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.
Strong World Opening: Blue Bird by Ikimono-Gakari (Naruto Shippuden Opening 3. Yes, that one)
Color Spread: Late Valentine's Day/White Day theme coinciding with the fact that I am engrossed in Elden Ring at the moment. Large spread of Gian dressed up as the Tarnished and Robin dressed up as Ranni the Witch.
"No…! Why now…? Why is it happening now?!"
She fell to her knees, the pressure in her chest continuing to build up exponentially. Her breathing became increasingly labored, her vision blurring by the second.
Then a sudden pulse of life blossomed in the distance, and the overwhelming pressure increased tenfold.
Every step she took felt as if cement was fused to her legs, her limbs becoming harder and harder to move.
"Papa… please save me…!"
The world vanished before her eyes.
Gian tightened his fist as the tremors subsided, his gaze steel as the vast shadow loomed before him as the dust settled. Below him, the remaining Straw Hats managed to gather themselves, they too looked on with alarm.
"Looks like you were right, Nami." he grunted, taking a step back as multiple tendrils extended from the ground.
"You got that handled right?" Zoro glanced back, one eye still on the veteran pirate floating before them. More and more of the creature pulled itself from the ground, soon it became apparent that its form was different compared to what they've encountered before.
"Is- Is that a-?" Usopp gawked.
"Well, this is a first…" Gian growled as the monster reared to its full height, and what a titanic creature it was. Easily the size of his own Full Transformation, it was the peculiar shape that truly drew attention.
While most other Kaiju-Zoan users had their beasts take on shapes and features similar to the animals they've seen around them; even the bizarre cyborg abomination that Gylzar became had some portions that resembled living beings. The monster before them, however, seemed to be nothing more than a heavily mutated rose plant. A thick stalk made purely of vine-like material supported a bulbous head, its petals opening and closing. The creature opened its flower-like protrusion, needle sharp teeth surrounding a circular, serrated jaw.
The flower-beast reared back and uttered the most haunting sound Gian had ever heard.
"A fine specimen ain't she?" Shiki grinned "I think you'll find it rather nostalgic, 'Beast Warrior', if you catch my drift."
"Gian, we'll handle Shiki." Luffy called out "We'll leave the big flower to you!"
"Sounds like a plan." The Kaiju-Zoan user nodded. The botanical horror continued to wail, the sound causing an unnerving pang in each of their hearts.
"I will say this again, leave the Kaiju-Zoan and my new navigator and you may leave with your lives intact." Shiki demanded.
"You can stuff it!" Luffy growled "I'm not letting you have my nakama if it's the last thing I do!"
Shiki sighed "It would have been wiser had you known your limits; if you had heeded my warning, perhaps there would've been a spot for you within my plans."
Luffy was done talking, his hands flung back as he charged towards his foe "Gomu Gomu no Bazooka!"
Twin palms flew towards Shiki, striking with tremendous force. The Golden Lion merely braced against the attack, before both hands gripped onto Luffy's wrists and yanked the young captain towards him. As Luffy tried to free himself, Shiki had already raised a fist and was about to retaliate when movement behind him spun him around and blocked an axe kick from Sanji. With a hard tug, the chef was thrown through the air before impacting with a charging Zoro also looking for an opening. The brief distraction was enough to get Luffy to free himself, however, and soon the Straw Hats regrouped.
"Shit… He's fast for an old geezer." Sanji cursed.
"Guys, be careful." Nami urged.
"Don't worry, we won't let him take you again!" Usopp shouted.
"Just get behind us!" Chopper said bravely.
Shiki glared at his opposition; a sight like this was something he was not unfamiliar with. He didn't rise to become one of the most feared figureheads of history without getting into conflict; in his first crew he was surrounded by equally strong contemporaries with an even stronger captain, and even with the fall of them, his former crewmates have all gone to stake their own reputation.
There was a time where he headed a fleet of pirates that shook the seas whenever they appeared.
Indeed, there was only one man that dared to challenge him, and he chose to live out the final year of his life in some backwater settlement in the weakest sea of them all.
Roger was the epitome of true power, none of the greenhorns currently challenging him can match up to that.
And Shiki would make sure they realized that.
Meanwhile:
"Looks like they got that end covered," Gian nodded, one eye keeping track of the other Straw Hats. The crew were currently going after Shiki in well coordinated maneuvers, at least right now they're holding their own "Shiki's not to be underestimated, but last time we were caught unaware. Luffy will hit him with all he's got."
Sizing up his own opposition, Gian's dorsal fins flashed in an intimidating display of lightwork. Steps were taken to bring this fight further to the outskirts of the village, at least this way Xiao and the other villagers would be out of harm's way. He didn't know how destructive this particular Kaiju-Zoan user was, but if the general rule remains true, then it was better safe than sorry.
"Which leaves the two of us once again. Bet you didn't expect to see me so soon after last night, huh?"
The floral abomination only gave another shrill howl, its tentacles waving viciously.
