(Thanks to L-R-D, TsubakiTwilight, Riosho X2, Draco Oblivion and dArK tIdEs for your reviews! All right, I think it's time to show off a bit more of Jin's fighting style, don't you think? But first let's have this forseen three down to two. Read On!
The three members of Dragon Claw waited, after having knocked on the door of the big house. After a few seconds, they heard footsteps and the door opened. A dark skinned man with a gold necklace and braided hair looked at them.
"I've already payed today! What now!" he said, glaring at Red.
"What... no, you're mistaken." Red said, putting his hands ups. "We aren't part of the Jungle Pirates, who I assume you are talking about, correct?"
The man squinted, before opening the door wider. "Come in then. Don't try anything funny though."
The whole bottom floor was a large room, with only fabrics on the floor, and no fire or anything remotely civilized.
The man sat down cross-legged, and Dragon Claw followed his example, sitting down.
"My name is K'Zara." The man said. "I'm the leader of the village, for what good it doe me. So who are you?"
"I'm Red, Captain of the Dragon Claw Pirates. This is Hikari, and this is Tromso, our navigator."
"Pirates?" K'Zara exclaimed, glaring at Red. "What use do pirates want here?"
"It's the first Island in one of the Grand Line trails." Tromso said. "And we have to stop here to register the Log Pose."
"Log Pose, hmm?" K'Zara repeated. "It takes two days. That's what you want to know, right?"
"Well, not only that." Red said. "What would you say if we offered to take down the Jungle Pirates for you?"
K'Zara's eyes widened in shock. "I'd say you're bloody mad! Completely crazy! Sheridan could kill you easily!"
"Sheridan? Who's he?"
"Sheridan is the Captain." K'Zara said. "He's half-beast, half-man. Like all of his crew."
"Zoans?" Hikari suggested to Red.
"Most likely." He replied, before turning back to K'Zara. "I don't suppose you could tell us all you know about them? It would be good to know what we're going against."
K'Zara nodded. "I guess. They have six members in the crew, not including Sheridan. Blair is like a lion, from what I've seen. Chrisa's a gorilla, I know that. Their doctor is Raidyn. I believe he is an armadillo, or something armoured like that. Then they have an elephant as a navigator, called Adonia. Their look-out is some kind of bird called Kaley, and finally there is the first mate called Zayne. A cheetah. He personally likes to attack my village." K'Zara took a breath. "I don't know much more than that, apart from they are ruthless. You'd be crazy to go against them."
"Hey," Red grinned. "Crazy and Dragon Claw go hand in hand. We'll be fine. By this time tomorrow, you'll be a free island again."
K'Zara smiled slightly. "While I am gracious you have decided to do this, I fear it will be impossible."
"Nothing's impossible." Red said. "So-"
A loud rapping interrupted Red, and they looked to see a dark shadow on one of the flimsy wooden shutters.
K'Zara instantly paled. "No... Oh no."
Tromso drew his battle axe while Hikari got her Sappha out. Red prepped his fists, and they stared at the window. There was a pause, and then the shadow disappeared.
"Scared?" Hikari questioned.
"No." Red replied, looking around the room. "He's looking for the weakest place."
K'Zara was whimpering now, backing away to an opposite window. "No, no, no, no... I never should have talked to you... It's them... they're here!"
"It's them... they're here!" A high-pitched voice rang out from behind the window K'Zara was at. "Pathetic."
Then the window smashed open, revealing a multi-colour plumage. To harsh claws grabbed onto K'Zara's shoulders, and started pulling him out of the window, causing the Leader to writhe and scream.
Tromso was the first to react, and he ran forward just as K'Zara's legs disappeared out of the window. Tromso dropped his battle Axe, hopped through the window and grabbed a hold of K'Zara's flailing legs. But instead of pulling him down, the bird pulled higher up, stronger than Tromso.
"Tromso!" Red yelled, looking out the window, but Tromso and K'Zara were now high in the sky. "Damn it!" he cursed, before taking a deep breath and turned back to Hikari, who looked wary. "Come on, let's go back to the ship."
"But Tromso...?" she questioned.
"Tromso will be fine. We are going to get Jenny, and then we'll cut this whole forest down if needs be to find these Jungle Pirates. And before you ask, Jin can find his own way for now." Red nodded to Hikari. "Let's go and get Jenny."
XXX
Jin ducked once more, the animal flying over his head and landing on the ground, snarling.
