Hi guys Azza here!
600k word gang rise up!
For real we've hit yet another milestone and we're not even at the time skip yet! Honestly that seriously blows my mind with each 100k we do!
Thanks to all of you guys for being so patient and for the honest criticism about stuff regarding the story! I know my rebuttal to Natsu struggling against people might have seemed a bit rough but I do appreciate the honesty you guys had in saying that.
Same goes with the length of fights, a topic I didn't have the space to address the last time. Basically, fight length was increased upon the request of all you guys since not only did you all want longer chapters, but longer fights and longer normal scenes. Basically just longer everything!
So, I get what you guys mean about it since some do go for an entire chapter however I feel that with certain characters such as Gods, Devils, Titans, Anti Beasts and characters on that tier, it kind of requires it.
That's why for the most part I split the fights up into several separate ones per chapter if there are multiple going on at once. I do it so that you aren't all reading the exact same thing each chapter and get a few different points of what's going on per chapter.
I'm currently deciding how I want to approach the Post Time Skip fights since pretty much everyone is being beefed up drastically from their canon counterparts so there likely won't be many full chapter fights to begin with anyway.
Plus lets not forget that even during the current time in the story I've skipped entire fights in order to ensure we keep things moving at a decent pace. I'm sure no one wanted to read several thousand words of Nami vs Khalifa or Franky vs Fukurou, right?
Anyway, again I just wanna say thanks for all the support, feedback and genuine positivity we've got going on here and hope to see you all at the inevitable 700k!
Ok now before we get to the reviews just a quick thing about the middle section of this chapter, its purely setup for stuff that's going down in the future. But keen-eyed readers might remember certain pieces of it I've written elsewhere …
Ok now onto the reviews!
Dragonborn2704 – Thanks! I appreciate the kind words; I know I really should've been doing that sooner but I kind of fell into the whole 'I'm obligated to upload' kind of mindset and that merged with my work and other personal time without really being on a well thought out schedule.
Glad to hear my skills didn't get rusty though and you liked my version of Kenpachi. I really thought his relationship with Yachiru was one that could be used to further his character beyond said mindless Berserker so I'm glad it worked!
EeveeTheImmortal – Trust me, I had trouble by the end not doing the same when I was writing it. Glad to hear it struck a chord with you!
Alright enough from me guys, on with the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.
Separation
/Natsu's POV/
Dropping down to one knee, Natsu coughed up blood as his reserves worked overtime to purge the Death from his system and regenerate his all but destroyed lung. His senses had confirmed the destruction of Kenpachi however he knew things were far from done as he sensed the battles back on Sabaody reaching their own conclusion.
"I have to get back there," he muttered and was about to warp over there only to find himself unable to. "Huh?"
It was strange, almost as if someone had erected a barrier specifically designed to keep him from performing his usual warping technique. Several test attempts found him hitting the brick wall for zero effort, thus making any further attempts futile at best.
"Any ideas?"
"I can think of one," Ahnk frowned as two familiar signatures popped into existence behind him. "I figured this would happen, just not this quickly …"
Turning around, Natsu was surprised to see both Michael and Lucifer standing there looking rather grim. Thinking back on what Ahnk had just said, it took him little time to work out exactly why the two powerful Lords had come to see him directly.
"That bad?"
"That's putting it mildly," Lucifer sighed as he ran a hand through his hair tiredly. "I don't think you understand the significance of what you just did, do you?"
"How would he though," Michael added quickly as both Brothers sat down on some rocks nearby. "He wasn't trained nor taught of such things."
"Surely this can't be some sort of serious offense though, right?"
"The significance of the attack you just performed Natsu cannot be understated," Lucifer replied calmly as he motioned for Natsu to sit across from them. "That attack was an old favourite of Ahnkseram's back when he was a maniac who slaughtered Gods and Devils for fun."
"The true issue with it, however, is in the very name of the attack itself," Michael added quickly. "Those of us who know their history remember it from the old times …"
"An attack designed specifically to kill higher beings," Lucifer said softly as Natsu held his hands out in front of him speculatively. The Great Atrocity … Deicide VII."
"You've put a lot of people on edge by using that you know," Michael continued with a small smile. "Of course, my Brother and I are fully aware that you wouldn't ever use such a technique on anyone without a good reason …"
"But?"
"There are … some," Lucifer said with his tone becoming rather venomous. "Some, who would see you destroyed even after all the good you've done."
"Seriously?"
"They are a minority," Michael said with equal distaste for the topic. "To put it simply, they spout the old rhetoric of Hybrids being foul abominations that we should terminate. However, they also have been campaigning that you hold far too much sway over things despite your young age."
"The trash should learn their place," Lucifer spat as he crushed a rock in his hand. "If it weren't for Natsu, they'd be in Achnologia's belly by now!"
