rDisclaimer: Godzilla and One Piece are the sole properties of Toho Co. LTD and Eiichiro Oda respectively. KP360 claims no ownership of anything save for any OCs, abilities, and locations.
Strong World Opening: Blue Bird by Ikimono-Gakari (Naruto Shippuden Opening 3. Yes, that one)
Color Spread: A Japanese woodcut art of Gian's Full Transformation
A tender moment, amidst the heat of battle. The Straw Hats only observed on with smiles, giving the father and daughter as much space as they could for a reunion that was a long time coming.
"Papa…" Erika whispered "I can't move…"
"Yeah, that comes with the package unfortunately." Gian chuckled "Don't worry, it's nothing that a bit of rest won't handle, and god knows you deserve that right now."
"Beast-Warrior…" Dr. Shiragami looked up at the Kaiju-Zoan user. Tears stained the scientist's eyes as a grateful smile spread across his face "...thank you."
"I was going to do something regardless." Gian responded "Everything Erika went through, I've gone through it myself. Someone else once reached out to me and pulled me back from the brink, I'd hate to see her lose herself in her power especially when it can bring good to you both."
"Now there's only Shiki left." Zoro commented, the group watched the conflict in the distance. Even though the two captains have taken their battle far from the main palace, their aftershocks were visible even from here. The Straw Hats never once doubted their captain's strength, but Shiki had been a relic where power ruled supreme. Luffy would need everything he's got to pull through.
"...Yeah, this time we know how powerful he can be." Balling up his fists, Gian watched his captain fight with unease. The entire crew has faced a diverse array of opponents at this point from rival captains to warlords, government assassins and self-proclaimed Gods. Shiki goes beyond even that, a rival to some of the strongest the seas have birthed, and a beholder to much more secrets unknown to even Luffy and himself.
"I'm going to go help him." he declared.
"Yeah, the sooner we end this the better," Sanji stated "Knowing Luffy he probably has him on the ropes already."
"That he does, but this is still a foe from the era of the Pirate King himself." Gian grunted "Knocking him down isn't difficult, making sure he doesn't strike back is."
Shifting back to his full height, Gian's eyes zeroed in on the conflict in the distance "In any case, I also have a personal score with Shiki. Luffy and I will make sure to end it once and for all this time, and when that happens we can-!"
A sudden scream from Usopp caused Gian's head to snap back, right as he was hit square in the chest by the jetstream of water that knocked him onto his back. Roaring in surprise, he struggled to get up.
It wasn't until he heard the gurgling chitters did he remember that there were still some other denizens on this floating rock, ones that he had forgotten about until now.
"What?! Where did these things come from!?" Franky shouted as a trio of shadows began to cast over them.
"THERE ARE MORE MONSTERS ON THE ISLAND!" Chopper yelped.
Another wet-sounding hiss penetrated the air as the trio of aquatic horrors, drawn to the commotion that had been occurring for the last while. Gezora's tentacles writhed in the air as it hungrily observed the crowd, while gathered around it were the giant crab Ganimes and the titanic turtle Kamoebas, also looking down on their potential meals ready to strike.
"T-They have us in their sights!" Usopp stammered.
"Judging by the time they're taking, they're probably deciding which of us to eat first." Robin whispered.
"Hey Doc…" Gian panted "Wasn't there a rule about how the plants around the palace are supposed to keep these animals away?"
"That's supposed to be the case…!" Shiragami stammered "Even though those 3 have mutated beyond the rest of Shiki's beast army, theoretically they're still sharing the same flaws."
"Well, someone clearly didn't tell them!" Sanji grunted.
"Wait a minute, I don't smell anything…" Chopper sniffed the air, before his face blanked "Uhhh… Gian? You might wanna take a look around…"
And Gian did realize with horror at the reason why the 3 giant animals have appeared on the scene: in the distance, around the borders of Shiki's castle, the remains of the Daft Green plants torn and burned in the twilight. No doubt the result of his struggles with Erika has caused undue collateral damage yet again. Without the natural barriers that prevented the island's beast population from the vicinity, it was only natural that the vicious creatures decided to make their presence known.
The only respite they had was, thanks in part to the still overwhelming remnants of the Kaiju's Aura remaining in the air, most of the other animals chose not to approach. No one but the boldest dared to challenge the Superorganisms that once inhabited this world, even if they hide beneath human skin now. Unfortunately, the three that did show up just happen to be quite bold. Not only that, they're also easily the most vicious amongst Shiki's army of mutants.
"Well, well…" Gian grumbled "If it isn't the consequences of my actions…"
"D-Did we cause this?" Erika whimpered.
"This isn't your fault Erika, don't think anything of it." Nami assured her.
Gian grimaced as he stared down the three mutations, reaching for his chest to feel the damage done by the spray of water spat by the crab moments earlier. He winced; the mixture was caustic for sure, he could still feel the burning sensation, but it was comparably inferior to the corrosive deluge that Erika washed him with prior. Still, being overall exhausted and having to face down a numbers disadvantage in a 3 to 1, it was going to be a tough fight regardless. And more importantly, unlike Erika, these creatures show no hesitation in their hostility.
"Oi, Gian." Zoro stepped up from below him "So these things are essentially part of Shiki's army right?"
"Of a sort, apparently during his service the good doctor managed to take 3 animals in particular and made them mutate beyond the other animals here. Hence, they're considerably larger and more ferocious as you can probably guess."
"And yet they're ultimately still animals…" Zoro mused, before drawing his swords as the rest of the crew gathered "We'll handle things here, go help Luffy!"
"Zoro-san!" Dr. Shiragami urged "That is unwise, the manipulations done to their Lineage Factors have made them grow exponentially, their power ranges far beyond the other animals here! I understand you're a strong fighter, but the creatures before you were purposely designed to decimate whole cities. I dare say they're even comparable to 'Beast Warrior' in his bestial form!"
"We've seen a few Kaiju-Zoan users before, we've even fought an undead one. Believe me, facing one of them down is a completely different experience." Sanji asseted "I can still see that, despite seeming more intelligent, those 3 still operate on animal instinct. They see us as food, not something to get rid of. And with someone like the Shitty Monster over there, underneath all that creature is still a human spirit."
"Sanji-san.."
"What the cook means is that at the end of the day these are still just big animals, only bigger and having more of an attitude problem." Franky grinned "And sometimes, you've gotta smack 'em around to let them know their place."
Dr. Shiragami looked on to see the rest of the crew facing down his three creations. On the opposite side, Gezora let out a shriek as it sensed resistance.
"Well if you're really still on the high of taking down some giant creatures, I won't get in your way." Gian nodded "I'll leave it to you guys then."
"Make sure you and our captain wins." Robin nodded.
"We'll make sure nothing happens to the doctor and Erika!" Chopper vowed.
"Like there was any doubt about that. Break a leg you guys." Gian smiled, taking the opportunity to stride towards the other battle across the island right as his crew launched into battle as the 3 mutated creatures let out a deafening challenge.
Luffy was focused, his resolve true as he weaved around the snowscape as the Golden Lion bombarded him with flurries of projectiles. Despite their difference in age, it's clear that the elder pirate has not lost his touch. His attacks were relentless and grand-scale, causing the young captain to use all he had to avoid the incoming assault. It was no wonder that this man used to be a rival to the Pirate King himself.
The Golden Lion appeared before him, practically materializing as he delivered a devastating punch and sent the Straw Hat Boy tumbling, Luffy hacked up blood as he held his stomach in pain; this was something else he noticed was off. His rubber body normally mitigated any blunt force trauma he'd suffer, even as he'd get knocked around there'd be little more than a bruise. Either no one told Shiki about that, or the Elder Pirate was just that strong. Each blow from the old man seeked to wound, and for once Luffy's natural defenses were of no avail.
It would be much later that he'd discover the true extent of such abilities, but at this moment Luffy was battered and worn out.
He gritted his teeth; extended use of Gear Second was beginning to wear on him. His muscles ached with every movement, if he pushed himself further it could lead to something worse. Each opponent he's faced has caused him to push himself further, but none have come close to a former legend.
Still, he cannot give up now.
And Shiki, above all, wanted to snuff out that bit of determination. The boy before him, even though he's only set foot onto the Grand Line for mere weeks, has shown tenacity far greater than he had anticipated, it would be admirable if it weren't so insulting. This boy with the Straw Hat must be made an example of, never let it be said that the Golden Lion is now someone who was past his prime.
Luffy clenched his fist as more boulders levitated around his foe, Shiki's devil fruit powers on full display. Crouching down, he prepared to boost into Gear Second yet again, right as the rocks were launched at him at blinding speed.
To his relief and surprise, it was a wayward beam of cerulean fire that saved his life, vaporizing the projectiles before they could hit. He turned around with delight on his face to see the newcomer.
Shiki, predictably, was less than pleased.
"Gian!" Luffy shouted, and upon looking into the distance, the absence of the other humongous Kaiju seemed to indicate his first mate's success "So everything managed to work out?"
