Victory, But Whose
Finally after a long delay the next chapter of One Piece: Final Holy War is out. The epic conclusion to the Straw Hats vs Sanbi battle. I apologize if I took so long but life in general is making continuing this fic difficult. But I was finally able to update this fic with a new chapter.
And what a chapter it is. A lot is revealed during this chapter so enjoy. In addition a lot of follow up notes come after this chapter explaining a lot of the confusing parts as well as reasons why I chose to do certain thing. Please read them as well for you'll understand and enjoy this chapter a lot more.
I have a feeling you'll all really enjoy this chapter so again enjoy and leave plenty of reviews behind.
Sanbi swam towards Fishman Island having just defeated several sea kings summoned by Shirahoshi in her moment of distress over almost seeing him nearly kill Nami. And he completely defeated them all, killing several of them. It was indeed an incredible yet frightening feat. To be able to kill so many massive sea kings underwater would be next to impossible for anyone yet Sanbi did it. It truly showed why he was a member of Dragon's feared Knights of D.
However while Zoro was awed by the power he couldn't help but think that something was off.
"Something just doesn't seem right here," said Zoro.
The Straw Hats all turned to Zoro wondering what he was talking about.
"If you're referring to the fact that he took out several giant sea kings like nothing, then yeah something is definitely wrong with this guy," replied Sanji dryly.
"That's not what I was referring to," replied Zoro who took a pause to gather his thoughts.
"The way he took out those sea kings. He easily was able to lift up one of them and tossed it into another. He pierced through several of them with sheer force, made a giant whirlpool that was able to suck them all in despite their massive sizes and even made one literally explode. He was able to do all that so easily," said Zoro.
"So what are you getting at marimo," said Sanji irritated.
"Even if this guy is a fishman and is much stronger underwater. He was able to do all that and yet never really did any of that with us. If he could actually do all that and yet didn't both fighting like that against us, it could only mean…" said Zoro whose thoughts were caught on by several others.
"That Sanbi was actually holding back against us," finished Sanji the line of thought.
"What are you kidding, after all he did you think he's holding back," said Chopper in shock.
"Don't get me wrong, he's stronger in water and sea kings are big and slow and thus easy targets for anyone. Also they're not coordinated. We on the other hand, we're smaller and faster and thus harder targets. In addition we have a variety of fighting styles and are well coordinated unlike sea kings and we're on land," explained Zoro.
"But still, with how easily he took out so many giant sea kings, something which even we would have trouble with, I just can't help but feel that he's holding back for some reason against us. If he was able to defeat so many sea kings all at once, he should have inflicted much more damage despite the differences between us and the sea kings," finished Zoro.
"That could be true," said Robin.
"Then if he's holding back, the question is why?" asked Nami.
"I'm not too sure but I think I might have an answer," said Robin.
"He said his mission is to capture Shirahoshi, not kill us. And even though he is loyal to someone like Dragon, Sanbi himself is not evil and I don't think he is someone who would kill for no reason. He is simply doing what his leader ordered him to do, nothing more," explained Robin.
"Of course that doesn't apply to pirates and perhaps nobles who look down on fishmen," finished Robin.
This got the Straw Hats thinking and realized that there was some truth to that. While they have faced some evil twisted guys in the past, not all their subordinates were like their leader. Even though Arlong was arrogant and treated humans as vermin, his subordinate Hachi wasn't like that and actually became their ally. Likewise Crocodile was sinister and had no problem killing anyone to get his way while his subordinate Bon Clay was more honorable and actually became theirs and especially Luffy's greatest ally. Kaku from CP9 wasn't as bad as his leader Spandam or even Lucci. Hell Robin and Franky where both enemies and now they are nakama. Indeed Sanbi had more morals than some of their past enemies.
"Still regardless of his morals he's trying to take Shirahoshi-chan away and I wouldn't let that happen," said Sanji.
That the Straw Hats could agree to. While Sanbi wasn't as bad as some of the other villains they had faced in the past, he was trying to take away on of their friends and that by itself was enough to make him an enemy.
"We'll I don't know for sure if he's holding back or not but if he was, he's going to pay for holding back against me," said Zoro who never liked it when his opponents held back against him.
"While Sanbi was taking out the sea kings it did gives us a chance to rest and recuperate. We should be able to handle him now," said Brook.
"Whatever happens we have to take him down," said Nami.
"Even if it costs us our lives," finished Zoro.
Soon Sanbi entered the bubble protecting Fishman Island and soon was back in front of the Straw Hats.
"Looks like we're back to where we started. Shall we continue then," said Sanbi.
The Straw Hats replied by taking defensive positions ready to continue battle with Sanbi.
Sanbi began his assault with a barrage of water bullets. Zoro however leapt to the defense of his crewmates by using his three swords to skillfully deflect them all away while Sanji used Sky Walk to dodge most of them.
