Hey guys! As promised, here's another chapter in celebration for Chinese New Year and my boyfriend's birthday party tomorrow! So as a reminder, this is the final chapter before the final fights. The 'Pirate's Eye Diamond' is FINALLY revealed, so I hope you're ready for that. Other than that, please vote on your character fights, I'm going to focus on the top seven fighting pairs most likely, maybe more maybe less, but the higher ranking you give a clashing pairs, the more attention I'll give it.
So without further ado, read, enjoy, review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Gintama or One Piece
There was a tense silence in a guest dorm in Marineford; two occupants sat on the bed. One was a beautiful navy-haired woman with blood red eyes, the other was an equally beautiful male with salmon braided hair, and blue eyes. They were both stripped down to their underwear, in the process of changing eachother's bandages, as well as recovering from their previous activity.
"It probably wasn't a good idea to have sex while you were recovering." Nobume said as she re-wrapped some bandages around Kamui's torso. She was in a dark pink camisole and hot-shorts, she applied some antiseptic to some of the more raw wounds over the shirtless man's body. Kamui was only in his boxers.
"Maybe, but it took the edge off." He frowned when he noted some of the wounds from Rob Lucci hadn't healed yet. "Humans really are fragile creatures; your fight with him was almost two weeks ago."
"Coming from the man who supposedly heals instantaneously. You lost to an old man who schooled you on the way of life; I'd say that your ego is more fragile than a human infant, actually." She said.
"Maybe. Or…I simply don't like other males putting marks on you." Kamui smiled, placing a hand over the one applying medicine. "Let's make a deal. The only male you fight from now is me, and you'll be mine exclusively for every battle."
"I am with the Mimiwarigumi; after this deal is settled I will be leaving with the captain unless if further collaboration is required. Furthermore, your proposal is ridiculous in nature because with our natures- it impossible to bind ourselves to one opponent, you and I both know it." She replied. "Are you looking for reason from what the old man said?"
"Not really, I was just thinking to myself as he talked- he really pissed me off. The nerve of him to assume that I wasn't already aware of my bloodthirsty nature, it is all a Yato is after all." Kamui smirked. "Really, what would a human, whose only known choice and freedom his whole life, possibly know what it's like to battle between your morals and instinct?"
"He wouldn't. But how would you know what it's like to choose between your duties and your ethics?" Nobume asked sharply.
"Assume nothing if you have not walked in that opponents shoes, Kamui. It's short-sighted and immature of you to say otherwise." Nobume said. "And also…I can confirm with what Whitbeard-san said…true strength only emerges when your pushed to absolute brink and beyond for the sake of helping someone or someone's ambition. The reason why you cannot achieve this ambition alone, is because when you are alone, you cannot be pushed other than physically. Emotional and mental stimuli are absent, and you only have yourself to train with."
"So essentially, I will remain weak if I remain alone." Kamui frowned, thinking of his sister's lover. "Is that why imouto-chan's getting stronger, to protect that little samurai? He's weaker than her by far, but I do give him kudos for having the nerve to stand up to a Yato. But still…that explains it though. Why imouto-chan's growth wasn't stunted by earth, or rather…she grew because she ventured there."
"After fighting alongside her, I can easily say that she becomes stronger in each fight because the stakes keep rising. It's the same with Sakata-san and Megane-kun, they keep fighting and getting stronger because they're trying desperately to protect what they already have. While you fight needlessly and grow weaker because you don't have that constant stresser; so yes- you are weak because everything's disposable to you." Nobume replied.
"Aw that's where you're wrong." Kamui sighed. "You are right when you say I'm careless in terms of fightsing however…I've found that I don't consider all those things disposable, so long as they keep to my standards."
"Meaning?" Nobume frowned.
Kamui suddenly flipped them to where he laid over her. "Keep up your strength, continue to help me grow stronger, and I'll never find you disposable."
"So long as you don't become like Oboro or Isaburo, then fine." Nobume interlaced her fingers with his. "I will gladly hold that exclusive honor." She allowed herself to smile slightly when they locked lips.
Elsewhere in Marineford
Takasugi frowned as he walked through the marine base, anxious to go over the plans with Bansai and the rest of his subordinates. It had to be clear that in three days time from now, that he would be the one to execute the Shiroyasha, just as he should've several years ago. His comrade had been long dead, and now it was up to him to destroy the world who took his sensei.
