"Ah..." Ryoga rubbed his eyes. "Man, I'm tired. Inspector, what time is it?" The woman next to him sighed. "Oh, I don't know Ryoga-kun, it must be at least dawn by now." She pointed to Brandy, who was looking at some of the papers with an intent look. "I guess we're still inexperienced; just look at the Captain, he's so alert."
Ryoga snorted. "Actually, Inspector..." He leaned over and poked Brandy in the forehead. Immediately he keeled over, his face striking the desk. "Captain learned to sleep with his eyes open while he was still in the Academy. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to understand that it's really annoying." Brandy lifted his head, looking annoyed. "Hey, learning to sleep when you shouldn't be is an important life skill!"
"No it isn't, sir. No it isn't."
Brandy sighed. "Whatever. Anyway, I'm going to the bathroom." The Captain got up and exited the room. In the hallway, he looked both ways down the corridor. Satisfied, he cleared his throat. "Oi, Raven, I need to talk to you." Seemingly from nowhere, a black clothed figure appeared. He had no special features about his appearance, other than the Katana at his side and the Mask we wore that was shaped like a Raven's beak.
He shook his head and glared at the Marine Captain. "One of these days I'm going to figure out how you're able to do that, old man." Brandy shrugged. "I've got good eyes, I guess." The masked man sighed. "Well, what do you want, anyway?" Brandy grinned. "Come on now, Raven, you know what. I need you to check if there are any secret rooms or anything on this base. You Ninjas are supposed to be good at that, right?"
"We prefer 'Shinobi', Captain. Anyway..." Raven paused as he did some mental math. "One Thousand Beri. An extra fifty for each lock I have to pick, and an extra hundred for any guards I have to take care of."
Brandy frowned. "You're a skinflint, you know that?"
"And you're a drunkard."
"Touche."
One Piece: The Skull Pirates
Chapter Ten: Pirate VS Merman! The Sad History of Newport Island.
"What's the matter? Got nothing to say?"
The Merman only glared. "I have nothing to say to someone like you. There's no treasure for you to plunder on this island. Leave. Now." Jack only sneered. "Make me!" The shark blinked. "...What?" The Skull Pirate pointed straight at him. "What do you mean, 'What'? Acting like a bad ass just because you got a lucky shot in...that pisses me off!"
Walking over to one of the few still intact boulders, Jack pulled back his hand and then punched, easily breaking it to pieces. "Think you're the only guy who's strong? Guess again! I don't know who you think I am, but I happen to be kind of a big shot around these parts! I'm Jack Bones, a terrifying pirate with a bounty of five million beri!
How about it? Ya scared yet?" The shark merman simply stared before retrieving a scroll from his belt and tossing it over to Jack, who caught it and blinked. "What the hell is this...?" He unrolled it and blanched.
WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE
"Fist of the Sea" Drake
25,000,000
"Aheh...heh..." Jack looked up and grinned nervously. "You know, these things only measure threat level, you know?" Drake cracked his knuckles. "So I've heard. Are you going to fight me or not?" Jack blinked a few times, then sneered again. "Yeah! Screw your bounty, I'm gonna kick your fish ass!"
He charged forwards, throwing a punch at the Merman's face, only for Drake to easily sidestep the blow, slamming his knee into Jack's gut in response. As the pirate stumbled backward, Drake pulled back his arm. "Shark Morder!" (1) The ensuing blow knocked Jack back across the clearing, where the side of a boulder stopped his flight.
"Damn it...freakin' asshole..." Jack got up again, glaring daggers at the Merman. "Alright, try this on for size!" He pulled back his arm, spinning his fist around. "Doku Doku no Rocket Knuckle!" Jack's fist shot off from his arm, flying across the clearing towards Drake. Frowning, he simply stuck out his hand and easily caught it. "You don't think I know a Devil Fruit when I see it? Walking skeletons aren't exactly common, even in this day and age."
