Chapter 37: Ezekiel vs. Specter.

Wo-hoo! Another long chapter! I'll try and keep it that way, but I don't make any promises.

Dislaimer: Don't own anything here except the Oc's

[Alubarna Streets, Ezekiel's POV]

''Just go straight forward Donald.'' I patted the duck on its head where it let out a short quack and sped up. At first I was suspicious about the extra guy being my opponent, but let it go as I was sure whoever the guy was, he'll meet me at the Central City Square. Looking behind me, I heard several cannonshots and cringed at it. ''Be safe, Vivi, everyone.'' I rubbed my bandaged arm hiding the X-mark to calm myself down.

''So, what's the plan?'' Angel inquired with a nudge on my cheek. ''This whole place is in chaos and i'd like to have my snack now.''

My eyebrow twitched at her behaviour. Ever since Nami took her spot in my back and shoulder, she's been all snippy at me. ''The second this war is over, you'll get your snack.'' She growled a bit, but I dismissed it as her stomach started to demand food. ''Our plan is beating the hell out of my supposed hitman and track Luffy down. There's no way in hell i'm gonna miss that fight.''

[Central City Square]

We finally got to the Central City Square for my date, but I was disappointed that my mystery date wasn't here. Regardless, I started to get ready and tried to prepare myself by counting my weapon inventory. ''Lets see, I still have few kunais, dozens of shurikens, 1 fuuma shuriken and wires. Great, i'm out of tags.'' I pouted and made a mental note to make more of those with the special ink. Getting off the duck, I gazed around the empty city and shrugged. Taking out all my equipments except the weapons, I gave them to Donald when a voice came behind me.

''Ezekiel Vane I presume.'' The monotone voice from the Den Den Mushi said. I turned around and activated my sharingans at him with a glare. Now that I could see him closer. The guy had the black jumpsuit, which was an odd attire to wear when the sun's staring at you from above. He also had those steel paddings and goggles. Black hair, black eyes and black... tattoos? Narrowing my eyes, there actually was black tattoos on his cheeks, jaw and nose. I thought I saw more on his neck, but dismissed it as something part of his suit. It had those symmetrical lines starting from the corner of his mouth and were connected to his nose and cheek. What I found was intresting was that his right cheek had a black circle on it.

''Weird.'' I smiled at the guy with a wave. ''That'll be me.'' I saw he nodded and jumped off the rooftop he lounged. Shrugging at the guy, I looked at my two animal companions. ''You two can go leave us.''

Donald quacked at me and made a straight beeline towards west. I sweatdropped at the sight and turned to Angel. I could see that she was deciding wether to leave me or assist me. ''Are you sure? I could help.'' She said sincerely and looked dejected when I shook my head.

''I'm sorry, but no. I can't bear seeing you get hurt.'' I deftly said to her with a stare. ''This is my business and i'd rather have not anyone get involved in it.'' Growling, she licked my cheek and scurried away from us.

''Your pet?'' The man said as I took my robe off and sealed my tanto away.

''Nah, she's my partner.'' I fixed him, still with the sharingan on. ''I never got you name though.''

''Call me Specter.'' He curtly replied and took a hose that was linked to his canister. I raised my eyebrow at what he did next. The guy drank from the hose and I was curious about the contents on it. Taking a deep breath, Specter put his goggles on and spat something green on me. I took a fast step to the side and dodged the glob green goo that was slowly eating the concrete behind me.

''What the hell! Watch where you spit! That was about to hit me you know.'' I shouted at him.

''That was because I was aiming at you. I ate the Tsuba Tsuba no Mi (Spit Spit Fruit). It allows me to spit liquid substances with great speed.'' Here he demonstrated by spitting another one next to my head. I looked at the spot he aimed and saw a bullet-sized mark on it. ''Added with my Power Circulator.'' Here he emphasized his tattooed face. ''I can change my attacks density, potency and as you saw its acidity. All that with the simple use of water.'' He motioned to his canister strapped on his back.

''You mean this one?'' I showed my own tattoos and smirked when I saw his slack-jawed expression.

''T-that's impossible! That's only accesible for our organization!'' Specter screamed at me.

''What organization?''

I saw he smirked at me and crossed his arms over his chest. ''We're called: The Purifiers. Our job is to eliminate any and all threaths for our ultimate cause. Unfortunately for you, your on our way, but being the nice guy that I am. I'm going to give you a choice.''

I raised my eyebrow again. ''Choice?''

''Well, more like a propose from our superiors. We were having some problem lately with the other organization called The Equalists. The problem here would be that those bastards work hand-in-hand with the Revolution army like the pussies they are. We, on the other hand, work for a mutual benefit with the World Goverment.''

''And how do I fit in all of this?''

''Simple. You join our ranks, defect from that weak group of criminals, destroy our enemies and let us examine those eyes of yours to create more of them. I'm sure Vegapunk would love to get look at them. I'm also led to believe that you know the location of the missing Poneglyph.''

''A job offering? Wasn't that the same what the Revolution Leader hinted to me back in Loguetown? Unlikely, but what if? I'd rather go into a mass genocide than side with the World Goverment. The info that they want my eyes AND the weird stone cube in my mind...'' I thought to myself and decided to take a leap of faith. If worse comes to worse, they'll leave me no other alternative.

''So...'' He impatiently tapped his foot against the concrete. ''I could always just kill you and drag your corpse to the HQ.''

''Thanks.'' I smiled at him and saw that Specter raised his brow questioningly. ''You just made my decision that much easier.'' Flashing through a set of hand seals. I sharply inhaled a good amount of air in my lungs and stared at my opponent. ''Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!)''

I saw he was surprised, but regained his cool and made a impressive jump on the rooftop next to him. Narrowing his eyes, Specter also took a deep breath and spat three bullet-sized globs at me from the rooftop. I jumped back and landed on the opposite end of the building top he occupied. ''I see why their intrested.''

I wasn't sure what he meant, but I kept my eyes on him and tried to end this as quickly as possible. I unsheated my katana and took a ready stance with my eyes locked onto his. Using a quick Shunshin, I was in front of him and took a swipe at Specter from his left. I saw he smirked and was about to spit at me and noticed the black circle turning green for a second. Cursing in my mind. I tried to get away from his line of sight. I wasn't that fortunate as the guy shot spit after spit towards me.

At first I planned to delflect those things with the flat side of my katana, but I was pretty sure that Yama would probably kill me if I did. So I did what first came to mind. ''Aaaaaaah!'' I screamed like a little girl and ran away from the spitting man. ''Thats just gross man!'' I shouted defiantly.

''Cut the crap Vane and fight me!''

I sighed at that. ''I guess it must be the bad guy thing to use my lastname.'' It was then that I noticed the Rebelist and the Royalist clashing around us. I also made the mistake of ignoring my opponent, when something bullet-like hit my back. It didn't pierce me as I expected, but it did hurt like hell. Grabbing my robe, I took it off and threw the cloth away. I saw it was slowly being eated away from the acidic saliva and got a slight burnt mark on my back. ''If my Master saw me slacking off, he'd re-educate me again. I'd rather take death than that.''

