Chapter VIII: Beast Tamer Mohji
Set in Orange Town, a village in the East Blue.
Sitting on what was left of the throne he had set up, fuming, Buggy was not having a good day. He made no effort to disguise his displeasure as he tore into his crew. "We are the 'Buggy Pirate Fleet!' Under the banner of our flag we have executed countless raids all over the 'East Blue!' Walking along the row of the lined up henchmen, he continued to rant. "So why is it that we are being looked down upon, toyed with even, by a group of only 4 people? We have to teach these upstarts a lesson, and show them just how badly they screwed up when they made an enemy out of me!" Calling out to his recently returned Vice-Captains, Buggy singled out the one paired with a gigantic lion. "Mohji! Let the beast show begin!"
Sitting lotus-style on his feline companion, Richie, 'Mohji the Beast Tamer' strode forth confidently. His chest was completely covered by hair, so much so that it appeared to be a vest. His head held similarly bushy hair, shaped to look like animal ears. The lion was easily 5 times the size of the man riding it. Gnashing his teeth, Richie let out a low growl as they stopped before their leader. "You asked for me Captain? Am I to be granted the killing those that oppose you once more?"
Evil in his eyes, Buggy answered his subordinate with a twisted grimace. "Do whatever you want, just be sure to bring back their heads."
Richie roared monstrously in approval as his master started to lead him away from the alehouse. Mohji smirked as he rode off into the town. "Consider it done."
… a good distance from Drinker's Pub, near the edge of the town ...
Zoro came to a stop suddenly, his body about to collapse from the exertion opening up his wound. Dropping the cage he used the now free hand to apply extra pressure to the gaping injury. "We're far away from that tavern now, they shouldn't catch up to us for a bit." No longer burden by the deceptively heavy cage, he let himself slump to the ground. "Not that it would matter, I think I've lost too much blood. There's no way I'm carrying this thing any further."
Knowing he could have, and still could, bust out at any moment, Luffy was feeling guilty. Not wanting to reveal that the effort had been in vain, Luffy decided to remain 'trapped' until he absolutely needed to escape his confines. "At least we got away okay! Now if only we could ditch this cage. I won't be much use in a fight stuck in here." Turning to his other crewmate, he asked her to help out. "What do you think? Can you carry the cage now to give Zoro a rest?"
Not liking the idea, Alvida tried to offer another solution. "And what would that solve? We're better of trying to break through the bars. With enough force I might be able to get you out of there." However, before she could enact her plan her train of thought was derailed by a new presence. Right beside where Zoro had put down the cage was a battered looking animal. "Is that a dog?"
Looking where he saw her eyes pointed at, Luffy inspected the poor pooch. "Is it really a dog? It isn't moving at all, maybe it's a fake! I wonder if it's dead..." Testing out his theory, he stuck out two fingers and poked it in the eyes. That elicited a reaction from the beast, who promptly opened his jaws and chomped down on his attacker's face.
Alvida let out a tinkling laugh of approval at the animal's antics. "At least we know it's intelligent. But never mind that, right now we need to be trying to bust you out of there. What the dog does is it's own business."
The dog was not done with him though. Noticing the wound it had given disappearing, the scrappy little mutt chomped down on the pirates arm in an effort to do lasting damage. "Aaargh! You stupid dog, what the hell do you think your doing?" Luffy tried to pull his arm away, only succeeding after its teeth finally reached bone. Hissing in pain, he chose to join Zoro's lying down as he rode out the healing process.
Alvida's amusement had long since passed, her patience wearing thin at the thought of the surely searching pirates closing in. "You idiot, do you have any idea how serious the situation we are in is? Buggy's thugs could be here any second now, and you're still locked up!" With her nosed turned up she harrumphed at the indignity of it all.
Choosing that moment to make her appearance, Nami agreed with the other woman. "She's right you know. What on earth are you guy's doing fooling around at a time like this. If you just lie around in the middle of the street you'll be caught for sure."