"Sky Walk," said Sanji advancing towards Sanbi while he was continuing with his barrage of water bullets.
"Diable Jambe," said Sanji who began spinning on his leg turning it bright yellow activating Diable Jambe.
"Collier Strike," finished Sanji who attempted to kick Sanbi's neck.
Sanbi easily brought his hand up blocking the kick, though it did stop his barrage of water bullets. Sanji not quite done attempted to deliver a downward kick at Sanbi.
"Diable Jambe: Flambage Shot," said Sanji attempting a downward Diable Jambe kick at Sanbi.
Sanbi however this time grabbed Sanji in his massive hands and brutally slammed him down hard on the ground causing cracks to appear on it. Bringing up his massive leg he attempted to stomp Sanji to the ground when a voice from Robin interrupted.
"Doce Fleur," said Robin with her arms crossed.
Several arms appeared around him and held him in place stopping him from stomping Sanji. Seeing that he was paralyzed, Sanji quickly swept Sanbi's feet knocking him down. Then while Sanbi was on the ground even more arms bloomed around him.
"Ochenta Fleur," said Robin blooming far more hands to keep Sanbi down given his large size and great strength.
Sanji then leapt into the air and dropped his leg down in a drilling motion.
"Brochette," said Sanji attempting his attack.
Sanbi however was able to power out at the last minute and dodge the attack just before it hit. He then knock Sanji away and attempted to follow up when suddenly a shield with a star on it was seen coming towards him.
"General Shield Boomerang," said Franky when he threw the shields on the shoulders of the Franky Shogun.
Sanbi however caught it with ease.
"Boomerang huh, alright then, catch," said Sanbi who threw the shield back at Franky.
Seeing the shield coming back at him at such velocity took Franky off guard but he quickly caught himself and caught it just in time.
"Haha thank you for that now let just…" stopped short at seeing Sanbi running towards him at high speed.
"General Cannon," said Franky from the Shogun.
The robot brought its arms together and fired a giant blast of compressed air at Sanbi. However Sanbi countered by leaping high up jumping directly above the beam.
"Oh man can he jump," said Franky from the Shogun.
However his musings were cut short as Sanbi landed directly onto the head of the robot. However suddenly the chamber that Franky was inside of opened revealing a grinning Franky.
"Surprise, Franky Cannon," said Franky as several cannons came from the hatches of Franky's shoulders and shot directly at Sanbi.
The attack didn't do anything much to the powerful fishman but it did stun him a bit. However it did give Franky a chance to draw the Shogun's sword. Franky attempted a downward slash at Sanbi but Sanbi however caught it between his hands just before it hit.
"He – he actually caught my sword," said Franky in surprise.
Sanbi deciding that he had enough games and with great force pulled the sword from the Shogun's hands and to the surprise of Franky lifted it with great strength. He then leapt at the robot with the Shogun's sword and literally impaled the Shogun in the chest with his own sword. Electricity began sparking around the body of the robot as it was dealt a critical blow.
"Crap, a critical hit, I have to get out," said Franky desperately as the robot was about to explode.
Reacting quickly he jumped out of the cockpit just as the Franky Shogun exploded.
"Franky!" shouted out Usopp at seeing the Franky Shogun explode.
While the loss of such a cool robot was bad, knowing that his nakama was hurt was a far greater issue.
"Oye Franky are you okay, say something, oye Franky," called out Usopp.
"Don't worry long nose, I'm okay," said Franky.
"Though I can't say the same for our fish friend, he was caught in the middle of the explosion," said Franky with the grin.
"Oh so we don't have to worry about him anymore," said Chopper with a smile
"I wouldn't be so sure of that," said Zoro.
And just as he said that, movement was heard from the wreckage of the destroyed Franky Shogun as Sanbi emerged from underneath the wreckage. The fact that he didn't seem to be affected too much by the explosion made them all wonder just what they had to do to take him down. Even an explosion to the face didn't do anything much to him. Also the fire from the explosion that surrounded the wreckage made Sanbi look demonic.
"Oh man just what does it take to keep this guy down," said Franky in frustration.
"I know what it takes, Santoryuu Kokujo: O Tatsumaki," said Zoro.
A dragon like aura appeared around Zoro who sent a large tornado at Sanbi. The tornado hit Sanbi dead on and continued spinning for a long time. Eventually the spinning began to die down.
"Do you think that did it?" asked Usopp.
"I don't think so," replied Zoro.
And he was right and as soon as the spinning died down, Sanbi was visible in a cross block and horse stance. He looked just a little worse than before Zoro's attack and his attack definitely did some damage but not much to actually harm the powerful fishman. He finally dropped his cross block and gave a hard stare at Zoro, not one of anger but he definitely wasn't pleased either.
"Well then if that didn't work what about this then," said Zoro who suddenly charged at Sanbi at full speed.
"Santoryuu," began Zoro.
