Chapter 7
All out assault! Straw Hats vs CP9
Once Usopp and Sanji had been given the all clear by Chopper, they joined the rest of the Straw Hats where they were gathered up around me. We had been close to success with my last plan and it was only outside interference that had prevented it from working in the end. I spread the map that Paulie had drawn on the floor before everyone.
"Enies Lobby is divided into four main sections, the gatehouse which we'll be attacking first, followed by the city and the courthouse, next is The Tower of Law where CP9 is stationed. Finally there are the Gates of Justice, if Robin goes through those gates then we can't save her.
The Franky family members, Galley-La workers, Usopp, and the carriage will go in first to break open the main gate and then the main island gate itself so that we can charge in on Rocketman. This will provide access to the city and the courthouse proper.
All that stands in our way there are thousand of marines, agents, marines riding dogs, a pair of giants, 11 crazy jurors, and finally a three headed judge. Whatever we do though we can't stop pushing forward."
As I continued to list off those that we were going to be facing Usopp grew paler and paler. It had gone completely white at least until I mentioned the giants when he perked up in excitement.
"Usopp you'll be the one to deal with them, mention that you met Dorry and Brogy, and that the pair of them are still fighting after all these years. That should be enough to get them onto our side but if that fails just umm do what you do best. The giants names are Oimo and Kashii."
Usopp nodded to me in response, the expression on his face showing that he realized why he was going in with the first group now.
"Luffy since your not likely to remember the plan I want you to just head straight to the courthouse and beat up anyone that gets in your way. At the roof you should encounter Blueno the guy who can create doors, he's tough but nothing that you can't handle with gear second. The rest of us will be slogging our way through the troops after you.
In order for us to get to The Tower of Law where Robin and Franky are being held we need to lower the bridge to the tower itself. The two separate mechanisms that lower the bridge that we need are located in the courthouse and need to be activated at the same time. After that you'll want to break them so that the bridge can't be raised later.
Once we get to the tower itself it will be time to confront the rest of CP9. Both Kalifa and Kaku have some new surprises for us, devil fruit surprises. Kalifa has eaten the bubble-bubble fruit which let's her create bubbles to use as armor, wipe away strength, and possibly wash away memories.
Kaku has eaten the giraffe fruit, his kicks will now be powerful enough that he can use them like swords, his reach will be longer, and he can use his nose as a battering ram."
I continued my explanation of the other CP9 members and what their powers were. I went on to briefly describe who had fought against who and how the fights had turned out. I finished off the plan by telling everyone about the keys that would need to be gathered in order to unlock Robin's cuffs.
"Everyone clear on what they need to do?"
I was answered with a round of nods and sounds of agreement. As I stood up I could see the rest of those that had come with us getting ready. We all split up at that point the Straw Hats sans Usopp in the front half of the train and everyone else moving to the cart pulled by Sodom and Gomorrah.
The cart pulled away from us with a roar from everyone inside as it rushed headlong towards the iron fence surrounding the island. We held back and continued to watch even if I did need to grab Luffy as he tried to sneak out to get a head start.
"No captain, not just yet."
"Ah c'mon Tii'chia, we need to find Robin now!"
Luffy shouted, through he wasn't struggling very hard to get away from me at least. Of course 5 minutes of waiting feels like an entire lifetime when your friends and allies are fighting and the friend you came to rescue was getting further and further away.
My foot began to tap against the floor as the minutes dragged on, not helped by Luffy wordlessly staring at me. Waiting, waiting, waiting...
"Everyone hold on to something we're heading in!"
Kokoro's voice cracked out over the speakers just as I was prepared to say screw it and charge in myself. Everyone was in a sudden scramble to grab onto anything nearby and brace themselves for the coming impact. The whole train lurched before there was a squeal of metal against metal as it hit the fence.
The next second we were airborne as the train ramped off of the iron fence. Everyone in the car hung weightless for a second before gravity reasserted itself and the train crashed into the ground. Iron wheels skidded against the flagstones producing a cascade of sparks along with an ear splitting shriek that set my teeth on edge.
The experience was like being on the worlds wildest roller coaster ride, with no safety features, while running out of control, and all of the cars had just flown off of the tracks. In short it was the most terrifying experience of my life. The blood pounding in my ears so loud that it almost drown out everything else.
The train shuddered as it finally started to slow down, Luffy who had slipped out of my grasp grabbed the edge of one of the now broken windows. Rubber arms stretched outwards as he ran to the other side of the cart.
"Gum-gum rocket!"
He shouted as he launched himself through the window and out into the city beyond. I saw him crash into a group of wide eyed marines before the trains remaining momentum caused me to lose sight of him.
The train ground to a halt in the center of a square as I stepped over to the door and one of the windows. All I could see outside of the train was a thick cloud of dust that obscured everything, I could hear marines in the cloud shouting in surprise.
Slamming the door open I jumped out of the train and into the cloud, drawing Kintsugi and readying my shield as I moved. I exited the cloud at a run, startling half a dozen marines who had been standing around. They let out shouts of surprise and were just bringing their guns up as I fell upon them.
One took a shield to the face, another fell with a slice from Kintsugi, I bit one and tossed his body through the air like a rag doll, a crack from my tail downed a fourth. Number 5, 6, and 7 fell like the second marine had as I swung Kintsugi rapidly several more times.
Stepping over the fallen bodies I heard a shout and as I turned to look their was the crack of gunfire. Bullets pinging off the plates of my armor and shield as I spotted the marines that had fired on me. My mouth curled up into a grin, revealing all of my fangs as I looked at them. Oh this was going to be fun.
Well at first it was fun, by the 10 minute mark it was starting to become tedious however. It didn't seem to matter how many marines one dropped there was always more of them. It certainly wasn't helping that pretty much without exception they all sucked.
Cushy posting or not these marines were pathetic, I was fairly sure that even when I was in my own body I could take one of these guys one on one. Actually they had guns and I certainly wasn't bullet proof at home or you know in shape.
