The Shichbukai Bartholomew Kuma
The meeting between Luffy and Kuma. Also the first fight really shown in the story. Enjoy and please review.
On top a platform stood the imposing figure of the only Shichbukai present at Reverie, the giant Shichbukai and prototype of the Pacifisita Bartholomew Kuma. Kuma was the only member of the Shichbukai who obeys the World Government. His obedience was due to the fact that during his conversion into a Pacifista, he slowly but surely lost his free will. As a result he slowly lost his ability to make choices of his own giving him no other alternative but to obey the World Government without question. This culminated at the War of the Best at Marineford two years ago where he was completely converted into a Pacifista thus losing all his free will. This meant that he would obey the World Government without question and even attack his former allies if ordered to. It was a terrible fate. Nonetheless this made him an indispensible member of the Shichbukai. Not only because of the fact that he would always listen to the world government but also because of his great strength. Being a member of the Shichbukai, Kuma was an extremely powerful fighter. His devil fruit combined with his Pacifista powers made him a dangerous figure to anyone. This added to his now unquestionable loyalty to the world government made him a valuable member.
Right now he stood on top a building watching the chaos. Due to the suddenness of the attack, he has yet to be given any orders regarding the intruders. The world government is in too much chaos trying to mobilize its forces, gather intelligence and others things regarding the attackers to give any orders to Kuma. As a result, he was in standby mode meaning he wouldn't act, unless ordered to or is attacked by a hostile force. As of now he has yet to be attacked by any members of the Knights of D so as a result, he has yet to actually attack anyone or even do anything for that manner. But that was going to change as right now, Luffy was quickly heading towards him with the intention of speaking to him. The destined reunion of these two was about to take place.
Kuma was still waiting for instructions when a figure crashed behind him cracking the ground below him. Monkey D Luffy finally stood behind Kuma and the two were ready to settle their unfinished business from two years ago. Kuma turned around and looked at Luffy with no signs of being intimidated by Luffy's entrance or enhanced strength. He couldn't be because of the way he was.
"It's been two years Kuma," said Luffy starting the conversation.
"Two years ago since what happened at Sabody Archipelago. Two years since you separated us." continued Luffy.
Kuma continue to stare at Luffy as emotionless as the machine he is now.
"Despite what happened, you saved my life and the lives of my crew. I can't thank you enough for that," confessed Luffy.
This time Kuma responded but not in the way Luffy would have wanted. Extending his harm a paw shaped bubble made out of air was launched at Luffy. Kuma just initiated the battle between the two with a Pad Cannon. Reacting quickly thanks to his training, both from Rayliegh and his father Luffy jumped out of the way dodging to attack. This didn't stop Kuma who launched another Pad Cannon at Luffy and the result was the Luffy again dodged it with ease. Undeterred Kuma continued launching pad cannon after pad cannon with the result being the same, Luffy dodging them all.
"I really can't thank you enough for that. My crew and I would have died back then if it wasn't for you," said Luffy continuing to dodge Kuma's barrage of Pad Cannons.
Having enough of being on the defensive Luffy finally took to the offensive and shot out is hand to launch an attack at Kuma. Unsurprisingly Kuma used his devil fruit powers to teleport out of the way. This came to no surprise to Luffy at all. Luffy knew that Kuma is one of the few people who could probably dodge his extremely fast attacks the other being Admiral Kizaru thanks to his ability to move at the speed of light. Also thanks to his haki he was able to tell that Kuma would dodge. However observation haki would not work on Kuma as well as it would work on other people. Observation haki gave Luffy the ability to predict the moves of enemies. Unfortunately this implies that the enemy is a living thing, be it person or animal. Kuma despite being a person was not exactly a living thing anymore. Sure he could move, attack and defend but he longer has any free will of his own. And since haki is based on willpower, observation haki wouldn't work very well on him since him no longer being alive, he has no will left. However while this was a major problem for Luffy, it wasn't one he couldn't overcome. This was because while haki wouldn't work as well on him as other enemies, it would still work regardless. Also haki was a fairly new concept for Luffy and Luffy fought his entire life using his own senses and reflexes. So naturally he would rely on that along with his haki to overcome the very powerful Shichbukai Kuma.
