BROTHER ON BOARD
Johnny Spectre - Sabo grew up stick fighting with his pipe so there are times that he can wield Bonnie like a staff in mele combat. His 'Knockback' attack is a prime example of that as is the fight he had against Zoro when he was hypnotized during the Kuro Arc.
Bluejay Blaze - You must spend a fortune on repairing doors.
The Patient One - Thanks! Hope this one's worth the wait.
PsychopathOnADiet - Nami had Sabo's top hat to serve as 'proof'. I think the majority of the emotional impact came from the fact that Nami no longer considered herself his friend which was why Luffy had the same 'sleepy' reaction in both versions.
Lunapok - Yes... Bonnie seems to approve of Nojiko. But to what end? You'll find out next chapter.
lostdog200 - Glad you liked my version of it. I was grinning like a maniac just picturing it in my head. My brother literally turned to me and said "Stop smiling like that. It's creepy." Read you next week! Congratulations on writing your first story! Now the trick is going to be sticking with it.
Narya Anima - Phew, that's a relief. But Sabo doesn't really need Bonnie to be human in order to accept her. I think he'll be fine with a strange fox/rifle hybrid which would really just make the relationship even weirder. I'm glad you liked Sabo and Nojiko together. There's more of that next chapter.
pipi96 - Yeah... Nami probably should have warned her sister that Sabo was nuts. But she was more concerned with completing her eight year goal so it's understandable that she'd forget. But she's still going to regret it for a very long time. Nojiko's staying in Cocoyashi. I really can't think of a use for her on the crew.
RasEnshur1KEn - I hated how Nezumi got away with everything. HE was the reason everyone suffered under Arlong's Rule. There are plenty of marines that could have beaten Arlong. Heck, Jinbe would have come and given Arlong a fishman beatdown himself if he had known what Arlong was doing. But because Nezumi was taking bribes and keeping everything quiet everyone was left to suffer. So I had Sabo take justice into his own hands.
Hiezen - Nojiko actually wasn't the woman I was hinting towards. That woman is still out there somewhere. However, I had Nojiko inherit some gun knowledge from Bellemere and things between her and Sabo just clicked. But it's not serious. I doubt Sabo even notices. This is really just me messing around with the AcexNojiko fanon ship cliche by making Luffy's other older brother hit it off with Nami's older sister.
anomynous - Don't apologize for contributing an idea. I like having different suggestions offered so I can think about which would work best. Yours was a Kitsune Mythical Zoan Fruit as opposed to a regular Fox Zoan. Interesting. But it's hard enough just to find a generic common Devil Fruit that you're specifically looking for. A Mythical Zoan Fruit would be SUPER, MEGA, ULTRA rare to find. That's something only the World Government would really have the resources for.
strike879 - I don't think there are male and female models of Zoan Devil Fruit. Chopper's powers would still effect him the same way whether he was a stag or a doe. But is that how Devil Fruits are fed to weapons? Do they get liquefied and then poured on/in the weapon? I'm still confused about that process to be honest. But I'm trying to look into it because of all the suggestions I've received.
Rob - Thanks and thanks. (One for each review) Glad you like it so far. Nojiko is staying on her island so she won't be officially joining Team SaBonnie or the Straw Hats. She's a tangerine farmer and a supporting character. She doesn't have a huge ambition or any areas that she is exceptionally skilled at that would make her a good fit for the Straw Hat Crew. I'm not going to have her join just to be Sabo's human girlfriend. But during her time in this story, Nojiko will give everyone a glance 'down the rabbit hole' for a closer look at the madness that is Sabo and Bonnie's relationship. This will also reveal one of the decisions I made about the 'Bonnie' character. But that's next chapter. This one's basically all action.
Syluk - Glad you like Sabo and Nojiko together. There'll be more of them in the next chapter. Also, I'm happy that someone got/mentioned the Python reference. Keep an eye out for another one in this chapter.
PipeDream - She was and she even 'agreed' to help out. But let's just say that to the casual observer it looked like four pirates.
A/N: Okay everybody, this chapter's another long one. I was experimenting a bit with the pacing and during this chapter you're going to be jumping around between four different fights that are all going on at the same time. I think it flows from one fight to the other okay but please take the time to review and let me know if you think the jumping between fights is too choppy.
Officers-
"WHICH ONE OF YOU IS ARLONG?"
"That would be me," Arlong answered from his throne. "And who are you supposed to be?"
"I'm Luffy," Luffy stated as he made his way towards Arlong.
"I see. And what's a Luffy?" Arlong inquired.
"A pirate," Luffy replied.
"Hold it right there, short-stuff!" two big fishmen protested as they stepped in Luffy's path and blocked his way to Arlong. "You can't talk to the boss until we say so."
Luffy didn't even bother responding. He reached up, grabbed the heads of the two fishmen and violently slammed them together.
KRACK!
The two fishmen dropped to the ground. Luffy stepped over them as he continued towards Arlong.
Arlong's eyes narrowed as the pirate approached, "So… what business do you have with me, pirate?"
Luffy's response was a hard punch to the face.
POW!
Arlong went flying out of his chair and slammed into the far wall of Arlong Park.
"YOU MADE OUR NAVIGATOR CRY!" Luffy yelled at Arlong. "NOW I'M GONNA KICK YOUR ASS!"
"YOU LITTLE BASTARD!" a fishman snapped. "HOW DARE YOU ATTACK ARLONG?"
No less than a dozen fishmen charged at Luffy but he wasn't intimidated.
"SCATTER BLAST!"
KER-CHOW!
"BACK OFF! FISH-BASTARDS!"
THWAK-WAK-WAK!
The dozen fishmen went flying and revealed Sanji standing next to Luffy.
"You just had to charge right in?" Sanji complained.
"Don't worry," Luffy reassured him, "I won't lose to these guys."
"Who's worried?" Sanji replied, "If you run in and beat them all there'll be none left for the rest of us."
"Yeah Luffy," Sabo added as he came up from behind with Zoro and Usopp while he casually reloaded his rifle. "I've been dying for this rematch. Don't be selfish."
"It's fine with me if you don't share, Luffy!" Usopp assured him.
"How considerate of you, Usopp," Zoro remarked.
"Whoa! Did you see that?" Dr. Nako exclaimed on the outside. "That guy just sent Arlong flying!"
"Who are these guys?" Genzo wondered.
"Those five are the heroes of the East Blue," Johnny stated.
"They're our best chance at beating the fishmen," Yosaku added.
"Top Hat, you're still alive," Choo noted as surveyed the five pirates.
"I was only taking a quick swim," Sabo replied, "But I can't say the same about your rat-faced marine and his men."
"You… you killed Nezumi?" Kuroobi sputtered.
"Killed who?" Usopp repeated.
"Sure, that's what you get for going back on a deal," Sabo stated.
"Hmph," Kuroobi grunted, "This means Nami has betrayed us."
"It seems like there's a lot of that going on around here," Sanji retorted.
"Hey… that sash!" Hachi pointed out, "I know you! You're Roronoa Zoro… the Pirate Hunter."
"I am," Zoro confirmed.
"So Nami's sent yet another batch of assassins after us," Kuroobi realized. "Pitiful."
"YOU BASTARD!" Arlong yelled as he started to get back up.
"Arlong calm down," Kuroobi instructed, "These human pests are nothing to get worked up about."
"Yeah, you don't need to get your hands dirty!" Hachi assured him. "We'll pull out the big guns right away and show these humans who they're messing with!" The octopus fishman turned to the water way a blew a loud trill through his horn-shaped mouth.
