Author's Note:
So you all must be wondering where the fuck are the last 3 chapters of "Pirates vs Ninjas: Battles of Love and Will"? Well rest assured they are all coming, it's just taking me longer than I planned.
This month has been the most stressful, painful, annoying, and downright aggravating month of my life. I wanted to write to get away from all the crap I've had to deal with and relax, but instead, I could not get into the mood at all, thus for the sake of the quality of my work, chose not to write.
But now, I feel like the worst is over, for the most part, and I'm going right back to writing. And to speed up the process of "Pirates vs Ninjas", I'm not going to bother writing chapters 9 and 10 in note form and just write the bastards. I've already planned those out, at this point, years ago so why slow myself down?
Thank you to all who have remained patient. And don't worry, for none of you will be disappointed for what comes next.
Pirates vs Ninjas: Battles of Love and Will Chapter 8: Kaizoku vs Ninja I
Ten Minutes Earlier
"You think she's gonna be ok?" asked Usopp with a worried look on his face.
"I believe they have no intentions of harming her, as they did Zoro" said Robin calmly. "They are just as confused as we are. As we know nothing about this place, this village knows nothing of us and sees as alien as we see them."
"Aa, this place is weird" agreed the sniper.
"You noticed it to huh?" added Franky rubbing his chin. "I've seen plenty of weird people coming in and out of Water 7, but I've never seen anyone or anything as strange as here. Can't put my finger on it, but I do know that it ain't Super."
"Mmm. I've been giving this a great deal of thought ever since Doctor-san and I began making our way to this village and I have come up with a possible theory to this strangeness. I believe that are in another realm."
This immediately snapped everyone to attention.
"H-Ha ha, what are you talking about Robin?" laughed Usopp nervously. "W-We're in another world? That's just crazy! Ha ha! Right mina?"
However the young sniper did not get the reassurance he was hoping for. The rest of the crew had noticed the strangeness and foreignness of the world around them. They had noticed what was missing, as well as what was replacing the missing. How crazy could Robin's theory be that they had entered into another world? They had seen so many other otherworldly phenomena before, was discovering a portal to a new world that impossible?
"If we have entered a new realm...how did it happen?" asked Brook.
"I have a theory for that as well" answered the archeologist, "the violet light."
"The violet light?" echoed the crew.
"Ee. It was the last thing we saw before we landed here and it was mostly what caused the whirlpool that pulled us in. Have any of you heard of the Green Flash?"
"Who hasn't?" laughed Franky. "Any sailor worth his salt knows what that is, though not everyone has seen it. It's the flash of green that you see right before the sun completely sinks bellow the horizon. Legend has it that the flash is the door of the underworld opening for the souls of dead sailors to pass through." (author's note: Turns out that the Green Flash is real. The flash I mean, who knows if it's really a gateway or not but props to the director and writers of the Pirates of the Caribbean for doing their research.)
"But the flash was violet, not green" reminded Sanji.
"I was hoping to confirm with Navigator-san as she would know more on the subject than I do. Perhaps that should be my next topic of reading?" pondered Robin taping her lips. Zoro merely snored on the cell floor, as he had fallen asleep shortly after Nami had left with the ninjas.
Then there was the sound of confusion and struggle. The Straw Hats snapped their focus to the cell door as they tried to figure out what was happening on the other side. There was a shout of anger followed by cry of agony and a clatter of human flesh. Finally the door of the cells swung open revealing a slightly panicked Hyuuga Hinata with a large sack on her back. While the crew was confused on whom she was or what she was doing, it was their captain's hat that rested on her head that made them stare with alarm.
"O-Ohaiyo! My name is Hyuuga Hinata!" hurried their heiress. "I've been sent my Monkey D. Luffy-san to help you all escape. I-I know you don't trust me but-"
"Luffy gave you his hat to prove to us that he does trust you" finished Usopp.
"That idiot loves only three things: food, adventure, and his dream. That hat is part of that dream and he defends it with his life. He'd only give it to someone he really trusted, Mademoiselle" finished Sanji.
Despite herself, Hinata smiled happily as her nervousness of meeting Luffy's friends was melting away. "Arigatou!" she said bowing quickly "Luffy-san wants you get out of the village using any means necessary without harming too many people or causing too much damage. I have the keys to the-"
However Hinata was cut off and without hesitation Sanji and Franky blasted the entire front of the cell, door and all, right off.
"The fuck? Who uses half pin barrel hinges for prison cell doors?" scolded the shipwright as he examined the door.
"We need to find our gear" said Usopp.
"I have them" said Hinata opening the sac she had brought with her. "I stole them from the ANBU armoury."
"Do you have my medical bag?" asked Chopper worriedly.
"Hai, it's right here Isha-san (Doctor)" replied Hinata fishing out Chopper's small blue medical knapsack.
"Arigatou!" shouted the reindeer gratefully as he took the knapsack from her and ran to Zoro.
"Ano, which one of you is Roronoa Zoro-san?" asked the Hyuuga heiress. "I was only able to recover one of your swords." Immediately Zoro's eyes snapped open and he sat up nearly knocking Chopper on his behind.
"Which one did you get?" he demanded standing up.
"Zoro! Stop moving!" the doctor shouted, "You're going to reopen your wounds!"
"Which one?" repeated Zoro, ignoring the blue-nosed reindeer. Hinata reached into the sac and pulled out Zoro's most prized possession: Wado Ichimoji. Zoro breathed a sigh of relief and graciously took his sword. "Thank you. What's your name?" he asked her as he slid his katana back into his sash.
"Hyuuga Hinata" the kunoichi answered bowing.
