Disclaimer: Sigh* I do not own One Piece. That will not change in the year 2019.
Happy New Year!
Thanks for the encouraging reviews and messages! This is the longest chapter because I decided to finish the rest of Thriller Bark in one chapter.
Please feel free to read and give me a review on what I can improve on.
Thriller Bark
Chopper POV
We had beaten a lot of zombies on the way to the giant mansion. Once we got inside, we kept going around the mansion until we came to a room with a short man with a girl.
"You? Who are you?" The short fat man asked.
"I'm Luffy! The man who will be pirate king!" Luffy shouted. "Where's Moriah? I want to kick his ass!"
"I'm Dr. Hogback. He's not here." So this was him. He didn't look amazing as I thought he would be.
"Dr. Hogback. Is it true that you are experimenting on zombies?" I asked. I wanted to know.
He smiled cruelly. "So what if I am? What does it matter to you reindeer?"
I growled at that. He didn't value the joy behind being a doctor. He was violating a code. "So it's true." At that, one of my childhood hero disappointed me. "Luffy. I want you to leave him to me." I glared at Hogback until I felt that Luffy looked at me.
Luffy smiled understanding my problem. I had mentioned how I used to idolize Dr. Hogback. "You got it!"
The man pointed and ordered the girl. "Cindry-chan get them!"
"Yes!" She started throwing dishes at Luffy which he quickly dodged. Soon they stopped.
He looked behind him and saw what happened. "Thanks Robin!" Robin had used her powers to stop them.
"Go ahead Luffy!" she called out.
"Wait!" Hogback yelled tried to go after him. At that, more zombies came out.
I interrupted. "I'm disappointed. I am Dr. Chopper. I won't regard you as a doctor anymore!" How could he violate the Hippocratic Oath to respect a patients' lives?
"So you're a doctor? Interesting a reindeer."
"I respected you as a doctor who saved the lives of many people." A doctor is someone who saves people.
"Why should I go so far for others. I performed many operations for money but more and more patients who I didn't want to see came to me." I stayed quiet. A doctor should be willing to save lives. That's why we're doctors. "It only causes so much trouble." The feeling of being thanked as a doctor is the only reward we should have. He ranted. "I could save the lives of those that other moronic doctors couldn't save."
"That girl in this room is already dead." I saw the stitches. "You just make the zombies move. They are not alive at all."
"What a horrible thing to say! Look at the zombies moving in front of you. You're still saying they aren't alive. The deceased is once again granted life. It's a miracle. What's the meaning in denying those lives?"
He was violating a principle of life. "What's the point of living if you can't control what you want to do? How is that human? You are just creating monsters! For every zombie you make, you leave a human misery! Because I understand that, I can't allow you to do this!" I growled ready to punch Hogback. I morphed to heavy point.
"Cindry." She ran to intervene. I grabbed her arms. "Don't underestimate her because she's a woman!" He threatened. That didn't matter she was just lifeless.
"You don't have to listen to what that person says!" I cried and grabbed her. She tried kicking me but I didn't move. I smiled realizing how Yuuto has helped train me to take a hit. "I pity you. You are already dead! How would your family feel seeing you like this!"
"Let go!" She cried.
"The heart you were born with is dead. Your body is being controlled by the words of a single man." I said trying to see maybe she would acknowledge the truth I was saying.
"You doubt your eyes. Acknowledge it! This is mankind's eternal dream! Humans can be revived?" Hogback continued.
"Is it ok that they can only move?" I asked. "Humans have more freedom" I shouted. "You are the one who isn't treating them as humans!" I directed that toward Hogback. A doctor treats humans not as emotionless zombies but as actual people.
"Zombies stop him!" I slightly threw Cindry away and punched the other zombies. As Hogback was about to give another order, Robin closed his mouth. I dealt with the other zombies and purified each and every one.
Now it was just me, Robin, and Hogback. I quickly grabbed him. "Robin!" I shouted. I was going to toss him down. Robin used her power so that I could have more legs. Once we reached a certain height, I was ready.
"What are you doing? If we fall from this height, you might hurt my head. You'll be destroying the brains of a prodigy?"
"That doesn't matter. What's more rotten than the zombies is what's inside your head!" I then leaped off and knocked him unconscious.
Robi-Cho Suplex!
He was knocked unconscious. "I used to look up to you, but now I know who you are. You disgust me." I look at Robin. "Let's find Luffy!" She nodded and we chased after where we thought where Luffy went.
Nami POV
I had finished showering. During my shower, I remembered the looks my crew was giving each other while Brook was telling the story. He loved his nakama like how much we cared about each other. He would definitely fit in with this group. I think the crew accepted him already. Zoro even mouthed to Sanji and Yuuto that he would fit right in as Brook was talking.
Even though he was a creepy looking pervert, Brook did mean well and he was nice…. Most of the time.
I had gotten dressed up and finished drying myself. I heard the door open. I was ready to beat Sanji to a pulp. He was the only one on the ship who would try to sneak a peek. He just never did it before. As I looked, I didn't see anyone.
Hmm. That's strange. Suddenly, I was pushed along the door. I heard a strange growl.
"You're weak and I like it." That was a strange voice. Was this a ghost? "Become my bride!" It was a perverted ghost.
I yelled, "Sanji! Uso-" I felt his hand on me. I struggled as much as I could but I couldn't get out. I was going to remind Yuuto to teach me and Robin how to get out of these series of hold positions.
The door opened and saw them. In that moment of distraction, I kicked out and ran to my friends.
"I'm telling you the invisible man would go here!" Sanji yelled.
"Why would you think that?" Usopp asked.
He kept quiet at that. I asked hurriedly, "Nevermind that, how do we fight an enemy we can't see?" I grabbed my climatact. I was soon lifted up and held. I struggled again.
"I've chosen my bride. Let's leave!" I was then led upstairs. Usopp noticed and tried to fire around my general area. Sanji kept chasing after us. I think he was afraid of kicking and hurting me by accident.
I heard a couple hits from the bullets that Usopp fired and started whacking the general area with my climatact. It was hard to use my full strength because of the position I was in. I whacked in a general area, but he still kept going. He leaped into the air and landed on a boat. There were three suits of armor nearby. One suit of armor then grabbed me while my kidnapper steered away. The other suits of armor gagged me and tied me up.
Sanji used his Sky Walk technique to follow while Usopp continued firing at the boat. Eventually my crewmates stopped firing me. I looked down and saw my kidnapper then turned the entire boat invisible. I heard Sanji yell and become enraged and continued going toward the land.
Knowing Usopp, he was going to go on land because no one was going to protect him. Great, all of us ended up being inside Thriller Bark either way.
I hope the ship stays safe.
Yuuto POV
"Wait!" I told my group. I sensed something. "Nami got on the island." Around us were at least 400 corpses that were already purified.
"That's not like her." Zoro stated.
"It's not. I think she was forced or kidnapped." I sensed her with another presence.
"That person was strong enough to get through both swirly brow and Usopp?" Zoro asked. He knew how protective they would be. I nodded.
Franky thought. "Maybe the ship needs traps for invaders too." I nodded no. It would be hard to tell apart who was good or bad.
"Remember that Absalom can turn invisible. I forgot to mention that he's a pervert." Brook stated. I paused, thinking what he implied. He kidnapped Nami for perverted reasons?
"Sanji will go find her. I'll find Usopp. He's by himself now. You guys go ahead. My observation can still sense the zombies' presences but not their will." I couldn't sense their attacks or what they wanted to do. I could only tell that they were there. Still, the zombies we fought were pretty weak.
I quickly ran to Usopp. There was an enemy close by.
Usopp POV
So far the zombies were easy to beat. I just needed to fire salt water into their mouths and they were gone.
I kept running around trying to find someone. Nami had gotten kidnapped and it was my fault for letting him pass by. Even if the enemy was invisible, it was still my responsibility to protect her. I heard Yuuto's voice. "I'm worthless. I'll never be able to atone for what I've done. I should just die."
I grimaced hearing that. I saw how much regret he had on his face for whatever his past was everyday. However, he never said that to that extreme.
I went to him. "Yuuto. Get up. You're not like this." I put my hand out expecting him to take it.
He didn't and looked at me momentarily. "Usopp." He then looked down. "You don't need to help me. Just leave me alone. I'm not worthy of walking the same earth as you."
Before I could try and lift him up, I heard a laugh. "Horo horo horo! He fell victim to my power. I am Perona!"
I winced. Brook mentioned her powers. I got out my Kabuto. "I won't lose to you!"
