Authors Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. Hey everyone sorry for the long wait and update to this story. Like I promised in my profile page, that these stories will be updated once everything has calm down or gotten ti a point of normalcy around me and the family.
All the while this chapter, reason it took long is because this is the first ever fight I have Kuina in. Considering I have no idea what her skills will be like or what kind of techniques she will have if she did survived or didn't die. I was working with a practically new slate type of character. But, I think I like what I have given her and the type of fighter she is as well. Hopefully the fight turned out good in this chapter for Kuina's first battle.
Also I have been catching up with the series as of lately, so I am all caught up with One piece. So hope everything turns out great and everyone have fun, cause I have been in a one piece mood lately and there's bunch of ideas that are waiting to burst out lol. So without further adieu, have fun and hope you all enjoy!
Also everyone to let you know ahead of time. The chapter hasn't been completely edited- I wanted to get this chapter out soon as possible. So figure to let you all know ahead of time, in case you notice the change of writing style halfway through the chapter. I will be sure to work on future chapters properly as possible, after all I am only human lol.
xxx
Chapter 6: Straw Hats vs. Buggy Pirates!
Tension was at an all time high, as Luffy, Kuina and Bellemere watched the giant lion glare and snarl in front of them. Its tail powerfully swished left and right, as it sized up the teenagers and ex-marine. The lion didn't think much of them, as they didn't appear to be that threatening, or much of a meal.
After hearing the mayor calling out the tamer of this lion, Luffy hummed lightly and waited for a response. Staring up the bear coat man on the lion's head, who peered over the rough looking mane, looking at the trio. He then rested his eyes on Bellemere, who gripped her rifle and kept it focused on the beast. "So, those buffoons were telling the truth. You really came back to the island to help the people eh, Bellemere?" Mohji sneered out while chuckling to himself.
Bellemere clicked her tongue and kept her weapon focused on the lion. Knowing that animal is more threatening than the man himself. Who knows what kind of damage the animal could do to them, let alone how easily it can crush them. Mohji hummed as he shifted his gaze over to the teenagers. They both glared back at him intensely, promising pain for him and his crew, making him feel a little uneasy about them.
"Oy! Enough with the stink-eyes, or else you will feel the might of the Buggy Pirates!" He exclaimed while pointing down at them, before shaking his head. "Even teenagers think they can be pirates, always pretending that they can do anything they want." He laughed darkly while hardening his expression. "The reality of it is truer than fiction."
He then snapped his finger, commanding his lion: Richi, to destroy one of the nearby buildings. The trio widened their eyes and watched how the lion did just that, not moving from it's spot - just using its tail. It smashed the building next to him and had it crumble down into nothing but rubble! Boodle gapped in horror from how easily the beast went and destroyed the house without any hesitation; with no remorse in its eyes.
Boodle closed his eyes tightly and did his best to keep his anger in check. His love for this village was overwhelming him, the drive to protect his treasure from being taken away. The village his people had spent years building over is being treated as nothing to these pirates!
"Why you-" Bellemere snarled out and felt her arms shaking. "Do you have any idea how much damage you pirates have done to this place?!" She exclaimed in anger while raising her head from her rifle. "You'll pay for what you've done to these people. Forcing them to leave their homes and lives that they cherished. For all the hard work they did so they could live here!" She gritted her teeth and closed her eyes halfway.
Luffy and Kuina stared at the ex-marine, blinking their eyes as they listened to her tell this Mohji fellow off. Stating how much the people treasured their home, how they are forced to leave...kicked out from their homeland. Because how much the Buggy pirates were scumbags, to go and drive innocent people from their home, their city.
"So what, the only treasure that matters in this world are jewels and gold." Mohji remarked with a sickening grin on his face. That made Luffy's eyes turn hard and serious. "Homes may provide shelter, but they aren't treasure." He then shook his shoulders, trying hard to hold back his laughter. "This island itself isn't treasure, it's just a place for real treasure to be kept in. They are nothing more than an asset, or rather a means for people to place their gold, money and salary; only to be taken away from them because of taxes!"
"I heard enough," Kuina growled as she unsheathed her sword, ready to cut up Buggy's first mate. Only to be stopped by Luffy, by stretching his arm out and holding onto her torso. Realizing this, she turned her attention to him. "Luffy-" she tried to argue, but then saw how serious his expression was, making her not question him and whine softly. "Okay fine, but the next member from the Buggy Pirates is mine."
Luffy snickered and sheepishly looked at her. "Sorry, but this bastard is rubbing me the wrong way. And now, I want to punch him." The straw hat teen stated, watching his first mate roll her eyes and shake her head. "Don't worry, the next one is yours, okay?" He offered her, which she nodded in response. Bellemere and Mohji were left puzzled at his remark as they watched him step forward, cracking his knuckles while doing so.
Mohji just sneered at the teenager. "You think you can punch me, eh? I'd like to see you try, no one can out match my Richi here. No matter the circumstances, you'll just be ripped to shreds and be eaten like all the rest!" Mohji laughed with sick pride. Richi began to growl dangerously at Luffy, who stopped a few feet from the two and let out a low hum.
The teen went through his options of how he should handle this. He definitely needed to take care of the lion, or else it would cause more damage than it already has. Most likely even decimate the pet shop behind them; which Chouchou held dearly for his owner.
"Luffy, there is no way you can handle something like that!" Bellemere shouted with fear. He may be a rubberman, but swords, knives, teeths and claws could still seriously hurt him if he wasn't careful. That and considering the lion's size, no doubt it'd be a cake walk to wipe out Luffy in a single swipe.
"Heh, that makes it more of a challenge then." Luffy said with a grin, lifting his head up grinning excitedly. Punching his open hand and got into a poise for attack. "If I can't handle a mesely cat like this one?" The remark caused Richi to grunt and growl even more viciously at Luffy. His tail thrashing about and lowering his upper body down, getting ready to pounce.
"Then it means I'm not ready for the Grand Line!" The captain then threw his hands forward and watched them stretch out, slapping his hands against Richi's cheeks. The giant beast began freaking out and bulged his eyes widely at what just happened! Even Mohji was taken back by what he just witnessed.
"Gum-Gum…!"
