Canon Fodder

CHAPTER 314 FRONT ROW SEAT

I was in the thick of them. Wearing the black robes provided to the advisors I was the youngest of them all. Or at least Greg was. At the bottom of the totem pole I was required to carry books and other things. Switching into my assistant mode from my time under the Mizukage I nodded and said yes sir to everything. 

I got my first look at the interim-king as we docked. Taller than I expected he was a little over 6 feet tall. Long blonde hair it was tied back in a ponytail, and I already hated him. No weapon at his side he wore an ornate blue and white jacket. Thick jaw, I could feel that he was a fighter from his Spiritual Energy. 

Walking confidently down the gangplank the line of advisors followed. Me on the tail end they all sucked up to Jullian as we were met by a guide. 

“Interim-king Hephestus,” the greasy man in a suit said. One thing Greg had pointed out was Jullian hated being called interim-king. It was sire or nothing else. He had threatened to kill a few people who didn’t listen to the order. 

The blonde man stiffened but left the insult. “Thank you. Let’s make our way to the Summit.” 

“Of course, we have plenty of time sir. It starts in a couple of hours,” the man said but led us through the bustling marine port. Disappearing in the group of Leton’s, which turned out was pronounced Layton, I had sometimes wondered if it was said like it was spelled but Greg corrected me. I made sure to write a mental note that Greg needed a promotion when I started ruling the place. 

“Has there been any news on Prince Watanabe?” The guide asked, simply making conversation. Since he was most likely used to dealing with Tenryuubito the man didn’t appear too intimidated by Julian. 

“No, he can die for all I care,” he whispered. “No.” He added louder. 

“Love you too,” I mumbled. 

“I am not in the mood for small talk. It has been a long journey,” Jullian said. The guide nodded and continued on in silence. We were given priority on the lift up to the Red Line. Some kind of ship repurposed as an elevator I kept my eyes down as I listened to the other advisors. 

“We must make contact with the new Dressrosa royalty,” Justin, the main advisor, whispered to another one. “She will have the most up to date news on the Watanabe boy.” 

“Was he really there a few days ago?”

“That’s what I hear. They are talking about raising the Straw Hats bounties again.”

“How can 1 pirate crew just disappear for 2 years? It’s unnatural.”

“I heard they had help escaping. This is our chance to meet the princess from Alabasta as well. She may have information on him.”

“I heard he was close to the fishman princess.” 

“Ha! A fishman at the World Summit? That would never happen. The Tenryuubito’s would enslave them as soon as they set fin on the Red Line.” It was sad to admit how right he was. I had been hoping for some conversation cursing me, but the men were either careful with their tongues, or just ignored my existence. Being an advisor was a job, like most any. When I took the throne I wanted to make sure that I had good ones though. Not ones that would turncoat right when I was winning. 

We arrived at the edge of Mariejois. The guide walking us through there were a few entourages of other kings or queens around. Jullian made sure to stop at every one of them. His head advisor Justin would whisper in his ear, telling the interim-king the names of everyone present and little details he should talk about. 

“Oh how is your son?” “I heard you had a nasty infestation of pirates.” “No, I have not heard from the Watanabe.” Most every group was nice enough to ask about me. I could feel the rage pouring off of Julian and held back a laugh. It wasn’t until we were at the last group outside that I got a little worried. 

“Make sure to watch out for their devil fruit user,” one king said. 

“How does that work exactly?” Julian asked. 

“I had never heard of it myself,” the king said. He looked to the entrance of the main building. Outside were guards, but also a mousy looking man with glasses on. He had a book in hand as he studied those making their way inside. “He ate an Examine Devil Fruit. Apparently all the information one can know about someone is displayed to him. Height, age, weight, real name. Nothing is hidden.” 

“Interesting,” he said.

“All to keep out your prince,” the king guffawed. Jullian pretended to join him in the laugh but he reeked of annoyance. We were soon making our way to the door and I was making myself disappear. 

It was their own fault really. When you had to make a door big enough to let Neptune in, it had to be tall. So hiding my Zetsu and covering myself with dark chakra I climbed along the wall and over the heads of the guards. As soon as my group was through I dropped down and rejoined them. 

None the wiser, it helped to be the low man on the totem pole. Walking through a few more guarded doors we arrived in the main room for the Summit. The princesses weren’t there. I was sure they were socializing in a different section. The kings and their advisors littered the area. The kings had a large circular table to sit at. About 50 monarchies represented of the over 150 kingdoms that made up the world government, the room was filled with people. Some chairs offered to advisors, they were expected to sit back and watch.

