A Gamer In South Blue Chapter 25, an one piece fanfic

A/N: ME ALIVE.

UNDERWATER AWFUL.

NEVERMIND THAT THOUGH.

HERE UPDATE.

(Also, idk, go back and reread a few chaps to see where we are or something.)

Chapter 25

The pillar of redwood slams into the sand!

A hundred thousand grains of eroded rock and coral explode into a plume from the force of impact and yet Kowalik doesn't even spare it a glance. His eyes are darting left and right rapidly, tracking my [Soru] as I zip around, testing his reflexes.

'And it's just as I thought. The eyes can keep up...'

Kowalik's arm sprouts the beginnings of a buckler shield as I materialize to the side of him, my leg already spinning around in mid-kick.

'...yet the body cannot.'

The half-formed escutcheon shatters into splintered chunks as my strike sends the pirate sliding across the beachhead. His demeanor portrays no pain, merely a growing frustration, but I know that hurt him. Even with the partial guard he managed to erect. The old saying is true after all.

Numbers cannot lie.

184 Damage! (5,187/5,901)

With a mostly suppressed growl the pirate shirks off his red coat and throws his arms forward. "Pine Pincushion!" Twin walls of wood, each covered to the absolute brim with sharpened stakes, rocket outward to pincer me from either side, and as I lazily hop over the entrapment I can't help but feel...mixed.

On the surface there's vindication. A deep satisfaction in my chest for knowing that I've come so far -progressed so greatly- that not even this veteran can make me sweat. Make me work beyond the casual 60-or so percent output that I'm going at.

But underneath that celebration, that almost smug-tinted pride... is a swelling disappointment.

'Is this all he's got?'

'Just..this?'

'Oaken Fist' Kowalik, Pirate Racketeer, Lv. 79

Despite the lack of age on his face, 'Oaken Fist' Kowalik is an old hand when it comes to the game of pirating. His first trip to the Grand Line occurred when he was but 12 years old and a simple swabbie whose only job was mopping the decks and keeping the cannons loaded. When that adventure resulted in disaster it would be another decade and a half before Kowalik dared tread those waters again. Now as the first mate of a new, carefully handpicked crew, and with a powerful Devil Fruit at his disposal, Kowalik never imagined his second voyage would end in an even larger failure than his first. Rather than try and brave that hell-sea a third time, Kowalik has opted to spend his latter years in South Blue, living a life of luxury by preying on softer opponents who lack the skill to fight at his level. Though he is generally inoffensive in the damage left behind, his decades long career and personal capability have earned him a noteworthy bounty of 61,700,000 Beri.

Health: 5,187/5,901

STR: 245 (+45%) = 355.25

VIT: 407 (+45%) = 590.15

DEX: 321

INT: 205 (+8%) = 221.4

WIS: 308

LUK: 65

Note: Kowalik possesses the [Perk] [A True Hardy Soul]. His STR and VIT are being increased by 45%.

Note 2: Kowalik possesses the [Perk] [Veteran Tactician]. The more he learns about his opponent in battle, the more his INT will increase. Current bonus: 8%.

'I think..I hyped this encounter too much in my mind.' Don't misunderstand because he's certainly impressive. Those mental traits dwarf mine by a mile and this is the first time I've encountered anyone -other than myself obviously- who possesses more than one [Perk].

But it's just..not enough.

Makeshift stilts project out of the racketeers feet, ejecting him up and away from the quartet of [Rankyaku]'s I've just launched his direction. His hand thrusts out! An open palm facing the ground while a razor-like intelligence sharpens behind his eye. And it just...doesn't matter...because by the time his planned construct starts to form I've already [Geppo]'d over his head and axe-kicked him out of the sky.

307 Damage! (4,880/5,901)

'No no. Not enough at all.'

"Two-Sword Style!"

Oh yes. And lets not forget skippy is still here.

"Goring Boar!"

Two arcs of light fly from Reyhan's katana's and for the briefest half-second I can almost see the ghostly silhouette of a crazed mountain pig charging me down with tusks at the ready.

A foul shriek splits the air as Kugizume arcs down with my riposte. An arrow of arctic blue blows straight through the journeyman level flying strikes, destabilizing them with its pressure wave alone. Reyhan gapes disbelievingly at -what I'm sure was one of his better moves- being dispatched so easily and in his shock almost forgets to cross his swords in front of him as a last-second defensive measure.

