Serious: The Adventures of Wondering Travelers Chapter Three; Welcome to Atlantis

Inside a technologically advanced city below the sea, Emily and Iken were sedated. The two were inside pod like medical devices with respirators and monitors hooked up to their bodies. Inside the pods there was a mix of various medical liquids and gels that soothed and reduced the pain from the burns and wounds that covered their bodies, especially Iken. Emily was in stable condition with only minor to mild burns, while Iken suffered severe burns and broken bones. Looking out for the two while they heal was none other than the notorious double agent, Koga the Mutant, or so the news papers have been calling him since he had been spotted with Iken recently. The turtle-man had even earned a small bounty raise from it, apparently the marines didn't like one person working with two different Yonkou; go figure. Joining Koga at the side of the medical pods was Tsūjō, who after being separated from Chi managed to follow Koga to Atlantis.

Atlantis, the city under the water; second only to Fishman Island itself. Ever since it had been raided by pirates and marines alike, the island had been initiating an auto recovery run by the massive vessels AI or artificial intelligence. Instead of the glass like shell it had before, the dome of the city was completely replaced by hard steel plates. The ecological system and re-breather systems were the first priority and like wise were saved by the recovery programs. Secondary systems like weapons and steering had been completely destroyed long before the auto repair could initiate, all by the invaders. Despite the livable conditions the city was completely deserted of all of its former residents, well all of the human ones.

Koga was looking at Emily and Iken while they were recovering. Both of them seemed to be in a critical condition when they entered the pods and Koga was worried about them. However, some time later, Emily's condition got better and stable. Iken, though, was in a much worse condition. He had severe burns around his body and some of his body parts were broken. "He put up a great fight against that monster..." Koga said while looking at him. "That guy... He is a monster... He suffered so many burns and yet he is still able to move..." he said with a serious voice and then he took a perverted face. "At least, I am glad this little girl did not die!!! That cute little girl~~~~~!!!" Koga said with a cheering voice and blood came out of his nose. He was such a pervert...

A few seconds later, though, Koga moved his head around quickly and stopped. He snapped out of his perverted thoughts and he started looking towards Iken. He was the second yonko he had seen in this condition... That state reminding him a lot of Maximillion's state when he was saved by him as well, after the battle of the Calm Belt. Both of them, after putting up some great fights ended up in the same condition. However, there was something that made Iken differ from Maximillion in Koga's eyes. While Maximillion would fight for himself and his own arrogant ambitions, Iken would fight to protect the others around him, he would fight for everybody. And that was something Koga would not forgive...

A few seconds later, Koga moved his head around to snap out of his thoughts, once again. He did not like thinking of Maximillion. Everything that was going on around him were reminding him of his experiences with Maximillion... He had to get rid of that annoying habit and start looking in the future instead of reminiscing the past. That was the only way that he would evolve furthermore to become strong enough to stop his former captain and bring him back to his senses... Maximillion was acting like a barricade to his continuous evolution from the time he left the Dusk Pirates...

"Whatever..." he mumbled afterwards and he started looking towards the pods again, in which Iken and Emily were.

It lumbered and walked, the humanoid being who wasnt really a living thing. Its huge perfect looking body was imposing on the sight that was before him. He walked around patrolling what was left of the old city that was once a beacon of science and technology. It sensed something was there now.. living life forms, a few of them. He looked up and revealed his dirty blonde hair and his rugged face. "Patrol Protocol... Identifying targets....." The man, or if you could call him a man, was now moving towards the new life forms which were there, he could see the first one , a fish looking being, he simply stood still as he watched the creature walk.

Emily's face seemed to shift from one of being sleep to that of a confused look. Her hands open and closed from the feeling of things around her. Her eyes slowly opened as she body moved more. The last thing she remembered was taking the hand of a man.

Emily looked around, side to side, her mind not realizing what was going on. She looked down at her body and could see a few burns on her skin. and her slightly scorched and blacken clothes. She reached out and touched the wall of the pod in front of her as her mind tried to understand what was going on.

"It looks like you woke up." Koga said with a smile on his face and a slightly perverted voice at the girl that just woke up. As the damage that she received was not as great as that of Iken, she healed quickly and that was something good indeed. "You got me worried, cute girl! If you died, Iken would hunt me for the rest of my life, not to mention that your hallucination would haunt me whenever I would sleep..." Koga said with a smile on his face. However, that smile was showing something else. It showed that the turtle was lying... Something else was going on.