NYU! NYYYUUUUU!
"COME FORTH, MY GREAT WARRIOR!"
SHOOOOM!
A dark silhouette appeared in the waterway and the water rose up as a large form came to the surface.
"OH NO! NOT THAT!" one of the Cocoyashi Villagers shouted.
"IT'S THE MONSTER THEY USED TO DESTROY GOSA!" another shrieked.
The water fell away to reveal Mohmoo.
"WAAAH! MONSTER!" Usopp screamed.
"HOLY COW!" Sabo exclaimed. "That's huge!"
"Aw, that's just the hippo," Luffy reassured them.
"We ran into that thing on the way here," Zoro informed them "It's not a big deal."
"Looks like he works for these guys," Sanji noted.
Mohmoo took one look at the Monster Trio then promptly turned and started to swim away.
Hachi gaped after the sea cow in shock, "MOHMOO! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"
"Running away Mohmoo?" Mohmoo froze at the sound of Arlong's voice. "If you really want to leave… I suppose I won't stop you."
Whatever control Arlong had over Mohmoo was effective. "MOOOOOOOO!" The sea cow spun and charged at the five Straw Hats.
"AAAIIIYYYEEE!" Usopp shrieked in terror as the monster cow barreled towards them.
"I've got this," Luffy announced before he drove his feet down into the stone ground.
Tomp-Tomp!
Luffy's mind flashed back to Genzo's pinwheel as he twisted around at the waist. "I just came up with a new attack!"
"Let's follow Mohmoo's lead!" a fishman called out, "Get them!" A crowd of fishmen charged at the Straw Hats.
"I've got them too!" Luffy called out.
"Well now you're just being greedy," Sabo complained.
"MOOOOOOO!" Mohmoo roared as he closed in on Luffy. But Luffy quickly reached out and caught the cow by the horns. Mohmoo couldn't budge as he suddenly found himself pressing into an unyielding wall known as Monkey D. Luffy. "Moooo?"
"GUUUUM… GUUUUUM… PINWHEEEEEEL!"
SHOOOM!
Luffy's rubber body started to unwind and he hauled the huge cow up out of the water and swung it around him.
"DOWN!" Sabo called out as he and the other three Straw Hats dropped.
KA-BOOOOSH!
Luffy used Mohmoo as a giant club and sent the charging fishmen flying back the way they came as he swung Mohmoo over his head and threw the massive cow straight over the gate and out of Arlong Park.
"GET THAT WEAK CRAP OUTTA HERE!" Luffy bellowed.
SPLASH!
Mohmoo crashed down into the water outside Arlong Park then once again sank down into the water.
"Wow… he's strong!" Nojiko remarked.
"I don't believe it!" Dr. Nako exclaimed, "That little guy just threw that huge monster!"
"Who the heck are these pirates?" Genzo wondered.
"Devil Fruit Powers…" Arlong growled to himself as he glared at Luffy. "That's all it is."
"ENOUGH WITH THE SMALL FRIES!" Luffy hollered at Arlong, "I CAME HERE TO KICK YOUR ASS!"
"Funny… I was just thinking about kicking your ass too," Arlong retorted.
"Hold on Arlong," Choo attempted to calm him, "Don't get worked up. We can handle this trash." Choo, Hachi and Kuroobi stood together in between Arlong and the Straw Hats.
"So now the big players show up," Zoro noted.
"These three might actually be worth fighting," Sabo mused.
"Bring it, fish-bastards," Sanji challenged Arlong's three officers.
"Well… there's three of them and three of you," Usopp pointed out. "So I'll just sit this one out."
"Hey guys…" Luffy said. "I've got a problem."
Choo took a deep breath and turned to the Straw Hats. "WATER—"
"QUICK DRAW!"
KER-CHOW!
Choo flinched at the last second which saved his life. The round struck his arm instead of his chest but still sent him flying.
"I told you last time that if I had my rifle you'd be dead," Sabo taunted as he lowered the smoking Bonnie Anne. "Well… I've got my rifle… so now… you're dead."
"You bastard…" Choo growled as he clutched his limp arm.
"Roronoa Zoro!" Hachi called out, "I heard you're a great swordsman!"
"Just great?" Zoro questioned. "I aim to be the best swordsman."
"Well, it doesn't matter," Hachi told him, "No human swordsman is a match for me."
"Looks like the rifle-guy and the swordsman picked their victims," Sanji commented as he eyed Kuroobi, "So I guess that makes you the leftovers. I don't have many recipes for sting rays but I'm sure I can come up with something."
"Hmph," Kuroobi grunted. "A human punk like you could never stand up to my Fishman Karate."
"Guys! Seriously!" Luffy called out. "Problem!"
"Luffy, what's wrong?" Usopp asked then he looked down. "Oh no!"
"Take this!" Hachi called out, "HACHI INK JET!"
FWOOOSH!
Hachi sprayed a torrent of black ink at the Straw Hats from the horn-shaped mouth.
"SCATTER!" Sabo called out as he, Zoro and Sanji jumped out of the way.
"It's just ink… right?" Usopp said as he stepped in front of Luffy.
SPLAT!
The powerful spray of ink hit Usopp at full force and blasted the sniper back into Luffy. Luffy stayed rooted in place until the torrent stopped and Usopp dropped down in front of him covered in black ink.
"KOFF! KOFF! UGHH!" Usopp groaned.
"USOPP!" Luffy called out in alarm as he stared at the sniper who had taken the blast of ink for him.
"What're you guys doing?" Sabo asked from where he was now sitting up on the edge of the first floor roof of Arlong Park. "You should've dodged that."
"He couldn't dodge," Usopp explained as he pulled up his goggles to reveal his protected eyes which now stood out in contrast to the rest of his black ink-coated body, "And we need him to be able to see so he can fight Arlong. I'm okay though. Thanks for asking."
"I'm stuck," Luffy stated as he pointed down to where his feet were still embedded in the ground.
"YOU DID THAT YOURSELF!" Zoro berated him.
"Luffy, what were you thinking?" Sabo scolded him.
"The idiot clearly wasn't," Sanji remarked.
POW-POW-POW!
Hachi punched the ground with his six arms then grabbed the huge chunk of stone that he'd knocked loose and threw it at the Straw Hats. "Take this! ON THE ROCKS!"
The rock came flying at them and Usopp screamed. "GAAH! I CAN'T TAKE THAT ONE!"
"The new guy's got it," Sabo noted as he lowered Bonnie Anne and patted her barrel as he watched the rock sail passed from up on the roof.
KROOOM!
The rock crashed down but then split in half to reveal Sanji standing in front of Luffy and Usopp with his leg raised up over his head.
"YAY SANJI!" Luffy cheered while Usopp wiped is brow in relief.
"I may have an idiot for a Captain," Sanji admitted, "But this idiot is way better than a bunch of woman-hating talking fish."
Arlong suddenly stood up.
"Arlong, we've got this under control," Kuroobi assured him.
"Don't worry," Arlong said as he approached the Straw Hats. "I'm calm. There's just a simple matter that I have to take care of."
"Get away from my brother," Sabo warned Arlong as he aimed Bonnie Anne at him. "He'll fight you when he's good and ready… and… not stuck in the floor."
"Give it your best shot!" Arlong challenged him.
KER-CHOW!
WHAP!
"Oh shit!" Sabo gasped as Arlong caught his bullet in midair then threw it back at him.
