LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 18: SURPRISE MOTHERF*CKERS!
Rick woke up to a nice view.
‘Tsuru may be old, but she’s still got it, even though they’re not Kaza level they look like they could fit a hand nicely, really nice cleavage big sis!’
Rick kept looking for a while until a thought came to him.
‘ I wonder if…’
She was still sleeping soundly, he snuggle up to her and… well
You’re free to imagine the rest.
He did his best to not motorboat, because ‘ That’s inappropriate’ in his opinion.
You may wonder: ‘How come is he still alive?’
(Author’s note: I’m wondering too, narrator, he should have died in the last chapter…)
The answer to that question will be found in a flashback.
*Flashback*
Tsuru made a predatory smile.
“Didn’t you say that you'd marry too when we met?”
‘OH SHIT!’
“Fufufu, teasing you is really fun! Don’t worry Rick, I don’t mind sharing you as long as I you don’t forget about me”
‘Wh.. What? Is she serious?’
Seeing his astonished face, she chuckled.
“Alright, it’s late, time to go to bed. Turn around I need to change. And no peeking!”
~~~~~~
And that’s how Rick survived
‘I didn’t think I could respect and admire her anymore than I already did but I guess I was wrong.’
Tsuru began to stir.
‘Crap! Retreat! Retreat!’
He separated from her quietly, went out of bed and left the room…
“What an energetic boy. Quite naughty too.”
If Rick could have heard her would have trip to the ground.
~~~~~~
Thanks to his fellow crewmates, the Kaza problem was no more.
She had spent the night roaming the ship after Rick and finally collapsed, exhausted.
One of the marines had an idea and everyone unanimously agreed.
They brought her up the infirmary, and bandaged her head.
The story went like this:
“Captain, you’re in the infirmary because 4 days ago during the mission, you took a nasty blow to the head. You’ve been asleep ever since.”
“So everything was just a dream?”
“What dream?”
“N.. Nothing, I guess I'm still a bit out of it.”
“That’s okay captain, take your time we got you covered”.
They were all relieved when Kaza believed their story.
They did not trick her for Rick. Far from it.
They tricked her because she scared the shit out of them.
That “little incident” gave birth to two myths. “The enraged hellhound “ seeking her prey in the dead of the night and “the screaming witch” searching for her unfaithful lover aboard marines ships, became favorites scary stories that marines told children.
~~~~~~~~
Today was Rick’s birthday; he was officially eleven (though seven in reality).
Unfortunately since the last time they came back to HQ was four months ago they would have to spend the day debriefing.They would celebrate the day after.
Since more and more pirates were surging across the seas, very few marines were left at Marineford as most marines set sail to deal with them and bring peace.
As they landed they were welcome by Brannew.
Rick salute
“Hello, Sir!”
“Hello marine,and welcome back.”
“Thank you,sir!”
“Come on kid you don’t need to salute me everytime, you can go see the Fleet Admiral.”
“Thank you!” said Rick. He then darted away to see Sengoku.
“He’s really a special one” said Brannew as he watched Rick’s back.
“‘Course he is, he’s gonna be the next Fleet admiral after all.”
Brannew turned around to see Garp and Tsuru. He saluted them both
“Sir! Ma’am! Welcome back! Do you really think he’d be Fleet admiral?”
“Yes, but not before a long time.” said Tsuru
“Not before he’s really old.” joked Garp
“Yes, at least 30!” Joked back Tsuru.
They looked at each other and laughed.
Brannew thought that he was missing something here, but didn’t ask.It was not his place. He was surprised to see the Ice queen of the marines laugh and make a joke. The rumor mill of Marineford will be in full throttle soon.
“Is Sengoku busy?”
“Not right now he is no... Wait!”
Brannew remembered who was with the Fleet admiral at the moment. This was bad! Really really bad.
“Shit! I told Rick that the fleet admiral was free but he’s with three Vice-admiral”
“Oh? Which one?”
“AokiJi, Akainu and Kizaru.”
“That won’t end well.” remarked Garp
Tsuru was already running when she yelled:
“No, it won't, that's why hurry up!”
~~~~~~
Rick was running towards Sengoku’s office, when he was opening the door he said :
“Uncle Budda! I’m back!”
Then froze.