"Koga! RUN!" the voice of a human girl was heard inside Koga's head... He was remembering something. What was the little girl reminding to Koga?

[Flashback 10 Years Prior]
"Owe, that fucking hurts!" howled a tween Iken as a large and apparently older man applied sav to Iken's badly burned torso. Iken thrashed about as the man applied bandages to the area. "Why do we even need to train in that damned volcano? It's not like we're ever going to need to fight a walking volcano." complained Iken trying to sit still. "Ah you know little of outside world young one. As you know there are fruits that possess devil spirits which give ordinary men great power. One of those fruits can even turn a man into a walking volcano, allowing him to produce endless streams of magma." said the man in a story tell fashion. "Ah you're full of it!" Iken said turning away from the man.

[Six Months Later]
Inside the islands volcano, Iken and his mentor spar over a liquid pool of molten rock. Iken and the man leap into the air from either side of the volcano, meeting in the middle while trading a few quick punches. The man is stronger than Iken and a bit faster too. It wasn't any secret who was winning this fight. Scanning his surroundings Iken rushed towards the right after seeing an opportunity. Punching the wall a few hanging rock fell down allowing Iken to jump up and kick them at his foe in rapid succession. The opposing man was able to dodge or destroy all of the rocks with ease. Luckily for Iken, his foe had dodge enough of the rocks for them to break away the thin wall behind him. Magma began to pour out of the breach in the wall, it looked as if Iken would win this round. Instead of moving away the man twirled around and kicked rapidly in succession launching airblades at the incoming magma. The combined effects of the air pushing back and cool the magma allowed the man to harden it long before it would have reached him.

[Two Years Later]
Iken stood upon the crest of the volcano looking down into its core. He was alone, he had long since had a need for a trainer. Taking a deep breath Iken dived into the volcano. The magma had risen since the time he had fought his trainer those two years ago. Magma now engulfed the cave they had been in before. The deeper the magma the harder it would be to cool it was airblades, however even as he fell farther down Iken didn't waver. Slowly crossing his arms, Iken reached down to his sides and pulled two swords from their sheaths. "Two Sword Style: Whirlwind" Iken spun the blades creating a powerful gale shooting downwards into the magma. It cut deep as it drilled into the liquid rock. Iken stretched out his legs landing gracefully on the thick hardened rock he had cooled with his whirlwind.

[24 Hours Ago]
Iken holding Emily watches in horror as the massive arm of the island beast hurtles towards him. He hadn't seen it coming, the force from taking a hit like that would be like being hit by an meteor. Doing all he could, Iken sliced into the arm with all of his strength. It lessened the blow, but now the titans magma like blood began to engulf them. Remembering all of his training Iken in a split second used his free arm and spun his sword. "One Sword Style: Whirlwind Barrier" Iken spun his sword while himself spinning mid-air using geppou to create of a barrier of swirling air all around himself and Emily. The attack was enough to harden the magma to a non-lethal level. However an instant later he was slammed by the remaining portion of the beasts arm that Iken had been unable to slice through.

Emily Felt weak and tired, she looked up at the half turtle man, she could hear him talking but didn't really understand what he was saying. She kept looking around, not recognizing the area around her. She put a hand on her head and started to remember what was going on. "The volcano...People screaming...that man" She thought and looked around quickly, her eyes stopping as she saw a the man in a tube next to her. She stared at him a moment, taking in the looks of the man who saved her life. She closed her eyes before turning back to the half turtle man and putting on a smile, even though her mind was racing with thoughts of if anyone eles lived, and if her parents where alive.

Koga was looking at Emily with a smile on his face. This cute little girl... She was obviously making him remember some things... An old story that even Koga himself started forgetting... The real story that led him to start traveling around the world to get stronger... She was reminding him of a very dear person to him... The dearest person... A person that had an impact on Koga's personality even more than Maximillion had. The woman from Bee Island.

[Flashback]

At the beach of Bee Island, the home island of Koga, a little turtle is lying on the ground. The turtle looks quite tired. Apparently, he was also kind of wet. He was probably swimming around the area and he was getting tired because of that. Swimming at the sea constantly was indeed something tiring. Even sea-creatures were getting tired from times to times from swimming and so they needed to rest a little bit in order to continue swimming. And that happened to the little turtle, as well.