"Quite right," a new voice chimed in as all three watched another figure pop into existence on the rock closest to Natsu. "I figured I should also be part of this conversation, given just WHO Natsu was forced to use such a ghastly technique on."
"You still feel bad about it?"
"Of course I do!"
"You're Death, you had to choose someone," Lucifer retorted only for Lady Death to shake her head.
"I needed to 'choose' someone who was willing," the Goddess Of Death corrected the man who simply hummed in response. "I was young back then and thought I could do as I pleased and the mortals would obey without question, as I had been taught."
"As we all were," Michael muttered bitterly as both Lucifer and Death nodded in understanding.
"Nevertheless, it was my mistakes that led to Kenpachi's cursed life as one of my chosen. The man simply wanted to reunite with the girl who lit up his otherwise blood soaked and dimly lit life, and I denied him of that. In a rather foolish way of trying to make up for my mistakes, I sent him on to the Throne Of Heroes in the hopes that he would be able to win and get his wish to see her once more."
"I think what's important is that you learnt from your mistake with Kenpachi," Natsu chimed in, prompting Death to look at him curiously. "As a Servant, he definitely seemed happy. In fact, from what I could tell during our fight, Kenpachi was actually loving his time as a Servant."
"Be that as it may Natsu, that still does not change what I did to the poor man …"
"No, of course it doesn't. However, as long as you never forced someone who was unwilling to be your chosen again then I think Kenpachi would forgive you."
"Really? How do you come to that conclusion?"
"I think that's just the kind of guy he is," Natsu replied honestly which surprised all three higher beings before him. "He was clearly a man who valued strength, pride, loyalty and bonds. A person like that tends to be rather laid back and willing to forgive, provided that the person who wronged them is genuinely willing and actively trying to change themselves for the better."
"You could infer all that just by fighting him?"
"It's a skill I picked up when I was younger," Natsu shrugged in reply. "You tend to try and discern your opponent during battle in case you need to exploit something to gain the upper hand. Kenpachi was a rather easy foe to read compared to someone like Madara for example who would flip from one side of the emotional spectrum to the other at the drop of a hat."
"That … is rather fascinating," Death replied shakily before clearing her throat, shaking her head of all thoughts regarding Kenpachi and her failure for the moment. "Regardless of my past foolishness, this is not about that …"
"But about you," Lucifer finished for her as Natsu leant back against the rock and crossed his arms expectantly.
"So what, I'm to be taken back?"
"Of course not," Michael scoffed. "Your work here figuring out this mess regarding the Void Century is vital work for the Council!"
"Not to mention the fact that this world is even more messed up than what Shanks reported to us before we recommended you for this," Lucifer added grimly. "The fact that a Beast Of Anti was able to slip into this realm so easily through a Servant is a serious cause for alarm in of itself!"
"I'll admit, when Gecko Moria was possessed by Sut-Typhon, Lucifer and I considered coming to confront it directly if you weren't able to defeat it."
"A full manifestation of Sut-Typhon would have been nothing short of a disaster so thank hell he was defeated before getting that far!"
"I knew he was powerful … but was he really THAT powerful?"
"Oh yes," Death replied with a serious nod, her eyes stressing the point by boring into his own. "To put it into perspective Natsu, the full power of Sut-Typhon makes the Achnologia you fought appear like a mere Wyvern."
"Achnologia was a Beast Of Anti who grew stronger through consumption," Lucifer continued as Natsu's attention snapped toward the Devil. "Sut-Typhon on the other hand is an entity who feeds on Nightmare and Chaos, a fuel source that is a constant throughout all of existence. He also feeds on it subconsciously whereas Achnologia required the direct power source in order to grow stronger."
"Which is why Sut-Typhon is considered to be a higher class of Beast compared to Achnologia."
"B-but then why the hell were you all so afraid of Achnologia then!?"
"Because, should he have managed to consume even one of us, he would have gained that God or Devil's full power and abilities and used that to consume more and more."
"Both Beasts are frighteningly powerful in their own way Natsu, Sut-Typhon was just older and had a better foothold compared to the Anti Dragon you defeated."
"I-I see," Natsu muttered softly as he felt Death's hand gently touch his shoulder.
"Don't let us take away from your victory Natsu, for your actions in confronting that Beast were still far beyond what any could have hoped for. My Brother and I knew you would require the power of the Hybrid's Aura in order to confront the Anti safely, and look at you now!"
"I can wield it to a small degree …"
"Precisely! Which means, in the future, we can study it and find a better method of defending against its destructive power," Death continued as Natsu coated his hand in the chaotic substance.
"It is as I said, Natsu …"
"L-Lord Tim," Michael gasped as all four scrambled to their feet only for the Time Primordial to wave his hand gently.