Sengoku was not alone like Brannew said. With him were the most famous Admirals in One Piece.
(Author’s note: I will try my best to keep my opinion about Akainu to myself.)
Aokiji, Kizaru and that c**t of Akainu.
(Author’s Note: Please forgive me, I failed.)
Well it was more than twenty years before One Piece's story, so they were just Vice-Admiral right now.
‘Damage control’s mode: ON’
“I.. I mean…”
Rick was quickly at attention and was making a salute.
“Seaman Recruit Rick Wald reporting for duty!”
Never was he ever been in a situation with a silence so awkward.
Everyone was looking at him like he had three heads.
Then Sengoku bursted out laughing.
He was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes and was starting to have trouble breathing.
The three Vice-Admirals were looking at him as if he’d gone utterly mad.
Rick was sweating so much he was drenched!
Aokiji asked:
“Sir, Are you alright?”
Sengoku brought himself under control:
‘Yes, yes I’m fine. Sorry for the display. This is my nephew Rick.”
“ I didn’t know you had a nephew sir.” said Aokiji
“He sure is energetic.” It was Kizaru’s turn.
“What an ill-mannered brat.” remarked Akainu.
Rick was not happy with Akainu’s remark and couldn’t help but mutter perhaps a bit too loud.
“Well at least, I’m not a no name Vice-Admiral that a hardcore marine fan like me doesn’t even know.”
“What did you say brat?”
Still at attention he asked to no one particularly:
“Permission to speak freely, sir?”
“DENIED!” yelled Akainu.
“Granted.”
Too bad for Akainu the boss here was Sengoku.
“Since you have an earring problem, sir, I don’t mind repeating myself. I said: WELL AT LEAST, I’M NOT A NO NAME VICE-ADMIRAL THAT A HARDCORE MARINE FAN LIKE ME DOESN’T EVEN KNOW!”
Akainu was pissed and moved to strike.
“SAKAZUKI!”
But it was too late he was already striking at Rick.
Rick’s survival instinct was quicker though and flattened Akainu on the floor by the heaviest gravity he could make.
It was many times more powerful than the first time he killed someone. It’s been 8 months since then after all.
Kizaru and Aokiji had their jaw on the ground.
Sengoku was more than pissed.
Akainu was out of it. It was too unreal for him.
And Rick… well Rick didn’t yet register what just happened.
When he did though…
‘Okay, play it cool, play it cool.’
“Vice-Admiral Tsuru always said “ Keep your guard up at all times, no matter what”. You were not keeping your guard up. Are you sure you’re a Vice-Admiral?”
‘Oh shit, why did I say that? For f*ck sake, WHY?’
What Rick said was not untrue though. If Akainu had his guard up, he wouldn’t even have been stopped by the gravity.
To his defense he wasn’t expecting the brat that insulted him to be that strong.
Akainu was enraged, he was humiliated twice now in a minute by a kid that was still wet behind the ears. He got up ready to teach this kid a lesson when Sengoku yelled.
“ENOUGH! Sakazuki, Borsalino you both have your orders, remember time is of the essence so hurry.”
Akainu sent a murderous glare at Rick before leaving.
Borsalino made a curious face and followed him out of the room and closed the doors.
“Rick please, start making tea and ready the chess board.”
He followed Sengoku’s instructions and went further into the room. He was too far to hear what Sengoku and Aokiji were talking about.
“Wow! Is that kid…”
Sengoku knew what he was going to say.
“Garp raised him.”
“Oh!, So he’s not crazy but has balls of steel.”
“Knowing Garp I’d say both.” he chuckled
“I have to say what he did was amazing.”
“Yes, and pretty satisfying too, I've been wanting to do that to that asshole for years.”
“I know the feeling. But still, even if Sakazuki had his guard down… What a monster.”
“And he just turned eleven today.”
“WHAT?! Really?”
“No, I’m pulling your leg.”
Aokiji let out a sigh of relief. What kind of monster one has to be to humiliate like that one of the strongest marines while being eleven.
“He’s actually turning seven today.”
Aokiji’s mind went blank.
“Surely you’re joking sir! “
“Nope.”
“He’s really 7?”
“Yep.”
Too many questions went through Aokiji’s mind.
“It’s a long story, Kuzan. A story that I will share with you but not today. And please don’t say a word about him. Sakazuki has too much pride for talking about what happened, and Borsalino will soon forget it because he doesn’t care.”