"It's dangerous for you to be wandering around without your disguise." He frowned, and turned to Isaburo,who texted away on his cellphone. "The Shinsengumi don't exactly you nd your company are here at the moment."
"What does it matter? They were disposable to us to begin with?" He frowned.
"True, but would it not be more fitting to see their anguished faces when they realized how badly they had been betrayed? To have them realize their pursuit to help a universe without a proper understanding of justice, had only brought the world down through intense chaos." Isaburo replied. "If you want that epic ending, Shinsuke-san, you need to stay in hiding and allow us the flexibility."
"You have nerve to give me orders, considering your subordinate failed to kill the missing Shinsengumi officer." Takasugi sneered.
"Okita-kun is no threat, he is too distracted by the female Yato. Besides, at any point Nobume could track her down and dispose of the girl, however defeating the enraged Shinsengumi first commander would prove hazardous. Which is why I thought it'd be best if she traveled with Kamui-kun, but it would appear that it provided them with nothing than a mere vacation." Isaburo sighed. "Okita-kun as well as the rest of the Shinsengumi will be executed on the platform along with Monkey D. Dragon; try to have some patience."
"You're right, it is simple paranoia on my part really. Whenever that idiot is involved, everything seems to rise up against me, or I am forced to improvise or reschedule." Takasugi said. "I look forward on those fools faces when they see the shadows come out."
"Indeed, what concerns me is this Whitebeard-san and Aokiji-san." Isaburo pointed out. "If Whitebeard managed to best Kamui, then he isn't something to be dealt with lightly; our first priority should be to eliminate him. His loyal insects will be naturally squashed as we form the path to him."
"What? You want to kill him personally?" Takasugi asked.
"No, I don't really care about Whitebeard-san in all honesty. There is the concern of Umibozu and that Aokiji-san I mentioned earlier." The monocle man said.
"I'll leave the government dogs here to fight amongst themselves, whether or not Aokiji still wears a uniform, that doesn't change what his objective is. Let the admirals fight amongst themselves I say." Takasugi said. "That's most likely to happen anyways."
"And Umibozu?"
"Let Kamui or myself kill him, whatever works really." Takasugi smirked. "But really, all this planning is fairly useless isn't it? Because once Dragon's head falls, and the Shinsengumi corpses lie flat; all hell will break lose. Anyone is subjected to the Anniversary, there's not getting out of it."
"Yes, I suppose you're right. The probability of any of us fighting the people we want is no greater than the lottery." The man in white flipped his phone shut. "What are you going to do until then?"
"Oh nothing really; I'm going to sit back…" The purple man walked to the open window and blew smoke from his pipe. "…And watch this world's last few sunsets."
In Marineford Prison
Dragon sighed and waited for the day to come to an end; the only reason how he could tell time was because his prison cell had a window. Suddenly the door opened, and he looked out, expecting to see his normal prison attendant. His eyes widened in shock.
"Y-You're-"
XXXXALABASTAXXXX
"Okay then, so it's settled! Aokiji fights Akainu, and I beat my idiot son into submission! As for the rest of you: free for all with those damned Navy people!" Umibozu shouted.
"Oi. What about this Takasugi-guy and his crew?" Ace pointed out.
"I don't care what happens to them, anyone could fight um. But my boy is my responsibility!" Umibozu proclaimed.
"No you idiot, he means, are there any other potent threats from your universe other than your son, or these Kihetai people? What I've been wondering about is the Shinsengumi. What is there role in this exactly? If I recall, one of their members fought Aokiji here, but the other two are with the Navy." Kureha frowned.
"That I'm afraid I don't know. I doubt the Shinsengumi split up, he probably separated form them before he was tangled up in the World Government's plot, would be my guess." Umibozu explained. "As for my daughter and her group, which includes that other Shinsengumi officer, you can count on their full allegiance."
"Fine, but what about those men in white. Aokiji mentioned the Mimiwargiumi woman, so I'm assuming there are others?" Kureha responded.
"Ah, I honestly don't know much about them." The bald man frowned. "All I know is that they're another police force from my universe, but unlike the Shinsengumi, they specialize in guarding and protecting the elite members of society."
"So they serve the same purpose as Cipher Pole." Vista figured.
"You could say. Though they actually know how to fight." Umibozu said.