Kuma teleported away from Luffy's initial attack but Luffy wasn't about to let up. He then lauched a gomu gomu pistol at Kuma who this time instead of dodging used his paws to deflect Luffy's attack. Luffy with his attack deflect sprang towards Kuma with the intend of delivering a vicious kick to the warlord who teleported away from Luffy.
"That teleporting is a real problem," Luffy said mostly to himself.
He then looked and notice that Kuma was no longer a far distance away from him but was directly in front of him with one of his hands outstretched indicating he was about to launch a pad cannon at him.
Luffy reacted quickly by disappearing and going at a far location from him. Then he disappeared and reappeared directly in front of Kuma with both his hands stretched far back about to attack with a gomu gomu bazooka. The bazooka was countered by Kuma using his paws but this time Luffy reacted by bringing both his feet together and pointing them towards Kuma and shooting them out resulting in a perfect hit and Kuma being sent flying back a large distance. Luffy's gomu gomu lance hit it's mark.
Luffy wasn't done yet. He then disappeared and reappeared above Kuma who was now on the ground shot one of his legs straight up in the air. He then brought his leg straight down in powerful gomu gomu axe. The attack completely shattered the ground below Kuma. Kuma however wrapped right before the attack hit thus saving himself. Kuma didn't suffer too much damage since Luffy wasn't going all out with his attacks.
Kuma stood before Luffy looking at him expressionless as always despite a vicious attack and the power Luffy possessed. Luffy likewise looked at Kuma with his eyes sharp. He was not glaring at Kuma who was one person he cannot bring himself to truly hate but he was an enemy and as a Knight of D, he has to kill his enemies. He was entrusted this task by his father who went as far as to order his Knights not to engage Kuma. The least Luffy could do was finish the task at hand.
"You know Kuma, I wish it didn't have to be this way. I wish we didn't have to be enemies," Luffy told Kuma his eyes showing regret.
"You were a revolutionary commander. One of my father's most trusted nakama. And you saved my life and my crew's before. I really wish things could be different," Luffy continued expressing his thoughts.
Kuma looked at Luffy expressionless. No emotions for Luffy expressing his feelings to the giant Shichbukai. He couldn't because the world government took away those feelings.
"I know you can't hear me. It's because of what those bastards of the world government did to you. It's yet another reason why I hate them. Doing this to my father's nakama and someone who saved my crew. I can't accept it," said Luffy.
"The least I could do for you is kill you with my own hands," finished Luffy.
With that Luffy lept towards Kuma his harm outstretched and his fist black and hardened thanks to armament haki. Luffy delivered the haki enhanced gomu gomu bullet which missed thanks to Kuma teleporting out of the way. Luffy then ran after Kuma agin intent on delivering another attack. Kuma had his hands out but Luffy moved out of the way and grabbed his large face. His forehead turned black from armament haki hardening and Luffy delivered a vicious haki powered headbutt that cracked Kuma's head. However like always there was a price for anything. And Luffy because of that attack left himself vulnerable for a brief moment and Kuma took advantage to launch a pad cannon point blank at Luffy. The paw shaped bubble of air hit Luffy and passed straight through him leaving him panting.
"Shit, that attack worked," said Luffy who was surprised that such an attack worked on him.
But Luffy didn't get much time to recover as Kuma was infront of him ready to launch another Pad Cannon. Luckily Luffy was able to jumped out of the way last minute in a series of backflips. When he was a fare distance he noticed Kuma was in a Sumo Wrestler like stance.
"What's going on," Luffy questioned confused as to why Kuma was in that kind of stance.
And Luffy found on because after a few Sumo steps, Kuma launched his attack.
"Thrust Pad Cannon," said Kumo who began thrusting his palms out multiple times launching a large number of pad cannons at Luffy.
Luffy began dodging them though he was having some trouble given that observation haki wasn't very useful at the moment. However in the end he still was able to successfully dodge all the pad cannons from Kuma's Sumo like attack. While dodging he was coming closer and closer to Kuma preparing to make his counterattack. When he was close enough he attacked Kuma with a gomu gomu stamp but Kuma again used his paws to deflect it. However Luffy landed gracefully with no signs of damage from his attack being deflected.
