Disclaimer: Godzilla and One Piece are the sole properties of Toho Co. LTD and Eiichiro Oda respectively. KP360 claims no ownership of anything save for any OCs, abilities, and locations.
Water 7 opening: Inferno by 9mm Parabellum Bullet (Berserk 2016 op)
Italics: Thoughts, talking over long distance
Bold: Attack names, Kaiju speech
"You sure this is where he lives?" Gian and Luffy were now on the roof of a mansion, having snuck in through the destroyed shipyard. Nami had left to find the others to inform them of what they have learned.
"It's the only big house close to Dock 1, he's probably in there." Luffy nodded.
"Then let's go interrogate him quicky, the entire city is hunting us right now. Not to mention that Nami said that the Aqua Laguna will be arriving by night."
Aqua Laguna, that's what they learned the name of the massive storm headed their way is called. Bringing with it massive tidal waves of water and a drenching downpour, every year this massive storm floods part of Water 7, leaving it more and more connected to the water. If Luffy wanted his talk, he'd need to do it soon.
"No doubt that Iceburg probably has guards all over the place now. If we're going to get in, it ain't gonna be easy." Gian noted while Luffy just shrugged.
"That's not gonna stop me." and then he promptly kicked through the window, landing in the middle of the room.
"Huh, I suppose that works." Gian scoffed and followed. As expected, the room was packed with armed bodyguards all in shock at the sudden break in.
"That's 'Straw Hat' Monkey D. Luffy and 'Beast Warrior' Gian of the Straw Hat Pirates!" They exclaimed "The ones who attacked Iceburg-san!"
"That is fake news." Gian shrugged "Now tell us where your boss is!" naturally the guards did not budge, and instead decided to rush them. This forced the two to run, one eye peeled for the door leading to the mayor while also trying to avoid oncoming attacks.
"There's at least 30 rooms in this building, how are we going to find him?" Gian asked.
"We have to keep looking, maybe the second floor!" Luffy replied.
"Well we would've had it easier if we didn't choose to break in now, didn't we?"
"Too late for that!"
But to their surprise, the method in which they found the mayor was from an unsuspecting figure. As they ran up the stairs, they saw Iceburg's secretary gesturing towards them. Initially fearing a trap, they found that Kalifa led them to a double decked door.
"Iceburg-san will speak to you now." She said.
"Just like that?" Gian perked an eyebrow "A bit anti-climactic don't you think?"
"Use your time wisely." Was all Kalifa said as she walked away.
Iceburg was in rough shape; bandages covered the man's head and torso as he laid in bed. Despite this, his gaze did not lack any of his spirit as he witnessed the duo walk in.
"I heard you wished to speak to me, boy." Iceburg addressed Luffy "I guess at least you aren't here to kill me, after all you wouldn't have stormed a house full of armed guards in broad daylight otherwise.
"We're here to ask you for the truth! What do-"
"Why are you dragging Robin into all of this?" Gian snapped "What is your plan here?"
"Do you always presume you can speak for you captain?" Iceburg responded coolly "I saw her with my own eyes. She was here last night, the very same woman from your crew. Her, and a group of masked interlopers." That last detail Gian did not miss, one more question for the pile he supposed.
"How can you be sure that was her?" Luffy asked.
"Choose your words carefully" The two did a double take as Iceburg pointed a gun right at them "The reason I brought you here is this: Let me see Nico Robin one more time."
"I'll ask again, what do you want with her?" Gian growled, a slight protectiveness coming over her.
"That is none of your concern."
"Well you're making it my-" his words were interrupted with a loud BANG as Iceburg fired a shot, the bullet grazing his cheek. The mayor had no fear in his eyes, even as the Kaiju-Zoan user's wound merely closed and his eyes turned a deep shade of amber.
"If you even think that I'll let you harm her, then I will-" and the flaming blue aura began to seep through his body. The situation would've escalated had Luffy not clamped a hand on Gian's shoulder right then and there.
"Gian, stop." He ordered "We're here to talk!"
"It seems like your crew has no shortage of secrets, Pirate brat." Iceburg sighed.
Gian took a few deep breaths before nodding "Sorry Luffy, I acted out of line, but I'm not about to just hand Robin to him, not until we know what's going on!"
"I think even he doesn't know what's fully happening." Luffy responded "Anyway, we can't let her see you again. We don't even know where she is. Sorry for the disruption." With that, the two leapt out Iceburg's window, the mayor watching them leave with an unreadable expression.
"So, he really did see Robin." Gian grumbled "How could that be? What reason does she have to sneak into his house?"
"I don't buy it." Luffy stated simply "There has to be more to this."
"Right now, the evidence is stacked against us though."
"Gian, you're close to her." Luffy told him "I can tell you that you also know that there's an ulterior reason behind all this."
"You're right about that much, and now at least I can tell that Iceburg didn't plan any of this." Gian sighed "The way he talked about her, it was like even he did not expect her to come."
"But that begs a different question: if Iceburg didn't plan anything, then who's behind everything? Iceburg mentioned people wearing masks were seen with her last night, could they have something to do with it?"
They shared a look, a look that spelled uncertainty for what's to come.
"We should head back and meet up with the others" Gian stated "We'll can talk about it more then, plus Nami said there's a storm coming tonight. Best not to get caught up in all that."
But their problems were only just beginning.
Later:
"Say that to me, one more time."
Chopper gulped and looked up balefully "Robin… we found her, but she says she isn't coming back with us! Worse, she claims that she really did commit the assassination attempt!"
"Just how did that happen? Could Robin really have done this?" Nami gave a bewildered look.
Gian growled as he clenched his fist; Robin was always the mysterious type, but even with her having no qualms regarding to violence killing an innocent man makes no sense! His stare penetrated the whimpering reindeer, making Chopper flinch as he finished delivering his news.
"Did she say where she was going?!
"N-No she didn't. Sanji said he's going after her, he said something wasn't right! But Robin's eyes! They were cold! It was almost like she didn't think anything of us!" Chopper was on the verge of tears "She said that this would be the last time we'll see of her! That she's never coming back!"
"How is this happening?! Why-" Gian ranted before Nami stepped in front of him.
