"Captain Buggy?" Cabaji asked.
"Yes, Cabaji?"
"Allow me to repay their disrespect."
"Fine! But, make it a good show for everyone."
Cabaji gave a fierce grin before leaping into the air. It was at that moment they all saw the unicycle under his feet which he swiftly landed on and began peddling, propelling himself towards them at high speed with his sword now drawn. "You may call me Acrobat Cabaji, Captain Buggy's Chief of Staff. You will pay for your insolence."
His sword was raised to strike Luffy down but before he could get any closer, Zoro suddenly appeared in front of him, his own blade blocking Cabaji's.
"I'll clash swords with you," he said.
"It's an honor, Roronoa Zoro," Cabaji said, trying to push the opposing swordsman away. "As a swordsman myself, I relish this chance to slay you." As he said that, his eyes drifted down and he noted the wound around Zoro's abdomen.
"Hey Zoro, you really should get some rest. Let me handle this guy," Luffy told him.
"Or I could do it," Sabine chimed in, cracking her knuckles. "I am kind of itching for a good fight."
Shang-Chi didn't comment, his focus locked in on Pulver.
"Just stay back," Zoro warned them. This was his fight, and he wouldn't allow anyone else to interfere.
"Seems like you have your hands full there, Cabaji," Pulver said, taking a few steps forward. "Perhaps I'll handle the runt then. I am looking to pay him back for our previous encounter."
But before he could make a move, Shang-Chi stepped forward, his left fist drawn in while his right hand formed a claw-like shape. "Funny," he said. "I was about to say the same thing."
Pulver snorted. "Get out of my way kid. I'm in no rush to beat your ass again."
"You surprised me before," Shang-Chi told him. "That will not happen this time."
"Alright, I guess I'll take care of you fast then." In the span of an instant, Pulver had tensed his legs and then shot right for Shang-Chi, the domed helmet ready to strike his chest.
But Shang-Chi was faster. Others may have missed it, but he had been trained to see the small details and he'd noticed the tensing and knew what would happen. As Pulver had rocketed towards him, he had thrown himself backwards, bending his spine all the way so that Pulver flew right over him, their chests only an inch apart. Shang-Chi planted his hands above his head and let his momentum carry him backward, pushing down on his hands to lift himself up into a handstand. He saw, upside down, that Pulver had stopped himself in the street and was starting to turn around, probably to attack again. But Shang-Chi didn't let him, pushing off from the street and twirling his legs to swiftly kick his opponent in the face as hard as he could, knocking Pulver aside.
He landed in a crouch in the same second Pulver hit the ground, already ready to resume the fight. Pulver spat and the glared up at him, quickly getting up himself. "You're going to pay for that."
"Are you going to talk? Or are you going to fight?"
Pulver just growled before rocketing at Shang-Chi again who prepared to dodge again. However, in those seconds that Pulver was in the air, he tensed his legs and shot forward even faster. Shang-Chi barely had time to put his arms in front of him in an attempt to block the strike. The domed helmet hit him right in his forearm and he felt an immense amount of pain shooting from it right before he was launched backwards, Pulver carrying him down the street and away from the others.
Shang-Chi tried to push himself away but Pulver just grabbed ahold of him. "Uh, uh, uh," he said. "Let's see how you handle this." He pushed off again midair and they shot forward even faster. Then, Pulver twisted his legs so they faced the sky right before shooting off again, aimed right for the street below.
Shang-Chi wanted to escape but the pain and constant jumping around had dulled his senses, so all he could do was brace himself as well as he could as Pulver slammed him into the ground, cracking it apart on impact. Shang-Chi groaned, his whole back aflame.
"Still think you can beat me kid?" Pulver asked as he rose up. "What a joke. There ain't no way the Buggy Pirates lose to a bunch of punk-nosed brats sticking their noses where they don't belong."
He brought his leg down but Shang-Chi grabbed hold of it, stopping it before it could hit him.
"Still underestimating us? Bad move."
"Let…go," Pulver warned, struggling to break free but Shang-Chi's grip was like iron. He tightened his hold, squeezing it hard and causing Pulver to grimace. He was hoping he could break it but like he suspected, the Devil Fruit that Pulver had was reinforcing his legs somehow. And by the way he was tensing, he was about to use it now. Shang-Chi twisted the leg aside and let go right before Pulver shot skyward again.
"Too close," he muttered, eyeing Pulver in the sky carefully, waiting. A second later, he heard it. The sonic boom and he instinctively dodged to the side right before Pulver could strike him, hitting and cracking the ground apart even more. He attacked swiftly, trying to bring his opponent down before he could attack again, but he was too slow, Pulver dodging and preparing to counter himself.
He shot forward and Shang-Chi dodged around it, flipping his foot around to catch Pulver in the chest as he flew by, sending him off course so that he skidded across the ground until he bounced off a support beam for a canopy.
The guy was fast. Faster than Shang-Chi would have preferred. And it seemed in the time he'd been on his own, he'd neglected his training as he was already starting to breathe harder. Plus, the strike to his arm was pretty bad. Given his extensive training, he had a lot of tolerance for punishment, but he was still pretty sure it was fractured, possibly broken.
It might have seemed like an easy fight but Pulver's high speed rocket power and the way he moved around in the air made him a formidable opponent. Shang-Chi needed something to give him an edge. Pulver could close the distance between them in an instant, but if Shang-Chi could just keep him at a distance for a little while, just maybe…
He took in all the rubble strewn about from their duel as well as the support beam Pulver had crashed into, a plan forming. He acted on it without thinking much, knowing time was not on his side. With one foot, he lifted up a large chunk of broken concrete and deftly kicked it hard right for Pulver.
"Ha, you missed!" Pulver laughed as the chunk shot past him.
"Did I?"
The rock struck the pillar instead, crashing right through it. Almost instantly, the large canopy collapsed on top of Pulver, bringing him down.
