Clive went about his morning business at Iron Base. This mostly involved making sure his crew were given their daily duties and fill out his reports about the voyage. It had only been a night since the meeting about Emma, now he awaited his next task.
He did not have to wait long, as Vice Admiral Huis was waiting outside the barracks of his crew. Clive and Huis had eaten together the night before and talked about Clives travels up to that point.
“Vice Admiral Huis.” Clive said with a salute.
“Yes yes Captain.” Huis said, waving Clive’s salute down. “Let's talk about your assignment. Orders from Admiral Kirafukon.”
“I would like to begin right away sir, before Emma can gain a large lead on us.” Clive said swiftly.
Huis sighed. “You will not be searching for the Umbra Pirates.”
“But sir!” Clive said, but was stopped by Huis’s hand.
“It was ruled by the admirals that you, Vice Admiral Nash, and myself will be removed from activities regarding the Umbra Pirates.” Huis explained. “They say that we are too close to their captain and would bring our personal feelings into the conflict.”
“Then, who is going after them?” Clive asked.
“Admiral Aoiroba has decided to send Cp-6 after them.” Huis stated.
“Cipher Pol?” Clive questioned. “But, aren't they assassins?”
“Not necessarily.” Huis explained. “From what I understand they will be attempting to capture Emma and execute the rest. They want to make an example of Emma for the world.”
“But, why Cipher Pol? Cant a Vice Admiral bring them in easily?” Clive questioned.
“Emma knows a large number of our higher ranks, and has interacted with them in some way, meanwhile Cipher Pol was a separate group none of you have interacted with. They have the advantage of being unknowns to her.”
Clive gripped his fist. He prayed that Emma give up and be turned in, not to die to whatever was coming after her. “What is my assignment then sir?”
Huis pulled out a folder and handed it to Clive. “You will be hunting down the Undead Pirates, led by Issac Kirkman, also known as ‘The Zombie’.”
“I will not let you down sir.” Clive said, looking thru the folder of the three wanted posters.
“I assume so.” Huis said.
Clive felt Huis pulling away to leave. “Sir. If I was, stronger, could I be of more use?”
“How is that?” Huis questioned.
“The Umbra Pirates, yes I cant be involved in Emma, but the rest of her crew would be fair game right?” Clive questioned.
Huis looked Clive up and down. “Should you happen to be in a similar area to her, yes you could make a move as any Marine should be encouraged to do. However, you cannot be seeking her out personally.”
“Her crew has a logia type, and this Ope-Ope No Mi that seems to be important. Is there a way I can be strong enough to fight it? Can I do that with Rokushiki?”
Huis thought for a moment. “Perhaps.”
“What can I do against them? Would Rankyaku work?” Clive questioned.
“No, most likely not in this case.” Huis thought about it. “There is a secret tool that people have, but its not something that can be taught until it has developed.”
“Haki.” Clive said.
“You have heard of it?” Huis questioned.
“I heard you talk about it when I was younger.” Clive stated. “How can I develop Haki?”
“If you have it, it will develop on its own.” Huis said.
“So I just have to wait?” Clive said impatiently.
“Yes.” Huis stated bluntly.
Clive felt a wave of frustration, he had to wait till this power developed to be able to take on bigger pirates?
“However, there is another tool we have.” Huis explained. “A form of Rokushiki.”
“Sir, I have mastered the six forms of Rokushiki.” Clive explained.
“Yes, and because of that perhaps you could learn the seventh.” Huis said with a smile.
“A seventh path? Why wasn't I taught it?” Clive questioned.
“Because, I don't know it.” Huis explained. He pulled out a note and began to scribble something down. “Take this down to the clerks, it is a request for you to borrow a member of CP-4, he will be your teacher.”
“A member of Cipher Pol?” Clive said in disbelief.
“It will also make the higher ups happy, someone to keep an eye on you.” Huis explained. “They worry you will ignore your duties to hunt down the Umbra’s, with this method they will begin to relax.”
Clive took the sheet and held it in his hand. “This power, will it really help?”
“I have seen it in action before, it can even stop a logia type.” Huis explained.
“Then I will master this, so I can bring any pirate to justice.” Clive said, gripping the paper in his hand.
Huis laughed. “Keep that up and you'll be a Vice Admiral in no time.”
Right, Clive had to remember his own goals. Rise in the ranks, one day he would be an Admiral, just like he wanted. To do that, he had to capture pirates. These Undeads would be his first step to his future.