"Not much of a talker huh? Well, I won't judge. Let me just say that I really didn't appreciate you almost strangling me last night!"
The ground shook as Gian began his charge, his titanic frame soon slamming into the plant as his claws fastened around it "So here's to some payback!"
His claws dug into the botanical horror, noting the texture to be like that of rough bark and rubbery skin. Raking them down, a shower of green sap erupted, causing the flower monster to bark in alarm. It soon retaliated in kind, lashing out with multiple thorny vines that struck multiple points on Gian's body.
"Prickly little shit aren't cha?" Gian growled. He noticed that, although the beast looks imposing, the actual force of its strikes weren't much to write home about. Sure, at that size one strike from its tendrils can still flatten a row of houses and crush a normal person, but when both are gigantic he'd admit he's been on the receiving end of worse.
And from the looks of it, that's all it was capable of doing so far. Tentacles lined with thorns lashed towards his hide, but at this point, he already knew what to expect. Reaching out with a claw, the reaching tendrils were soon subdued, and the moment he closed the distance no time was wasted.
"Let me show you how a Kaiju-Zoan user actually fights!"
A single tackle was enough to send the plant recoiling, the force heavy enough to stagger the botanical horror. Gian didn't let up, ripping into the creature as his claws sank into soft flesh, causing green chunks of sap-like fluid to spray from the gaping wounds. Wounds that soon sealed themselves shut once, as Gian was quick to note. The plant shrieked again, a cry that he also noted to sound akin to that of a lost child's…
It also seems that, aside from the blunt shock, his attacks did not do lasting damage. The regenerative properties of the beast notwithstanding, the plant physiology of the creature also make it seem unreceptive to pain. Gian growled; just how durable was this creature?
"So you can also heal, way to make me feel less special."
The flower's only response was to wail once more, the sound making Gian scowl once again.
"Are you even able to speak?!" Every Kaiju-Zoan user he's seen so far, even as they ascended to the full form of their monstrous shape, were still able to retain their intellect and thought. This time it was different, the foe he's facing seemed to be reacting to pure instinct, as if its mind was that of a feral creature rather than a focused opponent.
"Something's not adding up… surely if Shiki wished to enroll a Kaiju-Zoan user in his plans, having one that could think coherently would be easier to control? Everything this one has displayed so far has been purely reactionary, almost as if it didn't want to be here…"
Gian's thoughts were disrupted when the floral monster howled once more, more of its tendrils shooting up to strike him. Banishing his suspicions for a moment, he once again grappled with his foe. Hopefully, he'll figure more out as the fight drags on, and once he's done maybe Luffy and the others could use some help too.
And he needed to do it fast, for the ground had begun rumbling once more…
Meanwhile:
Shiki leered down at the group of pirates, all panting as exhaustion began to set in. Defiant as they were, his own power was leagues above them.
But if those youngsters knew that, they didn't show it. Least of all, the enraged captain with the Straw Hat. Luffy glared back at the elder pirate, panting as the other members of the crew stood with him. Shiki had shrugged off nearly all of their attacks thus far, and though some of them had landed firm blows, it soon became evident that simply brute forcing it was not enough.
Steam began to seep from Luffy's pores as Gear Second activated again. Even though his foe was decades older than he, his age seemed to have done very little in reducing that speed, if at all. Boosting forwards, one of his fists rocketed back before searing out like a bullet.
"Gomu Gomu no Jet Pistol!"
This time Shiki seemed to have been blindsided, Luffy smiled internally as his fist planted into the veteran pirate's core. Shiki grunted, but before he could strike back, the rest of the child's crew had followed their captain into the fray.
"Concasse!"
"Oni Giri!"
One on each side, Zoro and Sanji leapt simultaneously, forcing Shiki to use one hand to block the cook's kick, while utilizing one of his swords to parry Zoro. Struggling with both, he didn't realize that a third party had leapt behind him.
"Kokutei Roseo Metel!"
The multi-striking move from Chopper, normally enough to easily topple a foe, managed to at least stagger the pirate. Only for a mere second, as Shiki soon reared back up before leaping into the sky. Immediately Zoro was on the attack, brandishing both Shusui and Sandai Kitetsu as he cut down the air before him.
"Nitoryu: Nanajuni Pound Ho!"
Sweeping his own swords across, Shiki launched his own air blades, the two flurries colliding and sending forth a mighty gale. The cover turned out to be just a diversion however, and from the dust Sanji and Luffy leapt towards him again, the former with his left leg wreathed in flames, while the captain's red tinted skin continued to steam.
It was in the middle of bracing for those two attacks did Shiki, out of the corner of his eye, saw one more Straw Hat taking aim at him. Down below, Usopp lined up a shot, all fear disappearing from his eyes for just a brief moment.
"Hissatsu: Hino Tori Boshi!"
