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.
Enies Lobby opening: Sacrifice by 9mm Parabellum Bullet (Berserk 2017 opening)
Earlier:
"Do you see it as you approach, Nico Robin? There, right across this very bridge, is the end of your sinful existence! The Gates of Justice are already beginning to open, ready to welcome me!"
The winds howled atop the Bridge of Hesitation, strong enough to nearly blow a person off into the swirling rapids below. To Robin, that probably would've been preferable.
"We're just waiting for the draw bridge to lower, and then your fate is sealed!" Spandam chortled "Everyone will then know me as the one who brought down the Devil Child! I'll be the Hero of the World Government, No, I'll be the Hero of the Entire World!" honestly the Director of CP9 was elated; all of his hard work was about to pay off! His unwilling passenger didn't make it easy for him in the slightest, considering how she surrendered herself so easily in the beginning her newfound defiance is really irritating him; he had to force her up the stairs by dragging her by the hair most of the way! Still, all of that was about to end, and soon, he'll get his due.
Robin gasped in pain as Spandam gave a rough wrench on her hair "So just give up any hope of getting out of here. Your crew isn't coming to save you, they're probably already dead!"
"No… that's not true!" Robin thought desperately "They won't go back on their word, I know they're going to come and save me!"
She looked back towards the tower in the distance. Even this far she could still see the tilted Tower of Justice, now bearing the cuts and damage of multiple attacks; and up top at the tip, multiple streaks of red mixed with blue.
"Gian…" she thought "Everyone…! Please hurry!"
Present:
"The day Robin's home got destroyed… but that was 20 years ago!" Gian choked out "You're part of the reason she's been running for 20 years…?"
"The crimes of her people were something that was bound to be paid for, with or without me." Gylzar said nonchalantly, his two scythe arms sending showers of sparks as he grinded them together "That being said, I did indeed play a role in the purging of those criminals. You see, I've been a part of many CP9 units that have spanned decades of service, in part thanks to this Beast of mine. It was Director Spandam's father, Spandine, who commanded the unit then, I simply played a role."
"To the world, it was told that the Oharan's were seeking forbidden knowledge to destroy the World. To the World Government, it was the removal of a threat." Gylzar's voice, previously rather bloodthirsty and crazed, was now more melancholy and flat, as if what has happened that day went beyond a simple genocide "To me, it was simply a mission, one that I helped complete. I have no need to understand the feelings beyond that."
A thin laser lanced through Gian's body, causing him to choke out blood. Gylzar stood over him, his face now more still as he raised both of his arms.
"Just like how this situation is currently a mission. I take my directive, and I complete it without fail. Do not be bothered, 'Beast Warrior', your power may be what made you a target, but you yourself is nothing but another number. No one will remember you after the events of today."
"After all, you're just another criminal that the World Government set their sights on. All the blood you've shed, all the wounds you bear, they are the retribution this world hands to those who have sinned. We will obtain your power, even if you yourself is not willing. Now you will realize, how meaningless your hopes of rescuing Nico Robin is."
Gian didn't say anything as Gylzar's blades were balanced above him, aiming for Gian's head. Nothing could be said, not at this point. Adding to that, the massive slash wound on his back was still closing.
"Now disappear. Rankyaku..."
Gylzar's eyes were trained on his victim; down in his mechanical heart, he must admit there was some begrudging respect for the one who's life he's about to end for even know, Gian's eyes were full of fire. It was as if even as everything collapsed around him, one part of him still urged him on, pushing him even as everything else had long stopped. Gylzar himself had long discarded most emotions; only retaining his dedication to whatever objective handed to him, but looking into the amber colored orbs, he couldn't help but feel a sense of intimidation.
All this perhaps would of meant something, if Gylzar wasn't about to cut it out of him.
"…Stygian Wind."
There was only the violent crackle of black bolts of energy, before a cleaving wind blade bisected the wall behind them, enough to rip a massive chunk out and revealing the outside. When the smoke cleared, Gian was motionless.
"Though, if I were to think back on it," and Gylzar let out one more twisted grin "I can't deny that I may have enjoyed all that just a little."
And then he realized something was amiss.
Like how 'Beast Warrior's' head had not rolled off of his shoulders yet.
Or how he's currently gripping both blade edges with all the might he could muster.
"So that's all it means to you, isn't it? You go in, you kill, and you just put it behind you like there's supposed to be no consequence?!"
And Gian's voice signaled only one thing: that was not the end of it at all.
"What? Impossible! How are you…?"
"You were part of the group that sent her on the run for 20 years…" there was something off with 'Beast Warrior's' voice, it was his, yet seemed like someone else was taking the reins. Notwithstanding the fact that twin sharp objects were inches from his neck, Gian's grasp on the two blades were ironclad and the glare he sported seemingly tripled in viciousness. The cyborg assassin gasped; was he imagining it, or was 'Beast Warrior' actually beginning to push his sabers away?
And even Gylzar felt slightly unsettled when the wind in the room began to pick up violently.
And the fact that 'Beast Warrior' was now steadily emitting wisps of blue fire all around his body.
"For 20 years she suffered, she ran, she had to sleep with one eye open. All because the entire world claimed that she was the demon who could destroy it!"
"And that's what she'll always be! She's a filthy criminal, what she's suffered hasn't nearly been enough!" Gylzar screeched. His words were silenced when a heavy punch impacted his chest, sending him soaring across the room and smacking into the ground a distance way.
"Well, that ends today! I promised her I will be responsible for her life all those weeks ago, today I honor that!"
