Chapter 10: The Two Swords Clash! Zoro Vs. Miyakuro
The dawn began to break as the Straw Hats celebrated their victory by enjoying an early breakfast. As the blond-haired chef brought out the dishes one by one, the ship's doctor made his rounds to everyone, applying bandages and taping them down. The food and treatments made their way around the crew until the last person, Zoro, was treated. The crew began to eat their food and drink slowly as the soreness from the night's activities were still there. "You have a couple cracked ribs Zoro, so no more hero stuff," said the pink hat-wearing doctor as he wrapped the swordsman's chest in tape. "Chopper, stop that. I can't move if I'm taped up like that," said the green-haired man as grew weary of the taping. "THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF THE TAPE, YOU DUMBASS," responded the doctor as Robin chuckled at the whole conversation.
The crew were too busy laughing and eating their food to notice the gang leader had arrived to their ship. Zoro was the first to notice the arrival on Miyakuro as he turned and saw the leader standing on one of Sunny's spiked hairs. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the infamous Straw Hat Pirates," said the ship's uninvited guest as his eyes caught the sight of his brother Yanshiro splayed on the deck. That sight caused him to become enraged as he looked back at the crew and yelled, "You all will PAY for what you've done!" With that being said, the angry gang leader leaped towards the crew, prepared to exact his revenge for his brother. The Straw Hats responded in their standard fashion, launching their own attack. Robin set Zoro down and said, "Wait right here, Zoro," before she went to assist the rest of her nakama. "Wait Robin, you guys can't...," he said as he tried to stand up, but the aches and pains from the fight with the gang earlier were keeping him grounded.
The crew and Miyakuro collided on the front portion of the deck, and Miyakuro has the distinct advantage, regardless of the numbers. Luffy launched the first attacked, "Gomu Gomu No Pistol," but Miyakuro dodged it quickly and landed a punch in the captain's gut, sending him flying towards the rear of the ship. The blue-haired shipwright removed the skin from his left hand and threw his punch, "Strrrrong HAMMER." The fist looked to have connected, however it was caught in the invader's left hand as well. He lifted up the cyborg with his one hand and tossed him at one of the ships also docked at the harbor.
"This power is incredible," said Miyakuro as he looked at his hands and grinned with delight. He looked back up to see Chopper in Arm Point right in his face and used his attack, "Kokutei ROSEOOoooo." The move connected with great force, causing a blast of air to go across the grass that covered the ship's deck. Chopper stood there and thought, "Alright, I landed a direct hit," but his hopes of victory were dashed as he saw that Miyakuro was still standing in place. "Is that best you have, you piece of shit?" The question caught Chopper by surprise as Miyakuro threw a punch at the ship's doctor. Chopper changed to his Guard Point before the punched connected with him, but the force of it was enough to launch him into the mast and knock him out, landing next to Zoro. The swordsman looked at the rest of the remaining crew and yelled, "You guys have to get out of here now. You can't win."
The swordsman's plea fell on deaf ears as the remaining five began to launch a group attack that would hopefully end this fight. Usopp started the attack by launching his attack, "Torimochi Boshi," leaving the sticky residue all over Miyakuro's feet. "Now Sanji, Nami," said the sniper as Sanji stood near the back end of the ship with Brook. " Everything ready, Nami-san," asked the love-struck Sanji as he looked at the navigator twirling her parts of the Perfect Clima-Tact, creating a small cloud. "Dark Cloud Tempo," she said as the final heat balls and cool balls flew to amass a small thundercloud. "You ready there, Brook," said the cook as he looked at the musician that was perched on his leg. "YOHOHOHOHOoooooo, let's do this, Sanji-san," said the skeleton as he held his cane sword ready. "Armée de L'Air Thunder Swallow Shoot," said the blond-haired man as he launched the skeleton through the awaiting dark cloud created that stood between the cook and the aggressive Miyakuro. The speed of the beyond belief, as the nearly weightless skeleton was flung at full force through the cloud and becoming electrically charged by the lightning that resided within it as he flew straight towards the stuck Miyakuro.