As I continued to push my way towards the gatehouse I came across a large frog smacking marines away with what seemed to be a bastardized version of Fish-men karate. How Yokozuna had gotten here I wasn't sure as I certainly didn't see him at any point on the train. Since he wasn't in any kind of danger I continued to press on.
The ground started to vibrate beneath my feet as Oimo and Kashii crashed through a building into my view. They were roaring in rage at all of the years they'd lost by working with the marines. Usopp was perched on Oimo's shoulder, face set with concentration as he sniped marine after marine.
"This is for all those years of service you tricked out of us!" Kashii shouted as he swung his axe low to the ground. Dozens of marines were sent flying into the air from the blow.
Rounding the corner of the nearest building I found a brief spot of calm in the chaos of battle. It was a small square currently empty of enemies which was perfect for my needs. I took the time to survey the flow of battle and tried to estimate how far along we were. 50% of the way or maybe just a bit over, occasionally I had spotted the courthouse looming in the skyline over the buildings.
At that point a bunch of agents wearing suits came running into the the square. They were so panicked at whatever was behind them that they didn't notice me at first. Which allowed me the opportunity to remove several of them from the fight right away.
They had just noticed that I was among them when Chopper, in his Horn Point, charged into the square. A black shadow hung from the tips of the horns stretching out one clawed hand at the nearest agent. The claw went right through the agent, who dropped to the ground as all the strength in his body vanished.
Caught between the pair of us the group didn't stand a chance. Chopper shifted into his Heavy Point as the last agent fell, the shadow creature now hanging around his neck and down his back like a ragged cape. I had thought that he would save the bottle for going against CP9 but this worked as well.
"Thanks for the bottle Tii'chia, the shadow has been really useful in dealing with all of these guys. One swipe from his claw and these guys just drop."
I nodded and flashed Chopper a smile. He looked like he was having fun though we probably wouldn't be able to use the bottle on Thriller Bark. That was a thought for the future however.
We parted soon afterwards in the chaos of the ongoing fighting. A rush by dog riding marines separating us, several of the dogs leaping onto me. Short claws scratched uselessly at me as they tried to find purchase, fangs similarly didn't puncture my scales.
Growling in frustration I grabbed one of the dogs and flung it into the marines that crowded around me. The marine numbers seemed to be endless even if they didn't do much to hold us back.
Some time later found me regrouping with everyone but Luffy at the massive doors that would offer access to the courthouse itself, probably as large as they were in order to get giants into the building. Tired, sore, sporting minor injuries, but still determined all of us took a moment to collect ourselves. Zoro took a step back looking at the door before slicing straight through the rock that made up the doors themselves. He had created a gap that we started to surge in through.
The Straw Hats were in the lead but but the Franky Family, the shipwrights, Yokozuna, and the giants weren't far behind us holding back the ever present army of marines. We'd be facing off against the elite while they kept the chaff off of us.
Thunder cracked and smell of ozone filled my nose as Nami called down dozen of bolts of lighting onto the marines waiting inside as she came through. Zoro sent the few remaining ones flying into the air with his Tastumaki.
Chopper in still in his Heavy Point punched more guards aside, the shadow striking out to drain those that attempted to take advantage of any openings that he had. I had to blink and do a double take as I gazed at the shadow, it's form had changed from this vague ill defined silhouette to looking like a color reversed version of Perona's hollows. I swear it even looked like it was laughing which was just weird.
Standing at the other end of the room across from us was Judge Baskerville, and arrayed before him where the 11 guilty jurors. Each one clutching a huge iron ball and chain. A low growl echoed around the room and everyone fell silent. It took me a minute to realize that the growling as coming from me.
This wasn't Justice, this was a sham of it. A kangaroo court where the only verdict one ever got was guilty. My tail cracked like a whip against the stone floor, sending shards of rock flying everywhere.
"Go, up the stairs on either side and drop the gate. I'll deal with this filth before joining you." I spat the word filth at the marines before me several recoiling in horror at the sheer vitriol behind the word.
Nami looked like she was about to argue when Zoro placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head slowly. She closed her mouth before nodding and running to catch up to the rest of the Straw Hats that had rushed ahead. No one moved to stop them as the marines had all of their attention fixed on me.
I reached inwardly in my mind where many of the magical enchantments I had on me hummed. In my minds eye each looked like a star floating in the blackness of space. The more powerful the enchantment the brighter the glow. I grabbed one of the brightest ones and activated it.
Strength suddenly surged through my entire body and the stone beneath my feet cracked as my weight increased by a factor of 8. My whole body began to grow, limbs lengthening, armor stretching as it shifted to account for the change in height and width. Kintsugi also grew larger the blade doubling in length.
My height jumped from 7 feet to 14 feet feet as the transformation finished. I had been such an idiot for over a week now and I hadn't even noticed until I fought Gargoyle for the second time. When I realized that he had been taller then me.
It should have been obvious as soon as I woke up, hell I had even acted like I was at the increased size whenever I sat down or got out of the bed at Shalast. The spell that increased my size had turned off when I fell unconscious. Really I should have realized when doors weren't giving me a problem. Well I had it activated now, I shot the marines a grin before opening my mouth and roaring.
A couple of marines fumbled their weapons in fear right before I Shaved across the room. The wind whipped around me as I stopped before one of the guilty jurors. I grabbed the huge iron ball with one hand, claws digging into the metal with a hiss of acid as I lifted it up. The juror's eyes and that of everyone else in the courthouse were popping out of their sockets as I slammed the iron ball against the ground with a resounding boom. A crack ran through the ball right before it shattered completely.
"What you do isn't justice, already today you've condemned two innocent people, how many others have you condemned!"
A slice dropped the juror in front of me I was already gone by the time that a pair of iron balls crashed into where I had just stood. I appeared in front of another juror and sliced first through the chain of his iron ball then a second slice to knocked him out of the fight. 2 down, 9 to go.