And Gylzar was blinded as a wave of blue fire erupted within the room, filling it completely.
Meanwhile:
Up until today, Zoro never had to say he's faced a giraffe in a duel before, but it's clear that there are surprises everywhere. Despite the awkward form, Kaku's hybrid form offered many advantages, ones that he used to full effect. Who would've thought that a long neck would've been such a pain in the ass to deal with, but here Zoro was, getting bludgeoned and battered in addition to the assassin's adept swordsmanship.
"It looks like I have to get serious. It would be bad if I don't make it on time." Zoro stated, finally tying his bandana around his head. Kaku raised an eye at that.
"So you get stronger when you tie a scarf around your head? Well that ought to be interesting." The giraffe-man's neck began to contract, until his neck practically disappeared. Zoro grimaced as he held his swords out; this attack seemed to be a favorite of his.
"Bigan!"
And for good reason too; with his neck coiled like a spring, the released kinetic energy means that Kaku's square giraffe snout was turned into a vicious battering ram. Zoro was pushed back by the blow, before Kaku reared up and sliced down with another blade, forcing him to parry yet again.
"I have to get back on the offensive." Zoro gritted, getting into a stance. As Kaku's neck slammed down like a whip, the green-haired swordsman leapt up, holding his two swords out.
"Nitoryu: Nigiri!"
The upward slice almost cut into the giraffe's neck; Kaku was forced to lean back. Zoro quickly followed up with more sword strikes, with Kaku matching it with his own.
"Kama Kirin!" Zoro was struck out of the air when he went for a jumping attack. The swordsman groaned as hit the ground; despite the ungainly form, Kaku was displaying quite a mastery with his Zoan fruit. The square nosed assassin stared down at Zoro, his head balanced on that long neck of his.
"I have to admit, I haven't had this much fun in a long time!"
Zoro glared at him "Those 5 years undercover too hard on you?" he snarked.
"Not exactly," Kaku shrugged "I actually quite enjoyed that job. That being said, it's good to be back in the profession. I no longer have to hold anything back."
"Well you better not, or else I'll cut that long neck of yours!" Zoro sneered.
"Well, we wouldn't want that now, would we?"
And Zoro gawked slightly when he saw Kaku literally fold himself up, the giraffe's neck slotting around his body, until the assassin looked more or less like a cube.
"Tekkai: Mushikaku! Now I have no blindspots you can exploit!"
"You look ridiculous!" Zoro snapped.
"Best not to underestimate this form, I'll have you know that a giraffe's kicks are some of the deadliest in the animal kingdom!" Kaku grinned as his feet began to kick rapidly. Zoro braced himself for the inevitable air blade that was to come, but found none.
"I bet you're confused right now, aren't you Pirate Hunter?" Kaku sneered "Let's just say there's many ways to apply a Rankyaku." That's when Zoro heard the whistling, and his head shot up in alarm to see the ceiling glimmering with multiple small blades. Zoro cursed; he now understood how that attack worked, and with that many-
"-Even you can't block all of them! Rankyaku: Kiri Shigure!"
The miniscule wind blades, harmless on their own but deadly in their multitudes, rained down like a thousand knives. Zoro's swords flashed out, both Yubashiri and Sandai Kitetsu dancing through the air, but even so his body was soon littered with cuts, and in his distraction, Kaku pounced on another chance. Zoro didn't even see the giraffe nose launch into him until he felt the impact.
"Bigan!"
Zoro gasped in pain; that last blow hit him cleanly and it could've even cracked a rib, he wasn't sure. Kaku rose above him triumphantly, watching as his foe slowly got back up.
"You're a resilient one, I'll give you that."
"Heh, I've trained myself to be that way, giraffe!"
Kaku grinned "I hope it stays that way." Before rearing his leg back. Zoro grimaced as he got into another stance.
"Itoryu Iai…"
"Rankyaku…"
"-SHISHI SOSON!"
"-ROUDAN!"
The grounded air blade was sliced through with one cut, Zoro looked back at the giraffe assassin, who'd leapt into the air to avoid the strike. Zoro breathed in, before finally unsheathing Wado Ichimonji, placing the blade into his mouth as he got into yet another stance.
Kaku's eyes widened slightly as he saw the focus.
"Ichi Gorilla…!" Zoro growled as his right arm bulked up.
"Ni Gorilla…!" Now his left. Kaku realized he had to do something, rearing his head back, he prepared to slam his head down.
"Santoryu…" Zoro was before him in a second, Kaku hardly had any time to react! All three blades at the ready, they met the giraffe's nose in a power struggle.
"-NIGORI ZAKE!" the power was immense, Kaku could actually feel himself getting pushed back! He dug his hooves into the ground, but it was a losing power struggle.
"Not good!" Kaku thought as he felt himself lift up from the ground, before smashing into the wall, leaving a hole through the stone.
"Heh, guess I managed to knock you down after all." Zoro stated "All those jabs earlier, they won't mean anything in an actual duel."
"Don't underestimate me just yet, Pirate Hunter." Kaku growled as he reared back up "Overconfidence will kill you faster than you'd think!"
"Talk is cheap, why don't you back up your word?" Zoro challenged.
"Don't mind if I do, I'm about to show you just how much power a giraffe has! Behold! Kirin Kodai!"
What Zoro didn't expect was that the assassin began to scrunch up his neck, until his head was literally poking out of his shoulders. Meanwhile, Kaku's legs remained the same length, the overall disproportionate body was honestly quite laughable.
"What kind of giraffe looks like this?!" Zoro snapped, but he soon found himself eating those words to what Kaku did next.
