Chapter 10: A Group's Stand

Hisashi was driving the car he was towards the bridge. "If I recall correctly Saya's mansion is on the other side."

Despite his time with Takashi and the others he was able to get some information on Takagi's parents' address. "As far as I can remember I was able to get some info Saya's home." He knew that he doesn't know what her address is but he knows that her house is like a castle somewhat.

He also knew that Saya resented him too on his betrayal towards Takashi. "I just hope Saya doesn't hate me still." Saya was also a childhood friend of his best friend and knows about Rei breaking up with Takashi as well as him stealing his childhood sweetheart.

Though he couldn't worry about that now only time will tell.

M

At Takagi's mansion.

Takashi was having thoughts of one of his classes. "It's the mutiny on the bounty..."

"It was in my second year of middle school...Right before Spring Break." His memory of his history teacher. "Everyone was just waiting for midterm to exams right after the break, so just about everyone including me was planning to have fun."

He didn't usually get into the history teacher's lesson especially one part he remembered. "The last class he taught us in 1788 after a difficult voyage, a ship from England arrived at the island of Tahiti in the South Pacific Ocean."

The image of the ship that was part of the history flowed through the boy's mind. "The ship's name was the H.M.S Bounty."

"It stayed in Tahiti for half a year, but when it set off again, after a month at sea a mutiny arose." The boy thought. "The reason was that the carefree life in Tahiti led to a decomposition of Unity and Regulations among the crew."

Takashi looked back at the history and situation he had with his group. "Honestly I didn't care about his lesson but looking on it now, I get it now."

Alice, Momonosuke, and Mary came running towards the teenager. "Big brother Takashi!"

The three children stopped in front of the teenager and catching their breath. "What is wrong?"

"It's Kouta!"

"Big brother Kouta is in trouble!"

Usopp and Franky were already on their way towards the garage. "Kouta is stubborn!"

"Funny, doesn't that remind you of someone back at Water 7?" The cyborg asked with a smirk.

That made the pirate sniper flinch. "That's not important right now!" He comically snapped with shark teeth.

Kouta was surrounded by three of Mr. Takagi's guards.

"You don't want to screw with us!"

"Just give them back already!"

Kouta was hugging his weapons as if they were his babies. "No!"

"Hey, c'mon you know these are tough times." One said.

"Hand them over to us..."

"No! I'm borrowing these from someone, and besides..." He stopped for a while. "There's no one here who can use as well as I can!"

Two guards were getting impatient. "You little brat, Yoshikoka asked you nicely so stop being so selfish!"

"We only want to use them so we can protect everyone here!"

In the living room.

Bartolomeo was sitting on the couch. "Talk about dramatic." He ate some sandwiches that were on the table. "Mmm, not bad." He began to chow on some more.

Tap tap tap.

His right shoulder was tapped which made him turn to the right but as he did the plate of sandwiches was being snatched away. "What was that?" Bartolomeo shrugged it off as he put his hands towards the sandwiches.

"Huh?" He looked around frantically. "Where are the sandwiches!"

Luffy was eating them with a sneaky smile. "Ahem..." He looked to see a navigator looking at him with an angry face. "Did you steal someone's food again?"

He shook his head in denial which made his navigator friend whack him on the head. "You liar!"

"Ugh, let me guess the greedy pig stole-" Sanji began to say as the navigator whacked him on the head. "Why...Nami...dear."

Chopper was behind the cook comically screaming fear before he ran off. "Eek!"

"Idiots," Zoro muttered in annoyance.

"They're lively as always." Isshi's sweatdropped.

"Yes indeed," Yamada added sharing the same reaction.

Franky was walking through the hallway. "Man, the kids these days know how to kill the mood." He then walked by a large window that looked outside where Kouta was. "What is going down there?"

Naomi and Takuzo were walking in the dining room. "Man, Kouta was acting crazy."

"Yes, I mean I saw someone get over a sword's condition."

"The kid was just a little upset." The two couple turned to see Law. "But mostly he's was just under stress, that I noticed some of you guys are being treated like children still despite that the hell you all experienced."

"I suppose so." Takuzo sighed a little. "I mean Naomi and I were having a moment awhile ago, then some guy came in and told us to knock it off."

Naomi nodded her head. "Yes, it is obvious that Takuzo and I want to have a moment alone while we have still had some peace left."

Lilith was washing some dishes. "Geez, talk about a dramatic scene."

Yuuki appeared. "Let me help." She stood by the girl and got took some dirty dishes while wearing gloves.

"I hope you aren't doing this to impress Sanji." The little black-haired school girl pointed out.

Yuuki glared at the other girl. "I was about to say the same thing to you little girl."

The two growled at each other but sighed deeply. "Anyway, I just hope this drama between Takashi and Kouta cools off."

"If I'm being honest Takashi was a strange guy, I mean he and Rei were childhood sweetheart then, Rei breaks up with him for Hisashi." Yuuki then shrugged her shoulders. "I thought Takashi would blow his tops and want to beat the crap of Hisashi."

Lilith whacked the other girl on the head. "Even so I can't help feel pity for Takashi, I mean I secretly liked him but that was only for a short time and I owe my life to Sanji since he saved me."

