The Wano country

Kevyn

I was using Zoro's heavy training weights when Usopp yelled about the island on the horizon. I set the weights down and leaned on them as I caught my breath.

Chopper, Luffy and Brook rushed up to see the new island while Robin helped Derick out into a chair. He still looked pretty beat up. The wounds were nearly shut and they weren't scarring but I could still see them.

"You okay?" I asked.

He nodded and closed his eyes. He had been sleeping a lot since the accident but Chopper said that that was natural so I took his word for it. Robin sat down on the steps next to me and smiled.

"You try to act tough and distant, but you really care for your friends." She said.

"No it's just that I don't want to lose them." I said focusing on the approaching island.

It was heavily forested and quite large, I couldn't see the other side yet. A heavy mist blanketed the majority of the land but I could see a small harbor. Kinemon strolled onto the deck and looked at the island then cheered.

"It's my home! It's Wano Country!" He yelled.

I looked at him and saw Zoro snap awake as he heard.

"This is the land of the Samurai?" He said facing the ocean.

"Zoro… its out front." Robin said pointing.

He turned and acted like he knew that.

Luffy burst out onto the deck and clambered onto Sunny's head. His wounds were fully healed and he was back to his usual reckless hyper self.

Nami directed us and we managed to dock the ship on one if the many open docks in the foggy harbor. As we were tying the robes to the dock a group of three men appeared out of the mist.

The leader had a gray mustache that was thin and long as it trailed down to his chest. He carried two swords at his waist and he was dressed in simple black and white robes. A gold medallion emblazoned with a Chinese dragon was positioned over his left breast.

"Hello pirates. May I ask why you are here?" He asked kindly but firmly.

"We merely are traveling on our way through the Grand Line. We will not be any trouble." Nami said kindly.

Even Luffy was acting a bit more polite than usual.

"L-L-Lord Shun Sui! You are greeting these pirates?" Kinemon asked from the deck.

The old man looked at Kinemon and raised an eyebrow.

"And you are?" He asked.

"My lord that is Kinemon. The warrior who left to search for his son." One of the guards whispered.

"Oh yes. Were you successful?" Shun Sui asked.

"Yes my lord. Hmmm? What's wrong Chopper?" Kinemon asked looking down at the reindeer.

"The smell. It's like-" Chopper said as Derick snapped open his eyes.

"Burning Flesh." He said his pupils dilated so that they were slits.

"My lord is something wrong?" Kinemon asked.

"Warrior. There has been a rebellion, Lord Shan Kai has usurped my rule and taken over my palace. This town is all I control now." Shun Sui said gesturing to the foggy harbor.

"What is the smell from?" Derick asked getting to his feet.

"The dead. We could not bury them. I stalled as long as I could but we could not give them all a proper burial." The Lord said.

"How many warriors do you have left?" Kinemon asked shocked.

"Two dozen Samurai. No others." The Lord said.

Kinemon threw himself on the ground before us.

"My friends! I know that I am asking a great favor but, will you please help restore my country?" He yelled.

Luffy was silent then I saw a wide grin break out on his face.

"Of course we will! Right guys?" The captain asked looking at us.

Everyone smiled and nodded.

Lord Shun Sui teared up and started thanking us but the guards started to lead him away.

"Wait! My lord did you manage to bring any of the legendary swords?" Kinemon called.

Shun Sui turned and looked confusedly at the Samurai.

"We managed to save a few yes. Why?"

"Did you manage to save The Shadow Kings blade?" Kinemon asked.

"I would never let that foul blade fall into enemy hands. Of course I saved it!" Shun Sui said.

"Then please let this man use it." Kinemon said placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Why?" The Lord asked somewhat angrily.

"Show him." Kinemon whispered.

I nodded and everyone backed away. I drew my sword and faced the open ocean. I felt the shadows around me and directed them to my will. Then I thrust my sword forward and split the water down to the sea bed. The shadows followed and held the water back like walls. Then I let the dark shapes recede and go back to the former positions.

Lord Shun Sui staggered back then nodded to Kinemon. He and his guards disappeared into the mist.

"What was that about?" I asked.

"The only sword with the shadow element. The Shadow King's blade. He has given his consent to allow you to use it." Kinemon said.

"Well where is it?" I asked.

"Come I will take you to it. We will be back shortly." He said to the rest of the crew.

Then he led me onto the island and through a small quite village. I saw maybe two people as we walked through the haze then stopped in front of a large building with a dragon insignia carved into it.

Kinemon pushed open the doors and together we walked into a room filled with swords. Easily five hundred katana lined the walls but only one drew my eye. It was alone against the back wall with chains holding it to the wall and wrapped in cloth.

"I take it that's my blade?" I asked.

Kinemon nodded and I walked up to the bound sword. I held out my hand and paused just before touching it. Then I pulled the sword into my hand from the shadows and the chains and cloth fell away.