He then began running towards Kuma and Kuma attempted a pad cannon when he was close but Luffy ducked at the last moment. He then grapped Kuma's outstretched arm and used it to twist himself to around to deliver a vicious kick to Kuma's head. Following this he then went for another gomu gomu stamp which this time was more successful and then concluded with a gomu gomu gatling gun that proved to be very effective. The combination while successful didn't do too much damage with just a few very small cracks.
"You're really tough Kuma. It's just as I thought. I can't really hurt you without using haki," Luffy concluded.
Kuma who recovered from Luffy's onslaught was back in a Sumo like stance. This time Luffy knew what was coming having seen Kuma use this exact same attack just a few moments. Luffy's was in a defensive position ready to dodge. Kuma then unleashed a second volley of his Thrust Pad Cannon with Luffy dodging much easier having seen the attack before while at the same time moving closer to Kuma. When he was close enough he again attempted to attack but like always Kuma deflected his attack. Undeterred Luffy disappeared and reappeared right below Kuma and delivered a vicious upward kick to Kuma's chin. The kick is so strong that Kuma is sent flying up. Luffy disappears and is above him and launches a furious barrage of punches to Kuma. The gomu gomu rain descended on Kuma literally like a rain of punches and the attack was too fast and too sudden for Kuma to dodge or deflect and Kuma could do nothing but let the rain of punches hit him and continue cracking his armor.
Kuma was on the ground and began to get up.
"I'm not done yet," shouted Luffy who as soon as Kuma was up on his feet stretched out his hand and grabbed him and launched himself and Kuma with a gomu gomu rocket. The attack sent Kuma flying through several buildings. Luffy of course ran after him knowing that Kuma's teleportation ability and deflecting ability meant that he cannot give him any sort of opening.
Luffy prepared another gomu gomu bazooka but this time Kuma used his ability to dodge, then he teleported right behind Luffy. Luffy barely was able to turn around to notice Kuma behind him before he sent a Pad Cannon into his back. Luffy was sent flying and was now on the ground panting from Kuma's last attack.
"Damn at this rate I can't lose but at the same time I can't win either," said Luffy who was growing frustrated.
"Thanks to my own power he can't really hurt me but at the same time his ability makes hitting him really hard since he keeps on teleporting. Not to mention the fact that haki doesn't work well on him as with other guys," said Luffy assessing the current situation.
"It looks like I'll have to use the power of D. I was only using it a little for this fight but it looks like I'll have to use it at full strength," concluded Luffy.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised that he forced me to use it. He is dad's nakama after all. And he's really strong," said Luffy who couldn't help but smirk. Despite the way this battle was going, he shouldn't expect anything less from one of his father's nakama. Ivankov and Inzamu were both really strong so he shouldn't expect any less from Kuma.
"Hey Kuma, I'm going to have to end this now," said Luffy to the giant Shichbukai.
"You're really strong. That's for sure. But I have a purpose here and something that I have to do. And despite how much I owe you I can't let you stop me. So I'm really going to have to go all out now," said Luffy.
Kuma however as usual did not show any reaction to Luffy's words.
"Of course you can't answer me. But it's over now. You're really strong but I'm going to have to finish this," said Luffy.
With that Luffy proceeded to unleash the full power of D onto Kuma. The battle which at first was evenly matched between the two was now completely one sided. He dominated Kuma with the power his father helped him awake.
"Kuma I owe you so much. Thanks to you, my crew and I were saved and were able to gain those two years to train and get stronger. I can't thank you enough for that," said Luffy.
With that Luffy cocked his hand back and clad it with haki turning it black. Then it ignited from the friction sparked turning it yellow.
Flashback
"Father could you tell me about Kuma," asked Luffy.
"Excuse me," questioned Dragon.
"No disrespect father but I wish for you to tell me about that big Shichbukai Bartholomew Kuma," said Luffy.
Dragon then looked down for a second before deciding to grant Luffy his wish.
"Very well, I'll tell you about Kuma," said Dragon.
