Chapter 8: Chapter 8
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"W-w-what are you talking about Sengoku-san?!" (Shikage)
A surprise from the Old man came out of nowhere. I didn't expect something like this.
And something was pulling my pants. I turn my gaze away from Sengoku-san to my feet. I saw his pet goat trying to eat my pants.
"Shoo shoo..." (Shikage)
I motioned it to get away from me. As we continue to walk, Sengoku-san talks about the situation of the Impel down.
"It is just like what I'd expected. The Five Elders wanted to cover up the escapees at level 6 of the prison. If even one of those prisoners from level 6 sneaks into a country somewhere, the people will be in grave danger... Kid. You've come at the right time."
"It's Shikage, sir." (Shikage)
"I've seen the way you dealt with the corpses around the Island. Right now, The Impel down is also filled with dead bodies too... An Idea came into my mind. I need your cooperation, Kid."
"It's Shi-Haa... You know what, forget it... So, What is it?" (Shikage)
I wonder what does this Old man plan to do with me?
It should be connected with prison. Hmm? Don't tell me?
"We'll need your power to control the prisoners. You can take the shadows of those prisoners and put them to the corpses. Literally Two birds with one stone. We will deal with the problems of unruly prisoners and dead bodies." (Sengoku)
Oh my God!
Sengoku-san!! Can I call you my Grandpa?!
"Oiii... Kid! Don't look at me like that!.. So, Do we have a deal? If so, You'll be given the position of an Honorary Warden of Impel Down." (Sengoku)
"Of course we have a deal! Sengoku-san... Nice Idea~!" (Shikage)
I raised my thumb at him. And wink at the Old man.
But inside my head, I'm already laughing creepily. If that Idiot Moria didn't leak it. Then my ways of using the shadows to strengthen myself aren't known to the Marines and the Government.
(Bwahaha~! Looks like I'll have a steady flow of shadows and corpses in my way.) (Shikage)
Sengoku-san added more of his Idea. I can see how he becomes the Fleet Admiral. Not only he's strong, But he can make others strong too.
He was getting familiar with me and told me that he's going to retire from his position. That's why he's in a hurry to organized everything and leave it to the younger generations.
I respect you, Sengoku-san.
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Another week passed by after the war of the best.
A soft breeze caressed my cheeks. And a wonderful scenery surrounds me.
Currently, I'm on the bondola at the Red Port. The place I'm going to is the Government's Headquarters, The Mariejois.
This port is one of the routes to cross to the other side of the world.
It all happened suddenly when I was summoned by the Higher-ups to go meet them.
Now that I think about it, I didn't meet the Five Elders and other Government officials after I took the title of a Royal Shichibukai.
I was drafted immediately for the war.
Hope they would reward me. In any case, I'm looking forward to seeing the place with my own eyes.
After getting off the bondola, I was escorted by the guide they provided.
"Woah! So high!" (Shikage)
But I didn't join him yet, I went to the edge of the wall and saw the neverending horizon.
The guide kept reminding me to be careful.
"This scenery... It's really breathtaking." (Shikage)
"Sir! It's dangerous! Come back here please!"
Way to ruin the mood buddy.
"I understand. Let's go." (Shikage)
I left the place and walked with the guide.
He began discussing the place we were about to go and oriented me about the people living here.
First of all, was the place we're going to. The Pangea Castle. The main building of the World Government.
There's plenty of room and place in that castle. I quickly remembered that I also have a castle back at my ship. It's legally mine.
There's also the residential place of the World nobles. The guide warned me to not go there and provoke the nobles.
We finished scaling the huge staircase. Then I saw the travelator. A mechanism that uses human labor underneath it.
How do I know?
It's because I [Substitute] my one eye with [Doppelman]. My shadow sneaks from us and travels down the travelator.
I watched as the slaves work while being whipped by the observer.
(How horrible! I just can't trust the WG.) (Shikage)
After watching it so much. My stomach churned out and I feel disgusted.
But I still put on a natural expression with a tiny sweatdropped. Just to reassure the guide.
"Etto... Why don't we just walk normally? Tell me more about those trees." (Shikage)
"Oh? those?.. That forest is man-made though."
I felt powerless for doing nothing.