BANG!
Sabo dove out of the way with Bonnie and a large hole was left in the roof where he'd been sitting.
"The Captain's busy! Back off!" Zoro growled as he charged Arlong and swung his sword.
KLANK!
Arlong bent forward and blocked Zoro's sword with his long nose.
"What…" Zoro sputtered. Arlong twisted his head and launched the Boatswain backwards.
"DAMN FISH!" Sanji snapped as he swung his foot around at Arlong.
WHAP!
Arlong caught Sanji's ankle then roughly threw the Cook after Zoro,
WHAM!
Sanji collided with Zoro and the duo hit the ground.
Usopp suddenly found himself as the only one standing between Arlong and Luffy. The terrified sniper's legs started shaking as Arlong towered over him. This fishman monster had plowed through Sabo, Zoro and Sanji's collective assault like it was nothing. If they couldn't do anything against this otherworldly beast then what the hell could he do?
"Well, long-nose?" Arlong prompted. "I'm waiting."
"I… I… OH MY GOD! LOOK! WHAT'S THAT?" Usopp called out as he pointed behind Arlong.
"Huh? What? Where?" Hachi called out as he turned to look in the direction Usopp had pointed.
The octopus fishman was the only one that had fallen for Usopp's 'clever rouse'. Arlong, Kuroobi and Choo watched as Usopp turned and ran from the terrifying monsters.
"Pathetic," Arlong sneered as Usopp ran out through the destroyed gate. "You three! Enough playing possum!" Arlong called out to Shioyaki, Pisaro and Kaneshiro. "Go after long-nose and kill him! I won't allow any of these pests to leave this island alive."
"Yes sir!" Shioyaki called out. Pisaro the musician pulled out his maracas while Kaneshiro the shipwright produced a pair of saws before they chased after Usopp.
"YOU BASTARD!" Luffy snapped as he shot his fist at Arlong. "GUM GUM… PISTOL!"
WHAP!
Arlong caught Luffy's fist… with his mouth.
"OW! OW! HE'S BITING! HE'S BITING!"
Arlong casually reached down and drove his webbed hands into the stone ground at Luffy's feet.
KROOM!
Arlong hauled Luffy and a huge chunk of stone that was twice the size of him up into the air.
"It's time to play my favorite game!" Arlong announced, "Drown the Human!"
"GRAAH!" Luffy growled as he lunged and bit Arlong's shoulder.
"LUFFY!" Sabo called out in alarm and fired his rifle.
KER-CHOW!
A large chunk of the stone broke off but it wasn't enough to free Luffy's legs before Arlong turned and threw Luffy clear across the Arlong Park waterway.
Luffy nearly cleared the front gate before the plummeted downward and sank into the water.
SPLOOOSH!
"SHAHAHAHAHA!" Arlong laughed at his handiwork. "That brat's eaten a Devil Fruit which means he can't swim. But even if he could… there's no way he'd make it out with his feet trapped in that rock!" Arlong sneered up at Sabo. "Shahahahaha! You see how weak your species is? You pathetic humans can't even breathe underwater."
"Maybe we can't breathe underwater," Sabo admitted, "But we humans have something that you fish clearly don't."
"Oh yeah, what's that?" Arlong asked.
"Balls," Sabo glibly answered. "I don't need to resort to drowning my enemies. I'm gonna look you in the eye when I gun you down."
KER-CHOW!
WHAP!
Arlong once again caught Sabo's round in midair then casually tossed the bullet asides. "Worthless." Arlong gave his officers one final command as he headed back to his throne, "Kill them all."
Meanwhile, Usopp had run out the gate and barreled through the Cocoyashi Mob to make his escape.
"Where's he going?" Genzo wondered.
"A more important question is… what are you doing here?" The Cocoyashi Mob suddenly found themselves faced with three fishmen.
"This looks like a rebellion to me," Kaneshiro noted.
"PREPARE YOURSELVES FISHMEN!" Johnny and Yosaku yelled as they threw themselves at the trio.
CHAK! CHAK!
"Almost got 'em…" Johnny groaned as he and Yosaku hit the ground.
Pisaro stood over them brandishing his maracas. It turned out they were actually really heavy and doubled as clubs in addition to musical instruments.
"That was pathetic," Kaneshiro taunted before he set his sights on the civilians. "But not nearly as pathetic as this little uprising you seem to be holding."
"I think it's time to teach you humans your place," Shioyaki announced as he stepped forward.
"SPECIAL ATTACK… EXPLODING STAR!"
Shioyaki was hit by a projectile that exploded on impact and blasted him backwards.
KA-BOOOOM!
"HEY!" Usopp bravely called out… from forty feet away. "YOU'RE AFTER ME, RIGHT?"
"GET HIM!" Shioyaki yelled as he got back up. The fishman trio charged at the gunner.
"YIPE!" Usopp squeaked as he turned and ran off with three fishmen in hot pursuit. "AAAAAAAAAHHH!"
"First he's brave… then he runs screaming," Dr. Nako remarked, "What kind of pirates are these guys?"
"A guy like that… fighting the fishmen?" Nojiko questioned. "I can't believe it."
"NO!" Johnny suddenly cried out as he stared into Arlong Park. "This is bad!"
"What's going on?" Genzo asked.
"Arlong just threw Luffy-bro in the water!" Johnny exclaimed. "He can't swim! I've gotta…"
Fwump!
Johnny collapsed unable to keep going after his two latest beatings.
"Right then… coming up," Nojiko resolved as she readied her hammer and turned to go.
"Nojiko, where do you think you're going?" Genzo demanded.
"Sabo and his friends are fighting for my sister," Nojiko told him. "The very least I can do in return is try to save his brother."
"Nojiko, wait!" Genzo called after her.
"Don't try to stop me!" Nojiko warned him.
"I wasn't," Genzo stated, "I'm coming with you."
Nojiko nodded. "Alright, follow me. Nami showed me a spot where we can slip into the waterway without being noticed."
"Shit, we've gotta help Luffy," Sanji resolved as he turned to dive in the water way.
"Hold on," Zoro instructed as he held his arm out to stop Sanji, "We can't act hasty. Those fish freaks probably want us to go in the water. They'll have a big advantage down there."
"Normally, I'd be the first one in there," Sabo stated, "But I already took a swim and Bonnie doesn't agree with water. I can still be a lookout from up here though."
"And with your injuries from Mihawk you'd be a sitting duck down there," Sanji noted as he eyed Zoro's bandages. "That means it's on me to save the Captain." Sanji took off his jacket and kicked off his shoes. "If it's for the beautiful Nami-swan I'll do it."
"I'll cover you," Sabo offered. "Or at the very least I'll hold the fish off as long as I can."
"Thanks," Sanji said before he turned and dove into the waterway.
SPLASH!
"Hmph," Kuroobi grunted, "You fool. Right where I want you." The ray fishman moved to go after Sanji.
KER-CHOW!
WHAK!
Kuroobi swung his arm around and blocked Sabo's bullet with the fin blade on his arm.
"I didn't give you permission to leave," Sabo warned him from up on the roof.
"Human scum," Kuroobi scoffed, "We're fishmen. That means we're your superiors. We don't need your permission to do anything! CHOO!" Kuroobi turned and saw that his fellow fishman officer had his head dunked in the waterway and was having a long drink.