"Stop it, just raving isn't going to solve anything. There's obviously a reason behind all this."
"Yeah, but the question is what? Robin couldn't have just killed someone without a reason!" Gian breathed out in exasperation. Deep down though, there was more than that. Robin, the guide to his mysteries, the only one to shed light on his fate, she was just going to leave that behind?
After everything they told each other?
"There could be no reason," Zoro shrugged "What if she really did plan all this? All the while we're caught in this net?"
The glare he felt from the Kaiju-Zoan user could've impaled a lesser man, had Zoro already not know what was coming. Gian's emotions were running high, the past day has been one problem after another, but even Gian would need to face certain ideas.
"Zoro…?" the first mate's eyes began to glow "You better not be about to say what I think you are!"
"Gian, I know your feelings for this woman, but Robin's situation is more complicated than we can imagine. She sees the world differently, lived differently. The point is we can't know what she's experiencing now. It's not that I don't trust her, in fact I think she's just as much as a victim as we are. But it's because of that we need to equally consider the fact that she could've set something up." This is what made Gian pause as he prepared his retort.
Everything was indeed going wrong, ever since they arrived, ever since their clash with Aokiji, ever since Robin's disappearance…
And now today's revelation, where everything leads up to.
Sneering words drawled through his mind; Aokiji's message replayed themselves as his thoughts became more jumbled
"Nico Robin brings nothing but misfortune to those around her… That's the fate of all who let her on their ship…"
"Could Robin really be behind-?"
Gian snapped out of those thoughts with a quick growl; how could he have even thought of that?! No matter what Robin's done in the past, no matter how much she had to betray and lie in order to survive, this time it was not like that.
"She has people she can trust," Gian affirmed "Whatever she faces, we face together."
"In the short time we've known each other, I've felt a connection from you that I feel from no one else. Even as I'm lost in an ocean of unearthed secrets, you seemed to be the guiding light that illuminates my path of discovery. Yet despite all I spill in front of you, what I know of you is still merely a drop in a larger canvas. I need you, more than you think, and if there's anything that you're hiding from us, I will-"
"I believe in Robin, and I trust Gian's faith in her." it was Luffy who spoke this time "There's already a lot going on, something that still makes no sense. And there perhaps one way to get answers."
The captain and first mate glanced at each other. Gian gave a small smile of gratitude.
"Luffy and I managed to see Iceburg this morning. We didn't get much answers but the mayor revealed one piece of information that we found perplexing."
"The night Robin supposedly snuck in to assassinate him, Iceburg claimed there was someone else in the room as well, a masked figure." Gian addressed everyone.
"A masked person!" Nami spoke up "Sanji mentioned seeing similar masked figures the day before!"
"And there we have it, a lead." Luffy grinned.
"Robin is being controlled? Someone else is directing her actions?" Chopper gasped.
"Either that, or she's actually in league with them." Zoro stated.
"Simply standing here and guessing will get us nowhere." Luffy nodded "Which is why tonight we're going back to Iceburg's mansion."
"Do you think they're going back for him?" Zoro stated.
"Of course, they failed to kill Iceburg; if they're targeting him in the first place it's obvious that he's an important piece to all this too. So whether or not she really is behind all this, we'll go there tonight to get answers ourselves." Luffy affirmed.
"Robin, I have no idea what you're feeling right now." Gian thought "But no matter what you've done before, I believe in you right now, and I believe you are innocent in all this. Should anything be forcing your hand, you can be certain I will be there to wrench it away."
But with the storm clouds gathering, none of the Straw Hats knew what they were getting into that night.
Later that night:
Thunder rumbled in the distance, the winds were picking up as night fell. Across the bustling city people began to batten down the hatches, those unable to do so getting out the way. Every year around this time, Water 7 is assaulted by waves and water. This year, Aqua Laguna is said to be even more devastating.
For the pirates that remained, they could not avoid it just yet.
"It's awfully quiet," Zoro commented "Are you sure they'll strike again?"
The remaining Straw Hats gathered near a tree, a few feet away from Iceburg's mansion. Tonight, at the site where it's all supposed to go down, it seemed they weren't the only ones on edge. By this point the mansion grounds were circling with patrol and guards, frequent flashes of search lights looking for any signs of suspicious activity. For the Straw Hat Pirates, any attempted assassins took a back seat when it came to their wayward archaeologist.
But neither Robin nor the masked figures showed.
"Just keep waiting, rushing now won't do us any good." Nami reminded him.
"Those guards are armed to the teeth!" Chopper noted "They aren't taking any chances!"
"Oi, Gian?" Luffy suddenly called out "You doing alright?" The Kaiju-Zoan blinked slightly before nodding.
"I'm good, just keep watch."
"I hope he can keep it together, on the off chance Robin might be a foe." Zoro sighed.
"Gian is stronger than that, he won't let that affect him." Luffy assured him.
Gian gave a thankful smile before steeling himself. As much as he didn't want to admit it, there is a chance that Robin may have been setting them up, as small as it is. And despite it all, after all they've been through, the new feelings that now blossomed within him, he's not sure if he's up for the task should the worst happen.
Flashback:
"-And with that it was decided that I wouldn't be cooking anymore. Honestly even now I think they're overreacting but hey, Rokuro-kun needs to grow apparently."
Robin chuckled at that story. It was a slow day, they were making a small pit stop before reaching their next destination: Long Ring Long Island. While the others were off gathering supplies and waiting for the Log Pose to reset, they tasked the two of them to guard the ship.
"Seriously, all I did was add a touch of chili pepper!" Gian recalled.
"Yes, a touch that amounted to nearly an entire can." Robin smiled "I must commend your brothers for having strong palettes though, it's remarkable their sense of taste have not been destroyed by the blend."
Gian grimaced "That was sarcasm wasn't it?"
"I can only imagine what cook-san has to deal with now that you've been asking him for cooking lessons."
Gian stuck his tongue out before giving a chuckle. They were both leaning on the rails, Robin had a book in her hand but never got to read it, while he was content with just looking out to sea.
"Do you miss them?" She asked out of the blue. Gian had a longing look in his eyes.