"Did you even give them a trial? Let them plead their case before you? No I doubt it, the World Government says their guilty and that's all you need!"
I darted from juror to juror as I spoke, Kintsugi darting and slashing as I struck. Each blow was delivered with full force, the jurors were smashed into the ground, the stairs, through the wooden seats. Chips of wood and stone acting like shrapnel as they were caught in the wake of my dashes.
Finally I stopped, tail wrapped around the last juror's neck as he tugged helplessly at it. All the other jurors lay unconscious around the room, Baskerville's 3 heads staring at me in shock.
"What do you want your verdict will be?"
I rumbled, teeth inches from the trembling jurors face as I loosened my tail just enough for him to speak. He gaped at me, mouth opening and closing like a fish as he struggled to say the too words that had never been spoken in this court room.
"N...not...guilty!"
He shouted out to a gasp of horror from Baskerville as he was moving towards me sword raised.
"Good choice."
And with that I smashed Kintsugi's hilt onto his head and let him fall unconscious to the ground. I turned slowly to face Baskerville, who involuntary took a step back.
"You've probably never heard of it but where I come from there's an expression. Justice is blind, it means that justice must always by impartial and objective. You kill an innocent person and no matter who you are or how powerful you get treated the same. I don't care if you sentence pirates for crimes that they've committed but don't you ever sentence somehow for the circumstances of their birth!"
As I was speaking I had walked steadily forward, forcing judge Baskerville to fall back until his back hit the edge of the judge's seat. Whenever he tried to strike at me with his sword I parried it, each parry leaving dents on his blade.
"Mastery Waltz: Exhausting and Sickening"
Kintsugi gleamed as I sliced first up and then down, slicing through the tabard that concealed the fact that Baskerville was not one person but actually three. The power of my attack spilling into all three, their faces turned green even as they wilted completely exhausted.
A trickle of rocks dropped down onto my head as a boom echoed from above me. Zoro must have gotten tired of getting lost and cut straight through to the roof of the courthouse. Leaping straight up I crashed into the ceiling and burst through the stones. My claws dug into the stone to pull myself up even as I shrank back down to my 7 foot size, it made it easier to climb since I weighed nowhere near as much as I had.
The dust was still startling to settle as I heaved myself up out of the the hole in the courthouse roof. It wasn't surprising that I was the last one up since I had an entire extra floor to go through, the Straw Hats were only a few steps ahead of me however and my longer strides let me catch up easily so that I was walking besides Usopp. I climbed up onto the stone post behind Usopp and Luffy.
"If you wanna die or whatever..you can say whatever you want! But you have to say it to our faces!" Luffy shouted as he stared up at the balcony that Robin and the rest of CP9 where standing on.
"Robin, put your belief in Luffy and the crew. Know that I'll always be here to support you."
I shouted as I looked up at her, my very presence on the side of the Straw Hats bolstering Luffy's words
"Just leave the rest to us!"
Both of us shouted at the same time, our words reverberating with each other. Luffy's higher pitch being joined by my deeper and rougher one.
"Usopp get a couple of beads ready, try to separate Robin and Franky from CP9 with the spheres. Fire them right after the flag is shot." Usopp nodded at my words as he slipped several beads into his hand, even if he did look a little confused about the flag comment.
"CP9! Listen up, guys. I'm giving you the order to kill them, but do it in the Tower of Law. Since there's no guarantee they can even get up here." I could practically hear the confidence in his words. Thinking himself invincible at the moment.
"Wah ha ha ha ha ha ha! You stupid pirates! Well, you'll learn that nothing you can do will change things!" Spandam shouted across the gap at us before he whirled around to face Robin.
Spandman continued his rant and even threatened Robin with the terrors of a Buster Call. He didn't seem to notice that Robin was no longer afraid, the presence of the crew and myself as another survivor giving her strength.
"...Your an idiot. You have no idea what pressing that button would really do. You say that Ohara vanished from every map right?! But can you confirm the existence of people from maps? You seeing the world only through such devices allows you to even threaten to use such a heinous thing!"
If her hands had been free I'm fairly certain that she would have slapped Spandman and started to shake him.
"My foe Luffy is simply the world and its darkness. Show me that you have the drive to confront that!" Robin shouted as she looked away from Spandman and then down at Luffy.
"Haha they'll never do it, look at that symbol, pirates! It represents the unity of more than 107 nations, allied across the four seas and the grand line. It represents the world! Do you realize how frivolous your resistance is?! Do you understand now the sheer power of the organization that is after this one woman?!" Spandman's shout tried to drown out Robin's words but there was no way that he could drown out the challenge in them.
"I totally get who Robin's enemy is.
Usopp, shoot down that flag."
When Luffy spoke his voice was calm and he was gazing beyond the flag of the World Government. He was looking towards the future and the challenges that were ahead.
"Roger. My new weapon, a giant pachinko shooter I call Kabuto! Usopp special attack firebird star!"
Usopp roared out as he dropped to one knee and yanked the elastic of his weapon back in one fluid motion. The flaming bird flew from Usopp's weapon and screeched into the sky before slamming into the flag of the world government. The simple fabric bursting into flames as all of the marines and agents stared with bulging eyes.
"Robin! I still haven't heard it from your lips. Say that you want to live!"
Luffy's shout yanked all eyes back down to him and us as we stood in solidarity with him.
"I want to live! Luffy, Tii'chia take me to sea with you!"
As Robin's words echoed out I made a slashing motion with my hand in Usopp's direction. I was sure he knew what would need to be done.
Below us the drawbridge clunked and began to rumble as it started to extend. Usopp's weapon twanged twice as he launched the beads. The first cracked against the stones just slightly behind Robin's head. The second one cracked right at the feet of Rob Lucci. Both excellent shots from Usopp as always.
