11Chapter 1: The Whispers of Change
There was revelry everywhere. Pirates were drinking and having a grand time in a dingy bar as though it was the grandest of establishments. Which for them, as pirates, it might as well have been. The bar was located in Mock Town, one of the few pirate towns that the marine's never touched. Located on an Island called Jaya in the middle of Paradise it was simply not worth the effort not only due to the low level of the local Pirates but also because the pirates more often than not would off each other with no effort required on behalf of the marines.
It had been eleven years since the great age of pirates had begun and the era was still in full swing. Men and women alike had dreams and ambitions. Most of which were to become the next pirate king and find the one piece, while others were not quite so grand. While one other wished for something even more.
It's here that this one other can be found, sitting in a corner chowing down on a bundle of his favorite pies that were only served on Jaya. He was currently thinking of the reason he'd traveled to paradise in the first place. He'd been looking for something specific and one of his contacts had recently reached out saying they'd overheard something important in relevance to the item. This wasn't one of his best contacts and they had been known to give lackluster information before. However, the pies he so greatly enjoyed would at least make the trip worthwhile in his mind. He wasn't in too big of a hurry to get what he wanted. Afterall he was still waiting for the sign to make his move. It was as he looked up from his food to watch the pirates who still had dreams in their hearts make merry that he noticed a rather nondescript newcomer approaching his table.
"It's a good day to make merry, in this age of dreams," the newcomer states as he sits down in a chair. "I noticed you got the same pie as always."
"Zeehahahaha, that it is! That is is! A great day indeed. Now what did you find that was so urgent, Snitch?" The man responds with joy to his new table mate.
"I know you were looking for a specific item. However, I found something that might be just as interesting," Snitch begins but trails off as he examines the man's face to see if he'd need to make a run for it or not.
"Well, what is it?" The man demands with an angry tone, but not truly angry since he'd not gotten his hopes up in the first place.
Seeing the okay that it's safe to stay, Snitch began telling the man what he'd learned. "It's the marines, Teach. They're apparently looking for something… important. A Devil Fruit that, from what I understand, the World Government has been tracking down for almost eight hundred years. A fruit they apparently feared enough that they attempted to erase its very existence from the world and renamed it."
Teach had resumed eating during this time, paused and had a look of contemplation on his face. He mulled it over before finally speaking after several minutes. "They didn't even do that for the fruit I'm looking for. What makes this one so special?"
"I don't know." Snitch explains. "It's just the Gomu Gomu no Mi. As far as anyone is aware, it just turns the user into rubber. It makes no sense that they've spent eight centuries worth of resources to track it down, or the fact they've changed its name."
Now Teach was really contemplating the information he'd received. As far as he was concerned his original target should be considered the most powerful fruit ever. On the other hand the World Government seemed to not care one way or the other if they obtained it. If they did good, it would be just like the other five of its type their marines already had, and if they don't then oh well. However this fruit? Apparently they were searching for this specific fruit and wanted it so bad they spent a lot of time and resources to not only find but hide something about it.
Teach finished off his pie before standing up. "Keep an ear out for it Snitch, just in case. Relay that request to the others as well." Teach threw a bag on the table in front of the man as he stood up. "Zeehahahaha, this fruit is interesting so keep me informed and one way or another I will make sure the era of Blackbeard comes to pass!" He exclaimed as he began to leave. Snitch watching as he fully walked out of the establishment before picking up his payment leaving enough to cover the food as always.
Teach would spend the next several years aboard Whitebeard's ship obsessing over the information that Snitch had relayed to him that day in Mock Town. During this time he had come to one conclusion though. That if it was something that the World Government was that desperate to have then it was something he was going to have for himself and damned if anything got in his way. He would make the Gomu Gomu no Mi his and figure out what power it truly had before making his mark on this world. Thoughts of his original target long forgotten and wouldn't be remembered until it was too late.
Thus it was that the first whisper of change played its part in this tale as destiny was turned and fate denied while time shifted and things irrevocably changed in the world.
It was around a year after Teach's meeting that another pirate sailing the open seas of the grand line with his crew would have a run in with marines. The man was seated in a chair at the stern holding a bottle. He had red hair the color of blood with a straw hat perched upon his head. Over his left eye he had three scars running diagonally. He wore a white dress shirt with brown pants and a red sash wrapped around his waist. On his feet he wore sandals. The man looked dressed for relaxation and comfort more than for sailing. He had a thoughtful look on his face as he watched the ocean behind the ship.