The little turtle had a very innocent look on its face. It was looking at the sun while lying down. The sun was very helpful for him. Its rays were hitting him and the wet body started getting dry quickly. The turtle could not speak at all. It could not express his thoughts and his feelings. He was just a regular animal, like all the others... A regular animal that was lying down at the sunny beach of Bee Island. Or at least, that was what people who would see him would think.

After relaxing and resting a little bit, the turtle entered the water again. It started swimming and it slowly disappeared in the waters of the sea. It swam fast and vanished from sight...

[Flashback ends]

"That day... Why is it coming to my mind now? This girl..." Koga said and his eye twitched while looking at the girl.

[Roughly 800 Years Ago]

A city with technological advancements that makes it seem to be from the future was locked in a blood battle with a legion of monsters rising from the sea. Men versus merfolk, technology verses the sea. Smoke could be seen from miles around, rising from the area around the city. Canons blasting at the seakings trying to keep the giant fish at bay. The area around the city, the very ocean itself was died a crimson color. Blood from man, fish, and fishman twirled intertwined as if there was no end to one and a beginning to the other. Despite the bitter hatred and resentment the combatants felt towards each other; their blood was all to much the same.

Far inside enemy lines a woman clad in warring armor sat in an underwater cave with makeshift living quarters. She looked pale and stressed out, as if she had been battling on the front-lines for sometime now. In front of the blonde bomb shell mermaid was a table. Various maps of underwater trenches scattered our with little to no order. The maps had marks and targets drawn all over it, some of which had large X's through them. It was evident from the monumental amount of tension in the room that not all the battles were going their way. As a fishman with a long black beard combed over the information the mermaids face began to express emotions. She want to say something but hadn't mustered the nerve to say it. Searching her thoughts she was thinking of how she wanted to say what she was going to say. Ah the man stood up straight and cleared his throat announcing her was going to speak, the mermaid burst out.

"I want to go home!" she squeaked as her tired voice failed her. The room went dead silent as the wide eyed on lookers viewed their war-worn leader's sudden outburst. The bearded fishman looked at her with cunning eyes and a smug smile. "Sakanahime-Sama." started the man before being cut off. "That's SakanaKuīn*-Sama to you general!" Sakana said much more sure of herself. A few snickers and sneers came from the crowd surrounding the war table. No matter how prestigious the general was, their beloved queen of prophecy, the living weapon able to control seakings would always been loved by her people. The smug look on the military mans face was wiped clean in an instant. Thoughts of high treason ran through his head, she was no more than a powerful weapon. A powerful weapon that was quickly loosing its value. In a world where everyone was in what seemed an endless war for power the general couldn't afford the nations ruler pull her support, however without their super weapon he would be in a battle without a sword. "My apologies, my queen. We must see this battle out to the end, or we will look weak." said the man with disdain in his voice. Standing and making it know that the generals disrespect was not overlooked, the guard to the woman's right spoke up. "Watch your words when you talk to Kuin-Sama, or I'll cut out your tongue. If she wants to leave then it shall be done." said the guard coldly. As the murmurs it was clear queen had the support of her people. They were all tired and they could see the queens control over the seakings waning as the number of their dead increased after all it was flesh versus metal and the metal was winning.

[In the great metal city]

"Are the preparations about finished?" asked a man that seemed to be more cyborg than actual human. He had a long sword with a dragon head hilt at his side. The blade had a greenish blue tint almost like the sea. Looking at a small handheld device before answering, the second man nodded. "Yes general." said the younger man with gritted teeth. "Very well, you may go." said the general. Turning tail the general walked away to mutters from the men around him. Talk of force enhancement placed a dim light on the general and his pawn king.

In the background of the magnificent metal city rats of the human variety ran around the underground. With the city about to be transformed into a massive war submarine their enterprise would be utterly destroyed and the small nation, forever a military state. In this state of being the cities citizens would be powerless against the general. In order to get the king to cancel the submersion something major would have to happen, something like the death of the fishman queen. Preparations for their mission took days, and precious time they had little of. However little time they had, the residents were about to gain an ally that would turn the tide of the battle forevermore.

Later as the battle between the two armies entered their end phase the fish queen swam to the front lines. She demanded to know who ordered an attack when they were supposed to be retreating. The only thing she was told was that it was the general, but no one seemed to know where the man was. Despite what he did, Sakana had little time to worry, her people were out fighting and dying; she had little choice but to call fourth her powers and aid them. Summoning fourth a massive army of sea monsters the queen attacked the city. Tearing down the walls as they took attacks from the mounted guns.

