.”
“That doesn't bode well.” Saint Micheal said. “What of Maxis?” Eyes darted to Shirowashi.
“Revolutionaries have been awol recently, but they are probably plotting a big move.” Shirowashi explained.
“What of these reported missing ships in Paradise?” Saint Dio asked.
“Your referring to the Sunken Triangle?” Hephaestus asked. “We have been looking into it, but any ship that goes in there has not returned. It only began recently though, it could just be pirates, we will continue to monitor the situation and do what we can.”
The rest of the meeting went over in a dull humdrum to Hades. When it was all over, the Gorosei asked to speak with Shirowhasi privately, he later learned he was given a secret mission from them. What was going on there? His mind spun with conspiracy theories as they traveled back down to the sea. He could not escape those eyes, what were these Hecaton’s? He just straightened up, he had pirates to catch, he didn't have time to worry about what these nobles did. Atleast, that is what he wished he could say. He would have to make some calls.
