~Hey guys! Hope y'all are ready for this chapter! Though sorry it's a bit late, I had intended to post this at the beginning of March, but I got distracted...again. At least it was short lived somewhat since I'm still distracted by Pokémon. Yup, finally got Pokémon Sword and been stuck in it. Trying to finish it before the Sinnoh remakes come out at the end of the year.
So I hope y'all enjoy this chapter, cuz I had fun writing it. Let me give you an idea on how excited I was while writing this lovely chapter~ Everyone remember how Law stated that Luffy's life saving surgery was "gonna be fun"? That's me here~ Enjoy! Please review! ...I mean it, please review. I really do love reading y'all's thoughts.
Long Term Hearts
Chapter 12: The End of the Straw Hat Pirates
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"WOOOAAAH! You were on Gold Roger's crew?!" Luffy exclaimed in shock as the old man poured himself some beer in a small glass.
"I was, in fact, I served as his vise captain. The name's Silvers Rayleigh. Nice to meet you," Rayleigh smirked as he picked up his glass.
"Vise Captain?!" exclaimed everyone as Usopp did a spit take.
Yukimi looked at her crew mates' shocked faces in amusement. Yes, she knew who Silvers Rayleigh was. The kitsune has seen his face before in the papers while he was still out and about causing havoc alongside Roger. It was only just because it had been quite some time since she had last seen him in the papers, that she didn't recognize him in the dark cell back at that hell house.
"Why didn't you tell them?" Shakki asked Hatchi as he was being treated by Chopper and Yukimi. "Did it slip your mind?"
"We only needed him to coat the boat so I didn't think about it," he replied.
"Wait a minute, you didn't know who he was?" Robin asked the others sitting at the round couch with her.
"Not his face! But I sure know his name!" Usopp cried pointing toward the older man overwhelmed.
"He's in so many books, he's legendary!" Nami replied behind her hand in shock.
"It's definitely...a name everyone's heard at least once," Sanji said trying to get over from being stunned.
"Gold Roger... I seem to remember a rookie with that name long ago. But I'm not sure really..." Brook murmured to himself as he continued eating his boiled beans.
"So how did a big shot and an octopus know each other?" Zoro asked from his seat on the other side of the room.
"Hatchi rescued me," Rayleigh answered, tilting his bottle of booze to the side a little. "I was stranded at sea and he found me. That was over twenty years ago, and I'll never forget it as long as I live."
"Hatchi was still a little kid when it happened. But he saved Rayleigh's life," Shakki said blowing a puff of smoke into the air.
"We remained good friends after that incident until he joined up with the Sun Pirates."
"You mean Arlong, right?" Luffy asked while he stuffed his face with the fridge's food.
"It's hard to believe..." Sanji started as he leaned back against the couch. "He was executed twenty-two years ago, wasn't he? How did his vise captain didn't get his head chopped off too? The marines captured the entire crew, didn't they?"
There was a long pause as everyone waited for the Dark King to respond.
The old man's glasses gleamed as he smirked, looking a little smug. "The marines didn't catch Roger." This surprised the Straw Hats. "See, the captain turned himself in."
As everyone else gasped in disbelief, Yukimi found herself grinning. Yes, she too was shocked speechless. But the kitsune couldn't help but imagine what the scene must've looked like as Gol D. Roger, the King of the Pirates, turned himself in. He had to have been grinning while the marines were all slack jawed. Just standing there in complete and utter shock at the sight of the infamous man.
"The government made it sound like they caught him though. Likely just to look tough, rattling their sabers if you will."
"The King of the Pirates turned himself in?" Nami asked still trying to comprehend this new astounding piece of information. "Why?!"
"Because he saw the inevitable end to our journey. See, four years before his execution, Roger began to feel ill. Turned out he had developed a fatal disease. No matter how strong he was, the illness was incurable," Rayleigh answered.
Yukimi stared at her hands where she was using her medical ninjutsu on Hatchi. The soft green glow faded from her hands as she finished jump starting the octo-fishman's healing process. 'Incurable disease huh? If someone had the Ope Ope Fruit and cured him, wonder what would've happened. After all, if he wasn't dying, then Roger would've still been pirating I bet.' The kitsune looked back to the old man behind her. 'But to be honest, if that were the case, then Law would be dead. I wouldn't change history if I had the chance. Even if Roger was a great guy. He had a very full and adventurous life, while Law was just starting out in his young years, just a child.'
"He knew he would submit to it eventually, but there was one man who had the skill and know how that could help ease his suffering. A lighthouse keeper, a well respected doctor, a man residing at the Twin Capes named Crocus," Rayleigh said causing Brook to drop a boiled bean from his chopsticks as the skeleton turned to the old man. "We asked for his help and brought him on as the ship's doctor for our final voyage. Finally, three years later while managing to keep the disease at bay, Roger achieved what was said to be impossible. He conquered the Grand Line," Rayleigh finished.
"Did you say Crocus!? At the Twin Capes!?" Brook almost shouted before he put his head in his skeletal hands. "Oh, that takes me back!"
"Woah! That's crazy! I thought that the old man just lived in the lighthouse for fifty years! But he sailed with the King of the Pirates..." Usopp said in wonder.
"Come to think of it, he did mention being a ship's doctor for a while." Nami glanced at Usopp then looked back to the former first mate. "So he was a pirate on your crew for three years?"
"Oh, I have to assume you met him then. It's good to know he's alive and well," Rayleigh smiled. "Crocus agreed to join with us because there was a certain crew of pirates he wanted to search for on the Grand Line."
"Brook!" Usopp shouted in astonishment. "I bet he was talking about your crew! Guess it's a small world after all."
"Crocus you sweet man! You went to such lengths!" the skeleton cried.
"Yes, he was only a crewmember with us for three years. But we definitely considered him one of our own. It's been such a long time. It'd be great to see him again!" Rayleigh grinned.
"So," Sanji started as he finished his cigarette, "what happened after Roger conquered the sea?"
"That's when it all began. The world started calling Roger the King of the Pirates, before that no one called him the king of anything." Rayleigh poured himself another glass. He picked it up and began to swirl it gently. "Honestly, titles don't hold much meaning to a man about to die. Still, Roger was overjoyed to hear it. Whatever he did, he loved doing it in a bold and flashy way. Whether it was a battle or a celebration, he enjoyed living life to the fullest. He seemed to take pleasure in making out plans for the future as well, even though he wouldn't be apart of it. Eventually, as per captain's orders, the Roger Pirates were secretly disbanded.
"One by one everyone discreetly left the crew and went their own way. As comrades, we risked our lives together but I know next to nothing about where they are or what they're doing now. Then after a year, we disbanded, Roger turned himself in and was incarcerated. Shortly after it was announced that he would be executed in Logue Town, a settlement in the East Blue where he was born." Rayleigh paused before he continued speaking. "I've heard that many of the young faces that bore witnessed in the town square that fateful day went on to make names for themselves on the high seas. There was a silence that covered the entire world that day of his execution. I wasn't there in attendance myself, but I hear his final words went something like this; 'While they may execute me, I won't die.'"
Everyone in the bar continued to listen in awe as the old pirate took another pause as he stared into his drink, watching his rippling reflection.
"The World Government and the marines must've been shocked. With one last remark from Roger, the public execution was meant to serve as an example and warning to other pirates and instead became the opening ceremony to what would become the Great Pirate Era! In seconds he changed the dim flame of his life into a raging hellfire that spread across the world! I never laughed as much!" Rayleigh chuckled. "Nor have I cried as much, nor drank as much as I did that night. The captain was an amazing man. He sure lived one helluva life."
Mouth stuffed full with different pieces of meat Luffy sat at the open fridge door, grinning like an excited idiot as a chill ran up his spine.
Nami let out her breath she had been holding. "I heard it before but it's still so amazing. When one of Roger's old friends tells it, it's like a whole new story."
"Wait, it sounds like you're trying to say that Roger created the Great Pirate Era on purpose," Usopp suggested.