A man that not one of the soldiers would bat an eye at walked through the battlefield. His flowing beard fluttered as a current rushed through it as if it was a gentle breeze. From within his robes the fishman pulled out a dagger laced with a powerful neurotoxin from an animal that calls the world above the sea home. Slowly strolling up to the queen the general place the blade between her shoulder-blades. It wasn't a second later when a harpoon from far off shot through the mans midsection. Both the queen and the general lay on the oceans floor slowly and painfully dying. At roughly the same time a small cybernetic implant inside the eye the cyborg general exploded, killing him instantly.

With these decisive victories the underground group should of had control once again. Unfortunately an unforeseen event began to unfold, without the control of the mermaid the seakings began to rampage again both sides. With fearsome attack the monsters drove the fishman army back killing many in their wake. The swimming natural disaster wasn't one sided and felt by all. Even the might city nation of Atlantis fell, sunk to the bottom of the ocean.

[Seven Years Ago]

"What a bunch of bullshit." whispered a teenage boy into Iken's ear with a chuckle. Looking at the two with narrowed eyes the teacher walked over to them. "This "bullshit" is history!" exclaimed the woman. "As much history as any fairy tail." spouted Iken with laughter. "Fairy tails as all legends are based on real events. It's up to all of us to determine the truth and separate it from the "bullshit". Now it's said our ancestors has decedents in the metal city." crowed the woman teaching the lecture.

[Present Day]

"So this is the city that fairy tail was talking about." Iken said as he staggered out of the rejuvenation pod. Iken looked older than he had before he was placed in stasis to heal. It was as if any boyish look he had retained was now gone. Dressing himself, Iken had to make some adjustments to his garb, replacing bits and making repairs. His usual long jacket was much shorter now. His pants were a total loss so Iken has to settle for a winter green color that the Atlantian soldiers had been wearing when he came here two years ago.

Like a flash Iken moved quickly towards the center of the city where a large monument stood. It was of a man made mainly of metal and long since dead. A general that saved the lives of everyone in the city by forcing them to prepare even if they hated him for it. With a smile that almost seemed smug, Iken pushed aside the monument devoted to the general that looked familiar grin carved into it. Beneath the mass of granite a small table carved with intricate designs held the hilt of a sword in the shape of a dragons head. Grasping the hilt, Iken pulled it out of the stone slab revealing all six foot of its tinted blade. With a few quick movements Iken preformed a series of underhanded slashes making the large sword seem weightless. Taking a relaxed stance Iken let the tip of the blade rest on the ground as he held the hilt in his hand loosely. Cocking his head and looking over his shoulder, Iken stared at the cyborg he had clashed with before.

Emily blinked as she saw the man who had saved her wake up quickly and had ease getting out of the pod. She watched him for a moment as he seemed to be in a hurry and left them as soon as he was dressed. She looked back at the turtle man and tapped on the pod's door, wondering if he could help her get out.

Koga took a look at Emily who wanted to get out of the pod after Iken got out of his own one. He moved quickly towards her direction and he pressed a few buttons next to her pod. The pod's door opened and the girl could now get out from it. She was healed after all so there would be no problem if she got out. "You can come out safely..." Koga said but then he took a look towards the direction Iken went. "Though, I wonder... Where did Iken go...?" he thought.

Iken spun around to face the cyborg, something was wrong here and he could feel it. He had done battle with Hercules before and knew that the robotic creature didn't act like this. Something or someone else was there in the shadows. It was bigger than the cyborg, and if it had control over it like Iken feared it could be trouble. Even for the Yonkou. A familiar scent filled his nostrils, his super scent picked up on the odor. Even with such intimidating odds, Iken could help but grin a little.

"Jiper, I presume." Iken said looked around.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't destroy my fun of surprising you!" a voice was heard from behind Iken. Behind him, there was man with a shadowed face at the start. He wore a suit that was almost destroyed and was grey colored. He had a mask in his face that helped him breath. Apparently, that guy had probably sustained much damage and his breathing system was not working properly without the help of medical equipment. He had long nails which he was using to scratch his face. Half of his face was scratched and damaged. This time, his left part of his face was damaged.

[Introduction Box]
[Jiper Juicest]
[Former Marine Admiral]

Unlike his times as an admiral, Jiper did not wear his admiral coat. He only wore his suit, the same suit that he wore during the battle in Atlantis, when he battled with Iken. "It has been a while, Samakage!" he said.