Shiki's eyes widened as the flaming bird-shaped projectile screeched towards him, enveloping him in heat. The momentary distraction was all it took for Luffy and Sanji to attack with their full strength.
"Diable Jambe: Extra Hachis!"
"Gomu Gomu no Jet Rifle!"
The impact caused by Shiki striking the ground was enough to send forth yet another column of dust, as the crew regrouped, ready for anything.
"Did we get him?" Chopper inquired. No sooner did he say that, twin air blades cut through the debris towards Luffy, forcing them back once more as Shiki rose above the dust. The old pirate cracked his neck, a look of annoyance strewn across his face. These kids were tough, no doubt about it, and it's about time he stopped playing around.
"Tough for an old geezer isn't he?" Zoro growled.
"Guess being around during the age of the Pirate King really wasn't just a flex for him!" Sanji cursed.
"You all got some skill." Shiki declared "Looks like traveling the Grand Line hasn't been a waste for you all. It's a shame we can't get along; with my influence and goals, I can make you all wealthier and more powerful than you can ever become!"
"Stuff it!" Luffy shouted "I won't forgive you for what you've done! Not just to Nami, but what you forced the people here to do as well!"
Shiki sneered "I figured that's what you'd say. Since we can't see eye to eye, I might as well end our disagreements." The crew tensed as the veteran pirate raised another hand and concentrated.
Then the ground rumbled forth.
"WAAAH! HOW IS THERE AN EARTHQUAKE ON THIS FLOATING ROCK?!" Usopp yelled.
"That's not an earthquake…" Nami whispered in horror, and the rest of the crew also gasped as the earth around them literally rose and shifted in form.
"What in the world…?" Zoro gritted, the entire crew now enveloped in shadows as the movement rose above them.
Shiki leered down at them "This is your final chance, surrender the girl and the Kaiju-Zoan user, or this island will become your grave!"
"We're not letting you have either of them!" Luffy shouted back "They're my nakama! I'm not letting them fall to someone like you!"
"A pity then, such strength can only take you so far." Shiki claimed as he clenched his fist "Well then, try to escape this. Shishi Odoshi!"
That's when the mountains of swirling debris reformed, each one becoming the braying head of a vicious lion. The ground itself trembled as the howling clouds of rock and dust roared towards them, surrounding the Straw Hats in a circle of gnashing teeth and threatening to bury them whole.
All except Nami, who was pointedly spared from the encroaching burial. The navigator could do nothing but shout in horror as she witnessed the crew
"LUFFY!" Nami cried out. The tremors had knocked her off of her feet. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Gian in the distance as he realized the situation and attempted to head over to assist, only to be dragged back into the fray by the mutant plant creature. Luffy and the others were on their own.
"OH SHIT!" Usopp yelled "WE'RE GONNA GET EATEN!"
"We have to get out of this!" Sanji shouted. He tried to leap through the gaps between the roaring constructs, but Shiki was already there to intercept him. Hastily lashing out with a kick, it wasn't enough as Shiki caught his foot with one hand.
"I don't think so!" the Golden Lion grinned before flinging him back hard towards the ground.
"That's it I'm busting out of here!" Luffy shouted, placing his thumb into his mouth.
"Gomu Gomu no Gigant Pistol!"
A massive punch easily pulverized the incoming debris, creating a massive gap just enough for the crew to strike at Shiki. Their chances continued to diminish as the wall of constructed lions roared closer and closer, but Zoro had immediately seized that chance. Spotting Shiki amidst the carnage, he leapt towards him, Sanji now recovering and giving him a boost.
"Santoryu: Gyuki Yuzume!"
"I'll back you up! Hissatsu: Atlas Shusei!" Usopp shouted.
"Not good enough!" Shiki mocked, dodging the incoming projectiles to meet Zoro head on with his own blades. A single sweep was enough to send the swordsman flying. Right as Luffy also joined the charge, his fist enlarged by air.
"Gomu Gomu no Gigant Pistol!"
All the Golden Lion had to do was fly to the side as Luffy's massive fist raked down beside him. Luffy's eyes widened; Gear Third's diminished speed meant that missing a single attack would leave him wide open, a fact that Shiki was quick to realize.
"East Blue is mine!" He boasted one last time, before one single punch sent the Straw Hat captain crashing to the ground in the center of the encroachment.
"Luffy!" Zoro shouted.
"Now, be buried."
All Luffy and the others could do was glare in defiance as the leonine walls of dirt and debris finally crashed down on them.
At the same time:
Gian roared as he raked his claws down, snatching up more snapping vines as they bit at his face. More tendrils took their place, and soon they grasped at his head with the intention of ensnaring him. If there was anything he'd have to say about the botanical beast, it was rather resilient.
The fight wasn't particularly hard, in his mind. Yes, a giant plant is still a force to be reckoned with, but after facing down a cannibal serial killer and a cyborg assassin, by now he's getting the hang of strong opponents.
No, what was peculiar about this encounter was how the beast acted.