"...Uh, don't suppose you'd be willing to throw that back over here, wouldja? I kinda need it." For a second, Jack thought he could see the corners of the shark man's mouth twitch a little, but it was gone before he could make sure. Either way, Drake tossed the disconnected hand back, and it quickly flew back and reattached to Jack's arm.
The Skull Pirate sneered. "Time to kick your ass for real!" He ran towards the Merman once again, this time jumping into the air and then locking his hands together. "Doku Doku no..." His hands bulged, taking on the shape of a hammer. Drake pulled his fists back. "Piranha..."
"HAM-"
"ESCUELA!" (2)
Before he could even begin to think of hitting Drake, Jack felt dozens of impacts hit him as the Merman punched him rapidly in the stomach and chest. Over the sound of fists thudding into his flesh, Jack picked out the Merman yelling something.
"ATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATA!"
Finally, Drake ended the barrage with a final blow to the head, sending Jack into yet another boulder. Jack got up - a little more slowly this time - his glare replaced by a confused stare. "What...what the hell was that?" Drake simply stared. "A technique of mine." He deadpanned. Jack held up his hands. "No no, I don't mean that, I mean what you were yelling while using it!"
"I was yelling something?" Drake tilted his head to the side. Jack blinked. "Yeah! Don't play dumb, you were screaming the same thing over and over!" Drake shrugged. "If I was, I didn't notice. Or are you trying to stall, because you can't win?" Jack glared. "HOW DO YOU NOT NOTICE SOMETHING LIKE THAT!? And anyway, I can beat you with both hands tied behind my back, Needle Nose!" He charged again, only for Drake to dodge, and unleash several blows before knocking him across the clearing...again. "Quit fooling around. You won't beat me with silly tricks like that."
"Okay...okay..." Jack slowly got to his feet, reaching up to crack his nose back into place. "Alright pal...you wanna get fancy, I'll get fancy too!" Drake blinked as Jack held up his fists in front of his face, both a short distance away from the other. At the same time, Jack's feet began to move in an arrogant, almost drunken swagger.
"Shipwright Boxing Style..."
"Boxing? What sort of stance is that?" Jack's voice cut into Drake's thoughts. "Pay attention, Needle Nose!" Drake quickly punched again, only for Jack to duck under the blow and smash a right hook into the Merman's face. "Starboard Hook!" While Drake stumbled backwards from the hit, Jack jumped around to his left. "You like that? Here's some more! Port Jabbing!" Drake grunted as punched him rapidly in the chest, looking similar to the attack he used earlier. The blows driving him back further, Jack pulled back his arm and grinned. "Bow-"
Drake's arm suddenly jutted out and grabbed onto his, immediately stopping whatever attack Jack had been about to make. Effortlessly, he tossed him across the clearing and into a tree. Growling, he got to his feet. Drake frowned. "How many times are you going to get up? It's just going to end up the same." Jack only sneered. "Just shut up and fight!"
Raising his hands, he charged the Merman again. Growling, Drake prepared for another clash.
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"Lyn, how many times do I have to tell you not to leave the village? And bringing a stranger here? He could have been one of Helsing's men, for all you know!" Lyn looked over to the table, where Gerald sat nursing a large bump on his head. "Well, if he was, don't you think he would have dodged that pole, Karen-onee-chan?"
"I guess you're right. This guy's pretty pathetic, anyway." Gerald turned and gave the black haired merwoman a dry look. "Why thank you, miss, for such a lovely compliment." The girl shrugged. "I'm just saying what I think. But, thanks for bring Lyn back."
"And anyway, Lyn..." Karen suddenly turned to the other girl with a stern look. "You were going to see that guy again, weren't you? I told you, he's trouble!" Lyn shook her head. "No, Drake-aniki's a nice man!" Karen sighed. "I'm not saying he isn't, but guys like that always bring trouble. You should stay away from him."
"But - but Drake-aniki saved my life once! Remember?"
Karen sighed. "Yeah yeah, I remember..."
