Chapter 15+16 - Preview of One Piece: Reincarnated as Rimuru Tempest

I Apologies for the delay in releasing this chapter. I've been caught up with a lot of work recently.

On another note, the [DxD Sign-In System] will officially launch very soon—possibly within this week. You'll see it here soon!

I'll also do my best to continue publishing [Reincarnated as Rimuru Tempest] whenever I can find some spare time. :)

----

Chapter 15: Captain Isuka! Kujaku!

...

"Captain, we've tallied up 120 million Berries! A good chunk of it in gold, too!" A crewman reported excitedly, a half-hour after the raid.

Rimuru nodded, "Not bad. Everyone who took part gets a bonus of 10,000 Berries and a bottle of the good stuff—Full Recovery Potion. Anyone who actually did something useful gets another ten grand."

"Woohoo!"

The crew erupted. Ten grand was nothing to sneeze at, especially when they used to get jack squat. But even more than the money, it was the potions that really fired them up. Life at sea was dangerous, and medical care was… unreliable, to put it mildly.

A ship's doctor could patch you up, sure, but they couldn't exactly sew you a new arm. Now, with these miracle potions that could regrow limbs, they could fight without holding back.

Their fear of injury was gone, replaced by a newfound sense of security. Needless to say, their loyalty to Rimuru skyrocketed.

"This is a nice haul, plus the two hundred mil from before… Rimuru-sama, we're loaded!" Nami's eyes had, predictably, turned into dollar signs. Or, well, Berry signs.

Rimuru chuckled. "Too bad that rat bastard, already shipped most of it off to his bosses. Could've been a lot more."

Nojiko sighed. "The Marines are rotten to the core. No wonder Arlong got away with his crap for so long."

"So, where to next, Rimuru-sama?" Nami asked, her adventurous spirit clearly itching for action. "Straight to the Grand Line?"

The mention of the Grand Line made every crew member within earshot prick up their ears. They all knew their new captain was strong enough. The Grand Line was where the real treasure was.

But Rimuru wasn't quite ready to leave the East Blue just yet.

There were still a few… unpicked fruits waiting to be plucked. The classy Kaya, the capable Makino, that delightfully ditzy Tashigi, and that fiery chef from Baratie… each a unique vintage. It would be a crime to leave them behind.

Besides, he had a hunch about Luffy. Had the future Pirate King already set sail? If not… well, it wouldn't hurt to relieve him of a certain Devil Fruit and, you know, that pesky destiny of his.

Zoro, that muscle-bound swordsman, was worth recruiting, too. But if he couldn't? No biggie. Rimuru could always summon. Manpower wouldn't be an issue.

Sanji, on the other hand… Yeah, hard pass. (Sanji: Oi!)

"No need to rush to the Grand Line," Rimuru said, snapping back to the present. "Nami, which is closer, Foosha Village or Syrup Village?"

"Syrup Village. We can make it in a week, tops," Nami replied, tilting her head. "It's a small place, like Cocoyasi. Why?"

"We picked up a few dozen mouths to feed," Rimuru explained. "Need to stock up. And we can't rely on my potions for every little thing. I hear there's a talented doctor there. Time for a little… recruitment."

"A doctor, huh? And I bet she's a real looker," Nojiko said, her gaze narrowing with that 'I know what you're up to' expression.

Damn, is she psychic or something?

Rimuru, feeling a bead of sweat forming, could only nod slowly. He had expected tears, tantrums, maybe a frying pan to the face.

Instead, Nami and Nojiko exchanged a knowing look.

"Well then, lucky her! Another woman for Rimuru-sama! Let's set sail and nab her!"

…What?

Rimuru stared, dumbfounded. These two were… terrifyingly understanding. Angels, even.

"But…" Nami's smile turned wicked. "You're all ours tonight. Be a good little cuddle toy, and maybe we'll go easy on you."

Nojiko's grin mirrored Nami's, and Rimuru suddenly felt a chill. These two weren't angels. They were succubus in disguise!

"Uh, on second thought, I can totally handle this myself! You two get some rest!"

With that, Rimuru instantly morphed into his slime form and attempted to make a slippery escape.

He didn't get far. ...

...

