Hands tightened around the side of the mountain. Gripping against the rockface with precarious hand holds if its wasn't for titanic supernatural strength to literally crush his digits into them.
Fukai suppressed his presence to the world. Even to the most expert users of Observation. They wouldn't be able to sense his where abouts. The one thing that worried Leroy, was that Taek Don may sense the unconscious form of the boatman in the bay surrounding the mountain.
His teeth grit as he continued his climb. Wind brushing against his skin. The intense chill felt like he was in Noirs freezer…The higher up he went, the more the cold began to affect him. His grip. The digits. Thankfully, he was rising up quickly enough to not need to worry about loosing stamina.
'Helix…A Broad type Firmament. Extends reach, doesn't disconnect, can grip, shift shape, is nebulous enough in definition to not be manifester and does more than one thing. I can also apply my Firmament Kata to it…Chicle, allowing it to stick and enhance its elasticity it already has.' He kept focus. Going over his new ability to keep himself straight.
His attention however, shifted to the stark black wall above. Different from the rock. It was almost like marble or granite. Smooth and polished surface. Greyish crackle pattern spreading through the material. There were large windows set in the middle, a warm amber glow radiating out as the frost of snow fluttered past before being ripped away from the surface by the wind.
"Hmph!" Leroy released his grip, a small descent occurring as his firmament materializing and shooting forward, and as if in a splatter of substance, sticking to the corner of the top. Just as he would with his own rubbery limb, he tugged hard! Zipping up and silently stepping onto the edge.
The roof was covered in gravel. No one was present. No other sounds than the howling wind fluttering through the loose metal, brushing against the wall. He had a view from his perch to the other walls. More windows. Open floor plan. The inside a post modern and minimalistic vibe.
Non descript furniture in single colors, most grey and black and white.
Another shot of firmament, he slung across the distance again and up to higher elevation. Setting him in front of now an even larger, ceiling skylight, the inside had a massive flat stone simplistic fireplace that blazed at the other end. Easy couches. And a final…Throne on the far North wall.
It too was simple. No tall back rest, or any at all. It was more a singular cushion with large drapes descending off the sides. A man sat a top.
He was muscular. Arms wide like tree trunks. Shoulders like boulders. He lacked footwear, exposing his tough, calloused and scarred feet. Pants a dark yellow. Straps and chains on waist bands. Knees seemed to be tightened. Large distinct number '1' on each of his pantlegs in white.
His chest was covered in what looked like a bullet proof vest, large thick front and back paddings that was distinctly a dark purple color. Thin straps on the traps that connected the tops of each side. Underneath, a black tank top. Though not visible, the back, written in blue was the character '煢'.
His face was narrow. Thin. With a extremely sharp Jaw. His face didn't seem to be as old as the stories would suggest. His hair was silver. Almost metallic at a glance with long clumped strands almost like Locks that were a total of 8 'Spikes' that slicked back and down his back to around the middle.
He was reading…A Book. A Book that was surprising to Leroy. 'Fight Back'. What would and Individualist want with a book about Collectivism and Revolution? His eyes narrowed, that was something to be worried about Later.
With a small leap! Leroy shot up in to the air! Straightened his legs, and SHATTERED through the massive glass ceiling! Shards of crystal and dust of the debris showered down from the explosion! Scattering across the marble flooring!
And yet…Gall did not react. His eyes simply looking up to lock onto Leroy through his hard brow.
"Finally Arrived it seems…Wouldn't expect anything less from a Man whose won all the competitions up to this point." The same voice as before. He tossed the Red Black book to the side without a care.
"Honestly. I thought you'd be shorter." He said, standing almost head to head with Leroy. Having only a few inches on the man. Leaving him at about 6'8.
"Sorry to disappoint." 'Lee' snarked.
"Don't be. I'm actually rather glad it was you and not that psycho Howl. His fight would've been boring. Not enough of a challenge to my intellect. But you? I see the fervor in you that you fight with. Heart of a Warrior…But clearly we're not Kindred spirits." Galls head tilted to the side subtly.
"Come to prove you're the ultimate one man? Or that I was wrong?" He began to take strides to Leroy again. Feet crushing the glass shards beneath his weight and pressure. He looked down to Leroy. Hands slipping into his Dark Yellow pockets.
A small grin came over Leroys face. "Guess we'll just have to get started to see!"
In a flash! The two's Haki erupted! Both sending Conquerors Haki Blasts right at one another! The force of the clash sent both of them skidding backwards, the tug of war began!
Streaks zipped and lit the air as that singularity of intertwining Haki pushed against each other!
"You used Fukai to get up here so i couldn't sense you! Smart!" Gall began. Face tensed. "But you failed to consider the massive person shape hole it would leave behind in the rest of the Islands energy I sensed!" He finally grinned back. Sharp, long canines in his thin toothed maw.
The wave suddenly slammed over Leroy! Neck snapping backwards in an intense whiplash! A small trickle of blood streaming from his nose.
Leroy grit his teeth. Hand coming up behind his head and pulling the hair tie out before tossing it to the side. Back of his wrist smearing the blood across his upper lip covered in stubble.
"Cmon!" Gall said whipping his hand up in a challenging gesture "Cmon and show me what all that fire in those eyes is meant for!" The grin widened. But Leroy's eyes darkened…His Observation spreading across his eyes. Those fiery sigils of deep dark red, eyes reflecting a green color.
'Third Level Yan Liu in his Observation….And Second in his Armament. I'd also wager from that clash a second level of Conquerors as well.' Gall thought to himself as he shuffled his feet apart. 'He hasn't even realized that my Reqia is active yet…'
'This guys nothin…' He continued 'Surprised he got past Howl at this rate. But maybe all those premieres are jokes afterall. Will anyone in this era be able to even come close to what Roger was like when I fought him? Let alone in his prime?!'
Roger was a Monster. But a half baked one when Gall collided courses with him. Roger died in middle age. But when Gall was 16, roger was only in his 30's…But he wasn't in his prime until well after the old legend had been beaten by him. But at this point, Roger had already Discovered the Emerald City, El Dorado and landed on Tovara with the scholars.
