What Makes a Pirate Deadly
The crew had no idea what was going on. As far as they were concerned everything had been peaceful, asides from having their ship taken hostage and even then the Skypieans were incredibly nice and tried to offer them a helping hand whenever possible. Of course, they still had to pay for room and board. However, they should consider themselves lucky they were wanted pirates…the people of this town could straight out refuse them. Especially due to how close they were to Zenith Gaol, they would've assumed there would've been a higher Marine population…but they weren't thinking about that at all right now. They were too busy staring at the gigantic hole in the side of the inn, shielding their eyes from the smoke that was coming out from it. "Who's there?" shouted Zesiro trying to take charge of this situation, however, he was soon met with the business end of a halberd. Zesiro was forced back, flying through the air once more until he came crashing into one of the nearby walls. Zesiro immediately catapulted himself back onto his feet and tried to look forward, but the heavy smoke still impeded his vision. His opponent probably faced similar conditions and had waited for somebody to say something. From where Zesiro was standing he could barely make out the shadows of his friends and without a doubt, his attacker. They all looked the same to him, though, so once more he couldn't really be any help. He had no way to reducing the number of shadows and no way to find out who's who. The smoke slowly began to clear and before Zesiro could get an accurate read-out Mikoto did and leapt in action. He charged towards his opponent and began initiating a wild fight. Between Mikoto's somewhat eccentric movements and the remaining smoke in the air, Zesiro couldn't really tell what was going on, but eventually he managed to put together who the attacker was. He had only seen him in one position before and that was on his Bounty Poster, it was 'The Dark Knight' Shane!
Zesiro wasn't sure what was forcing him forward, but he was moving towards Mikoto with a frightening amount of determination. Mikoto's punches dug into his skin again and again, the sharp snap of heach of his punches caused Shane's face to swell from the incredible ferocity. However, despite the numerous, powerful, quick punches Mikoto was using Shane didn't falter. He continued on his way forward, plowing through the space in between them until he was finally within striking distance. And that was when the real fight started. Shane's halberd was the perfect weapon for him, its reach and power seemed to be only greater in his massive tree-trunk like arms. He thrust the weapon forward and let it scorch the air with its force, Mikoto dodged backwards. Shane's reputation obviously stemmed from an overwhelming amount of power while Mikoto's was from his speed. It was almost as if the two opponent's were fated to meet and put their opposing power to the test, which ability was better speed and agility or sheer overwhelming power. The destined differences.
The rest of the crew seemed to just move back and wait, they were a little annoyed at his opponent's cheap tactics of getting the first strike in, but their captain was Mikoto and undoubtedly he hadn't rushed forward due to anger, but rather excitement. Perhaps calling them different wasn't the right word, both of them loved strong opponents and constantly chose the life of brawler. Diving head-in to your opponent's attacks, choosing the right opponent, while they may have fighting styles as different as fire and ice…the fact was that they were both battle junkies. Which brought to question…why did Shane look so angry? This fight was the sole reason he had come to Skypiea, why he had stolen their ship, why he had called Mikoto out and yet he had never looked angrier? The fact was that the crew and the patrons of the nice restaurant had no idea about what happened to his ship, they were clueless and instead chose to believe that Shane was just a monster bent on destruction. It was a shame such a fate had befallen him, but for that instant he didn't care. He was only intent on crushing Mikoto. Shane's anger was transferred straight into his swings, ordinarily he was level-headed, but that had disappeared into his own extreme hot-headedness. He let loose a wide and yet earthshakingly powerful swing. An attack like this filled hearts with fear and minds with panic, but to Mikoto no attack was more welcome. It seemed almost slow to him, the entire swing was telegraphed from Shane's shoulder to his hands. It ate through air, incinerating the space in its path. Mikoto dove beneath it, he shot beneath the massive halberd and bolted straight to Shane's gut. From there Mikoto released a succession of quick, powerful punches. Each blow screeched forward, smashing into Shane's gut again and again forcing the much larger pirate back finally. As soon as Shane brought his weapon back to start, ready for another swing Mikoto dashed away sending his entire body weight backwards and away from Shane's striking distance.