"Hyuuga Hinata, where are my other swords?" he asked her.
"They are in the Hokage's office. She kept them because they looked more impressive than your white katana."
"Tch, figures" muttered the swordsman. "Alright mina, we'll regroup with Luffy after we rescue Nami."
"Where is she now?"
"She's being questioned by the Hokage" answered Usopp.
"In that case Roronoa-san, I do not think you have to worry about Nami-san as Luffy-san told me to tell you that he is planning to fight Tsunade-sama" interrupted Hinata. "He is going after her personally to give you all enough time to get out of the village. He'll rescue Nami-san himself."
"Leave Nami-san to that idiot? Famous last words" muttered Sanji.
"Luffy's never let us down before, especially when it comes to saving Nami" said Usopp. "We just need to leave it to him."
"Exactly so" added Brook "and Nami-san has put her faith into our captain so we must do the same. After all, a crew than cannot trust their captain is a crew that will surely sink into the sea."
"Oh ya I forget that you were a captain once" Franky remarked. "In any case the skeleton is right. Let's let Mugiwara get back our navigator while we have some fun."
"Let's pay these ninjas back shall we?" grinned Zoro, bouncing his sword on his right shoulder.
The crew in unison turned for the cell door when Hinata spoke up once again.
"A-Ano!" she said hurriedly taking off Luffy's straw hat. "Luffy-san wanted me to give this to Nami-san. Since she isn't here I should give it back to you."
Zoro turned to face the young woman once again and took a step towards her.
"Our captain is in an idiot through and through. He jumps before he thinks, he's more gullible than a child, and his antics shave the years off us more than a soldier on the front lines" he said calmly. "As a captain he's not who you'd want in charge...but as a friend you'd want no one else. He values that hat more than anything as it carries the promise he made to become the king of the pirates. And while that may seem strange..." he tightened his grip on Wado Ichimonji's hilt "I understand exactly how he feels. I care for this sword more than I do for my own life. I made a promise on it as well and I made a promise to Luffy that I'd never lose. In turn he promised me that he would never get in the way of my dream as I'd make him pay.
The point I'm making here is that Luffy is crazy. He's the craziest son of a bitch I have ever seen. But he's also the great man I've ever met. He can judge a person at a glance and just knows if they are bad or good. He can even turn his enemy into an ally. If he trusted you enough to give you his hat, then that means you can hold onto it until he gets Nami."
Hinata nodded with a smile, feeling both proud and happy that the first mate and his captain trusted her.
"Now I have a question for you" added Zoro grabbing her attention. "Why are you helping us? We're technically your enemy and now you just gave us an order from our captain to fight your nakama for our freedom. For helping us escape you're going to be punished severally, you've got to know that. So why?"
Hinata looked down knowing that she had been expecting that question to be asked. She had been asking herself that question but now she felt she finally had some form of an answer.
"Luffy-san, all of you, are good people" she answered finally, looking at the young swordsman. "My entire life...has been filled with fighting. So many people fighting and dying for reasons I don't understand. I've seen best friends once as close as brothers turn on one another for the sake of power. I've seen entire families torn apart over false honor. I am tired of all of this meaningless fighting, but up until now I haven't have the strength to stop it. If I do nothing now, I will regret for the rest of my life."
The Mugiwara looked at the young woman before them and couldn't help smiling at her. It was clear to them that she was not the most confident of people nor was she the kind of girl that spoke up at all. They could also see that her short time with Luffy was enough for him to rub off on her, and give her the courage to act as the person she truly was.
"Ano...why are you all looking at me like that?" asked Hinata, blushing slightly as she was becoming embarrassed.
"She's a good kid this one eh?" remarked Franky scratching his chin.
"Very nicely said, Hinata-chan" complimented Sanji with a smile.
"We should leave now before the cells become over whelmed with ninjas. Shall we?" said Robin, making her crewmates follow her out of their prison. With only half his body out of the door however, Usopp noticed something in the corner of his eye.
"What are you doing Hinata?" he asked.
"While I know that I will be found out for helping both you and your captain..." she explained pulling out a roll of explosive notes from her sac, "if I can cover my tracks as well as possible, it can give you all more time to escape and hide from the village. Essentially, allowing myself to become the focus of their attention."
"Good thinking" nodded Usopp. "Ano...I feel like I should apologize for knocking out your brother. Especially since you're helping us and all."
Hinata turned to look at the sniper and shook her head. "There is no need Usopp-san. I know it was in self-defence. Also, he is my cousin and I cannot be thankful enough that you did that."
"For knocking him out?"
"Hai. Most would have killed."
"If they even scratch Nami-san I'll boil them alive" growled Sanji with fire in his eyes.
'Just as Luffy-san depicted' thought Hinata smiling at the cook's antics. She placed the final seal onto the cell and followed the pirates out of the prison, before detonating.
xXx
The battle siren once again rang throughout the village. The villagers were confused, but when they saw the Straw Hats marching through the streets and their own ninjas marching against them, they knew that things were serious. The Straw Hats stood side by side as they marched towards their enemies, bringing with them an aura of power and intimidation. The ninjas that stood no more than a dozen yards before them with Kakashi and Maito Gai at the front, stiffened from worry and fear. Even though they outnumbered them greatly and has once again surrounded them by positioning themselves on the roves, it still seemed that the pirates had the upper hand. Kakashi, sensing the lack of moral of his fellow ninjas, took a step forward to halt the advance.
"I thought we had an understanding that if you were innocent, all you needed to do was wait patiently and we would clear all this up" said the one-eyed Jounin strongly.
The Mugiwara all stopped in unison allowing Brook to respond. "You did sir, but after they way you have treated my crew mates, I can no longer sit quietly" the musician replied.
