Ch. 50- Nightmare Luffy


One Piece © Oda

Blizzard © Me


Back at the mansion, the Straw Hats now found themselves struggling to fight back against Oz, who now gained the ability to stretch his body just like Luffy.

"Now this is frustrating!" Zoro snarled. "His strength has gone off the map now that he can stretch his body like that!"

How can he stretch, though? questioned Blizzard. He hasn't eaten a Devil Fruit!

"Moria!" Zoro called to the Warlord. "What the hell did you?"

"KIIIISHISHISHISHI~!" cackled Moria. "This, young greenhorns, is the nightmare that I present to you! The Shadow-Shadow Fruit power 'Shadow Revolution'! Wonderful, isn't it?"

"Revolution?" the Straw Hats repeated, questioningly.

"Yes!" Moria answered. "A 'shadow' complies with the 'substance' it reflects off of, that much is simply natural! The 'shadow' and the 'substance' must always stay in the same shape and form! This is one of the laws of nature! But now, Oz's shadow, which should be following his own movements has now been invaded my shadow, Doppelman and is being controlled!"

Down below Oz's feet, it is revealed that Doppelman really is controlling Oz's shadow.

"I can now distort the shape of Oz's body at will!" explained Moria. "The 'substance' and the 'shadow' must always stay alike! So now, the 'shadow' does not comply with the 'substance', but instead, the 'substance' now changes shape to comply with the 'shadow'! This is 'Shadow Revolution'!"

"So basically," Chopper (now in Brain Point) said, "he's reversed the laws of nature, so when Moria stretches out the limbs of Oz's shadow, then his real body will stretch, too!"

"So he's not really a rubber-man," said Sanji. "He can just distort his body at will, and with giant body of his, too! We can't get anywhere near this guy!"

Snort! Blizzard grunted.

Damn it, he cursed in thought.

"KISHISHISHI!" laughed Moria. "This body is far more flexible than rubber! For instance, if I change Oz's shadow into a circle…"

Moria began to alter Oz's shadow into a round shape.

"Then Oz also becomes circular!" finished Moria.

Suddenly, Oz became as round as a huge ball.

"Hey, wait Master Moria!" Oz said as he went back to his original shape. "This is my fight! Stop butting it!"

"Ah, yes," said Moria. "My apologies, Oz! I don't mean to get in the way! Now, until this fight is over, I will devote all my attention to supporting to you! Now, Oz! Crush the Straw Hats, one-by-one!"

DASH! Zoro suddenly dashed forward towards Oz.

"No, Zoro!" Chopper called. "Don't go near him! It's too dangerous!"

"Where's Luffy when we need him?" Nami asked.

"Moria duped him and he got lost somewhere!" Usopp answered the navigator. "Don't worry, he'll be back, though!"

"He got DUPED?" Nami questioned. "He really is a simpleminded idiot!"

I don't think it's a good idea to let them know that there's another Warlord here, yet, she thought.

"So," Nami said, "what we have to do here is to take out Luffy's zombie and then beat Moria, too! Otherwise, we won't be able to get everyone's back, right? The sun will be up, soon!" At that moment, she noticed Brook. "Huh? Hey! It's you, again!"

"My apologies, Miss Nami," said Brook as he got down on his knees. "Please, listen to what I have to say!"

As Brook was explaining his plan, Zoro went on the attack.

"Three-Swords Style," Zoro said. "TATSUMAKI!"

WHOOSH! Zoro created a huge whirlwind at Oz, who backed away.

At that moment, Brook had finished explaining his plan to Usopp, Nami, and Robin, who are now executing it.

"Are you nuts?" Usopp asked Brook. "And I thought Luffy was crazy! Didn't you see what happened to Franky?"

"I don't see a problem with it," said Robin.

"Don't go blaming me if something goes wrong, got that?" Nami said. "I'm only going along with it because this is possibly our last hope until Luffy decides to show his ass! Now get ready! DARK CLOUD TEMPO!"