Sanbi knew that he had to watch himself. While he may have been able to take direct hits from swordsman, a swordsman of Zoro's caliber would be able to seriously hurt him even with the power of D. The only reason that Zoro's attacks didn't work so well was because all of them were not direct attacks, just compressed air blades. A direct attack from Zoro would not bode well for him.
"Ogi: Rokudo no Tsuji," finished Zoro bending his body.
Zoro attempted to slash Sanbi six times simultaneously with his attack but Sanbi wisely leapt backwards at the last second causing Zoro to miss. As soon as Sanbi landed, he immediately sprung back surprisingly fast for someone of his size and gave Zoro a massive hit sending him back. While Sanbi was in midair ready to attack Zoro again, he was intercepted by Chopper.
"Jumping point," said Chopper who went into jumping point and leapt quickly to Sanbi.
"Arm point, Kokutei Cross," said Chopper who crossed his hooves together while in arm point and hit Sanbi across the face.
The attack however only seemed to annoy him. Sanbi went to knock Chopper away but was interrupted by Zoro's voice.
"Hyakuchi Pound Ho," said Zoro sending an aerial projectile at Sanbi.
Sanbi was able to block it but it did allow Chopper to quickly go back into jumping point and bounce off Sanbi and away to safety. Sanbi landed on his feet with a loud thud while Zoro himself landed with a fall but with no lasting damage. With that little skirmish over, Sanbi looked at the Straw Hats seeing that although many of them looked a little worse for wear, they were not ready to give up.
"Why do you all fight so hard, can't you see that this is what is best for everyone," said Sanbi.
"Best for everyone except for Shirahoshi you mean," countered Nami.
"She will appreciate this once she sees how much it has helped. When the persecution of our people sto,p then she'll see that this was indeed the right choice," replied Sanbi.
Nami had a brief flashback of when Luffy saved her. At the time she hated pirates and thought them nothing but terrible people. But Luffy showed her that was not the case. He never forced her to accept him as captain, she made that choice for herself.
"You can't force people to make choices. They have to decide on their own," said Nami.
"That's correct, acceptance is something that must be mutual. Both parties must have it," said Robin backing Nami up.
She too remembered how at first she was distant from the crew but Luffy proved to her that he will stand by her and that made her accept him as a captain and friend.
"No matter what you're reasons are, I can't allow you to take away a beautiful mermaid like Shirahoshi," said Sanji ever the chivalrous one.
"Yeah you can't just take people away as you please," agreed Usopp.
"Yeah that's right you wouldn't let you take her away," also agreed Chopper.
"Nothing would change. I will defeat you all and she will come with me," said Sanbi with finality.
"Oh I think we've got something else to say about that," replied Zoro.
Suddenly Zoro sprang at Sanbi at high speed intending on cutting him in half.
"Santoryuu: UI-Tora Gari," said Zoro.
A tiger aura appeared around Zoro as he charged fiercely at Sanbi. However Sanbi easily jumped into the air dodging the charging swordsman. However to his confusion he saw that Zoro was smirking. Before he could question why, Brook suddenly appeared on Zoro's three swords and he springboarded the skeleton towards Sanbi. Brook's very light weight due to having no skin or internal organs along with Zoro's massive strength resulted in Brook getting at Sanbi's level easily.
"Kasuriuta: Fubuki Giri," said Brook who slashed at Sanbi so fast that it appeared invisible.
"What are you doing, you barely hurt me," said Sanbi.
"Yohohoho well actually that wasn't my intention," said Brook.
"What," said Sanbi confused until he found out.
Ice suddenly began to appear on him slowing him down. While the ice would not be enough to hold him down it would slow him down just a little which in a battle like this is literally a real difference maker.
"Ice," said Sanbi confused.
"That's right, one of the powers of my devil fruit is to bring the chill of the underworld to my opponent essentially creating ice and freezing them," explained Brook.
"This isn't enough to stop me," said Sanbi whom by then had landed.
"Yohohoh that's true but there is something else that will," said Brook.
Sanbi looked confused as his question was answered.
"Midori Boshi: Devil," said Usopp who shot a pop green at Sanbi that immediately sprouted several Venus Flytrap plants.
"Followed by Midori Boshi: Sargasso," said Usopp who shot several more pop greens at Sanbi that turned into a large amount of resilent sea weed.
"And now to hold you down even more, Robin," said Usopp with a smirk turning to Robin.
"Right, Ochenta Fleur," said Robin who crossed her arms and eighty arms bloomed on Sanbi's body holding him down even more.
Now Sanbi was really held down by a lot of force. Brook's ice, the sea weed, the vines of the Venus Flytraps and Robin's eighty arms. Indeed Sanbi was pretty much being held down by everything they had.
"You think that all this could stop me," said Sanbi angrily as he began to power out.
"Don't think I would give you a chance to get out, Walk Point," said Chopper who turned to his walking point and charged at Sanbi.