"So there is no chance that I can ask you all to stand down?"
"None at all" answered Zoro taking a step forward. "Your orders are to stop us. Our orders, given to us by our captain, are to fight our way out of this village. And the orders of our captain are absolute."
Kakashi nodded. "I understand your feelings as well as your actions, but please be reasonable Roronoa-san" he said remaining calm. "We have over a thousand shinobi at the ready with a sole purpose; to stop you are your colleagues. You cannot win."
The green haired swordsman looked at the Copy Cat ninja with sharp unwavering eyes.
"1000?" he repeated with a wild grin spreading across his face that made all the ninjas minus their commanding officers step back "Is that all you've got?" His grin widened even further as he saw them quake with fear. "If a million couldn't stop us..." he continued pulling his black bandana from his bicep and began to tie it around his head. "...what could a thousand do?" he shouted tightening the knot fiercely.
Kakashi gritted his teeth from under his mask. 'There's no turning back now' he thought as he pulled free his forehead protector, revealing his famous Sharingan. He knew that his only hope was to end this battle before it could begin. 'I had been planning to use this on a later date' he said to himself, 'But I'm not given much of a choice.' "Sharingan: Tsukuyomi" he said, unleashing the horrid genutsu upon the pirates.
What followed was a very awkward silence.
"Nani? Are you just going to stare at us?" Zoro called back mockingly.
Kakashi froze. 'What's going on? That should have worked' he thought swallowing. 'I haven't really had the time to test the Tsukuyomi after Itachi used it on me three years ago, but so far it has worked. I can't use it for long but it does work. Why is nothing happening?' It was then that Hatake Kakashi saw the most glaringly and obvious missing link. The most obvious cog that was missing from the equation: Roronoa Zoro did not have chakra. However it was not that he did not have chakra active in his body, the man did have a chakra network. Such a thing was unheard of and was perceived to be impossible. But his Sharingan was not able to see any aura of chakra forming around the swordsman's body, along with the bodies of the entire crew.
Genjutsu, regular or otherwise, functions by disturbing the flow of chakra in the brain thus disrupting the senses. This allows the caster to create illusions so convincing to the victim, they believe whatever they see, hear, taste, touch, and smell is real. Even civilians who do not use their chakra and rare cases like Rock Lee who have their chakra points never fully develop, can be affected by Genjutsu. But if someone doesn't have any chakra or a network...Kakashi's eyes widened realizing the outcome.
...Genjutsu has no affect on them.
"Everyone! Don't use-" shouted the Jonin, but cut himself off when he saw Zoro begin to move. He swung Wado Ichimoni over to his right with his left hand on the hilt and his right grasping the saya just below the tsuba.
"Ittoryu Iai: Shishi Sonson (One Sword Style Draw and Resheath Technique: Lion's Song)" shouted the swordsman launching himself forward aiming right at Kakashi. Miraculously, both Kakashi and Maito Gai managed to evade the attack. The men behind them however, were not so lucky. The lightening fast sword slash pierced through more than 20 ninjas sending them hurtling over their comrades, all unconscious before hitting the ground. The ninjas of Konoha gapped in horror as their fellow ninjas fell, not realizing that Zoro has used the back of his blade.
And that was the starting pistol that began the battle.
"Take'em down!" shouted the first mate lashing out at Kakashi making him his main opponent. The rest of the Mugiwara Kaizoku-dan nodded quickly and rushed the ninjas and began to divide them up into equal chunks. Sanji immediately locked eyes with Gai, who wanted to help his rival deal with Zoro. But Kakashi gave his friend a look of reassurance that he could handle the swordsman. Gai nodded at his fellow Jonin and turned his attention to the blond cook who was walking towards him.
"You going to stare at me some more?" asked Zoro mockingly.
"No, not anymore" replied the gray haired ninja, drawing a Ninjato from the back of an unconscious ninja. "But that seems to make things a little more even; given the fact you are injured after all."
"What? These scratches?" remarked the former pirate hunter. He raised his daito so that the kashira (pommel) was pointing towards himself. He sharply slammed the kashira directly into his bandaged wounds effectively reopening them and causing blood to pour through. "Underestimating your opponent just because he's injured will get you killed Shinobi. Remember that."
'He's insane' said Kakashi in his mind gripping the tsuka (handle) of the ninjato tightly in a reverse hold.
xXx
Sanji and Gai charged at one another and simultaneously sent a flurry of kicks towards each other. The kicks clashed with loud cracks as if tree trunks were being smashed together. To the untrained eye it seemed as if their legs were vanishing but in fact were moving at lightning speed. The two men with odd eyebrows finally jumped back as they now knew at least what style each were using.
"Nice kicks" complimented Gai, who despite the situation was wearing a pleasant grin.
"Hm. Same to you" replied the cook looking the green spandex wearing ninja up and down. "You're Rock Lee's father right?
"Iie. I'm his sensei. My name is Maito Gai; Konoha's Sublime Green Beast of Prey!" he shouted striking a pose.
"Uh huh. Could have fooled me" said Sanji sweatdropping.
"So, you know Lee?"
"Hai. Fought him on my way over here. Good kid."
"And you defeated him?"
"Well I wouldn't say that..." Sanji half muttered.
"Then that means you defeated Tenten and Neji as well."
"No that was Usopp" corrected the blond cook.
"I will defeat you in their name" continued Gai clearing not listening. "Prepare yourself kaizoku!"
"Oi matte!" said Sanji strongly holding up his right hand. "Those three are good kids and they each have dedication and devotion to protecting this place. Lee and I fought because of that, but we did not fight as enemies. I honestly don't think we would have fought at all if he didn't have that devotion; and I respect that."