"That I couldn't tell ya." Rayleigh put down his glass and switched to the beer bottle next to him. "No one knows for sure... Roger is no longer with us. It's only the people that are living with us now that can create and shape such an era." Rayleigh took a swig from his bottle. "I'm certain there's some people who inherited that spirit of adventure from Roger that fateful day in the town's square. Your good friend Shanks is probably one of them," the old man said turning to Luffy.
"Huh? You know Shanks too old man?" Luffy asked as he stuffed another chunk of meat into his mouth.
"Perhaps you might've heard of a pirate named Buggy from the East Blue."
Both Nami and Zoro grimaced from the image of the bothersome clown. Yukimi hummed at the memory of Buggy trying to kill Luffy back in Logue Town just before they sailed to Reverse Mountain.
"He and Shanks served as well. They were both apprentices onboard Roger's ship."
"Waahhh?! You mean Shanks was on the King of the Pirates' ship?!" Luffy exclaimed while bits of food sprayed out of his mouth.
"Hm?" Rayleigh raised a brow at the boy as Shakki wiped up the mess Luffy made on the counter. "I take it he never told you that. I ran into him again right here at this archipelago about ten years ago. I noticed he lost his trademark straw hat as well as losing his left arm." This statement caused Luffy to almost choke on his overstuffed mouth. "When I asked what happened, he spoke about you with a smile. And ever since I always wanted to meet you, Luffy. And see the spirited boy for myself."
Luffy grinned happily as he pulled his straw hat over his eyes, "Aw Shanks!"
"But I can't in good conscience talk about things involving Shanks that he hasn't yet mentioned himself. In any case, you've done well to make it this far. I'm sure Shanks is eagerly awaiting your arrival in the New World."
"Really? Do you think so? Man, I can't wait to see him!" Luffy rocked side to side on the stool he sat, excited to see his idol again, making Rayleigh chuckle.
"Now then, getting down to business," Rayleigh started as he stood up. "You wanted your ship coated right? It's high time I returned to my real work."
"That reminds me, I wasn't sure about how much the coating would cost," Hatchi piped up.
"Ah, don't you worry about it, Hatchi. I couldn't possibly take money from friends of yours," Rayleigh said waving off getting paid.
"Oh wow! You're the best Rayleigh!"
"Alright! Not sure why, but he's doing it for free! Thanks!" Usopp cheered as Nami had beri signs for eyes.
"Thanks, we certainly appreciate it!" Sanji grinned. "That's very generous of you."
"We just saved a ton of money!" Nami cheered rubbing her hands together gleefully.
Off to the side, Robin sat in her chair quietly as she stared down into her lap. Memories of Ohara flashed in her mind's eye as an important question raced through it all. She suddenly stood up catching everyone's attention. "Rayleigh."
"Hm?"
"I have a question. What exactly is...the 'Will of D'? There was a Poneglyh on Sky Island. Roger's name was inscribed on it in that ancient form of writing. How does he know it? How can he use that language? Please tell me, did you learn what happened to the world during the blank century?! The missing history from nine hundred years ago?!"
"Yes...we know," Rayleigh answered slowly as the room darkened as a large cloud moved in front of the sun in the sky outside.
Robin stared at the old former pirate as he started to speak again. She listened intently.
"We learned all of it, the entirety of the missing history. But miss, you mustn't be so hasty. Just keep moving forward. See, this is your journey now. We and Ohara might've hurried too much for our own good. I'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear. Even if I told you all that you wanted to know about that history, here and now just as you are, you couldn't do anything about it. Once you've taken the time to really see the world it might change your outlook. And possibly lead you to a different answer. But if you still insist on hearing it, I can tell you everything," he offered. "It's up to you."
Robin stood there in silence as she thought about everything Rayleigh explained. On one hand, she could have all of her questions answered right there. But on the other hand, she could follow her dream of solving the Poneglyhs on her own as everyone else continues to follow their dreams. Outside the cloud covering the sun moved on, letting sunlight back inside the bar as the archeologist made up her mind. "No, I'll pass and continue my journey," Robin smiled.
Rayleigh nodded, pleased with her answer. "It'll all make sense to you one of these days. I'm very sorry for what happened in your homeland Ohara. But that doesn't change the fact that Roger didn't decipher that writing. We were all pirates, remember? Not geniuses or scholars. No match for Clover or the other great minds of Ohara. See, Captain Roger just heard the voice of the universe. That's all that happened," Rayleigh finished explaining.
There was a pause before Usopp jumped up. "Are you sure about this Robin? Seems like you're passing up a pretty big opportunity!" The sniper turned toward the former Roger pirate. "Hey, old guy! I've got a question of my own! The treasure Roger talked about, the legendary One Piece, tell me is it really-!"
"THAT'S ENOOOOUUUUGH!" Luffy screamed as he slammed his foot down on the counter, interrupting the sniper and startling the entire crew. Yukimi cringed harshly from the sudden uproar as Usopp fell down from his captain's sudden outrage.
"I don't wanna know where the One Piece is hidden! I don't even want to know it exists! Every single one of us put our life on the line and set out to sea without knowing anything! I'd rather give up being a pirate than know! I won't go on a boring adventure! We need to sail and find out, for ourselves!"
Usopp quickly jumped up and began waving his arms frantically. "Ah Sorry! Sorry! I knew that! It just slipped out of my mouth, that's all! I don't wanna know either! Uh-I just remembered! I have 'I'll Die If I Learn Anything About The One Piece' disease!" Usopp quickly turned on Rayleigh. "Don't say anything old guy, you'll kill me! Keep it to yourself!"
Shakki chuckled at the scene in front of her.
"Oh, in that case," Rayleigh started as he faced Luffy again. "Do you think you could do it? The New World far surpasses anything you can imagine. Your foes will be powerful. Knowing that, do you still think you could rule this mighty sea?"
"Hm?" Luffy steadily looked back at Roger's former first mate's piercing gaze. Then the boy did something the old man didn't expect. Luffy grinned, "What? I don't wanna rule anything. Being King of the Pirates is about being more free than anyone."
Rayleigh smiled in earnest as he caught a glimpse of what Shanks had seen in the boy. He too could feel Roger living on from within Monkey D. Luffy. "I see."
"Monkey D. Luffy, I must say, I like your style," Shakki smiled quite pleased.
"Your ship is in Grove 41, right?" Rayleigh asked as he walked over to the front door. "I guess I'll head over now and get started. What do you plan to do anyway? At any moment an Admiral could be near looking for you," he said as he opened the door.
"That's right, we'll only be a nuisance if we stayed here. So maybe..." Nami thought aloud before she stood up with a grin. "We go shopping!"
"What?! Are you insane?! We're being chased by the World Government! We gotta hide!" Usopp quickly went into flight mode at the mere thought of trouble with a possible encounter with an Admiral.
Yukimi rested her chin in the palm of her hand, elbow on knee. She had a rather bored look about her as her ears and tails lowered at the thought of more pointless shopping. She managed to escape Nami's expensive shopping spree earlier that day. But the orangette would somehow always drag her along for shopping at some point or another. It was always a mind numbing experience. "Shopping? Why are you always shopping?" the kitsune muttered under her breath.
"He's got a point," Franky said bringing the others' attention to him. "If we stick together that makes us an easy target for those marines. And it'll be easier for the old guy to finish his work if we each find somewhere to lay low in town for a while."
"Right, and I say we split up. Keep track of the work and when it's done, we meet back here," Zoro spoke up nonchalantly.
"Who is that guy strategizing over there? 'Cuz it's not Zoro," Sanji said uneasily as Usopp's sleeve and bag strap slipped down his arm.
"Hey Shakki, do we have any cards?" Rayleigh asked.
"Yes, I believe there's one left." Shakki went in the back of her bar and soon came back with a piece of paper. She tore it into five pieces. Shakki handed a piece to Rayleigh while the other four went to the Straw Hats. Zoro, Nami, Robin, and Chopper were the ones who obtained the torn pieces.