"You sure? Negative Hollow!" A ghost went through me. I fell down and felt nothing changed about me. I just thought worse about myself than normal. Still, this was nothing.
"Now zombies. Let's get them to Moriah." She turned around as if the job was finished. I immediately got up and fired salt in their mouths.
"I won't let you touch my crew!" I cried defiantly.
She looked at me. "Pretending to be negative. Here's another negative hollow." This time, I continued standing up. "Why aren't you falling down? How did you do it?"
"I didn't do anything. I'm always negative!" This negativity was something I was already used to. I look over to Yuuto. "Yuuto. You're stronger than this. Go find Nami. She's been kidnapped. I can handle this! Leave everything to me!" I wanted to rescue Nami. It was my responsibility earlier to protect her. But this particular opponent's power was something only I could counter.
I paused.
This felt ironic. Normally, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Yuuto would be in this moment.
How come I didn't feel like a badass?
Yuuto slowly got up. "I'll find Nami." He then continued running away.
All the zombies were already defeated.
I was soon blasted by four negative hollows at once. I continued standing. I saw those four hollows and Perona lean over. I heard her say. "How?"
"When it comes to thinking negatively, no one can do it better than me!" I proudly boasted.
She then started running away. I chased after her to make sure she couldn't go after my crew. I was feeling pretty confident. [1]
Nami POV
When thezombies put me in a jail cell and left, I immediately unlocked my chains and started sneaking away. I needed to find one of my crew members or any secret treasure.
Suddenly, a wild boar started chasing after me. "I'll take Abaslom as my husband! I know he's after you." I ran for a bit. I thought back. Absalom was the name of the invisible ... whatever he was that kidnapped me.
I stopped to catch my breath. As the boar came closer, I put my hands up. Thinking of the a quick lie, I blurted out. "Wait. I'm actually a man."
She stopped running. "Huh?" She believed that?
"Yes. I like to dress like a man." I thought more about what she said. "I think you and Absalom will look good together." That was a more believable lie. Especially when I've encouraged love like this to Vivi and Robin before.
"Really!" She continued. I smiled. She was pretty gullible.
"I'm not making it up. You guys complement each other with the way you both look." There that made the lie better.
She kneeled. "No one has ever supported my feeling before. You are the first one to say such kind words of support to me." I smiled. This was great.
"Raise your head my friend! That's what friendship is! I'm Namizou so they call me Nami."
"Fri… friendship." she whispered. "I'm Lola."
"Yeah. I'm a nice person." I continued. "Tell me what have you tried."
"Well." She thought about it. "When his guard is down, I try putting him in an armlock and get his fingerprints on the marriage contract. His guard is never down. He manages to avoid touching the paper." She continued.
Hm. I considered. "Really. Lola. You have this all wrong."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"He's resisting because he's conscious. You should wait until he's asleep." I stated. A girl should fight dirty this way.
"Attack him in his sleep? Is that ok? Won't it make me a bad person?" She answered.
I narrowed my eyes on purpose to show how serious I was. "They say love is a battle. Besides you're a zombie." There was a loophole.
"I forgot about that! What a nice blind spot!" She nodded.
"By the way Lola… I lost something in the treasure room." There has to be treasure here as well. I'll grab it before I meet my friends. "I want to get it back. Can you tell me how to get there? In the meantime, talk to him again. I won't see Absalom again."
She gave me the instructions. I held her hand. "Do your best! You two would make the best couple!" I encouraged.
"I'll do my best. Thank you Nami! You have given me courage!" She ran away. I continued my way to the treasure room.
After a couple minutes, I was suddenly gagged by an invisible force. I tried to step on Absalom's foot but missed. I soon lost consciousness because I couldn't breathe.
Yuuto POV
I made my way to the chapel. One zombie mentioned there was a wedding ceremony because Absalom was getting married. That was the name of the invisible pervert.
Seeing that he kidnapped Nami, I figured he might be trying to marry her. As I made my way, I considered more about this power. I sadly figured out why Sanji was angry. He must have wanted that devil fruit power for… I'm not going to finish that thought. A part of me wants to do the same thing; another part of me would hate myself if I stooped that low.
As I ran, I was stopped by a zombie. I looked more closely. I've seen his face before. There's scars and marks but I've seen his face before.
"That mask looks familiar." He said threateningly.
Is he a Chaser? I carefully analyzed him more and froze realizing it was my father's former master. "So you're Yuki Akira. [2]" I said. He had died when I was 3 but I don't remember meeting him. I've only seen pictures of him before at my old house. He was the record holder for completing the most missions as a Chaser. His codename was the Black Lion.
"Did I know you in my past life?" He asked quickly.
"No. You were my father's teacher. He kept a picture of you." I answered back.
"Ah! Well you must also be one of the pirates I've been ordered to capture." This was not good. If he was anything like the stories that my father told me about, he was going to be serious trouble. He was regarded as the best fighter Chaser of all time. There was no way for me to feed him salt.
I groaned, not expecting to deal with this. He already started trying to strike me. His movements involved a punch and then he would change direction to try and land an elbow or shoulder strike. I needed to worry more about those because they were short but explosive. The problem was I couldn't tell what he was doing.
"So that's Bajiquan." I stated and I took a step back. Observation haki was going to be useless. Luckily, I blocked his first four attacks. I however, knew that it was going to be a matter of time before he really hurt me.
"That's not going to help you even if you know what it is" He maintained his distance away from me. He was right. I didn't know how to counter this style. Most of my styles I studied were focused on punches, kicks, knees, and holds. Well, looks like I found a new martial art to study.
I needed to think what to do next. He's a zombie, so he doesn't feel pain. I would have to hold and subdue him and force feed him salt. That was the style I was comfortable with anyway anyway. I also have my seastone gloves. Unfortunately, I couldn't use those claws because they were not very good for tearing flesh apart. They could make people bleed easily but if he's a zombie, that doesn't matter.
"Judo eh?" He said. He then changed his position.
This is not good. I know that style. It focuses on low strikes and attacking my hip area. Judo leaves my lower body open to attack. I then changed to a sambo fighting stance..
"Are we going to keep changing our fighting styles or what?" He changed again. I groaned. He was psyching me out. I need to remain calm and just fight normally. I was thinking too much.
He went in and punched me in the face. I recovered and tried tripping him. He dodged by pulling back. I jumped forward while he was ready to punch me back. He pulled back just before he hit me.
"Come on. You can do better than that. Again." He said.
Was he giving me advice? Brook mentioned that zombies don't remember their past lives over a while. What was different?
I narrowed my eyes. "Why are you helping me?"
Akira shrugged. "Something about you. Now fight me. I want a good fight."
I then took some time to calm myself. I needed to think about it. He was in my mind because of his reputation. I never had this problem while with the Staw Hats before. Then again, he was probably going to be the best martial artist I ever faced.
I closed my eyes. He continued talking. "You fight with a lot of turmoil in you. Is it because of being a Chaser? Or are you too weak?" He taunted. He was trying to get a rise out of me.
I then dodged his attack. "I was meditating." I admitted that he was partly correct.
"Well. That turmoil does explain why you can't use armament Haki. To use armament Haki, you need to have a strong will to be willing to fight. Unfortunately, because I don't have a proper will anymore, I can't use armament Haki right now."
That makes sense why I can sense their presence but not their attacks. Did that mean I couldn't sense what they are doing because of their lack of will?
Still, I'm taking what he said. Is my struggle with my past preventing me from using armament Haki?
"Tch. You're like your mother." Akira said.
"What? You figured out who I am." Wasn't he only my father's teacher? How would he know about my mother?
He looked confused too. "I don't know where that came from. Don't worry about it. Figure it out if you beat me."
Maybe, the zombie still had some hidden memories left. I'm curious about knowing more about my mother.
I soon landed a hit in his face. However, he looked at me. "I give you a free hit, and you can't even hurt me." Seastone didn't seem to work.
I groaned. I needed to stop him from moving then. Back to Judo then.
"Oh you went back to that?" He taunted.
"You talk more than what my father described." I retorted.
"I never met your father and your father doesn't know me." He paused. "Again. I don't know where that came from."
He wasn't making any sense. "My father was Kaiya Sora." I told him.
"I trained him. But I don't know your father." He paused again. "Stop it. Let's just fight. I don't know what's going on with me. I just know I have to capture you."
The many times I said that last sentence as an actual Chaser. It brought unnecessary memories.
As he tried attacking my lower body with his left foot, I simply grabbed it and started cracking his toes. I then chopped his knee as much as I could. I heard it break a little.
"Oh. I see. You're using the traditional stances but changing the usual motions with them. Clever like your mother. Anyway, you're going to need to break a lot more than that." I then punched his mouth. He wasn't going to move around very easily.