Iken turned around once again, the old man sure was fast. Looking him up and down Iken could see the condition he was in. Time had taken its toll on the former marine admiral. Where Iken recived treatment after their battle by Gael and Ranyx, the admiral must of had to deal with his injuries himself. Even with the advanced medical pods, it would be hard to take care of yourself in that kind of condition. That was if the pods were even functioning after the whole event, seeing as how the whole city was about to be destroyed.

"You look worse for wear." Iken said calmly. Taking a deep breath Iken leaned back against the monument. "I'm curious, how much do you know of what's happened since that battle? Any communication with the outside world?" he asked trying to test the waters.

"Indeed, I know..." Jiper said from behind his breathing mask and he scratched his face. "I was always watching the events from the backscene. That bastard, Wally... He betrayed us at that time and he became a sea emperor... And then he lost his power eventually but another acquintance of his became an emperor, probably at his place..." Jiper said, referring to Wally and Maximillion at first. "I really wonder if that new emperor is powerful..." he wondered, as he had not met with him personally. "And Anubis... That bastard is hiding at the moment... Did you know that he took over Arabasta? Hahaha! It's pretty funny! He became a pirate to take over his home!!!" Jiper said and kept scratching his face.

Then, Jiper looked upwards and took a deep breath inside his mask. "And the admirals... Oh man... Me and Ran were replaced after the incident of Atlantis. Nobody actually cared if I was alive to search for me and find me and Ran was probably deemed to not have the power to be an admiral... I don't even know what the Fleet Admiral is thinking. At least, Nishki was the one to replace me. That guy... I have faith in him. He reminds me much of myself at his age, you know. He has passion over justice and he fights with everything he has... Well, for the other two admirals, I will only say one thing... They do not look like they are admirals for nothing." Jiper made his comment about the new form of the marines.

Afterwards, he scratched his face and he got up. "I won't comment about the Walords... I always believed they were trash, anyway." he commented before he started walking towards Iken. "Anyway, Samakage, tell me... How does it feel to be a sea emperor?" he said while approaching him. Jiper did not respond on the comment of Iken about his condition purposely.

"In all honesty, Anubis has gotten a bit complacent. Even though he has Gael in his back pocket, it's more likely Maximillion and Wally are the ones that are going to be making the big moves. Maximillion is probably one of the strongest fruit users in the world with his ability to absorb any two materials and produce it like a logia would. Maximillion was dangerous and unstable to begin with, now he's even worse. At one time I would have called him an ally; hell even a friend, but now I just don't know. If he's not careful he's going to become a target of Karasu. Heh, despite being only a Shichibukai; the bastard is probably as strong as any of the Yonkou. He's one of those self righteous types that excuses his actions by saying it's for the greater good. I suppose you would know what that's like, wouldn't you?" Iken finished with a trollish grin.

"As far as being a Yonkou it's put a target on my head that sends drones of assassins after me. Nothing I can't handle, hell I've never even had one get close to one. My crew had them dead and floating in the ocean before I had even noticed their presence. Anyway, as you know I try to be a man that follows of a code of ethics and justice. Albeit my code of justice is drastically different from the marines, I still have one. Because of this I have to stop Maximillion before Karasu can get involved. If I can get to him, I hope to convince him to stop. However if I can't prevent him from raising and destroying islands like he is, I owe it to him as his friend to be the one to finish him." he said with an unusually serious tone to his voice.

"As you can imagine, I'd have my hands full fighting Maximillion. So if Wally shows up I wouldn't have a snowflakes chance in hell. To be completely honest I don't know if I can beat him even if Wally doesn't make his presence known. So to the reason I've come here, I've been looking for you and this place. I want you to join me in my battle against those two. Specifically I came for four things, this sword here, Hercules, yourself, and the super weapon of Atlantis. Have you ever watched people you love die? I'm tired of it, I'm tired of people like Maximillion and Derge. This task-force will transcend the pirate and marine barrier for a goal we can all agree to. Ridding the world of an evil that threatens all of us and everything we hold dear. For that reason I can't allow my crew to partake in these battles." Iken said hold the blade of his sword next to his chest.

Tsujo looked puzzled when he saw Iken was gone and the girl was emerging from the pod.. Tsujo hadn't been paying attention to the events happening in this room, His mind had been immersed in thought of the recent events on that island.. The destruction of it by that monster was so quick.. and the damage to Iken was incredible.. Tsujo removed the mask from his face and the crimson hood from his head.. both of which he had picked up on that island but he had taken a liking to both. "Now that the girl is up, why don't we go see what Iken is up to?" Tsujo said to his companions as he held the mask in his hand and started making his way towards the door.

