As I was being led through the corridors, I spotted a translucent, human-like figure floating lazily through the air. That unmistakable form... it had to be the power of the Horo Horo no Mi.
Perona is already here, I realized. Since Hogback is currently under my "protection" on Faus Island, he clearly hasn't joined Moria's ranks in this timeline.
I haven't seen Absalom yet, either. In the original story, his invisibility caused plenty of trouble for the Straw Hats before he eventually became a freelance writer. It seems the "Thriller Bark" of this era is a bit more stripped-back, but no less eerie.
I was ushered into a lavish room decorated in bold blacks, whites, reds, and gold. In the center of the room, lounging in a massive chair, sat the man himself.
「Kishishishishi... To think the Marines, and the 'Red Seagull' no less, would come all this way to visit me. I've granted you an audience since I heard you had business, but if you're here to slap cuffs on me, the conversation ends now.」
Horns protruding from his forehead, a sharp, pointed chin, and eyes that pierced through the dim light.
Moria was a giant of a man, but unlike the obese version from the original timeline who had let himself go, this Moria was still lean and muscular, clad in a sharp leather jacket.
It makes sense—his crushing defeat in Wano is still relatively fresh, and he hasn't yet succumbed to the years of lethargy and "relying on others" that eventually rotted his strength.
「Nice to meet you, Gecko Moria. I'm Krieg, commander of the Marine Independent Vanguard Unit. I'm not here to arrest you... today.
I'm carrying a letter from the Government. Normally, they'd send it by News Bat, but since you've tucked yourself away in such a troublesome spot, the job fell to me.」
「Hoh? The Government went to all that trouble for me?」
Moria took the letter and began to read.
Gecko Moria. Bounty: 320 million Berry. The master of the colossal ship Thriller Bark. Once a dreamer who challenged Kaido of the Four Emperors, he now lurks in the Florian Triangle, rebuilding his forces through his "Night Raid" pirate-hunting.
As the user of the Kage Kage no Mi, he is the "Ruler of Shadows," capable of creating an invincible army of zombies that feel no pain and fear no death.
In the original timeline, his laziness and over-reliance on his subordinates led Doflamingo to eventually deem him "too weak for the Warlords." But the man standing before me still holds the edge of a warrior. I stood my ground, watching him finish the letter.
Eventually, Moria looked up, a sinister grin spreading across his face.
「Kishishishi! So, they want me as a Warlord? The letter doesn't specify, but do you know why they've singled me out?」
「It's your 'Night Raids.' The Government has determined that your systematic hunting of pirates is effective.
Though, if I may offer a personal request... I'd appreciate it if you'd stop hunting the pirates flying the Blue Cross. They're under my jurisdiction.」
「Kishishishi! If those fools are stupid enough to pick a fight without the strength to back it up, that's their problem!」
「...Just try to keep it to a minimum. So, what's your answer? If you accept, your bounty is nullified. Your pirate hunting becomes state-sanctioned.
In exchange, you must respond to the Government's call to arms when summoned. That's the deal. I'd like an answer sooner rather than later.」
I waited, my hand resting near the Shin-Seiseiken, ready for any shadow-play he might attempt.
The Ghost Princess: Rear Admiral Krieg
「Kishishishishi! Fine then. I'll play along with the Government's little game.」
「Glad to hear it. I can bring back a positive report, then. Before I head out, do you mind if I ask a couple more things?」
「What is it?」 Moria leaned back, a smug look of satisfaction on his face. 「I'm in a good mood, so I'll indulge you.」
I kept my expression neutral as I threw the first hook. 「About that mysterious creature I saw on my way in...」
「Huh? You mean the zombies?」
「No. A translucent, ghost-like being.」
「!! Perona! I told you to stay back!!」 Moria suddenly roared toward the ceiling.
「B-but Master Moriaaa... I was worried because you were meeting a Marine...」 A girl with pink hair and distinct, doll-like eyes drifted down through the ceiling. She looked to be in her early teens.