As his walking point was his fastest form, Chopper gained a significant speed boost. Just as he reached Sanbi he quickly changed to his Heavy Point.
"Heavy Point," said Chopper just as he reached Sanbi.
"Heavy Gong," said Chopper who using his massive arms delivered a direct hit to Sanbi's face.
Immediately following up, Chopper went into his arm point.
"Arm point, Kokutei Roseo Metel," said Chopper who used his hooves a barrage of hits directly on Sanbi's face.
While the attack itself couldn't do much to Sanbi, given that so much was holding him he couldn't stop Chopper's attacks. And since they were all aimed at his head, it pretty much disoriented him thus stopping him from escaping and giving the Straw Hats a little time to continue their attacks.
"Now then my turn," said Sanji whose leg was lit.
"Diable Jambe: Poele A Frire Spectre," said Sanji.
Soon Sanji repeatedly kicked downward with sending a barrage of fireballs from his legs to the entrapped and dizzy Sanbi. Robin quickly released her hold on Sanbi to prevent herself from being burnt. The fireballs rained down on Sanbi not only hitting and damaging him directly but more importantly hit Usopp's plants, both his Venus flytraps and his sea setting them on fire and burning Sanbi.
"Oye don't leave me out of the show," said Franky who pointed his arms at Sanbi in an oval shape.
"Franky," said Franky charging up his attack.
"Radical Beam," finished Franky.
A massive powerful beam was shot from Frankys hands at Sanbi who was still being burnt by all the fire around him from Usopp's plants catching fire from Sanji's fiery kicks. Franky's laser beam hit its mark directly creating a giant massive explosion.
"All right, its finally over," cheered Usopp at having finally defeated Sanbi.
Soon the explosion died down and Sanbi walked out from the fire, badly burnt and heavily wounded. Unlike before this time he looked like he was truly harmed. Despite being so severely wounded, the fact that not only was he still conscious but able to walk as will filled all the Straw Hats with shock.
"Don't think I'm out yet Straw Hats," said Sanbi while panting heavily.
"W-W-What is this, he can still move," stuttered Usopp in shock and fright despite Sanbi's injuries.
"But how, after all that," said Chopper in equal shock and fright.
"Not for long," said Zoro.
Zoro then went into a horse stance and crossed all three of his swords together and began to focus. The wind around him began to pick up as Zoro began to focus on his most powerful attack.
"Asura," said Zoro.
Soon Zoro developed six more arms and two more heads giving him nine arms and three heads in total reminiscent of the Hindu god.
"Asura: Ichibugin," said Zoro who jumped at Sanbi and slashed at him with all nine swords.
This was definitely the finishing blow. With all the heavy damage that Sanbi took, along with the fact that as Sanbi said, even though aerial attacks from Zoro didn't work, direct attacks did, then this was the end of Sanbi. All of Zoro's nine swords slashed at Sanbi finally defeating him once and for all.
The Straw Hats couldn't believe it. It was over, it was finally over. They had won. Despite how powerful he was, despite his having the advantage in Fishman Island, despite him being one of Dragon's most powerful fighters, the dreaded Knights of D and him having a legendary power, they were victorious. They had conquered someone who was practically unstoppable, whose strength was on par with a marine admiral, the same admiral that easily defeated them on two separate occasions, they actually did it. They had faced many powerful foes in the past, even two fighters Doflamingo and Drake whom had powers on par with a Shichbukai. But this, this was by far their greatest victory. They had defeated their strongest enemy to date as well as protected their dear friend Shirahoshi.
"I-I-I can't believe, we won, we actually won," said Usopp who still couldn't believe their victory.
"Is it over this time, I mean really over," said Chopper a bit scared since Sanbi had been practically unbeatable and got back up from everything they threw at him.
"Yeah I think it's over for now, really over this time," said Sanji with a smile.
"So this is our victory," said Zoro with a triumphant grin.
"Yeah," cheered Franky, Brook, Usopp and Chopper.
Nami and Robin didn't say anything but they only smiled back in return.
"You, you have not won Straw Hats," came a soft tired voice.
Despite it being so soft and tired, almost dead in fact it stopped all celebration prematurely, for it was because of whom the voice belonged to, none other than the defeated Sanbi who was miraculously still consciousness.
"You heard me Straw Hats, you have not won," said Sanbi while panting.
"What are you talking about, you're the one on the ground and who can't move," replied Sanji with a snort.
"Yeah and Shirahoshi-hime is safe so you have lost," said Brook.
Despite all what Sanbi had done to them, there was not much hostility in their voices. After all, right now Sanbi was on the ground, wounded and defeated and Shirahoshi was safe. Since they had won there was no need to be hostile to someone whom was defeated, especially if that someone was not legitimately evil like Crocodile, Hody and the greatest of all, Dragon.
"That is where you are wrong for I am the one who won," replied Sanbi.
"What are you talking about?" asked Robin.