''C'mon, your obviously holding back. I want to see what's so intresting about you!'' Specter shouted at me. The spitman was grinning and I felt he, like my previous opponents, were psychotic. He took a deep breath, still with the grin on which left me confused about his sanity. ''Tsuba Tsuba no Shotgun!'' Specter shouted and released multiple spitshots at me at once. I threw myself to the side and dodged the barrage of spits that hit the building behind me.

*CRASH*

I looked where the noise came from and widened my eyes. The building where the spitshotgun hit was reduced nothing but rubbles. ''If that hit me...'' I gluped at the thought. Looking back at the spitter. I knew that short and long-range combat were going to be difficult with this guy. That might be a problem since i'll now have to start spawning jutsu after jutsu at him. Shaking my head, I took a handful of shurikens and threw them at Specter.

I expected him to dodged them so I could finish him off while being distracted, but I was taken aback when he casually spat at the incoming projectiles. I growled at him and felt a pulse in my left arm that slowly gave me more chakra.

Looking at Specter, I saw him take another fill from him canister and sighed in relief. It was then that I planned that the canister had to be die. literally. I saw that Specter was rinsing his mouth and raised an eyebrow at that.

''Tsuba Tsuba no Gattling Gun!'' Specter spat a huge barrage of spits, much like Luffys Gattling Gun, but with sharp, piecing spits. I saw Luffy dispatch his enemies with that attack and I wasn't that curious of trying the slightly alternate version of it.

Flashing through the second set of seal today. I took a deep breath with my hands in a tiger seal. ''Katon: Boukaheki no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Fire Wall Jutsu!)'' With some effort, I spewed a fireball from my mouth that morphed into a wall in front of me. It was one of my modified versions of the original Grand Fireball and truthfully. I was glad I did that as the Fire Wall vaporised the spits.

''I didn't expect that.'' Specter actually complimented me with a nod. ''But I still have my orders. Be a good boy and die. Tsuba Tsuba no Shotgun!'' Specter shouted and threw the same spitshotgun at me. I wasn't that eager to die now, so I replaced myself with a random rebelist who kindly took the attack for me.

Peeking from a random street. I saw that the rebelist who took the hit and was sent far away from the concussive force of the spit attack.

''S-sorry!'' I tried to apologize, but I was sure that he didn't hear me. ''What the hell, what the hell...''

''Didn't know you could be so cruel.'' Specter chuckled. ''And a pussy for not taking the attack like a man.''

I scowled at him, but I could keep it that way for long as it turned into a grin. ''Well, i'd like to think of myself as a Shinobi. And as you perhaps know, Shinobis, don't fight fair.'' I looked around the place we were now and saw that it was slowly filled with people clashing swords and guns. With a groan of frustation, I leaped back into the neares rooftop and turned to Specter. ''I think it would be fair for both of us to move our date elsewhere.''

''Anything to get this day behind me.'' He rolled his eyes at me and saw that he was about to attack me.

''Good, that way I could lead him somewhere people won't get in my way.'' On our way to the random direction I took. We were encountered with bunch of royalist that mistook me as the enemy. Growling at them, I finished them off with basic taijutsu and also had to dodge spits from the bored Specter.

I stopped near a street where I thought would be a great place to wipe that smug face off. Specter studied the surrounding and nodded. What surprised me about his behaviour was that he was rinsing his mouth. That was when I noticed that he was about to use some acid on me. Narrowing my eyes at him, I took the opportunity to make my own attack known to him.

''Tsuba Tsuba no...'' Specter inhaled a massive amount of air and glared at me.

''Katon...'' I did the same and also took an eye contact with him. ''Good.'' I inwardly grinned.

''...Piston!'' A condensed acid spitrocket was shot from Specters mouth. The thing looked more like a huge, truck-sized spit than and actual piston.

''...Gōryūka no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!)'' I spewed my own dragon-shaped fireball at the incoming acid rocket.

*BOOM!*

A thunderous explosion sent us both in different direction until we crashed into the buildings behind us. I was sure that explosion was heard all around Alubarna, since my ears were ringing from the force I took. My back ached and I could swear that I hear my skull crack when I collided with yet another building behind me. There was nothing backing me up and I landed just under said building where a ton loads of rubbles buried me.

With a great effort, I finally got the stones off and cursed Luffy and Zoro in my mind. Those guys were physically a lot stronger than me and was sure that these rubbles wouldn't be much of a problem for them. Slowly standing up from my position. I made a limping walk to see how Specter took the damage dealt to him.

I took in the surrounding and cringed a bit. ''If Vivi finds out that it was me who destroyed that statue of her father...'' I shook my head at that. It wasn't my fault that it was near my battlefield and the shaking rubbles got me on edge. Seconds later, there was Specter, all ragged up as I took a great pleasure seeing his canister had a hole in it.

''No! My ammo!'' He screamed and took the hose connected to the canister. What he did next took me off guard. Specter began to consume what was left of the canister with a pained expression. I kinda took pity on the guy, that much water in him will certaily cost him the slight advantage he had over me. Despite that, he managed to save what was left and glared at me.

''Dude? Are you hitting on me? Well, we should glare at each other menacingly more ofter. But I do have to finish this little date of ours. It seems that watching you spit makes me want to heave up my own feet.'' I tried to get a rise out of him and I was well aware of the line I was trespassing.

''I think you just made my choice much easier.'' He smirked at me. ''I'll bury you in my acid!'' Specters throat swelled up and threw his broken goggles off. ''Tsuba Tsuba no Missile!'' He shot three cannon-sized acid projectiles at me. I craftly jumped over them and gave Specter a look.

''That's it?'' I asked him and was confused by the weird hand poses he made. ''That looks waaay too familiar. Its like I saw them somewhere.'' I though and looked behind me. My eyes widened when the three globs were actually chasing me from behind and this time they were a lot faster than before. I quickly made a Shunshin and reappeared a good distance away from the last position I was. The missiles whizzed past it and I saw that Specter made more of those familiar movements with his arms.

''Behold my power! I trained my Devil Fruit to the point where I can change its course with a simple thought!'' He grinned and pointed his palm at me.

''Why didn't he use that before? Another thing about One Piece bad guys that i'll never know.'' I groaned and figured that if I take a distance from him. The missiles effect wears off and i'll get to finish him. That would've been a good idea if Specter would stay still, but no. He had to follow my ass around here. But I was glad that he was walking slowly instead of running.

''Get back here!''

''Na-ah! You'll burn me if I do!'' I whined back at him. Usually I like to act arrogant against my opponent to get a rise out of them. It worked couple of time and its good to use against people with low intelligent.

I heard him growl and saw that one of the green missiles accelerated. A splash was heard when the area next to me was hit with said acid missile. What I forgot to take account to was that the missile that splashed exploded into tiny drops of acid and got into my right torso.

''AAAAAAAAH! It burns!'' I shouted in pain and jumped around. The bastard got that stuff on my hands and I knew that making hand seals now would be a pain in the ass. ''Bastard! Be careful with that stuff!'' I waved my left arm at him.