"Kyoku Bigan: Kirimanjaro!"
The spring loaded snout strike was so forceful that Zoro had to give up his attempt to block, instead having to roll to evade the missile like blunt force. Kaku's snout buried itself into the wall, nearly shattering it.
"Strong… But now you're wide open!" indeed it did seem that Kaku's neck was now fully exposed, but the giraffe man fully expected him to go for that target, and he instead chose a different counterattack.
"Rankyaku: Neji Hakujin!"
It was more of a Get-off-me technique than anything else, but for Kaku it managed to pay off. The multiple air blades that radiated off of his corkscrewed rotation managed to force Zoro to back off. Thus, the two swordsmen straightened themselves at a distance, once again evenly matched.
"That last attack got you shaken, didn't it? Well I won't miss this time! Kirin Kodai!"
The same altering of his body yet again, Zoro braced himself for the impact, but it turns out there was something else going on. Rather than launching his neck out at full speed, instead-
"-Ah crap! I pushed my neck in too far and ended up pushing my limbs out!"
"HOW MANY WEIRD BODY TECHNIQUES DO YOU HAVE?!"
"This is unexpected… It's just like when you push dough through a machine to make pasta…" Kaku grimaced. He then instead reared up on his hind legs, choosing to fight upright.
"Pasta Machine!"
"YOU LITERALLY JUST MADE THAT UP ON THE SPOT!" Zoro facefaulted.
"Well, it certainly worked for me, I've been showing you all the powers of a giraffe that I haven't used my swords in a while."
And it was back to being a sword on sword duel again. This time, Kaku's extended reach managed to steadily back Zoro up against a wall. The clanging of steel sent sparks flying as neither swordsmen gave an inch.
"This is the true power of Yontoryu! With my swords and the powers of a giraffe's kicks, the sheer force of my attacks will drive you into the ground!"
Zoro grimace; it was true, he had to both parry the incoming sword attacks as well as avoid the rock hard hooves of Kaku's giraffe legs. It took herculean effort and one final shove, did Zoro finally sent him backwards slightly, surprising the giraffe man.
"Listen here, just because you happen to be a Yontoryu swordsman, happen to be a giraffe, and the fact that you can shove that neck of yours down into your body, none of those are enough to beat me!" Zoro shouted.
"Well let's see how long you can last then? Kyoku Bigan: Kirimanjaro!"
"Santoryu: Tatsumaki!"
Kaku grimaced as he felt the razor sharp tornado scrape apart some of his neck. Glaring at the charging green-haired swordsman, he swung the appendage like a heavy club, knocking the air out of Zoro.
"Heh, this neck not only acts like a cannon, but it can also be used as a whip! Mochikirin!"
Zoro cursed as the rapid fire snouts hammered down towards him, scrambling backwards to avoid it. Kaku was on him in an instant, swords swinging and once again forcing him into a corner.
"It looks like you can't last much longer! Just give up! It's useless to struggle further against me, just like how futile it is for you to even attempt to save Nico Robin!"
And at those words, Zoro has had enough. He could picture the struggling of the entire crew, how everyone, him included, risked their life in order to save one precious friend.
Failure, in this situation, was not an option.
"Why you…" Kaku only heard his opponent growl, and had he not stopped his attack right then and there, he would've been skewered on the end of one of Zoro's swords. His eyes widened as he saw Zoro enter an unfamiliar stance, one he hasn't experienced in this duel thus far.
"Something's wrong, this attack doesn't feel right." He might be imagining it, but Kaku could've sworn that the green-haired swordsman now had an eerie shade billowing behind him. Is it just his eyes, or does it seem that his opponent now sported 3 heads and 6 arms?
"Whatever it is, I'll cut you down right now!" hopping onto one arm, the giraffe man began to gradually pick up speed as he rotated his whole body on that axis. Kaku grinned to himself; this attack nearly cleaved the entire Tower of Justice in half! The chances of Roronoa Zoro surviving this would be zero!
"You probably remember this from earlier, 'Pirate Hunter'! This time, I'm aiming to kill!"
"That is, if it's able to!" Zoro began to focus, and bit by bit, that apparition around him seemed to manifest physically as his eyes seemingly laminated a dim red. Kaku's eyes widened; he wasn't imagining it, his opponent really did look like some demonic warrior.
"Kiki Kyutoryu…"
"I have to end him now!" Kaku urged himself as he gathered the speed necessary.
"…Asura!"
It was indeed as it appears to be, 3 heads, 6 arms, each wielding a sword. If Kaku was a lesser man, he'd be scared shitless just at the sight of that.
"It's too late for you to do anything now! My attack is fully charged! Rankyaku: Amane Dachi!"
And with one massive swing of his neck, the largest Rankyaku Zoro had ever seen screamed towards him. No doubt it would cleave him in half if it connects.
"I think you mean to say, too late for you…"
"What?!"
It all happened in a blur, Kaku could hardly piece together what happened. His massive air blade disintegrated into smoke, and then all he felt was searing pain as steel cut into his body.
The next thing he knew, he erupted in a fountain of blood, all while Zoro materialized behind him. There was only one thing that could've caused this:
"Asura: Ichibugin!"
The massive wound took its toll almost immediately, Kaku's giraffe form soon receded. The attack was a fearsome one, he couldn't fight back even if he wanted to.
"I…I lost…"
"Oi, long nose, Paulie told me to pass on a message." Dazed, Kaku could hardly turn his head to look at the marimo, the ghostly arms and heads now no longer there.