Jiper listened carefully to the words of Iken. Apparently, the former Admiral of the Marines could see where Iken was bringing the matter of discussion from the very start. It was not difficult to understand why the man was there. The only reason for a man with a power like his, was none other than to find a person that could help him in whatever he needed and there was not any other person like that except from Jiper. Even if the Marine knew that Iken was about to ask for his assistance, though, he listened carefully. After all, during his speech, Iken was giving him a full picture of whatever was going on at the outside world. Even if he had some idea, he needed Iken's information to understand what was happening outside. As a result, he would not intercept the man with his speech and he would listen carefully to whatever he had to say.

Apparently, things were becoming extremely crazy outside. According to Iken's words, that yonko that Jiper talked about earlier who was working with the traitorous Wally was doing things who were crazy enough to the point that Iken wanted to put an end to his reign and that was the reason that he was seeking for the former admiral's assistance. On top of that, the sea emperor would also mention the fact that after he was recognised as one of the few most powerful pirates, he became the target of other pirates and that he wanted to stop all those things. Finally, during his speech, Iken would mention something about Karasu. According to Iken, Karasu was doing things for the greater good even if they were bad and that was a way of trolling Jiper for his actions. However, the former marine would not say a thing and he kept listening to the speech of the man... It looked like there were some very interesting things inside his speech and as a result he did not want to intercept him at the start.

"I see..." Jiper said with a smile on his face, after the man completed. Even if the smile could not be seen right below his breathing mask, his cheeks moved and so it was easy to understand that he was smiling. "I can totally understand you... You see whenever you are at the top, there is somebody who wants to take advantage of you, just like those drones who wanted to take you and your crew on to make a name for themselves in their crews. You know, when you are great, there is always somebody who is doing things like these to show off..." Jiper said at the start, reffering to the fact that Iken took him on during the battle of Atlantis. Then, he grabbed his mask and raised it, taking the same trollish grin like Iken did when he talked about Karasu. Afterwards, he placed the mask back and he was about to continue his speech about the other matters.

"However, even if I understand you, I have one single question, Samakage..." Jiper continued afterwards. "Why would I co-operate with you? Why would a former admiral work with a sea emperor? I am not an admiral anymore... I am stuck over here and most likely I will never get my position back... So I am asking you, why would I work with you in order to bring Wally and his friend down? Even if I hate Wally for whatever he has done, I am nothing more than a man who is relying on a mask to breath... Currently, I am a shadow of my former self. I am useless. What would I have to offer to you during your battle?" Jiper said afterwards and waited for an answer.

Iken couldn't help but grin when Jiper threw that insult out there. He deserved it and he knew it, after that comment about Karasu and Jiper. Seeing the admiral react that way, confirmed his suspicions; Jiper had become a different man during his entrapment in Atlantis. This would make the former admiral easier to convince, if he hadn't already. "You'll help me because you're a marine; once a marine, always a marine. Just because you lost an official title doesn't mean than you've given up on the reason you became a marine. You want to help people and helping with Wally, Maximillion, and Derge is the best way to do that, and you know it." Iken said putting his hands down by his sides.

"Look I don't care how weak you've become, you'll be a valuable asset. As I said earlier this task force will transcend the normal limitations in interactions between marines and pirates. A smart man like you can imagine a man like I can't exactly go and be seen speaking with marines without being carried off in chains or rolling a few marine heads. You're needed as a valuable liaison between the marines I deem worthy of this task and I. Plus that mask maybe helping you to breath, but I can smell that you're still in decent shape health wise." said Iken, calling that mans bluff.

Jiper couldn't do anything but smile when he saw Iken grinning after he threw his own insult, just like the sea emperor did before. His cheeks moved upwards, just like before. However, when the pirate started speaking, he would not smile anymore and he would listen to him with a serious look on his face, in a similar way like before when he was listening carefully to whatever Iken had to say. Apparently, his former enemy was bringing out three very interesting points. According to Iken, once somebody is a marine he is always a marine and he wants to deal with people who are an international threat. Moreover, the yonko was bringing up the matter of a co-operation between pirates and marines. Now that was something revolutionary, not revolutionary like those people who wanted to bring down the World Government, but something new that would probably create a new era in the war of the marines against pirates. Even if there were numerous reports about marines working with admirals, this would probably be the first time that an admiral would move to an agreement with a yonko in order to prevent a potential danger from rising to the top. This would definitely cause a change inside the marines and Jiper was sure about it... Finally, another important point about why Jiper should assist Iken was the point about his health. Iken was not a fool. He could see the bluff behind Jiper's words to excuse why he would not want to help him.

