NOTES FROM AO3:

… UGGGGGGGGGGGGH.

THE FIGHT SCENE IN THIS KICKED MY BUTT FOR TWO WEEKS. I GAVE MYSELF A DEADLINE AND I COULD NOT MEET IT AND I HATE IT.

That being said, given how fight-heavy the next chapter will be, don't be surprised if that gets delayed an extra week as well. I apologize in advance.

So, changes! The talk with Brook, Vivi, and Zoro was lengthened in order to incorporate more plot threads and info (since they already had a conversation about Merry in Brook's introductory chapter), and I almost had to completely rewrite the fight scene because it was so bad. I hope the new version is an improvement.

Also, we've reached a milestone! Drumroll please!

*drumroll*

… ZORO GOT TO USE A WORD WORSE THAN 'CRAP!' GIVE HIM A HAND!

*applause*

Okay, enough of that! I've kept you waiting long enough, so on to the new chapter!

三

Chapter 14: The Merry Invaded! Zoro and Vivi's Painful Reminders!

Zoro was a stubborn individual. Whether it was not backing down from an opponent or training despite Cocoyashi's doctor telling him 'don't even think about it, you should've been dead two days ago, how the hell are you standing,' the swordsman stuck to his guns. He liked that about himself, and liked that it was a trait he shared with many of his crewmates– even if Nami consistently berated them for it.

But the irony was not lost on him when he felt his aggravation rise at a certain sniper's stubbornness.

"Give it a rest, Usopp," he said, arms crossed. "It's night now, and cloud cover is rolling in. You're not going to see anything."

"I will not 'give it a rest' until we find that stupid ship and that stupid shipwright!" Usopp snapped, not tearing his eyes away from the spyglass. "You can do whatever you want, but I'm not leaving this spot!"

"The only thing you're going to find in the dark is a shipload of nothing. And since we're behind these rocks, they're not gonna find us either."

Usopp ignored him, Zoro felt a vein throb on his forehead in irritation. Usopp hadn't moved from his post on Merry's figurehead since they arrived back on the ship, and while he could appreciate the dedication, the sniper's mood had taken a steep nosedive– even telling him they were weighing anchor for the night and stashing Merry behind another rocky reef had elicited uncharacteristic snarls. While all of it made the swordsman want to chuck him overboard, some arguments were just not worth pursuing.

"Fine," Zoro conceded. "If you change your mind, Vivi got some stuff out for sandwiches since the Love Cook isn't here and we're on our own for dinner. Or lunch, whatever."

Usopp ignored him again, so Zoro shook his head and walked back across the deck, up the stairs, and to the galley. He entered, and saw Brook and Vivi both sitting at the table– the room was a tight fit for the musician since he was so tall, and he had to sit a little hunched. Vivi sat across from him, picking at her sandwich. Carue sat next to the table, awaiting eagerly for the plate of sliced fruits and vegetables Brook was placing in front of him.

"Here you are, Mr. Carue," Brook said, standing back up. He ruffled the duck's feathers fondly. "Enjoy!"

Carue quacked in gratitude and began eating.

Vivi looked up from her food when Zoro came in. "Usopp's not joining us?"

Zoro took a seat next to the princess and started to assemble his own sandwich. "Nah. He's not coming in until he finds the Thousand Sunny. I want to find it too, but his attitude is way too hostile. If he doesn't check himself, I'm going to check him upside his skull."

"I did notice he seemed on edge earlier. He totally snapped at Mr. Brook for no reason," Vivi said, voice heavy with concern. "At first I thought he was still spooked from what happened with that tattooed bounty hunter, but now I'm not so sure."

"Yeah, if that were the case he'd be scared out of his shorts. But he's not scared. He's angry and he keeps taking it out on us."

"I think he realizes he's wrong in that, even if he won't stop. I hope finding the Sunny improves his mood."

Brook raised an index finger. "Pardon me, you two. But how did you know our ship was called the Thousand Sunny?"

When the other two turned to look at him, he continued, "It's just that I have not referred to our ship by that name, and I'm wondering if Mr. Roronoa told you. Considering how adamant he is about following Mr. Luffy's gag order to the letter, I wouldn't think he'd share that. I thought I was risking it even by using my nickname for it."

"He did tell us, in a way," Vivi replied, taking a sip of her drink. "When he woke up in the storage room, he was confused about where he was. He asked if we brought him back to the Sunny and–"

"Ah, damn it!" Zoro cursed. "That's it."

"What's it?" Vivi asked.

Zoro gestured to the room around them, and his meaning dawned on her.

"Oh," she said softly. "Finding the Thousand Sunny is the problem, isn't it."

"I'm not following you," Brook admitted.

Zoro and Vivi shared a look, unsure of how much to reveal to the musician. Usopp had been so distressed about his bizarre dream and he didn't seem to want it spread around, especially since they quietly agreed not to bring it up with the crew. Not to mention asking Brook about it sounded dangerously close to infringing on Luffy's gag order. Vivi pushed her sandwich aside and leaned her arms on the table.

"Usopp loves the Going Merry," she explained. "He's expressed some... unease about the fact we have a different ship in the future. We discussed it a little bit before we encountered you, and I thought we at least partially laid his fears to rest. Clearly, being assigned to search for our future ship has brought some of them back."

"Ah," Brook said. "I see."

"I know we can't ask for spoilers, but if there's anything you can tell us, we'd appreciate it. If only to help lessen Usopp's worries."

Zoro crossed his arms again. "We're probably going to see for ourselves anyway."

Brook took a bite of his own sandwich (where the food went when he swallowed was not a mystery they were going to delve into) and a sip of tea. He remained silent for an eerily long time before he sighed tiredly.

"... Today marks the first time I've sailed aboard Ms. Lamb," he said. "The Straw Hats already had Mr. Lion– that is, the Thousand Sunny– by the time they recruited me. As far as I understand, Ms. Lamb was no longer able to sail and Mr. Luffy made the difficult decision to get a new ship. I'm afraid that's all I can tell you."

