Jackson Gunn

Jackson Gunn is the captain of the Steel Rod Pirates, and user of the Jala Jala no Mi.

Appearance
Fairly tall, average weight, muscular. He has shoulder length, shaggy, black hair and side burns. He wears a white button down shirt a little over half way buttoned. Over top that he wears an unbuttoned pine green vest with black lining and gold buttons. He wears navy blue pants and navy blue shoes. He also wears plain metallic rings on each finger and a gold chain necklace around his neck. Though covered by his shirt sleeves he wears gold bracers around his wrists. He also carries a steel rod.

Personality
Confident, slightly arrogant, fearless, cheerful, intelligent, and a born leader, Jackson is the ideal captain. His arrogance comes from his mastery of his devil fruit ability, but tries to not let it affect his fights, although he names his attacks after the weapons of the gods. He can be vulgar and accidentally impolite, but then will quickly apologize. This is mostly because of his upbringing, as his mother would always scold anyone in the family who used vulgar language, and his father being a vulgar man. Loves adventure and always goes sightseeing when he arrives at a new island. Jackson has a fascination with weapons and armor, and whenever he sees a something he deems cool he has to exam it. However thanks to his DF ability he seldom buys them. However, he will pick up any pieces scape metal, piles them in his quarters, and carries a few pieces with him to use for his weapon making.

Abilities and Powers
Jackson is a natural born fighter. He is able to use any weapon with at least above average ability. Using superhuman strength, superhuman speed, and superhuman endureance, he can launch massive attacks that can cause immense amount of damage.

Devil Fruit
Jackson ate the Jala Jala no Mi, which allows the user to manipulate raw material to create weapons and armor, which is why he always carries a steel rod. He is proficient in all kinds of weapons, but mostly uses blunt weapons and swords. He bases some of his attacks and weapons off of what he thinks that the weapons of various Gods would look like.

Weapons
His steel rod is a basic steel rod with an emerald pommel stone at its end. His DF ability allows him to manipulate the rod to create other weapons or armor. He likes to make the weapons of the Gods, such as Thor's Hammer, Neptune's Trident, Apollo's Bow, and various specific named weapons (such as Excalibur as used by Arthur, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi as used by Susano-o and Amaterasu, Balmung as used by Odin, etc.). All of these weapons, though, are usually nothing like what they would look like and usually have Jackson's flair to it.

Haki
Jackson has shown signs to possess haki. He hasn't mastered it or even really learned how to use it or what it is. However, in a few intense moments in battles, he felt that his attacks had become much stronger in, and he could anticipate the enemy's actions a lot more clearer than normal. At one point he scared a wild animal that was about to attack him into submission just by a glance.

Tar Goods, the Monk and the Temple Ruin
Jackson was born on Chuutetsu Island in North Blue in Kaki Village. His family runs a world renowned blacksmith company called, creating many great weapons, said to be the new generation of O Wazamono Grade Swords. At a very young age, he was taught the art of a blacksmith. When Jackson was six, a travelling merchant company called Tar Goods came to the island to sell iron ore and scrap metal to the local blacksmiths. Jackson's father, Ulysses Gunn, and the head of Tar Goods, Leopold Saga, were old friends and Ulysses always had first pick at his store. On the night the merchants arrived, Ulysses invited the family over for a reunion feast. The entire Gunn family and Saga family attended and became reintroduced with each other. At this feast, Jackson met Leopold's son, Oliver Saga. Being 3 years younger, Jackson looked up to Oliver right away, but Oliver was not so thrilled. The next few days he followed him around while Oliver was doing his chores and running errands. Though Oliver tried to loose him, Jackson's knowledge of the town proved to be too much for Oliver's wit. In desparation, Oliver unknowingly ran into the woods surrounding the town. Jackson had often adventured into these woods so he knew the dangers. However by the time he caught up to Oliver, he had become lost himself.

They wandered around the forest until they came across an entrance to a shrine. Jackson, had only heard that one had once been there, but was told that it was lost to time. They climbed up the stairs and began exploring. When they reached the top they found the shine in disrepair and very unkept. The vegitation was overgrown and moss covered the red pillars almost to the top. As the two boys continued to look around, there were surprised to be greeted by an old monk. The monk told them that this was once a great shrine to the god Hachiman, but was now deserted and run down. The monk then continued to tell them that he doesn't mind that the people stopped coming and had forgot about the place, but he wishes that it would at least be renovated. However, since he was old and frail he could not do the work himself. The boys hearing this decided to help him out and started cleaning the entire shrine. By sunset, Oliver and Jackson had cleared most of the vegitation in the area. After the monk gave them direction back to town, they set off for the night, promising they would return tomorrow.

