Chapter 72
"Stand to your feet Okua. The second round can't begin unless you get on your feet!" Lucci said.
Okua weakly tried to push himself off the ground but couldn't. His throat had been "shot", his chest slashed open, and exhausted from extensive use of advanced observation and armament haki.
"You're probably wondering how I'm still alive considering you damaged me internally." Lucci started.
Okua weakly looked up with an agitated expression.
"DEATH's finest doctors provided me with a pill to stop internal bleeding." Lucci continued, "Although, I'm still not at 100%… truth be told I can't take much more advanced armament, but you'll never have a chance to use it." Lucci said.
Okua continued to look at Lucci.
"Psycho-sama's given me a little power as well... and a gift, a gift I will give to you right now Okua Yuke!" Lucci yelled with an evil smile.
Okua flinched and became worried.
"After I kill you, Newgate is next. I think I'll be taking the one with the ability to travel through portals with me. Psycho-sama would be more than happy to have his abilites." Lucci explained.
Okua stared up at Lucci then suddenly his eyes widened in shock mixed with a little excitement. Lucci took notice.
"You look like you're surprised about something. I've experienced the power of your observation haki in battle so I know sensing something would be a small task for you, but no matter who it is, they won't save you." Lucci said.
Okua smirked underneath his mask and looked back up at Lucci.
"Ironically... You're the one who's going to need saving... Rob Lucci." Okua said weakly.
Lucci became agitated but before he could speak, a portal opened behind him. Lucci's eye widened slowly and his expression became extremely full of worry. Lionel suddenly emerged with a fist loaded and a face full of rage. Lucci looked back quickly as Lionel threw his punch!
"Shave!" Lucci said while jumping away. As his body started to disappear, he was stopped! Grabbed by his leg by Lionel!
"Impossible!" Lucci yelled out.
Lionel blew smoke out his nose and clenched his fist, veins filling his arm and hand, Lucci blocked as that was all he could do!
BOOM
A heavy punch cracked the bones in Lucci's wrists and sent the former CP0 agent flying across the island and plowing through the flowers. Lucci got on one knee and reached for his head. A shadow took his attention off that and he looked up to see Lionel in the air looming over him.
Lionel loaded up a breath beam and shot it straight down at Lucci who quickly dodged it. The beam made a massive explosion that shook the island!
On the other side of the island Kraken felt a shake and snapped his head back towards where the explosion came from.
"Was that... No, it couldn't be!" Kraken said, throwing his newspaper and speeding off towards the fight.
On the water
Naruto and the others noticed the huge explosion from the boat!
"What in the world was that?!" Naruto yelled out.
Mihawk looked up.
"Th-th-that was a huge explosion! OI! I thought you said this island would be safe!" Usopp yelled towards Kasai.
"Damn it! Don't tell me they've figured out our secret spot!" Kasai yelled.
"Kasai, who's on that island?" Kakashi asked.
Kasai looked at Kakashi.
"There's a marine woman there named Amaiya and two other individuals... they're pirates like the Straw Hats." Kasai said.
The present Straw hats were shocked.
"What're marines doing working with pirates!?" Franky asked.
"Are you not all working with me right now!?" Kasai yelled back, "I could be leading you all to an ambush yet you trusted me!"
"Is it an ambush?" Sasuke asked.
"My right hand to the gods it isn't an ambush, if anything they're probably the ones being ambushed." Kasai said.
"Can this boat go any faster!?" Naruto yelled.
"This is as fast as Sunny goes unless we get some stronger winds behind us or use our cola to blast us to the island!" Franky said.
Naruto looked up at the sails and smiled.
"You said you need stronger winds I've got it covered!" Naruto said, jumping up to the sails and putting a hand out.
A small rasenshuriken formed and provided extra wind to the sails, speeding up the boat!
Franky smiled.
"OW! That's perfect Naruto keep it up and we'll be there in no time!" Franky yelled.
Sunflower Island
Lucci, on one knee recovering from dodging Lionel's attack, thought to himself.
"That blast was significantly more powerful than the other ones he fired... surely he's picked up his attention! I won't win against Kraken in my current state but I WILL NOT LEAVE THIS ISLAND WITHOUT ONE OF THEIR CORPSES!" Lucci screamed internally.
"COME OUT LIONEL NEWGATE I PROMISE TO KILL YOU QUICK!" Lucci yelled.
Almost immediately at his request, Lionel blasted towards him! Lucci used his camo powers to disappear and for Lionel to pass by him. When Lionel stopped and looked around, Lucci emerged behind him with a leopard claw ready to cut him down. Lionel sensed it and spun around and kicked Lucci across the face! Lucci's body slowly reappeared as he began to fly off, but Lionel caught him once more and pulled him in for another punch.