While Zoro was an admittedly stubborn individual, he wasn't an overtly sentimental one. He wasn't too surprised by this news– the Going Merry had been built for the calm waters of the East Blue, and she'd almost been wrecked within the first five minutes of arriving in the Grand Line. If they needed a new ship, then they should get one and move forward. That being said, he would be lying if he said his heart didn't ache slightly at the thought of losing Merry.

And if he was feeling a little torn up about it, then he didn't even want to imagine what it would be like for Usopp if he was this angry at the mere notion of it all.

"We have a different ship in the future, and that made me angry enough to challenge my best friend to a duel."

"... Damn," Zoro muttered.

"I guess a lot does change in just two years," Vivi said solemnly, running her hand along the table. "I mean, meeting Roronoa and you is one thing, but we keep hearing news that emphasizes the divide."

Brook tilted his head to the side, and lifted his tea up for another sip. "Other news? If you don't mind my asking, what else have you heard?"

"Aside from the Sunny? Well, there was that tidbit about our new fleet admiral, and something about Luffy at Marineford?"

"SPPPPPPHHHBBBT!"

Zoro and Vivi sputtered as the skeleton spat his tea out all over them. Carue ceased digging into his meal to rush to his princess' side, pacing anxiously around her.

If it were possible, Brook's eye sockets would have widened to accompany his spit-take. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?"

Zoro snorted tea out of his nose and wiped off his face with his hand. "Gah, what the hell, how did you spit-take?! You don't have lips!"

Vivi's expression remained deadpan as Carue passed her a towel with his beak.

"Please, this is important!" Brook pleaded, leaning toward them over the table. "How do you know of Luffy in Marineford?"

"The tattooed bounty hunter mentioned it," Vivi replied, drying her face. "Not long after, Mr. Roronoa cut his ship in half."

"Wait, did you say Marineford?" Zoro echoed. "What was Future Luffy doing at Marine Headquarters?"

"I couldn't tell you beyond how mentioning it angered your older self. And I have a feeling Brook can't tell us either."

Zoro leveled a glare at Brook. "You mean won't."

Brook shook his head firmly as he sat back down properly. "No, I will not. Of all things, that is definitely something I will not share with you now matter how much I may want to."

Damn it, Mr. Zoro, he thought. Why didn't you tell me Mr. Tattoos said so much? Did you think it would encourage me to spill? No, that's not like you. You already convinced me not to tell, so you must not have seen a reason to.

"I know the gag order is necessary, but it's also getting to be a real pain in the ass," Zoro griped, plopping his chin in his hand.

Vivi gently thwacked his shoulder. "It's not any easier for Mr. Brook."

"Indeed," Brook agreed. He gave the pair a stern look. "And therefore I have a request. Should we meet up with my Mr. Luffy soon, please refrain from bringing up Marineford or the fleet admiral. It's a... touchy subject."

Zoro turned to Vivi. "Who is this Aka-whatever guy anyway, and why is it bad he's the fleet admiral?"

"In our time, he's one of the three admirals alongside Aokiji and Kizaru," Vivi answered, noticing Brook twitch at the second name out of the corner of her eye. "They're second only to Fleet Admiral Sengoku the Buddha. Akainu is renowned for his effectiveness and feared for his ruthlessness. My father has never spoken well of him, if he spoke of him at all."

"So he's an ass."

"Immensely. Sengoku is certainly getting on in years, but if he retires in the future, I would have hoped Aokiji would succeed him. Word is he's odd in his own right, but according to my father he's the most lenient of the three. Akainu being in charge... does not bode well."

Zoro's brow furrowed. I can tell that much, but I'm more interested in how he and Marineford are related to Luffy. What does-

"Don't make assumptions about events you know nothing about, brat."

Zoro's throat abruptly felt very, very dry.

"It does not, which is why I repeat– please, do not bring him or Marineford up," Brook repeated seriously. "I'm only telling you this much so you understand, and I apologize for how much it must worry you. But these are old wounds for my Mr. Luffy, and I fear this entire adventure is going to reopen too many to begin with."

Zoro and Vivi shared another glance– the princess' tinged with worry, and the swordsman's unreadable. They turned back to Brook.

"I won't bring it up. I wasn't even going to ask," Zoro promised him. "It's just..."

"'Care to explain' why you keep giving Luffy such a guilty eye?"

He groaned, suddenly exhausted. "It's just frustrating."

"In more ways than one," Vivi said. She looked thoughtful. "I... I don't want to go against Luffy's orders, and I know there's no use worrying about something that hasn't happened yet. But if something bad happens, couldn't telling us prevent it somehow? I did say we should know if it was life or death. Who knows, maybe we could even save the Going Merry!"

"Vivi!" Zoro snapped. "This isn't the same as stopping the rebel army! You can't prevent everything!"

"I know, but- wait! Did you eavesdrop on me and Mr. Roronoa?"

"Perhaps you could save Ms. Lamb if you were told," Brook agreed to both Vivi and Zoro's surprise, interrupting the bickering. "But apparently you all forget your time here on Kāla, including what you've heard. So what's the point?"

The cold logic of his words felt like iron blades puncturing their skin. But before that could truly to sink in–

BOOM! SMASH! KRRNK!

– the ship lurched from side to side so violently that Vivi and Zoro were thrown from their seats. The swordsman managed to pull the princess into his arms before she fell headfirst on the floor, and together they landed on Carue, who threw himself in their path to act as a landing pad. Brook had the good fortune of being tall enough that he was able to catch himself before he could hit the ground.

Zoro sat up as Vivi rolled off of him. "What the hell was that?"

As though on cue, from outside they heard Usopp wail, "GUUUUUUUUYS?! WE'VE GOTTA PROBLEM!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the ship lurched to one side again, but thankfully not as dramatically as before. The group picked themselves up and rushed out the galley door. The moment they did, their jaws dropped.

The rocks surrounding the Going Merry had been pulverized, presumably by the enormous chained hooks lodged in the deck that Usopp frantically tried to pull loose– the same chained hooks that were dragging their ship toward the seashore.