Slurp… slurp… slurp…
"You're dead now," Kuroobi boasted as he watched Sabo load four bullets into Bonnie Anne. "Your toy can only fire six times. Choo can spit out hundreds of water bullets at a time and he's got an unlimited source of ammunition down here. That's yet another way that we fishmen are your natural superiors."
"We'll see about that," Sabo retorted as he snapped Bonnie Anne closed.
Choo stood back up. His arm was still limp from where Sabo had tagged him earlier but his belly had swelled from all the water he'd just consumed.
"You're a dead man, Top Hat, choo," Choo called out.
"Bring it, trumpet-lips!" Sabo taunted.
"HUNDRED-SHOT WATER BULLET!"
CHOO-CHOO-CHOO-CHOO-CHOO!
Sabo leapt out of the way as Choo opened fire with a barrage of water bullets that tore the first-floor roof to pieces
CHOO-CHOO-CHOO-CHOO-CHOO!
Sabo ran along the roof as Choo continued to shoot off his seemingly endless barrage of water bullets.
CHOO-CHOO-CHOO-CHOO-CHOO!
Sabo ran out of room on the first floor and quickly jumped up to the second floor to avoid Choo's blasts.
SKISH!
"PARTING SHOT!"
KER-CHOW!
Choo finally stopped and grinned up at Sabo when the pulled whizzed passed him, "Missed me."
"Wasn't aiming for you," Sabo replied.
Choo's eyes went and he turned to see Kuroobi on his knees clutching a bullet wound on his side.
"You bastard!" Choo growled.
Sabo casually stood on the second floor roof and kissed Bonnie's barrel. "Mwa, love ya babe."
"Damn rifle-freak showing off," Zoro grumbled from where he'd been mostly forgotten down below. "I've had enough of this. RAAAH!" Zoro charged at Choo and Kuroobi and swung his sword.
"HACHI TRIPLE SWORD CATCH!"
Hachi jumped in front of Kuroobi and Choo and used his six arms to catch Zoro's blade. Or at least he tried to.
SLIK!
"YAAAH!" Hachi yelped as Wado Ichimonji cut the palm of his six hands. All his efforts had done was slightly slow Zoro's swing.
Zoro swung his blade around and sliced at Hachi's head.
SWISH!
Hachi ducked and Zoro's blade only ended up slicing off some of his spikey white hair.
"GAH! MY HAIR!" Hachi wailed. Then he shrugged. "Oh well. It's just hair. It'll grow back."
"STOP FOOLING AROUND!" Zoro yelled.
"You first," Hachi retorted. "I heard you use three swords. How come you're only using one?"
"None of your business!" Zoro growled at him.
"I'm the best swordsman on Arlong's crew," Hachi boasted, "Your Santoryu - Three-Sword-Style is really famous in this ocean. I wanted a chance to try my hands against it. But if you're not gonna use all your swords then I don't see why I should bother getting mine."
"Go get them!" Zoro barked at him, "I'll take everything you've got and then some!"
"Okay, your funeral," Hachi agreed. "Kuroobi, cover for me!"
Kuroobi stood up and turned to face Zoro as Hachi ran into Arlong Park to get his swords.
"There's something off with that one," Zoro remarked.
"You're one to talk," Kuroobi growled, "Your friend is fondling his rifle."
"He's not my friend," Zoro insisted then turned and yelled up at Sabo, "OI! GET A ROOM, RIFLE-FREAK!"
"You're just jealous that your last sword won't give you the time of a day!
"I'd never disgrace my sword by doing something like that with it!"
"I stand corrected," Kuroobi stated, "They're both weirdos."
"Even for human standards, choo," Choo agreed.
"Damn it, Luffy. Where are you?" Sanji thought to himself as he swam down into dark water at the bottom of the waterway. The waterway was surprisingly deep but when you consider the fact that it was designed for a massive sea cow like Mohmoo to swim in and out of it made sense that it was so deep.
"CAN'T BREATHE!" Luffy wailed internally as he clutched his hands over his mouth in a desperate attempt to retain the little oxygen that he had left.
But that was when Nojiko and Genzo finally spotted him. Nojiko pointed at the trapped pirate and the two swam over to him.
Genzo reached down and grabbed one of Luffy's ankles and gave it a tug but it was firmly wedged in the stone block.
"This won't be a simple matter of just pulling his feet free," Genzo realized. "But with that strange stretching ability of his we should at least be able to help him breathe."
Genzo turned to Nojiko and pointed to Luffy's head then motioned up towards the surface. He reached out and took Nojiko's hammer from her then motioned to himself followed by the stone slab that Luffy's feet were trapped in.
Nojiko nodded in understanding then grabbed Luffy's head and stretched his neck as she started to swim up towards the surface.
"WAAAAAHHH!" Usopp screamed as he ran along the path towards Cocoyashi Village. Pisaro and Kaneshiro were both on the heavy side and had fallen behind but Shioyako was hot on his heels.
WHAP!
"Gotcha, long-nose!" Shioyako crowed as he grabbed the back of Usopp's overalls. "You ever see a salmon swim upriver? There's no way you could outrun me."
"Oh god, no!" Usopp whimpered, "Please, I'm sorry!"
POW!
Shioyaki drove his fist into Usopp's stomach and sent the sniper flying a good five feet down the road.
SPLAT!
Usopp landed hard on his stomach and a red puddle oozed out from under him.
"That's it? Just one punch?" Shioyaki questioned. "You couldn't even give a good chase. That's pathetic."
"You know," Sabo remarked as he glanced down at the damage Choo had done to the first floor roof. "For as much time as you guys spent trying to calm down your boss so he wouldn't wreck the place. It looks like you did a pretty good job of it yourself."
"That's what your corpse will look like when I'm done with you!" Choo threatened him.
"Not likely," Sabo scoffed. "I'd take Bonnie over your crummy squirt gun any day. All that talk about fishman superiority and you can't even hit a moving target. I trained for years with Bonnie to get to be the good shot that I am and she's still way better than me. You've just been coasting off of Arlong's reputation and only use that squirt gun to hit unarmed targets that are standing right in front of you."
"YOU BASTARD!" Choo growled. "I'LL BLAST SO MANY HOLES IN YOU THAT THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY YOUR BODY, CHOO!" Choo raced towards the ten storied structure of Arlong Park then opened fire on Sabo. "HUNDRED SHOT WATER BULLET!"
CHOO-CHOO-CHOO-CHOO-CHOO!
"This again," Sabo grumbled as he tucked Bonnie Anne under his arm and started to run from the spray of bullets that shot up the second floor roof in his wake.
"Looks like it's down to you and me," Zoro noted as he stared at Kuroobi.
"Not quite," Kuroobi replied. "Your opponent is over there."
"I'M BACK ZORO!" Hachi called out as he returned with a sword in each of his six arms. "Your three-sword style might be effective… but my six sword style Rokutoryu is two-times better! I'm the best swordsman on Fishman Island! You have no chance of beating me! Nyu!"
"Six sword style?" Zoro repeated. "Don't make me laugh. Let me tell you something, octopus. There's a man I'm going to meet no matter what. And until I meet him not even the Shinigami will take my life!"
Kuroobi saw that Sabo and Zoro were caught up with Choo and Hachi then turned towards the water. "And that's my cue to leave."
SPLASH!
The ray fishman dove into the water and shot off like a bullet after Sanji.
SKISH!
Sabo jumped up another floor while Choo continued to riddle the roof of Arlong Park with bullet holes.
CHOO-CHOO-CHOO-CHOO-CHOO!