Lucci looked towards Lionel quickly with an evil expression and put his fists together and Lionel's face became confused.
"ROKOUGON!" Lucci yelled as he blasted Lionel's face full blast!
Lionel's head shot back and his eyes lost their pupils, blood streaming down his face. Lucci stood up slowly and walked over to Lionel.
"Such a wild fighter... I admit you had me worried but no longer. I'll finish you and the others quick. You're saved a slow death because of Kraken's arrival shortly." Lucci said, forming one of his arms into a leopard's.
As Lucci got ready to run his arm through Lionel's body he suddenly started being pulled back by heavy winds!
"What is this!?" Lucci asked looking back, what he saw frightened him! A giant portal had been opened and was sucking everything in it! Lucci became angry when he noticed Nagashima in front of it smiling.
"You forget about me freak!? Go to hell!" Nagashima yelled.
Lucci's feet slowly started to give in to the pull and Lucci had to act quick!
"AHHHHHHHH!" Lucci yelled as he slammed to haki hardened nails into the dirt, keeping him in place.
Lucci could feel his skin rising from his body as it felt like it was being ripped from his body!
"I can't stay here and be torn apart! I have to...!" Lucci thought to himself.
Nagashima continued to watch Lucci struggle from afar. Lucci knew what to do!
Nagashima had a feeling Lucci was up to something.
"What the hell is he up to? Are you really gonna let yourself be torn to shreds you damn cat!? AH HA HA either get ripped apart!? Huh!? AHH HA HA HA HA!" Nagashima stopped taunting when he noticed Lucci was gone.
"Where did he go? Did the portal suck him up?" Nagashima asked, standing up.
Nagashima closed the portal and put his head down.
"Whew... alright." Nagashima said.
"RAHHHHHHH!" Lucci roared.
SPLAT!
Nagashima spit up blood as Lucci stabbed Nagashima with his claws. Lucci pushed them inside the young man's body deeper.
"Guag! Damn it!" Nagashima groaned, "What in the hell!?"
Lucci dug the claws deeper making Nagashima yell out in pain.
"Oh... that's right... you weren't here for the explanation of my camouflage ability... that's a shame. You have all proven yourselves to be quite annoying. Much more than expected... I'll kill you quick so I don't have to worry about any more interuptions." Lucci said.
"WAIT WAIT don't you uhhh wanna take me with you? To give your boss my powers?" Nagashima bargained.
"I'm afraid not. Bringing you along would only slow me down at this point and I know Kraken is nearby. My bloodlust won't allow me to leave this place without one of you in the ground by my hand!" Lucci yelled digging the claws even deeper! But there was no scream. Nagashima smirked.
"Could you tell me your name? So, I can know the name of the man I killed today. It's a habit of mine I admit." Lucci said.
Nagashima looked at Lucci through one eye and chuckled.
"N..N..." Nagashima choked, "Not a chance in hell, kiss my ass!" Nagashima yelled out.
Lucci became enraged!
"Then die with no name!" Lucci yelled.
SPLAT! GUSH!
Lucci's eyes widened as he slowly looked down to see Okua's sword rammed through his back and out of his chest.
"O-O-Okua you...!" Lucci clutched his chest and fell over motionless.
Okua's sword fell out of his hands, as it was still inside Lucci's body. Nagashima spit out some blood.
"Took you long enough!" Nagashima yelled.
"I... I apologize Nagashima Kingo-san... I'm so weak... Where is he?" Okua asked.
Nagashima breathed in and out.
"Close." Nagashima answered.
"Good." Okua said.
"Hey... Okua..." Nagashima said.
Okua weakly looked at Nagashima.
"I know..."
Both slowly looked at the ground to see Lucci was gone again, Okua's sword laying where Lucci was.
"When he disappears with his camouflage ability everything passes through him like he isn't even there..." Okua struggled to let out.
"How the hell does that work... he's only camouflaged not a ghost..." Nagashima said.
"Devil fruits have weird properties... but are you surprised? Fruits that give you powers surely would have unnatural things associated with them." Okua explained.
"So, what now?" Nagashima asked.
"You die." Okua said.
"WHAT!?" Nagashima yelled out.
Okua suddenly stabbed Nagashima with a knife! Nagashima coughed up blood as he fell over onto his side, clutching his stomach. Okua walked over to him.
"What... in the HELL is wrong with you!?" Nagashima yelled out.