An anime vein appeared on Yuuki's head. "Well don't forget Sanji saved me too so I owe my life to him!"

Hack was in the living room wearing a hoody. "Hmm, quite the drama between human teenagers." Even he saw some teen drama when he was with Sabo and those kids his boss was training for the past years. "I hope Sabo, Koala, and the others are safe."

In a nearby backyard pond

Saeko was crouching down and looked at the fish inside.

Robin approached the woman. "Hello." The female swordsman glanced at the other woman. "Oh, it is you, Robin."

The Archeologist smiled. "Yes, Ms swordsman..." That made the other woman giggle. "Oh, you call me Saeko..." The woman looked back at the pond.

"That's quite an unusual pond." Robin was intrigued by the pond she was seeing.

"I take you never saw a backyard pond." Saeko giggled as she continued to look at it. "Things must be different in your world."

Robin giggled. "Yes more different than you think." She looked up at the sky. "I admit this place is peaceful but even peace has its limits."

"Your right, anyway I have a question," Saeko said.

Robin looked back at the woman. "What is it?"

"Do you like Takashi too?" Saeko asked though it was clear she wanted an answer.

Robin was taken off guard by this sudden question but she just giggled. "I just admire his tenacity and his courage." She giggled again. "I admit he's cute but I just see him as a boy who can be a real man."

Saeko was a little skeptical about the answer as she glanced at the woman. "So what you're saying is that you just admire Komuro's tenacity and courage,"

"Well likely but what I also see is that he's got leadership potential, he could become a great pirate too." Robin giggled cutely. "Not to mention he's loyal and reliable too."

Saeko couldn't agree more on that as she turned her head away and stood up. "I see, sorry that I was a little suspicious of you."

"Fu~fu~fu." Robin giggled. "I admit your question caught me off guard, but what about you though,"

Saeko's body twitched. "I secretly hoped to get a chance to hang out with him even before this outbreak." She remembered other things that were in her mind. "See back at school I was known as the ice queen due to the coldness stares that I give to other students so they usually turn away in fear."

Robin felt sorry for the other woman. "I see..." Before she could ask more Saya approached them. "Geez, did you two see fatty anywhere?"

The two women shook their heads which made the pinkette girl sigh. "Ugh, he can such a pain sometimes!"

Saeko looked at the fish admiringly. "Kumonryu... it's pretty rare to see them here."

"Oh, its addition to Kendo, you're also an expert on fine Koi," Saya said feeling a little awkward.

Saeko had other thoughts. "I don't think the mood we have is acceptable as it is." She began to wipe off her kimono with her hand. "You know the reason for it, don't you?"

Saya crossed her arms with her eyes closed. "Today is no different from yesterday, all of us were in a happy mood but now it's gone."

Robin cleared her throat. "That may be..." The other two girls looked at the pirate Archaeologist. "Things can get out of hand once and awhile." She had her arms crossed too and had her eyes closed.

"What are you saying?" Saya asked.

Robin explained about a situation that she and her crew were in back at Water 7 which surprised the two girls which the pirate woman noticed. "Surprised?"

"So you think Kouta and Takashi should talk things out?" Saeko questioned knowing that might be a solution.

Robin nodded her head looking serious. "Yes, if Kouta continues to disagree with Takashi as he did then he can't be with us." She turned away. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

"WHAT IS ALL THIS COMMOTION!" A voice rang out.

Mr. Takagi along with his wife and Yoshika confronted Kouta. "I am Takagi Souchirou, Don of our Patriotic Organization!"

Kouta shivered in fear at the sight of his crush's father. "What is your name boy?

"Hirano Kouta, Fujimi High School, second year, Class B, Attendance number 32!" The overweight boy replied his body shaking.

That didn't impress his crush's father who stood his ground. "Don't speak so boldly Hirano, that I had to come here is proof that you have caused a great deal of trouble."

Ms. Takagi looked towards her husband. "Dear, this boy is..." Her husband didn't glance at his wife instead he spoke again. "I know he's from her class."

Ms. Takagi placed her hands together intrigued that her husband's knowledge which she would expect no less.

Souchirou continued to stare at the overweight boy. "Why not hand over the guns?"

Kouta shook his head-hugging his guns tightly in his grasp. "No! No! Without guns, I...I'll go back to what I was! I'm done with my old self, you see I found something I'm good at!"

"Such as?" Mr. Takagi asked not moving an inch.

"Such as protecting your daughter!" Takashi appeared and stood by his friend. "K-ko-muro..."

The name Souchirou recognized. "Komuro...I have heard that name from Saya, you know her for a long time."

"Yes sir...since this outbreak started, your daughter has been protected by Hirano here!" Takashi stated, protecting his friend.

"That's right, he's a great sniper-like myself!" Usopp appeared by Hirano's side. "He and I worked together through this hell too!"

Franky appeared. "Yeah the kid's got guts, he even made a nailgun from scratch!" He gave a proud look to Hirano.

"Franky...Usopp..." The overweight boy muttered with surprise.