"Please, no need to try and be formal with me. I've only come to talk with you all regarding Natsu and his most recent escapade."
It was at the moment his eyes met those of the Time Primordial that Natsu realized exactly why he'd come. He wasn't in trouble like last time, nor was he being tested for his worth in getting Ahnkseram's Grimoire.
"You have made some progress in better controlling yourself Natsu, just as we discussed, however you have clearly still got much work to do."
"B-but-!"
"Emotion," Tim began, cutting Natsu off before he could fire off any kind of defence. "When we last spoke during your time in the Elemental Nations, we spoke of your emotions and just how important it was that you better control them. Do you remember why we spoke of such a topic?"
"Because … because of my ability to use Anti, and my position within the realms," Natsu replied slowly which prompted a slight nod from the Primordial.
"You have certainly made progress Natsu, I won't deny that. However, the current situation that both your friends and yourself are facing could have been avoided entirely-."
"What else was I supposed to do in the face of such barbarism," Natsu spat back as the other three higher beings present looked at him like he'd just sentenced them to certain death. "Those Celestial Dragons … they're animals, they deserved what they got!"
"Did they? Perhaps they deserved punishment, perhaps not. Either way Natsu, the sheer amount of death and destruction that has followed what you've done certainly rests entirely on your own shoulders."
"The blame lies with the World Government allowing their commanding officers and Servants to-!"
"Do you not see," Tim sighed as everything around them shifted and they suddenly found themselves high above Sabaody just before everything kicked off. "Look at Sabaody before you started fighting against Kizaru and Kenpachi …"
Everything shifted as Natsu watched a sped-up version of his own fights, the present time version of what remained of the once expansive Archipelago little more than a handful of islands with extensive damage to them.
"Look at Sabaody now, Natsu," Tim said softly as he snapped his fingers and the group found themselves right in the centre of dozens of bodies, many of which were little more than charred remains. "All of this is because you chose to attack the Celestial Dragons, spurring the brutal response from their protectors. All this because you chose to allow your emotions to dictate your actions rather than your keen mind I know you possess!"
"So what, I should have just let Camie be sold into slavery? I should've let Hachi be shot and killed just because he's a Fishman and not Human? I should've allowed the practice of slavery to continue here!?"
"Natsu," Michael said softly as the man approached and put a hand on the furious Hybrid's shoulder. "No one denies that those things are abhorrent, certainly not Lord Tim. However, what Lord Tim refers to is the response you immediately chose to react with when faced with these issues."
"And before you say anything Natsu," Lucifer said quickly, cutting off Natsu before he could even speak. "Michael and I have been forced to learn this lesson as well."
"Our long feud before Ahnkseram captured us was an error not to dissimilar to what you currently face now."
"And our punishment was basically our enslavement."
"So take it from us when we say that the lesson Lord Tim is trying to impart is not designed to render you heartless, far from it in fact. No, the lesson is simply to think logically with all things you do in order to avoid such incidents."
"I see you two are learning quite well," Tim chuckled softly as both Michael and Lucifer shifted on the spot slightly. "It has been quite some time since the two of you damaged me, thankfully, so there's no need to be so nervous."
"S-sorry," Lucifer laughed shakily, a response that completely threw Natsu for a loop since he'd never seen the two powerful beings act so … normal. "We like to think we've improved!"
"Yeah, we just prank people and go exploring now," Michael added quickly which earned them a laugh from the Time Primordial.
"Indeed, I do see all of it you know. But anyway, back to you Natsu," Tim said as he turned back to face the stunned Hybrid. "I've decided that these two will be helping you better control your emotions."
"Wait a sec, we never agreed to that!"
"Yeah, we're busy-!"
"What was that gentlemen?"
"Nothing," both God and Devil snapped in unison as Tim's gaze swept over the pair. "We're all for helping!"
"Good. No offense to you, but I don't think you're really suited to help Natsu out in this way," Tim said as he looked over at Death apologetically.
"None taken. I'm not known for doing a much better job than Natsu, hence why I don't ever go to Council meetings unless it's to bully them."
"Obviously this won't be happening right now, but there will be a perfect opportunity coming up in about … hmm, yes … that'll do," Tim hummed to himself as he held his arm out and looked at his skin curiously. "I'll fill the two of you in later, there are still spoilers so I can't give a definitive date."
"Makes sense," Lucifer nodded with the others all agreeing quickly.
"Very well, now I must be off," the Primordial said quickly as he snapped his fingers, the group returning to where they started. "Just thought I'd pop in to let you all know my little plan and make sure to double down on what I said to you earlier Natsu."
"Right …"
With a small smile, Tim vanished, which left the rest of the group standing around quietly. After several minutes Natsu was the first to break, sighing audibly as he sat back down on a rock.