Okua smiled under his mask then a cloud of smoke poofed and covered his body. When the smoke cleared, Lucci stood in his spot. Nagashima couldn't believe what he was seeing!
"What... the f-" Nagashima was cut off.
"You've got a few questions, I'm sure. I can explain." Lucci said.
Nagashima struggled to remain conscious as Lucci explained what happened.
"Clearly you are all masters of unexpected arrivals and being one step ahead of your opponents. You see I take every battle and warrior a fight serious and take my time to learn them to prepare for a drawn-out fight!" Lucci explained. He continued.
"It started with Okua first almost cutting me when I had to emerge from camouflage, then you appear out of nowhere and kick me, then Lionel pops out one of your portals and attacks me. I knew if I was going to win, I would need to be a step ahead of you! When Psycho gave me some of his power, I used the shadow doppelganger technique and transformed into Okua. My clone is who you battled, and the one that I stabbed with Okua's sword. He's still over there, see?" Lucci asked, pointing towards Okua.
Okua lay unconscious on the ground. Nagashima couldn't believe it.
"Wow... but you... asked for my name... and then said it as Okua..." Nagashima asked.
"Okua said it earlier, when he thanked you for saving him, but to be honest I thought it was a code name. I asked for your name again because I wanted to know your real name. It just so happens it worked out in my favor for my trick. You see, Psycho taught us the same techniques those ninjas know... so we can fare better against them. What DEATH has in store we will need to know all we can! Your abilities would have come in handy but your fruit will be re born after you die anyway. We'll send scouts out to retrieve it, or kill whoever else eats it." Lucci explained, picking up Nagashima, who now seemed to be all worn out.
"Any last words?" Lucci asked.
Nagashima smiled one more time.
"We appreciate the kind words about us Lucci... it'll mean a lot more after we win in a bit." Nagashima said.
Lucci choked him more.
"Okua is down, Lionel is down, you're about to die in the next ten seconds... what battle will you win today?" Lucci asked.
"You think... you were the only one I was trying to suck up into that massive portal!?" Nagashima yelled.
Lucci's eyes widened and he thought back to Lionel being right behind him when the portal opened.
"I was so concerned with staying in place, I! -" Lucci's thoughts were interrupted.
"Missed Lionel get sucked into the portal huh you stupid ass cat!" Nagashima joked.
"I'LL KILL YOU BEFORE HE GETS HERE!" Lucci yelled throwing a slice at Nagashima.
SLICE!
"AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Lucci screamed out as his arm was sliced off!
Okua stood in the distance, his eyes blocked out by shadows. Lucci grabbed his blood-soaked arm.
"H-How!?" Lucci asked this time visibly shocked and even a little scared!
"In the right hands... even... a blade of grass... CAN BE AS STRONG AS A SWORD!" Okua yelled.
Lucci's eye became bloodshot with rage!
"YOU ANNOYING, USELESS, MAGGOT! DIE!" Lucci yelled.
Lucci's closed eye shot open revealing Psycho's mangekyo sharingan! Black flames swirled inside the eye until Okua instantly burst into flames!
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Lucci and Okua both screamed in intense pain!
"OKUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Nagashima yelled.
Okua's body burned and Lucci's eye ached so bad it felt like it was going to jump out of his skull! Blood flowed from Lucci's eye in a constant flow as he turned to Nagashima.
"G-G-Get the hell away from me..." Nagashima said, holding out a hand.
"I'm not going anywhere... forget Kraken I'm going to kill you right now." Lucci said, reaching out for Nagashima.
"Oh my god..." Nagashima groaned.
Lucci squinted and smirked.
"Yes... call for your god... you will need him!" Lucci said, "I've won!"
"OH MY GOD YOU'RE STUPID! YOU FALL FOR IT EVERY TIME! THAT BLOOD LUST IS YOUR BIGGEST WEAKNESS!" Nagashima said confidently.
One last time, a portal opened, and out came Lionel. Lucci was far too weak to go far on his own! He attempted one last half-assed shave but was caught by the colllar!
"No!" Lucci yelled.
Lionel looked over at Okua and back at Lucci with glowing eyes!
"DID YOU KILL MY BEST FRIEND!?" Lionel yelled out.
"Newgate, wait!" Lucci tried to bargain.
Lionel cracked Lucci in the stomach with a knee that sent him flying! Lionel followed up with a hand beam that blasted Lucci even further down the island and blowing up. In the crater, Lucci barely got up before Lionel zipped to his location, picked him up and threw him back towards the others. Lionel ran so fast he kept up with Lucci as he flew through the air and punched and kicked up all the way back!
"What in the world... is this boy!?" Lucci asked himself while being pummeled.