He was deep in thought about the heading of the ship. He would normally have never gone through this area as it was too close to marine territory. However something was telling him this was the direction they needed to sail. He'd had urges like this before, but usually there was an obvious reason behind them. He'd never been let down by his urges before but this one just didn't make sense. He'd finally decided that it wasn't important and that maybe there'd be an adventure behind the urge.
"Shanks," a voice interrupted his musings. "We've spotted a marine ship off of port bow. What do we want to do?"
Shank gained a small smile at the question as he turned to his first mate. "Well Ben, the boys have been getting anxious for a good fight. I think we should give them one, what say you?"
Ben, was a man in his early twenties with long black hair pulled back into a ponytail. Normally Ben would be exasperated at his Captain's antics, but couldn't help but agree with the man. "I'll tell Yassop to man the cannon's and Lucky to ready the boarding crew then Captain."
"Sounds good to me." Shanks replied as began to drink from the bottle he'd been holding.
"Alright boys! You've been itching for a fight and you heard the Captain. Man the cannon's and get the boarding crew ready! We're giving the marines hell today!" Ben announced as Shank stood up to join the men as they began hustling about the deck. Powder Monkeys retrieved the shot and powder needed to fire cannons as the helmsman began adjusting course to reach the marine vessel and deckhands adjusted the sails to best catch the wind. It only took them fifteen or so minutes to reach the enemy ship and battle to begin with cannons being fired from both sides.
Yassop, their best marksman, had aimed the cannon he was manning towards the location of the ship's wheel before firing. True to his claim his aim was true and he wrecked the ship's wheel officially putting the enemies rudder out of commision. As the helmsman of the marine ship lost the ship's wheel the rudder went free causing the ship to lurch as it jerked along with the current beneath the surface knocking many unprepared for it down. While the marines wasted time getting back on their feet the Red Haired Pirates managed to pull beside them and raft up before their boarding party began engaging those they could.
"I think I'll be joining the boys with this one." Shank told Ben as he emptied his bottle and tossed it aside. He began getting ready to join the boarding party before looking at Ben and adding. "Afterall, today feels like an interesting day!" Before swinging across to the marine ship they'd pulled up beside.
Shanks only had one target, the strongest presence he felt on the ship. Which surprised him when he realized it wasn't the Captain of the ship but a man in a black suit wearing a mask with horns on it. "Well, you're not the usual folk we see on these ships." Shanks bantered with the man. "Mind telling me who you are?"
"I am known as Who's-Who from CP9 and you made a mistake attacking this ship. When I'm done the Red Haired Pirates will be nothing more than refuse at the bottom of the ocean!" Who's-Who announced as he drew his sword before disappearing in a blur of motion.
Meanwhile back on the Red Haired Pirate's ship the Red Ox, Yassop had begun firing at anyone he could after the boarding party had taken out the enemy cannons. He'd kept one eye on his captain mainly though, keeping anyone who was trying to sneak up on him from reaching him with a well placed bullet to incapacitate them. Whether they lived or not was up to their own will and luck. At the same time Ben was keeping their forces organized shouting instructions to the crew for people to replace those who came back shuttling in money, treasure and other supplies they found off the marine's ship.
Lucky Roux was the first to board the enemy ship. Quickly cutting down the nearest marines. As more of his men began to join him he made his way to the captain's cabin. Several times stopping to engage another marine who'd spotted him. Lucky easily took these men down as each underestimated him based on his size. He was in essence a heavyset man who loved his food. However that did not make him a lumbering fool. He was in actuality quite fast.
*CLANG* Sword met sword as Shanks blocked the CP9 Agents. "Oooh," he said in mock surprise. "You're quite fast there." He continued in a slightly patronizing manner as he lazily continued to block the agent's attacks.
"You won't win this," Who's-Who grunted out as he pushed Shanks back from a deadlock they'd been in. "No one can match me, I have the greatest potential of any agent that's ever existed!" He yelled as he sped up and began to try to overwhelm Shank with a barrage of attacks.
"We'll just have to see won't we." Shank responded casually as he continued to block at a faster pace than before. Normally Shank was a laid back man but what happened next would put him in a foul mood.
Lucky had finally made it to the Captains quarters and looked around before slipping in. "What's this?" He asked no one as the cabin was empty. A simple small chest had caught his attention. When he opened it his eyes went wide at the sight of what it contained.
"What did you just do?" Shank asked his opponent in a deadly calm manner.
"The fool got in the way and got what he deserved," Who's-who stated as he smirked.
Shank had just watched the agent kill his own ally when they'd gotten too close to the fight without even flinching. To him it was a concept unthinkable. To harm an ally in battle with no regard for their life? Intentionally at that. "Is that so," He finally commented. "Guess this fights over then." Shanks finished as he lifted his sword Gryphon into an actual stance.