"Every day. I know they can take care of themselves; they've done it longer than I have been with them, but I still worry. I hope they're eating well, I hope they haven't gotten sick. Sometimes I wish I can just visit them for a day, but now we're a long ways from home aren't we?"
"Home…" it was now Robin's turn to have a tone change, her voice carried a sense of want and-was that sorrow that he detected? Gian paused, even after all this time Robin was still the most secretive of the crew; heck he's sure he knows more about the Kaiju-Zoan than he does about her.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
Robin's shift of emotions were so quick that he almost thought he imagined everything "Of course, it's quite amusing hearing about your life. Now, considering we just went through another crazy experience, I'm sure you'll have quite the story to tell in that journal of yours."
"Ah, you've been paying attention to that." Gian can't help but grin.
"As much as everyone else." She smiled. Gian chuckled and began to walk off, but before he could put pen to paper he then stopped.
"You know, I've been thinking. I still don't know much about you."
And just like that, he could see Robin freeze up slightly "What is there to know?"
"Just curious, you never told me anything about your life, other than the stuff we know already. There's still quite a lot of your life you've never told us." Gian replied.
Robin let out a breath "Sometimes it's not wise to dwell in the past."
Gian perked an eye "Really? This coming from the lady who would love nothing but to dive into a pile of ancient ruins?" Normally Robin would have a perfect reply for his quips, but this time the Kaiju-Zoan user found that the archaeologist had no reaction. His smile dropped; something wasn't right.
"I guess it's a pretty touchy subject huh? Sorry, we'll draw the line there then. I didn't mean to dredge up any painful memories."
Robin shook her head and offered a small smile "It's quite alright, it's not something I like to look back on, but I've come quite far since that time. I will be alright."
"Well, alrighty then." Gian mumbled, and then the air around them became rather tense. Gian shifted uncomfortably, that conversation really went south.
Though that brings up the question: What horrible event happened in Robin's past that makes even her unwilling to reveal even the slightest detail of it?
"I'll just go and ah, write that journal entry now…!" he waved awkwardly and decided to head below deck, just about.
Then he turned heel and walked right back to the archaeologist.
"Look, I really am sorry about what happened earlier. It was not proper of me to delve into your business. But from what I can tell, it was an experience that stayed with you, and it was more than just a simple bad memory."
Robin didn't respond as he continued "I know I already told you a bit about my past, and you've probably learned the back stories of everybody else one way or another. Tragedy is something we've faced somehow, it's an unchangeable part of our present, but it's like you've told me before, don't let that define what you've become."
Without thinking, Gian clasped a hand around hers, eliciting a small gasp from the archaeologist "If you don't want to talk about it, then I accept that. But whether it's me, Luffy, Zoro, Nami or anyone, we've all had to come forward from a tragic event, it's because of that we are stronger today."
Gian smiled and stood up "So if you need someone to share your pain with, we're all here for you."
Robin's eyes were unreadable, until she smiled briefly and turned away.
"Very well, I'll keep that in mind."
"Great, I guess that's that then!" he gave a small nod before heading down to his cabin to write his journal entry.
Robin watch him go, waiting for him to go out of sight. Once it was certain he was gone, she shut her eyes and breathed. She still remembers everything: the thunder of cannon fire, the sea of flames.
The screams of innocents as they were drowned out one by one.
She's survived for years, but the events of that day never ceased to haunt her.
She gave one last look at the door where Gian departed to; in a way it was nice that he cares.
But caring can only do so much.
Flashback end.
"Maybe if I just persisted a bit more that day" slivers of guilt shifted through Gian as he continued to watch the mansion "If I showed her that I'm there with her, would she be more trusting of us?"
Any more thoughts will have to wait however.
Because just then the side of the mansion exploded with a loud BOOM!
Knocked off their feet, the Straw Hats could only stare in shock as one side of the building became covered with smoke and fire.
"That can't be good." Zoro said.
"Robin…" Gian choked out. His gaze hardened soon after.
"We need to hurry, NOW!"
They were greeted by destruction when entered the building. Strewn across the hallways were guards, some grievously injured, others already perished. Upon closer inspection the crew saw that the downed sentries were dealt swift blows, evident by a smooth laceration or a bullet sized hole in their vitals.
One thing is clear: The people behind this were professionals, and they came with a purpose.
A cold chill went down everyone's spines as they witnessed everything. The thought of Robin in the vicinity of these killers unnerved all of them.
"Find her, as fast as possible!" Luffy shouted.
They split up, each hoping to cover more ground. Luffy and Gian headed directly towards Iceburg's room, a bad feeling brewing within them. Thankfully they did not have to avoid the guards so much; they too were now preoccupied with these new intruders.
But as they soon will see, the mansion's guards would've been much better company.
A yell of pain up ahead made them double their pace. They turned the corner just to see the muscular foreman Tilestone slump to the ground, clutching his chest as blood seeped between his fingers. But it was the figure behind him that drew both their attention. A tall burly figure, face obscured by a bear mask, held open a glass like door that seemed to be formed straight out of the wall behind him.
"Masked figure… that must be one of the people Chopper spoke of!" Gian realized. Luffy growled as he charged forwards, but the assailant only glanced back briefly as the door closed, leaving Luffy to plant his fist into the drywall.
"That guy just made a door appear out of thin air!" Luffy shouted.
A groan sound from below them as the two pirates realized that the massive carpenter was still alive. They knelt to check over his injuries, as the man cracked an eye open.
"Y-You guys?"
"What's going on here?!" Luffy demanded "Who was that guy back then?"
Tilestone paused; technically the two wanted criminals were right there in front of him. However, it was clear to him that, by this point, there's a third force at play, one that was bigger than both of them.
"Luffy!" Gian pointed to the ground, where the carpenter's massive sledgehammer laid shattered. The same hammer that once sent him flying was now mere splinters on the ground "Whoever those guys are, they're not your run of the mill assassins that's for sure!"
"P-Please…! Iceburg-san…!" he squeezed out "He's in danger!"
"That's obvious, this is starting to get serious." Gian noted "We have to reach him!"
Running through the hall, racing against time, the two were praying what they find behind the grand doors of Iceburg's bedroom would be him safe and sound. It was only after they kicked down the door did they realize it was way worse than that.
