Bargaining. The Stage of Bargaining in Grief is Defined by the person trying to claw for a way to be heard. To understand. To get something to help themselves. This can appear in a variety of ways.
For Leroy…
It was working himself hard everyday. Every time he learned, he pushed himself to the limit.
But suddenly. Leroy went flying backwards! Slamming through a collection of trees! Dust erupting up into the sky as the ground cracked and shook from the immense force even as it was specifically hyper strong.
"Agh!" Leroy grabbed at his back! Zeke coming up to him slowly with a satisfied smirk on his face.
It was currently the 5th Monday of the four years of Training on Nomanis Island.
"Seriously?! You couldn't maybe pulled that punch!" Leroy questioned as he quickly got back on his feet. His lungs burning. "I did." Zeke said simply.
"Yeah but you just spent the last hour throwing me around like a rag doll!" He jeered back, stretching his back into a sturdy crack.
"I know!" Zeke suddenly laughed an explosive cheer "Imagine me in my prime! Haha! I would've destroyed you!" He reeled his head back. "Ahh…But…I'm about a hundred thousand times weaker than I was in my Prime…"
"Jeez!" Leroy stared at him with wide eyes. They were currently working to just get the Haki to be drawn out of Leroy. Not even any of the applications.
The 5th Tuesday.
"Leroy. Have you ever read the World Articles and Accords?" Freddie asked. His board in front of him as he wrote down a list from 1 to 13. Then wrote at the top of the board in red Marker.
"The World Accords, and Laws And Legal Code"
Leroy leaned forward in his chair. Hand on his chin. "No…Well yeah. Its the major laws and shit for the world government. A Decleration of operations and the like. The, uh, articles are the right granted to people." Leroy rolled his eyes
"Whatever that means" He muttered. Causing Freddie to chuckle slightly. Freddie continuing to speak "Correct. The Thirteen Accords are the Laws and Regulations and Declares for Society that should not be broken or infringed upon. To do so is highly illegal, of course."
"How many have I broken?" Leroy smirked.
"Uhhh…." Freddie whipped back around and counted under his breath. "One two three…Four…fi- Hmmm." He spun back around "Either all of them or only one! Ready to start?"
Leroy nodded.
"Article one says that the Under All pretexts, what the World Government decides as law, either civic, legal, code, or Articles of Convention, are to be adhered to. And that all the Laws are up to interpretation based on what judges say. It also labels celestial dragons and nobels as exempt, in the actions of their lives for the betterment of the world and economy…" He gave a small breath. Pulling out his pipe and lighting it to take the edge off.
"See the problem?" He asked.
"Uh…Yeah. It says 'What ever we says go. And rich and powerful people are exempt if we want them to be. And Judges can say who it counts too or not rather a crime is comitted or not.' They can just say it was a crime." He leaned back and crossed his arms.
"What a bunch of bullshit!" He he barked.
"Indeed! And you're right! But its not the end all be all. Many judges stick to the letter because thats there job. Not special privileges. They follow the rules exactly. Others use the rules to the advantage of people in minor ways." He shrugged
"It gets complicated the bigger and bigger systems like this are. The more emotions and morals play. The more people define them in their own ways either analytically or subjectively." He puffed on his pipe.
"Tch…Yeah…People will be people…" Leroy side eyed.
"Article 2 says that Marines are Exempt from laws and punishment if they are 'Helping' society and ensuring order and peace."
Leroy added on "Peace being making sure things keep going the way they want and keeping money and power flowing…"
"Yep. Article 3 says the same as the first that Nobels are Exempt and explicitly says because of their wealth and power and political leverge."
That really got Leroy to Scoff.
"4 say that any information declared dangerous by the government or by the states church are to be taken as absolute. Because they are trying to prevent Terrorism and it getting into hands of people who want to hurt people so they curate the truth." He gave Leroy a solemn look
"I'm sure you know all about that…"
Raven…Leroy sniffed. "Yeah…"
"5 says that all people under the World Governments banner are to be declared Equal, unless in the course of action, Duty or Need, they are to be stripped of prilage for stability. Or if purity laws and regulations in matters of Race and Culture for Protection." Another deep puff…
"Oh yeah! Great! What about the people not under the banner huh? What about the small islands unable to pay for Marines or the Tithe. And wow! Matters of Race? So anyone not human. Or anyone not a specific kind of human. And a specific looking human right? Yeah wow…" He clenched his jaw.
"In recent years. The Government and Nations have become more accepting. And its still legal under the Accords because its in matters of race over all not specifically one thing or the other. Especially if youre human. No matter how you look youre accepted regardless of banner." Fredrich explained.