"He told me to tell you, you guys are officially fired."
Despite everything, Kaku had to laugh.
"Well, that's quite unfortunate isn't it?" Kaku grinned lightly "Professional assassin doesn't exactly sound good on a resume..."
"…You can always try the zoo." Zoro responded.
"Hehe… yeah, probably."
And a clinking sound made Zoro blink. The long-nosed assassin had fished the key he had from his pocket. Wordlessly, Zoro picked it up, Kaku now losing consciousness and out of commission for the time being. The swordsman was solemn in his victory; even though they were on opposing sides and he had no qualms cutting him down, Zoro had to admit there was a small amount of mutual respect, at least when terms of skill were on the line.
"So this is the key, better find a way to pass it along." Zoro departed quickly, there's no longer any time to dally, and the ships draw closer at every moment.
Meanwhile:
"Finally… I nearly drowned!"
Franky could count himself fortunate, when he dove into the water Chopper hadn't sank very far yet. Gasping for breath, he reached into his shirt pocket, relieved that despite it all the key was still present.
Beside him, Chopper lay prone, his eyes blank as he endured his stupor. The energy exerted by his Monster Point, as well as the seawater has put him out of the fight. Fortunately, aside from swallowing too much water he's otherwise all right, and Franky had performed some CPR to get him breathing again.
"Now we just have to get the rest of the keys… and not too much time left."
Footsteps behind him made him turn as he saw Sanji and Nami race up to him.
"What happened to Chopper?!" the cook demanded.
"I needed him to stop before he hurt himself, this was the only way." Franky responded. Sanji still didn't follow, but Nami realized what he was talking about.
"If it meant getting him to stop rampaging, then I guess it's the only way. I'll tell you what happened some other time." She noted when Sanji was about to ask.
"Anyway, we need to hurry fast! Do you all have your keys?" the two nodded and handed over to the cyborg the keys they've won.
"Now we just have one left, I managed to speak with 'Beast Warrior' before I jumped down, and he mentioned something about that Gylzar not having one."
"So that only means it's just Zoro left." Nami noted.
"Well I don't know if we have that long!" Franky urged.
More footsteps sounded, and the group turned to see the swordsman running towards them. Zoro's face was full of irritation, as if getting to the location they were at was more trouble than it was worth.
"Seriously, this is where you guys were? I literally searched the whole building for you!"
"…You got lost again, didn't you?" Nami grimaced.
"Shut up! I just took another way!"
"For crying out loud marimo…" Sanji snapped "Quit screwing around and hand over your key!"
"What was that, you dumb cook?!" Zoro shot back "At least I got my key faster than you!"
"I GOT HERE FIRST DUMBASS!"
"OI, WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME!" Franky reminded them loudly. Zoro scoffed before tossing over the key he obtained. Franky looked the numbers given.
"Numbers 1 to 5, just as that Chapapa said." He nodded with approval.
"Then that should be all of them, if Gylzar doesn't have a key to begin with." Sanji nodded, before looking to the top. The group could see little from down here, but they could tell that their First Mate was still fighting hard.
"Come on, Gian…" Nami urged "You can beat him…"
Zoro turned to Franky "In the meantime, hurry over to where Robin is. By this point she's getting close to that gate. We'll stay here and try to cover whatever Usopp plans to do."
"We need to make sure Chopper is alright too, go give Robin the keys right now!" Nami agreed.
Franky nodded "OW! Then I'm off! But how to get there?"
"We know!" the three turned to see Chimney and Gonbe waving to them "We saw them enter a secret passageway! It leads all the way to the bridge!"
"And we'll mark it so that everyone can find it later!" Kokoro hiccupped.
"Well that settles it, I'm coming to help you 'Straw Hat'!"
As that was happening:
"What is this power?!" Gylzar thought desperately "I've never seen Aura manifest itself this solidly, yet-!"
The cyborg cursed as another ethereal arm slammed into the wall beside him, one that nearly struck him as he sorued away. Gian's entire form was unreal, his Partially Transformed visage now constantly being surrounded by a swirling mass of blue energy. Gylzar almost didn't see him, but Gian almost materialized in front of him, his right arm in the form of a familiar Atom Fist. This time however, right before he threw the punch, the irradiating Aura swiftly gathered around the arm, encasing it, and forming the shape more of a thicker reptilian claw. Had he not blocked with both blades, he surely would've suffered something far deadlier.
"And this speed! I know he can't use Rokushiki, so how could just a slight increase of Aura make him so different?!"
"Soru!" Gylzar growled as he went back on the offensive. As Gian carved up the entire wall, Gylzar flitted behind him, blades out stretched.
"I don't think so!"
And Gylzar's eyes widened as the impact to his gut was felt; Gian's tail, now super charged with the same blue Aura amassing around him, slammed into him quicker than he could track. Gylzar coughed again, growling as he was forced to a knee as he skidded across the floor.
"How are you able to suddenly use your Aura like this?!"
Gian glared as he turned around, the energy coursing through his body seemed like it was overloading his senses. Every step he took resonated with the surroundings, as if he was in an empty void where it was just him, him and that cyborg bastard that he was about to turn to scrap.
"If you're think I know anything about it, then maybe all I can say is that you've been pissing me off more than you think!" Gian's eyes, glowing a burning orange color, met the cyborg's crimson singular eye. The feeling of raw emotion was amplified between the two, but Gylzar's darkness and bloodlust was drowned out, bit by bit, by the feelings of willpower, authority.
And fury.
"It doesn't matter how your Aura is suddenly amplified, you're still a pirate, a criminal! This power is wasted in your hands!" Gylzar snarled.