As soon as Shang-Chi and Pulver had left, Zoro and Cabaji had resumed their fight. Cabaji had managed to gain the upper hand by somehow breathing fire into Zoro's face and then kicking him in his wounded torso. He then had created a dust cloud that caught Zoro off guard, allowing Cabaji to kick him again.
"What's this? It's such a disgraceful sight to see a grown man moaning," Cabaji snorted as Zoro gasped and groaned on the ground, holding onto his injury. "I suppose now you can see how foolish it was to make an enemy of the Buggy Pirates."
"To keep fighting with such a bad injury, he's crazy," Nami muttered in astonishment. "He's hurt so bad, I don't know how he's managing to stay in the fight."
"That's Zoro for you," Sabine said, her fists clenched. She desperately wanted to help but she didn't think she could do that for him. He definitely wouldn't appreciate it. But still, seeing him in this much pain, even if they'd only known each other for like a day at this point, made her sick. And even though Luffy had a stoic expression, she could tell he felt the same.
"Why are you two just standing there watching him? He's gonna get himself killed you know!"
Neither of them replied, just kept watching.
"Roronoa Zoro," Cabaji said, wheeling his unicycle into position, "is finished!"
He started cycling at Zoro full speed.
"You annoying little bastard."
Sabine gasped inwardly as Zoro suddenly stood up and faced the man. "You having fun poking in my wound? Then go ahead," he challenged.
A second later, he did, Cabaji's blade striking Zoro's injury and cutting straight through it, ripping Zoro's side open.
Sabine and Nami gasped in horror while Luffy clenched his teeth tightly. "Ouchie," he muttered, feeling almost like that knife had struck him instead.
"You damn fool," Sabine murmured.
"Why didn't you dodge his attack?" Nami asked.
"Is that enough of a handicap for ya?" Zoro asked, turning to face Cabaji again with a devilish grin on his face. He was in an enormous amount of pain, more than he'd felt in years since his days training. But the thought of losing to someone like this was even more painful, so he just gritted his teeth and bore it. "And now let me show you just how superior my skills are to yours," he said.
"Yeah Zoro! Get him!" Luffy cheered loudly.
"Ow, my ear!" Sabine complained next to him.
"You fool. You've made a vast error in judgment. I won't be mocked," Cabaji warned him.
"My swords aim to be the world's greatest," Zoro replied. "I refuse to lose even once to anyone who calls himself a swordsman."
"I see. A strong resolve keeps you going. But have no fear. Wounds as bad as yours will be more than enough of an excuse," he said, holding up his blade, "to losing to me."
"To hell with that," Zoro practically snarled. "If I lose to someone like you, even with these minimal injuries, then I don't have a very bright future ahead of me do I?" He then placed his third sword in his mouth and prepared for battle. Nothing more needed to be said. Time to talk with their blades.
"Why you…" Cabaji growled, trembling with fury.
"Alright, yeah!" Luffy cheered loudly.
"If you're going to keep doing that, then I'm going to move over here," Sabine told him, shifting to the side.
Nami watched for another second before a thought struck her. "I won't stay and watch this," she said, walking away to Luffy's surprise. Sabine raised an eyebrow, watching her carefully. "You pirates can stand around for the rest of time and kill each other for all I care. I mean it doesn't matter to me whether you guys win or lose. I'm gonna take this opportunity to swipe their treasure and get out of here." She turned back, offering a sly smile. "Maybe we can team-up again if we ever get the chance. See ya! Good luck with the fight!"
And just like that she was gone.
"Yeah thanks! See ya!"
"Luffy!" Sabine cried, bonking him on the head.
"Ow! Why'd you do that?"
"She's going after the chart too! You know, the chart of the Grand Line!" she reminded him. "The one we want!"
"Oh yeah. Oh no!" Luffy cried as it dawned on him. "She's gonna take the chart!"
"Don't worry, I'm on it," Sabine sighed, racing after Nami and hoping she could catch up with the girl. "Bye Zoro. Don't die, ok."
Zoro didn't respond, his eyes locked with Cabaji's as each opponent sized the other up before Cabaji unleashed a storm of apparent 'kamizake tops' at Zoro. Unbeknownst to any of them, a certain Buggy Pirate with a snake noticed Nami and Sabine race off and quietly made her escape from the gathering as well.
"As soon as I'm out of here, I'm gonna pulverize you!" Pulver roared, still struggling with the canopy.
Shang-Chi grimaced. "Oh no. Please tell me that's not a catchphrase. Though it's not much better if he just thought it up on the spot."
Still, this was his opening. He crossed the distance in a heartbeat, his foot striking against the man's head, laying him flat.
"You little…" Pulver managed before Shang-Chi walloped him again, using his fist this time though he did hiss in pain as his injured arm throbbed. He then planted his foot into the ground and slammed his other foot into Pulver's exposed chest, knocking him back several feet.
"Stay down," Shang-Chi muttered, mostly in warning but a small part in hope.
"Not a chance, punk," Pulver groaned, rising up to his hands and knees. "I will never let my captain down by losing to someone like you."
"Same here."
"Heh." Without another word, Pulver tensed his legs and Shang-Chi prepared for an attack but instead he shot upwards, breaking right through the stony balcony above them. Shang-Chi frowned at the unexpected move. Was he trying to escape?
Then he felt the sudden change in the air and his eyes shot to the area just above him as it cracked, Pulver shooting through right for him. Shang-Chi tried to dodge aside but instead got caught by falling debris, a large piece of concrete striking his shoulder and knocking him off balance.
A second later, he was sent flying back as Pulver slammed into him again. Shang-Chi coughed up blood as he fell back down, landing badly on the ground.
"Had enough yet?"
Shang-Chi just managed to stumble to his feet, shaking his head to regain his bearings. Things were not looking good for him right now, but he couldn't quit. He had to finish this.