It was almost impossible to to dodge from something traveling at that speed, but Miyakuro was able to counter in time. The trapped gang leader drew out Zenmetsu Ichimonji, and he managed to block the high velocity musician. He deflected the flying skeleton, flinging him and his brandished blade back at the cook. Sanji managed to dodge the projectile Brook, leaving Brook to crash into the top of Nami's mikan trees. Sanji turned to look back at the opponent, only to find Miyakuro had set his sights on the navigator. He raised up his sword and through a slash across the deck of the ship, "Yami Nami." Nami stood terrified as the chivalrous yet lecherous cook leaped between her and the incoming attack. The force from the maneuver was enough to send the two of them crashing into the wall. "Sanji-san, Nami-san," rang out the archaeologist's voice as she ran over to see if there were alright.
With the sight of raven-haired woman coming into play, the sword pulsated as the grip on Zenmetsu tightened. A surge passed through Miyakuro as he began to change once more and screamed out in pain. Yamonijo began to take over Miyakuro completely as the sword wielder's body lost all of the red in his hair and his eyes, changing to jet black. As the changes occurred in Miyakuro, Zoro collapsed to the ground in pain as he looked up at the enemy. The black eyes stared at the woman as the sword was moved into a striking position. "ROBIN, get out of there NOW," yelled the green-haired man as Robin turned to see the possessed Miyakuro closing in. Her eyes widened as she was frozen in place, unable to move due to fear. "Time For You To Die, Maiden Of Flower," said the assaulting evil as he prepared his attack. "YAMI DAGEKI!" Robin closed her eyes as she flinched at the incoming blade.
The sound of metal on metal caused the raven-haired woman to open her eyes, seeing Zoro holding off the attack. "You leave her alone," said Zoro as he conveyed a look of death at the enemy, looking similar to the look he shot Eneru after he attacked Robin back in Skypeia. The unsheathed Wado began to glow even brighter than before as it continued to hold off the encroaching Zenmetsu. The glow grew brighter still, causing Yamonijo to cry out in pain as he retreated back into the blade. The red began to return back to the eyes and hair of Miyakuro as he regained control of his body, allowing Zoro to push him back. "Are you okay, Robin," questioned Zoro as he looked back which Robin replied with a nod. "Good, now get back, and make sure the others are alright. This guy's mine," said the swordsman as he took his bandana from around his arm and put it on his head.
The swordsman faced his opponent, the now in-control Miyakuro, and pointed his sword at the man. "Leave now, and you'll be spared. If you stay, you will be defeated," said Zoro as he stood there, defying his injuries and exhaustion. "I'm not like the others you fought. You won't be able to defeat me so easily," replied Miyakuro as he prepared to fight back. Zoro stared back at the man as he raised his arm. Both men launched their flying slashes at each other. "Sanjyu Roku Pound Hou." "Yami Nami." As the two slashes collided in mid-air, the force sent out a shock wave, causing the grass to rustle and the mikan trees to sway. The ship rocked as the slashes began to subside, allowing the men to see each other once more. "I told you that I won't be that easy," said the cocky Miyakuro as he looked at the green-haired swordsman, but the first mate of the Straw Hats managed to vanish within the blink of an eye as Miyakuro was watching him. Zoro appeared behind his opponent and said, "This is a fight. No time for boasting," as he spun around, causing his sword to come into the side of Miyakuro and sent him flying into the banister.
"That was too close. I almost didn't block that," thought Miyakuro as he picked himself up. He looked to where he came from to look at the swordsman, but he wasn't there anymore. Zoro once again appeared behind the looking Miyakuro. "You should never look to where your opponent was," said Zoro as he attacked the slow-turning Miyakuro once again. Miyakuro was flung to the other side of the ship, causing the ship to rock. Miyakuro quickly stood up and began to look all around the deck and thought, "He's different from before. He's really trying to kill me. I have to get faster. Help me Yamonijo." Robin looked at the fight going on and watched the swordsman's behavior change from his fights with the gang members and his fight with their leader. "He's trying to finish this fight quickly. His injuries are catching up on him, but he seems to have another motivation behind it," she thought as she attended to the injured crew, starting with the ship's doctor.
