(30 years ago....)
On a marine ship, a young captain walked on deck to see the prodigy with pink hair, Vice-Admiral John Paul Jones staring out into the horizon.
John:....
Admiral Koby's son.
Some would call him skilled. Other would call him a kid getting special treatment from his father.
Arnold had no opinion.
He had come across John plenty of times, due to being the student of another Admiral himself. Where Koby would bring John when he could, his master did the same.
John:?
Jones turned to Arnold.
(Captain Arnold)
Arnold:?
John: Did you need something?
Arnold: No. Just came for a smoke.
John: Alright...
Bored, John stares back at the horizon as Arnold lights his cigarette.
Arnold: I'm surprised that Admiral Creeger was the one to invite you.
John: It's not that surprising... Koby and Creeger never got along.
John: Creeger is probably going to try and get me on his side to rub it in my father's face.
John: With him busy, it's the perfect opportunity.
John:(sigh)...
Arnold: Hm..
Arnold: Can you tell me anything else about this mission?
John: Four of us are going to get on this mysterious island. The admirals and us.
John: Explore. And we'll see from there.
Arnold: Why is this island so important?
John: The person who discovered it claimed every tree had a devil fruit growing on it.
Arnold:!?
John: If someone other than the Marines got to this place, they could become rich and make a bunch of pirates powerful.
Arnold: Yeah. I guess this is Admiral worthy...
John: The idiots are probably going to take all the Devil fruits for themselves.
John: But we'll see...
Two tall men walked onto the deck.
(Admiral "No Mercy" Creeger)
(Admiral "Gold Heart" Williams)
Williams: And who exactly are you referring to as "idiots"?
John: The ones who decide the fate of the island.
Over the horizon, "Devil Island" appeared.
Creeger:(smirks) Hmph! There she is...
Creeger: Ready kiddos?
Arnold:(salutes) Yes sir!
John:(glances back)
John: Hmph.
Anchoring 1 nautical mile from the island, the Admirals and their chosen backup, took a row boat the rest of the way.
Arnold dealt with securing the boat, whilst John and the Admirals took their first look of the island. Their immediate opinion came from the island's mischievous aura. It felt like the whole island was chuckling at its own existence which annoyed the sea that rumbled.
As per the rumors suggestions, the trees here were growing devil fruit, at least one per tree.
But if these fruits were natural or artificially grown was the prime purpose of this investigation.
Creeger: Look at all these fruits...
Creeger: If these are real, then the New World Government is going to be so powerful.
Williams: True. But we mustn't forget that power isn't everything.
Creeger: Without power, you can't protect anything. Might controls all.
The Admirals led the expedition into Devil Island.
Arnold took things seriously, as John with his arms behind his head casually walked along.
No living thing other than them seemed to be on the island, however the roots of all these Devil trees were clearly leading to some place.
Following these roots, the four climbed to the highest point to find a more demonic tree with a fruit that exuded a dark vibe.
Creeger;(smirks) Ho-ho? This one feels special... Get out the Devil tags. I wanna see what this one is.
John:(yawn) Alright...
John pulled out a piece of paper, when it comes in contact with a Devil Fruit or a Devil Fruit user, it will either trigger an ability on itself or take on the properties the fruit would provide.
(Smack)
....
...
...
The four stared blankly. The Devil tag in John's hand was gone. All the tags in their possession were gone.
All the tags in the world were gone. The concept of these tags were gone.
Devil Tags no longer existed.
Arnold: What just happened?
John: We... I did something to try and figure out what this fruit is... I did it...
John: But I don't remember what or how I would do that...
Williams: Did it erase it? Because I know we are supposed to have such an item, however...
Creeger: If this fruit erased it on such a scale....
Arnold and Williams glare at the fruit, fearful of the implications.
John and Creeger began grinning at the fruit.
Setting up camp, the Admirals began to discuss what to do with the fruit.
Williams: We should bury it, make sure no one finds it.
Creeger: No, no. One of us should eat it. The power of the Erase-Erase Fruit could allow us to erase all evil!
Williams: If we eat it, then we must use its own power to erase itself.
Williams: If the wrong person got it, it's all over!
Creeger: Erase death and the user can have it forever.
Williams: That thing is absolute power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Creeger: A weakling like you might get corrupted...
Williams: We must bury it.
Creeger:(smirks) How about we take this to the top brass?
Williams:(glare)
Arnold listening in on this conversation, noticed John approaching the tree.
Arnold: What are you doing?
Running after him, Arnold found John staring at the fruit.
John: Quit your worrying. I already ate a fruit you know?
Arnold: They told us not to get close to it.
John: You're going to end up trapped and miserable if you only do what you're told.
Arnold: Orders are orders.
John: So they are....
Creeger arrives.
Creeger: Leave us be.
Arnold:!?
Arnold: Yes sir...
Walking away, Arnold was unable to listen in on their conversation. Making his way to Williams, Arnold found the Admiral deep in thought.
Arnold: Sir. Creeger and Jones are speaking privately in front of the fruit.
Williams:...
