Rise of the Straw Hat Armada Chapter 7: Curiosity didn't kill the cat Part 1
After chewing out Kuro or Klahadore, the five Straw Hats made their way back over to the pub to discuss their plans. However, as they were walking Luffy suddenly stopped, causing confusion among the others until they saw what he saw. It was the three "Usopp Pirates" Ninjin, Tamanegi and Piiman poking, a man with long, grey blonde hair that reached his shoulders, a strange blue trench coat covered in disks, jeans, black boats and brown gloves with grey cuffs and gold studded knuckles. He had a strange, red and black stripped goatee and was currently snoring on the ground. Luffy snickered at the familiar sight of Kuro's first mate and considered waking up him up. But he didn't have to as the hypnotist suddenly jumped up and glared at the three small kids in front of his, not that you could see it with his strange sun glasses. "What the hell you brats! Didn't your mother ever tell you not to poke a man when he's sleeping"! He shouted in rage. The three just stared him before pointing him and suddenly shouting: "weirdo"! Before running off much to. Luffy chuckled catching his attention. "And just what're you laughing at brat"? Jango demanded. Luffy's chuckling eventually ceased. "Nothing. Just you". Luffy said chuckling again. Jango fumed and glared at him before stalking off down the hill. Finally, after a minute, Zoro spoke. "Well. We found Jango. It's funny, wasn't he walking backwards during the first time-line"? Zoro commented getting a nod from Usopp. "Yeah I remember that. Ninjin, Tamanegi and Piiman were running around screaming about some weirdo walking backwards for whatever reason. Huh I guess something had to change".
Luffy nodded and stroked his chin in thought. "Well we know that the plan is tomorrow morning from now, so Usopp you and I should still head to the bluff for the meeting between Kuro and Jango. But this time I'll keep myself hidden and make sure that I don't get hypnotized and fall flat on my head. We'll follow through with everything except we'll know which bluff they'll be on and Kaya can warn Merry in advance". Luffy said after some time getting nods from everyone present. Later that day as the sun began to set Luffy had gone ahead and warned Buggy and the others in advance and had them move to the opposite bluff where Luffy and Usopp had believed that the black cats would come in the original time line. But this time they didn't and each had vowed to do things differently and change as much as they could from the original timeline.
Soon enough Luffy and Usopp had found themselves hiding on one of the cliffs as Jango and Kuro met up again to discuss the plan that would inevitably fail. "Do you remember the plan Jango? Do I need to go over it with you again just for the crew to understand"? The bloodthirsty captain asked fixing his glasses, causing them to flash in the moonlight. Jango started to sweat slightly and rapidly shook his head. "No, no! Of course not Captain I know every single detail. You've spent the last three years gaining the trust of the villagers and Miss Kaya, in order to gain something. And by tomorrow, the heiress will have a little "accident" that will involve her taking a very long cat nap and her fortune with her name on it". Jango recited making Kuro smirk. "Indeed it is Jango. Though I will admit that I do miss tormenting the marines and the wide open seas, and plundering and pillaging of my Pirate days. But this is my calling. I don't care for some "legendary" treasure that was supposedly left behind by an old man with a disease. I only care to achieve my peace of mind and by this time tomorrow. I will have that piece of mind". Kuro vowed before the two parted ways. Luffy and Usopp quickly hid to keep themselves from being spotted by Kuro. Eventually his footsteps faded and Luffy and Usopp finally came out of the bushes.
"Okay Usopp. Are you ready for the battle tomorrow"? Luffy asked turning to the sniper who nodded shaking only very slightly, Luffy however noticed and had a small smile. Somethings don't change. Luffy and Usopp nodded and they quickly returned to the rest of the crew. The next day Jango was standing on the north bluff just as the Black Cat docked onto the beach. Just as he was about to turn and give the order for the crew to attack he heard footsteps and turned around and was shocked to see five teens standing at the top of the bluff. And one of them looked very familiar to him. It took him a full minute for him to realize that the fifth teen was actually Kaya. The very heiress that Kuro was targeting!
"What the hell is this? Some kind of welcoming party"? Jango demanded looking intently at the five teens in front of him. Luffy merely shook his head and held the top of his hat, shadowing his eyes. "This isn't a welcome party Jango. This is an ass-kicking and a deal". Luffy said hiding his grin beneath the brim of his hat. Jango arched an eyebrow.
"A deal? What kind of deal brat"? Jango asked fingering one of his disks. Luffy chuckled and lifted his hat before giving Jango a very determined stare. "It's simple. If my crew here can beat your crew, and I'm able to beat your captain in under five minutes. Then the Black Cat pirates, Kuro and all have to join the Straw Hat Armada". Luffy said crossing his arms, never losing that determined glint in his eyes.
Jango stared at him for a good five minutes before he smirked and lowered his hat. "Tch. You're a cocky little brat aren't you? Fine! Your crew's got five minutes to beat the entire Black Cat crew. Includding the ship guards. BUSHI! SHIAM! Get your asses down here"! Jango called grinning broadly. Suddenly from the ship came out two more crewmembers. The first of the two was rather round and large and had a cat hood on and tiny eyes. He had one purple shorts and a cape. The figure next to him had green hair done up in cat ears with cat eyes and even cat claws with a puffy purple shirt and shorts. Zoro had to suppress a groan when he saw those two, before walking forward tying his bandana around his head.