''Sorry, i'm a mercenary. And we mercs don't play fair.'' He smirked as the other two missiles were hovering above him, waiting for his command. ''Just tell me the location of the hidden Poneglyph and i'll grant you a painless death.''

''Fuck do I know where that is!'' I shouted at him and resumed my growl at him. I knew I was getting reckless here and I needed to calm myself.

''There's no need to prolong this anymore. Your beat, you can't use your hands.''

''Oh, I can use my hands perfectly.'' I grinned and painfully enclosed my right fist. He saw that I was about to attack and sent his two missiles at me. Feeling the lightning building up in my right fist. I used another flame Shunshin right when the missiles were about to hit me. Pulling my fist back, I sucked punched the spitters face with a shout of 'Raiken!'

*CRASH!*

Specter hit the building behind him and I had seconds when the missiles were about to hit me. I accelerated my speed again to dodge them and fell on my knees. ''Shit. That took a lot out of me.'' I panted and glared at the spot where Specter emerged. I saw he was looking down right murderous and I tried to stand up from the good use of Body Flickers.

''Bastard!'' He growled and also panted. The tattoos on his face were getting that sick neon green coloring. What he did took me completely off guard. The guy had a knife in his hand and stabbed his arm with it.

''Oi oi! Your supposed to do that to me!'' I shouted and was about to gag. Specter began to drink his own blood and his tattoos were slowly turning red. He began to rinse his mouth and took a deep breath. At first I though that he'll spit another modified spit at me, but that was not the case. He cupped his hands and heaved a slimy red goo. ''Eeeeew... that's... that's... a playdoh?'' I deadpanned when he began to condence it into a ball. ''Great! My Genjutsus effect wore off when he stabbed himself. I guess I'll have to make another one, but it will weaken me faster.''

''This here is my trumpcard! I'll cut you into piece with it!'' Specter laughed maniacly and held the goo in his palm. I found it was funny that the guy turned it into a disc like i've seen a professional pizza maker do. ''Tsuba Tsuba no Tsuibi Chi-Enzan! (Spit Spit Homing Blood Disc!)'' Specter shouted and I saw that the disc was hovering in his palm. What troubled me was that it let out a noise that eerily resembled that of a circling saw. ''DIE!''

''Yaiks!'' I shouted when Specter threw the blood red disc at me. He resumed his arm signs and the other two missiles were sent at me. I saw with my sharingans that the acid missiles were much faster and a challenge to dodge. What worried me was the huge gash that the red disc left behind a random building. ''If that hits me, there would be no doubt about the cause of my death.''

''Hahahahaha! You better be careful Vane! My Chi-Enzan can cut through anything!'' Specter laughed at me as I took a second to look at him.

''Those movements... I know I saw them somewhere!'' I thought as the red disc whizzed beneath me. The other tow missiles were slowly getting on my nerves and decided to get rid of them. Not one to leave all to chance. I made the choice to use a powerful jutsu to get rid of it. ''Raiton: Gian! (Lightning Release: False Darkness!)'' Instead of releasing the jutsu from my mouth. I pointed my finger at the incoming acid missile in a gun-like fashion. With a grunt, a spear shaped azure lightning escaped from the tip of my finger and destroyed one of the missiles. The other missile was nearing me when that happened again. The missile drastically slowed down and a unbearable pain shot through my left eye.

What I did next came as a instincs and let myself fall on my back. I imagined I made the matrix dodge as the acid missile went past my bent torso. After that I collapsed on my back and screamed in pain whilst grabbing my left eye.

''Oh i'm definitely impressed. I didn't think you'd be able to dodge that.'' Specter held his arms wide open as his attacks hovered above his hands. ''I can see your in pain, but I can't understand why your letting yourself suffer for others? Are they really worth that much?'' He boasted as I returned my glare at him. I saw that the guy was sweating uncontrollably. I slowly stood up and chuckled as a lecture from my past came to my mind.

''Let me tell you a little story.'' I began and saw Specter was slowly composing himself. I knew he took this opportunity to rest a bit, but so did I. ''I never thought that this would happen. I never thought that this would be possible, but still, it happened.'' I wistfully sighed and looked at the sky with my palm towards the sun. ''I'm grateful it happened and I even have the power to hold onto it.''

''W-what are you talking about!'' Specter showted and his resting time was doing the opposite on him. It was exhausting him.

''I finally have nakamas and the power to protect them. Something I tried to achieve most my whole life. My Master used to tell me that if I have people that I want to protect. I can get stronger and now that I have. I know I can win this with them watching my back.'' I inhaled another large amount of air until I could practically feel my chest swell. Clenching my right fist, I punched my chest with a shout of: ''Fūton: Renkūdan! (Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet!)'' That jutsu is currently my strongest wind attack, which left me panting after its release.

*SPLATCH!*

That was the sound of the acid missile exploding on top of Specter who screamed in pain. I dropped on to my knees and was close to my limits. The red disc was still hovering and making that buzzing noise that got me on constant alert.

''You...*pant*... bastard!'' Specter visiously glared at me. His whole face was covered in sweat and there was the same redness that Nami had when she was in that fever of hers.

''Tell me..*pant*... is it, hot in here?'' I inquired and closed my left eye from the continuous stinging sensation. I smirked victoriously at his dumbfounded expression.

''W-w-what d-did you d-do to me?'' Specter asked, still with the disc hovering above his left hand.

''Magen: Onsui Tamashii (Demonic Illusion: Heated Soul). A simple illusion to set your brain against your body and heat it up, nice and slowly I might add. Even though its hot as hell here, your brain thinks its cold as fuck.'' I chuckled to myself. ''As you probably feel under that leather jumpsuit, it is very hot and your skin must feel like its on fire. You also lost a considerable amount of fluid in your body by upkeeping those Devil Fruit-attacks.'' I summoned my shuriken and threw it at Specters left shoulder.

Specter shouted in pain and glared at me. Swinging his arms, the mercenary threw the disk at me, this time the thing was fast as hell and I had to use my left sharingan again. I used chakra on my feet to climb a nearby small church as I kept gazing at Specter.

''I've really had enough of this! No more! I will not be humiliated like this!'' Specter shouted. I ignored his proclamation and stared at his movements.

''Those are... those are Frieza's moves from Dragonball Z! That time when he tried to kill Goku with those things.'' I though and saw that the dics were getting faster and faster by the second. ''If this continues much longer, he'll either exhaust himself to death or kill himself.'' ''Listen Specter! There's no need to go any further than this!''

''Your right! Let's end this! Starting by your death!'' He shouted maniacly and I knew that the guy lost it then and there.

''This makes no sense!'' I shouted as the disc whizzed past my cheek and gave me a light cut on it. ''I don't want this to go any further than it already is! People are already dying here for their country!''

''Its not my problem!''

''Stop being selfish! Your body can't take it anymore!'' I tried to pacify with him. And yes, I was being a hypocrite here, but I had a reason. I wanted to know more about his organization and see if their a threat.