The exact result of my strike landing home can't be seen as the erupting cloud of sand momentarily fogs my view. Though based on the 'Critical Hit!' notification in the corner I'd say he's likely learned to stay out of this just like daddy ordered him to back at the start.

'Speaking of the good Captain..' My eyes tilt upward as the shadow overtakes me. Kowalik's wooden mallet comes crashing down from behind '[Kami-e]' and misses entirely as the 'paper drawing' technique lets me practically glide over the side of it.

A quick spin has me fully righted and swinging a backhand at the extortioners lower jaw. A forearm protected with a vambrace of snakewood intercepts the blow and the pair of us hide our flinches in unison. Neither willing to drop the confident smirking and admit we were both stung by that. Myself from the spiky layer adorning the armguards surface and him from the rattling of bones in his arm.

His smile though -at the end of the day- is just a facade. One that is already developing a crack. My confidence on the other hand comes with numerical proof backing it up. We could have a dozen more of these small exchanges, chipping at each others health, and it will never change the simple fact that my HP recovers, his doesn't.

"You're even better than the rumors say." he politely concedes as the two of us push off. My free hand flies up and wastes no time in launching a small barrage of 'Tobu Shigan' at his more vulnerable areas. Armor not dissimilar from the type he just blocked with quickly sprouts to shield, and although he stops some of the nastier ones, such as the one aimed for his groin, the one flying straight for the Adam's apple lands true.

Kowalik's concentration breaks as one hand goes to clutch at his neck. Another surge of [Geppo] repositions me and a second one to follow it up has me rocketing down on him with Kugizume twirling in hand.

'I honestly wish that I could say the same thing about you. I truly do.'

Meanwhile…On an island far to the Northwest..

Kari Zev suppressed a scowl as the broad wooden doors were thrust open for the fourth time and one of her least favorite people strolled in with an overconfident swagger. The beads in his hair clacked around with each step of his noisy leather boots and the black medallion around his neck clinked softly against the mans barren chest.

"Well well," the newcomer spoke with a voice that just begged for a punch in the teeth. "Isn't this just a fine gathering we've got going here?"

Kari ran a calming hand through her companions fur as the pet monkey got increasingly agitated at the presence of the man who had once punted him off a ship. "Had I known you were invited to this meet as well Chevill," she began with a venomous tone, "I would have politely declined to show. Really, I can't tell what Hornigold is thinking. As though a rabid mongrel like you could add anything productive to these talks."

The once hunter turned pirate plopped himself into the closest chair and promptly leaned back to splay his mud-covered boots atop the stone table. "Is that a touch of jealousy I hear behind all that poison luv? You upset that my bounty's higher than yours now?"

Kari Zev shook her head in disgust. "I'm a smuggler you idiot, not a butcher. If my work caused my bounty go any higher than it already is then clearly I'm doing something wrong. And if you're one of those fools who thinks a bounty number is a direct correlation to strength then you're an even bigger moron than I thought."

Chevill's eyes narrowed at the insult and he levied his weapon in her direction, a massive saw-like blade that looked better suited for hunting monsters than people. "Was that a challenge?"

Ragavan the monkey shrieked atop Kari Zev's shoulder as the atmosphere tensed. In a startlingly quick motion the woman's own cutlass is in her hand and,

"Goodness," a third voice joins in. "It's like watching two children bicker over whose toy is better." Both would-be combatants eyes turned briefly to the speaker. A stalwart knightly figure in pale silver armor with slicked back hair and a perfectly trimmed salt and pepper beard. "Is it truly so difficult to sit down and quietly await our host like the rest of us are? Besides, whatever past or present squabbles you two might have are irrelevant. I mean.." Odric, bounty of 34 million Beri chuckled to himself, "when it comes to determining who is the weakest.. and who is the second-weakest in a group of people... does it actually matter which is which?"

"Tired of waiting!" a mountain of a man named 'Fumori' roared with a fist pounding into the table. "Let the small fry fight! I could use the... entertainment." the 'Huge-Human' with a 36 million bounty snarled with a grin begging for spilled blood.