"Are you tired of missing yet?" Sabo taunted as he landed on the third-floor roof.
Choo finally broke off his barrage and glared up at Sabo.
"THAT IS IT!" he exclaimed. "I'm coming up there so I can kill you face-to-face!"
"Hah! Some shooter you are!" Sabo mocked him.
"RAAH!" Choo roared as he ran forward and jumped up onto the first floor roof.
Kreshh…
The roof was already weak from taking all of Choo's water bullets. The fishman landing on the weakened roofing caused it to give way.
"DAMN IT!" Choo cursed before he launched himself off the crumbling roof and flew straight up at Sabo.
"OVERWATCH!"
KER-CHOW!
Sabo fired off a round at the approaching fishman.
WHISH!
Choo spun in midair and managed to avoid the bullet. "NOW WHO'S THE LOUSY SHOT?"
"QUICK ADJUST!"
KER-CHOW!
Sabo fired off another shot and tagged Choo's shoulder. The impact from the magnum round sent Choo plummeting back down to the ground.
KRASH!
"STILL YOU!" Sabo called down after him.
Fwump!
Zoro suddenly collapsed in front of Hachi.
"Uhh… are you okay?" the octopus fishman asked. "I haven't even hit you yet but you already look like you're dying, nyu!"
"Don't worry about it…" Zoro mumbled. "Shit… why'd my injuries have to act up now?" He forced himself back up to his feet then pulled out his bandana and tied it on. "JOHNNY! YOSAKU! THROW ME YOUR SWORDS!"
"SURE, BRO!" Johnny replied.
"CATCH!" Yosaku called out as the two bounty hunters lobbed their swords at Zoro.
"Shit…" Zoro internally cursed. "I feel like I'm gonna pass out any minute now. I thought moving around would lower my fever but it just made it worse."
"BRO! OUR SWORDS!" Johnny shouted in warning as the two spinning blades closed in on Zoro.
"WE THREW THEM TO YOU!" Yosaku yelled. "LOOK OUT!"
"I'll show you a gap in skill that no one with two arms could ever pass!" Hachi boasted. "Rokutoryu can only be done by someone with six arms and a flexible body like mine!" Hachi swung his six arms around then lashed out with his six blades. "OCTOPUS MIRACLE SWORD!"
WHAP!
In one movement, Zoro spun and caught Johnny and Yosaku's swords then kept spinning and ducked under Hachi's first three strikes.
SWISH!
"You can't hope to match my style with only three swords!" Hachi insisted as he continued to jab his six swords out in front of him.
SWISH!
"Santoryu…" Zoro intoned and spun passed Hachi's swords then slashed his own as he slipped passed the flailing fishman. "TOUROU NAGASHI!"
SLA-SLISH!
Blood squirted out of Hachi's chest as he froze in shock.
"HE GOT BY!" Johnny and Yosaku cheered as Zoro stood silently behind Hachi.
"Grr…" Arlong growled from his throne as he watched both of his officers take hits.
"That punk…" Choo grunted as he staggered back up and glared up at Sabo. Both his arms now hung limply at his side. "I'LL SHOOT YOU FULL OF HOLES!"
"Please," Sabo scoffed. "What're you gonna do? Bleed on me? Look, you stupid bastard. You've got no arms left."
"I DON'T NEED ARMS TO KILL A WORTHLESS HUMAN LIKE YOU!" Choo hollered.
"NOW I'M REALLY MAD!" Hachi yelled at Zoro, "I'LL KILL YOU FOR SURE! Think about it logically, there's no way you could beat six swords with only three!"
"Logically?" Zoro repeated. "Then there's a huge error in your calculations. I may only have three swords but this more weight in just one of my blades than all six of yours put together."
An image of Kuina flashed in front of Zoro's eyes… followed by Mihawk. He and Kuina had vowed to become the best. Then he'd made an oath on her sword to never lose again. Those were promises that he couldn't afford to break no matter what happened to him.
"…" Hachi stared silently at Zoro unable to comprehend the weight behind Zoro's words or his swords.
"KOFF! KOFF!" Luffy coughed up water as Nojiko's cradled his head in her lap while she sat beside the waterway outside the front gate of Arlong Park.
"Hey, you okay?" Nojiko asked.
"I don't… feel so good…" Luffy confessed. His head was above the surface but the rest of his body was still weakened from being underwater.
"Your feet are still trapped in that rock," Nojiko told him. "Genzo's down below trying to smash it."
"Genzo? The pinwheel guy?" Luffy questioned.
"Yeah… the pinwheel guy," Nojiko confirmed. "Just hold on. We'll get you out of there."
Luffy nodded. Nojiko stared silently down at the pirate that had thrown a massive monster and had been standing up to an even more terrifying monster in Arlong for the sake of her sister.
"Hey… can I ask you something?" Nojiko inquired. "Why are you guys fighting so hard for Nami? What are you getting out of this?"
"Nami's Nakama," Luffy answered, "I don't need another reason."
Tonk!
Down below them, Genzo continued his exercise of near futility as he continued to pound the stone slab with Nojiko's hammer. The water had slowed his swing and resulted in it having almost no impact when it finally hit the rock.
"Damn it…" Genzo grumbled, "I can't make a proper swing when I'm underwater like this."
But that was when Sanji finally arrived.
"There he is!" the cook thought to himself as he saw Luffy and Genzo. "And that pinwheel guy that was leading the mob is with him."
Sanji drifted closer and spotted a long fleshy tube that was stretched up towards the surface. "Is that… Luffy's neck. That means there's someone else holding Luffy's head above the surface. Good. He's okay. Now I just have to smash that rock and we can get Luffy out of here."
Sanji approached Genzo and motioned to the stone slab and then himself.
But Genzo's eyes suddenly went wide and he flailed his arms around before he motioned behind Sanji.
"FISHMAN KARATE… FOREARM SLEDGE!
WHAM!
Kuroobi came down and slammed the fin blade on his arm into Sanji's back. The Cook dropped down out of the way and Kuroobi spotted Genzo and Luffy.
"You…" Kuroobi instantly recognized Genzo. He had been the one to give the Mayor his numerous scars when the Arlong Pirates had invaded eight years ago. "I see… you're trying to save that man. But his fate and yours both remain the same. You'll both die here."
Kuroobi swam toward Genzo.
WHAP!
Sanji grabbed Kuroobi's leg and held him back.
Kuroobi spun around and glared at the human pirate. "Do you really want to fight me underwater? You're at your limit just trying to hold your breath."
Sanji glared at Kuroobi. "I won't let you go."
"So be it," Kuroobi resolved. "Dueling Hair Tether!" Kuroobi twisted his head and his long braided ponytail shot out and wrapped around Sanji's waist.
SWISH!
Kuroobi used his hold to tug Sanji towards him. Sanji spotted the cloud of red that hung around Kuroobi side and drove his foot into the bullet wound.
Thwak!
"Hmph, that barely stung," Kuroobi taunted he slapped the wound at his side and shrugged off Sanji's attack. "Your kicks may be strong on the surface but underwater they lose half their power. However, that doesn't apply to Fishman Karate. In fact, some techniques are actually twice as strong when performed underwater. Perhaps a demonstration is in order?"
WHISH!
Kuroobi used his braid to yank Sanji towards him then lashed out his own leg and drove it into Sanji's chest at full speed. "UNDERSEA BOWEL BUSTER!"
THWAK!
"UGGH!" Sanji groaned as the kick to the stomach drove precious air out of his lungs.