The next day Jackson had awoken early and ran over to the docks, where the Saga family's ship was docked. He then woke up Oliver by standing over him and waiting for him to wake up, to which Oliver woke up with a scare. The two then left for the shrine, Oliver obviously angry, and Jackson seriously beaten. They arrived at the shrine and began working. This was the dynamic for the next three days. At the end of the third day they had fully renovated the shrine back to its former glory. The monk then provided them with a large meal where they ate and had a great time. As the meal came to an end, the conversations became as heavy as their stomachs. The monk finally asked if the boys had any dreams. Oliver went first and said that he wanted to grow strong so one day he could take over the family business one day and take it to new lands and maybe eventually the New World. The monk said that that was nice, but what was his real dream, to which Oliver confessed that he wants to learn the origins of the world and write a book about the myths and lore around the world and show how they might be connected. Both the monk and Jackson were impressed. Neither had heard such an idea or a dream before. Then the monk asked Jackson his dream. Jackson hadn't really thought about it until now. He thought about it for a minute and was reminded of all the pirates he and his family have encountered over the years and he always admired them. He remembered all the stories they told and remembered the grandest of them all, the story of Gold Roger and One Piece. He decided then and there that his dream was to become Pirate King.

Oliver and the monk was surprised at this comment. Oliver then laughed at him and told him that he needs to get much stronger if he wants to be a pirate, let alone Pirate King. Jackson then became angry and attacked Oliver, only to be hit and knocked to the ground by Oliver. Oliver then told him that if he can't even beat him how can he even stand up to the weakest pirates. The monk was a little more accepting of Jackson's dream, and encouraged him. He said that his dream was a great one and that he should follow it. The monk then said that the best way for a dream to come true was to have it blessed. The monk then said a prayer and had them pray at the the shrine asking Hachiman to watch over them. So Jackson and Oliver went to the alter and prayed. When they opened their eyes and turned around, they found the old monk was no longer there. The two looked all around but couldn't find him anywhere. Then the boys shrugged and headed home, unknown to them that they were being watched by a smiling spirit floating above the shrine.

As the next few days passed, Jackson and Oliver became closer friends and sparred several times, Oliver winning every match. Though Jackson was being taught swordsmanship, Oliver showed him a few corrections to his form, and showed him the Saga family sword style. After a week and a half from the shrine's revival, Tar Goods had to depart and move to the next island. The day they were to leave the entire Gunn family headed to the docks to give a proper farewell. Before they left, Oliver pulled Jackson aside and gave him a parting gift. It was a Devil Fruit his family had been keeping, not sure if they wanted to eat it or sell it. Oliver figured that since the Pirate King must be strong and Devil Fruit give people power, that Jackson might consider eating it. Before Oliver could explain the fruit's powers and weaknesses, Jackson had already eaten the whole thing, leaving nothing but the leave, only to find it tasted awful. Oliver then explained the fruit was the Jala Jala no Mi and gave him the power to forge anything from metal, making it the perfect ability for somebody with a blacksmith background. He explained they came into possession of it and when his father found out which fruit it was, he thought of the Gunn family and decided that it would be given to them as a gift.

Jackson then tried to use his ability on a few nails that were laying around and tried to make a knife. It turned out completly dull and misshapen. Oliver then laughed at it and told him he needs to practice. Leopold then came over and told the boys that they were about to leave and Oliver had to get on the ship. Oliver said good bye and started to make his way to the ship. Jackson stood there for a moment looking at the poorly made knife. Oliver then got on the boat and as they were casting off Jackson came running through the crowd and called to Oliver. He then threw something on the ship and called out, "I've decided! You're going to be my first mate!" Oliver just looked at him and picked up what he threw on the ship. It was the misshapen knife Jackson made a few minutes ago, but now it was shapened and seemed well balanced. Oliver looked at the knife, smiled and then called out, "Only if I can be the right hand of the Pirate King!" Jackson smiled and agreed. They then promised that the next time Oliver returns to Chuutetsu Island they would set off together and start their careers as pirates.

After the Saga family's ship was gone from view, Kaki Village went back to normal, all except Jackson. Every day Jackson would spend all his free time training at the shrine he and Oliver found, learning how to create weapons, learning to fight and growing stronger. He continued this routine for years, until the day Oliver would return to the Island and they would set off on their journey.

The Return of Tar Goods
One day after finishing his training, Jackson was walking through town to his home when he saw a bunch of people rushing over to the docks. He asked a man what was going on and found that there was apparently a pirate crew causing trouble for one of the local merchants. When he arrived he saw a large man with a large club yelling at a merchant that he refused to pay for his goods and would kill him if he tried to stop him from stealing them. At this Jackson ran up and punched the man in the face and sent him flying back a few feet. The man was taken aback but was not fazed by the attack. Jackson told him to let it go and leave the town, or he would have to deal with him personally. The man declared himself the great Muscle Head Foma of the Foma Pirates and said that he had best mind himself, if he did not want to get hurt. Jackson warned him again, but before he could finish, Foma clubbed him right in the face. Foma laughed at him and told him that he was a real pirate and had no trouble hurting innocent people, so long as it gets him what he wants and began to laugh. At this Jackson took the steel rod he kept at his belt and transformed it to make it into a wide bat. Distracted by his own merry making, Foma did not notice this and when he turned arround he was greeted with bang. The hit sent him flying into the ocean, where his crew went to fish him out. Foma then asked who the man thought he was, where Jackson replied " My name is Jackson Gunn, protector of this island and future Pirate King."

