Converging from All Sides

Time passed. The Pirate Expo officially opened.

With about three weeks' advance notice, in the relatively small sea area of New World, it was enough time for the Pirates to arrive.

The island where this event took place resembled a giant clover floating on the sea.

Three wide rivers extend in three directions from the central circular lake, dividing the island into three sectors. It doesn't look like it was formed naturally.

The riverbanks were packed with stalls and tents, with colorful flags stretching from one end to the other, crackling in the wind. The air was thick with the aroma of dozens of spices, the smoky scent of Barbecue, alcohol, and gunpowder.

All kinds of Dock, both formal and informal, were crowded with Pirates ships of all sizes. The whole town was bustling with activity.

Before the event officially began, the Pirates crews who had arrived early also started their own activities here.

Snacks, small commodities, Black Market, Davy Back Fight, various competitions. Overall, it has a carnival-like atmosphere.

Sephiroth mingled in the crowd, dressed in a Western cowboy outfit. His Motorcycle Sunglasses covered his eyes, and his Cowboy Hat was pulled low.

His short black hair was a disguise to conceal his visible light, and his Wings had long since dissipated into Electromagnetic. A Revolver and a short knife were tucked into his waistband, and his boots moved unhurriedly on the Stone Slab pavement.

' --Hancock and Yamato would be suitable for this occasion, but they're too conspicuous.'

Sephiroth thought to himself.

After all, this is the Pirate Expo. The others either have unsuitable identities or lack the strength.

Moreover, this situation is special, as it involves the 'siege of Road Island '. To keep the situation under control, Sephiroth only assigned Enkidu and Babbage to participate.

He passed a stall selling grilled Crocodile skewers. The stall owner was a burly man missing a front tooth, shouting his wares at the top of his lungs. At the Game stall next door, several Pirates were hitting a whack-a-mole machine with Rubber mallets, making the machine clang loudly.

Even though they were all Pirates, they were surprisingly behaving in a more disciplined way at this moment.

Sephiroth merely glanced at the activities here, showing little interest.

Just as I turned the corner, a group of people blocked my way. A dozen or so Pirates in uniform were shoving pedestrians aside. The one in the lead was tall and slender, with a white top hat covering his hair that obscured his left eye. His white Magician's suit stood out conspicuously in the crowd.

Cabaji – the vice- Captain of the Buggy Pirates.

"Hey-- Has anyone seen a girl with short orange hair and a red hat?!"

Cabaji stopped a passerby, his tone urgent. The person shook his head, and Kabaji shoved him aside, moving on to the next person.

Sephiroth didn't stop walking; he walked past the edge of the crowd.

"--Hey you over there! The one with the Sunglasses!"

Cabaji's gaze swept over, and he quickly walked up to Sephiroth. He looked the man up and down, feeling that this person didn't seem like an ordinary Pirates —something was off—but the mission was urgent, so he spoke up anyway.

"Hey kid, we're from Buggy's Delivery. Have you seen a girl with short orange hair and a red hat?"

Since Buggy became Shichibukai, he has led a group of escaped prisoners from Impel Down to establish 'Buggy's Delivery,' which specializes in mercenary services.

Cabaji and his gang of 'old hands' also started to enjoy a good life.

Festa hired them for this 'Pirate Expo', but something unexpected happened.

"Never seen it before."

Sephiroth shrugged casually. But hearing their description, he had some suspicions.

Cabaji narrowed his eyes after hearing this.

This was the first time since Captain Buggy became Shichibukai that an unknown nobody dared to speak to him in such a tone.

"Vice-Commander! Why are you wasting your breath talking to him!"

"Let him see the power of 'traditional Chinese performing arts'!"

"Kid—what kind of gang are you from!?"

The group of Pirates following behind Cabaji began to bar their teeth and claws.

Several of them were prisoners whom Buggy had rescued from Impel Down. They were extremely superstitious about "Lord Buggy's right hand".

Other newcomers, seeing that their seniors, who possessed considerable talent, had this attitude, also began to blindly believe in it.

Cabaji stared at Sephiroth's Sunglasses for a few seconds, unsure of his intentions, and cautiously asked a question.

