OP: Sovereign of Blood and Seas

Cape Valor stood as a defiant monument to the rebellion's growing power. The once-imposing Marine fortress now flew the crimson banner of the Blood Shadow, its walls bristling with stolen cannons and its harbors teeming with pirate ships. The Marines' defeat here had sent ripples through the East Blue, but Eric knew the ripples would soon turn to waves.

Eric stood atop the fortress walls, the cool wind ruffling his coat as he stared out at the horizon. The waters beyond were calm for now, but he could feel the tension in the air—a storm was coming.

"Brooding again?" Nami's voice broke the silence as she approached.

Eric smirked faintly, his sharp eyes flicking toward her. "Planning."

She crossed her arms, her orange hair catching the light of the setting sun. "You've taken Cape Valor, crippled their supply lines, and sent a vice admiral running. What's left to plan?"

"Their retaliation," Eric said simply. "The Marines won't take this lying down. They'll send everything they have."

"And what's your plan when they do?" Nami asked, stepping closer.

Eric's smirk widened, his blood blade forming in his hand. "We send them back in pieces."

The rebellion's council convened in Cape Valor's central tower. The room was alive with energy, a mix of triumph and unease as the leaders debated their next moves.

Jax leaned over the table, his scarred hands gripping its edges. "Word is the Marines are assembling a fleet at Seawatch Harbor. If that's true, we're going to be outnumbered three to one."

Aran grinned from his seat, his cutlasses gleaming in the torchlight. "We've been outnumbered before. Didn't stop us then."

Korvin, the grizzled smuggler, shook his head. "This isn't like before. If they're bringing in reinforcements from Marineford, we're looking at admirals, not just captains and commodores."

Eric stood at the head of the table, his sharp eyes scanning the map. "Then we hit them first. Before their fleet is ready."

Nami frowned, her arms crossed. "You're talking about taking on an entire fleet. That's suicide, Eric."

"Not if we fight smart," Eric replied. He pointed to a narrow channel marked on the map. "This is the Iron Maw. It's the only way to reach Seawatch Harbor. If we block their approach and force them into the channel, their numbers won't matter."

"And how do you plan to block a fleet?" Korvin asked, his tone skeptical.

Eric smirked, his blood blade dissolving in his hand. "Leave that to me."

The rebellion's fleet moved swiftly, their sails blending into the darkness as they approached the Iron Maw. The channel was a treacherous stretch of water flanked by towering cliffs, its narrow passages dotted with jagged rocks.

Eric stood at the helm of his flagship, his sharp eyes scanning the waters ahead. The tension in the air was palpable, but he thrived on it.

Nami joined him, her expression tense. "You're too calm," she said.

"And you're too worried," Eric replied, his smirk faint.

"This isn't just another skirmish, Eric," she said, her voice sharp. "If this goes wrong, we lose everything."

"It won't," Eric said confidently. "We've faced worse."

Nami shook her head, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "You're impossible."

Eric chuckled softly. "And yet, here you are."

The Marine fleet appeared on the horizon at dawn. Their sails filled the sky, a wall of ships bristling with cannons and soldiers. At their center was a massive warship, its iron-plated hull gleaming in the morning light.

"That's the Eminence," Nami said, her voice low. "Flagship of Admiral Calder Ryze. He's known for destroying entire fleets."

Eric smirked, his blood blade forming in his hand. "Then it's a good thing we're not just any fleet."

The battle began with a deafening roar as the rebellion's cannons fired from the cliffs. Explosions lit up the channel, and the first Marine ships were forced to maneuver through the narrow passage, their formation breaking apart.

Eric's fleet moved with precision, their smaller, faster ships darting between the rocks to harass the larger vessels. Cannons roared on both sides, the air thick with smoke and fire as the battle raged.

Eric leaped onto a Marine ship, his blood blade carving through the defenders with ruthless efficiency. The hunger surged within him, sharper than ever, but he controlled it, using it to fuel his attacks.

A group of Marines rushed him, their weapons gleaming in the firelight. Eric moved like a shadow, his blade shifting forms constantly—sword, scythe, spear—each transformation tailored to counter the enemy's attacks.

"Blood Puppeteer," he muttered, focusing on a fallen Marine.

The body jerked upright, its movements controlled by Eric's will. He sent it charging into the fray, its sudden resurrection sowing confusion and fear.

As the battle pressed on, the Eminence entered the channel. Its cannons fired relentlessly, striking the cliffs and sending debris raining down on the rebellion's forces.

Eric's sharp eyes locked onto the warship. "Take me closer," he commanded, his voice steady.

Nami hesitated. "Eric, that's suicide."

"Trust me," he said, his smirk widening.

The flagship cut through the water, closing the distance to the Eminence. Grappling hooks flew, and Eric leaped onto the enemy deck, his blood blade gleaming in the firelight.

Admiral Calder Ryze awaited him, his tall, imposing figure framed by the chaos of battle. His weapon, a massive glaive crackling with lightning, glinted menacingly in his hands.

"So, you're the Blood Shadow," Ryze said, his voice calm but edged with steel. "You've made quite the mess of the East Blue."

Eric smirked, his blade shifting into a curved saber. "And you've come to clean it up?"

Ryze's expression darkened. "I've come to end you."

The duel began in a flash of motion, Ryze's glaive striking with the force of a thunderstorm. Eric parried, his blood blade meeting the admiral's weapon in a shower of sparks.

"You're strong," Ryze admitted, his strikes relentless. "But strength alone won't save you."

"Good thing I've got more than that," Eric replied, his grin sharp.

He unleashed his new power, the blood around him rising into the air and forming a storm of floating blades. The blades darted toward Ryze, their movements unpredictable and deadly.

Ryze spun his glaive, the weapon's energy creating a barrier that deflected the projectiles. But Eric pressed the advantage, his blood blade shifting into a spear that struck with unrelenting precision.

With a final, decisive strike, Eric's blade found its mark. Ryze staggered, his glaive slipping from his grasp as he fell to his knees.

"It's over," Eric said, his voice cold.

Ryze glared up at him, his defiance unbroken. "This… isn't over."

Eric smirked. "For you, maybe. For me, it's the end."

The Marine fleet retreated, their formation broken and their morale shattered. The rebellion's cheers echoed across the channel as the last of the enemy ships disappeared into the horizon.

Eric stood at the edge of the deck, his blood blade dissolving in his hand. Nami joined him, her expression a mix of relief and exasperation.

"You keep pulling off the impossible," she said.

"That's the idea," Eric replied, his smirk faint.

She shook her head, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Just try not to push your luck too far."

Eric chuckled softly. "Luck's got nothing to do with it."

The rebellion's dominance over the East Blue had been cemented, but Eric knew the battles ahead would only grow harder.

The Marines were relentless.

But so was he.