But little did Gall know. There was something holding Leroy back…And it wasn't the ring…
He chewed the inside of his bottom lip. Thinking about the way that blast had made him feel…Galls Kata had an effect that left Leroy feeling senseless and alone if even for a moment. Alone…
With his thoughts…
That were only permeated by the haunting images of Azar…
Gall could hear his shuddering breaths. The anger in him. The same thought ran through Leroys mind on loop…'Why did you do it.' 'Why couldn't I save you.' 'What could I have done.'
Suddenly. As if on instinct. Leroy's aura flared and expanded! Rushing around the room and flooding over Gall! His mind, intuitively linked to his Haki, and influenced by the emotions of his mind, changed his aura to become heated like being too close to a bonfire, and filled with the emotion of rage, solemn and indescribable rage! Filled with sorrows!
"Hngh-!" Gall flinched! Fist tightening up to his face as if to block a blow that was not coming! "What incredible Haki!" He murmured. 'Had he not fully released Fukai when he clashed with me?'
A low grumble came from Leroys throat! His hand clawing, coming up to his front, slowly clenching tight into a balled fist. His muscles trembling from the simmering emotion. Knuckles turning white.
'Azar…I hope you are watching over me…I'm tired of mourning!' He screamed to himself! Aura condensing back to be only a flame around his body! 'I'mma let this guy have every bit of emotion I've been feeling for the past two years!'
'Stay with me…For a just a little longer, Azar!'
In a burst of tremendous speed, Leroy flew across the room! Fist reeled back! Coated in blackened Armament before throwing a fist forward that carried such tremendous speed that the book shelves, ground and windows all around shattered! And without a moment to wait, the snow rushed into the freshly formed vacuum! Snowflakes fluttering through the amber light!
"What?!" Leroy's fist-
It had stopped inches away from making contact with even the skin of Taek Don! It was as if his skin were magnetic, and Leroy's fist was equal in charge! The two refusing complete attraction from one another!
"Hagh! Weren't expecting that were you!" Tham! Galls fist, or rather the field around his fist that had stopped the strike, collided into Leroy's chin! Lifting the fighter up of his feet! Blood spilling from his mouth! But before he could crash through the ceiling! Gall slammed his shoulder into Leroys groin! Arms wrapping around his legs before lurching himself and Leroy down! A monstrous body slam into the marble ground with strength that caused the floor to collapse!
Then the floor after it! Plume of dust exploding up!
Another floor!
'Azar- Give…Me! STRENGTH!' Leroy pleaded in his mind to his long dead brother!
Another! And another and another!
Finally–!
"AUGH!" Spittle flew from his open jaw! Back slamming against the hardened surface of the final floor! The pressure from Galls enormous body was gone. The man, out of Leroys view, cracked his neck harshly from side to side. Rolling his shoulders.
Leroy's teeth grit tight against each other as his eyes finally loosened, looking around himself…He was in…
An Arena? It look vaguely similar to the Tortuga Island. But much more dull. Lacking the sand floor and opting for…Steel? No it was durasteel…That Ten Fold strength steel Leroy had known before! The arena was surrounded by a curving inward fence like structure. Wrapped in razor wire and barbed posts intersecting in 'X' shapes.
He gazed to the hole…Shit…He'd gone through what seemed like a hundred floors that had only felt like a few! They must've been in the center of the mountain by now!
Galls mountain was not hollow. But did have layer of floors to his pent house. This arena was it's 'Basement' so to say.
"Cmon. I ain't hit ya that hard!" Gall mocked. Leroy struggling to get to his feet. Blood pooling from his mouth as he stood fully. One moment, his back was facing Gall…In the next! Leroy was back in front of him! Leg high up before striking the field again!
'It's like a forcefield!' Leroy thought to himself before landing a straight down Axe kick! 'This must be his Konseki– I can sense the aura around his body….but I can't make out the nature of this ability. Something is coating him. Stopping my strikes!'
Positive…Into Positive.
Electricity Crackled from Leroy palm as he slapped it against the 'Field'. In that moment two things occurred. Leroy noticed the movement was not a single stopping of force like a wall. But a gradual slowing down within mere moment of a second. His fist was not ceasing. It decelerating!
The second! The Electricity exploded around the arena! Crackling against the air! A Roar screaming from Galls throat! The arc had penetrated the 'field'!
"GRAH!" In a moment, his muscles seized! Tensing from the electrical charge! Only for his back hand to slam into Leroy! But he sensed it that time! Armament Coated arms coming to block! Feet using tension of haki to ground himself and prevent takeoff!
Before he could be retaliated against! Leroy leapt backwards!
Feet skid to a stop…
"Not so lonely after all? Locking yourself in a shell? Must get real lonesome huh? Never getting touched…Don't worry. I'll crack through ya~" Leroy cooed almost flirtatious, giving a small wink that infuriated Gall!
"Fuck off!" Gall suddenly snapped. Only to then flinch at his own words…A slow smile coming back over him. "Heheh…Hehaha! Takakakak!" He reeled his head back, and released a boisterous laugh that filled the small arena!
"Not bad Lee…Not bad!" He postured his index. "Oh this is gonna be a good fight! Made me crack there! Just a bit…"
"But-" Leroy, in the middle of Galls word, thrust forward! Helix wrapped around his fist! Impacting straight into the Barrier! And then past it! The elastic and sticky substance stuck onto him in a harsh impact! But Galls hand gripped Leroy's shoulder! Coated with black and crushed!
"GRAH!" Leroy screamed as he was tossed away! The firmament sticking to Gall almost like a tether while Leroy rolled to a stop. With a black hand, gall reached up and pulled harshly! Snapping the gelatinous material, the Konseki evaporated! Leroys stamina suddenly taking a massive blow from it!
"Do you wanna know why that happened? Why you suddenly lost a shit ton of energy from me breaking your Ability? Simple. I am physically breaking your Will. And just like a muscular injury. A willpower injury is draining. Different than if you had ceased it yourself. Your body would have naturally reabsorbed the excess into your pool and you'd only be left with the Haki drained."