"We've been facing off for many minutes now, whoever this Kaiju-Zoan user is, they're not acting like what I've come to expect. Something is definitely off here."
It could be the fact that the creature looks rather unnatural, and the way it moves didn't help in that matter. It could be the fact that his opponent has yet spoken even a single word to him.
Or it could be the way the creature acted.
Every strike Gian threw, the creature would retaliate, and that was exactly what he thought was amiss. The floral beast rarely attacked on its own, and when it did it threw its attacks out wildly with little control over where they would go. This fight had been almost completely defensive on its behalf, and while Gian's been consistently on the offensive, the creature had been nearly reactionary the whole time. This Kaiju-Zoan user didn't fight like a seasoned warrior or pirate, it fought back only when struck like a cornered animal.
Or an individual scared of its predicament.
There was something uncanny about the creature, something that Gian noted more and more. It moves not in aggression, but rather trying to push him away. There was also its baleful cry, a haunting wail that would not be amiss to a lost child crying out for their parents…
If anything, Gian could've thought that the gigantic plant didn't want to be here.
But he didn't have time to dwell on it much, because at that moment the ground shook with the force of creation.
"What the hell's going on now?!"
His head instantly snapped up, and Gian's eyes widened in horror. In the distance, he watched as the ground around the Straw Hats rose and morphed into roaring lions, threatening to bury his captain and the others. They could just be seen, no more than mere specks against an incoming wave of rock and soil.
"LUFFY! EVERYONE!"
His reaction was swift, but the flower, either with malicious intent or seemingly mistaking his actions, instead lashed out with more of its vines and dragged him down. Gian roared in anxiously, trying to shake off the extra load. The danger his crew were in soon became apparent as the lion constructs crashed down upon them, burying them in tonnes of dirt and rock. It was followed by another wave of rumbling as the debris rose in a massive piller, trapping his crewmates within.
"NO!"
Gian staggered up, already too late. His fear gave way to smoldering anger as he glared back at the monstrous plant. All previous second thoughts gave way to the idea that this being just held him back in saving his crew.
"You… you have no idea what you did… DO YOU?!"
The plant only gave out yet another haunting wail, seemingly sensing the increased hostility. As Gian took a thundering step towards it, the rose's petals opened up and the plant instantly spewed out a cloud of acidic spores, the substance coating Gian's face and making him hiss at the unpleasant feeling.
His eyes blazed; that had done it.
"ATOM RAY!"
It happened in an instant, the thermonuclear projection tore through the monstrous flower. With one strike, the rose-like creature was immolated, its wails increasing in crescendos as it waved its tendrils in futility. Gian merely watched on, taking in the fact that he ended the fight so quickly.
Then, at last, it slumped over. Even now the rose's body continued to smolder. The true impact of what he's done would only be made apparent to him later, but at that moment Gian only had one thought remaining.
"Shiki… You're going to pay!"
And he was on the warpath immediately.
One thunderous footstep instantly made Shiki's head snap up from admiring his handiwork. The airborne pirate hastily flew to avoid the sweeping claws that Gian raked towards him in an attempt to swat him down. Morphing into a scowl, Shiki's swords swept a multitude of air blades towards the behemoth, blades that Gian merely shrugged off and continued to charge.
"The Goji-Goji no Mi… so much rage, it's just as I remembered."
"Is that why you want it? For the sentimental value?" Gian snarled, placing himself between the Golden Lion and the rocky piller that buried his nakama. A pained look washed over his face; once again he was a step too slow.
"G-Gian…" Luffy croaked out. The boy was just barely conscious; the rock's pressure made it so that the others were pretty much out of it completely. Even with his rubber physiology, tons of debris constricting him was enough to put him out of commission, for now.
"Sorry, I got held up."
"Don't worry about us, we'll be fine." Luffy cracked a smile "Make sure you kick his ass…!"
"I've got them." Nami ran up and assured him "I'll find a way to get them out."
"Alright, then we'll leave it at that." Gian nodded, before turning his glare back to Shiki "You want to take this fruit? Then you better hope you'll be able to get it!"
"I've known that power for far longer than you've been alive, boy." Shiki growled "Whatever you've done with it, I assure you you haven't even gotten a handle on what it could truly do."
"I know enough to do this! Atom Ray!"
Shiki flew off, keeping inches ahead as the searing heat dug out trenches behind him. As the thermonuclear energy petered out, he dove back in and delivered a downward punch, strong enough to make Gian slightly recoil before the Kaiju-Zoan user snapped his head up in an attempt to crunch the elder sea captain between his jaws. This time, when Shiki attempted to dodge, he soon found that Gian had telegraphed the attempt and his tail had already shot up, striking the elder pirate hard and slamming him down into another rock formation, shattering it to pieces.
"Hah… you take to its power far better than I initially believed." Shiki chuckled, his hands feeling the ground around him "The power of the ancient beings can indeed not be suppressed. I must acquire it."