Yamonijo responded to Miyakuro's mental plea, saying, "I Will Give You As Much Power As I Can, But You Must Defeat Him Soon. His Sword Is The Only Thing That Is Preventing Your Full Power." Zenmetsu pulsated as more dark energy became infused with the gang leader. Zoro attacked once again, but the powered-up Miyakuro was able to block and not move. "Now the fight is on, Zoro," said Miyakuro as he began to go on the offensive. The clashes of the swords caused multiple shock waves on the deck and rocked the ship from side to side. Sparks flew from the blades as they continued to strike one another. Fatigue was beginning to show its face on the Straw Hat swordsman as the attacks from his opponent began to get closer to him. Miyakuro was beginning to feel the dark energy leave him as well, as the continued exposure of Wado Ichimonji was causing the dark energy to leave him.
After another clash that sent the two flying from each other, Miyakuro spotted Robin as she was on her way to checking on Nami and Sanji. "There's The Maiden Of Flower. Kill Her Now, And We'll Be Unstoppable," said Yamonijo in the mind of Miyakuro as he created an arm of dark energy and sent it towards the archaeologist, capturing her, and bringing her towards him. "ROBIN! You BASTARD," yelled the green-haired swordsman as he lunged at Miyakuro with a look of death blazed in his eyes. Miyakuro squeezed his giant arm, causing Robin to scream out in pain. "Hold it right there, Zoro. One more step and I'll squeeze her until her head pops off," said Miyakuro as his grip continued to tighten. Robin let out another scream, causing the swordsman to stop. "Now that's a good pirate," said the cocky Miyakuro as Zoro growled in rage as his grip on Wado tightened as the man continued, "Now throw that sword of yours off the ship and come with me, and I will let her go."
Yamonijo grew concerned with this deal and questioned Miyakuro. "Why Are You Making This Deal? Kill Her Now." "Relax, I got this." "As Long As The Maiden Lives, Our Plan Has The Chance To Fail. Kill Her NOW." "Look, I have this already figured out, okay? You may not know the nature of the powers and all, but she is a Devil Fruit user which means that she and other users have one natural weakness." "One Weakness? What Do You Mean?" "As it goes, for having such powers that defies the seas, they have been cursed with the inability to swim if they are in the sea." "So You Are Still Planning On Killing Her By Throwing Her In The Sea?" "Of course. I said I'd let her go, didn't I?" "Very Good, Miyakuro. Very Good Indeed." The internal conversation ended between the two in time for Miyakuro to focus on Zoro sheathing Wado and preparing to toss it into the sea.
The swordsman turned towards the port side and sighed as his eye on the side of the mikan trees blinked. He tossed the sword over the banister, and the splash resulting from the toss sounded like sweet music to the ears of Miyakuro. As the sword disappeared from the hands of Zoro, the overwhelming surge of dark energy began to suffocate the green-haired man as he collapsed to a knee. He struggled to get back up to both feet as he turned to Miyakuro and said, "There. It's done. Now let her go. I've done what you said." "Now that's a good pirate," said Miyakuro as he began to lower his arm as if to set down the captured Robin. Just before her feet touched the deck of the ship, Miyakuro smiled an evil sneer as he threw the raven-haired woman over the edge of the ship with her body splashing into the water. "ROBIN!" The swordsman turned from the malicious Miyakuro and prepared to dive into the water to save the drowning archaeologist, but he was stop by a forceful punch on the back of his head, causing him to crash into the deck of the ship. Miyakuro laughed as he picked up the unconscious swordsman and began to leave the now devastated deck of the Straw Hats as the archaeologist continued to descend into the depths of the sea.
Attack Names:
Kokutei Roseo - Carving Hoof Cherry Blossom
Torimochi Boshi – Sticky Star
Armée de L'Air Thunder Swallow Shoot – Air Force Thunder Swallow Shoot
Yami Nami – Darkness Wave
Yami Dageki – Darkness Strike
Sanjyu Roku Pound Hou – 36 Pound Cannon or 36 Caliber Phoenix