Even though Sanbi was indeed defeated and Shirahoshi was safe, she had a feeling that Sanbi was not bluffing and that there was more to his mission than she apparently thought. And Sanbi didn't seem to be the type to be a sore loser and make those kinds of speeches.
"What Lord Dragon wants is the power of Poseidon, not princess Shirahoshi," said Sanbi.
"And just how is that any different?" asked Nami.
"Contrary to what you all believe, Lord Dragon truly values life," said Sanbi.
"Che, yeah he sure values life alright," snorted Sanji in sarcasm.
"Like I was saying, Lord Dragon values life and thus his campaign is focused on destroying those who end it or make lives miserable. These people are the world government and pirates. Hence he tries as much as possible to avoid harming civilians. And the mermaid princess is definitely a civilian," explained Sanbi.
"Just what are you getting at," said Sanji in irritation.
Regardless of whatever reasons Sanbi had, Sanji would never forgive him and especially Dragon for trying to abduct Shirahoshi. But he still wanted to hear Sanbi's reasons since according to him, he actually completed his mission despite being defeated and Shirahoshi still safe with them.
"Yeah you tried to take Shirahoshi away, how is that not harming a civilian," said Chopper in slight anger.
"My mission was never to capture her to begin with, simply get her to use her powers," revealed Sanbi his true mission.
This stunned all the Straw Hats into silence. All this intense fighting and Sanbi never was going to take her to begin with, the question was why.
"But then why do all this," asked Chopper.
"Lord Dragon truly never desired any harm to princess Shirahoshi as she is just a young mermaid whom has never harmed anyone. In addition, Luffy highly values her life and would never accept her being taken away from her family and kingdom," started Sanbi.
"One of the revolutionary army commanders is Jose Mengele, a brilliant scientist whose scientific genius rivals that of Dr. Vegapunk, the top scientist of the marines. Lord Dragon had him construct a special device capable of accurately recording Shirahoshi's voice. From there, Mengele can use the recording to generate sound waves of the same properties as Shirahoshi's voice essentially duplicating her power," explained Sanbi.
The Straw Hats couldn't believe it. All this time they were battling the powerful fishman believing that he wanted to take their friend away, they thought that not only were they protecting Shirahoshi but that also they were in fact stopping Dragon. But in truth they actually were playing right into his hands.
"But if that device is meant to record her voice then shouldn't that mean that the device is somewhere on the island," deduced Franky whom as an engineer would understand things like this.
"That's right, Mengele was actually on Fishman Island with the device waiting to activate it upon the mermaid princess using her power," said Sanbi.
Sanbi just confirmed it, instead of their being just one commander on Fishman Island, there two, Koala and Mengele.
"And I'm guessing that the same ship that brought the female revolutionary also brought that scientist revolutionary guy," deduced Zoro.
"That's right, Koala's role was to ward off Jinbe since Dragon-sama anticipated that he would be on Fishman Island given that it no longer had Big Mom's protection and he would have to protect it in her stead. But Mengele was the most important part of this plan for he was the one to not only build the device but also use it to record Shirahoshi's voice," explained Sanbi.
"In fact it worked out better than I or even Dragon-sama anticipated. While I intended to get her to use her powers, I never expected all of Fishman Island to witness out battle. Since everyone was so focused on watching our battle, it gave Mengele a much greater opportunity to record more of a voice and of a better quality. Such a great opportunity wouldn't have been possible had the citizens of Fishman Island not chose to watch our battle," explained Sanbi.
The Straw Hats couldn't believe how much things had worked in Dragon's favor. While its true that they honestly didn't care about people watching or cheering for them, what they did care about was stopping Dragon. And as it turned out just the opposite happened and Dragon gained even more power, specifically Shirahoshi's. But according to Sanbi, the people cheering them on actually gave Mengele and opening that he would never have had if no one was watching them. And even worse, this was not even part of Dragon's plan, it all just worked out that way. Its was like no matter what they did, Dragon always won. Was destiny truly on Dragon's side?
"But how did Dragon intend on getting Shirahoshi to use her power. He couldn't have known that Shirahoshi-chan would actually use her power," asked Nami.
"That would be thanks to three people, revolutionary commander Doflamingo, the pirate Wet Haired Caribou and thecrown prince Luffy himself," answered Sanbi.
"You see Dragon-sama knows more about the Void Century than anyone. He knows all about Poseidon and its ability to communicate with sea kings, however he doesn't know that Princess Shirahoshi specifically is Poseidon. Thus when Caribou revealed Shirahoshi's ability to Doflamingo, Doflamingo in turn sent word to Dragon-sama. From his knowledge of the Void Century Dragon was able to deduce that Shirahoshi was Poseidon," explained Sanbi.
"You still haven't answered the question," said Robin.
"Lord Dragon found out that the mermaid princess was in fact the ancient weapon Poseidon. In addition, Lord Dragon also knew that Poseidon's power could manifest during periods of great stress. That was where the plan came in," said Sanbi.