He began to step forward. "But breaking, shattering, or destroying? Forcibly removing the object or ability being fueled is like being tripped mid sprint, tearing your knees open as you come to a stop."
Finally, coming to a stop in front of Leroy, who without a moment to think slammed a right hook! Pain searing through his knuckles! "Tut tut." Gall slowly shook his head.
"I may be alone in my 'Bubble' as you call it." He grabbed Leroy by the back of the head. Fingers tight around his hair "But I'm built for this shit. Seems like you aren't. You either have relied on people for far too long…"
SLAM! Leroy's face collided with Durasteel! Leaving a almost comical perfect indentation of his face in the steel! His face blackened with Armament, Observation still activated. "Hmph. Yet still not as weel as you look…"
"What is it holding you back? Leaving yourself alone? From everyone? But not able to take it? Don't worry. It's okay for the weak to rely on others. After all. Its strong that make the world what it is so they know their place. Don't have to pretend to enjoy the Summit…" Gall's voice oozed with condemnation and mockery. But his words felt– At least to himself– Genuine.
"Lets see what happens when you're really alone." He released Leroys brown locks. Pain throbbing as Gall put his hands together in a Madra, a hand seal. His index fingers flat against one another as his remaining fingers locked together.
"Barrier: Oh Lonesome Road." Raw aura radiated around his hands. Shifting into the particles of firmament, before condensing and washing over Leroy! It was a sphere! It was huge! Encompassing half the arena's size before suddenly shrinking into a sphere only two meters around!
It stayed suspended in the Air. The sphere was a Deep dark blue color that warbled with glints of white like rays of light trying to break through blackened clouds, or miles of trench ocean water.
'Oh Lonesome Road' Taek thought in his mind. 'A Barrier Type. Konseki's that generate via the users own energy and strength, and environment with a set of rules and attributes. OLR puts the target into the loneliest place they can imagine. And are forced to be beset upon by whisperings and itchings of their worst fears, doubts and memories.'
"Because when you're at the top. You're alone with only yourself. And you gotta beat yourself, that pathetic side that wishes for connection; The primitive part of the brain that the advanced part no longer needs, into submission." His hands released from the seal. A bead of sweat flowing from his brow.
"Always takes a chunk out of me. Physically recreating such an environment of such size down to the atom. But what goods my strength if I can't make it. Let alone dish that sorta power out."
"If he doesn't make it out. He's not worth the fight." He turned and began to walk away. Eyeing the Barrier over his shoulder.
Meanwhile…Within the Barrier. Time moved 10 to 1. A single minute outside. Was ten minutes inside. In just the brief moment of Gall explaining his ability to himself, ever the boastful type, twenty minutes had passed internally.
"FUCK!" Leroy screamed! He was surrounded by a familiar forest. The forest from his childhood…The Forests near Melons house that he, Azar, and Sara would play in everyday…But is also the place Leroy escaped to. It was his place of loneliness.
He fell to his knees. Hands gripping at his hair. Tears welling up…Beginning to pull. Only the pain was what he seeked…Teeth grit hard against each other.
"Why…Why!" He whimpered to himself. Water streaming from his eyes. Soaking the forest floor around him. "Why am I SO WEAK!" He reeled his head back releasing another shout of rage! Supreme Kings Haki leaking out of his body as he did!
"I thought…I was strong enough now! Why am I still…FUCKING THINKING ABOUT HIM! About them! Like its my fault!" Flashes of the crew flew past his mind. He fell back onto his rear, Knees tucked close to his chest.
"Because it is…I chose to go…I made the decision for them…All of them! Marineford…Styx! Desamare! The Dragon…All because of own stupid fuckin' selfishness!" He slammed his own armament coated fist into the side of his head! Pain throbbing…
"None of this would have happened if I'd just…Listened to Melon! She right…Grandma is always right!" He forced the words out of his teeth. Even if he hated saying it…She had always said that she was wrong sometimes…Often times. But now–
"But…I Love…" Hick–
"I LOVE HIM!" He sobbed. Snot flowing down his face. He hugged himself tighter and tighter. Nails digging into the skin until they drew blood.
"If I just…Stayed home…None of them would've gotten hurt…" Lips quivered as the words left them. Deep snorts came and went as he struggled to breath.
It felt…Like only a few minutes had passed. But all of these emotions. It was…Hours. Hours passed as he continued to wander the forest. The Memories of Azar. Flashing through his mind. When they in the forest together. Playing stick fights. When was alone in the forest. After Sara died. He got lost. And felt…Acceptance in the finality that he would never go back…
The forest was silent. Filled with nothing but the wanderings and shuffling of a broken Man…
Not animal insight. Not a bug in earshot. Not even the wind.
Leroy stood in the middle of the forest. Arms tight against himself. He used Haki to create illusions only he could see in his mind, of his crew…All of them. Wandering with him. Azar too was among them.
But they didn't talk. They didn't move unless it was from his own mind and control of the puppets…good shadow boxing. Not for–
This.
"Rngh!" Leroy whimpered, anger in the noise as he shoved his shoulder through Azars body.
The illusion broke. But– Suddenly.
Despite the frigid chill he felt.
There was…A warmth.
"Watch it will ya!" That voice– Eyes widened and he turned around! For only a glimpse. The grief was gone yet, there was nothing behind him…
In a blink, warmth touched his shoulder and Leroy was spun around. "Right here?" The voice– It was!
Azar!
It was. It was Azar!
But– Not the same.
Before Leroy. Glowing in a orange hue that radiated a warmth from his body and illuminated gently Leroy cold face. Was Azar. But now, he looked almost as if he were made of golden fiery light!
"Azzy?!" Leroy questioned. And yet he knew it to be true! "Oh– Azzy!" Leroy face warped. An ugly ugly look of pure joy as he wrapped his arms around him! "Oh…Azzy! Azzy! Azzy…Is it really you?!"
