One Piece: Path to Power

Chapter 26: [26] Mora Island (I)

[2955 words]

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[Two Weeks Later]

[Mora Island, The New World]

The merchant-themed island has a very welcoming and pleasant atmosphere. A dense pine forest surrounded the residential areas with a large mountain range etched across the horizon.

[Image of Mora Island (in Discord)]

The forest stretched through around 80% of the island, forcing only the South End to be habited.

A large city built with stone buildings and houses. The ground was stable and well-kept as thousands of merchants ran about.

Five different docks were available for the people to enter.

The Annual Mora Island Auction sponsored by the Borealis Pirates was about to commence. The main attraction was the grand finale of the Auction, one of the 12 Supreme Grade Swords!

Many days had passed since the news of the auctioning of the Molten Blade Mokushiroku. The auction was to commence momentarily.

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[Dock Prime]

A giant gray-coloured ship pulled into the dock.

It had a thick dull frame with blue masts that held together with the blue sails. The foremast had one word printed upon it:

[ B O R E A L I S ]

The ship stopped as the pirates walked off after dropping the anchors. Fifty or so men slowly flooded out as they cleared the way for the big dogs.

Soon, four men of equal height walked down the ramp. Each peaking at 15 feet (4.57 m). And each had a single letter printed on their chest.

N.

E.

W.

S.

The Four Cardinal Directions of the Borealis Pirates!

The odd thing was that they were all identical—quadruplets! The only thing that separated them was the letters on their chests and facial hair.

Yet even their massive and imposing stature had to open the way for another man to walk through. A look of utter respect was plastered to the four men's faces.

*Thump* *Thump* *Thump*

Loud clangs sounded out as an older man stepped off.

He had tanned skin and an extremely muscular body; veins popped all over as the sheer strength hidden within was prevalent. Sporting gray hair and a large gray beard, although he looked pretty old, no one dared to glance at him with the wrong gaze.

He was one of the Three Overlords of the Sea! 'Winds of Revolution' Esso Borealis!

[Image of Esso Borealis (in Discord)]

.

"Bobobobo, looks like the Auction is going well, North," the Overlord said in a deep voice.

"Yes, Borealis-sama," The man with the 'N' character replied. "It will begin in 20 hours from now. Many have already arrived."

Borealis nodded in satisfaction.

"Good. This will rack in a lot of berries. Make sure to keep your eyes out for any who make trouble!" he declared.

""""Roger!""""

The four infamous pirates all shouted as they moved towards the auction house.

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[The Next Noon]

"WE NOW BEGIN THE ANNUAL BOREALIS AUCTION!" a booming voice went off.

It was at the core of the Auction House, filled to the brim with all kinds of people of various shapes and sizes.

The wealthy and noble persons were huddled in the front of the declining room, while the more elusive figures were at the back.

"The first item: A rare relic from the lost island of Alchemi dated 150 years ago!"

"Starting price, 100 million berries!"

"100 million!"

"103 million!"

"169 million!"

...

"The second item: Bath water from the Mermaid Princess from three centuries ago!"

"Starting price, 50 million berries!"

"55 million!"

"61 million!"

"99 million!"

…

The auction continued for another three hours.

"The 69th item: Ten large Adam's Oak Wood slabs. Enough to create a galleon!"

"Starting price: 700 Million Berries!"

…

The clock ticked by as the final piece arrived.

Two men walked up and stood at the side, guarding the stage: East and West. Both commanders stood tall, ready to fight off any who got in the way.

"AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST! WE PRESENT THE GRAND FINALE!"

South walked on the stage holding a long black box. There was a table at the center where he placed the treasure.

*Click* The locks were opened as the box was unlocked.

The audience, nearly five hundred people, all drew in as the pirate pulled out what was within.

It was a katana-like blade. 

The hilt was simple, a red oval that sat before the blade. The grip, however, was quite eye-catching. It was mainly black with red diamonds lining it.

Beyond that, the blade was sheathed with a black scabbard yet it seemed to pulsate in heat every so often as if it was housing a living thing.

South looked at the audience and warned, "Beware, this sword is a cursed Inferno blade."

He then focused on the blade and took a deep breath before putting his right hand on the grip and his left on the sheath.

Shing!

The scabbard smoothly slid off as the sword was unleashed.

*Vvoo!* A deep cry of blood and heat burst out of the blade, clawing its way to grace all those who were present.

The weapon seethed in fury as the air around it began to steam and bubble.

