Solo Pirating - Chapter 87

Chapter 87

30th of April 1522

Alabasta

Moria watched with satisfaction as Admiral Aramaki used his plant powers to lift himself away from the celebration, the earth writhing and cracking as he took out and started flying. Asshole. Good riddance, Moria thought, his fingers itching with the desire to kill the insufferable admiral. But no, that moment would come later. Aramaki's surprise appearance and thinly veiled threats had been unexpected, but now that his watchful gaze was gone, Moria could finally move on to more important matters.

[Aramaki]

Class: Marine

Job: Admiral Ryokugyu, the Green Bull

Fruit : Mori Mori no Mi

Dourikis: 21 352

Potential: SSS

Fate: S

The garden was a cacophony of muted conversations and clinking glasses. Moria's eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the crowd until they settled on the gathering of Underworld Emperors. He moved through the throng with an air of purpose, his towering form parting the sea of nobles. "Du Feld, Drug Peclo! How are you doing? May I have a word?" he called out. The two men turned, their expressions morphing from idle curiosity to keen interest. Morgans cackled nearby, while Stussy and Giberson exchanged knowing glances. Stussy, ever the provocateur, threw a playful barb, "Do you prefer the company of old men to mine, Moria?"

A dark chuckle rumbled from Moria’s chest. "I'll come back to you later, Stussy. For now, I have business with these gentlemen."

Du Feld, the "God of Fortune," and Drug Peclo, the scarred and enigmatic drug merchant, stepped aside with Moria. Moria wasted no time, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Gentlemen, I possess a power that can change the very fabric of your operations. I can create portals between any two places on the globe, allowing for instant travel of any cargo."

Du Feld’s eyes widened, a low whistle escaping his lips. "Instant teleportation? You could put Warehouse King Giberson out of business overnight."

Drug Peclo’s scarred face split into a sly grin. "That’s quite the advantage, Moria. What’s your proposal?"

Moria’s eyes burned with dark ambition, the shadows around him seeming to pulse with anticipation. "A partnership. With my ability and your resources, we could dominate the global black market. Imagine the control we could exert, the profits we could reap."

Du Feld leaned in, his voice low and eager. "I’m interested. This could revolutionize our entire operation. How do we proceed?"

Moria’s grin widened, a sinister glint in his eye. "We start by testing the limits of this power. I’ll arrange a demonstration. If it meets your expectations, we can formalize our alliance and begin immediately."

Drug Peclo’s eyes sparkled with greed and ambition. "Count me in, Moria. This could be the beginning of a very profitable venture."

With the seeds of a powerful partnership sown, Moria felt a surge of triumph. The pieces were falling into place, his influence expanding far beyond mere physical territories. As he turned back to the garden, his mind raced with visions of the future, a web of shadows spreading across the globe, each thread woven with his dark ambition.

Moria nodded, pleased. "Excellent, Drug Peclo. We have much to discuss." His mind was already strategizing the next moves. With Doflamingo dead, he was steadily taking over Joker’s operations. Bege was handling the details, but progress was promising. His thoughts drifted to the prisoner in the deep dungeons of Thriller Bark—the kid with the power Doflamingo once used to control Dressrosa. Monet's sister, and now one of his future key asset. And the World Noble, the Dragon, another potent piece on his chessboard…he should really "take care" of her.

Returning to the remaining Underworld Emperors, Moria greeted Morgans and Stussy with a friendly nod. Vivi had drifted back to engage with the Alabastan nobles, ensuring they felt included and important. Moria approached Stussy, her allure undeniable. With cascading blonde hair and a figure that demanded attention, her sharp eyes missed nothing. "Stussy," he said warmly, "still making the pleasure districts prosper, I see?"

Stussy’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Always, Moria. Though I must say, you seem to have a preference for the company of old men today."

He laughed, a dark, resonant sound. "You wound me, Stussy. I promise to spend some quality time with you later."

Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'll hold you to that."

Their banter was interrupted by Bege, who slipped up beside Moria and whispered something urgent into his ear. Moria’s expression shifted, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Excuse me, Emperors. Duty calls."

