SailorStar9: So with Chapter 258 uploaded, this is Chapter 259 of this fic. . For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.
Pairings: Married!Ace/Sasha, Sibling!Luffy/Sasha, Sibling!Sabo/Sasha, Background Protector!Law/Sasha
Disclaimers: One Piece belongs to Oda EiichirÅ-sensei. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except my OC, the pairing and the fic idea.
Chapter 259: Arc 16: Defeat is Inevitable - The Strawman's Fierce Attack!
"Hey, Luffy." Zorojuro told his captain, seeing Luffy was readying to fight the Strawman. "Protect the kid. I'll handle this one." drawing his blades, he charged up his Armament Haki.
Puppeteering the Strawman, Hawkins had his straw puppet attack Zorojuro.
In response, Zorojuro sent a cross-shaped energy blast straight at the Strawman, who parried the attack away.
Raising his spiked club, the Strawman struck down at the fleeing Komachiyo, Zorojuro held Shusui in reverse grip, using it to counter the club.
The Strawman struck down again, Zorojuro using Shusui to glide over the club's length. Wielding both Shusui and Sandai Kitetsu, the swordsman continued parrying off the Strawman's strikes.
One final strike from the Strawman knocked Komachiyo out.
Not giving the two Straw Hat pirates any reprieve, Hawkins continued his relentless assault.
Zorojuro raised both swords and blocked out the club.
Gripping both hands in his sword's hilt, Hawkins pushed more energy into the Strawman in a bid to break Zorojuro's resistance.
"You're quite tough." Zorojuro admitted, standing firm. Letting out a breath of air, he readied his next attack. "Ichi Gorilla, Ni Gorilla." he flexed both arms and pushed the Strawman off. Using Shusui to parry off the Strawman's right fingernails, he shifted back to block out the Strawman's attack on Luffy. Another energy wave sliced off the Strawman's left arm from the shoulder.
Hawkins then transferred the attack to one of his subordinates.
Zorojuro then jumped up, releasing four energy waves at the looming Strawman and forcing Hawkins to transfer said attacks to his subordinates.
Now holding the club in a two-hand grip, the Strawman struck down, with Zorojuro parrying off each and every attack.
Locked in a stalemate, the Strawman opened its mouth and let loose a rain of nails at Zorojuro and forcing the swordsman to deflect the bullet rain. With a nail hitting its mark on Zorojuro's arm, the Strawman struck down the final blow... only to have Zorojuro cut through the Strawman's club-wielding hand.
"Nitoryu: Nigiri Toro Samon!" Zorojuro fired two air-based projectile attacks at the Strawman, slicing it right down the middle and splitting it into half.
"Should we go after them, Hawkins-san?" Hawkins' last remaining subordinate asked.
In response, Hawkins drew a card formation and drew the glowing card. "The Hierophant." the card user looked at card, this time in upright position. "It's the card of help. Someone will show them the way and they'll escape safely."
"Hawkins..." Zorojuro started. "That guy has an annoying ability. He's a little pesky." he admitted, pulling out the nail on his arm.
Suddenly, Komachiyo skidded to a stop in front of a rock divider.
"Don't tell me..." Luffy blinked. "Are you lost?"
Komachiyo teared up in answer.
"We've got no time to waste." Zorojuro reminded. "Let's just go right."
"Go left." Tsuru cut in. "You samurai-sama are so strong." the teahouse owner praised. "I can't believe you repelled that Hawkins. I was saved by you, green gentleman, earlier." she reminded. "My name is Tsuru."
"Were you hiding in that tail all this time?" Zorojuro realized where Tsuru was hiding.
"Yes, I was." Tsuru beamed. "I hope this doesn't sound too forward, but could I take care of that child, Otama?" she requested.
"Do you know her?" Luffy blinked.
"Yes." Tsuru nodded.
"Please." Luffy pleaded. "She drank the polluted river water to ease her hunger."
"That's not good." Tsuru remarked. "Instead of seeking a doctor, come to my teahouse. We have a medicine herb that works very well against the poison of the water. That'll be the best to treat Otama's condition."
"Then, help us." Luffy requested.
"Okay." Tsuru beamed. "Then, I'll show you the way. If you go left, you can get to the town."
In Okobore Town...
"Okiku." Urashima leered at the server girl. "You can't pay the street tax, right? I'm just saying I'll help you. If you become my wife, you won't have to work. You can eat delicious food from the farm as much as you want every day."
"Our social standings are too different." Okiku reminded. "If you won't order anything, please leave."
"I don't wanna eat anything from this place." Urashima retorted. "Those dango and tea are made from someone's leftovers. You don't know me well, do you? I'm a famous yokozuna at the capital. The Number One sumo wrestler in Wano, Urashima. Quit this seedy teahouse. Stop living pathetically one someone's leftovers and why don't you and I..."
"Okiku!" Tsuru shouted, arriving on Komachiyo. "Otama drank the poison from the water." she told the younger woman. "Okiku, brew the Evil-Purging Herbs." she instructed.
"I'm sorry, but your fat ass is in my way." Zorojuro stated, annoyed by the conceited man. "Move aside."
"Why would I have to do that..." Urashima started, before being frightened off by Zorojuro's killing intent.
Elsewhere...
"Shachi, they're..." Penguin gawked at his teammate who was looking through his binoculars.
"Yeah." Shachi concurred.
"That's them, right?" Penguin pressed. "The Straw Hats?"
"I hope they won't mess up our plans." Bepo mused. "Should I go tell them before they make any trouble?"
"You better not." Shachi rebuked. "You'll draw people's attention. They'll go 'Why is a bear here?' and get panicky."
"I'm sorry." Bepo muttered.
"Anyway, let's just report it to the Captain." Penguin suggested and the three hurried back to Law for an update.
SailorStar9: Any OOC-nes is regretted. *Sighs* Don't you just hate plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.