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"P-put me down, please! I won't do it again, I promise!"
"Shaddup!"
The Mergirl cringed away. She was being held in the air by a giant, mohawked man who looked like he'd been taking one too many steroids lately. "You were told to stay in in the Reservations, right!? Or are you Fish Freaks too stupid to understand that?"
"..." Lyn only whimpered. "Hah...you can't even talk! Hey, boys..." He looked down, to an assortment of smaller men, all of them also sporting mohawks. "I know Helsing said we aren't supposed to harm the guppies...but I don't think he'll notice if it's just the one, right?" Chuckling, he moved one of his hands to the girl's neck.
"Heh, do it slowly, boss! Let her scream a little first!" One of the Mohawks put in. "Yeah, it's no fun if it's over too quickly!" Another shrieked. The giant man laughed. "All right boys, if you insist..." He slowly began to twist the girl's neck...
CRACK
"BOSS!" One of the Mohawks screamed as a large, jagged rock suddenly appeared in their leader's forehead. "Ugah..." Removing a hand from the girl's neck, he ripped the rock out, sending blood trickling down his forehead. "WHO DID THAT!? I DARE YOU TO SHOW YOUR FACE!"
"I did."
The giant looked to the edge of the clearing to see Drake slowly walking towards him. "Oh, so you're the smart ass, huh?" He looked down to his cronies. "GET 'EM!" Letting out a collective yell, they all charged the Merman. Without even slowing his pace, Drake jabbed out his fists, sending all of the Mohawks flying screaming across the clearing, each with at least one broken bone.
Reaching the giant man, he gave him a quiet stare, and cracked his knuckles. "Put her down. Now." The giant chuckled. "Yeah, sure, I'll put her down, right after I break her neck!" Her quickly moved his hand to the girl's neck again, preparing to snap it.
But Drake was faster.
"AAATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATA!" His fists becoming a blur, the merman pounded the mohawked giant relentlessly, sending him sliding backwards. "ATATATATATATA...ATA!" With one last blow, the giant toppled over. Falling out of his grip, Lyn fell into Drake's arms. Nodding, he turned and began walking away.
"And just where do you think you're going, huh!?" Drake turned his head to see the giant man rising to his feet. "You think I'm gonna let you get away with doing that, Shark Boy!? No, get ready, 'cause I'm gonna-"
Drake's eyes suddenly narrowed in a hard, piercing glare. "Beat it." He said quietly. Although Drake was much smaller than the other man, these words seemed to have a profound effect. "..." Slowly the large man began to tremble, first his hands, then his knees. Finally, he turned and half ran, half scrambled out of the clearing.
The look left Drake's eyes, and he looked down at Lyn. "Are you all right?" The girl slowly nodded. Drake smiled. "Good. Let's get you home." He turned and walked out of the clearing.
"But...who are you?" The merman looked at her kindly. "Call me Drake."
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Gerald rubbed his mustache. "That's quite the story. But," He added, looking at Karen. "Who is this Helsing fellow you keep mentioning?" At this, Karen turned and looked out the window, going silent for a moment. "He's the Marine Captain in charge of the base on this island...but he's anything but a man of justice. He's nothing more than a common criminal."
"Oh, like a pirate?"
Karen shook her head. "Worse. At least pirates are up-front about their crimes. Helsing pretends to be a hero, all while stabbing us in the back." She turned to Gerald. "You must have noticed while you were entering the village that there are elderly and children, but no grown men, right?" Gerald nodded. "It did cross my mind, yes."
"There's a good reason for that. See, the base on this island was installed to protect us from people who'd try to hurt Merman. But that's bull. He wouldn't give two cents about whether we lived or died. Well, at least not us. But the men are a valuable resource to them."
Gerald sighed. "I think I can see where this is going. Slave labor, right?"
Karen tapped her nose and nodded. "Exactly. Mermen are strong, everyone knows that. There's nobody better to use as workers." She held up a hand as Gerald started to open his mouth. "I know what you're gonna say; what's on this island that's worth kidnapping people over? Well, it turns out there's a very valuable resource under this island..."
