"Miura." Barbary called in his deep baritone voice. "Where are they now?" His tone was questioning, but it was certainly more commanding than anything.
"They've split up into three groups of three. The swordsman is currently causing trouble in Max Town." Her gaze then shifted, seeming to look at the wall covered in stone, but in reality was staring right at Noirs group
"And the Smoker is near the Drive Valley." She watched through her eyes as the three leapt from the cliff and landed at the bottom. Her eyes scowling as she saw Jeanne's body transform and reappear
"It seems that one of them, The Piper, Is a Logia after all." She said with a concerned tone. Barbary had information networks of people who knew others, Word of Mouth, Informants on low levels of Organizations that dealt with things like reports of marines, and even strings of contacts to call for requests due to those having their fingers in almost everything.
It sounds complex. And it is. But once understood on how to acquire this information, it's near invaluable. Any pirate worth their snuff should have contacts in some degree like this
"No matter. Those in The Motley have a rudimentary understanding of Haki…They shouldn't have too much trouble. Sir Gigantus shouldn't have much trouble with them."
Ahre came running into the room. "Sire! The deliveries for last month's payment have come underway." He was quickly jotting down numbers in his log book
"Perfect. That means that once Red Sash is dealt with the Plans will continue to go underway." He rested his fist beneath his chin whilst sitting on his throne "That damnedable Lion won't be at the top for long…"
Miura continued to watch Noirs group.
"Damn it all…This sand isn't going to be very easy to get through…" Noir complained. Dezzi giving quick shakes to get the sand out of their fur. "Not fun at all…"
"Just what in the hell is this place?" Jeanne asked as she flicked down her magnifying goggles, looking to the horizon to scout what was moving around "Theres….Hmm…They look like vehicles. But I've only seen stuff like that in books!"
"Automobiles." Noir puffed his stick of tobacco and let out an arid wisp of smoke. He'd seen them before. They were loud things. Almost like miniaturized steam engines but without the rotating wheels in many sets. Instead typically only four.
Some looked stripped down, with nothing covering one from the elements. Others were more complex and compact, having roofs of metal and paneling surrounding them to close in the interior. Which were typically lavish. Fine leather seats like couches, smooth silk like material on the roof. And wood inlays for accenting.
These automobiles were typically uniquely made by order. And those could cost the same as entire ships. Some ran on coal, usually known as motor wagons (That looked exactly as the name entails, a horseless wagon). While the more advanced relied on whale oil and specialized fuel
In the East Blue. Jeanne had seen a wagon once. A rich older gentleman from pipe town on Organ had brought it to get around. Noir on the other hand had seen on of the extravagant Automobiles on display within a ship.
The Rose Arbor attracted people from all over. And this one wanted to eat in his Automobile. And was very careful to not get anything on the fine feather stitched seat. To Noir, it was like nothing else he'd ever seen
The Trio watched as all of the vehicles began to gather around a large Building that stood on stilts like an elevated stage, but looked more like a building with a large porch than anything.
A loud booming voice was starting to get louder and louder as they approached. The voice was booming like an announcer. A figurer clearly out in the middle of the balcony speaking.
"And here they are! Tonights Entertainment! I introduce to you, the Red Sash Pirates!" Loud revving of engines followed as Deri warriors. Many of them in the Leather and metal like before. But some of them seemed to be under the influence of the Koru fruit.
While it was far better to utilize the power on the undead as puppets. Having a select few be affected as well to serve as more powerful foot soldiers wasn't uncommon.
They looked as though they had been rotting beneath the sea for decades. Many of them seemed to have been amalgamated with sea creatures. Some have clams as faces, urchin spines as arm hair.
But the Announcer however. Was none other than Sir Gigantus. He was a tall man at 8'5. Nearly totally naked if not for the codpiece he wore. Black leather straps wrapping around his thighs, 'x'-ing across his chest with a metal loop in the center, with large leather wristbands and tall boots covering the most skin on his body
His body looked almost dehydrated. Like he hadn't had an ounce of water in months. Revealing his muscles in full display despite being more than healthy. Merely a byproduct of being an extraordinary fighter. Almost as if being able to have the body they choose
But across his head however, was a neckbrace that wrapped from his neck to his clavicle. A large metal mask like a Hockey Mask on his face as he held up a microphone
"Lord Barbary has Ordered us to wear down and kill these Invaderous competitors in the attempt of obtaining glory as Pirates!" He was boisterous that was for sure. And confident, especially walking around with pierced pectorals
"But why not do it, The Gigantus way…With a Race!" Cheers and woops reported through the air. The Trio stood nervously. Waiting to strike at any minute.
"Don't be shy though. I can see it on the girls face. We won't hurt ya until the Race is Underway!" He shot a hand into the air
"So let's stop chit chatting. And explain the rules! First off, everyone gets a Car! You'll all have your pick. But everyone needs to be in one! Second! Kill each other" He reeled back and shouted loudly, peaking the mic with loud static sounding out
"And Third! Last ones standing after 50 laps. Wins. And seeing as how I have a good idea that these rascals will be the last ones standing. The reward will be an ass whopping from yours truly…Now!"
"Let's introduce our Special Guest For this Race!" Sir stepped out of the way and waved to the doors behind him, two Zombies that were sea infected opening them.
"Standing at 12'5, Is a Man That many of you surely have heard of. He big, he's tough, and he's the reason you all have those damn bosses, it's–!"
"The Leader and Founder of the Corsairs from the Kingdom of Oto…Grand Sultan Zymen!" Thundering foot falls vibrated the wood as a figure ducked under the frame. He wore a bandana that one would have beneath a headdress. He was shirtless, his body a good balance of fat and muscle with a lean on the heavier side. Shorts that came down to his knees were frayed in fabric while a yellow silk sash wrapped around his waist
A long beard also hung to the middle of his chest in a deep brown almost red color. Eyes wrinkled with a serious look on his face.
"Any words?" Silence. "As ever…Next!"
"Thanks to the diligence of our Dredful Duo of Alma and Koru. A few legends are amongst us tonight…"
"He was known as a scourge to all pirates in his day. And had reached an astonishing rank amongst the Marines! Even those likes of Jack certainly looked up to this one!"
"I present to you! Former Navy Admiral! Morgans Henry!" Boos filled the air as the rotted figure came out. 8'8, and at one point muscular was now a husk. A wide brimmed hat hung on the side of his head with a large rotted feather. Face having only one eye, while the other was covered in coral. Half his mouth left torn open.
He wore a once red coat with a now faded Marine Justice Jacket off the back of his shoulders. "Lets get this over with. If I had my way I'd have all you damnedable scum beneath my boot…"
"Alright! Now…Finally. For the big one! He lived hundreds of Years ago! And many think he's the reason that Pirates have such notoriety as they do now! At least a competent contender…"
"And the first man ever said to reach a bounty of One Billion!! The Wretched Sea Devil Himself! Captain!! Davies!!"
The Crowd ceased at that moment. And even the other two, who were not aware of who was among them in the building shifted their gaze.
Thump…Thump. He stood at 7'0. Thump…His leg was once wooden but now like that of a crab's…Thump…Wearing a rotted petticoat, and with the face of a literal octopus where his long beard once stood…
Was Captain Davies. The Man that Stood Before Roger, Before any in recent history. He was the one that stood notorious.