"Like I was gonna let it happen any other way." the Kaiju-Zoan user grinned "I got my own score to settle with Shiki, so how about me and you do this the only way we know how?"
Luffy grinned and slammed his fist into his palm "You got it! Let's pummel this creep!"
"Even with the power of Gojira by your side, you still will have no chance!" Shiki growled, ascending to the skies once more "I've seen what it does in my life-time, you are not deserving of such power!"
"Stuff it old man!" Gian growled "Look around you! Your troops have scattered, everything you've built has been torn down! Now even Erika is lost to you!"
"You think this is the end? I have the name and the renown to gather thousands to my beck and call, I can do so again!" Shiki shouted "What you and that wretched girl have caused is only a minor setback!"
"I don't give a shit about any of your plans!" Luffy growled "You threatened my home and kidnapped my nakama! I'll beat you down until you can't get back up!"
"Yeah, time for talk is over." Gian snarled "The sooner we end this, the sooner we all leave!"
"Fools," Shiki sneered, and the two pirates felt the ground around them began to shake. "By the time this is over, no one will care to remember who you are!"
Meanwhile:
With a growl one of Gezora's tentacles slammed down like a falling tree, Its large bulbous eyes focused on the darting figures below it. Cuttlefish were known for their powerful eyesight, and try as its prey might, they cannot escape it.
However, they were faster than it. And Sanji soon demonstrated as he scrambled up the rubbery arm before leaping towards its body. The giant mollusc thrashed, but Sanji soon launched himself off, spinning in the air to deliver a kick right into the center of where its forehead would've been.
"Muton Shot!"
The power behind the strike caused the squid to recoil, but Sanji noted with disappointment that nothing notable seemed to have occurred. Indeed, Gezora soon righted itself before shooting him a deathglare, its twin long tentacles reaching out to grab him.
"Oi, swirls! Wake up!" a pair of swords slammed into one of the arms, knocking it off course and giving Sanji enough recourse to leap out of the way of the other one. He and Zoro soon were back on the move, the monstrous cuttlefish lashing out at them hot on their heels.
"I had that!" the chef shot back indignantly.
"Yeah, I'm sure we're all thankful for your contribution." Zoro drawled "Now if it were actually something meaningful then we'd actually feel it."
"Will you focus on what you have to do? In case you haven't noticed, that thing isn't exactly the easiest to hurt!" Sanji retorted before his face grew more serious "Since it's a giant cuttlefish, it shares the same features as a normal-sized one. My kicks just bounce off of that rubbery skin, and it's got no bones under it so my attacks aren't as impactful."
"I noticed, and despite how soft it looks, cutting it is actually not as easy as you'd think." Zoro grunted. The two were on the defensive, with Gezora's savage strikes seeking them as they attempted to dodge.
"Well, maybe let's not focus on trying to bring it down." Zoro decided "The main goal is to make sure these 3 beasts don't go after Luffy and Gian. All we need to do is keep their attention."
"Yeah…" Sanji nodded, ducking under another swiping tentacle "Those 2 have their hands full already. Though I suppose that would be a problem, I don't think the big squid has anything else in its sights at the moment!"
Around them, the other Straw Hats were not faring much better.
"Weapons Left!" Franky bellowed as he fired multiple shots into Ganimes' carapace. The shells' impact obscured the crab in smoke, only for the creature to emerge unscathed and angrier than ever.
"Damn!" the cyborg yelped, "What did that thing eat? Even Sea Kings have been stunned by my blasts before!"
The crab clambered towards them, claws outstretched, only to be met by multiple large arms sprouting from the ground. Robin strained herself as she tried in vain to hold down the crustacean, before her power finally gave way and she fell over with a gasp as the crab burst out of its confinement. Had it not been for Brook's swift intervention, Ganimes would've bore down on them.
"It can easily overpower us, better to continue keeping our distance." Robin hissed, right as Ganimes shrieked and spat out another torrent of salt water, a shot that narrowly missed the 3 as they were forced to run again.
"...It's better just to be moving constantly…" Brook shivered.
"AHHHH GET AWAY, GET AWAY!" Usopp cried, riding on Chopper as the two of them bolted for dear life, their giant turtle foe clambering after them roaring all the while. Luck was on their side it seems, as Chopper's fleet footed Walk Point form was much more agile compared to the cumbersome Kamoebas, as was able to keep pace ahead even if Usopp's peppering shots did little damage.
"It's ok Usopp!" Chopper revealed "It's a giant turtle, and we're much faster than that! I won't let us get eaten by-!"
Only for Kamoebas to promptly tuck its head in before extending it like a giraffe. The two childish pirates screamed at the revelation and Chopper pushed more of his speed, the giant chelonians's jaws snapping a mouthful of dirt just short of where he was.
"IT DOESN'T EVEN NEED TO RUN!" Chopper wept.
"NAMI ARE YOU READY YET WE'RE GONNA BE TURTLE FOOD!"
"Almost guys…" the navigator gritted "Just a little bit more!" the air grew denser around the giant turtle, as more of Nami's climate bubbles billowed around her "Just a bit more added strength…"
Kamoebas, for its part, didn't even register the murkier air until it's too late. It was only with a spark of electricity did the giant turtle finally reared its head and set its sights on the cat burglar. By now though, Nami had finished her preparations, and the thunderstorm came down upon the reptile.
"Thunderbolt Tempo!"
The turtle roared in irritation as the jolts of electricity singed its body. Shaking its scaly head, its eyes turned savage as it shifted its heavyset body around. Nami widened her eyes before diving out of the way just as Kamoebas' head extended from its shell once more. The turtle may be slow and cumbersome, but with that tactic of ambush it did not need to move much.
"Nothing we have is working!" Chopper wept.
"All I got was its attention…" Nami cursed "At least it's still really slow, if we can avoid its head we should be fine! Just hold on until Luffy and Gian finish up with Shiki!"
As the carnage ensued, Dr. Shiragami and his daughter watched anxiously as the Straw Hats continued to struggle with their gigantic foes. A mere scientist gifted only in intelligence, there wasn't much he could contribute combat wise and he could only hope that the fatigue wouldn't trigger another Transformation from his daughter.
He always knew it in his heart, but it seems that in developing Gezora, Ganimes, and Kamoebas in particular he may have gone overboard with how powerful they are. Creating the 3 mutants was resource intensive to say the least, not helped by Shiragami intentionally delaying their creation the best he could. The deconstructing and reconstruction of each organism's lineage factor was a delicate process, one that required much trial and error. In over a decade, those 3 were the only ones produced.
But Shiki was anything if not a patient man, after all the backbone of his forces composed of the other vicious beasts on the island, Shiragami's creations were only cherries on top. With his daughter as the bargaining chip, the doctor needed something to prove a distraction. And that fact cemented itself in a test run, where Gezora alone single-handedly razed the seaside town of an island now lifted from East Blue.
Needless to say, Shiki's confidence in his knowledge was well-placed, however much he never wanted it. Now with his creations causing havoc for the people coming to save them, he felt like he was deadweight.
"Papa… is there anything we can do…?" Erika whimpered in his arms "They need all the help they can get…"
Shiragami noticed his daughter's eyes, or more specifically the reluctant amber color they took. Shaking his head, he placed a hand on her head. Erika was fearful of what she contained, but in the face of others being hurt, she still has the will to do what's right. That courage would be respectful, if his own role as a father wasn't in question.
"There's no need to go that far. I will think of something." the doctor assured her. He pursed his lips; he was the one that created those 3 horrors, surely during their creation he had altered-!"
"That's right! I almost forgot!" the doctor exclaimed. He was jolted from his thoughts by a loud BOOM as one of Ganimes' pincers slammed into the ground, the dust causing Brook to tumble from the impact and land near him.
"Are you ok?" the scientist ran over.
"Oof, it really rattled my bones there." The skeleton muttered "These beasts sure are unruly though, please stay where it's safe."
"Worry about yourself, you guys need help and I can't just stand by and do nothing while you're risking your lives for us."
"Thanks for the support doc, but maybe leave the fighting to us." Franky grunted as he also landed beside the group "You two have been through enough already."
"Believe me, I am far from out of options." the scientist said firmly "I created these 3 monstrosities, I know how to help you."
"Now that you mentioned it, didn't you say you had some sort of plan to throw a wrench into Shiki's schemes earlier?" Brook replied.
Shiragami smiled.
"Yes, and that is exactly what I plan to do."
Meanwhile:
Luffy shot through the flurries, the barrage of lion-shaped snow snapping at him all the while. His only target was locked, and he was throwing all he had against him.
The former legend scowled; the tenacity of this crew is infuriating. Many like them have cracked long before this point of their journey, either beating a hasty retreat back to their homelands or, a more likely case, perishing to the multitudes of hazards that filled the Grand Line.
Not only has this boy and his crewmates persevered through all that, they are currently challenging him. Someone who once stood shoulder to shoulder with the pirate king himself. He could beat them down within an inch of their lives, yet they will still crawl from the rubble and challenge him regardless.