Lifting up his head ever so slightly, Zoro acknowledged the new arrival. "Oh hey, it's our new navigator!"
Letting out a groan Nami cringed at his words. "Not you too. Look, I'm just here to repay my debt to you for saving my life. Nothing more, nothing less." Reaching into her shirt she tossed a small key onto the ground between the two men. "You three are lucky I'm in a generous mood. I'm still not really sure why I took the time to snatch that. Because of that I couldn't steal any of the other treasure except the map."
Ecstatic to finally have a viable way out, Luffy' face split into a smile after she tossed him his freedom. "The key! You stole the key!" He sighed in relief at the easy resolution. "Phew, thank you! This cage has been causing way to much grief, I thought we we're going die from the headache it was giving us! Finally, something about this difficult escape went right." His joy was short lived though, as the still pissed off dog choose to scoop up the key and swallow it. The silence that followed was deafening as the shocked escapees realized what had just happened. Not about to accept the circumstances as they were, Luffy immediately grabbed the defiant animal by the neck and began shaking it. "You stupid dog! Spit that out before you swallow it, that isn't food!"
His efforts did not yield results before he was forced to stop by an old man approaching from just outside of town. He wore leather armor and carried a spear, though both looked out of place when paired with his poofy white hair and wire frame glasses. "Oi, you people better not be hurting Shushu!" Arriving at the group he introduced himself. "My name is Boodle, and I'm the mayor of this village. Don't think I didn't see what you were doing to Shushu young man, I will not stand for such behavior."
Luffy turned his head sideways in confusion. "Shushu…? Oh, you mean the dog? But he ate our key! Make him give it back!"
The town leader paused upon hearing that. "Huh, well that's odd. He's usually pretty friendly, but with all of the pirate running around town he must be agitated." Taking in Zoro's injury, Boodle face quickly switched from confused to concerned. "You don't look so good mister. You should get out of the street and get some rest." Helping him off the ground with a grunt, the mayor brought him over to the next building over. "This one is my place, why don't you take my bed for a bit and give yourself some time to heal. I can bring a doctor by later to help stitch you up."
Never one to turn down a nap, and quite exhausted from his earlier efforts, Zoro gratefully accepted. "No need for that, all I need is some rest and I'll be right as rain." And with that he was soon fast asleep, almost before his head touched the pillow.
Back outside Luffy was growing curious about the animal he had been fighting with. "So I guess it's Shushu here that brought you back into town? Why is he still in town if you all have evacuated?"
With a fond smile directed at the mutt Boodle gave his answer. "Yup, I come by here everyday to check on the town and make sure he gets fed. He is guarding this store, and no matter what I do he refuses to leave."
Paying more attention to their surroundings then before, distracted as she was by the so called pirates she was with, Nami looked at the building they were in front of. "Ah, you're right. Now that I'm looking carefully this is a storefront. A pet food store to be exact."
Boodle's eyes got a far away look as he pulled out his pipe and reminisced simpler times. "That's right. The owner of this place is a good friend, and ten years ago he opened this store with Shushu. The store holds a lot of cherished memories that they shared." Kneeling down he gave the dog a pat on the head. "Do you see all of these wounds? They're from fighting with those pirates, I'm sure of it. He won't let any of them inside of the shop for fear of what they might do to it."
Having always been a sucker for animals, Alvida found his response problematic. "I don't care how precious this store is, what sort of owner would make their dog stand guard when pirates are the enemy? The store owner sheltered with the other evacuees, right?"
With a sad smile and a shake of his head, Boodle corrected her assumption. "No... unfortunately he passed on to the next life due to an illness. A little over three months ago he was hospitalized, and shortly after that..." He couldn't finish the sentence.
Alvida gave him a sympathetic smile. "I'm so sorry to hear that. I suppose that would mean Shushu is just waiting for his owner to return then."