"But does that actually stop people from being abused or enslaved? No!" He mocking stated "Look at Desamare. Or Minks. Or Fishmen. Or whatever. Hell we are all slaves since were forced to do what the world government says, and not just laws that do help people. Inadvertently or otherwise, you don't get privileges unless your with them and are seen as a threat or only give to them…No dignity…."
Freddie puffed again and again. Nodding slowly as he savored.
"6 says you have the right to a fair trial unless your a pirate or terrorist. 7 says actions against marines and the government is strictly illegal. Killing a Nobel is high Treason with only death deemed just. 8 Says that interfering with the Marines unless well intentioned is to be taken as treason and interruption of justice."
"Great. You're special because you work for the government or have a bunch of money regardless if you help people…" Leroy set his jaw.
"Nine says all people have the right to property and is secure and untenable unless deemed necessary. Monopolies are illegal to give fair chance for economic opportunity." He points to Leroy who was raising his hand.
"But that doesnt stop them from doing it but under different names or processes and opportunity isn't guaranteed its only a possibility?" He jokingly asked sarcastically.
"Correct!" Fredirch declared.
"10, Piracy is illegal. 11. All seas outside of the law are to be made civil and be tamed basically."
"They're saying they want other peoples stuff and will take it because they want it to be like them and to be used."
"12, all nations unless by two degrees of separation, meaning allies, but not their allies, must adhere to the Law. And 13 says all wealth, property and resources including persons are inherent to the world government. And may be used and declared as deemed necessary for the preservation of the world."
Leroy let out a massive sigh and leaned forward. Rubbing his face. "So you got nothing. Must give everything. And your existence is conditional because we say so. And we will enforce it violently if you don't…."
5th Wednesday.
"Push! Push! Push!" Arnie screamed as he bent forward in front of Leroy. Leroy was currently squatting much more weight than he was previously. Sweat beading and pouring. Eyes burning from dryness and sweat leaking in. He was on the 7th repetition of motion! His legs were on fire! Hands in pain from his grip even with the straps. The lifting belt tight around his waist as he grit his teeth hard! Face warped into a mess of creases!
"GRAH!" He locked out! Standing straight! A sudden rush of cool flooding over him as his muscles and heat stopped spreading! The Barbell fell of his back. Slamming into the ground. Breathing heavily. Wheezing hard.
"Yeah buddy! There we go!" The lifter clapped quickly giving a small pace in a circle. Nodding his head quickly. "Fuck yeah!" He clapped Leroy on the back, who snapped his lifting belt off.
"You earned yourself a nice big steak tonight!" Coal-Man declared loudly!
That night. Around the table. It was just him and Arnie eating. Slicing and cutting into the Steak before forking it into their mouths.
"You said" Leroy began "You got a lot of experience with race? Can you tell me a bit about it? Really just anything?" Leroy put the cut medium steak into his mouth. Taste melting over his tongue as he chewed and chewed with exhaustion and satisfaction.
"Yeah of course." Arnie said. Drinking from a massive tankard
"Racism…Is insane. It can happen to anyone. Or everyone. Depending on anything. It just has power when its from people that are in power or have the most sway in society. And usually thats …Normal looking, rich, humans. Normal meaning they have fair skin and don't have any major mutations in their face or bodies. Dark people can be seen as inferior due to what ever reason they come up with. Smarts. IQ. Culture. Nature. But thats rare nowadays. It was only really an issue back back in the day when there was constant wars and expansions for the World Government."
"Was it genuinely believed or just an excuse?" Leroy question. Drinking his shake in large gulps.
"Both." He shrugged.
"Yeah…" Freddies words echoed…It get complex when it gets bigger. More friction. More opposition. Contradiction. Paradoxical and logical all together.
"As for Fishmen. I mean yeah. They can be rowdy. They can be loud. Boisterous. Sometimes rude…! But-" He shakes his head. Another chunk into his maw.
"That doesn't come from them being Fishmen. Thats just their way of life and that can come from or is anyone else." Arnie nodded along. A proud smile on his full lips.
"Yep. A buncha bullshit. Toptabottom. I mean. I get why fishmen don't like humans. They have a reason to. I mean look how their treated today!" He gestures with his hand.
"Yeah I mean. Thats not just individual. Its wide spread. Its economic. Systemic. Its violent too. A Human could not like a fishmen for personality or other reasons as a person. But a human doesnt have any reason to hate fishmen as a group cuz they as a group havent done or aren't doing what Humans have and are doing to them!" He thought back to kirk…To Barnum…A Human and Fishman Supremacist at the same time.