"Shut up! If you don't know what you're talking about." I wanted to focus on the fight.
He kept coming at me. As I tried to break his bones again, he used his other arm to strike me. He then kicked me with the leg that I partly broke. It was even faster than earlier.
As he tried striking me with an elbow, I sidestepped and held his left shoulder and tried to break what I could. I definitely heard a crack. He hit me with his right fist.
Normally, I'd also try to dodge his attacks. However, because he hasn't felt pain, I was intentionally sacrificing my body so I could break his bones and stop him from moving. Could I outlast his attacks?
We traded blows at least twenty times. It went like this. I dislocated his right shoulder but he popped it back into place. I tried breaking his left knee again but he punched me with his right. I tried breaking his right elbow, he'd respond with the left knee that I tried to break earlier.
After a couple more similar exchanges, he told me. "Well, you lasted longer than Sora would." I wasn't going to argue. I was focused on fighting and beating him. I didn't really know how I would be feeling after I took 10 more of these exchanges. He then came at me, when he stopped moving. "What? How come I can't move?"
"Finally." I let out. "Every time that I tried breaking your body, I've also been sending electrical shocks." I had gotten my new electric dials to replace the flame dials in my hand. "You just lost muscular control for your body. Because you're a zombie, you lasted longer than necessary. You would have noticed the electric shocks if you were human." I had changed to a style that involve longer contact and another way to win in case it didn't work. Still, bones are hard to break.
I remember how I couldn't move during Little Garden before I met Chopper. That was when I tried to see if my electric dials could work like that. I walked up to him ready to put salt in his mouth.
"You were a tough opponent Akira, but you would have won if you had actually felt the pain." I commended. I felt the need to show him respect. Still, I felt pity for him because even in death he had to unconditionally obey his master.
Just like in life we had to unconditionally obey the World Nobles or else we die because of the explosives placed in us.
"I see." Akira said. "It was a good fight. You're like your mother and Sora."
Just as I was about to put salt into his mouth, he said something. "Sora never told you didn't he."
"What?" I asked. I decided to humor him. "What about my father? It's because of him that I lived this lifestyle." Being born to a family of Chasers was a curse. We were expected to be the World Noble's guard/fetch dogs. Not to mention the crimes we committed.
"Sora never wanted you to have the same lifestyle as he did. He took more missions to protect you." I was confused. "Your mother's name is Kairi if you didn't know." Tired of the random stuff facts he was blurting out when he didn't really know at all, I put salt in his mouth.
Still, I never knew my mother's name now that I thought about it. My father never told me.
What was my father keeping from me?
[3]
Brook POV
Soon enough, my zombie came with a bunch of other zombies to the group I was in. "Yohohoho." I heard that familiar laugh.
"I see why he's your zombie now." Franky said. I nodded at him.
"Allow me to fight him. It's my shadow." I offered. Zoro and Franky both nodded, honoring that it was my responsibility. They continued fighting the other zombies in our way.
Ryuma looked at me and said. "So. You came back. You don't give up even after being pushed up. You should run away."
"Shut up! You are my shadow. Please come back!" I earnestly pleaded.
He stood up. "Are you going to be shamefully begging for your life. Saying just not the afro, not the afro."
I narrowed my eyes… if I had any. "No. I can't do that! Say what you want. I've waited five years for this chance to come once again." We started trying to slash each other.
I have been training five years for this chance. Five years so I can get my shadow and fulfill my promise to Laboon.
He met me blow for blow.
"You have become stronger in the passing years." He then cut me faster than I could block it. "Though the same applies to me! Because we think alike!" I fell down. He had gotten stronger. This was not good. I didn't think he would train. "Like always, you cherish your afro. With a weak point that big, there's no way can avoid it being hit!"
"Silence!" I yelled. I continued attacking him. I wasn't fighting for my sake. I was fighting for Laboon. His attacks overpowered me. He continued attacking around my hair. "Stop! Leave my hair alone!" I blocked them. My afro was the only thing that made Laboon laugh. Maybe he'd remember me. That's why I have to protect this.
I kept taking some of the attacks. "You're like a phoenix or a zombie. You shouldn't be able to stand back up anymore." I panted at that. I'm not fighting for myself; that's why I can't back down. "I'd like to see you stop completely. You won't be able to get your shadow back ever again. Where would you like me to cut with my Yahazu Giri!"
I growled and got back up. "You don't know anything. So don't use that name. My shipmates praised that technique and renamed it. 'Hanauta Sanchou Yahazu Giri.'" How dare my own shadow taunt me. "You may have my personality and my skill, buy you don't have any of my memories. You have no right to use that name!" I got ready for the final strike.
"Yohohoho. If you claim to be its creator, then you must be able to best my fake one. This is your last chance."
We silently agreed to put the technique to the test. We slowly walked to each other and made our attacks at the same time. And then past each other. After three steps, we sheathed both of our swords simultaneously. Well, actually, I tried to.
Hanauta Sanchou Yahazu Giri!
I felt my own attack used against me and fell down. Angry that I lost, I felt grabbed from behind. "First this afro." I wasn't just angry at myself for my weakness. I was angry at not fulfilling my promise to Laboon.
Suddenly, Ryuma fell back from a shock. Franky ran to get me.
"You are not allowed to touch the loser without my consent." He then tried to stab us both.
I heard metal clashing each other. "Wait a second." I looked and saw Zoro. "So you are the legendary samurai who cut a dragon. I didn't know someone like that existed." He then started dueling with him. "I've been looking forward to this!"
I saw the clash. It was a clash between two swordmen. I knew from that clash Zoro was stronger than me. "Please… my shadow… get my shadow back please…."
Zoro motioned me to be quiet. "That sword of yours… it looks nice."
"Yohohoho! You have a good eye. This is Shuusui."
"It's one of the great swords. I'd love to wield it!" Zoro exclaimed.
"What!" I cried out. My shadow is more important than your sword!
Franky motioned to me to be quiet. "Zoro uses three swords. He broke one of them."
Zoro ignored us. "I'm going to take it from your corpse." That was kind of funny because Ryuma was already a corpse. He sheathed two swords out.
"I see. Then try to do so with all your might! But you already seem to have 3 of them."
"One is broken. I won't feel good until I replace it."
This conversation was between two swordsman.
"I suppose. You seem strong. It's like if some creature was coming to eliminate me." I nodded at that. Zoro gave that impression. "It's a strange throbbing feeling. Like my body wants to dance." It seemed that Ryuma had some desire for a fight.
They clashed.
Aubade Coup Droit!
Zoro dodge the thrust. I looked and saw the damage it caused from the tree. He was holding back against me.
"That's like a pistol!" Franky exclaimed.
"It's a thrust. But even if I do that technique, it doesn't become like that!" I admitted.
Then after a moment of time, some of the trees behind Ryuma were cut. Zoro's slice can also fly.
"They're both "power" swordsmen. This match won't last for too long." Who was going to fall first?
The next five minutes was the most intense sword fighting I have ever witnessed. Every clash they had, trees were being shaken and rocks were being destroyed. You could feel the force even when we were about 100 meters away.
I never stood a chance at all. Ryuma wasn't serious at all when he fought me.
Please Zoro-san. I quietly prayed. Get my shadow back for me.
After a couple more minutes, they stopped. I saw a wound on fire on the zombie.
Did Zoro win?
The zombie approached Zoro. "It was a wonderful match. It would be this katana's wish for you to be its master." He then dropped the sword. His body caught fire.
Zoro grabbed the sword before it touched the ground. "As long as you feel ashamed, that's enough. As long as there was the mind and body of a warrior. I would have wanted to meet you when you were alive." Zoro said.
"Yohohoho!" my zombie cried to agree with that. I then saw something leave his mouth.
"My shadow!" I cried out. "It's back!" I looked gratefully at Zoro for doing what I could not do.
We then saw a crash from the mansion.
What was that!
Sanji POV
A little earlier
I burst into the chapel. "Nami-swan!" I cried out. Ready to save her.
I saw a woman in a wedding dress. "Huh? A goddess?" I looked more closely. "Oh. I was surprised. It's Nami-san. I thought that was a goddess by mistake."
I then saw a beast-like man growl. "Who are you?" He asked. "How dare you interfere with my wedding? Are you part of the crew on that ship?"
I nodded. "You must be Absalom." I had another problem with him. One, he took Nami away from me. Two, we had a connection.
He then tried to fire at me with his invisible bazooka. I had used Soru to dodge. "That almost hit Nami. You should avoid using attacks that can hurt uninvolved people."
