Chapter 30

A/N: Well this one certainly ended up rather differently than from what I had in my outline. I don't think it's perfect, but it's what the fingers typed.

I dismiss the [Observe] in a rush of panic. "Wait! He's a Paramecia! Don't let him touch-"

It's too late. Hack remains in his stance as the mercenary's far-too-telegraphed fist aims right for the center of the fish-man's catching palm. Just before the smack of impact rings out, a silver piston juts outward from the attacker's elbow and slams back in with violent force!

The massive force multiplier to what was a slow punch has Hack's eyes go wide before a ring of concussive power blows him straight off his feet and through the nearest building. "Zepepepepe! I can't believe they always just stand there and take it!" The merc laughs. "People really are too gullible!"

I take my eyes off the snickering co-captain and focus back on the surrounding crowd closing in. Dark chuckles whisper amongst them as different weapons are unsheathed and brought to bear. From throwing knives to maces and I even see one particularly ugly fellow unwrapping a kusarigama.

Behind them all my true target stands smirking, a full three feet taller than the rest of the crowd and smiling with a special smugness that has me cursing out the corner of my lip.

'Well.. this sure went to shit pretty quick.'

Three Days Prior...

Damn. Looks like I jinxed myself.

Enies Lobby was today.

There's a part of me that's kind've jealous actually. I work for months clearing out the pirate infestation in one of the four Blue's and even after 'Hornigold's war' the newspapers never mentioned me above page three. Except for the small local ones that is, though we all know that hardly counts for much. Granted, Lindbergh was totally right in his assessment. It wouldn't be in the governments interest to attribute me the true amount of credit I may be due. That's just something that's never going to happen. I understand how the world works.

Meanwhile Luffy assaults one measly fortress and suddenly he's got the entire front cover all to himself. Sure it was a pretty important fortress, at least symbolically, but in terms of actual tangible real-world effect, putting Enies Lobby out of commission for a couple years doesn't actually do much.

I'm not jealous, you're jealous. Wait. I already said I was kind've jealous. Crap. Can I get a mulligan on tha-

"Picking out your next targets?"

I lower the newspaper down and offer my newest coworker a critical eye. He looks so silly. Wearing a karate gi under that cloak. We're supposed to be aiming for inconspicuous. Try to blend in and all that. How's a yellow-skinned fish-man dressed like that supposed to hide among the crowd? "Nah. Just keeping up with current events is all." I eventually answer.

Hack offers a grunt in response and goes back to manning the rudder. This little two-man sloop is one of the fastest designs around when it comes to sailing ships but it's still soooo sloooow compared to what I'm used to. I'm sure we've only been sailing for a few hours but it feels so much longer.

Did you know that a fish-man's bones and musculature are pretty significantly denser than a humans are? Because I didn't. I do recall a tidbit from canon saying, that as a species, they were on average 'ten times stronger than humans' but I think we all know how much empty boasts like that in anime end up mattering. The point I'm eventually trying to arrive at though is...Hack, despite only being about a head taller than myself, is just about 600 pounds.

Now you see, my buddy Kiwi has grown pretty used to my weight and I know in a pinch he could make do with a second passenger...but not if that passenger is 600 pounds. Nuh uh. That shit ain't gonna fly. No pun intended.

There is of course the obvious solution to this problem. I offered Hack the chance to take a ride in the [Inventory]. I keep my snails in there and they do just fine. I've transported many a wanted individual in the hammerspace and have yet to see any of them suffer a physical consequence for it. The only awkward bit might be actually getting a man as broad as Hack is into the 'entry window'. He's a pretty large dude and his shoulders are wider than most. It.. should.. be serviceable enough..we'd just have to get a little finicky on the angles.

Regardless, it's a moot point anyhow. I barely got the suggestion halfway out my mouth before the man shot it down with a growl and a rather brusque 'No'. Combine that with the fact that every sentence he's said to me has come with a mild undercurrent of accusation to it and I'm starting to get the impression he doesn't much like me.

Though, between you and me, I really don't have the foggiest as to why. There must be something about the way I do business that disagrees with him.

"So, I have a question about this mission if you don't mind." I begin, folding the newspaper up and setting it aside. Hack offers naught but a side glance my way and I take it as the closest thing to a 'yes?' that he's going to give me. "We've talked a good bit about this Mengsk character. No Fruit. Basic brute force type. Fights with large iron gloves. Sounds like an easy day. My question is.. if the group he's signed up with is able to do all this horrible 'hunting dissidents' mercenary crap with the consent of the King..why haven't you guys removed this royal asshole yet? Isn't that kind of what your organization's mission statement is? Go to Kingdoms where the citizenry is being oppressed and start rabble-rousing until revolution kicks off?"

"Normally.." he concedes with a narrowing gaze. As though just agreeing with me puts a bad taste in his mouth.