Twin spheres of blue light spread out from the points of impact, completely engulfing Robin and Lucci in their own separate bubbles. As the bubbles expanded the other members of CP9 were forced to jump away. Kaku leaping out into the air to grab Spandman as he was pushed over the ledge by the bubble, from the way Spandman's mouth was foaming it didn't look like he'd be regaining conscious anytime soon. Buster Call averted for now.
Lucci had transformed into his leopard form, taking up nearly all the space in the bubble with his size, and was growling angrily as he slammed his fists into the blue wall. The fact that the walls weren't budging seemed to be only angering him further. The rest of CP9 was still regaining their place on the walls and I could see Franky standing up on the other side of Robin's bubble from the rest of the group. He was rubbing his wrists so it looked like he had gotten the cuffs off.
Beneath our feet the bridge continued to expand outwards from the courthouse, with Baskerville out of commission no one had thought to use the mortars to stop it. Luffy shifted in front of me and I turned to look towards him just as he spoke.
"CP9! I challenge all of you for the keys to Robin's cuffs, one on one matches, me against Lucci!"
Everyone was staring at Luffy with their jaws hanging open, even Lucci himself before his face twisted into a snarl. We were going to be fighting anyways but the way Luffy had suggested it made me think of the Davy Back Fight just without the crew mate swapping.
"Spandman did say that were supposed to fight you in the tower, this way you'll get to see your comrades fall beneath our might. But I'm seeing more of you than there are members of CP9 so who will be fighting who?"
Zoro stepped forward at that moment, finger pointing at Kaku.
"I don't really care either way, just have people pick or something. I just want to see how good of a swordsman you really are."
Kaku who was setting Spandman down on his desk chair at the time looked back at Zoro before nodding.
"I guess we'll alternate who chooses. I accept Zoro's challenge which makes it our pick this time."
Jabra quickly raised his finger and pointed it straight at me. An almost feral smile was tugging at the corners of his mouth and he was practically drooling at the very thought of challenging me.
"I choose the lizard guy then! He looks like a good fight."
I blinked for a moment before finally shooting an awkward glance at Sanji who shrugged in response. Since he didn't seem that bothered by it I nodded my acceptance. Not like following canon at this point really mattered.
"I'll take the shitty frog mouthed one then." Sanji said with complete lack of concern. Blowing out a cloud of smoke as he finished speaking as he stared at Fukuro.
"Yoi yoi, I'll challenge..."
"Hold up, I may not be a member of Straw Hats crew but I think I should get an opponent as well yow!"
Franky interrupted, pointing a finger at Kumadori. While we had been talking he'd edged around the bubble encapsulating Robin.
"Yoi...I accept your challenge then Cutty Flam."
While Franky bristled at the name he otherwise didn't respond. That left only Kalifa on their side without an opponent, on our side we had Chopper, Nami, and Usopp. Finally she lifted her finger and pointed at Chopper.
"I can't believe the rest of you are agreeing to this but since I intend to win I pick the pet. He shouldn't put up that much of a challenge."
Chopper ground his teeth at her words before plastering an almost slasher like smile onto his face. Spreading my wings I ferried everyone across the gap and through the busted wall of Spandmans office. We could have taken the bridge and walked up the stairs to get there but Lucci could have been out of the bubble by then.
Once everyone had been carried over I drew Kintsugi and brought it down on the bubble that surrounded Robin, there was a flash of light and the bubble broke apart. It was good to see that the dispelling power of my sword still worked otherwise that could have been a problem. Robin rushed forward and slammed into my chest and I awkwardly hugged her with one arm. The hand on that arm patting her back gently.
"We'll get you out of here soon Robin just wait a bit longer for us to defeat these guys." I whispered to her before straightening up to address Lucci.
"That bubble will break in less then 10 minutes now, sorry but I only had one charge to break Robin's bubble with so your going to have to wait."
An angry growl was my only answer to that statement. Looking around it looked like everyone was here well except for Zoro and Kaku who had gone off somewhere for their own duel.
As we were getting gathered up Franky walked up to me.
"Hey man you got those spare cola bottles on you?"
I smirked as I reached into my bag and pulled out a trio of cola bottles and handed them over to a grateful Franky. Bag in hand I stepped over to where Nami and Usopp where sitting.
"Nami this bag can hold up to a 1000 pounds without changing its weight. The stuff in it currently can't weigh more than a 100, so why don't you and Usopp go relieve the World Government of their valuables."
I had pitched my voice low so that no one could overhear us talking, Nami's eyes turning into Berri symbols as she snatched the bag out of my hand.
"C'mon Usopp We've got thieving to do so."
"Okay lizard boy it's you and me up first." Jabra said as he stared at me with hunger flexing and unflexing his hands. He began to hunch forward, fur growing across his body, nails lengthening, as he transformed into his werewolf form. Because of him speaking I missed Usopp's reply as I turned to Jabra.
Stepping forward to meet him I drew Kintsugi and fell into my combat stance. Tail slapping against the stone I took a step forward as I readied my shield. Squaring off against Jabra I could see him tense right before he moved.
Jabra leapt forward and I could see see his fist tighten just before he lashed out with it towards my chest.
"Tekkai Kenpo: Okami Hajiki!"
I adjusted the position of my shield just in time to catch the punch on it. My shield rang like a gong and I gritted my teeth as the force traveled through the shield and into my arm. He hit as hard as both Gargoyle and Jack.
"Critical Waltz: Sickening!"
Before Jabra could take a step back I sliced him, blade easily cutting through his iron body. The green aura sinking into the wound. Jabra stumbled back looking half surprised that Kintsugi had so easily cut him. The sickening effect of my blow however Jabra just seemed to shake off looking none the worse for it.
"Heh, you managed to hurt me once but I doubt your skilled enough to do it again!
Tekkai Kenpo: Don Poro!"