"T-They're n-n-not really going to f-f-fight are they V-Valerie?" another towering individual stammered out in a worried tone. Though his height wasn't quite a match to the previous speaker his build was somehow more intimidating. Packed bulky muscle threatened to burst his clothes at every seam and one could not look upon him without thinking of the word solid. "Y-You s-said everyone h-here would be f-f-friends right?"

"That's right my sweet." A petite veiled woman in purple whispered dangerously as she hung off the massive mans shoulder. "Don't you worry one little bit my sweet sweet Gormello." she continued as sharp eyes promising a sort of sick twisted violence swept across the room. "We're all.. friends.. here."

Just as the woman's slithering words finished echoing across the small chamber the wide doors were pushed open a final time and a trio of individuals strode confidently inside.

Garrick Osier Hornigold stopped at the head of the table and began eyeing each of his guests...as well as the numerous empty chairs for those who didn't show. Behind him his first and second mates, each in charge of their own ship in his fleet, stood silent and impassive as their Captain gathered his words.

"So few…" he began with a grunt. "And yet...perhaps its enough. Not likely...but perhaps."

"What are ye muttering on about ya bloody sponge?" Chevill sneered as his boots came off the table. "What'd you call this meet for eh? Some of us got other appointments to keep y'know."

One of Hornigolds lieutenants bristled at the disrespect and hoisted a palm in the 15 million Beri upstarts direction. Dark green gelatin began to exude from her fingertips...and then promptly stopped as Odric raised a calming arm in each persons direction. "Now now, let us not get forced off topic before we've even begun. I'm sure a little uncouthness can be overlooked from our..youngest..member." he spoke with a well-reasoned tone. "Garrick," he said getting the head of the tables eyes on him. "Please continue. Why did request us all here today?"

Hornigold breathed deeply through his nose..and with an exhale muttered a name. "Norvin de Graaf." At the mildly perplexed looks this brought on he continued, "Ingrid, Taigam, 'Red-Witch' Mira-jane, Montauban. What do all of these names have in common?"

"Taigam..." Fumori growled beneath his breath as he crushed a piece of fruit in his hand. "Backstabbing little fucker. Next time I see him..."

"Well it can't be that they're one's who've attended meetings in the past." Kari Zev said, adding in her two cents while peering at the vacant seats. "That slippery shit Montauban's never participated."

Valerie raised a hand to her mouth and snickered a titillating laugh at the ignorance of her...new friends. "Tsk tsk my friends tsk tsk. They should make it a crime being so uninformed. The answer... is that they're all dead." She traces a finger sensually over Gormello's arm. "All gone in just the past couple of months. Plucked from the board by the same remarkable new player I'm sure we've all heard about."

Gormello audibly swallowed. "Y-you d-d-don't mean h-him do you V-Valerie?" the herculean man quivered with a quake in his voice. "The b-b-bounty hunt-"

"Yes." Hornigold confirmed. "Though while Sparrow is a problem -one I plan to soon handle personally-, right now there's a more immediate concern. One which affects everyone in this room."

At this prompting, Hornigolds other lieutenant stepped forward and silently unfurled a map of South Blue over the stone table. "The Marines are amassing in huge numbers. With the local power balance suddenly in their favor the World Government has decided to make a play for control over our ocean. Already three battle groups have crossed over the Calm Belt from East Blue and a contact of mine has assured me that at least five more from North Blue are en route. If we let them continue to consolidate then they will sweep over this sea like a plague and overwhelm us."

"Bah," Chevill dismissed with a grunt. "They've tried this before and they failed. If it starts getting too hot then all we'd need is to hole up somewhere for a bit until it cools down. Timber Bay for example-"

"Is being blockaded as we speak." Hornigold interrupted. "As is a number of other places we typically make port in. Tolaria, Novijen, San Pelrug, none of them will be viable as fallbacks in a half months time."

Odric steepled his hands together and adopted a pose of deep thought. "And considering today's news I imagine they'll only want to start mobilizing even faster. The World Government will be searching for an opportunity to project a big win and 'taking back' one of the four Blue's suits that goal perfectly."

Seeing the minor looks of perplexment on his colleagues faces -including the one of his host- he raised an eyebrow and swept his gaze over the room. "Has no one read the paper today?" With a mildly dramatic chuff the middle-aged man tossed a white packet onto Hornigolds map and let those in attendance read its massive bold lettered headline.

'WARLORD NO MORE!'