Momo, Mary, and Alice went by the overweight boy.

"Leave big brother Kouta alone," Mary and Alice said in unison.

"I can see he's got a warrior's heart too!" Momo stated.

"He's a guy I can respect too!" Kine'mon appeared with his arms crossed.

Luffy laughed. "I like this guy!"

Nami giggled. "He's quite a man."

Robin just giggled and was proud of the overweight boy.

"He's a man alright!" Isshi stated agreeing with his friends.

"I see a different of Hirano too!" Yamada pointed out.

"He deserves my respect," Takuzo added.

Naomi had her arm wrapped around her boyfriend. "I agree."

Law didn't say anything but he was impressed that Kouta took extreme measures to get his guns back.

Rei was being carried by her arm by Shizuka.

Saya appeared to look at her father directly in his eyes. "Daddy, Kouta may be a freak and worthless however if it weren't for him I would've become one of those Zombies, he's been protecting me from the start along with these pirates!"

M

At the water fountain where Mr. Takagi made his announcement.

A lady and a man were making a nuisance.

"We're citizens, not right-wing nationalists!"

"Yeah, you're right! We're peace-loving people who love our japan!"

The woman pointed at the nearby crowd. "Showing us that thing with that killer like that was all of the sudden was just indecent!"

A male citizen disagreed with that. "I think we need to wait and see before long the government will have everything back normal."

A female citizen spoke up. "I heard that some guy named Law helped a mother and her daughter, the girl's name was Mary I heard she was on the verge of becoming a monster."

"Yeah, I heard he's a surgeon with amazing skills and was able to cure the girl." Another female added.

"If that's the case we shouldn't be too worried." A male suggested hopefully.

The rude woman just scoffed. "Please this surgeon guy doesn't know anything, I bet that story of him saving this little brat was just a load of shit." She raised her arm. "Listen we don't need the American army or the self-defense force, so I don't want to be saved by something that only exists to increase tensions in Asia!"

A guard was standing by seeing the new situation that was arising.

Mr. Takagi had a suggestion for his daughter which Saya was surprised. "If you speak with them, my daughter, I will know that you are not a fool!"

"Saya sweetie, your father wants to know if these friends of yours would be too careful of what to say to him if he or I were to go." Ms. Takagi explained clearly.

"I will go!" Kouta stated.

"So will I!" Takashi raised his head.

"I will keep protecting my friends!" Luffy proclaimed.

"I will protect everyone even these lovely ladies like your daughter!" Sanji swooned.

"The great Usopp is at your service!" Usopp proclaimed holding his slingshot.

Franky did his stance. "I will proudly stand by your daughter and everyone else!"

Bartolomeo cupped his face. "I will protect my friends too!"

Kin'emon sheathed his sword. "As a Samurai I shall keep my word that I'll keep your daughter and her friends including mine too!"

Momo stood proudly. "So I will!"

"I shall protect your daughter and her friends for helping me." Hack nodded.

Nami winked. "With navigation skills, we won't get lost!"

"I Tony Tony Chopper will treat any injuries!" Chopper rose his hand proudly.

Law nodded with a small smirk. "As a surgeon, I shall do what I can to prevent any mutations that infect the others including your daughter."

Brook took out his guitar. "I intend to protect your daughter and her friends too!"

I'm Shizuka's assistant and I shall help with first aids." Isshi proclaimed.

"I want to find my parents so I decided to stand with the others and your daughter!" Yamada stood his ground.

Robin laughed before she looked at Mr. Takagi. "I shall protect your daughter as well her friends and my own."

Rei gave a determined look. "So will I!" Shizuka then gave a playful look with her hands out. "Before you do Miyamoto, I have to put more ointment on you." The other girl ran off as the nurse chase her.

"I will accompany those I care about including your daughter," Saeko said with a smile.

Mr. Takagi had other ideas. "No...I would like to speak to you for a time, daughter of Busujima-Sensai." He then looked at Zoro and Luffy. "I would also like to speak to you two as well."

Law had a suggestion. "Excuse me, I would like to take a sample from your friend's body to study."

Chopper nodded thinking that was a good idea. "I would like a sample too."

Mr. Takagi looked at the two for a moment before closing his eyes. "Very well, Yoshioka, show these two to Don's body."

The elite bodyguard bowed his head as the two doctors followed him.

"I want to go with big brother Hirano, Zoro, Takashi, and Luffy too!"

Mary had an admiration look on her face. "Yeah, Zoro is so cool, and Luffy too!"

Zoro flinched at this. "Not again."

Luffy just laughed. "Shishishishi."

Ms. Takagi bends down at the two girls. "Alice you should stay with Mary and her mother instead, also I have presents for Zeke and Talon."

Alice and Mary held their pets. "Okay, yay, Zero, Talon!"

Law then stopped as he sensed tension from the other citizens. "Chopper, you go on ahead, there's something I need to deal with now."

The reindeer was confused but decided to accept his friend's words. "Alright."

A short time later

But things started to complicated with the other survivors.

"How many times do I have to say it!?" Saya questioned impatiently.

The rude woman just scoffed. "The idea that disease is turning people into monsters is bullshit!"