"Woah!" Azar said. "Careful you'll break me if you move to fast or hold to hard!" The hands of warmth slowly embraced him brack, before pushing him back just enough to separate the two. "God. What happened to you…" Azar said.
"Uh…A Lot…" Leroys eyes shot to the ground.
"Tch. Yeah. I know. I've been watching this whole time. Well…If you can call it watching? More like feeling and hovering? I don't know. All I know is that I'm still here."
He pointed. Tip of his finger flickering like a candle being moved to fast. "Because of you. Out of everyone. And a few that may surprise you." He smirked. "You're the one still Tethering me. I think thats the right word…"
"I– I read…That Ghosts…They stay around when other peoples…Their loved ones grieve hard enough. It causes them to–" Leroy began.
"Not move on? Yeah." Azar finished.
"So I can't head either down to Davy Jones locker, or up to what ever heaven, haven or afterlife there is. Because…you." He tapped his chest, hand permeating the torn shirt. "Still holding on to me."
He recoiled. Almost as if accused! "What-What? Fuckin' Of course I am! You're my brother! I love you I-"
"And I love you too…" Azar interrupted. "But, your hold so tight. You always have. To things that are broken, gone, done or have finished. Its amazing that you can reread the same dumb book and watch the same stupid program again and again long after its ended. But somethings…You got to let go!" His voice bordered on harsh.
"And you know that!" His hands gripped his shoulder. As hard as a ghost could. Leroy was so confused. The words, this Azar. He felt that it had to be really him! The books about ghost about how they'd watch over and they used what little strength they had to communicate if they didn't fulfill themselves and their spirts were strong enough–
That meant…Azar. Right now he…
Was on a clock.
"I…I know…I thought I had gotten over it! And then! This stupid fuckin guy!" He pointed vaguely away. "He talks about being alone and how being alone is strength but thats Bullshit! But now I- I don't know! He trapped me here!"
"He…Preached about how I'm weak because of my connections and I– I d-don't know! Maybe he's right! If I just did this alone! And didn't want to be a Captain! The best captain! Change the world! Help people! Free people! GIve them what I never could have until I made the choice to— Make my own decision. Fuckin' crush everything that stops everyone from doing it. From me doing it! From become…King of The Pirate!" He choked out.
"Maybe freedom…Being the Most Free. Everyone…It was just…"
"I just wanted…I just wanted to–" Azar had heard what he wanted to do. His dream. A hundred times. A finger, curled beneath Leroy's Chin.
"I know. And you're not wrong." His voice lowered. Cracked and became soft.
"Don't let that guy to you…Think about Leo." Leroys face was in a pathetic pout. So vulnerable. Open to what his brother was going to say. "What would happen. If you had never met your crew."
"I–" He began. But Azar stopped him. "Answer it. Let me and yourself hear it."
"Kirk would…Still be a slave. He'd probably be dead…Jeanne would be at that stall still…Kale would be dead in that cage…Noir would feel suffocated by not having the spark to go his own way. Dezzi would still be wandering, ever hiding themselves. Raven…Would be in styx or executed…Calliope would have been Killed by CPA or she'd just…cut herself away from everyone…And Eddie, he'd still be in the Bleak stretch. Wandering the seas undead…" He attempted to smile. But a nagging thought came to his front.
"But you died! I got you killed! If I had been strong enough-" Azar stopped him yet again.
"I died. Protecting you. I let myself die. I could have moved you and gotten out of the way. But I knew. They would have come after me no matter what. And more people would have died. My crew, was already being annihilated. Kuroryu was on a warpath. Pops, Redbeard, knew he wasn't going to make off that island. We all knew that. Deep down." His eyes hardened.
"So. Are you telling me. I failed? That I shouldn't have saved you? I should've let more people die in my name and rescue? I accepted their help. I accepted their escape. But I also knew, we ended up in a point where it was the worse case scenario…And it need an extreme solution."
"No…I I wouldn't!" Leroy began. "I didn't…Didn't think about that…"
"Now now you know…" His hand went to his shoulder again "Baby Brother. You didn't get me killed. You gave my life, purpose. Every moment, of everyday. I thought about shining a path you may take one day. And if it was the wrong one. You'd find a better one."
"Thats my job as your big brother…" A smiled crossed the flames. "I lived for myself…Because you gave it that meaning. Up until the moment I decided to die."
"And you…Are that for your crew. And they are that for you." He said succinctly. Voice dropping after each sentence. "They wouldn't be here without you. And you wouldn't be here without them. No matter what some guy using people as stepping stones and as a path tells you."
Sniff…Leroy began to nod. "You're so so so much stronger. Capable. And filled with determination than you realize. You know that now. Don't you?"
"Yeah." Leroy sniffed, a hiccup coming as he did. "Yes!" His eyes darkened as he locked to Azars form.
Suddenly. Around them. The forest seemed to shimmer. Trees, the ground, the entire realm began to quake! It was coming undone! It had nothing to fuel its environmental image!
"Heh…" Azar chuckled. "Guess I don't have much time left now…I don't have much to give. I won't be here. Watching over you for much longer…Minutes I'd say…But I can always be…" He raised his hand, shimmered for a moment and put his hand on his back. Warmth filling his body and encompassing him.
"In your heart. That Zeke guy's kinda smart ain't he?" He laughed, a boisterous laugh! Slowly beginning to fade! "DAHAHAHA! Ahh…Now kick that guys fuckin ass!"
And Leroy…Was alone again.
But only physically. Inside him. There was a small piece of Azar in him. That spirit. Manifest will. Raw Haki. Whatever Azar was made of. Now was imprinted onto Leroy. And left him with a bountiful gift. A gift that Leroys will made into his own the moment it entered.
He was not Azar. And Azar was not him.
They were. Their own.
His eyes looked to the ring.
Slowly. He pulled it off. Looking it over. "Yeah…Nah. I don't think I need this anymore." He tossed it to the side. The ground continued to break!
In a flash! Leroy gauged the size! The entire area was roughly 10 km around! Only a meter down and a mile up! "Phew…." Leroy immediately felt his body become hydrated again. That softness and give of rubber returning!