"Those hooks look familiar," Vivi said, sweat beading her brow. "They must have seen us hide Merry. What do we-?"

Zoro didn't hesitate. He drew all three swords and hollered, "USOPP, MOVE!"

Usopp jumped back as Zoro lept from the stairs, Kitetsu and Yubashiri raised over his head. As he came down, he slashed his blades against the chains hard.

CLANG!

A shower of sparks burst from the point of impact, but while Zoro's attack left a sizable dent on the chains, they did not break. He snarled as he landed on his feet.

Dammit, they're made of steel! he thought. I can't cut that yet!

(Roronoa could. He cut a galleon covered in steel plates. He saw when tying up leftover goons with Usopp. He cut steel.)

Zoro clamped down on Wado's hilt so hard that he nearly chipped a tooth. He turned to Brook. "Oi, Brook–!"

SHING!

In the time it took the younger swordsman to blink, Brook had crossed the deck and now stood on the other side of the hooks and chains. He slowly re-sheathed his sword, and the moment he did the chains fell apart.

Zoro tried hard not to gape and drop Wado. "... Yeah. That."

"Too late though."

He barely had enough to bring his swords for block before something long and obnoxiously pink slammed against them. Zoro lost his footing and went tumbling back, only stopping when he collided with Usopp.

"ACK!" Usopp yelled as Zoro bowled him over.

"No, Mr. Bushido! Usopp!" Vivi called out from the stairs.

"Quaaaaw!" Carue called out as well.

Brook charged the attacker, thrusting his sword forward only for his attack to be parried by the enemy opening up her long and obnoxiously pink umbrella and forcing his arm upward. She then flipped backward, which transitioned into her sitting on the Merry's railing with one leg crossed over the other and umbrella resting jauntily on her shoulder.

"How rude, cutting the chain while I was running up it," she tutted. "No matter. It was enough."

She snapped her fingers, and dozens of torches lit up along the shore. At the same time, a dozen grappling hooks shot into the air and caught on the railing.

Despite the musician's efforts, the Merry had still been dragged fairly close to the shore– thirty feet or so. The torchlight revealed a crowd of roughly thirty anxious-looking men and women. Every one single of them was armed to the teeth and seemed ready to attack the moment one of the pirates twitched in a way they deemed dubious. And that wasn't even counting the ones climbing aboard with their grappling hooks.

"I don't recall giving you or your underlings permission to come aboard," Brook said, sword brandished defensively in front of him. He held up his index finger. "Though, I suppose I should be glad you just did that instead of gutting and eating us like fish after you hooked us. And let me tell you, considering I don't have guts, that'd be something else! Yohohoho!"

Usopp sat up as Zoro got off of him. "What the hell, Brook?! Why would you say something like that?!"

"Yohoho, so sorry, Mr. Usopp! Seeing as Ms. Robin is not with us, I feel that it is my duty to make the morbid comments! She actually said that zinger just before we arrived here."

"That's really not appropriate right now!" Vivi shouted from her spot, no longer as excited to meet Robin.

Zoro helped Usopp stand, and then turned his glare on the woman who had the audacity to attack him with a freaking umbrella.

The woman was a sight on to herself, sticking out almost comically from the rough-looking people who now stood on either side of her along the railing. A tanned, petite woman in her twenties, she was dressed in an alarming amount of purple– purple dress, purple boots, purple top hat, and even purple hair. Her bangs fell over one of her acid green eyes, and she also wore dark pink/light pink striped stockings, gold teardrop-shaped earrings, a gold choker, and pink skull pendants at her waist and sternum.

"I was not aware I needed permission to do anything from pirates," she chided the skeleton, chin resting in her gloved palm and tapping her finger over the mole under her visible eye. She then lowered her hand and ran her finger along the railing. "Doubly so in regards to boarding such a homely little caravel. It is definitely a downgrade from the brigantine my crew saw earlier. Tell me, where did you get it on such short notice?"

"I assume you're one of the Carrion Bounty Hunters?" Brook asked.

"You assume right. But again, how rude of you to ignore my question," she tutted. She shrugged. "Oh well, I am sure we will find the brigantine soon enough. This one will do for now."

Usopp's eyes widened and he stepped in front of Zoro. He pulled out his slingshot and growled, "'Will do?' What do you want with the Going Merry, bounty hunter?"

The purple hunter glared at him, and he completely withered under her gaze. He darted behind Zoro in case he needed to use the swordsman as a human shield.

"I mean, I h-hope you enjoy visiting the G-Going Merry, ma'am!" Usopp stuttered.

"Better." She pointed at Zoro. "As for why I want your ship, Pirate Hunter wrecked our galleon. I have been ordered to collect your generous donation of... two pirates ships, apparently. Thank you in advance for your generosity."

"Not happening!" Zoro barked around Wado's hilt.

"If you want the M-Merry, you're going to g-go through them and my eight thousand f-followers, who I have placed strategically around the jungle! You're a-already surrounded!" Usopp declared, pointing at the purple hunter with a hand that shook so much it practically vibrated. "S-Surrender now, and we might go e-easy on you!"

"Don't say that while hiding behind me!" Zoro snapped at the sniper.

Vivi and Carue both facepalmed. "Usopp…"

The purple hunter raised an eyebrow. "That is so wholly a blatant lie that I am not going to dignify it with a proper response. Theta Leader?"

"You surrender, Straw Hats!" the hunter directly to her right yelled, raising a katana. "We are also under orders to apprehend your crew. Boss wants all you alive, so we would prefer not to fight if possible!"

"Speak for yourself," the purple hunter muttered.

The other hunters on board all raised their weapons, ready to attack when given the order.

"Oh, since you asked so nicely," Brook said sardonically. He took one step forward, placing himself between her and his younger crewmates. "I'm afraid we're going to have to decline, my lady. Our captain would be displeased if he discovered we gave up ourselves and the ship without putting up a fight."

"I am fine with that," she said. She gave him a pout. "It is truly a shame. I did genuinely enjoy your music, Soul King."