Remember your training, he told himself. As much as he loathed that time of his life, it was still an important time for him. One that had shaped him into who he was today. He couldn't waste any more time like this. If they kept this up, he would have to guess Pulver's stamina would outlast his. He had managed to land several devastating blows on Shang-Chi and had received only glancing blows in return.
He began channeling his energy into his palms, ready for the next attack.
"Still going? Well, this next one will finish you!" Pulver tensed his legs and shot forward again, his domed helmet aiming right for Shang-Chi's heart.
"Twin Tiger Strike!"
Shang-Chi's palms shot forward as he took a step, coming at Pulver at just the right time, the strength within them combined with the momentum stopping Pulver dead in the air, Shang-Chi's fingers digging sharply into his collarbones, like the claws of a tiger.
"Wha…" Pulver blinked before wincing. "Ow! What the hell! Let go!"
Shang-Chi did, to Pulver's surprise, throwing himself to the ground. His hands caught him, coiling up to spring himself right back up, his legs now coiled, ready to lash out.
"Horse stamp!"
Shang-Chi recalled training day and night, kicking that tree over and over, smashing those boards with his legs, kicking off the walls and smashing the ground with them. Again and again until the muscles in his legs felt as hard as steel. Now, Pulver got a full dose of that as Shang-Chi's feet sprang directly into his solar plexus, sending him flying into the wall and cracking it, blood now spraying from his lips as he collapsed clumsily to the ground.
"You…who are you?" he mumbled, breathing deeply.
"I am Shang-Chi, member of…actually we haven't come up with our name yet. Huh. We should probably fix that. I'll just say the Luffy Pirates for now, but that well definitely not be our name."
"They're not normal, none of them," Nami muttered to herself as she ran away. "If I join up with them I can tell that nothing good will come of it." Though as she ran, she felt a brief stab of doubt in her heart and she wondered who she was trying to convince by saying that.
She made her way to the pirates' encampment and found the cellar where she'd noticed earlier they kept all the treasure. She hoisted up some fallen timbers and started walking down the ladder, passing an unconscious pirate and barrels of rum towards the back door.
"Here we are," she said, raising one of the small beams of wood. "Now I steal their treasure and chart and get the hell out of here." She brought the beam down, shattering the lock and opening the door.
"I hope you don't mean our chart."
"Gah!" Nami shrieked, turning to see Sabine watching her from the top of the steps. "What are you doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious? I've come for the chart. You're welcome to the treasure, I'm not really interested in that. But we need that chart for the Grand Line."
Nami winced, trying to think fast. She wanted that chart. It would be worth a lot of money if she could sell it but also, she kind of wanted it for herself. As a navigator, to actually see a chart of the Grand Line was a dream come true. She was sure she'd never really fulfill her dream of mapping the entire world, but this could help her at least visualize it. She didn't want them to have it.
But she'd also seen Sabine fight. And while she may still have that injury, she was still formidable and Nami wasn't sure she could beat her. She just needed to do what she did best. Lie and steal.
"Oh no problem," Nami said, waving her hand easily, all the while grinning. "I really just want the treasure anyway."
"Uh huh," Sabine said dryly. "That sure sounds believable. Look, I know you're up to something with that chart. I don't know why you want it so bad and frankly I don't care. I'm taking it, whether you like it or not."
"I just said you can have it, you don't have to be so rude about it," Nami said, smile still plastered on her face.
"Oh please, I've made that same face over and over again my entire life," Sabine snorted. "I know another liar when I see one. Look, just let us have it or things will get messy."
Nami began to sweat a little. It would seem that it would be a little harder to get through this than she thought. This whole day was turning into a huge disaster, way worse than the time she and fellow thief Carina had gotten caught by Mad Treasure. Well, it seemed like she didn't have any choice but to let Sabine have it for now. With the way things were going, the Buggy Pirates would soon win and hopefully in the chaos she could steal the chart back and then get the hell out of here.
"Ok, fine," she said, sighing. "I give up. You can have the chart. I promise I won't stop you."
"Good. Now- GAH!"
Nami shrieked when a large snake suddenly wrapped around Sabine, tying her arms to her sides and stopping her from moving.
"Good boy, Pythagoras. You've made mommy very happy."
Nami felt a clench of fear as the woman she'd seen earlier descended the stairs, smiling evilly at them. "Now, what to do with you little thieves, huh?"
"Pirates?" Pulver questioned as he sat up. "You rabble are pirates? What a joke."
"Well this joke just kicked your ass."
"Ha," Pulver muttered, shifting a little. "You just caught me by surprise. But don't worry, I'm about to return the favor."
"Wha-" Shang-Chi started to say before he finally noticed Pulver's feet positioned right in front of a large chunk of fallen stone. "Oh."
"Cannon boost!"
The stone rocketed through the air and Shang-Chi leapt up to meet it, striking it with his foot and smashing it to bits, but he only had seconds to enjoy his victory as just as the stone came apart, Pulver appeared in its place, having swiftly rocketed himself forward as well. Shang-Chi's eyes widened but he reacted fast, grabbing hold of Pulver's shoulder to flip himself over the man.
He was stopped, however, when Pulver suddenly grabbed hold of his arm. "Not so fast kid. We're going for a ride."
They zoomed through the air before Pulver twisted around, his legs pointing down and then shooting them both up to the sky. Shang-Chi felt his insides swirl around as they moved, not used to such movements. He tried to break free of Pulver's grip but it was like iron. He tried to kick or punch the man but couldn't gain any real momentum or force with all the moving to do any real damage. All he really did was annoy him a little.
"This is it for you kid!" Pulver roared as he twisted around again, his legs moving to face the sky and pushing them back down to the ground at high speed. Shang-Chi's eyes widened in realization as they rocketed to the concrete street, Pulver primed to shove him right into it. Panic flashed across his body but he stifled it, focusing. Just as the ground rushed up, he wrapped his legs around Pulver's waist and took hold of the wrist holding him, twisting it back while pushing down on Pulver with his legs, effectively flipping them.