As Foma was trying to keep afloat, he began yelling at Jackson, proclaiming that he would kill him as soon as he gets out the water, however as soon as that happened a rock was dropped on his head and he began to sink. While all this was going on a ship had come to dock at the harbor and had over heard most of what was happening, and had sailed behind him. Then the man who dropped the rock then proclaimed that, though they were not members of the village, they considered everyone there to be a good friend and would not allow the likes of someone like him to harm any of them. He then jumped in the water and pulled him out of the water and onto the docks. As Foma was about to thank him the man threw Foma onto his ship, cut the line and sent the ship out to sea, telling him to never return to the island. As Foma's crew dove into the ocean to catch up with their ship, the man's ship had docked. An older man then walked down to the docks and announced that the world renowned merchant company Tar Goods had finally returned to Chuutetsu Island.

Jackson leaned against a building and watched as a crowd gathered around the ship and the people coming off the ship. He smiled and saw the man that handled Foma walk towards him. The man then took out a knife and threw it at him. Jackson moved his head and the knife went in the wall where his head was. Jackson turned and looked at the knife, seeing it was misshapen and worn. Jackson smiled and pulled the knife out of the wall. He comments that it was a terrible shot and that it had been too long. The man walked at him and took the knife and commented that it was simply because the knife was poorly made that it was a terrible shot and that it had, indeed, been too long. Jackson then held out his hand and greeted Oliver back to the island. Oliver took his forearm and shook it telling him it was good to be back.

Departure
The night Tar Goods returned to Chuutetsu Island, the Gunn and Saga families had a huge celebration for their reunion, which lasted long into the night. The next day, Jackson and Oliver discussed the details of how they were going to leave and start their journey. Oliver said that he had a small ship that they could us until they can find a larger ship. They decided to use it and spent the rest of the day getting reaquainted. The next day, the two met up at the docks, and boarded their ship. Before they could set sail they were stopped by their families. After a touching good bye, the two set off on their journey.

The First Island
Their journey began, Jackson and Oliver set sail and head of to their first destination as pirates. Oliver, having already travelled a good portion of the world, had already had an island in mind to start. He suggested they sail to Gyre Island, as it was an interesting island and had a good map maker they could buy maps from or even convince to join them. Jackson agreed and had Oliver set the course to Gyre Island. They arrived a day later at the rotating island and docked their ship. They got off their ship and walked into town looking for the shop Oliver knew about. As they turned a corner, they see an arguement taking place in front of one of the shops between several marines and a blonde haired man. They could hear most of it and noticed something seemed off. They noticed the arguement becoming more heated and saw the blonde man inching their way, they moved back to the corner they just turned and continued watching. Soon after, the marines threatened to arrest the man, making the blonde man turn and run. As he got to the corner Oliver grabbed and pulled him into an alley and Jackson blocked it off using his abilities. The marines unknowingly ran past and they sighed with relief. The blonde man thanked them and introduced himself as Sebastian Harper. They told him not to worry about it, introduced themselves, and then asked what that arguement was all about. He then explained to them that his master, Herman Mill, had been taken captive by the local marine head and asked for their assistance. They agreed and followed him to his shop and began formulating a plan to rescue him.

The Rescue
That night, the three left the shop and made their way to the marine base. They arrived at the base and Jackson proceeded to make a ladder in the steel fence surrounding the base. They climbed up and entered the main building. Upon their entering, they decided to split up and find where Herman was being held. Jackson headed down his hall and walked in the cafeteria. He then absorbed some of the steel he found into his steel rod and pocketed some of the silverware. He exited the kitchen and continued to follow the hall until he reached a set of decending stairs. He went down the stairs to find himself in what looked like a prison. He started running down the hall looking for occupied cells when he came to an intersection and collided into somebody. When he got up, he found Sebastian laying under him. As they got up Jackson was told that Sebastian had checked the two paths already, and only one more needed to be checked. They went down that path and half way down they found the cell that held Herman. However, it was heavily guarded and Sebastian suggested they make a plan, but Jackson simply walked up to the guards and knocked them out. After finding the man inside the cell was Herman, Jackson manipulated the bars to let him out. As Herman exited his cell, a few marines turned the corner and spotted them. The three then began to run down the hall and climbed the stairs at the end of the hall to the floor above.