"You're really not satisfied with just one, are you? Is this all part of your plans of grandeur?" Gian growled.
"Oh, her? Think of her as more of a bargaining chip. Still, if she really did manage to also hone the beast correctly, then my forces can be bolstered further." Gian frowned at the tone.
"Still, she simply can't match your aggression. In fact it came as quite a shock that you tore into her so willingly, you seemingly got along rather well!"
"WHAT?!" Gian shouted "Quit bullshitting me old man! How can I know anyone on your forces?"
"Lying, am I?" Shiki sneered, "Even your beasts are more similar than what you'd believe, you know her more than you think."
"Just who is she?!"
"Why don't you see for yourself?"
Snorting, Gian's head snapped back to the burning wreckage that now makes up the floral creature's body. The beast is now little more than a tangle of burning plant matter and green sap like blood. The Atom Ray he fired towards it had split a hole through the creature, but there was nothing in particular that stood out.
Then one part stood out.
And Gian's blood froze the moment he saw.
"H-How is this possible…?!"
"It's rather ironic, though. It's always the ones that show the most kindness that harbor the most monstrous of secrets."
Tangled in vines and hanging precariously within the body of the plant creature, the user was somehow unscathed despite all the damage. However, she was unresponsive, and given the circumstances, it would've been better that was the case. None, however, felt more horrified as Gian's eyes laid upon-
"E-Erika…?!"
"Is that true?" Nami gasped when she heard "Erika's a Kaiju-Zoan user?"
"No way…" Luffy weakly gasped from his rock prison.
The poor girl's body was wet, green sap drenching her skin and clothes. Erika Shirigami's eyes were shut, Gian's shock was only slightly alleviated when he could only just make out slight breathing that indicates she's still in the land of the living.
"How… How is she with you?!" Gian barked at the Golden Lion.
"She's nothing special, She's more of an unruly beast than anything else." Shiki dismissed "That monster of her's tends to appear at rather inopportune times for her. I've had my eye on her for some time, she'd make a good soldier, yet currently she cannot control her power."
His face changed to a grin "You, on the other hand… have potential. The Goji-Goji no mi in your hands may not have been utilized to the same level as I once witnessed it, but you have enough of a grasp on it to at least use it well. This need not end in bloodshed."
"What are you trying to say?!" Anger flared within Gian once again "This whole time you had her… you were planning on turning her into a weapon?! You tore her life apart, separated her from her father… all for WHAT?! Some personal vendetta against the world!?"
"The one thing that gets you far in this world is power, by any means necessary." Shiki waved him off "Power like what you and her possess, it can truly become something great. She has no idea what a boon she's been granted."
"SHE'S A 15 YEAR OLD GIRL! SHE HAS A CHILDHOOD, AND YOU TOOK THAT FROM HER!"
Shiki scoffed "I don't expect you to understand, nor do I require you to. I do, however, require that beast of yours one way or another. And I WILL have it."
With that, Shiki fanned his hands out, and the ground around Gian suddenly erupted. The pirate's levitation powers now affected the debris once more, except this time rather than ferocious lions, they morphed into the form of heavy chains, chains that soon clasped themselves around Gian, causing him to roar in surprise. He thrashed against the constraints, shattering them instantly, yet more took their place.
"I will offer you one chance, your association with your current crew is holding that power back. It deserves to be unleashed against the world just as it once did. Become a warrior under my banner, and the world will be brought to heel."
"Eat shit, asshole!" Gian managed to spit out. Gathering as much atomic energy within him as possible, he prepared to utilize the Atom Pulse. Unfortunately, Shiki ultimately saw through that plan.
"Very well then, it is quite a shame. However, I ultimately just need the fruit, some other individual can just as easily take your place." another flick of his hand, and the ground beneath Gian suddenly gave way. As he struggled on his back, more earth reformed as the same growling lion heads that encapsulated Luffy and the others.
"GIAN! NO!" Nami cried out.
"Shishi Odoshi: Chimaki!"
Gian howled as the tonnes of dirt threatened to bury him alive as well. A few stray Atom Rays erupted, shattering some of the incoming leonine constructs, but not enough that he, too, was eventually buried up to his neck. Another hand movement, and the rock around him compacted and tightened like a prison, a crushing force so great that even his titanic form had its movement could do nothing as he let out a wheezing groan.
And it was not over yet. Gian's eyes widened as a dark shadow fell over him. Somehow, Shiki had managed to apply his power on a massive rock easily the size of a small hill. With the grin on his face, it was clear what the intent was. Desperately he tried to summon more Atomic Energy, but the constricting force of his prison had made even that difficult.
"WAIT!"
The massive rock paused in its descent as Shiki looked down at Nami sprinting up to him, a defeated look on her face.
"Have you come around at last?" Shiki sneered, "Now you see, what those who stand against me will fare."
