Those Who Lack Common Sense

Mikoto was prepared for this. Shane attacking him right now. It was no surprise to the young pirate captain. He wasn't certain if it was because Shane wore his emotions on his sleeve, his own instincts or possibly because he felt the same way. If Shane was a monster than Mikoto was a predator. He had the same desire for a fight as well.

The beast warrior took a single step back. He sensed the incoming blow just as Shane had come to exchange blows with his bursting power, Mikoto sought to exchange all the same. With his speed he had every intention of exchanging with the monster. Mikoto stepped forward and his arm swung around, arcing in through the air. It looped around Shane's arm and locked onto his face.

This last minute attack was the same as the counter Alistair had used. Mikoto's intention was obviously the same as his. To use Shane's bolstering power and throw it back at him. His goal was to throw it right back at him. Shane was not about to go holding back at all Mikoto knew that much about him. If Mikoto's punch landed well this would without a doubt be a monstrous blow to even someone with the monstrous stamina like Shane.

Mikoto's punch slipped by Shane's fist and shuddered forward right into the 'Dark Knight'. Shane didn't even stumble, he didn't even seem phazed by the massive blow. As a matter of fact, despite dodging the hit completely Mikoto seemed to be the one worst off for the exchange. He had never been so close to power like this.

Even Trevor's Haki infused blows seemed to be nothing in comparison to the pure-power that Shane possesses. And even worse even Mikoto's power seemed to be way too low compared to it. He doubted even his Rapid-Fire would match up to something as simple as one of Shane's punches. Shane's power was something that far exceeded something Mikoto could muster and even worse Shane had no reservations about blasting it off.

And Mikoto feared that showed on his face, he dashed back in and fed down, ducking beneath Shane's massive arms. He closed in on the gut of the monster. A few well-placed punches dug into Shane's stomach, but he was surprised as his fist hit it. Shane's abdomen felt like a stone wall. He was impressed to say the least. Mikoto was fairly certain he could break his fist from simply hitting it.

Of course, that was exactly what Mikoto intended to do. It was pretty much the only thing he could do. He was a fighter and that was his best element. Continuous punching was his strong element. Speed, skill, and determination those were his best abilities and that's all he was going to go for. It was the only thing that he could do.

However, as Mikoto stepped in, his every intention of finishing this fight once more with his next punch, the problem was his world went black. He lost his ability to see and even smell. However, he could still hear and given Shane's annoyed yelling, he assumed the same was held true for him as well.

"You two need to stop this senseless fighting this instant," Kurai Ai stated with a nearly commanding tone. Mikoto stopped his movement, however, he could still hear Shane's annoyed barking. "Do you really believe that with this one group down you can ally your alliance to crumble?"

"Our alliance was only going to last this long," Shane barked. However, Kurai Ai scoffed at his words.

"You take down one more Shichibukai and you believe you can just quit? You apparently don't understand what's happening. You have a name for yourselves. Just like you sought out the Shichibukais to get a name for yourselves other people will return the favor. They will find you and get a name for themselves by defeating you."

"The only name they'll get for themselves is the one-hundredth man whose ass I kicked!" grunted Shane as he fired another kick into pure darkness.

"I'm just saying the fight you've both just been in was harsh. This fight will be even harsher," Kurai Ai stated, "your wounds are already piling up do you really hope to win another fight. That is if you even manage to win this one."

"I'll fight and win as many fights as I need to I'm not going down against any two bit fighters!"

"I highly doubt a two-bit fighter will be coming for you," Kurai countered, "amongst us Shichibukais there are of course, a few rumors that circulate within our crews. Which ones of us got our titles fairly and which ones didn't. Who killed the most Marines before joining. Honestly its become more of a game than anything else. Things to talk about while we wait for the Marines to arrive."

"So?" Shane muttered, "I do not fear any Shichibukais! I've crushed the skulls of a few here now and I don't mind putting the men I've beaten in battle up against the likes of them. Shichibukai or no Shichibukai I'd wish to fight them any day of the weak."

"Even 'Ravenbone'?"

The name Ravenbone was well known. Perhaps out of the Shichibukai he was one of the best known ones for his cruelty and his ability to get results. Trevor was more well-known due to his Underground Rally Arena that he so enjoyed thrusting in the face of other Shichibukai. Ravenbone, however, was a frequent visitor and fighter within the arena. Mostly just as a show of alliance between the two. The 'Ravenbone' was as much of a crowd favorite as Trevor was though. Though Ravenbone preferred to fight free victims rather than the ones there.

Rules didn't suit him very much to begin with. The problem was that he didn't like how the fighter acted. He had been quoted saying that they didn't have the proper amount of fear. That they relied on the rules of the Underground Rally Arena which was to allow them a certain amount of safety. Namely being able to escape death if possible. This left a bad taste in Ravenbone's mouth.