''Are you underestimating me!'' Specter growled and I saw that his tattoos were loosing its red coloring. He made more of those poses and the disc that followed me was about to get too close for comfort. Opening my left eye again, I ran at Specter who grinned at me. ''As if i'm stupid enough to get caught by my own attack!''

I ignored his mouthing and tried to get as close as possible. Right when I was close to the dark-eyed maniac. I took a leap and jumped high up. Specter continued laughing and swung his arm up where he commanded the disc after me. ''Shit.''

''You'll have to be much more clever than that!'' Specter shouted in glee when the disc was about to cleave me. ''Gotcha!''

I was actually lucky that I got the Kawarimi (Replacement) in time and switched places with a nearby rubble. Specter growled and hastily searched for me with the spinning disc hovering in his hand.

''Looking for someone?'' I inquired from nearby rooftop with my arms crossed and stared at him with pity.

''Stop toying with me shit-for-face!''

I scowled at him and refrained from killing the guy. ''I don't understand why you call me with such mindless name. The only thing it does is that it reveals your own fear, anger and desperation. The last one should be a pretty obvious sign that this fight is over. You can't beat me.'' I stated and got another eye contact from him. ''Genjutsu: Nodono Kawaki. (Illusion Technique: Thirst).'' I whispered and saw the guy collapse on one knee. ''Its over.''

Specter gritted his teeth and I could only shake my head at him. ''I say when this is over! Not you!'' He shouted and took the same knife he used to stab himself and stabbed his other arm, again. My eyes widened at his stupidity. There's no way he'll live after this and my Genjutsu was broken, again!

''Seems to me like you signed your own death warranty.'' I said with slight remorse in my voice. I didn't know why I felt like that, but I did. I could only look at Specter when he sucked the blood from his body and made the same disc with a pained expression. ''So that's your choice, ne?''

''This time you won't get away from me!'' Specter shouted and tossed the discs with a loud scream. ''Let's double the fun!''

''As you wish, Specter.'' I said with a monotone voice that made him even more mad at me. As the disc got close to me, I used my Body Flicker and reappeared further away from the rooftop I occupied seconds ago.

In his anger and already weakened body. Specter had trouble finding me and wasn't focusing until he fully stood up. The guy was forcing himself above limits, which was admirable as it was stupid. He found me again and motioned the discs towards me. I took a steady stance and ran away from the chasing death projectiles that were eager to slice me.

''Give me a break! Not this stupid routine again.'' Specter shouted in frustation as I continued dodging his attack. I glared at him and really felt sorry for him. The Devil Fruit, Power Circulator, heat and thirst. The guy was plainly said: killing himself for his superiors.

''Let's see how he like this then.'' I though and used Shunshin on the opposite end of the street Specter was. Glaring at him again, I ran at the guy with the ever growing smirk.

''Please, can't you think and come up with something different?'' Specter mocked me. Once again ignoring him, my hands went into five fast hand seal and clapped my hands together. ''Praying for your death are we?''

''Raiton: Raikyū! (Lightning Release: Lightning Ball!).'' I shouted and opened my palm where a ball of compressed lightning appeared between my palms. Seeing Specters shocked face, I narrowed my eyes at him and threw the ball near his foot.

*BOOM!*

The Lightning Ball exploded, creating a dust around us and obscuring our visions. I used my Body Flicker to escape to the nearest rooftop and saw the red discs vanishing inside the cloud of dust. I didn't have much time to sigh as I saw Specter jump high up from the dust cloud and began to panic. I felt my muscles were straining from the huge amount of chakra I used today, but the option of taking a break wasn't on my schedule and jumped after Specters rising form.

''Where the hell is he?'' Specter asked aloud, not noticing that I was right above him.

''Right here!'' I said to his fearful expression as I made a slight forward spin with my body and raised my right foot high. ''Lacerta! (The Lizard!)'' I shouted my attacks name as my heel connected to Specters head and sent him carreering down to the dispersed dust cloud. Me, on the other hand, crashed on the street as my legs were about to give up. My left eye was now throbbing in pain and my body was extremely exhausted. Shaking my head, I looked at Specter who miraculously stood up. What made my eyes go wide were the red discs closing onto his exposed back. ''Hey! Watch out!'' I tried to warn him, but only got a scoff from him.

''Like i'm gonna fall for your cheap tricks again!'' Specter angrily shouted at me, but the buzzing noises made him turn around and widened his eyes.

*SLASH!*

I could only look in horror as the mercenary was vivisected by his own attack. Since there was no one to control the Homing Discs, the attack exploded into a shower of blood. I though that those too were dangerous and jumped inside a building through a window. And boy was I right. I heard sizzling noises outside indicating that something or someone was being eaten by the acidic property of Specters attack.

''That fool...'' I mumbled and rapibly breathed in and out. ''This has got to be my record today. Last time I used this much was 8 months ago.'' I wheezed out and closed my eyes. The stingy feeling in my left eye eased up a lot and I tried to calm my rigid chakra pathway system. ''I guess a small rest won't hurt a soul.'' I said and tried to think of Masters instructions on advanced meditation. ''Look deep withing yourself, consentrate on the strenght that gives you the will to survive, harness it and shut the world.'' Corny? Yes. But it worked.

Alubarna Center/East Block

Market District: Battle on Main Street

Victor: Ezekiel.

|Flashback, Before invading Alubarna|

We were currently hiding behind rocks near Alubarna as we tried to come up with a good plan to barge into Alubarna.

''WHAT? You're putting me with Eyelashes!'' Usopp shrieked at me and Sanji about our plan. ''But he is a camel! Don't underestimate how strong I am!''

''I'm not. You are weak.'' I heard Eyelashes mumble and smiled that I could finally understand the creature.

''You just don't have any luck drawing straws.'' Sanji said to the pleading sharpshooter. ''Quit complaining.''

Usopp then pointed his finger at me. ''And why does Ezekiel have to go alone? He might need my help!''

''I have Angel here.'' I scrathed my partner under her scaly chin. ''She'll cover for me, right.''

''As long as I get something to eat once this is over.'' Angel told me and licked my cheek.

''Fine! Fine! I'll do it! But promise me one thing!'' Usopp said, still with the finger pointed at me.

''That would be...?'' I inquired and raised my brow at him.

''If I get into a pinch,'' Usopp said and bowed at me and Sanji. ''Please come and save me.''

''Idiot. I only save ladies.'' Sanji replied and wore his white mantle thats supposed to hide our indentety.

''Sorry. My tracking skills are as good as Zoro's lack of orientation.'' A short 'shut up!' was heard and I waved at the guy to dismiss it. ''Anywho, my plan involves seperating to the far ends of Alubarna gates while me, Angel and Donald-''

''Donald?'' Chopper asked me and I pointed at the sailor Carue of the duck squad. ''Oh.''

''Yeah, i'll try to get as much as attention to myself and try to pick the Agents apart.'' I made a small lie and really felt bad about doing this, but if the guy is dangerous, then it is my responsibility to get rid of him, or her. I shook my head at the thought and put the mantle on.