"Ahem--Who are you?"

He knows his own limitations. Unlike Captain Buggy, who gets carried away by a few compliments.

Sephiroth just made up a name off the top of his head.

Pell Grylls.

Cabaji ran the name through his mind, but couldn't place it. A strange sense of dread washed over him, sending chills down his spine.

"... Never heard of it. Looks like it has nothing to do with you. Be careful next time--"

Cabaji chuckled and walked further and further away as he spoke.

"Vice Commander!?"

Why?

"I understand! The deputy commander must have found a new lead!"

"--Oh my god! As expected of Lord Buggy's right hand!"

These Pirates seemed to have realized something, and they swarmed after Cabaji.

Sephiroth pulled down his Cowboy Hat, sighing inwardly, 'No wonder they're Buggy's gang.' He didn't stop, continuing to wander deeper into the food street. His Radio Waves was already connected to 'The Shining'.

"Who are Enkidu Buggy's henchmen looking for?"

After receiving the communication, Enkidu also responded via Radio Waves.

"Sir, according to Festa, it's the Revolutionary Army have come uninvited."

Sephiroth's eyebrow twitched.

"Revolutionary Army?"

... a short while later.

Underground on the island, in the monitoring room.

Enkidu, disguised as 'Shining', sat in a chair in front of the Control Console. He had just ended a communication with 'Sephiroth'.

Silver Gray Hooded Trench Coat hung down to his ankles, and a black, Ball Lightning on his head was 'expressionless,' a pitch-black 'face' staring straight at the screen.

Around the Control Console, Zaku mechs were maintaining the monitoring system, with images of various parts of the island flashing on the screens.

During this operation, Enkidu used the 'Copy-Copy Fruit' to copy 'Sephiroth'.

However, the Copy-Copy Fruit has its limits; it can only copy the basic abilities of the Logia Rumble- Rumble-Rumble Fruit. The extended applications of the ability, as well as the characteristics of the Mythical Zoan, cannot be copied.

While his disguise as 'The Shining' is objectively sufficient, Enkidu's true nature is that of Seraphim. Although he possesses high intelligence, he lacks a complete independent personality. He still needs to maintain contact with Sephiroth to avoid being exposed.

'--Bru--Bru--'

The Den Den Mushi on the corner of the table rang. Enkidu picked up the receiver and answered it.

"Shining, it looks like a little Nezumi has sneaked in."

Festa's voice came through the microphone, tinged with a forced helplessness.

"The incompetent people I hired didn't solve the problem, so I'm counting on you."

Enkidu's 'expression' instantly transformed into a nonchalant grin, his voice taking on a hip-hop tone.

"Then go borrow Cat Claws. Are you sure you didn't attract these Nezumi?"

Enkidu's mind contained some 'Shining voice packs', and he began reciting lines depending on the situation.

Festa let out a chuckle.

"Shining, I didn't expect your other colleague to be so incompetent. If they mess up the arrangements, things could go wrong."

Festa was referring to another Shichibukai, 'Thousand-Coin Clown Buggy'.

Electric Arc flashed across Enkidu's 'face,' as if he were smacking his lips.

"--Okay--alright."

The call ended. The next second, the Silver Gray Trench Coat billowed up, and 'Shining' exploded into Electric Arc, disappearing from the monitoring room.

The next instant, Shining appeared in a large underground Warehouse. Rows of tall metal shelves were piled high with supply crates and weapon crates.

A burly man, about 4.5 meters tall with a 'three-headed' build, was wearing a terrifying bodysuit and fishnet clothing, and sported a purple afro hairstyle.

Beside him stood a girl who was about 1.6 meters tall, with short, orange-yellow hair that reached her shoulders, wearing a red hat. She wore a light Pink dress shirt, paired with black over-the-knee socks and brown high heels.

The two stood between the shelves, facing a pried-open electronic door.

Electric Arc exploded in the center of the Warehouse. Shining emerged from the lightning, his Trench Coat still fluttering.

Ivankov and Koala turned around abruptly and saw 'The Shining'.

