ONE PIECE: JOURNEY TO PRIMEVAL ISLAND - EPISODE 2:
Attack of a New Enemy! His Name is… Cortéz!
In the seas of the New World, on Thousand Sunny, Luffy and his crew has encountered a strange robot that looks like a shark with two legs and two arms.
"Where did this thing coming from?!" Nami questioned.
"Do you have any ideas what the hell is that thing, Franky?" Sanji asked.
"I don't SUPER know," Franky replied stumped, "but it looks like this robot came from the ocean!"
"It kind of looks like a shark," Robin noted. "How odd that it also has two arms and two legs."
"Do you think that's a Fishman inside that robot?!" Chopper cried.
"Who knows, Chopper-san? I suppose there's only one way to find out." Brook said and drawn his sword.
"You just read my mind, Brook!" Luffy replied.
Zoro stepped forward, his sword already drawn out. "Save some parts to me to cut."
Of course, Sanji joined in as well. Ever calm, he also spoke, "I can cook up the rest."
"Okay… It's now or never." Usopp said and held up the Black Kabuto, preparing to fire a Pop Green.
The shark-like robot holds out a hand. "Hate to disappoint you, but I didn't come here to pick a fight with the pirates." The unknown male voice said.
"IT CAN TALK?!" Luffy and Usopp screamed, questionably.
"It's a robot." Franky said.
"I'm really surprised that you pirates could sense me. Your Observation Haki is well-trained…" The unknown male voice said. "Impressive."
Being complimented, Luffy couldn't help be a bit embarrassed. "Well, we have grown stronger in four years." Luffy said.
"Don't get distracted by his flattery." Zoro said sternly.
"What's your deal, Fish?" Sanji asked coolly. "What's with the suit you're wearing?"
"Oh, this? This is just the special robot-suit the people call, 'Primal Shark Robo'." The voice said.
"Primal Shark Robo?" Luffy, Usopp, Franky repeated.
"I like it! Really shows off a real SUPER robo feel! But not as robo as me!" Franky said as he strikes his usual pose.
"True, but this suit is controlled by an operator… far, far away from your ship." The voice said that surprised the Straw Hat Crew.
"WHAT?!" Brook questioned, surprised. "How is that possible?!"
"And how does something like that suit swim all the way into the New World?!" Chopper questioned.
"Guess you don't mind that I will tell you how this suit really works." The voice said.
"Nah, we don't mind. Just tell us." The Straw Hat Crew said apathetically.
"The audio and visual information is collected by this robot's lenses and sent to my location in real time through a special wavelength that we discovered." The voice explained. "From my location, it's as if I'm actually there before you all, but I assure you its all just images. But by using one of them, a flesh and blood human can go to dangerous places without harming one's self and find treasures once believed lost."
"I got to admit, that one could be really useful if we really need that one. Especially, to looking for the treasures in the deep sea." Nami said as she got Berry signs on her eyes.
"You got Berry signs on your eyes again!" Usopp yelled.
"But recently, they've even been able to expand upon its ability to recreate the senses of touch and have even painstakingly found a way to send the senses of smell and taste to the operators," the voice continued, "Even the power of the operators can actually be transmitted through one of these robots. With such valuable technology, we have the power to take down the Navy's warships."
"Amazing… So, they can fight too?" Luffy asked.
"Oh, come on, Luffy! Of course, they can fight!" Usopp shouted.
"Like what God Nose-opp said, the Primal Shark Robos are perfectly suited for combat." The voice answered.
"It's Usopp!" Usopp corrected, and turned to Luffy. "And see, what did I told ya?"
"Wow!" Franky exclaimed. "That was SUPER impressive! So the operators can do anything with these machines, right?"
"Yes… And with the speed of the world's fastest fish, sailfish, we can swim through the whirlpools and the strongest currents. We can handle any obstacles that stand in our way with no problems. And of course, this suit is also able to protect Devil Fruit users from seawater." The voice said.
"Man, that robot thing sounds so cool." Luffy exclaimed.
"That's friggin' awesome~!" Usopp, Chopper, and Franky exclaimed, and yes, Chopper's now behind Usopp's legs.
At that moment, the robot stared at Luffy, and asked. "Say, young man, you must be the captain of this pirate crew, right?"
"Yup!" Luffy answered. "That's me. Can you tell?"
"I sure can," said the voice. "I've seen a lot of young men like you. Trafalgar Law, Eustass Kid and many others of the Worst Generation. I'm pretty good at understanding the power they have."