"Sooo.. what's the hiccup here? You guys seemed to handle Centaurea alright. Ousted an entire score of nobility if I'm recalling correctly. What's so different about this one that-"

Hack rounds on me, resentment building in his face! A deep frown is pulling at his cheeks and he seems to be on the verge of yelling quite profusely. He opens his mouth to do so...and instead a labored breath escapes him as his eyes drift shut. "..it's not that simple." he speaks in a far more subdued tone. "In order for the flames of revolution to take hold there must at least be some sparks for it to work with. The people of Yateron are just..too beaten down. Like an animal that's been kicked too many times. Those rare few that have the courage to stand up...quickly realize that they are standing alone. We have a few agents spread throughout to smuggle away who we can but aside from that there's little we can do."

The fish-man centers himself and adopts a new posture. One I recognize from media as a calm master trying to explain something to an unruly student. I kind've resent the implication there but so long as he doesn't- "Did you study your oceans history as a young lad?" he asks. "How much do you actually know of the country we are about to infiltrate?"

My fingers steeple together as I lean into the shifting conversation. "Not much." I answer. "Just surface level stuff."

"Yateron is a sizable Kingdom. But it suffers from a lack of proper resources to support that size. It might be the 3rd largest in landmass but in South Blue economies it has always ranked significantly below that figure. Poverty and scarcity are so rampant that they can be found in every village, every town, and every city. Not even the capital is without its times past what little wealth the country did generate was usually ferreted up to the royal palace and stockpiled to languor behind sealed vaults."

"In times past?" I repeated his words. "Am I hearing a change?"

Hack nods. "Just under two decades ago, approximately 18 months after The Pirate King's execution -and incidentally right around when I joined the R.A. myself-, Yateron's last King died without leaving an heir. Apparently he suffered from..medical difficulties.. due to some childhood injury. We don't have the specifics, though seeing how long ago it was it doesn't really matter anymore. What did matter though was the World Government stepping in and installing someone new into the seat. A Mariejois paper pusher by the name of Edmund Rosenwald."

An eyebrow raises. "A paper pu- They put some random clerk in charge of a country?"

Hack waved a dismissive gesture at my incredulity. "Apparently he's the grandson of a Celestial Dragon and some pleasure slave. Opportunities sometimes arise for these faux-nobles. It really depends on the temperament of who they happen to be related to. As I was saying, after having the opportunity offered to him Rosenwald was placed in charge of Yateron and for more than a decade he reigned without major incident. The economy was starting to improve, standard of living on an uptick with each passing year, we were actually in the process of assessing whether or not Yateron should be removed from our watchlist when the civil war suddenly broke out."

The non-sequitur catches me. "Wait, what? Just..civil war out of nowhere? No warning or rising tensions? Things are on the up and then BAM there's a civil war going on?"

The fish-man nodded grimly. "It took us all by surprise. Though I suppose 'civil war' isn't the most accurate term. That would imply there were two even sides. This wasn't that. Our informants reported that seemingly overnight Rosenwald had reversed all but a few of his reforms. The army took to the streets. Martial law was imposed. Any who objected were swiftly and brutally made examples of. A few resistance groups tried to spring up, we even tried to offer them aide, though it all quickly proved pointless. Rosenwald's favorite type of force was 'fast and overwhelming'. Four years later and the country is still in a similar state. Martial law isn't in effect anymore but it still lingers in spirit. Mercenary groups like the one Mengsk is part of are free to roam the streets in the army's stead and the common citizen doesn't dare do anything to step out of line."

'Well damn.' I feel my fingers fidget as I try to imagine it. 'Sounds like a real pleasant place for sure.' An errant wave off the starboard side catches my eye. 'Let's add that to the list of reasons to finish this quickly then.'

"Nooooo. No. Buddy I'm serious you can't come." I try my best to be stern but it's hard. Especially with those big eyes staring back at me. "You're staying put."

Kiwi warbles a pout and bops his head against me. "Kee-Wee. Wee Wee Kee? Kee Wee Kee Kee!"

"I know bud I know. And I appreciate you watching over us on the sail over. But this is different. A change of clothes goes a long way in people not recognizing me but you stand out like a sore thumb."

"Jack." Hack calls from ahead. "The longer we linger, the greater our chance of being discovered." he lectures.

"Yeah yeah I know I know," I wave him off. "Just gimme a second." White foam rolls up from the water and licks at my boots. We've moored our little sloop at an old smuggling alcove that's been carved into the rock wall somewhere along the Kingdom's western bank. Hack claims it's long abandoned and I'll grant him it certainly looks that way but...bah, should be fine. "How 'bout this buddy? Stay here and after I get back we'll do a little trip up to that special fishing spot we found near Benimería hmm? What say you to that? Yeah?"

A quiet trill is offered in response and Kiwi's pout somewhat lessens. His feathers fold inward and the Sparrow plops himself down into the sand like a barely acquiescing child. Don't be fooled though. He may be acting all broody like he's still miffed at being sidelined again but I can see that hidden bit of excitement in his eye. He can't hide it from me.

Promising him Benimería is like offering McDonald's to a four year old.

I smile and pat his cheek. "That's my good bird."

Your bond with 'Kiwi' has increased!

