Chapter Twelve: The Cursed Blades of Shura Island! The Legend of Raoh and Kenshiro!
Ishimura Island had faded across the horizon as the Thousand Sunny continued its journey towards the next island in the West Blue, Shura. The sun shined brightly onto the passengers of the ship as they all eagerly awaited their next adventure.
"Hey Nami, how long will it take to get to Shura?" Luffy asked, simply playing with his straw hat. Nami took a drink from her water bottle before turning to face the pirate captain.
"It should be at least two more days." Nami said. Luffy and Naruto both began to sulk instantly, "Listen there is nothing I can do about that! The islands are actually pretty far apart you know! I just hope that Shura has everything that we are looking for." As Nami finished her sentence, the door to the medical room opened at Robin and Usopp walked out, a little dazed. They were greeted with smiles from everyone on board and Kakashi apologized for the actions of the ANBU.
"Excuse me Miss Navigator, but did I hear you correctly when you said Shura Island?" Robin asked, sitting down next to the ship's navigator.
"Yeah, according to the villagers on Ishimura Island Shura should have all of the supplies we need to get back to the Grand Line." Nami said. Robin's eyes instantly grew wide and a single drop of sweat ran down her face.
"You do know that Shura Island is cursed by the Ken-Oh and Hokuto blades, right? It's also one of the most violent places in the entire world." Robin said.
"Curse? Violent place? That sounds like a great place for an adventure!" Luffy said the excitement in his eyes.
"Quite the opposite actually," Robin said, "The Legendary Samurai Kenshiro and Raoh came from Shura Island."
"Legendary samurai?" Zoro asked, joining Robin, Luffy, Nami, and Naruto at the table, "I can't say I ever heard of either of them."
"I doubt that you would, because the World Government contained the incident and erased the two of them from history. It's a very long story but I'm pretty positive that I know the entire story by heart… it was one of my favorites when I was a child on Ohara." Robin said, "It all started around 500 years ago on Shura Island…"
500 Years Ago…
"Kenshiro, come over here!" the young boy shouted. Another young boy, Kenshiro, with short black hair and blue eyes turned around. He smiled and ran over to the other boy. They stood in front of each other and there was a long pause. The other young boy, who had blonde hair and green eyes, suddenly changed his expression from happy to angry.
"What's wrong Raoh?" Kenshiro asked, "Did someone else get hurt down in the village?"
"It goes a little past that Kenshiro… they killed Bat! Bat was killed by his own brother after they fought over the health of their mother! Why is this island so violent, Kenshiro?" Raoh said, a few tears running down his face.
"I don't know, but since we are training at the samurai temple we shouldn't even worry about what is going on in the town. It is none of our business anymore. Besides, you turn ten tomorrow, right? You aren't allowed to cry anymore, Raoh!" Kenshiro said, patting his friend on the shoulder.
"One day I'm going to change this world… I'm going to change Shura Island and become the savior of this land! I won't let anyone else get hurt!" Raoh said, and stormed off towards the temple. Kenshiro watched him as he ran up the steps. Kenshiro was moments from following when a tall figure emerged from behind a tree. Kenshiro grabbed the hilt of his katana and prepared to strike until the figure revealed itself to be his teacher, Toki.
"Kenshiro, I see that you are getting worried about Raoh," Toki said, "But I can tell you that he is young, just like you. He can say one thing today and completely change his mind tomorrow. The two of you are some of the greatest young samurais that this island has produced in many years. There is talk of the two of you being the ones from the great prophecy."
"So one of us is going to try and destroy the world and the other will stop him by sealing both of us away into our blades?" Kenshiro asked sarcastically.
"If that is what fate has decided for the two of you," Toki said, "Now, let us return to the temple… we have some training to do."
Seven Years Later
A great storm approached the island of Shura. Raoh and Kenshiro had become two of the greatest samurai in history. Their fame had even reached the New World and the Grand Line. The World Government constantly called on the two of them to settle matters in other countries. But on this fateful day, Kenshiro was the only one called away. Raoh, who was already becoming tired of keeping peace, was furious. He waited on the shores of Shura Island for three days, his sword ready to duel with Kenshiro for the first time. But Kenshiro never returned to Shura.