I took a seat with the other men and waited. Looking around I wasn’t exactly sure what I would do, but timing was everything. Keeping myself pumped up I kept my eye on the marines that came in and out. 

I was a little surprised that Sakazuki himself showed up. The Fleet Admiral had taken the place of Sengoku after the debacle of Ash’s execution. Fighting Aokiji for the position, they were the duo that had made Punk Hazard the icy-hot hell it was. He was a tough looking man. Scars on him he wore a red shirt under his Marine jacket. Smoking a cigar he sat at the edge of the room opposite me. 

As people stopped streaming in, the conversation between royalty died down and people took assigned seats. The room was rather large, easily fitting Neptune. Advisors passing last minute comments to kings they quieted as an older gentleman stood at the large circle table the kings and kings sat at. 

“Thank you all for joining us,” the man said. “I am Kylos.” I didn’t recognize the guy, but by their reaction I guessed he was often leading this meeting. “First of all I want to thank the Ryugu King Neptune for joining us for the first time.” Everyone clapped as King Neptune nodded. “Also Interim-king Hephestus from Leton.” Jullian stood and nodded as well. “And it is good to see that Dressrosa is back under the rule of the Riku Family.” Viola nodded. I guessed Doflamingo would normally have been there in her spot, but the new queen appeared more than happy to be sitting in his place. 

“With that we can begin…” the man began talking about current events. He didn’t bring up pirates, but alliances formed through marriages as well as news from the lands outside the Grand Line. X person died and Y person took over this Z kingdom. All rather boring I pretended to be listening. Then he spoke to Neptune and Julian themselves. 

Votes would be conducted in the future, allowing their acceptance in the World Government. One of the big things Julian’s advisor Justin had pushed was securing a good marriage to help with this. Big Mom had said Jullian was set to marry one of her daughters. I wondered how the hell that would work. Jullian would have to be an idiot to piss her off. 

Kylos mentioned that to join the World Government, the kings would have to kick over a certain amount of taxes to pay for a marine fort on their island, as well as a few other things that had to happen. The conversation got boring again as grievances were brought up. This king pissed at another for stepping on his toes; they let it all hang out. 

A few shouting matches breaking out I had hoped for a fight to break out, but disappointingly none did. I resigned myself to act attentive as it got boring again. As the hours dragged on we broke for a snack. When everyone was back the real conversation began. 

“Now, on to pirates,” Kylos said, and everyone around the table stiffened. “We know that they have only gotten worse recently. So please, hold questions until the end.” The royalty didn’t appear to like that command, but they followed the order. 

“First, the Yonkos. Big Mom and Kaidou have been increasing their activity. Our intel tells us that both have never had more recruits. Kaidou hasn’t left Wano much lately, but Big Mom is moving for an alliance with Germa 66.” I knew that so I ignored the outrage from the kings. “I understand. We hope to have more information soon. All islands in the vicinity of Whole Cake Island will have increased patrols.”

“Next is the most talked about crew lately, the Straw Hats,” Kylos said. There was a hush in the room. I was a little surprised he brought us up right after the Yonkos, but he explained the reason for that shortly. “Some of you have had run-ins with them lately.” He looked to Neptune and Viola. “We are reevaluating their bounties and expect to have updated rewards shortly.”

“You really think that will help?” One of the older kings barked. He looked rather familiar. A metal lower jaw, he was a short man. I couldn’t place him though. “They’re basically animals.” Neptune and Viola were quiet, I didn’t blame them. They could be our friends and still be a part of the rest of the world. 

“I understand,” Kylos said. “They have proved crafty, but rather than let another Yonko appear we are using all of our resources to bring them down. Unfortunately I cannot speak about ongoing operations.” I was curious if they really had a plan to take us down. I considered making my grand entrance there and then, but decided to hold off until the pirate news ended. 

Kylos continued to speak about other pirates. Warning some kings about strong groups that might be headed their way. Sitting through it I perked up at a few names, but it wasn’t too helpful. When I was about to drop my face Kylos stopped me.

“Last, the Shichibukai,” he said. Grumbling broke out around the table. “I understand. No one likes them, but they were a necessary evil.”

“Were?” More than a few people asked. 