Bond Lv. (18/20) → (19/20)

The trip upriver is an uneventful one. Someone -a revolutionary contact I'm assuming as I don't actually know who- staged a small merchant raft for our use near a shallow tributary that doesn't quite reach the open ocean.

Half an hour of using paddles to slowly move ourselves over a brown stream eventually turned into a whole half-day when we connected with the larger brook it was part of and we traversed that as well. By the time nightfall hit we'd merged into the main body of the river and were basically flying upstream.

Well, not flying in the sense that I'm used to, but I will admit with Hack pushing the raft along from underneath the rate at which we're moving is notably impressive. What could've been a six day trip by desert caravan is reduced to just one via waterway. The waxing moon isn't terribly bright tonight, but through its limited glow I can already make out the dark silhouette of a city in the distance. It's architecture seems almost Mughal in nature. If Water 7 served as an analogue to Venice, Dressrosa to Spain, Alabasta to Egypt and etcetera etcetera, then I think I've just found my India.

Our speed begins to wane a few miles out and a gentle left angle has our small vessel gradually beach itself along the bank. "We'll go the rest of the way on land." Hack announces as he emerges from the drink. I catch sight of numerous scars and old wounds normally hidden by his gi and a part of me wonders just how many battles this man's seen in his life. "Do we have a way in other than the front gate?" I ask.

"If we keep following the river we'll eventually come to a sluice way. That'll get us under the streets. Now lets hurry, we have to be settled well before the night ends. Daybreak crests in only a few hours."

The city of Nadhurpal is.. bleak to put it simply. 'Is this place really the Capital?' You can tell a lot about a place just by examining its infrastructure and this country..doesn't really have any. I don't mean that literally. There's homes, hovel-like though they may be. There's market stalls, half-barren and slim in their offerings. There's roads, dirt paths with the gravel swept away and nothing more.

Really the only thing convincing me we aren't in the wrong locale is the fuck-whack huge sultanate-esque palace overlooking it all. You even seen the original Disney's Aladdin? Do you recall the opening shot of Agrabah? The sheer size of it? This one isn't quite that bad but goddamn if it's not a strong second.

Hack's off to the side, slightly hunched and speaking to a hooded figure while I keep an eye out. Not that posting up as a sentry is even worth anything. The people here are more skittish than an alley cat. They caught one whiff of strangers in their midst and all of a sudden it's nothing but avoided gazes, hurried steps away, and some folks evacuating the streets altogether.

Footsteps shuffle softly along the tiny alleyway and I turn to face my partner returning from his talk. "Anything?"

The revolutionary nods in defeat. "Nothing we didn't already know. He's in the city but that's all we can really be sure of." he whispers beneath his shroud, his characteristic gruffness still noticeable despite the mumbled tone. "There is another contact we can try. An associate of the one who set up our safe house. We'd likely have to pay him out of pocket though."

I nodded absently, "If I have to shirk out a few ten thousand then that's fine." Looking out over my shoulder I gave one last sweep of the near-deserted street, briefly making eye-contact with a housewife hanging laundry. Seeing me looking, her tiny smile immediately turned blank and three seconds later she vanished behind a wooden plank window slamming shut. "Anything to get a lead." I spoke out with a sigh. "This place depresses me."

Another sun starting to set. Another evening wasted. I stewed at the small table, waiting for my mood to settle out on its own. I really thought we'd make some progress today.

There was a promising lead. A chance to wrap this little 'snatch and grab' up and be on the way home before supper. Our tip-off even led us to stumbling upon a scene where a man was being beaten in the street by a group of thugs.

The wrong group of thugs.

I can still feel the echo of Hack's hand gripping my shoulder. Holding me back and whispering the need for discretion in my ear. To not kick up noise unnecessarily. I relented since -when one gets right down to it- I'm just the hired help for what is in truth his and Lindbergh's operation but gods did it put me in a foul humor.

I could've done it sly. Take extra care to keep my face hidden. Zip in with a [Soru], bing bang boom, knock a few skulls and then zip back out. Would've taken all of six seconds. If Hack preferred I could've even waited for the bastards to leave and turn a corner before pouncing. The poor man in the dirt would've still been bruised bloody but at least I'd still ensure the perpetrators couldn't pull a repeat offense anytime soon. Instead we just...turned away.

It galled at me. We saw what was happening. And just left it. Just like every other person around. Couldn't be bothered to help. Couldn't be bothered to stick their necks out. 'I really don't like this stealth game.' I brooded from the table. I'd much rather go the direct route. Why can't I kick up noise? Why can't I draw these mercenary groups out? It's not like my acquaintanceship with the revolutionaries is known. It wouldn't be too hard to spin a story that the infamous 'Jack Sparrow' was in town for his own hunting-related reasons.

Movement in my periphery has me glance at Hack as he studies over a map of the city. Would it have been better to insist on Lindbergh that I operate better alone? No no, that wouldn't have worked. He wouldn't trust an outside entity like me without any of his own people also present. Besides, he wants this Mengsk character alive and I'll openly self-criticize that my track record for that isn't the greatest.