"You know, you've been saying that this whole time, about who deserves what? Me, Robin, how we're just supposed to be ungratefully handed these so-called gifts?"
Gylzar had to shield himself from a wave of atomic fire as it erupted around Gian.
"Did you for one second consider how maybe it just happened by chance? We never chose what we're capable of, yet we're both target just for the sake of what we could potentially do! Well I'm telling you right now that this is my life! What I choose, what I do with this power, it'll be for the sake of myself and those important to me! And that includes Robin, so as long as I'm here, you won't be laying a finger on her!"
Gylzar was seemingly silent on what was spoken, only standing up and facing Gian once more.
"What you choose? That seems to be quite a bold idea… you claim you have a choice in what you do…"
And without warning, Gylzar's arm shot out, a pneumatic hissing sound popped as twin steel cables fired from underneath his scythe blade. Gian growled as the cord whipped around his body before wrapping around his neck tightly. Gylzar's eyes flashed red as he screeched and applied force that arm.
"Well here's the choice I've got! Joining CP9 was my choice, getting the chance to take the lives of criminals is my choice, becoming a weapon more advanced than any is my choice!" Gian strained against the pull of the cord, now being slowly pulled towards Gylzar's abdomen as the buzzsaw located there began to spin to life once more. It was like a slow march to the meat grinder, all while the psychotic cyborg cackled continuously.
"With this cybernetic beast within me, my own body sheds its humanity and becomes a blade for the World Government! All those who defy my Bloody Justice will be punished by steel!"
And, when it comes to all of this, there was only so much one could take.
"The more I listen to you," Gian growled "the more I just want you to SHUT THE HELL UP!"
And the spiraling mass of atomic Aura began to take shape yet again, this time with one primal bellow from Gian it took the form of his Beast itself. The upper torso of Gian's Full Transformation reared up, announcing its presence, and even Gylzar had to double take at that.
And even he was blown away by the shockwave that resulted.
Gian was on him in an instant, ripping the cords away from his neck as his Aura construct crashed over the cyborg. As the flames washed away, he was already pounding his fist into the ruby colored single eye. The ground began to crack as each blow impacted, and it wasn't until Gylzar desperately fired a cluster laser did he finally get free.
"You live by those choices of yours? That's none of my business, but you went after someone you shouldn't." Gian growled "Even as the World labeled her as a demon, Robin faced it without reservation. Her devotion to the one goal that keeps her from moving forwards, I'll make sure that's never taken away!"
"Listen to yourself 'Beast Warrior'! All these actions, bringing yourself into the fire of the World Government, just so you can share it with some Demon Woman?!" Gylzar shouted, one scythe blade swinging down hard, splitting down Gian's forehead in a massive gash. "Is this the love you claim for her? The hope that she somehow will see what you feel when her selfishness has led to countless others dooming themselves?!"
"She can be concerned about what she wants to be, I have no control of that. I've said what I had to say to her, whatever her decision will be in the end has nothing to do with why I am here!" Gylzar's eye widened as Gian glared back, the blood from the gash mixing with the fire in his eyes. The swirling mass around him reacting wildly as the gash began to close, and between it all his own black colored Aura began to flicker, the red-eyed cyclopean bird-like head chirped as it met Gian's own.
"I'm just here to make sure she'll never have anything to be afraid of! Be it the World Government or a hundred more agents just like you, I'll make sure she knows she has nothing more to fear!"
A single punch swept forwards a wave of blue flames, pure Aura mixed with fire. Gylzar screeched as he forced his body against it, the heat becoming unbearable. It wasn't until he found himself backed against the wall did he finally realize Gian was charging at him again.
"This can't be…! To think I'd be pressed into a corner like this, is he actually forcing me to use the strongest Rokushiki technique against him?!" Gylzar tried in vain to lift both arms up in front of him, one on top of the other.
"Rok-UGAH!" of course, the knee that slammed into his stomach didn't seem to get the memo.
"From now on, any pain Robin faces, any struggles the World throw at her, I'LL BE THE ONE TO SHOULDER IT FOR HER!" Gylzar's eyes blinked in alarm as Gian declared that out loud, but his eye was trained on 'Beast Warrior's' right fist, the swirling mass of Aura now condensing around it until it was nothing more than a blue orb.
"Atom Fist-"
"TEKKAI!"
"-IMPACT!"
Both declarations at the top of their lungs, even then it shows that only one could power through. Gian's punch formed a miniature explosion as it collided with Gylzar's Iron Body. But the result could only go one way.
"Impossible! My Tekkai is cracking…!" Gylzar couldn't take it anymore, a sheet of blood was coughed out of his mouth, black blood more akin to motor oil than anything else.
"Just what are you…? You said you gave up a portion of your humanity, you really aren't human anymore are you?"
But Gylzar barely even registered Gian's retort as the wall behind him caved in and he was greeted with open air. He could feel himself began to fall, even as he attempted to right himself. Attempts to use Geppou, to utilize his Kaiju's anti-gravitational flight, it would've probably worked except for the fact that his body literally wouldn't move anymore.
"'BEAST WARRIOR'!"
Gian said nothing as he watched the screeching cyborg began to fall; he'd punched straight through solid stone, the wall overlooking the Court House they came across earlier in the day. As Gylzar began to grow more distant as he fell into the dark void beneath the island Gian simply had nothing to say.
Only then did the Aura begin to flicker out of existence, but the feeling of power remained this time, stronger and seemingly ready to be unleashed again, if he only knew how.