I avoided using that horrible mechanism.
We walked further and further until the gigantic castle is in front of me.
As we reached the front gate of the castle, I was given a room to rest and wait for the summon.
Mariejois, The holy land. I'm watching the whole place on the veranda of the room.
"... I can't believe I reached this place... Am I still an extra? I've already changed a scenario of the Divine book... I wonder what the future holds... haha." (Shikage)
Giggling for a few minutes, I've finally been summoned. I was led into a debriefing room.
I thought I would meet the Five elders, Sadly It's their subordinates who met with me.
Sheesh, I wanted to see the chambers of authority.
Anyways, a man that looks like an official was sitting at the head of the table.
"Shadow hunter Shikage. It's good to see you."
"Likewise..." (Shikage)
I sat at the farthest chair away from him.
"With this meeting, We've officially granted you the position of the honorary warden. Former fleet admiral Sengoku had already told us everything. And another thing, I will tell you about the replacement of Jimbei. For now, Learn the obligation of your Title."
He kept on talking about the rules and regulations of my position and title.
"I understand, I also have something I wanted from you. Let's have a fun discussion." (Shikage)
I think this is going to be stressful.
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The meeting lasted for the whole day.
I don't like it if the government is the only one that gets a benefit from using me. I'll also use them and the Government's power.
It was a hard negotiation. Both of us wanted to use one another.
Anyways, I need to sleep. I'm tired from using my brain so much. I let the sleepiness take over me.
The next day. A clear morning.
I woke up and went to the veranda. And leaned on the rails to have a good posture.
Soft winds caressed my cheeks after I finished preparing myself.
*Guuh~*
I'm hungry.
My stomach rang. I went to the socializing plaza and took a table for myself. Maids and workers of the castle attended me and I finally have some good food.
"Ittadakimas~!" (Shikage)
I took a bite and started gorging the food.
While I was eating, I thought about yesterday's meeting.
Let's start with the position of honorary warden. Just like what Sengoku imagined. I was told to capture the shadows of the prisoners and reanimate the corpses. I'm scheduled to do it for the next 2 months.
Right now, A squad of Marines is ordered to be with me during that time. I can see them at the other table. Luckily, There's not a named character in that squad.
Even though I have the position of a warden, I don't have any rights to the prison itself but I have a lot of authority over the prisoners. Looks like they can't trust me.
At first, They wanted me to heed the orders of the Chief warden there but I demanded that I won't be a subordinate in that Prison.
I think that's all for my newest job. An honorary warden.
But I requested to have a week for myself first. I need a vacation!
Next, Is the topic of my Title, The Royal Shichibukai.
That guy told me that the newest addition to the team is Buggy the clown.
I remember my expression back then, I was angry because that guy's crew should've been the perfect prey of our hunters.
Well, What's done is done.
To compensate for that, I demanded the list of the prisoners that aren't involved with Buggy. The prisoners that escaped Level 6 are included in it.
It does help me and my Guild.
Then for the job as a Shichibukai. I'll be free most of the time. I'll only be summoned if there's an emergency like the war with the Whitebeard's pirates. I was also told to spread my name and get stronger since the World needs to be balanced as soon as possible.
The New World right now is in deep chaos. Blackbeard is running wild out there together with the Supernovas.
Imagine my surprise when Urouge escapes from the Marines.
Geez, The marines are totally incompetent.
I think that's all for the moment, I just took the last bite of my food.
"Thank you for the food!" (Shikage)
After cleaning my mouth, I headed to the gates to leave the castle.
"Sir! Your items."
A marine stopped me right after I left the castle. He presented a bag filled with items and a bag full of cash.
I received the items I requested. My own personal Transponder snail and Vivre card. It also has an eternal log pose of the HQ and a list of numbers that the WG has.
It has the number of the Navy HQ, Government HQ, Impel down, All sorts of Government bases, and my fellow Warlords.
And of course, The Money! I couldn't believe how much they gave me just because I joined their side at the war. How rich is the WG? Well, considering that a lot of countries are paying tax to them, It's no wonder they can throw money like paper.
"Thank you... See you in a week!" (Shikage)
The marines saluted at me. I really want to know what they're thinking. I think it's hard for them to treat me, a boy, as someone higher than them.