Yukimi stretched as everyone headed out the bar. "You three stay safe, 'kay?" she said turning to the ocean trio.
"We will!" Camie chirped.
"Woah! This is a vivre card!" Nami grinned looking at her piece of paper.
"You know what it is? That simplifies things," Rayleigh said, now with a large pack of ship coating tools slung over his shoulder. "Since I'm a bit notorious myself, I think I'll move your ship from Grove 41 and work on it somewhere else more secluded. I'll need three days to complete the coating process."
"Huh?! Why's it take so long?" Luffy asked.
"It needs time to seal, so I can't go any faster," Rayleigh answered.
"Then it's three days of survival in the woods for us! Yohohoho! Scary...!"
"Let's meet at sundown three days from now. I don't know what grove I'll be on then. So use the vivre cards to find me then. Wherever it leads you, that will be the place I'll be finishing the coating and waiting for you." Rayleigh shifted his load before continuing, "It's probably a good idea to pick up some supplies for your underwater voyage to Fishman Island."
"Luffy, everyone! Thank you all again for everything!" Camie smiled from back inside the bar.
"You guys are awesome!" Pappagu cried.
"And I'm sorry! Sorry, I caused you guys so much trouble! I owe you my life!" Hatchi said. "We'll show you the way to Fishman Island, don't worry about a thing! Do your best to stay clear of the marines."
"Hatchi, make sure you get lots of bed rest," Chopper prescribed.
"See you again in three days," Shakki smiled. "We'll be there to send you off."
"See you later nice lady!" Luffy grinned. "We're up against an Admiral, we need to make sure none of us gets killed."
"STOP SAYING SCARY STUFF LIKE THAAAAAT!"
"Let's all go to the amusement park!" Luffy declared, making everyone around him groan in exaggeration.
After everyone said their goodbyes the Straw Hats went on their way. Franky was talking about how he was in awe from meeting one of the crewmembers of the Oro Jackson. Near the back of the crew, Yukimi walked next to Robin. The raven was glancing her way every now and then as the kitsune walked on, hands in her hoodie pocket. She recalled noticing how Yukimi had a withdrawn look when the subject of the void century was struck up back in the bar.
"You're thinking about your home, aren't you, Yukimi?" Robin asked calmly.
Yukimi glanced at the archeologist through her bangs. She looked back to the front before nodding. "The Void Century... Who knows what went down during that time. I too wish I knew what happened. Whatever happened, it directly affected Kitsun."
"Hey! I have an idea," Luffy announced drawing the crew's attention. He turned around and grinned at them. "Let's go to the amusement park!"
"BAD IDEA!" shouted Franky and Usopp.
"Do you even get what's happening?!"
"You still haven't learned your lesson, have you?"
Brook and Chopper paused in their walk looking up, each with a slight smile, "Sounds like fun."
"NOT YOU TOO!"
"But the best place to hide is the amusement park," Luffy tried again as the group began walking.
"You're so full of it," Nami said shaking her head.
"You just wanna screw around and have fun," Usopp added.
"Heh, though it would be like hiding in plain sight. But with how Luffy is, we'd probably still be spotted fairly quickly after what happened earlier," Yukimi smirked. The kitsune paused midstep as her ears twitched. "Guys wait!"
The Straw Hats stopped and turned toward Yukimi as her ears twitched every few seconds.
"Do you hear something Yukimi? Is it the marines?" Zoro asked gripping one of his swords.
"...Someone's coming!"
Everyone looked around as they got ready for an attack. It was then Chopper heard it too. He looked over his shoulder and saw the approaching man. "Over there!"
Usopp let out a scream at the sight of Bartholomew Kuma standing before them.
"No...it can't be...!" Nami gasped taking a step back.
Yukimi's ears folded back as her fingers grazed the clasp on her holster.
Luffy raised his brow at the large man confused, "Hm? Who is this guy?"
"Get back Luffy!" Usopp warned.
"He's one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!" Nami added.
Luffy faced his navigator, "He is? How do you guys know that?!"
Bartholomew took off his glove and pointed his open hand at the straw hat wearing boy. In the center of the man's palm, was not the expected paw but a circular metal hole.
"Luffy don't let that attack hit you! It's a shockwave!" Sanji yelled.
Luffy turned back to the Warlord as his palm started to glow. Luffy quickly dodged the attack as a beam of explosive light shot out, striking the ground where he was standing. Everyone braced against the repercussion as chunks of dirt flew into the air.
"What is this?!" Nami cried out.
"Great! So he can do this too?!" Usopp shouted as the wind whipped his long nose back.
"Hey! You lied! That wasn't a shockwave!" Luffy said getting up.
"That was...!" Chopper started.
"A beam~!" the two said in awe.
"You're gonna be impressed straight to your graaave!" Usopp shouted in exasperation.
"Bartholomew Kuma why are you here?!" Robin demanded.
"That bastard!" Zoro grounded out.
Yukimi took out her kunai as she reached back into her black bag. 'Dammit! If we were to come across anyone, why couldn't it have been Law and his crew?! At least then there wouldn't be a fight! This guy's nothing but trouble!'
"Hey I remember him now, he's the guy who showed up at Thriller Bark I never fought!" Luffy recalled.
"That's right, the very same! Things got pretty dicey when he started shooting those shockwaves with the paws on his hands! We barely made it out of there alive!" Usopp said.
Chopper went into his heavy point. "The fact that we are still alive is probably the reason he came back. In other words, we got lucky last time. He's here to finish the job!"
"Sure, that's one way to look at it," Franky said as he extended his arms toward the Warlord, his forearms getting bigger. "But I call this payback time! Coup de Vent!" Bartholomew was sent flying from the blast of air from Franky, sending him crashing into a mangrove further ahead of them.
Nami ran up to the cyborg. "You got him!"
Franky lowered his arms. "Not exactly. He's down but he ain't out," he said as the Warlord got up.
Luffy went into Second Gear. "Alright, we know he's strong, no question. So let's go all out from the start!"
Yukimi pulled out her scroll and placed it between her fangs. She then took out another kunai, now having one in each hand. "This is gonna be one hellish fight!" she grimaced.
"Gum Gum Gatling!" Luffy shouted as he released a volley of fists striking Bartholomew square in the chest. The impacts seemed to only push the large Warlord back slightly, not taking any damage.
Yukimi ran behind the large man, leaped up, and slashed at his back with both of her kunai. Landing back on the ground, the kitsune took note that there wasn't a single scratch left behind. "What the hell?" Yukimi took a step back as Luffy jumped away from a beam of light Bartholomew had fired at him, only to leap out of the way from one being fired at her as well. The resulting blast had singed parts of her clothing.
"Yukimi are you alright?!" Chopper shouted as the monster trio unleashed a combination of attacks on Bartholomew.
Yukimi landed near Robin, Nami, and Chopper as Franky, Usopp, and Brook ran away from a blast, screaming into a nearby abandoned old building. Yukimi grimaced as she patted down parts of her clothes to extinguish any little embers. "Besides a few burnt holes in my outfit, I'm fine. I didn't get hit, Chopper," she said a little annoyed.
The other three soon ran up to them looking like they had run through a dust cloud. "Man, how do we beat this guy?" Franky asked as he wiped away a chunk of dirt.
"This guy's unbelievable! Why can't he leave us alone!" Usopp whined before noticing Yukimi was grinning at him. "Hey! What's with that look? I don't like that look!"
"Do you have an idea Yukimi?" Brook asked.
The kitsune chuckled from Usopp's expression. "Yup," she said looping her thumbs through the rings of her kunai. Yukimi took her scroll from between her canines and opened it up. "Hopefully it'll knock him down a peg. And you're gonna help me Usopp. But why do ya always think I'm gonna put you in harm's way?" Yukimi smirked at him.
Bartholomew went sailing through the air from the monster trio's attacks, crashing into a building far from them. Sanji, Zoro, and Luffy panted as dust rose up from the crash site.
"Yes! Way to go! They took him down!" Nami cheered.
"Those three are just too awesome!" Chopper said in awe.