Kuroobi kept up his assault and flipped up overhead then brought his heel down on Sanji's back. "FLAMING AXE KICK!"
THWAK!
Sanji doubled over from the blow to the back and Kuroobi quickly followed up by swinging his leg up into Sanji's chest. "BACK-FOOT JAWBREAKER!"
THWAK!
"GRGL!" Sanji choked as he lost even more air.
Kuroobi drew back his arm and lashed out for a Palm Strike, "GUFFAW PALM BOMB!"
WHAM!
Blood sprayed out from Sanji's mouth. Kuroobi's braid released him and allowed him to go sailing through the water and crashed into the wall of the waterway.
KROOM!
Kuroobi grinned as he turned back to Genzo, "And now it's your turn…"
"He seriously died from just one punch?" Pisaro asked when he and Kaneshiro finally caught up only to find the fight already over, "He was really that weak?"
"You wanna check?" Shioyaki offered as he motioned towards Usopp and the puddle of blood he was in.
"No way!" Kaneshiro refused. "Human weakness might be contagious. I'm not touching his blood."
"Let's go back then," Pisaro decided, "If the other humans are as weak as this guy then everyone else is probably celebrating their victory already."
The three fishmen turned and headed back the way they came. They left Usopp lying on the road in a puddle of blood. Or at least something that closely resembled blood.
"Heh… Special Attack… Ketchup Star…" Usopp whispered as the pursuers walked away.
"These fishmen are monsters…" Usopp thought to himself. "That one punch almost did kill me. I can't fight three of them! I feel sorry for Nami. I really do wanna help her but I also don't wanna die."
The faces of his brave friends flashed through his memory.
"We're Nakama aren't we?"
"Usopp… run for it. I got you into this mess so I'm gonna get you out of it."
"Ever since I decided to become the World's Greatest Swordsman I threw away my attachment to life. I've always known that I could die in the pursuit. But that's up to me to find out."
"I may have an idiot for a Captain. But this idiot is way better than a bunch of woman-hating talking fish."
All four of them were Brave Warriors like Usopp dreamed of being. When the time came for them to fight the fishmen they didn't hesitate and they weren't scared. They stood their ground against the monsters and fought like real men.
"Usopp knows what he saw."
Now Usopp knew what he'd seen. Nami was the bravest out of all of them. She wasn't a crazy-strong warrior like the other four. She was just a normal girl that was trapped working for a monster. But she had still risked everything in order to save Sabo. Now the others were all risking their lives to save her.
"I really am a pathetic weakling…" Usopp realized. "What the hell am I doing?" Usopp took a deep breath and stood up. "HOLD IT RIGHT THERE, YOU FISH-BASTARDS!"
"Eh? So he really was still alive," Shioyaki realized as the three fishmen turned around.
"As if a weak punch from half fish bastard could kill me!" Usopp retorted, "I'M CAPTAIN USOPP!"
"From the moment I left my village I should've thrown away all notions of 'peace' and 'safety'. They all risk their lives and gave their all every day. That's why they can laugh from the bottom of their hearts. That's why I decided to go out to see. Because I want to be able to laugh and smile like they do! If don't fight now… then I don't have any right to sail with them or to laugh with them!"
"GET HIM!" Kaneshiro yelled as the three fishmen charged at Usopp.
Usopp pulled out his slingshot and fired a round at the ground. "SMOKE STAR!"
FWOOOOSH!
A cloud smoke enveloped Usopp. The three fishmen slowed down as they stepped into it and found their vision obscured.
"Where'd he go?" Pisaro wondered.
"TAKE THIS!" Usopp shouted from somewhere in the smoke before the threw a bottle at the fishmen.
WHAP!
Shioyaki reacted quickly and caught the bottle. "Huh, booze?"
"LEAD STAR!"
KRESH!
Usopp's pachinko ball shattered the bottle and doused the salmon fishman in booze.
"Ugh… what the hell?" Shioyako complained.
"FIRE STAR!" An orange round struck Shioyaki and ignited. The alcohol that was covering the fishman quickly caught fire and caused his entire body to burst into flames.
FWOOOOM!
"WAAAAAAHHH!" Shioyaki screamed. "I'M BURNING! BURNING!"
Shioyaki ran out of the smoke cloud and rushed for the large puddles that lined the road.
But Usopp was already there waiting for him with a hammer, "UUUSOOOPP… HAMMER!"
WHOMP!
Shioyaki dropped into the puddle which extinguished the flames. But the salmon fishman didn't get up.
"YEAH! ONE DOWN!" Usopp cheered. "YOU SEE THAT? I CAN DO THIS!"
"You'll pay for that."
Usopp looked up in time to see Pisaro and Kaneshiro step out of the smoke.
"Gulp," Usopp swallowed hard. He'd beaten one fishman but there were still two more. And these two had weapons!
"I'LL TEAR YOU APART!" Choo shouted. "HUNDRED-SHOT WATER CANNON!"
CHOO-CHOO-CHOO-CHOO!
But this time, instead of aiming at Sabo, Choo aimed at the ground and his barrage of water bullets launched him up into the air. In a flash, he was three stories up in the air and quickly ruined his barrage on Sabo.
CHOO-CHOO-CHOO-CHOO!
"Whoa!" Sabo yelped as he dove to the side to avoid the water bullets then turned and dove through a nearby window into Arlong Park.
KRESH!
"Big mistake…" Choo growled as he landed on the third-floor roof and blasted the wall of the room Sabo had just slipped into.
CHOO-CHOO-CHOO-CHOO!
Choo kept up his barrage and blasted straight through the wall into the room.
CHOO-CHOO-CHOO-CHOO!
The wall couldn't withstand all the damage and crumbled leaving the room empty exposed. "Where'd you go."
"Missed again!" Sabo dropped down from the ceiling with his rifle aimed at Choo. "RETURN FIRE!"
KER-CHOW!
Bonnie Anne's bullet struck Choo in the stomach and caused him to spit up the last of his water as he doubled over and started retching.
"GLURG!"
"Gotcha, hook, line and sinker," Sabo taunted. "You've got no arms left, you've got no water left, and now you're three stories away from your ammunition source. But Bonnie's still got two bullets left."
"Just one problem with that, choo," Choo grunted from where he was kneeling on the roof outside. "I may be out of water… but I'm not out of ammo… BLOOD CANNON!"
CHOOOOM!
Choo spat a cannonball-sized blast of his own blood at Sabo.
"Can't dodge…" Sabo realized. "Bonnie… save yourself." Sabo tossed his rifle up over his head.
SPLOOOSH!
Sabo was hit with the blood ball and got blasted backwards into the far wall.
THUD!
Sabo hit the floor and groaned while Choo stood up and grinned. "Now it's over, choo."
Three floors down, Zoro continued his fight against Hachi.
"The weight of your sword…" Hachi repeated. "That's impossible! My swords all weigh two hundred pounds. They're far heavier than any swords you humans could use."
"I'm not gonna waste any more words on an idiot," Zoro stated.
"Fine then!" Hachi resolved as he held his swords together in a point. "Six-Sword-Style… NEW YEARS…" Hachi lunged at Zoro but Zoro got his swords up to block.
KLANG!
"OCTOPUS POT!" Hachi snapped his swords apart and forced Zoro to spread his arms. "SLAM!" Hachi shot his head forward and drove it into Zoro's injured chest.
WHAM!
Zoro was sent flying up into the air then started to drop.