''Everyone, thank you.'' Vivi thanked us and I smiled at the worrisome Princess.

''Think nothing of it.''

''It's a little early for thanks.'' Zoro voiced out.

''That's right.'' Nami said and winked at Vivi. ''And if you want to thank pirates, show us the goods.''

I sighed at that and was about to say something more when Usopp beat me to it. ''How much do you plan on squeezing out of this country!''

''She want's to drive this country into a 100-year long recession.'' I chuckled and imagined this countries people walking with a cane, all thristy and starving with Nami laughing at them from a rich mansion. ''How evil...''

''Your one to talk.'' Nami grumbled at me and poked my chest. ''You robbed a whole casino and won't even tell me how much you took from there.'' She tried to mellow me by pressing herself close to me and fluttering her eyelashes. ''Please~ tell me how much you took.'' I rolled my eyes at her antics. ''I promise to be a good girl.''

It was then that I gave the navigator a look. ''Seven.''

''Seven?'' Nami looked at me and took a step back.

''Seven.''

''Seven what?''

''Seven.''

''700 million beli?''

''Seven.''

70 million?''

''Seven.''

''7 million?'' I shook my head this time as repeating the same word/number was getting on my nerves. ''What! Is it more or less?''

''That's all i'm going to tell you.'' I said with a huff and turned away from her.

''C'mon~!'' Nami whined and I found it was funny seeing the usual tempremental girl act like a certain Captain. After staring at me for sometime, she huffed with a pout and grabbed my arm. ''Fine then, but I want to talk with you.''

I was startled when she pulled me far away from the prying eyes and ears, but complied with the navigator. Stopping she looked around my shoulder at the guys and behind her. I sweatdropped at her behaviour. ''Since when did she get so, paranoid?''

''I want to ask you a favor.'' Nami said and looked me in the eyes. I nodded at her, not sure what to say as she sometimes averted her eyes from mine. ''Do you mind... uhm... if you'd...''

''Aren't we shy.'' I chuckled and got hit by in the shoulder. ''Just kidding. Tell me what's in your mind. I try not to laugh.''

''Try?'' Nami looked at me skeptically with a cute raised brow.

''You'll never know.'' I shrugged and saw her mimic my movement.

''I was wondering if you'd help me with my fighting skill.'' Nami sincerely asked me... well begged would be the right term here as she held her hands in a prayer. ''I really need your help. Please, help get stronger.''

I warmly smiled at her and I saw myself there just for a second. I remember I got a lot of compliments from my senpais that me and Master were like two peads in a pod. ''If I were Master now, what would he do?'' I though a bit and mentally snapped my fingers. ''Why?'' I asked and tried to study the girl in front of me.

''I have this Clima Tact Usopp made for me, but I still need combat experience with it.'' Nami tried to explain. She was about to say more when I held my hand and stopped her,

''Why do you need combat experience?''

''Well, for starters, i'm not a fighter. I've got great style and i'm cute, but...'' I chuckled at her a bit to make a tad bit difficult for her. ''...but...'' She hesitated a bit and I understod her perfectly. What made me sad was that she gave up in mid sentence and lifted her chin to look at me. ''I need to be strong enough that I won't get in the way.''

''And how do I fit in here?'' I asked with a warm smile.

''Are you kidding me? I can't ask the other guys how to fight with a bō staff. Ace stated that you qualify as our weapons expert and I thought you know how to help me.'' Nami said and I could feel a small amount of pride in me that she held the eye contact. Master said that eyes are the windows to ones soul and I just saw hers. ''Were not like you guys,'' She continued and gave her a nod. ''Your strenghts are more like a monster's than a human's. Your strong enough to beat anyone with your own raw power. But... me and Usopp don't have your powers. We're normal people. Once a battle starts, we'll be too scared to do anything. We'll get in your way because we can't protect ourselves. So if people like us want to fight, we need to get stronger!''

''She certainly got guts, i'll give her that.'' I inwardly grinned at her determination and truly understod what Master saw in me when he took me under his wings.

''I want to be able to fight on my own! Give me that power!'' Nami shouted at me with conviction that left me to think about this.

''The fights about to start. I can't just wave a magic wand and sprinkle fairy dust on you to give you that power.'' I said with a sigh and felt beating myself for saddening the girl. After few seconds of silence, I closed my eyes. ''Yes.''

''Y-yes?'' Nami slightly stuttered and opened my eyes to look at her.

''I'll train you once this is over.'' I nodded at Nami and saw her scowl at me.

''I smell a 'but' in here.''

I couldn't help it and grinned at her. ''Oh, so we have a fast learner eh? Good, you picked that up. I'll train you on one condition.'' Nami tensed a bit at what I said. Chuckling, I gently tapped her nosetip with my finger with each word. ''You. Owe. Me. A. Date.''

If I didn't made her day before, I sure as hell made it now as she let out the biggest smile today and glomped at me. The force was enough for Angel to lose her grip on me by the small thud and the growl I heard.

''Yes! I accept! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!'' Nami said between smooches on my cheek with one near my mouth. I was blushing furiously and heard her giggle at me. Huffing, I turned my head away from her so as to save whatever manliness I had in me. I felt something pulling my collar and saw it was Nami fixing hood on my head. I kinda felt relieved as she was also blushing and determinetly looked into my eyes. ''Your the best! I promise I won't let you down!'' That said, the Straw Hat navigator ran back towards our temporary resting/planning area..

I was left there dumbfounded and rubbed my wet cheek ''I got a date.'' I mumbled with small smile. ''I got a date.''

''Yeah, yeah. Congratulation.'' Angel growled, but I could avert my eyes from my palm i held in front of me.

''I got a date with Nami.''

''I saw it.'' A tick mark appeared on Angels scaly head.

''I got a da-!''

*SMACK!*

''Say the D-word, one more time. Your won't live long enough to meet the human female.'' The frustation on her voice was evident and I gulped a with a rapid nod.

''There you are. What took you so long?'' Sanji inquire, but I could detect that he was closely studying me and tried to figure out what happened with me and Nami back there. Rubbing the back of my head with a sheepish grin. I came with an excuse that I thought i'd never use.

''Sorry, I got lost on the path of life.''

|End Flashback|

Twitching my eyes for a second. I fluttered them open and gazed at my surroundings like the good Shinobi I am. ''Oh yeah. I'm in someones house.'' I thought to myself and blinked. ''I hope there's food in here.'' I tried to get up, but quickly collapsed back to my spot next to glass shards from the window I broke. ''Itai, itai!'' My back was killing me and I felt that i'm currently suffering from a massive concussion and chakra exhaustion. Taking a deep breath, I gazed to my left and saw a chair close to me that I can use as a support. Crawling towards it, I hoisted myself up with a effort, but unfortunately for me, the damn thing collapsed on itself and my face made a dent with the floor beneat me.

''If I ever find the guy who designed this chair. I will personally see to it that he or she will sleep with the fishies.'' I groaned and painfully stood up again by using my own hands and legs. Blinking, I tried to compose myself from the dizziness and limped to the next room where I found the kitchen. Smirking, I went to the refrigerator and opened it.