"Don't forget he's one of the Warlords. It'll take a lot more than that to beat him. And judging by their faces, they know that too," Robin observed as the aforementioned three got ready to attack again.
"So he's different now? Well, maybe he's a twin or something," Luffy wondered as he placed his straw hat back on his head.
"It's possible but that's a scary thought," Sanji replied.
"They look the same but they're different. The real one would've teleported to dodge our attacks. And he doesn't use that shockwave attack...doesn't have those paws either," Zoro panted.
"Well he's plenty strong as is, and what's worse, the real one might be after us as well," Sanji warned.
"Hey! Send him flying over here guys!"
Zoro looked over his shoulder to see Yukimi waving her hand with her scroll. "Huh, so that's what you're gonna do," he said getting an idea of what the ninja was aiming for as the lookalike Bartholomew walked out of the crumbled building. Now there was a tear in his sweater at his right shoulder, revealing bulging yellow cords embedded into his scarred skin.
"Can't keep a lady waiting!" Sanji remarked running around the Warlord as he stood back up. "Diable Jambe Flambage Shot!" Sanji sent Bartholomew flying toward Yukimi with a flaming kick.
Yukimi opened her scroll on the ground to her fire seal right as the Warlord was above her. "Let's have a taste of a Fire Fist!" The runic circle on the scroll glowed blue before a pillar of fire shot straight up out of the paper, hitting Bartholomew squarely in the chest before sending him straight up into the air. "Alright, Usopp go for it!"
Usopp quickly aimed at the ablaze Warlord and fired one of his flame stars at him. Upon impact Bartholomew seemingly exploded. "Hey! I got him! I got him!" The long nosed sniper cheered as the smoking Bartholomew crashed to the soupy ground.
"Did it work?" Brook asked.
After a few moments, everyone could see a large shadow rise up from within the smoke. Red eyes glowed as the copycat Warlord walked out of the smoke. Out of the entire fiery attack, the large man was only charred.
"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Yukimi shouted before leaping away as Zoro leaped in to attack. The ninja backed up away from the fight as she wracked her brain for another idea on how to take down the guy. That was when she heard a particularly loud explosion, causing her to look up in time to see Zoro land painfully on a mangrove root nearby. Yukimi ran over to him as Sanji and Luffy went after the Warlord. "Zoro are you okay?!" she asked as she moved him behind the root for cover.
Zoro coughed through his sword's braided handle before trying to get back up. "I'm fine! ...Can't waste time here! We gotta hurry up before that Admiral shows up!"
Yukimi opened her mouth to say something before a bright light appeared behind them. "Shit!" Both Yukimi and Zoro leaped away as another laser beam destroyed the root they were hiding behind.
The battle between the Straw Hats and the fake Bartholomew Kuma continued on like this. Everyone fighting tooth and nail just to get a scratch on this seemingly overpowered guy. Eventually, the pirates stood in a loose circle around him, panting in tired labored breaths as sweat dripped from their brows and various areas on their bodies were covered in dirt and scratches.
Zoro started to slowly walk toward Bartholomew intent on still fighting no matter how beaten he was. But Chopper quickly jumped in before he could. The reindeer leaped into arm point and lunged at Bartholomew. "Cloven Roseo Metel!" he yelled launching an array of hooven thrusts at the large fake, leaving pink cloven hoof prints all over his chest.
From the heavy force of the reindeer's thrusts, Bartholomew was pushed back a few feet before he grabbed Chopper. He held him away as he prepared to fire a laser beam at point blank.
Franky charged head on as he dropped his skin like glove. "Big Strong Hammer!" Franky knocked the hand that was about to fire at his friend off course, resulting in the blast hitting the side of one of the mangroves nearby. Chopper managed to get away as the shipwright continued to bash at the other cyborg. "Franky Boxing!"
Bartholomew received a rapid fire of fists from Franky before he pulled back and delivered a harsh punch of his own in return. Franky was launched away only to be caught in time by Robin's Spider Net.
"Hey! You don't need to punch so hard! Those lasers are enough!" shouted Usopp.
"Yohohohohohoho!" Brook laughed as he ran up the trunk of a mangrove before he pushed off above the Warlord. "Good luck dodging this! I dare say you're in for it! Here it comes! Swallow Bond Avant!" Brook stabbed his cane sword into Bartholomew's shoulder next to where the cybernetic parts were exposed. After a moment of triumphant laughter did Brook realized he couldn't move from his precarious upside down position with his blade stuck. "Aaaagghh! I'm stuck! That was not my plan!" Brook practically screamed as Bartholomew opened his mouth, aiming to fire a laser beam at the talking skeleton. "Hold on! Please, let's be reasonable about this! I rather you not kill me right now! Although you know...I'm already dead but... I feel like that's beside the point!"
"Take this, Special Attack Atlas Comet!" Usopp quickly fired a multi gunpowder attack making the large man stumble, letting Brook become unstuck. "Now's our chance! Run like hell!"
Brook immediately caught up to the scrambling sniper as they ran away from the Warlord. "That was terrifying! But I can't thank you enough!"
After that last attack, Bartholomew fell to his hands and knees as smoke drifted up from his damaged body.
Chopper peeked out from behind some debris as he noticed the state of their enemy. "Huh...? Hey check it out! He's down!" the reindeer doctor announced as Bartholomew collapsed completely.
"What the...! Wait so explosives work on him all of the sudden?!" Usopp questioned as he panted out of breath.
"...I sank one of 'em in his mouth. Must've shorted out something on the inside," Franky said referring to his attack earlier. "His body may be steel, but his skin still bleeds. He's just like me. He's got a normal ol' human body, he's been modified and stuffed full of weapons," Franky explained.
Off to the side, Nami could be seen running, trying to regroup with her friends as the modified Warlord copycat stood back up, quickly spotting her. "Nami look out! He's got a lock on you!" Sanji shouted as Bartholomew opened his jaws, preparing to fire.
Nami looked over in horror as the light within his mouth grew bigger and brighter. "Holy crap!"
But Robin wasn't going to have any of that. "Ochenta Fleur, Cuatro Mano!" Four large arms grew out of Bartholomew's back before clasping hands together. "And Shock!" Bartholomew's head was then slammed down by the clasped hands, colliding with his jaw, making his laser attack explode within him.
"Nice one! Who needs to fight when we can just make him blow himself up! We should've thought of this before!" Usopp cheered as the large man fell to his knees not the first time that day.
Floating innocently at Bartholomew's back was a mini thunder cloud, sparking viciously as Nami grinned from where she was standing, Clima-Tact out and also sparking at the tip. "Hey, you might wanna sit somewhere else. That spot is under a storm warning. From the dark clouds to my Clima-Tact, Thunderbolt Tempo!"
Yukimi smirked deviantly at Nami's attack as it shot through the cyborg's body. The kitsune quickly opened her scroll again to a different runic circle. "Let's top that off with a fake god's lightning!" The ninja ran behind him as the circle glowed before a bolt of blue lightning shot out of the scroll and struck the copycat.
"So...did it work or not?" Brook asked slowly as the Warlord swayed on his feet as sparks danced about and dark smoke drifted from various places on his body. Bartholomew raised his arms before firing off multiple laser beams, causing the Straw Hats to scatter for cover as the blasts hit random places.
"That attack didn't slow him down at all!" Usopp yelled as he covered his head while he and Chopper hid behind a broken wall. "The only thing it did was piss him off!"
"What's he aiming at?! He's firing everywhere!" Chopper exclaimed.
"What's the deal with this guy?! Knock 'im down for a moment then he gets right back up! I'm getting tired of this crap!" Yukimi shouted as a beam hit the ground behind her, missing her completely. "It's like he's not aiming anymore, but randomly shooting blindly." Yukimi paused at that thought. "Wait does this mean his targeting system is screwed up?" the kitsune wondered to herself.
"Looks desperate to me," Franky replied to Chopper not having heard what Yukimi said as she was too far from him.
