A/N - Hi, back again with a new chapter. I think i sucks at writing fighting scenes (not other scene is any better) but here is first fighting chapter. i think i will try at least to post once a weeks, thanks and enjoy if you can.
LIAR, BLACK CAT AND INVITATION.
" Old man where are you headed ? " ask Luffy who seems bored without anything else to do.
" Well… I don't have any place to go, if you can just drop me off at any populated island is good. " even if I want to keep sailing and joins the Strawhats, its not possible if Luffy himself does not invite me, although not that all Strawhats need an invitation, like Miss All Sunday who had a solid reason to impose herself in the crew. Well even if I'm not in the crew I still find my ways to live in this world or start my own crew.
" Argh… will you be quiet Luffy, I'm trying to sleep here. " grumbled a certain sleep loving marimo. as soon as he sees me he asked " huh?.. who are you Old man? ".
" Now that you ask it Zoro, I just remember you never tell us your name right? " Nami chime in.
" Yeah! What your name Uncle? " Luffy also ask.
" Well that very rude of me, my name is Hikaru, a healthy 25 years old. If you please call me by name and please don't call me old man or uncle, I'm not even that old." I introduce myself to the crew while telling them to ditch the old man. I'm not even that old, all my colleague says I look young.
" Did you join the crew Hikaru? why you here? " ask Zoro for more clarification.
" Ohh.. that a no, I'm just here to hitch the ride until the next island. Luffy and Nami found me shipwreck at previous island. " I answer the swordsman. Zoro seems skeptical but he just nod it off.
We spend several hours chatting and joking, Luffy really is an interesting person with childlike innocence when he not in kicking butt mode. Zoro generally a serious person and carefull of his serounding, even though he is a lost child that cannot find his way home. Nami is very carefull and does not take anything without a solid reason.
After a few days sailing my body already adapts to the seafaring lifestyle, no more dizzy feeling. Around morning of the third day we finally saw a land, if my knowledge is correct that is where the Captain of 80000 people lives. We start to land at the beach, Nami says there is a village named Syrup at center of this mainland. I start to look around and sees a long nosed man with vegetable trio sneaking and looking at us, Zoro seems to notice them too and called them out.
" I am captain of eighty thousand pirate they call me The Great Captain Ussop!, if you pirate thinking of attacking this island you better leave my eighty million people cannot be matched! " Ussop started to to lies trough his teeth while the vegetable trio is running for their live.
" First you said eighty thousand then eighty millions, why you're lying? " I called his bluff.
" Busted! " Ussop slip.
" You said 'Busted' " said Nami also calling his bluff.
" Hahaha… man, you're funny. " Luffy laughing his ass off.
" Don't you laugh at me! I'm an extremely proud man, they called me Ussop the proud. If you pirate wants to raid this island then you have to go trough me! let me tell you my steel ball slingshot is as strong as a gun." Ussop started to pulled his slingshot and take aim at Luffy.
" As strong as a gun you says? bet your lives on it. " Luffy said all serious.
" W.. what? " Ussop started to loss all his courage just now.
" Gun is not a tools to scare people.. so bet your live on it. " Luffy expailn what he means.
" This one you sees here is a real pirate you know. " Zoro started to joins in to scare Ussop.
" I give up… real pirate is way scarier than I thought. " collapse Ussop.
" Hahaha! " Luffy started to laugh " I'm just copying what Shank used to says. We come here just to find some crewmates and meat. "
" You means crewmates and ship.. " Nami correct Luffy who already lost to his stomach.
" What? few if you guys want to eat I know a place, lets me guide you to the village. " Ussop relieved that we here only for supply not raiding.
After 10 minute walks we started to saw the village, the village is small but peacefull. Ussop brought us to shop called Meshi, as soon as we seat down Luffy started to order food like he never eat for ten days, and Zoro drinks the alcoholic drink like there is no tomorrow. Nami started to ask Ussop about where they can find a ship, Ussop says Syrup is only a small village there is no big sailing ship here, only one person is rich enough to has a large ship but the owner is only a frail sickly young girl who lost both of her parents to a sickness one year ago. Nami seems to give up to search for ship at this island and hope for better lucks at the next town.