"Damn you!" screamed Shane, rushing forward showing off his own speed…which was completely useless compared to Mikoto's. Mikoto rushed in and landed a quick flowing punch as he streaked by straight to Shane's chin. "If it wasn't for your dirty trick I may actually be enjoying myself fighting you, but you had to go and spoil it!" Shane bent down, pressing his hand against the floor of the inn. Mikoto took a step back, his instincts screaming at him to be careful. However, Mikoto wasn't out of Shane's attacking range apparently. The floor was soon ripped open, splitting the ground apart beneath them and flinging Mikoto into the air. The crew and the rest of the spectators oohed and aahed at the impressive display. They immediately knew that Shane had some sort of Devil Fruit power that could cause explosions, but they had no idea what it was. Shane lunged forward, charging and throwing his entire weight forward and swinging into the air and right at Mikoto's head.
Ordinarily such a combination would've landed and with the power Shane was putting behind his swings probably would've taken a man's head off…however, that was only if it was indeed ordinary. Mikoto swung around and quickly jumped once more putting his latest Geppou technique to good use. He was still limited to one use a day and it hadn't gotten any better during his small break from fighting due to the damage to his arms, but it was good enough to avoid Shane's massive blow. Mikoto landed on the ground behind Shane, faltering for an instant. Using Geppou as a horizontal movement meant that Mikoto's leg placement was all out of whack, however, he soon immediately cooled right back down. Shane twisted around almost immediately the deadly terrifyingly powerful swing came charging back again. Mikoto's eyes bulged as he dodged beneath trying to take advantage of it again by diving right to Shane's chest. However, Mikoto was met with a surprise. Shane had only used one arm to slug the massive weapon around, in other words his other hand was free. He moved it forward, aiming for Mikoto's chest. Well, Mikoto couldn't be shocked, the man was obviously had a high bounty for a reason. Mikoto tried to dodge backwards, but he was instead met with Shane's hand quickly wrapping around Mikoto's shirt. Mikoto couldn't move he instead braced himself and prepared for the next blow.
His shirt grew warmer…almost like burning hot. Once more Mikoto's instincts seemed to scream at him to move. Mikoto ducked down, slipping out of his shirt and immediately dashing backwards. To his amazement his shirt exploded, ripped itself to shreds in mere instant. Mikoto moved back, taking several steps at a time, choosing not to remain in Shane's reach now. Mikoto lightly dabbed his chest and felt a slight reminded of the extreme heat lingering there. He looked over at Shane, trying to figure out what kind of trick he did. It was a technique similar to spontaneous combustion, superheating an object and the space between the particles to the point that it rapidly expands and eventually explodes. "That was my favorite shirt!" complained Mikoto as he took another half a step back, now things were going to get serious.
"The guy doesn't seem so tough," said Maria with a smile crossing her face, "I bet you I could've beaten him, why did our captain insist on getting the first punch in?" It was common rules between brawlers, who ever landed the first punch gets to fight with him. Of course, not all people obeyed such a rule. "Mikoto is really landing more blows on him at the same time Shane just doesn't seem capable of touching him." It was a bit surprising hearing it from Maria, but she was kind of right. It wasn't like her to underestimate her opponents or think that she had won the fight. And, in this case, she was wrong. It would only take one swing from Shane to turn the tides of this battle. Meanwhile none of Mikoto's punches really seemed to be fazing the obsessed maniac. Mikoto didn't even know why he seemed so obsessed with killing him. Mikoto tightened his fist, trying to see if it was ready for another Rapid-Fire, but the sharp and almost numb pain emanating from within it told him he wasn't ready for it. Perhaps he shouldn't be relying on it as much as he had been.