"Desperation's the same as admitting you've lost the fight," Sanji said as he raised his blazing foot up, ready to strike back.
"Hey! ...Knock his ass over here!" Zoro said as the malfunctioning Bartholomew faced the cook.
"Gotta have a piece of the action huh? Diable Jambe Flambage Shot!" Sanji knocked the Warlord toward the awaiting swordsman.
"Haa...nice! We're finally starting to wear him down!" Franky panted.
"Demon Aura Nine Sword Style Asura!"
"Waaaah?! Is my vision impaired?!" Brook wondered.
"So many Zoros!" Chopper exclaimed as the two more Zoros seemingly appeared out of thin air, seemingly fused to him.
Bartholomew raised a hand up toward Zoro as a light began to glow at the palm, preparing to fire, only to be sliced up by the swordsman's attack. "Nine Lightning Strikes!"
"Third Gear!"
The cyborg looked up in time to see Luffy blow air into his thumb, ballooning his arm massively.
"Go Luffy! Smash him!" Nami cheered.
"Just one more push!" Franky shouted as the fake started to charge up a laser beam in his mouth.
"Gum Gum Giant Rifle!" Luffy thrust his spinning giant limb into the Warlord just as he fired the beam. The laser beam wasn't charged up enough to do anything as it faded, allowing Luffy's arm to drill into the large man, effectively shutting him down for good as he collapsed to the ground.
Yukimi collapsed back against a slab of rubble as Luffy shot through the air as he shrunk down in size before slamming into the ground. "Geeze... That was...exhausting..." Yukimi panted licking her dry lips now incredibly thirsty.
"That do it? ...Is he done...?" Franky asked tiredly.
"Seems like it... 'Bout time...!" Usopp answered.
"Geeze he looks fine... Creepy..." Nami said.
"If he's...fine...then...we are screwed! I'm too tired to move anymore!"
"You know...maybe we should've run...instead of fighting him..." Chopper suggested.
"No, it's best to take them on as they come one at a time," Robin disagreed as she stood up. "We're being chased, we can't get cornered."
Yukimi half groaned at that but nodded. "Words to live by...to be sure." The albino lifted her scroll up to look at it. It was already rolled back up, ready to be put away. Yukimi sighed heavily as she stuffed it back inside her black bag along with putting away her two kunai. "Damn...I sure as hell hope we don't run into anyone else as tough as this fake. I can't use my summoning scroll anymore today. I've reached my limit on that..."
Zoro looked over to the kitsune at her statement. "Your limit? What're you talking about? You only used it twice today."
Yukimi chuckled as she leaned her head back looking at the floating bubbles above them. "Heh yeah, about that. I might've...shown off to Law while you and the others were still inside that hellhole."
Zoro narrowed his eyes at her. "You wasted an attack just to show off?! What the hell Yukimi, you don't usually do that!" From where he was sitting Zoro couldn't tell what expression was on her face, but he could just hear a snickering grin. "...What attack did you use?"
The snickering kitsune raised her hand with her pointer finger aimed right at him. "Yours~."
Zoro's frown went deeper from her attitude before running his hand over his face. "Unbelievable..." Zoro looked back at Yukimi before turning his attention back to Robin. "True we can't get cornered, but still, he wasn't Kuma. Who was he?"
"We know he's a cyborg, so he must've been a person at some point. But, this guy isn't the real Bartholomew Kuma, then why the heck does he look just like him? Maybe the guy has a twin?" Franky suggested with a shrug before continuing. "If not, they must have modified the crap out of him to make him look the same. Can't imagine why though. He couldn't have been made from scratch. You can't do that with a living person."
Sanji got up so he could walk over to the fallen cyborg. Looking over him, Sanji noticed something odd on the man's exposed skin near his chin. PX-4 was tattooed into his skin.
Luffy leaned back as he took a breath. "We need to get some rest. I was up for a fight, but that guy was way too much for me. I'm exhausted."
"A break would be nice, but we gotta find a place to hide first. If they find us now, there's no way we can fight them off," Sanji said as he looked around.
"Yeah...I know. But let's...just sit here for...a few minutes," Luffy said tongue hanging out.
"You guys got some real nerve! Look what you've done!"
"What the?! Another enemy?! Where is he!?" Usopp yelped as everyone jumped up trying to locate whoever had yelled at them.
"There he is! Up there!" Chopper pointed up toward a nearby mangrove tree where two figures stood on a branch. The two figures then leaped from the branch before landing in front of the Straw Hats, causing dust and small debris to rise up.
"Who are you?!" Luffy demanded.
"I'm disgusted, you're an utter disgrace PX-4. The Navy's not made of money, building just one of you Pacifistas costs just as much as an entire warship! Seriously, do you know how this is gonna look in my report to that lousy Vegapunk?!" The dust cloud soon cleared to reveal a large man with a huge battle ax resting on his shoulder. Standing behind him was none other than Bartholomew Kuma. At the sight of the Warlord; Chopper, Usopp, and Brook all screamed in horror.
"He's got another Warlord with him!" Chopper screamed.
"Are you kidding me?! Is that the real one?!" Usopp shouted going on full panic mode.
"Does it really matter if he's the real one or not? We've already gotten a taste of how strong the fakes are. We can't take another fight, not with him!" Sanji stated, knowing just how exhausted the whole crew was.
"Wait, Pacifista?" Robin wondered.
"Yeah, that's what he called him. He doesn't seem like a pacifist though," Nami replied looking over to the archeologist. "So, do you think that's his name or something?"
"Alright, Ax Boy, just who the hell are ya?" Franky demanded.
"I've got an identity outside of my ax you know. And there's no point in asking questions, I've no reason to answer you! I am the most well guarded, tight lipped man alive. No one can break down my impenetrable defenses!" the man replied.
"Oh c'mon! You can at least tell us your name!" Usopp argued back, jabbing his finger at the ax wielding man.
"Did you hear a single thing I just told you?" the man asked looking over to Usopp. "My lips are sealed. Trust me, there's not one person more secretive than me, Sentomaru!"
"Gotcha, so you're Sentomaru," the sniper calmly stated as the large man widened his eyes after realizing he told the pirates his name.
"Uhh to be clear, I wanted you to know that. That's why I told you and not because you wanted to know, okay?" Sentomaru turned away from the pirate. "PX-1, let's get started."
The Straw Hats tensed as the Pacifista extended his arms out as light began to glow from his palms before firing, letting off a large explosion right there. Everyone was either blown away or had jumped away out of the immediate blast radius.
"Still no paw bubbles, this guy shoots beams from his hands too!" Sanji observed after sliding away from the blast. "Starting to look like they've got a whole army of these guys. What is this crap?!"
"I'm more concerned about staying alive! The mystery can wait." Zoro groaned from his weakened state before continuing. "We're...too worn down. There's just no way we can make it through another fight. And we haven't even met the Admiral."
"...Yeah," Luffy agreed making Sanji and Zoro stare at him in shock. "...We can't win, let's run. But not altogether, we need to split up!"
For a moment the whole crew stared at their captain in silent shock at the unexpected command. That is until Usopp and Chopper shouted out their agreements before scrambling away from the enemy.
"We're the toughest, so we'll each lead our own group," Luffy advised as the Monster Trio gathered.
"Right, are you gonna be okay on your own?" Sanji asked turning to Zoro.
"Hey shut up!"
Yukimi quickly followed Zoro since she was closer to him than the other two. "I can't believe it's come to this! This is insane!" The kitsune looked back in time to find Usopp being launched into the air by another laser beam induced explosion before landing on Zoro. To the injured swordsman's credit, when the sniper landed on him and latched his arms around his neck, he didn't fall down but powered on through.
"Zoro! Don't let me die! Protect me with all your might okay?!" Usopp cried.
"Usopp I'm already in enough pain as it is!"
"Fret not my friend," Brook said as he caught up to the small group. "I'll proudly supply the strength you currently lack. I can only imagine how much healing you've left to do! I happen to witness your selfless act of bravery on Thriller Bark when you offered your own life in place of Luffy's."