I left the gate and didn't turn back.
Shortly after, I'm back at the bondola station.
"[Doppelman] come out."
I materialize my shadow. It may only be a shadow clone of me but inside of his body is a separate space and it is also my portable storage. The corpses that I animated using their very own shadow are inside of the [Doppelman]. Including the huge corpse of Oars jr.
My very own [Shadow bag]!
I shove the bags to its belly!
『What? Shikage』
"Have fun at the bondola."
I left my clone to the bondola. The crew who's operating it were curious.
The bondola is descending now. I didn't care.
"Stretchy stretchy!" (Shikage)
The crew watched me stretching close to the edge of the Red Line.
"IT'S TIME!" (Shikage)
I started to build up momentum.
"WOOOOOHOOOOO~!" (Shikage)
The crew's jaw dropped when they saw me doing a front flip and started to fall!
My speed at falling was so fast that I quickly passed the descending bondola!
*Swoosh*
Free-falling from the top of the Red Line was so satisfying!
The air resistance I met in my descend is starting to hurt.
Soon, I can see the Red port. The people there are already pointing at me and screaming.
Sorry! I didn't mean to cause a panic.
And when I'm done having fun, I quickly used the [Substitute] and faced the crew who's having another round of jaw-dropping.
Fuu~ That was fun!
『Shikage! Let's do it together!』
My shadow flies and approaches me. How lucky, I want to fly too.
"Yo~!.. We can't. I'll die you know... Anyway, Let's enjoy the ride!" (Shikage)
[Doppelman] passed through the bondola and took a seat beside me. We watched the scenery together.
My adventure in Mariejois is over.
But I can't say that this would be the last time.
◇6 days later◇
Finally, After weeks of staying at the Government buildings. I've reached my home!
I'M BACK~!
Right after I disembarked at the entrance of Thriller Bark. People gathered around me.
"Yo! Welcome back!"
How nostalgic, That weird nose looks familiar. The ace of the Hunters Guild, Kaku!
"Welcome back, Guildmaster."
The serious Ox-like man greeted me. The Minister of the Hunters Guild, Blueno!
"We've been waiting for you."
Oh? Kalifa looks even more beautiful with that bun. My Secretary.
The core members of my Guild. My very first hunters!
"I'm back, Everyone! It's been a while..." (Shikage)
Then I noticed the familiar faces in the distance.
It's the former members of the CP9. Hmm? I didn't see Lucci. I guess he couldn't accept being ordered by me.
"Chapapa! You guys are really loyal to him."
"Yoyoyoiii~! So that boy is the Shadow hunter... "
"Tch... If it wasn't for the pardon, I wouldn't be here to beg."
Well, It doesn't matter what their goals are.
"Nice to meet you all. Let's get down to business, I want you guys to join my Guild. This means you'll be reporting to me when you're hunting pirates. And that's the only thing I required." (Shikage)
I started to recruit the ex-agents.
"That's all? But what about them? They're clearly in the administration in your Guild." (Jabra)
I turn to look at my friends. Yes, Friends!
"Well, We did some crazy things back then at the Saboady... I guess I don't treat them as hunters under me anymore. But you three didn't join us right away." (Shikage)
"Chapapa! Now, I regret leaving with Lucci..." (Fukurou)
Hahaha! Take that.
Oops, I'm so immature. Anyways, They're the ones who let the chance getaway. But I'll still treat them differently from the other hunters since they have experience in this field.
"Hey hey... Shika! Let's forget about it for a while! You just arrived. Why don't we explore the island ship first."
Kaku charges at me and puts his arms around my shoulders. While my other side was taken by Kalifa who hugs my right arm.
"That's right Shika-kun. Check out the town, I designed. I took a lot of inspiration from the Mariejois and the Water 7. I can't wait to show you the mansion you have." (Kalifa)
"H-huh? I have a mansion?! Cool..." (Shikage)
I was overwhelmed by Kaku and Kalifa's excitement. I can see Blueno sighing.
Then I was drag by them while the others are following us.
I'm here again. Back from the place where it all began!
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CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
wakadanna
wakadanna Warlords can pardon his subordinates. CP9 are Fugitives, They need Shika's help to be be free of their crimes.
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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