"Crocodile has been removed from the governments roster. A marine Captain named Smoker thwarted a plot for the shichibukai trying to take over a country. At least...that's what the article says. What percentage of the story is fiction vs. what fraction is factual is always a bit tricky to discern in these matters."

"The how of it all doesn't matter." Kari Zev voiced as the implications hit her. "News of an open warlord position always gets the riff raff riled up. Emboldened amateurs will be sowing chaos trying to get their name out there whereas those with an actual chance of being offered the seat will probably do something even more crazy."

Valerie tittered to herself again. "And the Marines will want to drown out all that bad bad press with a sweeping victory campaign. Ooo...this is going to be so delightful."

"Seems to me that you lot are thinkin' about this all wrong." Chevill attested as he leaned forward over the table. "If all the rabble really does start getting unruly then the big WG will find themselves pulled in too many directions all at once. This super large 'amassment' you're so worried about will dissolve on its own. Ships will get turned around. New orders relayed. This meeting's officially a waste of my time."

At his corner of the table Odric lightly sighed and shook his head in exasperation. "You clearly have no understanding of how the Elder Stars actually operate..."

"Oh and you do?" The ex-hunter sneered. "Well please enlighten me then Mr. condescending-holier-than-thou-"

"Enough talk!" Fumori bellowed, slamming his fist on the table once more. "Tired of talk! Decision time! Sponge-man! What you want to do?"

All eyes turned to the 'Pirate Lord of South Blue'. A man who didn't command a ship but an armada. An individual who's subordinates didn't number a scant couple dozen but rather a few thousand. And most importantly to those in attendance. The only one in the room who could claim to have battled a Rear Admiral and then walk away the victor.

"If you're expecting some grand speech.." Hornigold spoke with eyes set in stone. "I'm not going to give you one. If we strike now the odds are fair. Not great, but fair. I had hoped more would show. Agatha, Ezuri, maybe even that smug tree bastard Kowalik...but who even knows what he's up to.."

"Might of OAKS!" Wood erupted from each of Kowalik's four limbs as the man made himself the center of a colossal wooden automaton. A titanic tree stump acting as the left leg stepped forward whilst an even larger right fist reared back in preparation. Through slowed time I watched the gnarled bark clench its fingers tight and build up enough force in its windup to actually rival a fabled warrior of Elbaf.

Dodging was an option. One [Soru] in any direction would land me to safety. Or I could [Geppo] over the hand and race up the limb. Might even get in another shot at Kowalik's actual body while I'm up there. But as I felt [Tekkai Kenpo] wash over me as Towa's Impact Dial slipped into my palm...I just couldn't resist the urge to do some much needed stress testing on my defenses.

I thrust my hands forward in preparation to try and catch the damn thing. "NOW THAT'S MORE LIKE IT!"

"But the particulars of where they are doesn't matter. We're here and they're not...and one way or another they'll pay gravely for that mistake later." Hornigold raised his chin slightly and let a commanding edge bleed into his tone. "If you have any contacts, call them. Even if it's just fodder to absorb cannon fire, pick up the phone and start dialing."

"We all set sail today."

Back on Petilacounan

'Whoa-ho-ho! He nearly got me with that one!' I mentally laughed as I continued retreating backward. Like eels striking from a reef, nearly a dozen spears had jutted violently out the fists knuckles just a few feet before the crash of impact.

Those ones [Kami-e] and [Bullet Time] danced me out the way of quite safely. The item that did nearly spoil my day though was the wooden pitchfork exploding out of the sand 180 degrees behind my person just a moment after. 'Still don't know when he set that up..or even how? Alright. No more dawdling. Lets crank it up a notch.'

It'd be unwise to keep drawing this out.

After all.

Note 2: Kowalik possesses the [Perk] [Veteran Tactician]. The more he learns about his opponent in battle, the more his INT will increase. Current bonus: 23%.

He's getting smarter.

My legs shift as my body prepares to reverse course. [Soru] blurs me away and the wood-man ejects himself from the ligneous titan without a seconds hesitation. Now that the trap with the branch-spears has failed the oaken hulk slows him down far too much to be considered a viable tactic.

Before gravity even has time to take hold I reappear beneath him and swing a pistol at his back. The muzzle flashes in rapid succession as I empty the cylinder and -to my minor surprise- find that the cuirass protecting his spine somehow holds up against the assault. That isn't to say his defense is totally bulletproof. It's already splintered where the shots have embedded themselves deep inside and I distinctly heard him grunt at their impact. I'm just a bit shocked that wood of all things can achieve that level of stopping power.