"RRRAAAAARGGHHH!"
Shiki's eyes widened as Luffy charged once again, fist raised and body steaming like a heated his arms to block his jet-like punch the elder pirate was knocked back, skidding against the snow. The Golden Lion prepared to unleash more gravity defying attacks, but the sudden impact of gargantuan feet near him forced him to evade the incoming tail strike as well.
Gian's attack nearly blindsided him, causing the elder pirate to tumble through the air. The Golden Lion kicked out multiple wind blades upon recovery, the attack scoring the Kaiju-Zoan user's hide but doing little lasting damage as Gian powered through once again, this time causing the veteran to weave to the side of a flaming punch. The captain flitted across the snowy landscape, hands outstretched and using the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi's powers to form the surrounding snow into lancing spears that fired towards the Kaiju-Zoan user, only for Gian to swat them aside and force the Golden Lion to avoid another incoming Atom Ray.
Shiki growled; this whole situation was made more difficult by the arrival of the Straw Hats' First Mate. The young captain of the crew already gave him enough trouble, and added on the Kaiju-Zoan user? Even his power was beginning to show its limit.
Meanwhile, Gian and Luffy were also worn out yet refusing to give an inch. Whatever past he may have come, Shiki didn't earn his reputation from nothing. Even with their combined might, Shiki was able to match it. With an endless tide of floating rock and debris the veteran pirate had held back their offensive, and although they got a few lucky strikes in, it was nothing that couldn't be recovered from. Already sore from previous battles, it was up to sheer determination to bring down this new foe that kept them going.
Luffy charged forwards again, both hands reared back to deliver a palm strike. The Golden Lion was prepared this time, however, dashing forwards to meet the attack with a punch of his own. With a shout of pain, Luffy soared back as he crashed directly into the chest of a charging Gian. The two Straw Hats were knocked on their butts with a grunt.
"Oi Luffy, what just happened?" Gian grimaced "Aren't you supposed to be made of rubber? How are his punches hurting you?"
"If I knew I'd be avoiding them more!" The captain revealed "Every attack he throws out, it's like what happens whenever Grandpa hits me before!"
"Great… except this time the madman doing so is actually trying to kill us!"
"You two are strong," Shiki affirmed as the duo stood across from him in a torn landscape "I can see that coming this far was no fluke. It doesn't have to end the way it would, it would be a waste of either of your powers. Simply submit to me and you will have ranks within my army, and we can take this world together!"
"That's all it is to you isn't it?" Gian snarled "Your own ambitions, profiting off others!"
"What we want, there's only one thing to do!" Luffy shouted "Give us our navigator back!"
Shiki's eyes widened as the dorsal fins on 'Beast Warrior's' back illuminated once again, the searing heat ray firing towards him and forcing him to evade. Gian bore down upon him the moment the stream ended, claws tearing up dirt as he charged. Shiki barely had time to brace himself as a heavy palm slammed him back down towards the ground. Shouting in rage, the elder pirate's bladed legs sent forth multiple wind blades, obstructing the gigantic beast. But it was the captain of the Straw Hats that struck past through the smoke, body still steaming as another punch lanced into his stomach, causing Shiki to go flying. The two watched the result of their handiwork, grimacing yet not surprised as Shiki staggered back up, eyes smoldering as he viewed the two of them with a simmering glare.
"He's really hard to put down." Luffy gritted.
"So this is how it is…" Shiki growled "I really cannot see you as anything lesser anymore. Your journey could've taken a different path, had you just merely submitted and left me to my own goals."
Lifting his arms, Shiki channeled all of his power; Gian and Luffy's eyes darted around with uncertainty as the ground began to shake. Bits and pieces of debris rose into the air, Shiki's power suspending them as they grew larger and gathered.
"I will not let you take this from me. From the ashes of my old crew, I bided my time. From the rival I outlasted, I will honor with the destruction of what he holds dear!"
"And yet you still tried to trap our navigator! Your very actions threaten the ones we care about, there's no way we'd let you succeed!" Gian roared, his fins flared back to life "Strength? Goals? We have them because of the people around us, they're what makes them possible! So I don't care who you are, Nami's one of ours and she's not to be used!"
Shiki scoffed at the emotional outburst. Whether it was a side-effect of the merging with that monster, or the young man was always like that, he can rant and rave all he likes; the one who will rise to the top will be him.
"I do honor my crew; they are what built my plans up." Gian and Luffy braced themselves as tonnes of debris once again roared to life in the form of lions, snowy visages blotting out nearly the entire horizon "Which is why they'd be better off under me! Shiragami's conscience? The Cat Burglar's last ties? They anchor talent to mediocrity! Let me remind you that we are pirates, and whatever we desire, we TAKE!"
"BEHOLD MY POWER! SHISHI ODOSHI: WILD HUNT!"
With a flick of his hand, the leonine army of rock and snow surged down like a gargantuan avalanche. Gian immediately roared, Atom Rays spilling from his mouth like rivers of fire. The searing heat rays found their targets, drilling through them and turning them into vapors, but even with the combined effort of him and Luffy the incoming waves were just too much.
Even as Luffy punched and kicked with gargantuan body parts, the lion constructs continued raining down. Buried under increasing tonnes of debris, Gian and Luffy looked up just to see Shiki gather even more snow and rock, his power fusing it together until they formed a dense meteor as large as his entire palace.
"Perhaps in death, you will see my vision. See the purest example of how, in this world, power is the only thing that matters!" Shiki declared "Now begone, disappear just like East Blue will!"
"Now shatter apart!"
And he brought the meteor down.
Meanwhile:
The blinding flash of light was enough to bring the fighting across the island to a grinding halt. The sight had made the Straw Hats all but devastated.
"T-That was where Luffy and Gian were!" Usopp shouted.
"It…It can't be…!" Chopper whimpered "If they got hit by that, then-!"
"That won't happen! That can't be the end!" Nami protested.
"And it won't be!" Zoro snapped "This is our captain and First Mate we're talking about here. We've seen them be struck by attacks far more grievous than that, we know they can do that! Luffy and Gian won't fall to something so paltry!"
"Yes…" Robin nodded, pushing her worry to the back of her mind "We've trusted them lots thus far, and they have never let us down before. Instead, we should focus on the animals that's giving us trouble right now, lest we become appetizers for them."
Usopp and Chopper yelped as Ganimes slammed one of its gigantic pincers down towards them, the 3 mutated beasts recovering from their distraction, and focusing back on their prey. Their own attacks still proving ineffective, they can do little except run.
"What's taking them so long?!"
A ways away, the explosion that rocked the suspended island had managed to draw the attention of the few still inside Shiki's palace. The members of the Golden Lion Pirates that hadn't fled or perished, still dutifully fulfilling their captain's vision. However brave they may be, the now dwindling numbers found it hard to fight back when their operations quarters were invaded by two of the crew that they had faced before. With swift kicks and precise sword strikes, Brook and Sanji dispatched them easily.
"We all heard the explosion right? Shiki's not taking any chances anymore." Sanji stated "Those two bullheads better have a plan."
"Speaking of plans, does yours have something to do with the control center here?" Brook asked.
Shiragami nodded "11 years of being forced to work for Shiki have given me lots to contemplate regarding his army. I alone can't stop him, men stronger than I have tried, but I can weaken his forces."
"If whatever you have planned can do anything to those 3 mutant aquacultures out there, I'm all ears. They're the only ones still relevant right now." Sanji nodded, before the 3 of them winced as a shrill roar sounded from the mutant turtle member of the terrible trio, indicating that the other Straw Hats were still in a fight for their lives.
Erika gasped "Papa we need to move fast!" the scientist nodded as he tapped at the controls.
"I just need access to the broadcasting system of Merveille. Those beasts may be powerful, but they still contain a Lineage Factor. Just as I have given them power, I've also given them one genetic mutation that can turn the tides to our favor. All it takes, one genetic defect, and those 3 horrors can no longer stand ultrasonic soundwaves!"
"Manipulating the Lineage factor…" Sanji frowned; such a subject is, for him, something more familiar to than one would believe, and something he does not wish to dwell on. Only one other person he knew could do this, and the cook wishes to dissociate as much as he could from that individual. How did someone else find out the secrets of genetic manipulation?
He will have to inquire more about this later.
"Just need to set the correct frequency…" The doctor muttered, punching in the coordinates into the broadcasting system.
"Ohhhh, I hope the others will be ok…!" Brook stammered, the skeleton gazing out the large glass panels overlooking the courtyard below, a courtyard where their ragtag crew were currently engaged in fierce battle with 3 mutated creatures. The rumbling of gargantuan strikes could be felt even up here.
"How much longer?" Sanji urged "I think I should go down and help!"
"Just a bit more! Adjusting the caliber, and… Now!" with resolve in his eyes, right as the screen before him flashed green, Dr. Shiragami slammed his hand down on the power button, unleashing the soundwaves he'd gathered.