Amazingly, Sanji's words seemed to reach Gai this time as he relaxed from his fighting pose and folded his arms with his right hand rubbing his chin. "I see. You actually did speak to him and you know him. Very interesting. Lee must have taken a liking to you."
"Do you share his feelings?" asked Sanji.
"Ha! Of course. He's my student after all" replied the Taijutsu specialist with a proud smile. "Truth be told, knowing that you defeated Lee in hand-to-hand combat is exciting. The only person who has been able to defeat him for years has been myself, and I've never had a true challenge in the art of Taijutsu since I trained under my father. Despite the situation that we find ourselves in, I am going to enjoy this!"
'They're exactly the same' sighed Sanji in his mind. "Alright then, I guess there is no avoid it. Let's go then Maito Gai."
"Yosh! And what is your name?" asked Gai taking once again his fighting stance.
"Black-Leg Sanji."
"HAJIME!"
And with that, the two marital artists charged at one another, both launching power kicks that collided with thunderous force.
"Poitrine! (Breast)"
"Dainamikku Akushon! (Dynamic Action)"
xXx
The fight between Zoro and Kakashi was an infuriating one. Neither fighter was able to get the upper hand and it wasn't due their skill level being equal, but rather both were handicapped. Zoro was fighting with only one sword, a style that he still was not as proficient in. He had made great progress over the course of his journey across the seas, but he still had tendency to fall back on his old Nitoryu style. The green haired swordsman couldn't help cursing himself for not taking advantage of the fact he now had a crewmate that was also a swordsman. He should have been training with Brook, but he had been so annoyed with the musician that he didn't want to train with him. Well he was paying for it now and it was pissing him off.
Kakashi was also feeling the strain of limitation. Knowing that Genjutsu of any kind would have no effect on the swordsman, removed a great deal of options from the Copy Cat Ninja's arsenal. Furthermore, while Kakashi may have been a proficient weapons user years ago, the change of warfare had made him devote his entire time on perfecting his Sharingan; as much as his non-Uchiha body would allow. But that wasn't doing him any good now.
'He's a strong one' he said to himself. 'I can't get close to him as that's the exact range he's at home at. I can't use my Sharigan or any Genjutsu on him as it will do nothing. I can't use most of Ninjutsu I know as I'll end up destroying the village. And finally, I can't use my Sharingan to copy his style for the same reason why I can't use Genjutsu. This will be an annoying fight.'
Kakashi jumped back while reaching into his fanny pack with his left hand and pulled out two shuriken and a kunai. He threw them at Zoro hoping to create a distraction, but was met with an unexpected result. The swordsman didn't flinch and merely cut through all three projectiles like a hot knife going through butter. Zoro was not amused.
"I'd like it if you'd take this fight seriously" he said glaring.
"Oh I am Roronoa-san, I'm just testing out your abilities" Kakashi replied calmly. 'That's not a chakra sword. How did he cut through them so easily? Trying to fight him up close would be suicide so I'll have to keep my distance and wear him down until he makes a mistake. He can't keep those sharp reflexes up forever.'
The Jonin was about to be proven wrong as Zoro could tell immediately that his opponent was going to continue using his keep-away tactics and was not having any of it. He held up Wado Ichimonji with its blade pointed at the sky with a slight tilt, and his right holding the crook of his arm.
"Ittoryu: Sanjuroku Pound Hou! (One-Sword Style: 36 Pound Phoenix Cannon)" he shouted, unleashing a blue firer flying sword slash right at the ninja. Kakashi starred in confusion and surprise at the attack, and only managed to avoid it thanks to his muscle memory forcing him to dodge. The attack flew past him and cut through not one but 3 building with ease, splitting them in half. The grey haired ninja starred in near terror realized that he would have been cut in half if he hadn't dodged.
'What!? What was that? How can he do that if he doesn't have chakra? And how could that attack be so powerful?' he asked himself. These and many other questions flashed through his mind as he tried with all his might to make sense of this enemy. He had heard stories of the legendary power of the samurai and how master-class warriors could cut through steel. The problem with these stories was just that: they were stories and due to the political instability between Hi no Kuni and Tetsu no Kuni, a ninja could go through his or her entire service and never see a samurai. In reality, if a ninja did have the misfortune of running into a samurai, they would most likely never live to tell the tale. But this made even less sense, as before they had gone to face the escaped prisoners, they had been told that these unknown warriors were actually pirates.
As the confused ninja tried to make sense of the situation, Zoro on the other hand decided to take advantage of Kakashi's distracted mind and sprinted at him prepared to slice him in half. The Copy Cat nin turned around just in time to see Zoro reeling back and swinging his sword in a lightning fast swing. Kakashi's body split in half across both the middle of his chest and both his arms with blood spraying into the air. It seemed that Zoro had won the fight, but to the swordsman's confusion, the ninja suddenly turned to smoke revealing a log cut in half. The first mate looked at the log in total confusion, but had to spin around as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise. He brought up Wado Ichimoni just in time to block Kakashi's ninjato that was aiming right for his back. They locked eyes as neither had been expecting what has just happened.
"You're quick" Kakashi half complimented.
"And you're a sly bastard" growled Zoro.
"Well it's not as if you're giving me much choice." Kakashi then saw another opportunity and sharply slammed his right knee into Zoro wounds. But this only seemed to anger the former pirate hunter even further and made him glare at the ninja with irritation. He dug in his heels and threw his entire weight behind his sword pushing Kakashi backward until his back crashed into the side of a building. Kakashi quickly began kneeing Zoro repeatedly knowing that he needed to stop him before Zoro got the upper hand. This time however, the attacks did some damage making Zoro wince in pain and lose focus. The jonin used this to his advantage and kicked off the wall allowing him to jump over the swordsman. He then took even more advantage of the situation as he twisted his body in mid air so that he was facing Zoro once again and slashed at his back before landing back on his feet.