'You could always go it alone. Kick over some rocks. Get it done tonight.' That familiar 'devil on my shoulder' whispers again. The same traitorous part of my brain that suggested just a few days ago that I set aside the Billion Beri [Quest] and make a beeline for Eustass. And like always it does have a point. I could go find this prick and deliver him straight to the Marines. Get my big [Quest] done and sorted that way. 'All it would really cost is me breaking my word...and burning my bridge with Korka and all the other revolutionaries..losing out on Lindbergh 'owing' me...potentially causing a massive butterfly-effect headliner about an R.A. officer turning merc...not to mention all the- ok y'know what nevermind it would cost a lot. Too much to just get stupid about it.'

I rubbed at a crick near the back of my neck. All these frustrated musings are doing me no good. I need to focus on something positive. Something productive. Well let's see..[Natural Growth] did it's weekly thing this morning and gave me another 10 in STR. That's always a plus. I also think the Marines may have finally shrugged and moved on about trying to recruit me. Seeing as how it's been about a week since Kong's phone call and my snail hasn't so much as bli-

And that's when a steel wrecking ball decided to obliterate the front door.

"Yoo-hoo!" a deep voice sang from from outside. "Can the fish and his lackey come out to play?"

Present Time

"Oh hoh?" His finger and thumb ran lightly over his chin. "Now that I've got a better look at you, you really are a new face." My target's curious words carry over the crowd. "The fish I somewhat suspected would come for me eventually. But you...don't tell me the old cat sent a new recruit after me. If that were true I might just keel over in embarrassment."

I take my eyes away from the direction Hack was blasted in. He's a big boy. I doubt the sucker punch will keep him away for long. Meanwhile I silently take in the biggest threats. The rude idiot who splintered our front door? Lv. 19. 'Not a threat.' Calhoun, the Piston-PistonMan? 44. 'Mild Threat.' The quartet of mooks standing nearest to the front? 27, 28, 31, and 24. 'Elite fodder is still fodder.'The ugly S.O.B with the kusarigama? 22. 'Not a threat.' Mengsk towering in the back, awaiting my reply? Lv. 80. 'Threat.'

"I'd say I'm more of an 'outside hire' than a new recruit.." I eventually respond. "And I really would like to thank you all for doing this."

"Hoh?" he seems amused. "Thank me and my boys for what?"

My knees bend in preparation. "For removing the need for discretion.." Space skips as 'Kamisori' blurs me directly overhead my sixty million target. "[Shigan]!" 'Sorry but not sorry Lindbergh. I know you wanted him alive but it went sideways and I need my [Quest] finished!'

My assassination technique plunges straight down, aiming for a quick end to this just as I did with Hornigo-

0 Damage! (14,920/14,920)

A flaring pain shoots up through my finger as I feel the bone crack. The blowback of a powerful thrust meeting an impiercable object. Golden brown Pangolin scales cover the arm that just blocked me and the once revolutionary's smirk deepens, even as it unnaturally shifts into an armored snout. "Well color me surprised, yer certainly a swift little bugger ain't ya?"

His other arm swipes up -fuck he's quick-, forcing a hasty [Geppo] that puts me on a temporary retreat. "They told me you didn't have a Fruit.." I audibly voice, my eyes narrowing as I begin to [Observe] him in detail.

"Surprise surprise, the R.A.'s intelligence is out of date. Some advice if you're going to be running with them kid, best you get used to it. It happens a lot." Mengsk mocks. "More importantly, I think you're the more interesting topic here. Was that two of the Rokushiki I spied with my little eye? Joke's on me for confusing you with some green conscript. Does the ol' kitty-cat general know he hired a CP9 plant to bring me in?"

A flicker of something must have reached my face at his flawed assumption because Mengsk gave a half chuckle before continuing, "What? Surprised I recognize your technique? I fought campaigns all over Paradise boy. You think the government never sent assassins our way? Though I'll admit I only ever saw one of you CP9's once. A fellow named Laskey who tried to gut me in my own tent. You wanna know what happened to him?"

'Laskey? Where do I know that-'

A silver armament reminiscent of a gladiators cestus slides into place over his right hand. A small 'click' rings out and the mercenary flexes his grip before repeating the process with his left. "I used these to beat him to death."

"Zepepepe! You blabber too much Mengsk!" The Paramecia from before charges my position, holding his cartoonish red boxing gloves close to his chest. "It don't matter if he's secretly government! They all go down just the same!"

Just as with Hack, an oversized metal piston, evocative of a certain giant robot anime, extends from his elbow and readies to send me flying. His speed isn't bad, especially now that he isn't deliberately 'phoning it in', but it's nothing a simple [Kami-e] can't bend me arou-

"4000 Tile Fist!" My ally explodes back into the scene with a blow even more devastating than the one the encounter opened with. His clothes are a little scuffed, there's a bit of rubble still clinging to his person, but overall he seems practically unharmed from his little trip through a few clay walls.

The Fruit-user on the other hand wheezes out a cliché gasp of blood before momentum kicks in and he goes careening through the dirt. "My apologies for my carelessness." The fighting master speaks at my side, retaking his martial pose. "It won't happen a second time."