"Damn! You weren't kidding when you said hypersonic!" Sanji gritted as he shielded his ears.
"AHHH! My eardrums are gonna burst!" Brook cried "Oh, but I don't have ears anymore!"
Indeed, the sound was even straining to bear for those around it. On the ground, Zoro and company quickly braced themselves as the sonic blast enveloped the area. It wasn't enough to disable, but noticeable enough that they had to divert some attention in keeping their hearing intact.
"RRRAAAAARRGGHHHH!"
On the other hand, for the 3 giant beasts, the soundwaves were a different story. The effect was instantaneous; one moment the 3 super predators were still on the attack, the onslaught of sound waves hit them as if they were being flayed alive. Within seconds Gezora, Ganimes and Kameobas were writhing and screeching blue murder, their attention completely drawn away from their prey and onto how to stop that infernal noise that's causing their senses to overload.
"That must be the Doctor's plan!" Nami realized.
"Well it's clearly working," Zoro noted "If there's anything to go by those 3 clearly don't like that!"
"And this is an opportunity for us." Robin nodded "With the soundwaves incapacitating them, we can better seek out their weaknesses."
Above them, the other two Straw Hats had similar thoughts.
"Those three animals…they're meant to be apex predators of their domain, and you've brought them to their knees with a single sound blast!" Sanji exclaimed.
Shiragami nodded solemnly "A scientist is to normally take pride in their work, but these creatures should've never existed. Perhaps I presume too much, but it may be better to put them out of their misery."
"If only there was a better way…" Erika said with some sadness "In a way they're just as much as-"
The group had to wince as another of Gezora's pained shrieks pierced the air. The buildings shook as the giant cuttlefish slammed its tentacles into the ground in a fit of thrashing, trying its best to rid itself of the infernal soundwaves.
"It really seems I've developed them a bit too well…" Shiragami gritted "The sonic blast put them in great pain, yet they've still managed to endure it. Any lesser beast would have perished by now."
"Um, I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but does it seem like those 3 monsters are beginning to come to their senses?" Brook suddenly exclaimed.
"What?!" Shiragami looked up in shock, and to his horror it was true; the 3 mutant marine animals, while still shuddering from the intense sound blasts, were beginning to find their bearings and focus.
And soon, Ganimes' stalked eyes had locked onto the viewing dock where the source of the soundwaves; the beasts have found the reason for their pain.
And they were very displeased, something that the crew on the ground were quick to pick up with worry.
"Oh no! They're beginning to shrug it off!" Chopper yelled.
"All that genetically enhanced power and savagery really made them into super-organisms!" Franky cursed "We have to do something!"
"I-It can't be!" Dr. Shiragami stammered "Have I really managed to mutate their genetic codes to be able to overcome even their own genetic weakness?"
"Oi, Doc! We need to leave, now!" Sanji barked.
"Papa… What's going to happen? How-?"
The girl yelped in fear as the building shook, a sound on impact chilling their souls as Ganimes rammed itself into Shiki's command center. Dr. Shiragami immediately held onto his daughter, bracing themselves for further impact.
"They're going after the people inside!" Zoro barked "Get their attention on us!" but he would soon find himself preoccupied once again as Gezora's tentacles slammed towards him. Meanwhile, the remaining Straw Hats had to contend with Kamoebas's hard shell and snapping teeth, the 2 monsters putting up a divide between their destination with deadly ferocity.
Shiki's Forces, having now seen the severity of the situation, have mostly all long fled and departed the scene. The same could not be said about the group within the tower, currently still trying to maintain the soundwaves. Time was beginning to slip, however, and as Sanji glanced anxiously as the building continued to rock from the assault of a mutant crab, Dr. Shiragami's determination seemed to be ignited anew.
"Wait, what's he doing?!" Brook exclaimed as he witnessed the scientist stagger back to his feet and racing for the sonic device, even while the building around them still shook with every impact.
"Hey, doc! We need to go! The ceiling's going to crash down on us at any second!" Sanji warned, eyeing the enlarging cracks that appeared on the wall.
"I just need to turn up the frequency!" Shiragami answered "We've come this far, they're my creations I'll be the one to put an end to them!"
"It's not gonna matter if you die here!" Brook added "Let's leave first, we'll think of another way!"
One glance at his daughter, worry in her eyes, was enough to harden his resolve "I just need a little more time! Take Erika and get out of here, I just need to turn the frequency higher!"
A twist of the knob, and another sound blast louder than before rang out, causing the 3 mutant beasts to recoil with pain and rage. But this time, they've determined the source and seek to put an end to it. Staggering forwards, Ganimes rammed once more into the building, this time knocking the scientist off of his feet.
"PAPA!" Erika screamed.
"Wait, Miss Erika! It's too dangerous-!" Brook's protest could not overcome the need for her father, as the little girl wrenched herself free of the skeleton's protective hold, her father's presence and safety the only thing on her mind. As Dr. Shiragami staggered up with a look of horror, below them the massive crab had one more attack left. With a screech, Ganimes smashed into the building once again, and after all the wear and tear it endured, this time the structure finally folded.
"We need to get out of here!" Sanji barked as debris rained down around them, but the crab's strength did far more damage than he anticipated. The cracks spread rapidly, and with a loud snap the section of the building where the 4 infiltrators stood broke into two, right down the middle.
"Not good!" the cook gasped, already leaping towards the stumbling scientist and his trapped daughter. But it was too late, his fingers grasping air as the crumbling building gave way beneath them, and father and daughter began to fall multiple stories towards the hungry crustacean below.
"Dr. Shiragami! Erika!" Brook shouted in horror. As gravity sped up his descent, the doctor's own fear momentarily took over, before his eyes cast down towards his terrified daughter, clinging to him with her life. Momentarily, he saw the girl's fearful eyes flash an unsettling yellow glow; a clear indicator of the creature within her once again trying to make itself be known.
Shiragami wasted no time in wrapping the girl in a protective embrace, an act only a father would know. Erika's body has pushed itself to near her limit, and such a destructive beast could worsen the situation even more, no matter how much it tips the scales in their favor. No, right now she needed him the most.
"It's Ok Erika, daddy's here..." it would be the final moments of their lives, and he's done little as a father up till now. At least, right now, he'll allow himself one more moment of fatherly counsel.
"Perhaps, in our next life, I'd have a chance to do it right." the father shut his eyes, pressing tighter against his daughter as the two of them fell towards Ganimes' now clicking mandibles.
"They're falling too fast!" those on the ground also looked on with horror. Zoro and Robin moved to prevent their fall, but the other two monsters remaining soon moved to stop them, not allowing them to get close.
"Oh no! Doctor!" Usopp's futile cry was drowned out by the sound of rushing winds as the father and daughter duo plummeted towards the hungry crab. The crustacean reared up, pincers outstretched as it waited for what was essentially a free meal to fall out of the sky, and it just so happens-
"GUUUUWAAAAAACKKKK!"
And Ganimes' hungry chitters were replaced with a sharp shriek as volts of electricity fried it through its carapace. The crab fell down, before rising back up as it shook off the remaining voltage, but to its confused anger by that point it found that its prey had already disappeared. In their place, what appears to be a large yellow bird flitting through the air. Understanding the situation, Ganimes lumbered after the avian, claws attempting to clamp down, but ultimately too slow and cumbersome to land a hit.
And the crab wasn't the only victim; moments prior, yellow bolts had already rained down, striking both the turtle and the cuttlefish and causing them to writhe in anger as well. As the large bird flitted with agility through their air, Dr. Shiragami and his daughter soon found themselves landing on soft feathers rather than hard stone.
"I've forgotten about him…!" but down on the ground, the crew felt a sense of relief. Nami in particular watched in rising happiness as a large flying yellow mass zipped between the other mystified mutants. Soon, the large avian landed, and with it the doctor and his daughter on his back, both shaken but most certainly safe.
"Billy!" The navigator ran over "You saved them!" The mutated duck quacked with pride as he raised a wing to salute; for the past couple of hours he had trailed behind the Straw Hats on their rescue mission, hoping to find a moment where he could help out somehow. With how competent the pirate crew was, along with the still abundant Daft Green in the area, there wasn't much of a moment to rejoin his newfound friends. Now, in their hour of need during the climactic battle, he was finally able to help out the girl who had done so much to save him.
"Nice going duck!" Franky beamed.
"Billy…" Erika peeked out from between her father's arms "You saved us… Thank you…!"
"It's good to see that not all of our experiments have gained a penchant for violence." Shiragami affirmed. Billy gave a proud tilt of his head upon hearing the comment.
An angry grunt made the crew turn back; the 3 mutant beasts have regained their bearings, all eying the one who shocked them with simmering anger. And just like that, the mutant duck's initial bravado evaporated in an instant and, without any hesitation, dove behind Nami with a terrified squawk.
"Oh come on!"
"Figured that wouldn't have lasted so long." Zoro grunted.
"Brace yourselves, we've really pissed 'em off now!" Franky shouted, right as all 3 gargantuan beasts dove towards them.