The first mate cried out in pain as the cold steel cut through his bare skin. He turned around and glared at Kakashi as if he had been insulted on a very personal level.
"You son of a bitch. You kicked my wounds and cut me in the back? A swordsman shame?" he growled.
Kakashi swung his ninjato swiftly to remove the blood before looking Zoro in the eye. "I'm not a swordsman" he replied holding his blade again in the reverse hold, "I'm a ninja."
"Yes you are..." said Zoro coldly, starring back at the "famous" ninja with disgust. 'This bastard is weaker than me, but he's fast enough that I can't land a good hit on him. I hate this kind of fighting, but I'm going to have to lure him into a trap to corner him. It's not going to be easy though.' He quickly bolted to the left and began to lure Kakashi away from the battlefield. However Kakashi was not fooled.
'I know what you're trying to do and it's clear to me it's not your style' said the former ANBU agent, as if he were actually talking to the swordsman. 'You're only tipping the fight more in my favour and it could not have happened at a better time.' He had already caught up to the green haired pirate and was about to grapple him, a voice cried out from above.
"Brochette! (Skewer)" shouted Sanji with his foot dive bombing directly at Kakashi. The Copy Cat nin managed to avoid the kick by millimetres as it flew past his face and into the ground at his feet, causing a huge plume of dust and a sizable crater.
'How many times am I going to see my life flash before my eyes today?' he asked himself, tightening his grip on his ninjato.
"Damn Ero-Cook..." muttered Zoro, "Getting in the way of my fight, pissing me off, don't you have your own fight to deal wi-" Immediately the pirate sensed an attack hidden in the dust and lunged forward, thrusting his sword to the side of Sanji and blocked a powerful kick from Gai. In unison, both men spun around and stood back to back, each facing their original opponent as the dust began to clear.
"Don't get in the way of my fight!" growled Zoro.
"Ya you're welcome Marimo" replied Sanji. "How's your fighting going?"
"Would have been over already if I had all three of my swords. You?"
"He's a lot tougher than his student that's for sure. There's a world of difference between those two and the rest of these ninjas. They all keep their distance when fighting us, but this one fights face to face. I'm willing to bet he does nothing but train."
Zoro grinned. "Well after I take care of this one I'll give you a hand."
"That's my line! And who injures themselves further? Leaving aside the obvious, Chopper's is gonna be pissed."
"Hooo? Worrying about me again Ero-Cook?"
"Eat shit ya bastard! Why would I worry about you?!"
"Tch. And I was gonna apologize for getting blood on your jacket."
"Oh don't worry, I'm gonna make you pay for the dry cleaning."
"Sorry but I'm broke. You're gonna have to get the money for it from Nami."
"Nani?! You're gonna to make Nami-san pay for your mistakes?! Cheap shitty bastard!"
"Well then how about you shove off since I'm already in debt up to my ass with that annoying woman!"
"Watch your mouth! Well if you can't pay with money, how about you peel the vegetables for a month when you get back your swords?"
"Haaaa?! My katana aren't fucking kitchen knives, you shitty cook! How about I shave that stupid eyebrow off instead?"
"You can try, but I'll shave of that sad patch of mold you call hair first, aho!"
"Ano...are you two finished?" asked Kakashi sweatdropping at the bickering crewmates.
"URUSEI!" they shouted back in unison.
"Anyways, we'll finish this conversation later" said Sanji, "Don't go dying on me Marimo."
"That's my line, Love-Cook" replied Zoro with a grin. And with that, their fights resumed.
xXx
"Yo ho ho ho!" chanted Brook as he cut down yet another group of ninjas.
"S-So fast…" one chunin managed to say before slipping into unconsciousness.
"Curenta Fleur: Strangle (40 Flowers: Strangle)" said Robin, summoning 40 arms out of the chests of the ninjas and simultaneously strangled them.
"Strong Right!" shouted Franky as he fired his right hand into the gut of one ninja, and continued knocking him into the crowd.
"Heavy Gong!" cried Chopper doing the same amount of damaged as the cyborg by sending another ninja flying into his own comrades. They then used the momentum of their attacks to spin round and stand back to back, digging in their heels.
"Super Frapper Gong!" they shouted in unison, unleashing their combo attack onto a terrified ninja once again sending him into the others and taking out a good portion of their "chunk".
"Now this is more like it eh?" said Franky with a wild grin.
"Don't let them intimidate you!" shouted a ninja drawing weapons from his fanny pack. "Keep them at a distance!" Quickly, he and many others began throwing kunai and shuriken at the cyborg and doctor in a feeble attempt to hold them back. But it did them no good. The small metal projectiles merely bounced off the shipwrights reinforced steel body, and before they could hit the man reindeer, Chopper activated his transformation.
"Rumble: Guard Point: Kegawa Kyoka! (Rumble: Guard Point: Strengthen Pelt Power)" he said transforming into a large ball of fur that deflected the projectiles with ease. "Not a scratch."
"B-Bakana!" shouted the ninjas in horror. "How can they do that?!" Sadly they were given no time to comprehend how their attack was rendered useless as Franky placed his left hand in front of him over a barrel that protruded from his right hand in the "OK" hand sign.