During the 'Paramount War', Ivankov witnessed the power of the Shining up close and immediately let out a 'scream'.

"--Eeya!!!"

Ivankov's massive body seemed to take off as if its fur had been bristled. His heavily made-up face had wide, staring eyes.

Koala, her body already in the starting stance of Fish-Man Karate, feet one in front of the other, right palm extended forward. Her voice was tense, trembling slightly.

It's normal for her to be nervous. Although there's a certain 'understanding' between the 'Great Angel' and the Revolutionary Army, they're not exactly Ally. And she has almost no interaction with Shining.

As Shichibukai Shining, it's normal for GetBackers to arrest Revolutionary Army.

"Lord Shining... why are you here?"

Shining touched his chin with his Silver Gray gauntlets, sparks flying from his fingertips.

"Of course. Besides, I'm one of the 'organizers' here, aren't I?"

Ivankov recovered somewhat from the shock, hands on his hips, his long eyelashes fluttering.

"Wait a minute! Shining Boy! Why would a musician like you collaborate with someone like Festa!?"

The Revolutionary Army traced Festa's activities back to him because Festa was involved in arms smuggling, which caused trouble for some of the Revolutionary Army's work.

Moreover, Festa's reputation is not good; in some ways, he is notorious.

Shining remained silent for a few seconds, expressionless, then shrugged.

"Those who know, know. Those who don't, you won't understand even if I explain. Don't ask. The interests involved are too great; explaining won't do you any good. I can only say the waters are very deep. So all I can say is that those who know, know; those who don't, there's nothing I can do."

Ivankov and Koala's lips twitched simultaneously.

"--Hello!--What kind of explanation is this?!"

Ivankov's rant.

Upon first encountering nonsensical literature, smoke began to rise from the Okama King -covered head.

"Koala Girl! Leave this to me! You get out of here first!"

Ivankov stepped forward, his massive body blocking Koala's path.

On Shining's 'face', Electric Arc traced an Evil curve.

"None of you are leaving."

Shining reached out and drew a dazzling arc of Electric Arc from his 'black head'.

"--Lightning Strike Spear!"

A straight bolt of lightning struck the entrance, causing a section to collapse.

Ivankov didn't want to sit idly by and wait to die. He originally planned to use 'Face Hormone' to clear a path. But the Electric Arc generated by Shining's wave of his hand had already struck.

"--You're so impatient, Shining Boy!"

Ivankov had no choice but to retaliate. His massive body charged forward with disproportionate agility, throwing out his right fist.

"New Okama Kenpo - Dream Strike Processing Fist!"

Ivankov unleashed a continuous, ultra-fast hand chop, his hands coated in Armament Haki, piercing through the Electric Arc and sending sparks flying everywhere.

"Ah--da! da! da! da! da! da! da!"

The Okama Kenpo was unpredictable, and countless hand blades transformed into a barrage of attacks, enveloping Shining.

Shining's figure vanished in an arc of Electric Arc before the fist could touch him, instantly putting distance between himself and Ivankov.

"Blue Starters--!"

Shining raised her Silver Gray gauntlets, unleashing short bursts of high-frequency blue electron Flash.

"--Deathly Death Wink!"

Ivankov blinked sharply. A directional Shockwave burst forth from his large eyes.

In the Flash, a section of the Warehouse's metal shelf was blown open, scattering debris everywhere.

But the spreading arc of Electric Arc converged in the air, transforming into dozens of Ball Lightning that bombarded Ivankov from all directions in a Brownian motion manner.

" --Ivan!"

Koala emerged from the shelves and the piles of wrecked supplies.

He cut in from the side, closing in on Shining, and unleashed a Fish-Man Karate palm strike infused with the force of water.

Wow—is your water bottle filled with seawater? Do you have Mermaid blood?

Shining's Silver Gray Trench Coat swung up, and Electric Arc wove a net behind her, Decomposition the seawater.

Shining raised her other hand, shooting a high-voltage Electric Arc from her fingertips, which struck Koala's feet. The blast wave knocked her over, causing her to roll on the ground before she managed to stand up.

"The idea is good, but it's not enough."