"HMPH!" In a massive burst of speed! Aura flared! Leroy felt a new found strength! As if Azars hand had pushed him! And his body picked up the slack, the ground shattered in a massive crater as he sped across the distance in a tenth of a second!
"GUM GUM!" His fist reeled back! Coated in shiny black! But now it appeared almot as if his his armament were 'bands' wrapped around! Such a unique form! It meant in that moment, Leroy used his Armament Kata! But that wasn't all!
The shiny black bands radiated in conduit before erupting in flame! Positive energy engulfing the fist! This fire was no mere fire! It was Striker Fire! Flames that move like sharp objects and was the color of a sunrise! Sparks like stars taking the place of embers! It radiated Positive and Negative Conduit Energy!
"HOT SHOT!" SLAM! Leroys fist slammed into the wall that made up the pocket realm! And the monstrous strength cause the entire dome! The Entire sphere! And all of its encompassing environment to shatter!
Leroy ejecting from the shrunk orb and back into the Arena of Taek Don Gall!
In a flash, Gall was on his feet! "What?! You…You Broke it?! How! You weren't supposed to break it!" He screamed! "You either come out alone or you are consumed! What the fuck did you do!"
"Thats where you wrong." Leroy smirked. "I was never alone. And neither were you."
"You're own ability. Let me understand first hand. Everything aboutchu. Is bullshit. How Ironic is that, Doll?" He mocked. "You, who said he will prove he's right. That only alone can you be strong."
"Just got his shit smashed by a guy whose always had people." He thumbed behind him.
Galls infantile rage at his precious being smashed, and taking the hit to his energy, wasn't just mad now. He was furious! Furious a weakling like Lee would be able to challenge him!
His lip quivered as if he was on the verge of tears or a tantrum. "Who the fuck are you to tell me such a load of shit? Huh?!"
Leroy straighted. "I'm Falcon D. Leroy. And I'm the man whose going to become KING OF THE PIRATES!" He screamed! Conquerors bursting forward with his own aura. The emotion. The words! They were forced to be heard by the Precision ability of Commandment. Where the words of the User are forced to be heard and understood.
"Red Sash?! RED SASH?!" Gall screamed! "You! I thought you were dead! What the fuck are you doin-"
"SILENCE!" Another blast! The words. The Commandment; forced galls mouth shut!
"I'm here to he make you bite the fucking curb." He pointed. "And prove everything about you wrong! So cmon!" His ara engulfed him again. Fists Blackening in bands, eyes reddening in flames.
Leroy gave a challenging hand. "Bring it!"
Snapping from the paralysis Gall growled. Hand tearing the vest off! Tossing it to the side to reveal his scar covered chest. Claw marks, gunshots, sword slashes, stab wounds, scars from punches filled inches of his skin.
"Heh.." Leroy did the same. Tossing his to the opposite side of the Arena.
The two shot towards each other! Fists coated! Taek's arm bent up above his head as he slams his other in a straight! Knees bent! Tae Kwon Do at it's finest! But Leroy block! Forearm moving up to redirect and side step! Delivering a full speed strike straight into the barrier! It wasn't able to be slowed down enough!
And finally! The barrier shattered in a diffusion of Red and Blue chromatic abrasion!
Knuckles against flesh!
"GAH!" Galls entire body bent at the side! Ribs taking the flow! 'Shit! He got past Zeno?! But…He'd after to be in excess of two hundred times the speed of sound! And whats with that strike?!'
'K-Kata?!' He screamed in his mind! Watching in slow motion as Leroy fist pulled back! His eyes locked onto Gall!
A counter strike! Gall landed a devastating crescent kick straight into Leroy's Jaw! Muscle and fat jostling as he skid to the side!
'That force…It wasn't…It wasn't concentrated like like normal armament. Hardening focuses power into the total area of the hardened surface. But that impact…It was almost spread! And jostled! It was like he was wearing a boxing glove that weight a billion ounces!'
That was right. Leroy's Armament Kata was known as 'Raufoss'. It operated on the same logic as a Boxing glove. While it was a single attribute. It was complex in explanation. It spread the energy of the blow outward equally. Instead of loosing damage it, more was gained, and that power jostled via tremoring and sheer vibrational force.
Deflagration. Or more simply; Anti-Material.
Compounding Force, delivering it over a larger area, and forcing it in.
Just like a 12 oz boxing glove.
It was the opposite of Galls own Armament Kata which lingered energy into a finer point. A point from his affinity of persistent type. 'Kumbha'
"VULCAN VOLLEY!" Gall snapped back to regular perception! But Leroy fist were already elastic and punishing! It was like being swarmed by a boxer! His bunches trailing up his body with devastating force!
"In Places deep…Where Dark Things Sleep!" He was interrupted in the midst of his chant!
"Helix!" The Konseky shot forward, and stuck to Gall! And like a anchor on a length of rope! Leroy whipped him through the air in a monumental throw! "Grah!" Leroy screamed as he released!
But Gall's Zeno stopped him from colliding with the wall! He continued undisturbed! "In Hollow Halls beneath the feels…High a top the Mist Mountain, Cold!" He finished the chant! And that same abrasion intensified! Leaving him almost blurry each move seemed to have a 'frames' of outlines of his form following close behind!
Stroboscopic!
"Furiki…Holtzman." Through the power of a Vow, that is activated by a chant. The Shields strength is intensified four fold! At a cost…
"Helix Shot!" Leroy roared! Slamming his fist forward! Coated in Chicle! But the speed was not enough! Even if the physical force of Helix made its way through! It was nothing compared to the follow up strike!
'Furiki' techniques birthed from singular Konseki, essentially alternate 'Modes' or 'Moves' with the abilities. Yet another place where Affinity influences. Holtzman increased the persistence of Zeno.
The way they are called out, is by the chant, summon or phrase of 'Furiki' followed by the name of the Technique.