With the thoughts of his best friend killed Roah went into a blind rage. He slowly entered the small villages on Shura Island, which praised him as a God. He looked around for a moment before demanding that all of the men got into a line near the edge of the village. Each village on the island listened to his request and Raoh began his conquest.
"As of right now… I am recruiting all of you into my army. We are going to overthrow the World Government starting with this island. We must avenge the death of Kenshiro!" Raoh shouted, and all of the men let out a battle cry.
Within a week Raoh had gathered a massive army just from the men on the island of Shura. He approached the Marine Headquarters on the far side of the island, which was also the same place the lawmakers of Shura lived. One of the marine officials walked up to Raoh, whose army was hiding in the forest surrounding the headquarters.
"Lord Raoh, what are you doing here?" the marine officer asked. Raoh stared up at the World Government flag, ignoring the question of the officer. "Lord Raoh, are you listening to me?"
Raoh slowly shifted his eyes down towards the marine, who took a step back in fear. Raoh clenched his fist and landed an extremely forceful punch to the marine's gut. The marine coughed up a large amount of blood and died instantly, falling directly in front of Raoh's feet.
"World Government," Raoh boomed, "Today is the day that Raoh begins his ultimate conquest! Destroy this Marine Base!" he continued and suddenly his army rushed from the forest and met the small amount of marines that were willing to fight.
Within hours Raoh had completely taken control of Shura Island. He called for five warships to be sent to the island directly from Marineford.
This day signaled the beginning of a new era in the world. As Roah sailed around the West Blue, he sank hundreds of ships, marines and pirate alike, on his conquest. His army continued to grow as he recruited any male survivors of his attacks. After three months of Kenshiro's disappearance from the West Blue, Raoh had conquered all of the islands. The warship he was currently using was severely damaged and on its last voyage he went to an island of shipwrights and had them build the strongest warship they could with the materials they had. After two weeks of constant labor the Kukuoh warship was designed and built.
"Where are we going next, Lord Raoh?" one of his high ranking soldiers asked. Raoh was silent for a moment before he stood up and addressed his entire military.
"We are… going to the Grand Line! We will knock on the door of the World Government… and completely destroy it!" Raoh shouted, getting a loud response from his men.
Just like he promised Raoh left his stronghold on Shura Island and departed on Kukuoh towards the Grand Line. Raoh reached the Grand Line within a few days and quickly took over the first island he found, known as Drum Island. He knew that he was a great distance away from Marineford and that it would take months to finally reach the World Governments grand headquarters. As he continued his journey, he heard his first disappointing news from the West Blue.
"Lord Raoh, I have just received word that one of our strongholds was completely destroyed." An officer said, kneeling in front of Raoh.
"Was it the marines?" Roah asked and the officer shook his head, "A band of pirates?" Once again the officer shook his head, "Then who did it? Who destroyed one of my strongholds?"
"They said… it was a single man wielding a very powerful blade! He appeared out of nowhere and destroyed the stronghold and killed everyone in it within thirty minutes!" the officer said. Raoh was silent as he stood up. He approached the officer and grabbed him by the throat, applying as much pressure as he could.
"You must train weak soldiers; as a result… you are relieved of your duties." Raoh said and instantly crushed the officer's neck, killing him on the spot. Raoh dropped the body and turned to look out at the ocean.
"Kenshiro… you were alive after all." He muttered with a large smile on his face, "I would like to see you stop me now."
To Be Continued.
Chapter Preview:
Raoh and his army reach the bay of Marineford. Raoh has brief negotiations with the Fleet Admiral, but everything falls through when one of the admirals attack Raoh's army.
"The World Government… is now under my control!" Raoh shouted as the war began.
Meanwhile, Kenshiro returns to Shura Island and approaches Raoh's largest stronghold.
"Raoh… I will undo the damage you have done… and return peace to this world." He said.
Next Time: Raoh's Supreme Rule! The Return of Kenshiro and the Grand Duel!