"Luffy told Lord Dragon about the Battle of Fishman Island as well as many other important facts. In addition he told Lord Dragon about how Shirahoshi was very close to him and his ex-crew. Thus Dragon-sama knew how to get the mermaid princess to use her power, put you all in danger," said Sanbi.
"So this whole battle was not to beat us, but to endanger us and make Shirahoshi use her power," said Usopp in shock.
"Yes," confirmed Sanbi.
"Lord Dragon could have had me attack the citizens instead but then he would be harming innocent civilians which he doesn't wish to do. You all however are not civilians," continued Sanbi.
"But how would you know all that? We all left Fishman Island a while back so even if you put us in danger, she wouldn't have known about it? She'd actually have to see us for that to work," asked Usopp.
"That would be thanks to Doflamingo. You see Lord Dragon knew that if Shirahoshi was in danger, you would all return to Fishman Island. So he ordered Doflamingo to tell you all that he would send me to capture Shirahoshi knowing full well that you would return to Fishman Island to protect her," explained Sanbi.
"Once there I just had to make sure that she actually saw that I was about kill you and then in distress she would summon the sea kings. And when she did, Mengele would be waiting to activate the device and record her voice waves," explained Sanbi.
"And you took the bait, you believed Doflamingo's words and came straight to Fishman Island thus setting the stage for Dragon's plan. All I had to do was make it appear that you all were in danger of being killed and she would in her moment of distress summon the sea kings," explained Sanbi.
"So that explains it, why you were holding back. When I saw how easily you dealt with all those sea kings, I had a feeling that you were holding back. Now I know why," said Zoro.
"Yes I could have killed you all earlier but it would have been for nothing if she didn't use her power. I had to make it look so hopeless that she would have to summon the sea kings," answered Sanbi.
The Straw Hats couldn't believe it. All this time they were played for fools. When they thought they were protecting their friend, they were in fact moved like puppets and Dragon was the puppet master. When Doflamingo first told them that Dragon sent a Knight of D to capture Shirahoshi, they left immediately to Fishman Island intent on stopping him but in truth they were playing right into his hands. Dragon knew that they would come to Fishman Island to protect Shirahoshi and thus had Doflamingo tell them that a Knight was sent after her knowing that they would follow immediately. Sanbi attacked with tremendous ferocity yet without intent to kill knowing that Shirahoshi believing that one of them was about to die would inadvertedly summon the sea kings. Then Mengele would record her voice and from it essentially duplicate her power.
Robin thought back to some of the many manipulators she knew. Crocodile in particular came to mind with how he was able to manipulate everyone in Alabasta to incite civil war. But this was completely different. Dragon's ability to manipulate was far beyond Crocodile's. Crocodile may have been able to form complex plans and schemes but he lacked an understanding of human nature which led to his downfall. Dragon however knew how they would react based on their emotions and was able to plan accordingly. In addition Dragon did not callously through away lives and in fact saved many despite his brutal methods but this made him more dangerous. It meant that he did not make many enemies to oppose him which would make it significantly harder to defeat him. Having spent two years with him, she knew that some degree of manipulation from Dragon was needed to ensure that the army would succeed but this was beyond anything she would have ever thought about. Even she would never have believed that Luffy's father or anyone would be capable of something so well planned out and that depended so much on the actions and reactions of those involved. Dragon was beyond any other foe they had ever faced.
"Besides Lord Dragon not wishing to harm innocent people, Luffy is very protective of Shirahoshi. Taking her away was never an option to begin with. So Dragon-sama went for a compromise. This plan would ensure that the no harm comes to the mermaid princess or the citizens of Fishman Island and that the army obtains the power of Poseidon. Since nothing would happen to her, then Luffy wouldn't leave the army," explained Sanbi.
This got the Straw Hats worried to some extent. They were hoping to use this incident to convince Luffy that Dragon truly was a demon and that he should leave the army and return to them and together they would finally take him down once and for all. Luffy may not have liked them at the moment, but he couldn't have hated Shirahoshi. They were sure that Luffy would turn against his father once he found out what Dragon was planning to do to Shirahoshi. But now that Dragon never harmed or intended to harm her to begin with, they had nothing to convince Luffy to return to them. It just made things much harder for them.
It was very strange, as much as they hated Sanbi and Dragon for attempting to kidnap Shirahoshi, they thought at least one good thing came out of this, the means to convince Luffy to finally leave the army and return to them. Now they couldn't even get that. Just what do they have to do to get back their beloved captain with Dragon seemingly knowing what they would do before they do.
"Now do you see, you thought that you won this fight, but you in fact lost. The revolutionary army now possess the power of the ancient weapon Poseidon. And with it, they will use it to make this world better, to make it safer for fishmen," said Sanbi.
"Lord Dragon will rule this world and soon pass it on to crown prince Luffy who will continue his work and make this world better and better," continued Sanbi who began to succumb to his injuries.