"If I join you… If I become your navigator…" Nami hissed "Will you spare them? Spare my crewmates, and East Blue…"
"Nami… Don't do this…!" Gian wheezed "We can still-!" His protest was cut off by a pained roar as Shiki constricted the rocks around him further.
"So it shall be done, you'll see that I am a generous man." Shiki sneered "I really do, however, require the Kaiju-Zoan your crewmatre possesses. Since you've been so reasonable, I'll give him another chance to swear allegiance to me once I properly restrain him."
"Then I'll go." Nami whispered.
"W-Wait…!" This time, the objection came from the rock prison that the other Straw Hats were held in. Barely able to move his body, it was Usopp that still had enough willpower to offer his stance.
"N-Nami… just hold on… you can't put yourself in this position…! Luffy… Luffy wouldn't give up on you…! So please just trust him-!"
"The riff raff sure has much to say." Shiki growled, delivering a hard chop to the sniper's head to knock him out "Enough, she already knows what the correct choice is." Rifling around his coat pocket, Shiki pulled out a Tone Dial.
"Since this will be the last time you'll see them, why not leave them a message?" The navigator gave a downcast look, before nodding and obliged. In her occupied state, Shiki turned to his other prizes. Gian tried to growl one more time as Shiki strode over to Erika's still comatose body, Shiki only stared him straight in the eye and smirked.
"It may mean nothing to you, but I'm glad that power's still active in this world." the Golden Lion smirked before hoisting the unconscious girl over his shoulders. The ground around Gian cracked and crumbled as the area he was trapped in separated from the earth around it, leaving a massive crater as he, still trapped in his confinement, was levitated into the air via Shiki's powers. Holding out his hand, Shiki then smiled at Nami to which the reluctant navigator had no other choice but to do so.
As they ascended back towards Shiki's palace, those who remained on the ground could do nothing but watch. It was this scene that the 3 remaining Straw Hats found themselves witnessing as they rode into town, finally arriving at the location but too late to intervene.
"Oh no! He's found them!" Brook shouted.
"And he's got what he came for…" Franky seethed.
Robin said nothing; her seeing the girl she'd grown closer to in the past weeks being taken alongside Gian was all she needed to know. On top of that, it turns out Dr. Shiragami's worst fears have come to pass as well. They had to reach the others and get them back on their feet. With their defeat, they now had 3 people that needed to be saved.
Later:
Gian awoke in a well lit cell, scanning his surroundings. The room he was held captive in was decently sized, a glass window surrounded by stone walls. The energy needed to sustain a Full Transformation must've dissipated during the journey here, and now he found himself unable to summon any strength at all. Something within the walls was dampening his senses, it made him feel sluggish and weak.
Then a screen on the opposite side of his confinement area lit up, and his eyes shot up. There, displayed in full sight, was the girl who had saved him. Erika Shiragami looked disheveled, her eyes downcast. It seemed that the girl was only seconds away from breaking down into tears.
"ERIKA!"
That made her look up, and she gasped at the sight.
"M-Mr. Gian…?"
"Are you ok? Are you hurt? I-I'm so sorry… I didn't-!"
"No…" her voice cracked. "I'm the one that should apologize! I-I wasn't being 100 percent truthful to you…"
"Don't say that!" Gian begged "None of this is your fault! If I had-!"
"Well, it seems like your humanity shines through at the most fitting times!" another mocking voice boomed. The screen panned out to show the Golden Lion and his 2 minions looking triumphant, where Erika was shown to be held in a similar cell within Shiki's throne room. Gian's face instantly morphed into rage.
"SHIKI!" he roared, before charging at the glass panel and slamming his fist in hard. Normally a punch could easily shatter glass, though this time it hardly made a dent.
"Whoa! Easy there, monster! Considering your cell walls are made out of seastone, I suggest you don't waste your strength!"
Gian glowered; that would explain the weakness he felt at this time.
"You probably won't believe me when I say I have always hoped that the Goji-Goji no Mi would appear in my life again. My plans came first, but I had always hoped to find it, that and another Kaiju-Zoan."
"Cut the crap, if you want this fruit then you'd better have an apple nearby, because the only way you'd be getting it is if you kill me first!" Gian shouted.
"I would've preferred it that way, however I count myself as an honorable man and I did make a promise to my new navigator to spare your life. So for now, I will at least give you the time to make the right choice."
"So that's it then? You got what you wanted? From what I know you already have an army of both pirates and beasts at your beck and call, are you really that paranoid that you'd go as far as to find an asset that even the World Government tries to erase?"
"Jihahaha! When you have power to rule the world, it pays to be prepared." Shiki shook his head "That said, my reasons for wanting to acquire the Goji Goji no mi has little to do with my plans. It certainly helps, yes, but the reality is that it's a rather nostalgic keepsake."
"Nostalgic?"