"Alright...thanks."
Yukimi glanced between the two not sure what Brook was referring to. All she remembered at the end of Thriller Bark was being knocked out along with everybody else and coming to with Bartholomew nowhere in sight.
"Hey, guys! Meet back at the Sunny in three days!" Luffy shouted to his fleeing crew.
After wrapping his legs around Zoro's waist for leverage, Usopp bent over backward with his enlarged slingshot, "Special Attack Super Smoke Star!" Usopp shot his smoke star at the ground beneath the enemy, smoke instantly billowing out into the air covering the immediate area. "Now's our chance! Run for it!" the cowardly sniper cried out as he scrambled off.
"Yohohohoho! You really are quite dependable!" Brook stated as the four of them continued on.
Then all of a sudden a bright yellow light appeared out of nowhere in front of the group, causing everyone to stop in their tracks.
"Get back!" Zoro shouted as he grabbed hold of one of his blades. Before he was able to draw it out though, a hand appeared out of the bright light, index finger pointing at him. A light like a bullet shot out of the appendage toward Zoro at point blank.
"Zoro!" Yukimi cried out as the swordsman collapsed with a scream from the surprise attack.
"Who...who are you?! What are you?! Whatever! Just get the hell away from Zoro!" Usopp demanded as he aimed at the tall figure behind the settling dust cloud.
"Oh no Zoro!" Brook cried out. "He got hit by one of those laser beams!"
"Hang in there buddy, c'mon!"
From afar Robin overheard Sentomaru mention the stranger's name. Now fearful for her friends' safety she turned toward where Usopp was. "Hey, Usopp! Be careful! That man's a Navy Admiral!"
"AN ADMIRAL!? UH OOOH!" Brook screamed as Usopp glanced back at her.
Yukimi gritted her teeth as her ears pinned back. "Can our luck get any worse today?!"
"Your time is up, Pirate Hunter Zoro. Last I checked you had a 120,000,000, so this is not what I was expecting," Kizaru stated as he stared down at Zoro's near prone form. "Your reputation as a swordsman is known far and wide. But one hit and you're down? That's a real shame ain't it? You must be pretty worn out, hmm?"
Zoro couldn't respond as he coughed up blood on the ground.
"Well you'll have plenty of time to rest up now," Kizaru said as he raised his foot up. A new bright yellow light emitted from the sole of his shoe as he prepared to strike the defenseless pirate.
"Usooopp! Please help Zoro!"
Said sniper snapped from his frozen state from his captain's voice. Usopp raised Kabuto up and aimed. "Get away from him! Back up or else! Take this!" Usopp fired at the glowing Admiral but his attack went straight through, shocking him. "Gah! Wha-! What the hell!? Why?! What is this?! What's happening?! I can't hit him!" Usopp exclaimed as he kept shooting, trying in vain to make contact.
Brook ran up to the Admiral to stab him with his cane sword. But just like Usopp's attacks, the skeleton's sword went through him like air. "I-I can't stab him! What the-?! What can we do!?"
"You're wasting your time. I ate the Glint Glint Fruit and now I'm made of light. It's a Logia you see."
As Brook and Usopp continued to attack the Admiral unsuccessfully, Yukimi stood there not knowing what to do. It was painfully obvious by the way the other two's physical attacks weren't doing anything, not even leaving a scratch on the man, that it was a waste of time. The kitsune looked back down at Zoro, prone on the ground before steeling herself. Yukimi ran over to Usopp and dove her hand into his bag. "Keep going then run!" Yukimi hissed in his ear as he faltered in his attacks for a split second before nodding. The ninja then dashed to Zoro's side, grabbed him, then threw two of Usopp's smoke stars to the ground.
A large plume of smoke erupted from the grassy soupy ground at Kizaru's feet. He raised a brow at the dark gray smoke as it rose up, obscuring his vision. "Oh? Now, what's this?" At this point, the two pirates who were trying to defend Roronoa had stopped. Taking a few steps back from the smoke, Kizaru noticed the group of pirates were running away, with the near dead swordsman on the white kitsune's back. "Hm, how futile."
Yukimi readjusted Zoro's weight, wrapping a tail to each thigh next to her hands, trying to keep him from slipping from her grasp. Despite her efforts to keep him from sliding off and keeping her center of gravity stable as she ran, Yukimi knew she was losing her grip on him at every step she took to get away from the Admiral. The kitsune let out a cough as her lungs demanded more oxygen for her blood to keep her body going. This just wasn't her day.
A beam of light shot over to the fleeing group, causing everyone to either stumble or slide to a halt. Kizaru was back in front of them, ready to do them harm once again.
At the Admiral's sudden reappearance, Yukimi stumbled, resulting in her center of gravity becoming too far forward. The kitsune let out a grunt as Zoro fell off her back, rolling to a stop at Kizaru's feet. "No Zoro!"
"It's cute how your friends want to save you, but you're far beyond help now," Kizaru stated sounding slightly bored as he aimed his still glowing foot over the injured swordsman.
A pair of arms bloomed at Zoro's side before grabbing him, trying to roll him away from danger. But that quickly failed as the Admiral literally shifted in place, now standing on top of Zoro's back, keeping him from being moved again.
"Well then...time to die..."
Yukimi's breath hitched at what was about to happen. Without thinking, she threw herself over Zoro's body, attempting to shield him from the imminent attack.
Just as Kizaru was about to end Zoro's life, his glowing leg was kicked straight up. The beam of light meant for the Pirate Hunter was instead fired into a large Hustle Muscle mangrove off in the distance. The poor behemoth of a tree was given an enormous blast from the Admiral, ending with the entire area being lit up as if the sun was suddenly closer to the earth. And the one who caused the Admiral to miss was none other than the former first mate of the late Pirate King. "You've picked some time to come out of hiding," Kizaru started as he placed his foot back on the ground. "You sure you want to do this, Dark King Rayleigh?"
"Don't go picking these buds before they sprout. Their era is only just beginning, and I wanna see what they do with it," Rayleigh smirked at the Admiral.
"Rayleigh!" Luffy called out in desperation.
"The geezer saved Zoro!" Franky said in astonishment while Nami fell to her knees in relief.
"I was so...scared!" cried Chopper.
"So that guy is the Dark King? Interesting," murmured Sentomaru as he watched over his shoulder at the old man.
"I heard rumors you were somewhere on the archipelago, but I chalked them up as ghost stories. Yet here you are, sticking your neck out for these rookies. You just can't shake those instincts, can you Rayleigh? Once a pirate, always a pirate."
"I'd be more than happy to retire in peace and live out the quiet life. But it's a little tough to do when the Navy keeps hanging wanted posters of me," Rayleigh remarked.
"You were a member of the Roger Pirates, Rayleigh. Do you really think your crimes can be forgotten? But if we were to make an honest attempt on capturing you, that would require some serious preparation on our part," Kizaru said.
Usopp collapsed to his knees exhausted. "Wow...I'm so relieved... That old man has some power...!" Usopp was on the verge of tears.
"All of our attacks went through him as if he were a ghost! But...when Rayleigh attacked...it hit!" Brook muttered in shock.
Yukimi glanced between Kizaru and Rayleigh from her position over Zoro. She caught the former pirate's eye for a moment as she quietly shifted, silently asking for time. When he returned his gaze back on the Admiral, Yukimi hovered her hands over Zoro's bloody wound on his back. 'C'mon...got to get an opening to run...!'
"Why don't you just look the other way and let these kids go? What's the harm?" Rayleigh asked.
"Come on, what reality are you living in? You know there's no way I can just let them all off the hook. Not when we have to answer to the Celestial Dragons. Navy HQ's got to keep them happy and that won't do. I'd appreciate it if you don't interfere," Kizaru rebuked.
"HEY YUKIMI! YOU GUYS!"
With their conversation interrupted Rayleigh and Kizaru looked over to Luffy shouting to his crew.
"GRAB ZORO AND GET OUT OF THERE!"