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"This island should be beautiful, but...there's just something insolite about it." Mary mused as she picked her way through the underbrush. Hopping over a root in her path, she looked at a nearby tree and frowned. "And I think I know what it is." Walking over to it, she held out her hand as thorns extended from her fingers and thumb. Inserting them into the tree, she immediately frowned. "Just like I thought, it's mort." She looked around the area. "Is it like this around the whole island?"
Stooping, she scooped up some soil with her hand and looked at it. "The terre too? Then, something under the ground?" Turning her arm into a thorn vine, she jabbed it into the soil. It passed through the earth for several feet before hitting something. "What's this?" Pulling it back to her, she changed it back to normal. The botanist saw her hand was now coated with a black, liquidous substance.
"This is..."
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"Oil?" Gerald echoed. Karen nodded. "Yeah, oil. I overheard a bunch of Helsing's cronies talking about it. Turns out there are huge pockets of untapped oil running under this island, worth a fortune. And who better to dig them up then us, huh?" She laughed bitterly. "He might be a crook, but he's clever, I'll give him that."
"Hmmm." Went Gerald.
Karen glared at him. "'Hmmm?' That's all you have to say?" Gerald shrugged. "Well, really, why are you telling me all this? You don't even know me." Karen shrugged back. "Just felt like getting it off my chest, I guess." She looked out of the window, where Lyn was playing with some other children. "Lyn calls me her sister, but the truth is, we're not really related. Her parents died when she was young, about the time Helsing came to the island. She's been living with me ever since.
All the others...they're trapped down there, in the dark. I can't imagine what must be happening to them right now...
I don't really want to, either."
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Meanwhile, underneath the Island...
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Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
This was the sound that was constant in the cavern, that of a pick-axe being swung down into rock. It was very dark underground, with only a sparsely placed lanterns to light the gloom. The Mermen were constantly watched, either by Marines wielding Rifles and Sabres, or Mohawked degenerates wielding more primitive weapons, such as spears or axes. If any of them stopped working for too long, they were quickly 'encouraged' to come up with a second wind, with a rifle stock to the face if necessary.
None of the Mermen were manacled or chained up. There was no need; with their loved ones in the villages being held hostage, they couldn't do anything.
In a corner of the cavern one of them lifted up a pick-axe over his head, then lowered it, his hand going to his chest and breathing hard. A spear shaft was suddenly cracked over his head, forcing him to double over as a Mohawker glared at him. "Get back to work, ya stinkin' fishstick!" The Merman just turned his head and glared at him.
"Whaddya looking at me like that for!?" He pulled out a long machete. "You wanna die, huh!? DO YA!?" Before the berserker could make due on this, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder. "Be still, my dog of war."
"B-boss..." Standing over the mohawker was a large, muscular man. His clothes were dirty and tattered, a ripped vest and pants. What most stood out about him however was the large, spiked iron helmet he wore over his face, obscuring all but his eyes. Strapped across his back were several different weapons, the most prominent of them being a pair of clawed gauntlets.
He shook his head sadly. "Really now..." Jabbing out his arm, he grabbed the unfortunate merman around the neck and slammed him into the rock wall. "My dog of war, do you get angry when a disobedient pet bites your hand? No. You merely discipline, and hope it one day learns it's lesson, no matter how stupid it might be."
The underling snickered, replacing his machete. "Yeah, yeah. Guess you're right boss, nothing to get worked up over." The man patted him on the shoulder. "Exactly. Now go take a break, I'll handle this here."
As his cohort turned and walked away, the large man turned the merman around, looking him in the eye. "I'd like to ask you a question." With his free hand, he jerked a thumb at his face...well, his mask, but you get the idea. "Who am I?"
"Who...who are you?" The man nodded. "Yeah, of course I know who I am, but I like to hear people tell me. So, who am I?" The Merman gave him a look of pure venom. "They call you Wez. You're..you're the leader of this band of lunatics!"
