Ch. 21- Kixaru Arrives
One Piece © Oda
Blizzard © Me
Back at Grove 13, in Shakky's bar...
"Well, I shouldn't go babbling on about things that Shanks didn't tell you about," said Rayleigh. "Anyway, I'm glad that you and your friends made it all the way here, Luffy! Shanks should be waiting for you in the New World."
"Cool!" Luffy said. "I wanna go see him, then!"
"Now, then," Rayleigh said, "you wanted to get your ship coated, am I right? Considering the situation, I'll get back to my job."
"Nyuu~!" Hatchan said, suddenly. "I forgot to tell you all that the coating work is really expensive."
"Oh, don't worry about Hachi," said Rayleigh. "I would never think of charging any friend of yours!"
"Great," said Hatchan. "Thanks a lot, Rayleigh. Nyuu~!"
"Yippee~!" Usopp cheered. "I don't really know what's going on here, but if it's free, I won't complain!"
"That's real great, old man," said Sanji. "Thanks a lot for your generosity!"
"Excuse me, Rayeligh," Robin said.
"Hmm?" Rayleigh hummed.
"May I ask a question?" the historian asked. "What exactly is the 'Will of D'?"
There was a slight pause.
"The poneglyph on hte Sky Island had Roger's name written in the same ancient language," Robin explained. "How did he know it, exactly? Do you know what happened to the world in the Void Century that started 900 years ago?"
"Yes," Rayleigh answered with a grin. "We know."
Robin gasped.
"We learned about everything that had occured," said Rayleigh.
Ba-bump! Ba-bump! Ba-bump! Robin felt her heart beginning to throb.
"But I wouldn't get ahead of myself if I were you, miss," said Rayleigh. "Take it one step at a time as you travel with your friends, here. It seems that we...and those at Ohara...were a bit too hasty."
Robin swallowed the lump in her throat upon hearing the name of her lost clan.
"Even if I told you everything in history, right now," Rayleigh began, "there's nothing you could do about it. The answere you will arrive at might be a bit different from ours, even after you see the entire world at your own pace. But if you still want to know, I will tell you everything that happened in that century."
Another pause came.
Then, Robin relaxed herself and made a soft smile.
"No, thank you," she said, politely. "I'll pass. I'll continue on this journey with Luffy and the others."
"You will see everything, one day," Rayleigh said. "I am deeply sorry for what happened at Ohara, your homeland. Another thing: Roger actually didn't actually decipher those ancient writings."
"He didn't?" asked Robin.
"Nope," Rayleigh answered. "We're pirates, after all. There's no way in this world that our intellects could match the prodigal Prof. Clover or the other scholars of Ohara. Roger was able to hear the voices of all things in the world...that's all."
"Hey, Robin!" Usopp called. "Are you sure you wanna pass something like this up? This could be the chance of a lifetime!" He then stood up. "Uh, hey, old man! I've got a question, too! You were on Roger's ship, right?"
"Yes," Rayleigh answered.
"Then is it true?" Usopp asked. "Is the greatest treasure in all the world, the One Piece, really at-"
"USOOOOOOOOOOOP!"
Everyone jumped when they heard the roaring voice of their captain, who was standing on the counter, his stomach having slimmed down, staring at Usopp with an angered expression.
"I don't wanna hear where the treasure is!" Luffy shouted. "I don't even wanna know if there even IS a treasure! I don't really know for sure, but that's the reason I'm out here in the first place! Because pirates all over the world are looking for it! If Old Man Rayleigh tells us anything about it...then I'll quit being a pirate, altogether! I DON'T WANNA GO ON A BORING ADVENTURE LIKE THAT!"
"Luffy..." Nami whispered.
He's got a point, there, thought Blizzard. That's the reason I'm out here, too. What's the point of looking for the One Piece if you already know exists? Kind of pointless to go sailing, if you ask me.
"I-I-I'm sorry, Luffy!" Usopp apologized. "It was a slip of the tongue! Really! I won't ask about it, anymore! Besides, I just remembered that I have 'Don't-Talk-About-The-One-Piece-Or-I'll-Die' Disease! Hey, old man! Nevermind what I asked! Don't say a word!"
Shakky couldn't help but chuckle.
Nami got up from her place and approached Luffy, who got down from the counter. Almost instantaneously, the navigator pulled her captain into a loving embrace, which he returned.
"That's just what I love about you, you big moron," she said.
"So you don't wanna know about the One Piece, either?" asked Luffy.
"Well, I do," Nami said, "but you're right. Part of the adventure is finding out for yourself."
Luffy gave Nami his big, toothy grin and snickered.
"Are you really sure you can do it, boy?" asked Rayleigh. "The New World greatly surpasses even your wildest imagination. Do you really think that you and your crew can really conquer such powerful seas?"
Luffy just gave Rayleigh a smile and said, "It's not about conquering anything, really. The one who has the most freedom in the world is the King of the Pirates!"
Rayleigh snickered at the raven-haired teen, as did Shakky.
"I'm starting to become a bigger fan of yours, Monkey," she said.