Shining raised both hands simultaneously, spreading his fingers. Electric Arc surged from his fingertips and landed on Koala.

"--Ugh--"

Koala didn't feel any pain, but her body felt numb and tingly, as if she had lost control of everything below her neck.

The Copy-Copy Fruit is not yet advanced enough to utilize such sophisticated applications as 'Bioelectricity'.

At this moment, Sephiroth remotely connected to Enkidu and performed a Nerve Signals blockade.

"--Damn it! Tension Hormone!"

Fine Electric Arc crackled around Ivankov's body as he tried to activate his ability, but his body still wouldn't obey him.

"The power's off, so adding gas won't help."

Shining walked up to Ivankov and snapped his Snap.

The wreckage at the Warehouse entrance was lifted by Electromagnetic Force.

Four Zaku mechs walked in through the Warehouse entrance, their metal armor making a dull thud on the concrete floor.

... on the other side.

Beyond the island, above the clouds.

The Flying Admiral hovered high in the sky. In the outer 'Airport', six Pirates ships were suspended outside the Dock, waiting for orders, with flags on their masts fluttering in the wind.

The Pirates minions were busy making final preparations before setting sail.

Golden Lion stood on the Airport's control platform, his orange striped Haori billowing in the high-altitude airflow. Behind him stood a row of people.

Shiryu on Cigar, the Corrupt King's fur Coat billowed in the wind, the Crescent Moon Hunter wrapped his white robe tighter around himself, Urouge clasped his hands together, Apoo danced around with headphones around his neck, and Hawkins leaned against the railing flipping through cards.

The Golden Lion looked at his 'Ally,' put down his Cigar, and exhaled a smoke ring.

"This time, you will go and check the situation first. If it's true, I will also take action."

Golden Lion was indeed somewhat interested in Roger's treasure, but he wasn't very interested in something as childish as the 'Pirate Expo'.

Of course, once he's certain that Roger's treasure truly exists, he'll simply grab it.

"Hmph, Buena Festa."

Shiryu said, taking a puff of his Cigar. In this respect, he and Golden Lion were kindred spirits.

"He's touted as the world's number one Festival Master, but he's actually involved in the 'information broker and arms dealer' circle. His reputation is quite negative."

Although Shiryu is also infamous, as a 'former civil servant,' he is qualified to make such a comment about Festa.

Urouge clasped his hands together.

"A man who should be dead, and the Pirate King's treasure. That's certainly suspicious."

Apoo was loud and boisterous.

"Ahahaha~! This is going to be an interesting development!"

Hawkins remained silent, focusing solely on divination. He raised an eyebrow, put away the cards, and without hesitation boarded his Pirates ship.

Crescent Moon Hunter licked his lips.

"Hmm, hoho~ This young man seems to be in a hurry~"

Hawkins ran even faster.

Subsequently, the others also boarded their Pirates ships.

Once everything was ready, Golden Lion snapped his Snap, and six Pirates ships floated and descended.

These six ships were to appear to be making a 'normal voyage'. Meanwhile, the 'Flying Admiral' continued to lurk above the clouds.

At the heart of the island, at the Main Venue, atop the Rainbow Tower.

The room is hexagonal in shape, with five floor-to-ceiling windows letting in bright light. Around the windows are screens and operating equipment, and a dozen or so Staff Member in purple uniforms are busy at their posts.

Festa sat in the conductor's chair in the center of the tower, holding a wine glass in his hand, with a smug smile on his face.

A Staff Member walked over quickly and whispered a few words in his ear.

Festa put down his glass, jumped up, grabbed his binoculars, and ran toward the window.

"Here it comes--here it comes--!"

He pressed his face against the glass window, his binoculars pointed towards the harbor. Six Pirates ships sailed in, their flags clearly visible in the sunlight.

Festa's mouth stretched to his ears, and laughter welled up from his throat, growing louder and louder.

"They've arrived, Road Island folks!"

I've been too busy and things are unstable lately.

I plan to update twice a week over the weekend, for a total of four updates.

This is the second update today, and I might not finish writing it. So please don't wait.

But it definitely exists.