"What the- the hell are you doing to your arms?! What are you-" Mohji demanded an answer from Luffy, as he watched the boy beginning to twist and coil both of his arms into a spring-like formation. Hearing Richi freak out and cry in fear of what's happening, Mohji quickly shouted an order to his pet. "Richi, Break out! Get the boy off of you with your claws!" Only to let out a surprise yelp when he flew off from the lion, right after Luffy picked Richie off the ground! Bellemere, meanwhile, gaped widely at the sight and saw the beast being thrown into the air.
"GALE!" Luffy finished calling out his attack's name. He twisted his body towards his left and threw Richi over his head and shoulders! This left the two girls in awe at how much strength he has to pull something like that off. He finally slammed the monster down face first into the concrete, creating a massive cloud of dust and a loud boom to echo throughout the quiet town!
Boodle and Bellemere shielded their eyes from the smoke covering the area. Once they lifted their arms away, they gasped in complete shock. The lion got taken out in one single blow! His teeth were missing from the impact to the ground, his entire body covered in dirt and massive bruises. Even his claws somehow snapped apart! Both of them were sharing the same thoughts of, 'how was a teenager, who is made of rubber, able to pull something like that off?!'
Kuina whistled and gently leaned on her right leg. "Remind me not to piss you off…" The girl quipped, earning a hard laugh from Luffy, who turned his head at her smiling, and then blinked when she pointed at Richi. "Think he's still conscious?" She snickered.
Luffy turned to the lion in response, watching it groan and beginning to struggle to get back up, only to quickly pause when he saw the boy gaze at him. He slowly began raising his fist silently, before laughing when Richi panicked and rapidly shook its head. To avoid the pain, the lion slammed his head back down to the ground, sticking its tongue out and pretending to be dead. "I thought so," Luffy snickered out and then turned towards Mohji, who recovered from falling off his beast.
Buggy's first mate was rubbing his head with one hand before he opened his eyes. Only to scream out in surprise at the sight of his pet unconscious, badly injured from whatever the straw hat brat did to him. "R-Richie!" He exclaimed while getting back on his feet, before turning towards the straw hat teenager. "YOU! You dare oppose the Buggy Pirates?!"
Luffy and Kuina both blew some air, the latter just shook her head with disappointment. "Yeah, that's why we're here. Didn't you hear us say how we'll kick your asses?" Luffy bluntly said while holding his hat as he turned to Kuina, who nearly snorted while he thumbed towards a disheartening Mohji and asked, "Did he lose some hearing when I threw his pet into the ground?"
Kuina shook her head to calm herself down and smiled at the captain. "Considering how hard you slammed that lion? It was like an explosion and I heard that loud booms can make the ears ring." She teased, then shook her head when Luffy hummed and cocked his head.
"But...we heard the boom too? But my ears aren't-" Then pauses and stops at what Kuina was doing, laughing happily. "OOH! I get it, never mind." He chuckled out, finding the punch line to her joke immediately. He then turned towards the fuming Mohji, whose face was red from his anger!
"You snot nosed brats, you know who you're dealing with?!" Mohji shouted and began ranting. He didn't notice the yawns Kuina let out, nor Luffy just shaking his head silently while picking in his right ear a bit. "You're messing with the world's most dangerous pirates! You'll be shaking in your boots soon for picking a fight with the likes of us!" He ranted and threw his hand forward, pointing at Luffy. "Especially you, straw hat-".
He was interrupted when Luffy threw out his right arm towards the man, grabbing Mohji by his coat. "What?! What are you doing!?" He exclaimed as he felt his feet being lifted off from the ground for a bit. Then immediately slamming them back onto the ground. "No, stop-stop if you don't, Buggy will hear about-" he screamed in pure terror when his feet slid off the ground and got pulled straight towards Luffy!
"ENOUGH!" Luffy shouted as he did an overhead punch right into Mohji's face, sending him flying across the streets and nearly rising high above the rooftops. Before coming back down and slamming into a stack of barrels and boxes, which broke apart and shattered from the impact; leaving the man in cuts and splinters.
Luffy adjusted himself and groaned lightly, "Man not even a warm up." He muttered and had Kuina agreeing. "If they're so strong like they say they are, how come we can take them out in one hit?" He asked the question to Kuina, who just openly shrugged.
"Dunno, but I'm glad you did take this one. He wasn't even worth cutting with my sword." Then whined. "Even the lion got knocked out easily and became a scaredy cat." She recalled and giggled when Luffy smiled, wrapping his hands behind his neck.
"Guess we're that strong! No shame in that, especially if the next pirate we come across gives a decent fight. We might be able to pull this off and save the entire island!" Luffy cackled gleefully. Bellemere, who felt her sleeve sliding down her right shoulder a bit, watched with exasperation on her face from what transpired in front of her! Let alone how easily Luffy took out that beast and the first mate of the Buggy Pirates.
The woman wanted to know what kind of training this kid went through. How was he this strong or what even made him like that to begin with? Bellemere shook herself out of her stupor, pulling her sleeve back up and walked over towards the two teenagers. Meanwhile, Boodle was equally bemused; with his mouth hanging open and making noises of confusion and flabbergast from what he just witnessed.
Luffy and Kuina turn to Bellemere who approached them. She was ready to ask something, but stopped when Luffy raised a hand and cocked his head with a grin. "Hold all your questions for later Bellemere." The rubber pirate said, who grabbed his shoulder and began rolling his arm about. "We're not out of the woods yet, we still-"
All three widened their eyes and felt everything go silent; Luffy, Bellemere and Kuina's eyes were wide in shock when they heard what sounded like an explosion. Followed by whistling and then bursts of winds blowing throughout the entire village. It nearly knocked them off their feet, forcing the three of them to shield themselves. They all closed one eye and left the other open, trying to peek through the harsh winds.
They then suddenly fell to the ground, with Boodle getting lifted off from his feet! The four looked in horror as the buildings to their left side, including the Pet shop, were being obliterated from their foundations and crumbling into nothing but rubble! A beam of energy had appeared and pierced through all of the houses. What was once on this block, is now decimated in an instant!
The trio's mouths were wide and their eyes shook badly at the destruction! Even more so for Luffy, as he watched Chouchou's beloved Pet shop, the one he has been guarding for who knows how long since his owner had left, erupted into flames and shattered right before his and the dog's eyes, along with everything inside burning into nothing but ashes…
The beam of energy continued however and soared across the island and hit its target! A loud explosion and a dome of energy erupted from it, causing Bellemere to scream out, "NOOO! My ship!" This alerted Luffy and Kuina towards the woman's ship, making them gasp at the sight before them. The woman herself nearly fumbling forward and then collapsing down onto her knees, eyes wide and shivering in disbelief over what just happened!