FWOOP! A dark storm cloud appeared before Brook, who was wrapped in Robin's many arms as he was being pulled back by Usopp's strap, which he had decided to name the Kuwagata, after a rather popular stag beetle.

"I can't believe we're using this, again!" said Usopp in disbelief.

"Whenever you're ready, Brook!" said Robin.

"It would be much more painful," Brook starts, "if I am not able to repay my debt to you all! No matter what it takes, I must do this! Now, Mister Usopp!"

"Good luck to ya!" Usopp said as he let go of the Kuwagata.

WOING! Brook was sent flying, but not before Robin sent him spinning around with the use of her arms.

"Slalom VINE!" Robin shouted.

KRRRRZZZT! Brook was sent through the Dark Cloud Tempo, causing himself to become electrocuted.

"Yo-ho-ho-ho!" Brook laughed. "I'm such a shock that you could see my bones, although I was nothing but bone to begin with! Here I come, like an arrow of thunder and lighting! Thunder Bone Blade…GAVOTTE BOND AVANT!"

SKISH! KRRRRZZZZTT! Brook went right through Oz's right shoulder, shocking him and making a large hole as he did.

"WHOA!" Usopp cried in amazement. "You went right through him like nobody's business!"

Oz let out a cry of pain, even though he didn't actually feel it.

"He went right through my shoulder!" Oz shouted.

Behind Oz, it was revealed that Brook is now planted, face-first into a wall.

"Nice going, Brook," Zoro said. "Two-Swords Style…TOROU!"

SLASH! Zoro made a vertical upwards slash with his swords at Oz, creating two large gashes on his chest and stomach.

"Why you…!" Oz growled before he turned to Brook, who still stuck in the wall. "No…first…I'll deal with this guy!"

SPROING! Oz stretched his leg upwards.

"Gum Gum…BATTLE AXE!" he cried.

SMASH! Oz smashed the building that Brook was stuck in, causing the skeletal man to fall to the ground.

"Certain Death…ATLAS COMET!"

KABOOM! Four Gunpowder Stars from Usopp exploded against Oz's chest.

"GRRRAAAAAAHH!" Oz roared. "You're next, Long-Nose!"

"Run!" Nami shouted as she turned tail and ran like there was no tomorrow.

"H-hey!" Usopp stammered. "Wait! You can't just leave me, here!"

"Gum Gum…BAZOOKA!" Oz cried.

"AAAAHH!" Usopp cried as he flinched. "He's gonna kill me!"

"Huh?" Oz muttered. "Hey! How come I can't stretch anymore?"

"Ochenta Fleur," Robin said, her arms crossed. "Quatro Mano…HOLD!"

Inside the command unit in Oz's stomach, it is revealed that Moria was being held by four giant arms.

"What are these?" Moria asked as eh struggled against his bonds. "Get them off!"

"Do us all a favor, Moria," said Robin. "Why don't you stop controlling that shadow for a bit, hmm?"

"WHOO-HOO!" Usopp cheered. "All right, Robin! Break him in half!"

Down below, Blizzard was preparing to attack Oz, once more.

X FANG! Blizzard shouted in thought as he jumped and made a bite in an X-formation on Oz's wounded shoulder.

SKISH! An X-shaped cut appeared on Oz's shoulder, causing blood to spray.

"Damn you!" Oz roared as he suddenly grabbed him in his fist. "Now I'm gonna crush ya with my bare hand!"

It appeared that Oz said was easier said than done, for Blizzard began to push open Oz's hand, and then jumped out of his palm when the behemoth prepared to crush him with his other fist.

"Stupid dog!" Oz said.

XXX

Meanwhile, in the forest, Luffy had been brought by the Rolling Pirates to meet their captain.

Luffy was now standing before a tall, corpulent woman with short and thin legs. She has small beady eyes, a pronounced nose above her large, shiny red lips, one missing tooth and a face that is much too small in proportion to her large head. Under a small black bowler hat, her pink hair is braided into two pigtails that hang down from each side of her head.

"Ooh!" said the woman. "I like you! Will you marry me?"

"Uh…no," Luffy answered.