"See ya" the cyborg said with a grin. "70mm Kokei 0.2 Cola Ho Coup de Vent! (70mm caliber, 0.2 Cola Cannon Small Wind Blow)" he shouted, unleashed a powerful blast of wind into the crowd of Konoha nin and knocking them into the buildings behind them. "Well, that takes care of that."
"Behind us!" shouted Usopp with his left hand outstretched. Sure enough, a large group of ninjas were charging them. But these were not the same kind of ninjas that they had just been fighting. These ones strangely enough, were riding on the backs of giant dogs that looked like they would enjoy nothing more than chewing on their flesh.
"Inu?" asked Robin. "That is a rather curious choice of transportation."
"Oh dear! Dogs you say? They'll go straight for me!" cried Brook in genuine worry. "I'm all bones after all!"
"Leave it to me!" cried Chopper snapping his hooves together before him with his arms outstretched. "Brain Point: Zunou Kyouka: Scope! (Brain Point: Strengthening Intellect Power: Scope)" The reindeer's eyes began to change. His pupils, normally large and black, changed into greyish spirals as he stared intensely at the pack of oncoming dogs. In only a few moments, he would have the information he was searching for.
"What's he doing?" asked Franky. "He's not going to fire a beam is he?"
"I-I actually don't know" admitted Usopp sheepishly. "I've never seen him use that transformation before."
"Brain Point: Zunou Kyouka: Scope" said Robin with her arms folded. "One of Doctor-san's seven transformations that can only be used when in Brain Point form and after eating a Rumble Ball; a move in which he concentrates and scans his opponent to find their weakness."
"Sugei…I could use that" said Usopp in admiration. "Chotto mate, how do you know that Robin?"
The archaeologist grinned at the question, but in a strangely dark manner. "He tried to use this form to cheat during a game of chess. He failed."
Usopp, Brook, and Franky all swallowed unanimously as they felt a bad vibe from the older woman. 'Robin…what did you do?' they thought.
"Got it!" shouted Chopper confidently. "It's their noses! Both the dogs and the humans have super sensitive noses like me!"
"Sensitive noses huh?" echoed the sniper with a mischievous grin on his face. "Yooosh. Looks like it's time to use that. I've been waiting for a chance to test it out. Chopper, you better get behind me if you don't want that to happen again."
The doctor immediately understood what his friend was taking about and screamed in fear before running behind the long nosed warrior. Usopp couldn't help chuckling at the little reindeer as he rummaged in his messenger bag for his new weapon. "Yosh! Prepare yourself ninjas of Konoha! For you are about to feel the wrath and generous of the brave Captain Usopp! Take this! Supa Hissatsu Combo Boshi! (Super Sure-Kill Combo Star)" he shouted drawing back and releasing his new projectile. It was a strange looking thing that was far larger than his usual arsenal; about the size of a large chicken egg. It looked as if several different kinds of boshi had been glued together but with more care than simply covering them in paste.
However, the boshi did not land amongst the Inuzuka, but instead bounced a few times before rolling to a stop a dozen yards in front of them.
"The hell Long Nose? Since when do you start chuckin' duds?" said Franky.
Usopp grinned. "You doubt my ingenuity Shipwright-san? Then watch and learn. San, Ni, ICHI!"
On the final countdown, the boshi exploded just as the ninja passed over it sending the smaller boshi in every direction like a shrapnel grenade. The smaller boshi each then shatters releasing their payloads onto their unsuspecting prey. The Inuzuka, along with their ninja dogs immediately picked up the scent of Usopp's new weapon and fell to the ground clutching their faces.
"GAAHHH! What was that?!"
"R-Rotten eggs?"
"Black pepper!"
"Chili Pepper!"
"Ammonia!"
"My nose!"
The sniper grinned with a sense of accomplishment as his victims withered in pain. The dogs whimpered in pain as they ran in circles and dragged their snouts into the ground in a desperate attempt to remove the foul odors. But they each began to succumb to the smells and slipped into unconsciousness. From a distance Chopper felt bad for them as he knew how horrible it was to have one's nose overload with scent.
"Who fights with such weapons?!" cried one of the ninja in confusion. Usopp chuckled when he heard those words and stroked a pose.
"Who would fight in such a way you ask? Well good sir, the only one who fights in this manner is none other than the Great and Proud warrior of the sea: the Fearless Captain Usopp! And the fighting style that has bested you was…" he shouted flashing the V for victory sign with his right hand, "Usoppu Senpō! (Usopp Tactics)"
Unbeknownst to the sniper, the ninja who had spoken had already passed out, but another member of the Inuzuka heard his words and cursed himself as he felt the world around him drain into blackness.
"God damn it...not this shit again" said Kiba.
"Now for some tea" said Brook about to open his skull for his thermos.
"Can it. We got incoming" said Franky cracking his knuckles. The Straw Hats looked to their right as they saw another group of ninjas leaping towards them. This group was not riding any beast or vehicle, but instead were all dressed in a similar manner. They all wore some form of trench coat and wore sunglasses, making them look a little macabre. "The hell are those guys wearing? That couldn't be any farther from being Super."
'Like you're one to talk' said Usopp and Chopper unanimously in their minds.
It was then the sniper noticed something coming towards them. He squinted unable to see it clearly as it looked like a thin dark cloud moving in a very bizarre way. He used his goggles to take a closer look and what he saw made his jaw drop.
"B-Bugs!" he shouted in horror and disbelief. "There's a huge swarm of bugs coming towards us!"
"Bugs?" repeated Robin, not particularly pleased by the idea.