Lionel finished off his assult with a vanish into the air and instantly slamming down his knees into Lucci's body! As Lucci's body came off the ground Lionel slammed his foot on Lucci's neck and smoke filled his mouth. Lucci could do nothing but hold out a hand attempting to stop what was coming!
Lionel's head and neck became littered with veins and his head became red. Lionel grabbed his head swinging it back and forth in pain as a giant ball ran up his throat! Lionel finally whipped his head down towards Lucci and let out a massive breath beam point blank into Lucci's face! Lucci's head was forced into the ground as a ginormous explosion blew into the sky, smoke towering into the air! If Lionel's earlier beam hadn't notified every one of the fight, this one surely did!
On the water
Everyone on the Thousand Sunny stared in awe at the giant explosion.
"What the hell was that!?" Usopp asked.
"Whatever it is that keeps blasting that stuff definitely got its target this time!" Franky said.
"Oh man... I'm tired of fighting... I just want a break on the beach!" Nami said.
"Relax Nami-san. The one launching those attacks... are one of the two pirates on that island." Kasai said.
Everyone became shocked.
"So, he's on our side? Please tell me he is." Usopp asked.
"Yes, he is. But he's also a loose cannon. Friendship means everything to him. And his devil fruit is one of those that makes its user more powerful depending on their rage. If he's launching attacks like that... then that means... somebody on that island is in big trouble." Kasai explained.
"But what about the female marine where is she?" Kakashi asked.
"I don't know... I've been in that damn torture room for so long..." Kasai said, "She always told us to meet here when I was free!" Kasai said.
"Us? You and the pirates?" Sasuke asked.
"No... an old friend of mine... he died 11 years ago. He's your captain's big brother have you he-"
"NAVY ADMIRAL KRAKEN WAS LUFFY'S BROTHER!?" The remaining Straw hats yelled in unison.
The ninja of the leaf didn't know who Kraken was so they didn't react, but Mihawk definitely looked up with surprise.
"Yes! He was..." Kasai confirmed.
"Kraken... I heard he locked up half of the Grand Line... on his own!" Usopp said.
"OWWWW! Or what about the story he and his fleet took out an infestation of sea kings!?" Franky chimed in.
"I heard he was a terrific doctor!" Chopper added.
"ALRIGHT ENOUGH-TE!" Kasai yelled in anger.
Everyone's attention shifted towards him; the ninja readied their weapons.
"Hm? Is something going on down there!?" Naruto asked from behind the sails.
Kasai came back to his senses.
"Uh no Naruto-san! I just... snapped for a moment... Kraken he... that was my best friend... he and Amaiya were all I had before he died and I got locked up... we were all we had..." Kasai said.
"What you said earlier about rage making some devil fruits stronger... yours work the same way?" Sasuke asked.
Kasai looked worriedly at Sasuke. Sanji, with a smoke, stared at Kasai, already knowing the answer.
"And do those rage powered fruits cause their user to lose their senses like you almost did?" Sasuke asked.
Kasai put his head down.
"Yes... but with practice you can tame it!" Kasai explained.
Sasuke sheathed his sword.
"You're a hard man to trust Kasai. It seems like there's a lot more trouble attached to you than good." Sasuke said.
"I have to say I agree to be honest." Kakashi said.
"No please! I promise, only sensitive subjects and people I absolutely despise bring out the worst in me!" Kasai said.
Sasuke and the others stared at the former admiral.
"No more promises. Time to start proving it." Sasuke said.
Kasai stared at Sasuke with regret.
"You remind me a lot like him..." Kasai said.
Sasuke slowly turned with a confused expression.
"Who?" Sasuke asked.
"He was an Uchiha like you. He came to these lands a long long time ago. His name was-"
"WE'RE HERE!" Naruto yelled out.
Everyone turned and looked as they were pulling into the port of the island.
"WHISKERS-YA SLOW THE DAMN BOAT DOWN!" Law yelled.
"Huh!?" Naruto let out.
The Thousand Sunny ran ashore and settled not too far from the water. Everyone took a second to get their bearings and look around.
"This place is beautiful!" Nami said.
"It smells amazing!" Usopp added.
Naruto smiled and cheesed at how beautiful the island was and then immediately remembered.
"Oh yeah! There's a fight going on! Come on everyone!" Naruto said, running off.
Sunflower Island
Nagashima slowly got on his feet and walked over to Lionel who breathed heavily in and out. Nagashima looked in the hole and saw Lucci laying there. Burned up, his mouth wide open, and his one eye had lost its pupil. But the worst thing... was half of Lucci's face was completely burned off! Showing nothing but skeleton.