"They can't arrive any definite conclusion regarding "Them" So it's just a lie to spread crap by the government to keep chaos from increasing!" Saya explained.

A man shrugged in disapproval. "So you're saying that dead bodies are running the city, don't be crazy!"

"So what you think this is some kind of scene from a movie?" Takuzo asked sarcastically. "This is the reality now, whether you realize it or not!"

The man shook his head. "Bull crap! This is just some outbreak with the disease that's making people so sick that they're just driven to insanity!"

Franky scoffed. "They're stubborn as hell."

Saya wasn't done what she was saying. "It does certainly look like an epidemic of a new disease or something from a movie, but that's not the case!"

"That's right, there aren't remotely human anymore." Takuzo sighed. "You saw Don's condition, he became one of "Them" Those monsters."

"He's right, I saw what kind of hell this is," Franky added. "So you people need to open your eyes and realize the situation!"

The man stubbornly refused to listen. "It is a bit unbelievable that they just keeping back up, but there is has to be a perfectly reasonable explanation."

The rude woman agreed with a denial look on her face. "Yeah, the reason that those people never died but were just affected by a virus!"

Saya was getting irritated by these denials. "If that was the case then we wouldn't be having this conversation, so making amateurs judgments won't help!"

"She's right, though the reason you want is unknown, we can't find it while staying here!" Franky argued. "Until the specialists can become settled and research this virus!"

The rude woman was caught off guard by that comment. "Well...I...I..." She stuttered trying to counter the argument.

Saya placed her hands on her hip. "Listen the main focus is to survive now! Those Zombies will eat any living thing they hear, did you all not see what my father said!?"

The image of Mr. Takagi's announcement flowed through everyone's mind.

"Jesus, can you people at least try to face the reality of the situation and how dire it has become!?" Saya continued.

The rude woman began to laugh mockingly. "That's what you want to say, isn't it!?" She put her hand to her mouth with a mocking expression. "Now that I think about it, you and your friends are just gun-waving high school brats."

"You and your group claim to be pirates, the surgeon pirate I heard about, I bet he never cured the little girl Mary-" Franky was puzzled by what the woman was saying. "I bet the little brat was never sick and his surgery is just a load of trash!"

Takashi, Saya, Kouta, and Franky were dumbfounded at what the woman was saying, the woman turned to the other survivors. "It's obvious that she's the daughter of a right-wing gangster!" She announced loudly as pointed her right finger at the pinkette girl.

"Threats and violence! They're using these despite all the trouble everyone is in the world is going through."

Takashi and Kouta were had gaping mouths. "What is she babbling about?"

Franky gave some thought to the woman's speech. "Hmm."

The rude woman wasn't finished though. "Everyone listen to me, this girl is the daughter of a killer!"

"She's lost it." Takashi thought completely dumbfounded.

"Fact is she and her group wants us to be killers!"

"Squealing the way you guys are won't change the truth." Everyone looked at Law. "While we stand here arguing about reality now, things will get worse before they get better."

The rude woman along with two men just glared at the four. "We can't have children interfere with times like this!"

Takashi was offended by this. "Children is that what you see of us!?"

"Silence, the adults will make the decisions here, we are peace-loving citizens, we don't want savage gangsters, pirates, or high school brats high on violence!" The rude woman announced.

"Yeah, we have to solve our problems without resorting to violence!" A male citizen agreed.

"So let's collect volunteers if we work together, we can treat those who have the killer disease, we will create a society of true freedom!"

Takashi and the others realized that the other survivors weren't going to listen to them no matter what so they went to the front of the mansion.

Law went inside to meet with Chopper in a room. "Did any of the survivors agree with what they say?" The surgeon pirate shook his head. "I see..."

"We don't have time to deal with them right now." Law had a serious look on his face. "For now we're just going to deal with the situation in any way we can."

Just then there was a knock at the door

"Geez, that woman has lost her mind," Takashi scoffed. "I mean the world has gone to hell, but these people are just not facing the situation."

"It's because people view nationalist groups the same they view the Yakuza..." Kouta sighed.

"We're different, my papa thinks in a more Palli way as the Mishima Yukio did!" Saya pouted.

Kouta glanced back at the tent. "Well, I can understand how they feel."

"Are you trying to pick a fight with me fatass!?" Saya snapped as Takashi held her back.

"Easy there girl!" Franky pleaded.

Kouta sweated at his crush's reaction while putting his hands up in defense. "Wait-wait, that's not what I'm doing!" He looked down. "You know people have a tendency that what they don't want to see."

That got Takashi's attention as an image of Hisashi and Rei together flowed through his mind.

"Nobody wants to be denied, I mean most people would just ignore situations even though they know something is happening," Kouta explained calmly. "It's just human nature."

"You can't deny that those people aren't being realistic." Saya huffed sarcastically.

"Y-yeah, but, at times like these, the first thing that people think is to deny it. They don't face reality because it's too much for them to handle." Kouta continued holding his gun close.

"The kid's right." Everyone looked at Franky. "Like my world, the World Government wanted to use a powerful weapon that would bring an end to the "Great Pirate Era" however my friend Iceberg kept telling them that it would cause the world to fight over its power."