As I suspected, it was Perona, user of the Horo Horo no Mi. In this timeline, she seemed less like the arrogant "Ghost Princess" and more like a timid, worried child. It was clear she genuinely cared for the giant man in the leather jacket.
「I see, a Devil Fruit user. But kidnapping a young girl is a bit much, don't you think? Perhaps I should take her into Marine custody for her own protection.」
「You bastard! What do you think you're doing with my cute subordinate!?」 Moria bellowed, his presence surging with the raw intensity of a pirate who once stood toe-to-toe with Kaido. 「I found her abandoned and took her in! She stays with me!」
「...My apologies. I spoke out of turn.」 I raised a hand in a peaceful gesture.
「...Hmph. As long as you understand. Now, what was the second question?」
I had confirmed Perona's presence. Now for the real threat.
「...Have you acquired the corpse of the "Ancient Giant" yet?」
「! How do you know about that!!」 Moria shouted, instinctively clapping a hand over his mouth a second too late.
「I see. So you did take it.」
「...Where? Where did you get that information?」 Moria's eyes narrowed, his playfulness gone, replaced by the sharp instincts of a veteran captain.
「The legend of a "Devil" frozen in the North Blue is a well-known rumor within the Marines. About ten years ago, during a vacation, I went looking for it myself.
It was just a corpse, so I left it where it was. But when I checked the site recently during a mission... the body had vanished. You were simply at the top of the list of people capable of moving it.」
Total lie, of course. But a convincing one for a man like me.
「Tch. They say the Red Seagulls go everywhere, but your reach is too damn long. So? You going to try and take it back?」
「I have no intention of seizing property from a Warlord-to-be. Unless, of course, that power is turned toward innocent civilians.」 I cracked my knuckles, the sound echoing in the lavish room.
「Kishishishi! I won't be moving. I have no intention of doing so.」
「...Then we're done here. Pardon the intrusion, Gecko Moria. And sorry for the noise, young lady.」
「Hmph! Marine, just hurry up and go away!」 Perona stuck her tongue out.
「Don't be so cold, Perona,」 Moria chuckled. 「Besides, he answered my questions. Now it's my turn to ask him something.」
Fair enough, I thought. A give-and-take negotiation.
「Ask away. As long as it doesn't touch on classified military secrets.」
「Let's see... I was going to ask about that bastard Kaido, but... forget it. Does your definition of "innocent civilians" include crooked merchants and other pirates?」
Was he still dwelling on his defeat? 「I don't draw a hard line, but pirates—sanctioned or not—enter this life at their own risk. Crooked merchants fall under judicial jurisdiction, not mine.」
「Kishishishi! Then I can mess with them all I want?」
「Again, I'd prefer you leave the sanctioned ones alone.」
「I'll keep it to a "minimum." Unless they pick a fight first, of course. Now, for the second question...」 Moria paused, thinking for a moment. 「That masked skull... Teach, was it? Tell me about him. I want his shadow.
A man with the strength to raid Mariejois and escape... if I put that 390-million-berry combat power into a high-grade vessel... Kishishishishi!」
「That's sensitive info, but I'll tell you what's public. 'Teach' is the name the masked man used, but we haven't confirmed if it's his real name. The strongest lead points to a man on Whitebeard's ship named Marshall D. Teach. We haven't confirmed they're the same person yet.」
「Whitebeard... Tch. Another one of the Three Great Pirates, just like Kaido. Does the Navy have plans to go after him soon?」
「That's two questions. We're done. I'll report your acceptance to the Government. Expect the official announcement in the papers soon. Any final words?」
「Kishishishi! So, I'm a Warlord now. My subordinates' bounties will be frozen too, right?」
「Yes, it's a full pardon. Just... try not to overdo the 'Night Raids.'」
「Kishishishishishi! I won't overdo anything!」
There was a double meaning in his words that made me rub my temples. He's already planning to let the zombies do all the work while he rots in his chair. I bid him farewell and made my way back to the ship.
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