"What about this Takasugi-san again? What will be the assignment regarding him?" Mihawk spoke up.
"Ah…I assume Permhead is going to take care of him…those two have quite a history." He sighed. "But don't worry, Takasugi's right hand I hear is pretty tough, so you'll get a good fight Mihawk-san!"
"I have another concern!" Vivi surprisingly spoke up. "Will Whitebeard-sama or Shanks-sama be involved in this fight?"
Ace frowned but answered anyways. "Pops…I really wish he wouldn't but…he's insistent and he's not going to take no for an answer."
"I don't know about Shanks." Ivankov spoke up. "He's been in contact with our Revolutionary group, but he didn't sound up to traveling. Still got the injury and the baby, after all."
"I see. If there are no other discussions, then we should get going." Kureha stood up.
"I concur. If we go full speed and not stop for breaks, we should be able to make it to Marineford within three days. I know a quick route." Aokiji got up as well.
"Then it's settled, but…I've got my eye on you Admiral; one false move and you're history." Ace glared.
"Yeah, yeah, let's go!" Aokiji waved him off.
"Let's move out!" Haruta shouted.
"Let me get your supplies ready!" Vivi was about to go to the storage units, but one of the guards whispered something to her. "Oh my! If you all will excuse me, there's something I have to attend to!"
"Sure!" Vista dismissed her.
As Vivi hurried down the hallway, she was greeted by Igarham who wore an anxious expression. "Your highness, there are several guests who wish to see you."
"Who? We're quite busy at the moment." She frowned.
"I assure you, it's important; he says it has to do with Odd-Jobs." The large man explained.
"I see, let's go then." Vivi followed Igraham into a random meeting room, and was delighted by who it was- Gan Hall, chief of Skypeia, along with two winged bodyguards. Having gotten acquainted with the sky people through Luffy, Alabasta and the sky island flourished with trading. "Gan Hall-sama, what brings you here?"
"Ah! Vivi-sama! So good to see you, though it must be a scary time to be on earth." The old man said.
"Yes, which is why I must insist that we keep this meeting short. I apologize greatly Gan Hall-sama, but I have no time to meet with you today. Igraham said you knew the Odd-Jobs pirates?" She asked.
"Yes…those bastards owe me a new scooter." The old man said darkly, but brightened. "But we'll talk about that later, I actually came along with another guest."
"Another guest?" Vivi frowned at the rude gesture.
"Rest assured, it's very relevant." He signaled his men to allow the princess to see the newcomer. It was a young girl who appeared to be about twelve; she was averaged height and fairly slender build. She had pale skin, sand-color hair, and reddish eyes. She wore a knee-length primitive yellow dress with red circle designs around the hem and her hair was about mid-back length and down in style. But what drew Vivi's eyes was what the girl had in her hands.
Kneeling down at eye level, Vivi smiled. "Hello, who might you be? Do you know the Odd-Jobs pirates?"
The girl also smiled but shook her head. "Nope! But I know the Strawhats! They're good people, aren't they?"
"I see. What island are you from?" Another person Luffy helped.
"I'm from Warship Island, and I have some special friends that introduced me to Skypeia about a year ago!" She smiled.
"Special friends?" Vivi repeated.
"Let's just say her friends have access to the sky." Gran Hall winked.
Her eyes widened in realization when she looked at the younger girl. "I see! You're the guardian of Lost Island! You must be Apis-chama, Bokuden-sama's granddaughter! How are the Sennryu?"
"SSHH! You're not supposed to know!" The girl pouted.
"Oops! You're right! I'm sorry! Demo…it's pretty dangerous here, you should stay in Skypeia until the war is over." Vivi said gently.
"But Gran Hall-sama said the Odd-Jobs needed this!" Apis held up the item proudly.
Vivian and Igraham stared at the item in disbelief. "Gran Hall-sama is this…?" Vivi trailed off.
"Hehe…sure is." Gran Hall smirked. "Those Odd-Jobs people aren't the only ones who crashed onto my island afterall."
"I don't believe this!" Igraham practically shouted. "The Pirate's Eye Diamond! It does exist!"
XXXXWHITEBEARDXXXX
"Pops, you sure you want do this?" Marco frowned, it was only just yesterday he sent that stupid alien punk packing, and now he was heading for a war.
"Marco, you're my oldest son…you've been with me for many years. You know that once I start something, I can't leave it unfinished." The old pirate stared at into the sea peacefully.