''NANI! Where's all the food?'' I screamed and kicked the cooling closet. ''Ouch, ouch! Don't kick when your hurt dumbass!'' After scolding myself, I opened the huge cabinet next to the refrigerator and deadpanned at it. ''Lucky Charms... woop-de-fucking-doo. How am I supposed to eat that without milk!'' I looked at the nearby family photo and glared at it. ''No man nor woman leaves a cereal alone without its milk. Heathens!''

Few minutes of cursing later, I went outside and the first thing I saw now was the bloodied street and the huge sandstorm in the middle of Alubarna. Looking to my left, I gringed at the sight of Specter. ''Damn, your all over this place.'' I then noticed my bad pun and smacked my head upside down. ''Oh my god, that was a pun.'' Shaking my head, I took a handful of Lucky Charms and stuffed it in my mouth. With a groan, I took my way to Alubarna through the rooftops and knocked out random people on the way there.

''Damn old senile never told me that the 'will' or 'strenght' was actually called chakra. I forgot how people back home use that stuff like a damn drug.'' I shook my head to get rid of the thought and accelerated a bit. Tapping my katana, I felt that i'll be needing her assistance today, depending on whom I encounter this time. ''I hope the others are alright. Speaking of others, where the hell is that reptile when you need her.'' Just then, something told me to take a quick step back. Complying, I was saved from being clobbered by the lizard who growled at me.

''There you are! Do you know how worried I was? I thought you were dead or worse?'' Angel screamed at me and I had to flinch back at her voice.

''What's worse than death?'' I asked Angel in the middle of her rant of me being stupid.

Atleast I got her to shut for few seconds. ''Forget it. Just wanted to tell you that your arrogant, dumbass moron of a partner.''

''I can live with that.'' I shrugged, but it was obvious that wasn't what she wanted to hear and tailwhipped the back of my head. ''Fine... I am.'' I glared at her and stuffed my mouth with Lucky Charms. ''I want milk.''

''Turn left, there's someone there.'' Angel nudged my cheek and pointed to said direction with her tongue. It looked pretty cool to me. Smiling at my sugary cereal, I sealed it in my wristband and eagerly waited for the day i'll devour it.

''I wish I had a tongue like that.'' I said with a pout. ''The amount of people I could scare with that would be limitless.'' Taking a deep breath. I upped my speed and saw something very intresting. Robin had the King of Arabasta restrained and were conforted by the Marines. ''This should be good.'' I said and began to eavesdrop on them.

''This is a dangerous place to be waiting, isn't it, Miss Marine.'' Robin said with the ever present monotone voice. I looked at the person she mentioned and mentally groaned at the sight. ''Let me through. I'm in a hurry.''

''Tashigi.'' I never really liked her as a character, but I guessed that i'm being too judgemental on her. But all her weirdness aside, she's really funny.

''I can't let you pass! An injured soldier told me everything that's happening in Alubarna!'' Tashigi shouted and pointed at the ragged figure of Cobra. ''Just who do you think that person is!''

''Well, it doesn't matter who he is. I hate anyone involved with the Goverment.'' Robin said with a growing scowl on the Marines. I always thought she had better self-control on her emotions, but certain people might break that barrier and i'm no different with that. ''If you won't allow me to pass...'' She let the warning hang in the air.

''I have no intention of letting you pass!'' Tashigi shouted defiantly.

''If that's the case, I'll have to kill you all.'' Robin spoke coldly.

I raised my eyebrow at that. ''Does she know i'm tailing them? Unlikely, but still a possibility.'' I shook my head as I first though that she's a sensor-type, but what would the odds be? She did distinguish me and and the clone back in Rain Dinners. ''Lucky shot.''

''Wait, Marines! It does not matter what happens to me! The Palace Square where the rebellion has erupted is going to be engulfed in an explosion at exactly 4:30! You must stop it!'' Cobra shouted at the Marines. I felt my heart skip there for a second when that bomb came to my mind, but managed to shook the thought away.

''The others will get through that, but I should probably lend my hand.'' I thought about the bomb and where its hidden. I couldn't remember the location of it and decided to see if Robin 'accidentally' mentions it before I make a clone. ''I better get a sane one this time.''

''W-what!'' Tashi checked the clock in her pocket and widened her eyes. ''In seven minutes!''

''The lives of 1,000,000 of my people are at stake!'' Cobra pleaded.

''But...'' Tashigi thought about it and made a eye contact with the King. Or so it looked like from where I was hiding from the rooftops. ''If so, we shall help you and stop the bombing!''

''Wait! This woman is-!'' Cobra tried to reason with Tashigi, but went to deaf ears as the Marines took their sloppy sword stance.

''Ready!'' Tashigi shouted and got her affirmative from her suborbinates.

''Don't get in my way. Treinta Fleur...'' Robin said and called her attack where multiple arms sprouted around the Marines neck behind Tashigi. ''...Strangle!'' I could hear the Marines being suffocated by the arms and cringed at the sight.

''An ability!'' Tashigi stated the obvious.

I saw Robin was getting impatient and raised her voice a peg or two. ''I said I was in a hurry, didn't I! Don't anger me any further!''

''She really wants to see that Poneglyph.'' I blinked with a slight fearful look. I don't want to get that kind of massage treatment anytime soon.

''S-Sergeant Major! This woman is Nico Robin!'' A random Marine yelled. I was slightly surprised that Tashigi got promoted, but it was to be expected when Smoker-chan's not around. ''I'm positive its her! Captain Smoker ordered me to dig up her wanted poster! This woman, twenty years ago, she had a worldwide famous bounty placed upon her! I even remember the newspaper article. The incident where six Marine battleships were sunk by an eight year-old girl! The Goverment proclaimed her a first-class threat, and placed a 79,000,000 Beli bounty on her! After that, she disappeared without a trace.''

I was about to make a witty comment on that when a strong Killing Intent flooded the streets. Looking at the source it came from. I curiously stared at Robin who shook with rage and anger.

''STOP YOUR BABBLING! Will you let me pass? Or do you all want to die? WHICH WILL IT BE!'' Robin yelled and I was beginning to be much more apprehensive at her than a minute ago. I didn't know if it was my masochistic side kicking me, but I wanted to find out if I can get a rise out of the usually stoic woman.

''But the story of an eight year-old girl destroying battleships? That's a lot of bullcrap to me and i'm beginning to doubt about the IQ level of the average OP character. Who the f*ck believes that? Its like me saying i'm going to be a Hokage, which will never happen.'' I shook my head and listened Tashigi giving orders to her suborbinates to take everone to the Square and stop the bombing. There was a small protest, but Tashigi got her orders through their heads. ''She does have that snappiness these tempremental women have.''

After the Marines scurried out, the street was free for Tashigi, Robin, the restrained Cobra and the hidden Angel and me.

''Now, let him go!'' Tashigi ordered again, but this time at Robin. She took her katana Shigure and resumed her stance.