"REJECTED!" the Risky Bros. exclaimed. "FOR THE 4,444th TIME!"

"Anyways," said Risky Bro. 2. "This is our captain, 'Proposing' Lola! She, like the rest of us, is a part of the Thriller Bark Victims Association!"

"So I take it that you, kid, are 'Straw Hat' Luffy, am I right?" asked Lola.

"Yeah," Luffy answered. "My shadow's gone, too, so I'm in a bit of a rush."

RUMBLE! Luffy's stomach started groaning, again.

"You guys wouldn't happen to have any food, would you?" asked Luffy, rubbing his stomach. "My tummy's empty and I haven't eaten in hours."

"Ha!" Lola laughed. "Food should be the least of your worries, kid! Anyhow, I've never Thriller Bark shake around as much as this! Three of the Mysterious Four have been defeated by your friends, and the mansion's falling apart as we speak!"

"This is the most excited we've ever been since we first got here!" said Risky Bro. 1. "We knew it was only a matter of time until Moria decided to wake up that 'Special Zombie', Oz!"

"It's been 3 years since we lost our shadows to Moria," explained Risky Bro. 2, a tare beginning to form in his eye. "We're too afraid to keep living our lives the way we do, now, but if you and your crew can beat Moria, then our shadows are bound to return to us!"

"Do you have any idea where Moria is, Straw Hat?" asked Risky Bro. 1. "He's in Oz's stomach, right now!"

"AAAAH!" Luffy yelped. "YOU MEAN HE GOTTEN HIMSELF EATEN?"

"No!" Risky Bro. 1 answered. "He's in a command unit!"

"Ooh! So you mean my zombie's a robot?"

"No, no, no! He's a zombie!"

"Well, which is it? Zombie or robot? Make up your mind!"

The Risky Bros. slapped their faces in disbelief. Is this simpleminded young man really their last hope in regaining their shadows?

"Okay," said Risky Bro. 1. "So what you gotta do is beat the zombie that has your shadow in it, otherwise, we can't lay a finger on Moria!"

"Right now," said Risky Bro. 2, "he's outside in the courtyard of the mansion, fighting with your buddies, and it looks like things aren't going well!"

"WHAT?" Luffy yelled, questioningly. "That bastard! So that's where he ran off to! Sorry, but I gotta dash! My friends need me!"

With that, Luffy turned to leave, but was stopped by Lola.

"Wait, Straw Hat!" she called. "Just wait a bit longer, will you? We still have something to show you: the secret of the shadow's powers!"

Luffy turned back to face Lola.

"Shadows?" Luffy repeated.

"That's right, kid! Shadows!" answered Risky Bro. 2 as he and Risky Bro. 1 carried a shadow in the shape of a man toward Luffy. "Once we feed zombies salt, they come flying out!"

"Once that's done," started Risky Bro. 1, "then they're as easy to capture as butterflies!"

Suddenly, two more Rolling Pirates grab Luffy by his arms.

"Heave-ho!" the Risky Bros. shouted as they inserted the shadow into Luffy via his stomach.

"AAAAHH!" Luffy screamed. "WHAT'RE YOU DOING, STICKING THAT SHADOW INTO MY TUMMY FOR? STOP IT! GET IT OUT!"

"Just hold still!" Lola said, trying to calm Luffy down.

The shadow went fully in, and Luffy fell backwards.

"So…" Lola said. "How do you feel?"

Luffy sat up, eyes rather dazed.

"Uh…" he mumbled. "A little dizzy, but otherwise fine."

"Do you think you can use a sword?" asked Lola.

"Uh…nope," Luffy answered. "Can't use a sword to save my life."

"Hey!" Lola called out. "Get this boy a sword, on the double!"

(A/N: This is one of my favorite moments: Badass Luffy.)

FLING! Out of nowhere, someone tossed a sword into the air. Luffy saw it out of the corner of his eye, where a small glint appeared. He stretched out his arm to grab it, unsheathed it, and then…

SLISH! SLASH! Luffy cut up a nearby tree, as if with relative ease! If Zoro saw him, right now, he would probably drop his swords in disbelief.