"I really did screw things up, didn't I?"
"There were many approaches you could've taken to deal with things here, but to be fair I don't blame you for killing the Celestial Dragons," Lucifer replied sympathetically as he clenched his right fist. "Before I ascended, I was once the ruler of Tartarus and let me tell you that some of the scum that came through that place made me want to wipe out the mortal realms entirely!"
"I suppose we should wrap this little get together up since Natsu still has unfinished business here," Death sighed as they all moved to stand near Natsu, said Hybrid looking at them all in confusion.
"If the Council comes after you for using a Deicide Class Attack, you have our full backing Natsu," Michael said firmly with the others nodding in agreement.
"Indeed. As Kenpachi was my failure, it wouldn't be right for me not to support you. My Brother also agrees that due to his Death Class status, the attack was indeed warranted."
"But this is only if it comes to that," Lucifer added quickly before Natsu could speak. "We don't really know what the Council will try and do. Rodin won't support anything against you since he thinks you're funny and I highly doubt his God counterpart will either. Then there is the blow their popularity would take if they even tried anything to begin with …"
"Thanks guys," Natsu muttered as he slowly rose to his feet. "I get now why Rayleigh wasn't exactly impressed with what I did …"
"Yes, that man is rather well informed as to the workings of the higher realms since he was the former assistant to an Archon Class Devil," Lucifer hummed in agreement. "Any advice that man has to give I would certainly consider it."
"I will," Natsu nodded firmly as both men placed hands on each of his shoulders supportively.
"You might think we're all being a bit harsh on you right now but we're just trying to teach you the things you haven't had the time to learn," Michael said as he let go. "We know that you'll always try to do the right thing when push comes to shove so we'll always have your back just as you've had ours."
"Yeah, my Brother's mushy speech aside," Lucifer smirked as the God scoffed and looked away. "You've done more in the last few decades than either side has done in centuries, you've just got more to learn. Hell, we all have stuff to learn!"
With that, Lucifer and Michael vanished, leaving him alone with Lady Death who stood before him, taking his hands into her own.
"You are not a bad person Natsu, but you do have powers that could destroy everything if you fall. Many fear that scenario, in fact …"
"And what about you?"
"Hm?"
"Do you fear me losing control of the Anti, becoming a worse threat than Achnologia and Ahnkseram combined?"
"No," Death whispered as she moved in close and hugged him, a strange feeling swelling up inside him at her touch. "You are, and always will be … you. Time may move forward and you might adopt new quirks and even find yourself shifting your views on things, but you will always be someone we can always rely on."
Natsu's vision went blurry as his arms slid around Death, burying his face into the crook of her neck at her words. His lack of rest, near constant fights and fatigue combined with his own self-doubts had been gnawing at him almost constantly, so her words affected him in a way few others could.
/?/
Sitting before a holographic screen, resting his head in his hands. A man sighed, watching the tender moment between the Goddess Of Death and the Second Hybrid.
"I'm sorry," he said barely above a whisper as his hand moved to touch Death only for his finger to go through the projection.
A single tear slid down his cheek as he looked at his own reflection off of the metal of the holographic projector. His orange eyes and snow-white hair were identical to that of a figure in a sealed room to his right.
Slowly rising to his feet, the figure moved to look through the window that separated the two rooms and placed a hand against the glass. Again, he could see his orange eyes and white hair in the reflection however it was the figure in the other room who his focus was now solely placed upon.
Hooked up into a machine with countless tubes running from his body, a man lay suspended several feet above the ground. The man had orange-coloured eyes and snow-white hair so long it was easily several times longer than his own body and a set of horns protruding from his head that pulsed with power every minute or two.
The figure who was strapped into the machine was fully conscious, or at least the man behind the glass assumed that was the case. It was hard to tell some days if he truly possessed sentience or was more of a Beast.
Today however, the one in the machine was uncharacteristically silent. He was looking right at the man behind the glass, their eyes locked in what seemed like an unending stalemate.
"It … hurts," the man strapped to the machine's voice echoed throughout both rooms, despite the fact that his mouth was bound shut by thousands of Designation Seals.
The man behind the glass pondered the words, having never once heard a single word from the one bound in the other room before. Looking at him closely, he made a decision.
Walking over to a keypad, the man swiped a key card and punched a series of numbers into it which prompted the door dividing the two rooms to depressurize and open. Walking through, the door resealed itself again as the man moved to stand mere metres before the one bound to the machine.
Looking at the bonds, he had no doubt they were holding. It took almost one trillion dollars to acquire them, a sum that nearly spent all the funds his dear friend had left for him to run the foundation, but an amount that was well worth the price considering exactly what they were.