''I said not to get in my way!'' Robin shouted and crossed her arm to prepare her attack. 2 arms started to grow from Tashigi's shoulders where her mouth was shut. And two other snatched her katana and held it against her throat.

''She's vicious, I like that.'' Angel said with a nod. I shook my head at her and watched the event continue below me. I felt sorry for Tashigi as her eyes were filled with fear. She must be inexperienced about the whole death thing in this world. Robin sighed and waved her hand to dismiss the arms.

''As I said before, I am in a hurry.'' She said with pity in her voice. If that small growl that escaped from Tashigi's throat was any indication. She didn't like being pitied by criminals. Taking her katana from the ground, Tashigi charged at Robin. What happened next could be described as ruthless and cruel act of violence when arms sprouted from Tashigi's knee and bent in backwards. There was a lot of screaming on her part and it was admirable to watch her still trying to stop Robin from going further.

''I wont... let you go...''

''How many times must you face me until you're satisfied?'' Robin guestioned. With a wave of her hand. The arms started to sprout again and strangle Tashigi, leaving her squirming on the street as she and the King resumed their walk. With a shake of my head at the downed Marinette. I leaped from building from building and caught up with the Cobra and Robin duo.

''It was intresting to watch, but all good things must come to an end.'' I thought and kept my sharingans active so I could study Robin a bit more. So far she's been acting much more calmer than a minute ago and I felt that I could ease up a bit. ''So far so good. Either she didn't notice me or the woman's toying with me here.''

Shruggin, we eventually reached the West of the Royal Palace's Tomb Area. The whole place was awesome and I instantly took a liking at the structure and architectures around me. What I didn't like was that there wasn't that many hiding spots and I had to take a distance from my targets. They talked a bit and I saw Cobra walking towards a statue with the 'sacred' Sea Cat I used to chase when we were about to arrive in Arabasta. Pushing the thing from the side, there was a light rumbling noise around the place. I closely looked where the King was and blinked when a hidden stairwell was visible to me.

Without wasting any time. They both walked downstairs and kept talking about the Poneglyph on their way down. I was miffed that I still didn't know about the location of the hidden bomb. I knew now would be too late to send a clone to help, but I had faith in them. They managed in the anime, they'll manage now.

''Intresting.'' Angel gazed around. The lizard was surprisingly silent for now. Until her eyes widened and looked behind us. ''Quick! Hide!''

Not one to argue with her. I ran behind a random statue while gazing over my shoulder. My eyes narrowed as Crocodile strutted towards the stairwell like he owned the place. The guy didn't notice anything about his surroundings and vanished from my sight in a dust of sands.

''Phew! If I had to fight the guy, I wouldn't make it.'' I wiped the sweat off my forehead. My heart rate was skyrocketing and I could feel my breathing was getting heavier. ''Dammit, i'm running low.'' A rapid of sluggish footsteps was heard behind me. I tensed and began to finger my katana incase Crocodile did notice me. ''Don't let him see me! Don't let him see me!''

''Maybe i'm a little tired.'' A familiar voice said to himself, closely followed by a small 'thud' indicating that said person lost its balance. I tried to find the person until my eyes landed on Luffy.

''The fuck...'' I scratched my head. Walking over to the prone form of Luffy. I grew a tick mark over my head. ''We have less than 6 minutes before this whole place is reduced to ashes and your sorry ass sleeps?''

''What should we do now?'' Angle asked me and kept staring at Luffy.

''Bite his ass cheek off.'' I bluntly replied and got a grin from the sharp fanged lizard. ''The left one, please.''

*CHOMP!*

''Itai!'' Luffy screamed from the top of his lungs and started to run around like a headless monkey with a lizard trying to get a bite out of his butt.

''Hahahaha!'' I started to roll on the ground while holding my stomach from the constant laughing. Wiping off the tear stains in my eyes, I looked at Luffy rubbing his butt. His eyes eventually landed on me and blinked a twice.

''Ah! Ezekiel! Where's Crocodile!''

''You mean to tell me that you lost your opponent.'' I said with sarcasm in my voice. I instantly regretting saying that as Luffy began gave me a small version of his fights with the Shichibukai. He then stared at me questioningly and tilted his head.

''What happened to you? You look beaten.''

Another tick mark appeared on my forehead from the dumb question. Standing up, I motioned him to follow me. ''After my fight, I was tired and had to take a long break to replenish my reserves. I don't know how much I've slept, but I was on my way to search for our nakama when Robin...'' I said and got a blank look from Luffy. ''...Ms. Allsunday...'' Still nothing got through his thick head. ''...the hot woman with the white coat and hat.'' Luffy made a 'oooh' sound and nodded. ''I saw her holding Vivi's father as a hostage and followed them here.''

''Can you fight?'' Luffy inquired.

''No. I'm good enough for support, but that's it.'' I replied to him and wondered about the strange question he made.

''Good.'' Luffy grinned whilst cracking his knuckles. ''I want to wrap this up myself. Don't interfere.''

''Knock yourself out.'' I grinned back at him. ''But what happened to you?''

Luffy made a small thinking pose as we ran down the stairs. ''My body stopped moving all of a sudden. Then I got tired so I had to take a nap. And now, I feel better, so...'' He was silent for two three seconds when the guy sprinted forward. ''THE CROC! I'M GONNA KICK HIS ASS!''

''Oi! Oi! Wait a second!'' I shouted after him. Suddenly the whole place started to shake and rocks began to fall off

''CROCODILE! WHERE ARE YOU!''

''That guy...'' The stairs ended after our long jog down. I saw Luffy stretch towards a pillar and hopped from rubble to rubble. Taking a deep breath to calm myself. I went and followed the rubber-dumbass. ''Angel, can you tell the others that i'm fine. Tell 'em that i'm making sure that Luffy doesn't get himself killed.''

''And whom shall I rely this message?'' Angel asked without any of that protests or nagging.

''Tony-kun can translate that. After that, your free to either search for us or wait for me to get there.'' I felt she gave me a stern glare. ''And i'll get you something meaty to eat.'' Angel grinned at me and tailwhipped the back of my head.

''Just in case.'' That said, she started to chomp the floor, leaving a decent sized hole in it.

''Your trapped, croc!'' Luffy announced after he smashed the wall open. I fluidly landed next to him and observed the scenery while ignoring Crocodile insulting Luffy.

''Why did you come here?'' Cobra questioned us. Nodding to Luffy, I made my way to the tired Cobra. ''You could have survived, why?''

''My Captain has a fetish for troubles.'' I smiled at Cobra and checked if the man was injured.

''Captain?''

''Just your friendly neighbourhood pirates. Forgive my language, but you look like shit.'' I said and rolled up the guys sleeves. Ignoring the loud crashed Luffy made by connecting his fist with Crocodiles head. I rummaged through my pouch where I retrieved a roll of bandages. Patching the King up, I went to the other human while Cobra kept gaping at Luffy vs. Crocodile duel. ''Uhm, damn...'' I began and inspected the huge gash on Robins back. ''Your even worse.''