Loud gasps went off in the audience as they took in the majesty of the Supreme Sword. The blade was very wild-looking yet it only enhanced its beauty.

The blade itself was dark by nature, filled with innumerable cracks all over it as a molten red glow pulsed through the metal. A red aura surrounded the sword as South desperately attempted to wield it.

[Image of Mokushiroku (in Discord)]

"Ugh!" the Cardinal Direction let out a groan, unable to hold back the weapon.

*Swish* The sheath was slid back on as the blade calmed down, impatient to be released once more.

Though this itself drew in a wondrous response from the crowd.

"What a deadly blade!"

"I felt like I was cut in half while sitting all the way over here!"

"I almost pissed myself!"

Though these fodders were not the target audience of the host. Rather, it was for the more reclusive and mysterious people near the edges of the room who were direly invested in such a weapon.

Though suddenly, *BOOM!* A loud bang rang through the auction house as the giant doors were blasted open, bringing in an air of carnage.

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[An Hour Ago]

Mora Island had a lot of uninhabited lands. But that didn't mean it wasn't well-surveilled. Tall outposts and guard towers were spread across the shores with constant monitoring of any movement. 

"What the hell is that?"

A duo watching one side of the island was met by an eerie sight. "That Jolly Roger…"

Naturally, the coming of a gigantic ship like the Titanic should not go unseen. And yet no reports were made of its arrival until it reached the heart of Borealis' territory. 

"W-Why wasn't this reported!?"

"That's the Rocks' Flag!"

The man grasped the transponder snail in his hand to report. 

*Krr* *Szz* A static noise came from the snail as it fell unconscious, something was interfering with its signals. 

"What the hell!"

"T-They're jamming our snails somehow!"

…

The atmosphere in the Titanic was entirely opposite.

The pirates were like rabid dogs, salivating at the sight of the prosperous Mora Island. Something of everyone's interest was present at the Overlord's main base. 

Whether it was gold, food, booze, women, or even men, the desire to conquer these types of wealth was deeply ingrained in these pirates. 

"Hugogogo! So much treasure! It's all min-"

*Splatter* The man soon fell into a puddle of blood. He had been stabbed through the heart by his good brother-in-arms.

"One less competitor," the killer muttered emotionlessly, wiping the bloody weapon over the corpse of his dear friend.

This scene was quite prevalent upon the coming ships. Turning your back on any of their fellow companions would mean certain death; the lack of camaraderie was nothing new. 

.

Shakky saw the chaos and felt nothing. She then gazed at a petite woman by her side. 

"Your Jammer-Jammer Fruit is as useful as ever, Amber."

The Rocks Pirates had long been slaughtering every island in their wake to Mora Island. Yet Borealis didn't even know that a huge part of his empire was left in shambles. 

The blood spilt only amplified the pirates nearby. However, the bombastic atmosphere within the den of the greed of scum soon halted. 

"..." A deafening silence set in as the main doors from the Captain's Quarters opened up. 

The feral figure of Rocks waltzed out. A ferocious grin stretched across his maw. With a menacing laugh, he breathed in the fear that fell upon the Titanic, savouring its every drop with his infernal existence.

"Xahahaha! Newgate, you've been a sharp sword in my hands for a long time now, I'll give you a chance for your little vengeance."

"I will unleash my dogs to chew up this island very soon," he said in a hoarse voice. "You better hurry…"

Whitebeard gazed back at his captain, slowly nodding. He then grabbed his beloved weapon and jumped off the ship. 

Bang!

A strong shock wave rippled through the earth below from the sheer mass of Whitebeard. 

Rocks then gave out another order, "You two brats go as well, show your worth as apprentices upon my ship."

The duo made no argument, opting to leap off the ship and onto the island, following the indomitable Whitebeard.

The departure of the trio evoked a heavy cheer from the pirates; they could smell the blood to come. 

Many had already attacked the outposts nearby to waste, killing all the lookouts. The desire to jump and ravage the Overlord's island was strong. But one look at the relaxed Rocks who now stood at the helm of the ship stopped them all in their tracks. 

Rather, they waited for the order and the prosperous Mora Island would be no more. 

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[Present Time]

BOOM!

The dust went into a flurry under the ruined doors to the auction hall. The auction attendants could only shrink in their seats and gaze at the intruders. 

The original joyful atmosphere turned gloomy under the enraged eyes of the Cardinal Directions present. "Who the hell do you think you are…!" South grumbled with rage. 

East and West both shot up from their post, not giving the intruders even a second to rest. 

One took out a scimitar while the other had a two-handed long sword. 

