Standing by the deck on the deck of the Bubble Coated Ship, Junbei stared off into the deep blue of the dockside water, recapping the events on Atlantis so far. First off, Oceanus. Was his hatred for Mermen- No Humans so deep that he'd eliminate a whole race for interbreeding. What'd drive a man so much off the edge to kill? Junbei knew in his heart that he wasn't the conventional pirate, he'd neither chastise a pirate for aimless killing nor pretend to be a glory hog waving a banner for saving lives. The world was simple and clear cut to him, people die, sometimes the ones we love and even often more so, those we want to protect. Strength. It was those who held the power in their own realm of being that can control the safety of those to a level. However, would him being powerful be enough to take him to his goal. Second, Hilda. Her response lingered on his brain, he'd wondered about comrades, How many had he himself killed in collateral damage at the hands of his Oto Oto No Mi abilities. The seas were filled with harder situations and even more so, harder decisions.

As he stood in silence, ideas for many songs flooded his brain but for now, his muse wasn't enough to distract from his noisy mind. He'd sit within himself mentally, standing looking off into the peer, listen to the slightest of sounds, like a person would idly listen to radio, so would he too everything around him. "Oceanus has a fleet of men at his disposal... Ren... Tidus... Even his lower ranking men were of another level... Right now, my heaviest hitters are scattered. And I'm burdened with a curse of Crewmates leaving me for their own freedom. However, I too chase something... Every dream is worth exploring. Isn't it?" Junbei said, talking to himself as he recollected his mothers memory.

After he had gotten those creatures situated below deck, he'd head topside. But, it was strange as someone was on his ship. Well, it wasn't his ship but he claimed it for himself for the journey ahead. Tenzen would stop a few feet away from himself, as the Man spoke to himself. Tenzen at first wanted to judge the guy, but he wouldn't. As he had a little episode himself where he had done the same thing, but rather in a more extreme manner.

"A Yonko doubting himself? You keep doing that and the rumors of you being the weakest Yonko, will come true." Tenzen would say as he would begin to walk and and stand next to the Yonko. He wouldn't say anything else but look up at the sky. Tenzen though he didn't show it was a bit nervous, he'd never been this close to a Yonko before. He had heard about all the rumors that swirled around them. Briefly Tenzen was a Marine and he knew about how this Yonko had taken one of their bases. Honestly, Tenzen felt he held the most potential out of all the other Yonko. He was young, very young, compared to the others and he didn't seem to stray away from big event. But, that may be because he still has things to prove. Or was it because he was chasing something else.

This made Tenzen reflect on himself. He was the World's Greatest Swordsmen, but that wasn't what he was known for. He was known for being an assassin, which was fine with him. He didn't care that much about titles, as they didn't truly mean anything.

"Rishi Rishi... Tenzen was it?" Junbei responded to the man's statement about doubting himself. "The world kept putting titles on me, Yonko. First it was Supernova, before that rookie, I've only been chasing my dream of becoming Pirate King all along. They say the best songs are written when you've experienced things no man has ever felt. Seen things no man has never seen, smell things no man has ever breathed and are able to relate back to the most ordinary of lifestyles." Junbei said. Adjusting his stance to prop his hands onto the railing, "Are you familiar with the story of the Pied Piper?" Junbei inquired. "At times... I wonder if I'm just like him. Am I playing a song that'll lead all my crewmates to death? Am I immature in believing I just have to be strong enough to protect them all? Maybe it's them who have to be strong to support my dream? Is that selfish?" Junbei said. Grinning, "Your right, I have many doubts. I think all men do. However, more so than the noises in my head, there's an even louder noise booming. 'Restore Majesty to the Pirate King Title.' If- No, once I defeat Oceanus... whether by myself or with the Songbird's help... I still need to complete the New World. They'll be many trying to cut my head off, just to obtain the very title I won. Wallace's Assassination taught me a lesson, when the world has their eyes one thing, it's so easy to steal another. That's how I claimed Tres. By the time they realised I had raided the island, most of their forces were busy blowing out an old candle." Junbei said grinning.