"It's always nice to meet a fan."

"Uh, Brook?" Usopp whispered to the skeletal swordsman. "We can't fight a New World bounty hunter."

"And you won't," he whispered back. "I'll handle her."

"What about her goons?" Zoro muttered to him.

"Them too. Don't worry, I'll protect you all."

He probably meant those words to be reassuring, but they had the opposite effect on the younger swordsman– Usopp and Vivi too, judging from their pained expressions. Brook was undoubtedly skilled and strong, but it still stung that the past Straw Hats were considered so weak that he had to face so many enemies on his own.

Zoro growled and stomped forward to stand side by side with Brook, unwittingly dragging Usopp with him.

"I was left on the ship to protect it, so that's what I'm gonna do," he said in a low voice. "New World Hunters be damned."

"Mr. Zoro-" Brook started to argue.

"We were told not to fight unless we absolutely had to– I think this counts."

"Mr. Zoro-!"

"I have no argument with either, though I am not sure why it is even in question," the purple hunter interrupted, gracefully getting up to stand on the railing. She pointed at Zoro and Usopp. "I have unfinished business with the two of you."

Zoro's eyes narrowed, while Usopp made a sound as though his soul itself was dying.

"You gotta problem with me, Top Hat?" Zoro asked gruffly.

"Me?!" the sniper wailed. "Why me?!"

"Oh please, I am not so unmemorable that you have already forgotten our duel, am I, Roronoa?" the purple hunter said, putting her hand to her chest. "Or did Vaughan's tranquilizer darts scramble what little brain you have in that moss-covered head of yours?"

Zoro's eyes widened.

"That brought me into the jungle, where I met this sadistic bitch swordsman. I think she was from that ship that attacked us earlier. We started fighting, but we were interrupted right in the middle of it by a red-eyed jackass."

"... Oh, right. The witch with the pain-in-the-ass devil fruit," he said, a shark smile that was just a little too rigid sliding into place. "Looking forward to that rematch."

It's her, he thought, trying to will the sweat on his brow to recede. It's gotta be. But then where's her sword, and what the hell is her devil fruit?

"Indeed," she replied, only looking moderately peeved at the insult. She turned her eyes to Usopp, once again glaring at him. "I have business with you because I spent an ungodly amount of time entangled in your damned flytraps. By the time I am finished with you, the officers at the bounty office will be unable to differentiate you from hamburger meat. How fortuitous you wear a mask in your wanted poster, Sniper King."

"If he's wearing a mask in his wanted poster, how do you know I'm this Sniper King guy?!" Usopp shouted in terror. "That's the thing about masks! They could be anyone under them!"

Internally, he was seething. Damn it! Was putting me on the Merry completely useless?! Everyone knows who I am!

(Elsewhere, two reindeer– who were in the middle of treating their injured comrades– sneezed, as well as a still-unconscious rubberman.)

"I dismissed you once," the purple hunter said flatly. "I will not repeat that mistake– Sniper King's mask has a hole cut out of it for his ridiculous nose."

"Well, your... your face is ridiculous!"

"Personal vendettas aside, I do look forward to this," she continued, ignoring Usopp this time. She propped her umbrella in her elbow so she could peel off her long gloves. "Your crew has been evading the Navy as far back as that wretched dust bowl in Paradise, and Loguetown even before that. One has to wonder how long your devilish luck will last. I for one will enjoy finding out."

From above by the galley door, Vivi and Carue shared a glance.

Dust bowl? Vivi repeated in her mind. Realization dawned on her, and she felt her blood boil. "Dust bowl?! Are you talking about Alabasta Kingdom?!"

"Ms. Vivi!" Brook said, not taking his eyes off the purple hunter. "Now is not the best time!"

"I'm well aware!" Vivi snapped uncharacteristically. She slammed her hands on the railing in front of her. "But I won't just stand here and let her slander my kingdom like that!"

Hearing this, the purple hunter turned to look up at Vivi with a confused expression. Her gaze slid to Carue, who was attempting to glare menacingly at her.

"... A super spot-billed duck?" she said, mostly to her herself. She turned her visible eye back to Vivi, and after a few seconds of staring it bugged out of its socket. "PRINCESS NEFERTARI VIVI?! WHAT IN THE NAME OF SANITY ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

Vivi leaned back, perplexed. Of every response she expected, that was not one of them.

"Damn it, Vivi! First the Mr. 5 pair, then Dalton, now this?" Usopp yelled up to her. "Why are you so bad at hiding your identity?!"

"You're one to talk! And it's not like I'm trying to reveal myself!" Vivi yelled back. "I don't even know how she figured it out!"

"It would be difficult not to recognize you," the purple hunter said, tone incredulous. "Not only are you the spitting image of Queen Titi, but I would be remiss not to recognize my own princess!"

"Mama," Vivi said softly to herself. She inhaled sharply when the rest of the bounty hunter's sentence caught up with her. "Wait, your own princess?! You're... you're from Alabasta?!"

"WHAT?!" Usopp, Zoro, and Brook chorused together, astounded.

"QUAW?!" Carue agreed.

The moment Vivi said that, the subordinates on either side of the purple hunter took as many steps away from her as they were able given the limited space. The shocked expression on her face melted away, replaced by a bitter sneer.

"That is right. I do hope your ship has a cat, because it appears there are two desert rats on board." The sneer turned into a snide grin. "Or rather, one desert rat and a former one who managed to escape. I suppose I should not be calling you my princess anymore."

Vivi squeezed the railing so hard her knuckles turned white. Desert rat was a derogatory term for Alabastans she'd heard far too many times during her tenure in Baroque Works. And here was a supposed Alabastan native using the exact same term!

"If you're really from Alabasta, how could you speak of your home so poorly?!" Vivi demanded to know. "And what are you even doing in the New World?"

The purple hunter scoffed. "Hmph. You have your dear old daddy to thank for that one, Princess. Tell me, do 'Baba Siblings' mean anything to you? Perhaps something King Cobra said?"