Her ship was engulfed in flames, the mast of the boat snapped in two and fell into the ocean. The hull burned with fire all over it, the wooden foundation cracked, ripped asunder and sank into the water. However that wasn't why she was upset. "...The treasure, all the money I have been trying to save." She blurted out, causing Luffy who heard the harsh whisper, to turn to the ex-marine and saw tears beginning to fall down her cheeks. The straw hat teen stared worriedly at her as she continued. "Everything I have been saving up is...is gone." The woman hiccuped and fell to her hands now, having Luffy's eyes harden and become serious.
"How...how am I going to repay him now? How am I going to save her...save the village?" Bellemere continued whispering between sobs and hiccups. Covering her mouth and shutting her eyes tightly, unable to watch all the burned money, gold and treasure she had been collecting for nearly years, disappear before her eyes. "They're expecting me to save them...they believed in me and now, everything is gone!" She cried out and slammed her forehead into the ground. Clutching her hands into fists and digging her nails into the rocky road.
"I see…" Luffy thought to himself and got up from the ground. Pushing his hand against his knees and then standing upright, while swinging his body halfway in the direction of where the beam of energy came from. "That explains the treasure on your ship," he mused to himself as he thought back on the ship. Right before they landed on shore, Luffy went exploring on Bellemere's vessel, in a way to have a good idea for what kind of ship he wanted for himself and his crew.
During his exploration, he accidentally came across one of the locker rooms, where a horde of gold, money, trinkets and jewelry were kept away. He stared confusingly at the amount of money the ex-marine had, wondering why she had it? But then he saw a note of some sort, written on a nearby calendar with words writing out, 'Deadline to pay Arlong and save Nami.'
Breaking out of those thoughts, Luffy figured out the reasoning behind the treasure, as well as remembered how the woman was holding onto a locket back on her ship. The boy finally had all the evidence he needed. This, along with how distraught she was about her ship being destroyed along with the treasure… "You've been suffering a long time haven't you? The reason for you to be out here, behaving like an ex-marine and not an official one...Is so you can try and save this Nami person, from whoever this Arlong guy is. If you were behaving as an official Marine soldier, it would probably ruin your chances of saving her."
"Kuina," Luffy suddenly announced and heard his first mate groaning lightly and shaking her head. Then opened one eye halfway and hummed towards him, "we can't let this Buggy guy get away with what he's done." Luffy suddenly said with a lot of anger in his tone. Having the girl to hum in agreement and faces towards the direction where the beam came from.
"Boodle," Luffy called out while moving his head to his shoulder, watching the distraught and recovering old man. Scrambling back onto his hands and knees, gasping and nearly letting out a whine at the sight of his village. "Keep an eye on Chouchou-" Luffy said, having the mayor turn his head at him and watch the teen punch an open hand. "We're going to take care of Buggy here and now, before he can go firing off whatever the hell that was."
Boodle stared for a bit and then choked out, "That was...his buggy ball." He alerted the trio, who swiftly turned their attention towards him. Watching the man shake and tremble, staring down at the ground and clawing at it. "I overheard one of his men talking about that. It's one of Buggy pirates' strongest weapons at their disposal…" the man then lifted his head.
"You just witnessed how powerful it was just a moment ago. When the ball's fired from the cannon, it shoots a tremendous beam of energy. Destroying everything in it's one way path," He then lifted one leg up and rested a hand on the knee. Grunting and hissing through his teeth, "it's how he managed to destroy a good half of our homes. Most of the eastern part of the island; it was decimated in a single blow." He then turned his head towards his shoulder.
"It even has enough power to destroy Bellemere's ship." The mayor informed and sighed, lowering his head. "If he's already using them, it means he is getting desperate… and is going to annihilate us all!" The old man grinded his teeth and raised up onto his legs. "I WON'T STAND FOR THIS! I AM GOING TO KILL HIM, I AM GOING TO RID THOSE PIRATES FROM OUR HOME! I WILL TEACH BUGGY NOT TO MESS WITH US!" The mayor shouted, grabbing the side of his coat and swinging it open.
"BOODLE NO!" Bellemere gasped out and began panicking when she recovered from her sudden shock. Getting up to her feet and ready to get in front of the man, who had apparently strapped himself with a lot of TNT! Even Luffy and Kuina were startled at the desperate man's actions, going so far as sacrificing himself, just to defeat the Buggy Pirates!
"You won't stop me, I have watched enough of this monster having his way! I won't let him ruin our home while I stand idle and watch him destroy it! Our village is my treasure, and I WILL DO everything to protect- gack!" He choked out, feeling something hard hitting the lower back of his head. Boodle fell forward and fainted onto the ground from the blow alone.
"I admire his bravery, but killing himself isn't going to solve anything." Kuina stated, resting her sword on her shoulder before unstrapping the mayor from the TNT and pulling out the fuses to dump out the gunpowder. This had Bellemere let out a calming breath, despite how shooken up she was. "Are you feeling better now?" Kuina asked the woman with a cock of her head. "Cause you can stay if you want; Luffy and I can handle the rest of the goons." The swordswoman paused her sentence when Bellemere bent down, grabbed her discarded Rifle and cocked it.
"Yeah, I'm ready," Bellemere let out a harsh breath and steeled her gaze. "I'm not letting the two of you handle what could possibly be an army of pirates by yourselves." The ex-marine turns around and faces eastward, while looking at Luffy's back. The straw hat pirate was still looking over his shoulder, then smirked when Bellemere readied her rifle. "I may have lost everything I've been saving up, but protecting those who need help is more important than stupid, empty treasure. That won't mean much to me if I let people suffer because of my selfishness."
Luffy laughed and nodded at the woman's determination. "Right! We can always get more when the time comes." The boy faces forward, towards the circus top of the Buggy pirates ship. "For now, we need to take care of them and free these people. We have to destroy that cannon or else it'll cause more problems for us!"
"Right!" Both Kuina and Bellemere agreed and began running forward through the streets. They kept their focus on the pirate ship ahead of them, where Buggy and his crew would be waiting. Bellemere couldn't help but look towards her left and stared at the wreckage caused by the Buggy ball.