'He chanted…And then spoke a phrase. Meaning this ability was strengthened by the vow. But already was strong on its own. Fukiri….That means there must be a cost beyond usage.' Leroy began to think to himself…
The two clashed again! Every one of Leroys moves felt slowed from the effect of holtzman! Every attempted strike that landed left him with less momentum,. Forcing him to readjust mid air! A swipe of his leg, he needed to bend to the side and roll off his shoulder. A straight jab and he had to leap back!
'What if I–'
"Quarius Frake!" Gall swung his leg in a massive Haki enhanced, Coated and strengthened roundhouse! Leroy dropped! His hand shooting forward for his thigh, but then slowing down! Six inches in only a second!
Contact!
Positive into Positive! Fire and Air!
Lightning conducted straight into Galls inner leg and lifted him up off his feet! The bolt of lightning caused him to be sent flying backwards! Smoke trailing from the burnt skin! "GRAH!"
SLAM! Gall smashed straight the wall!? Body bent inward!
'What?!' Leroy thought…He wasn't slown! 'Slow moving attacks and objects make it through no problem. But…he just hit the wall! Holtzman is still activated though….Wait!' He focused. Eyes switching to Xray. His muscles twitched slower. With a blink he looked at Galls aura. He could see it and Holtzman…
'There!' He spotted as Gall began to straighten his back out. There was what looked like a vortex, right at the small of his back! Where a nasty scar was! It was a deep, devastating and crackling pierce of a scar!
'I never noticed it before…There a single scar on his back…One from a previous battle! It must be a weakness hes exposing because most opponents wouldn't think twice about armoring or protecting it! No wonder the vow empowered the ability so much!'
Gall was on the move again! But Leroy erupted into Gear Second! He moved literally like lightning! His body streaked through the air with such tremendous speed, he left a thunder clap in his as he disappeared!
He…Was as fast! As Lightning from the clouds above!
He appeared behind Gall! Fist black, and burning with Striker Fire! "GUM GUM!"
'Shit! He's found it! I need to coat every thing! Or else he'll– No he's too fast!' Gall screamed internally! Scar beginning to glow and darken as all excess Armament haki Coated the weak point!
"HOT SHOT!" An explosion of Haki erupted in a flash! Flames exploded! His back burned! And the force spread across his back! In a sudden secondary explosion! Holtzman shattered in the same colors now mixed into purple…
THWAM!
Gall smacked against the Far wall! Wall, and everything on the opposite side of the of the impact was ejected outward! A fissure straight through the entire mountain! Dust spraying in a massive cloud out of the crack on the outside!
'The pain…Shit!' Gall grimaced! "Grah! Hragh! Fuck…" His hair began frantic. Falling in front of his face. 'That…Hurt too much…' he pondered…Using his Yan Liu of Observation. He could pinpoint what form of energy his opponents were using…Postive and Negative auras swirled in the fire and around it!
Striker Fire. Fire that carries positive and negative conduit energy at once. Positive energy impacts cause increase flows of signals. Pain, Emotion, and Send the impacted's mind reeling for a few moments of exquisite throbbing. Brain moving to fast. Negative Energy impacts decrease. They worsen wounds, cease flows of blood to heal causing any new injuries from the strike to become worse. Conduit did not compound or amplify power unless elemental. It just increased what was already there.
"Hngh…Ghgh!" Gall rumbled in his throat. With Holtzman broken. He was unable to use Zeno any more until he awoke again.
His skin began to darken…It became ashen! Stoney in texture! Spreading out along his body! Muscles becoming chiseled as if directly into the material, enlarging and expanding! Hands pushing outward, talons forming at the end of his fingers! Wings sprouting! Face shorting and warping into a maw with a prominent underbite! Eyes sharpening! Nose disappearing!
"GRAHHH!!" A blast of Kings Haki rippled outward! Gall, finished in the Transformation reeled backwards! Arms out and clawed ferociously!
"Leroy…" Zekes words echoed. Back to just before he left for the Plane. "The three types of Verduna Powers are similar to the same three Categories of Devil Fruit. But in a way. They are their exact opposites."
"There are Platon's. They are like Logia's but instead of elements, the ability rules of a conceptual principle. Often they are tied to imagery that is reflected on the users being. And when they are active, they do not just effect the world outward. But also upon themselves as well. Platons are Extremely Rare."
"Next is perhaps the Rarest. Archaea. Similar to paramecia's but dialed to 13. It gives the user control, manipulation and manifestation of the 'True Form' of something. A key that unlocks anything, but look vaguely like every key that's ever been made. This will always be something near the user. Not apart of them…"
"And lastly. Eukaryo's. The Zoans. But instead of being things that already exist in some form. This transformation is wholly unique to the user. A perfect state. With their own powers and abilities coinciding with them."
Leroy brought is arm up to block uselessly. The Conquerors Haki radiating now was the Exotic Ability of the Branch…Pressure. The manifestation of strength as atmospheric pressure onto the environment!
"I'll do you one courtesy. And tell you one thing." The monstrous Gargoyle raised a finger. "I am not…A Special Zoan…this cement? The stone? It is from the Rock Rock Fruit. Letting me turn my body into stone. But this form…."
"Eukaryo…" Leroy murmured.
"Good. So you do know– Save me the trouble!" He roared! Shooting forward! Claws blackened and slashing up through the air! Firmament shaping the wind into Wolves that howled! "Howler Maw!"
"Hmhph! Vulcan Shot!" His fist shot forward! In one go slamming through all of the Wolves! But gall was up above him! "Wh-"
BWHAM! An over head sledgehammer rocketed Leroy straight into the durasteel! The Entire floor denting into a harsh concave!
'He…Teleported! There was no sound of movement! Even with Haki manipulation like Counterweight or Veil, both that bypass atmospheric disturbance causes a sound!? It's gotta be an ability of this form!' Leroy screamed, Zipping out of the way still in Gear 2nd! Galls fist piercing through the steel!