Shane struck out again, swinging his impressive halberd through the air and bringing it nearly to a rest in Mikoto's skull, but the wild coyote dove to the side, swinging his entire body around in an elliptical fashion before driving inwards once more. Close range was hardly the safest place to be, Shane's swings could traverse larger distances at a quicker speed at close range meanwhile the room for Mikoto maneuver in was greatly diminished. He could no longer jet back and forth at such an incredible rate anymore and was would be forced to duke it out with Shane, a man not only bigger, but stronger than him. Could Mikoto really pour on the gas at such close range? They supposed it was either possible…or they would be down a captain the way Shane was swinging.
The two of them quickly became engaged in a complicated bout for space. When both fighters enter such close range, they also enter each other's hitting distance. Backing down or unnecessarily chasing inwards would be the end and be a surefire way to get hit, it was constant fight for space. Either sealing off their opponent's space or enlarging their own, they had to seal their opponent's movements to ensure escape was impossible. It may seem that this meant Mikoto had the upper hand, his speed gave him greater access to more area, but truth be told Shane had the advantage. Overpowering an opponent was basically the only way to seal, in other words, having brute strength or a way to force them back was necessary and Mikoto lacked that without his tried and true Rapid-Fire. And pretty soon the difference made itself obvious. Shane strapped his halberd to his back and decided a fist fight was his best bet especially at this range. And, of course, the future King of the Pirates couldn't back down from such a tempting challenge. He had to stick with it until the end. Mikoto swayed, danced, and weaved from spot to spot moving with the utmost quickness to avoid Shane's barreling punches. Each punch of Shane was met with a couple of Mikoto's, each one chewed into Shane's stomach trying to force him back and make him surrender before Mikoto got hit. Shane kept the barrage going even through Mikoto's flurry. Mikoto drove in, closing the distance for a split second and landing a punch for dancing back and out of Shane's path of destruction.
However, even the strongest of fighters have their off days. Mikoto moved in a little too soon and barely managed to avoid the incoming punch, it seemed things were going well despite his slight eagerness. It is there that it happens. An unusual warmth overcomes him. Extreme heat that makes him feel a little more wary than usual. It takes him a step or two, all of which happens in under a second, to understand what it was. Mikoto tried to pull back, but even his speed couldn't match the explosion's. The small space separating him and Shane grew bright for an instant before it went up in a fiery explosion, blowing Mikoto back. Shane had superheated the air in a matter of seconds, a technique that he had previously ignored due to its lack of uses and low power, but in this case it was just what he needed. Mikoto stumbled for a few seconds, unable to regain his balance. Which was just what Shane was waiting for. The next attack came just as quickly as the last, a powerful swinging charge that blew through the air, superheating it as it went creating a series of explosions behind it, which further propelled it forward with each burst until it slammed into Mikoto's side. Mikoto felt the heat welling up again in his side and his eyes flung open and opened themselves up wide, another bright burst of light emanated from the powerful halberd and Mikoto had no time to react. The tip of the halberd exploded just like floor and the air, throwing Mikoto clear across the air and smashing into the ground.
Mikoto could consider himself lucky. The explosion's heat had somewhat burned the awful gnash he had received from Shane's axe close. Burning cut wounds was an old war time medical technique, but it wasn't used nowadays due to much better options being available. In the end it meant Mikoto could fight again. Mikoto tried to struggle to his feet, but was instead met with an open palm strike from Shane. Shane brought the palm of his hand into Mikoto's forehead and slammed him back, refusing to allow the poor coyote captain even the smallest of reprieves. Even worse Mikoto could feel the extreme heat emanating from Shane's hand. If it worked on the floor, air, and his axe…who's to say it wouldn't work on Mikoto's head?
"Stop Shane!" shouted the large Fishman as once more he stumbled into the inn, Shane paused for a second and let his heat subside, but only for an instant as he turned to face his trusty crew member. His crew member seemed to have the same amount of anxiety towards meeting Shane as Shane had in general. Shane was breathing heavily, the sight of his crew was a relaxing one. He hadn't thought about it until just now, but his entire crew could've been dead. The sight of one of them was certainly a reassuring one, but still he needed to take care of the man responsible for it! Shane turned back to Mikoto just in time to hear, "he didn't do it!" Shane paused and looked back over to his crewmate, he let his hand relax and dropped Mikoto to the floor. The height difference in them was about a good foot or so, so that was about how Mikoto had fallen till he hit his butt on the floor. "He didn't do it," repeated the Fishman, continuing to try to reassure Shane.