"Wait, wha-" was all Pulver managed before they hit the ground, Pulver's body creating a large human-shaped crater in the concrete.
Shang-Chi slumped, releasing his grip, the impact having rocked his whole body. He might not have taken the brunt of it, but that landing hadn't done him any favors. Still, it had taken out Pulver. Shang-Chi stood up, stretching a little, staring at the prone body. "Well, that's that then. Now-"
Pulver's feet suddenly shot up, striking Shang-Chi right in the chest. He only had time to think uh oh before he felt an intense pressure shoot through him, like he'd just been struck like a cannonball and was the cannonball at the same time as he was blasted back by some force, flying across the street into a large building, crashing straight through the doors and into the hallway, landing on some stairs and breaking through the wooden beams.
"Oh…" he murmured. He hadn't felt so much pain since his training days. He guessed those days were the only reason he was alive. A blow with such force like that should have blown his body apart, but thanks to his father his muscles and bones were tougher and stronger than most, not to mention his own will. Still, there was definitely some internal damage there that he would have to take care of.
Later. First, he had to finish this.
Buggy was getting tired of this so as Cabaji cycled up the building and managed to leap into the air above Zoro, ready to strike down, he sent one of his hands shooting across the courtyard. "Ground Hugging Chop-Chop Cannon!" he roared as it went right for the swordsman. "Cabaji! I'll hold him! You finish him off!"
"Done."
Damn it! Zoro thought, looking between the two coming at him, not knowing which he should deflect first, his injury wearing him down. But before he could act, Luffy's foot came stomping on Buggy's hand.
"AHHHHH!" Buggy screamed, holding his arm in agony.
Now able to act, Zoro dodged Cabaji's strike and rolled to the side. "Luffy," he said gratefully, looking over at his captain.
"You bastard!" Buggy cried.
Luffy grinned at him. "If you want to fight someone, how about me?" he challenged.
Sabine tried to push back but the snake felt like it was made of pure iron, squeezing her tightly. If not for her own armor, she probably would be having her bones crushed right now.
"You know, I've never met a Mandalorian before," the woman said, pouting a little. "So sad that I'll have to kill the first one I meet."
"Or, and hear me out, you don't and we just pretend this never happened. Huh? How about it?"
The woman pulled out a long knife from…somewhere.
"That would be a no."
"I've heard that armor of yours is indestructible, but if my captain was able to get you, I'm sure I'll find a way," the woman grinned. "Yah!"
"Whoa!" Sabine instinctively backed up as the woman lashed out, still struggling with the stupid snake. Her armor might not be in danger but that blade had been about to gouge her artwork. "Hey watch it lady! If you put even a scratch in my paintjob, I'll kick your ass so hard it's going to turn at least seven different colors. Maybe eight!"
"You should be more concerned with yourself than that ridiculous mess."
"Mess?" Sabine gasped. "Oh that's crossing the line…whatever your name is. Now I'm definitely going to kick your ass."
The woman suddenly stopped before she could attack again. "Oh I'm sorry, how rude of me. I didn't get the chance to properly introduce myself. I am Zelda, the Princess Python of the Buggy Pirates. And don't think I don't see you there, dearie," she said, turning to Nami who had been inching to the corner. "Don't worry. Once I'm finished up with your friend here, I'll make sure to take care of you in a…special way." She licked her lips as she said that, making Sabine's stomach turn.
"W-we're not really friends, you know," Nami stammered.
"Yeah, more reluctant allies than anything, and even that's kind of stretching it."
"Do I look like I care?" Zelda spat. "Just stay there, you stinking traitor, while I handle this."
As she turned back to Sabine, the Mandalorian girl did her best to stretch out her arms but she didn't think she'd even made an inch of progress. The damn snake was too freaking strong. Worst of all, she could no longer see the head. She had a feeling it was sniffing around for one of the weak spots in her armor and that at any minute she would feel its fangs sinking into her. She needed to find a way out of this.
She could still move her hands and fingers. It wasn't much, but she would take it. If she could just time this right, then maybe she had a chance. Zelda came at her again, scanning for her weak points, and Sabine acted, just managing to twist her wrist in the right direction and pressing down on the button. Her grappling line shot out from her gauntlet right for Zelda.
"Ack!" the woman screamed but moved too late, the line striking her in the hand and knocking her blade away.
"Damn," Sabine cursed under her breath. She'd been aiming for Zelda's neck. Now the element of surprise was gone.
"I'll get you for that. Pythagoras, strike!"
The snake's head suddenly appeared over Sabine's shoulder and she flinched as it slunk across her helmet, its forked tongue leering in and out. It then opened its mouth and tested its very large and scary fangs against her helmet. Sabine knew they couldn't penetrate but she became very worried when the snake gave up after a few seconds, instead going right for her throat.
Uh oh, Sabine thought, panicking. If the snake was able to move her helmet even slightly, then it wouldn't take much for those fangs to penetrate. Acting fast, she slammed her body backwards into the wall, the snake taking the brunt of it.
It hissed loudly in rage, before giving her the evil eye, moving itself into strike position.
Come on Sabine!
If the snake's head was out, that must mean its tail was out too. Luckily, Sabine could just see it sticking out from her waist, in easy reach of her hand. She grabbed hold of it just as the head came to attack, yanking with all the strength she could muster. The snake hissed even louder, throwing its head back in rage and pain. She pulled even harder on the tail, hoping to encourage it to leave but it just got madder. It glared at her wrist and struck so fast it looked like a green blur. But luck was with her again as its fangs bounced off her gauntlet.