The scary woman chuckled. ''I've been better.'' Rolling my eyes at her. I sat next to the prone, bleeding ex-Agent. ''Is this what people call karma?''

''Good or Bad?'' I asked with a side clance.

''Bad.''

''I would say that you brought this upon yourself, but that would too vague. Even for my taste. Many would say that you tempted fate for untrivial and selfish desires and paid for messing with it. I would say thats bunch of bullcrap to say to any human being. Frankly, I can't be judgemental about your choice in life.'' I looked at her, flinching a bit at the sight. ''I can't say if what you did now was either smart or stupid. I guess it was both – smoopid.'' I refered to her attacking Crocodile. Hell, I wouldn't. I would probably spawn clones as a distraction while running away.

She giggled a bit which sounded painful to me. ''What's the point. I have no reason to live anymore.''

''Cut the crap!'' I hissed at her. ''Watch the fight and you'll understand why life isn't always such a pest.'' Glaring at the dagger next to her, I narrowed my eyes when her hands were twitching. ''And if you think that toothpick will help you...'' I left the warning hang in the air.

So the fight continued. From Luffy beating Crocodile to where the rubberman lost his balance from being poisoned. And to where Crocodile said he installed a timer in the bomb. I couldn't bring myself to care since this whole arc is about to end. It might sound cold, but I really have had it now with this country. I have pressing things in my mind. The first being those organizations who can't decide wether they want me dead or alive. Was the cube in my head really a Poneglyph to ANOTHER weapon of mass destruction. Where can I get some milk.

''Yeah, really important.'' There was a sudden rumbling noise. A thought came to me then when a stone hit my head. ''So the bomb was detonated?'' I directed my question to Robin, who, for lack of better words, lost her consciousness from the blood loss. Sighing, I began to patch her up with whatever roll of bandages I had left. Let me tell you, it wasn't easy since I had to roll the bandage around her torso and the purple cleavage-exposing top had to go off. So, I had to use a clone to assist me, who to my surprise, was shy as hell. Atleast he didn't peek or I was sure once she finds out that I.. ''My clone.'' ...peeked on her. My backs gonna break like a shard of ice cooled glass thrown into a damn cliff with spikes.

''Are you sure she won't kill you?'' My clone asked shyly as I gave him a critical look.

''Fuck no. If she does something like that, i'll have her know that I have a son that will avenge me.''

''You do realise that you don't have a son.''

''Nah, but imagine it. Me, lying on my deathbed next to my son. I weakly reach out to him, grab him but his collar, and say: ''Avenge me!'' And then i'm dead.'' I sagely nodded at me ingenious plan. ''I might not like her, but even I can be a human.'' The clone nodded and vanished in a cloud of smoke. Shaking my head to get rid of the short memory intake. I took another spot on top of a rubble and just saw Luffy collapse on himself.

''At long last... the new era had begun.'' I heard Crocodile celebrate in his 'victory'. He then turned to me and gave a amusing smirk. ''So you've survived against The Purifier? I think a small congratulations are in order, Mr. Vane.''

''Please,'' I returned my smirk at him. ''Call me Mr. Snugglebottom.''

Crocodile narrowed his eyes, but shook his head. ''It was you who stole my money.'' He stated the obvious with a small shrug. ''It just money. There's more where that came from. Same goes for those 'Sweepers Agents. Their as useless as they come.''

''I say bring 'em!'' I waved my fist at him.

''Regardless! Today is the day my ambition becomes reality! This country is MINE!'' Crocodile shouted with a crazed look.

''Did it ever occur to you that maybe, just maybe, if you're nice to people, they might let you rule their country?'' I got a glare from the King and frantically waved my arms in front of me. ''Just a thought. Your cool too.''

There were few panting noises heard near us. Searching for its source, I smiled at Luffy who finally stood up and made a small speech about that he can't beat him.

''Are those the only words you can squeeze out? A bluff from a dog about to meet his death. How fitting. Groundless!'' Crocodile lost it there.

''Just like Specter. May his soul rest in peace.''

''I am the man who will become the Pirate King!'' Luffy made a strong statement about his dream. And I have the front row seat watching him achive that. Summoning my Lucky Charms, I began to eat the dry cereal while watching the fight. Gotta say, it was much better seeing from here than in TV.

[Insert Luffy vs. Crocodile fight]

''Gomu Gomu no Storm!''

''Desert La Sparda!''

Those two attacks were shouted by their users. As I already knew about the event, it was still awesome. The damn sand reptile was sent way high up throught the underground temple. Sighing in relief that this whole thing is over now. I jumped and grabbed the poisoned Luffy mid-air and set him dow.

''Did I *pant* beat him?'' Luffy asked me. One eye open and the stupid victory grin which I returned.

''Blasted his ugly mutt sky-high!''

''I have a new a order for you. I want you to draw me kicking Crocodiles ASS!''

''Can do!''

''H-hey you,'' Cobra finally made his voice out. The man was silent except the time he peeked at Robin. He was on his knees and gave us a smile. ''My thanks.''

Me and Luffy grinned at him. ''No problem.''

[To Be Continued]

Yup, a longer chapter this time for the awesome reviews. Thankfully this will be the last Arabasta arc as I want to speed up the progress here. I got some cool ideas, but i'm a bit tentative about them. The idea of the Devil Fruit came from when I watched Sasuke vs. Danzo match where the warhawk spitted air-bullets like a machine gun. The rest are made up with pure imagination and watching DBZ for 4 hours straight. Manly tears were shed that day.

So yeah, I made an unknown organizations appear with unknown motives. I'll try not to spoil, but they will have their shining moments. I'll try to explain much, much more about Ezekiel's status.

The reason I didn't make Ezekiel stop the bomb would be too easy. I think, but I wanted something different. I have a lot of surprises stored for you guys, but until then, take care!

Oh! thanks again for all those reviews. They helped a lot!

Jutsus used (Those made up and some more at least. The credit goes to VynosNeptune):

Katon: Boukaheki no Jutsu (Fire Release: Fire Wall Jutsu) Rank: C

Description: By performing a few seals, the user can exhale a steady stream of fire creating a wall in front of them and partially surrounding them. It's capable of evaporating water and low level Suiton jutsus, and used as a great defense against physical strikes.

Fūton: Renkūdan (Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet) Rank: C

Description: The user inhales a large amount of air into his chest and then slams his fist into his chest to expel it. To strengthen the attack, the user will imbue chakra into the air. When expelled, it forms concussive spherical projectiles capable of inflicting large damage.

Magen: Onsui Tamashii (Demonic Illusion: Heated Soul) Rank: D

Description: The opponent sudden feels very hot, enough to make them sweat uncontrollably.

Genjutsu: Nodono Kawaki (Illusion Techniques: Thirst) Rank: D

Description: The opponent is overcome by a sudden thirst and will be unable to concentrate fully because of this urge to find food; those who are weak against Genjutsu may even find themselves in a condition where they feel like they are lethargic due to this.

Thats it... OUT! But not before you review... nice and slowly.