"I say all this to say, perhaps in the eyes of others, I might be the 'weakest' Yonko. People have always had their own strong opinions about me because they can't get a read on me. One day I'd save a village of people and the other, I'd merciless amputate an enemy. That's because I don't believe in good or evil... Just actions. Having the power to achieve your own creed. That's all that matters in the end." Junbei concluded, continuing to stare out onto the sea. "What of you, Tenzen? The World sees you as the man who killed an innocent Prince. However, with nobility, innocence doesn't exist does it?" Junbei grinned, turning his head slightly to the masked man.  

'He sure talks a lot.' Tenzen would think to himself as he would listen to what the Yonko had to say. Even though he thought he talked a lot, he didn't mind it. Tenzen was fine with listening to what the Yonko had to say, as this would probably be the only Yonko he'd ever talk to. He'd ask a few questions, but most seemed rhetorical.  

"No one within this world is innocent, and he needed to die. If he hadn't the message I wanted to send wouldn't have been as clear if I killed someone of less importance." Tenzen would tell the Yonko. He'd turn his attention downward to the waters. Tenzen wouldn't say anything for a bit, as he would think. He did kill a Prince, that from his observation, wasn't that bad. Tenzen wouldn't regret his act though as he did it to make sure he didn't get corrupted.

"When you got onto your path did you think you'd kill more people or lose more people to get to your end goal?" Tenzen would as the Yonko. He was simply making conversation right now, and if this subject was something the Yonko didn't want to talk about they could speak about something else. Tenzen had asked himself that same question before. He knew that, with the path he took, he would be killing more than losing. As he didn't have anyone. Those he had already where dead or believed he was. Tenzen wasn't someone that got sad from that, not at all. But he wondered how a notorious pirate felt.

Regardless of what people thought, Junbei wasn't truly an emotional person. He just thought a lot about a variety of things and often times, when asked, he'd speak his mind as need be. "People die every day Tenzen. Regardless of if they met me or not, ultimately, every humans life is finite. I'd definitely didn't think I'd have a crew or people who relied on me, as much as I'm talking now. I was pretty much a loner in every definition of the word." Junbei stated. "Love. Power. Respect. I never chased after worldly things after meeting my master. However, I guess a 'ghost' from my past has plagued me with what humans call emotions. All the things she wanted I now want. Even if they were all ploys to manipulate me, I believe in the path she showed me." Junbei concluded. Chuckling randomly, "You know, having someone to rely on isn't half bad, Tenzen." Junbei said. "Relying on people indeed is a weakness but much like a double edged blade, if used the right way, becoming someones 'nakama' can elevate you to heights you could never reach on your own." Junbei said.

"As romantic as this conversation is from a philosophic stand point, what brings you to start a conversation with me? Am I next on your hit list too?" Junbei inquired in a playful tone. "Or is it pre-game jitters for our raid on Fishman Island. There's a slight chance Oceanus himself might appear? Are you ready for that possibility?" Junbei inquired. "Rishi Rishi... Sorry. I've bombarded you with question. You may or may not answer whichever of them you wish." Junbei said, digging through his pocket for piece of liquorice. He was trying to beat his nasty habit of smoking cigarettes.

"Are you sure about that? In my eyes not everyone dies." Tenzen would say on the comment about everyone dying and that their life is finite. Tenzen didn't believe that at all as someone can live on in many ways. Tenzen would not saying anything after that for a few moments as he thought about answering the questions given to him by the Yonko.

"Well, I came out here to see who was on my ship. I kinda wanted to sail to Fishman Island alone, mainly due to my cargo. And I just wanted some fresh air before they makes us sink into the abyss." Tenzen would say to the Yonko, being completely honest. He could also say he was a loner. He didn't like being around people as he saw them as 'sick'. Though, his views do not change with the Yonko he doesn't mind conversing with him. It was good to talk to people sometimes, especially when the conversation wasn't half bad. Tenzen would adjust his mask as he chuckled.

"You on my hit list? Not to sound high and mighty but you haven't earned the right to be on my list. Hopefully, it also stays that way." Tenzen would say. This was true as the Yonko did not earn the right to be on the hit list of Tenzen, but that was a good thing. If he did Tenzen wouldn't have been talking here, but rather planning steps to take out the Yonko. Learning all he could under the disguise of someone that wanted to join his crew, or befriend him. If anyone was on his Hit list was maybe someone that belonged to the Yonko's crew.