The mayor, held down in a stranglehold.
And the one doing it was none other than-
"R-Robin?"
For the first time in days, the archaeologist and the Kaiju-Zoan user locked eyes.
But they would not get the chance to speak to each other, for there was more unpleasant company in the room.
"You did not mention your friends would be joining us, Nico Robin." A voice, smooth as silk, belonged to none other than-
"That voice! You're the Pigeon Guy!" Luffy shouted "What are you doing here?!"
"So he can talk, I knew there was something off about him!" Gian growled.
Lucci said nothing as he removed his mask, just as others around him did the same. Just as it was shocking the first time, the sight of Kaku and Kalifia, foreman and secretary, both revealing themselves was something none of them expected.
"I can't believe this!" Iceburg gasped from the ground "Lucci… All of you! You're part of CP9?!"
"What's CP9?" Luffy questioned. Iceburg grimaced after hearing that.
"CP9 stands for Cipher Pol Number 9. We are one of 10 other Cipher Pol units, with special privileges compared to our sister agencies." There was no almost nothing friendly from the way Kaku spoke. The supposed carpenter's voice is now dead serious as he drew a pair of straight swords "Namely, we have to privilege to kill anyone who goes against the World Government, and that includes those who are hiding secrets. Secrets like the ones only Iceburg of Water 7 knows."
"The government has that power!" Gian shouted "How is that even allowed?"
"Which is why it helps that we are shrouded in secrecy." Kalifa was the one who spoke this time "Very few in the public world knows of our existence, and those who do will no longer do so for long."
"Government agents… and Robin?"
"Robin… what is the meaning of this?" dread began to well up within Gian as multiple conclusions raced in his head. If Robin was here, then could it all be true?
Is she really in league with the World Government?
And when she finally spoke, it was as if a pit just swallowed up his heart.
"What do you think this is?" her voice was indeed cold "It's exactly what you're imagining it to be."
"No…" Gian shook his head in denial "This isn't! It can't be!"
Shock turned to rage as he whirled on the assassins.
"What did you say to her?! Why do you want Robin?!"
Lucci smiled with contempt "For 5 years we have been undercover within Water 7. Our mission was to secure the blueprints hidden within the city, namely blueprints that Iceburg knows of. The 'Devil Child' just happened to pop up on our radar, and as a Wanted target for years, it's only natural that we'd go after her too."
"I've told you, you're wasting your time!" Iceburg yelled "I will never hand over the prints for Pluton! Least of all the World Government!"
It was almost demonic how fast Lucci sprang across the room and slammed the mayor into the wall.
"Is that so? Then I'd have to apologize, but your defiance is worthless." His voice was full of venom as Iceburg began to choke "We know everything already, how Tom's former disciple Cutty Flam is still living and operating within the city under the name of Franky, and you gave him the blueprints for safe keeping. We will find him in due time."
"P-Please, Franky is the last person that wants anything to do with you!" Iceburg spat in the assassin's face "And don't you ever speak of my mentor's n-"
Lucci slammed his face into the ground so hard, cracks appeared where he landed. Iceburg coughed up a sheet of blood as his eyes filled with rage.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Luffy shouted, but a blade of air sliced past him before he could even move.
"That was a warning, do not attempt to interfere." Kaku stated as he lowered his leg.
"Did he just kick the air and caused it to cut you?!" Gian gasped.
"Come on, we're leaving, we have everything we need." Lucci gave short order, and from behind them another door appeared from the wall. Out stepped the same bear masked figure from before, only this time they removed it soon after.
"H-How can this be? Bartender Blueno?!" Iceburg choked out "Just how many of you are stationed in this city?"
"Is it done?" Blueno, a tall man with his hair curved in the shape of bull horns, ignored the downed mayor as he addressed Lucci.
"Yes, we will leave for the Tower of Justice immediately."
The assassins turned to leave, only for a blue ball of fire to detonate before them. Lucci stared back with narrowed eyes, eyes akin to those of a predator.
"Not another person moves until you've given me Robin back!" Gian growled, his palm smoking.
"Really, you think you can make demands with us?" Lucci growled "Besides, you don't even seem to be aware that Nico Robin wants to leave you behind."
"BULLSHIT!" Gian growled "I don't know what you're claiming, but I'd think twice about saying the wrong thing about her in front of me!"
"Enough Gian!" Robin's voice made him falter "You still don't know a thing about this world."
"Robin, I know they're just using you! Of all the people I know, you'd have the least reason to follow the World Government in any way!" Gian pleaded "Come back with us!"
"I thought I already told Doctor-san and Cook-san to inform you of my reasons, did they not tell you? That should've made my intentions quite clear."
The door to the room flung open and in rushed the remaining Straw Hats along with a few galley-la dock workers. Those entering a scene of chaos was to be expected, but no one would've guessed the scene they saw.
"What's going on?!" Nami shouted "Aren't those the dock workers? Why are they holding Iceburg-San at gunpoint?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Zoro growled "We've all been played! Those guys aren't really carpenters now aren't they?" his eyes narrowed at one particular person "Though the real question is, why Robin is with them?"
"Robin, is this why you said you weren't coming back?" Chopper cried "I still don't understand why!"
The archaeologist sighed before her explanation "There are things in my life that I still have to find out, a dream that I will sacrifice anything for. If I stay with you guys, that dream would never be realized."
"B-But that doesn't make it right at all!" Nami protested.
Gian only shook his head "No, this isn't you…! Even if this is about the Rio Poneglyph, there's just no way would you go on the same side as the people who are hunting you!"
Robin only turned away, not looking at him "Somethings in this world, you will not understand until much later. Goodbye, Gian, goodbye, everyone."
Meanwhile, an injured Paulie and another group of Galley-La foremen were bristling at the sight.
"Lucci… All of you… this whole time you were deceiving us?!"
"Good, so you realized it." The assassin sneered "I assume you're all here for retribution? Even as the fire we set will burn you all alive should you choose to stall?"
"Did he just say fire?" Luffy quipped.
"I'LL MAKE YOU PAY! PIPE HITCH KNIVES!"