"Hahaha!" Who's-Who laughed as he finally got a reaction out of Shanks not recognizing the danger for what it was. "Allies who can't keep themself safe and out of my way don't deserve to live!" He shouted with a manic grin as he surged forward to continue the battle.
"Good luck then," Shank told him as he finally moved into action, blurring out of sight faster than Who's-Who had ever moved. The slash he delivered not only shattered the sword the Who's-Who wielded left a massive bleeding gash on his chest. Leaving him standing behind his opponent.
"What?" Who's-Who asked in surprise before his strength flagged and he fell to the deck behind the man who'd just defeated, no not defeated but completely crushed him in one move. He couldn't believe it. Some no name Pirate had just moved faster than he could using Soru.
"Itto-Ryu: Kogeki Tsume," finished Shanks as his opponent fell and began to walk away before announcing to his crew. "Come on men, it's time to leave!" The battle he'd been itching for and had started to enjoy had left a bitter after taste in his mouth. He hated scum who turned on their allies. Just about as much as he hated people messing with his friends he mused to himself.
The boarding party executed a swift exit as they brought down the rest of their enemies. The Marksmen on their own boat made sure no one got hit in the back as they retreated to leave. They were able to cast off and leave the battle without fear of being fired upon since the enemy cannon had been scuttled. Meanwhile Shank had approached Ben Beckman during this time and requested a report in a tone that showed his irritation.
"Just some minor injuries here and there. The marines weren't carrying much in the way of treasure and money. Though we did get enough supplies from them to refill our stock of food and water." Ben rattled off not showing he'd picked up on his Captain's irritation yet.
"Did the men at least enjoy the fight?" Shanks asked as he made his way towards the Captain's cabin. He knew that such a high risk low reward could be dampening upon the morale of the men while at sea. So it was good no one had any major injuries to worry about.
"They did," Ben replied evenly as he followed Shanks. "They needed that fight though. Everyone was starting to get restless. Mind telling me what it is that has you in a mood?" He asked now that the formalities were over.
"My opponent broke the code," Shank said simply as he reached his cabin and entered to retrieve a bottle of rum. Maybe drinking it off would help with the feeling he thought.
"I see," Ben replied softly, and he truly did. His Captain had a very lenient code. But he was very strict about the first two rules. Don't let anyone hurt our friends. Which didn't apply here as it was combat and accidents happen. The other was to never intentionally injure or kill Nakama. So his opponent must have cut down his own men at some point. "Lucky Roo wanted to talk with us. He came back first despite being the boarding leader so I assume it's important."
"Indeed? Well let's go see what he wants then." Shanks stated as he came back out of his cabin, slipping back into his more aloof nature as he took a pull from the bottle he retrieved. "It should be very interesting if he saved it for private talk." He commented as the two men made their way to the galley where they knew their favorite food lover would be located after a fight.
Ben just hummed in acknowledgement as they approached the door to the galley. Shanks not even knocking to announce their presence as they entered. They could see Lucky was already starting to prepare food for the inevitable party while munching on something else that had already been sitting out. "Ben tells me you found something interesting." Shanks said to Lucky ignoring his first mate's comment stating that he technically said Lucky wanted to talk.
Lucky turned his attention from his task to his Captain before taking the bone in his mouth out and using it to point at a chest neither had noticed. "Yeah that's something for you to look at. It has some documents with it though." Lucky explained before turning back to his task, sticking the bone he'd been gnawing on back in his mouth.
When Shanks looked at Ben he only got an eyebrow raised in return. Ben remained where he was not moving towards the chest. "Fine," Shanks sighed. Moving forward to open it and seeing the contents. He whistled as he saw the fruit sitting there. It looked like a purple melon but was a toxic purple color with an S shaped stem coming out the top. "Guess that explains the CP9 agent they had on board. He must have been guarding this fruit. Also explains why I had a gut feeling to head this way," Shanks said, pulling it from the box and eyeballing it. "Wonder how much it's worth?" He asked aloud.
Ben moving next to his Captain pulled the documents out from the bottom of the chest before replying. "Don't know but maybe you can find out from reading these," He stated as he pushed them into Shanks' chest. Noticing Shanks expression turning into a pout he cut his Captain off. "It's your job, I have other things to do now," He scolded with a cheeky grin before walking out of the galley.
It was a few minutes of examining the documents before he realized that they had a very big problem on their hands. "Hey Lucky?" Shank calls to get his cooks attention.
"Yeah Shanks?" Lucky asked, not looking away from his task.
"I think we have a problem here." Shanks said with a serious tone. "Get the others."