"No worries." I respond easily. "Though I have to point out you guys were wrong by the way." Gesturing to the man-beast Pangolin-Mengsk that very much does have a Devil Fruit.

And what a fucking Fruit it was.

I've finished my perusal of his [Observe] profile and it offered nothing but ill news. Just like every other transformed Zoan I've come across the physical bonuses the magical power offered were nothing short of absurd.

..the hybrid form of his Devil Fruit. He is receiving +60% to STR, 125% to VIT, 10% to DEX and -50% to all damage taken.

Do you think it's possible for the [Game] to have typos in it? I would normally think not but if what I'm reading here correctly is true then his durability more than quadrupled just by growing some goddamn scales.

'Who knew my own cheats of [Resilience] and [Physical Endurance] could feel so inadequate.' I know some species of Pangolin on my world have a defense that can best over hungry lions but apparently here in One Piece it makes you a living breathing sentient tank.

"Ah. Hello Hack. It's been some time." Mengsk greets. "Sorry about my new business partners' over-zealousness. He just can't seem to resist opening with maneuver every time."

"Ex-field captain Mengsk," The fish-man speaks, his words hard like iron. "Honor demands I offer you once chance to surren-"

"Oh not this nonsense." the larger man interrupts. "Lads! Show my old acquaintance what you all do best."

Blades and guns rise up and it seems the obligatory pre-battle talk is finally over. Hack stomps sharply into the earth, forcing a large convex of rock to split upward and shield the first volley of lead sent our way.

I meanwhile, just dodged. You know. Like a normal person.

"I'm gonna engage the big guy!" I call out to my partner, darting around a Lv. 20 and knocking him out with a single uppercut. "You got any problems handling the bulk of the fodder?"

Hack grunts in acceptance/annoyance. With a double palm strike forward that same rock he used as shielding breaks itself free of the ground and goes crashing into a trio of lackeys. "I'll make do."

Elsewhere...

A hand raised up, forcing the procession to come to a halt.

"Verdugo.." the royal leaned over his throne-like palanquin in displeasure. "What on earth is that racket I hear going on in my city?"

The attendant on his left, a man dressed in a stately black uniform with red accents, crossed one arm across his chest and offered a very light quarter bow. "Gunfire your grace. No doubt the servants of the crown have uncovered yet another unscrupulous plot against you."

"It's sunset."

"Indeed your majesty."

"I thought my edict was quite clear. This is the hour when I take my evening stroll."

"That was your command my grace. All your loyal citizens know it well."

"And yet the lack of silence persists."

"Shall we venture forth and investigate your highness?"

Skill Lv up! Bullet Time Lv. (7/30) → (8/30)

-Your ability to perceive time at a slower rate while in combat. Slowed perception increased from (21%) → (24%)

This shit is ridiculous.

Kugizume bounces uselessly off his scales. '0 damage.' I rework the existing momentum and bring my heel down into a spin kick. It nails him right in his smug elongated forehead and still, '0 damage.'

I grit my teeth. His profile said 50% damage reduction. 50, not 100. Apparently that must only apply to the parts of him that are unarmored because right now I can't seem to do jack-fuckin-shit.

No pun intended.

With a fervent roar Mengsk throws his hand forward and our knuckles meet in a bloody contest of wills.

0 Damage! (14,920/14,920)

-52 HP! (8,108/8,160)

'Center torso, under the arms, and the inner thighs.' I disengage and let his attack crush into the ground. 'Those are the only places that are still normal skin.' I quickdraw my revolver and let off a trio of experimental shots.

The oversized tail swings around from his backside to catch them easily. Small yellow sparks ping off his golden brown and I can just feel him smirking.

"[Rankyaku]: Storm!" Miniature sickles of energy fly at the mercenary by the dozen -and though most are weathered easily by his guarding arms and tail- a small number do manage to slip past the gaps and draw thin scratches of blood.

0 Damage! (14,920/14,920)

0 Damage! (14,920/14,920)

45 Damage! (14,875/14,920)

0 Damage! (14,875/14,920)

63 Damage! (14,812/14,920)

0 Damage! (14,812/14,920)

0 Damage! (14,812/14,920)

0 Damage! (14,812/14,920)

58 Damage! (14,754/14,920)

'Great. That basically did a whole lotta nothing. What's your next idea Jack?'

"Armored Pinball!"

'Armored wha-?'

Like some discount Sonic rip-off, Mengsk curls in on himself and takes the shape of a giant sphere. Dust and dirt kick up behind him as he spins faster and faster in place before snapping forward like an overstressed wheel.

'How in the fuck-'

[Geppo] puts me in the air, seemingly safe from the bulldozing- 'Oh crap!' only for Mengsk to sharply turn and redirect himself at Hack who's busy focused on his own 5 vs 1. Four nobodies and the Piston-Man who now that I'm looking has sprouted six cylinders from his back which are rumbling ominously like an engine. 'When did THAT happen?'

'Kamisori!' I zigzag ahead of the sentient steamroller and drop down to intercept. "[Tekkai]!"