When Iken completed his last sentence about Jiper's health, a moment of silence followed. It looked like the man was thinking. He took a deep breath. While taking the breath, the machines inside the mask that helped him breath were compressed and they made a loud sound, similar to that the trains would make while the were arriving at their stations. "I always hate this when it happens..." Jiper said with a disappointed look on his face about his mask and he raised his hand to scratch his face with his long nails. He slowly scratched it for a little bit. He was still thinking. He was still thinking what he would have to say. On the one hand, Iken was right about a few things. Jiper was not the kind of person who would ever defect from the force. "Once a marine, always a marine.". Those were the words that would absolutely describe Jiper and that Jiper would say to his subordinates whenever they were transferred to his force. And now, after more than one year since the War of Atlantis and Jiper's downfall, Iken, the man who was mostly responsible for that was there and was speaking the same words to him in order to convince him to join him. However, there were a few other issues... Jiper was a hero for the marines, at least for those who remembered him. He had done numerous great things and he rarely failed and in the end he ended up risking to sacrifice himself in order to save the weaker marines who were in Atlantis from the mistake they made. If he went outside to assist a pirate, that would ruin his name... His whole pride was at risk.

"You know, Samakage, that if I assist you I will probably never be accepted as a marine, don't you?" Jiper said after a while and after thinking all these things. "The whole world will be saying this thing about me... I will be the pawn of a yonko, a pirate scum, if not something worse because of the fact that I had the luck to have a high position in the Navy... Not to mention that if I do this, then I will really become like this Warlord, Karasu, which you talked about earlier. A marine working with a pirate for the greater good? That is interesting... But I wonder, what would make me differ from a pirate and specifically THAT pirate? From whatever side you look at it, I am right." he completed and he started scratching his face again. Then, he waited for Iken's response.

"Yeah, probably. You'll look like scum if they ever figure out that you worked with me or hell probably even knowing that you talked to me like this. Honestly I'd probably take shit from my crew as well, but - I don't care. This is more important than some vain sense of pride that we may possess. If we can get rid of these people it's worth my reputation as one of the greatest in the world." Iken said once again serious as a heart attack.

"Karasu kills people directly and indirectly for the greater good, or so he says. His methods are dark and only serve the "greater good" that he believes in, much like the marines' absolute justice. I believe in my own justice separate from anything like what the marines or Karasu believes in. What happens with these three justices can only be seen by waiting and letting time show us. However if Derge, Maximillion, and Wally are left the way they are, none of that will matter. One of them will find a way, if we let them continue much longer; no one will be able to stop them. The marines, my crew, and everyone else we care about will be wiped out." Iken said stabbing his sword into the ground.

"The group I'm going to form will have different ideas of justice, all similar, but all different. We believe in stopping people that pose a threat to all of us and come together with those that we would normally fight against. Our ideals will work themselves out eventually, and the world will be better off for it. However right now, as I speak these people are committing atrocities all across the world that serve to undermine our shared goal of peace. I want to start out by making our fundamental rule under which we shall operate. Everyone we face is allowed the opportunity to make a drastic and significant change to their foundational character in which they are no longer deemed a threat to the soundness of the well being of the worlds population. If they are unable to do so, they will be unconditionally and forthwith dealt with in a manner than will forever more end the hazard of their being." stated Iken in manor that a respected lawmaker would.

For one more time, the former marine Admiral listened carefully to whatever the sea emperor had to say. Jiper would not stop Iken from speaking as he did not want to cut off the coherence of his thought. He wanted to see how Iken was going to end his speech and how he was going to convince him about joining him in his effort of getting rid of the evil on the Grand Line and the New World, for good. It looked like Iken was capable of more tricks than fighting... The magic behind his words would easily trick a person and deceive them. The pirate was not strong only physically. His great aspect was his mental strength...

When Iken finished his last sentence and his speech, Jiper raised his hands upwards. He scratched his face with his right hand and he started clapping the man for his speech. Clap! Clap! Clap... That was the sound of his hands that were hitting each other. Jiper wanted to congratulate the pirate for his remarkable sayings. He stopped clapping a few seconds later. He took a smile right below his breathing mask once again and with a serious voice he replied to the man's words.