"Yeah but people will think they do. Or just say it as an excuse…"
"Don't know why its so hard to judge people based on how their actions affect peoples conditions and their surroundings and as people." He was rambling… "Like cmon…But to say that or ignore that they are a different Race…Is kinda violent in itself because your ignoring a key part of their person. Their suffering. You should acknowledge it. On top of everything else…"
"Ugh!" He suddenly reeled back. Sighing up into the ceiling
"Quiet!" Zeke snapped across the Cabin.
"Sorry!" He shouted back…
"Ugh…Racism…Bunch Fucking Batshit Crazy load of Horseshit…"
5th Friday…
The Day his Haki Erupted.
Leroy was deeper into the Jungle than he had before. He was going up against a Shellbear. Which didn't have a shell. Nor was a bear. But was closer to gorillan. Huge. Powerful. Thick hide like Chiton on its arms, back and face. Make them look like that had the edges of their bones beneath protrude from its skin and thicken into armor.
It was fast! Leroy needed Gear 2nd and 3rd in combo attacks to even crack its armor! He was stronger…But not much stronger from five weeks prior. Not with out Haki! Not without that flood gate allowing his Omega Fibers and Body to be capable of growing and outputting more!
"GROAARR!!" The Beast roared. Swiping an open palm at Leroy! Smacking into him with tremendous force that bypassed his rubber physiology and damaged his body! "Grah!" He screamed! Slamming his own massive Hulk Hyper Shot into the beasts face! Cracking and destroying the armor and sending it flying backwards!
"Rgh…Ah…!" Leroy winced. He got sent through a dozen trees, exploding a massive boulder on impact as he came to a stop. "Ha ha…" He looked to his hand. It felt…Warm. Like there was a heat. But it was coming from his…Chest first! Spreading out in a wave…A light tingle…Almost like the beginning of a Caffeine Rush.
An explosion sounded out! And from in the trees! Was a massive ape! Standing straight up! It had a massive dark black and brown with streaks of orange mane around his face like that of a lion. Eyes like a cat. Hands with claws. And a massive short haired tail swaying behind with a bush of fur at the end…
'Leroy…' Zekes words echoed in the pirates mind. 'When youre out there. Be careful okay? Don't go to deep. The island works on a strict hierarchy the further in you go. The stronger. You'll know you've gone to far for your current strength when you see the Gorlion.'
The Gorlion…23 meters Tall. A perfect hybrid of a Lion and a Gorilla put together. It held a massive boulder in its hand as its eyes narrowed in on Leroy…
Time seemed to slow…Adrenaline coursing and dumping into Leroys veins. He's been in a dozen fights before. Never had his mind moved faster than his body. Except…When filled with fear…
The two stared daggers at one another. Waiting for the other to make the first move…
In a blink! The Gorilon moved! It was a simple flinch as its arm and body started to kick into gear! Leroy got up! Quickly dashing out of the way as before he could even process it, the boulder that was over 10 feet wide came hurtling through at literal astronomical speeds! Exploding into the ground and leaving a surprising crater of damage!
"Gear 2nd! Full Throttle!" He screamed! Steam erupting in a massive plume! "Turbo Shot!" He screamed the new name for his Gear 2 and 3 combined attacks! He grew his entire arm to slam into the beast! It took it head on! Blood spilling from its gums! But a monsterous roar came next! A mix between a gorillas howl and a lions deep bassy roar!
Leroy Narrowly dodged a Animalistic Swipe! The wind uprooting trees meters away! Leroy delivered a Gear 2nd Hook! Then a Jab! Then a round house! He was propelling himself by kicking off the air! His legs shifting against it just as he would to brace his back leg for a devastating punch!
"Turbo Sling!" He slammed his supersized leg into the Feline Primates ribs! A devastating crack heard!
Leroy smiled…
But- The Gorlion was the king of this section of Jungle…
And Leroy was on its turf.
Its hand opened! Snapping up into the air with enough weight and speed it dragged the air away from Leroys vicinity! But that wasn't the astonishing thing…
Its…Hand began to glow! That heat haze of a yellowish white steam that shimmered and warped the light that hit it like a hot summers day on the horizon…It was-
"Haki?!" Leroy questioned to late. Bringing up his arms not in time as-
"RAAAOOGGARR!!" It slammed its fist straight down into leroy! Literally spiking him like a rubber ball! The ground exploded! Leroy back felt like it snapped! "Ragha" He sputtered. The wind knocked from his lungs. That familiar stinging in his chest, the rush of lightheadedness. Burning in the stomach.
