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Post by Time on Jun 21, 2023 15:57:09 GMT
Marine Vessel No.446, The Martial Law was a naval vessel made to house roughly a crew of 100 men with ease. It was also an impressive galleon of a ship, equipped with a total of 48 cannons on each side, and a number of crew quarters, extensive mess hall, and other such commodities that allowed for a group of marines to sail with relative ease and comfort.
Still, many of the marines were hard at work, including one Sorata Kiu, an Ensign that was currently on clothes washing duty. She was only recently assigned to this ship, despite her desire to join a taskforce as opposed to sailing on a patrol vessel that scouted for pirates who dared to attempt to raid or attack ships or towns in their vicinity. Normally, her request would have been approved, but an excuse such as wanting to monitor her behavior in terms of subordination. She was basically not trusted, and there was a valid reason for that. She had eaten the Fold Fold fruit, and as such with it came a stigma of sorts. Sorata would remember the day she accidentally ate the fruit while training, noticing how foul tasting it was but with nothing else she ate it still. It would only be after she started grappling that she noticed her odd ability, and was quickly given a choice. Either she would be forced to stay on her island, or she'd be forced to join the marines. Otherwise, it was freedom to do as she pleased on a prison of her family's making; or joining the marines and living her life in pursuit of justice.
It had been clear what her choice was, and she knew her family resented it. It was also likely why she was on this vessel as opposed to a Taskforce that was much more Free Roaming than normal.
There were other marines helping, three to be exact, and she was at the end, folding the uniforms after they had finished drying, and placing them in baskets for the others to send off to their appropriate quarters, stations, or to the kitchen. However, the door to the room opened, and a voice spoke in a commanding tone as he said, "Attention!" Immediately the other marines stopped what they were doing, and turned about face toward the lieutenant that had given the order. "Ensign Kiu, step forward and head to the Captain's quarters." the sharply dressed marine with a short coat said as he took her place, before saying, "at ease." and got to work. The other marines got back to work instantly, though a few of them gave Kiu a thumbs up. She had been in this position for a while, so perhaps this was her being reassigned to a different part of the ship or something else?
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Post by endingwonderland on Jun 21, 2023 17:23:30 GMT
"Yes sir!" Kiu saluted and lowered her hands before handing him her basket. "Thank you." She bowed and obeyed the direction to head directly to the captains quarters. On her way there she heard whispers from the other marines about the tomboy ensign being called up, maybe she was going to be marooned, maybe she was going to be assigned to another ship, ever since she had come to the Martial Law she had been the subject of discrimination by her fellow marines in the form of being othered for being a power holder but Kiu was used to this behavior, she was after all a true ally of justice and her belief in the marines was that they would enable her to help people like those of her island, she truly believed in her heart that the Marines were here ticket to the rest of the world and she would endure any indignity to reach it, the New World.
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Time
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THE ONE PIECE! THE ONE PIECE IS REAL!!
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Post by Time on Jun 23, 2023 20:19:48 GMT
Standing before the door of the Captain's quarters, a man would step out of the room as she approached. He appeared to be a well dressed man, obviously not a marine based on the fact he wore a business suit as opposed to a uniform. He looked at the marine ensign, but quickly ignored her as he walked past. "Enter." The captains' voice said as the door had been left open by the businessman, a bit of a sign of disrespect. "Ensign Kiu, I am Captain Marcus." He said as Kiu would enter the office. The quarters were clean, well maintained, and for the most part was a prime example of Marine efficiency. The man himself was a bit different though. He was a bit larger than your average person, broader shoulders and body that made his chair seem twice as large as Kiu, and more than that he wore the standard captain's coat. He wore his hair back long and in a ponytail, appeared to be in his late 20s or early 30s; and had a 12 o'clock shadow on his face. "Sit down. We need to speak, specifically in regards to a proposition that I plan to give you."
Once Kiu was sat down, he'd speak. "First, I understand you are a Devil Fruit user. While I know that the Marines and World Government has a bounty upon any of the Users, you also know that we are immediately willing to have one on our side. Can you please tell me more about your fruit, or give an example." He said, offering her an eraser. Marcus likely knew what her fruit was, but wanted to see it for himself. Still, she was being watched and studied intensely.