"You dodge it well." I then ignored him a bit while I put Nami on a bench. Wow, she looked really beautiful. White really did suit her. "I'm really busy right now. My underlings have been trying to catch your crews' shadows. I have to seal the vow by kissing my bride."
"Bride?" Make that reason number three. He was trying to marry Nami. I then ran to kick his face. I sent him flying.
As I got up close to him, he yelled, "Hands of the deceased." I then put his arms away and kicked him again.
"The invisible beast that appeared on the thousand Sunny and saw Nami naked in the shower was you?" I assumed. It's something I would do. I kicked him again. "What was that about marriage!"
He tried to retreat but I still saw him. I kicked him.
"Not only that. But you are the man who took away one of my dreams." I was furious.
"I don't remember. You and I met for the first time today." He said.
Don't play innocent with me. "You're an invisible man." That was all I needed to say. He looked confused. "The things you can do with that power. I know all of them. When I was little, I read a devil fruit book. There was one item there that moved my heart. If I came across this fruit, I wanted to eat it. Unfortunately," I glared at him. "There's only one fruit of each kind." I would never have the chance to eat it unless I killed him.
He looked confused. "Do you get it!" I became furious that he didn't know what he did that caused me to be so angry. "I wanted to become an invisible man! You crushed my dream when you ate the Suke Suke fruit!" I roared.
"I wanted to go after my dream. If I ate it, imagine what I could do with it. I would peep…. help mankind. I would peep… benefit mankind with that ability." Please. The potential of the fruit was so much. And it was wasted on this imbecile.
I was thinking of turning invisible next to a woman sleeping. I could even try and pretend to be an invisible wind to look at woman's panties or at the hotsprings.
This was a noble cause for all of mankind!
"Just when I thought it was something. You spout some stupid connection. You perverted bastard!" He shouted.
I kicked him. "I don't want to hear that from you!" He didn't get it.
"The last laugh will be mine." He then turned invisible, and I couldn't see him. "I will turn the woman you wanted to protect into my bride." I grabbed Nami and closed my eyes. Maybe I could hear him or sense him.
"I'm not giving her up."
"Then I'll teach you the power!" He then kicked my face. I tried lifting Nami. I couldn't have her clothes be dirty. I felt a barrage coming. Despite that, I remained focused.
From the left. I dodged. I could kind of see him. It wasn't clear, but I could see him. I lightly threw Nami up in the air. I then kicked where he was going. I caught Nami just before she hit the ground. I smiled.
This must be Observation Haki. I lay her on the bench again.
"I can see you now." I warned.
"You're bluffing. That was a lucky shot!"
I then ran up to him. I got in his face. "You were saying."
I then kicked him so he was stuck in the wall.
Suddenly, that wall broke.
I saw a giant that screamed. "Sanji! Meat! I'm hungry."
Who the hell is this giant? Why does he sound like Luffy?
Zoro POV
After my duel with Ryuma, we saw a giant zombie punch a wall. He yelled, "Sanji! Meat! I'm hungry."
"That sounds like Luffy." I warned. Brook widened his eye sockets.
"He must have gotten captured and his shadow is in that body now."
That's not good. "Shoot. Can we beat that?" Franky said.
"We have to. Luffy lost to Moriah. We have to either beat Moriah or his shadow to win now." I growled.
Suddenly, the giant yelled. "Strawhats! Come out so I can beat you to get my meat!"
That's definitely Luffy's shadow alright. "Great. Now he's looking for us. I hope we don't..." I saw the giant slam his palm on the wall and swirly brow jump. "Shoot. We have to go over now. If we don't Swirly brow's going to die."
Stupid swirly brow bastard. Don't get yourself in more trouble.
All three of us started running toward them. We were about two minutes away.
I then saw Yuuto jump off a different building and tried to punch the giant's knee. Yuuto's helping Sanji stay alive. He wouldn't engage that giant unless necessary. Swirly brow was dragging us into a fight.
As we ran, the giant noticed Yuuto and looked. "Wow! A superhero!" Was that what Luffy called Yuuto when he saw his mask for the first time. "I like superheroes but I have to beat you to get meat." He cried out. Yuuto backed some distance away. The giant yelled, "Gomu Gomu no..."
That was definitely Luffy's shadow. To have his abilities too is going to be tough to deal with.
Yuuto dodged it. I breathed a sigh of relief. It didn't stretch but it still had a large reach because he was a giant.
We finally made it to them. "What are you doing Luffy?" I yelled. He should know who we are.
"Luffy? He is my enemy! My name is Oars! Nice to meet you!" This was bad. He looked at us. "Oh. That's two more Strawhats! That means I can get more meat!" I sighed.
In the meantime, Sanji had skywalked behind him and kicked his face behind. He didn't go down. As Sanji was walking down Oars turned back and punched him.
"Such a fast speed for a large body." Franky noticed.
"Yeah. I can feel Luffy's presence there. Nice of you guys to join the party." Yuuto noticed us. "Did you guys bring more salt? We're going to need a lot of salt for this party." He was panting heavily. He looked in pretty bad shape. We shook our heads no. We almost used all of it for the zombies. He sighed. "Don't you guys know that you need to bring salt in order to attend this party?"
If Yuuto was joking around this much, that must mean he was getting tired. Before I responded back, I saw Sanji was about to be grabbed. Before that happened, I saw a fire bullet and Oars pulled back. I looked from the direction it came from.
It was Usopp, Chopper, and Robin. Yuuto noticed also. "Oh. I hope they brought salt. Otherwise, this was going to be a boring party with no salt..." Yuuto then had his knee on the floor.
Brook went up to get him. "Are you ok?"
Yuuto then became a little serious. "I had a tough fight. He was a better martial artist than me. He broke a couple of my bones." The last time I've seen Yuuto in this condition was when he fought against Crocodile.
"Brook. Take Yuuto away from here. He's in no condition to fight." I ordered.
Yuuto shook his head. "No. I can still figure out what his weakness is. If salt doesn't work, then we need to break his body." I gave him a look that said that was crazy. "Do you really think Luffy's shadow will let us feed him salt?" He tried to counter back. Franky and I looked at him that clearly said otherwise. "Oh. Unless we can cook him a piece of meat with a lot of salt." He whacked himself in the head at that.
That didn't seem like a bad plan. Our captain would fall for something like that especially if meat was involved. "Oi Cook!" I yelled.
He was lying in the ground. "What Marimo! I was about to save Nami and then Luffy's shadow came and stopped me. Then, the invisible guy took her away while I was trying to avoid that."
Nami was still in danger, but we have something more important to worry about. Luffy's life was in danger. "Think you can cook some salty meat for Luffy's shadow?" I said.
"What do you take me for? That can be done in 10 minutes. Assuming we have enough meat." Cook said.
"Sanji. Let's sneak to the kitchen. Zoro, Franky, Brook, be careful." Yuuto said. He was going to help the cook.
As they tried to make their way, Oars blocked their path.
As if it was going to be that easy.
"As if cooking was going to help us defeat the enemy." I said. Even though this was Luffy who loved to eat, it wasn't like we would be saved because of our stupid cook's ability to make decent food.
Sanji, Yuuto, and Franky gave me a look that said normally it wouldn't. But this is Luffy. I sighed agreeing that Luffy wasn't the most conventional captain. "I guess we'll do it the good old fashioned way." Yuuto breathed out. "Give me a five minute break." Yuuto rarely got tired in all the fights I've seen him. He then hid a little bit.
I saw Oars go after Usopp, Chopper and Robin who were up in the manor. I ran and jumped in the air to block him. He saw me and punched me high in the air.
I heard some gunfire from Franky who had jumped to a nearby roof. I don't know where Brook went. Oars went after him and brought Franky down.
As I was falling, I was soon caught by a bunch of hands. I was about 5 meters away from the ground. I looked at Robin. "Thanks!"
Oars noticed them and threw a building at them. Robin stopped using her ability and I fell.
We all gradually got up. This was going to be a tough battle. I put on my headband. "You shouldn't underestimate your crew Luffy." I said.
He looked at us. "You're pretty strong tiny pirates. Shishishishi"
"Seeing him move like Luffy is a big surprise" I said.
"He's not really suited to be the pirate king." Robin responded to that.
"He must have a weak point." Chopper noticed.
"He does. I'm sure he must have stitches for a reason." Yuuto came out. That break seemed to have helped him.
"How to take him down. I've got tons of ideas." Franky mentioned. We looked at him. "Tactics 15!"
Franky then ran to me and Sanji. He got on top of us and forced us to hold his legs. Chopper jumped on top of his head as a helmet. Usopp and Yuuto became his arms.