"And if I was to somehow come across Oceanus, I know my death would follow. As I couldn't turn my back to that creature, I'd have to fight him till one of us gets consumed by the spiral of death. But, I am well aware at my current state...due to forced back to this age....that any mistake I make against him will end with me losing." Tenzen would say as he would hold his hand out. Just a few months ago he had wrinkles all over his skin, but not he was smooth. Young and vibrant. Youth was something he enjoyed, but also hated. His body no longer holds the experience that his mind does, and he has to train it back to that. Yeah, he was able to fight a Admiral when he escaped Marineford, but a drawn out fight with that kind of person would've ended with his defeat. Tenzen didn't even know if he could get back to his old self, or even better. Due to doing this all on his own now. Maybe a journey back to Wano was something he needed soon.

"Your questions are fine. I actually have a few of my own. First, what is your actual name? I know some of your alias, but I don't know your name. I know that sounds weird, but I just never asked anyone about it when they brought you up. And also what will you do if you come face to face with Oceanus. The man that holds the title that you hold in your sights." Tenzen would ask the Yonko. It was sad that he didn't know any other person that held a high title other than the Pirate King and a handful of others.

As the wind gushed aboard the coated vessel, the Auburn Songbird's hair flickered in the wind, listening to the man's comments about Oceanus and how he'd done nothing to be placed on Tenzen's radar. In Junbei's opinion, he'd agree. The Songbird Captain believed himself that world was too hasty to call him a Yonko. Indeed, his actions were pretty much uncharted water, as no Pirate in past times has ever tried to take control of a Government Owned Island, let alone, an island that contained most of their experimental science based projects. "When I say finite, I mean, this physical existence. For me to believe that there's no life after death it'd abort my whole belief system of Samsura. This realm is only but one of the many six realms, we as spiritual beings traverse towards Nirvana." Junbei interjected.

The man continued to speak odd things, the beginning half of his statement, he could fully understand. The thrill of facing a monster not even the 'World Powers' could suppress. It'd be the makings of the most complex and gritty composition, he'd ever gotten his hands on. Actually, thinking about meeting Oceanus face to face set Junbei's heart into full speed tempo of heart beats. It was near the end where Junbei got lost, 'Current State', 'Reverted Age'. Was Tenzen telling him that he'd somehow been morphed into a younger version of himself. With Devil Fruit capabilities, Junbei had no doubts in his mind that almost anything is possible.

"The World Knows me as Junbei Von Echo. All of my name is real, except for the Surname. Echo. I was given that name during my time being experimented on by the World Government. I was part of this... I guess you could say Super Soldier Project, as an orphan, I didn't have much choice. They gave me the name Echo because my body was the only one on base that could handle the chemical and neurological tampering they did to the kids there... It was hell. Even now, I think my life as a Pirate has to be heaven compared to back then." Junbei explained. "However, my actual last name is Lovechild Von Burg. In the New World, apparently there's an island where my siblings live where a select few have magic in their blood." Junbei stated. "Our magic doesn't give us abilities like say Devil Fruits do but our voices... our music allows us to influence people in a supernatural manner." Junbei explained.

"I was abandoned to die by my family shortly after my mother died. So, if you're going to call me anything, I'd take Echo. The only reason I keep 'Junbei' is because my mother named me." Junbei said. "As for Oceanus..." Junbei trailed along. "That's a simpler answer. I'll gut him. I'm not fond of killing, however, I'm no saint. If I have to silence him to prove I am the rightful claim to Pirate King, I will. Though, there's more to being Pirate King than defeating the last owner. What I really desire is to see what Wallace once saw, I want to complete the New World. To do that, I'll need to gather information from these things called Poneglyphs." Junbei concluded.

"It's much like my title as Yonko. I'd hold a crown with a Kingdom but no Empire. I want fulfil both ends of the argument. The traditionalist and the capitalist. If someone defeats Oceanus before me, then they'll claim themselves as Pirate King. It'll always be a cycle. However, if I complete the voyage Wallace has, I'll be Pirate King in inheritance and the person currently, holding the title will only be there in name. Then, it makes it very easy to see the next step. I'll crush them. Until I stand enough power to change this God Forsaken Seas into a well tuned system, I'll crush whoever stands in my way. All for the good of the Great Pirate Economy, Rishi Rishi!" Junbei exclaimed.