"Those... Those are some remarkable words... Clever words... Interesting words... Inspiring words. Words of a man that a group like this will love to hear, will love to follow and will love to work for. The words of the ideal leader... However, there is one thing that the leader of this group cannot see... I do not believe in ideal leaders... Ever since I committed my sins and lost my common sense for a little bit, I stopped believing in things like these and I stopped believing in the ideal words. For a while, while I had power in my hands I used to think like this. I was believing that I would spread my sense of justice to the marines, yet they would keep their morals and their beliefs. I thought that I would eliminate all the big threats from this world and especially the threat of pirates. Darn, I even fooled myself that I would form a better world. But, I was wrong. While I was daydreaming, the threats were becoming more and more. I kept thinking of my completely perfect plan to fight against them and they were multiplying and multiplying... And when I found the chance to take them on, all together, do you know what happened? You do. I realized my mistake... I found out that I was wrong... I understood that I was slowly becoming just like them! I was becoming, I will admit it, a bigger threat than them with my "smart" ideas of trying to destroy them. And do you know who opened my eyes? It was you, Samakage. You showed me that I was wrong... It was you who brought me out of my madness. And now, I have the obligation to inform you that you are becoming just like me at that time. Don't fool yourself, Samakage. This so-called group cannot change the world. As long as good exists, evil will exist as well. As long as light exists, darkness will exist as well. And whenever one side starts a war with the other side, only one possibility exists for the possible outcome... Death and destruction. I do not doubt your reasons for causing this. You really want to turn this hell into a paradise... But good reasons do not necessarily mean the methods are good, as well.". Jiper then changed into a more serious tone and he shouted. "THESE METHODS ARE WRONG, SAMAKAGE! YOU WILL ACHIEVE NOTHING BUT A WORLD WAR! IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT?".

Iken was taken back for a moment, he opened his mouth to argue, however he ended up closing it a few seconds later. Looking to the side it would have seemed as if the former admiral had won the conversation. However the young Yonkou soon looked back up, staring at Jiper eye to eye. There was a large smile adorning his face, a little bit larger than his regular smug grin. "There is one difference between people like you and Karasu, and people like I. I will not allow one innocent to be killed just to take down my enemies. No matter the cost to myself. Now like I said before, if they pose a threat after our first meeting, they'll be dealt with in the harshest way possible; I wont allow a world war to spring from my actions. I will hold the burden of their hatred on my shoulders so no one else has to." Iken said once again crossing his arms. "Now Jiper, if you're done grasping for fictitious straws, I believe we have guest who shall be arriving shortly." said Iken looking down a street towards the port.

Jiper smiled. Apparently, he got the answer that he wanted to hear. He wanted to listen from the man's mouth that no innocent people would be harmed. He wanted to ensure a security for all those people who would be in the middle of the war that would be started by Iken against the evil forces of the world. "I see... That is what I wanted to hear..." Jiper commented and then he took a serious look on his face. "However, if you do not keep your promise, Samakage, you have to know that I will stop providing you my assistance and bring an end in everything. I shall help you... But if you do not do as you said, you will have to deal with me as well when we are done with this thing." he finished and then he turned his head towards the port and waited to see the person who would arrive shortly.

The former Admiral actually agreed for an alliance with the Yonko, even if it actually was under very strict rules.

*Several Hours Ago this day*

A young man with mid length black hair combed slightly as to cover his left eye sat in what seemed to be a submarine. The young man looked out the glass to see a city underwater. With a sigh and swig of rum "At this rate I'll be there in another 5 hours." he groaned.

*Present Time*

As the submarine approached and docked into the area the young man, Doku Nakamura got out of the ship. Stumbling every so slightly from drinking several bottles of alcohol on his way here he made his way through the city. "Alright *hic* Ikenz gotta be 'round 'ere some where." he slurred. Trying to remember what Sanya taught him as to not be wasted the alcohol slowly lost affect on the young man who regained his composure. Seeing a bright orange coat and a large sword in hand along with a hair style and face shape similar to how Kenjiro would describe Iken, Doku began to walk towards him. Once he reached Iken he took a knee "Samakage Iken, I am Doku Nakamura. I was told when I believed I was strong enough to seek you out. I am here to travel along side you, If you'll have me that it." The young man said in the most respectful tone he could muster.