Phantom Blade Zephyr: One Piece

Crimson Crest Tournament

The name of this tournament spread like wildfire among both the Marines and Cipher Pol members two months prior. The requirements were simple.

First of all, you need to be an active member of either the Marines or the Cipher Pol.

Secondly, you need to be below 30 years old.

And third and most important of all, you cannot be a devil fruit user.

Given that this was a tournament aimed at identifying the best youngster of this generation, the first two requirements were not unusual. But what was truly surprising was the third requirement. 

A non-devil fruit user.

Although the main prize the winner will receive was still ambiguous, it was clear in everyone's mind that the final prize will be a devil fruit. A powerful one at least. Maybe a logia or even a mythical zoan, perhaps. Otherwise the World Government would not make such a spectacle out of it.

Vice Admiral Garp has started Coby's training even before the announcement of the tournament. His training was already hellish before Marineford. But recently, it has been downright suicidal.

Coby had awakened something deep inside him after he had successfully resisted Sword King's haki back at Marineford. He still remembered what he felt that day. A regal presence that wanted to take over his entire self, a presence that wanted him to get down on his knees and submit himself to the one true king, a presence that made him feel utterly and truly powerless.

That event was more impactful in his mind than the destruction Whitebeard caused. But it has also made him grow by leaps and bounds. He could now feel everything better than he did before. His reflexes were better, his senses sharper, his punches stronger.

Vice Admiral Garp said that it was something called haki. Coby has been learning how to use it for the last four months. And now, he could use basic armament properly.

And that simple armament haki made him one of the top contenders of this tournament. Koby has realized something vital after the tournament has started.

The new generation of marines was...WEAK.

Not just weak, but extremely weak. The age limit for this tournament was 30, and even then very few people could actually use haki. Cipher Pol had a few Rokushiki users, but none of them were as powerful as the squad Rob Lucci led. The mass draft was already in effect. But other than Admiral Fujitora and Admiral Ryokugyu, there haven't been any strong recruits. The rate of recruitment has decreased drastically after the events of Marineford. And this tournament has increased the morale among the marines a little bit. Also, it was great PR to show that the World Government 'still cared.'

Which was total Bullshit. Anyone smart enough to understand how the World Government operates knew very well that they love to kill two birds with one stone.

The prime example: Obsidian. He wasn't a part of either the marines or the Cipher Pol. He's the sole participant from the God's Knights, the order of knights that acts as the official law enforcer of the Holy Land of Mary Geoise. With his status alone, he was already above all the Marines and Cipher Pol members. And seeing that he was the only participant from the God's Knight, it was clear what the World Government wanted them to show.

"Only a single knight from us is superior to the marines and Cipher Pol combined."

And seeing how strong Obsidian was, it was most definitely true. Coby wasn't disappointed that he was strong. Strength was something that was admirable. But the problem was his eyes and his mentality.

Those eyes considered these marines to be less than human; those eyes considered all the efforts of these young marines to amount to nothing. And just like a god dictating life and death, Obsidian killed anyone he didn't like. Coby knew few of the people he had killed before. But he could only grit his teeth and watch. The rules did not prohibit killing your opponents, and they all have signed an agreement saying that the World Government was in no way responsible for the deaths in the tournament. If you want to fight, then be ready to put your life on the line.

But that still doesn't mean you need to kill everyone you come across. The match Obsidian won just now has made him one of the finalists of this tournament. Coby himself was going to fight in the semifinals after a ten-minute break.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the tournament is at its peak right now. The first finalist, Obsidian, had just showed you the might of the God's Knights. Place all your bets; the second semifinal will start just after a short delay. You have come here to enjoy fights that make your blood boil, and you will get that. The fun is just starting." Buggy, the announcer, laughed like crazy as he made his announcement.

He was the only warlord who was actually involved in the tournament directly. Buggy has been the most successful warlord after Marineford. With his flamboyant personality and 'unique' charm, he has been made the presenter of today's tournament.

Hundreds of Celestial dragons were at the front; every one of them had a mask similar to Obsidian on their faces. For them this was just entertainment, a source of amusement in their boring, luxurious life. Coby knew without even looking at the books that the amount of bets they were making could easily buy and sell countries.

This is the first time Coby has seen what the Celestial Dragons and World Government actually are. And he didn't like it a single bit. If this is what the organization he works for looks like, then what about his dream? His Justice. His goal. The promise he made to Luffy.

The promise he made to himself.

Were they all a lie?

For a moment, doubt crept inside his mind. But he dispelled it quickly.

No. Those weren't lies. If he needs to work for people like this to make the lives of ordinary people a little bit easier, then he'll do what needs to be done. He's going to become an admiral and then change how the system operates.

Coby was in a state of mixed emotions as Buggy announced the start of the match. Even before the beginning of the match, Coby already knew that he was going to win. He was simply stronger.

But he didn't want his opponent to be humiliated in front of such a huge number of people. So, he held back a bit so that the fight might last a bit longer. His opponent appreciated the kindness that Coby showed. He was thankful that his opponent wasn't Obsidian.

The match ended just like Coby expected it to end. 

The finalists were decided.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we now finally have the final two contenders of today's tournament. On one side we have the young marine that has taken everyone by storm, the direct disciple of Marine Hero Garp, 'Koby the Rising Tide!' And as his opponent, the undefeated and untouched contender from the God's Knights. You knew him as 'Obsidian,' but for the final fight of this tournament, his real name will be revealed. From the famed family who is said to be the family that has led the vanguard, the grandson of the current Supreme Commander of God's Knights, we have Lucien Figarland!"

With just the mention of the Figarland family, the crowd erupted with enormous cheers. Coby felt his hands clench. He's going to fight a Celestial Dragon. He's going to fight someone who is considered to be a figure similar to a god.

He wanted to get out; he wanted to escape. He has no hope to fight against someone of that high status. He cannot harm someone like him; he cannot punch someone like him.

He was still so we...

His depressive thoughts were interrupted as a large hand grabbed his shoulder. He looked up and found his mentor looking at the arena.

"Don't worry about anything, Koby. It doesn't matter who your opponent is; you just need to win. When you are inside that arena, nothing matters other than winning. I'll handle everything if things go sideways."

"But I don't even know what we are fighting for yet. I don't even know the devil fruit we will get if we win."

Garp was silent for a moment. Then he spoke softly,

"Whitebeard. You are going to fight for the fruit Whitebeard had."

Koby's eyes went wide open with the new information. This changes everything. Now, he must win. Otherwise, the marines will not receive the much-needed boost. Otherwise, he will remain weak.

Coby simply nodded and entered the arena. Obsidian... no, Lucien was already standing leisurely on the arena. His eyes containing the same apathy he had seen before. His handsome appearance was a total contrast to the ugliness that Coby had seen before. 

Just as the match started, Coby spoke,

"Why did you kill those marines? You didn't need to kill them."

Lucien looked at him in an absentminded manner.

"Well, does a person need any particular reason to kill an insect?"

Coby was surprised to hear the reply. Then slowly his face turned into a grin.

"That's all the confirmation I need."