Blowing out a puff of smoke Boodle shook his head again. "That's what everyone else says too, but I see it differently." With another long drag of his pipe he explained. "Shushu is an intelligent dog, I think he knows that his master is dead. This store is just special to him, his treasure if you will. He loved his owner so much and this store is all that he has to remember him by. I think he will continue to guard this store, no matter what anyone does."
All three of the listeners smiled at the thought, liking how it sounded. But the moment didn't last. A loud roar pierced the air, startling them from their reverie. Nami was the first to recover from the sudden shock. "What was that? We need to get out of here now."
Mayor Boodle was much less composed, for he recognized what that sound meant. "Oh it is definitely time to run. That's 'Beast Tamer Richie's' lion, he must be close to us." He sprinted away as fast as his old legs could take him, Nami right on his heels.
Alvida chose to remain behind with her Captain instead of run hoping to help him out of his cage rather then leaving him behind. 'I really have gone soft when it comes to him, this is so unlike me.' Squatting down next to ShuShu she quickly got to the point. "Okay mutt, it's time to give back that key, or else I'm going to have to take it from you. And neither of us wants that, trust me." Getting no response she opted for 'Plan B.' Actively channeling her devil fruit abilities she eliminated all friction from her arm. Shoving the altered appendage down the unfortunate animal's throat she reached around until she felt the key. Holding up her nose in disgust she adjusted her smoothness enough to grasp it before quickly removing her limb from the stomach. Tossing the key at Luffy she gave him a pointed look. "You owe me big time for this." Not knowing what else to do he just nodded dumbly before releasing himself at last.
There was no time to celebrate the accomplishment though, for Mohji arrived before Luffy could get out of the cage. Sitting atop his impressive steed he introduced himself to the 'Straw Hats.' "Well at least I found two of you. I am Vice-Captain of the 'Buggy Pirate Fleet,' the one and only 'Beast Tamer Mohji!'" Having seen two people running in the distance before disappearing from sight he took a stab at summarizing the situation. "It looks like the others in your group just ditched you. Poor things, you tried so hard to run away, but in the end it has only made things worse for you. Captain Buggy is livid. You guys committed some pretty serious crimes."
Not taking the situation seriously at all, Luffy poked fun at the man's attire. "What the heck are you supposed to be, wearing that weird hat and vest. You look ridiculous."
A little ways away Nami and Boodle were watching from around a corner. Questioning the caged boy's sanity, the mayor turned to Nami. "That guy... is he okay? Does he want to die?" Unsure how to respond the navigator merely shrugged.
Mohji was incensed at the lack of respect, just as sensitive about appearance as his Captain. "Shut up you idiot! Watch what your saying this is my hair! It was designed specifically for my 'Beast Tamer' motif." Gaze darkening, the enraged man continued to tear into Luffy. "You may not be scared of me, thinking your safe locked up in that cage, but you should be. I am the 'Beast Tamer Mohji,' feared throughout these seas. There isn't an animal in this world that won't obey my command. You... well you you're just some nameless thief." His course of action decided, he gave his lion a command. "Kill him Richie."
"ROAR!" Happy to finally be involved, Richie brought his teeth down on the cage, shattering the bars as if they were made of glass. Just narrowly missing the pirate who had backed away just in time to avoid the beast's enormous maw, he followed up with a swipe of his paw that sent both the cage and Luffy right though the mayor's house.
From their vantage point Nami and Boodle were horrified at the turn of events. They had been so close to escaping only for such ill circumstances to befall them. Nami was particularly choked up, feeling guilty for putting the boy in such a situation to start with. "Shit, that kid is going to die! That steel cage was destroyed like it was nothing, there's no way he'll be standing up from that."
Satisfied with his work, Mohji turned to the next 'Straw Hat.' "You see that! Instantaneous punishment! That's what you get for talking back to a 'Buggy Pirate!' Now there are only three of you left to mop up. Since your here, I guess that makes you next 'Iron Mace.'"