"Really?" Luffy asked.
"Really, really," the voice said.
"So, what will you do now, pal?" Luffy asked. "Are you gonna stay with us until we reach the next island?"
"Nah," the voice said. "I will return to my island on my own. My crew is waiting for me to return with my prize."
"Prize?" asked Robin, sensing something ominous.
"Yeah," the voice said lowly. Then, the Primal Shark Robo's eyes began to glow red. "So, I'll be taking that book of yours – "Journey to Primeval Island"."
The Straw Hat Crew gasped.
"So," Robin said venomously, "that's why you came here."
"Yes," the voice said. "I'll be the one to find the One Piece. That is all."
"Say what?!" Luffy shouted angrily.
"Once I have that book, I'll be able to use its knowledge about Primeval Island, and all of its creatures on it, and finally capture the One Piece." The voice said, as Luffy stood front against the Primal Shark Robo.
"Oh no, you don't! I'm the one who will find One Piece, not you!" Luffy shouted.
"Tell me. Why do you care about finding such the legendary treasure in that island... if you're a pirate?" The voice asked.
Luffy gives the robot a smirk.
"Because... I'm the man who's gonna be the King of the Pirates!" he answered.
The Primal Shark Robo clenched his robotic fingers, but chuckled. "Very well… If you aren't going to hand me the book... then I'll just take it... Straw Hat Luffy!"
Luffy's eyes widened before he dodged the shark robot's robotic jaws. He immediately jumped upwards and landed behind him. "Gum-GUUUUUUM… PISTOL!" Luffy roared as he stretched his Haki imbued arm at Primal Shark Robo, and punched it in the jaw.
The shark-like robot withstood the punch impressively. Thus, he leapt at Luffy for the attack. This time, it was going use its iron fist. It was able to connect to Luffy's body, but to his surprise it had little effect on the man.
"That's not gonna work on me!" Luffy said with his trademark grin. "I'm made of rubber!"
"I see." The voice inside of the robot said.
SHEEN! Luffy's forehead became black and shiny. He then stretched his head far back as he retaliated back. "Gum-Gum… BELL!" Luffy shouted.
BOOOOOOONNNG! He slammed his head so hard on the robot's chest, and the Primal Shark Robo stumbled back nearly disorientated. "He's stronger than I anticipated..." The voice thought to itself. "No wonder he defeated Blackbeard back on Raftel."
"How'd do you like that?" Luffy asked and gave a cocky grin at the robot as he flicked his hair with his thumb, his Haki imbued forehead returning to normal.
"You'd better not to push your own luck, boy!" The voice said and the robot's running at Luffy and land a kick from the right.
"Armament - Hardening!"
SHEEN! Luffy's right arm soon became black and hardened. THWAK! He raised it, blocking the robot's kick without even glancing at him!
"What?" The voice questioned.
SHEEN! Luffy then turned his right leg black with Haki.
"Gum-Gum… BATTLE AXE!"
THWAM! He attempted slammed his heel into Primal Shark Robo's back, but missed to slamming him into the dock. The Primal Shark Robo landed in front of Luffy.
"Oh man! That robot's tough!" Chopper said.
"Tell me about it. He's not just good at dodging, but he's super fast too!" Franky said.
"Don't take it easy one him, Luffy," cautioned Zoro. "He's clearly holding back."
Luffy nodded. "Yeah!"
"Hmph!" The robot voice said. "Fine then… TRY THIS!" The Primal Shark Robo rushed to Luffy and slammed his fist his stomach!
"AAAUGH!" Luffy cried, coughing up blood. He growled as he fell down to one knee.
"Luffy!" Nami shouted, worriedly.
"Come on, man!" Usopp shouted, "Don't give up!"
"Don't let that shark robot win!" Chopper yelled.
Luffy stands up with on his feet again and seethed angrily at Primal Shark Robo.
"You're really strong, I'll admit. But I WON'T lose to you!" Luffy hissed.
"Gum-Gum… GATLING!" Luffy shouted as he began to stretch his arms back and forth in rapid succession, punching Primal Shark Robo in the face in spite of him using his left arm to block his attack.
"Try to dodge this!" The voice said. The robot opened his mouth, preparing to fire a laser.
"OH, NO~!" Usopp and Chopper cried.
"Luffy, get out of there!" Sanji shouted.
But Luffy already make his move; he grabs the neck of the robot and pushes it upwards to the sky. ZAP! The Primal Shark Robo fired his purple laser at the sky.