"Diable Jambe!"
But as luck would have it, like a searing meteorite, Sanji dove off the remains of Shiki's tower. One leg ignited, with the help of the descent velocity a vicious drop kick followed, right smack into Kamoebas' head, the force causing the turtle to slam into the ground with its large carapace making the other two invertebrates trip and crash down as well.
"Looks like I just made it." the cook panted.
"Good timing." Robin praised.
"Doctor! Erika-chan! Are you two alright?" Brook on the other hand was forced to take a much longer way down via the remnants of the ruined building, his skeletal face wrought with worry.
"We have Billy to thank for our impromptu rescue, but there are no injuries." Shiragami nodded.
"Then at least that's one good thing that came out of today." Sanji nodded "Now what are we going to do about those 3 freaks of nature?"
"Wait," Chopper suddenly noticed "Those 3 haven't attacked since Sanji landed!"
The reindeer's answer came in the form of an agonized roar, one to which the group turned to see Kamoebas' writhing on the dirt as it shook its head repeatedly in an attempt to put out the remnants of flames left behind by Sanji's attack, said flame currently branding a blackened scorch mark. Even more surprising were the reaction of the other two monsters; the mutant turtle's thrashing caused it to accidentally slam its head more than once into its two compatriots, to which the fire left behind by Diable Jambe has gave them a nasty scorch as well, causing both Gezora and Ganimes to emit pained gurgles as well.
"I know getting fire onto you hurts like hell, but that's overreacting a little bit don't you think?" Usopp stammered.
"Well those freaks certainly don't think so." Zoro scoffed "They're acting like it just got hit with the worst thing possible."
"Wait…" Usopp mused, rummaging in his pocket before pulling out a red pellet. By now the 3 beasts have shaken off the initial reaction to Sanji's burning kick, now once again ready to be on the attack. The sniper yelped as he saw Gezora charging towards him, quickly loading up a shot.
"H-Hissatsu: Hino Tori Boshi!"
The reaction was instant; the moment Usopp's flaming pellet struck the mutant cuttlefish's rubbery hide, the creature let out an ear-splitting shriek as it thrashed around, trying to put out the flames on its now darkened. The rest of the crew did not miss that detail, and soon the evidence had become clear:
"Fire…" Usopp gasped "T-They're weak to fire!"
"And we have plenty of that to spare." Sanji grinned.
"Hell yeah we do!" Franky sneered, fresh embers emitting from his mouth.
"Papa… look!" Erika stammered "Those monsters are backing away!"
"So they are," Shiragami noted with wonder "This must be a new genetic mutation, one that developed through the repeated experiments…"
Armed with new knowledge, the fight had been turned around. This time, the Straw Hats were ready to return what they experienced tenfold.
Meanwhile:
The boy and the Kaiju-Zoan user were tough, this much he knew.
As the dust cleared, only Shiki's light pants could be heard in the silent gloom. His opponents, on the other hand, seemed to have fared much worse. Where Luffy and Gian once stood now only a massive mound of rocks and rubble remained, the two rookie pirates buried under a demonstration of Shiki's power. The only indicator that the mighty Kaiju-Zoan user was a single clawed fist sticking out of the debris, and that too promptly fell and inched open, revealing the now unconscious Luffy curled within. Shiki sneered at the sight; even possessing such an unrelenting force, 'Beast Warrior's' first instinct was to protect someone else. It was a stark difference to the one who once possessed that same power, back when they sailed under the same banner.
That wasn't to say that the battle went as smoothly as he'd wished. The two youths have honestly surprised him with their strength. There were a few times, had he not been more careful, that he would've actually been backed into a corner. Granted, all that laying low had not given him much reason to fight in the past 20 years, and time was not a kind mistress. "It's decided," he thought. "Once I dispose of these pests, I will have to maintain my strength if I wish to take over the world."
"If Kaido or Linlin ever hears about this, I'd never hear the end of it from them…" Shiki grunted. He strode forwards, blades tapping on the ground. Before him, the prone body of Straw Hat Luffy remained unmoving. Shiki lifted one bladed leg; it was time to end this once and for all. One swift thrust down, and it was over.
Or it would've been, had Luffy's eyes not snapped open at that moment and he caught the blade right in his hand.
Shiki growled "Your tenacity is starting to become grating… why won't you fall?!" Below him, Luffy's eyes were full of fury; even as the sharp edges of the blade sliced into his palm, he hardly felt the pain.
"I told you, I'm not leaving here without Nami…" Luffy growled as rivuts of blood flowed down his arm "This is more than simply stopping you now…! If I don't beat you here, everyone else in East Blue won't be able to stand up to you, and I'll never let that happen!"
"Those weaklings in that sea fall because that's what they're meant to be!" Shiki snarled "Worth nothing more than kindling for the fires that will shake this world! It's as I said, only those with power are worthy of taking what's theirs, and this world will be mine!"
"You can dream on!" Luffy roared, wrenching his arm to the side and throwing Shiki off balance for a moment. That one split second was all he needed for the rubber boy to rear his other hand back and throw a heavy punch into the elder pirate's face.
"I won't die until I become King of the Pirates. Even as you trapped my navigator and threatened my First Mate, I'll make you pay for hurting them!"
"Your delusions of grandeur are what led that to happen!" Shiki snarled, flying forwards and barrelling into the younger rookie "Just a green-horned kid in way over his head! You know nothing of real strength! All that talent with the people around you, wasted on a child like you!"
Luffy simply retaliated with a stiff head butt, knocking the wind out of Shiki for a brief moment "My crew is what gives me strength! They can all do things I can't, and that's why we're stronger than you!" Shiki lunged forwards again, only for the rubber man to vault over the old man and seize him in outstretched arms. With a roar of assertion, Luffy smashed the Golden Lion into the ground in a devastating suplex "You wish to have it all, but you never once considered the others around you! We have our own dreams and goals, we're not here to be used by you!"
"Because only I deserve to have it all!" was Shiki's response, and Luffy gritted his teeth as a myriad of razor winds gusted around him as the Golden Lion rose into the air, eyes now ablaze with fury "Imprisonment, isolation, I've endured it all with no hesitation! Only those with Power can rule these seas, all else are mere pawns in our ascension!" flying forwards in supersonic speed, Shiki clutched the rubber boy around his neck as he ascended "I gave you the chance to submit, you've already long forfeited your place in this new age!"
"AND WHO ARE YOU TO DECIDE MY FATE?!"
Twisting in the air, Luffy managed to land a kick into his captor's face and sent the elder pirate reeling. Before gravity can take hold, a pulse from his heart once again activates Gear Second, dashing forwards with a speed Shiki now was beginning to struggle with.
"We're pirates, and we decide our own destiny!" rapid fire punches forced Shiki back into the defensive, every bit of his focus now trained on the younger boy "We're meant to be free to choose whatever comes and goes, or have you forgotten even that?!" one last heavy punch sent the two of the crashing back down to the ground, a crater now forming from the resulting impact. Shiki soon emerged, his robes already tattered, once again ascending back into the sky while he glared at the rookie staggering to his feet below him.
"And this is my destiny!" Luffy clenched his fists as the winds began to pick up while the ground around him rumbled again. He was soon met with a pure display of Shiki's gravitational powers as multiple chunks of island levitated from their roots, while swirling droplets of water caused by the resulting rain that had fallen during their duel have now formed into sharp spears, all of which were poised to crash down on him.
"It's as you said, we're free to choose whatever comes and goes. And with my power, the choice is simple!" a simple gesture, and the multiple projectiles soon blotted out the sky.
Only this time, Luffy was unrelenting. Before the first landmass even began to fall, he was already on the move.
"Then just TRY TO TAKE ME DOWN THEN!"
Still billowing smoke with the effects of the Second Gear, even Shiki was given a start when Luffy launched himself forwards at blistering speed, yet seemingly even faster than before. Multiple pieces of debris rained down towards him, but the rubber boy seemed to pay them no mind, simply using them as stepping blocks as the distance between the two drew closer.
And it was only then that he noticed something about his youthful foe seemed… off.
One particular boulder, flying straight towards the young captain, impacted directly. Mere seconds later it promptly shattered when Luffy straightforwardly punched through yards of dense rock. This time Shiki could see it clearly, a faint red shroud was beginning to envelop the boy, one that grew increasingly vibrant by the second…
"I'm stopping you right here and now!"
Then there was his voice, seemingly deepening in octaves and reverbing with something ancient. Even Luffy's features were off compared to what he was before; black eyes once full of confidence now had an added tint of crimson splashed within. Luffy's eyes were trained fully on the elder pirate, and when-
He could feel bones cracking as Luffy's enhanced punch smashed right into him at a speed which he couldn't even react to. The next thing he knew, he was embedded into the rock of one of his own floating landmasses. He barely had a chance to blink before Luffy practically materialized in front of him. The rubber boy's already high speed while under the effects of Gear Second was seemingly amplified in this mysterious red shroud. Another supersonic punch buried the elder pirate deeper into the rock wall, before a third smashed him clean through.