'Flight. Enhanced Strength. Claws–'
Negative Flow! A Water jet spewed from Galls throat! Zipping through the air with lightning speed! Danger sense stabbed at Leroy as he moved his Neck to the side! The jet shooting out the other side of the mountain! The entire thing began to quake as the Jet trailed after Leroy! Slicing a single gash through the entire left side of the massive geography!
Leroy zipped out of the way! 'Conduit water…Not a power! What?!' Suddenly, Gall was gone again! Two blinks and Leroy switched to aura sense! Galls aura erupted in front Leroy! Suddenly Reappearing!
'Camoflauge!?' Claws slashed into his forearms! Sparks flying as he went flying backwards! Landing against the wall 'Fukai enhanced camouflage!' His eyes looked around. But his fukai…It blended in perfectly with the ambient energy!
'Phew…." Leroy breathed. 'Conduit and Conquerors at the same time!' Suddenly! Radiation exploded from Leroy's body! Followed by streaking white arc of lightning! Filling the entire arena with both Conquerors Haki and Elemental Discharge! "HRAGH!"
"HMPH!" Gall revealed himself! The camouflage disrupted by the sudden change in environment! Feet, digitgrade, skid across the metal of the ground while Leroy hung off the curve of the arena wall!
"Taka!" Gall laughed. "Figured out the Camo isn't invisibility but really good use of Fukai and Blending in…But did you figure out Teleportation?"
Leroy blinked! And Gall was right in font of him! Kicking him off the fence like a football from pitch! Sending him crashing against the other wall! The Gargoyle already there to slam him against it! Leroy armored his face against the barbed and razor wire as Gall smashed against it! Dragging him through it all!
"Agh!" Leroy slammed fist after fist of Raufoss Armament into the Stone! But nothing worked!
"Cannon Shot!" Leroy's fist and forearm enlarged, covered in Haki, slammed into Gall! Finally releasing him from the man grasp! Leroy's hair line bleeding from the assault…
"Everytime I blink. And you're not in my field of view….So long as your destination isn't in my view either. You can move anywhere within that distance…Am I right?" Leroy wiped his mouth.
"Heh…Yeah. I call it 'Perching' but I'm surprised you figured that out, Red Sash…." Suddenly Galls nose scrunched. "Bah…The Marines are here…." He growled.
Far off the coast of the island. Gall could sense their arrival through his connection to his mountain. Upon an entire fleet of Warships…Was none other than Recently Promoted Captain, Coma. And Vice Admiral Louis Garrick. All of those Marines from the notorious base of Leviathan, were on those ships.
"Theres the Island!" Coma called. Lowering his spy glass. Every marine. Was now adorned in new uniforms. Just as kuroryu and muromachi had planned. The uniforms were now more streamlined. Stark white with dark inky blue stitching on the flapped collar. A singular wide belt with a large buckle of the simplified marine Anchor and Eagle on the clasp. Dark brown belt stretched across their torsos. Large pouch of Ammo on their left hip. A smaller thin pouch on their right.
Pants the same color as the stitching but with a white strip going up the thigh. Grey boots squared and simple on their feet. The marines in only two years had gone to a far more stylish, modern and utilitarian design. Gone were the sabers now made with steel and hardened plastic grips. Muzzle loader pistols switched for six shooter double action wheel guns, that had a hook on the but connected to a tether to their belt. Holster against their right hip.
Some wore long sleeved versions of the uniform which came with larger flapped collar. Others wore overcoats that were the Dark Blue of Stitching with accented white stripes.
The Justice Coat had not changed much. Now longer tails and a v slit tail. But many Marine…Opted for the New Justice Cape. Same as the coat. But with out the sleeves.
All of the marines Rank were now displayed via an emblem the Marines followed Numerals for Non-Commissioned, and followed by additional stars for each rank until Commodore that added a six sided star up to three for vice admiral. And the sigil of the Marine backed by Swords for Admirals. Fleet admiral having two crowns siding the sigil.
Similar to the shoulder rank marking that were still present. But these badges also had symbols for the new ranks, the airforce, artillery, and an Anchor that was connected to the bottom badge for each year of service up to five where the an anchor and bird represented five each.
"What powerful Haki…." Garrick mentioned. Each slam from Gall and Leroy disturbed the waters even kilometers away with the mountain just on the horizon. The shock waves carrying fleeting signatures of Haki. Unidentifiable other than level.
"Guess Taek Don Gall really is dead set on proving himself." Coma said. Sweat beading.
"Gall caused issues for Decades until his capture just after Rogers execution. Ever since he was denied to join Rogers Crew…He made a vow to prove his strength of his lonesome. Any crew he hired was temporary. Any organization only to bolster himself. But eventually he would end up back alone…" Garrick explained.
"Why'd he turn himself in?" The Marine Captain asked.
"After Rogers execution. There was a swath of Pirates, new and old that turned themselves in. Feeling that with Roger gone. No matter how the world felt and labeled it a new Golden Age of Piracy, it would never compare to the Era of Roger, Flint, Barbossa, and the Others." Garrick continued.
"Even with the One Piece?"
"Esepecially with it. A finish line? Really? That was what they thought. Its why that whole generation was known as the Silent Ones. But it seems. Many of them that didn't die in prison or styx…Was released two years ago. And back in action. Just like Gall is…"
THAM! Another collision of fist! Gall swept his leg through the air! Leroy blocked with Blackened defense! Leroy delivered another Helix Shot! Then G3 + Hardening Blow!
"Turbo Cannon!" Enhanced with Gear Two! Leroys enlarged armored first slammed into Gall! Blood spilling! Then! He reeled both back! "AKIMBO CANNON!" He swiftly turned G2 off, and slammed two enlarged fist into Gall!
The Gargoyle Caught them! Tightening his grip around his opponents hand! The haki grinding against each other…Flash!
Both suddenly saw an image in each others mind! Leroy saw…Roger! Saber coated in lightning and fire! Thrusting his saber into Galls Back! The Wound exploding in damage! He had been attempting to run for his life after challenging Roger for the final time! But was swiftly defeated in a single final blow!
Gall saw…Desamare. And the crew disappearing!