Williams: Arnold... Tomorrow If Creeger attempts something, I shall eat the fruit. Then, you and I shall make our way to an island in the South Blue.
Williams: We will involve ourselves with the darker side of the Marines... But its necessary.
Arnold: I don't quite understand...
Williams: Don't worry. Just listen to me.
(The next morning....)
Arnold was on edge next to John Paul Jones who he had believed had been pulled to Creeger's side.
John: Hm?
Arnold:!
John: Something wrong?
The two Admirals stood in front of the tree, for one last discussion as to what to do with the Erase-Erase Fruit.
Arnold: N-no, nothing...
John:....
John:(smirks) You think I'm on Creeger's side, don't ya?
Arnold:!
Arnold: Sorry, Vice Admiral Jones... I know you're the son of an Admiral... But I don't know you enough to trust you.
John: Do you want to know me?
John: I guess I want that too...
Arnold:?
John: When I was young, I somehow ended up on the Pirate King's ship.
Arnold: Hm?
John: A month... One of if not the best months of my life.
John:(smiles) It was so fun!
Creeger and Williams conversation got heated.
John: I was also there when he died....
John:...
John: You know, I gave it a good honest try.
Arnold: Gave what?
John: This! The Marines.
John: I gave a shot... But I just can't find joy in this.
John: "Join the Marines! It's a adventure filled job!"
John: Yeah... Adventures you don't get to choose followed by paperwork.
John takes off his jacket and hat, tossing them aside before loosening a few buttons on his shirt.
John: Today... Is as good as any day... In fact, I'll do my last service for the good of the New World Government.
Arnold: What are you going to do-
Swinging his arm back, it stretched out.
John: "Gum-Gum"....
Everyone:?!
John:(grinning)
John: "RED ROC"!!!!
(WOOOSH)
(BAAAAAAAAAM)
(SPLAT)
Creeger:!?!!!
Punching through Creeger's chest, John Paul Jones betrayed the Marines, grabbing the Erase-Erase fruit.
John: There is a way for someone to eat multiple Devil Fruits. Black Beard did it...
John:(smiles) So there should be a way for me to do it too!
(Months later....)
Williams and Arnold were in an underground bunker of hidden island.
John Paul Jones was sent to Impel Down, but it wasn't long before he escaped.
Williams: Arnold. No one should have this power...
The current user of the Erase-Erase Fruit sat with a apple in his hand.
Arnold: Sir... These people, their experiments are-
Williams: I know... But its the price to pay to keep this fruit here, hidden abd forgotten.
Williams: Arnold. You must guard this fruit with your life.
Arnold: Sir... Please, you don't have to!
Williams: NO ONE should have this power. That includes me.
Williams: You'll be taking my place as Admiral. Say you shall do it.
Arnold: I owe you my life... So I'll do it...
Williams ended his life, for the will of the fruit forbid him from erasing the fruit itself.
Arnold, made into an Admiral was left to guard the fruit and live with the horrors the people inside were performing.
(Present day...)
Arnold: There you have it...
Davy: So you protected that fruit, in that cursed place, because of a debt?
Arnold: Yeah...
Arnold: It was nice to get out... But ultimately foolish... John Paul Jones has the fruit now.
Arnold: And likely the ability to eat it as well.
Arnold: As his son... You're likely the only one able to talk him out of it.
Arnold: Go. I know you can accept someone molding the world as they wish.
Davy:....
Staring at Arnold after hearing his story, Davy grew angry.
He looked back, knowing he had to leave, but his body stayed put. His desire, his very being overwrote his pettiness.
Davy: Grrrr...! Rah!
Swinging his arm forward, Davy held out his hand.
Arnold: Huh?
Davy: Join my crew!!
Arnold: What...?
Davy: You haven't lived free a day in your life! That... That's sad... And unacceptable!
Davy: Everyone deserves to live freely, however they like. The Marines haven't allowed you to do so!
Davy: You wanna go around on some endless vacation? Do it with me...
Davy: As a pirate under my flag.
Davy: You also started all this... You've gotta see this through. So stop half assing things, and let's go!
Senta climbed out of ruble and saw Davy standing over Arnold. She wasted no time charging at the boy.
Davy: Take my hand damn it!
Davy: Call me Captain... And I'll help you with all my might achieve your desires!
Arnold: Even... The fate of "Davy Jones locker"?
Davy: If that's your wish... Then...
Senta was about to stab Davy through the chest.
Davy: I will do it.
Arnold:!
Grabbing his hand, Arnold pulled Davy away from Senta's attack. Molding his arm into a metal shield, blocked the attack.
(CLANG)
Senta: What are you doing!?
Arnold:....
Arnold: For the world... And for myself... I'm retiring.
Arnold: "Full-Metal Piston"!
(Ka-chunk)
(Blam)
Senta:!?!
(Crash)
Arnold tosses away his navy cape and hat.
Davy: Okay you tall ass pain in my ass... Let's go find the rest if the crew.
Davy: We're getting off this island and going after my dad!
Arnold: Aye-aye... Captain.
To be continued....