"Ha!" Sabine cheered. "Better luck next time you stinking…" She stopped as she saw movement from the corner of her eye and saw Zelda come rushing towards her down the stairs.
"You'll die for hurting my baby!"
"YAAHHH!" Sabine screamed, throwing her head back to avoid the knife blow coming for her neck, but started to slip, leaning too far out. She scrambled to regain her footing but Zelda came at her again and she had no choice but to fall.
"AHHHH!"
"Huh?" the pirate at the bottom of the stairs suddenly said, having woken up. "Wazz going o- ack!" he screeched as Sabine landed right on top of him, laying him flat.
Sabine groaned too, her body aching slightly though the pirate did break her fall. And, bonus, she felt the snake's grip loosen and saw it somehow had a dazed expression. She could move her arms again. "Yes!" she cried out, ready to finally strike back. But she apparently had underestimated the recovery time of a snake as it swiftly hissed and started wrapping around her again. "Oh come on!" she growled in annoyance. "Not this time, slinky!" She tried to grab its head but it was too fast so she grabbed an upper part of its body, grunting from the pressure as she held it at bay.
"How dare you!"
Sabine turned to see Zelda coming at her once again. She tried to reach for her pistol with her free hand but the snake was faster this time, its tail wrapping around that arm and holding it tight. Sabine grimaced as Zelda approached, desperately trying to think of something.
CLINK!
Sabine blinked as Nami appeared in front of her, her staff blocking the knife blow.
"You still alive in there, punk?"
Shang-Chi groaned but managed to get to his feet. He wobbled for a second but gained his footing and carefully made his way back out of the building, glaring over at Pulver who had his dome-head aimed right for him.
"Guess you are. Should have stayed down. Would have been less painful."
He shot forward, but Shang-Chi was ready for it, dodging just enough to the side for Pulver to brush right past him.
"I will end this," he promised, raising his fist. "With one blow."
"Oh will you now?"
Shang-Chi dodged again as Pulver came from behind, feeling the wind rush by.
"Then I guess it's time to whip out my strongest move. I usually save this for enemy ships and the like so be grateful you get to witness it before you die. Cannon Barrage!"
He blasted through the air, coming at Shang-Chi again even faster than before, forcing him to dodge and having Pulver strike the ground. Or he would have, except his legs twisted below him to land smoothly and he turned towards Shang-Chi again, launching himself and forcing Shang-Chi back to avoid the blow.
He's getting faster, Shang-Chi realized, watching as Pulver shot up into the air only to twist around and fire off to the side before coming at Shang-Chi again. He kept doing that, constantly using his power to strike at Shang-Chi over and over. I can't keep dodging forever. I need to focus.
He moved too slowly this time, Pulver knocking right into his shoulder and almost dislocating it. Shang-Chi grimaced but managed to right himself in time to avoid the next blow.
"That was not focusing," he mumbled.
He took a deep breath, ignoring all the pain in his body and channeling his inner strength. He could feel the way the wind moved, the force of Pulver's power in the air. He'd trained so extensively in dodging projectiles. In the rain, in the snow, while blindfolded, all of it. And now it all rushed back to him. He could do this.
From the side.
He dodged, Pulver shooting past him.
"Ah, so close."
From the back.
He whirled to the side, dodging again.
From above.
He shuffled backwards right before Pulver hit the ground and then dodged to the side again to avoid Pulver's next attack.
"You can't keep this up forever. And all it will take is one hit from me to finish you."
From the right.
From the back.
From above.
From the front.
Shang-Chi kept moving, feeling the air currents and watching Pulver as closely as he could. All the while, he focused his energy, drawing on as much strength as he could. Every now and then, Pulver got lucky, striking Shang-Chi in the side or the shoulder or the leg. And every time he ignored it, just kept going.
It was time.
Pulver had come to a stop directly in front of him. Shang-Chi could hear him panting a little, the constant barrage having taken its toll on him. But he could also sense the tensing in Pulver's legs, stronger than before.
"You're quick. But there's no way you can dodge this one," Pulver told him.
"I don't plan to," Shang-Chi replied, getting into his stance, fist cocked.
"Say goodbye, kid! There's no way you would have beaten the Buggy Pirates anyway! So this is where you go down!" Pulver roared, launching himself with so much force that the ground shattered when he lifted off, hurtling forward.
And Shang-Chi moved, his fist coming down the exact second Pulver took off, slamming into his helmet with every ounce of strength Shang-Chi had. He felt the pain and pressure shoot up his arm but he didn't let up, pushing down as hard as he could until Pulver's head struck the ground, tearing into it as he finally came into a stop.
Shang-Chi slowly stood up straight, sighing in relief. Below him, Pulver lay with his eyes rolled back and his tongue splayed out. There was a large fist-shaped dent in his helmet.
"Like I said," Shang-Chi told him. "One blow."
That was all he managed before he slumped over, collapsing next to Pulver.
As Luffy and Buggy faced off, Zoro still panted on the ground, trying to get back up. He hated how weak he felt right now. He was supposed to be the greatest swordsman in the world and yet he was getting beaten by this guy? He refused to let that happen.
"I assure you, I don't need my captain's help to finish you off," Cabaji said, leering over him.
"Enough," Zoro growled back, mustering all his remaining strength. "I'm tired of this."
Cabaji laughed at him. "So you've finally given up, have you? I must say I'm quite impressed you lasted that long with such serious injuries."
"I think you misunderstood. I'm tired of watching your boring little sideshow."
"So sorry to have disappointed you," Cabaji replied, his eyebrow twitching in anger. "How about my real swordsman skills." He raised his blade and began peddling madly. "Die Zoro!"
But as he moved, so did Zoro, crossing his blades over his chest. "Oni Giri!" he cried, rushing to meet Cabaji's strike. His blades crossed back, cutting right through Cabaji's defense like it was nothing, leaving three red slashes across the man's chest.
"Cabaji!" Buggy cried out in alarm while Luffy grinned.