"Just make sure this isn't your last, Pops." The blonde sighed.
"Don't worry Marco, I don't intend my last on being Sengoku's battleground; the last place I'll die is on World Government territory. Besides…I want to meet this Odd-Jobs Permhead in person." Whitebeard's smile matched his mustache.
XXXXXTHOUSAND SUNNYXXXXX
Luffy sighed as he stared out from the ship; dejavu for him from two years ago. Like last time, Jinbe insisted on driving the ship to Marineford as quickly as possible, and like last time, he stood above the mast, looking out into the horizon. HE wore a serious expression, and looked down at his hand, frowning; unlike last time…he had no vivre card; he had no idea if his dad was dead or alive.
"Oi, Strawhat! Come down and have a drink with us." Gintoki ordered.
"I'll take some meat." He said; he knew his crewmates knew better than to bother him in the mood he was in, but Gintoki didn't seem to get it.
"Brooding about the situation isn't going to rescue your father, and if you don't get some rest, you won't be in any shape to fight for tomorrow." Gintoki said logically.
"I didn't sleep the night before I rescued Ace, this won't be any different." Luffy frowned.
"Ah. Jinbe-san told me the hell you went through to save your brother, and all the schelp you took in consequence. A good ambition, but I'd think you'd want this experience to go a little smoother. You have more than yourself to protect this time afterall." Gintoki pointed out.
"I don't need you to tell me that!" Luffy snapped, but then frowned. "Sorry, I'm just…"
"Still pissed, worried as hell, and you're wondering just what the hell to say to him after all these years. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is your first time actually meeting him, right?" Luffy turned to him in surprise. "Garp-san told me all this before you ask; he told me back at your home island. Sorry."
"No, it's fine, I just…I wonder if Gramps is going to be there." Luffy sighed.
"Ah. He told me you and your brother have been distant with him since the War; can't say I blame yah, considering that he kind of hung the both of you out to dry. HE said that despite the two of you being his grandsons, he chose to follow his duty than to save the two of you." Gintoki drank some rum.
"What's your point?" Luffy frowned.
"MY point is, leave your regrets and feelings on this ship before you enter the battle coming up, or eliminate them in the next three days. They'll be here when you get back, so deal with them then." Gintoki replied.
"That sounds smart." Luffy nodded. "Permhead, you going to fight that Takasugi-bastard?"
"That is my reserved fight, yes." He nodded.
"Ah, forget it, he's mine." Luffy said.
"What?" Gintoki frowned.
"He's the one who hurt Shanks and he's the one who captured my dad; I'm fighting him, enough said." Luffy slid down the mast to face the older.
"Takasugi would chew you up and spit you out, you know that right?" Gintoki pointed out. "Besides, what's more important? Vengeance or the person you're trying to save from someone else's vengeance?" Luffy blinked at that. "Think about when you saved Ace-san; your mind was on nowhere but him; vengeance nor anger entered your mind because you were too focused on saving him. That's the one thing you did right in that war two years ago, don't…" He frowned when flashbacks of the Joi war came to him; anguishing over his sensei's head. "…allow vengeance to consume you on the battlefield. You turn into something you're not, and you end up nearly betraying the very person you wanted to save, or in my case, wanted to get justice for."
"Gintoki…" Luffy said.
"Trust me." He pat Luffy's strawhat. "Brats like you need to listen to their elders; don't make me put you in a time out during the battle. Because I'll break your legs if I have to, understand?"
"I'm made of rubber, though." Luffy couldn't help but grin!
"And I've snapped rubber tires in half with this old toothpick, want to see what I can do with a real blade?" Gintoki grinned. "You'd be sliced rubber bands in no time, believe it."
"HEY! NO BOSSING ME AROUND ON MY SHIP!" Luffy shouted.
XXXXTHREE DAYS LATERXXXXXXXX
Just like two years ago, Sengoku stood uptop of the execution platform, with his two remaining admirals sitting above it in their chairs. They looked as if they were waiting for a movie to start. The lower marines were preparing cannons, traps, guns, and whatever groundwork was necessary. The ships were setup and already out to see, there were select differences of course. For one: two of the Shichibukai were absent, and instead stood Blackbeard in Boa Hancock's place; the woman made something up about prior obligations. It didn't matter, she proved last time she couldn't be trusted against Strawhat; Mihawk had yet to arrive.