Wez chuckled. "Lunatics, huh? Well, I won't say that isn't accurate, but you're not really in any position to criticize us, since you guys are our prisoners and all.
Well, I say 'prisoners', but it's really just volunteer work, isn't it? With the payoff being your families lives. So, do yourself a favor and get back to work."
Chuckling, he walked away, leaving the merman to heave up the pickaxe while seething with anger. On a wooden shelf nearby, a Den Den Mushi hummed to life. Walking over, Wez picked it up. "Hello?"
"How goes it, 'Road Warrior'?" Came the voice of Captain Helsing.
"Good, Captain, real good. You can hardly swing a pickaxe in here without striking some of the stuff." As he said this, Wez watched as the swing of a pickaxe from a nearby merman yielded a gush of oil. Shoving the merman out of the way, too mohawkers carried a steel drum forward, letting the black liquid flow into the container.
"Good, good. Anything else?"
"Well..." Wez looked up near the ceiling of the cavern, where an array of pipes led out into another passage. "We think some of the pipes we set up to get the waste and other stuff we couldn't use out of the cavern have been springing leaks. If it gets into the soil, it'll kill it pretty quick."
"Who cares? I prefer the view of material things."
"Yeah, yeah. By the way Captain, I just have to say that me and the boys really appreciate this arrangement we have."
"I would say you should, considering you'd all be in prison awaiting execution if it weren't for me. And you also have all those lovely prisoners to play with, as well. Speaking of which, Hokushin says hello."
"Uh, yeah, yeah, great guy, that Hokushin." In his head, he shuddered. "You ask me, a guy like that's better off dead."
"Anyway, boss, what's the news on those marines on the island? Any chance they're gonna give us trouble."
"No. If this drunken fool is supposed to be a Veteran, then I'm glad I wasn't born in his time. Not only that, but he has this idiotic subordinate that follows him around like a lost puppy; it's pathetic! Well, I set them to work going after our night attacker, so if we're lucky, at least one of our problems will disappear."
"Heh heh heh, you're really good at this kind of thing, Captain. How come you never became a pirate?"
"Oh? What are you talking about, Road Warrior? I am not a criminal. I am merely a Marine Captain, a loyal servant of the World Government. That's all."
"Right, of course. Well, have a good day, Captain."
"Yes, keep up the good work, Road Warrior."
Grinning underneath his mask, Wez hung up the phone. "Hah, he's a very cruel man...well, I guess it takes one to know one, eh? Heh heh heh heh heh."
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"..."
"..."
"So...you ready to give up yet?" Jack breathed. He didn't look well. Bruises covered his body from Drake's attacks, and he was almost sure a few of his ribs were cracked. Then again, the Merman didn't look too well either. One of Jack's punches had given him a black eye, and the ground was littered with sets of his teeth that the pirate had knocked out.
"No." Jack grinned. "Didn't think so. Well, let's go again, then!" Pulling back his arm, he ran at Drake. For a second, he thought he saw Drake's eyes flicker to the right, but ignored it. Reaching him, he was about to punch, when Drake grabbed his arm. Quickly, the Merman pushed him backward.
Before his eyes, Jack saw an arrow zip past where his head had been just a moment ago.
The tip of the projectile embedded itself into a tree and remained there, quivering. Wordlessly, Jack looked at Drake, then in the direction the shot had come from. Standing there at the tree line was a crowd of wild looking men armed with weapons.
"Damn, it jigged!" Growled a man with red hair, glaring over the bowgun strapped to his arm. Strapped to his belt were two axes, and a spear was slung over his back. An eyepatch was slung over his right eye.
Drake looked at him. The man grinned. "Aw, you remember me, shark bastard!?" Drake nodded. "Yeah. You tried that trick before on me, and that's how you lost that eye." He thumbed at the man's eyepatch.