"I can't believe the Buggy Pirates were defeated by petty thieves," Cabaji mumbled as he fell off his unicycle and collapsed on the ground, his consciousness fading away.
"We aren't petty thieves," Zoro corrected right before his legs finally gave out and he slumped to the ground, his whole body roiling in pain. "We're pirates. Luffy, I'm going to sleep," he added before letting his consciousness fade away too.
"Good. I'm looking forward to this!" Luffy said, raising his fist toward Buggy in anticipation.
"So you want to die first, little girl?" Zelda sneered at Nami. "Fine by me!" She whipped her knife around to strike at Nami's arm who only just managed to jump back in time. The knife came again, whipping around swiftly with Nami only barely blocking or avoiding her attacks, but Zelda just laughed and kept on going. Her arm was like a snake, coiling through the air and then spring forward to strike. And whenever Nami even attempted a counterattack, Zelda danced easily out of the way.
She won't last, Sabine thought to herself. She had to help Nami. But first, she had to deal with this damn thing. She growled as the snake she held squirmed in her grip, trying to break free to bite her, its jaws snapping periodically at her helmet. She could feel its body trying to bind her right arm as well as twist around her left one to trap her again, but she wouldn't let it.
"Ok, let's try this," she said and moved her right arm forward against the snake's exposed belly before twisting it around, wrapping even more of the snake across her arm. She kept it up, moving her arm constantly as she kept tying more and more of the snake's body around her. The snake didn't seem to notice at first, still trying its best to attack her, but soon it began to realize what was happening and tried to free itself, wriggling desperately.
"Too late, you ugly worm," Sabine told it. While her right arm was beginning to burn from holding up the entire snake on its own, she was still able to grab hold of the head with her wrist, holding it firmly there. Now, with her left arm free to move, she moved to grab the snake's head and smash it into the ground.
THWACK!
Sabine turned as she saw Nami's staff go flying and the girl land badly on her back, Zelda standing over triumphantly. "I do so like playing with my food, but I have other things to do now so goodbye!"
BANG!
Sabine's pistol was out of its holster and firing before she could think about it. But, somehow, Zelda twisted her body out of the way in time.
"What the hell?" Sabine muttered before firing again. And again, Zelda dodged it, her body coiling out of the way before the bullet could strike her.
"That won't work on me," Zelda laughed. "I'm so in tune with my baby Pythagoras there that my muscles and bones have become like his."
"That doesn't make any sense!" Nami complained from the ground.
"It doesn't have to make sense. It just has to work."
"Fine, snake lady," Sabine said, now pointing the gun right at Pythoras's head. "Let's see if your 'baby' can do the same thing all wrapped up like this."
"You wouldn't dare!" Zelda seethed. "I will flay you alive!"
"Or, alternatively, you can let us go," Sabine offered. "How does that sound?"
"Never!" Zelda declared. "There's no way I can let common thieves like you get away with this.
"Common?" Nami glared.
"Thieves?" Sabine questioned. "I'm a pirate. I mean, I know it only happened recently, but still. I'm no thief."
"You…are a pirate?" Zelda asked, eyes widening a little. "And the rest of you are pirates as well?"
"Last time I checked."
"Well now…that's just absurd."
"That's a little rude, but ok. Now look, I've got your stupid pet facing a gun right now so why don't you just calm down and let us go before I show you-HEY!" she cried out as the snake suddenly struck at the gun, latching onto it. "Let go you damn e-"
CRUNCH!
Before Sabine could pull the trigger, the snake's jaws clamped shut, smashing through the barrel of the gun and leaving the rest of it in pieces.
"Oh come on!" she complained. "That was my favorite gun!"
"Sabine! Look out!"
Sabine looked up at Nami's cry but was too late as Zelda's foot struck her in the stomach, right beneath her breastplate. She felt the wind rush out of her lungs as she fell back, smacking into the wall. She found she had still managed to hold onto the snake somehow but it was writhing around madly now.
A Shadow fell over her and she saw Zelda coming right for her, knife raised to strike, and her foot lashed out to stop her. Zelda twisted her whole body back in time, catching herself.
"Release Pythogoras at once!" she commanded.
"Or what, you'll stab me?" Sabine asked sarcastically. "You're going to do that anyway. Nuh uh, this ugly bastard is staying put. Stop that!" she barked as the snake tried again to bite her gauntlet, its fangs still failing to penetrate.
"Do you know I like to coat my daggers in different kinds of poison?" Zelda asked in a suddenly conversational tone.
"No. How could I possibly have known that? We just met. And how do you avoid pricking yourself?"
"Carefully."
"Seems like too much of a hassle to me."
"Well no one asked you."
"Yeah you did, like two seconds ago."
"That wasn't- Gah! You are so annoying. That's it. This is the end for you!"
As Zelda came for her again, more careful this time, Sabine reached around for her other gun while hoping Nami might come through for her again somehow. However, one quick glance around the cellar showed that Nami was nowhere in sight.
Damn it! She ran out on me! Sabine inwardly cried. Well, don't know what I was expecting from her. Guess I'll just have to make it on my own. Don't worry captain, I won't lose to this woman. Or her stupid snake.
Nami dashed down the street she'd come, trying to get as far away as possible. There was no way she could fight off that scary snake lady. As much as she hated it, she would just have to forget about the treasure and the chart for now. She could always come back for them later. Right now, survival was the most important thing. She felt a pang of guilt for leaving Sabine behind like that, but what else could she do? Sabine would be fine, she seemed like a good enough fighter. And if not, well, she was still a pirate. One less in the world was always a good thing.
Right?
Arlong's terrifying smile crossed her mind. The bang of the gun that destroyed her world echoed in her head. Him and all the other pirates out there, they were nothing but scum who made ordinary people's lives a living hell.