Kylos took a long and slow breath. “Yes, were. We have reevaluated their usefulness after recent events. Thanks to a new invention by Vegapunk himself, we feel that they will no longer be needed.” I frowned, I thought this happened later on, after Wano. Chewing my lip I listened in. 

“We will be informing the world soon enough, but I am confident to say that the last of the Shichibukai will be dealt with soon enough.” 

“Who?” Viola asked. I mentally thanked her for asking. “I know I am new to this event, but my people have been under the thumb of Doflamingo for a decade. Who is left? Mihawk stays in his castle. Who knows where Crocodile is? And Kuma? I haven’t heard of news on him for years.”

“Boa Hancock,” Sakazuki said, breaking the silence and making my heart clench in fear. The Fleet Admiral stood up from his seat, walking to the round table. “It has come to our attention that Hancock was with the enemy the whole time. An operation is currently-” He stopped as the building began to shake. 

I didn’t stop it. My Tremor Devil Fruit leaking out of me I let it do what it wanted as my rage fueled it. Standing up slowly I walked toward the table. One of the advisors cursed and tried to grab me but his grip was weak. I hardly noticed as I pulled my hand away. When I was halfway to the table I dropped my transformation jutsu. 

People stiffened as they noticed me. My eyes were on Sakazuki though. The man chewed on his cigar as he stared daggers at me. I walked to the table, resting my hands on the table next to Jullian. The man had leaked fear as everyone focused on him, but he didn’t realize I was there until I was next to him. He yelped as he noticed me. Moving back I ignored him. 

“I didn’t expect to make such a spectacle when I arrived here,” I said. My voice echoing in the large room I kept my anger on hold if only barely. “I had hoped to make some veiled threats to my relative here.” I pointed at Jullian. “But there seems to be a far greater matter at hand.” 

I looked around the room. “I see you all know who I am. So I will skip the introduction.” I released my Conqueror’s Haki. Advisors dropped, and a couple of kings, but the majority of them stayed conscious. “What you should know about me is that I married Boa Hancock, 2 years ago. And I don’t take kindly to anyone targeting her.” Dust fell from above as the building shook harder. My Tremor fruit was getting free and I wasn’t too concerned if it did. 

“Whether you knew this or not, matters not to me,” I said, staring Sakazuki down. “You know now. My wife is off limits.” 

“You would marry a pirate?” Jullian asked, drawing my eyes. I turned away from Sakazuki. 

“Big Mom told me that you were set to marry her daughter,” I said. The man blushed, stuttering a reply. “Shut up while the adults talk. I’ll be taking my kingdom from you soon enough.” I looked around the room. ‘

“Many of you I know. Some personally. Others I know of. If you haven’t heard the news, my captain will become the Pirate King. So I expect us to have a seat at the Summit in a few years if it’s still going on. We walked into Enies Lobby and fought our way out. We walked into Impel Down and walked out. We walked onto Marineford and walked out. So now I guess it’s Mariejois’ turn. This is a warning to all of you. If the marines can’t stop us, neither can you. Attack me all you want. I will fight and beat whoever you have to throw at me, but when you touch my wife.” I hit the table, shattering it and the ground below into a thousand pieces. “I take offense.” 

Sakazuki jumped toward me. The kings around me had moved back when I hit the table so he had a clear shot at me. He had eaten the Lava Devil Fruit. Red Lava formed in his arms and sprayed toward me. 

Pulling the energy out of the heat I dodged to the side as he kept the spray going. When I absorbed enough heat I focused it and shot it out at him. Dodging it narrowly I didn’t hesitate to run. Jumping out a window the place was already surrounded by marines, but these idiots were stuck to the ground. 

Hitting the area with a huge vibration the marines stumbled as I moved to a puddle. Rising up in the air I aimed for distance rather than altitude. Dodging bullets as they fired at me I narrowly missed getting swiped at by a huge axe the size of a tree. A giant attacking me I surfed away on my water board as I moved toward my wife. 

A huge wave of lava following behind me I felt the Haki of the strong guards. Dropping down I hid myself with Zetsu as I cracked the rock behind me. Hitting it again with my Tremor the Earth split and swallowed the wave of lava. I forced my lifeforce to be as miniscule as possible while using Zetsu. Disappearing from Haki I hid behind some chakra and made my way out of there. 

Dodging patrols and guards I got to the edge of the plateau and jumped off. Flying away I let my Search Quirk guide me to Hancock. I prayed I would get there in time.