"Stop dodging!" The cheetah growled, pawing at the ground.
"Rather not, thanks." Jin replied, and stepped to the side as the cheetah dived at him. He lifted his knee, nailing the animal in the gut. The cheetah growled and was flung backwards. "I am guessing you are part of these so called Jungle Pirates, correct?"
"Of course!" The cheetah exclaimed.
"Can I know who the person I'm about to beat is called?" Jin asked, spinning his scythe around his fingers.
"My name is Zayne, and that's the last name your ever gonna hear!" Zayne ran forward and jumped once more. Jin went to punch him, but Zayne curled in the air and went to bite Jin. Jin got his hand out of the way and hopped back, allowing Zayne to land.
"The names Ritsu." Jin said, using his pseudo name.
"I don't care what you are called." Zayne replied, and his form changed to one much more humanoid, though his still retained the tail, muzzle and fur.
"Zoan. As I guessed." Jin said. "So, you're going to fight properly now?"
Zayne growled and sprinted forward at Jin. Jin just stood there, before ducking under a punch. Zayne used his other arm to his Jin in the stomach, but Jin grabbed it and lifted Zayne with a grunt straight over his head. Zayne landed on his feet and threw an elbow back, but Jin ducked and slammed his palm straight into the elbow, causing Zayne to yell in pain. Jin followed by slamming the butt of his scythe into Zayne's spine, before pushing him forward. The cheetah Zoan stumbled forward, and Ritsu swung his scythe and sliced it straight across Zayne's back.
Zayne let off anther howl of pain, blood seeping down his back. He fell to all fours, and Ritsu slammed the butt of his scythe straight down on the back of Zayne's neck, driving the cheetah to the floor and causing blood to spit from his mouth.
Jin looked down at Zayne, frowning. "You're nothing at all. I'm surprised your crew managed to get this island with the power you got." Jin suddenly ducked, allowing a meaty fist to fly over his head. "And sneaking up is rude." Jin rolled to the side, facing a gorilla Zoan.
"Chrisa..." Zayne said in relief.
"You disappoint." Chrisa replied. "Sheridan won't be happy you couldn't beat a mere human."
"You can try, if you so please." Jin replied, tapping his scythe over his shoulder.
"I'd be happy to." Chrisa replied. Along with the typical gorilla traits, she wore black trousers and a bandana over her head. She charged forward, but Jin just tutted and used one hand to flip over her and land back on his feet.
"You ARE all animals, aren't you." Jin said. "Always charging, and never actually fighting."
Chrisa didn't reply and merely swung around with her meaty fist. Jin ducked under and propelled the blunt end of his scythe straight into her chin. Chrisa's head was thrown backwards, and Jin spun around, his ice blue eyes glinting. He slammed the pole end of the scythe into her side, before spinning it and embedding the scythe straight into her shoulder. Chrisa yowled, clutching her now bleeding shoulder.
Jin smiled slightly, before swirling around and planting a hard punch straight into Zayne's face, who was running at him. It hit with such force, Zayne back flipped in the air before collapsing to the ground. Jin then spun his scythe around to slice at yet another pirate. This one had thick grey hide and a trunk.
"An elephant? How intriguing." Jin said, before dashing forward and throwing a kick in the elephant's direction. The elephant grabbed his leg, but Jin thrust the butt of his scythe into her face. Jin backed away, before ducked under both Zayne's and Chrisa's punches, causing them to stumble forward next to the elephant.
"Sheridan will be disappointed when he hears of this you two." The elephant frowned.
"This guy ain't normal Adonia." Zayne panted. "It's like he knows what we are going to do before we do it."
"That's exactly what it is." Jin supplied, though with no further information. He stared straight into Adonia's eyes.
Adonia didn't flinch, but sighed. "Let's go and report to Sheridan. He'll be intrigued."
"We're retreating!" Zayne exclaimed in surprise.
"Tactics, Zayne, tactics." At that, Adonia bounded into the forest, followed by Chrisa. Jin mock waved at Zayne, who snarled and followed them.
(Aha! I introduce new characters without having the other character losing! See, I do change things...
Anywho. Random Fact: Rhode Island is the smallest state with the longest name. The official name, used on al state documents, is "Rhode Island and Providence Plantations."
Next Time on OPNN: Dragon Claw learn actions have consequences, while Tromso finds himself in a troublesome situation.
See you then!