“Understood, sir. Now why did you want to talk about.”
“Nothing actually, I just wanted the two of you to be acquainted.”
“Why, sir?”
“Because in a few years I will put him under your care. Right now he’s under Garp, I’ll soon have him under Tsuru. I want him to learn different things and gain different experiences.
“I see. Guess I’ll introduce myself then.”
Sengoku smirked.
“Believe me, he already knows who you are.”
“He doesn’t hurt to be introduced properly. Wait, didn’t you say it was his birthday today? Should I give him something?”
“No need, Kuzan, but if you want to, something simple will do.”
“Like what?”
Sengoku pondered for moment
“How about your sleeping mask? Don’t forget to sign it.”
“My sleeping mask? Are you sure, sir?”
“Oh yes, I’m sure. I’m telling you you’re in for a surprise.”
Aokiji did as Sengoku suggested and approached Rick.
“ Hello, I’m …”
“Kuzan! Also known as Aokji, the blue pheasant of the Marines!”
“You heard of me?”
“Yes! Your motto is lazy justice, and you ate the Hie Hie no mi, making you an ice man!”
‘Seems like I have a fan’
“That is correct. You know a lot about me kid.”
“I heard from my crewmates. Is it true that sometimes, you use your ice abilities to freeze the sea and then ride on your bicycle for travelling?”
“Sometimes.”
Rick was having his action skill at full power.
“That’s so cool!!!” he said stars in his eyes.
“Wait, can I say cool to an ice man? Is it offensive? If it is I’m sorry!”
‘What an interesting child.’
Aokiji chuckled softly.
“No it’s not. Well at least not to me. I can’t speak for the previous and future ice men though.”
“I’ll remember.”
“The Fleet admiral told me it was your birthday today, is that right?”
“It is!”
“Then here, a little gift.”
Aokiji took his sleep mask from his head and handed it to him.
‘OH MY GODDESS, AOKIJI SLEEPING MASK! YESSS'
Rick took the mask and reacted the way he did when Garp gifted him Sengoku’s cap.
“I even signed it, that way no one would say it’s fake.”
Rick’s eyes were even more full of stars when he heard that.
He rushed to Aokiji and hugged … his leg. He may have grown in the past year but he was still 1.45m. To the 2.98m of the iceman, that was quite a difference in height. He didn’t even get to half his foreleg.
“Thank you, Thank you, Thank you uncle ice!”
‘OH MY GOODNESS, THIS KID IS FREAKING ADORABLE!’
“It’s time for me to go kid, it was nice meeting you.
“Me too uncle ice!” said Rick excitingly.
As Aokiji was about to open the door, it bursted open. Behind it were Tsuru and Garp.
““RICK!””
“ Rick is over there.” and pointed to Rick with his thumb.
“Kuzan? You know Rick?”
Aokiji smiled
“Yes, we just got acquainted.”
“He didn’t cause trouble, right?”
“I’ll let Sengoku tell you about it. I have to say I’m a fan of your boy Garp. See you around! And welcome back!”
Then he left.
Garp and Tsuru went to Sengoku who was working on some documents, while Rick finally put the sleep mask on his head (above his cap) and went on making tea and finished preparing the chess board.
“Both of you welcome back.”
““Thank you””
“It’s a shame really, had you arrived a few minutes earlier you would have been in for some fun.”
Garp and Tsuru looked at each other and turned back to their friend.
““What did he do?””
~~~~~~
Garp was rolling on the ground laughing hysterically, Sengoku was barely controlling his own laugh and Tsuru was face palming. She couldn’t hide a little smile though.
Rick was too busy on the game of chess to pay any attention to them.
Sengoku really was a master strategist. Rick didn’t even win once since he got initiated.
“ OH MY GOD. The kid is too much!”
“I would have paid a lot to see Rick put Sakazuki in his place.”
“And it would have been worth every belly, I’m telling you!”
Rick gave his grain of salt.
“Actually, if he wasn’t so prideful he would have noticed the flaw in what I said.”
“Come again?”
“How did I know he was a Vice-admiral in the first place when it was our first meeting? Because I knew who he was, obviously. How could a diehard marine fan like me not have known? Was he less prideful he would have noticed it and just retorted back. I would have lost the exchange.”