"You see Kuma was originally a pirate. However he was not a pirate because he wanted freedom or wanted to pillage or plunder. He became a pirate because he hated the world government," said Dragon.
"Kuma hated the world government?" asked Luffy in surprise.
"Does it really come to surprise to you? If you hate the world government then a pirate is a good place for you. Also if you join the revolutionary army it's obvious you would have some kind of issue with the world government," replied Dragon.
"I see," said Luffy.
"Anyway like I was saying Kuma was someone who hated the world government with a passion which was why he became a pirate. Then I approached him with the offer for him to join the revolutionary army. Kuma accepted and he quickly became one of my most trusted commanders," said Dragon.
"But if he hates the world government and is loyal to you, then why would he join the world government," asked Luffy.
Dragon then closed his eyes as he finally revealed the reason behind Kuma's defection.
"Because I asked him to," said Dragon revealing the secret behind Kuma.
"What?" was all that could come out of a shocked Luffy's mouth.
"I asked him to join. You see I needed to have an insider in the world government so that the army could gain better information about them. So we asked Kuma to join the ranks of the World Government," said Dragon.
Luffy was silent as he continued to listen to his father.
"The Shichbukai being allies of the world government are naturally entrusted to sensitive information. Of course they're not trusted with all information but they are entrusted with important information nonetheless. So if Kuma became a member of the Shicbukai, naturally he would gain access to this information," said Dragon.
"Also we would be giving the world government a false sense of security. They would think they have Seven Warlords but one of them is loyal to us so in actuality they would have only six. This would allow us to undermine their power by reducing the power of the Shichbukai."
Luffy contemplated what he just heard.
"Father I understand why Kuma joined the ranks of the Shichbukai but that doesn't explain why he volunteered to become a Pacifista," said Luffy.
"That too was regrettably my idea," said Dragon who had a remorseful look.
"What did you just say father?" asked Luffy.
"It's just as I said. I asked him to become one. Kuma was very loyal to me but looking back it was a bad decision on my part," said Dragon.
"Being the first Pacifista, Kuma would naturally listen to the world government. As a result he would be entrusted with highly sensitive information. Information that we could use against them. It worked up until he was turned into a complete human weapon during which he stopped being loyal to us and no longer provided anymore information to us, " said Dragon.
"Now not only did we loose our spy in the world government and best source of information, but now he was loyal to them. One of my most powerful and loyalist followers was now one of them. That was by far the biggest loss from this whole situation. Losing one of my nakama," said Dragon in a regretful tone.
Luffy looked saddened at hearing this information. To have one of your nakama forced to betray you was the worst possible thing. He should know, two of his nakama Nami and Robin were both forced to betray the crew in the past. However they were able to get them back. Kuma however was not so luckly.
Flashback end.
"Gomu gomu Red Hawk," cried Luffy who unleashed his fiery attack on the former revolutionary. The resulting explosion completely destroyed the Shichbukai who was now dead for good. Luffy looked down at the shattered remains of the former nakama of his father and the one who saved him and his crew.
"I'm sorry it had to be this way. I wish it didn't, I really do. You were my father's nakama. You saved me and my crew. We owe you a lot but in the end I just had to do this," said Luffy in a sorrowful tone.
He looked down at the destroyed body of the first Pacifista. The head was still intact, one of the only parts undamaged from Luffy's final attack. It was the same as always. Emotionless and cold. It was cruel that someone who had done so much for himself and his father had to end up like this. Kuma couldn't even hear his confession because his free will was cruelly taken away from him by the power hungry world government.
"I'm sorry Kuma," Luffy confessed.
He stood before the dead Shichbukai and bowed down before him in a kneeling position, a sign of clear respect for a fallen foe and comrade. Neither he nor his father could do much for him. At the very least they would show him the respect he clearly deserves. He would mourn him. His father would mourn him. His fellow Knights of D would mourn him. Despite the fact that they were enemies, they were connected by their fates. He was an ex-revolutionary and the one who saved his crew. He owed the man a lot of respect despite everything. Luffy brought his hands together as if saying a prayer. He couldn't give him much but at least he could give him his respect and a prayer for his passing. He would also ensure that the world government falls for what they did to him. He would ensure that Kuma's death was not in vain, that he died for the cause he fought so hard for and gave up so much for. He deserved that much despite being an enemy. For even enemies could show respect to each other, and comrades could mourn the death of one of their own.
