Chapter 7: Wanjian Pirates Formally Established
(Naval Headquarters – Marineford)
Bururururu click!
"Moshi moshi, this is Sengoku."
"Marshal Sengoku, it's me Kizaru. The capture mission... failed."
"You let him get away again?"
"Return to HQ immediately!"
"But Marshal Sengoku, this isn't about Alphad Moran escaping I was the one who had to flee."
On an uninhabited island near Jaya in the Grand Line, Admiral Kizaru lay on the beach with his coat tattered, his normally unreadable face showing visible shame as he spoke into the Den Den Mushi with blood-streaked lips and large kanji-shaped bruises across his chest.
"What!!?"
"Explain yourself clearly!"
"There was a serious misjudgment in intelligence. The woman known as the Ice Queen her name is Acedes. She's not just strong she's at least on my level, possibly stronger."
Even now, the memory of the time-space freeze sent a chill down Kizaru's spine—one of the fastest men alive brought to a halt by a sword and a spell.
"Alphad Moran wasn't alone. He had another swordswoman—red-eyed, deadly. The slash from her blade split the Marine warship in half. The vessel sank immediately. Most of the crew were either killed or badly injured. She used Armament Haki and powerful swordsmanship. Acedes can literally freeze time and space. When I tried to save the men, I got caught in it... and I took a direct hit."
"I barely escaped with my life."
"If I hadn't run, I'd be a corpse by now."
"I need a pick-up immediately send a warship. If not, they'll be recovering my body next!"
With that, Kizaru ended the call and closed his eyes, collapsing in exhaustion.
---
"Aokiji, you heard all that, so you're up."
Marshal Sengoku's face was grave as he turned to the former Admiral of the Marines.
"Aah... la la... wouldn't it be easier to just send a ship to pick him up?"
"I've already contacted the nearest Marine patrol near Jaya to attempt a recovery," Sengoku said. "But if Alphad Moran's crew is still in the area, I need you to go personally."
"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Aokiji muttered as he stood, taking off his sleep mask and heading for the door.
"Tsuru, send out a notice convene a strategy meeting."
"Understood," Vice Admiral Tsuru replied, already scribbling down orders.
---
(Aboard a ship en route to Alabasta)
The trio Moran, Acedes, and Chitong stood on deck, huddled around a piece of dark cloth.
A sketch of a pirate flag was being drawn with swords—one skull in the center, crossed swords on each side, and a third sword plunged vertically through the skull like a stake.
"We all use swords... so what do you think?"
"We'll follow whatever Lord Moran decides."
Now that the pirate flag was ready, the next question was what to name their crew.
"We're all sword users... how about 'Wanjian Pirates'? Ten-Thousand Swords—it fits."
"We all listen to Lord Moran."
"Then I hereby declare the Wanjian Pirates officially established!"
Moran paused, expecting a round of cheers from his companions.
Instead
"Acedes, what do you think Lord Moran's going to cook later?"
"Hmm... I'm guessing... sandwich!"
"Master Moran is amazing everything he makes tastes divine."
Proper foodies, through and through.
---
(Marineford – Navy Headquarters Strategy Room)
"Everyone, I trust you've heard everything just now?"
"Affirmative ×20."
"Now," Sengoku said solemnly, "let's discuss how to respond to Alphad Moran's crew. Do we raise their bounties or dispatch more forces to apprehend them?"
"Arresting is unrealistic. Anyone capable of injuring Admiral Kizaru and backed by a high-level swordswoman is no ordinary threat. Alphad Moran is secondary for now. After all, he was once a Marine officer we know his file inside and out. But those two around him Acedes and the red-eyed swordswoman remain unidentified. Until we investigate their full capabilities, I suggest we don't make any impulsive moves."
"Then I propose we raise their bounties," said Vice Admiral Tsuru firmly.
"If no one objects, then we'll proceed with the bounty increase."
"Tsuru, how much do you suggest for each?"
(Queen of Ice: Acedes – 500 million Berries)
(Alphad Moran – 250 million Berries)
(Zhan Chitong – 300 million Berries)
The red-eyed girl is listed under a code name due to lack of confirmed identity.
"Isn't that a bit high?" asked a Vice Admiral across the table.
"Not at all. You haven't fought her. If you had, you'd be saying it's too low," said Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel, arms folded and eyes sharp.
"If there are no further objections, we'll go with Vice Admiral Tsuru's assessment," Sengoku concluded.
---
(Three days later – near Alabasta)
On deck, Moran was sparring with Chitong, both using wooden training swords.
Suddenly, a News Coo flew overhead, circling the ship a few times before swooping down as Moran waved.
The bird dropped a rolled-up newspaper and three bounty posters. Moran handed over some coins, took the bundle, and sat on the railing to read.
Chitong peeked over his shoulder.
"Look! Your bounty poster is here, Chitong—you've been officially wanted!"
"And your bounty's higher than mine!"
"Acedes is at 500 million now, and I'm stuck at 250 million..."
The front page described the clash with Admiral Kizaru—though the article distorted the truth, claiming Moran's crew was defeated and had fled the scene.
"So shameless," Chitong muttered with a scowl.
"It's the World Government. Twisting facts is practically part of their protocol," Moran replied coolly.
A small side column featured Fire Fist Ace.
"Oh? So Ace already has a bounty and ate a Devil Fruit? Looks like he's ahead of schedule."
"How is it that I, the captain, have the lowest bounty?" Moran sighed.
"Lord Moran will surpass all of us eventually," Chitong said, stepping forward and giving him a gentle hug.
"There's still a long road ahead," she said quietly.
Moran blinked, surprised.
"Well, look who's learned how to comfort others," he teased, smiling faintly.
Chitong realized how close they were, turned bright red, and dashed away flustered.
"Acedes, furl the sails—we're making landfall tomorrow."
"Understood, Lord Moran."
---
(Next morning)
Moran woke up groggily to find an octopus clinging to him again.
"Hah... not again," he muttered with a sigh. "Persistent little guy."
"System—open personal status page."
---
[Summon Lottery System]
Host: Alphad Moran
Identity: Captain, Wanjian Pirates
Age: 18
Abilities:
Observation Haki (Intermediate) – 2500/4000
Armament Haki (Intermediate) – 2800/4000
Conqueror's Haki – Unawakened
Physical Ability – 3800/4000
Rokushiki – Moonwalk, Shave (Intermediate)
Swordsmanship – 3500/4000
Overall Strength Level: Vice Admiral
---
During this time at sea, Moran had trained relentlessly with both Acedes and Chitong, rapidly accelerating his power through competition.
"Time to head out and look for a cook. At this rate, I'll have to summon one. No pirate crew lasts long without a real chef."
He called toward the quarters.
"Wake up, you two! Eat quickly—we're landing in Alabasta after breakfast!"
"Yes, Master Moran ×2!"
At the table
"Mr. Moran's cooking is still god-tier," one foodie murmured, savoring the meal.
---
The Wanjian Pirates arrived at the port town of Narohara, a coastal city in Alabasta.
As the trio disembarked
"Stop! Don't run—stop right there!"
A chubby man was chasing a boy in a cowboy hat, clearly full from a stolen meal.
The boy, grinning mischievously with rice stuck to his cheek and a freckled face, darted straight toward Moran.
"He must've skipped the bill again," Moran thought.
Just as the boy—none other than Portgas D. Ace rushed past, Moran extended his leg, coating it with Armament Haki.
---