Franky took a deep breath before he continued. "I think that in a way they just want pirates to stop hurting people, therefore, bringing law and order back but don't care if they had to make meaningless sacrifices."

"If that's the case then people in your world and ours don't have to admit their mistakes or foolishness," Saya said as she glanced back towards Kouta.

"Well yeah...with everything that happened at the school and our new friend's world, I came to realize that," Kouta answered. "Ignoring our mistakes, how can we make it through school or this pirate era."

Saya looked at the overweight boy and cyborg man with interest but mostly at Kouta. "Hmm, I see you two in a different way." She then glanced at Takashi, noticing he was deep thought. "What's the matter?"

Franky saw that look before, like how Zoro, Law, and Luffy were whenever they were in deep thought about situations.

Saya began to realize something. "It seems like we're learning something here." That caught her childhood friend's attention. "What?" Saya just gave him an approving smile. "I think you should be the leader of our group."

Kouta smiled. "I agree."

Franky smirked. "Yeah, I can see you have a lot of potentials to be a pirate too."

Takashi was flustered and silent at this.

M

Saeko, Zoro, and Law were in the room talking with Mr. Takagi.

Saeko was kneeling from across Saya's father while the two pirates were standing in the far back leaning against a wall.

"I have heard tell that the daughter of Busujima-Sensei rivals even Chiba Sanako herself." Mr. Takagi, was in a crossed leg position, gazing towards the female swordsman.

Then Mr. Takagi's turned his attention to Zoro. "Roronoa Zoro, Pirate Hunter, and high skilled Swordsman, I must admit you got more talent than my daughter mentioned."

He then turned to Law. "And, Trafalgar D Law, a Surgeon that cures diseases using the Op-Op Fruit, I must admit I never thought such power could exist."

Despite the acknowledged comments from the man, Law and Zoro didn't smile, but they nodded which made Mr. Takagi smirk. "I see you're not even flinching, you both are more skilled than I imagined."

"I can say the same about you," Zoro spoke. "The sword you used was quite strong."

Law knew this wasn't the right time to chat. "Is there a reason you brought us here?"

Mr. Takagi nodded. "Yes, first off, Saeko." He gazed at the sword he presented to the purple-haired woman. "If you aren't shamed then follow the way of the sword."

Saeko began to un-sheathe her new sword as Mr. Takagi continued to speak. "Experience its purity firsthand."

The woman saw the shiny blade, but what it was was caught her eye. "This is...truly an unusual blade."

Mr. Takagi narrowed his eyes at the girl as he realized something. "So you can see it." She nodded as she gazed at the sword's blade. "It's only slightly curved, a double-edged Kissaki Moroha Kogarasu Zukuri."

Saeko put the sword back in its sheath before she looked back at Saya's day. "Mr. Takagi, I believe this is the Murata-to sword."

Mr. Takagi put his hand under his chin. "Impressive, correct as well, it is one of the blades that was made in the Tokyo Armory by general Murata during the Meiji Era."

"This sounds interesting," Zoro smirked with great interest.

"Yes, I heard of Murata using this sword on a pig's skull, he crushed the animal's head but his sword didn't get a scratch." Mr. Takagi explained.

Zoro was more interested than before. "Hmm, I see."

"I see that you two men have fine swords as well," Mr. Takagi said. "Each of them has been carefully used, I can see that you are remarkable swordsmen."

Saeko placed the double-edged sword in front of her knees. "So I'm guessing you're giving this to me?"

Mr. Takagi smirked. "Yes, consider this a gift for looking after my daughter." Despite the praise, Saeko didn't think she was worthy of such a gift. "With all due respect sir, I can't accept without a reason."

Mr. Takagi thought otherwise. "Busujima-Sensei gave me this guidance, accept this gift with my gratitude." Despite the words from the famous big hot, Saeko still wasn't convinced of her worth. "If that's the case then give it to my father."

Mr. Takagi began to laugh like he was expecting that kind of answer or something. "I shouldn't expect nothing less from the daughter of Busujim-Sensei!"

Seeing this change of demeanor was surprising to Zoro. "That's new."

Law wasn't amused, however, this laugh from such a man was something new.

Saeko felt a little bad though. "I apologize, I didn't mean any disrespect." She gave an apologetic smile.

Mr. Takagi smirked. "I can imagine that my worthless daughter was quite a burden on you and guys."

"I helped because her friend Takashi kept an eye on my crewmate Robin," Zoro said, with a small smile. "That also my captain wanted help."

"As for me, I just helped because Luffy and his crew helped me out," Law said, despite not smiling. "That and we plan to crush some powerful enemies we're about to face."

"For me, I did end up helping Saya," Saeko said. "It's because of her that I was able to avoid danger, that includes Luffy and his friends." She glanced at the two pirates. "I owe you two for helping us."

Zoro's face flustered as he turned away. "Whatever."

Law didn't respond instead he looked down.

"Anyway, I thought that since she went out of her way to look out for us." Saeko looked at Mr. Takagi. "I could feel a bit safer with my friends, also it's because the Takagi family loves their daughter."