"Nice try!" Luffy said, smirking cleverly. "But I've dealt with stronger lasers than that!"
But then, the Primal Shark Robo punched Luffy right in the stomach. It then immediately moved to punch Luffy into his face. Not just punching him, but also slamming the young pirate captain into the deck, smashing a small section. The crew was completely shocked by this, even more so as the robot moved back to reveal Luffy; defeated.
"Oh my God! Luffy!" Nami cried.
"Luffy!" The rest of the Straw Hat crew cried out.
The Primal Shark Robo then turned to the Straw Hat crew. "Your captain is too weak to become the King of the Pirates, and there's only one who will become King of the Pirates is me."
Enraged, Zoro pulled his bandana off his bicep and tied it around his forehead. "Like hell if I'll let you take the book on my watch!" Zoro shouted and leaped towards to the robot.
Zoro's swords clashed with the Primal Shark Robo's arm, but failed to even make so much as a scratch. The robot attempted to grab him, but the swordsman jumped away at the last minute.
"Three Swords Style! 108 Caliber PHOENIX!" Zoro shouted and sent to air-based slashes at the robot.
The slashes connect with the robot, but it received no damage.
Seeing this, Zoro was surprised. The swordsman landed at the deck and immediately dashed towards the machine. "Purgatory… ONI GIRI!" Zoro shouted and tries to cut up the Primal Shark Robo with a more powerful version of his original Oni Giri attack.
Though again, the swords connected with the robot, they did not cut through. In fact, this time the robot had caught the swords. "W-What?!" Zoro questioned.
"Nice swords, Roronoa. But your swords can't cut through this armor." The voice said and kicks Zoro stomach and sends him flying to the deck.
"Zoro!" Chopper cried.
"Not Zoro, too!" Usopp cried.
"Damn it!" Sanji cursed, "That's where I draw the line!"
Sanji dashed towards at the Primal Shark Robo, his leg instantly turned ablaze with searing friction. "Diable Jambe… JOUE SHOT!" He roared and kicked the robot square in the face.
Much like Zoro's slashes, Sanji's kick did little to affect the robot. Thus, seeing an opening, the shark robot opens its jaws in an attempt to attack.
"Watch out for its teeth, Sanji-san!" Brook cried.
Thanks to hearing Brook's warning, Sanji swiftly dodged the incoming bite. Once landing safely away, the young man sighed out in relief. "Phew! Man that was a close one."
With his technique still activated, Sanji was quick to attack again. "Try on this one, you damned bastard! POELE A FRIRE - SPECTRE!" Sanji began to kick his legs down repeatedly and hitting the robot, only to be blocked at every kick by the robot's arms.
"Grr…! He has lightning reflexes!" Sanji thought aloud as he landed on the deck again.
Only to immediately leap high up into the air. As he began hurdling down, he began spinning down with his heated leg outstretched. "Now… CONCASSÉ!" Sanji roared and slammed his heel on top of the robot's head. Again though, it had little effect.
And this time, the Primal Shark Robo grabbed the pirate chef's leg. "Why do you fight with your legs? It's fists that make one strongest." The voice said and strikes his fist at Sanji's stomach and throws him at the deck.
"SANJI-KUN!" Nami cried.
"N-Not even our big three can defeat that guy!" Chopper stammered.
"That robot is truly SUPER strong!" Franky said.
The robot looked at the remaining crew of Straw Hat Pirates. "If you know what's good for ya, you better give me that book." The robot said. "I'll even let you live."
"No!" Robin barked.
"We won't let you give you the book to you, not if I can still fight!" Usopp exclaimed as he aimed his Black Kabuto.
"Special Attack, Green Star: Devil!" Usopp fired a Pop Green at the Primal Shark Robo. Once landed, the giant Venus flytraps sprouted and immediately attacked the robot. It attempted to chew the robot, but found it could not.
Even more unfortunate, as the unruly plant attempted to destroy its target, the robot's claws began to move. In one swift swipe, the Primal Shark Robo cut through the plant, as cleanly as a hot knife through butter.
Usopp stammered of fear, and gulped. "N… No way…"
"Your plants are no match at the claws." The voice said and lunged at Usopp. It then grabbed the man's nose, swung him around, and finished by slamming him into the deck.
"USOPP!" Nami, Franky, Chopper cried.
"And they call you a God? Yeah, right." The voice said, as it stares at Usopp.
