Will of D chapter 11
last batch of updates until the new year. Another run in with the bounty hunters, a new crew mate, and the war begins.
"Remember." Daphne warned when they docked at Baterilla, "Twenty-four hours is the absolute limit. We really should leave tonight if at all possible. We've only got three days to get to severance, and I don't want to have to rely on Harry's power to get there."
"I know." Harry nods, "I just want to get a few things for the trip, since we probably won't have a chance until we get to the grand line."
"I'm going too." Neville says, "We've probably lucky so far that the ships avoided damage, but we'd better get some supplies in case it gets damaged."
"It's more than likely since there will be at least one warship there." Daphne says encouragingly, "We'll stay here while you two get what you need."
"Alright. Stay safe." Harry mutters as he and Neville climb off the ship.
"Are you sure this is it?" Draco asks Sirius once they landed, "they could have already left."
"no, I don't think so." Sirius smirks, "They're here. Regulas, take the ship around the island. Draco, Me you and Tonks are searching for them."
"Right." Draco nods as his cousin mutters under her breath.
"Who exactly are these guys that they're worth pulling me away from a steady job for?" She growls, "I said that I would treat your injuries, I never once said I would join you."
"They're a couple of newbie pirates worth over a hundred million beri together." Draco says angrily, "They managed to get the jump on us before, but it won't happen again."
"Whatever." She sighs, "just hurry up. We might still be able to make it back in time for me to keep my job, even if I lose my vacation because of it."
"That's the spirit, Nypha- Tonks." Sirius says hurriedly, not missing the evil glint in the doctor's eye.
"You really should be smarter about pissing off the person who decides whether you live or die." She smirks, following the two men into the town.
As they walk, she forgot to mention that they walked right past Harry and Neville in the lumber store.
"Think we got enough Lumber?" Harry groaned under weight of the wood Neville bought.
"It should do for a while." He nods, carrying an even heavier load, "What was it you were going to get?"
"We still haven't gotten any cannons, and I thought it would be a good idea to have a few, given we'll be up against Marine warships." Harry mutters, wounded shoulder starting to hurt again from the weight.
"Oh." Neville says calmly, "Then give me that. I'll take it back to the ship."
"You sure you can carry it?" Harry asks before Neville puts his down, places Harry's on top, and hefts both with ease, "That answers that." He mutters as Neville walks easily through the streets. Going the opposite direction, he went to a small artillery shop.
"Can I help you?" The shopkeeper asks politely.
"Yes, I need a few cannons plus a few crates of cannonballs." Harry smiles, browsing through the selection.
"Very well. Please take a look at whatever models you like." He nods, and Harry continues looking.
After twenty minutes, he found what he wants, "Three of these, and three crates for each." He tells the shopkeeper.
He looks at the cannon and smiles brightly, "A smart choice. That model is our strongest, though it is understandably quite pricey. Forgive me for saying, but you don't seem like someone who would have the money for such an expensive weapon. It will be nine million for the five cannons, plus five hundred thousand per crate of ammo. The total cost is sixteen and a half million."
Harry takes out the money he had left over from the lumbar and paid the man plus a little extra, "Can you have them delivered to my ship as soon as possible?"
"They will be there within the hour." He bows, accepting the money and ordering a few men in the back to package everything up. Thirty minutes later, Harry lead them to the docks, and with a little help from Neville, had three fully operational cannons on the deck.
"Thank you very much" Harry says as the men return to the shop. Turning to the crew, he grins, "Think we're ready now?"
"Let's hope so." Luna says worriedly, "Because we're about to be attacked."
Instantly, all of them are ready to go. Glancing down towards town, he spots three familiar faces, "I think it might be the same bounty hunters from Garshaun." He sighs, pointing down towards them, "But what's Tonks doing with them?"
"One way to find out." Neville smirks, "Let's go stop them."
"I'll stay on board, and make sure these cannons are working." Susan nods, "We don't want to find out that they don't while we're facing down a warship."
"Sounds good. Daphne, can you and Luna be ready to leave before we get back? The sooner we get out of here, the better."
"You've got it, Captain." She nods as Harry and Neville cross the gangplank and walk straight at the bounty hunters.
The five meet in the center of the pier. Sirius glares daggers at them, "Where are the rest of you?"
"On the ship." Harry shrugs, "We should be plenty for you two."
"In your dreams." Draco scoffs, "You just got lucky last time."
"I got lucky?" Neville laughs, drawing quite the crowd, "I was half dead on my feet and still kicked your ass." Drawing his sword, he adds, "If you want a rematch, I'll be happy to oblige."
Sirius places a hand on Draco shoulder to stop him from falling for the obvious taunt, "Why don't you just surrender?" He says quietly, before all but shouting, "After all, what will people think when they find out you're wanted pirates!?"