"Just what triggered that?"
Shaking the idea off, he walked away from the hole, back towards the opposite side of the building facing the Gates of Justice. Had he remained for even a while longer, he would've notice a small flickering speck in the darkness of the void, but his mind was only one particular thing at this moment.
"It's just this sea between us, and this time I'm not going to leave you again."
Gian lowered his head, his dorsal fins began to shimmer as he prepared to rocket off towards the Bridge of Hesitation.
"I'm coming Robin, you won't have anything left to be afraid of soon!"
As this was happening:
"You're becoming increasingly sloppy, I wonder how much longer you will last until you slip."
Luffy panted with exertion at the tone, his glare not faltering but even he cannot deny that his body was beginning to ache. A few steps ahead of him, Lucci remained calm, his leopard form hardly ruffled any fur save for a few stray bruises that landed via Luffy's punches.
"I think I sort of understand your technique now. You gather red blood cells and pump them forcibly through your veins to gain a temporary boost in speed and power. In a way it's quite similar to doping you'd see in certain sports." Lucci analyzed "but because of that, your stamina is taking a big hit to supply your body with energy. The more you use it, the more taxing it becomes."
Luffy growled; Lucci had gotten it nearly on the mark. The continued use of Gear Second was becoming increasingly exhausting with each individual use. His panting was a sure sign for Lucci; this technique was the only way that 'Straw Hat' Luffy could even hope to keep up with him.
"Is all this worth it? Slowly draining your life away just to rescue one woman who might just betray you again in the future?"
Another sound of a pulse came, and with it Luffy's body began to steam yet again; exhaustion be damned, it was words like that that really sets him off.
"Gomu Gomu no… Jet Whip!"
"Kamisori!"
Luffy's leg cracked out so fast that it almost broke the sound barrier, but by this point the leopard man had already expected an attack. Zigzagging across the room with claws outstretched, Luffy found himself screaming in pain as Lucci raked both hands across his back.
"Of course, all that blood you pump won't matter if I just bleed you dry."
"Don't count on it! There's no way I'm losing a nakama to someone like you!"
Lucci growled deep in his throat, more animal than man "Your brash overconfidence is no longer amusing, do you still not see what's in front of you? You face not only the Marines, but the entire bastion of the World Government itself! Even if you were somehow able to accomplish saving her, you will never be free of us! I will hunt that woman down to the ends of the world!"
"SHUT UP!" Luffy yelled "I won't let Robin be taken!"
"Then die." Lucci sneered before the two met each other in another clash. Even in Gear Second, Lucci's leopard Zoan gave him the strength and power needed to more than meet the challenge.
"Gomu Gomu no Jet Pistol!"
"Tekkai!"
In his more muscular form, he was able to at least withstand too much injury, but Lucci still felt himself being pushed back, digging his heels into the ground. He snarled, 'Straw Hat's endurance was really starting to piss him off.
And soon it turns out he'll have more problems, as the door behind them blew open, revealing Franky as he finally arrived with his payload of keys. The cyborg gawked at the two facing off against each other.
"Cutty Flam…" Lucci growled.
"Wow, you already pushed him that far for him to use his Devil Fruit?" Franky panted "From the looks of it, that's the Neko Neko no Mi: Model Leopard! He'll literally eat you alive!"
"What the hell are you doing here?!" Luffy demanded.
"Oi, calm down, we're on the same side remember?" Franky explained "Anyways, this is going to be a tough fight, do you need a hand?"
"I've got him, go and get to Robin! That mask guy took her behind those gates that's supposed to go to the bridge!"
"If that's what you want, then just leave it to me!" Franky made a dash for the door, reaching to push it open. Unfortunately, claws raking down was enough to cause him to be knocked away.
"Nobody is going through this door." Lucci snarled.
"Tch, no avoiding you huh? Then don't blame me when I bust your head open! Strong Hammer!"
Franky's iron fist collided with Lucci's face, normally a heavy blow. To the cyborg's shock however, the assassin was completely unfazed.
"What the hell?! That was enough to floor that owl guy earlier!"
"So you managed to defeat Fukuro then? I can't deny that is impressive," Lucci's smirk belies hidden bloodlust "But it seems that's the limit of your superhuman strength, my doriki happens to be many times higher than his, and that means my Tekkai can withstand far more than he can."
The next thing Franky felt was a boot to the stomach, sending him crashing to a bundle of boxes.
"It also means, I can kill you far faster than he can." Lucci sneered as he raised a clawed hand.
"Die."
"Gomu Gomu no Jet Whip!"
It was only due to a swift rescue from Luffy that Franky escaped certain death. The captain looked at him with one eye, he only had one thing to say.
"Leave him to me!"
Franky grinned "Well, it looks like I'll only get in the way. If you think you can kick his ass, then give him the hardest ass kicking he's ever felt! Just leave Nico Robin to me!"
With all his stamina, Franky pushed past the heavy doors, making his way to the stairs. From the corner of his eye, he could see Lucci make one more lunge for him, but Luffy is already prepared for something like that. Another rapid punch knocked him away, and by the time Lucci recovered, Franky was already out of sight.
"Your opponent is me!"
"You're only delaying what's to come, if the Buster Call doesn't destroy them, I will." Lucci snarled.
"I won't let either happen!" Luffy declared. Lucci roared and pounced at him, only for Luffy to not even attempt to avoid, merely throwing his hands back.
"Gomu Gomu no-"
Even through the steam, Lucci realized this attack could be very powerful, but there was no time to avoid it.
"-JET BAZOOKA!"