I mean..I know what he's using is way denser than any softwood like Cypress or Cedar but still. I suppose I'll have to just chalk it up to Devil Fruit nonsense and move on.

"Birch..Buster!"

The move is a distraction. One that's just meant to draw my focus for a moment while he no doubt prepares something else. I hop clear of the obelisk-sized sledgehammer and take to the air. My acceleration skyrockets as I chain multiple [Geppo]'s together in the span of a blink and my muscles pulse when I ready something with significantly more 'oomph' behind it than what the racketeer's already seen.

[Adrenalin Rush] Activated!

STR (440 +70%) → (748)

When I materialize over his shoulder with an arm outstretched for a devastating lariat, there exists a brief moment where I once again catch sight of the wood-mans expression.

There's still no anger. No malice or ill will directed at my person. Nor even a touch of fear that he might very well die today. The only emotion I can read from him is that very same frustration that he's been projecting since we began. The frustration that yet again he just doesn't have time to do whatever it was he was planning. It's like...when an experienced card player knows they should be winning but they aren't. That they're making all the right moves, gambling on the correct risks, and they just keep losing anyway.

722 Damage! (3,764/5,901)

Trees snap and fall away as the brutal combination move slams Kowalik down into the forest and his body goes tearing through the undergrowth. With another push off from my legs I dash after him in pursuit and...holy crap is he back on his feet already? I thought even someone like Eustass would've been dazed after a hit like that.

His arm swipes in a wide arc, summoning a dome of what looks like some variant of ironwood to cover himself. Though whether it's goal is to protect or simply obscure I cannot say. Either way I don't let him have it as a quick application of [Tekkai] lets me smash through with all the subtlety of the Kool-Aid Man.

Kowalik's head snaps upward from his crouched position just in time to catch sight of my boot heading straight for his nose.

498 Damage! (3,266/5,901)

Which is then followed by an uppercut into his gut.

435 Damage! (2,831/5,901)

A haymaker to the jawline.

505 Damage! (2,326/5,901)

And lastly, a full body [Tekkai] infused shoulder tackle paired with a nearly point blank [Soru].

611 Damage! (1,715/5,901)

The back wall blows outward as Kowalik gets forcibly expelled from his own structure and I loose a calming breath as the days first use of [Adrenalin Rush] dies away. "Y'know..." I begin, strolling out of the new opening. "..right about here is the time I typically ask if you'd rather just surrender. In consideration of your track record I'm perfectly content bringing you in in chains as opposed to something more permanent. Now do you want to stop struggling or am I taking you in cold?"

The pirate's eyes flick down at me from where he's sprawled out in the dirt. Long heavy breaths cycle in and out of his nose and with a little overplayed slowness he rises back to his feet. Both hands rise up to straighten his -somewhat ruined- silk cravat and a deep exhale sounds from his throat. "It's not often that I have to retract something I've stated Mr. Sparrow. But in this case I feel that I must. Clearly 'not too shabby' was a poor estimation of your skill set. Tell me, by any chance are you related to a Marine officer named Kibin? During my last visit to the Grand Line he fought with techniques that are suspiciously similar to your own. An older cousin perhaps? Or maybe an uncle?"

"Stalling with questions isn't going to work." I respond as my hand reaches once again for the faithful Meito on my back. "Five seconds. Yes or no. Do you yield?"

Kowalik pops a crick in his neck and takes a moment to dust off his breeches before chuckling to himself. "Oh very well. Be that way if you must Bounty Hunter. All business and no play. Unfortunately for you...just by pausing to listen you've already messed up."

Thick fibrous roots rip themselves from the ground attempting to entangle me at my feet! In a flash of steel Kugizume shreds them at their tips and I take a reactionary hop backward. A sarcastic compliment almost emerges from my tongue. A congratulatory remark for mastering his Paramecia Fruit to such an extent that -like Magellan and his venom Hydra's- some abilities no longer even require gestures.

The words never do quite make it past my lips though. They dry up alongside the counterattack I had planned to pair them with… because at that moment the [Game] chose to hit me with a blue screen that I was not expecting.

Alert!