SailorStar9: So with Chapter 295 uploaded, this is Chapter 296 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Pairings: Married!Ace/Sasha, Sibling!Luffy/Sasha, Sibling!Sabo/Sasha, Background Protector!Law/Sasha

Disclaimers: One Piece belongs to Oda Eiichirō-sensei. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except my OC, the pairing and the fic idea.

Chapter 296: Arc 17: Ticking Down to the Great Battle! The Straw Hats Go into Combat Mode

"Is that really true?" Kin'emon exclaimed in sheer shock after Kawamatsu relayed Hiyori's words to the gathered Akazaya samurai.

"Yes, it is true." Kawamatsu confirmed.

"Hiyori-sama is alive?" Kin'emon teared.

"That little devil said such a polite thing?" even Kanjuro was stunned. "She really grew up."

"Kawamatsu!" Raizo pushed the painter aside. "Since you were in prison, I imagined something bad happened to her, so I could not ask you."

"Where is she now?" Dogstorm pulled the sobbing ninja back. "Is she with a bodyguard?"

"Dot no worry." Kawamatsu assured. "She is in a secure location."

"Anyway, that is great." Kin'emon wept joyously. "That is really great."

"Zorojuro." Momonosuke turned to the samurai. "Did you save her? Thank you. She is a bit rough but she actually is bit weak and cries a lot, so she is quite a handful."

"Momo, you still think it's just like the old days?" Zoro sighed. "She is now 18 years older than you."

"Kawamatsu, they are ready." Tenguyama Hitetsu brought out Oden's blades. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah." Kawamatsu confirmed. "We've already come to an agreement."

"I see." Hitetsu relented. "Then, I will hold my tongue."

"Hitetsu-dono, take this first." Kiku returned Nidai Kitetsu to the sword-smith. "This is Nidai Kitetsu which was confiscated from Luffytaro at Udon."

"Now, my name is Tenguyama Hitetsu." Hitetsu declared. "I am a sword-smith from Wano. For two decades, I have been awaiting the day that I can hand back these swords to Momonosuke-sama and Hiyori-sama." he revealed Enma and Ame no Habakiri. "These are Oden-sama's precious swords. Ame no Habakiri that can slice heaven in half and Enma that can even cut through the bottom of hell. Both counted as the 21 Great Grade Swords along with Shusui. Momonosuke-sama, what would you like to do with my masterpiece?"

"I am not ready yet." in dragon form, Momonosuke protested. "I want you to keep it for now."

"And that Enma is yours." Hitetsu handed Enma to Zoro. "First, I must tell you that the only person who was able to manage Enma in this country was Kozuki Oden and no one before or since. Try cutting one of those trees."

Letting his coat fall off his shoulders, Zoro freed his arms from his yukata and unsheathed his new sword.

Enma activated, drawing Zoro's Armament Haki in overwhelming amounts and Zoro swung the powered up blade down, cutting the tree apart, along with the protruding portion of the coastline.

"The whole cliff has been cut." Sanji gawked.

"Give it back!" Zoro growled, forcing his Armament Haki back to his body.

"So, that is Enma." Sasha looked at Hitetsu. "It has the ability to draw out its wielder's Armament Haki at will, enabling it to cut far more than what was needed."

"Indeed." the sword-smith agreed at the weapons mistress' assessment. "If he was a regular swordsman, he would have dried up and collapsed by now. He is quite impressive."

"Enma, huh?" Zoro smirked. "Once I get used to it, I'm gonna get even stronger, right?"

"He is a fool." Kawamatsu chuckled.

"Orobi-dono, do you know how big the enemy's military force is?" Kin'emon asked, already making attack plans.

"According to what Sahiko and I heard, the Beast Pirates have about 20 thousand troops." Robin replied. "The Shogun Orochi has about 10 thousand companions. That means there'll be 30 thousand enemies at Onigashima on that day."

"There are no commoners to get in the way, so they have a geographical advantage." Ashura pointed out. "Even with the blueprints of the mansion."

"And all we have is about four thousand." Kin'emon pondered. "It is not going to be an all-out war, but we are hugely outnumbered. Nevertheless, we have no other option than the raid plan. We must execute it."

"Settle down!" Zoro winced as Enma continued drawing his Armament Haki, the swordsman was training in the nearby bamboo forest.

"Master!" Tama ran in on Chopper in Walk Point towards Hitetsu, with the sleeping Luffy slung over the reindeer's back.

"Chopper." Nami beamed. "Luffy!"

"Is he sleeping?" Sasha spotted the snot bubble inflating and deflating from her brother's nose.

Countdown to the day before the Fire Festival.

"Now, Sasha-dono." Kin'emon started. "We are leaving now. We must get there before anyone."

"Then, I bide you all good luck." Sasha nodded. "Our ship, the Sunny, is docked here. Be careful and don't get caught."

"We have never dropped out guard." Kin'emon bragged. "I am counting on you guys."

"Leave it to us." Luffy assured.

With the promise in place, the gathered Akazaya, along with Momonosuke and Shinobu, headed off to Tokage Port.

"That Kitetsu looks different now." Hitetsu interrupted Zoro's training. "It seems like he met a good owner. Kitetsu III, which you wield is my craft. Kid, Hiyori-sama gave you Enma, which I'm guessing fits oddly comfortably in your hand, doesn't it? It follows the same logic of cursed swords. The weak cannot handle them. But the biggest reason why it fits comfortably in your hand is, in a twist of fate, that Wado Ichimonji and Enma, were crafted by the same person: the legendary sword-smith, Shimotsuki Kozaburo. More than half a century ago, he illegally departed from this country. Hiyori-sama might have given you the memento from her father because she recognized that sword. Enma has not been forge into a Black Blade yet. Its rank can be raised depending on you."

SailorStar9: Any OOC-nes is regretted. *Sighs* Don't you just hate plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.