"Hey, you!" Brook shouted angrily, his sword drawn, "I cannot stand to watch you hurt my friends!" The living skeleton then dashed towards at the robot with blinding speed. He attempted much like the others, to cut off the head. Again, unfortunately, the suit was fast enough to stop him.
"Well," the voice said, as he his claws clashed with Brook's sword, "won't you be an interesting one to kill."
"Sorry, sir." Brook said. "But I AM already dead! Yohohoho! Skull Joke."
Not amused by the joke, the robot attempted another attack. It was just blocked by the living skeleton. Then, Brook spoke up hauntingly, "And what keep me alive here on this earth are neither my muscles nor my organs. But MY SOUL~!" He then immediately followed through with a several cuts to the robot's chest.
For the first time, the robots stepped back a moment. "Impressive…" The voice muttered. He attempted to attack again, but found that the skeleton was now just walking past him calmly; his cane-sheath in hand.
"Three-Verse…" Brook started saying before stopping. Looking shocked, he looked back at the robot, which had placed up its arms.
"Nice technique…" The voice commented.
"YOU CAN SEE MY ARROW NOTCH SLASH LIKE THAT?!" Brook gasped, loudly.
"Yeah," The Primal Shark Robo then swung its tail around to whip Brook. The attack was powerful enough to send the skeleton into the mast and after onto the deck.
"BROOK, NO!" Robin cried.
"You bastard!" Chopper growled and charged forward. Immediately, he transformed into his Heavy Point form. "Stop hurting my friends!"
"Heavy GONG!" the reindeer roared before his fist collided with the fist of the Primal Shark Robo. Despite his immense strength, the robot was able to withstand it.
Immediately, the Primal Shark Robo grabbed Chopper's arm, halting any attempt to escape. Then quickly, the robot punched the man-reindeer three times at his face. With his opponent unconscious, he tossed the Devil Fruit user aside. He then muttered to the rest, "Who's next?"
"CHOPPER!" Nami cried. Immediately, she pulled out her Sorcery Clima-Tact; ready to fight when needed.
"Now, it's my turn!" Franky shouted angrily. The large cyborg then opened up his shoulder, revealing three rockets inside. "Franky…ROCKET LAUNCHER!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Franky fired the rockets from his shoulder. All three hurdled towards the Primal Shark Robo. But as they were about to hit it, the robot swiftly grabbed each one with its claws and the mouth. Then, it crushed them all and thus exploded. As the smoke cleared, it was revealed that the robot suit was completely undamaged.
Franky raise his sunglasses, surprised. "What the hell?!" Franky questioned. "He bit them like breakfast!"
Thus, he decided to change tactics. "Alright then…" he instead charged at the robot with his fists up, "Have a taste of my Franky IRON BOXING!" he roared before he began to punch Primal Shark Robo at a rapid-fire speed.
However, each punch missed its mark. The Primal Shark Robo effortlessly dodged all of Franky's punches. Clearly, the being controlling the robot could use Observation Haki. And soon, he grew tired of messing around with the man. The robot thus charged at Franky. Once close enough, the robot preformed a double-cross chop to Franky's neck. It had enough force behind it that it completely knocked the cyborg out. Thus, the large cyborg fell onto the deck unconscious.
"Franky!" Robin cried.
"This is your last chance, "Devil Child" Nico Robin…" The voice said. "Either you hand over that book to me, or perish."
"You can't have this book!" Robin shouted.
A growl came from the machine and it moved forward towards the pirate. After only a few steps though, it noticed something above it. Low-hanging black clouds surrounded the sky above him. "Hmm?"
"Try this!" Nami shouted determinedly. With her Clima-Tact extended, one end of her rod was lighted up with a sphere of electricity. She then launched the bubble of electricity up into the clouds as she called out, "Thunderbolt TEMPO!"
The moment the thunder ball hit the black clouds, electricity began to surge through the condensed water vapor. Soon, the static gathered and multiplied until it could not hold. Thus, it struck down towards its intended target. Anyone would be worried, but the Primal Shark Robo looked unfazed. Instead, it raised one of its arms up just as the lightning struck. All the electricity was then absorbed into the machine until it was all gone.
"What?!" Nami questioned. "H-He's absorbing the lightning?!"
Once finished, the robot looked towards Nami. "Here," it said, "you can have your lightning back." With the same arm that absorbed the lightning, it now aimed it towards the orange-haired girl. The lightning shot right out and struck the floorboards by the woman. She was thus hurdled backwards and slammed into the side of the railing, and then collapsed.