"Let's go Zoro!" Yukimi grabbed the swordsman as Usopp and Brook ran over before taking off, securing Zoro on Usopp's back. "Just hang on!" Yukimi said as she ran right behind Usopp, using her medical ninjutsu again to ease Zoro's pain until he received proper aid.
"EVERYONE START RUNNING AND LOOK OUT FOR YOURSELVES! WE CAN'T WIN THIS ONE! WE'RE TOO WEAK! GET MOVING!" Luffy commanded his crew.
"He knows when he's beat. Well, ain't that a pain," Kizaru observed.
Nami and Sanji turned to leave but paused when Franky hadn't. "Franky come on!" Nami urged.
"Not before I let loose one final attack, with all of my cola energy." Franky raised his arms up and aimed at the Pacifista in front of them. "Coup de Vent!" Franky grinned as the other cyborg was sent flying far away, crashing into a large root. "How'd that feel, ya mechanical ass?!" Franky taunted before turning to the other two. "Now hurry, run!"
"Hey, old man! Thanks a lot!" Luffy called back to Rayleigh as he ran off.
Rayleigh raised his hand up in a slight wave, "Sure thing, and best of luck to ya!"
Kizaru formed a circle with his hands as a bright light emitted from within before shooting off toward a mangrove trunk to reflect in another direction. "Secret Yata Mirror!"
Usopp raised a hand up to block out the sudden bright light coming from nowhere, "I can't see!"
"I don't think...he's trying to help us see!" Brook responded.
"Damn that Admiral! Can't he leave us alone!" Yukimi hissed as she squinted her eyes from the harsh light. Just as sudden as the light appeared, it disappeared almost instantly, as if it was disrupted. Yukimi glanced back to see Rayleigh dueling with Kizaru, who was wielding some sort of light sword.
"That light from before, it's gone!" Brook said relieved.
"I guess...that old man saved us again!" Usopp confirmed.
"I'm so scared!"
Yukimi looked back ahead as she concentrated on her task of easing Zoro's pain. Her ears twitched from hearing him tell Usopp to leave him behind so that they could save themselves.
"Ah don't be a moron, right now you're even more weak and useless than I am!" the sniper shot down the swordsman's request. "We're getting out of here together! Those are Luffy's orders and I'm sticking to them!"
It was then Yukimi's ears flicked backward at a new sound coming up behind them. A sound she did not want to confirm. The kitsune nearly let out a scream of fright at the sight of the large Pacifista quickly advancing on the group, though Brook and Usopp had beat her to the punch. "Fucking shit! Get the fucking hell away from us!"
Brook quickly began to outpace the others. "C'MON HURRY UP USOPP, YUKIMI!" the skeleton shrieked. But then Brook slowed down so he was running alongside Usopp. "You go on without me! It's fine, I'll hold him back!"
"What?! No, don't do it, Brook! You don't know how strong he is! He'll rip you apart!" Usopp shouted back over his shoulder as the skeleton drew out his sword.
"Never fear! Run on my friends! This is what must be done! There comes a time when a man must put everything on the line!"
"Brook don't do it!" Yukimi yelled just before he was blasted away from them by the Pacifista. "Brook!"
"Go away!" Usopp screamed at the cyborg as it kept on getting closer to them. "Leave us alone!"
Behind the Bartholomew lookalike, Sanji came charging to the rescue. "Get the hell away from them you stupid cyborg!" Sanji quickly spun as he ran, lighting up his leg before kicking down the man machine.
Usopp and Yukimi stopped running as the blonde fell to the ground holding his leg. "Sanji are you alright?!" Yukimi tensed up as Usopp took a step back as the Pacifista stood back up.
"Move Sanji! He's gonna shoot you!"
Sanji looked up at the two seeing them standing there. "What are you doing?! Why aren't you running?!"
Yukimi gritted her teeth as she ran over to the cook attempting to help him up when the Pacifista shot a laser beam at them. The whole area was ignited from the explosion, scattering the pirates.
Usopp panted as he picked himself up from the ground, quickly finding Zoro was thrown further away from him. "Zoro! I dropped you! I'm sorry Zoro, it was an accident!"
Yukimi groaned as she rolled over onto her stomach. She looked up to find Sanji had grabbed onto the cyborg's leg, trying to stop it. But it was useless as it only continued to walk closer to Usopp and Zoro, letting Sanji be dragged on the ground. "That's it!" Yukimi quickly climbed to her feet, took out two kunai, and lunged at the Pacifista. "Get the fuck away from my friends ya big dip shit!" The ninja lunged up at the cyborg, going in to wreck its eyes, but it didn't work. "Agh!" Yukimi shouted irritated beyond belief when the Pacifista caught her. But that irritation quickly became terror when its palm began to glow right over her chest.
"Yukimi! Change! Get out of there!" Sanji screamed.
Not needing to be told twice, the kitsune instantly poofed into her fox form. Doing so she became smaller and was able to drop out of the cyborg's grasp in the nick of time before the laser beam was shot, ending up hitting a mangrove root in the far distance. Yukimi gasped as she transformed back again, no doubt feeling her heart pounding against her chest. But just because her first attempt failed, didn't mean she was going to high tail it when her friends needed her.
Usopp stared in horror as Yukimi stood back up again with her kunai. "Yukimi wait, don't do it!"
But the ninja ignored her friends telling her to run. She instead lunged once again, but instead of being caught a second time, the Pacifista struck her with its hand. Yukimi was sent crashing into the ground, rolling to a stop meters away.
"Yukimi!" Sanji shouted desperately hoping she wasn't too hurt. It was then he was picked up by the Pacifista. He grunted as he tried to free himself from its iron grip to no avail.
"Sanji!" Usopp screamed just as the blonde was shot on contact from a laser beam. "Sanji no!" Usopp cried out as another light beam was shot at him and Zoro, just narrowly missing them, but was unable to keep Zoro from being dropped again.
Yukimi groaned in pain for the umpteenth time that day. She felt dazed as the ground beneath her began to vibrate violently as a daunting cry filled the air. The kitsune covered her ears, curling into herself as Chopper let out a loud cry in his monster point form. "Chopper no...!" Even with her eyes closed, she didn't need to see to know her fellow furry friend was that desperate. The pain in her ears almost made her scream.
"This is what's its come to...?" Usopp panted as he stared after Chopper's large form in the far distance. "Even if he beats them, then what?!" Off to the side, he noticed that the Pacifista was observing Chopper, its eyes behind the shades it wore flickered red rapidly. It was then he realized that the cyborg was confused on who Chopper was. He leaned over to Sanji, shaking him. "Sanji...Brook, get up!" Usopp urged as he shook the two, trying to get them up. "Snap out of it! Chopper bought us some time! We gotta move! You wanna live right?!" Usopp looked back up to the cyborg in time to notice its attention was back on them. "Hey! You're blowing our chance! Brook! Sanji!" He looked back up again at the Pacifista as it aimed a laser beam at them.
"Stand down PX-1..." a voice said behind the sniper, making the cyborg stop its attack.
Usopp was frozen in place from the voice as Brook weakly looked up at the newcomer. He gaped at who it was. When Usopp finally looked over his shoulder, he and Brook each screamed from fright. "NOT ANOTHER ONE!" Usopp fell back as he shoved his hands into his hair as tears ran down his face. "This is officially too much... I can't take it! Just how many of these guys are there!? It isn't fair!"
Zoro shifted into a kneeling position so he could see what was freaking the two out. He sat there in horror at the sight of the true Bartholomew Kuma.
"I see you've survived, Roronoa," Kuma stated calmly as the swordsman just managed to get to his feet.
"Just barely... I've got your mercy to thank for that..." Zoro answered as he panted, barely able to stand on his own.
"What are you doing Zoro?!" Usopp hissed out his desperate whisper. "This is no time to talk to the enemy! Let's go!"
Kuma began to take his glove off, his large Bible secured in his grasp as he did so. "If you could take a vacation, where is it you would like to go?"