It was devastating, hard to look at these destroyed homes. Knowing just how much work and love went into these buildings, businesses, inns and restaurants. All of it was gone in a blink of an eye, by a single cannon fire from the Buggy Pirates. In one single moment the buildings were decimated, including the Pet shop that Chouchou desperately tried to protect for his master.
Even her own ship was destroyed from the buggy ball. She faced over her shoulder and watched the burning ship that held the treasure. She had been collecting for months now in order to meet the deadline of Arlong's demands, possibly saving everyone. Including Nami, her adoptive daughter who no doubt has been suffering the most.
The woman turned away and faced forward, gazing back at the street she's running down. With Luffy and Kuina taking the lead, Bellemere stares at the backs of the two teenagers. She wondered what kind of thoughts were running through their minds, what they're thinking of the situation? Knowing how well they handled fighting a corrupt marine captain, the ex-marine was curious how they'd deal with someone like Buggy, who won't hesitate killing them.
"They should be prepared for the worst. I don't know what kind of past these two have, but hopefully they'll be able to beat Buggy." Bellemere mused to herself while facing the teens. "Pirates won't hesitate to attack on the spot, let alone listen to reason." Bellemere finished her thoughts, looking up at the road and the pirate ship ahead of them.
Luffy announced to the girls, "Whoa, they got a circus top on their ship?! I didn't know something like that was possible without the ship sinking?!" Luffy smiled while holding onto his straw hat, a bit impressed at the Pirate ship ahead of him. "Think they've got other circus animals?" He joked to the girls while snickering, before feeling Kuina's scabbard clubbing his head, forcing his tongue to stick out from the impact.
"Luffy, will you focus?" Kuina berated while swinging the scabbard back to her hips. She looked ahead, ignoring the raspberries Luffy blew at her. "While the circus top on their ship may be impressive, they are still the enemy, so we shouldn't be admiring them." Stated the girl with a hardened look.
"Come ooon," Luffy whined, pouting as he crossed his arms. "I'm just trying to enjoy this while we can. Won't do us any good if we're always serious." Luffy argued as he lifted his head up. Despite what they're about to do, Bellemere quietly laughed quietly at the two arguing one another. Perhaps it was her maternal side taking over her marine side, but she was thankful that Luffy's doing his best to lighten the mood. She watched the straw hat teenager lean towards Kuina while pointing at her.
"Besides, I'm keeping my promise for you to take on the next pirate, right?" He closed his eyes and wrapped his hands behind his head. He sensed the swordswoman's frustration, hearing her growl irritably at his laidback attitude. "So there's no reason to be all grumpy." The captain snickered and grinned, having his head move away from the girl suddenly shouting to him.
"I am not grumpy!" Yelled Kuina, lowering her head and shaking her shoulders in frustration. "I just want you to take this seriously, captain." She snarled at him, pointing her finger away from her sword's hilt and up towards her captain. "Even if you're trying to raise our morale, we're still dealing with real pirates here!" Kuina moved her sword arm behind her as she continued. "You saw how much damage that cannon did, not just to the village but also Bellemere's ship! If we leave that cannon alone, more lives could be ruined."
Luffy opened his eyes and then sighed, she had him there. "Yeah, that wouldn't be good if the cannon was left alone." He looked at her with a frown. "Especially if the marines got their hands on that weapon. It might cause problems later on." He stated, having Bellemere lift her head at the mention of marines; curious why Luffy is worried about that?
"Hey, is there something wrong? What did you mean by being afraid of the marines and the cannon?" Bellemere asked with a tilt of her head. She watched as the teens turned their attention to her, then looked back at each other. All three turned right at a crossroad in order to adjust their directions towards the pirate ship, then turn left at another one, having a clear path towards Buggy's pirate ship. "You can tell me you two."
Luffy nods at Kuina and spins around, running backwards and lifts a finger. "If the marines were to grab Buggy's secret weapon and learn how to use it, they might possibly add it into their arsenal." He informed, having the woman hum in thought. "If we let that happen, and later on we might come across other marines with that weapon, what do you think would happen?"
Bellemere widened her eyes, then grimaced at the thought of how easily the marines could misuse it. "Well, they could-" though felt her eyes widening when Luffy continued and interrupted her thought, exaggerating his movements by spreading his arms out.
"While they'd use it against other pirates on the sea, they could also hurt their own men!" Luffy answered for her. "Think about the backlash firing that cannonball would cause. The large waves created as a result if they were to fire one!" The straw hat punches his open hand, making a boom sound effect. "Unless their ship is strong, even then they'd crash into each other, causing further damage, possibly even tearing into their hulls. Not to mention the strong winds from the recoil would tear their own sails apart!"
"The aftermath will be more devastating for the navy than the pirates." Bellemere gasped out finishing for Luffy, playing the scenes out in her head. She could definitely imagine the devastation, as well as how the marines might rely on the cannon's power too much. It would corrupt some navy bases with the power, potentially becoming like Captain Morgan!
Luffy nodded, "Yeah, it will do more harm than good. If anything it will cause more death than saving or protecting lives." He said and spun around facing back forward. He ran at full speed again, keeping up with his first mate. Bellemere shook her head with a soft giggle, closing her eyes and thinking to herself. These two kids were more worried about the cannon than anything else, despite being pirates themselves.
They were right though, if it fell into the wrong hands, even in the hands of the navy it would be disastrous. Considering what she experienced in the war back then, witnessing how nobody - not even the marines - were helping the civilians helped her realize just how dangerous either side will be, If they were to wield this weapon.
However, while they were running down the street, all three of them lifted their heads up, spotting two people standing in the middle of the road. One was a man with long, dark green hair covering his left eye, while the right of his hair was shaved light green in some areas. He wore a long, checkered, white and blue scarf and open, sleeveless, purple coat that reached his lower legs, which were covered by white pants and boots, with a light blue sash around his waist. The other man didn't stand out as much as the former, and looked to be shaking in his boots. However, when they got closer to them and came to a stop, both Luffy and Kuina's eyes shined in excitement at what the first man was doing.
"NO way, is he riding a unicycle while wielding a sword!" The teens exclaimed. Kuina quickly widened her eyes and shook out of her expression, switching to a serious one. Her face donned a bit of an embarrassed blush on her face, closing her eyes tightly when Luffy snickers could be heard.