"They can use bugs as a kind of weapon? What's with these ninjas?" muttered Franky loudly. "Whatever, eat this! 70mm Kokei 0.2 Cola Ho Coup de Vent (70mm caliber, 0.2 Cola Cannon Small Wind Blow)!" Once again the cyborg fired his attack, this time into the black swarm of insects and succeeded in blasting a large hole in it. Sadly it did not seem to do any real damage and the hole quickly refilled.
"It didn't work! Now what?!" shouted Usopp.
"Burn'em!" replied the shipwright taking a deep breath. "Fresh Fire!" Like a flamethrower, fire erupted from the mouth of the pirate which crashed into the swarm. Instantly the insects of the Aburame clan went up in flames which enraged them, something that rarely happened. They coordinated another attack with the swarm but were met with another attack of fire.
"Hissatsu Firebirdo Star! (Sure-Kill Fire Bird Star)" cried Usopp unleashing his projectile. The fireball quickly spread its wings revealing its true form as a large bird of fire and soared through the swarm, igniting more bugs as it flew. "And...Renpatsu Kaen Boshi! (Multiple Flame Stars)" he added firing more flame stars into the swarm.
The combined damage by the two craftsmen was extensive and it seemed to deter the Aburame. But then, it made the insect ninjas angrier then they had ever been. Not a single man or woman in the village of Konoha had ever seen a member of the Aburame clan show more than a low level of emotion. For the first time in decades, the clan of bug users were truly engaged. They began to summon more insects and prepared to unleash a devastating attack upon the pirates who were killing their familiars.
"It's not enough!" cried Chopper, clutching at his hat.
"Then let's take it up a notch!" Usopp said ramming his free hand into his messenger bag and pulled out a large greenish brown pellet. He tossed it in the air for a moment before grabbing it and loaded it in Ginga Pachinko. This gave Franky enough time to understand what his crewmate was planning.
"Better aim high Usopp. Or else we'll incinerate the whole village. Fresh Fire!" he said unleashing another fireball.
"Got it! Hissatsu Tokuyo Abura Boshi! (Sure-kill Special Oil Star)" shouted Usopp, aiming at the top edge of the fireball.
"Super Size Hi no Tori Boshi! (Super Size Fire Bird Star)" they both shouted as the oil pellet flew through the fireball and transformed into a giant firebird. The Aburame clan jumped out of the way to avoid being engulfed in flames, but still watched to their horror as the firebird crashed through their insect swarm and incinerated every last one.
They were completely stunned. Never before had they seen so many of their prized insects destroyed in such a short amount of time. The Aburame did not have the same notoriety as the other clans did in term of their Kekkei Genkai or clan specific jutsu. But to those who know of them, knew how much they cared for all insects, not just their own; as much as the Inuzuka loved their dogs.
And for the Straw Hats to kill so many of them was the greatest insult they could have committed.
"Use the Rinkaichū (Phosphorus Destruction Insect" ordered Aburame Shibi. Shino nodded and released his own insects to send the word to the elite members of his clan who were trained to use the Rinkaichū.
Usopp groaned as he figured out what was going on. "They still got more? How many bugs do they have?"
"Let's stop chewing the fat and blow them away" growled the cyborg holding up his left arm which dislocated revealing a gun sight. "Weapons L-"
"Matte Franky!" cried Chopper, "You can't use that much fire power. There might be people inside those buildings."
"Well then what are we gonna do?"
"Everyone..." said Brook stepping forward "please let me take care of this." The other Straw Hats watched as their musician walked towards the Aburame clan, drawing his cane sword. He brought his violin to his shoulder and rested his bare blade on the strings. "I would suggest covering your ears."
Immediately Robin complied with her crewmate's suggestion and covered her ears and those of the rest of the crew with her Hana Hana Fruit abilities. They all know that when Brook was serious, he was very serious. Bending his knees, Brook jumped towards the Aburame at incredible speeds which took the ninjas off guard. Before they could react, the former captain of the Rumbar Pirates began to play.
What came from his violin however was not a beautiful melody, but the most ear piercing shredding sound that the Aburame had ever heard. It shrieked like the dead were rising from their graves, making the hair on the necks rise so fast they nearly came off. They covered their ears to deafen the painful sound, but it was far too late and Brook was not planning to stop until he had defeated them. The musician landed before the ninjas and walked slowly towards them, still playing his painful song, rendering them completely immobile.
"Eine Seele Schreien: Sonate von Schmerzen (One Soul Crying: Sonata of Pain)" he said, though no one was able to hear. Because of Brook's attack, Shino was unable to send the order to the other Aburame clan members. Instead, the young chunin was on his knees trying to stay conscious to establish his connection with his messenger bug, but felt his stomach twist when he saw the black dress shoes of the skeleton walk past him.
The other Straw Hats watched their friend in amazement as they had never seen him perform such a technique. However Usopp knew that they could not sit idly by and began to sign to Robin.
"Use your Devil Fruit abilities to take them all out Robin!" he signed eagerly.
"Iie. It would be too gross" she replied.
"Are you kidding me!?" shouted the sniper, forgetting she would not be able to hear him. He then felt a tap on his shoulder, and when he turned he saw that it was Franky who urged him to look back at Brook. When he did, saw that the skeleton had stopped playing and was now holding up his sword and sheath.
"Hanauta Sanchō: Yahazu Giri (Three-Verse Humming: Arrow-Notch Slash)" he said, and in the blink of an eye, the entire Aburame clan crashed to the floor unconscious. Brook rested his cane back onto the crook of his arm and adjusted his top hat as he looked over his work. "Well, that takes care of that then" he said turning back to leave the way he came. He then felt something grab onto his paint leg, making him look down on Shino who to the skeleton's surprise was still awake. His glasses had slid down his nose a bit allowing Brook to see his very serious eyes.