In another flash! The two separated! Leroys hands snapping back into place! Gall growling…
"The fuck was that?!" Leroy said.
Gall grimaced…"Aiki….When two Haki's collide enough and are in battle long enough. The other fighters catch glimpses of each other's memory in the purest form. Their emotions, goals and feelings leaking into every strike and a flashback…It's a pain in the ass…"
"But you?" Gall taunted. Stony teeth smiling. "You failed…You lost your crew~" He attempted to bait Leroy into anger…
"Tch…" Leroy smirked. "Yeah thats not gonna work…But I should expect something from a coward! Who rand from future Pirate King because he was to weak to actually win…To stuck up in ways and held up by rejection cuz he was nothin but…"
Galls teeth grit…
"A Failure." Leroy finished. And that got him.
The two slammed against one another in a final clash! Claw swiping! Helix Sticking and moving! Leg flying with expert dexterity! Leroy caught it and redirected the blow! Gall was getting sloppy! He was getting angry!
But Leroy! Was getting faster! Better! Stronger! He snapping in and out of Gears on the fly. Momentary usage in only a limb. Then in the rest of his body. Bursting into full throttle, snapping Hardening on, blinking between his available Observation Abilities!
"Grand! CHASM!" Gall screamed! Claws cutting through the durasteel and aiming right for Leroy! Arms came to block! Sparks flying! 'Quick! It's now…'
'Or Never!' In burst of Kings Haki! Leroy knocked Gall back! His arms flying to the sides! Leaving his body open!
'Sh-Shit!' Gall grimaced 'I'm slowing down…?! Red Sash…Red SASH! I can't be beaten like this!' Images of Roger. Overlaid themselves with Leroy as his arms went reeling back. Stretching. Coating in fire that dazzled and sparked with stars! Fist covered in bands! Helix coating!
'Damn it! Damn you! DAMN YOU' He released his scream! "ROGER!!!!"
"Finish it…" Azars voice whispered a final time in Leroy's ear. Flames erupting! "GUM GUM!"
Flames erupted in brilliant colors and sharp angles as as they left a comets trail through air! Fist moving at lightning speed! Boosted by Armament, Gear second, Conduit Striker Fire, Raufoss Kata, Gum Gum Fruit power and posted strength of 120% from his aura…
'Thank you…Azar.' He thought to himself as his fist collided with the man! Flames spread! Exploding out! And forcing their way in as helix delivered a secondary impact the same elemental and haki enhanced energy!
"STELLAR IMPACT!" From the other side of Galls Concrete and Gargoyle body! Flames bursts through his intact skin! The explosion Wracking his body, muscles and firing out the other side in a final devastating release of energy!
The energy was so monstrous. So enormous in strength. The entire mountain began to crumble! Rocks fissuring, surface cracking and splitting apart! One moment…Snowflakes flew around the moon lit room heated and illuminated by the Haki of the two fighters! And the next!
Gone! The entire mountain erupted in a massive explosion of hundred of chunks dozens of meters wide! The energy of the impact had no where to go buy out! Galls body too weak to absorb or dissipate it!
"Holy shit!" Freddie said! Eyes wide as He, Arnie and Zeke approached the island by speed boat.
The Haki rushed over the decimated landscape! The cloud being forcibly pulled in from the impact for a mile around. All of the marine on board flinched. Coma…Recognized the man it came from…
"Red Sash…" He whispered quietly amidst the emergency of people storming along the decks in confusion and screams! Water raising by a meter in waves!
"What?" Garrick shouted over the people "Coma what did you say!?" He questioned. He didn't hear a word from the Captain.
"I said we need slack! Get the boats closer!" He lied…
Leroy…Limply fell through the air…Haki gone from his body but from the ambient leak of his existence. Stones raining around and splashing against the water. Disturbing it into massive waves!
"I got him!" Zeke shouted! In a blink he crushed the boulders and debris to nothing but a fine dust! Snatching Leroy from the air and gently falling back to the boat….
"Lee…Lee! Leroy!" He shouted! Shaking Leroy by the chest. "I'm…" he groaned… "I'm alive…"
"Phew…Good. He fuckin destroyed a mountain kid! And Gall!" He looked over his shoulder where the rest of the debris was falling. The Marine ships getting closer. But the fog that began to roll in from such a massive amount of vaporized water and mist from the splashes…Hid the boat from view of the Marines.
Zeke suppressed his aura. Leroy doing the same…
"Good job…He did great…" The mist, scattering the moon light from the overcast night. Softly illuminated Leroy in a grey blue…He had won. And officially reached the same rank as Gall had…Yonkyu of The Fifth Dan.
Gently. The boat sped off into the distance under the guise of fog. Leroy had no where to go but up.
As for Gall. He laid broken, burnt and defeated in the crater of his beloved mountain. Pants torn up through the 1's on each leg. Filled with scrapes, scratches, cuts and bruises. He was left mangled as Coma approached…
"Taek Don Gall. The Lone Wolf. By the order of the Marines, and through the Power of the World Government and the State. You are here by underarrest. Any thing you say or do, can and will be used against you. You have the right to a swift trial and attorney. A state sponsored on shall be given to you in the scenario you don't have one." Coma hooked Seastone cuffs onto his wrists, flipping him onto his stomach to pull the other one around.
"So who was it with you? Who the fuck caused this mess?" Garrick questioned. Spear manifesting and clanking against the stone, leaning against it.
"A Man…Who beat me…." Was all he said. Eyes glazed over. Lids hooded as he was hoisted.
"Yeah what ever." Garrick swatted his hand. "Get him out of here. Gonna be a whole lot of incident reports, Island reports, status reports and paperwork to fill out for this shit…" Gall was pulled to his feet and dragged by to Ensigns off to the War Ships.
The Rest of The third year. Would not come anywhere close to as exciting as that. Even if Leroy was able to find a few companions here or there to spend his time with while he was off going from island to island. Honing his skill under guise once again. Friends, Aquaintances, Relationships. Temporary flings…It didn't come close to the Chaos…
Of Taek Don Gall. At the Lonesome Peak.