Vivi's outrage vanished and she paled visibly. "No... you mean...?"

She removed her top hat and bowed. "Baba Yari, at your service. However, seeing as you are with pirates, my services are not in your best interest."

"Last Nerve" Baba Yari

Fourth Lieutenant of the Carrion Bounty Hunters

Runo's Sister (Fraternal Twins)

Usopp readied his slingshot, sensing a definite shift in the ship's atmosphere. "I'm taking from the way you paled just now that this is not a good thing?"

Vivi gulped, keeping her eyes on Yari. "The Baba Siblings, Baba Yari and Baba Runo, were bounty hunters that operated in Alabasta years ago. They were exceptionally skilled, but they had very little regard for collateral damage. One day they went overboard and many people were injured. The Royal Army arrested them and brought them before my father– despite their crime, they had still done the kingdom a lot of good and he was reluctant to throw them in prison. So instead-"

"- He decreed that we were to leave Alabasta's borders and never return," Yari finished blandly. "Enough with ancient history."

"Ancient history? It was only three years ago!"

"It was five actually, not that I am holding a grudge. Runo still harbors some resentment, but I myself was quite happy with the decision. The only things I liked about that sand trap were the perfume and the clothes. I am actually wearing a Lolita/Alabastan fusion design for my outfit. Lovely, is it not?"

In spite of her dismissive tone and showing off her fashion choices, she stared at Vivi the entire time and the rest of the Straw Hats could see the flames of eternal rage (a look they were familiar with thanks to their navigator) billowing in her eyes. Her subordinates tried to move further away, but they'd run out of room.

She's totally holding a grudge, the inhabitants of the Going Merry all thought with a sweatdrop.

"That begs the question though," Yari said, tapping her chin as the flames dulled somewhat. "What are you doing here, Princess Vivi? On this island, and on a pirate ship at that? You should be in Alabasta, preparing for the Levely. I have heard rumors that your father may be too ill to go this year."

Forget going pale– Vivi could have sworn her heart stopped. "Papa... is sick?"

Usopp, Carue, and even Zoro glanced at Vivi in sympathy.

"That's enough!" Brook snapped sharply. "Fight us or not, but do not torment my crewmates with knowledge they should not know yet just to be cruel!"

But Vivi would know about her father, would she not? And why did she say three years and not five? Yari thought, peering suspiciously at the musician. Her eyes darted around the ship. Something is fishy here, and not just because we are on the ocean. Pirate Hunter did not recognize me, and now that I think about it, old reports did say the Straw Hats sailed on a caravel before the Enies Lobby Incident. After which they had a new ship.

She focused her eyes on Zoro and Usopp. She pointed at the former. "You... you were missing an eye before." She pointed at the latter. "And you did not look like a limp noodle."

"HEY!" Usopp protested.

"You are... you are younger," she gasped. Her eyes widened. "Aside from the skeleton, you look as you did before your crew disappeared for-!"

SHING! CLANG!

One second, Brook stood in front of Zoro and Usopp. The next, he stood on the railing with Yari, sword locked in stalemate against hers. Yari had gotten her sword up in time to avoid a similar fate to her crewmates aboard the Silverback. The top half of her umbrella, now revealed to be the sheath of her own shikomizue, lay on the ground. The two blades scraped against each other, one emanating icy mist, the other motes of pink light.

The past Straw Hats hadn't seen either of them move.

"... I see," Yari said, eyes shadowed by her hat. "So that is how it is."

If it were possible for a skeleton to look absolutely livid, Brook managed it perfectly.

And as the past crew watched this exchange in awe, Zoro noticed that the swords weren't actually scraping against each other. Brook's sword scraped against Yari's as he pushed against her blade.

Yari wasn't budging an inch.

"Theta Unit, I want them all alive!" she declared. "Otherwise?"

CLANG!

Yari raised her head, her eyes gleaming with manic energy as she used her sword to shove Brook back onto the deck.

"EASY PICKINGS, NOW GO WILD!"

All forty-odd members of Theta Unit raised their weapons in the air.

"YEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!"

Vaughan cocked his head to the side. "You hear that?"

Erity yawned. "Hear what?"

"Sounded like someone cheering."

"Huh. Funny that."

"Yup."

"WOULD YOU TWO HELP ME ALREADY?!" Runo hollered behind them, cries punctuated by the sound of grinding metal.

Erity and Vaughan both ignored him with a sigh. At least someone out there was having fun tonight.

Let it be said that the Going Merry was not an ideal battlefield.

First, she was not particularly big– there was little room to fight, especially since the deck was crowded with seventeen people and one duck. Second, she wasn't exactly in mint condition and therefore in no position to be taking on more damage. However, neither of these factors prevented the Going Merry from descending into chaos.

The twelve bounty hunters that had climbed aboard swarmed the group en masse while the hunters remaining on the beach began to wade through the water to join their comrades. Yari vanished into the surge with a cackle, and at the moment none of the Straw Hats saw any sign of her. Not that the Straw Hats wasted any time either– the moment Yari gave her order, Vivi climbed onto Carue's back and together they jumped down to join the boys. Usopp scrambled up the mast, though whether to gain a better vantage point or to escape the onslaught was anyone's guess. Zoro prepared to fight as well, but Brook got back on his feet and darted toward the younger crewmates to put himself between them and the hunters.

Strangely enough, he had his violin out.

"Yohohoho!" he laughed as he jumped into the air. "Party Music!"

He began to play a festive tune on the instrument, and while some of the hunters like Theta Leader had the foresight to cover their ears, a good chunk of them had enraptured expressions as they danced along with the skeleton's music... until Brook appeared behind them with his sword in one hand and his sheath in the other.

"Quinte Tierce..." He sheathed the sword. "Fantasia!"

The hunters fell over, devoid of ice but covered in cuts– not that it made his attack any less impressive to his younger crewmates. Theta Leader snarled and along with his remaining men went to attack the musician, only for Brook to block all of their weapons with his sword and sheath.