"H-How..?! Where did he suddenly get this surge of power?!"
Desperately trying to regain his bearings in the air, Shiki resumed his attempted bombardment. Using all of his gravitational control, each remaining levitating construct was sent flying towards Luffy. There was little precision in his technique by now; each move was aimed to wholesale annihilate his foe off the face of this place. One could even say the veteran pirate was growing desperate as his supposed might was being matched bit by bit from some child who only started sailing for a couple of months at most. But he had no choice; they've been fighting for ages now. Even his great power, already somewhat dulled by 2 decades of inaction, was beginning to falter. Meanwhile, his foe at what was supposed to be his final hour suddenly gained second wind, and there appears to be no end to it.
And Luffy, in his heightened state, exploited this flaw perfectly. It was as if a well of power began to flow from somewhere, surely not within him yet close enough for the influence to reach him. The strange aura was alluring, it made him feel even stronger than before. He could recall a few similar occurrences in the past; fighting alongside his first Nakama in multiple bouts he remembered the same form of Aura wrapped around him like a blanket. This time around, the effects were further heightened, strong feelings could barely be contained as it seemed like his very inhibitions were slowly unraveling. He wanted to do nothing more than to reach Shiki and deliver upon him the proper comeuppance for all the suffering and oppression caused by him.
Luffy's fists readied into another punch; the power surrounding him continued to drive him forwards, causing him to deliver strikes that could easily shatter his arm had it not been for the benefits of his Devil Fruit. A savage uppercut knocked the Golden Lion into the air through a multitude of more floating landforms. Luffy grinned savagely; the same ravenous power that enveloped him goading him on even more: Shiki would regret the day he ever decided to lay eyes on East Blue.
"All those people, all of them who live under your hand… all of East Blue that you threaten… that will NEVER happen again!"
Shiki roared in defiance, his actions grew wilder as he tossed more and more masses of stone and debris towards the rubber boy. Luffy continued to flit around the incoming attacks, the strenuous use of Gear Second miraculously melting away by the mysterious Aura. Soon, it was just the two of them in mid air, and once he blew past those falling piles of earth, Luffy naturally put his thumb to his mouth.
"We're NOT PEOPLE TO BE STEPPED OVER SHIKI!" Shiki's eyes widened as Luffy's giant fist expanded "Gomu Gomu no… GIGANT PISTOL!"
With no time to dodge, Shiki could merely put his arms before him in a vain attempt to block the incoming giant fist. A punch so powerful that the moment it made impact he felt as if an entire ship had just smashed into him. Hurtling back down towards the ground, Shiki could barely see the now enshrouded Luffy as he smashed into the ground in a massive crater. Luffy landed soon after, his eyes continuing to bore into the downed pirate. Despite such a heavy blow, Shiki remained conscious, eyes filled with hatred and disbelief as he heaved himself back to his feet. His breath was ragged, his eyes bloodshot and quivering, but he was still alive.
"Just how… how are you suddenly so powerful?!" the Golden Lion rasped "That was quite a punch there… Y-You think this will stop me?! 20 years of planning will not fail just because some overeager greenhorn decides to punch above his weight class!"
But as Luffy drew closer with each step, Shiki began to falter. Luffy's death glare did not waver in the slightest, yet the red shroud of Aura around him seemed to expand exponentially. It was as if something had taken over the young pirate, as the way he looked at him seemed to seek his very demise, rather than simply just trying to dish out payback.
Shiki's eyes widened as a horrible realization set in: Something has taken over the boy.
Or rather, something had been shared.
He'd been so engrossed at the determination and newly ignited ferocity of his foe that he'd forgotten that there was another party involved. And indeed, beyond their battlefield, the large mound of debris that enclosed 'Beast Warrior' Gian seemingly also had a crimson glow to it. Waves of energy flowed like streams around the pile, some of which swirled and wrapped around the captain of the Straw Hat pirates in a dense cloak.
The source of Straw Hat's increased power had been revealed.
And it was making itself know right-
*KABOOM*
-Now.
Meanwhile:
They were pushing back, with the knowledge of the mutated beast's weaknesses, the remaining Straw Hats wasted no time in capitalizing in that aspect. Gezora, Ganimes, and Kamoebas were all forced back, yowling with displeasure as the crew assailed them with high temperature attacks. All the crew had to do was aim their fiery techniques at the 3 mutates, and they would be forced back even further as the heat scorched their skin.
"Keep it up Straw Hat Pirates, they're being pushed back!" Dr. Shiragami encouraged.
"Don't have to tell me twice!" Sanji grinned, racing up one of Ganimes' claws and delivered another fiery kick atop its carapace, causing the mutant crustacean to gurgle with agony.
"C'mere you rubbery asshole! Captain Usopp's gonna fry you into calamari!" The sniper of the crew cackled uncharacteristically; being terrified out of his mind for much of the battle, it was he who discovered this new weakness after all. Usopp decided he could have this moment of elation. Across from him, Gezora was having a less pleasant time as it waved its tentacles widely to try and bat away the flaming pellets Usopp sent at it.
Whatever fun the crew were having however had to end eventually. Though upon hearing the deafening explosion occur, the reason for said interruption brought upon a lot more mixed reactions from the Straw Hats.
"Papa! That came from where Mr. Luffy and Mr. Gian are fighting Shiki!" Erika exclaimed.
"That sounded loud!" Nami cried out "What are those two getting themselves into?"
The others were in the middle of coming up with a suitable explanation when they felt it. The air around them itself grow more and more heavy, weighed down by a near omnipresent oppressive force that would bring a person to their knees.
The three mutant monsters felt it too. Defiant rage gave way to primal fear as the trio chittered and barked in alarm. They remained for 5 more seconds, before instinct took over. Gezora was the first to make its escape, with Ganimes and Kamoebas following soon after. Any potential chance of getting fed meant little in the face of such powerful danger.
The Straw Hats let them go; their concerns were far more pressing. The crew looked at each other with a mix of emotions; chief among them worry and concern; there was only one source where something like this could come from.
"THERE! LOOK!" Usopp shouted.
And they let out a collective gasp as orange light bathed the land.
"H-He didn't… I told him how dangerous that is!" Chopper exclaimed.
"They're being pushed to their limits, the only way to overcome it is to go beyond that" Sanji stated, his posture tense "Still…"
"I've done some background research on 'Beast Warrior'" Dr. Shiragami gasped "But nothing's ever come up regarding such a display of power…!"
"Apparently he only found out he could even do that not that long ago. The last time he used that, it was to be the final blow against our opponent." Brook answered "Indeed, if Gian-san really has resorted to such drastic measures, then this may shift things in their favor."
"T-Then they have a chance, right?" Erika said hopefully.
"Perhaps so," Robin's voice betrayed a hint of worry, one reserved for both her captain and her better half "but it's not without a price…"
"W–What?"
"They need to end it soon…" Zoro gritted "What he just did, it could do just as much harm as it can good."
Erika gulped upon hearing that and could only look on as an earthshaking roar sounded, unsure of what she could possibly do.
Meanwhile:
"I-Impossible…! What is this level of power?"
Shiki bit into his lips, grunting with exertion as the air around him began to heat up exponentially. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Already being pushed to the brink by the rookie he thought he could end easily, he never would've expected how resilient the rubber captain was.
And once that explosion rocked the island, he knew the situation just went haywire.
The gathering force of energy that freed Gian from his rocky prison was akin to a volcano erupting, and for good reason too. As Merveille was bathed in orange light, the Fully Transformed Gian once again reared itself back into the fight.
Except, now super charged with energy and patches of his skin glowing like hot coals, the dynamic has shifted. The air around them grew increasingly hot, so much so that the stones near Gian were tinted red, snow evaporating within an instant of contact.
Standing against such a glowing backdrop and also enshrouded by the vast amount of Aura his First Mate exuded, Luffy looked like an infernal general beckoning forth a beast borne from Hell. Towering over him, Gian's burning form roared in fury. The Aura cloak surrounding the captain blocked out the worst of the heat; it seems even in this hyper-powered state, a modicum of control still remained within the monstrous Straw Hat, though that's not to say that 'Straw Hat' Luffy came out completely unaffected.
With so much power at their disposal, Luffy's earlier change in behavior now became much more clear to Shiki. A young mind like that, it was a wonder he's still himself at all! Anyone lesser could potentially be driven mad by such an overflow of power.
Shiki took a step back, fists clenched as he readied to once again utilize his gravitational attacks "It seems I underestimated just how well-tuned you are with that beast, but this changes nothing! My plans won't be stopped, no matter how much of a power up you get!"
Gian only roared in response, his eyes glowing like miniature suns as his glare bore into the elder pirate. Shiki roared in defiance before finally unleashing the full might of his power.
The ground rumbled before the crust lifted all at once; once again forming the rampaging pride of lions that buried the Straw Hats Before. The braying beasts surged forth like a tsunami of rock and debris, ready to consume their target once and for all.
