One Piece: Truly Precious
Chapter 17
Hello and sorry for the wait for this chapter. I've been trying to think up an inspiration to keep this chapter interesting. I hope this meets with your expectations.
Also, I've decided to use an OC of mine in this fic, with his personality modified slightly of course.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
As the Marines looked over the pirates assembled at the base of the execution platform, they felt a hint of foreboding creep down their spines. The fact that they were now facing down three of the most wanted Rookies in the East Blue in addition, 'Man Demon' Gin was standing with them along with two other swordsmen.
"All forces," said Smoker, "take down those pirates!"
"Looks like a noisy bunch," said Sanji.
"Not going to be a problem though," said Zoro, "Johnny, Yosaku, remember what I've taught you two and you'll be fine."
The Marines grabbed their swords and charged at the assembled Pirates, but Gin quickly stepped forward and gripped his tonfa as he slammed them into the chests of several officers, sending them flying back with broken bones. Several more charged forward, but the former member of the Kreig Armada slammed the weighted end of the tonfa into the ground, smashing the pavement under their feet, causing them to stumble and fall.
Once Gin left the Marines off balance, Yosaku and Johnny shot forward with their new blades and cut down the remaining officers, their meteor forged blades slicing through the steel of their swords. The two of them next raised their blades and rushed forward, bringing them down in a cross slash.
"Raging Cross!" said the swordsmen as the Marine's bodies were slashed.
"Those pirates," growled Smoker as he got to his feet, "you won't escape from my town!"
Smoker turned his arms into smoke and shot them at the Strawhat Pirates, aiming to envelop and capture them. Just as the smoke was upon the rookie members of Luffy's crew, the crew's Chef and First Mate stepped forward and stopped the cloud cold with a Haki infused leg and sword, respectively.
"Sorry," said Sanji, "but you're not taking us down today."
"We've got some big plans," said Zoro, "so we can't afford to be stopped here."
"I won't be defeated by mere pirates like you," said Smoker, "it doesn't matter how large your bounty is. White Blow!"
The Marine Captain shot tendrils of smoke from his arms at the two pirates, but if he wanted them to cower in fear, he was going to be disappointed.
As the smoke approached the two pirates, Sanji spun on his foot, igniting it with the friction before kicking off the ground and launching himself into the air above the Captain.
"Bien Cult: Grill Shot!" yelled Sanji as he kicked Smoker, using just enough Haki to allow his legs to bypass the Captain's Logia defense, but not enough to seriously injure him. After all, he did help them out on occasion, however reluctantly.
The kick slammed Smoker into the Captain's back, slamming him into the ground and burning a crisscross pattern into his jacket as his eyes widened in pain and shock from the injury. The Strawhat Chef landed softly on the ground as his foot smoked, and Zoro stepped forward to take his turn.
"Santoryu: Kokujo: O Tatsumaki!" said Zoro as he swung his swords and whipped up a twister of slashes, purposely avoiding using Haki with his slashes.
The cyclone tore through the ranks of the Marines until it picked up the fallen Marine Captain in its vortex. Smoker felt his body turning into smoke due to his Logia abilities, but because he was trapped in the twister, his body was being dissipated and trapped in its gaseous form, unable to escape.
"Sorry Smokey," said Luffy as he jumped up and stretched his fist back while coating it with Haki, "but we gotta set sail. Gum Gum Pistol!"
He slammed his fist into the twister, his Haki infused limb smashing through the attack and impacting with Smoker's dispersed body and sending him slamming into the ground where he lay prone.
"Shishishi," laughed Luffy as he landed and adjusted his hat, "time to go everyone."
The rest of the assembled Pirates nodded and ran for the opening in the ranks of the Marines, making a beeline for the docks where the Going Merry was waiting. As they ran, the weather began to take a turn for the worse and lightning streaked across the sky as rain fell on the Pirates and their pursuers.
"That girl really was spot on about the weather," muttered Gin as they ran through the streets.
"That's our Nami-swan," said Sanji, "she always knows the weather."
"Talk later," said Zoro as he deflected a bullet with his katana, "we have other things to deal with."
As the Strawhat crew rounded a corner, they were surprised to see that several Marines had blocked the path and had set up artillery on the road.
"Out of the way!" yelled the crew's Monster Trio.
"Santoryu…"
"Mouton…"
"Gum Gum…"
"…Oni Giri!"
"…Shot!"
"…Bazooka!"
The three attacks slammed into the Marines and literally blasted straight through their blockade, sending them flying away. As the Pirated continued on their way a powerful wind swept past them and, if they had looked back, they would have seen the Marines pursuing them get swept back and deposited painfully on the cobblestones as a hooded figure stood over them.
"The winds of change are in the air," said the man, "go now Luffy. Set sail and show this world what you can do…my son."
With a laugh the wind swirled around the cloaked man and he vanished into the storm.
xXsceneXx
"So you found our Captain?" asked Nami as the group ran up.
"Of course, Nami-san," said Sanji, "though it was lucky we didn't need to find our First Mate as well."
"Oi!" yelled Zoro, "I wasn't the one that was lost!"
"Well that's a surprise," smirked Sanji, "I wonder if we'll see pigs fly soon."
"You wanna go, Ero-Chef?" growled Zoro as he smashed heads with Sanji.
"You talk like you could win, Shitty-Marimo," shot back Sanji.
"Enough!" yelled Nami, "if you two have time to quarrel, then get to work prepping the ship for departure. I want to be out of here before the worst of the storm hits."
The crew quickly got aboard the ship and got to work securing the ship's rigging. Once things were set, the Going Merry pulled away from the docks and made its way toward the open seas.
"We're on our way," said Luffy, "straight to the Grand Line!"
"It will be good to have some challenging fights for once," said Zoro, "I'll have to step up my training."
"It's the sea that almost destroyed Don's crew," said Gin, "I never thought I'd be returning to it like this, yet somehow, it feels right."
"Then let's set sail," said Nami, "next stop, Reverse Mountain, the entrance to Paradise."
xXsceneXx
"…and that's what happened," said Smoker to the Den Den Mushi that was connected to Marine Headquarters, "I'd like permission to pursue the Strawhats."
"Granted," said the voice on the other end of the line, "on one condition. You will meet up with a ship that will deliver additional support to aid you in your hunt. We will not let these pirates run wild, and from your report, you could use the assistance in bringing them in."
Smoker grit his teeth, not wanting to seem like he needed help taking down rookie pirates, but he had to agree with the assessment.
"Yes sir," said Smoker, "will they be coming to our port?"
"No," said the voice, "to save time, he'll meet up with you at G-7."
"Right," said Smoker, "thank you, sir."
Turning, he regarded the other occupant of the room, who was staring at the ground sheepishly.
"Stand up straight, Tashigi," said Smoker.
"Sorry sir," said the swordswoman, "I got a bit lost heading to the plaza on such short notice."
"It doesn't matter now," said Smoker, "we're heading after Strawhat's crew."
"Strawhat Luffy?" said Tashigi, "The new Super Rookie?"
"Yes," said Smoker, "and apparently, he's traveling with Man Demon Gin and Roronoa Zoro."
"Zoro?" said Tashigi in surprise, "He was here?"
"Here's their profiles from the bounty office," said Smoker as he handed a folder to the Master Chief Petty Officer, "study them."
Tashigi opened the folder and skimmed through the files, but when she came upon a certain wanted poster, her eyes widened.
"That man…"
To be continued…