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Post by endingwonderland on Jun 24, 2023 7:31:24 GMT
"Yes Sir, Captain Marcus, Sir." Kiu sat down and took the eraser simply folding it between her fingers, nothing impressive but strangely the eraser didn't double in size, it actually decreased in size going from a three dimensional object to a two dimensional one losing all of its volume but retaining its height and width. "My fruit allows me to compress objects by folding them, this neither decreases their weight or mass but makes them easier to handle, applications of this fruit as I have been told by others is to store weaponry or even rescue immobilized civilians, I can fold living and non living things and it does not damage the object I am folding, water will undo the folding process so I can't fold anything that is wet." Kiu put the flat eraser down and it sat similar to a piece of paper. "In all honesty, sir, I hadn't much considered the use of this fruit, I rely more on my martial arts than I do on my devil fruit powers because my fists can not be disabled by sea stone or countered by another devil fruit user, I am burdened with this power but I am not reliant upon it."
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Time
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Post by Time on Jun 24, 2023 19:37:39 GMT
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "That's an oddity. Most marines that have Devil fruit powers consider it a curse, as you know our goal among maintaining peace is to find and recapture all devil fruits. Still, many see their curse as a means to end the terror of devil fruits. A weapon of evil used for good."
Marcus straightened up. Before taking the eraser back. "Folding items and people does seem to be a power that is more than useful in those regards. But I must ask, do you intend to avoid using your fruit? Do you see it as a curse, or evil? Me personally, I see such things as a tool. One that can be the deciding factor for any number of things..... What if you folded a bomb and placed it in between the planks of a ship's deck? The application of this power is more than useful for offense too. Being able to fold up rations for easier travel, securing VIPs though, I have to consider how.... Uncomfortable it would be. What's more, our troops rarely get a chance to fight Devil fruit users. Having one aboard is also useful in that aspect. My proposal is simple. Help train my men to be more reactionary to devil fruit powers. I do not expect you to spar fairly. Am I understood?"
It was clear that Marcus was intending to use Kiu as a resource rather than as a marine, possibly even using her only for her fruit as opposed to her skills as a martial artist, and it was clear as day with his last sentence. He didn't care about what she herself was capable of. He cared what her powers were capable of.
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Post by endingwonderland on Jun 25, 2023 4:30:17 GMT
"If that is how you see best fit to use my powers captain, I consider them an extension of myself a third fist to be utilized whenit can be and held when it needs to, I know how often power holsers grow arrogant which is how we marines manage to get the advantage over them, I've heard stories in the mess and the laundry room but if I can better insulate us against a power user then I would consider that an ultimate good."
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Time
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Post by Time on Jun 25, 2023 5:57:31 GMT
Marcus smiled. "I'm glad we are on the same page in a relative sense. Go and report to the training room. Your training lessons will begin with our more polished marines. Make sure not to get hurt." He said, smiling brightly as he waved her off, "Dismissed."
Once Kiu left the room, he couldn't help but to smile even more once the door closed. "Such a strange and wonderful ability..." He muttered looking at how she had flattened the eraser. He attempted to fold it himself. Instead of folding as effortlessly as paper or cloth, it was still just a flat piece of rubber eraser, until he pulled it up, where it easily unfolded itself back to it's usual size. He began to wonder if she could hide hundreds of thousands of stacks of berries, making a bundle as thick as a single bill. If so, he needed to get her on his side. He always had difficulty hiding his money away without arousing suspicion, and if he could convince her to do so, or even better, fool her without her knowing, he could make it look like she was attempting to use her fruit to embellish money from the crew. Placing the eraser back down, he breathed a sigh of relief. Seems he had the perfect scapegoat if that man tried to screw him over.