With a scoff Alvida corrected the arrogant pirate's assumption. "As if. That puny attack won't be enough to leave a scratch." Smirking as she hoisted her trusty bludgeon, the 'Straw Hat' walked up to her enemy confidently. "Let's see how long you and your little pussy cat last against me. I'm willing to bet you won't last five minutes."
... a little ways away, through the hole in the mayor's house ...
Dusting himself off Luffy casually picked himself up off the ground. "Woah, now that was some hit. He hit me straight through to the other side!" As usual the blow had had no impact on the boy other than sending a jolt of adrenaline through his veins. However, it did leave him inspired. Fist clenched he made a declaration. "From here on in it is time to rid this town of the Buggy Pirates. And recruit Nami to be our navigator of course!"
Coming from around the corner Nami and Boodle arrived just in time to hear the pirate state his intentions. The female member of the duo was dumbfounded at his resilience, though that did not stop her from being irritated by his persistence. "You're still going on about that? How many times do I have to say no!" Shaking her head, she gave up on that topic of conversation. "Forgot about that for now, how the hell are you still alive? You just smashed into a building and shot through clear to the other side but you look perfectly fine! This is too weird, you should at least have some bruises and scrapes from that, what sort of monster are you?"
Laughing at her discombobulation Luffy brushed of her words. "So what if I'm a monster, I'm still me. Just a little more durable then most."
Boodle was more composed, but he was starting to question who the mysterious young man was. People as strong as him didn't just pop out of nowhere for no reason. "What is your purpose here boy. Why are you fighting those pirates?"
Putting on a determined expression Luffy explained. "Well once I've chosen a path my course is usually set. And I've set my mind on getting that 'Grand Line' map and a navigator." It was then that they heard a loud crash coming from the street they had just been on. "But enough talk, that's my cue to go. It sounds like Alvida is taking care of that fur cap guy, but I should check it out to be sure."
... back in front of the pet food store ...
Richie did not take kindly to being called a pussy cat. Not one bit. With a deafening growl he pounced on his prey. But to both his and his master's surprise his claws just slid over the female pirate without any effect. Alvida chuckled at the shocked pair. "Are you starting to understand now, you are outclassed here." Misjudging her strength as she swung her cudgel, she hit the duo with enough force to launch them into a building.
Unfortunately for Shushu, the building in question happened to be the pet food store he was guarding. Seeing his treasured shop ruined before his eyes he started barking. Mohji and Richie got up from the pile of rubble that was once the storefront, only to be accosted by the protective animal. "What the hell is this dog doing? It can't be... is this tiny little thing trying to guard the store? From us? What a foolish beast. Step aside!" And with a might swat of his paw Richie knocked the yapping pooch out of their way. Shushu was not to be dissuaded from his task though. Despite heavy injuries the dog got back up and started to run at his attacker. With surprising speed he bit down on the lion's leg, causing it to yowl in pain. Lifting up his leg Richie slammed it against the ground, pushing off the other animal violently. "Oh dear, trying to attack us like that just won't do. This store owner has a lot of nerve leaving this mutt behind to bother us. Look at poor Richie's leg, it's bleeding." Wanting to teach the dog a lesson Mohji chose to strike a match and set the shop ablaze.
Alvida was stunned by the man's reaction, though that feeling was quickly being replaced with ire. She couldn't abide by the animal abuse she had just witnessed. And if that weren't enough, the foul individual in front of her had chosen to destroy the store like a petulant child. "You aren't going to get away with that. I'm going to teach you a lesson in manners that you won't soon forget." Using her abilities to speed up her approach Alvida readied her weapon like a baseball bat. "Sube Sube Tracks!" In a flash of speed she arrived at their side and slammed her mace directly onto Richie's face, knocking the beast out cold.