Leaping forward Jabra slammed his fist into my midsection as hard as he could. Much of the force was deflected by my armor but enough still got through to cause me to stumble back a step.
"Tekkai Kenpo: Matenro!"
Flipping over onto his hands Jabra delivered a powerful kick straight into my chest. I could feel myself getting knocked into the air. Shaking off the disorientation from the blow I pulled the arm holding Kintsugi back.
"Dragon's breath!"
Snapping my arm forward I unleashed a compressed blade of air that flew towards Jabra. Pushing off with his hands Jabra flipped over the wind blade, leaving it to cut a slice into the stone floor.
Jabra jumped into the air after me, kicking off in midair to get above me. A flap of my wings kept my aloft and turned towards Jabra just as he dived down, claws extended in front of him.
"Gecko Jusshigan!"
At the last second I slapped my shield against Jabra's claws, and arms. Deflecting the attack I then lashed out with Kintsugi, scoring a long deep cut across his ribs.
Howling Jabra dropped back to the ground clutching at his side moments before my own feet hit the ground. Removing his hand from the cut on his side Jabra glared at me, a feral growl escaping from between his clenched teeth.
"Damn you, that blade of yours is sharp. I swear that sword is trying to cut as deep as it can. You won't hit me again though. Your blade can't cut me if it can't hit.
Tekkai Kenpo Roba no Kamae!"
A sweat drop rolled down the side of my head as Jabra shifted into another stance this one more fluid looking then his last. Why anyone would have an attack with banana in its name was beyond me. Well unless they were part of Big Mom's crew or had eaten the banana-banana fruit. Eh there probably wasn't such a thing.
Jabra rushed forward claws extended in front of him clearly trying to hit me with Jusshigan. Catching the blow once more on my shield I slashed out with Kintsugi, but only caught air. Jabra had leapt up and as he was soaring over me shouted.
"Finger pistol!"
I felt my arm beneath my armor go numb slightly as it transferred the force behind the blow. Whirling around I found that Jabra had already ducked aside and started to use his speed to his advantage. Finger Pistols and Jusshigan flew out me from every angle and it was taking all of my concentration to block or parry them.
He certainly had me beat for speed and from how fast he was raining down blows on me not likely to tire out anytime soon. I needed to slow him down somehow or I'd lose.
I couldn't just remain of the defensive so instead I charged at Jabra as soon as I saw an opening. Black energy swirled around Kintsugi as I brought it down in an overhead slash towards him.
"Critical Waltz: Exhausting!"
He wasn't having any of it however and pushing off the ground jumped back through the air. I lunged forward after him, hoping to catch him in the air as I reversed my swing.
"Critical Waltz: Step Two Exhausting!"
It wasn't to be however as Jabra kicked off of the air again to get above my rising cut. I could see him snarling as he lifted one leg up before bringing it down in a perfect axe kick.
"Rankyaku Lupus Fall!"
Instead of the kick slamming into me however it cut through the air and I covered myself with my shield just as wolves of air leapt at me. As each one slammed into my shield they exploded, my feet digging furrows into the stone as I was forced back.
"This all you got pirate? Sure you surprised me at first with even being able to cut me but now that I'm serious you don't stand a chance."
Jabra was standing still arms spread as he stared at me, the corners of his mouth curled up into a smirk. I cursed internally, he was right but I wasn't going to give him the pleasure of knowing that.
"Dragons breath!"
Kintsugi sliced through the air as I sent a blade of air towards Jabra. He dropped to the ground and kicking off the ground lunged towards me, the blade passing over his head. I jumped back trying to put some distance between the two of us.
"This will finish it! Tekkai Kenpo Don Poro!"
Jabra's fist slammed into my stomach and I coughed up some blood. Dammit dammit dammit I thought as I stumbled backwards. I needed to be faster, this lack of speed was going to be the death of me if I didn't do something now.
What I needed to do though I couldn't think of. Not helped by Jabra jumping up into the air before diving at me with his claws. I Shaved to the side, the claws narrowly missing me. That's when it hit me, I just needed to use Shave with my swing to increase the speed.
I started to Shave around the room as fast as I could, Kintsugi positioned out and to the side. The blade slicing through the air as my vision narrowed. My focus was completely on Jabra even as his eyes tracked me. I just needed to find the..there!
Jabra's foot hit the ground and for the single moment that he was still I struck. I appeared directly in front of him and Kintsugi cracked through the air like a whip as I swung it.
"Red Dragons breath!"
I roared out, launching a crescent shaped blade of fire towards Jabra. I could just see his eyes widen in shock before the fire crashed into him. It lifted him off of his feet and sent him crashing through the stone wall of the room. Through the dust I couldn't see how many walls he had ended up going through but by the time my ears had stopped ringing he still wasn't back.
I flashed a smirk at the rest of CP9 before stepping back with a stumble. Damn that had been a far closer fight then I wanted to admit. Even with Shave I was still built more towards pure power then speed something I would need to fix and soon. Zoro probably had a method of training in mind already if I wanted to ask him.
Back straight I walked slowly back over to where the rest of the crew where standing or sitting. In Luffy's case he was crouched down picking his nose. I sunk down against the wall and glanced at Robin who was looking at me with surprise.
"I am and I'm not the Tii'chia you knew as a child, it's difficult to explain right now but I'll tell you everything once we're out of here."
Robin continued to stare at me and I fought back the urge to squirm nervously beneath that steely gaze. Eventually she seemed to come to a decision and gracefully sat down besides me.
While we had been talking Sanji stepped forward casually smoking his cigarette and looking across at Fukurou as the zipper mouthed man walked forward. They squared off against each other and it didn't look like words were going to be exchanged before hand.
Sanji ran forward and his leg snapped out to deliver a series of devastating looking kicks towards Fukurou who just stood there and took them.
"Iron Body!"
"Collier, epaule, cotelette, selle, poitrine, gigot, Mouton Shot!"