"NAMI, NO!" Robin cried out.
"Now then…" The voice said as it commanded the robot to move. It moved towards the table, where the book lied. Its robotic hand grabbed it and held it up into the air triumphantly. "This reward is mine…"
"No, you don't!" Robin shouted while crossing her arms. "Seis Fleur!"
SWUP! Six arms appeared and grabbed the robot, trapping it where it stood.
"I warned you." Robin growled, "Don't take that book! We need it to gather information about Primeval Island!"
"Why do you think I'M after it?!" The voice said sternly. Then, the Primal Shark Robo unleashed a huge burst of Haki aimed towards Robin.
Robin had no way to protect herself as she felt an immense pressure hit her. She was thus unable to bear and collapsed on the deck. In doing so, her concentration was broken and her limbs burst into flower petals. Still, she wasn't so weak as to be brought unconscious yet. Thus, she glared towards the robot as it began to walk away. Before it could go too far, she spoke, "You have…Conqueror's Haki?"
"Straw Hat Pirates…" The voice said, disregarding Robin's question. "Thank you for entertaining me with your abilities, skills, yatta, yatta, and yatta. I'm surprised that was all you had to defeat Blackbeard. Unfortunately, none of you are at the level to conquer Primeval Island. Well, after all, that island is not the one you can conquer so easily. And in the end, you'll all perish just as Edward Newgate and Portgas D. Ace did in the past..."
He then looked down at Luffy, who was still in the crater he left him in. "You will never become the Pirate King until you can conquer that island."
Then, the robot turned around; preparing to leave. It placed the book in a special compartment on its body and began to walk away towards the side of the ship. Just as it was about to though, the robot suddenly found its movement halted. It soon looked down to find its leg caught by a hand. Monkey D. Luffy, though he was sure he had defeated him, was still moving with every last bit of his energy. He looked angry at him, but he could tell he wasn't trying to pick another fight.
"Let me…" Luffy growled lowly, nearly exhausted. "…hear your name."
A chuckle was emitted from the robot. "I guess you have the right, Monkey D. Luffy."
The robot then turned fully towards the man. With great theatricality, he proclaimed, "My name is Cortéz! The Captain of the Primal Pirates! The one who shall become the King of the Pirates!"
"Cortez…" Luffy repeated with intensity, as if ingraining it into his memory. Then he swore to the pirate that had defeated him, "Just one day, Cortez! One day, when we meet again… I'll definitely kick your ass! I won't lose to you! I SWEAR!"
For the man behind the robot, he looked greatly impressed. Thus, he decided to allow a sneak peek at what it is to come when fighting him seriously. Cortez suddenly unleashed a massive amount of aura from the robot. So intimidating it took on the likeness of a demonic dragon. Everyone, which only constituted as Luffy and Robin with everyone else knocked-out, were paralyzed with fear. The likes of which they hadn't felt since facing opponents like the Admirals or Blackbeard's crew.
"Monkey D. Luffy… The son of Dragon… The Grandson of Garp…" Cortez said. "I look forward to it… Someday."
Finally, the robot turned away from Luffy and his crew.
"As long as I'm still standing... You'll never become the King of the Pirates… Until we meet again… Straw Hat Luffy."
In one great leap, the Primal Shark Robo suit dived into the water. The shadowy image of it could be seen under the water's surface as it soon raced off towards its destination. In a matter of seconds, it was gone from sight.
All was quiet aboard the Thousand Sunny; mostly. Luffy's haggard breathing betrays the otherwise silence that was their defeat. The young man attempted to move only to struggle with each breath and movement. Eventually, he got himself to turn over and now able to see more of the deck he looked out to his crew. As only Robin was still conscious and moving, he could see the rest of his crew defeated and knocked-out. Seeing each one, Robin included, got his blood boiling with anger. Thus, he looked to the sky and vented his frustrations out.
"DAMMIT!"
Though they had been defeated, neither Luffy nor his crew is the ones to give up.
And thus, this was their new beginning.
TO BE CONTINUED…
This is bad! Luffy and his crew are defeated by the Primal Shark Robo, who was controlled by the captain of Primal Pirates - Cortez. So what's next?
Anyway, this chapter is finally finished. But I already uploaded two chapters on DA before I upload them here. And the third chapter is working on it.
This story was written by Yours Truly and co-writer/script editor/proofreading by Hotspot the 626th.