Indeed, these were the chains said to bind deities for eternity if need be. Ordinarily, said chains would indeed have a limit since they were proven to be escapable by the Servant Heracles at one point.
However, these chains had one distinct difference.
Etched into the very fabric of the metal itself were tiny runes. Millions of tiny pulsing runes glowed ominously across the chains with a power that the man was forced to avert his gaze from, lest he find himself suffering a headache due to the properties of his eyes.
The name of the chains used to bind this powerful person, The Chains Of Heaven.
Indeed, these are the exact same chains wielded by the legendary hero Gilgamesh, however they have been altered to strengthen their binding properties due to the full power of the being before him.
The man chuckled slightly as he thought of what Gilgamesh might think of that, before dismissing the thoughts entirely.
Focusing back on the figure, the man reached out a hand to touch his face. The bound figure's eyes widened momentarily which prompted the other man to pause.
"Why …"
"You likely already know," the man replied softly as he retracted his hand, an act that seemed to anger the one who was bound as he began thrashing against the ancient chains binding him in place.
"You keep struggling after all these years, knowing full well that those chains will never break. I added the runes to them myself at the base of the ROOT, you won't break them as you are right now."
The bound man roared as he continued to thrash against his bonds as he always did, prompting the free man to sigh and move to exit through the door. Swiping his key card and putting in his code, the door opened and the man slipped through only for the thrashing to cease and a calm and collected voice to slam right into his head.
"We shall never be forgiven, no matter if we save them all!"
Spinning back around on the spot, the man locked eyes with the one suspended in the air and noticed the corners of his eyes were twitching upward into a smirk. Gritting his teeth, the man walked back into the room and stood before the bound yet smirking man.
"We will do what we can, as we always have done!"
"And look at where that got us … heheheheheheheHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
The man stepped backward slightly, as if struck, before moving to leave once again. This time however, as he turned around, his reflection in the window lined up perfectly with the bound man's to show their nearly identical appearance.
Clenching his fists, the man's hair shifted from white to pink then from pink and his eyes from orange to a dull grey that still hummed with power.
"You will never escape what we are," the voice jeered as the man sealed the room. "But by all means … continue to 'play' with them a little longer."
The man continued to walk toward the exit, the stairs leading up to the Command Room within sight when the last words he'd hear from the figure for some time echoed through his mind.
"Our Time draws closer," the voice whispered softly which prompted the man to stop with one foot on the staircase. "You plan and plan to avoid what your own Clairvoyance and that of the King and Mage confirm time and again …"
"You can see it," the man muttered which earned him little more than a resonating hum in acknowledgement.
"Solomon will not stop until he has torn Tim apart … There is a paradox approaching that could bring about the Incineration in just over two years."
"I see …"
"I know you do," the bound man chuckled darkly as he began thrashing against his bonds once more. "The question is … are you willing to do anything about it, or will you let it all burn!?"
"You'll see," the unbound man smiled which shut the bound man up. "My plan will work; I already have players in the Singularity as we speak just as Solomon does. I'm not about to let him get the upper hand on me this late in the game, after all."
The man started ascending the stairs as the figure's sentient mind seemed to crumble into a mess of rage and hatred, thrashing against his binds with such force that it shook the entire area as per usual.
As the man ascended the stairs, he inwardly noted he would need to review everything he thought about the 'guest' downstairs and everything he thought he knew about their mental state.
/Sabaody – Straw Hats POV/
"This is beyond ridiculous," Sanji panted as he dropped down to one knee. "It was hard enough to take out one Pacifista …"
"Hate to agree with the perv, but he's right," Zoro growled in response as the towering form of the Pacifista marched toward the entire crew who were all worn down from the fight.
"We aren't just gonna give up though," Luffy snapped as he rose shakily to his feet, steam rising from his body indicating he was still in Gear Second. "Come on!"
"Obviously," Zoro scoffed as he looked back to the others. "But they don't all have our insane stamina."
Luffy looked back to see Nami struggling to even stand, Franky who had long since run out of cola to fuel himself and Usopp who was shaking profusely. Brook looked like he could still keep up and Robin seemed fine aside from a cut across her face and Mash seemed to be only slightly worn down but she had to protect Ritsuka. Inwardly, he knew that they were running out of time, regardless of how many of them were still combat capable at that moment.
"Damn … what should we do," the Captain growled as the Pacifista ceased its advance and held out its right hand, a bright beam charging up from a small barrel poking out of the palm.
"MOVE!"
Everyone managed to avoid the blast, some only just though, as it coated the area in dust. Luffy himself skidded to a stop nearby and was about to try and make a counterattack, however he was frozen in place the moment he looked up at the Pacifista's position.
"No way …"
"Come on," Sanji muttered as he ran a hand through his hair rather roughly. "You serious!?"