"Well, then who did?" Shane's voice was gruff, obviously brimming with sheer hatred as he looked over to his partner, expecting an answer…and expecting an answer now!
"Shichibukai, 'Ghost Hook' Kraven."
(-With Kraven-)
"I had only intended to destroy and taunt the Infinity Pirates," said Kraven as he made a short jaunt forward and through his massive war galleon. While Shane's ship was bigger than Mikoto's, his ship was bigger yet. Big enough to swallow at least two of Shane's ships. Perhaps that was where Kraven's enormous confidence came from…or perhaps he was overcompensating for something. Either way Kraven was afraid of calling out both Shane and Mikoto a duo of pirates whose bounty passed 350 million! "But since the Dark Knight Pirates were in charge of their ship at the time I attacked and decided to try and stop me, I suppose I had to destroy them as well." He had the bounty to back up his talk and the strength to back up his bounty.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" questioned one of his crewmembers as they looked on, "I mean not only do both of these guys have incredible bounties, incredible reputations, but Mikoto defeated Trevor and Shane's rise to infamy is just as frightening." Kraven smiled, throwing his head back giving his shipmate a devastatingly evil smile.
"I admire that you are worried about me, but you still haven't scared me. Trevor had a bounty of over 215 million can you tell me why Mikoto's bounty didn't jump up that high?" the crewmate paused for a second as he considered this…he didn't know why. "It is simple because Trevor's uproarious bounty wasn't because of his insane strength, but because of his insane blood lust. In other words, just because my bounty is only currently 180 million isn't because I'm weaker than Trevor, but because I'm more in control." Kraven and his crewmate were soon on top of his war galleon and looking at the rest of the ships in the harbor. Kraven took careful aim at another pirate ship and brought out his weapon a long staff with a deadly curved hook at the end. He swiped it through the air and just through the air, "and trust me…a pirate whose in control is much more deadly than anyone else on these seas." Suddenly the pirate ship he had aimed his attack at was scuppered. The top half of the ship was ripped off of its hull and thrown through the air by an invisible flying slash.
His crewmate paused for a second. He had known of Kraven's strength and that was why he had joined his crew and after witnessing his captain's power once more he knew for a fact there was no way he could lose. However, there were two other reasons why he believed in his captain's strength…first that 180 million belie bounty was before his rise to Shichibukai status, in other words, before he showed up at a Shichibukai meeting carrying the head of another Shichibukai…if his bounty would've been amended to include that…his bounty would probably 280 million at least. The other reason was something you could only fully understand after you spent a decade at sea with him. Speaking of which…spending a decade out in these seas…perhaps that was something else…a fourth reason why Kraven could never lose in a fight to some fresh off the boat pirate.
The Issuing of a Challenge
I know, supposed to go up yesterday so I don't disturb nobody's thanksgiving day and to keep it up, but my internet turned crappy and has been having fits...so HAPPY THANKSGIVING! A NEW CHAPTER!
I always think I have some piece of vital information to share I post these...and I go to post it in these things...and then I get to them and I'm just like...nope...nothing. Kraven is the work of DracoOblivion.
Anyways...OOH! Kraven has shown his face. He is definitely a deadly pirate sailing on these seas for such a long time...probably even when Mikoto's own father was on the seas. Word of warning 'fear old men in occupations that have a very low life expectancy'. Got nothing else of importance to say. You know, other then keep an eye out for Sights Set on the Sky (Chapter 15 finished! (May be posting as soon as I get reliable internet connection)), send in your OCs, have a happy thanksgiving...oh, and for those of you crazy bastards going out for Black Friday, try not to get trampled.