"Mr. Zoro, Ms. Vivi!" he shouted, voice strained. "Grab Mr. Usopp and leave the ship! I'll take things from here!"

"We can't just leave you!" Vivi argued.

"I'll be fine, just go before the rest of them climb aboard! As long as I draw breath, I will not allow my crew to be harmed!" With a grunt he shoved the hunters back and whipped his sword across Theta Leader's chest. "EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NO LUNGS!"

"ARGGGH!" Theta Leader cried out, toppling over.

Vivi and Zoro smacked the air. "WHAT KIND OF BATTLE CRY IS THAT?!"

The remaining five of the original twelve all shouted in rage, and were about to at least attempt to avenge their fallen leader–

"Exploding Star!"

–when they were all hit with small explosions.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The smoke cleared, and despite being a little sooty, the hunters were perfectly fine.

"What the hell kind of dinky attack was that?!" one of them hollered up to Usopp, who peered over the edge of the crow's nest nervously. "Get down here and take us seriously, Sniper-!"

"Soul Solid! Gavotte Bond en Avant!"

The remaining five were sent flying overboard, ice creeping up their bodies from Brook's sword thrust.

"G-Great, Brook!" Usopp shouted down, giving the skeleton a thumbs up. "Just like I planned!"

Brook looked over his shoulder to see more hunters starting to climb aboard to replace their fallen comrades, then glared up at the sniper. "Mr. Usopp, you and the others need to go now!"

Although as Brook said this, it was abundantly clear that the hunters weren't going to let them go. Like rats they swarmed over the deck, filling every nook and cranny and almost separating the Straw Hats from each other entirely. Usopp yelped and did his best to pepper the crowd with as many Exploding Stars, Lead Stars, and even Egg Stars as he could, but it did little else but annoy them. Vivi whipped out her Peacock Slashers, but to her horror the little blades barely nicked their skin. It was only thanks to Carue's speed that they weren't overwhelmed.

At the same time, Zoro managed to find himself back to back with Brook. Brook thrust Soul Solid into anyone who got too close, while Zoro could only guard against every sword that came at him.

"Mr. Zoro, please escape!" Brook said, cutting down another foe. "Before Ms. Yari returns!"

"Do you really see that happening right now?!" Zoro barked.

A hunter wielding twin dao swords leapt at him. Zoro crossed Yubashiri and Kitetsu in front of him.

"Oni Giri!"

CLANG!

Zoro suppressed a gasp as the hunter parried his signature technique with relatively ease. It was done with enough force that Wado Ichimonji had almost been forced from his jaws.

He stopped it?! he thought. No one's done that since...

"You have no idea how big the world really is."

A vein throbbed on Zoro's forehead. "... DAMN IT!"

"Poor attitude there, kid," the Dao Swords-Hunter chided, blade grinding against Zoro's. "No worries though– you won't have to suffer the humiliation much longer!"

On the word longer, the Dao Swords-Hunter kicked Zoro's legs out from under him and in the brief second the pirate was in free-fall, he pivoted his heel and delivered a vicious kick into his stomach. The green-haired swordsman went flying, plowing through a number of other hunters before crashing through the storeroom wall.

"GRRRAGH!" Zoro cried out, Wado finally falling from his mouth as he bounced to a halt on the storeroom floor.

"Mr. Bushido/Mr. Zoro!" Vivi and Brook both shouted in alarm.

Brook turned to aid the younger swordsman, but had his path blocked by another shikomizue sword. He only just managed to get his own sword up into time to avoid getting sliced in half.

"Come now, where is your pride as a swordsman?" Yari said, apparently deciding now to rejoin the fray. "I was content to watch the sparks fly from afar, but I am a tad touchy about someone interrupting duels."

Brook didn't reply, but icy mist started to wisp off his sword.

"There we are. We are both 'gentle blade' types, yes?" She smiled condescendingly. "Have at me."

"I will duel you if you wish, but let my younger crewmates go!" he snapped. "You know they are from the past, and have no chance against New World threats! They don't even have bounties yet; what do you hope to accomplish by taking them down?"

"I was ordered to capture Straw Hats, and I doubt my Boss cares when or where they come from." Yari pressed her sword on Soul Solid harder. "And even if they are pitiful weaklings and not worth my time, I am curious to see how long their devil's luck holds out here. It might be fun."

Brook had only one response to that– jumping back from Yari and thrusting Soul Solid forward. "Aubade Coup Droit!"

Yari stepped to the side before Brook could finish calling out his attack, paying no mind to the fact that the burst of air knocked five of her subordinates overboard in her place.

"See? Fun," she said, flicking a smudge of ice off her cheek. She raised her blade so it was vertical with her body– a dueling stance. She gripped the hilt of her weapon tightly, and Brook could see familiar glowing pink veins spread across her hand. "Tell me, Soul King. Do skeletons still feel pain?"

As much as the skeleton wanted his younger crewmates to get away as soon as possible, there was no way in hell that Yari was going to let him help them, much less let them go, without a fight. She was the greatest threat. All he had to do was keep her focus on him and maybe– just maybe– the others had a chance.

Brook grit his teeth and mirrored her stance. "Come find out."

"With pleasure."

As Brook and Yari began their bout, the younger pirates found themselves in their own worsening predicaments. Carue was quick, but he had only much room to move as more hunters climbed on board. Vivi felt someone grab her by the back of her shirt and yank her off her duck's saddle.

"Ahh!" she yelped.

Carue looked over his shoulder at her in terror. "QUAW!"

"C'mere, Princess!" a bounty hunter sneered, pulling her into a headlock. She struggled in his grasp as he continued," You don't have a bounty, so that means we can do whatever we want with you. So how's about-!"

Vivi retracted her Peacock Slasher so held the tiny blade between her thumb and index finger, then stabbed it into the back of the back of the hunter's hand.

The man screamed and his hold on Vivi loosened. "ARGGH! YOU BITCH!"

Vivi slipped from his arms and dropped to the floor, giving Carue the opportunity to charge the hunter and headbutt him in the abdomen. He didn't even have a chance to shout as the duck knocked him overboard.