"Hate to be the one to spell it out for us … but this looks real bad guys," Zoro sighed as all eyes moved toward a newcomer to the fight.
"It seems that this is the end of the line," the voice said as it took several steps forward, coming to stop next to the Pacifista. "PX9, stand down."
The Pacifista halted in its tracks, seemingly going still as the newcomer stepped forward. Each step they took, a loud thud could be heard as many of the Straw Hats took steps backward in an attempt to keep some distance.
"It is rather unfortunate that you all ended up here at this moment," the figure said as they snapped their massive bible shut. "But the World Government will no longer tolerate the actions of your crew."
"That's the real one," Zoro muttered as the massive figure put the bible into their back pocket. "Bartholomew Kuma!"
"Roronoa Zoro," Kuma said monotonously as he began to take off his gloves. "I shall begin with you …"
"You ain't beginning with shit, you fucking oversized scrap heap!"
Kuma paused in taking off his gloves with all eyes turning toward one of the nearby hills. The entire crew seemed to gain some noticeable hope back as Mordred stood tall on the hill, her armor slightly cracked and some blood in her hair but otherwise no worse for wear.
"MORDRED," the entire crew cried out at once, prompting the Knight to grab Clarent and put it up against the throat of the person to her right, their head clutched firmly in her right hand.
"Don't even think about taking another fucking step Kuma or I kill this piece of shit right here!"
"Mordred Pendragon," Kuma said as he fully turned around to face her. "A rather unwise choice to make."
"The only unwise choice would be to try going after my friends you piece of shit!"
"Very well," Kuma sighed as he shook his head. "My apologies for what is about to occur …"
"Oi! I thought I just said don't you fucking-!?"
Mordred gasped as a loud bang went off, and looked to her chest. Blood poured from a hole in her armor as she felt all her strength leave her, dropping to her knees as blood quickly began to escape her mouth.
"Hmm, not a really wise idea," a familiar voice hummed as a flash of bright yellow signalled the arrival of Kizaru.
"The Admiral too," Zoro hissed as he looked over at Mordred who had now collapsed on the ground. "Shit …"
"D-damn," Mordred coughed as more blood escaped her mouth. "Damn you …!"
Everyone was surprised to see Kizaru had a rather large gash across his face that was bleeding freely, having not expected the man to be so much as touchable due to his Devil Fruit ability. The man wiped some of it away with his sleeve before looking down at Mordred once again.
"Time to finish you off before you can go causing any more trouble to my subordinates," the Admiral sighed as he raised his right leg, a bright golden light shining from his foot as everyone seemed to gain some sort of a second wind.
"Damn, we can't let him kill Mordred," Luffy snapped as he turned around only to quickly realize one of them were missing. "Huh-!?"
"Kizaru brought his leg down however Mordred moved at the last second, setting off a sizeable explosion that revealed Robin had used her Etherious ability to remain undetected to get in close and pull her out of the way at the last moment.
Unfortunately, both girls were still hit by the outer blast and sent crashing into a nearby Mangrove with Kizaru appearing nearby.
"Hmm. Nico Robin, I was unaware you possessed such an ability," the Admiral said in genuine interest. "Such a waste. Kuma, deal with them."
"Of course," the Warlord replied in his usual monotonous tone that put everyone on guard. "As I said before, Roronoa Zoro-."
"Yeah yeah, you'll start with me," the swordsman growled in response. "But don't think I'm gonna just let you take me down nice and easy!"
Placing his third blade back into his mouth, Zoro prepared himself as Kuma fully turned back to face him. Just as he was about to prepare an attack, Kuma vanished with everyone shocked at the sudden disappearance of the hulking man.
"Zoro, above you," Brook cried out with his eyes being the first to register the reappearance of the Warlord.
"What-!?"
That was all Zoro could get out before Kuma's palm struck him, a powerful shockwave ripping through his body that shredded his clothes and knocked him to the ground instantly.
"Damn it," Sanji snarled as he spun around on the spot. "Diable Jambe: Premier Hach-!"
A punch to the gut silenced Sanji before he could even try and move, Kuma's mighty fist planted firmly into it as the chef was sent flying into a set of buildings.
"SANJI!"
"He's far too powerful for us to fight like this," Robin panted, having finally managed to pry herself from the Yarukiman Mangrove along with Mordred. "Luffy, I think we need to try and escape!"
"Escape," Kuma said as he appeared right in front of both Robin and the downed Mordred. "There is no escaping your fate. You should know that better than anyone, Nico Robin."
"Heh … Hehehehehe …"
"M-Mordred," Robin gasped as the Knight stabbed Clarent into the dirt and used it to rise shakily to her feet. "Y-you're too wounded to be trying to get back up!"