-23 HP! (8,121/8,160)

-25 HP! (8,096/8,160)

-21 HP! (8,075/8,160)

The spinning tank grinds angrily against my iron-like skin.

-23 HP! (8,052/8,160)

-24 HP! (8,028/8,160)

-20 HP! (8,008/8,160)

I will not budge. These small flicks of damage don't matter. I can recover all of this in under a minute.

-22 HP! (7,986,/8,160)

-24 HP! (7,962/8,160)

-21 HP! (7,941/8,160)

The man-beast's momentum starts to slow and I know there's an opportunity coming.

-17 HP! (7,924,/8,160)

-14 HP! (7,910/8,160)

-13 HP! (7,897/8,160)

'Now!' Mengsk unfolds right as his attack ends and there's window right to his unprotected gut.

'Man wants to fight with custom moves? I'm game!'

My right bicep balloons outward as every strength enhancement I have piles on top of each other. [Adrenalin Rush] activates. [Tekkai Kenpo] hardens my fist. [Seimei Kikan] rips off Zoro's 'Ichi Gorilla'. Even [Berserker's Blood], small though its current boost is, gets in on the fun.

"JACK!" I yell, stepping into his guard. "HAMMER!"

829 Damage! (13,925/14,920)

Mengsk explodes off my fist, 'Still not good enough huh? That damage reduction is no joke.' but rights himself quickly, digging his clawed hands into the dirt to stop his slide.

'[Soru]!' My right arm deflates to normal and I rush forward to close the gap while [Adrenalin Rush] is still up. Mengsk's eye slightly widens and he manages to fortress himself up again right before the flurry of blows begins to rain.

11 Damage! (13,914/14,920)

7 Damage! (13,907/14,920)

8 Damage! (13,899/14,920)

10 Damage! (13,889/14,920)

9 Damage! (13,880/14,920)

7 Damage! (13,873/14,920)

12 Damage! (13,861/14,920)

9 Damage! (13,852/14,920)

I back off as [Adrenalin Rush] ends and click my tongue in frustration. 'Well..it's good to know that if STR goes high enough my hits at least do 'something'.' I glance again at his health. 'But that was one of my three uses of [Adrenalin Rush] a day and it hardly did dick.' I need a better way to get past that armor.

If given enough time and damage I suppose [Berserker's Blood] could naturally see me reaching the insane STR required. Though letting myself get beaten half to death just to build it up seems like a poor plan to say the least…the Impact Dial might work..even if it's only good for one shot -maybe two if I can recharge it- the shockwave should be able penetrate. It certainly blew past my [Tekkai] when Towa used it on me…

'..shockwave..' I have an idea.

I loose a breath. "Alright big fella." I call out, a slight taunting entering my tone. "Lets see what else you got." A narrowed eye peeks out from behind the Pangolin's near ultimate defense and Mengsk rises to my challenge. With another revved up spin his massive body launches forward, tearing up the street, and I make no effort to preemptively evade like last time.

'[Kami-e]'

Like paper on the wind I flutter past the keratin boulder, curving myself around it right as it was set to pancake me. Mengsk surprises me by uncurling himself mid-movement and throwing a right hook with his silver cestus -though I simply flit around that strike as well-. Next comes an armored tail sweep '[Kami-e]' and it serves him little better in finding home.

Our dance becomes one of pure offense vs. defense, though in the way opposite of what it was before. I make no effort to attack. Just focused entirely on the paper-drawing technique and keeping my smirk as insufferable as possible. The kind that really just demands a baseball bat to the teeth.

Mensgk growls. The earth splinters under his gauntleted fist and I can see his frustration building.'Come on [Kami-e] come on.' Another slam. Another miss. 'Come on give me that final rank up.' A body slides near our feet interrupting our rhythm. One with eyes whited out and the indent of a fish-man's palm pressed into his iron cuirass. "Fish-Man Karate: Torrent Drum!" Hack announces as he interrupts our fight with a move of his own, one that is easily blocked by Mengsk's thick shield-like tail. "You looked like you needed some help." he speaks through a frown.

'No you dolt! I was-' I glance to the side where Calhoun the Piston-Piston Man looks just about ready to blow a gasket at his opponent abandoning their fight. And I possibly might mean that 'gasket' bit literally. The six cylinders on his back are pumping in greater and greater frequency and his skin slowly turns from pink to crimson to angry fucking red. I'd say he's ripping off 'Gear Second' except I think on this guy's Fruit it actually works better. 'Actually wait! That might be just what I need.'

"Hack! Imma let you play with this one for a bit." I crack a laugh as I [Geppo] away from Mengsk. Much to his and my ally's mildly mystified looks. "I'll be back in a minute!"

It's an easy thing to wait a few more seconds watching Calhoun approach his breaking point. The lids of his two highest pistons pop open to release actual no shit steam. He gets four steps into his run at the foe that ignored him..when I dive down right in front cutting him off. "Hrghk!" he flinches and its the perfect opener to ask a question.

"Well you gonna try to hit me little bitch or not?"