A dagger-lined rope shot from Paulie's wrist towards the agents, but it struck air as Lucci reappeared within a split second in front of the blond foreman. Before Paulie can do anything else, Lucci latched an iron grip onto his outstretched arm.
"Even when you're trying to be heroic, you still look like such an imbecile." And Paulie coughed out a sheet of blood as Lucci impaled him.
With the tip of his finger.
"Shigan!"
As Paulie crumpled to the ground, Lucci glared at the rest of the foreman, all who held steadfastly, but their resolve clearly faltering at the sight of such brutality.
"We're leaving, Nico Robin. Make haste."
Robin ignored him as she was about to step through an air door. Before she took one step however, a blue ray lanced across the path before the assassins and her, cutting them off.
"Robin stays!" Gian roared "No one takes her!" Lucci only glowered in his direction.
"This does not concern you, pirate scum. We are letting you go this time; you simply aren't worth the attention from people of our caliber."
"Robin is my Nakama!" Luffy shouted "We're not letting her leave with you!"
"Besides," Zoro growled as he drew his blades before shooting a glance at Gian "None of us are ok with her just leaving like that. Especially not him." Gian said nothing at that comment, only channeling more atomic energy through his fist
"Well then, now that I think of it, it's better to leave this place with no loose ends. Very well, this place shall become your grave."
And a bloodbath ensured as the rest of CP9 dashed faster than the eye can see. The Galley-La workers who were present were slaughtered without any hesitation, unable to match up to the superior strength of Government agents.
"Soru!"
And they would not be the only ones, as Kalifa materialized instantly beside Nami, knocking her away with a swift kick. Luffy charged at Lucci, only for the assassin to sidestep out of his punches effortlessly.
"So this whole time, you were lying to us all." Zoro shouted as he crossed swords with Kaku "Even what you said about Merry? Did you lie about our ship too?!"
"No, your vessel really is beyond help, that much was the truth" Kaku retorted "Despite all this, I was quite good at that job."
"Great, so we're about to die and we can't save our ship after all." Gian quipped. He and Luffy were both striking Lucci with all they got, but their foe was simply too fast for them.
"Kokutei Roseo!" Chopper bellowed in Arm Point as he charged at Blueno, hooves smashing into his chest-
"Tekkai!"
-But whereas this move would normally topple any ordinary foe, Blueno did not even flinch. Chopper gasped; it was akin his attack struck an iron wall!
"These guys, they're not normal!" He shouted "They're using techniques that I've never seen before!"
"Very observant." The large man drawled "This is the martial art of Rokushiki, six powers we've been trained from birth to use for one thing and one thing only, Shigan!"
Chopper barely managed to avoid the stabbing digit as it scraped past his antler.
"Kami-E!"
"I can't land a hit!" Zoro shouted as seems Kaku was literally waving out of the paths of his slashes. The athletic man vaulted backwards before raising his legs.
"This is to show you just how far apart we are. Rankyaku!" and Zoro was sent flying into the back wall by a blade of air as his chest was dealt a large gash, the slash so fine point that it cleaved through the wall itself!
"W-What kind of moves are those?" Nami gritted as she tried to block Kalifa's attacks with her Clima-tact, but the woman was simply too fast.
"Rokushiki is taught to all levels of the World Government." The former secretary explained "But only we in CP9 are able to use all 6 moves. Not that we need it against you." and Nami was thrown back by another vicious kick.
"Shit, Iceburg is going to get caught in the crossfire!" Gian grunted as he was knocked by another palm strike from Lucci. Running to the mayor, he attempted retrieve him, only to find himself brought to his knees by none other than-
"Don't move." Robin uttered while folding her arms. Gian locked eyes with her once more as his body was restrained by a multitude of limbs.
"Really? This is kind of cheap, even for you."
"You're still so persistent, this trait will one day lead to your downfall."
Gian gave a sad smile "You don't have to hide it anymore Robin. I can see it in your eyes," Robin flinched when he said that "All that indifference, that cold emotionless mask? It's all a front isn't it? You're scared, I can feel it through the hands you're binding me with."
It was silence between them, the sound of combat only just overlapping that. Finally, Gian saw another flutter of petals; Robin spawned a mouth on one of her hands.
"Please, you don't understand. You need to leave!" And Gian could really feel her voice now, the pleading, the desperation. It all confirmed one thing:
Robin really did need his help.
"Give me one good reason I should leave without you?"
"Please go! Or there won't be a chance left! If anything happens to you, any of you, then I-" she bit down on her lip before saying anything else.
And Gian only smiled softly.
"You know, after all the times we've faced together, it's really like you and I are truly connected in some way. I really wished something could come out of this, in a better time. Ok Robin," Gian smiled as he saw her breath quicken "I'll do as you say, under one condition-"
Even with all her experience in expecting the unexpected, she truly did not expect Gian to straight up shrug all of her arms off.
"-You leave with us!"
And Gian charged forwards again, fist outstretched directly at Lucci. The state of the Straw Hats were in bad shape; Chopper, Nami and Zoro were all heavily wounded, it's clear these government assassins were clearly a caliber above them. Luffy himself was now lying on the ground, blood pouring from multiple wounds as he stared angrily at Lucci.
Said assassin only met Gian's charge full on, their strength seemingly equal.
"You'd really lay it all down for that woman?" the agent taunted "Her? A reject who will abandon anyone?"
"I thought I made it clear that I hate people bad mouthing my girl?" Gian growled.
"Pathetic, you really think you have a chance? We of CP9 have trained since our youth to conduct the most grueling missions there are. I've had blood on my hands before you could even form a sentence."
"So you're a maniac, good to know." And even Lucci gave a small start as blue flames began to swirl around his foe as Gian prepared a Partial Transformation "But those kills under your belt won't mean shit in the face of a beast far more ancient than that! And guess what? It just so happens that it want to kick your a-!"
But he never finished, his transformation viciously interrupted. Gian couldn't even register anything until a searing pain filled his midsection, causing him to gasp as he fell to one knee. Lucci, despite the opportunity, made no move to strike him in his moment of vulnerability and instead chose to leap aside.
Because a crimson laser had just fired through the wall in front of him, lancing right into his chest, inches from his heart.