Ensign Kiu would find the training room of the ship rather easily. It was a workout area to keep all marines in tip top shape, but in the center of it all was a boxing ring, elevated above the floor with the white canvas and marine logo, a blue seagull in the shape of an anchor. Most sparring took place on mats nearby, usually to keep the recruits and ensigns in tip top shape. The ring itself was exclusively used for sparring in specific, where marines would duke it out in actual training exercises to build up their endurance and combat experience. Well, that was the intention. Kiu would know that sparring was nothing like actual combat. Her own family had made that clear.
Right now there were two marines boxing it out, their hands covered in thick gloves that softened the blows as to not cause permanent or lasting damage. Their fighting style was the standard fisticuffs that almost all marines universally used. It could barely even be called a martial art in comparison to Sorata's fighting style. A man in a vest stood on the side closest to Kiu, as he watched before yelling, "Alright, break it up. Raiku you need to bring your guard up closer and stiffen your shoulders, you're basically hitting yourself when he punches your guard. Geovanni, your footwork needs to improve, half of the hits were because you took half steps rather than committing."
The two were sweating, slight bruises on their faces as they took a moment and removed their gloves. It was only then that they noticed Ensign Kiu. "Oi, weren't you suppose to be on laundry duty Devil?" The man by the name of Raiku said, his head covered by the usual marine cap. Geovanni was too out of breath to retort his own comment, but the coach turned to look at Kiu. "Ensign Kiu. I presume you decided to accept the Captain's offer?" He said. The man was just as normal looking as the rest of the marines, but his eyes seemed more round and awake in comparison to others. What's more he kinda had big eyelashes under his eyes, making it look like he had three lines extending down a short distance from each eye as he looked at her.
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Post by endingwonderland on Jun 26, 2023 13:19:58 GMT
"Yes sir." Kiu saluted and left to sojourn to the training room.
Once inside she faced the normal discrimination but instead of snapping back she just smiled. "I must have done such a fine job with the hard work they decided to give me a break with some easy training duty for a change." She turned to the man and noticed his peculiar features. "I am a loyal marine, I do as my captain commands."
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Time
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Post by Time on Jun 27, 2023 0:50:00 GMT
The marine in the ring spat at her feet, "It wasn't a question Ensign.", before a glare form the lieutenant silenced the man. "This Ensign is going to probably save your life Private Raiku. She'll be helping with Devil Fruit Combat." Suddenly the two men looked at each other with a bit of concern. "Ain't that dangerous?" Geovanni asked seemingly as cautious as the instructor had indicated. "Doesn't matter. I heard all she can do is fold items like clothes. Not like she's any better at fighting just cause she can do that... I'll volunteer first Matthews."
A quick smack to Raiku's knee in the form of a karate chop of some kind buckled the man over as the Lieutenant pulled him from under the ropes of the ring as though it was one fluid motion, before tossing him down at Kiu's feet. "That's Lieutenant Crux to you." Before pointing to the mat that was directly behind Kiu, "You'll start with Raiku. I heard you were skilled in martial arts, and I expect you to pin him for 10 seconds. Use every means available to you, and don't hold back. I know what's said, and I think it's time for a bit of justice." He claimed, as Raiku scowled at the girl, before shoving past her shoulder to get to the mat and into a ready stance.
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Post by endingwonderland on Jun 27, 2023 9:41:29 GMT
"Yes sir." Kiu saluted and watched the display, it was familiar to her, martial arts are martial arts wherever you go she supposed. "Do you want him to be able to walk after, Lieutenant?" She asked with a bit of a confident smile and climbed into the ring, placing her hands together and bowing before her opponent as a symbol of respect. "May we have a good match with an honorable outcome." She though being exiled, still observed the teachings of her Dojo. When the fight started Kiu placed her hands in a defensive position expecting the marine to strike first, given his disdain for her and their aggressive behavior prior, Kiu knew better than anyone a fight started the moment you met a person and failing to pay attention to any detail could result in a loss.
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Time
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Post by Time on Jun 27, 2023 23:02:36 GMT
"I don't want him in the infirmary if that's not clear." Crux explained as he watched the pair square up on the mat. Unlike the ring, the mat offered far more room to maneuver without being forced to stay within boundries. Looking at the woman Raiku got ready and didn't bother to bow or show any respect. Crux sighed, before saying, "Begin!"