And for the first time in a while, the tides seemed to turn.
Back with Franky, the light at the end of the staircase signaled his arrival at the Bridge of Hesitation. Wasting no time he stormed into view, and he could see everything.
How the light streaming across the fully opened Gates of Justice almost blinded him. How the rows of Marines waiting to escort the duo making their way across the bridge were gathering. A thought of concern for sure, but he could see them clearly now.
"Drop her, Spanda!"
Spandam, still exerting effort in trying to drag his unwilling prisoner across the bridge, shouted with alarm as he saw the blue-haired cyborg dash towards him.
"Cutty Flam?! No! D-Don't come any closer."
But Franky continued to run, and he was almost in reach.
Then he felt a click underneath his foot, and saw Spandam's features twist into a grin.
"Or you could, it's not like it would end badly for you or something!"
"Oh SHI-!"
The resulting explosion rocked the entire bridge, but they did their job in sending the cyborg flying off the bridge. Robin's cry of shock was drowned out only by Spandam's malicious laughter.
"AHAHAHA! DO YOU SEE THAT NICO ROBIN?! YOU DIDN'T REALLY THINK I WOULDN'T THINK UP A FAILSAFE IN CASE ONE OF YOUR CRONIES REALLY DID MANAGED TO GET HERE, DID YOU?!"
"And would you look at that! Cutty Flam was sent into the ocean! It's only a matter of time now! If he doesn't drown, the Buster Call will annihilate him along with every other pirate that dared to desecrate the World Government Flag!"
"No…" Robin whispered "I won't… I won't go through that gate!" her survival instinct on overdrive right now, Robin made a dash for it as quick as she could.
"EH?! You're still trying to run?! Just give it up!" with one vicious yank of the rope around her wrists, Spandam forced her to the ground.
"Are you still so delusional? No one will come and save you! All of them will die!" Spandam screamed "Doesn't this just remind you of anything? Something 20 years ago perhaps?!"
And Robin's eyes filled with terror as the memories from that incident flooded back to her head. The fire, the sound of cannons ringing across the sky. The last sight of her mother and her friend…
"You remember it all, don't you? The day Ohara burned to the ground?!" Spandam spat "The day Vice-Admiral Jaguar D. Saul betrayed his very organization just to help the criminal named Nico Olivia? That's right, I know everything that happened, how your mother was slain for her crimes, only for you to get away!"
Spandam laughed at the shaking form of the archaeologist "Well it all ends here! 20 years ago my father Spandine carried out the mission that wiped out an island of sinners, and today I finish what he started by bringing the last of that demonic spawn to Justice!"
"To be fair, I have to feel some sort of sympathy for you. 20 years on the run, with nowhere to turn and no one to trust? I can't even begin to imagine such a shitty life!" Spandam cackled at the woman as tears began to flow from her face "That's right, cry now. Cry knowing that the story of Ohara will be expunged from history henceforth!"
"T-THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Robin wept "I'M STILL ALIVE!"
"AND YOU'LL BE DEAD SOON, STUPID BITCH! YOUR FATE IS SEALED!"
And Spandam proceeded to drag her once again towards the door, but Robin was done being a prisoner. The tears flowed freely, she would do anything to resist her fate now.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! ARE YOU THAT DESPERATE TO CONTINUE YOUR PATHETIC EXISTENCE?!" the scathing insult was nothing in the face of her doom, even as her lips began to crack as she bit down into the stone of the bridge in an attempt to not budge.
"I can feel it, the fear…! I don't want to die anymore! I have to live!"
Her thoughts were on that alone, even as Spandam viciously stomped and kicked in an attempted to dislodge her.
"You have to live Robin! Ohara lives within you!"
She never knew what those words meant, when the final parting words of Jaguar D. Saul were spoken by the giant. The memories of that day, it's something she never wants to experience again.
"Everyone… Gian… Please Hurry! I know you will come and save me!"
"LET GO ALREADY!" Spandam screamed.
"Director! We need to hurry up! The ships are coming!" a marine called out.
"I KNOW THAT!" Spandam shot back, before growling and unsheathing his sabre. Robin gasped as the masked director raised the sword above his head "If you're being so uncooperative, I'll just have to deliver you without one of your arms! YOU CAN'T DENY ME! THE HERO THAT WILL-GAAAAH!"
Then a burst of heat, and Robin only blinked as he saw Spandam rolling in agony as flames licked his cloak. The Marines soldiers around them were all hit with confusion; there was no one else on this bridge, who could've fired that shot?
But she knows, and through her tears a relieved smile came for the first time in a long while.
"Long-nose-kun…!"
"WHO JUST FIRED ON ME?!" Spandam demanded.
"We don't know, sir! We can't see anyone!"
"There's no one! I can't-UUUOARRGH!"
And multiple more shots peppered the soldiers, the explosive pellets causing them to cry out in pain. All the while the mysterious attacker is nowhere in sight.
"WHERE ARE THESE ATTACKS COMING FROM?!" Spandam screamed "FIND THEM!"
"We're trying! We've-THERE! UP ON TOP OF THE TOWER OF JUSTICE!"
"WHAAAAAAATTTTT?! DO YOU KNOW HOW FAR AWAY THAT IS?! NO ONE COULD POSSIBLY FIRE THAT ACCURATELY FROM THAT FAR!"
But it was, and there was only one person who could've done it. Even as the Tower of Justice teetered on its last legs, it was none other than Usopp, red cape billowing and still wearing his jester mask, standing tall and proud. His massive sling hoisted and pointed towards the bridge, each shot fired straight and true. And as the music began to play over the sounds of waves, they all sang the voice of:
"Sogeking is here to rescue you, dear Robin!"