"Come on, that's cool and you know it!" Luffy told Kuina, who moved her head away to hide the growing blush. Trying to deny that she is impressed or finds it cool. This only made her captain continue snickering before facing back at the unicycle riding man. "Anyway, I take it you're here to stop us?" Asked the straw hat wearing teen.
The man with an open jacket smirked at the trio. He balanced himself on the unicycle, lifting his sword up towards his shoulders. After flipping his scarf around his left shoulder, he responded. "I see you weren't lying about Bellemere actually setting foot here in the village." Cabaji said to the shaken crew member, who stuttered out.
"I-I told you- told you that she had enough. Now she's taking it in her own hands to finally come to the city and take care of us herself!" The man stuttered out while facing Cabaji, who didn't look concerned. "And look!" He then points at Luffy and Kuina, with the latter getting into her fighting stance - raising her sword in front of her. "She even brought those kids with her, probably thinking they'll be shields for her or sacrificing them to stop us!"
The sword wielder glanced towards the trio, noticing their nasty glares at him. His eyes shifted over towards Kuina, who hardened her look and tightened her grip on her sword. The man kept examining her for a bit, before opening his eyes slightly in realization. "Ah, you're the pirate hunter Kuina, the swordswoman who goes and gets bounties off from pirates you hunt." Cabaji stated in a none-cholant way and aimed his sword towards the girl.
"This is turning out to be a pretty good day for me. Not only do we have an ex-marine, but the infamous bounty hunter Kuina as well." Cabaji cackled, watching the girl smirk at him with an intimidating air around her. "I think Buggy won't need to worry about you, if I take care of you personally." Stated the man, not too worried about the straw hat teenager or Bellemere.
Luffy and Bellemere hardened their looks at the man, the straw hat wearing boy shifting his gaze towards Kuina. "Think you can handle him, he feels a bit different than the last one?" Luffy asked Kuina. She hummed as she looked him over, judging the unicycle swordsman. Finally she shifts her eyes to Luffy, giving him a firm nod.
"Yeah, I'll keep him busy while you and Bellemere go after Buggy and stop his buggy ball." Kuina replied back and began stepping forward. "No doubt he's here to keep us busy to allow Buggy fire another blast of his cannon." The Straw Hat's first mate grabs her swords hilt with both hands now, lifting the sword upward in a fighting stance.
"That won't happen, we won't-" Cabaji began saying while flipping his hair lightly. Leaning to his right leg, turning his head over towards the cowardly crewmate of his. Only to widen his eyes and then let out a gasp at the sight and hearing the Straw hat teenager shouting.
"Okay, kick his butt Kuina! We will be ahead of you!" Luffy called out and turned towards Bellemere. Who had finished tying up the crewmate, then smiling at Luffy and began running right behind him- having Cabaji. Stare wide-eye of what just happened and even felt his eyebrow twitching in annoyance. Of how easily his crewmate was taken care of and rendering him useless.
Kuina giggled with a smug tone and happily cock her head. "So what was that? About not happening… You thought your ally there would stop my captain from reaching Buggy. Then you have another thing coming." Informed the girl and got herself poise for any attacks he might make. "You're facing me now and since you heard of me," her eyes then got dangerously serious. "Then you know I won't be holding back."
"Is that a threat?" Cabaji asked while turning his attention to her. Placing both his feet on the paddle's of his unicycle, looking quite furious and angry. "Just because you're a pirate hunter, doesn't make you- invincible girl!" He snarled out and pointed his sword forward. "You're facing me now, things won't be easy. Nor will I go easy on you just because you're a woman." Cabaji announced, making Kuina's eyes take a threatening expression and tensing up her shoulders from him saying that about her.
"Then stop talking and come at me," Kuina growled out with gritted teeth. Watching the man sneer and give out a battle cry! Peddling hard on his unicycle and darted forward, riding forward with incredible speed towards Kuina! Readying up his sword for a downward slash, which Kuina is prepared to deflect and ready to slash upward!
Quickly adjusting her sword to aim upward and slice at the man's own sword. But widened her eyes when he came to a sudden stop! Causing her swing to completely miss him entirely, not even making contact with his sword. Widening her eyes and gritting her teeth from watching Cabaji, breathing in a lot of air and quickly blowing it back out.
Forcing her to roll towards her right from the flames, that he is spitting out from his mouth and continued to roll around the man. When he began moving his head to follow her, coming to an erupt stop- then quickly swung his sword forward and shielded himself from Kuina. Jumping into the air and slashing downwards, connecting to his sword and grit her teeth. Feeling herself sliding down against the weapon, to then jumping back from the man pushing her off!
Slamming her foot against the road and quickly leaps forward! Using the feedback of stomping into the ground, to lunge herself forward! "One sword style: Kamari slash!" Kuina cried out and slashed her sword from left to right! Sending out a powerful blade of energy towards Cabaji, too then swung her sword overhead and swung downward sending another energy like blade towards him!
Condensing the air around her sword to create razor sharp winds towards the man. With Cabaji clicking his tongue, forcing him to leap off from his unicycle allowing the sideway slash go by between him and the bike. While landing onto the seat with one leg, spinning himself and the unicycle in place- slashing across the downward energy blade in half. Posing dramatically, only to then let out a loud gasp of air!
From Kuina dashing forward and delivering a spinning hilt strike right towards his gut! Causing him to hunch over and then let out a loud yell of pain, when Kuina then flip kicked into his chin! Watching the man flying backwards, along with his unicycle into the air. Kuina however had to whip her head up and rapidly slashes the air!
Deflecting what looked to be sharp blades of spinning tops, that broke apart when making contact with her sword. Watching them clattering on the road below her, having the girl come to a pause and stare down at the weapon. "Spinning tops?" Kuina thought to herself and then yelped, barely dodging what looked to be a chain hook aiming for her head! Cutting small pieces of her hair, from the sharp blade at the end.
Then rolls out of the way from another blade like rope that Cabaji threw at her and watches him pull them back towards himself. That threw the girl off when the blades whip backwards and cut against both her arms, having her hiss and flinch forward. Forcing her free hand to grab onto her right forearm. Feeling a trickle of blood from the injury, having her hiss just a bit and face forward when Cabaji began laughing.