"You won't touch the ground in one piece!" Hachi announced as he held his six swords up over his head and started to spin. "SIX SWORD STYLE… WALTZ OF SIX SWORDS! I'LL TURN YOU INTO MINCEMEAT!"
Zoro began spinning and he drew closer to Hachi's swords that were still spinning like a high speed fan.
SWISH! SLIK!
"YAAAH!" Hachi yelped from the new wounds on his hands while Zoro landed safely beside him. "That bastard spun himself through my swords and even cut my hands!" He glared at Zoro, "NOW I REALLY WON'T FORGIVE YOU!"
Kuroobi stood poised and ready to finish what he started with Genzo eight years ago when movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. The ray fishman turned to see Sanji making a break for the surface.
"Not dead yet," Kuroobi noted, "But I won't let you reach the surface alive."
SHOOM!
The fishman shot through the water like a torpedo and suddenly appeared in front of sanji… effectively blocking the cook's path to the surface.
"Where do you think you're going?" Kuroobi demanded.
"Damn it! Just let me passed!" Sanji thought frantically as he held his hands over his mouth. "I need air!"
"I'm actually impressed that a mere human could withstand my attacks," Kuroobi admitted, "especially underwater. But this is as far as your chivalry will take you. This game only ends one way: with your death. Once you're dead, I'll finish off the old man. Your rubber Captain's body is defenseless down here so I'll kill him next. Then I'll go back to the surface and eliminate top hat and the swordsman if I need to. And don't think that Nami will get away for free either. She's going to work for Arlong whether she wants to or not. Despite all your idealistic chivalry you couldn't save even one person!"
Sanji glared at Kuroobi but couldn't properly respond underwater.
Whap!
Kuroobi grabbed Sanji's shoulder. "Your species is truly pathetic. I bet you couldn't even handle a sudden change in water pressure. If were to drag you down to the ocean floor… your lungs would burst! I haven't actually seen it happen myself… but let's give it a try, shall we?"
Kuroobi tightened his hold on Sanji as he flipped over then dove straight down to the bottom of the Arlong Park waterway. "PULVERIZING PRESSURE PLUNGE!"
SHOOOM!
"I can't fight this guy down here…" Sanji realized. "This calls for a change of plans. I'll leave Luffy for now… he'll be alright until I can finish this fight and come back to smash that rock. This fish-bastard thinks I can't save anyone! I'll show him!"
URK!
Blood gushed out of Sanji's mouth and formed a cloud in front of his face as his lungs were crushed by the sudden change of water presser.
But Sanji gritted his teeth and held on as he pointed up at the surface.
"You still won't die, eh?" Kuroobi noted as he stared at the weakly struggling cook. "Very well, let's try again. This time I'll do it from close to the surface and swim all the way down! You'll never survive." Kuroobi clutched at Sanji as he quickly swam back up towards the surface.
"These fishmen…" Sanji thought to himself, "On land they use their lungs to breathe but underwater they switch to gills. That makes him nothing more than a talking fish right now. Fish die when they get air in their lungs…"
"Here we go!" Kuroobi prompted as he held Sanji near the surface. "PULVERIZING PRE-AAAAUUUGGGHHH!" Kuroobi screamed out in agonizing pain as Sanji latched his mouth of the fishman's gills and blew his remaining air into them.
Kuroobi went limp and sank downward while Sanji shot towards the surface.
"Any human that would dare attack on of our brothers deserves to die," Kaneshiro growled. "When we're done with you… I'll bring you head back to Arlong Park as a present for Arlong!"
"Oh yeah?" Usopp retorted. "But not if I hit you with this!" He pulled out his trusty rubber band. "UUUSOOOPP… RUBBER BAND OF DOOOOOOOOM!"
Both fishmen closed their eyes and flinched.
"GOTCHA!" Usopp called out from behind them. The two fishmen opened their eyes and turned around in time to see Usopp ran across the road into the forest.
"YOU LITTLE BASTARD!" Pisaro growled as they chased him into the forest.
The two fishman entered a clearing but Usopp was nowhere in sight.
"WHERE ARE YOU LONG NOSE?" Kaneshiro yelled. "COME OUT SO WE CAN KILL YOU!"
A familiar voice suddenly called out from the brush.
"Anyone who thinks that Captain Usopp shouldn't be killed, raise your hands now!"
"I DO!" a figure jumped up and raised his hand then dropped back down into the brush.
"SAME HERE!" the same figure called out as he jumped out from a different spot in the same area.
"What's that idiot doing?" Kaneshiro wondered.
"I'll flush the pipsqueak out," Pisaro stated, "You stay here so he doesn't escape."
"DO YOU GUYS THING SO TOO?" Usopp continued to carry on from the edge of the clearing.
"ME TOO!" Pisaro spotted a long nose figure with goggles in the brush and charged at him.
"GOTCHA!" the fishman musician shouted as he swung his maraca.
CHAK!
Pisaro's strike connected… with a log that was wearing Usopp's goggles.
"Special Attack… ROTTEN EGG STAR!"
SPLAT!
An egg flew in out of nowhere and pelted Pisaro upside the head. The egg cracked on impact and bathed Pisaro in its smelly rotten yoke.
"Uughh… gross!" Pisaro groaned. "it stinks! I'm gonna puke!" The sunfish fishman frantically rubbed at his eyes as they started tearing up from the horrid stench.
"Over here, you son of a pufferfish!" Usopp taunted from in front of a tree.
"YOU LEAVE MY MOTHER OUT OF THIS!" Pisaro roared as he charged in a blind rage and swung his club.
"YIPE!" Usopp yelped as he dove out of the way which caused Pisaro to smash the tree instead.
CHAK!
"Too slow!" Usopp called out.
"RRAAAAH!" Pisaro roared as he spun and swung his other maraca. But again Usopp leapt out of the way and left a tree to take his lumps for him.
CHAK!
"Wow! You've got really bad aim!" Usopp remarked from over by yet another tree. He had taken a quick second to reclaim his goggles.
"HOLD STILL YOU BRAT!" Pisaro bellowed as he swung his maracas and connected with yet another tree.
CHAK!
The game of whack-a-mole continued as Pisaro kept smashing trees in place of Usopp.
CHAK! CHAK! CHAK!
Finally, Kaneshiro felt it necessary to interject. "Pisaro, calm down or you'll never hit him."
"Right… right…" Pisaro agreed as he took a couple deep breaths through his mouth, "Little bastard almost made me lose my cool there…"
"Almost?" Kaneshiro repeated skeptically.
"Hey guys!" Usopp called out from behind Kaneshiro. "Look up."
Pisaro and Kaneshiro looked up in time to see the half dozen trees that Pisaro had smashed with his heavy maracas fall over… right on top of them.
KREK-KREK-KROOOOSH!
"YEEEEAAAH! I DID IT!" Usopp cheered as the two fishmen were buried under fallen trees. "Ehahahaha! How's that guys? I beat not just one, not even two but THREE fishmen!"
SLISH-SLISH!
A pair of saws cut through the toppled timber and Kaneshiro emerged looking pissed. "Make that two."
Bonnie dropped down and landed on Sabo.
Choo's eyes widened in alarm as Sabo aimed his rifle at him from point-blank range.
"True… Grit…"
KER-CHOW!
Choo was shot in the chest and got blasted out the hole in the wall then plummeted three stories and shattered the stone ground on impact.
KRESH!
"Heh, got him," Sabo chuckled as he used the wall behind him to push himself back up to his feet.