The sheath was dark black. I felt as if it went on forever. The guard was a golden flower design and the hilt was black cloth surrounding gold metal. I drew it and found the blade was just as dark as the sheath. It was infinite, powerful and deadly.

I tied it to my waist opposite of Kitetsu and was surprised to find that the swords seemed to be… calmer around each other.

Then Kinemon led the way back to the ship. I showed Zoro the new sword and he nodded. The sword gave off a strange feeling as if everything were being sucked toward its infinite darkness.

"Alright. So what do we do first Kinemon? Go beat up this guy right?" Luffy asked.

"No. It would be suicide to attack him head on. He has many of the samurai under his command. No we must draw the warriors away from his palace then confront him." Kinemon said.

"We can take care of that! Then you and The old guy can go beat up the other guy!" Luffy said.

"I am not a match for Shan Kai. Nor is Lord Shun Sui. I think only Zoro could challenge him." Kinemon said.

"What about me?" I asked.

"You are not strong enough in the way of the sword to fight Shan Kai. He is a master." Kinemon said.

I unsheathed my new sword and dropped it into my shadow. A dozen other blades shot out then reformed into one. I caught the ascending blade and resheathed it.

"You were saying?" I asked tying Shadow King to my waist.

Derick

I yawned and stretched as I sat on top of the crows nest. I was watching for any sign of movement. I could see the fog and smoke easier than the others but I could still barely see the shore.

Everyone else was preparing to fight the samurai. I had been ordered by Nami, Chopper and Luffy to guard the ship. Since I was still recovering I had just grumbled and climbed onto the crows nest.

"Hey Derick!" Chopper yelled.

I looked down and saw him waving his hands. I scrambled down the mast and walked up to him. He led me into his room and pulled out a small bag.

"These are Rumble Balls. A type of drug that I created that amplify Zoan type powers. I'm giving these to you just in case you become out matched. But don't take more than one at a time." He said putting the bag in my hand.

"Why not?" I asked.

"I don't know what they will do to you. I turned into a rampaging monster when I took three. Now I can control that power but only for a few minutes." He said.

I assured him that I wasn't going to use them unless I absolutely needed to then an alarm rang out in the town.

"Chopper! Lets go!" Usopp yelled.

We ran back up to the deck and saw everyone else ready to go. Kevyn had that new sword strapped to his waist. Zoro had tied his bandana around his head. Usopp had his slingshot at the ready and the others all looked ready for a fight. Luffy walked over to me and placed his hat on my head.

"Protect that for me." He said.

They left me guarding the ship and I leaned against the mast. No one was going to mess with this ship on my watch.

Until I fell asleep. I don't know when I dozed off but I woke up with a little girl pulling on my cheek.

"Mister? Hello?" She said.

I opened my eyes and pushed her away slightly. She was small and had long black hair. She giggled as she came back and pulled on my face some more.

I pushed her away as I stood up. She had a trainee uniform and a wooden sword at her waist. She laughed and pulled on my hand.

"Come on mister! You have to go fight to!" She said pulling me towards the dock.

"No I have to stay here. I was told to guard the ship." I told her.

"But what if the bad guys attack the town?" She asked.

"I'll protect the town then. But for now its safe so I'm staying here." I said.

And at that moment one of the buildings exploded. It looked like a house.

"Ah! No! That was my house! Mom! Dad!" The girl yelled running towards the dock.

I scooped her up and jumped onto the dock. Then I took off towards the house at a dead sprint. The girl was crying when we reached the ruins. There was a woman pinned by a fallen beam. There was no sign of anyone else except the lone samurai standing in the rubble.

"Mom!" The girl yelled leaping out of my arms.

The samurai turned and stood over the woman with his sword pointed down. I saw the blade begin to fall and I acted on instinct.

I raced forward and grabbed the blade. Hot blood ran down my fingers and the sword. The point was barely an inch from the woman. I grinned up at the swordsman.

He leaped away tearing the sword from my grip. I flicked the beam holding the woman in place with my tail and watched the swordsman.

"You two need to get out of here." I said.

"But Mister! He's really strong!" The little girl cried.

I turned and patted her on the head.

"So am I. Now get your mom out of here." I said.

She helped her mother limp away and turned to face me.

"My names Meska, Mister." She said.

I smiled as they rounded the corner and disappeared. Then I turned to face the swordsman. He was wiping the blood from his blood.

"So you are one of those Devil Fruit Users. I will purge you from this island Scum." He said distastefully.

I grinned and changed to full Demi form. Muscled arms and legs, Razor claws, Wings, Horns and a thick crocodile like tail.

He swung his sword and a fireball blasted into the ground.

"I am Asyn. Third in command under Lord Shan Kai. I will slay you, Beast." He said.