" By the way… you said you were looking for crew members? " Ussop asked for confirmation.
" yeah, you know anyone? " conform Luffy.
" You can make ME your captain. " said Ussop confidently.
""" No thanks """ Luffy, Nami and Zoro answer immediately while I keep my silence.
" You guys not even thinking!, ah! look at the time.. I has a place to be, see you guys later " Ussop shocked at immediate rejection and hurry to leave, to go see the sickly lady I reckon.
After Ussop left, the vegetable trio come and look for Ussop, Zoro proceed to scare them by saying we ate him the kids start crying and call Nami a cave witch. I explain to the kids that Ussop says that he had a place to be and left, the kids says Ussop probably at the mansions that the sickly girl live. Ussop has been tell make up story to the sick girl to make her feels better.
" Ussop is a good guy, then the mistress must be feels better already. Allright then! lets go asked for ship at the mansion!. " said Luffy excited.
" Well if like that then I should look around village for me to do if I'm gonna survive, thanks for taking me this far guys. " I said to the Strawhats.
" Well good luck to whatever you do Hikaru, see u again! " said Luffy.
Then the Strawhats left for the mansion with the trio. I started to walk around the village to assess the situation, this village is seriously lacking of any entertainment, no wonder Ussop started to make the villager chase him every morning. After a while I started to go toward the cliff that I believe where Luffy fall as sleep, it is hard to search for the right place when all you have is memory of how that place is look like. I arrived near the cliff and hears Luffy shouting then something falling, then I saw Ussop run toward the village probably to warn the villager of Kuro plan. After conforming that Kuro no longer down there, I descend the cliff and make sure Luffy is alright, even though he is rubber and probably okay.
Luffy is fine and sleeping peacefully, While waiting for Zoro and Nami I sit next to Luffy and start to think, do I really want to go my own ways and lives if this world or go with the Strawhats where all the funs happen. Even though adventure is everywhere but I still want to meet all of Strawhats in person, call it my selfish desire. I decided that I will help them with Kuro and if after this Luffy doesn't ask me to the crew I will give up and live my life as best that it could.
" Hikaru! what are you doing here? is Luffy okay ?" Zoro appear with Nami and vegetable trio.
" He's okay probably fall from the cliff, I saw Ussop run to the village then I see Luffy under the cliff, I think Ussop probably push Luffy down the cliff and run to make alibi at the village " i said to tease the trio.
" Don't be stupid captain is not such a brave person to killed a person like that ! " said one of them and the rest agree saying Ussop is nice to do that.
" Wow you guys really believe at your captains " I said while tell them that I was joking and said that the hypnotist make Luffy fall asleep.
While I joking with the trio, Zoro wake Luffy up. Luffy tell us everything that he hears about Kuro and Jango, the trio is shocked at the revelation and Nami says it's better that they start to run before the pirate attacks begin.
We start to walk to the village and saw Ussop on the way, he seems tired and beat up. The trio says they need to warn the villager, Ussop start to laugh and says all that is a lie to get back at the butler. The trio disappointed at Ussop and says he should not lie just to hurt others and start to go back home.
" How nice of you to send them home, but i think you could do better than that. " i said to Ussop.
" Because I used to lie all the time… no one believe a word I say now, I don't want those kids be involved in this. " said Ussop while looking serious.
" But the pirate going to attack is the truth right? " Nami asked.
" Since everybody thinks I'm a liar, I'll stop the attacks in order to protect the village, then all thiss will be just one of my lies! although they shoot me and chase me with broomsticks, this village is where I grow up and I love this village. " Ussop start to cry.
" you lies to your crew so that you can do this yourself, you're a pretty good guy huh! " Zoro praised Ussop for that.
" All right! I'm gonna kick Kuro's butt " said Luffy .
" are you guys willing to fight with me? why? " ask Ussop. He seems perplexed that a stranger willing to go such length for someone who they just met.