Only for Gian to vaporize the entire row with a single swipe of his claws. One slash sent forwards a superheated shockwave, one that tore through the incoming leonine constructs like a searing jet. Shiki hardly had time to react as the attack struck, howling in pain and rage as he was sent flying.
On the ground now, Shiki bit down in pain; the shockwave had so much energy put into it that it actually burned off a portion of his clothes. He tried to stand, only to find no support. Looking down, he realized with rising dread that 'Beast Warrior's previous attack had shattered the swords that made up his legs.
And the monster was still approaching, each footfall causing a miniature explosion as Gian continued to output more and more energy. Like a living lava flow, he was a disaster swift approaching. Shiki, out of desperation heaved more chunks of debris at the monstrous pirate, but each of them expired before they could even reach him; the air around 'Beast Warrior' so hot, that it's enough to cause boulders to explode.
With mounting realization, Shiki felt dread for the first time in his life. 20 years of planning and elusiveness, his moment of ascension was about to end.
And he had no hope of getting out of this one.
"Gian…" Luffy's commanding voice, once full of spirit, now had a hint of a snarl. The captain's eyes, influenced by the overflow of Aura, was shaded with a bitter red "End this…"
And the Kaiju-Zoan user obliged with a growl as the fins lining his back began to crackle an orange glow.
"No… how can this be…" Shiki thought bitterly, "How could this have happened…?
As Shiki looked up, his face bathed in red light, Gian had already finished charging his attack. His dorsal fins strummed with power. Once, twice, and light gathered around his mouth. At what was supposed to be his final hour, he was once again reminded of his mortality. Memories flooded into his mind; of his rise, of his former crew of legends, of the contemporaries that rivaled him in power, of the one man he was never able to best.
There would be no escaping from this, Shiki realized, and in his final moments a pirate who once forged history did the only thing he knew how.
"Is this… how it ends…?!" Staggering to his knees, Shiki glared one last defiant glare as Gian's attack was fired. As the infernal blast surged towards him, he let out one last roar.
"AM I FOREVER DOOMED TO FALL AGAINST THOSE FROM EAST BLUE, ROGERRRRRR!"
Then the crimson spiral ray struck, it consumed him completely, and a figure that once stood at the pinnacle of power was no more.
The beam carved directly through the island, Gian's most powerful attack ensured total destruction for all that faced it. As the final vestiges of his energy seeped away, the end result was instant.
"ARRGH!" The supercharged Full Transformation dissipated instantly, and Gian was left on his knees. Searing pain immediately spread over his body, once again a sign of how ill-equipped he is at containing such a massive rush of power. His skin was once again burned in many places, and this time it felt even worse.
Beside him, he heard Luffy yell out as well. The captain, now void of the Aura Cloak emitted by his first mate, seemed to have awakened from a trance. His eyes darted around, surveying the destruction around them, as the events and emotions that occurred prior replayed in his head. The captain, thanks to the protection of Gian's surging Aura, had come out with far less injuries, but Gian could see with a sinking heart that Luffy's arms have some slight burn damage as well.
"G-Gian…" and for the first time ever, Gian detected a hint of unease from his captain's voice, as if even he couldn't believe what they had commited. "D-Did we do this…?"
Gian, as much as he could muster, tried to reply, but the ground had begun to shake once again.
This time however, it was much more urgent.
With the demise of its owner, the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi's power no longer had a host. And with no one maintaining it, everything Shiki built was to be dismantled.
Even if some have yet to get to safety.
The effects were immediate, the floating islands began to crack as large chunks fell back towards the ocean, gravity once again taking hold and the laws of physics returning.
But for two pirates, it means they now have no choice but to fall alongside it.
Meanwhile:
The remainder of the crew watched in stunned silence, as from a distance they witnessed the explosion that consumed the Golden Lion in his final moments.
"T-They did it…" Usopp whispered "We've won…right?"
"They had to give it all they had," Zoro responded, "their opponent is unlike anything they've ever faced before. If they hadn't used as much power as they did, then the outcome could've been very different."
"Yeah, at least they came out on top." Brook added "Even if what occurred was a bit extreme…"
"Then… it seems our captivity is over." Dr. Shiragami breathed out.
"Papa… this means we can leave right? We never have to see this place again!"
Before Shiragami could respond, the sharp sound of the earth cracking was heard, alarming the crew. Realization set in as they knew they had to act quickly.
"Crap!" Sanji cursed "If Shiki really is dead, then that means his Devil Fruit's no longer active either. And this entire place wouldn't exist if it hadn't been for him-!"
"Hurry! Back to the Sunny!" Franky shouted.
Haphazardly, the group raced back to their ship with the scientist and his daughter in tow. All the while the flotilla of islands began to once again come under the effect of gravity. As pieces broke apart, they just managed to board the Thousand Sunny right as the ground cracked beneath them and they began to fall.
"Brace for impact!" Chopper yelped as they began their fast descent back towards the sea.
"Wait…!" Nami blanched as she realized "Luffy and Gian are still out there!"
Looking out in horror, they just managed to spot 2 shapes in the distance falling through the air.
"Quick! Use the falling momentum, we need to get as close as possible!" Zoro cried.
"There's no time!" Nami gasped. Luffy, who never once gave up on her, risked his life once again to save her. Right now, the least she could do was to make sure no more harm befalls either of them. Without hesitation, the navigator leapt onto Billy, the large yellow bird seemingly realizing what they needed to do.
"Come on Billy! We have to catch them!" the duck nodded before taking off, speeding through falling rocks and debris towards the two remaining Straw Hats.
Soon enough, she could see Luffy flailing through the air. Maneuvering the duck closer, her hand outstretched, Luffy was the first one she reached as her hand grabbed his. The surprised smile he gave upon realizing who had just arrived, she admitted, was enough to warm her heart.
"Nami! You came!"
And Nami can't help but grin back, before remembering the other reason why she came.
"Gian! He's falling too fast!"
"I'll get him!" Luffy called out, rearing back and stretching his arm out towards the descending First Mate. "Argh… come on!"
But he was always coming up just short, and somehow Gian seemed to be falling faster than he could reach. As the sea grew closer and closer, Luffy knew he didn't have long.
"Luffy can't reach him!" Zoro barked "Franky you have to take us closer!"The crew on the ship also saw the situation unfold, and they too had to do what they can.
"Doing the best I can here!" the cyborg gritted back, using the momentum from their own fall to try and guide Sunny as close as possible.
"Just a bit more!" Robin called out "As long as I'm in range I should be able to catch all of them!"
"We're not gonna reach him in time!" Usopp gave a horrified report. Indeed, the First Mate of the Straw Hats seemed to be descending at an accelerated pace, and soon Robin's hands grew out of range again.
All the while Erika and her father watched anxiously, hoping to help out in any way, but not knowing what to do. Erika in particular was distraught over the sight of her savior plummeting to what appears to be an imminent doom, and the sight of the rest of the pirates scrambling to reach him sent a pang in her heart. She further winced when she saw the sorry state he was in, how large areas of his body had been mutilated by his own overabundance of power.
"It's not right… someone as kind as Mr. Gian, someone who did so much to help me, I can't just stand here and do nothing…!"
"Erika… have faith." Her father seemed to have sensed her unease "These pirates are strong, they'll save him."
"Yes, trust in us." She also heard Brook, the singing skeleton, assure her in a gentle voice "Gian-san is our precious crewmate, we will not let him die that easily."
"But I still think I should do something…"
Erika clenched her little fists; Ever since she was a child, it seemed like she needed other people to support her. From the day her sickness descended, her father had been scrambling day and night to save her life, even blaming himself for what he unwittingly bestowed upon her. Since then, he'd even given up his freedom and dignity just to ensure she can live.
Then, when the curse within her threatened to consume everything around her, an unlikely individual stepped in to show her she had something to live for. Someone who had bore the same baggage as she did, yet was able to overcome and forge a path for himself. Someone who she wanted to emulate.
And that very man is currently badly wounded and minutes away from a watery grave, and she could do nothing.
But what can she do?
The answer came from an unexpected place.
She didn't know how she heard it; in the midst of her worries, she could feel something speaking to her. The words were archaic, a jumble of dialogue that she had nary an understanding of, nor did anyone else around her seem to notice.
But it rang true, and somehow, she felt it guiding her, telling her of her strength, and to believe in what she can do.
And suddenly, she came to a conclusion.
She didn't even notice herself taking those steps, the only thing she felt was the guiding call, her eyes trained on the falling 'Beast Warrior' who needed her help that moment.
It even took some time for the crew to realize what her intent was."
"Wh-Wha-?! Hey Erika-chan what are you doing?!" Brook suddenly gawked.
"Hey kid! Where are you going?" Then it was Sanji, his eyes widening as he witnessed the sudden action.
"Erika! Get away from there, it's dangerous!" Chopper called out. The little girl took in all their concerns.
But by that point she had already climbed up the rails of the Sunny.