Each kick that Sanji delivered caused the wind to whip around the room, stirring up the dust from the broken walls. Fukurou bounced back at the impact of each kick but his feet never left the floor as he skidded backwards.
"Doriki of 2000 chapapa. No wonder you pirates have gotten as far as you have. Jugon!"
Sanji jumped into the air to avoid the powerful punch from Fukurou. Kicking one leg forward and the other back so that his foot slammed into Fukurou's shoulder.
"Basse Cote!"
Fukurou tumbled head over heels backwards several times before he was able to stop. When he did push himself to his feet however he didn't look any worse for wear. Only his suit being slightly ruffled.
"Chapapa, while your strong I've taken hits from Lucci without being fazed. You need to hit harder then that to defeat me."
Fukurou laughed as he leaned back arms spread. Suddenly as it started however he stopped and took a long look at Sanji.
"That swirly brow...I've seen it somewhere before chapapa."
Sanji went stiff and his cigarette fell from his mouth. I couldn't see the glare that Sanji gave to Fukurou but from the way the zipper mouthed man suddenly stepped back it couldn't have been friendly.
Stamping down onto his cigarette, Sanji started to spin. As he did his right leg began to glow and emit heat. Faster and faster he spun until he stopped suddenly. Sanji's right leg was burning, flames licking up from his foot to just below his knee.
"Diable Jambe."
He growled before vanishing.
"Flambage Shot!"
He reappeared in front of Fukurou burning leg lashing out, it impacted straight into the frog mouthed mans chest. Buckling over the powerful kick Fukurou flew backwards through the air. He bounced off one wall then another, he slammed into Spandman who had just begun to stir, and his desk before continuing his flight. Finally he crashed into the bubble around Lucci with a sickening splat.
Watching Fukurou, Sanji pulled out a new cigarette and lit it. When Fukurou continued to lay there Sanji walked back over to the crew. Luffy had his mouth open and clearly was about to ask a question when Sanji fixed his glare on him.
"I don't want to talk about it."
Luffy dropped his hand and nodded in response. Something rumbled from over head and as I glanced up several small stones fell from the ceiling. I could only assume that the duel between Zoro and Kaku was going well.
"Yoi yoi, Mister Flam why don't you just surrender now and give us the plans for Pluton."
Kumadori said as he stepped forward, one arm extended in front of him. The massive amount of pink hair that he had starting to writhe as if it was alive. Considering that two of their members had been defeated by mere pirates I wondered where this confidence was coming from. Franky was smirking as he stepped forward, looking completely unbothered by the threat. Instead he posed, forearms clasped together to show off the star upon them.
"It's time to Super show you what happens when you mess with Big Boss Franky!"
Kumadori tossed his head, long pink hair flowing forward to form hands that tried to grab or punch at Franky. It took a moment before Franky dropped his pose and raised his hands to his mouth.
"Franky fire!"
A stream of flames burst out from Franky's mouth, quickly consuming the approaching hair. The fire then began to creep along the strands of hair towards Kumadori's head.
Kumadori's eyes popped out of his head and grabbing the pool cue on his back, slashed through his non burning hair to let the burning bits drop to the ground. Shaking his head Kumadori charged forward the arm holding the pool cue pulled back.
"Shigan Cue!"
The pool cue slammed into Franky, leaving behind a small dent in the skin. Kumadori looked at the divot almost blank faced before yanking his pool cue back and thrusting it forward even harder then before. The tip bursting into flames as it thrust.
"Shishi Kebab!"
Franky swung his arms up, taking the blow against his pressed together forearms with a metallic clank.
"What the hell are you yoi?!" Kumadori screeched as he stared at the second divot that he had managed to make. This one slightly scorched from the fire.
"I'm Cyborg Franky, boss of the Franky Family, and formerly one of Tom's Workers. The entire front of my body has been rebuilt by my own hands. Let my show you how tough I can really be."
Bare feet slapped against the ground as Franky charged, right arm ready in defense bent as he cocked his left back. There was a soft click as something opened on his wrist before with a whoosh flames surrounded his hand.
"Shockburn Left!"
Slamming his flaming hand into Kumadori's chest there was a loud bbzzzt as bolts of electricity leapt from where he had hit. Kumadori jerked back coughing up some blood as he staggered back. I could see his muscles tensing from the shock even as I closed my jaw.
That wasn't something that Franky had ever done before as far as I knew. This must have been what he and Usopp were working on when they had gotten captured.
"Aaaghh without Seimei Kikan I don't think I would be able to move after a blow like that."
Straightening up to his full height it seemed like Kumadori had recovered from the blow. A smoking hole in his suit the only sign of the blow left. Slamming his hands together around his pool cue Kumadori grew thinner as he converted all of his fat into lean muscle.
Before Franky could move he was getting bombarded by multiple Shigan Cues and Shishi Kebabs. It seemed to be all he could do just to block as many as he could. Soon Franky was completely obscured by a cloud of dust and smoke.
Ending his rapid fire assault Kumadori took a step backwards even as he sucked in a deep breath. He looked completely exhausted, skin hanging off of his frame slightly from how hard he had used his Semei Kikan.
From within the cloud dust Franky laughed. Stepping out of the smoke, he was covered in small visible wounds and a wide grin was on his face. Cocking his right arm back this time he took one powerful step forward.
"Let me show you the first ever Franky and Usopp special. Sky High Rejection!"
Charging forward Franky ducked underneath a sweep towards his head from Kumadori with the pool cue. Planting his feet he threw his right arm up and slammed it into the white faced man's jaw. A thunderous bang roared out through the air as Kumadori was sent flying straight through the ceiling. Steam billowed out from Franky's arm as with a thunk a piston popped out of the back of his elbow. The ground underneath Franky was spider webbed with cracks from the sheer force behind the blow.
"Woooow, how did you do that Franky?" Luffy asked as he stretched out his rubber arms and slingshot himself to clutch at the arm. He let go of it immediately, blowing on his now red and burnt hands.