" Because you're face said I'm scared all over, and the enemy out number you. " Zoro explain.
" Of course I'm scare they're a full fledge pirate fleet! I don't need your sympathy go away! now!" Ussop getting upset thinking we look down on him.
" We're not sympathizing for you! but rather we're commending you for having courage! " added Zoro.
" Why else would risk our own lives? " said Luffy in serious tone.
" You guys…. I'm so touched. " Ussop relieved to see an ally in peril.
Then Ussop started to make plan to foil the attack, he said only this slope that lead path to the village and If we guard it the village will be safe. After he said that I remembered that they are on the wrong slope, there is the other one at the place where we land, just when I about to tell them what I know Ussop already splash the oil on the slope.
" Hey… I know it kinda late to say this, how about that place where we land? should we not guard it? " I say my input.
" Kuro discuss the plan at this slope, so I think his man will attack from this place. " Ussop said confidently.
" well I think we should split and send someone there just in case, if by sunrise they not there that means they will be here and go to help who is here." i don't want to say that they definitely attacks the other slope and only suggesting that we should split. " since I suggest it so I think I should go there. sounds good ?"
" Wait! I'm going too! my treasure In my boat, if they attacks there the will get my treasure! " Nami seems to remember where her treasure is.
" Okay go there, if anything happens call for us. " Luffy said like a captain should.
Nami and I start to walk at the shore where we land, Nami seems worried that's she too late and the pirate is already there and put they dirty hands all over hers treasure. I told her that they plan to attacks at dawn, and it only midnight at best. That doesn't calm her down and only make her angry at me, she seems to keep her guard around me, but maybe because she still under Arlong grasp and put a wall around everyone.
When we arrived there still time until dawn and I sit down on a rock at the beach. Nami go straight to her boat an start to move her treasure to hidden place at the forrest, after she's done hiding her treasure she walk to opposite of where I sat and start to eyeing me up and down.
" Hikaru can you fight? pirate is not your regular thugs, they kill without a second thought, if you're not a skilled fighter you can get killed " Nami says her concern.
" I thought you don't like me? well you don't have to worry about me even though I look like this, my previous job put me lot of situation like this, also how can I run when Ussop is stand up for this village even though he doesn't stand a change to win. " I said truthfully to Nami.
" Of course I don't like you! I don't even know who you are! what kind of jobs that put you in this kind of situation? " Nami ask me what kind of job I do.
" My job is not important right now… what important is we got pirate to fight. " I said while pointing at the ship with black cat figurehead.
" Shit! why they come for this slope! " Nami angry at the pirate for not taking the other path.
" Well they here and we got to defend it… Nami you go and call Luffy and others I stall them as long as I could. " I said to get her to safety.
" What?! are you insane! what can you do alone? " Nami shouting at me for that suggestion.
" JUST GO! I'll be fine, but please hurry " shout me back at Nami, she seems surprise to see me snap at her.
" ALRIGHT ! don't die and let them get my treasure! " Nami started to run toward the other slope and warning me about her treasure.
After Nami left, the ship land at the shore. I take out my trusted metal gauntlet, this piece of metal glove is good to block blade from hitting me even though its take skill, but I have plenty of experience fighting with this metal gauntlet at my previous job. When I little my old man really into this street fight stuff and teach me anything that he could learn and by teach I mean try that stuff on me, I don't hate him for that I also start enjoy fighting as a method to move my body. Metal gauntlet is really good piece of arms that you can brought and not to worry about police, if they ask why you have it just says that you go riding on a bike and for the most time they lets you off, that's why my old man recommended this arms.
Pirate grunts start to get down from the ship and see me smiling alone on the shore, I wave at them and say " Hello and good morning to you gentleman of Kuro Pirates. I advices you guy to get off of this island as soon as possible if you guys don't want to be killed by Kuro himself " I reveal the fate that awaits them when Kuro complete his plan. But they do not heed and laugh at me for talking nonsense, they do not believe that Kuro will kill his own man for money. " if you still want to attacks the village then it my duty to stop you " my warning to them while taking attacking stance.