The crowd gasps and starts muttering amongst themselves.
"Those kids?"
"Are they serious?"
"No, I'm Sirius!" Black laughs, "But its true. Harry Potter, Fifty Nine million beri, and Neville Longbottom, Twenty-five million."
At the numbers, some people scream and run, while others simply back away, not taking their eyes off the wanted pirates.
"Do you think we care?" Harry chuckles, "We were about to leave anyway. I don't care if the people know. Hell, maybe it'll make me more famous."
"But we still outnumber you." Draco smirks, "Even if Tonks doesn't fight, I'm sure at least one of these brave men will help us bring you monsters to justice."
At this, several men do step forward. Harry points behind him to their ship, "You see that ship? Our gunner is currently making sure our cannons are in working order. Shall I have her test fire?"
Some of them back away again, until one shouts, "He's bluffing! The blast would kill him too!"
Somehow, she must have heard, as Susan fired one of the side cannons and it shot into the sea. Deciding to run with it, Harry calls out to her, "Good work! Now work on the front cannon!" smirking at the man, he adds, "I ate a devils fruit. A cannon won't kill me, and Neville's smart enough to get out of the way. Can you say the same?"
Every civilian onlooker panicked and ran from the battle, leaving only the four men, and Tonks sitting lazily behind the blacks.
Sirius grates his teeth in frustration, before drawing his sword, "Fine. We'll deal with you ourselves!"
Draco's knives are in his hand, this time, broader, and heavier so that Neville couldn't cut through them again.
"Fine by me." Harry grins as they engage the bounty hunters.
"What did you say?!" The marine yells from the desk before running out of the outpost and into the break room behind it, "Vice-Admiral Smoker! Pirates are running amok on the pier!"
"What?" He growls as he and Tashigi jump to their feet.
"It's true sir! A group of bounty hunters cornered two pirates on the pier, and the pirates are threatening to open fire on the pier!" he replies.
"Tell Ensign Greengrass to launch the warship. We'll cut them off. Tashigi, We'll go deal with the pirates on land."
"Understood!" She salutes, grabbing her sword from where it was propped against the wall and following her superior out of the building and past the mob of people crying for help. Parked out front was Smoker's Billow Bike which he had attached a sidecar to and the two drove off into town.
Five minutes later, the pier came into view, as did the four people still on it. Two were engaged at close range, while one was standing towards the back, possibly a bystander that the bounty hunters were protecting. The last man was standing in the middle, looking like he was trying to fend off some invisible foe. 'A devil fruit.' Smoker thought at once. "Tashigi, I'll help the one in the center. You see if that woman needs help and then take care of the other."
"Yes sir!" She yells, jumping from the sidecar and running to the woman in the back, "Are you alright, miss?"
"I'm fine, thank you." she smiles, "You should help them. Don't worry I can take care of myself."
"Are you a bounty hunter?" she asks.
"I'm just a doctor that they asked to help them. I'd be a failure if I didn't stay here in case they need help." She shrugs, "But you should really hurry. My cousins aren't faring too well against them."
"Which one is the pirate?" Tashigi asks, drawing her sword.
"The one in the black hair." She answers truthfully and Tashigi runs over to Draco, "I'm with the marines. I'm here to help."
"Thanks." He pants, "This guy's good. He's already broken one of my knives."
She looks at the blade in his hands, recognizing it immediately, "That's Kuroichi, isn't it?"
"It is." Neville answers, raising his sword, "What's it to you?"
"That sword is one of the twenty one O Wazamono swords." She sighs, raising her sword towards him, "It's my goal to claim all of those swords from the hands of Pirates like you. Hand it over."
"No." he replies easily, "This sword was my father's. If you want it, pry it from my cold dead hand."
Without wasting time with talking, Tashigi swung at the swordsman, who deflected her blade downwards, then immediately slashed at her. She was forced to jump back to avoid it. The bounty hunter took advantage of the wide swing to jump forward, intent on stabbing him until he was thrown backwards by a sudden, intense gust of wind. The wind also sent her glasses flying, and her momentary distraction was all that was needed for Neville to slice into her gut.
Gasping, she hit the ground.
Harry couldn't help but laugh somewhat at the way this battle was turning out. Harry's improved skill with his devil fruit was letting him fight circles around black, who despite his own skill, clearly wasn't anywhere near fully recovered. It was almost painful to watch him getting beaten while he was unable ot block the attacks in time.
All good things must come to an end though. As Harry prepared to end the fight, two walls of smoker blasted past Black, sending Harry flying despite his intangibility.
"I'm Vice Admiral Smoker." The white haired man growls as he looks around, "Show yourself, pirate."