And with one last breathe, Sanbi said his last words.
"Hail Dragon!" said Sanbi out loud before falling into unconsciousness finally and truly defeated.
With those last words praising Dragon, Sanbi finally collapsed from his injuries finally defeated. The victory however was a bittersweet one. Shirahoshi may have been saved but only because she wasn't really in danger to begin with. More importantly, they were manipulated like pieces on the chessboard and were expertly manipulated by Dragon. And worst of all, Dragon never forced, threatened or blackmailed any of them as Arlong, Crocodile and Spandam had done in the past. He simply predicted how they would react and planned appropriately. Many of their past victories not only saved their friends but also ruined the dreams of their enemies. With Dragon however, by defeating Sanbi they only brought it closer to reality. They may have done what they set out to do which was save Shirahoshi but in the end, this may have been Dragon's victory.
Wow, that was a lot to take in huh. Bet you didn't see that coming. That was quite an unexpected ending to the epic Straw Hats vs Sanbi battle. Many of you probably already knew that the Straw Hats would defeat Sanbi but I bet none of you predicted that even if Sanbi lost, Dragon would still win in the end. That he cleverly manipulated the Straw Hats like pawns on a chessboard. These kinds of plot twists are what make this fic so interesting.
First to answer some questions.
Will Luffy gain the rinnegan? The answer is no. I want to keep this fic to One Piece. Introducing Naruto powers will cause the fic to loose its "One Piece-ness". Also for the same reason, I' trying to avoid using characters from other anime as well, their powers yes, but the characters themselves no. Again this is to keep the "One Piece" like feeling.
Please remember that this fic diverges after chapter 653 and episode 573. So forget Doflamingo being a world noble, Dressrosa, Kaido, everything.
Will Alvida be in the harem? The answer is unlikely. The reason is because I want all the girls to have dark pasts and were saved by Luffy in some way. That would make their love for Luffy much stronger. Hancock might not have been saved by Luffy but she does have a dark past and Luffy did attack a Tenryuubito, the same beings that enslaved her. If the girls have dark pasts, then they'll turn to Luffy to be their Knight in Shining Armor, their beacon of hope, their light in the darkness. Alvida doesn't quite have a dark past so its harder for Luffy to be her "light in the darkness" per say.
Anyway now onto chapter notes. There is a lot to explain and if you read them, you'll understand the chapter better. You'll get why I did certain things and many of your questions would be answered.
The combined attack on Sanbi. The Straw Hats really worked together to pull off that final combination attack that finally took down Sanbi. First Brook created ice that temporarily paralyzed Sanbi for a few seconds. Sanbi could have easily broken out but those few seconds gave Usopp a chance to send his giant Venus Flytraps to ensnare Sanbi and further paralyzed Sanbi by sending resilient seamoss. Robin furthermore used her powers to further hold Sanbi in place even more. All this held Sanbi in place. Of course he could have still broken out but Chopper in Arm Point attacked Sanbi in the face. It obviously couldn't do much but it slightly disoriented him and thus prevented him from breaking free of his bonds. Then Sanji attacked with fireballs from his Diable Jambe which in addition to hitting Sanbi directly set fire to all of Usopp's plants thus burning Sanbi badly. Franky was next who then fired his Franky Radical Beam which is certainly a powerful attack capable of damaging even a juggernaut like Sanbi. Finally Zoro was the finisher who used Asura. Normally Asura wouldn't work since Sanbi would avoid it but all the accumulated damage from the combined assault was so great that he couldn't avoid Zoro's Asura and thus was finally defeated.
The title of this chapter is now finally understood, "Victory but Whose." Even though the Straw Hats technically defeated Sanbi and was victorious, Sanbi still successfully completed his mission and the Straw Hats played their parts in Dragon's master plan. So in truth it was not really the Straw Hats victory but Dragon's.
Dragon's plan. Dragon's plan was simple, get Shirahoshi to activate her power. Once she does, Mengele would record her voice and thus be able to reverse engineer her ability to control the sea kings thus essentially obtain the power of Poseidon without actually needing Shirahoshi.
Rather than one Revolutionary commander being on Fishman Island, there were two, Koala and Mengele. Mengele was actually hidden from all the action waiting for Shirahoshi to use her powers and thus record her voice in order to recreate her powers.
Dragon now has the power of Poseidon. He doesn't have Shirahoshi but he still has her power. Remember, in order to make Shirahoshi use her powers, Dragon would have to get her to listen to him which might not happen. Forcing her to use her powers could potentially backfire and she would use her powers on him instead. But this method is much more efficient. Dragon doesn't have to force anyone to summon sea kings since he could use Shirahoshi's voice instead. It might not be as efficient as Poseidon herself but this method has far less risks.