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! The Rolling Pirates clapped in amazement.

As Luffy sheathed the sword back, realization soon came to him.

"What in the hell?" he cried. "How'd I do that?"

"Ha-ha-ha!" laughed Lola. "The shadow we shoved into you once belonged to a Marine swordsman, and a great one at that!"

"The shadow's fighting skills are added to your own," explained Risky Bro. 2.

"And as long as you can handle it, you can have as many as you want!" said Risky Bro. 1. "What do ya think, kid? Pretty neat, ain't it?"

"Thanks to Moria," said Lola, "you can now use his power against him, and your power level increases by miles!"

"We've got tons of them shadows," said Risky Bro. 1, "but if you lack the willpower, then you'll just faint and all those shadows will just go to waste!"

"Why do you guys have so many?" asked Luffy.

"Well," said Risky Bro. 1. "We spent ages trying to get our own shadows back by purifying zombies with salt, but every time we did, we just end up getting random shadows with no idea who they really belonged to! So, we capture them, instead!"

"But remember this, Straw Hat," warned Risky Bro. 2. "If you put a shadow in a lifeless corpse, it just becomes a zombie, but if you put into a living, breathing thing with its own spirit, such as yourself, it just won't settle down! When the time's up, the shadow leaves ya and heads back to its real master!"

"So long can I keep the shadows in?" asked Luffy.

"10 minutes," answered Risky Bro. 1.

"Okay," Luffy said. "I'm pretty sure I can kick my zombie's ass in 10 minutes! All right! Let's do it!"

"Okey-dokey, kid!" said Risky Bro. 2. "We'll give you all the shadows we got!"

Behind the Risky Bros., a huge cluster of shadows is shown.

"WHOA!" Luffy exclaimed. "SO MANY SHADOWS!"

Lola looked up to the sky. It was getting lighter and lighter. She estimated that dawn will arrive in another twenty minutes. They didn't have much longer.

"Brace yourself, Straw Hat," said Risky Bro. 2. "You should probably be able to hand at least 20 0r 30 of these bad boys! We can only take two or three!"

"I'm ready!" Luffy answered.

"Okay! Here we go!"

"W-wait! You're not gonna push it into my tummy, again, are you? AAAUUUUGH!"

XXX

About 30 seconds later…

"No way…!" Lola gasped in shock and disbelief. "Just how much willpower does this kid possibly have? Incredible…I've never seen anything like it!"

"He managed to take in all 100 shadows…!" said Risky Bro. 1.

"Amazing!" declared Risky Bro. 2. "He is really is our shining star of hope!"

Before the rolling stood a shadowy, gargantuan figure.

"How strong do you think he is, now?" asked Lola.

"Uh, hey…" muttered Risky Bro. 1. "You okay, Straw Hat?"

"Yeah."

"You look a bit different," said Risky Bro. 2. "Weren't you a bit shorter?"

"I feel…restless…I can't take it, anymore…! I wanna fight Moria so much! I can't wait any longer!"

"This is it!" Lola proclaimed. "Our shining ray of hope! Okay! Go to the mansion, and hurry! Give that Moria the beating of his life…'Nightmare Luffy'."

DASH! The figure dashed off with such speed and strength that he crushed a few trees in his way.

"Hey!" Lola called. "The mansion's the other way!"

"Whoops!"

XXX

Back at the courthouse, Oz was seen jumping down from a rather high place and had his head stretched back.

"Gum Gum…" Oz started.

"MOVE IT!" Zoro shouted in warning.

"BELL!"

SPROING! SMASH! Oz bashed his skull against the ground. The Straw Hats were lucky to dodge the stretching head-butt in time.

"Heh-heh-heh!" Oz chuckled. "This stretching thing sure is awesome! And now for a Gum Gum SPEAR!"

WHAM! Oz thrust his feet downward at the Straw Hats.


Sorry if it's not what you're expecting, but trust me, he'll make his full appearance in later chapters.

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