“Your trickery is getting better and better. I have to say I’m proud.” said Sengoku.
Garp was laughing even harder and Tsuru agreed with Sengoku.
~~~~~~
The three friends went to discuss the past 4 months they have been away.
It lasted a few hours and it was now late in the night.
Rick was frustrated, he didn’t win even once in 6 parties and Sengoku was only half in the game since he was talking with Garp and Tsuru.
They finally got to the last mission they did.
Tsuru was direct.
“Rick ate a second devil fruit.”
Sengoku dismissed what she said as a joke.
“Tsuru, you shouldn’t make jokes, this one was quite bad.”
With an unusual seriousness that Sengoku knew it meant business, Garp supported her claim.
“She wasn’t joking, Sengoku”.
Sengoku was silent for a moment.
“That’s impossible, he wouldn’t be alive if that was the case.”
“Rick?”
“Yes big sis?”
“Show him.”
“Show what?”
“Your new power.”
“Oh that?”
Garp smacked his head
“Yes! That!”
Rick grumbled but made a sprout, who bloomed into an arm, on the table.
Sengoku didn’t know where he was anymore.
‘Maybe I’m dreaming. Sakazuki being put in his place and now that?, 100% a dream.’
“It’s not a dream Sengoku?”
“But.. How ?”
“We don’t know.”
“Who knows about it ?”
“Everyone in this room and Kaza.”
“Well maybe not Kaza anymore.”
“Huh ?”
Tsuru explained the Kara episode to Sengoku. Who was dumbfounded.
‘Cute little Kaza ? No, way!’
“I know what you’re thinking and I’m telling you : Yes way. It doesn't matter anyway, Kaza won’t tell a soul, she’s loyal, and loves Rick that much.”
“Good. If some people were to know about it, Rick would be more than in trouble. Anyway it’s pretty late, I guess it’s time to give the birthday boy his present.”
“Really? I thought we were doing tomorrow.”
“With the crew, yes. Just with us, no.” Tsuru said.
Meanwhile Sengoku went to a cabinet and took a long but slim box.
“Here, I heard Kaza completed your training so we thought you could use this.”
Sengoku handed him the box.
Rick was hesitant. This was a real gift. Not like the cap or the sleeping mask he got but a real, expensive, gift. Knowing that one day he would betray the marines to join the Strawhat, he felt bad.
“Go ahead, open it.”
He did and found a sword inside.
“This..
“This is a sword made by a Wano’s swordsmith. Its name is Ryusei.”
“What does it mean?”
“From what the smith told me, it means meteor or in a more poetic way it means falling star.”
Rick unsheathed the blade from its black scabbard. The blade was black in color with tinies little white dots all over it. It made him recall the sky at night.
“She’s beautiful.”
He didn’t know what more he could say. He was speechless.
“It’s one of the 50 skillful grade swords.”
“I.. I can’t accept it.”
“Sure you can, it’s your birthday gift.”
“But it’s wasted on me. I just know a bit about swinging a sword that’s all.”
“That’s not what Kaza said.”
“No one should listen to Kaza when she talks about me, uncle.”
“That may be true, but Garp and Tsuru said the same thing.”
Rick turned to them. Garp acted like it wasn’t his concern to avoid his gaze and Tsuru had a small smile and just nodded.
“Are you sure? Uncle ice’s gift is more than enough already.”
“Uncle ice?” asked Tsuru.
Sengoku smiled.
“He meant Aokiji. He signed his sleeping mask and gave it to him.”
Garped smacked him in the head again.
“Don’t be rude and just accept it !”
He was right, Rick was being rude. It was a priceless gift they gave him.
“I’m sorry, I’ll take it” said Rick seeing that Garp was about to smack him again.
“I’ll train hard with it!”
“““Good!”””.
The four of them talked about his new powers and how he could use it in combinaison to his gravity. Just because he should not use it in front of anyone it didn’t mean that he should not train him. He could have saved his life and the life of others if he was smart about it.
Rick was demonstrating his ideas of using it stealthily when the office wall giving a view to the outside exploded.
“SURPRISE MOTHERF*CKERS! TIME FOR PAYBACK!”
Everyone except Rick knew who that voice belonged to.
Shiki the golden lion.