That made Mr. Takagi smile. "A child resembles its parents." Saeko had a different suggestion. "If that's the case, then she's doing it for Komuro rather than herself, so he's like our-"

A serious look then appeared on Mr. Takagi's face. "I known him since he was little, he's grown to be a fine young man, it's clear to me that you trust him, however-" Saeko was wondering why the sudden seriousness. "To me, he appears to be full of doubt."

"He's right." Everyone looked at Zoro, he recalled the sign of hesitating he saw before from the boy.

Hisashi's fate flowed through his mind. "Takashi...I need a favor." Takashi's hesitant expression appeared in his head, Zoro then had a serious look on his face too. "That young man needs a push and maybe even more than ever."

Saeko realized the two men had a point.

"I agree." Everyone looked at Law this time. "I know I just met the brat, but I can see the doubt in his eyes, if that kid doesn't get a grip, he could lose his life."

Hisashi was arriving at the Takagi mansion, knowing that he might cause some unwanted attention, he parked the car behind on the side of the road. "This might a good place to park." He walked through the trees quietly.

Soon he came to the large fence surrounding the mansion. "It's bigger than I imagined." He began to walk around looking for any openings. "Crap, the fence is solid, not to mention that it's raining." He realized his footsteps were making sounds due to the wetness.

"Damn, at this rate, it could take me hours to find a way over," Hisashi thought, he looked ahead and saw a very tall tree. "Aha."

Takashi was in his room practicing a rifle, he put that gun aside, he sat on the bed thinking about what his two classmates and the cyborg said to him. "Me a leader, a pirate captain, I never thought of something like that."

Knock knock

"Come in." The door opened and to his surprise was Rei. "Are you feeling okay, if you strain you'll hurt yourself more?"

Rei sat next to the boy. "You shouldn't push yourself too hard either, you were practicing with a gun just now that's good."

Despite the praise, Takashi didn't smile. "Yeah, good right."

"You don't like being intruded on, do you?" Rei questioned.

Takashi sighed. "I just don't like how tiresome things are." He looked down. "Like...even after trying to reason with them, that group of people wouldn't budge an inch." Recalling the survivor's denial behavior. "Becoming like that is something I hate the most too."

"Even so, you were really brave, even back at the school." Rei praised. "The pirates seem to think you are quite the brave guy too."

"I was just desperate," Takashi said. "The ones who are good fighting in our group is Saeko, Hirano, and you, Saya's a good thinker, Shizuka a physician, Isshi is the assistant guy, the others including those girls from Shido's group, I suppose they can be back-up guys, Mary's mother plain Jody..."

Then images of Mary dressed as cat and Alice appeared in his head dressed like a dog, wielding a sword and shield appeared in the brown-haired boy's head. Mary, and Alice-chan."

"Back-up guys, plain Jody...Mary, and Alice-Chan?" Rei began to say as she turned her head covering her mouth barely holding a laugh.

Takashi was a little embarrassed. "Don't laugh..." Rei stopped and recollected herself. "Takashi, let me tell you one of the girl's rules."

That got Takashi's attention, Rei leaned her head against his shoulder. "We like the cute boys that are sweet and kind to us."

"Uh...I ain't neither of those." Takashi said looking away.

"Yeah, I admit that too," Rei said, not moving away.

Hisashi began to climb that tree. "Man, that was a tough climb. " Despite he was a black belt, he was still getting used to his new body, he looked ahead and saw a window. "A window maybe that-" He stopped as he looked towards the window and saw two familiar faces. "Takashi, Rei..."

The two former couple continued their talk. "Takashi, I realize that you're different than before." She recalled his actions and bravery against the zombies and the insane survivor. "When it comes down to it, you're always up for a fight." She began to sit on her ex's lap as Takashi glanced down at her. "I realize that you're a fighter and brave."

Hisashi narrowed his eyes directly, seeing the position that the two were in. "What the..."

Rei looked up at Takashi with a look of regret. "I realize that if you fell in love with another girl, I wouldn't be able to move on!" Those words were getting into Takashi's head as tears formed in his ex's eyes. "I made a mistake, I shouldn't have broken up with you!"

That did, he embraced Rei, which Hisashi gasped quietly.

"I love you, I understand if you don't feel the same way!" Rei placed his hand on her breast. "But trust me, I won't ever hurt you-" She has pinned to the bed as she looked up at her ex who was smiling at her.

"I know if I should feel flattered or not," Takashi spoke. "And I don't know if you're being honest."

Rei turned her face away for a second before smiling up at him. "I don't how else to be with you right now."

Takasi continued to stare at his ex, then he began to get intimate with her as he began to snuggle his face into her chest causing a slight moan from the two.

Hisashi was in disbelief of what he was seeing, though it wasn't too much surprising, he knew the two were a former couple, there were times he wondered if Takashi would somehow steal Rei back. "So, this is what happens while I've been dead." He smiled sadly. "I know those were a couple back then, but-" He felt a sudden pain in his chest despite he was un-dead.