The red boxing glove almost warps across space in its desire to take my head off. I'll admit, If I hadn't had the [Kami-e] already primed and ready to go it probably would've loosed a few teeth. No time at all passes before the next one comes and I know my plan is going to work.

'[Kami-e], [Kami-e], [Kami-e], [Kami-e]'

Calhoun roars as his fists fly harder, his pistons pump harder. Soon enough he's reached that level of ferocious speed that one thinks they'll never see outside of animation. Where limbs are flying so fast that they seem to have multiplied and are striking multiple places all at once. Seeing that kind of potential makes it all the more sad that the man's complete shit as an actual fighter. Every fist he throws is embarrassingly straightforward. Like Luffy's first 'Gatling Gun' level of basic. I don't even have to move my feet to dodge. Just mildly bend or sway from right to left.

~Standing here, I realize~ A song lyric plays in my head.

Calhoun screams as his apoplexy reaches a fever pitch. Desperate to get just one piece of damage in. Just one piece! He just needs that one hit against me!

'[Kami-e], [Kami-e], [Kami-e], [Kami-e]'

Ding!

'HUZZAH!'

Skill Lv up! Rokushiki Technique #5 of 6. (Kami-e). Lv. (49/50) → (MAX)

-One of the vaunted 'Six Powers.' By handing control of their movements over to the subtle currents in the air, users of this technique can twist their body around attacks and briefly coast along the wind. Masters of this [Skill] can flatten their forms to be paper thin or even invent their own variations of this technique.

'Wait for it, wait for it, come on [Game] don't let me down!'

Ding!

You have mastered all six of the Rokushiki!

An additional ability has been unlocked!

'Wooo I love it when a gambit pays off!'

Rokuōgan Lv. MAX

-The secret and ultimate attack of the Rokushiki style that is known only to those who have completed their mastery of the other six. By placing both fists in front of their target the user is able to utilize portions of all six base techniques simultaneously and unleash a concentrated shockwave that deals massive internal damage.

-Damage from this technique is always equal to 1.5x [STR + VIT + DEX + INT + WIS]

-Damage from this technique bypasses conventional protections and cannot be reduced by traditional resistances.

A 'thummk!' rings out as I switch to my strongest [Tekkai] and finally accept one of Calhoun's gloves right to my cheek. A notice of about 50 health loss pops up in the corner showing he managed to impressively break slightly through despite his lower-level. Still, the 'Iron Body's' done its job.

There's a moment of sinister pleasure in his demeanor when he finally nails me and it's the perfect time to demonstrate he's not the only one who can throw a quick punch.

The Lv.44 folds around my fist as his eyes comedically bulge from their sockets. His feet lift off the ground. An 'Exp' window appears in the upper left, and I say a silent thanks to Hack for leaving this one around while disposing of all the others.

I rush back to the original fight where the old acquaintances are trading vicious blows against each other. Rings of wind being blown out from each impact. One of Hack's hand's is purple and bleeding, so that's probably not great, but on the plus side he's somehow knocked our target's health down into the 11,000's. 'Wonder how he accomplished that?'

I can feel the new power on my fingertips. Just itching to be tested out. I've no doubt that it won't hold up to the same level on the power totem-pole that a transformed Rob Lucci's did...but still,

I can just tell,

[Soru] puts me right next to him. Both combatants look at me.

This is gonna feel good.

"Boom." 'ROKUŌGAN!'

CRITICAL HIT!

2,923 Damage! (8,612/14,920)

Flesh ripples as the wave passes through. Blood spills behind clenched teeth as Mengsk's brow furrows in pain and confusion. He doesn't understand what just happened. Neither does Hack. The Pangolin-Man goes sliding until he falls to a knee with one hand cradled protectively over his side. A strangled gasp escapes him. "..wha-..what did you-"

I'm not done.

He doesn't have time to react to the [Soru]. Nor my knuckles coming to rest over his armored back. Luffy, that spectacular stubborn little MC, managed to take three of these and still keep on fighting through. The last of which had even been a supercharged variant of it.

Let's see how Mengsk handles two.

'Again.'

CRITICAL HIT!

2,923 Damage! (5,689/14,920)

Mengsk spine snaps forward! Forcing his neck upward with his mouth open in a silent scream. His pupils disappear and my final roadblock to completing the One Billion Beri [Quest] and being finished with this ocean faceplants into the dirt.

Your opponent has been knocked out!

+4,075 Exp!

Congratulations! You have reached Lv. 75! The effectiveness of your [Skill] [HP Regen] has been doubled! (4.4% per minute) → (4.7% per minute)

You have 35 points to spend!

A surprisingly labored breath escapes me. Woo wee. My hands rest atop my knees. Seems this technique comes with its own version of blowback. That's gonna take some getting' used to. Nobody better ask me to do anything else straining today because suddenly I feel sapped.

I look over to Hack and...oh that is one suspicious glower right there. Narrowed eyes, a deep frown -well deeper than his default-, and a look of serious contemplation. Man's got some questions about what I just pulled off.