SPLASH!

Vivi gasped for breath and pulled herself back on Carue. "Thanks, boy."

That worked better than my first attacks. But this is getting out of hand, she thought. We need to-

"VIVI!"

Vivi looked up and bit back a curse. Hunters had started to climb up the mast toward the crow's nest, apparently tired of Usopp's annoying shots.

"CRAP, CRAP, CRAP!" the sniper chanted, firing one ineffectual Lead Star after the other. "A LITTLE HELP HERE?!"

"Usopp, hold on!" She cracked Carue's reins. "Hyah!"

At the same time, Zoro finally pulled himself off the storeroom floor. The crash had left his shirt in tatters, he noted with an annoyed frown, so he just tugged the scraps off his body and tossed them aside. He then pulled his black bandanna free and tied it around his head. His back and gut ached ached, but he shrugged it off as he climbed out of hole he made.

Dammit, these guys are the grunts and I'm having this much trouble? he thought with an enraged scowl. It's not like they're Mihawk!

Zoro usually appreciated strong opponents, but it was one thing when your older self proved his strength, and another when the lowest of the enemy's low did.

"It's no place for a group of overconfident rookies."

"There you are, Pirate Hunter!"

Zoro looked up to see the Dao Swords-Hunter approaching him, both swords brandished menacingly at his sides.

"Still able to stand, eh?" He chuckled darkly. "We'll fix that."

He sprinted forward, but for Zoro, it was as though everything moved in slow motion. An enemy was about to cut him down– he'd already proven strong enough to stop one of his strongest techniques. He had only two swords in his hands– there was no time to scoop up Wado Ichimonji. If the Dao Sword-Hunter reached him, he was done for.

"... SCREW THAT!"

Screw Roronoa! he thought. Screw weakness, and screw the New World right up the ass! I'm done!

He raised Yubashiri and Kitetsu, and swung.

"GET THE HELL OFF OUR SHIP! TWO SWORD STYLE– HAWK WAVE!"

FWOOOOOOSH!

Dao Swords-Hunter looked in pure fear as a flying slash attack emerged from Zoro's blades, tearing up the deck beneath it. "WHAT THE HELL-?!"

SLASH!

"ARGGGGGGGGH!"

The flying slash didn't just rip through Dao Swords-Hunter. It ripped through the five guys behind him, it blew the men climbing up the mast toward Usopp off without touching the mast itself, tore through the deck planks, and narrowly missed Vivi (spared only by Carue's reflexes, but the resulting wind nearly blew her off his saddle). It only lost momentum when it reached the bow, where Yari and Brook currently clashed blades, and stopped just short of the figurehead. Both fencers had to leap away from each other to avoid being sliced up.

For a moment everyone stared in shock and awe, silent save for the sound of cracking wood and bodies hitting the deck. Zoro could only stand there, nearly slackjawed at the sight of the damage his attack wrought– from gaping wounds to the new giant gouge mark going across the Merry's deck. He looked down at his swords.

That's... new, he thought.

Vivi pulled herself upright, and looked at Zoro in wonder. "Gods above..."

Usopp's jaw had dropped, but he immediately shook his head and hollered down, "WHAT THE HELL, ZORO?! LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO POOR MERRY!"

Zoro shook off his own stupor and hollered back, "I DIDN'T MEAN TO! THAT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!"

"BOYS, IS NOW REALLY THE TIME?!" Vivi shouted.

Up by the figurehead, Brook stared at the younger swordsman with a combination of bafflement and something that might have been pride in any other situation. A... flying slash attack? But that's impossible, he can't even cut steel yet. How in the Four Blues did he...?

Brook was the only one feeling this way. Yari had a similar expression, though leaning more on the baffled side of things. It didn't last, however, as her lips slipped into a near-maniacal grin.

"Oh my," she said silkily. "Look who just became worth my time."

A chill that had nothing to do with Brook's powers ran down his spine, but by the time he stabbed at Yari, she no longer stood there.

"MR. ZORO!" he yelled. "LOOK OUT! DON'T LET HER TOUCH YOU!"

It was only thanks to Brook's warning that Zoro got his katanas up in time, where they immediately blocked Yari's shikomizue.

CLANG!

Yari was not deterred, still smiling as she muttered, "Spoilsport."

Zoro grunted as their blades slid against each other, and he had to admit that for such a small, slender woman, she was really freaking strong.

Brook started to run toward his crewmate. "Mr. Zoro, hold on! Don't fight her, I'll-"

He stopped as another bounty hunter jumped in the way with a broadsword. He wasn't the only one– the rest of the remaining bounty hunters were shaking off their surprise and going after the pirates with renewed fervor.

"Don't interrupt Ms. Yari!" Broadsword Hunter sneered, holding Soul Solid back with his weapon "Pirate Hunter owes her a duel!"

Brook grit his teeth and ignored the hunter, keeping his empty eye-sockets on Zoro.

Just as Zoro thought he was going to lose his grip, Yari disengaged and took a step back from him. She kept her sword ready though, showing she wasn't backing down from the fight just yet. Zoro did the same with Yubashiri and Kitetsu.

"I have to say, I am surprised," she said, eyeing Zoro critically as they began to circle each other. "I had thought that, as you are now, you would not be a worthy opponent. But that was a well-executed flying slash attack."

Flying slash attack, huh? Good to know, he thought. To Yari, he scoffed. "Glad I impressed you."

"As you should. At any rate, while you are not the Pirate Hunter I was hoping to find tonight, I am willing to test your mettle if you are interested." She narrowed her eyes at him. "I can sense... you are stronger than one like you should be. Curious."

Zoro snarled, but not at Yari's comments. On one hand, he remembered the humiliating defeat Roronoa gave the Love Cook, and how easily Brook cut through the enemies he personally struggled with. On the other hand, a powerful swordsman was going out of her way to challenge him. On top of that, for the first time since they got to this island, someone from the future wasn't dismissing his strength.

It took literally every fiber of his willpower to reply, "Pass."

