They were called the Jestman Pirates. They had come from the east blue, seeking wealth and fame as most pirates in this age do. Their captain was named Frederick Corse. Their flag was of a skull with a jester hat on it. The flag design was a running joke with Frederick and his crew, and had inadvertently become their symbol.
They rode their ship down the side of Reverse mountain, as many Pirates do. They passed the twin peaks, and began to chart their course. As many pirates do, they entered the grand line without a clear map. This was because of how difficult mapping the Grand Line was. There were seven different paths from Reverse mountain alone a crew could take, and depending on the path you took decided your destiny on these unforgiving seas.
With a course finally decided, they let their log pose guide them. It was only a few days of sailing thru freak storms, narrowly dodging Typhoons, and other calamities, that the crew finally had a moment to breathe.
However, their breath was stopped swiftly, as a ship came into view. Frederick recognized the flag on sight. It was legendary, a ship a part of the fleet run by a powerful warlord. The flag was of a skull with a chain crossed in front of it. The symbol of the Chain Pirates, run by the Warlord of the sea, Arranis.
“Turn this ship around!” Frederick said to his men. He rather have fought these storms to the death then face this crew.
A speck seemed to shoot out from the ship, but no cannons could be heard. Was it some form of canon ball? Frederick’s question was answered as the dot closed in on their ship, and landed on their deck. No, it didn't land, it floated for a moment. After that moment of disbelief, it simply dropped to the surface of the ship, a man.
He wore smart looking glasses with a puffy white shirt and brown trousers. His hair was long and wavy, and his face was long and sharp.
“Well, well, Jestman pirates am I correct?” The man said, looking around at the crew, then the flag. “Total worth is a little under five thousand berries. Quite a sad net worth for a crew this large.”
One of Federick’s crewmen acted first, drawing a sword and going to swing. The man swiftly raised a palm to the man. A bubble of air appeared in his palm, then burst as the man charged. Frederick’s crew mate was suddenly launched back thru the air, and overboard.
The man clicked his tongue several times. “How sad, he will most likely drown, I guess I could try to save him. However, I don't think I need to. I see at least twenty men here. This should be a fine haul. Now then, will you all please drop your weapons and gather together so I can easily tie you up?”
He said it in such a way that made it clear it wasn't a request, it was a kind demand.
“Who the hell are you?” Frederick asked, feeling sweet drip down his face.
“Oh my” The man said in sudden shock. “How rude of me to not introduce myself! You may call me Lero, I serve under the great Arranis! As you will all be doing soon.”
Frederick saw Lero’s ship closing in. More would be coming. “You're a Devil.”
“Ah you speak of my ability.” Lero said, looking at his hand. It was as if he had no care in the world. “Yes in a way I am. I was blessed with the power of the Pure-Pure Fruit, making me an Air Pressure man, all in service of the Great Arranis.”
“Great huh.” Frederick said. “Is that what you think of a monster who enslaves people? A government dog who calls himself a pirate! He isn't great, he is a coward! A disgrace to all pirates!”
Frederick spotted Lero’s expression suddenly change. His eyes bulged in anger, a vein appearing on his forehead. Suddenly, Lero’s face was much closer to Frederick.
“You should learn to watch your tongue, Cur.” Lero said. Lero’s hand came down from above onto Frederick’s face, a bubble forming between the two.
It burst suddenly, the pressure sending Frederick plummeting into the deck of his ship. His face collided hard with the wood floors, and split them in two. After that, Frederick went unconscious. By the time he came to, his ship had been raided and was being transported to parts unknown, meanwhile he was cuffed and locked into a cramped room with the members of his crew who were fortunate enough to survive the onslaught.