"GIAN!" he could hear Luffy shout his name in worry. In his pain, he was vaguely aware of the rest of the Straw Hats all rushing to his side.
"No…!" and even above all that, he heard her. The woman he's come to love, her own concerns forcing their way out.
Then the wall exploded, showering them with debris.
"I did not remember requesting aid." Lucci stated. Nothing could be seen within the dust, until a glowing visor gleamed from the dark.
"My orders extend beyond your mission, Lucci." A seemingly robotic voice sounded "My objective is here, so naturally I also came here."
Lucci nodded in acknowledgement "Very well, carry on." The other CP9 agents all gave their own form of acknowledgement.
"Who's this new guy?" Luffy questioned.
"Seriously Iceburg-san," Gian wheezed as he struggled to get back up "Do you even do background checks on the people you hire?"
"I've never met this man in my life!" the mayor shot back "Lucci is one thing, but this newcomer is the first time I've ever seen him!"
"That's because I only just got here. My name is Gylzar, I was not present when Lucci infiltrated the city, but I too am a member of CP9." The man responded, his red visor humming with energy as he scanned the crowd before pointing a clawed glove "I am not here for the blueprints of Pluton, Lucci should've already secured them. Instead, I'm here for him."
All eyes looked to the Kaiju-Zoan user, but none was more shocked than Gian himself.
"M-Me? What do you want with me?"
Gylzar pointed above him "I personally am indifferent to you, it's those up there whose attention you've alerted. I'm sure the events of Alabasta is still fresh in your mind? Then you've probably heard the rumors floating in the wind of an ancient secret being reborn in the country?
Gian was confused, and so were most other people. The Gorosei who resided in the Holy City of Mariejois, the Leaders of the World, paying mind to a mere pirate? That would seem out of place, and that had been his thoughts originally. But then he remembered, what he contains, and if they have deemed his power as something worth keeping an eye on-
"This wasn't a part of the deal!" -clearly he wasn't the only person who caught onto this as Robin lost her composure as she whirled on Lucci, who merely shrugged.
"The orders given to him are not under my jurisdiction. Be wary Nico Robin, if you act out of line again, then the entire deals off." Robin could do nothing except shoot Gian a look of worry.
"What do the Heads of the World Government want with you?" Iceburg asked.
"Hell if I know, though I have a good idea on what it might be…"
Iceburg's eyes widened as he remembered the events earlier in the day "If it's really because of that… Then-"
"This has been enough prattle. Please do not make this difficult for anyone, 'Beast Warrior' Gian." Gylzar stated "You are to leave with me, and I'd hate to damage the product before its containment."
"Like hell…" Gian growled "This whole thing is ridiculous enough as it is, now for some reason I'm wanted not only by the Marines, but the Gorosei themselves?" he braced himself as Gylzar only eyed him emotionlessly "Forget it! I'm not handing my life over!"
"We won't let you lay a hand on him!" Zoro growled.
"Hmm, it seems I will have to get blood on my blades after all. Lucci, do take care of the others."
And only now did Lucci show even a little emotion as his cold mask twisted into a savage grin as his body began to change, spotted fur began to sprout over his body as his frame began to lengthen and his already impressive muscles began to swell further.
"Gladly."
"Atom-!"
"Soru!"
Gian couldn't even react as he felt himself get carried upwards, his head slamming into the wood ceiling before being carried through it. He could just barely hear a bestial roar as he saw Lucci pounce at his captain with claws outstretched, but he could do nothing as they went out of sight before he felt the cold air outside.
Then he was slammed roughly onto the roof. Gian groaned as he staggered up, was aware of the howling winds and pelting rain that now drenched his body; Aqua Laguna would be upon them shortly.
"I had originally planned to obtain you during the ensuring chaos as the city prepares to brace the storm. Lucci did orchestrate the city putting a hit onto your crew and all, or so he told me." Gian gulped slightly as he turned to see Gylzar floating behind him, the growing darkness obscuring his black colored coat, leaving only his crimson visor gleaming like a red search light. "Oh well, the fact that you and Nico Robin are both at the same place simply makes it easier for both of us."
"You should've taken the chance to come peacefully, at the very least it would mean little pain for you. Then again… it has been quite a while, and my blades have been away from blood far too long."
From behind his back the assassin produced a pair of wickedly curved blades that were strapped to his shoulders. The twin khopesh were each the length of Gylzar's arm, ready to sink into flesh.
"About what the Gorosei want of me," Gian asked "It's my Kaiju Zoan isn't it?"
"So it is confirmed, you are indeed in possession of a Kaiju-Zoan." Gylzar stated "The Straw Hat Pirates in general have been something to watch for the World Government, but you and Monkey D. Luffy together have been the subject of many discussions. You in particular, with a power that have been lost to history, have alerted them enough to see you as someone who must be contained."
"Then come get me then!" Gian growled "I'm right here!" this whole interaction unnerved him, not only due to the fact that his foe remained an emotionless robot throughout that whole delivery.
"Good, because that was my plan exactly." Gian's eyes widened as the voice of Gylzar whispered in his ear.
From behind him.
"Shigan!"
The bullet like finger was only barely avoided as Gian whirled around, the force still enough to nick a cut on his shoulder. Gian threw out a kick in retaliation, only for Gylzar to perform Tekkai, stopping the kick as it pushed against his iron body, before he felt an elbow slam into his face.
"Atom Bullet!"
Two blue fireballs shot towards the assassin, exploding when Gylzar cut through them both with his blades. It proved to be a diversion though as Gian charged through the smoke, fist cocked back as it seared with blue fire.
"Atom Fist!"
"Kami-E"
But his opponent merely twisted his body out of the way before leaping back.
"So unrefined, the power that you have is rather wasted on you if I do say so myself." Gylzar stated, his face still showing no emotion "You really need to be educated in how to use your abilities."
"I don't need to hear that from you!" Gian rasped, his breathing hard.
"You'd be better off hearing from me. Rankyaku: Serration!" And he swung both blades, causing a buzz saw shaped air disc to spin towards him. Gian yelled out in pain as the spinning blade slashed into his arms as he tried to block, mangling it. Gylzar was upon him immediately, swinging both blades down towards his abdomen. Gian was dealt another cut, his blood mixing with the rain.