Yari closed her eyes and shrugged. "Disappointing, but not unexpected. I commend you for your restraint– after all, there is no shame in abstaining, only in retreat. Especially where a more powerful opponent is concerned."

In spite of her words, Zoro could feel goosebumps forming on his skin. She was building up to something.

She opened her eyes and gave the younger swordsman a sickeningly sweet smile. "That being said, do you really think your pride as a swordsman will allow you to walk away from another swordsman's challenge– from a chance to gauge how far you are from the strength of the New World?"

Were Zoro still holding Wado between his teeth, there was a very strong likelihood he would have bitten straight through the hilt. The last time he was faced with this dilemma, he allowed himself to be cut down by a superior swordsman rather than admit defeat. He couldn't walk away from this.

"If he can protect the ship or the crew, that's all that matters. It'd be a victory in my book."

… Damn it all.

He exhaled loudly through his nose and replied, "No, it wouldn't. I'm stubborn like that. You're on, witch-bitch."

"Ugh, you are Pirate Hunter. But I have to ask– how do you plan to win?"

"Get you and your men the hell away from my friends or off Luffy's ship. That'll be my victory, and my crew's."

She considered that, then nodded. "Then that will be the terms of this duel since the circumstances are what they are. If either you or your crew force me from this ship, I will concede defeat and your pride will remain intact. Do try not to disappoint me further."

Zoro raised any eyebrow at her. "You gonna fight or talk to me to death?"

"Fine."

With that, Yari ceased her circling and struck. She lunged her blade so quickly that Zoro barely had time to guard. She repeated this motion at rapid speed, stepping forward with each thrust. This kept Zoro on the defensive and made him keep moving back. He swung out his swords, but Yari skillfully ducked out of the way and swung at his legs. Zoro jumped out of the way, but not before she was able to nick his calf. He backed up a bit and lifted his swords over his head.

"Tiger..."

Yari grinned.

"... Trap!"

The attack never made contact; Yari leapt into the air long before the blades even came down. It was almost as if...

… She knew what it did, Zoro thought all in one agonizing second. She predicted my move before I even made it.

For the love of– did everyone from the future know how to do that? Zoro seriously needed to learn if this was an actual thing or just a fluke.

Still in the air, Yari performed an artful flip and as she landed on her feet, lifted her sword horizontally while dragging two fingers along it. For some reason, the blade shimmered with pink light wherever her fingers touched.

"Nerve Cut– Stimulus!"

She proceeded to continually stab her sword at his chest at lightning-fast pace, not unlike Luffy's Gum Gum Gatling. Zoro did his best to meet each one, but she had speed unlike anything he'd ever seen. She got past his defense and cut into his shoulder– SON OF A BITCH THAT HURT.

"SHIT!" he yelled, stumbling back with motes of pink light trailing from the wound.

From the other side of the deck with the Broadsword Hunter, Brook felt his heart beat staccato (not that he had one). It was bad enough that Yari pushed the 'swordsman's pride' button and Zoro accepted the challenge, but clearly she was more versatile with her devil fruit than he thought if she could channel it through her sword.

"Mr. Zoro, get away from her!" Brook yelled out to him, blocking an attack from his adversary. "Her devil fruit allows her to manipulate pain!"

Any other time, Zoro would have snapped at him for not mentioning that sooner. However, Zoro couldn't string the words together. Other than the linger pain in his shoulder, everything suddenly seemed so... vivid. It was night out but everything appeared too bright, all sounds were too loud, and even the evening wind blowing on his skin was too much. It was as though his sensitivity to his surroundings had been heightened to unbearable levels.

"First blood to me," Yari stated smugly. "Perhaps I should have let you pick up your third sword first."

Zoro shook his head to clear the haze. Get it together!

She was a wobbly, purple blob in his vision but he still charged her, slashing at her without abandon. Her eyes widened as she went on the defensive, but it was clear that it wasn't really a great effort on her part. Despite the way her blade creaked from the force of his strikes, she met each one with grace and speed, and eventually her lips drew into a pout.

"You are strong, but that does not translate into skill. Pity," she grumbled as she held his swords back in another blade. She eyed his bare chest briefly. "An old lesson I assume. That scar looks like it was painful."

Zoro didn't reply. It took all his concentration to filter out the new intensity of his environment, and he had no desire to respond to any more of her aggravating comments. At her next slash, he trapped her sword between his, but it didn't faze her.

"I like scars. They are good reminders of battles long fought, of victories... and failures." She smiled softly, and almost... sadly? "Scars always remember. Pain remembers."

She twisted her wrist with such force that Zoro's arms and swords splayed apart, and Yari took the chance to move in close and plant her bare hand on his bare chest– directly over his scar.

Zoro snarled. "What the hell?!"

From the other side of the deck, Vivi– who was surrounded on all sides by hunters– turned to look at Zoro and gasped when she saw Yari touching him.

"Get away from him!" she yelled, trying to find a way to help.

There was a blast of cold air, and suddenly all the hunters around her were frozen. Brook appeared at her side, but he was looking at Zoro. The Broadsword Hunter lay bleeding behind him.

"Mr. Zoro, get away!" the musician shouted to him.

Usopp, hearing all the new commotion, looked down worriedly from the crow's nest. "What is she doing?!"

"Tell me, Roronoa Zoro," Yari whispered, sounding louder than all of Zoro's friends combined in spite of it. "What does your pain remember?"

He flipped Yubashiri in his grip and swung down to knock her hand away. "Get off, you-!"

"Lethe."

Zoro's chest scar lit up with that hideous pink light, and then–

And then–

And then–

"But why?"

"Scars on the back are a swordsman's shame."

"Splendid!"

The first time he'd felt this, he had managed to brace himself since he knew it was coming. The first time he felt this, he didn't even really feel it all that much because he was running on so much adrenaline that you could have removed his brain and he wouldn't have felt it. The first time he felt this, his senses weren't overstimulated.

This time he had none of those luxuries.

There was only pain.

"ARRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHH!"

"ZORO!"

三

TO BE CONTINUED