"You, okay?" Nagashima asked.
Lionel's head shot up.
"OKUA!" Lionel yelled, running towards his friend.
"Oh, shit right!" Nagashima yelled.
Both ran towards Okua's burning body and kneeled next to him.
"What are we supposed to do!?" Nagashima asked.
"Obviously water!" Lionel yelled back.
"This is black fire that came out of his EYE! WATER isn't going to help!" Nagashima yelled.
Crunch...
"You have got... to be kidding me..." Nagashima looked back to see...
Lucci stood where he was blasted. Arm behind his back. His good eye was closed, but he opened it and spoke.
"Suprise, surprise." Lucci said.
"Why... WHY WONT YOU DIE ALREADY!" Lionel yelled out.
"Because you can't kill the devil, fool." Lucci said, looking at Okuam "He's a great friend, Okua. Earlier he told me I would be the one who needed saving, but that turned out to be untrue. Although, you did perform well." Lucci said.
Suddenly... Lucci felt someone behind him. A cold kunai was held up to his neck. Upon a second look at Okua and the others he noticed... the black flames had dissipated! Okua began to chuckle and weakly looked up.
"Rob Lucci... when I said you were going to need help... it wasn't... from my friends... it was... FROM THEM!" Okua yelled.
BOOM!
Kakashi held the kunai to Lucci's next and Sasuke had gotten rid of the black flames that afflicted Okua. The straw hat shinobi appeared behind Lucci ready to attack.
"Yo." Kakashi said, waving.
Lucci just continued to stare at Lionel and the others.
"You've escaped death multiple times today, all of you. You've escaped me multiple times today. I will let you have this win... it's time for me to leave now." Lucci said.
"And where do you think you're going!?" Naruto asked.
Lucci smiled.
"Naruto Uzumaki... it's nice to finally meet you, we will catch up more later I promise!" Lucci said.
"What do you mean later you're not leaving!" Naruto yelled.
Lucci looked into the air and smiled. Sasuke's eyes widened a bit, as well as Kakashi's!
"Everybody get back he's about to-" Kakashi was interrupted by Lucci exploding! Leaving a decently sized crater behind him.
When the smoke cleared, an extremely large squid tentacle unwrapped itself from around the group.
"What in the world? What was that?" Brook asked.
Usopp and Nami squirmed on the ground in disgust from the slimy residue on their bodies.
"Oi, sorry about that. I could tell he was about to explode too." A voice said.
Everyone, including Nagashima and Lionel looked at the man.
"I'm assuming you guys are here for me? I've been waiting so long!" Kraken said.
Everyone stared at the man in navy uniform, a beautiful white coat handing from his body with "Equality" on the back in Japanese lettering. Kasai walked up late and saw the man he knew as his best friend.
"Kraken!" Lionel yelled with a big smile.
Kasai walked up slowly and stared with tears running down his eyes.
"No way... It can't be." Kasai said.
"Kraken?" Nami asked, looking him up and down, this is Luffy's brother?"
Kraken rubbed the back of his head and smiled.
"Umm yeah... Look Luffy's here now actually I can take you all to him but, there's a prob-" Kraken was interrupted!
"RAAHHHHHH!" Kasai slammed a fist into the ground forcing Kraken to push the others out of the way and dodge himself.
"This is how you greet me after 11 years Kasai?" Kraken asked with disappointment.
"I knew we couldnt' trust this guy!" Usopp yelled out.
"It's not that he's untrustworthy sniper king..." Kraken said.
"It's his devil fruit." Sanji finished.
Kraken looked over at Sanji.
"What do you know about it, black leg?" Kraken asked.
"I watched him fight that admiral with the grass... Ryokugu I think his name was... he slaughtered him like a complete animal and was fine right after." Sanji said.
Sasuke stared at Kasai.
Flashback
"I promise, only sensitive subjects and people I absolutely despise bring out the worst in me!" Kasai said.
Present
"Why is he so full of anger towards you?" Sasuke asked, "He said you were his bestfriend."
Kraken's expression hid behind his glasses.
"Friends hurt you the most-te!" Kasai yelled out.
Everyone looked up at the crazed man.
"YOU LIED KRAKEN! FOR 11 YEARS I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD! FOR 11 YEARS I SUFFERED-TE!" Kasai screamed, his eyes completely red and saber tooth fangs coming out of his mouth.
"If you'll please accept my hospitality brother, I can explain everything to you! We don't need to fight... you know we're almost evenly matched!" Kraken bargained.
"You're right Kraken... we have always been near each other in power, but you could never match my rage!"