One Piece: Gambling To The Top

'So it's it. Blackbeard had found a strong pirate to give it as a tribute to the World Government, and he will be the new Warlord.'

Josh entered the meeting room, finding a long square table.

He patted Hancock on the back before they sat next to each other. Robin stood up behind Josh, her hands behind her back.

Josh found many were glancing at him. There were marines attending this meeting as well. If one looked carefully, he can see that there are two Vice Admirals. One of them is a 2 meters tall old woman with grey hair and a Vice Admiral cart. Josh could feel some strong fighting spirit coming from her. She was frowning when she looked at Josh.

'Who is she again, Garp's and Sengoku's partner.' Josh leaned on his chair. 'Would it be insulting if I called her the Sakura of the team… Nah, that's a different world. Why is she staring at me like I took the virginity of her granddaughter?'

As it seems, not only the Vice Admirals, but the other marines were holding some deep hostility in their gazes. It was not only for him but for all of the Warlords, especially him and Doflamingo.

Josh had fought many marines on his way, and each high ranked marine, who was lucky to survive and walk again, had scars to remind them. Momonga and T-bone are examples… and so X Drake, who was a pirate now. Some were sliced and died from blood loss.

Another strong man was sitting next to Josh. His yellow hawk eyes were sharply focusing while looking at the table. His black hair was covered by a black hat. He was wearing a golden cross around his neck, above his chest that was shown due to his opened coat. He tilted back, his great black sword on his back, looking like a cross.

Josh could feel a very strong sharp aura from the hawk eyes man. This warlord was the strongest swordsman in the world, and everyone knows him. The warlord seemed to feel something about Josh. It was a shared feeling between the swords grandmasters.

But there was one thing that could distract Josh. He couldn't ignore the hostility that was coming from one direction. It was like someone wanted him dead so badly. Lifting his head, he saw Robin staring in that direction.

When Josh stared at it, he couldn't help but sneer. Josh was face to face with the guy who forced him to learn Haki; The same one that Josh told Hancock about, 'some logia user kicked my ass.'

Akainu and Josh stared at each other, not saying a word.

Akainu broke the silence. "Heard you saved the Celestial Dragon."

Most of the marines and two Warlords frowned. Hancock, if Robin hadn't explained to her, would be the one to retort since she hates the celestial dragons the most. But hading knowing the truth from Robin kept her from having her heartbroken. In fact, Robin had called Josh angrily when she had heard about the news of him saving Celestial Dragon. But Robin had explained to her that Josh enslaved the man, which made Hancock fall deeply in love with Josh.

"I won't say saved particularly. I wonder why he showed up, in my place, top agents around him." Josh leaned backwards on the chair and put his legs on the table, disrespecting Akainu.

Staring at Akainu with a relaxed facial expression, Josh yawned. "Luckily for him, I was there to help him deal with the rats. I'm doing your job, shouldn't you say thanks? Come on Justice Fido, you can talk human tongue."

(A/N: Fido means the faithful friend. It's used to call dogs.)

"Justice Fido? Say thanks?" Akainu's frown got deeper as he repeated Josh's words.

"Saving the celestial dragons is your job," Josh said with a provoking smirk. "Do you think I have the time to waste doing your job? I don't get paid."

Josh knew that Akainu was the one to provoke Carlos to attack him.

And Akainu, knowing the real motives of Carlos, would know that Josh had something. Josh believed so.

He felt a strong hostility against Akainu, the man who has his dear katana.

"You shitty person. You think I can't tell that there is something missing." Akainu said, his arm turning into magma, showing his anger.

"Come on. Old lady, hold your puppy's leash." Josh said, talking about the Red Dog of Justice as he stared at the old woman.

Some people suppressed their chuckle, while some showed their frown.

"You think just because you became a warlord, you can talk shit to me," Akainu said, standing up slowly.

"This reminds me." Josh reached the empty air. "You have something that belongs to me."

A great sword with the shape of the demon on the grip appeared on Josh's hand.

The greatsword looked sharp, scary, and strong.

Josh pointed the sword toward Akainu.

"Enough! Do I have to remind you that the laws forbid the conflicts between the Marines and the Warlords?" Said the old woman.

Akainu stopped for a moment, turning his head to the old lady. He frowned at her and clicked his tongue.

"Tsuru. Don't interfere." Akainu said.

"This is between us." Added Josh on Akainu's words.

The old woman rubbed her head.

"Yes," Akainu confirmed.

The two men stared at each other. Doflamingo seemed to be enjoying himself. Robin was amused, ready to use her Devil Fruit power at any moment to crack someone's head, surely she can for the other marines. Hancock was staring at Akainu with a killing gaze.

Mihawk, on the other hand, looked between Akainu and Josh.

Exactly, to their swords. Akainu had a katana without a sheath, hanging on his back.

Even though Akainu's arm had turned into magma, the sword didn't seem to be showing signs of losing its sharpness or edge, neither melting. Just by a single glance, a grandmaster can tell it's a very great sword and on a very high grade.

It can't be less than the supreme tier.

He then looked at Josh, who had that great sword. That great-sword didn't seem to be less than that katana. It seemed to be sharper than the katana, stronger, and heavier. Josh was having another sword, a scimitar, on his back.

Given the fact that the katana didn't heave a sheath, it's needless to say it's not Akainu's. Because a swordsman never throws their sheath unless they are certain they wouldn't use the word again. The strongest swordsman in the world seemed to be curious.

Josh was staring deeply into Akainu's eyes. "For a matter of fact, according to the laws, the marines has to do a friendly gesture for the Warlord. Akainu here has my katana, which he stole from me that day, and I want it back." He then extended his hand.

"You must be wrong. I found this sword in the market, and I bought it for a very cheap price. Stop being butt-hurt." Akainu clearly was refusing to give the sword back.

Josh smiled, unlike what Akainu had expected. "Each dog and his day."

Josh wouldn't feel satisfaction if he got his sword back like that.

If there is something World War 2 had taught humanity is the next.

What's taken by force, can only be taken back by force.

"You got that right," Sneered Akainu.

Akainu sat down, and Josh did the same. The two were glaring at each other. Only the two of them are aware of how dangerous they are to each other. But non attacked, since it's not the right time and not the right place.

"Ahem. Can you two calm down. Now, let's move ahead to the purpose of the meeting." Tsuru, the old woman, fake a cough.

"I only came for Joshy, though," Hancock said, staring at Josh, who only now lifted his eyes from Akainu.

Tsuru continued. "The new warlord, Marshall D Teach, Blackbeard."

As her words fell, the door was opened, revealing a 3 meters tall fat man, laughing.

"D?" Doflamingo raised his eyebrow.

"Zehahaha…. There was no need for a meeting this exciting." His smile was neither friendly nor hostile. But you can tell that he was very happy.

Josh shifted his attention for the dog temporary, since it's not his day, and followed everyone's gaze.. All of them stared at Blackbeard, except Mihawk.