Sabo stepped out through the hole Choo had made in the wall and walked out onto the roof. He glanced downward and saw Choo lying unmoving in crater.
Winner: Sabo
Sabo smirked, "HEY ZORO! I BEAT MINE FIRST!"
"Screw you!" Zoro snapped.
"THIS TIME I'LL FINISH YOU!" Hachi insisted as he pointed all six of his swords together in a familiar stance. "This technique words one hundred percent of the time! It already worked on you once! NEW YEAR'S…"
"ONI…" Zoro intoned as he rushed at Hachi and slashed his swords. "GIRI!"
KRESH!
Hachi stared in shock as his six swords broke into twelve pieces.
"See?" Zoro said. "There's no way a bunch of puny two hundred pound swords could withstand the weight of my swords. I hope you're satisfied, stupid octopus."
"RAAH! I DON'T NEED SWORDS TO BEAT YOU!" Hachi shouted as he charged at Zoro and lashed out all six of his arms for a barrage of punches. "TAROYAKI PUNCH!"
Zoro spun around and slashed his three swords, "TATSU MAKI!" Hachi suddenly found himself charging right into a tornado made out of sharp metal blades.
SLA-SLA-SLISH!
Blood trailed after Hachi as he went flying up into the air. "How could I lose to only three swords, nyu?"
KRASH!
The octopus fishman crashed back to the ground and laid unconscious next to Choo.
Winner: Zoro
"YOU RETCHED HUMAN BASTARDS!" Arlong roared as he shot up to his feet, "HOW DARE YOU DO THAT TO MY FISHMAN BROTHERS!?"
"Oh boy, looks like he's really pissed now," Sabo remarked.
SPLASH!
Just then, Sanji broke the surface in the waterway. He kicked his legs frantically and launched himself through the water and onto the shore.
"Sanji!" Sabo exclaimed, "Is Luffy, okay?"
"Mostly," Sanji answered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Zoro demanded as the cook turned to the water.
"You wanna piece of me, you damn fish!?" Sanji hollered into the water. "COME UP HERE AND GET IT!"
SKISH!
Kuroobi leapt out of the water and landed in front of Sanji.
"You still don't get it," Kuroobi said, "Whether on land or the water the vast gap between our strength remains the same. I'm a level forty black belt in Fishman Karate. You don't stand a chance!"
"Only level forty?" Sanji questioned. "Is that what you call those kiddie kicks you were hitting me with down here? If those were level forty then the kicks the old man hit me with ever since I was a kid must've been level four hundred at least!"
"HOW DARE YOU!" Kuroobi roared. "I'll finish you with the true essence of Fishman Karate!" Kuroobi clenched his fist and drew his arm back, "HUNDRED TILE TRUE PUNCH!"
But as Kuroobi lashed out for his final punch Sanji swung his leg around to meet him and connected with the fishman's neck. "COLLIER!"
THWAK!
Kuroobi was caught off guard by the unfiltered strength of Sanji's kick and started to fall. Sanji raised his leg up overhead and brought it down on the fishman's shoulder. "EPAULE!"
THWHAM!
Kuroobi was slammed face first into the ground. "What'd you say about my chivalry?" Sanji growled. Kuroobi staggered up but Sanji dropped onto his hands and swung his leg around for another kick. "COTELETTE!"
THWAK!
Sanji's kick connected with Kuroobi's ribs and he immediately followed up with one to the lower back. "SELLE!"
THWAK!
Sanji was a blur as he swung himself around Kuroobi continued his combo.
"POINTRINE!"
THWAK!
"GIGOT!"
THWHAM!
Kuroobi hit the ground again and Sanji casually stood over him.
"Why you… TAKE THIS!" Kuroobi shouted as he pushed himself up onto his knee and lashed out his arm. "THOUSAND TILE TRUE PUNCH!"
Sanji twisted his body as he lashed out his foot and drove it into Kruoobi's chest. "MOUTON SHOOT!"
THOOOM!
Kuroobi went flying backwards, smashed straight through Arlong Park then came out the other side and crashed to the ground unconscious.
THUD!
"I guess you won't be needing dessert," Sanji remarked as he lowered his leg.
Winner: Sanji
"TIME TO GO!" Usopp squeaked as he spun around and raced away from Kaneshiro.
"NOT THIS TIME!" The fishman shipwright yelled as he threw one of his saws after Usopp.
SLISH!
"AAAH!" Usopp cried out and dropped to the ground as the saw raked his side.
"No more running away…" Kaneshiro growled as he stomped after Usopp and drove his foot down onto the prone sniper's back.
"This is it… I'm gonna die!" Usopp whimpered to himself. "I'm sorry everyone… I guess this is the end of Captain Usopp. But at least I went out like a man and led a long productive life. Wait a minute… I'M ONLY SEVENTEEN! My life hasn't been long at all! I WANNA LIVE DAMN IT!"
"Wanna know a secret?" Kaneshiro asked Usopp. "I'm not much of a shipwright. I can't build or maintain a ship worth a damn. But I am good at taking 'em apart. You saw Arlong Park… yours truly cut apart Arlong's ship the Shark Superb to get the raw material to make it. After all the trouble you gave me… I think I'll take a little detour before I head back to Arlong. I'm gonna pay a visit to that caravel of yours… AND I'M GONNA TEAR IT APART! Then even if one of you human bastards is playing possum again you won't be able to leave the island!"
Usopp's blood ran cold as he slipped a hammer out of his arsenal bag. "Don't you dare… lay one flipper… on my ship… YOU FISHY SON OF A BITCH!"
Usopp acted quickly and swung his hammer up between Kaneshiro's legs.
WHOMP!
"EEENNGGGHH!" Kaneshiro let out a high-pitched grunt as the hammer smashed his fish stick 'n' chips. But when he opened his eyes again, Usopp had slipped away. "Damn it… where'd he go this time?"
"UP HERE, BRIGHT EYES!"
Kaneshiro looked up to see Usopp perched on a branch overhead. The end of the branch was curled upward and split in a 'Y' shape. Usopp had a rubber band stretched between the two high points of the 'Y' to form a makeshift slingshot.
Usopp loaded his hammer into the slingshot and pulled back on the rubber band. "SPECIAL ATTACK… SURE-KILL HAMMER STAR!"
SHOO!
Usopp let go and the hammer shot downward like a fish-seeking missile.
WHOMP!
The hammer smashed down on Kaneshiro's head and the goldfish fishman toppled over unconscious.
"WOOHOO! I GOT HIM!" Usopp cheered. "YOU SEE THAT? I CAN BEAT THE FISHMEN TOO! I'M CAPTAIN USOPP AND I'M A BRAVE WARRIOR OF THE SEA! Yeah… oh boy…" Usopp cut off his cheering when he realized something. "Oh… right… I just knocked out the only other people here… That figures."
Winner: Usopp
"What… what…" Arlong sputtered. "Choo... Hachi... Kuroobi..." He stared around Arlong Park in shock as he took in the fallen bodies of not just his three defeated officers but his entire crew. He was the only one left standing. "You unevolved monkeys dare to hurt my fishman brothers!"
"I guess being born human and actually working to gain our strength trumped merely being born as naturally superior fishmen," Sabo retorted.
"I'LL KILL YOU MYSELF!" Arlong roared. "THEN WHEN I'M DONE I'LL MOUNT YOUR HEADS ON MY WALL!"
Luffy gets back in action and finishes things off next chapter
Silver signing off