Meanwhile, half an hour after Rimuru's fleet had left, a small Marine ship arrived at the ruins of Base 16. The harbor was wrecked, forcing the Marines to use rowboats to get ashore.

"Captain Isuka, we've searched everywhere. No survivors," a female Marine reported to a young woman with short red hair, sunglasses perched on her head, and a rapier at her side. A small bandage adorned her cheek.

This was Captain Isuka, a rising star in the Marine ranks.

A year ago, her impressive detective skills had earned her a transfer to the Marine Criminal Investigative Service (CID). She now led Team 167, an all-female squad.

"List them as casualties," Isuka sighed, studying a map. "Nezumi's gone. Arlong's escaped. There's a village nearby… Let's see if anyone survived."

As they made their way towards Cocoyasi Village, a buxom blonde with a playful smirk spoke up. "Captain Isuka, Arlong probably hasn't gotten far. Let me take a few people and go after him."

Seemingly anticipating Isuka's concern, she added, "I can handle a has-been like Arlong. His bounty's only twenty million." This was Kujaku, Isuka's close friend and comrade.

Isuka shook her head. "No. Arlong hasn't been seen for nine years. His bounty is probably outdated. And attacking a Marine base so brazenly… Something's fishy."

She sighed, her tone softening like an older sister chiding a younger sibling. "Besides, Kujaku, you're too impulsive. I'd worry about you going alone."

There was another reason for her concern. Kujaku was Vice Admiral Tsuru's granddaughter. If anything happened to her… Isuka shuddered to think about the consequences.

"Pfft… I've taken down guys with 80-million-Berry bounties! What's so scary about a small fry like Arlong?" Kujaku pouted, clearly not thrilled with the decision.

"Captain! Cocoyasi Village is in sight! But… something's weird."

"Weird?"

Isuka stared at the reporting Marine, confused.

"See for yourself."

Isuka took the offered binoculars and focused on Cocoyasi Village. Her jaw dropped. "What in the…?"

"What is it?" Kujaku asked, her earlier petulance forgotten.

Isuka, still in disbelief, replied, "The village… it's untouched! There are villagers everywhere, and they all look… perfectly fine."

"Seriously?!" Kujaku snatched the binoculars, her own eyes widening. "A pirate attacks a Marine base but ignores a village right next door? That makes zero sense! What was he after?"

Isuka shook her head, frowning. "This is way more complicated than we thought. Let's get into the village and investigate."

...

Chapter 16: Shion Arrives! Harem Warfare!

...

Isuka's investigation uncovered the truth of Cocoyasi Village's eight years of torment under Arlong.

She immediately reported her findings to her superior, who relayed it further up the chain. Eventually, the news reached the hallowed halls of Marineford.

...

Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, at the very top of the massive Marine stronghold…

"Yesterday, it was Base 153, with Captain Morgan abusing civilians. Today, it's Base 16, with Captain Nezumi colluding with pirates!" Sengoku slammed the receiver down, his face a mask of fury.

"Is the entire East Blue rotten?! And they call it the most peaceful sea? Peaceful My ass!"

"The real problem," Vice Admiral Tsuru said calmly, sitting on a nearby sofa, "is this unknown factor in the East Blue. A powerful individual, operating in the shadows. That's a threat to stability."

"Kujaku called. The villagers are refusing to talk. But she managed to squeeze some information out of the kids. Apparently, this person controls lightning and has a giant wolf companion."

"Lightning… The Rumble-Rumble Fruit?! Shit…" Sengoku paled. That was a major problem. One of the strongest Logia fruits in existence, potentially in the hands of someone hostile to the World Government…

"Those villagers are infuriating! Don't they realize the danger this person poses?!" Sengoku fumed.

Tsuru sighed. "Can you blame them? After eight years of suffering under a corrupt Marine captain and a pirate crew, they've lost all faith in us. It's understandable."

Sengoku slumped in his chair. She was right. They couldn't exactly broadcast their own failures. Their only option was to send a trustworthy officer to the East Blue and hope they could gradually regain the villagers' trust.

As for this mystery lightning user… If he had saved Cocoyasi Village from Arlong, maybe he wasn't all bad. But power like that… it corrupted even the best of men.