"Why...WHY YOU...!" He motioned to the men following him. "GET EM!" They all charged at once.
Reaching the merman first, the red haired man swung his axes downward. Drake simply sidestepped and smashed a backhanded blow into the bandit's face. He grunted and stumbled back, blood coming out of his nose.
Drake frowned. "Come on, was that your best shot?" Seething, the man turned to his friends, who were standing cautiously nearby. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU STANDING THERE FOR!? CUT HIM TO PIECES!"
"Uh...y-yeah!" Howling, they all charged at the merman. As the crowd rushed at him, Drake shut his eyes, clenching his fists. "..."
"What's he just standing there for?" Jack thought.
"Your mistake was grouping yourselves together. I'll make you pay for that right now." The Merman spoke quietly. Crouching, he tensed the muscles in his legs. "Shark..."
"DIE, FISH!" Screamed the bandit at the front of the pack, swinging a saber.
"COHETE!" (3)
Drake kicked off the ground and flew into the group of thugs, smashing them with his fists and knocking them flying. Flipping over, Drake landed smoothly on his feet.
Slack-jawed, the red haired man took a step backward, looking at his fallen cronies. "You...you killed them!" Drake shook his head. "No, they'll live. I wouldn't waste my techniques killing scum like you."
The axe-wielding man's eye twitched. "You smug...AAAAAAH!" Raising his axes, he charged, only to be knocked out as a fist shot into the back of his head. Jack shook his head as his hand came back. "Man, he didn't even notice me. This no recognition thing is starting to piss me off."
Grinning again, he turned to Drake. "Okay, now that that's through, back to business!" Drake nodded and assumed his stance once more. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed and his teeth gritted in pain. His hand went to his stomach. "Damn...it opened." Jack could see blood staining the inside of Drake's shirt.
"Hey...are you alright?"
Drake gave him a weak grin. "You...like to ask stupid questions, don't you?" With a grunt, he collapsed.
"HEY!"
To be continued...
Next time...
Jack: Those scars...
Drake: He gave them to me. I'll never forget that day...or the man who stole everything from me.
Next chapter, "Tragedy on the Sea! Drake's Past!"
??: You're Already Dead...
Well, seems like the plot's heating up, eh? Hope you like Drake's attacks, because you're going to be seeing a lot of his style.
(1) Shark Morder (Shark Bullet) - One of Drake's more basic attacks. Drake tenses the muscles in his arm, then jabs it straight forward. What it lacks in complexity it more than makes up for in power, as it can easily smash stone into pieces, as Jack will no doubt tell you.
(2) Piranha Escuela (Piranha School) - Punching rapidly, Drake deals a fast series of blows to his opponent. As it's name implies, the attacks quickly eat the enemy alive.
(3) Shark Cohete (Shark Missile) - Tensing his legs, Drake launches himself hard like a Missile. Essentially a copy of Arlong's Shark on Darts attack, only done with his fists instead of his nose. This similarity is purely coincidental, as Drake has never met Arlong.
Also, the ATATATATATATATATATATA thing? That's based off of how Kenshiro from Fist of the North Star yells out when he attacks. If you don't like it, let me know and I'll stop typing it out.
Kilnorc - You know, it's funny; when I started this story, I had no idea Brook existed. And now he's my favorite character. Funny how that works, eh?
DarkLightZERO - I appreciate your constructive criticism. I've often felt that my writing could use a bit more...something. I actually thought that if someone was going to criticize something, it would be my overusage of commas. Oh well, at least I don't use them incorrectly as periods like some people...who are not Kilnorc.
And to your question, I actually plan on revising the first chapter, and several others, as there were a few things about them I didn't like,
Hero Slayer - Why thank you. And uh, there's a very good reason for why I haven't updated that, and uh...OH MY GOD, LOOK AT THAT! Runs
Luda59 - Get your hankies ready.
Malchior - Well, there you go. Looks like your Martial Artist has another rival, eh?
Well, until next time, which hopefully won't be in a month, see ya!