"You don't honestly believe you are the only one in history to have merged with Gojira now, do you? Before that titan's spirit diminished to a mere fruit, it was once a being that commanded authority simply by existing. There was one who bore that fruit before you, he was a former crewmate of mine, back when we still served under the banner of another." Shiki had a more appreciative look on his face at this point, as if reminiscing of a time "But that was over 30 years ago, and that individual is no longer with us. Though, as you can see, the power he once possessed still remains here."
Gian blinked "If that's the case… then you seem to know a good deal about the existence of Kaiju-Zoans then?"
"Ah, I see that your interest has been piqued." Shiki laughed "Unfortunately, that crewmate himself knew little about the matter; it was only due to my former captain that I knew anything about the existence of Kaiju at all, and he was not someone who shared information freely. I admit my knowledge on that scope would probably not be greater than what you already know."
The Golden Lion sneered "Of course, if you were to consider entering into my service then-"
"Yeah, didn't expect you to." Gian scoffed "Though that would explain why you'd be so familiar with the Goji Goji no mi."
Shiki chuckled "From what I can see, 'Beast Warrior' you at least are able to answer the call of Gojira's power. Still, even with your potential, you pale in consideration of what you can truly do. Your mastery of that fruit is nothing in comparison to what that former crewmate could do."
"If I had a beri for every time I've heard someone say something like that, I'd have 5 beri, which isn't a lot, but it's something I've been hearing too much lately. Newsflash genius, I don't give a rat's ass! If that former crewmate of yours was so good with this, he could've at least lived till now! Would save me the trouble of having to deal with the problems this thing has given me!"
That comment made Shiki's expression harden considerably.
"If you know what that fruit did to him, and why he's no longer there, then you'd better count yourself lucky. If anything. He's one of the reasons why everyone in this blasted world can even exist today!"
"Just what do you know?!" Gian shouted.
"Tch, if you won't join me, then it's not your concern. Like I said, I only need the fruit. If you are unwilling to cooperate, I'd have to break my new navigator's heart, but I will have it."
"Then why is Erika involved?!" Gian barked "If you've been looking for this, then why bring her and her dad into this?!"
Shiki laughed "Why? I believe I've explained myself well enough. I have plans, 'Beast Warrior', and plans require capital and weapons. I've had experience in both in my lifetime, the Kaiju-Zoan just happens to be icing on the cake. Erika Shiragami and her father just happened to be in the right place at the right time."
"You're a monster…!" Gian was startled by an outburst from across his cell, looking up he saw a middle aged scientist glaring hard at the screen they shared. With the subject matter and the volatile reaction, he soon put two and two together.
"Papa! PAPA!" and clearly, he was not the only one to notice that, as Erika's forlorn face up until that point instantly lit up with worry.
"Ah, Doctor. So glad of you to join in on the conversation!" Shiki's condescending tone hardly took the man into consideration. "I must say, for you to betray me like this, I am rather hurt. I would've thought we at least had a good working relationship."
"You won't get away with this! I won't let you hurt my daughter!"
"Except everything is already in motion, what you've done for me these past years will serve me well." Shiki shrugged "As I said, me discovering that a child had merged with a Kaiju-Zoan chalked mostly up to coincidence. However, there is one reason that I chose to obtain her, and it is related to your own monster, 'Beast Warrior'."
"What? What do you mean by this?" Gian gasped.
"You are aware that certain regular Zoan Devil Fruits themselves have certain subclasses within their numbers, correct? In a way, your Kaiju-Zoans are similar to that, only in this case your fruits happen to be intricately related."
"You possess the Goji Goji no Mi, 'Beast Warrior'. Erika Shiragami's fruit happens to be the Goji Goji no Mi: Model Biollante."
Gian took a step back at that, not expecting that the beast he represented had connections to anything. Across the screen, Erika was thinking something similar. During her transformed state, she could only glimpse bits and pieces of what was going on. She could vaguely recall the surge of energy that triggered her own transformation, and the gargantuan titan that opposed her. Although the Straw Hats she met did mention it, Never would she think that the man she found in the forest would share a power so similar, and as she found out, related as well.
"You really are just like me…" Erika thought.
"My fruit… and Erika's… are the same?" Gian stammered
"That's what the limited amount of records I found suggests. Legend has it that a hybrid of plant and Kaiju was borne through the gathering of Gojira's residue Aura after a fierce battle, of course that's only what one sparse detail describes, take it with a grain of salt." Shiki explained "Regardless, she has yet to develop that Kaiju until you and your crew graced my presence!"
"What are you saying… What did I do to her?" Gian whispered.
"Not you in particular, but that creature inside of you." Shiki laughed "Perhaps it's due to that legend I spoke of earlier, but in proximity of your own Aura, her fruit has begun to change. Essentially, your aura acts as a catalyst that allows it to evolve further."
Gian didn't know what to make of that.
"Thus, not only do I have the keepsake of an old comrade, I've upgraded another of one of my assets. My army can already subdue whole countries, now I can truly control the world!"
"...Then why go there? Why East Blue?" Gian choked out "A sea where no one can stand against you, why bring them into this?!"