"Hahaha how does that feel, Pirate Hunter? Bet it stings doesn't it, never faced someone like me huh, who actually managed to hit you and injured-" Then let out a hiss and darting his head towards the left a bit. When a tip of a wind blade manages to cut through his right cheek. Forcing him to slap a hand there, feeling his own blood trailing down and darting his eyes back to Kuina.
Who is in her slashing stance with her head down, hair shadowing her face. Before lifting her head up and smiled, "Please, you are not the first who injured me. This is nothing compared to the pain I felt in the past." she said and swung her sword to face backwards and crouches down. "One Sword style-" She began saying and watched the man lowering his gaze.
"Think another skill will work, then try aiming at a target you can't see!" Cabaji cried out and grabbed some pellets from his pocket. Then throw them straight towards the ground! Creating a massive smokescreen around him and the surrounding area. "I will admit you're strong, but you're still weak compared to me!" He cackled out.
Kuina closes her eyes and let out a calming breath- focusing and concentrating on the move she is about to use. Hearing those spinning tops being thrown out within the smokescreen and heading right for her! Aiming towards her shoulders and ankles, which before they could even reach or cut those parts of her body. Her eyes shot open and swung her sword hard and fast. "Kamari whirlwind!" Kuina shouted.
Creating massive gales of winds surrounding her body and area she is standing on. Creating a semi-shield for herself as the spinning tops were sliced into pieces. Which the shield then expanded outwards in a loud boom! Blowing away everything in its path, including the smokescreen that Cabaji had created! Causing the man to shield himself, feeling the scarf around his neck flapping wildly from the gales of the wind, shielding his eyes and trying hard to see through the blistering winds. "The hell!? How was she able to make strong winds, in that short amount of time! That's, that's impossible- no man has that kind of power or speed to even create such a thing!" Cabaji thought to himself and felt a strong kill intent suddenly behind him!
Forcing him to spin around and act on instinct, raising his sword into a defensive stance. Widening his eyes when Kuina's sword connected with him! "The heck- how did she get behind," He couldn't finish his train of thought. Kuina disappeared in front of him, then appeared to his right side- cockily he went and ducked his head thinking to himself. "No matter how fast, she is predictable! She will go for an overhead swing with her sword... GACK!"
The man felt a foot connecting towards his rib cage and sent him flying towards his left! Bouncing and tumbling against the road, along with damaging his unicycle in the process! After the fifth tumble, he quickly slammed his palm down and, hand jumped towards one of the building walls- rapidly peddling against it. Watching Kuina appearing above the spot he was at, slashing down into the ground.
Before lifting her head up at the fleeting man, who is riding up the wall. "Okay...that's kind of impressive." Kuina commented while standing up. Watching him twitch his eyes angrily, forming a circle by connecting his pointing finger and thumb. Following up by breathing in and then blowing through the hole he made! Firing off small fireballs at Kuina, who shook her head and easily deflected the said fireball's away from her. She then stretched her arms out and began running towards the building he is riding up on.
Reaching to the side of the building and began running on up, chasing after the man. Who gritted his teeth, grabbing his sword Cabaji began slashing against the wall. Sending sparks and bits of rocks towards the chasing girl! Who weaved left and right, avoiding the sparks he was sending down at her, along with the sharp rocks. While she then does a short spin hop, extending her sword, sending out the wind blades at the man! Whom yelped and bent his upper body far-back he could, to evade the first wave!
Cabaji then grabs the edges of the roof while in this stance, and flips himself onto the rooftop. Dodging the second wind blade and began back-peddling away from the edge and hopping backwards to the next rooftop. Rapidly throwing more of his bladed spin tops towards where Kuina will have to land where he jumped away from. Only for somehow the girl, suddenly disappearing near the edge of the rooftop- to then appearing past the blade tops!
"Damn, are you persistent!" Yelled Cabaji and came to a skidding stop. Watching the girl reaching him in no time. Forcing him to go on the offensive, by swinging his sword down hard towards Kuina, who came to a sliding halt and defended herself by swinging her sword up to meet his own. Kuina then let out a sharp yelp when she felt something sharp cutting across her sides, then wrapping around her waistline!
"Heh..!" Cabaji cackles and tightens his fist, having his bladed rope completely tied around Kuina. He then tugged hard on it and began doing an overhead throw with the rope, lifting Kuina off from the rooftop and having her fling across two building rooftops! Feeling the blade uncurling from her waistline, which Kuina immediately uses the tip of her sword to cut the rope! So it wouldn't injure her any further and quickly twirled her body upright, landing back onto the road, sliding backwards- gritting her teeth and whipping her head up.
Watching Cabaji leaping at the peak of the rooftop! Soaring into the air and began breathing fire from his mouth again. Not wanting to waste anymore time or get injured unnecessarily, Kuina quickly hops to a stop and begins spinning in place! "One Sword Style: Kamari hurricane!" Exclaimed Kuina. Having rising winds beginning to spin and rise all around her, going straight into the air and forming a large tornado!
Cabaji watched in fear at the rising tornado Kuina had created, along with watching his flames being snuffed out from said tornado. The whipping winds blowing harshly and loudly within that tornado of hers, followed by white glows appearing and disappearing once in a while. Kuina spinning form then began to rise up towards the center of the tornado, with the girl then coming to a stop and began slashing forward with loud battle cries!
Dispersing the tornado with ease and having it burst out into multiple energy like blades! That flew outwards and began curling towards the free floating man, who's eyes widened in fear and slowly raised his sword up to defend himself! Only for him not being fast enough and letting out very loud screams of pain, when all of the energy blades all zoned in on him and began cutting him up!
After the tornado had died down and disappeared, Kuina felt her rising body slowly descending back to the road below her. Having the tip of her toes touching to then going down to her knees, with her sword raised above her head. Swiftly moving her scabbard from her hips, adjusting it in front of her while aiming the blade downwards. Sliding it softly through the scabbard until it made a click noise, by the hilt locking into place. Lifting her head up and smiling confidently when she heard Cabaji's body.
Hitting the ground hard with a thump. Laying sprawled out on the ground in defeat, his clothes were torn up and shredded holes can be seen. Cuts and bruises littered all over his body, showing the areas Kuina's sword and wind blades had made contact. Blood dripped down from his opened mouth, out cold with his pupils invisible from the eyes. The man has been completely defeated and passed out from the pain he took.
Kuina, stood up from her crouching position, straightened her body and swiped a hand over her bangs. Then smiles over at the unconscious man, resting both hands on her hips and turns to face him. "Be glad I didn't go for any vital spots, though you are unconscious, I made sure that you can still move after waking up," then closed her eyes and began walking past the down man. "After all, wouldn't do me any good if the villagers had no body for the marines and get the reward from your bounty." And then began running ahead and hoping to catch up with Luffy and Bellemere.
"Luffy is right however," Kuina thought to herself while running through the streets and crossroads once again, in hopes of catching up with her captain and Bellemere. "These guys are jokes, they easily go down and barely have any stamina. To last a good ten minutes within battles." The girl hardened her eyes and hummed. Spotting the circus top pirate ship that is docked on the other side of town. "Hopefully and not wanting to jinx it- but hopefully there will be much more challenges in the future. Our skills are kind of wasted with these guys."
xxx
Little does Kuina know, her captain is going to be fighting someone who has eaten a Devil Fruit- one who is currently walking around on the deck of his ship. Grunting and growling irritably from lack of information being brought back to him, or the situation that's going down in town with Mohji and Cabaji.
"WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON!" Screamed the red nose pirate while throwing his arms up and then swinging them down. "Is anyone able to contact those two at all! And what the hell was that tornado that suddenly appeared," Then slams his foot hard onto a stool- breaking it apart from the force alone. "WELL!?"
Causing his crew to shake and tremble in fear, never seeing their captain this mad. Not after killing a fellow pirate, in his drunken stupor. Who went and bad mouth about Buggy's fashion and called him a real clown. All hearing him making frustrated and annoying sounds through gritted teeth, his bloodshot eyes looming over them hoping that one of them. Will have a good reason or explanation why they can't reach his first mate and chief in command.
"Bu-Buggy-san, you, you know", One brave pirate began saying. Shaking in his boots and slowly walked forward- watching those scary eyes of his landing onto him. Forcing the brave pirate to gulp and stretch out his shirt collar. "It wouldn't be good if we suddenly called them- while they're in midst of a fight or challenging that Bellemere woman. Right?"
This had Buggy humming and shifting his eyes away from the man. Raising his white glove up to his chin, stroking it in thought. "No, those two will need to focus especially if they're having problems." Then glares at the man. "However," while then fully turning to the cowardly pirate. "Why should I not call them, it is just one stupid ex-mariner who is over in her head. Believing she can take care of us." He mused out towards the pirate.
Who gulped and felt beads of sweat beginning to slide down from his forehead. Especially when Buggy began walking closer to him. "So tell me, why should I not be worried about calling them. If there is only one woman standing in our way, trying to play hero and protecting the villagers, hmm?" Then tilt his head sideways, giving quite an intimidating stink eye towards the man. Who is visibly now shaking and feeling his knees shaking.
"Care to explain where those loud noises are coming from then, or where that sudden tornado appeared out of nowhere?" Then brings a sword out from its holster. Raising towards the man's neck, who went completely pale and raising his head high he could. In order to pull away from the cold steel tip.
"I-I don't know Buggy-san, honest!" Squealed the pirate who was doing everything he could to step back. But considering his chances of escaping and not dying from his captain's wrath, there is little to no chances of coming out of this alive. "I would remark and say it could be weird weather, but it's been clear skies all day! If-If anything it might, might be Bellemere and those brats she possibly brought!" He continued squealing and closed his eyes tightly. Feeling the lump in his throat going down.
Buggy hummed and raised a brow, while then shifting his eyes to the corner of his face. He then withdrew his sword from the crewmate's neck, "that actually is a legit observation there." Buggy hummed thoughtfully while stroking his chin. He then began walking away and moved his sword on his shoulder. "Could one of them be similar to me..?" He thought out loud.
Having the other crewmates look to one another, thinking along the same thoughts as their captain. Curious if those winds had something to do with a Devil fruit user- if so? Then they should very well be careful and be on guard. Who knows how wild this teenager might be, especially if Bellemere has them cooperating with her.
Buggy then stops in front of the sofa that's in the middle of the deck. Humming and going through his thoughts, he then reaches into his pocket and pulls out what looks like folded paper. Buggy then unravels it and reveals it to be a sea chart map. Detailing how and where to go in order to reach the Grand Line! A place where dangerous waters and weather are said to end every pirate and sailors dreams of exploring the unknown ocean- a place where the great Pirate: Gold D Roger had sailed and came back from exploring the seas.
Leaving behind all the treasure he gathered in the world. Buggy wants to one day sail there and get all the treasure for himself. "Those brats that's with Bellemere, probably aren't your ordinary brats." Stated the clown, folding the map up and placing it back to his pockets. Having one of the crewmates to tilt their heads, with one of them raising an open palm.
"What do you mean Buggy-san? Why would those brats not be ordinary?" Watching their Captain make an odd noise, shifting his gaze towards them and then looking up towards the sky. Making even more gruntle noises from his throat, then lowering his head and thrust his arm towards his men.
"If that tornado came from a Devil Fruit user- we shouldn't take any chances! Get ready for another buggy ball. We will make sure that they will be eliminated, along with that woman!" Order Buggy while facing his men. "If it's a fruit user who can control winds, even if they are only kids." Buggy then clenched his fist. "They tend to not have very good control with their powers. Even raw control can be dangerous and deadly if we're not careful." Then smugly raise his head up with a huge smile across his face. "No doubt that Bellemere took advantage of that, probably giving Mohji and Cabaji a hard time- with those ill-tempered children. So, we will set another example and aim our Buggy cannon straight at her! BAHAHA!"
"That's our Buggy-san!"
"Amazing Captain, you're the best! We never would have thought something like that!"
"Yeah, let's go and set up the Buggy cannon and rid Bellemere once in for all!" Cheered the entire pirate group, throwing their fists into the air! Running about to set up the cannon once more, moving towards the bow of the docked ship. While Buggy continues to laugh boastfully and smugly, believing that nothing could ever go wrong. Believing that Mohji and Cabaji had everything under control, and that those tornados they saw. Is just one of the teenagers desperately trying to defend themselves.
While they go and start setting up the Buggy cannon and getting the ball for it. Down below and in front of the docked ship. Luffy and Bellemere can be seen in the distance running straight towards the boat, the woman panting lightly and starting to stagger in her steps. "Luffy- Luffy wait, I need to catch my breath." Bellemere heaved out and came to a stop.