Immediately one of the grunts attack me with his blade, I block the blade with back of my gauntlet and punch he jaw that wide open, he fell down like that, what a paper jaw he had. Other start to attack together, I evade the slashing grunt while kicking the grunt that closing at my back. then I punch the throat of slashing grunt. seems that fighting with these grunt easier than I expected, even some of the attack come close but for most part I'm unharmed.
Then Jango shouting at the grunt for not focuses at me and just go around to the village, as I thinking what to do the pirate that passes me all got shot down by a steel ball. Ussop arrived first and start to bluff the pirate with eighty million follower story. With Ussop as my backup I don't have to worry about anyone slip by.
" Ussop ! cover me! " I notify Ussop.
" Alright my trusted follower go and finish them! " said Ussop with legs that shaking like crazy.
I start with leg swipe to grunt in front me and punch in the face, all of them snaps out of their stupor and some start to attack me some start to run up to Ussop. Ussop start scream all over the place but his hand still shooting the slingshot, almost all of his shot is hitting his target. after few minutes Luffy, Zoro and Nami finally arrived.
" Oyy Hikaru! leaves some for us! " Zoro shout to me.
" Okay! just do be late! " shout me back.
Jango is angry that the crew still not gotten passed the slope and start to hypnotized his crew to be stronger, then all of his crew start shouting and shows incredible strength. I forgot that the strength of his hypnotized crew could punch the cliff to pieces, if I got hits with that I don't think I will go unharmed.
Luckily Luffy also got hypnotized and started to go on rampage, he start to doing the gatling attack the proceed to pulled the bow of their ship, but before he could attack Jango hypnotized Luffy to sleeps. Jango then called the Nyanban brothers to help them. Nyanban brothers act like scaredy cat and pretend to afraid to attacks Zoro and me.
Zoro seems to took them lightly and got two of his sword stolen, Cat buglers that they called that move, while attacking to distract the opponent and steals their weapon. Sham the green haired one who stole Zoro sword toss the sword away, that make Zoro pissed and start to slash at Sham and running straight to get his sword back, but Sham is unhurt and jump at Zoro back and got a hold of him. Bushi the fat one started running and jumping to stomp at Zoro while he got pinned down by Sham, before he could land Zoro struggle free of Sham hold and saved himself from powerful stomp from Buchi.
While Nyanban brother relentlessly attacking Zoro, I go to pickup Zoro's sword but before I could Jango appear and slashing his chakram at me. I block and dodge the chakram but I still got hurts, as soon as I correct my stance I go for a punch but stop as I see Jango is distracted by something at the top of slope.
There is he Captain Kuro himself. Kuro seems pissed at the crew inability to follow his plan. Jango started to make excuse for himself while Nyanban Brothers is angry for being called useless by a retired pirate captain. Nyaban Brothers attacked Kuro but they missed the targer and Kuro already behind them, Kuro is fast, really fast, even if you had a good eye maybe you'll see a glimpse of him, make me shudder to think about what soru looks like.
Kuro gives his crew a five minutes deadlines to kill us or to be kill. While all that happen I pickup Zoro's sword and toss it at him, Zoro angry about how I throw his sword but thanking me anyway. With three sword at hands Zoro finish Nyanban Brothers with only one slash, Jango start to attack me for helping Zoro but his style of attack is not a good match for my fighting style. Buchi survived and ask Jango to hypnotized him to make himself stronger, as that happen Nami sneak in to wake Luffy up from his slumber.
Jango just finished hypnotized Buchi saw that Nami is waking Luffy up and throw his chakram to Nami, I ran as fast as I could to stop the chakram, I caught the chakram but my padded leather side of gauntlet is not enough to stop the blade from cutting my hand. Luffy woke up and sees Nami and me, he sees my hand covered in blood and seems to understand the weight of the situation.
" Stop it Clahador! " Shout Kaya who appears out of nowhere.
" Kaya! what are you doing here! " shout Ussop who supprise at Kaya appearing here.