The dust at the entrance had begun to clear, showing the silhouettes of three figures of varying heights. 

The largest of the three responded first.

*Purrup* An ominous bubbling sound erupted as the mobile pirate reeled in one fist to his side. 

"You're in the way, move."

The words resounded in the attacking duo as they felt a feeling of dread. 

The large pirate's fist soon smashed upon the fabric of space as heart-numbing cracks spread out in all directions!

A huge explosion alongside a powerful shock wave erupted onto the pirates. 

"Ugh!"

"Aughh!"

Both East and West took on the brunt of an incalculable earthquake as their bodies exploded into pieces of flesh, dyeing the expensive wallpaper with a fresh coat of red.

The audience was in disarray, their minds locking them in place in hopes of surviving by not drawing any attention to themselves.

The sight of two notorious pirates being ravaged was quite the spectacle. 

.

South also wanted to jump in. However, he was met by a black club and a flaming fist. 

"Raimei Hakke!"

"Fury Road!"

The Haki-clad attacks drilled into the core of the pirate, blood spewing out from his gullet as he was shot into the far walls of the auction house. 

Boom!

The deep rumble woke some people up from their bewilderment. 

"W-What's going on?"

"Three of the Four Cardinal Directions were taken out just like that?"

"Those guys are from the Rocks Pirates!"

"Rocks!? That crazy group of rabid dogs?"

Whitebeard kept walking forward, looking for his target, and that wish was granted. 

*Fwooo* A powerful wind awakened in the halls as the ruins and debris were swept up by the abrupt tornado. 

The smell of smoke and dust was swamped away by the howling gust, conveying the anger of its master.

Thud!

A large man soon appeared, forming his body from the gusts of winds. His large and bulky frame puts fear into the minds of the spectators. 

"Newgate…"

The deep voice was mixed with great fury and anger. Borealis' eyes were red from the turn of events, his precious auction had been ruined in his own territory. 

Whitebeard smirked dangerously while twirling his weapon. 

"You turned your back on your roots," he said. "They helped you up to your feet and you stabbed them in the back."

Borealis scoffed with a dull voice, "Only the strong live in these seas, I cast away my weaknesses, starting with those bunch of losers. They should be proud to die knowing they had something to do with my path to power."

.

"Howling Winds!"

.

The older pirate's arms popped with muscles as torrents of gust gathered around them.

The wind cried as it was brought together into the man's grasp and became one with him. A small tornado wrapped around Borealis' right arm and twisted the attack forward. 

It was a stream of chaotic winds, enough to cause mass destruction!

*Shatter*

An equally destructive force exploded from the opposite side as the air cracked in Whitebeard's wake. 

The broken atmosphere exploded into a powerful shock wave that met the coming tornado. It was a clash of natural disasters!

 …

Safe to say that the auction hall would not hold. The fodders by the side were either ripped apart from the winds and shock or buried in the rubble. 

A man near the far back was slightly different in the way he reacted to the clash. 

Instead of fear and panic, he had a wide grin, glancing with an interested gaze and looking upon the pirates present. He was accompanied by a golden-haired man with glasses. 

"Wahahaha!" the pirate loudly laughed. "The New World is filled with tough guys."

His companion just nodded, ready for a sudden battle. 

But his leader had already moved, leaving the blond man in the wind. 

"He's up to no good again…"

…

Damien and Kaido now stood by the center. Many fodder pirates who had rushed to help their Overlord were now left dead. 

Their fists were dripping with fresh blood. 

"!!!" Both pairs of eyes were subconsciously pulled to the side. It was from their Observation, alerting them that a great threat had arrived. 

The dust had yet to settle and only a silhouette was visible. 

"Yo, little beasts!"

The gleeful voice continued, "I've heard about the monster rookies on that crazy guy's ship."

"WORORO!" the Hundred-Beast thundered out. "Damien, you feel that guy's strength? I want to fight him!"

Another man soon appeared with a flicker, his golden hair reflected some loose rays of light. 

"Ah, young pirate, you should know you're too far from this level," he said while pointing his sword. 

But he was stopped with a hand placed on his shoulder: "Wait, Rayleigh! Let me try them out!"

The bold pirate didn't wait for a reply as he shot ahead, his hand unsheathing his saber. 

Kaido grinned, a similar expression also on Damien's face. Both immediately responded with their attacks to greet the incoming enemy with equal spirit.

"Raimei Hakke!"

"Fury Road!"

"Divine Departure!"

To Be Continued…

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