"And there it is, the healing powers of the Goji-Goji no mi." Gylzar observed the bleeding cuts already mending, his target glaring at him all the while "That's a good thing, I don't have to worry about delivering you back in too many pieces."
"Seriously, how many of those do you have?!" Gian snarled, his entire arm coated in radiation fire. "Atom Lariat!"
This time Gylzar did not attempt to dodge, allowing the hit to smash into him and send him flying off the building. He didn't even grunt out in pain.
"What now? You're shutting down?" Gian peered into the darkness where he sent the assassin to; that hit had been too easy.
"Geppo!" and then he saw it: Gylzar kicking the air, but never falling. Even once he stopped, he remained, levitating in the air as Gian watched from below.
"Not quite, I actually have to thank you." Gylzar's red visor illuminated the dying light "You see, I have a few powers of my own, and I rather like combining them with my Rokushiki."
And Gian gasped as Gylzar's coat ripped open, revealing his abs. the one thing of note however, was what remained in the center.
Rather than being smooth, a circular saw spun rapidly in the middle.
"For example, what I am about to do. Soru: Kamitachi!"
"This speed, it's even faster than Kuro's!" Gian couldn't even see the movement, only feeling the saw carve into his shoulder, sending forth a spray of blood and knocking him down. Gylzar was upon him in a second, planting a spiked boot down on his chest and leering at him through his visor.
"It's a shame they asked to bring you in alive, I would've loved to carve you to pieces. It would've been fun to slice your scalp off, before dicing up your brain. Or I cut your lips and ears off before making your face into a mask?"
"S-So dark… are you sure you're not from the DC universe?" Gian manage to spit towards the assassin, before his scream out pain filled the night as Gylzar planted one of his blades into his left hand, impaling it into the roof.
"Even bleeding out you're still full of fire. For them to break you, I'll have to make it easier for them?"
"B-Break me?"
"Oh, I forgot to mention. They're saying once they obtain you they'll begin the process of turning you into a weapon for the World Government. You'll be a mindless drone, sent as a shock trooper to quash rebellions and purge pirates. Of course, you could always resist, then you'll simply die. You're not the first Kaiju-Zoan obtained, and you won't be the last I have to kill."
"Gee, those sure sound like great terms…!" Gian hissed "how about I think it over while I'm WHOOPING YOUR ASS!"
Gylzar was sent flying by a pillar of blue fire, before Gian's Partial Transformation leapt out, wrenching his hand free and pounding his fist into Gylzar and smashing part of the visor as he was sent flying. When the assassin tried to get up, he found that the Kaiju-Zoan user was already upon, this time raking a claw across his face, and knocking him back again. As he tumbled into the roof, Gian's dorsal fins flashed once, before another Atom Ray blasted into the ground where he was. The side of Iceburg's Mansion erupted in a shower of blue fire as Gian breathed hard, watching the wreckage of flames for any movement.
He didn't have to wait long as a flash of ruby was seen and a red hot laser seared towards him. Within the flames he could just make out Gylzar's silhouette, his eyes glowing red. Roaring Gian charged again, this time his fist met steel as the two duked it out as fire surrounded them.
But something wasn't right. Even as Gian's fist collided with steel blades, he noted that his strength was slowly being matched. Each punch he threw, each kick he lashed out, all were being met by an acceptable counter attack.
It was only when the two slammed together, the flat of the assassin's khopesh swords pushing against his fists, did he locked eyes with Gylzar and realizes the truth.
"Perhaps I misjudged you, the Goji-Goji no Mi's power is truly formidable in your hands." Gian gasped as he stared at Gylzar's face; with the right side of his visor shattered by the punch, it seems that his earlier claw strike had torn at the assassin's face, but underneath them wasn't flesh.
It was metal.
His claw had raked down Gylzar's right eye, an eye that gleamed with artificial red light. Skin meshing with steel as the blood was washed away from his face.
"W-What the hell are you?"
Gylzar's response was to have his eyes light up before firing another laser beam from both eyes, this one exploding in his face and sending his tumbling as he clawed at his head. In his moment of blindness, he did not sense the knee planting into his stomach until he felt it, causing him to double over before a kick knocked him flat onto his back.
And after that, pain. Searing, ripping pain as he screamed out and looked down. One of Gylzar's blades, planting itself into his stomach.
Only it wasn't a sword.
It was meshed together with his arm.
"You asked what I am. I feel like this is an appropriate answer."
And Gian felt it, his own blue aura reacting as a black cloak of Aura surged around Gylzar. The emotions he felt was the darkest he's ever felt, an aura that only promises pain and suffering.
"You're a Kaiju-Zoan user too?"
"Of course, except compared to you, my control of this beast is many times your superior." Gylzar's transformation was swift, his hands morphed into curved blades, gleaming metal as they melded with flesh. His eyes joined into one curved cyclopean red slash. And what appeared to be 3 blood red sails formed from his back. The buzz saw on his abdomen still remained, spinning and begging for bodies to cut up "And I serve as an agent of CP9, and I do it willingly."
And it was over, Gian slid back across the roof as Gylzar kicked him across. He tried to get up as Gylzar fired another laser from his eyes, only this one split before reaching him, each individual scatter shot blasting through his body, not being able to do anything as Gylzar swung his blade arm back.
"Don't worry, the pain will mean nothing when you're unconscious."
And the pain exploded in him, he felt his the skin on his chest split open as Gylzar delivered one wide sweep of his arm. He stumbled back, the cut was massive, easily carved from chest to stomach. In the time it took to heal that, he was already falling back down the hole they made when Gylzar brought him up here.
Gian barely even registered hitting the floor of the room they were in before, not even taking into considering the growing inferno that surrounded them. The fire that CP9 had set had now reached the room, the smoke obscuring vision. Pain covered his entire being, and as much as he wanted to move, to do anything, his body simply wasn't obeying him.
He could just make out the rest of his crew, all scrambling in worry and horror as they witnessed his body. Luffy in particular screamed out in desperation, even as a hulking Lucci, now part man part leopard, pinned his body down with a single paw. The Straw Hat captain tried in vain to reach him, but Lucci's claws digging into his temple made movement impossible.
