(Mikael's POV)
Now, what in the goddamn hell did I get thrown into?
I was thrown into this world with a System that allows me to turn into Gogmazios, The Giant Halberd Dragon of Monster Hunter. A walking apocalypse, the largest Flying Monster of that world, and an Elder Dragon that is without a doubt a force to be reckoned with.
And I was thrown into One Piece, in the Era of Him.
Rocks D. Xebec.
This isn't any ordinary pirate, no...it's not. This is the guy who was erased from history itself, his strength was so dangerous that the World Government did not want to be reminded of him. He was so strong that it took Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to put him down.
He was so strong that he was able to rein in the crew of monsters he had; Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido, Shiki, and other powerful individuals.
Rocks D. Xebec was a Monster, through and through. His might was enough to shake the entire world, spreading chaos throughout the seas. I know that much, I know that he's not a fucking joke.
But to think that he would casually destroy me, in Full-Beast Form. Even if this is my first time activating the System's powers, transforming into Gogmazios, a powerful Elder Dragon, I shouldn't be able to be manhandled this way.
But I was.
I was completely thrashed around, like a child.
His power was the real deal. There was no way I could've gotten out of there alive if I had refused his deal.
And now, I was before him, sitting down on the crates as he and a couple of others were getting stuff ready on the camp.
"Vohahaha!!" Xebec laughed as he looked at me, a smirk on his face, "So, Mikael! What's your story, you fell from the sky!"
I frowned, "Huh?"
"Yea, a flaming ball coming straight down from the clouds." He said, "Did you get in a rough fight in the Sky Islands or something, what gives?"
I shrugged, "Can't remember." I said, "Is there even a Sky Island above us, anyway?"
"How should I know?" He said, "You're quite a strange fucker, huh? Did you just get that Mythical Zoan fruit? What's up with that?"
I was rubbing my forehead; my entire body was still throbbing from his attacks. "I guess so." I said, "Mythical Zoan....."
"I gotta say." Xebec said, "That power must be quite strong, since you don't look beat up at all. I hit you with a serious swing, that should've definitely put you out cold, Vohahaha!"
"Fufu~" I heard a voice say, "I have to say, Xebec, this new recruit of yours is quite the sturdy-looking one~"
I looked to the side, seeing a woman sitting on another crate with her legs crossed, her blue eyes staring right at me as she had a cup of wine in her hand. She had short blonde hair, which allowed me to recognize her immediately.
Buckingham Stussy, the future donor of a certain clone that a certain someone creates years from now. She is quite young right now, if I am correct. I assume she would be in her late twenties if the crew hasn't been started yet. T
That tells me a lot, actually.
The Rocks Pirates haven't been started yet. At this point, Rocks is still a criminal who was strong enough to kill an admiral and cause chaos in the Holy Land. Which means that he hasn't been to Elbaf yet, to meet with Harald.
"Hm...." I said as I stared at her
"Oh my~" She said with a smile, "Like what you see~?"
"Hey, cut it out Stussy." Xebec said with a scowl, "This guy here is a potential asset of ours. He's strong, I can tell! His body is sturdy and his Devil Fruit could be a heavy hitter!"
"If you say so." Stussy said with a smile, "We're about to finish preparations, Rocks. The invited guests for the Davy Back Fight are about to get here."
"Vohaha!" Xebec laughed loudly, "Damned right they'll be here! They will do whatever it takes to stick it to me! But make no mistake, I'm going to win and they'll join me, hehehe!"
The Davy Back Fight, a longstanding tradition amongst Pirates, no matter the kind. It is a series of games that is played between two parties, mostly Pirate Captains, wagering their crew members. The winning crew can choose any opposing crew member to join them and if the Captain isn't interested in anyone, they can choose their jolly rogers.
From what I understand, there are three iron-clad laws about the Davy Back Fight:
1. Any crew members (or symbols) taken during the Davy Back Fight may only be retrieved through another Davy Back Fight.
2. Taken crew members must immediately swear loyalty to the victorious captain.
3. Taken Jolly Rogers must never again be raised by the losing crew.
In this case, Rocks uses the Davy Back Fight to win and recruit members. Said members follow the Pirate Code, swearing their loyalty solely because of the Davy Back Fight. They don't join him out of camaraderie, they do it because they have no choice.
I'm no different; I lost to him and we made a deal.
I will honor it.
"Hm....." I said as I looked at him, "Still doing the Davy Back Fights then?"
Rocks frowned, "You heard of the ones I did already or something?"
I nodded, "Something like that."
"Vohaha! You're a strange one, alright!" He said, "Yea, I'm about to start another one! Ya best sit tight and watch me grow our group even more, Vohaha!"
I shrugged, "I guess so...."
He turned around, "Alright!" He said, "Let's see if the preparations are complete."
As he left, the System appeared in front of me:
[New Task Unlocked: Win A Duel In The Davy Back Fight]
- Rewards: Heavy Oil Armor (Technique)
I narrowed my eyes, "Hm...."
So here we go. The System has given me a Task to complete.
A Duel in the Davy Back Fight. Technically, I am part of Rocks's group, so I can participate....
Heavy Oil Armor? If I recall, The Gogmazios's entire body is normally covered by the thick and flammable Tar-like substance that they excrete from eating sulfur in gunpowder. It acts like an armor by default.
Is this one a better version of what I already have in Full-Beast Form?
We'll have to see.
"Welcome to club, boy." Stussy said, breaking me from my focus, "what's your name again?"
I looked at her, "Mikael."
"Well, Mikael~" She gave me a wink,
"Let's get along~"