Usopp, Chopper, and Franky cried out. "Giant Robot Warrior Big Emperor!"
Chopper then noticed something. "Wait. We don't have wings!" Who was going to be our wings?
Franky then asked. "Robin, what are you doing? Latch onto me and become our wings. Hurry!"
"As a person, I'm embarrassed." Came the reply.
Oars gave us a look. "Why did you stop? I wanted to see it." He then punched us. Yuuto had already gotten off. Me and swirly brow ducked.
"I can't believe I was forced to do that." Yuuto mentioned.
"How dumb! Why did I let them do that." I cried out. That was not cool to do.
"Robin-chan, I would have liked to see you dock with us!" Sanji cried out. I snarled. He sounded so annoying saying something like that. Women can just be as strong as men.
"Please. Never mention docking again." Robin said to them.
I grabbed some of the nun chucks Franky made earlier. I was going to stop Luffy's zombie. "Robin." I called out. "I'll get his left arm. You lock his joints." We made eye contact as if she knew what I was going for.
"Understood!" She got ready.
Yuuto punched Oars' knees to make him stumble a little bit and jumped in the air. Oars tried to grab him, but Yuuto kept using Geppo to go higher and higher. When Oars jumped, Usopp fired some oil around where he would land causing him to slip. Sanji kicked me up and I slammed the nun chucks toward his left arm. Robin bound his left arm behind him so he couldn't attack me and lose his balance. He started to fall.
Franky and Chopper then did some stair building and then punched Oars together.
Super Frapper Gong
Sanji then came and kicked his leg so that he could fall.
Anti-manner Kick Course
That plan worked a lot better than whatever Tactics 15 was going to do seeing that we actually got him down.
He then started yelling. "Now you've got me mad! I'll send you flying." He yelled. We braced ourselves for his attack. "Crap. My horns are stuck!"
All of us looked at him evilly.
Oars started screaming.
Nami POV
I woke up and was terrified. Some guy was trying to kiss me.
"Ah!" I screamed in front of his face.
"Oh, you're awake. Give it up. With this kiss, you will become my wife." It was that pervert.
"I told you no already. You invisible perverted animal. I'm not ready for this. I still want to go on adventures." I really did want to go on adventures. If I got married, I wouldn't be able to do that.
"Be silent and rejoice. You'll become the graveyard king's wife." That didn't sound good.
"What no!" I refused. I don't want to rule over dead people. That sounds lame and I wouldn't be rich.
Then someone jumped in. It was Lola. She looked at me furiously. "Namizou! How dare you steal my man! You were lying about supporting me weren't you. You were trying to steal away my dear Ab the entire time." She looked at me and I felt guilty.
"Wait Lola. I was unconscious. I have no idea what's… Ah." I saw that I was wearing a wedding dress. It was pretty, but a little big on me. I noticed she was also wearing one. "Why are you wearing a wedding dress? Yours is lovely by the way."
"No. It's not lovely at all you traitor." She got her swords out, and I started running away.
"Lola, on top of barging in and ruining the ceremony, what are you doing to my bride?" my kidnapper asked.
"Shut up, let's get married!" Lola ignored his question. I slowly backed away.
"I refuse." came the curt reply.
"Oh. That's right my dear Ab. You don't know. Her real name is Namizou and she's actually a man." I put my hands up in shock. I forgot I told her that, and she believed me.
I looked at the pervert. He started "But when I saw her in the shower..." He did look at me.
Luckily, Lola interrupted. "Get out of here Namizou!" She turned to me.
She tried to cut me but missed badly. "Stop Lola!" I cried out. She's not hitting me. I looked at her and she winked at me. She was helping me.
Lola whispered. "Run Nami! I came to help you my friend!" I was touched.
She then turned around and tried to kiss him. As I ran back, I saw a blast strike her. "Lola!" I stopped running and got out my climatact that was conveniently place in my dress. I let out a couple thunder clouds.
Franky had modified it so it would be stronger than before.
As he approached me, I struck him with my climatact. He fell down. If I had known he was that weak, I would have tried to fight him like that earlier. I saw Lola by the side and ran to her. "Lola, thank you for coming to help me!"
She coughed. "What are you saying Namizou? We're friends." I was touched by her kindness. Even though I tricked her, she was willing to defend me.
"I was scared, and I lied to you! I'm really sorry. I'm actually a woman." I confessed, ready to have her yell at me.
"You fool. I knew all along. More importantly my dear Ab can't resist now." She got up. She was tough. "You're going to be a groom Absalom." I giggled at that. It was hard to stop a woman in love.
"I'm going to run and see if I can find my friends." I decided to run in case more trouble happens. I felt that my friends were in danger if they had trouble finding me. I knew all of them would try and rescue me as soon as possible. "I'll see you later." That meant they were fighting really strong opponents.
"Wait! Your friend Luffy." I gasped. What happened? "His shadow was just implanted into a special giant zombie rampaging around the town." I breathed a sigh of relief. He was still alive. I gave my thanks and ran out.
I ran out the hall way into another corner. As I ran, I noticed another another hallway and followed along.
I found Luffy unconscious. I quietly walked up to him in case of another enemy. "Luffy?" I whispered. I looked more closely. I then heard a faint snore. He was sleeping at a time like this?
I hit him as hard as I could. He didn't move. Weird, normally that could wake him up. I looked more closely and saw his shadow got taken like Lola said. I grimaced that's not good. I looked around and saw no one. I blushed.
I remember reading a story about Sleeping Beauty. Maybe I could kiss him and that would wake him up? I looked around again.
Maybe, it could work. I slowly leaned toward him and closed my eyes. When I was about 2 centimeters away from him, I suddenly pulled back. It didn't feel right. What if he woke up while I was kissing him?
Deciding not to take the risk, I tried to come up with another idea and thought what was the next thing that would actually wake him up remembering what we should do in case Luffy was angry at us.
"Luffy, I brought you meat!"
He slowly stirred. "Nami… meat..." I sighed. Meat would be the only thing that could wake him up. He then really woke up realizing the whole situation. "That bastard! Making my shadow..." He then looked around and noticed me. "Oh hey Nami! Wow you're wearing a wedding dress!" He then paused. "Are you getting married?" He then had a confused look on his face.
I had almost forgotten what I was wearing. I blushed at the thought that I was about to kiss him while wearing this. Maybe the wedding dress was subtly making me act like that. I sighed. "No."
He breathed out. "Good." I looked at him. He didn't want me to get married? "If you got married, that would mean you wouldn't be our navigator anymore." He gave a nervous laugh.
I smiled at him. I wanted to think more about what he said but that was going to give me false hope. He wasn't the type to mean anything else by that. "Yeah. That's probably true." I said weakly. He gave me an intense stare that I couldn't help but turn away from it.
"Ah. I got distracted. I need to beat Moriah and get the shadows back." He said suddenly.
"Do you know where your shadow is?"
"No."
"Well. He's a giant from what I heard."
"That's so cool!" We then heard a giant yell that sounded like it was in pain "Oh. Nami, let's go help our crew."
"I can't fight like this. Let me change back at the ship." Even though I didn't pick this dress, this was still a nice wedding dress that I didn't want to ruin.
"How about I drop you off close to the ship? Our crew can handle it." He bent down a little bit.
"What?" He motioned me to come on, and I immediately put my hands around his neck. I decided not to fight against him remembering how comfortable I felt last time.
He started running and asked. "Where's the ship?" I guided him. This was a very comfortable position. I tried to imagine how we looked like right now. Even though I was dressed very formal, Luffy taking me back to the ship dressed in his red cardigan seemed how it would work. As we made our way back, he stopped. "Nami. I should help the crew now." I nodded and I got off gently.
A part of me wanted to hug Luffy but I couldn't. "Luffy." I said. He looked at me. "Be careful." He nodded and ran off.
I quickly got on the ship and changed clothes. As I saw the wedding dress, I decided to keep it for the memories.
As I made my way out, I saw a girl and a bunch of zombies coming with treasure. I smiled. I could ambush them by making my clouds. As I got ready to fight, a large man appeared in front of them.
I hid behind the edge of the ship. They were about 40 meters away from me.
"He's one of the Shichibukai! The tyrant Bartholomew Kuma!" The girl shouted.
I gasped in shock. We were dealing with two Shichibukai. Just our luck. I looked over. I heard some part of the conversation because it got quiet. I heard something about vacation, running away, losing to terrifying cockroaches, and a bunch of other stuff. All of a sudden, as it seemed she was about to attack, she disappeared. The zombies then ran away.