With a final nod, he left the group and made his way into the interior of the palace. The corridors were a blend of opulence and subtlety, designed to impress without being overly ostentatious. He walked briskly to a nondescript but lavish room, part office, part salon.

Entering, Moria found himself face to face with Tamago, Big Mom's bishop. Tamago, ever the epitome of Longleg elegance, bowed slightly, his monocle catching the light in a brief, brilliant flash.

"Congratulations on your two kingships, Moria-san," Tamago intoned, his voice smooth and cultured.

Tamago was a figure of refined menace. Tall and slender, with elongated limbs typical of the Longleg Tribe, he exuded an air of aristocratic grace. His impeccably tailored suit, complete with a red cravat and a monocle, added to his distinguished appearance. His face, framed by neatly trimmed sideburns, bore a perpetual smirk, hinting at the sharp intellect and cunning that lay beneath.

Moria returned the bow with a polite nod. "Thank you, Tamago. Please, have a seat." He poured two glasses of whisky, the amber liquid catching the room's soft light, and handed one to Tamago before settling into a chair opposite him.

For a few moments, silence hung in the air, thick and charged. It was Tamago who finally broke it. "We are intrigued, Moria-san. Mama is intrigued. We received your letter regarding an alliance and the invitation to your wedding, but the details were… sparse."

Moria laughed softly, a sound that seemed to ripple through the room. He took a sip of his whisky, savoring the burn. "Indeed. Allow me to elaborate. I am the Prince of the Germa Kingdom, the King of Dressrosa, and now, the King of Alabasta." He paused for dramatic effect, his eyes locking onto Tamago's. "And, Tamago, I am also Joker, one of the kings of the Underworld."

Tamago's eyebrows rose, genuine interest sparking in his eyes. He leaned forward slightly, the smirk never leaving his lips.

"And above all," Moria continued, "I am powerful. You saw the extent of my abilities at Marineford."

Tamago hummed thoughtfully, not wanting to lose footing in the negotiation. "Impressive titles and accomplishments, Moria-san. However, while your army is formidable, your own strength places you at most at the lieutenant level of an emperor. You yourself, by reputation, are not quite on par with the great powers."

Moria's smile widened, a predatory gleam in his eye. "Indeed, Tamago, but only for now. I have already grown stronger since Marineford." With a casual wave of his hand, he summoned a shadowy figure. The room seemed to darken as the Shadow of Mihawk materialized, its presence a palpable force.

Tamago's monocle almost fell from his eye, his composure momentarily shattered. "You killed Dracule Mihawk? And took his shadow?"

Moria chuckled darkly. "Indeed. With Mihawk’s departure, Doflamingo's death, and my own ascension, the ranks of the Warlords are decimated. There is only Blackbeard left. The era of the Warlords is over."

Tamago leaned back, his mind racing with the implications. "You have certainly reshaped the playing field, Moria-san."

Moria's gaze was steady, his smile unwavering. "Indeed. And I have a proposal that could benefit us both. I understand from Judge Vinsmoke that Big Mom is seeking strong allies. To that end, I propose a marriage—between myself and one of Mama's beautiful daughters."

Tamago's expression flickered with intrigue as he set his glass on the table. "That is an intriguing proposition, Moria-san. One the one hand, you are already married to many wives. But on the other, you're already a King, and not a mere third Prince…and a King of many countries. Mama could indeed find value in such an alliance. But, as you know, I must confer with her directly. Mama does not take such decisions lightly."

Before Moria could respond, a sudden crash reverberated through the garden. A loud, jarring noise that sent ripples of alarm through the air. Moria’s Haki flared instinctively, and he felt the intruder’s presence. His blood boiled with a mix of rage and anticipation.

“Excuse me, Tamago. It seems I must attend to something personally,” he said, his voice tight with barely contained fury.

Tamago nodded. “Of course. I will await your return.”