"Usopp was showing me all of those dials that you guys got from Skypeia. So what we did was wire the Reject Dial so that all the force that hits my front is transferred into it, ready to be released whenever I need it. The piston and the heat are byproducts of the dials recoil and so that I don't shatter my arm when I fire it off."
Looking down at his right arm which was now hanging almost limply at his right side.
"It looks like its still going to need some work in order for it to be fully usable."
Luffy was grinning widely as he hung off of Franky, head swaying back and forth like a bobble head as they came back over to the group. Picking up my jaw from the floor I looked over at Robin with a questioning glance.
"One of the things I learned from you is to never leave something you can use behind if you can carry it. We ended up bringing back quite a few dials because of that, also a ton of gold which made Nami happy."
I nodded along at her words as I recalled the memory of that conversation. It also helped explain why when I had first met the crew they appeared to have more money then they did in canon.
Shaking my head I fought down chuckles as I turned back to where Chopper in his Heavy Point was facing off against Kalifa. I was starting to worry about the fact that the shadow was still partially curled down his neck. I was damn sure that it wasn't supposed to last anywhere near this long. Something funky was going on, not that I could really do anything about it right now. Later though I needed do a much more through check of what my magical items did.
As soon as she was in position Kalifa charged, rushing towards Chopper as bubbles began to form along her arms and hands. She leaped into the air, easily making it over Chopper, she barely made a sound as she landed and extended her hands.
"Golden Hour!"
Grabbing onto Chopper's left arm with one hand she ran the other up and down the length of the limb. The bubbles glowed as they scrubbed away all the detail on his limb up to just above the elbow. Before she could finish however the shadow lashed out with both claws, incorporeal hands passing through her body as they drained away strength.
Yelping in surprise she jumped away from Chopper just as he spun around to try and lariat her with his right arm. She didn't bother to stop jumping away from Chopper until she had managed to put a decent amount of distance between herself and him.
When she did stop she was breathing hard as if she had run a marathon. Chopper was looking down at his smoothed arm, opening and closing his hand slowly.
"Fascinating your power seems to drained away all the strength in the limbs that you smooth out with your bubbles. Your underestimation of the Shadow looks like it cost you more strength then it cost me."
Kalifa's leg snapped up and launched a blade of air towards Chopper, she was already moving when he shifted into his Brain Point, the blade of air passing above his head. She kicked out several more times in rapid succession as she moved, each blade coming in from a different angle. Chopper dove to the side to avoid the first kick, switching into Walk Point as he moved avoiding another two. The shadow stretched outwards away from Chopper, claws swiping at Kalifa and forcing her to dodge away from its grasp.
Whenever Kalifa would pause long enough to snap out another kick the shadow would swipe at her and force her to move, Chopper darting about the room to avoid the kicks even as he rapidly changed between his three forms. It was a dangerous game of cat and mouse with whoever stopping first the loser.
Chopper jumped up in Walk Point to bounce off of the wall as he avoided another kick, at the same time Kalifa leapt away from another swipe from the shadow. A jump that placed her right into Choppers path as he switched into Heavy Point.
"Heavy Gong!"
Chopper's fist flew forward and collided with Kalifa's face right as she was starting to turn towards him. There was a crunch followed by a spray of blood as Kalifa flew backwards through the air. Somehow Chopper and the Shadow had been coordinating their movements in order to lure Kalifa into a pincer between the two of them.
Skidding to a halt Kalifa clutched at her face, her glasses were broken and from the way she was holding her nose and all of the blood it seemed that Chopper had broken her nose as well. There was another crack as she snapped her nose back into place.
"You'll pay for that brat, Bubble Master Soap Sheep!" She shouted out as bubbles began to form on her skin, rapidly layering upon themselves as Kalifa basically vanished behind them. When Kalifa finally became visible it took all of my will not to burst out laughing. The bubbles had formed around her into the crude image of a sheep's body and she had her arms positioned so that they looked like the ears of a sheep.
"Shishishishi!" Luffy it seemed couldn't contain his laughter as he fell over, legs kicking in the air as he clutched at his stomach. A glance over at Robin revealed that she had one hand up trying to cover her smile.
Kalifa didn't take kindly to the laughter as she raised her arms and then thrust them forward. A massive wall of bubbles flying straight towards Chopper giving him absolutely no room to maneuver or even evade the attack.
Even then he tried, shifting between his three forms rapidly before the wall of bubbles crashed down over him. It was impossible to make out Chopper through the pile of bubbles. Kalifa was just started to relax when the shadow burst out of the pile and swiped its claw through her. She stared at it in shock even as her eyes started to roll back into her head and she collapsed. Chopper wiggled his way out from the pile in Brain Point. He was completely smooth, looking like some kind of adorable stuffed animal. Well more so then he usually did in Brain Point.
Chopper's footsteps made tiny little plop plop noises as he walked over to the crew slowly. He was examining himself as he walked and muttering under his breath about the properties of the bubbles. The shadow floated back to Chopper and perched itself down on top of his hat, it's hallow face just radiating smugness.
"Don't worry Chopper they wash off with water."
The good times were not to last as the bubble around Lucci vanished without a sound. The only thing alerting us to its absence was his sudden roar as he charged towards the group in leopard form. Luffy was on his feet in an instant, feet planted wide apart as he started to steam before vanishing.
"Gear Second! Gum Gum jet Gatling!"
Red rubber fists collided against leopard clawed hands as Lucci met Luffy's attacks with rapid fire punches of his own. Leaping to my feet and sweeping Robin up into my arms I followed the rest of the crew rapidly out of the room. Just in time it seemed as part of one of the damaged walls crumbled down.