I hid behind the ship. Please don't notice me. A voice cried. "Come out 'Cat Thief' Nami." I stood up. He suddenly got behind me. "Is it true that Monkey D. Luffy has a brother?" Was I going to disappear like that girl? I nodded. "I see it was true." He then walked away.
"Are you here for Luffy?" I asked.
"What I do is up to me." He said.
What the hell is that supposed to mean? Either way, I need to warn Luffy and the others. I quickly ran out to meet them.
Zoro POV
After Oars got unstuck, we retreated. I looked at everyone. We could keep fighting except Yuuto. Yuuto looked very tired.
Yuuto then gave a sigh. "I can't keep going on the front line anymore. I'm going to have to fight from long range. That zombie hurt me pretty good. Zoro and Sanji, You guys have to be our only frontline attackers. Everyone else should attack from a distance."
Usopp said, "We should stall. If Luffy beats Moriah, then everyone's shadows will return. There's no need for all of us to get hurt." I put my sword down. That would normally work but...
"I have plenty of faith in Luffy, but he can't do everything. All the people that Brook mentioned here have abilities that are tricky that would outsmart our captain." Where was Brook anyway? I could only hope that Luffy was awake.
Cook and Yuuto nodded. Robin voiced her agreement. Yuuto mentioned. "I can still sense Luffy. He's awake and moving. I'm not sure what he's doing. He's with other people."
"Oi Yuuto. I unlocked Observation Haki! Think you can help me do what you do?" Sanji cried out. Yuuto nodded. I growled hearing that cook unlocked Observation Haki. I needed to prove that I was stronger than him by unlocking that before he unlocks armament Haki.
Just then we heard a laugh from Oars' stomach. An unfamiliar voice called out. "Well. Look at what we have here. All of the other Strawhats."
Who was that? Yuuto pointed. "That must be Moriah. He's inside his stomach."
"I guess both of our targets are here." I said.
"We have to do this now. Usopp. Go get us some more salt." Yuuto ordered.
"Oars crush the mansion door." This was not good.
"He's got brains now too." Cook muttered. Did we have enough salt?
"Sorry for being late." I smiled. That was Brook. "I thought a large amount of salt would be necessary for us to join the party so I got it. I also got some milk for myself." Yuuto shook his head. I wanted to smack him for joking around like that.
"We need to get that salt into his body." I ordered.
"You think I'm going to let you guys put salt into my slave. Think again. I'll show you my worst nightmare." Moriah warned.
"I will fight by your side. I will do my best." Brook said.
Usopp got ready. "Franky! Yuuto! Some fire please!"
Franky blew some fire and Yuuto kicked some fire from his dials while Usopp fired a bullet.
Hi No Tori Boshi!
It was a larger fire bird than the ones I've seen them practice before. "Fire's not going to work too much. He can't feel the pain." Yuuto said. "We need to immobilize him and Moriah." I nodded.
Chopper gave me a boost and I cut a nearby building. Sanji then kicked the pieces toward Oars. Oars punched the pieces back.
"Yuuto!" Franky called out. Yuuto nodded and threw Franky up in the air toward Moriah. "Eat my mortar!" Franky yelled when he was about 10 meters away from him.
Just as he fired, Oars dodged. As Franky continued to zoom past, Oars kicked behind him.
"Franky!" We all yelled. Oars was about to finish him off when we saw a dark cloud.
Thunderbolt Tempo!
That brought him down. But only for a little bit.
Sanji then yelled something. Nami yelled back, exposing her position. Oars looked at her and looked like he was going to punch her.
"Don't tell me he's going to stretch!" I could hear Nami cry out.
"Usopp. Get Franky to a safe position while we have time!" I wasn't too worried about Nami. Nami was far away and safe.
However, his arm stretched further and hit where Nami was. I cursed myself for jinxing it. Luckily, Nami was caught by Robin. "I'm fine." Nami called out. I breathed in relief. "Where's Luffy? I thought he ran ahead of me. Don't tell me he got lost!" She yelled angrily.
"Don't know. But he's still conscious. We need to get rid of Moriah! He must be making Oars stretch like Luffy now." Yuuto analyzed. Moriah laughed.
"That's right! I'm manipulating his shadow. My shadow can change and the body has to match it." He explained. Oars then tried to knock us down. We scattered.
I was with Robin and Yuuto. "His body must have a weakpoint for us to focus." Yuuto thought out loud. "Chopper. Can you see a weakpoint in his body?" He yelled.
Chopper nodded. "That right arm looks like it was stitched. I'll look at it more closely at what it is."
"Everyone. If we can't purify him, we aim for the right arm then!" I shouted. We nodded. If we can break his right arm or stop him from using that, that can help a lot.
Brook yelled. "I have an idea." He explained his idea. Sanji and I would distract Oars in the meantime to execute the plan.
Usopp set up a large rubber band. Robin attached her hands around Brook to give him an extra spin. Nami set up a dark cloud with lightning. Yuuto also used some of his electricity in his dials and helped shock the clouds.
Brook was soon fired and spun through the cloud. He kept spinning and pierced through Oars' right arm.
Gavotte Bond Avant
I quickly attacked Oars not to give him any room to recover.
Nitouryu Nigiri Tourou
Oars looked at me but looked at Brook afterward. He then tried to kick him but Usopp fired at him.
Annoyed, Oars tried to stretch but failed.
What was happening?
I looked and saw Robin.
Ochenta Fleur. Cuatro Manos.
Moriah was stuck in Robin's hold and couldn't move. Yuuto moved closer to her as if to protect her.
Moriah yelled, "You think this can stop me?" He then summoned a bunch of bats that went toward Yuuto and Robin. Yuuto punched as many bats as he could but some went through. That loosened a little bit of Robin's hold.
Sanji was about to run to help protect Robin. I wanted to go as well, but at least two of us needed to deal with Oars. Yuuto thought the same. "Sanji! Watch out!" He yelled. Sanji looked and saw Oars about to kick him. Sanji dodged but that was enough time for Robin to be hit by the some of the incoming bats.
Just then a shadow was appearing behind Robin. "Nami, Usopp, something's behind Robin!" I yelled.
Nami and Usopp turned around. Yuuto had already ran back and punched Moriah's shadow. However, he kept going past him as the shadow let him go through past forward.
Moriah suddenly appeared in place of the shadow. I cursed inwardly. It seemed that he had the ability to swap places with his shadow as well. "I'll take both of your shadows!" Moriah cut both of their shadows, and Yuuto and Robin were unconscious. Nami and Usopp fired their attacks on him.
It was too late. He retreated back to his position in the stomach.
Shoot, 3 of us were down for good. Oars tried to attack Nami and Usopp but thankfully Sanji blocked the attack.
Suddenly, Chopper yelled. "There are signs of frostbite around the right arm's joint! We should be able to disable his power. It's not his arm." He was somehow able to hide himself on Oars.
Oars tried to smack Chopper on his arm. Thankfully, we saw Chopper transform and hide in Oars' fist. Then, he jumped up. Sanji also followed. Sanji kicked Chopper so he could attack the point that they mentioned.
I saw Chopper hit Oars' joint, but that wasn't enough. Oars was still standing. "You guys!" I noticed Oars about to start his counterattack. "Get out the way!" As they started falling down, Oars punched both of them.
I heard both of them fall to the ground. There were 3 or 4 of us still conscious. It was just me, Usopp, and Nami left for sure. I wasn't sure if Brook was conscious to help us.
"Usopp!" I needed to act now. "I'll create an opening." I started running and jumped on top of Oars' hand. I started running toward his upper body and caused as many cuts as I could. I jumped off and stood ready to block his incoming attack. He kneed me, but my swords caught the blunt of the attack.
Usopp then fired some salt into the body. As I landed on the ground, I smiled. We got Luffy's shadow back. Now we just have to fight Moriah. Now that shadow that's appearing from Oar's mouth will go back to Luffy.
Wait! That's actually Moriah's shadow. It threw it back to Usopp. I struggled to get up knowing that I had to hurry.
"Man. I ran out of saltwater bullets from all those zombies earlier. If I had them, that shadow wouldn't have gotten a hold on that salt." Usopp lamented out loud.
Oars then went after Usopp and punched him. Just as it got to Nami, it hesitated a bit.
Moriah yelled. "What are you doing? Crush her Oars!"
Oars said a little quietly. "Yes Master!" He started getting ready to stomp on her.
We heard another voice. "Hey Giant guy! Who are you trying to stomp on?" I smiled. It's Luffy. He looks different, but it's Luffy. I could trust my captain to hold his own while I get everyone else to be conscious again.