"Hey, Zoro... Let's get out of here while we still can...!" Usopp pleaded as he reached toward him. But then something happened that left Usopp confused. Zoro disappeared in front of his eyes after Kuma touched him. A whirlwind was left in his place, whipping the sniper's hair and clothes back. "...Where did... Hey Zoro...!" Usopp called out to his missing friend as he looked around for him.
"Is he...gone?" Brook wondered.
Sanji looked up to where Zoro was but a moment ago, he too wondering where the moss head was.
Yukimi stood up after fully regaining her senses back. She turned to where her group was but stopped short when Zoro vanished. "What just...?"
"Zoro! Oh man oh man! This is bad!" Usopp began to go into a panic as he kept trying to locate his dear friend. Usopp stared back up at the Warlord, rooted to the spot in horror. "Zoro... He just disappeared!"
"Dis...appeared...?" Yukimi murmured in shock.
"He's gooone! What the hell did you do to him!?" Usopp gripped Kabuto harshly as anger began to fill him. "You! Where is he?! You bring him back here you monster!"
On his knees with Robin at his side, Luffy stared on in shock at Zoro's group. "Zoro... What did you do?! Zoro... No...! ZORRROOO!"
Another cry responded to Luffy's, causing Robin to look back at Chopper as he slammed his hand down on them. She managed to pull Luffy to safety just before they were crushed. "Chopper stop this! You've lost control!" Robin called out to deaf ears.
"Zoro! Where the hell are you!?"
Sentomaru jumped away from the rampaging Chopper as the beast continued to attack in uncontrollable vicious strikes. "This beast has gone mad," the ax wielding man observed before turning his gaze back to the pirate group with Bartholomew Kuma. "But that's not what worries me. I wanna know what he's doing here..."
Luffy turned to Sentomaru wanting answers, "Hey! What the hell did that guy do to Zoro?! Where is he?!"
"You think I'm gonna answer you? Did you forget I'm the world's most guarded man?" Sentomaru slid his gaze to the desperate Straw Hat. "But someone might tell you, he can send you flying for three days and nights with those paw pads. Can't say it's true or not, but that's the rumor," he answered in a roundabout way, making Luffy gasp. "Only Kuma knows where they go. But there's no way you're going to find your friend on these islands, or anywhere else for that matter. He'll probably land on the other side of the world," Sentomaru explained.
"What!?"
"Say something dammit! Tell us what you did! Tell us where you sent Zoro!" Usopp demanded the Warlord.
"So that's the real deal huh?" Sanji muttered as he held his injured shoulder. "The first three were bad enough and now he shows up to finish the job. There's no way to win!"
"What kind of power is that?" Brook murmured under his breath still in shock that one of his newfound friends had disappeared right before him.
Kuma started walking toward Usopp, instantly freaking the sniper out.
"Stop it! Get back!" Usopp aimed at the large Warlord, ready to release his attack. But Kuma only kept advancing closer to him, not stopping at all. "No...stay away from me! I-I have eight thousand men under my command! Don't make me unleash them on you!"
From where Yukimi was she noticed the Pacifista behind her friends was leaning forward with its jaw wide open, preparing a laser beam attack. "Guys look out! That cyborg's gonna attack!"
All three men turned back to the cyborg, eyes widening as the light grew from the back of the Pacifista's throat, aimed right at them at point blank. But then something happened that no one could've predicted. Kuma suddenly appeared between them and the Pacifista and touched it with his paw pad, sending it away in a fraction of a second. "He erased him...but why?" Sanji stared at the Warlord in utter confusion. At first, he sent Zoro flying to who knows where then he turns right around and did the same to his doppelganger?
"That was PX-1 he just hit...! What's your problem you fool?! That's your ally!" Sentomaru shouted in anger.
"Just run! Move you guys!" Luffy yelled at the frozen group near Kuma. He wanted nothing more than to get his crew, his friends, to safety. The last thing he wanted was for them to vanish like Zoro.
"Luffy?!" Usopp yelped in his shaken state.
"Just go! Get out of there! We can figure out a plan once we're safe! RUUUUUUUN!"
Even after Luffy gave the command for everyone to retreat, nobody moved just from being in total shock from everything that had happened. Franky was the first to snap out of his daze. "Alright, you heard him!" Franky said turning to Nami.
"...But Zoro..."
"The captain just said we can figure it out once we're safe, c'mon!" Franky said before running off.
It took Nami a moment longer before she turned and followed after him.
"C'mon buddy, that last beam just grazed me. I can help you walk," Usopp said as he wrapped Sanji's arm over his shoulder.
Brook quickly faced Kuma when the Warlord took a step toward them. The skeleton slid between him and his friends, blocking the path. "Go you two! I'll cover you!"
"Stop it, Brook! That's crazy!"
Yukimi started running back to her group as Kuma raised his paw padded hand toward the skeleton musician. "No! Run Brook!" The kitsune felt moisture prickling her eyes as she hurried as fast as she could, knowing what was about to happen.
"I'll protect you! Even if it costs me my life! Oh! But I'm already dead I sup-"
"Brook noooo!" screamed Usopp.
Yukimi pumped her legs harder. Now Brook was gone too, and Sanji and Usopp were next! "Sanji get Usopp and haul ass!" Even though she said that Sanji had attacked Kuma in retaliation but his kick was easily repelled away by those paw pads. The cook was sent crashing into a nearby building.
Turning away from where Sanji crashed Usopp shook with terror from the Warlord's presence. "No...! Get back!" He took out Kabuto and shot a smoke star at Kuma but it did nothing. Usopp scrambled to his feet to run but immediately fell back down in his panic. He faced Kuma again as he shot at him. "Stop where you are! Get back! Flame Star! One more...Flame Star! C'mon, go! Go away! Just leave me alone!" Every shot Usopp fired did absolutely nothing to deter Kuma from getting closer to him.
"Usopp run!" Yukimi cried out as she flung several tagged kunai at the Warlord. Just as the sniper's flame stars did nothing to him, neither did her weapons help. At that moment Usopp vanished in thin air after Kuma touched him. The whirlwind that seemingly traded places with Zoro and Brook, took Usopp's place.
Yukimi slowed down to a stop. She was just feet from where Usopp was. He was there but now he wasn't. Yukimi covered her mouth with her hands as tears streamed down her cheeks. Her friends were being erased one by one after another in front of her. And the kitsune couldn't do a thing to prevent that from happening. Fox ears disappeared against white hair as fangs revealed themselves, while the fur on her tails stood on end. Yukimi slowly turned her head toward the source of the Straw Hats' misery. "You...son of a bitch! You're gonna pay for that!"
"Yukimi don't! Runaway!" Sanji shouted knowing exactly what the enraged ninja was about to do. But Yukimi didn't hear him as she charged head on at the Warlord, kunai in hand.
"Bastard!" the kitsune screamed as Kuma swiped at her. At that moment, everything slowed down for her. As Yukimi raised her kunai for a slash, she glanced to the fast approaching pawed hand inches from her side. 'No...! I don't think I can dodge this!'
To the remaining Straw Hats watching, they briefly thought they would see their kitsune friend reappear near them. Like all the times before, where Yukimi would vanish from just within an enemy's reach, then suddenly reappear laughing at the enemy's confusion. But after a long silent ten seconds, did they fully realized, that this wasn't the case. White Fox Ninja Yukimi was gone.
"Yukimiiii!" Luffy cried out as yet another one of his dear friends disappeared.
Sanji managed to get back on his feet as he glared at the Warlord. "Damn you! How dare you touch her!"
"Sanji!" Luffy called out to the cook to stop. But like Yukimi, he was too enraged, only thinking about revenge. "You can't win! Don't fight!"
And just like that, one touch from a paw pad was all it took to send Sanji on his way. Somewhere in the world.
On his knees Luffy stared on, not being able to comprehend everyone he held close to his heart was being taken out in front of his eyes. "...What now? He got Sanji... What do we do...?" the worn out, weary rubber boy asked under his breath.
"...This can't be... They're all gone..." Nami murmured in a hollowed tone.
*^.^*