Usopp was on the roof and looking around the area through his googles. "Man, it wouldn't hurt to have an umbrella." He then caught a glimpse of Hisashi but didn't see much. "Who is that?" He zoomed in his goggles so he can see further.

"Hum...hum." He looked closely at the figure's face, his eyes then widened. "Is that...no it can't..." He remembered that Hisashi transformed, not only that he was killed by Takashi. "How can this be possible?"

Zoro and Law felt the presence. "You feel that, Zoro?"

"Yeah."

Saeko was walking down a hallway, seemingly feeling a strange presence. "What is that I'm sensing?"

Sanji was in the kitchen, cooking more food, he turned his head, feeling the presence. "I sense something, it's coming from outside."

Luffy was pigging out on some fried chicken wings, then he turned his head while still chowing. "Huh, I sense something outside."

Kine'mon sensed this too. "I feel a presence, but that's not only what I sense."

Hack then sensed it too. "Hmm?"

Alice, Mary, and Momo were outside walking around with Zero.

Zero then stopped and it smelled something.

"Zero, what's wrong?" Mary asked.

The dog sniffed around and look towards the tree.

Bark Bark Bark

Chopper heard this. "Zero, "Hey you in the tree"!

Momo looked towards the tree the dog was barking at. "Who's up there!?"

Hisashi snapped out of his trace, he began to lose his balance and fell over but grabbed the tree branch.

Alice and Mary's eyes widened.

AAAHHHH

Usopp jumped due to the scream. "Huh, what the hell!?"

Takashi and Rei stopped what they were doing.

"What was that screaming?"

"It must be "Them" However why didn't we hear any shooting?"

Hisashi retreated further away from the kids. "I was just spotted, damn it, I should've let my guard down." But that wasn't what mostly bothering him, he saw his girlfriend Rei and his best friend Takashi having an intimate moment together.

Kine'mon ran outside to the kids. "Momonsuke, Mary, Alice, what's going on!?"

Usopp waved from the roof then pointed forward. "Hey, Kine'mon, I saw a trespasser, but it ran off in that direction!"

The samurai was confused. "An enemy retreated?" He looked in the direction where Usopp was pointing at but saw no one. "Was it one of those zombies?"

"Not sure, but I'll explain that later!" The sniper replied. "Anyway, get the kids inside, I'll be there in a second."

Kine'mon nodded and escorted the kids along with Zero back inside the mansion.

"Ow."

Takashi sat back up on the edge of the bed. "Oh sorry, that must hurt."

Rei stood up from the bed. "You don't know how much it hurts, also think about what I said." She opened the door and as she did there stood Saeko.

The purple-haired swordswoman stood there as Rei closed the door behind her. "I didn't know anyone else was inside so I just waited."

Rei narrowed her eyes at the woman but sighed with shrug. "Ms. Busujima, you should talk to him, he'd probably be more comfortable talking to you."

"Understood," Saeko proceed to walk past her but stopped at the door. "Also, I have a request."

Rei didn't turn her head but stood still. "What is it?"

"Could you please call me by my name, you know we're both-" Saeko began to say, but Rei stopped her. "Don't bring that up."

Rei's face went serious like she knew what her rival was going to say. "That's the last thing I want to think about."

Usopp went to talk with Kine'mon and Momo alone in the living room while explaining what happened outside.

The two Wano Samurai was surprised.

"That name does sound familiar," Kine'mon put his hand under his chin.

"It sure does, Takashi and Rei mentioned that name when we stopped at a gas station," Momo pointed out.

"That's not half of it." The two Samurai looked at the sniper in confusion, that's when the sniper expert told of what happened at the high school.

"Wait, this Hisashi is a friend of Takashi?"

"He was turned into a zombie after getting bitten!"

Usopp crossed his arms with a nod. "That's right, I might not know much about their friendship, but things got dramatic between Takashi and Rei."

Rei's emotionless glare appeared into the sniper's mind. "You must've hated Hisashi, right? Because he was dating me!"

Kine'mon then gasped quietly before having a look of pity. "I see, sounds like things were intense between the two."

"Yeah, but it's not like Takashi didn't want to kill this Hisashi guy, I mean sure things were rough, but that doesn't mean he wanted to kill him." Momo pointed out.

That's when Takuzo and Naomi appeared, they seemed to have overheard their conversation.

Usopp was surprised and taken off guard. "Uh, hi you two, how much-did-did you guys overhear?"

Takuzo sighed. "Enough, but don't worry no one else heard."

Naomi nodded her head. "We can tell you guys this, we might not have been friends with Hisashi or Takashi back then, but those two were best friends, that is until Rei broke up with Takashi."

"Why did she do that?" Kine'mon asked.

"Well, you can see Takashi has some faults, not to mention when Rei was held back in school Takashi wasn't interesting in hearing her situation," Takuzo explained.

The three guys were interested in this. "Go on," Usopp said.

"To Rei, she thought that Takashi wasn't going to change his character let alone be more fun or something," Naomi explained. "However Hisashi was there for Rei and then that's when she chose to be break up with Takashi."

"Sounds sad," Momo said looking pitiful.