"H-How did you know…to attack us with such a disruptive technique?" he managed to ask. Brook looked back at the young man with a curious look, but chose to answer him.
"Let us just say I have had experience with insects. I once fought a giant spider monkey."
Shino blinked in confusion, but could feel he was slipping out of consciousness. "Spiders…aren't insects…you damn monster…" he groaned before passing out.
The skeleton said nothing for a moment before clicking his teeth. "Oh ya ya, how harsh!" he cried taking the insult as he normally did. He then paused and looked at the village before him which for some reason made him sigh. "I still can't hear the song of the heart beating here."
xXx
From atop the Hokage tower, Tsunade, Shizune, Genma, and Nami watched the chaos occurring bellow. The Godaime Hokage watched with horror and anger at how one-sided the entire battle was.
"How is this possible?" she asked, her eyes darting back and forth. "How can they be this strong?"
From her left, she heard a laugh. "I must say I feel bad for you" said Nami. "You didn't know who are and now you're paying the price for messing with us. What makes this really funny, is that two of our strongest members are injured and our captain isn't here…and you're losing this badly."
The Sannin glared at the navigator with loathing. "If you think that any of you will make it out of this village alive, then you are fools."
"Famous last words."
"Genma! Get me the ANBU now!" Tsunade shouted impatiently. But when she did not hear her personal guard respond, she turned around to see Hyuuga Hinata standing in a Juken stance wearing a straw hat with Genma and Shizune unconscious at her feet. "Hinata…what are you doing?!"
The Hyuuga heiress looked at Nami and held up her Clima-Tact. "Here is your staff Nami-san. And Luffy-san wanted me to give this to you" she said removing the iconic straw hat and handed them both the red-haired woman. Nami who was just as confused as Tsunade, accepted her belongings and put her captain's hat on her head.
"Hinata answer me!" shouted Tsunade in anger.
Hinata looked at her Kage and took a deep breath. "The Mugiwara Kaizoku-dan haven't done anything wrong. I want to help them."
"I don't understand. Why would be betray the village. You of all people Hinata."
"I don't understand either, but I know that this is right thing to do" Hinata replied with a look in her eyes that has a small hint of pain. "For once I want to do what my heart is telling to do. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I did otherwise. I am prepared for the consequences. Please follow me Nami-san."
Despite being confused, Nami nodded and quickly followed the young kunoichi to the stairs that led back into the Hokage building. Tsunade stood still and watched them leave unable to understand what was going on. She finally dropped to her knees and began looking over her fallen men. "I don't know what the hell is going on, but if I get out of this alive I'm not getting out of my room for a week."
"Your name is Hinata right? Why are you helping us?" asked Nami as they dashed through the Hokage building.
"Luffy-san is a good person as are all of you" Hinata repeated. "He told me all about your adventures and how much he cares for you. I could never forgive myself if I just stood aside and did nothing."
The navigator looked at Hinata and couldn't help smiling at her honesty. "Arigatou Hinata. We owe you one, especially after all the trouble you're getting into."
"Well Luffy-san didn't show up to save you so I jumped in."
"He was supposed to save me?"
"That was the plan yes."
"When we get out of this, I am going to kill that idiot."
The pair finally reached the Hokage's office where they saw Zoro's swords resting on the desk. Nami quickly grabbed them and began looking through the drawers.
"We need to go Nami-san!" said Hinata worried that they would be ambushed by ANBU agents.
"Before that explosion happened, that woman received a file with the location of our ship the Thousand Sunny. I need to find it so when we leave the village we get out of here" explained the pirate.
"Hinata!? Where have you been? Are you ok?" asked a voice. Both Hinata and Nami's head snapped up to see it was none other than Haruno Sakura standing in the frame of the door. Then the pink haired medic's eyes landed on Nami. "You…"
"Ah great" groaned Nami snapping her Clima-Tact together.
"Hinata! Stay out of this fight, I need to pay her back for-" began Sakura, but was unable to finish her sentence. Hinata had dropped into another Juken stance and began to unleash her clan's famous taijutsu.
"Byakugan, Jukenho: Hakke Rokujuuyonshou (Eight Divination Signs, Sixty-Four Palms of the Hand)" she said "Nishou… Yonshou…Hachshou…Jyuurokushou…Sanjyuunishou…Rokujuuyonshou!" All 64 palm strikes landed on the young medic nin with such force that she crashed into the wall and then went through it. Nami stared in shock at the Hyuuga heiress who was a little out of breath from the attack.
"I'm sorry you had to attack your friend. I could have taken her on myself" she said a little sheepishly.
"Are you joking?" asked Hinata turning to face the navigator. "Do you have any idea how long I've want to do that?"
Immediately Hinata realized what she had just admitted and her hands flew to her mouth, her face quickly growing red. Nami on the other hand stared at her for a moment before doubling over laughing.
"I take you aren't friends then?" she grinned as she held her stomach.
"I-I-I-I am so sorry I-I've never acted in such a way before" stuttered the indigo haired teenager, looking at the ground.
"Ha ha ha don't worry, that was amazing" laughed Nami as she continued to rummage through the desk. "I like you, and I can see why Luffy does too."
Hinata blushed at the young Straw Hat's words, but this time out of happiness. "A-Arigatou Nami-san" she said with a smile. Then something caught her eye outside of the window making her walk towards it.
"Yosh, got it!" cried Nami in delight as the slammed the drawer shut holding up the file folder with her free hand. "Let's get these swords get to Zoro and get out of this place."
"Oh no…"
"What?"
"They've come" said Hinata with a look of fear in her eyes.
Next Chapter: Kaizoku vs Ninja II
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