And yet…this crew seemed different. Luffy had gone out of his way to protect the dog's store and his food. And then he'd knocked out the mayor so he wouldn't die. And the others had all gone along with no question. They weren't after the treasure, they said so. They weren't attacking Buggy for fame and glory. They were doing it to defend the town.
But they were still pirates. Nami just couldn't shake that off. Pirates had caused her so much pain. She could never forgive them.
But could she let one die?
Buggy stared down at the fallen Mohji and Cabaji in disbelief. Two of his headliners fallen just like that to a bunch of scrawny kids who were apparently also pirates. But before he could really contemplate that, a body crashed down in the middle of the street, startling him.
"Ah! Pulver!" he gasped, recognizing the figure. "What happened to you?"
"Pulver…" Buggy turned and saw the other kid approach, leaning heavily against the wall, "…had a bad day."
"Shangy!" Luffy cheered. "I knew you could do it!"
"Thanks captain," Shang-Chi replied. His whole body was sore and his fist felt like it was being soaked in lava right now. But he'd won. He then sank to the ground, still leaning against the wall. "If it's alright with you, I'm just gonna take a little break here."
"Yeah, you rest up. I've got this," Luffy told him, turning back to Buggy who was still in a state of shock.
"You guys are pirates?" he questioned disbelievingly.
"Why does everyone keep asking that? It's a little hurtful," Shang-Chi muttered.
"Yeah. We're searching for the Grand Line," Luffy said.
"Ha! That's not an easy voyage you know," Buggy laughed. He knew personally how bad the Grand Line was. It was only thanks to Roger and the other pirates on the Oro Jackson that he had survived. "And I don't think a few half-wits the likes of you can handle it."
"Well…we did take down your crew," Shang-Chi reminded him. "So what does that say about you?"
"Shut it you! Pulver may have been beaten but you look half-dead yourself! I bet one kick from me will finish you off."
"Try it!" Luffy growled.
Buggy glared back at him. He so wanted to fillet the kid but he and his apparent crew had peaked his interest for a time. "So what will you do if by some miracle you make it to the Grand Line? Go on a sight-seeing tour or something? Hahahahaha!"
Luffy stared right back at him, having had enough of his laughter. "Be King of the Pirates."
"Ack!" Buggy gasped. "You can't be serious, you idiot! If you were King of the Pirates, then that would make me God! There's only one who could be King of the Pirates and obtain all this world's treasures and that's gonna be me, you got it?"
"You're annoying," Luffy decided, cocking his fist. His crewmates were injured because of this man's crew, but they had won. Now, it was his turn. "Let's go ahead and settle this."
In the meantime, Shang-Chi had spotted Zoro sleeping on the ground and decided that that wasn't too bad of an idea, closing his eyes as he leaned back. He didn't see Sabine or Nami anywhere, but he hoped they were ok.
Eight daggers popped out from Buggy's fists as he prepped himself. He now realized what he disliked most about this kid. "Seeing that straw hat brings back memories of him and that really gets my blood boiling, so bring it on you wannabe pirate." His mind flashed back again to their time on the crew. They had been close, once. The best of pals really. But after Roger's death, they had split and now all Buggy could think of were the times he'd been let down by his so-called friend. Especially with his money-making schemes. "You remind me of him. That damn, cheeky, red-haired pirate."
"What did you say?" Luffy asked, eyes widening. "The red-hair. Wait, are you saying you knew my old friend Shanks?"
At that name, Shang-Chi's consciousness surfaced for a second. Shanks? he thought. The Shanks? No, there's no way those two know him. Two small-time pirates like them acquaintances of a Pirate Emperor? Like that could happen.
With that thought, his mind drifted away in unconsciousness.
"That's right. I knew Shanks once," Buggy said.
"You know where he is now?"
"I don't know. I guess that depends, Straw Hat. Maybe I do and maybe I don't."
Luffy stared at him, confused. "What are you talking about? Did you forget?"
"NO I DIDN'T FORGET YOU MORON!"
Buggy lifted up his daggers. "But I'm not just gonna tell you where he is out of the kindness of my heart. You have to work for that info."
"Fine," Luffy grinned. "Then I'll make you tell me."
Buggy just laughed. He was a veteran of the Grand Line, a former member of the Roger Pirates. His men may have been defeated, but there was no way a little runt like Straw Hat here would ever beat him. "You can give it your best shot, but I don't like your chances," he said, stomping his foot and revealing a hidden knife in his boot. "I doubt rubber can bounce back from a blade."
Luffy nodded. "You're right."
BANG! BANG!
Sabine had just managed to grab her other gun but it didn't seem to be doing much good as every time she fired it, Zelda just stretched out of the way.
"That won't work on me," she said in an annoying sing-song voice.
"Yeah, I figured that out." At the very least it was keeping her from attacking but that wouldn't last. Sabine was pretty sure she only had a few bullets left. She needed a new plan. If only she could remove the snake from her arm but whenever she moved to hit it against the wall or something, Zelda instantly attacked and forced her to defend. She couldn't even crush the damn thing's throat, its neck muscles especially strong.
So how could she attack Zelda and get rid of the snake at the same…oh.
Sabine hopped to her feet and charged at Zelda who just laughed. "What do you think you're…HEY!" she screeched as Sabine threw her snake-covered right hand at her, forcing her back. "How dare you use poor Pythagoras as a…STOP THAT!" she screamed as Sabine did it again.
The snake hissed loudly, doing its best to wriggle free, but as it did Sabine just kept throwing punches.
"We're pirates aren't we?" she asked. "Who cares about playing fair?"
"I will slather your whole body in poison for this!" Zelda seethed.
"Yeah? Tell someone who cares."
They danced across the cellar, Zelda forced in a defensive position now. Whenever she tried to attack, Sabine would just use her right arm in defense and Zelda would back off, not willing to hurt the snake. But she was still just as agile and quick. At this point, Sabine was pretty sure she was down to her last bullet.