Shiki sneered at that "As I said, power will command everything in this world, and those who have it will stand at the top. There was only one man I can claim to have had it all, and in turn he's about the only one that deserves to. Wealth, fame, influence, none could come close. I had raised fleets to battle him for supremacy, but even I knew I would be playing catch up."
Shiki's tone came closest to respectful when he spoke of that, a tone that soon turned spiteful.
"And what did he do when he decided he did have it all? Not to expand that power and conquer the world with me, no he decided that he'd rather have an undignified death in the weakest sea of them all! It's utterly disgraceful! He preaches freedom for all those who sail these seas, in the end it was just to humiliate himself further! He claims to love it there so much? Well then he can watch in hell as all of East Blue is lit on fire!"
"My goal is to take the world, East Blue is just a message. Once every island there is razed to the ground, all of the World will know the return of the Golden Lion!"
Shiki coughed "My apologies, I got a bit worked up. Despite your belligerence, I can respect the effort you've made to control the King of Monsters. Losing an asset like you will truly be a detriment."
The Golden Lion finally rose from his throne "Now, I must bid you all farewell. I have guests to entertain that will further my plan. You have 24 hours 'Beast Warrior' for my new navigator's sake and yours you best make the correct one."
"Papa!"
"Erika! Please don't hurt her!" Father and daughter reached out for each other in vain as the broadcast ended. Gian slammed the glass one more time, before slumping down and letting out a sigh.
"Well, this is just great. Why did Triton-senpai never tell me that the powers we share would be so popular with the worst people?"
"I had hoped he wouldn't be able to find you. Then again, it's hard to escape his sight. Shiki has eyes everywhere."
"Yeah, well, one of our own got taken by him too. We weren't just going to take that sitting down." Gian scoffed before turning to the scientist "So what did he put you in for? Shiki says you've betrayed him, surely that can't be the only reason."
"Betrayal would imply that I was on his side to begin with." Shiragami snapped "For the record, I had a plan to hinder Shiki's plans long before today, but as I suspected he has eyes just about everywhere here. Working with him had not been my first choice; had I any other option, Erika would've never ended up in this situation, and I would never have been here."
"You're her father right? Erika said you were a rather renowned man of science, how did someone at that level of the World government's pay grade get involved with someone from the Golden Age of Pirates?"
"Desperation allows a man to do things he'd never dream of, when you become a parent you'd know." Shiragami sighed "Still, this partnership was never an alliance. He required a service, I required a solution. Both of them were given, albeit temporarily, but there was little else I could do."
"Well, technically that still makes you a criminal. Then again, who am I to judge? My own existence doesn't sit well with the World Government to begin with." Gian shrugged.
"For my daughter, if saving her is to be branded as a criminal, then I will bear with it. After all, what I did to her, I will protect her for life."
Gian paused at that.
"How did… How did Erika come across a Kaiju-Zoan?"
Shiragami was silent, before finally letting out a sigh.
"Erika's hasn't had the easiest time growing up, but it all came to a head because of one tragedy. I… I had to save her, but by doing so I condemned her to an existence like this…"
"The fruit… you were the one that found it?" Gian inquired.
"Yes," Shiragami gritted. "The reason Erika's hosts a monster within her, the reason Erika suffers… it's because of me."
A/N:
G: Hey all, it's been a while since we've last been here. One would think KP360 actually forgot about me. Lo and behold, he claims he has "reasons" for being absent. Reason number 1 is, essentially, because of Elden Ring. Ever since he came out, it's about the only game he's played, but I've never seen any other game he's been so invested in. The funny thing is he's never played a FromSoft game before this, so you'd think the difficulty would turn him off, but he's kept at it and hundreds of hours later, he's maybe 85% done everything. Why he's like this I don't know; his computer didn't even have the right specs for it in the beginning and if it weren't for a driver update he'd won't even be able to run it! Yet all of this and-
"FUCK YOU MALEKITH YOU JUMPING ASS MOTHERFUCKER CAN YOU STOP-"
G: *sigh…
Anyway, the second reason is more mundane but it's something I can actually understand. The reason is that KP360 got a puppy! She just turned 10 weeks this Saturday and they've only been together for 3 weeks but he already loves her to bits and dotes on her so much. I'd prefer if he wrote an animal companion for me but I understand puppies are high maintenance and thus, for this, I can forgive him. Now, he wants me to address the contents of this chapter. As you can see, everyone's in a rough patch, and we've discovered that Erika really is the monster I saw in the first- bro come on! Everyone can see it coming! Why are you acting like this is some big reveal?!
"Yeah but think of the Godzilla reference!"
Whatever, Strong World should be done in about 3-4 chapters and we can move onto the Sabaody Archipelago Arc soon, where everything else goes to shit. Lastly, due to popular demand, we've decided to start doing responses to reviews again starting with this chapter, so look forward to that when it happens!
Once again, thanks for reading, and we'll see you all around!