'Later.' I silently mouth as I wave him off. Playing up my exhaustion a little and offering a tiny smile. A gesture he silently accepts with a subtle nod. That should buy me a little time to brainstorm for what I could tell him. Or maybe I can just keep putting it off long enough that I don't have to deal with it. One can dream right?

"Alright, upsy daisy..." I heft the downed Mengsk onto my shoulder. "Got-damn this prick is heavy...would it have killed him to transform back before blacking out?"

Hack peers at me from where he's wrapping his damaged hand. Damn, no sense of humor on this guy at all. 'Okay..how are we fitting you in the [Inventory]...arm first...bend the head down..okay nevermind, we're backing out...try starting from the tail…good good...twist the waist a bit...aaaaand that's not gonna work either, gods why is this stupid window only as wide as I am! I bet other [Gamer]'s don't have to deal with this!'

"Kee-Wee! Kee-Wee Kee?"

I sigh as I hear the bird flap to a landing behind me. 'Not this again.' He pulled this little 'I'm here to help!' act while on Timber Bay too. "Kiwi…" I begin reproachfully.

I know he means well, I really really do, but he can't keep being disobedient like this. He's got to learn to stay where I tell him to stay. "So mister, how long exactly did you stay by the coast like I told you to before following us hmm?"

"Kee-Wee." He answers.

"Oh? Two whole hours huh?" I ask like a parent. "And how come I haven't caught sight of you these past couple days hm?"

"Kee-Wee. Wee Wee Kee, Kee-Wee Wee Kee."

I rub at my temples. 'I never should have taught him to hide in the clouds.' "Okay buddy..we're gonna talk about this later. In the meantime, please go wait back at the ship. We'll be along in a bit.

"Wee Wee. Kee Wee Wee." A wing gestures to the unconscious Mengsk.

"No. We both know how much you can lift. He's too big. I'm gonna squeeze him into storage. Now shoo. Get outta here."

"Wee Kee Wee." He rebuts before taking off.

I shake my head with a chuckle before switching focus back to Mengsk. 'Alright. I think if we flip him...THEN go tail first, fold the legs in.. that should allow us to..

"Unsightly buzzards." he grumbled, hefting the golden rifle to his eye. "Any wind today?"

"A mild breeze from the southeast your grace." The retainer answered. "It won't effect your shot."

Ok y'know what? Fuck it. This guy's just too damn big. I think we're gonna have to go about this old school and just bring him in in chains. Man, when was the last time I had to actually resort to that? All the way back with Blackjack maybe? Talk about a blast from the past.

There is one thing we could try. Maybe a little dunk in the sea for a few seconds will get his Fruit to morph him back to his base form. I don't think that's got a great chance of working but it doesn't cost anything to make the attemp-

*CRACKssshh!*

If one was being..sensible.. a single rifle shot cracking off in the distance shouldn't be anything more than a curiosity. Something that gets you to raise your head in attention for a few moments before going back to what you were doing.

It shouldn't startle me. Maybe in my past life, but certainly not in this one. Not when I've been getting into a different shootout at least every other week. So there's really no reason that sound should've shot ice through my veins.

I feel it before I see it. The brown item plummeting in the sky.

"...no.."

Mengsk is carelessly thrown at Hack as I practically teleport to the rooftops. "..no..no.." [Geppo] pushes hard against the sky. I'm not gonna make it. Gravity's pulling him so so fast. "..pull up buddy pull up.." The object collides harshly against a clay rooftop where it lies motionless in a crumbled heap.

"..oh no no no no no.." My body comes down into a slide as I reach him. "...you're gonna be okay buddy don't you worry you're gonna be okay…" My hands move through the wet red stained feathers. "..where is it? Where's the wound? I need to see it buddy I need to see-"

Your Bond with [Animal Companion] 'Kiwi' has been dissolved!

Bond Lv. (19/20) → Deceased.

My fist smashed against the roof. "..don't you tell me that [Game]!" I spat angrily. "Don't you dare fucking tell me that!"

"..come on buddy you're fine." I turn him over to inspect his unmoving chest. "..you're fine...you're gonna be fine...you're...you're.."

The tears came after that. Wet ugly things that splashed worthlessly on the ground. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid!' The thoughts pounded in my head. Why didn't he just stay at the cove like I told him? Why did he come? Why did I send him away? Why did I ever say yes to this stupid idea of a job in the first place! 'Stupid, stupid!'

My hand smashes against the roof again. Why why why why why-

"Jack." Hack speaks from behind me. I hadn't even noticed he'd caught up. "I'm sorry. But we need to go."

My hand wipes over my face as my legs straighten up. "..no." I focus over to the direction that horrible fucking crack originated from. "..I'm not leaving.."

"Jack.." there's an edge of warning in his tone. "Whatever you're thinking.."

I ignore him. Sound is disappearing. The lights in the city start to vanish. All the world is fading into the backdrop.

Alert! Error!

My senses reach out beyond the physical. That feeling I felt in Hornigold's little rebellion is back. Stronger. More focused.

Foreign System Detected In User!

It stretches past the broken street. