One Piece: Truly Precious
Ok, I'm going to try my best to do this chapter, but please forgive me for any lapse in quality here. I…kinda have an idea of how I wanted to do this chapter, but with all the changes in the main story I've been doing, I might not be doing this battle justice. So, sorry about that.
Also, if any of you can help me think up a weapon and fighting style for Nojiko, then that would be appreciated. I don't want to rip off other good stories, so I'm going to try and give her an original fighting style. Also, to those of you that thought that she fell for Usopp's lie to easily, I'm going to say that he, having been brought back with the others, had more experience with that lie, having the charisma and confidence to back up the claim. Knowing that the pirates were actually his old crew helped too, as in canon he was frightened of them. Thus he was able to make a more convincing lie.
But anyway, on with the show. Ichi, Ni, Sunshine, Yon, WE GO!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Oda-sensei is the creator and owner of One Piece.
"So what's the plan for Kuro?" asked Usopp as the group walked through the town, "I mean we can't just walk up there and call him out."
"Why not?"
The group stopped and turned to their captain with incredulous looks on their face.
"You can't be serious," said Usopp.
"Sadly, I think he was," sighed Zoro.
"I have a bad feeling about this," groaned Nojiko.
"Welcome to my life," said Nami with her head down in exasperation.
"Luffy," said Zoro, "we can't just go and call him out. If we do so, we won't have any evidence and we'll look like we're attacking a good man without cause."
"Then what can we do?" muttered Luffy.
"We'd have to be careful," said Zoro, "Kuro is trusted by the townsfolk and by his mistress."
Nami nodded as well, "We'd need to bring his treachery to light before we take him down."
"I may have a plan," said Nojiko, "but first, what can you tell me about this Kuro person?"
xXsceneXx
Kuro, or Klahadore, as he was now called, was currently cleaning a vase in the mansion belonging to Kaya, the young rich girl that employed him as a butler. Straightening his glasses with the base of his palm, he put his duster aside and checked his pocket watch.
'Hmmm,' mused the pirate turned butler, 'the long nosed brat hasn't shown up today. Usually his antics can be heard all the way to the coast.'
Suddenly there was a loud knock at the door, causing Klahadore to raise a brow in surprise. Snapping his watch shut he headed to the front door of the mansion, wondering who would be visiting. It couldn't be Jango, he had enough brains not to meet here. Opening the door, he was surprised to see Usopp standing there with a confident look on his face.
"Morning Klahadore," said Usopp.
"What do you want?" asked Kuro, "Not going to sneak through the window like always?"
"Nope," said Usopp, "I wanted to deliver a message before going to talk with Kaya today."
"I will deliver your message," said Kuro coldly, "now vacate this premises."
"My message isn't for Kaya," said Usopp, "it's for you."
"I can't imagine anything you have to say concerning me," said Kuro as he prepared to slam the door in the sharpshooter's face.
"Wait!" said Usopp, "It's just that I had some friends come by and they told me they found some stray cats. They told me that they had dealt with them, but wanted me to ask you if you know who they belonged to. They were such vicious felines with nice black coats too."
This comment made Kuro freeze. He was no idiot, he knew that there was a double meaning behind Usopp's message and he saw the significance behind it. This changed things completely.
"…I see," said Kuro, "I'll look into it. But the mistress isn't feeling quite well today and will be resting. I shall tell her you came by though."
"Thanks," said Usopp, "I hope she gets better."
With that Usopp ran off, leaving the disguised pirate captain closing the mansion door silently.
'That brat,' he seethed mentally as he straightened his glasses, 'those friends of his must be the reason my crew hasn't shown up. Not only that, but he knows who I am. I'll need to accelerate my plans now. I'll kill the girl tonight and dispose of the body before forging her will.'
Nodding to himself, the former pirate captain went back to his cleaning, knowing that soon, this charade will be over.
xXsceneXx
That night, Kuro walked up to the door of Kaya's bedroom with a large box in his arms. Opening the door, he walked inside and locked the door behind him.
"Ah, Klahadore," said Kaya, "what's wrong? What is that box for?"
"Lady Kaya," said Kuro, "I'm afraid I'm going to have to hand in my resignation."
Quick as a flash, Kuro opened the box and donned its contents: his two sword-claw gauntlets, the Cat Claws. He moved to slit the girl's throat, but a lead bead shot through the window and slammed into his face. Only his glasses prevented the pirate captain from injury, but they were knocked off his face and broken into pieces from the shot. Before he could react, the door to the room was kicked in and a figure burst through the broken glass of the window.
"Sorry," said Usopp as he stood between the pirate and Kaya with his slingshot aimed at his face, "but your plans are foiled."
"Your plan worked great, Nojiko," said Zoro as he and the rest of the crew stood in the doorway.
"As expected of my sis," said Nami.
"Wh-who are you people?" asked Kaya.
"Remember my tales about being a brave warrior of the seas?" Usopp asked Kaya, getting a nod from the girl, "well, these guys are my crewmates that sailed with me through thick and thin."
"It doesn't matter," said Kuro, "you won't stop my plans. A pretend pirate has no chance of beating a real one!"
"Just shut up!" yelled Luffy as he hurled Kuro through the window and out onto the ground.
Zoro and Luffy jumped after the pirate, leaving Usopp and the others to guard Kaya. Usopp moved to the window and readied his weapon to snipe Kuro if needed, causing the girl to look at he friend in wonder.
"Usopp," she said in a soft voice that didn't go unnoticed by Nami.
"Don't worry," said the Navigator, "Usopp may act cowardly, but when it comes down to it, he will lay down his life for those who are precious to him."
Looking at her friend's serious face as he watched the pirates fight, Kaya was inclined to believe her.
xXsceneXx
Climbing to his feet as Luffy and Zoro landed in front him, Kuro unconsciously moved to adjust his glasses, before remembering that they had been shattered by Usopp's attack.
"Impudent brats," said Kuro as he brandished his Cat Claws, "you're out of your league."
Kuro then vanished in a flash, but Luffy swung out his arm and knocked Kuro to the ground as he moved with his stealth walk.
"Impossible," said the former pirate as he wiped some blood of his lip from where Luffy had punched him.
"You know," said Zoro as he put Wado in his mouth, "you were right earlier. A pretend pirate can't hope to beat a real one."
"And a coward like you," said Luffy, "can never call yourself a real pirate."
"How dare you," growled Kuro, "I am Kuro of the Hundred Plans! I slaughtered my enemies and was a feared warrior."
"The key point being, 'was,'" smirked Luffy, "you left it all behind because you didn't have the stomach to live life on the run from the marines. Compared to us, you're the pretend pirate."
"Who do you think you are," growled Kuro.
"Monkey D. Luffy," said Luffy, "wanted dead or alive, 70,000,000 berries."
"Roronoa Zoro," said Zoro, "wanted dead or alive, 50,000,000 berries."
Kuro's eyes widened at the amount of their bounties, they were larger than his in fact, but he steeled his features and readied his weapons, "Regardless. My plan will not fail."
Kuro shot at Luffy with his Cat Claws, but the swordsman first mate of the Strawhats moved between them and blocked the attack with his swords, before entering a fierce dual of blades with the former captain.
"You are skilled with those blades of yours," said Kuro before vanishing with his stealth walk and appearing behind Zoro, "but skill won't be enough."
As Kuro moved to impale the swordsman, Zoro's younger body not quite being fast enough to react in time, he was suddenly smashed to the ground by a powerful blow. Looking up, he saw the rubber captain's arm snapping back from throwing the punch. Using this momentary distraction, Zoro swung a Haki infused katana and shattered the blades of Kuro's Cat Claws with a single stroke.
Kuro snarled at the pirates, but a lead pellet struck him in the back of his head, causing him to turn around in shock and pain to see Usopp aiming his slingshot at him with a projectile loaded.
"Hissatsu: Kayaku Boshi!" declared Usopp as he released the shot and sent the projectile flying straight into Kuro's face, where it exploded violently, sending the former Pirate flying back until he landed on the ground unconscious.
"Nice shot, Usopp!" said Luffy.
"Let's tie him up for now and call the marines before we leave in the morning," said Ussop.
"You're leaving?" said Kaya in surprise, "Why?"
"Kaya," said Usopp, "I'm going to go to sea to become a brave warrior like my father, and my captain here is going to need my help."
"B-but,"
"Kaya," interrupted Usopp, "I have to do this. I'll miss you, but I'll be back one day and I'll be the great warrior I've always lied about being!"
Kaya smiled and wiped away her tears, "I know you will."
xXsceneXx
The Strawhats spent the night in the mansion at Kaya's request. She said it was a thank you for saving her life despite them being strangers. The next morning, the pirates headed to the bay and found Kaya there with her butler Merry and another old member of the Strawhat Crew.
"That's…" said Luffy wistfully.
"Everyone," said Kaya with a smile, "I wanted to give you all something and after hearing from Usopp that all you had was a little dingy to sail in, so I thought I'd give you this."
"This is the Going Merry," said Merry, "it's a ship I designed myself and I think its fitting that it would be used by a crew that saved my mistress."
"Thank you," said Nami sincerely, "we promise we'll take good care of her."
"I'd expect nothing less," said Merry with a smile.
As the crew loaded up their things, Luffy placed a hand on the hull with a nostalgic smile, "Welcome back, Merry."
As he turned to help the others, he spotted a misty figure standing on his spot on the figurehead. The figure simply doffed an invisible hat before vanishing, making Luffy smile. The Going Merry was back with them as well.
Sorry if it seems that I rushed through the fight scene. I promise the next arc will have a much better one, because you know which powerful character appears in the Baratie arc…and I don't mean Sanji.
Anyways, please favorite, follow, and review.