Resting a hand up against one of the street poles and resting her other hand against her knees. Hearing Luffy coming to a stop and sliding across the street and holding on his hat. Began walking back to the woman and soften his look, seeing just how out of breath she was. Watching Bellemere laugh and shake her head saying, "I'm okay don't worry, just been a long time since I had run a lot." She joked.
Luffy hummed while crossing his arms, then turned his head over his shoulder. Looking towards Buggy's ship and hearing sounds of the pirates doing something. No doubt he thought, they were preparing the cannon again. "Luffy- just go ahead don't make me slow you down." Chuckle Bellemere, who straightens herself out and bends back a bit. Letting out a lot of breath of air, before bending forward just a bit to face the teen. "After", then paused her sentence when Luffy snicker.
"Nah it's good, we're in this together and I can wait till you catch your breath." Informed the straw hat teenager, who thumbed his chest happily. "If anything I know how it feels to run out of breath, that's why I made sure to train myself to not ever running out of breath." He joked and shook his head. "Besides, now that we're here I think I have a better idea, how to get onto the deck. Without needing to go inside the ship's hall, and messing anyone inside the ship."
Luffy then approached her and cock his head happily, "Just let me know when you're ready to go!" He smiled, making the woman raise a curious brow of what he had in mind? Then laughed, standing upright and wink at him.
"Sure thing, I want to help out as much as I can Luffy. And from the sounds of things, you have a plan?" She asked, watching Luffy nod his head.
"Yup! Considering Buggy is their leader and how much trouble he has been causing." Luffy then begins cracking his knuckles. "I figured you can leave him to me, I have a suspicion that he might be too much for you. While you go and take care of his goons, along with the cannon."
"Cannon?" Bellemere repeated and rubs her chin, tilting her head lightly. "And his men, you sure you want me to take them on Luffy? I can-" Then lean back when Luffy got close to her face with excitement and laughing.
"Of course~!" Then pulls away, "we're talking about Pirates who will no doubt try and shoot at me. If I were to get shot and not paying attention, I might accidentally reflect one of their bullets to you and harm you." He then sheepishly rubs the back of his neck. "And I will feel really bad, if I was the one who messed up and hurt one of my friends."
Bellemere smiled and felt a bit of a blush, finding it cute how Luffy sees her as a friend. "Kind of funny to hear a pirate saying their friends with a ex marine member." She laughed and then nodded in understanding. "But you're right, if your rubber body does accidentally reflect a bullet towards me. It will be bad," then rubs her chin and looks to the corner of her face. "But-", she then flicked a finger at the black hair teen. "How should I take care of a cannon? If it's large enough to cause that much damage, there isn't much I can do to destroy it."
Luffy hummed and closed his eyes in thought, then just smiled. "Wing it!"
"Wing it?" Bellemere asked with a tilt of her head, while then deadpanning with a sweat drop. Just hearing Luffy laughing loudly and nodding his head, making her to chuckle in response and shrug. "Right, that's all we can really do." Then rolled her shoulder. "Alright, I think I am ready to get going- I will see what I can do with the cannon."
"Cool! Then let's go!" Luffy shouted and flung an arm forward and began wrapping it lightly across Bellemere's waistline, having the woman let out a squeak and feelt herself get pulled close to Luffy. Watching him throwing his other arm towards the top of the boat, making the woman freak and stammering out!
"Luffy-Luffy, wait-wait-wait what the heck are you DOOOOOOIIIIIIING!" Bellemere screamed loudly as she felt both her and Luffy's bodies. Go flying straight towards the air and launch them straight high into the sky, over the ship and begin hovering above the ships deck for a bit! With Bellemere feeling tears flying everywhere from her eyes, from the sudden rocket launch!
Xxx
With the pirates on the deck who were unaware of the approaching duo. Buggy watched over his crew who began moving the Buggy cannon over towards the bow of the ship. "BAHAHA!" Laughed the captain happily with pride. "That's it bring her to the bow, those land lovers- will understand fear and terror once we finish off that lousy woman known as Bellemere, off the planet of the earth!" He exclaimed and grinned wickedly, unaware of the shadows below him were beginning to expand.
"Nobody will ever think of crossing me, especially the marines." He exclaimed happily while moving a hand down to his pocket and pulling out the map of the Grand Line. "and with this map in our possession, we will become the richest of all pirates in the world! Who knows what kind of treasures awaits us in the Grand line!" He screamed out and boastfully began laughing.
"Crewmates- once we are done pilvaging this town of everything they own. We set sail to the Grand Line, and become even richer!" Shouted the man in glee, eyes shining brightly and daydreaming of all the gold in the world, belonging to him and him alone- alongside his pirate crew of course. Hearing the chanting and cheering of his name ringing out from the ship's deck. Picturing his crew members cheering him and celebrating his victory over everything!
One of the pirates who was chanting and cheering, paused mid-chant and lifted his head up when he heard someone shouting frantically in fear. "B-Buggy!" He tried to warn, only for the shadow like blur slamming straight down towards the confused captain. Followed by a loud boom with smoke rising in the spot their captain was standing.
"BUGGY-SAN!" All the shipmates screamed out in panic and threw their arms into the air comedically. Watching the smoke disappearing and revealing who it is, that came falling down onto the captain- looking quite unharmed and having a huge smile on their face. With a pink hair woman shaking and trembling violently from what she just experienced.
Then stepping away from the straw hat teenager, with one of the Buggy Pirates. Helping the woman out when she tripped herself forward, then being caught by one of the pirates. "Um, you alright miss?" They asked politely, watching the woman nod her head and gently gripping their shoulders to steady themselves.
"Make...make the world stop spinning, then I will get back to you on that." Bellemere said while quickly grabbing her mouth. Hoping to keep herself not to lose her lunch, before turning her head over towards where Luffy is standing- along with all the shocked pirates on board when Luffy threw both arms up!
Screaming out, "BUGGY! SHOW YOURSELF AND LET ME KICK YOUR ASS OUT OF THIS TOWN!" Chortle the laughing pirate, unaware that he is standing on Buggy right now- whose face somehow dug into the wooden floorboard of the deck, with his legs and arms sprawled out in pain and twitching.
With Buggy groaning through the floorboards, while the Grand Line map began floating on downwards from the sky. That flew out from Buggy hands when Luffy landed on top of him, with Buggy muttering.
"You're standing on me…"
To be continued...