Leroy slowly bounced back up. Spit flying from his throat. 'Shit…What…Why can't I…Do this?! What's the point in all of this if I can't beat a fuckin' ape!' The world was moving slow again…But it wasn't the same as last time. Not at all. His eyes opened slowly…And the Ape seemed to be moving back at a snails pace…
That warmth…It was spreading again. Coating his body…Encompasing it. It was no more than the temperature one would feel in a hug. Skin to Skin…But his mind. His senses. His body. It felt like the tingles and rush of Caffine, and the sudden awareness from nicotine.
In a flash! A ball of light slammed into the Apes face! Knocking it backwards with extreme force! Blood erupting and flowing down its flat faced nose. A wheezing and pained whine came from its mouth as it bared a smile. But it was not a smile like Leroy. Apes smile the same way humans frown…This was a grimace of rage! Bearing teeth!
Leroy landed on a flat platou above the Ape as it recoiled and tried to steady itself.
His hands…No his body! It was coated in a thick misty haze!
It was tinged a pale orange color like a faded candle light on a stark white piece of paper. Hazey. Barely able to be see. But when he flexed. Clenching his fist! It flared! Becoming more visible. More aggressive. Spiking like a spewing flame but concentrated to not even 8 inches from his body in an aura…It did not grow.
"Hahah….AHAHAHAH!" He reeled back. Hand covering his eyes as his other slapped his stomach in amusement! "AHAHAHAH! Wow!"
He looked at his body again. He felt stronger. Far stronger. Like he was finally warmed up. Finally able to actually give it effort!
His brow hardened as the Gorlion suddenly leaped up! And landed on the flat barren and light brown platou.
The Ape was enraged. In a act of defiance. It spat to its side. A pearly white tooth clattering against the ground.
"Sorry?" He smirked. But the Ape huffed.
Leroy was the first to move this time! His aura hazing behind hims as he dashed ahead! Body trailing like a burning meteor from the Aura of Haki!
He was utterly out pacing the Ape! It swung! He stopped it with a punch! Breaking its hand! Another tossed rock, and Leroy zipped around it! Using it as a platform to leap off of! Leroy slammed a fist into the side of the beasts face! Then and stretched Gum Gum Shot! Then a Mortor straight down onto its shoulder!
His arms stretched. Grabbed it by the ears. And zipped up to knee it right into the chin! The sound that released not just from Leroys speed but from the bones destruction was satisfying and Horrifying! A crunch like a supersized piece of lettuce had ben frozen and torn apart!
"GUM GUM RECIEVER!" He screamed! His follow through tossing himself into the Air! "Gum Gum!" The Gorlions eyes looked up! Shock in its eyes!
"Turbo Shot!" Gear 2nd and 3rd exploded around Leroy as he threw his punch through the air! Faster than ever! Stronger than ever! He aimed right for the Beasts Chest! The wind burst into volcanic like rupture! Cracking and breaking its body as it slammed into the ground! The rest of the force going from its body, then into the Plateou!
In a massive rupture! The entire geographic sturtucre. 50 meters tall and over a mile around– SHATTERED into chunks of rock! The same rock that was as strong as steel, blasted apart into dozens and dozens of pieces, jagged, cracked, dust, smoke, debris from trees to animals to grass and dirt flying everywhere!
It only took a single second!
Zeke and the others found him. They were left in awe at the display that Leroy had put on. Zeke had not expected Leroy to beat the Gorlion only 5 weeks into his training…He had figured that it was gonna take another week to get his Haki to expand.
And yet…Leroy was totally fine. He wasn't even exhausted. He felt like he could probably throw another dozen of those attacks before running out of energy…
Leroy had Finally awakened his Haki.
And despite it all…His Barganing with his teachers had worked.
6th Wednesday.
Leroy, with that same aura blazing around his body. Zipped around! Clashing his fist into Zekes arms! Jab! Jab Jab! Cross! Left haymaker! But Zeke Pulled his own knee up to his stomach and laid his elbow on it to block the haymaker! Only Leroy was using Haki. And yet, Zeke grabbed the Pirates forearms and reeled him around to toss him away!
"You're going again!" Zeke said in a prideful tone "Youre bodies fully open. Your radiating with Haki and potential energy. Your muscles are tearing again and you blood flowing." He nodded again and again.
"Now let it burst!" He screamed! Letting his own Haki explode and flare! Both of them clashed together!