"You think … you can just talk about Fate like that," Mordred asked through grit teeth. "Fate isn't set in stone, dipshit! You really think you can just spout that kind of crap in front of ME!?"
"If you don't believe in Fate," Kuma said as he removed his other glove. "Then let us test it."
"Do your worst, bastard," Mordred spat as God's Aura exploded around Clarent. "I've got plenty of power thanks to Natsu!"
"Mordred don't, you're injured," Robin pleaded desperately only for said Knight to shrug off her gentle attempts at pulling her back.
"Bring it on!"
"Tell me," Kuma said as he vanished and appeared behind Mordred who was already in mid swing. "If you could go anywhere, meet any one person … where would you end up?"
Everyone save for Kizaru was surprised to see Mordred had spun around to strike, predicting Kuma's movements expertly. However, what none of them expected was for Clarent to bounce off the man's right palm as he moved in close with his left.
And then, the second his palm made contact with Mordred directly … she vanished.
No one moved.
No one could even so much as whisper.
No one could believe what they had just seen.
"Let us see just how real Fate truly is," Kuma said softly as he rose to his full height and turned his sights on the rest of the crew.
"O-oi …"
"Wh-where'd Mordred go," Usopp stuttered out as the rest of the group got their bearings together.
"Damn … I wish we had Chaldea watching over us right now," Ritsuka muttered tiredly as he wiped some sweat from his brow. "What the hell did he just do!?"
"I-I saw him do that before," Nami stuttered out as she began backing away from Kuma. "On Thriller Bark, he touched a group of pink haired girls and they all vanished!"
"V-vanished," Chopper gasped as everyone looked back to Kuma who hadn't shifted so much as an inch. "Y-you mean he-!?"
"It is as I said earlier," Kuma cut in as the entire group froze. "This is the end of the line for you all."
Vanishing from sight, Kuma appeared next to Zoro and tapped him on the head. Without even seeing him move from the spot he'd been touched, the green haired swordsman simply vanished.
"ZORO," Luffy roared as he charged forward. "DAMN YOU-!"
Luffy's rage didn't even register to Kuma as he warped over to where the stunned Usopp and Franky sat, moving right for the blue haired cyborg. Just as he was about to touch the immobile man, Brook jumped in the way and vanished instead, much to the horror of the others.
"W-what do we do," Usopp screeched as he shuffled backward, trying to drag Franky with him in the process.
"There is nothing you can do now," Kuma said softly as his hand moved down and touched Franky, the cyborg vanishing instantly. "Your struggles are over now … sleep."
"N-no way," Usopp gasped as he tried to run only to trip in the process. "S-stay away!"
Spinning around, he tried firing several of his slingshot attacks however they didn't affect Kuma in the slightest. And so, just like all the others before him, Usopp vanished.
"Usopp," Sanji cried out only to vanish moments after, not even seeing Kuma move from his current position.
"SANJI!"
Luffy's cry tore through the remaining members of the crew who all looked at the heartbroken face of their Captain. Chopper turned back to face Kuma and pulled out a Rumble Ball from his pocket, looking at it speculatively.
"I've already had two … so if I have this third one then I-!"
Chopper saw Kuma vanish yet again, this time taking Nami away from them and grit his teeth. Without another moment's hesitation, he ate the third Rumble Ball.
Almost instantly, all eyes turned toward Chopper as his body began to convulse violently. The hair on the young Reindeer exploding outward as his body shot up to be three times the size of Kuma's own.
"Chopper," Robin gasped as she watched the childlike Reindeer transform in complete horror. "What have you done!?"
"ROAAAAARGH!"
As soon as he'd transformed, Kuma focused his complete attention on Chopper, entering an actual offensive stance as the absolutely massive monstrous form bore down upon him. The beast roared, shaking the ground around them as it went to try and crush Kuma.
"CHOPPER," Luffy screamed as he tried to get to his feet. "DON'T-!"
But it was too late. It didn't matter that Chopper was three times larger than Kuma or not, nor did it matter that he had entered a much more powerful form. With one tap, the hulking form of Chopper vanished.
"N-no …"
Robin suddenly felt the presence of Kuma right next to her, and her body immediately reacted by rendering its presence undetectable. Jumping out of the way, she managed to avoid being taken and clenched her fists.
"How dare you … how dare you do this to us!"
Spinning around on the spot, hundreds of necrotic hands emerged around her arm to form a much larger one which struck Kuma across the face. The Warlord took one step backward in surprise, his eyes flashing as he scanned the area.
Robin took off at a sprint, trying to get around the Warlord, however by doing so she had revealed a major flaw with her ability. As she ran, Kuma's robotic gaze locked onto the slight indents made in the grass by her footsteps, thus granting him a means by which to track her.