This statement caused Lucky's eyebrows to shoot up. His Captain was rarely ever serious outside combat. "On it." He replied simply as he shut the oven and left the Galley.
Shanks meanwhile continued to read through everything on the fruit in question that was in the documents. It was while he was leaning back with his Straw Hat pulled over his eyes thinking that Lucky came back with Ben and Yassop. These three were his most trusted and the strongest on the crew.
"You called us Captain?" Ben asked, noticing the somber mood his Captain was in and decided this wasn't a moment for levity.
"Yeah, you see. We have a bit of a problem with something Lucky found on the enemy ship." Shank commented.
"Explain," Yassop retorted his own expression matching the mood as even Lucky had stopped eating on the meat he had in hand.
"This," Shanks started as he held up the fruit. "Is supposedly the Gomu Gomu no Mi."
"How's that a problem? Isn't it considered just a joke fruit?" Lucky queried.
"It's supposed to be." Shanks responded before sitting up fully. "However the CP9 agent on board as well as these documents suggest otherwise. On the first page were his orders that gave explicit instructions to protect the fruit at all cost."
"That's kind of odd for a joke fruit," Ben commented with a raised eyebrow.
"It is, but that's not the only thing." Shank continued. "The second page details the list of rats that have been exterminated upon being found asking around about this particular fruit."
"That suggests a level of importance you'd see for a Logia by hushing up any information leaks." Yassop added.
"But it also suggests that at least one or more people beyond the marine's are hunting for this specific fruit." Ben said as he started to notice the details.
"Exactly." Shanks said with a smirk. "In fact the third page further revealed that this fruit must at all cost be delivered to Mari Joise of all places. Specifically to the Gorosei."
"There must be something else about this fruit," Yassop said, rubbing his chin as he eyed it critically.
"There's definitely more to this fruit than meets the eye," Lucky agreed.
"What options do we have?" Ben asked.
"One." Shanks stated.
"Only one?" Ben asked, confused.
"Exactly one," Shanks said with a finality. "We cannot sell it or risk it falling into someone's hands who discovers whatever it is that's the cause of such measures. Especially since we know someone or multiple someones are looking for it desperately enough their informants got found and killed. We also cannot just hold onto it and risk it being stolen or we'd wind up in the same scenario."
"Are you saying someone has to eat it?" Lucky asked only to get a nod from Shanks. "Yeah, I'm not doing that, those things supposedly taste awful and I'd rather be able to eat still tonight."
"You should eat the fruit Shanks," Yassop said. "You're the strongest in the crew. Even if all you get is the rubber body you'd at least be able to protect the fruit the easiest of any one."
"He's right," Ben added in agreement with a small smirk on his face as he realized what his Captain would be subjected to. "Once you get used to it you'd even be able to fight without it hindering you and keep it secret."
"As long as it's not me," Lucky concluded.
Shanks cringed at this. He knew these things taste awful and nothing you could do would change that. He pouted a bit before asking in a whiney voice. "Do I have to?"
"Yes," All three said in synchronization.
"I hate you guys," Shanks commented as he pouted a bit more before steeling his nerves and taking a bite out of the fruit and swallowing. "Urp," was the noise he made before running to the sink and promptly throwing up. When he was done he wiped his mouth before turning to the others. "You guys owe me so much rum and not the cheap shit."
All three of his closest companions were laughing their asses off at him. "Whatever you say, Captain." Ben managed to get out in between gasps for air. He had been laughing so hard he was clutching his side.
Shank was looking at his hands though ignoring his crew's antics. "Did it work? I threw up kind of fast." He said.
"I don't know, try something." Lucky told him.
"Fine," Shank said before staring at his hands for several minutes.
"Well?" Yassop asked.
Shanks looked up at them with a very serious look on his face causing them to tense up before giving them a splitting grin and laughing. "I don't know what to do!" He exclaimed, causing the three men to face fault.
"Dammit Shanks!" Ben said before hitting him on the back of his head dropping Shanks to the floor hard.
"Ow!" Shanks said out of reflex before pausing. "Wait, that didn't hurt at all."
"Guess it works then," Ben said. "You'll just have to figure out what you can do later, it's almost time for the party."
And the Red Haired Pirates did indeed party. Well through the night did they celebrate their victory. It was a very hungover Shanks who awoke the next morning to tell everyone they'd be heading to East Blue to lie low for a bit. Though what their destination was they didn't know. Just that their Captain had a good feeling about East Blue. Ironically neither Shanks nor his crew would remember him using his new devil fruit throughout the night.
Thus it was that the second whisper of change played its part as a decision was made that would originally be laughed off as not going to happen and destiny shifted, as fate was denied again and time turned to make way for new changes.