Solo Pirating - Chapter 82

Chapter 82

25th of April 1522

Alabasta

Robin stepped through the shadowy portal, the dark tendrils curling around her like smoke, pulling her from the eerie confines of Thriller Bark to the sweltering heat of Alabasta. Moria's newfound ability to create permanent teleporting portals with his shadows had transformed their operations, making travel between Thriller Bark, Dressrosa, and Alabasta effortless. She emerged into the blazing desert sun, her body momentarily bracing against the sudden change in temperature.

The stone walls of Alabasta Castle provided a cool refuge from the oppressive heat outside. Robin's sleek, black blazer accentuated her curves, while her pencil skirt hugged her hips. The unbuttoned white blouse hinted at the lace beneath, and her high heels clicked sharply against the stone floor as she moved with purpose. A Shadow Soldier, a silent guardian of darkness, stood at attention between the East and South Wings.

Robin adjusted to the dry, hot air, her tanned skin glistening slightly as she walked confidently toward the meeting room in the East Wing. She pushed open the heavy wooden door, stepping inside with an air of authority.

"Lord Moria will be here in a minute," she announced, her voice clear and commanding.

The officers of Moria's four armies were assembled.  To her left stood the officers of the God of the Sun's Army. Roronoa Zoro, his green hair framing his intense gaze, stood with his three swords by his side. Beside him were Daz Bones, his body seemingly made of steel, and Miss Doublefinger, her long nails tapping softly in anticipation. To her right, the officers of the God of the Rain's Army. Selena, her red hair and bronzed skin glowing in the dim light, sat with a fierce smile. Mikita, serious and traumatized after Selena's rigorous training, stood beside her, while Monet, her harpy form poised and calculating, grinned crazily, eager to see their Lord again.

Across the room, sat the members of the God of the Forest's Army. Absalom's beastly form was imposing, his rugged features and wild hair giving him a feral appearance. Isabella and Capone Bege sat respectively on his left and right. Lastly, the Head of the God of the Rain's Army, Nami, hummed a song while she stood at the end of the room with Vegapunk and Caesar. Law, though not officially an officer, leaned against the wall, his eyes sharp and observant.

Where was…ah. It seemed Moria had been fed up with her constant interruption.

Perona hung from the ceiling in a striking display. She was bound in an intricate web of leather straps and ropes, her body suspended and contorted in an erotic arrangement. The cords crisscrossed her pale skin, accentuating her curves and rendering her utterly immobile. Her mouth was gagged with a ruby ball, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and arousal.

The door creaked open once more, and Gecko Moria entered the room."Let's get started," he commanded, his voice a deep, resonant echo that silenced all murmurs. Moria strode confidently to the throne, a massive chair designed for his seven-meter frame. He lowered himself onto it with calculated grace, his long fingers drumming rhythmically on the armrest. Robin, ever the loyal aide, took her place beside him. Nearby, Isabella sat, her eyes throwing daggers at Robin, her jealousy barely concealed.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Moria began, his tone darkly charismatic, "I must commend you all for your actions and successes while I was away at war."

Zoro snorted, his green hair framing his intense gaze. "Successes?" he interrupted bluntly. "We did nothing. We saw the records of the War - and we just realized we're fucking useless and pathetically weak."

Moria laughed, a deep, chilling sound that filled the room. "Ah, Zoro, your blunt honesty is refreshing. But tell me, can I really afford to have weak royal guards?"

"Royal guards?" The room echoed in surprise.

"Yes," Moria continued, his grin widening. "Now that I am no longer a mere pirate, I cannot exactly have a crew. I am a King. So, to act in my stead and in an official capacity, you will technically - for the God of Rain and Sun armies - be my royal guard."

The officers exchanged stunned glances. Moria's eyes glinted with amusement. "The officers will be bestowed nobility titles. Knighthood for individuals like Daz Bones and Monet"

Monet, the harpy, practically gushed with adoration at her lord's words, her wings fluttering excitedly. "Oh, Lord Moria, it is an honor," she said, her voice dripping with devotion.

"And Baronhood for Selena and Zoro, the Heads of my Armies" Moria added.

Selena reddened in pleasure, her fierce smile softening for a moment. Zoro, on the other hand, merely shrugged, his expression remaining stoic.

Moria turned to the others. "Of course, as my official ministers, Bege, Isabella, and Absalom already have titles," he continued. "Caesar and Hogback care little for such honors, and Nami is now the official Archbishop of my Kingdoms. Though, I must admit, a bit of... persuasion was necessary to convince the old guard to accept that."

He rose from his throne, arms outstretched, exuding dark charisma. "But do not mistake this for my resignation from piracy. The soul of piracy flows through my veins. To be a pirate is to embrace the freedom of taking whatever you desire, whenever you desire it. My departure from the Warlords and my new title are merely provisional."

He paused, letting the gravity of his words settle in. "Piracy is more than a label; it is a way of life, a rebellion against the constraints of society, a relentless pursuit of freedom and power. We are not bound by the laws of the weak. We carve our own paths, take what we want, and crush anyone who stands in our way. We are the embodiment of defiance and strength."