"Your ship was at Grove 41, right?" asked Rayleigh. "I'll go by myself. You kids will be all right during that time, won't you? The Admiral the Marines sent should be here, by now."
"We'll probably be a nuisance if we stick around here," said Nami. "How about we go shopping somewhere, Luffy?"
"Okay," Luffy said.
"ARE YOU TWO OUTTA YOUR MINDS?" Usopp questioned. "WE'RE BEING HUNTED DOWN LIKE ANIMALS, HERE! WE GOTTA INTO HIDING, DAMN IT!"
"Well, if we went with you," Franky began, "the pursuers mich come after all of us. It would be better for us to run around town so that can get your work done without any problems."
"Then maybe we should split up, for now," Zoro said, "and regroup when the job is done."
"I can't believe I'm hearing that coming out of your mouth," Sanji said. "You, of all people."
"Uh, Shakky," said Rayliegh. "Don't you have that thing?"
"Of course," said Shakky. "There's one left, I believe."
Shakky went to the back for a moment. When she returned, she had in her hand a simple scrap of white paper.
"I'm a wanted man, too, you know," said Rayleigh as he took the paper, tore off a bit, and gave a little piece to each of the Straw Hats, minus Blizzard, since he had no way of holding it. "I'll probably move your ship somewhere away from Grove 41 before I get started on the coating."
Luffy took a look at the piece of paper that Rayleigh gave him.
"Oh, hey!" he said. "This is a Vivre Card, isn't it?"
"Oh, so you know about it, huh?" asked Rayleigh.
"Yeah!" Luffy said. "My big brother gave me one!"
"Then I suppose there's no need to explain how it works," said Rayleigh.
"Hey, Zoro!" Chopper said. "To use this, you have to-"
"I ALREADY KNOW, CHOPPER!" Zoro snapped.
XXX
Outside, the Straw Hats were preparing to leave. Rayleigh was about to go out and find the Thousand Sunny and take her to get her coated.
Rayleigh had explained to the Straw Hats that it would take three days for the ship to get coated.
"3 DAYS?" Luffy repeated.
"The lives of a pirate crew depend on their ship," Rayleigh said. "That's the bare minimum amount of time I'll need."
"I see," said Brook. "It appears we'll be going into survival mode for 3 days, are we? Yo-ho-ho-ho! I must say, I'm quite scared!"
"Let's agree that the deadline will be three evenings from now," said Rayleigh. "I don't really know what grove I'll be at by then, but the Vivre Card should show you the way. Until then, I'll be waiting for you with coating work complete. I suggest that you go ahead and stock up on supplies to prepare you for your voyage for Fishman Island."
"Luffy1 Everyone!" Camie called. "Thank you all so much!"
"Yeah! Seriously!" said Pappug.
"I'm sorry I put you guys through a lot of trouble. Nyuu~!" Hatchan said. "I reall can't thank you guys enough, but I promise, I'll take you all to Fishman Island once I'm better! Until then, steer clear of the Marines! Nyuu~!"
"Let's meet up again in three days," said Shakky. "I'll be seeing you." She knelt down and gently scratched under Blizzard's chin. "Especially you, Sugar."
Blizzard's cheeks took on a shade of pink as his tail wagged happily
Sanji couldn't help but feel jealous of the sight.
Luffy, on the other hand, was chuckling.
"We're going up against another Admiral," he said. "I hope we don't end up dying!"
"KNOCK ON WOOD, LUFFY!" Usopp demanded.
"Hachi!" Chopper called to the octopus fishman. "You better be sure to get plenty of rest until we get back, you hear me?"
"Yeah," Hatchan answered.
And so, the Straw Hats and Rayleigh took their leave with Shakky, Camie, and Pappug waving goodbye. While the Straw Hats went off in one direction, Rayleigh wakled away in another.
"Hey, Franky," said Usopp. "You seem awfully quiet."
"I'm just a bit surprised, that's all," said Franky. "I didn't think I'd ever get to meet one of the Pirate King's crewmates here. I really don't know how to explain it, but he seemed so big, in spite of how old he is."
"Well, out of Roger's crew," Usopp began, "he's the most famous of all, isn't he?"
So, that old man was a member of the Oro Jackson, huh? Franky thought with a smile. He's one of the men that Tom had died for while defending his honor.
"I'm glad I got to meet him," the cyborg shipwright said.
"I didn't think you'd be the type to respect your elders, Franky," said Usopp.
"It just happens, sometimes, okay?" Franky barked.
Sure it does, Blizzard thought.
"Anybody wanna go to the amusement park?" Luffy asked.
"SHUT IT, YOU!" Usopp, Sanji, Franky, Nami, Zoro, and Sanji yelled.
"I wanna go," Chopper and Brook said in unison.
XXX
Back at the port of Grove 27...
"Get those pirates!"
"Run! Run for your lives!"
"It's Admiral Kizaru! He's here!"
"There are criminals with bounties everywhere! Stay away from the Eleven Supernovas!"
The pirates were too busy running away from the shadowy figure known as "Kizaru", who, as of this moment, appeared to be speaking into a black Transponder Snail that was on his wrist.