As she threw another snake-fist, Zelda again dodged out of the way but didn't stop there, instead reaching out and grabbing hold of Sabine's upper arm, right where the snake wasn't. "Enough of this," she growled and Sabine's feet were suddenly ripped out from under her from Zelda's legs and the woman then threw her to the ground, knocking the breath from her lungs.
She didn't even have a second to recover before Zelda's foot struck her belly. Sabine felt her whole body heave forward on impact, her mouth spluttering. Zelda's hand shot out and grabbed her head and before she could react, her helmet had been ripped off, leaving her exposed.
"There, that's better," Zelda muttered and brought her knife down.
Thankfully, Sabine was fast enough this time, just managing to catch Zelda's hand before the knife could strike her eye. She could see the blade inching towards her, looking like a giant blurry gray mass hovering above her.
"How long do you expect to hold out?" Zelda laughed. "I told you, thanks to my bond with Pythagoras, I have gained his strength on top of my own. You're just delaying the inevitable."
"That's my favorite hobby," Sabine growled. But despite her bravado, she had no idea how to get out of this. Both her hands were occupied and she wouldn't be able to maneuver her feet to help out. She was trapped, with that knife sinking lower with each passing second. Her arms were burning from the strain. She had to do something. But what? It wasn't like some miracle was coming to save her.
BONK!
Sabine gasped as the pressure against her released. She looked up and saw Zelda sway a little, rubbing her head. And right above her with her staff in hand was Nami.
"You…you came back," Sabine gasped.
"You may be a pirate," Nami told her. "But I couldn't let you die."
"Aw thanks. Means a lot. But…Whoa!" she exclaimed as she dodged the knife thrust, Zelda suddenly back in action. Nami screamed as Zelda's legs swept hers out from under her, knocking her flat.
"You should have just run, girl!" Zelda seethed. "Because now you die!" With a leap, her knife came right for Nami's throat.
Sabine's fingers moved fast. She hadn't used these before now as she was almost out but this was an emergency. She pulled out her last one and threw it with everything she had. The small item flew through the air and struck Zelda right in the side before going off with a pop!
"Smoke bomb," Sabine said as Zelda was thrown to the side from the blow. She was soon coughing as the smoke enveloped her, swiftly grabbing her helmet and jamming it on. "So that's what that's like. No wonder everyone hates me."
"Yeah. Everyone." Nami said, appearing next to her, coughing up a fit.
"Sorry. But if I hadn't then…"
"You…*cough*…miserable…*cough*…brats!"
Zelda's figured appeared from the smoke and if she didn't look murderous before, she certainly did now, her eyes nothing but dark shadows and what seemed like a glowing aura surrounding her.
"I didn't want to have to do this, but you've left me no choice. SNAKE DANCE!"
Zelda moved so fast that Sabine could barely perceive it before the knife bounced off her armor. But it didn't stop there as Zelda twirled around and her leg shot out to strike Sabine on the side of her kneecap, sending pain shooting up nerve central.
"Ow!" she moaned. "She got through the armor padding with a kick? It may not be beskar but…"
She didn't have time to wonder as Zelda came again, this time for Nami. She screamed, barely dodging the knife thrust, but Zelda just twirled in place and launched another kick that slammed into Nami's side, knocking her hard to the ground.
Faster than Sabine could blink, Zelda was moving for the kill. She quickly moved to intercept, but Zelda's arm came up so fast, striking her right in the throat, causing her to choke. She backed up in alarm and reached for her gun but again Zelda's leg came up, knocking it right out of Sabine's hand.
So fast, Sabine thought, watching the woman. She did resemble a snake, the way her arms and legs and even whole body moved fluidly. Sabine managed to get a quick breath in before attacking again but a sweep of the legs sent her to the floor right next to Nami.
"I should never have come back," the other girl grunted.
"Sorry." Sabine really did feel bad for her, even if she didn't know what to make of her as a person. But none of that mattered now as they were about to die. Zelda was just too fast. Already she was coming back and Sabine had to roll to the side to avoid a blow to the stomach. She got to her feet but a swift kick to the head knocked her back.
"Ow," she mumbled, almost taking her helmet off to rub her head when she noticed Zelda had stopped too. She cursed, rubbing her foot. But she had stopped moving, even for a second. And that was all Sabine needed.
She rushed forward, aiming to take her down, but Zelda saw her coming and twisted her body almost unnaturally, causing Sabine to sail past her, landing on the floor again. "Damn, thought that would work," she groaned.
The snake suddenly hissed and she blinked, realizing it was still in her hand. With everything going on, she'd forgotten. Apparently, it wasn't happy with being tossed around so much. Sabine was so tempted to just drop it but then it would be free to attack her again.
She turned back and saw Zelda still not moving. Perhaps the snake dance of hers had some sort of limit, or maybe kicking Sabine's helmet had been harder on her than she thought. Either way, it didn't seem to make much of a difference. She was still too fast. Sabine didn't know how they could beat her.
Sorry for leaving it there, but don't worry. We'll be back in two weeks for the finale. Hope you liked the two new fights.
To answer a few questions:
No, I won't be bringing in Pokémon because I don't really watch that.
In terms of bringing in other strong characters, well that was always the plan. So Shang-Chi alongside some new members will be standing alongside Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji as the monsters of the crew. But I'll also be bringing in other monstrous members to other crews to balance it all out.
Yes, there will be other supernovas but don't stress on them right now cause that's really far away.
No, Zelda is not connected to Amazon Lily.
I won't be adding any OCs if I can help it. Every new character will be from some other fandom.
In terms of how many crossovers there are, I've already provided hints at that with several name drops and character descriptions. There will be quite a few out there.
If you have any questions, feel free to pm me but please don't overdo it.
Until next time, leave a review if you can and thanks for reading.