His speech resonated deeply, the crew members feeling a surge of inspiration. The allure of freedom, power, and rebellion rekindled their spirits.

Moria sat down, his mood growing somber. "Kaido..." he pronounced the name with a weight that made the room tense.

Everyone knew of Moria's past with Kaido. They had heard whispers but never the full story.

"Fucking Kaido…" Moria began, his voice steady but laced with a deep-seated fury. "Years ago, I faced Kaido in Wano, believing that my strength and cunning would be enough to conquer him. I was wrong. He didn't just defeat me; he annihilated my crew, my ambitions, and nearly my very existence."

His anger boiled over, his fists clenching with barely restrained fury. Shadows seemed to lengthen and twist around him, responding to his dark emotions. His eyes grew darker, the room feeling the weight of his words. "Kaido's forces overwhelmed us. My crew fought valiantly, but they were no match for the beast's power. One by one, my comrades fell, their cries of agony echoing in my ears. Kaido himself struck me down, treating me as nothing more than a plaything to be broken."

Moria's fist slammed down on the table, the force reverberating through the room. A blast of King's Haki erupted from him, the sheer pressure of his willpower crashing over everyone like a tidal wave. The air grew thick and heavy, crackling with invisible energy. Several of the officers staggered. Zoro's eyes widened, a rare look of shock crossing his usually stoic face. Selena gritted her teeth, her fierce smile replaced by a look of grim determination as she struggled to stay upright. Mikita, already traumatized from her training, fell to one knee, her face pale and eyes wide with fear. Monet's wings fluttered erratically, her harpy form quivering under the weight of Moria's will. Bege's usual composed demeanor cracked, his fedora slipping slightly as he braced himself against the onslaught. Isabella, despite her cunning and resilience, found herself gasping for breath, her eyes narrowing in focused resistance. The entire room seemed to vibrate with the force of Moria's Haki. The stone walls of Alabasta Castle seemed to groan under the pressure, the air thick and suffocating.

However, only Perona succumbed completely, her body going limp as she fainted, the sheer intensity of Moria's King's Haki too much for her to bear. Her suspended form swayed slightly, held aloft by the intricate web of leather straps and ropes.

"I will have my revenge," Moria declared, his voice echoing with unyielding determination. "And all who stand with me will share in the glory of that victory. We will reclaim what was taken from us, and we will rise to heights undreamed of. The world will tremble before us. This is my destiny. And then…Then I'll take the empty throne…I'll become the Pirate King."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, his presence commanding absolute attention. "But," he continued, his tone growing harsher, "for the moment, we are too weak. Yes, we are strong—strong enough that I can contend with an Emperor in terms of military might and territorial control. Our crew is probably among the world's top fifty in power and influence."

Moria's eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with venom. "But I do not want just to contend with Kaido. I want to crush him, utterly and completely, as he once crushed me."

The room grew colder, the air thick with a sense of impending doom.

"That is why we will not attack him now," Moria continued, his voice lowering to a menacing growl. "No, we will bide our time, grow stronger, and in two years—exactly thirty years after my defeat—we will strike. We will crush him like the pathetic lizard he is. I will violate his daughter, slaughter his men, burn his house to ashes, and drink on the debris of his kingdom."

Moria's words reverberated through the room, their weight sinking deep into the hearts of his subordinates. Determination etched into every face, an unspoken vow knitted them together. Isabella stepped forward, her eyes shining with fierce devotion.

"For you, Lord Moria, we will grow stronger," she declared, her voice a steady beacon in the charged silence. "We will surpass our limits and become the instruments of your revenge."

Moria's rage softened, the tension in his frame easing. He began to articulate his vision, each word a carefully placed stone in their path forward. "We will not remain idle during these two years. Our preparation will be relentless."

His gaze turned to Robin, the silent strategist. "Robin, I want to read all the Four Road Poneglyphs. Kaido holds one, and Big Mom another. These are the keys to finding the One Piece."

Robin's nod was a promise, her mind already spinning with the complexities of their quest.

Moria shifted his attention to Capone Bege, his eyes calculating. "Bege, arrange a marriage for me with one of Big Mom’s daughters. Such an alliance could grant us access to her Poneglyph."

Bege’s eyes narrowed in contemplation, a curt nod signaling his understanding.

Moria's gaze swept the room, his presence commanding absolute attention. "We need a new base, a stronghold in the New World. Dressrosa is too populated. We require an island exclusively for ourselves. Suggestions?"

The room was silent, the weight of his command pressing on each of them. Robin hesitated before speaking, her voice thoughtful. "There is Kuraigana Island, a dark and desolate place in the Grand Line, once home to the fallen Shikkearu Kingdom. It’s relatively deserted, with unique hills and ruins. It was also the former residence of Dracule Mihawk. If you seek more shadows…I believe you are already stronger than Mihawk. Kuraigana could serve our purposes well."

At the mention of Mihawk, Zoro’s eyes lit up with interest, his attention fully captured. Moria noticed the change, a dark smile playing on his lips.

"Kuraigana," Moria repeated, savoring the name. "Yes, it could be the perfect place".