Luffy POV
I had rescued Nami from my shadow. It made me a little angry that my shadow had hurt my entire crew. It felt that I was the one who actually hurt them.
I put Nami on the floor. She looked at me and asked "Luffy? Are you ok? You look different."
"I'm fine." I replied back. I needed to focus to control all the many shadows in my body. According to the other victims I found, I only had 3 more minutes. They told me I wasted 7 minutes coming here.
My shadow's punch came toward us. "I'm sure you know but your shadow's in that zombie. It has your attacks and can stretch." I nodded acknowledging what Nami was telling me. I stopped it with one hand. I then leaped forward and punched the zombie's face.
I need to finish this fast. I didn't have much time because of what they told me. As the giant recovered, I grabbed his leg and slammed him down.
Lying on the ground, he tried punching me, but I quickly jumped. The punch was slower than normal.
As I descended down, I got ready for an attack. He had stood up and I tried to attack his skull.
Gomu Gomu Bazooka
My bazzoka met with both of the giant's arms. He also used a similar technique I had used. He even copied the same motion.
The force pushed me back as I kept descending down. The same force also stumbled my giant a little. I saw Leek face and quickly punched him in the stomach before I landed on the ground. Taking this opportunity, I immediately took the time to go Gear 2 and tried to finish this as soon as possible.
Jet Gatling!
My shadow and Moriah kept up with my barrage in the beginning but eventually couldn't keep up with all of them. Eventually, they both fell. I then felt my shadows leave me. I panted on the floor but knew the fight was not over yet.
"Luffy!" I looked and saw Zoro and Robin. "We need to give him one more final attack. You have your entire crew helping you this time." Zoro said what I was thinking. I nodded. This enemy was too tough for me to fight alone right now.
"Robin!" I shouted. I heard her footsteps behind me. "I want to get higher." We had used her abilities as stairs before playing on the ship.
She nodded. "I'll make steps for you then."
"Is there anything else I can do to help?" Brook appeared. I nodded. I motioned that he was with me.
Nami cried out. "Luffy! Everyone is ready to help out." I nodded. Nami had started out making rain clouds raining on Oars. Yuuto then appeared and struck Oars' right arm. I saw some electricity come out of Yuuto. He then quickly jumped off.
Coup de Vent!
I saw Franky and Usopp release a cannon that froze Oars' feet. Meanwhile, Robin made feet as stairs for us to climb on top.
As I got ready to be thrown by Brook, Sanji kicked a chain that got on Oars' upper body. Zoro then made an air slice that made Oars tighten his stomach. Chopper then told Sanji to straighten Oars' back.
As I went to gear 3, I looked and saw how my crew worked together. Brook then threw me when I was ready.
As I got ready to use my Gear 3 bazooka, Oars could only move his left arm to try and block it.
"We've been focusing on your right arm that it wasn't going to move sooner or later." Yuuto added.
Giant Bazooka!
I laid on the floor. I felt that I cracked his bones.
I then shrunk and saw Moriah get up.
"Release our shadows!" asked the woman who helped me.
Moriah ignored her. "Strawhat. How dare you. You've made a mess of my Thriller Bark."
"That's because you got in the way of our adventure. Give our shadows back before the sun rises."
"If you continue your adventure, the only thing awaiting you is death. You're stronger than the average rookie. I'll give you that. But the New World is still far out of your reach." I looked at him. Yuuto was lying on the floor, trying to catch his breath, but I could tell that he agreed with him. "It looks like you gathered a strong crew. But you're going to lose it all." I glared at him. There was no way I was going to lose my nakama. We were strong enough. That's how we were able to beat you and my shadow. "I'll tell you from my experience. I gathered a strong crew like yours. I lost them because they were alive!"
I growled at that. What was the point of having a dead crew? "If I start with zombies who are dead, then I have nothing to lose. Zombies are immortal."
Shadow's Asgard
"Strawhat. You took 100 shadows?" I nodded at that. "Then I will take 1000." He then struck around my area.
I looked behind me and saw my crew. They were all resting except Zoro. They must have been fighting hard to get my shadow back.
Zoro stated. "We leave the rest to you captain." I nodded at that. I was going to give my crew a break.
"Moriah! You want a nightmare. You got one." Leave everything to me guys. Moriah is going to receive a nightmare for hurting all of you guys. I wasn't going to lose so easily this time. I prepared to go to gear second.
Moriah did strike at me. I took the hit, but it didn't hurt too bad. He was also getting tired. To control so many shadows takes a lot of strength. I then punched him.
Jet Bazooka!
I saw some shadows go out. I smiled realizing that with so many shadows it was even hard for him to control them. I then jumped in the air. Moriah had recovered and smacked me in the building. I felt him summon shadow bats and they struck at me. I grunted but I refused to go down. I looked at my crew and motioned that I was going to breathe air into my bones.
"That's really reckless Luffy!" Chopper added. He knew how dangerous it was. However, my life doesn't matter as long as my nakama are safe.
"You sure you should do that?" Franky asked. Even though he joined the crew, he realized how all of us fought and about my limits.
I focused toward Yuuto for permission. He knew whether this was actually needed because he could tell the strength levels. Yuuto had looked at me and gave a sigh and nodded. He warned me not to do this unless it was absolutely necessary.
It was. I knew I couldn't beat him any other way.
Giant Bazooka!
Using that technique really put a strain on my body. When I saw Moriah finally knocked out and return everyone's shadows, I then let myself go to sleep.
Zoro POV
We went to Luffy. Yuuto and Robin looked relieved that they got their shadows back.
"Didn't Luffy shrink earlier?" I asked.
"When he uses the giant gear, he shrinks for the same amount of time he used it for." Chopper asked. He and Yuuto had been working with Luffy the most on this technique.
"Isn't this fighting style too hard on Luffy? If the enemies we face from now on are stronger, he's going to keep being reckless." Usopp added deep in thought.
"They are." Yuuto added. We looked at him. "This has been the hardest fight I've had with you guys. Unfortunately," he paused. "This isn't the hardest fight I've ever had since the New World."
I narrowed my eyes. We weren't ready for the future battles if Yuuto admitted that this wasn't the hardest fight he had. This was definitely the toughest fight I had if I needed everyone's help. We needed to get stronger.
"Do we continue our journey?" Usopp asked.
Yuuto gave a sigh. "That's up to Luffy to decide." What he said was true. The captain decides where to go, not us.
We all kept quiet at that. In that moment, I felt that we all made a solemn vow to get stronger.
The scary thing is Yuuto had been really hard on everyone making sure we all train to prepare us for this. If we continued this way, we were going to be wiped out.
We were soon interrupted by a group of people. They bowed before us.
"Everyone in the Thriller Bark Victims' group will never forget this debt. Thank you very much!" A woman who I assumed to be the leader said.
Nami suddenly gasped. Robin looked at her. "What's wrong?"
"I need to tell you something important. It's really bad. There's a…." She looked frightened. She looked up. "He's here. Another Shichibukai."
Yuuto looked and saw. "Crap. It's Bartholomew Kuma 'The Tyrant'. He's stronger than Moriah." Yuuto struggled to get up. "I'm at my limit." We then saw Kuma talk to a den-den mushi. We heard the government order to dispose of us.
"You guys get back. I'll deal with this." If the captain wasn't here, then it was my responsibility to take care of the crew.
"He ate the Nikyu-Nikyu fruit." Yuuto added. We all looked at him. That sounded harmless. "He can repel anything with that power."
Bartholomew Kuma then appeared. The group of people tried to attack him but lost to a simple touch.
"Pirate Hunter Zoro. Let's start with you!" He asked.
"Everyone get back. He wants me. Didn't you hear him?" I barked out so the others wouldn't feel the need to intervene. I knew everyone was at their limit. I stared at him face to face.
Kuma added. "I heard Strawhat Luffy has gathered a number of skilled crew members." I looked at him seriously.
I heard a woman yell. "This isn't the time to be flattered!" I didn't look back not wanting to lose my guard against my enemy. I could only trust Yuuto and Robin to remain serious at this.
"Wait Zoro! That's too reckless. You're too beaten up right now!" Usopp yelled.
"That's the way the world is. If you make excuses, will someone come and save you? If I die here, that's just my limit as a man"
Nitouryuu Rashomon
I didn't hit him at all. I looked behind and saw he wasn't there. Where was he? I then noticed his shadow.
I luckily dodged it in time and saw a giant paw print in the ground where I once stood. Is he repelling the air to form a cannon? I then dodged another attack.