Dragon's plan would not have happened if it wasn't for Luffy joining the army. Remember even though Dragon knows that to get Poseidon to awaken its power, great emotional stress is needed. But the question is how to get Shirahoshi to experience such stress. He never knew or met Shirahoshi and thus did not know what to make her crack. But because Luffy joined the army, Dragon was able to learn more about Shirahoshi and thus know what to do to make her emotional. While with the army, Luffy told his father about his experience on Fishman Island and how Shirahoshi was great friends with him and his ex nakama. Thus because of that, Dragon knew that to get Shirahoshi to use her powers, he must put the Straw Hats in such danger that the emotional stress would get her to use her powers. The very reason that Dragon was able to know what to do to get Shirahoshi emotional was because Luffy himself was friends with Shirahoshi. Dragon wouldn't have been able to do that if Luffy didn't join the army.
The plan actually worked better than Dragon himself planned. Because everyone was so focused on the Straw Hats vs Sanbi fight, it gave Mengele and opening to more properly and better record Shirahoshi's voice and thus obtain far better quality of it. This wouldn't have happened if everyone wasn't so focused on Sanbi. Again this shows how destiny seems to be on Dragon's side. From Luffy joining to this. Everything seems to be going so well for Dragon that it's like destiny chose him to rule, like Dragon is truly a god.
Why did Dragon specifically wish to target the Straw Hats? Remember Dragon doesn't want to harm civilians. He could have had Sanbi instead attack Shirahoshi's family or the civilians of Fishman Island instead. It would have certainly have caused Shirahoshi to use her powers but he would be harming civilians which is something Dragon doesn't wish to do. The Straw Hats however are not civilians thus they do not count. So Dragon can instead have Sanbi attack them in hopes of getting Shirahoshi to use her powers.
How did Dragon intend to get the Straw Hats to come to Fishman Island? The answer is Doflamingo. Remember Luffy told Dragon that Shirahoshi was friends with the Straw Hats and thus Dragon knew that if Shirahoshi was in danger, the Straw Hats would automatically come to Fishman Island. So simply, Dragon ordered Doflamingo to tell the Straw Hats that he sent a Knight of D to capture Shirahoshi knowing full well that the Straw Hats wouldn't let that happen and that they would return to Fishman Island to stop the Knight from capturing her. And he was correct, the Straw Hats indeed came back to Fishman Island exactly as Dragon predicted.
Dragon is far more manipulative than past villains. The Straw Hats have faced many clever and manipulative villains in the past. However none of them were ever like Dragon. Most of them needed to use force or blackmail. For example Arlong blackmailed Nami into returning otherwise he would've killed the people of Cocoyashi village. Spandam blackmailed Robin into coming threatening to use the Buster Call on the Straw Hats. Dragon however never blackmailed or forced the Straw Hats into doing anything. He simply used subterfuge, planning, tact and intimate knowledge of human nature to predict how the Straw Hats would react. No other villain has ever achieved such a feat.
Dragon knowing how the Straw Hats would react. Remember Luffy is with Dragon now. And Luffy knows his crew inside out. Thus he could provide intimate and personal information on the Straw Hats and thus Dragon could use that to plan and predict exactly how the Straw Hats would react. Dragon would have never been able to predict so perfectly how the Straw Hats would react if it wasn't for Luffy himself.
Defeating an enemy did not destroy their dreams. A major theme of One Piece is dreams. Usually whenever the Straw Hats defeat a villain, they not only defeat the villain but destroy his dreams as well. Luffy by defeating Arlong not only beat him but ruined his dreams of ruling the East Blue. Luffy defeating Crocodile not only defeated him but ruined his ambitions of taking over Alabasta. The Straw Hats defeating CP9 not only defeated them, but ruined Spandams ambitions of obtaining Pluton, becoming a "hero", getting a promotion etc. However with Dragon it is the exact opposite. By defeating Sanbi, rather than end Dragon's plan, they actually made it a reality. Unlike other villains, defeating Sanbi instead of stopping Dragon brought him one step closer to total conquest. This is something that no other villain has ever done and truly shows how Dragon is on a completely different level from any other enemy the Straw Hats have ever faced.
The Straw Hats lost their means of convincing Luffy to return. The Straw Hats were hoping to get Luffy to return to the crew by telling him that Dragon attempted to kidnap Shirahoshi. Even though Luffy is on bad terms with his crew, he has nothing against Shirahoshi and would thus surely turn against Dragon should he find out that Dragon attempted to kidnap Shirahoshi. But Dragon never intended to do that to begin with. So the Straw Hats lost their means of convincing Luffy to return to them or at least leave Dragon.
Dragon again shows why he is capable of being the final villain of One Piece: Final Holy War. To be able to manipulate the Straw Hats so covertly is something no other villain has ever done. This is yet another reason of why Dragon is worthy of being "The Final Villain"
Well that is. A lot has been revealed in this chapter. It was certainly an interesting one so please review and tell me your thoughts. I always love to hear them.