"ERIKA!" Her father's fearful cry almost made her turn back, but she only gave a reassuring smile. And that, for a brief moment, the doctor was caught off guard.
"Oi! Did that kid get knocked on the head too hard?!" Franky shouted.
"Don't be rash." Robin urged.
Smiling, Erika once again turned her attention to the still plummeting Gian. She took a deep breath.
Then she jumped off the side of the Thousand Sunny.
"NO!" Dr. Shiragami cried out again
"AAAAHHHH! ERIKA!" Usopp cried.
"Shit! Somebody catch her!" Zoro called "What is she thinking?!"
Erika felt herself falling as well, the wind catching on her baggy clothes. She closed her eyes.
And felt her mind expand and scatter.
As for the rest of the Straw Hats, they could only wallow in their surprise when the girl changed into a glimmering wave of particles, swirling towards their falling crewmates!
"W-What just happened?" Usopp stumbled back.
"Did Erika do this? When was she capable of this?" Robin questioned.
"Erika…" Dr. Shiragami whispered. The droplets of sap shimmered with beautiful light, each one appears to outline the determined smile of his little girl.
And it was gathering towards 'Beast Warrior ' in abundance. Congregating and wrapping around him.
For Gian, he had been previously stuttering in and out of consciousness. The flaring pain of his ruined flesh was struggling to heal, and as he continued to fall he could just make out Luffy's outstretched arm trying to reach him. Try as he might, however, he just couldn't get his body to move.
And all of a sudden, he suddenly felt the air around him grow soothing and gentle.
"H-huh…?" Gian blinked, realizing the drops of particles floating around him. His body felt light, as if he were floating on clouds. The droplets continued to merge, it felt as if he was being held by an angel.
Then the sap formed up together, revealing a very familiar girl to him.
"E-Erika?"
The little girl only smiled, and Gian's moment of bewilderment was promptly interrupted when he remembered that he was still plummeting towards the ocean.
"What are you doing here?! I'm about to-!"
"Mr. Gian… it's ok!" Erika whispered "Everything's going to be fine!"
"Huh? How is-?" so focused on his present situation, Gian didn't realize that the speed at which was falling had indeed been slowed slightly. Perhaps it was due to the strange particle form that Erika too prior, or maybe he'd got his bearings back, his momentum had indeed been slowed.
Slow enough for Luffy's arm to finally wrap around him.
"Gotcha!" The captain grinned, causing Gian to look up with a start.
"Luffy!" the captain only grinned back, and the Kaiju-Zoan user caught sight of the relieved look that Nami gave him as well. After everything that had happened, they were finally back together again.
Eventually, their combined weight was getting to Billy, and the mutant duck promptly set them down just as the Thousand Sunny pulled up under them. All of them landed in a heap, prompting the crew to race over.
"Luffy! Gian!" said Zoro.
"That was crazy! Did you guys really have to go that far?" Usopp cried out in concern.
"Hey guys, look! Nami's back!" Luffy grinned.
"AHHH NAMI-SWAN, I HOPE THAT RUFFIAN DIDN'T HURT YOU AT ALL!" Sanji celebrated.
"Geez! I'm fine! It's not like I've never had to escape from capture before!" the navigator snapped, before her scowl broke into a warm smile as tears threatened to break.
"You guys… thank you…"
"ERIKA!" The crew parted as Dr. Shiragami raced towards his daughter, promptly scooping her up as father and daughter shared a well-deserved embrace, a sight that caused everyone else to smile gently.
"You… you… What were you thinking young lady?! Pulling a stunt like that! Did you even know what would happen?! Are you trying to give everyone a heart attack?" and soon, concern and worry gave way to responsibility from a rather irate father. Gian watched the scene with amusement, before suddenly realizing a new detail.
"Wait a minute…" he looked his body up and down. Previously wracked with pain, upon Erika's appearance none of his wounds were present. Every burn mark had miraculously cleared up, and he felt as good as new. With a gasp of astonishment, he turned to the little girl.
"My body… you did this, didn't you? You healed me…" he mumbled. But Erika only smiled back, and somehow, that told him all he needed to know.
With everyone on deck, after a wave of check ups. The remainder of their fall back down to the familiar seas they know was spent in relative silence, simply enjoying the end of a long struggle.
Later:
"Thank you for granting us passage, 'Straw Hat.'" Dr. Shiragami told a smiling Luffy "I promise we won't take up too much of your journey."
"Yes, thank you Mr. Luffy!" Erika bowed as well.
"Shishishi! Come on, you guys! We're all friends here! Erika is so nice she gave me food, this is nothing!"
Finally, things had begun to calm down. With the threat of an elder pirate now gone, the crew had resumed their journey towards Fishman Island. In the moments after, they were given another surprise in the form of Xiao and the other villagers enslaved by Shiki, who turned out to have the abilities of flight due to their own wing-like appendages. The Golden Lion was their oppressor too, and now that he's gone, they were free to settle elsewhere though not before giving profuse thanks to the crew for their actions.
"So… he's actually gone huh?" Zoro wondered "A former legend, and he meets his end at the hands of 2 upcoming powers. Not bad for a day's work."
"I mean, it felt a lot less exhilarating when you were the one doing it but yes, I don't think Shiki would be able to bother anyone anymore." Gian sighed.
"You did what you had to," Sanji assured him "don't let it weigh on you too much." Gian nodded slightly as he heard that; while he and Luffy were victorious, the path they took, or rather the path he forced both of them on, weighed on his mind. Never before had he felt such an intense onslaught of power from his Kaiju-Zoan before, it was something he'd need to look into.
"At least we've won." Robin murmured "When the world hears of this, there would be quite the shake up."
"Something tells me this news would not be one that the World Government would want to broadcast to the public."
"Well, everything is over now." Nami smiled from the railing. The navigator had been given an extensive check up courtesy of their doctor; all of them have but it was especially intricate for Luffy and Gian "I'm just glad you two are Ok, and now we can-"
"Now hang on a minute! You still have some explaining to do!"
"Eh?! Luffy?!" the captain leapt down from his spot at the Sunny's figurehead, an annoyed look plastered on his face as he held out his hand revealing a familiar item.
"What was all that about us not being able to win against Shiki? Why would you say something like that?! Why would you have so little faith in us?!"
"What are you talking about?!" Nami snapped back "Wait, why did you keep that thing?!"
"Luffy… did you not hear the whole message?" Usopp asked.
"He didn't, he stormed off before it finished broadcasting, remember?" Franky reminded him.
"Jeez, this is what you get for being impatient." Sanji sighed "You missed the entire last part!"
"Huh?! What's the last part?"
"You don't need to know!" Nami grew flustered upon hearing that, and moved to snatch away the tone dial.
"Actually, I wasn't there to hear that either." Gian shrugged "I'm kinda curious about it now!"
"It's not important, it has nothing to do with you!"
"Oi, I got captured too, thank you very much! I do believe that means I'm entitled to listen to this particular recording considering everyone else is involved."
"No! Wait! It's not-!" But Luffy had already pressed play, proceeding to play keep-away with the navigator.
"Well, I could see why she'd want to leave something like this behind." Gian mused as the contents of the recording began replaying again. Within the message, Nami expectedly stated her unfortunate situation, how she's decided to join Shiki's crew and her begging the rest of the crew to leave her. From the very beginning, there was clearly something more to it.
"Luffy… anyone can tell she doesn't mean anything she said in this…" Gian sighed.
"Well that's why I want to hear it!" the captain responded.
"Luffy! Throw that away now!" Nami shouted.\
"N-No Wait! That's a Tone Dial, it could be very valuable!" Usopp added.
"Give me the dial!"
"NO!"
"AHHH! YOU GUYS ARE GONNA DROP IT!"
And eventually, Luffy's clumsiness did result in the recording dial to fall into the ocean, disappointing him and Usopp while Nami let out a sigh of relief. Gian blinked, before slowly breaking into a smile; just before the dial fell beneath the waves, he managed to hear the final part of her message.
"...So please… if you hear this… please save me…"
"Skrehahahah!" And so Gian laughed; everything was right in the world again.
A/N: Time is an abstract concept, you never know it's there until you realize it. The same is with life, it goes on and you just go with it. I've moved from one job to a more professional one, and with it comes all the realities of real life and the joys and problems that come with it. I had visited friends this year, my puppy turned 1 year old in February, I had to get my tires changed, we got ourselves a new Zelda game and Genshin Impact still exists. Before you know it, half the year is over and it's now July! Everything-
G: Man, Just admit you forgot to write this.
Ehe…
We got a new chapter at last! And this is the penultimate chapter of Strong World. One Piece had gone through a lot of shit in the last while, we got new plot reveals and a bunch of things I'm still trying to figure out how to incorporate. And soon we're getting a Netflix live action adaptation too. It's getting a bit much to take in! So While Oda is recovering from eye surgery I'll drop this too, and I promise it won't take 8 months to do the next chapter! Next one will be an Epilogue of sorts for this arc and we will move on after.
Thank you for your continued support, and I'll see you soon.