Kizaru was revealed to be an incredibly tall man, taller than Brook. He was a middle aged man, judging by the moderate amount of wrinkles upon his face, as well as a very thin beard on his chin.
His standard outfit consists of a yellow striped suit with a Marine coat draped over his shoulders like a cape, his arms not in the sleeves. He also wore pure white shoes, gold-amber tinted sunglasses, and a dark green suit with a mauve tie tucked under the suit.
"Uh, hello~? This is Kizaru. Please respond. Hmm...that's strange. Why won't anyone answer?"
While some pirates were running away as if it were the end of the world, one pirate captain stayed behind, armed with a rifle. It appeared that he had the intention of shooting the Admiral.
"I-if I kill the man," said the pirate captain, "then...I'll become real famous and-"
"Are you NUTS?" said one pirate. "You'd be going up against one of the strongest forces in the Marines! Let's just run while we have the chance!"
The pirate's pleas fell on deaf ears.
BANG! BANG! The captain shot his rifle, twice, hitting Kizaru square in the head.
"Yes! I hit him!"
However, the shots didn't appear to have any effect on Kizaru.
"Well, that's odd," Kizaru said as he turned to the pirates.
"B-but I don't understand!" said the pirate captain. "I shot him through the head, twice, I swear!"
"He's gotta have some kind of Devil Fruit, boss!" said one of the pirates. "Let's just get outta here, already!"
"Uh, pardon me," said Kizaru as he approached the terrified pirates. "I'm looking for a man who goes by the name of Sentomaru. He's my subordinate, you see, and I-"
Kizaru didn't get to finish, for the pirates ran away, screaming in terror.
"Goodness," said the Admiral. "How rude. I was only asking a simple question."
Kizaru raised his leg up, and as it did, it suddenly flashed a bright light.
ZAP! BOOM! Kizaru fired what looked like...a beam, right at the Yarukiman Mangrove tree numbered 27, causing it to come crashing down.
"Uh, that was a bit too far, Admiral Kizaru, sir," said one of the Marines.
"Yes," added another. "You shouldn't fire at the Yarukiman Mangrove tree."
Kizaru chuckled and said, "I guess I did go a bit too far, didn't I?"
Somewhere nearby, Apoo and his crew were watching everything.
"He's crazy, that Admiral Kizaru," said Apoo.
"Apoo, we have to run away!" said one of the On-Air Pirates.
"You're such a dumbass," said Apoo. "Where's the fun in sneaking away like a cowardly little mouse? It's more fun if your run away while you anger your enemy, right?"
The On-Air Pirate looked at his captain as if he were speaking a different language.
XXX
Somewhere else, more Marine troops were calling for reinforcements.
"What?" asked a Marine captain. "But why?"
"I don't know how, but all the Marine men...they've either been turned into little children or old men!"
In the battefield, it is revealed that what was said was true. Some of the Marines had been turned into either young boys or or elderly men!
"What's going on?" questioned one of the children.
"My joints hurt," said another.
Up on the rooftops of one of the buildings, a female voice was cackling.
"Up there!" shouted one of the Marine children as he pointed to the roof. "Jewelry Bonney! She did it!"
Bonney laughed as she munched on a slice of pizza. Behind her, her men were laughing with her.
"This is just too funny!" she said. "What a bunch of fools you all look like!"
XXX
In another part of the lawless area of Sabaody, Capone was surrounded a troop of Marines. He didn't seem very worried, however.
"You're Capone 'Gang' Bege!" exclaimed one of the Marines.
"Where are your underlings?" questioned another. "Surrender yourself, immediately!"
"We won't let you escape to sea!" said another.
"Hmph," Capone grunted. "You all lose when it comes to military strength."
XXX
In another location, Kizaru had approached the Hawkins Pirates.
"Pardon me, gentleman," said Kizaru, politely. "There's something I'd like to ask you."
"Oh, damn, it's Kizaru!" cried one of the Hawkins Pirates.
"Captain Hawkins! We gotta get outta here!" exclaimed another.
"Worry not," said Hawkins. "Today is not my dying day."
XXX
Back with the Straw Hats, everyone was preparing to head out. Luffy was trying to explain to his crew that they should hide at Sabaody Park.
"All you'd do is play and draw everyone's attention, you moron!" Usopp barked.
"He's right, Luffy," Nami said. "Rayleigh said that the Admiral's here, and we shouldn't draw attention to ourselves."
"Well, yeah," Luffy said as he tapped his walking stick against his shoulder, "but it's gonna be so boring until we get back to the ship."
Suddenly, Blizzard froze, and Zoro stopped as well, forcing everyone else to stop in their tracks.
Grr~! Blizzard started growling, baring his fangs as he did.
"What's wrong, buddy?" Luffy asked as he started to brush his hand along Blizzard's back.
"We got company," said Zoro as he drew his swords.
Everyone else except gasped in horror as they started to back away.
Luffy looked up, following his dog's gaze, and let out a gasp of his own.
"Who...who are you?" he questioned.
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