"I'll take care of these two captain". Zoro said unsheathing Yubari and Shusui and gained a wolf like grin on his face. Luffy smirked and folded his hands behind his head and started to smirk.
"Alright you two better come at me with the intent to kill you hear me?! I'm not in the mood for any of your cat thief bullshit shenanigans got it"? Zoro commanded making them blink in shock. Zoro smirked at their shocked reactions and used shunpo to rush forward before they could react. Zoro didn't bother to unsheathe the two swords as the ship guards were sent flying back much to the shock of Jango and the crew. Luffy's smirk grew even bigger as Nami and Usopp released a cheer. Luffy had felt Zoro use a very miniscule amount of armament Haki but it was enough to send those two flying back to the ship. Jango himself was staring in shock before he shook his head and glared at Luffy. "Men! Tear them apart"! Jango roared as the crew released massive cheer began to charge headfirst up the slope. Luffy chuckled and nodded Nami and Usopp who both smirked. Nami spoke first took out her sorcery clima tact and pointed it forward and said two simple words.
"Gust…Sword"! She called sending the black cat pirates flying all over the place and back down the slope. Luffy chuckled and crossed his arms as Nami smiled and placed her clima tact next to her. "Is that all you got Jango"? Luffy called getting a snarl from the man before he took out one of his disks and instantly turned around and glared at the crew. "Alright men listen up! When I say 1, 2 Jango you'll gain unbelievable strength and no longer feel pain! Ready? 1. 2. JANGO"! Jango roared. And with those words, the crew suddenly grew immensely strong, with muscles bulging and ripping their clothes, but the five teens present knew that they weren't that strong. Kaya stepped forward and brandished a pair of nunchucks while smiling a sickly sweet smile. "I'll take care of this captain". Kaya said getting a nod from Luffy, since the Straw Hat wearing captain also wanted to see just how strong Kaya was. And with that Kaya rushed down to meet the raging crew and if possible Luffy's grin grew even bigger than ever before as he watched Kaya weave through the crowd while beating them senseless with her nunchucks. It really was an entertaining sight.
Jango's jaw dropped to epic proportions as he tried to process what exactly just happened. However before he could even form any proper words, he heard a deathly calm voice that scared him so much that he actually crapped his pants a little bit.
"Unacceptable. Did you know it's past morning? I believe I told you to raid the village by sunrise. I've been waiting for three hours, and I hear no screaming, no crying. I don't see any ruins or burning buildings, not even house was destroyed. And so I ask you, crew and you Jango. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON"!? Kuro roared finally losing his cool and utterly terrifying Jango and the rest of the crew. Straw Hats however stood impassively, staring blankly at the enraged captain. After a minute of glaring Kuro finally regained his composure but the immense rage was still present within his eyes.
"Five minutes". He said ominously causing his crew to become confused, but the straw hats instantly tensed, already knowing where this was going. "I'll give you five minutes to get rid of the brats, Kaya included. If you fail in those five minutes…I'll kill you myself". Kuro said pushing his glasses up causing them to flash ominously in the sunlight.
The crew visibly starts to sweat before the let out a roar and charge towards the straw hats. Nami, Zoro, Usopp and Kaya all walk forward brandishing their weapons without even getting Luffy to speak. Luffy smirks under the brim of his hat and walks forward until he and Kuro are now standing face to face. The captains look at eachother in a silent staring contest as the battle wages behind them before Kuro finally opens his mouth. "It appears I underestimated you, since your own crew was able to way waste on my own, if I can call them that". Kuro said noting that there was no change in Luffy's demeanor. After a second of silence Luffy responded. "Heh, your crew's been doing nothing but wasting time sitting around without an ounce of training. They're pathetic. But…I got a deal with you Kuro". Luffy said, now catching the black cat captain's attention. "A deal you say? What kind of deal boy"? Kuro asked adjusting his glasses.
Luffy looked up at him and smirked. "I can tell that you miss your pirating days, and don't try to deny it. I can see it, in your eyes. The wind rushing against you, the smell of the sea, the mounds of treasure and sake. The freedom of the sails and the endless torturing of the Marines. You miss it all, don't you"? Kuro's silence was all the answer Luffy needed. "Here's my deal. You and me, one on one, no interruptions. If I win, you return to piracy and you and your crew join my armada. If you win you get to kill me and get Kaya's inheritance. Waddaya say"? Luffy asked crossing his arms. Kuro looks at the teen in front of him for a full minute before a dark smirk crosses his features as he pushes his glasses up. "You certainly know how bargaining works Straw Hat; I accept your deal not that you'll survive". Kuro said with the smirk still on his face before he bends down and takes out his infamous cat gloves. He slips them on and gives Luffy a murderous smirk. "I certainly hope you can keep up with me Straw Hat; OUT OF THE BACK ATTACK"!