Opening his mouth, the Warlord charged up a beam attack and fired it several metres ahead of Robin. The attack exploded which forced Robin out of her concealment as she was sent flying through the air.
Shaking her head, she was about to try and reactivate it only to suddenly see Kuma right in front of her.
"Nat-!"
And then, with but a tap, Nico Robin also vanished.
"No," Luffy cried as he dropped to his knees. "This can't …"
"Mash," Ritsuka growled as he opened fire on Kuma. "Hit him with everything!"
"B-but Senpai," Mash replied shakily. "W-we won't win!"
Mash gasped as she sensed Kuma vanished and immediately jumped toward Ritsuka, grabbing onto him right as Kuma touched him which caused both to vanish on the spot.
This left Luffy alone to stare up at the towering Warlord Of The Sea, completely shattered. Said Warlord looked down upon Luffy, his memory flashing back to far happier times as he placed his hand mere inches away from Luffy's head.
"Goodbye Monkey D Luffy … for we shall never meet again."
And then, with a tap, Luffy was gone."
Kuma stared at the spot Luffy had been, his thoughts focused solely on the young teen and his Father. He pondered where things would go from here, but was eventually broken out of his musings by Kizaru.
"You know you'll be in trouble for that, don't you?"
"Yes, I'm well aware."
"Hmm. Well, as long as you're aware of that," Kizaru sighed as he wiped the blood from his face again and took a step to appear across the Grove next to Sentomaru's bloodied and beaten form. "Once I've got Sentomaru patched up, we're heading back to Marineford."
"Understood," Kuma replied softly as the Admiral vanished along with Sentomaru, leaving him alone.
/Natsu's POV – Several Minutes Later/
"Was that really the only way Rayleigh," Natsu asked which earned a curt nod from the Veteran Pirate.
"If they had not been split apart, the World Government would have simply continued to sent fleet after fleet to try and eradicate you all. This way, they know that at the very least you are all separated and unable to act for the time being."
"I still don't like this," Natsu sighed as he looked out to the space Kuma had previously occupied. "They were all legitimately terrified."
"An experience that will drive them to grow stronger so that such an incident can never occur again," Rayleigh countered evenly. "That aside, you know why you're here, right?"
"Right," Natsu sighed as the familiar footsteps echoed behind him.
Turning around, Natsu was now facing Kuma, the Warlord looking down upon him with his usual blank gaze. The two stared at each other for several moments before breaking eye contact and looking back at Rayleigh.
"As you know, Kuma didn't kill them but instead sent them flying toward places where they will be able to grow stronger. You on the other hand won't be able to benefit from such a thing."
"So?"
"I shall be sending you to the same place I sent Luffy," Kuma said as he took off one of his gloves, though made no move to actively touch Natsu with his palm. "Luffy is rather reckless and the island he is being sent to could either strengthen him or get him killed."
"And what am I meant to do from there," Natsu asked as he turned back toward Rayleigh.
"Something tells me you just need to be there," Rayleigh sighed which prompted Natsu to sigh in turn. "You know how it is …"
"Yeah," Natsu hummed in agreement when Shakky suddenly appeared next to the group holding the unconscious body of Major Villers.
"How'd it go," Rayleigh asked which earned him a cheeky smirk in response.
"He's a cocky kid, so I broke him pretty quick."
"I expected no less from you," Rayleigh laughed. "So, you got any plans for him?"
"The usual."
"What's the usual," Natsu asked curiously which earned him the same smirk Rayleigh got earlier.
"I'll torture him for every last scrap of info I can, break him so he can't serve the World Government any longer and dump him in one of the Four Blues."
"Yikes …"
"You say that yet you aren't cringing," Shakky replied teasingly which earned a slight chuckle from Natsu.
"I mean I can't say its exactly what I'd do, but you guys are better suited to knowing the best way to send these bastards a message."
"Because killing three Celestial Dragons isn't the best way," Rayleigh snorted in amusement as the trio shared a laugh.
"Excuse me, but we must be quick," Kuma said in what Natsu could only describe as the closest thing to an emotional tone the man had. "I do not have long."
"Right," Natsu sighed as he walked over to where Kuma was. "I guess I'll talk to you guys soon."
"Right, and make sure Luffy survives the trials ahead," Rayleigh said sternly which elicited a raised eyebrow in response. "We'll talk later."
"Right," Natsu sighed before turning to face Kuma. "Alright then, let's do this."
"Understood," Kuma said as he tapped Natsu on the top of the head, vanishing him instantly.
"So, how do you think he'll go," Shakky asked curiously as she lit a cigarette.
"Hard to say," Rayleigh sighed in response as he looked up at the sky. "But the signs are all there regardless …"
"War," Kuma said softly as all three gazed out across the ocean contemplatively.
Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!