Another difference were the guests attendants: Spandam and Spandine had insisted on being here for the execution ceremony of Monkey D. Dragon, the man had been a thorn in Cipher Pole's side for such a long time, so that was only natural. There was also Isaburo at his side, pressing at that strange device still, and his men were below, loyally awaiting his orders. His Vice Captain and the amanto was somewhere else below, doing God knew what, while the Yato's crew of Amanto were also below, waiting for the battle to start.
CLANG!
Finally, Sengoku turned to the sound of chains approaching, and sure enough, there he was: Monkey D. Dragon. The leader of the Revolutionaries, and the most dangerous man in the world; his cloak was off, revealing his long hair and tattoos. Compared to his son, he had a very hard-looking face and had tattoos all over his body. It made Sengoku wonder what Garp's role was going to be, the man had retried, but from what he understood, the Odd-Jobs people ruined his blackmail plan. Sengoku then turned his focus to the two men accompanying him: Kondo Isao and Hijikata Toshiro; they would be his executioners today. They would also be their own world's holy sacrifices, the engagement of Absolute Justice entering the streets of Kabukicho.
He straightened up when Dragon was brought down to the platform; his robe was stripped of him, revealing his tattoos and muscular body. Dragon looked down as his hands were shackled to ground similary to how Ace had his, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone.
Spandam and Spandine smirked and approached him. The insipid son spoke first. "So this is the famous Monkey D. Dragon! The most dangerous man in the world?! Not so tough now that justice caught up to you?"
When Dragon didn't respond, Spandine got annoyed. He grabbed Draogn's hair and made him look up at them. "Answer when my son talks to you!"
SWIPE!
Spandine and Spandam backed off when they felt a blade fly by their eyes. Hijikata sheathed his sword, and puffed his cigarette. "Don't antagonize the prisoner, it takes out the effect of his final moments."
"WHAT?!" Spandam yelled, and went forward. "Listen you-"
"Toshi's right." Kondo pushed his sword out slightly. "We do executions differently form where we come from, and while we're accepting that this is a public display, that doesn't mean we can't implement our own customs. This one is: respect and privacy law: no pushing the inmate's buttons."
Spandine growled. "Fleet Admiral! Are you really just going to let them do that?!"
"Considering we're about to restart the war, I'd recommend that all of you stop these shenanigans." Sengoku's eerie voice spoke. Spandine and Spandam got back into their positions, while the Fleet Admiral glared at the two black horses. "As for you two, might I remind you that this will be broadcasted all over the world, so I would appreciate it, if you would hold your moral and ethics for after the fact?" Neither men said anything. "Good." Sengoku spoke into a Den Den Mushi. "Tsuru, are the televisions and Den Den Mushi set up?"
"Yes. They're ready." She said on the other end.
"Good." Sengoku glared at the upcoming battleships to Marineford; this is indeed just like before. "Hook me up, I'm going to make this announcement brief."
"Whenever you're ready."
"Oh believe me…" He glared straight at the Strawhat boy aboard his pirate ship. "This time I am. There's no escape for any of them."
Review please! Feel free to review or PM me if you have any last minute concerns about the final fight pairings. Once again, either rate your fight choices in the review or PM me it; whichever works. As a reminder, please rate the fights you see from 1-20 in terms of how much you want to see the characters fight. The higher the ranking, the more attention I'll give it. 1 is highest, 20 is lowest. So once again, here are your choices:
-Kijima Matako vs. Nami
-Kawakami Bansai vs. Zoro
-Takasugi vs. Gintoki
-Takechi Henpeita vs Shinpachi
-Aokiji vs Akainu
-Kizaru vs. Marco
-Sengoku vs. Garp
-Ace vs. Crocodile
-New CP9 vs. old CP9 (Kalifa, Kakku, Jabra, Blueno, Kumadori, Fukuro)
-Rob Lucci (with Hattori) vs. Spandine and Spandam
-Momonga vs. Kondo
-Whitebeard vs. Sengoku
-Kamui vs. Kagura and Umibozu
-Abuto vs. Sougo, Luffy, and Dragon
-Isaburo vs. Hijikata
-Nobume vs. Vista
-Robin vs. Tsuru
-Brook and Sanji vs. Donflamingo
-Chopper, Ussop, and Franky vs. Moriah