Gylzar floated down, his own Transformation receding back into his body. 'Beast Warrior's' own Transformation is also gone, no longer having any energy to sustain it. He watched impassively as his target bled into the mansion floor. Before turning to his fellow CP9 agents.
"Lucci, everyone, let's go."
"RRRAAAAARRRGH! LET GIAN GO!"
Even despite bleeding heavily, Luffy still charged at Gylzar, only to stop abruptly as Lucci impaled him with all 5 claws on his left hand. Zoro then attempted to slash at the leopard man, only for a Rankyaku to slice into a railing and cause debris to rain down on the swordsman. Before the two pirates could do anything. Lucci grabbed both by the neck and flung them into the night.
"Gylzar, send the roof down on them."
Nami and Chopper, both heavily wounded, could do nothing as they saw Gylzar's optic beams spear into the roof, igniting more wood and dismantling it. They could do little except run as tonnes of debris rained down on them, gathering up as many unconscious Galley-La workers as possible and unable to ultimately stop CP9's departure.
And during this time, Gian could do nothing, even as he witnessed the destruction around him, even as he bled out into the floor.
What he did do, was keeping his eyes trained on Robin.
On how her eyes were shadowed,
And how a single tear rolled down her cheek.
And the last thing he could do was feebly reach out towards her before his vision cut to black.
A/N: Yeah, so in the last month I had already planned to finish this, but the reason this was so delayed was because I moved, going from one province to another. Adding that I got a job for the remainder of summer means my sechedule had been quite busy in the past few days. But here we are now, we have our new Kaiju-Zoan user making his full appearance in front of our heroes. Seasoned Godzilla Fans should already know what monster he's based on, and those of you who have no idea should get on that quick!
G: What is with you and having me in incredible pain every time?
The pain helps you learn.
G: I LEARNED I WAS ABOUT TO DIE!
Anyway, not much else here. Next chapter is one that is a bit Gian/Robin focused, as they're both on the train to Enies Lobby. I'm not exactly the best at writing emotional parts, let alone something that can show that two people started to have feelings for each other, but this should be good practice. I'll try to have the next chapter up sooner, as well as a new entry into Monster's Log coming soon!
Other than that, Thank you again for the support.
Responses to Reviews:
To The Storm Master 567:
Yeah, I'm trying to still show that Zoro is a voice of support even though he's no longer the first mate here.
G: Gotta love that guy.
To Darkmaster1000:
G: Joke's on you, I've already read the manga! And unlike the anime most of them don't die!
Yeah but it's still brutal
G: True but it's basically 2 different stories.
To Chance Green G King.
G: I will, and I'll rip that edgelord open.
You sure will
To Matt:
Yeah, they actually got some cool monster designs for Monsterverse, hopefully they get incorporated one day.
To Guest:
Thus is what happens with Fanfiction
G: The concept.
To The 1 and Only Logan:
G: Well don't mind me I'll just-
You haven't been fully established yet
G: Oh come on it's basically confirmed at this point!
To Kristopher b:
G: Hey he's using paragraphs… I think.
It's a start.
Gian will definitely be sent somewhere else after Sabaody. There's not much he can contribute on Amazon Lily, and I already have a plan on how that story line goes.
To Knifeninja55:
G: He gets it!
Yep, Deadpool was a major influence and inspiration for Gian. Can you guess all of them?
To LegacySpellsword:
At this point, I might as well incorporate Pacific Rim elements here, I just don't know where. Oh, Franky will be making a lot of fun stuff soon.
G: I want more weapons.
Don't be greedy.
To Guest:
You'll see.
G: You'll all see.
To JJsanoguel98:
Awakening will not be touched upon yet, but when that time comes, people who really know Godzilla might recognize it instantly.
To another guest:
G: That's my secret, I'm always angry
Ugh
To yet another guest:
G: We ask for consent before we grab women in this house.
Good man.
To C.S Skywalker:
G: My dick happens to be 10 inches, so there.
No, that is completely false
I'm glad you enjoyed that. I really want everyone else to still matter in this story, despite it being more OC focused, so Zoro is just the first attempt at making sure they have actual roles instead of relegating to side pieces.
G: We love them all!
Also in Kaiju Form Gian shits the size of mountains.
G: Why do you know that?!
To all of Vergil Leonidas Reviews:
G: YOU CAME BACK! WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG
You do realize we all are busy when we're not writing right?
I'm definitely still exploring Kaiju-Zoans, and by the end of the second Original Arc I have planned before Marineford you'll able to learn more about them, and link why Gian acted that way.
As for Gideon's little appearance, while I know that was quite clichéd, I didn't exactly want him having too big of a role at that time. There will be a day when they have a legit no bars hold fight, but given the location and events of the arc I just didn't see it being realistic that he presents himself as another challenge just yet. You are right about it being cliché though, and it's something I'm trying to avoid as much has possible but have to give in once in a while.
Gi: also I'm technically held hostage along with my crew so that's difficult to do.
G: Pussy.
Meanwhile, Gian's character as a whole. The idea of control v.s aggression is something that has been used multiple times, and while it has made an appearance a few times, the next time being sooner than you think, the real focus on this subject won't be until after the Time Skip. This is because once we enter the New World I'm planning to make Kaiju Zoans have even more focus within the story. As One Piece hasn't ended yet, my own rough ending of the story will have something to do with Kaiju, as well as hoping to tie up the story well enough (That is if I get to that point quick enough)
G: Ey I'm like Season 3 Jaden becoming Season 4 Jaden
And I am still trying to show the two finally realizing their feelings, it will be explored a lot in the coming chapters.
G: He's just having a hard time making it happen because he's still single and has little experience on how relationships work.
Go die.
To Hufflepuff 01 Melodie Erudite:
G: It's here!
Yes it is!
To Antianti12:
Glad you're back!
G: Welcome, lots have happened.
To E:
G: I'm back!
And not a moment too soon.
That's all for now we'll see you next time!
Leave a Review so Gian can go insect collecting
G: I've gotten over the trauma at Skypiea!