Immediately, Raiku attempted to drive towards her to grapple her by bending down and going for her waist to tackle her.
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Post by endingwonderland on Jun 28, 2023 4:31:08 GMT
"Yes sir." Kiu responded as she was dived at. "I don't know if you can't tell by my name but I'm from Karate Island, and you'd do your best to respect that or despite my best efforts I won't be able to honor the lieutenants wishes." Kiu warned falling backwards onto the mat to avoid the charge letting the man fly over her before pressing the mat with her fingers rearing back and aiming a rising kick into the mans abdomen.
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Time
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Post by Time on Jul 1, 2023 5:51:27 GMT
Raiku didn't care about her talk. After all, he wasn't any noble or rich boy; but he did see Kiu fall back in a controlled motion as she attempted a rising kick. He barely brought his arms back in to block the kick, though he did get sent tumbling to the side because of it. He also noticed how strong that kick had been; and her movement being defensive. "Oi... The hell was that?" He said, confused as he began to quickly try standing back up before she could take advantage of him. Kiu would be faster to stand due to her previous attack, and could clearly go on the offensive.
Crux had anticipated that perhaps Kiu would brace and perform a hammer strike to his back in order to break Raiku's stance. Maybe even attempt to side step, or a knee to the face. Instead, she had chosen an attack that would be entirely unsuspected; and that would guarantee that her attacker either tripped on her, or was sent reeling due to how much he had dedicated himself to the movement. What's more, it was a prime move to launch him over had he not blocked; yet even then she would be primed to spring back up. The lieutenant had to give the Devil Fruit Girl some credit. She was able to fight. If she could do more than that; was the question.
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Post by endingwonderland on Jul 10, 2023 17:13:40 GMT
Kiu sprang up like a drawn arrow and landed a kick though it was only against his arms as he blocked falling backwards off the momentum onto her hands and knees she saw him try to regain stance but the fight was already over he was guarding against a high attack and she was in a low position, if he knew anything about her style, then he'd know that grappling and throws were her hallmark, kicks and punches were just setting the stage and drawing the enemy's attention. "That is my Karate, and I like I said, you better respect it and me or you're going to get hurt." Kiu sprang forward and wrapped her arms around his guard surging upwards in a fluid motion bringing her face to his as she locked her elbows under his shoulders and lifted with all of her strength pulling him up and then backwards in a clean arch. Her devil fruit powers activated making her lock turn into a press causing his upper torso to bend against hers leaving him to face the full force of a suplex into the mat face first. At the feeling of impact she released him and unbent her knees standing fully upright. "True Fist Form: First Fold Suplex" She calmly stated as if a samurai sheathing their blade, the sound of a flute playing in the background and the image of cherry blossoms falling around the mat. She bowed in respect to her opponent and assumed the ready stance for his next attack.
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Time
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Post by Time on Jul 15, 2023 20:59:18 GMT
The man known as Raiku didn't even know what was coming as he blinked at her reply, watching her grab him by using his guard as a point of contact, and then following up as he immediately rose into the air, before suddenly feeling a strange sensation occur to him. Before he knew it, he was basically eating his own uniform, as he was literally folded into a small pile upon impact with the mat, as Kiu performed a standard suplex upon him. Crux blinked in disbelief. He had always heard of the powers of devil fruits, but seeing it be performed in front of him, and not only that, but the fact of seeing a human being folded into a zig zag pattern like a towel was.....
"Shit, Undo the power Ensign!" Crux said, suddenly worried that perhaps he had been a bit too disregarding of her power to fold things. "Raiku are you okay!" He said, quickly flipping him over, with the officer now being able to see and breath, he gasped, before looking at his towel folded body. "What...... WHAT THE HELL!?" Raiku yelled, unable to comprehend what was going on. Crux looked at the man worriedly, as he waited for something to happen that would indicate that Ensign Kiu was undoing the devil fruit powers.
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