Down below Zoro, Nami and Sanji all grinned with triumph.
"He hit all of them!" the swordsman affirmed.
"Way to go Usopp!" Nami cheered.
"That's our sniper for ya!" Sanji smirked.
"SHOOT HIM DOWN! SHOOT HIM DOWN!" Spandam raged.
"We're trying to! But our bullets can't reach him!"
"Hold on! Nico Robin is trying to escape!"
The time was now or never, as Robin kicked off the ground and made one last dash back towards the staircase. Spandam screamed in frustration upon the sight; not even minutes ago was he on top of the world, now it's all beginning to crash down on him.
"WHAT ARE YOU ALL WAITING FOR?! SHOOT HER! JUST DON'T KILL HER WE NEED HER ALIVE!"
And as the guards trained their rifles onto the woman, it seems as if it was only a temporary victory. Until the shocked soldiers saw one more figure dash in front of Robin, shielding her with their body.
"You…" Robin realized who it was.
"Hey Spanda! Don't think just a landmine is able to take me down!" Franky growled, every bullet fired bouncing off of his metal body.
"I WON'T LET YOU RUIN THIS!" Spandam snarled, drawing his sword again and throwing it at Franky. As it left his hand, the blade began to expand, lengthening and becoming more flexible. Then the rest of its hilt ballooned open until the sword became an elephant, trumpeting towards the air in a challenge to the cyborg.
"Did not expect that…" Franky muttered.
"Squish em, Funkfreed!" Spandam ordered "And get me that woman!" Funkfreed immediately bellowed and charged towards Franky as he braced himself for impact. Meanwhile, every marine on that bridge trained their weapons onto the two. "You've got nowhere to run!"
Then again, they didn't need to.
Because a huge eruption of water suddenly landed beside the bridge. Half of the marine soldiers were caught off guard and swept off instantly. Funkfreed was drenched by the wave, the Devil Fruit bound to the sword instantly nullified and transformed back, to which Franky kicked it away.
"W-WHAT JUST HAPPENED?" Spandam bubbled as he spat out water, drenched from head to toe. It was the rising panicked voices around him along with the heavy sound of footsteps that Spandam finally realized that a massive dark shadow was cast over him.
"…Holy-Shit." Franky's eyes bugged out of his head "I heard him mention something like this, but seeing it up close is just-!"
Robin, of course, hardly paid any attention to that.
As her tears threatened to flow again, she was only focused on the massive form of the one that she's been hoping would come after all this time.
"AAAAHHHHHH NOOOOOOO!" it was only then that Spandam realized just how much his plan had crumbled. It was when the booming voice finally hit his eardrums, did he realize just how screwed he was.
"Step away from Robin." The towering form of Gian's Full Transformation bellowed "NOW!"
And that last statement was roared towards the heavens for all to hear.
A/N: with a loud note to end on, the climax of Enies Lobby draws near! I had a bit of difficulty in the beginning while I was writing this, but it seems now that it managed to finish it. We finished the remaining fights, and now we leave just the Buster Call to deal with as well as Lucci. But on top of that, one more Beast will enter the fray. Even if you read it here, don't count Gylzar out yet, he's still got one more role to play around here!
G: No one will think otherwise, there's no reason for them to think otherwise.
That was very clearly done for dramatic effect.
Gy: I don't think it will work, I mean I'm hyped up to be one of the main antagonists for this arc it's kind of obvious I'm not down for the count just yet.
You guys are killjoys.
On the other note, I didn't get a whole lot of questions for the Q&A last time around, so naturally I will be extending that Q&A for until the next chapter gets updated. Simply PM me or leave a review with any questions that you have about the story! As long as I think it doesn't have too many spoilers I'll try to answer it the best I can!
And that's really all I have to say, I hope to get one more chapter up before midterms comes along. So be sure to check in for that, the last few battles of Enies Lobby will be upon us shortly! We'll see you soon!
Responses to Reviews:
To Matt:
Honestly I'm waiting to watch Stampede as a whole. I missed it while it was in theatres.
G: Because you decided to see Parasite instead.
Hey, that movie won many awards it was very worth it.
G: Not saying it wasn't man.
To Patricia Louise A. Pena:
As you can see Gylzar was present during the Buster Call on Ohara. And as the chapters come by, you'll see that he'll have a few more personal connections with one of the people involved.
To gearsofhalo1337:
G: That's the kind of positivity I aspire to have.
We all should have that.
To Kaiju Avenger:
Gy: And I don't think it's over just yet.
G: It is not.
To Supermechaforce8:
G: I would like to see it.
While it's possible, I haven't really thought about it all that much yet. To balance out having a pet for Gian while still writing about him, I'm just hoping it doesn't take too much away from it.
To ClassicUsmONSTER:
G: Wasn't that the game where they abandoned development after the kickstarter?
Yeah, it's really unfortunate about what happened to it, it was a pretty good concept too.
But no, I don't think I'll get any of those monsters involved. Even if I did, they won't have too many major roles and would only work as cameos.
To PIZZASAURUS:
G: Those lines really would be kinda fire.
I'm sure we could sneak in them somehow.
But I don't know about the bounties right now, I mean having a low bounty for Chopper really was just for comic relief and I really don't want to change a rather iconic moment like that.
And that's all for this time, we'll see you soon!
Leave a Review and Gian will buy Three Houses for me!
G: You're a broke ass university students stop spending so much money on games.