Harry does and smiles, "It's been a long time, vice admiral." Harry smirks.
"Have we met?"
"No, but you met my uncle while you were arresting Fenrir Greyback." Harry answers, "Which I really should thank you for. When you arrested him, my uncle got this fruit, and I stole it from him."
Realization dawned on him, "It was you that stole the Nimbus from the docks that night!"
"That's me." Harry admits, "So, are you going to waste your breath asking me to surrender, or just fight?"
"I'm curious. What is your power?"
"Lets find out." Harry says as he disappears again. Smoker tracks him in an instant and sends a smoky punch at him. Harry blocks it with a wave of air that blows it off course.
"You're a logia. Wind." Smoker glares.
"And you're smoke." Harry smirks, "Looks like the advantage is mine."
"And experience is mine!" He roars, sending another punch, which Harry again deflects, but this time, he hastily dodges to avoid hit from the jutte. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Draco about to stab Neville. Quickly, he sends a wind bullet straight at him, knocking him back. The gust also knock off the woman glasses, and Neville takes full advantage, slicing into her torso.
"Tashigi!" He yells, jumping towards Neville. Harry follows after him, grabbing Neville from behind as smoker checks her vitals.
"Let's get out of here." Harry mutters and the two run back to their ship. Sirius was in no position to follow, nor was Draco, and the marines were busy. Tonks had disappeared during the fighting.
"Daphne!" Harry shouts once they're on board.
'We're ready!" she yells, and Neville brings down the sail.
"Warship approaching!" Luna says, pointing towards the opposite side of the island.
"I'll get us out of here." Harry nods, sending several gusts of wind at their sail and out to sea.
"Vice admiral!" A marine officer yells, rushing towards him, "The doctor is waiting."
"Good." He nods, picking up his subordinate, "Tashigi's been with me for years, and I'll be damned if I let her die like this." Placing her in the sidecar, he jumps on and drives full speed through the city, arriving at the hospital in less than five minutes. Once there, Tashigi is rushed in while smoker deals with the more important thing at the moment. Taking stock of the situation.
"Status report." He growls at the man as soon as he walks into the outpost.
"The Pirate ship was lost shortly after the warship began pursuit. They're searching the surrounding area, but it's unlikely they'll find anything." He salutes, "Both the bounty hunters are waiting for you in the back, sir."
"Very good. Order the ship back. That ship is long gone."
"Understood!"
Sighing, he walks into the back and sits across from the two bounty hunter, "Vice Admiral Smoker of the Marines."
"Sirius Black, Black Bounty Family." Sirius nods.
"Draco." The boy mutters.
"let me first say, thank you, Vice admiral." Sirius says calmly, "You likely saved us."
"I'm guessing that this wasn't the first time you saw them?" Smoker nods.
"Their last stop was our home island. We attempted to take them in there, but they defeated us and escaped. This time, we thought that things would be different. Clearly not."
"I'm surprised that I never heard of those pirates." Smoker replies, "Forgive me for my lack of modesty, but there aren't many new pirates that could escape me."
"Are you sure that they're new?" Black asks, "My first thought was that they might have been around for a little while, but only recently received a bounty."
"I'm sure. That boy told me when he started, and unless I'm wrong, he hasn't been a pirate for more than a month." Smoker growls, "I'm worried about him. The last time I had a feeling like this, it was after Monkey D. Luffy escaped from me."
"Thanks again for the help." Sirius says, getting to his feet, "I'll go after them with the rest of my men. Maybe they've managed to sink the ship. I did tell them to search the area, so maybe they intercepted and destroyed them."
"Let's hope." Smoker nods, Shaking the man's hand, "Good luck."
"How is she?' Draco asks, "The woman why protected me?"
"I don't know, but she's at the hospital now, and I don't think the wound was very deep. Hopefully she'll make it, and if she doesn't those pirates are going to wish they were dead." Smoker says as he walks them out.
"Wow, that was scary." Harry chuckles as Daphne hands out some drinks, "I never thought I'd have to fight a vice admiral a month into my pirating days!"
"You didn't do too bad." Daphne shrugs, "At least, not from where I was watching."
"You lucked out." Luna smiles, "And I purpose a toast. To Harry, for eating the only devil fruit that could have possibly gotten us out of that sitiution!"
"Cheers!" All of them laughs as they down their drinks of choice.
"Is this where I should say hi?" Someone said from the cabin.
Almost of them turned in surprise, with Neville's hand almost an inch from his sword hilt when the saw who it was.
"Tonks! When did you get here?!" He says, clutching his chest, "You damn near gave me a heart attack! I thought a marine snuck on board!"