Outside of Spandman's office we encountered Nami and Usopp coming down the stairs from higher up. Usopp was carrying Robin's whip and the burning glaive while Nami was just holding onto my bag. I caught the bag that Nami tossed towards me and quickly tucked it into my belt. The entire tower shook once again as the crew started down the steps. We were just in time it seemed as Luffy went flying through the wall followed by Lucci. Stones tumbled and nearly brained Nami only to be deflected by a kick from Sanji who smashed it aside.
Continuing our retreat down the tower we passed by Zoro who looked none the worse for wear and only slightly lost. Clenched in his hand was a ring of keys.
"I found the keys to the seastone cuffs in that giraffe guy's room. How did you guys get above me."
"Not now Zoro, Luffy's fighting Lucci and the towers in danger of collapsing around our heads."
I shouted as we ran past. I kept one eye on Zoro as we descended the tower, making sure that he didn't wander off. As we went I fumbled with the keys and got Robin's hands free from the cuffs, Usopp handing her her weapons once she could carry them. Above us the sounds of Lucci and Luffy's battle could still be heard.
At last we made it to the entrance, the bridge still extended from the courthouse guarded by the Franky Family, Galley-La shipwrights, Yokozuna, and the two giants. Upon seeing us a cheer rose up from the group and they began to push back against the tides of marines that swarmed them. The addition of so many other people on our side though made progress easier and soon we were exiting the courthouse.
"Jet Gatling!"
Luffy's voice rang out from above and I looked up to find him punching a stunned looking Lucci with everything that he had. Then with one last punch Luffy sent Lucci flying from the top of the courthouse. He flew through the air before crashing into one of the buildings that made up the town. Luffy stood still atop the courthouse, one arm thrust up in victory, a wide smile stretching across his face.
"Let's go everyone! Back to the sea!" He shouted as rocketed himself off through the city in the same direction that we were heading. Seeing Rob Lucci defeated took all the fight out of the marines and many broke ranks to get out of our way. The few that remained weren't enough to slow us down.
Passing through the gates to Enies lobby found us near the Puffing Tom, already having been readied by Kokoro, and a sight that got a cry from all of the crew. Bobbing on the waves just beyond the fence was the Going Merry. The Straw Hat's jolly roger fluttering proudly in the breeze and just for a moment I thought I could see a raincoat wearing girl beckoning us towards her from the deck.
Whopping and cheering we made our way back to Merry and onto her deck. Even as we set sail once more and began to follow the Puffing Tom back to Water 7 I could feel the timbers groaning as they ground against each other.
Walking up to the prow of the ship I reached out and placed my hand on the figurehead. Luffy, who had taken his favorite spot on top of the figurehead looked back and down at me.
"Just a bit longer Merry."
I whispered, the groan of timber my only response before I looked up at Luffy.
"Captain since you met me and even before with Franky I've been lying to you both. There exists one possible way to save Merry and let her continue her voyage with us. I just don't know the form that she will take, either way you need a new ship to continue your own journey."
Tears dripped down my face and my voice broke as I spoke once again.
"Please let try to save her."
I was crying so hard now that I couldn't see so I was surprised when I felt Luffy's arms wrap around me. When he spoke his voice was choked as if he was fighting back tears of his own.
"Of course I'll let you, everyone knows that we need a new ship to continue but we'll take any chance to save her."
Numbly I nodded my head at his words, blinking tears out of my eyes I found myself looking into Luffy's. In them I saw steely determinations holding back his sadness.
"Everyone! Look a ship is coming towards us."
Pulling away from Luffy I looked in the direction that Usopp was pointing. There in the water sat another ship and I could see Iceberg waving at us from the prow. As we approached snow began to drift down from the sky. As we pulled alongside Iceberg's vessel everyone was quiet, going about their tasks of gathering everything up that they would take with them.
No one spoke as the items were transferred over, personal things first like bags and clothes. Following that where the bigger and bulkier items like Nami's tangerine trees. Once everyone had moved across to the other ship I stepped forward.
"Everyone with Luffy's permission I'm going to try and save Merry. I know it will work but I don't know what form she will take when this is all said and done with."
I could feel everyone's eyes upon me as grabbed the bag at my side and felt around for the item that I had kept secret until now. Finding it at last I pulled a simple sheathless iron short sword from the depths of the bag. The sword lacked any forms of ornament or special workman ship except for the wider then normal crossguard.
A trio of gems set in an inverted triangle just above the hilt, the top two gems looked like blue diamond spheres that glowed with their own inner light. The gem at the top of the triangle had a long crack running through it and no light shone from it.
I took a deep breath and grasping the hilt of the sword extended it out until I could rest the flat of the blade on Merry's railing. As I started to speak one of the blue diamonds began to grow brighter and brighter until it was impossible to look at.
"I wish that the Going Merry could continue her voyage with the Straw Hat crew so that she can achieve her own dream!"
As I spoke the last words there was the sound of glass shattering as the blue diamond cracked down the middle and went dark. Everything was motionless, the waves, the sky, even the falling snow hung in the air unmoving. I can only describe what happened next as a sort of pop, it wasn't heard but more felt as time started to flow again.
The Going Merry was gone, where she had floated in the water there was now nothing. The water wasn't even displaced as if she had never occupied that spot in the first place. I could only stare at the empty spot with my jaw hanging open, the rest of the crew looking as baffled as I was.
"So what are we looking at?" A voice asked from the back of the group, as one we turned to look at where the voice had come from.
Standing there was a woman with dusky red skin wearing a large white raincoat that went all the way down to her ankles, where she wore a pair of black slightly heeled shoes. Short black hair framed her face and the pair of rams horns that sprouted from her brow before curling outwards. She was grinning at the group mischievously, hands clasped behind her back as she rocked back and forth. A slender spade tipped tail swaying in the air between a gap in the back of the raincoat.
The strangest thing was that despite her appearance everyone could immediately recognize her as the way her features were set was like a mixture of the entire crews, with a simultaneous shout we all rushed to hug her.
"Merry!"