"That's right, Robin mentioned that she found Takashi on the school's stairway," Usopp said. "She found him looking down in the dumps."

"Either way, Rei seems to have forgotten about Hisashi." A voice said.

Brook in his ghostly form came from a nearby wall.

Takuzo and Naomi fell backward in surprise. "Don't do that!" They comically screamed.

"Yo-ohohohoh!" Brook laughed.

Hearing Brook's previous words got his attention. "Brook, what do you mean by Rei forgetting about Hisashi?"

Flashback scene.

Brook was in his ghostly mode, floating around Ms. Shizuka's friend's flat. "I was ghosting around the rooms, then as I did so, I saw Takashi and Rei getting all gushy on each other, that is until the boy stopped her."

Flashback ends.

Everyone's face went red at the detail. "That's too much information," Kine'mon said with his face red as a tomato .

Brook looked down for a moment before looking at Usopp. "Either way, from what you saw Usopp, it's possible that this new Hisashi zombie might've become one of Moria's."

That theory got the sniper to look uneasy. "Damn if that's the case then things might get dicey."

"Moria, you mean one of the 7 warlords?" Takuzo questioned.

"Yeah, we learned that he missing after the war at Marineford," Brook explained. "His disappearance was seemingly responsible by Doflamingo who is also a warlord, that is until my captain defeated him."

"So what should we do then?" Naomi asked.

"I think we should inform Rei and Takashi, I'm sure if they'll happy to know that Hisashi's still alive somehow," Momo suggested.

"Hold it!" Everyone looked to see Sanji coming from around the corner, he must've heard the whole thing. "Sorry, I came to tell everyone that dinner is ready and couldn't help but overhear your conversation." He leaned against a wall and gave a serious look. "I say we shouldn't tell Takashi or Rei about what you discussed."

"Hold on, what do you mean we can't tell them anything?" Naomi questioned.

Sanji turned his attention to everyone. "Listen from what you guys said, this Hisashi guy's death must've hit the two hard."

Usopp had to agree with that. "Sanji has a point, I mean sure Rei made an accusation though it was probably due to shock and horror, however from the look on Takashi's face he was just hurt as his old girlfriend was."

"Correct, if they hear that Hisashi is still alive somehow, then they might run off to find him," Sanji guessed. "Either way, we can't be sure how they'll react so we must keep this quiet for now."

"You know they'll find out eventually," Kine'mon informed with his eyes closed.

"Yes, but perhaps when the time comes we'll have to share this information," Brook suggested. "Frankly we don't want to cause any more drama for the two teens."

Nico robin was nearby using her powers to eavesdrop. "Now I know."

Hisashi was running off with his eyes hidden. "Damn it!" The images of his best friend Takashi and his girlfriend Rei getting intimate with each other kept flowing through his mind. "Get out!"

The image kept appearing in his head again, again, again, and again. "DAMN IT STUPID IMAGE GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

Suddenly he bumped into something, however, the moment he regains his composure and looked ahead no one was there. "Huh, what did I run into?"

There was a faint chuckle as a cloaked figure slowly appeared right before the teenager's eyes. "I see one of Moria's zombies are here, though seeing one run off on its own is something I never would see." The figure pulled back its hoody and revealed its face.

The man with a muzzle of lion and wearing ankle-length coat that has a high collar and a cut like parapet along the bottom, a white button-down shirt with two stylized crosses on it, and basic blue slacks tucked into his boots with a white belt with criss-crossing straps on the front of them, and had blond hair.

"Who the hell are you?" Un-dead Hisashi asked in confusion and shocked tone.

"I'm Absalom, I work for Geck Moria." The invisible man then smirked darkly. "And you're coming back with me." He put his hands out and then two pairs of bazookas appeared.

BOOOM

Meanwhile in the city streets where Moria's new hideout was.

Psycho P was driving the large zoo truck with cargo attached and carrying the dead animals. "I'm almost there." He looked around seeing countless bodies, bloodstains, seriously damaged buildings, and vehicles that were broken down. "Man, this is quite the scene from horror stories, I hope to find the Strawhats soon I have a score to settle with them."

Far away, a nearby farmland, where corps, a barn house, large windmill, and a house.

Sabo, Koala, Kanjuro, and Rebecca were there.

"I never thought we would be reunited so quickly," Kanjuro said with a big grin.

"That's because that cloaked man brought here," Sabo said looking around.

Koala was thinking about other stuff. "I hope Hack is alright." She was very concerned, not just about the Zombies, but learning that Fishman wasn't known in this new world.

Rebecca was concerned as well. "Yes, I hope to return to my people, I wonder if Luffy and his friends are here too."

Sabo smiled brightly. "I believe that is and if I know him, he's probably getting involved with other people, but that's what he does."

Koala giggled. "I couldn't agree more on that."

Kanjuro took out a map. "So far this Toyko city is quite big, I heard that a lot of people died there, but I'm sure our allies are fine, I mean they're strong after all."

"Right." The other three nodded with confident smiles.

"So let's continue and find our friend's whereabouts," Kanjuro suggested.

"Yeah!" The three roared raising their arms up.

End of chapter