Where have you been Lazarus?

Sitting in the basements of the 80th Branch, Lazarus under the guise of another low named criminal sat in the holding cells of the marine stronghold. He had been there for one year, sitting in meditation after the second breakdown of his crew. He decided to reflect on everything he had lost for the year, now covered in dirt, sweat, blood and animal feces from the rodent kind. At the jail door a man approached the cell and proceeded to speak with Lazarus.

"It's been a while Mr.Phantom" said the black suited male.

Lazarus sensing the man's killing intent, opened his eyes for the first time in a year.

Lazarus: How may I help you? Calling me by that name, means you know me but I don't have the pleasure of meeting your acquaintance?

The man jumped and landed into a sitting stance with both of his legs wrapped. Lighting his cigarette. "I've come to assassinate you. Having someone with your blood running around isn't very useful the World Government" the man said smirking.

Lazarus: Cipher Pol....

"We've always known you've been here but since you showed no will to fight or criminal activity, I think it's best the world forgets you. Enemies with a Shichibukai, whose pissed by the way and still wants you dead, befriending a Yonko, the incidents of your past crews, simply put, your a flight risk. What scares them the most is your blood" the man took a puff of his cigarette, the fumes trickled off to the ceiling.

Lazarus: I don't know what your talking about... My people died over nothing, there is no magic in our blood! It's our technology you labelled as magic because it was far ahead of time, my father was a fool to work for the Navy.

"How did you think he learned that trait huh!? His blood, your brother's blood and your sisters all tainted. The power to speak with the dead... to learn from beings who exists fully in neither this time or space."

Lazarus: Your crazy... If you've come spouting this non-sense, then just kill me and be gone.

"I would but I'm not going to fulfill my orders. I'm doing a favor and telling them you escape, also, your old Captain sends a message."

Lazarus: Azure!?

"'Stop being a wimp and get up and fight. Your sisters getting married to a Noble in less than a year. Once she does, she'll be his slave forever, they want their children to recreate the same science your father had made.' Is what she said..."

Lazarus: Who the hell are you!?.

The man stepped back and flipped into mid-air firing off a sequence of wind blades that ripped away the man's seastone chains and prison cell. The man then grabbed Lazarus by his collar and tossed him onto the prison floor and in an instant disappeared leaving only a vivi card. The alarm's in the 80th Marine Branch went off and light returned to Lazarus's eyes.

Lazarus: I need a ship.

A year has passed... Hexller wasn't sure as to what to say to him. He was his captain and all... he was... What would he say if he found out that Hexller left the crew without his knowledge and even started a crew for himself. But he had to, he'll visit him. He'll visit Lazarus D. King. Dusguising himself with a cloak, Hexller came to the 80th marine branch, nervous of getting caught. He had just found out about Lazarus' imprisonment on the news. He immediately decided to come visit him without hesitation. Aside from his nervousness of getting caught, he was also nervous about Lazarus himself. Je wondered how he'll handle the situation of getting imprisoned. He wondered if he could break him out. Reaching a small desk, Hexller asked the marine stationed there.

Hexller: Where can I find Lazarus D. King?

Marine: Why would I lead you there? Who are you?

Suddenly alarms rang...

Marine: What the!

Gunfires, shouts, explosions, irritating alarm noise. The whole place sounded like an enclosed warzone if there's even something like that. It's been only a few minutes since Hexller arrived, it couldn't be possible that he caused the alarm to go. Unless its...

Hexller: Lazarus!

Hexller shouted and took his hood off. The marine guarding his post immediately knew his identity. The marine screamed Hexller's name, screaming his lungs out that Hexller has entered the building. Hexller immediately elbowed the marine on his stomach, shutting his muth and killing him at once.

Hexller: Shh! Shut that damn mouth of yours.

Hexller ran down the stairs where he can hear all the commotion. He wished that Lazarus was fine and was out of danger, but since he's his previous captain, Hexller's sure that Lazarus would be fine by himself. On the lower floor, piles of bodies lay on the floor with debri all over the palce. Hexller looked down on the floor nearby, there was a large hole and a man standing beside it. Hexller looked closer, it was Lazarus.

Hexller: What in the world did you do this time Laz?

Hexller kicked a marine charging towards him sideways with his hands on his vest's pockets. It's been a long time since they've met, yet they're both unaturally calm. It's like nothing happened at all. That made Hexller a bit less worried. Hexller grinned at Lazarus. Debt? Hexller was never in debt to Lazarus. It was his own intent that he had joined his crew.

Hexller: Right. By the way, I have a crew of my own now. If you ever start a new crew again, my crew is always an ally of yours.

It's time to bid his old captain a goodbye. Hexller slowly walked towards the stairs. Midway through, he looked back at Lazarus who was busy fending off enemies.

Hexller: Until we meet again, Lazarus D. King

Hexller went up and exited the marine base. Hexller is now a captain of his own. It's about time to rewrite both of their journeys