"Rest in peace, Kuma," said Luffy in a kneeling respectful position.
So Kuma's past has been revealed. Well its time for me to explain certain things in this chapter.
At least reached the 40 000 thousand word count. It took several chapters but One Piece Final Holy War is finally at 40 000. A round of ovation my readers. Also this story has officially passed One Piece Shippuden. Unfortunately its popularity seems far below Shippuden since I barely get any reviews. Review people please review. I really like to know what you all think and it keeps me motivated to write more.
I felt it necessary to give Kuma a past. This story is my version of One Piece so naturally loose ends would have to be tied. So I decided to tie Kuma's end by revealing his past and why he joined the ranks of the Shichbukai and became the first Pacifista.
Kuma is one of my favorite characters. He really is a tragic hero. Even though others like Nami and Robin suffered a lot, in the end they were freed and have a happy ending. For Kuma there is no such ending. He now has to live his life as a human weapon. It's sad and cruel which is why I made this chapter the way it is.
Kuma's reason for joining the revolutionary army. Kuma hates the world government. The reason is pretty much up to you as long as he hates the world government. It is for that reason that he became a pirate and later a revolutionary.
Kuma joining the Warlords. I believe the warlords are given important information. So Kuma joined the Shichbukai because he would get access to this information which he could later give to Dragon and the army. Also he gives the world government a false sense of security. The world government thinks they have the power of seven warlords, when in reality they only have six since Kuma is a revolutionary. He is basically undermining their power.
Kuma becoming a Pacifista. Being a Pacifista, naturally the world government would trust him more and allow him access to even more important and sensitive information. Information that the revolutionary army could use. Unfortunately that is no longer possible since Kuma became a full Pacifista loyal only to the world government. So the whole plan of having Kuma join the Shichbukai fell apart.
Another reason why Luffy hates the world government is revealed. What they cruelly did to Kuma despite Kuma going through with the conversion process of his own free will.
Is Dragon telling the truth? Dragon is known for telling lies and bending truths to suit his needs. How much of this did he do with regards to Kuma. That would be revealed later.
Haki not working on Kuma. Luffy's oberservation haki is working on Kuma but not as well as on a human or animal. Haki is based on will power. Kuma when he became a full Pacifista lost his free will which is basically the core of haki. So as a result, observation haki doesn't work very well on him.
Luffy used the will of D when fighting Kuma but he was holding back because he wanted to express his feelings to Kuma. That's why he seemed to have trouble with Kuma. However when he used the full power of D, he defeated Kuma quickly.
Why Kuma didn't enter the battlefield immediately. Kuma is a full Pacifista so he needs to be ordered to attack. He'll only fight if he's ordered to or in self defense, nothing more. However with all the chaos during the invasion the higher ups just couldn't order Kuma to engage the Knights so as a result he couldn't fight any of them. Also the Knights were ordered to avoid Kuma so that Luffy could talk to him which is why they didn't fight him.
I'm sure you noticed Luffy disappearing a lot during the fight. One of the abilities he gained from will of D is enhanced speed allowing him to literally disappear at reappear at will. His speed with the power of D is even greater than his speed in Gear Second. In fact Luffy uses the Power of D far more often than Gear Second. He'll only use Gear Second in combination with the Power of D and that's against really strong adversaries.
Notice that Luffy didn't shout any of his attacks. I thinking Luffy would appear a lot cooler if he didn't say any of his attacks. And this fic does potray Luffy as a lot cooler. I mean revolutionary clothes, green cloak like his father etc.
The fight scene. Like I said this is my first time writing a battle scene so I'm not experienced with writing fight scenes. My forte lies more with conversation and suspense. So you'll have to forgive me if the fight scene wasn't the best.
These attacks all came from One Piece wiki. So search One Piece wiki Luffy and One Piece wiki Kuma to get detailed descriptions of the attacks they used.
Review this chapter please.