Kaya tell Kuro that Merry told her everything and offer him all of hers money if he leave the village, but Kuro wants wealth and peace that's why she has to die. Kaya pulled a gun and point it at Kuro and threaten him to leave the village, Kuro start to rambling how he took care of kaya all this time just to kill her today. Ussop who had it at hearing Kuro berating Kaya started to leap at him and take a swing, but Kuro evade it with ease and says Ussop still owe him punch in the face.
" If you hate getting hits, let me hitting you several hundreds more! " Luffy said after he punch Kuro in the face from bottom of the slope.
Kuro lying on the ground after taking luffy punch the face, suddenly Vegetable trio pop up and smacking the living hell out of Kuro, Ussop worried that they here could get killed. Kuro ignored the kids and walk up and ask Luffy if he is a devil fruit user, after Luffy conform his theory he order Jango to kill Kaya and the kids. Zoro try to stop him but Buchi start to attack Zoro and distract him from Jango, Ussop saw that Zoro failed to Jango order the kids to protects Kaya and take her to safety.
Jango goes after Kaya and the kids, Ussop tries to chase him but blocked by Kuro, Luffy and Zoro told him to leave all the fighting to them. As all this my conscious is fading, I saw Nami start to looking at their ship probably trying to look at treasure.
" Nami... I'm think I gonna sleep awhile after you look for treasure please help look after my body, please? " i asked name to look for me while I passed out.
" What! who are you to aks…." as Nami answer, already passed out from blood loss and the pain from my hand.
3 hours later.
When I woke up, Luffy's fight already over and he is sleeping next to me. Kuro ships already leaves the shore, and no pirate grunt left on the island. I try to check my wounds at my hands, the palm of my gauntlet already torn to shred and I cannot use this until I fix it with new leather. My wound is clean and already closing, seems someone cleans it for me.
" You owes me for cleaning your wound! " Nami said after seeing me woke up.
" I thought emergency treatment free in all place? " I said jokingly.
" Well with me you has to pay! because you help back then I give you discount of 20% " smiling Nami making berry sign.
Luffy woke not long after and decide to go eat, we three go to the only eatery in this island and sees Zoro already start dringkin and eating. Zoro ask us why we late and Nami ask him why he is here when they waiting on the shore, Zoro said that he is going toward the shore but somehow end up here, so he just start drinking. Zoro sense of direction never cease to amaze me.
Kaya come in and greet the Strawhats, she said after all that happens she must be strong like Ussop and she's here to offer Strawhats a ship that the look yesterday. Luffy excited to go see the ship and want to go immediately.
" Well… you guys take care of yourself don't go to dangerous place without any planning " I said to the strawhats. Even though we fight together just now, I technically still not a crew member.
" What are you saying! you help us fight Kuro and you save Nami, you become our friends already. " Luffy said smilling.
" Are you inviting me to join your crew Luffy? are you sure? " I ask for conformation.
" Let's go Hikaru to see our ship! " Luffy said while laughing.
" With him it's always like this, welcome to the crew. " Zoro said to me.
" What are you thinking joining a pirate crew.. " Nami said.
" Eh! Nami you not part of the crew ? " I ask pretend that I don't know.
" Only temporary ! I'm not a pirate. " Nami answered.
We arrived at where the ship anchored, a caravel style sail ship with sheep figurehead, Going Merry is the name of the ship. Merry start to teach Nami how to operates the ship and Kaya told us that the ship is fully supplied with food and water. Ussop and his big bag started to rolling down the slope and cannot stop by himself, Luffy and Zoro stop him with a foot in the face, he started to says goodbye with Kaya and us telling we'll see again, but Luffy ask him to joins the crew as he already one of us.
" I'm the captain right! " said Ussop excitedly.
" That my role stupid! " shout Luffy at Ussop.
After we settle down, we started to sail off from Ussop homeland and toward the seas. Ussop seem down at first as this is first time that he sail off from his home, but after several minutes he start to cheer up and be his usual self again, an idiots with Luffy.