One Piece: The Freedom Fighters

Chapter 3: Vice-Admiral Buckshot; The Bane of Seagull Cove

Ket never liked the Navy's dress code. The hat fits too tightly around his head, the tie itched at his neck, and the cuffs dug into his skin. Maybe if it was more casual, he wouldn't have left the Navy in the first place! Still, he had no choice. Ket managed to convince the Marines back in Seagully that he was one of them, and they led him back to their base. It was on the top of the Seagull-shaped rock he saw when he first arrived at the Cove, the mighty blue and white building looming over the town of Seagully below. It was about two stories tall, with a roof deck overlooking the island. The inside was about what one would expect: Bright hallways and clean floors. Ket had never been a huge fan of the Navy's ascetic, but there's one thing he has to give them credit for: The food!

"Muhh... so good!" Ket happily chirps, devouring his third helping of stew. He ran out of food on his sloop a while back, and hasn't had anything to eat for days! Ket finished his bowl and sighed happily, patting his now full belly. The Marine he had talked to back in Seagully was sitting across from him, eating a sandwich. He looked up at Ket and gave a small smile.

"So, I was wondering... You know those guys you beat up in town, right? How were you able to take all of them?" He asked, taking a bite from his sandwich. "I mean, those guys have been giving us trouble for a while! Stealing contraband... attacking Marines on patrol... As far as I'm concerned, they were our biggest threat! So... how'd you do it?" The Marine explained, probably just trying to make conversation. Ket looked up at him and paused... Should he tell him? Well, it wouldn't really reveal his ulterior motives, so why not?

"Oh, well... I ate the Gen-Gen fruit!" Ket replied, lifting his right hand. "It's pretty cool, I start by moving around..." He begins to demonstrate, waggling his hand around. As he did so, yellow sparks shot out from his hand. "And then..." He continues, forming the hand into a finger gun before 'firing' it. A small zap of electricity shot out from the finger, hitting the roof of the mess hall before fizzling out. "Pow! So yeah, it's pretty cool..." He shrugged, scratching his neck. The Marine looked shocked!

"Y-You have a Devil Fruit?!" The Marine asked, surprised by the revelation. "You should talk to the Vice-Admiral, he'd be thrilled!" The Marine smiled, pointing out the hall. "His office is down the hall and to the right, you can't miss it!"

Ket looked where the Marine was pointing and weighed his options. Talking to the Vice-Admiral could get him the info he needs on whatever was happening here... or it could get him found out! He thought for a moment... and stood up. "Alright, thanks, man!" Ket smiled, leaving the mess hall and taking a right. After walking for a little bit, he came across a grand-looking door with the words Vice-Admiral Buckshot's Office written on the side in bold blue letters. This must be the place! Ket was just about to stroll in when he heard voices from the other side. Curious, Ket put his ear to the door and listened.

"So, how's the ol' shotgun limbs treating ya?"

"They're great! Walking and eating are a nightmare, but they make killing pirates a breeze!"

"And you're only killing the pirates, correct?"

"Oh come on, Sir! Have a little more faith in me than THAT! I wouldn't just kill a civilian for committing  a petty crime! We use them for research instead~"

"I will never understand you Buckshot... Anyway, how's the Mighty Marine project going?"

"Ah, that. According to the boys down in research, they're testing their newest batch today. A new recruit managed to round up a small gang this morning, so we'll be using them as test subjects. They deserve it, too! Those guys have been nothing but a thorn in our side, I hope they get some serious side effects!"

"Good, good. Call me once the experiment is completed. The World Government wants this project to be completed as quickly as possible and shipped to the Grand Line for mass production."

"I know, I know... I'll head into the basement to check on the progress in a little bit, kay?"

"Fine. I'll talk to you later. Click."

Ket didn't dare say a word, listening to everything said with extreme caution. The Mighty Marine project? That's a dumb name, but it sounds like it could be bad. That Buckshot guy... sounds like he's the Vice-Admiral of this place, and from what Ket heard, he's not a very lovely fellow! That gang he was talking about... He must be referring to Sukato and his friends! And by the sound of things, they're going to be experimented on? That can't be good... Ket feels kinda bad now, as it's sorta his fault for bringing them here in the first place. He's gotta find them! Where did Buckshot say they were? Something about a basement...

Ket quickly took off, running down the hall in search of a way down. Currently he was on the first floor, so he just needs to find some stairs... He doesn't have to look for long, as just down the hall is a flight of steps that descend downwards into a dark abyss. It looks like they go on for a while... It must be the way into the basement! Ket took a breath before starting to head down the stairs. He knew that in this abyssal blackness below, something was being created. This Mighty Marine project... He had to stop it!