"I got here during that last attack. You three were so eager to see what happened, you forgot to keep watch." She smiles, "just something for you to think about."
"So, why are you here, and why were you with those bounty hunters?" Harry asks nervously. 'I really hope she isn't one of them, since it would serious put a damper on the mood to have to kill the women who saved my life.'
"Well, I said that I might change my mind, so I did, and I'm here." She answers, "As for why I was with them, two reasons. First, it's a family obligation to help them, so I did, and that includes patching them up from the last time you saw them. Besides that, I thought they might be my best chance to find you again, since I more or less changed my mind as soon as you left port. Luckily they were right behind you, so I didn't miss much."
"Well, you might have gotten a little in over your head." Daphne sighs, "I wish you'd have said something before."
"Let me guess… you're about to take on the marines just like old man whitebeard?" she grins, laughing slightly at the surprised look on their faces, "Don't worry about it. I knew that was you plan before I even left. Sirius managed to figure it out. That was how he was able to predict where you were going. You are going after Amelia Bones, right?"
Harry nods slightly and she continues, "And from the little I've seen of you, you aren't a reckless idiot. Which means you must think that you've got some kind of chance or you wouldn't go. So, I think I'll trust that part of you. So, are you going to let me in on this plan or what?"
"Well, it's less of a plan and more of a slim chance." Daphne sighs, "We called in a favor that, if it pans out, could be just the help we need."
"What is this favor?" she asks, getting more curious by the minute.
"My Uncle is Benn Beckman." Daphne replies, blushing slightly as Tonks eyes widen.
"As in right hand to the Yonko 'Red Haried' Shanks?" she stares in disbelief as the ebony haired girl nods, "Yeah, I'd say that's a chance. Hell, if he isn't expecting it, they won't stand a chance!"
"The problem is that we don't know if he'll accept. Even if uncle asks, if shanks says no, there isn't much that he can do alone." Neville shrugs, "So that's the plan. If he shows we win, if he doesn't we die in a hail of bullets."
"Works for me. Let's go." Tonks laughs, "But first, I'll make sure that you're all fully healed for our battle to the death."
Akainu is sitting quietly in his stateroom aboard one of the Marines most powerful battleship, alongside the other admirals and the vice admirals. Instructor Garp and Inspector Sengoku were with him as well. Just as the ship was about to set sail, something broke through his wall.
"Garp." He growls, "What do you want, and why can't you use a door like everyone else?"
"Snail call for you." He says simply, passing him the snail. It wasn't one of the marine issue ones, meaning it was from Garp's personal snail.
"What?" he asks, in no mood for games.
"Call off the execution of Amelia Bones." The voice on the other end said firmly, "Otherwise, you might not like the result."
"Who do you think that you're threatening?" He growls, "I am the fleet Admiral of the Marines. I will not be intimidated."
"So be it. Your fate is sealed." The voice said as it hangs up.
An akward silence covers the room until, after a moment of thought, he issued his orders.
"Garp, I have two missions for you. First, under my authority of as Fleet Admiral, all none military personnel are to be removed from Severance until after the execution. You and Sengoku are to guard the execution Platform."
"Yes sir." He mumbles, but Akainu pays him no mind, "And the second is to fix my damn wall!"
Three days later, Severance
The forces were assembled. In the center of the town plaza, atop the execution platform, was one of the most renowned Marine officers in history. On either side of her were two of her former pupils, Sakazuki and Borsalino. Guarding the bottom of the platform, six Vice admirals, along with Instructor Garp and Inspector Sengoku lead an army of three thousand marines. On the other side, The Warlords Buggy the Clown and Hawkeye Mihawk stood motionless, awaiting the inevitable. Additional vice admirals were stationed around the shores, to ensure that there were no surprises.
"Are you ready, Amelia?" Sakazuki asks calmly, "Today you die."
"So be it." She sighs , not saying another word.
His wrist mounted transponder snail continually updated him on the status of each perimeter guarding vice admiral.
"This is Smoker, no sign of enemies." It reported.
"John giant…. A ship is approaching from the east. Identified as The Nimbus!"
"It would seem that your niece has come to see you execution." He smiles even as she pales.
"Damn you, Sakazuki…!" she growls, but her hand cuffs shocked her before she could control any haki.
"Two ships spotted to the east!" It yelled loudly, "Ship one is identified as Red Force!"
That caused a reaction. Garp nearly laughed, though Buggy said it best.
"What the hell is he doing out of the New World!?"
"Hurry up the identification of the second ship!" he snapped, "All forces! Prepare to engage!"
"good God!" The snail shrieked, "The Second ship…. It's the Oro Jackson! And it's flying the flag of the Pirate King!"
And all hell broke loose.
As always, R&R!