"Look. Even though Kuma has hardly done anything, Zoro's breathing that hard." Usopp stated. Do you have any idea how strong he is?
"Zoro's also tired like the rest of us." Franky added.
Yuuto panted out. "He's facing a Schibukai after all."
I then did a 72 pound cannon. Kuma deflected it.
"He repelled Zoro's attack with his bare hands! How is that possible?" Nami cried out. I wish my crewmates would stop talking and let me concentrate.
Kuma then showed his paws to my crew.
"That looks so gentle. Maybe he's compassionate and not a big deal after all." Franky added. Kuma narrowed his eyes and fired something at him. Franky went down.
"Hey. This is between me and you" I told him. He didn't need to endanger the rest of my crew. That attack must be strong to go through Franky's body.
He then went to a sumo stance. "Well then. I guess your time is up."
Swift Pad Cannon
I danced around all of those shots. I was about to slice him with my three swords. He moved an inch but then pushed me forward. I was out of breath. Kuma went close to me. I braced myself for what he was about to do.
Forunately. cook and Yuuto run up to Kuma. Cook kicked his face while Yuuto punched his arm.
This was a duel between us. "Who asked both of you to..." I stopped. Sanji put his hands on his foot, showing that hurt him while Yuuto put his arm away.
"I can't believe that hurt me." Yuuto whispered. "I thought seastone and the electricity would have help too."
"Black Leg Sanji and the Scheming Fox." He stated. I noticed that both of those attacks didn't move him an inch. To face both attacks even in my crew's state showed tough he was.
"What's with that hardness?" Sanji asked still writhing in pain.
Hi No Tori Boshi
Usopp fired his bullet and Kuma just took it with his paw and fired back at him. Kuma then compressed the air.
"He's applying pressure to a ball of air. If it's been compressed that much..." Nami said.
"It would create a giant shockwave. Like a bomb." Robin finished.
"The government's order was to completely destroy you all, but I will spare your lives." I looked at him. There's a catch. There's always a catch in these situations. "In exchange, I'll be taking Strawhat Luffy."
We all shouted without a moment's hesitation. "Hell no!"
"That's a pity." He then released his ball.
Ursus Shock
I ran to hide in the rubble near Luffy. I was lucky to still be conscious. I was going to try and catch Kuma off guard.
As Kuma went closer to Luffy, that's when I struck him.
Shishi sonson.
I smiled knowing that I cut him. I looked behind. He was still standing.
"You're a cyborg?" I said in shock realizing his arm was part metal.
He then fired something from his mouth. I dodged.
He then started talking as we had some distance away from each other. "I suppose that's true. I'm called a Pacifista. An incomplete human weapon developed by the government. I hope your friend doesn't go through this fate."
I was at my limit and focused at what was going on. "No matter what… you intend to take Luffy's head."
Kuma nodded. "That is the most I'm willing to do."
"All right. I'll give you someone's head." I paused. I smiled, remembering what I told Luffy when I joined his crew.
"I'm going to become the world's Greatest Swordsman. If you do something that ends up in the way of my goal, I will have you cut your stomach open." [4]
"Please. Take my life instead." I bowed down. Here I was, doing something in the way of my goal because of him. "Be satisfied with that." I am completely at Kuma's mercy. "I can't say my name is notorious yet. But if you think of it as the head of the man who will become the Greatest Swordsman in the world, there shouldn't be any problem."
Here I was. A couple days ago, I lost my sword to save my nakama. Now, I'm giving up my life to protect them. I'm sure I wouldn't have done this before I met them.
"You have such an ambition." He noted, judging me. "And yet. You're saying that you're willing to die in this man's place?"
"Right now, there's no other way to save this crew. If I can't protect my captain, then my ambition means nothing." The world's Greatest Swordsman should be strong enough to be able to protect both his captain and his goal. I glared at him knowing that death was approaching me. "Luffy is the man who will become Pirate King!"
"Hold on a second." I looked up. It was our stupid cook struggling to walk over.
"If you die, what'll happen? What happened to your ambition moron?"
"Hey!"
He ignored me. "Hey Giant Guy. Don't take this marimo swordsman's. Take mine instead. The marine might not think much of me now, but out of everyone in this crew, the person who's going to cause the most trouble for you is me. Black Leg Sanji."
I glared at him. He was talking nonsense.
"Tell everyone to take care. I'm sorry but you'll have to find another cook." That's why we need you. I got up and punched him in the stomach. He grabbed onto me before he fell unconscious.
No Sanji. This is my responsibility not yours.
"This is my last request." I face Kuma again now that he was out the way.
"If I lay a hand on 'Strawat' after this, I would be humiliated." He acknowledged that.
"You have my appreciation." There was some honor in what he was doing.
"Rest assured. I'll keep my promise. But you… I'll show you what hell looks like." He grabbed my captain. I looked. He repelled something from Luffy. "What I repelled from his body was all his pain and fatigue. This is all the damage accumulated during his time."
I looked on. It was a very big paw. "If you want to take his place, then you must take his pain as well." I nodded. I get to really experience my captain's burden. "Have a taste." A small part of it came to me.
I fell down yelling in excruciating pain. The only thing that I can think of that hurt more was when Mihawk slashed me.
"How was it?" He asked in a way as if that didn't hurt.
I panted still trying to catch my breath. I was starting to realize Luffy's burden of taking care this entire crew and the enemies he had to face. "Just let me go somewhere else." That way my crew wouldn't find me.
As we went to a place far enough, I pulled myself in ready to experience what Luffy went through.
Sanji POV
I woke up hearing Luffy being so cheerful. "Look! My body feels so light. I wonder why." I looked around and saw the rest of the crew except Zoro. The rest of the crew got up.
There's no way he could be fine after all that happened. Where did he go?
I started running to find him. I heard someone follow me. It was Yuuto.
"Sanji. Zoro is this way! We need to find him fast."
I followed him. "There he is!" I breathed a sigh of relief. He was still standing. As we approached him, "Why the hell did you knock me out? Where's the Shichibukai?" I then looked at the ground. There was so much blood.
I looked at Zoro more closely. "Are you alive?" He was bleeding a lot.
"He is." Yuuto nodded. "I can sense him. What happened here?" What the hell happened?
He looked with bloodshot eyes and told us in a calm mannder. "Nothing happened." [5]
[1] And then I stopped writing Usopp's part. The way I continued was really similar to canon and showed no development in my opinion.
That shows how much I need to think about developing Usopp better.
[2] Akira Yuki the fighter from Virtua Fighter
[3] I did mention in the previous chapter that Yuuto had electric dials so he could shock his enemies and it was good timing.
Let me know what theories you guys may have about Yuuto's backstory. Who knows maybe you're right.
[4]
It's a quote when Zoro joined Luffy.
[5]
It was at this moment that lots of people became Zoro fan boys for good reasons. That was definitely a badass moment.
I suppose a question that may come up is whether Yuuto would have taken the burden. He would have. However, if you notice, I didn't make him conscious after Kuma attacked with his Ursa shock. The reason for that is that Yuuto had the hardest fight earlier because he sacrificed his body on purpose in his fight so he took more damage than normal.
If you are annoyed that I wrote Nami as a girl with a serious "crush", I'm slightly annoyed too. It's just that the direction I have for Nami is that this is for her development will be linked. She will not end up as a some "useless heroine whose only purpose is to serve as the love interest." She will have fights and roles in special parts that I have planned in the story.
I hope that you remember that she shined a little bit by beating Kalifa, subduing Monster Chopper, and navigating through Enies Lobby in my story. Keep in mind she does play a very important role in WCI and will do so in my version. Not counting Luffy, I feel that Nami was the overall and consistent MVP of WCI despite Brook and Sanji having "gamewinner" moments.
I do hope that I am writing proper character development. While rereading Thriller Bark, I feel, that outside of Brook, Zoro, Nami, and Chopper had some actual development in the actual story.
I don't know when I will update again. I'm thinking of not working on the fanfic for a couple days as a break and then coming back to it later. I do have the next chapter outlined out which is something I had planned for a while. You'll see why once I release the chapter. I had the idea since late October/early November and I've definitely made hints about it before. What happens in the next chapter is not in manga or the anime. (I don't really watch the anime a lot but I'm sure the anime didn't do something like this)
A hint for the next chapter that I will give is consider the talents of the Straw Hat crew in my story.
It's something I really looked forward to writing for a while.
As always, leave a review about what you guys liked or disliked. Feel free to critique me about certain points; I appreciate feedback and criticism. Also, free leave a review if you have a guess what the next chapter is going to be like. Who knows even if you're wrong I may be able to use that as an idea.
Happy Holidays!