Moria wasted no time, exiting the room and rushing to the garden. As he stepped into the moonlit chaos, he was relieved to see the situation was less dire than he had feared. Only a few of his own nobles lay lifeless on the ground. The intruder, whoever he was, had been careful not to kill any of the foreign dignitaries or Underworld Emperors, knowing that such an act could have catastrophic consequences for his own alliances.

Bege's men and Moria’s Shadow Soldiers were efficiently evacuating the guests. Only Stussy and Morgans remained, their eyes keenly watching the unfolding drama. The garden emptied quickly, the atmosphere charged with tension. Moria stood alone amidst the chaos, his eyes scanning for the source of the disturbance.

There, by the buffet table, stood the intruder, completely unperturbed by the mayhem he had caused. His massive back was turned to Moria, revealing a hulking figure with broad, muscular shoulders. The man wore a fur-lined coat, the edges frayed from countless battles, and his wild, unruly hair cascaded down like a lion’s mane. He had a pair of enormous tusks protruding from either side of his mouth, adding to his beastly appearance. The muscles in his back rippled as he moved, casually helping himself to the lavish spread of food, completely indifferent to the chaos around him.

Moria’s eyes narrowed. He recognized the telltale signs of brute strength and destructive capability—the hallmarks of one of the most feared pirates on the seas.

The man turned slowly, a cruel smile playing on his lips. His face was a mosaic of scars and savage pride, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. Jack the Drought, one of Kaido’s All-Stars, faced Moria with a predatory gaze.

"Well, well, if it isn't the new king himself," Jack rumbled, his voice a low growl. "Enjoying your little party, Moria?"

[Jack the Drought]

Class : Pirate

Job : All-Star of the Beasts Pirates

Fruit : Zou Zou no Mi, Model: Mammoth

Dourikis : 14 891

Potential : SS

Fate : A

Moria started laughing, a dark, echoing sound that filled the garden. "Kishishishishi…..".

It was going to be so cathartic. So good.

[Gecko Moria]

Class: Prince of the Abyss

Jobs: King of Alabasta, King of Dressrosa, Prince of Germa

Fruit: Kage Kage no Mi

Dourikis: 22,969/32,000

Potential: SS

Fate: SS

Physique : 8,301

Will : 5,791

Soul : 8,877

"Oh, Jack, always the charmer."

Jack took another bite of food, chewing slowly, deliberately. "Just thought I'd drop by. Heard there was a feast, and you know me—I never miss a good meal." He swallowed and smirked, his eyes glinting with malicious amusement. "Kaido heard you were getting married and that you’ve grown a tiny bit stronger than the fucking weakling you were. Thought it was time someone put you back in your place."

The insult and taunt in Jack's voice were unmistakable, each word dripping with contempt. Moria's eyes blazed with anger, the laughter dying in his throat, replaced by a dangerous gleam. It was going to hurt.

"Is that so?" Moria’s voice dripped with venom, his body beginning to contort and expand. His form stretched, muscles bulging and twisting as he grew to his full, towering seven-meter height. His eldritch smiles and rows of nightmarish teeth turned his face into a grotesque mask of glee. Now, he stood eye-to-eye with Jack, their combined menace filling the garden with an almost palpable dread. The garden, once filled with the chaos of fleeing guests and clashing forces, fell eerily silent. The moonlight cast long, eerie shadows as Moria's transformation completed. His new size matched Jack's, but the aura he exuded was something far more sinister.

Jack’s expression darkened, the smirk replaced by a look of pure malice. "You think getting bigger makes you less of a joke, Moria? Kaido should have sent me sooner to remind you of your place. You're nothing but a pawn, a pathetic shadow, not even worthy of Kaido remembering you"

Moria's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with a twisted delight. "You must have been busy fighting Shanks to not have watched the Marineford battle directly. To underestimate me so much that Kaido only sent you, Jack? How foolish."

Jack’s eyes narrowed, his tusks glinting in the moonlight. "Careful, Moria. You’re biting off more than you can chew. I'll tear you apart and show Kaido how weak you've always been."

Moria's mad cackle reverberated through the garden, chilling the air. "We'll see about that. Let's see just how strong one of Kaido's All Stars really is."