However, despite the rumors circulating about a man with such blood-curdling prowess the loud-mouthed pirate didn't seem fazed. If anything he seemed to be ready to go fight him as he was. Which only seemed to anger Kurai even further.

"Think your twisted decisions through before jumping into the mess! This isn't just one Shichibukai we are talking about here. An entire crew that flies his flag, an entire crew of people willing to die for his cause, not to mention the other crews of the other Shichibukai will be coming. Along with Admirals, probably bounty hunters. And good knows how many other pirates thinking that by beating you guys they'll become famous."

"And they won't beat us," Shane repeated himself, "I'll beat them and that's it. Now get out of my way, clear this screwed up fog and let me fight!"

"Since apparently reasoning with you saying your life's in danger won't shock you out of your own twisted mind set, I'll have to approach this differently. Pay attention to how damaged both of you are. Right now you two are both probably only at fifty percent at best. Do you really want a fight when you're only at 50%? That means a fight will only last half as long...if you are really expecting the best fight from this as possible don't you want something that'll last longer."

Shane muttered something beneath his breath, but he still didn't say much. "Fine, fine. This stupid little trick of yours got my blood cooled down anyways. Besides when you go up a mountain eventually you'll get to a point where only one person can continue to climb. When we get to that point that's the time we'll fight."

"We may get there sooner than we think," Mikoto made a note of. They were already nearing the New World as it was. And even worse with three Shichibukai's being defeated there was no telling how much time remained for them to be able to act like this. The end of the world was going to force them to make a move eventually.

"There's not enough strong people left in this world, I'm afraid," Shane laughed loudly. "Marine Vice Admirals, Shichibukai's, the other Supernovas, I've fought with so many of them now I've grown bored. Just put some strong opponent in front of my and I'll punch. Its as simple as that. But I can't find anyone worth punching for awhile." Shane paused and eyed up both Mikoto and Kurai and then with a smile added, "present company excluded."

"Yeah, I want to punch you too, buddy," Mikoto chided, causing even the rock-hard face of Shane had to crack into a bit of a smile.

"I'm sorry, do I not make the cut?" laughed a voice as some of the tress were bent out of shape. Out from behind them, lumbered a large man. Kai, the Yonkou, had finally caught up to them. He laughed as he approached. He didn't extend any hands for a handshake. This could be business or it could be war.

"Who the heck are you?" asked Mikoto, however, the other two seemed to have already known as the both drew their respective weapons and aimed at him. They were ready to take him down the instant he made a move they didn't want.

"He's a Yonkou. 'Poseidon' Kai is what they call him," explained Kurai Ai, "and with his name being the god of the sea he lives up to his name. Out of all of the Yonkous this one is perhaps the most troublesome. I'm not talking about the strongest or the fastest or the one with the biggest crew. He has a lot of resources, a lot of influence, a lot of islands under his thumb. He has a nation at his beck and call."

"And not all of them are pirates," Kai muttered softly, "I welcome everybody into my nation. All islands, all people can join my nation. This has created a wonderful new nation. Many islands are gaining new connections which allow them to increase trade and it gives them a great boon to their economies as well. I'm just trying to help people."

"And if you become a king as a side effect, you aren't going to complain."

"Don't take me wrong I'm not doing this simply out of the kindness of my heart," Kai explained his genius, "my entire nation's contacts are all through me. One island has an extra large shipment of wood, I get a new a ship. They make extra money, I get a nice bonus. All things come back to me. Its the way the world works. Or at the very least should work. I brought them together its only fair I get a nice lump sum of cash behind all of their business deals."

"I have a feeling its a bit better than a nice lump sum."

"Can I help it if I don't have a bleeding heart? Anyways, I'm here to deliver a message from the ruler of the Revolutionaries as well as a friendly Yonkou who wishes to say hi."

"Hello, to you to, too," muttered Mikoto, but Kai didn't share his sentiments.

"I said a friendly Shichibukai, not me," he explained curtly "Victoria Shogun has taken an interest in you boys. She wishes to see you in person if you think you can handle such a request. I personally suggest you decline if you can help yourselves. She's a notorious woman and gaining her as an ally would be most beneficial to many men, but she's a Yonkou like me. She's conniving and in it only for herself. At least that's what I believe."

"Don't trust anyone else," Mikoto chuckled. "Lesson learned."

"Why are you even here?" questioned Kurai Ai as she approached Kai.

"Me and my latest business associate have picked up a keen interest in this area to begin with," Kai smiled. "However, I only recently received news about these two. And it is for that reason I'm here, but don't worry I have no intentions of harming any one of you."

"I guess you haven't noticed," Shane stated with a stiff swallow, "there's three of us and only one of you. Whose to say that we don't have any intentions of harming you?"

Kai looked left and right, almost as if he was expecting someone to jump out and tell him he's being punked. Kai finally turned to face Shane and with a shrug stated plainly and honestly, "common sense?"

Raging Storm