"The Rumble-Rumble Fruit… Even a rookie with that kind of power is a monster in the East Blue…"

"I need to get Garp to drop that Family nonsense and go deal with this lightning user! We need to recruit him, if possible. If not… lock him up in Impel Down before he grows any stronger!"

Containing dangerous Devil Fruit users was the cornerstone of the Marines' power. It was the whole reason Impel Down existed.

Sengoku looked at Tsuru. "This lightning user is dangerous. Shouldn't you recall Kujaku? Let Garp handle this."

"Or we could intercept him at Loguetown," he added. "Anyone heading to the Grand Line has to pass through there."

"Garp? Investigate?" Tsuru scoffed. "Don't make me laugh. Isuka's already there, and I trust her judgment. Besides, Kujaku insisted on finishing this mission. She said this lightning user is… significant. She seems to think this is her big chance to prove herself."

Sengoku didn't press the issue. Little did they know, Kujaku had unknowingly set a major red flag for herself.

…

Meanwhile, back on Rimuru's ship…

"Where's Rimuru-sama?"

"Damn it, he slipped away again!"

Nami and Nojiko, having momentarily lost their slippery target, searched the ship in frustration.

"He's been teasing us for days! And just when we finally had a chance to get him back, he escaped!" Nami grumbled.

Nojiko, surprisingly, seemed unconcerned. "Don't worry, Nami. He won't get away tonight. Let's go practice our Haki and Rokushiki. There's still so much I don't understand…"

"Okay! But you've already mastered Observation Haki! You have to teach me in exchange for Rokushiki lessons!"

Nami, her anger forgotten, followed Nojiko to their private training room.

'Those two… getting bolder by the day.' Rimuru, safely back in his captain's quarters, smiled to himself. He vividly remembered Nami and Nojiko treating him like a human stress ball, squeezing and pinching him with surprising strength.

Payback time.

He activated the Dimensional Lottery he’d earned.

The wheel spun, landing on Character. A purple magic circle appeared, and from it emerged a stunning woman with long, flowing purple hair tied in a ponytail, and a single, elegant horn on her forehead.

Her figure was… impressive, to say the least. She had a mature, intellectual aura, and her fitted black suit only emphasized her curves.

"Rimuru-sama!"

Before Rimuru could react, Shion launched herself at him, squeezing him in a bone-crushing hug.

"Shion! You trying to kill me?!" he gasped, his slime body practically flattened.

"Oh! Forgive me, Rimuru-sama! I was overcome with emotion!" She loosened her grip, but didn't let go, practically gluing herself to his side.

Rimuru quickly explained the current situation in the One Piece world. Upon learning of his plan to overthrow the Celestial Dragons, Shion immediately drew her oversized katana.

"Leave it to me, Rimuru-sama! I'll go to that Mah-something place right now and wipe out those Celestial Dragons! I'll announce your glorious arrival to the world!"

"It's Mary Geoise, not 'Mah-something'," Rimuru corrected, sweatdropping.

"And hold on. Now's not the time. Don't underestimate the World Government. They're mostly useless, but eight hundred years of power… they have a few tricks up their sleeves." He wasn't ready for a direct confrontation just yet. Mary Geoise was a fortress.

"As you wish, Rimuru-sama!" Shion sheathed her sword obediently. She didn't doubt his power, only his timing. Her duty as his secretary was to obey.

"Rimuru-sama! There you are!"

"Wait… who are you?"

Nami and Nojiko entered the captain's quarters, their eyes widening at the sight of Shion clinging to Rimuru like a lovesick koala.

"You must be Rimuru-sama's new… companions?" Shion asked, sizing up Nami and Nojiko with a critical eye.

Back in Tempest, she considered herself the most… well-endowed. But these two… they were definitely competition.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Rimuru-sama's first secretary, Shion!" She emphasized "first" with a pointed look.

Rimuru felt a sudden chill in the air. 'Did Aokiji teleport in here or something?'

"First secretary?" Nami bristled. "I'm the first navigator! And Rimuru-sama promised he'd spend tonight with us. You should rest, Shion..."

"As his first secretary, it is my duty to attend to Rimuru-sama's every need!" Shion declared, her grip on Rimuru's arm tightening possessively.