It was Mohji's turn to be stunned by the turn of events. His jaw dropped as he started to sputter. "Rich... Richie! What are you? Could it be that you have gained the abilities of a 'Devil Fruit' too, just like Captain Buggy?" Getting no response from Alvida, who was smiling at her handiwork, he tried to find a way out of the mess he hadn't gotten himself into. "I'm so sorry, please don't hurt me. I'll give you anything you want, I'll apologize, just please don't hurt me!"
Returning her focus to the groveling man Alvida scoffed at him. "I don't need an apology. That won't bring back Shushu's treasure." With an enraged look she approached the man once more. "The only thing I want from you is payback. It's time for you to get a taste of your own medicine." Without another word, and forgoing her mace, she finished the fight against her sniveling foe with a furious uppercut.
Arriving just in time to see the conclusion, Luffy looked at the battered smoldering rubble sadly that was the pet shop sadly. Coming up from behind him Nami and Boodle gasped at the scene. Even though the mayor had more reason to be upset, it was Nami who couldn't hold back her anger. "You see, one way or another pirates are all the same. They take what is precious from others and leave nothing but pain and destruction in their wake." Turning to the other female present, she snapped out her next words. "So you're still alive? I thought the lion would have eaten you by now. I wish it had you filthy pirate, look what you've done. What's next, are you going to start raiding the village now? You disgust me."
Alvida was having enough trouble dealing with the inadvertent consequence of the fight without having to put up with Nami's ranting. Not that she would let that show. With a haughty 'humph' she snapped back at the clearly distressed girl. "As if I'd listen to you. You think your words hurt me? We are who we are, and nothing you say is going to change that. Get over yourself and grow up."
While the they were fight Luffy went to stand beside Shushu. The poor dog was staring up at his precious treasure as it burned to the ground. making up his mind, Luffy disappeared into the flaming shop only to return with a singed box of dog food. Sitting down he placed the box in front of the whimpering animal. "Sorry, that was the only thing I could find that wasn't a pile of ashes." His deed had caught the attention of the feuding women, causing them to fall silent at the sight. "I didn't see it, but I can tell you fought well. Your master would be proud." Shushu picked up the box with his teeth before nuzzling Luffy's thigh. His job done he trotted off toward the town's shelter.
No longer angry, Nami was merely confused now. 'That guy... he walked into a burning building just to save a box of dog food?' Luffy was messing up her whole notion of pirates as evil. 'Maybe sailing around with them for a while wouldn't be so bad...' Distracted as they were, none of them noticed the onlooking 'Buggy Pirates' scamper away, with Mohji and Richie in tow, to go report on the result of the fight.
... back atop Drinker's Pub ...
"What? Mohji was defeated?" The pirate who had reported the news was no slumped into a heap on the floor, the latest victim of Buggy's rage. "Men, prepare all of the special 'Buggy Cannonballs we have! I'm going to destroy this village! I'm going to turn it into dust. There won't be anywhere for them to hide when I'm done with this place." Wanting some answers from his Vice Captain he kicked the man in the side to wake him. "Mohji! what do have to say for yourself after such a shameful loss?"
Struggling to his knees Mohji just barely managed to pull himself up. "I give me deepest apologies Captain Buggy." Every breath was painful coming through his damaged jaw making speaking difficult. 'I must tell him about Alvida's 'Devil Fruit' ability. She might be more dangerous then Zoro!'
Barely hearing his subordinate Buggy continued to berate the beaten man. "And to make matter's worse you didn't even lose to Zoro! I still can't believe you lost to that backwater excuse for a pirate!"
Panting heavily, Mohji attempted to justify the loss. "Yes... but we... greatly underestimated her." He was fading quickly now, setting off a small internal panic. 'I have to warn him about her.' "Th truth is... that woman is... a smooth..." His effort were in vain. Before he could finish his sentence what remained of his consciousness left him.
Buggy seemed to think he knew what was being communicated, and it did not make him happy. "Did he really approach her so carelessly. That idiot! So what if she's a smooth talker, you shouldn't have been pulled in by her feminine wiles! Men! fire the special 'Buggy Cannonball!'"
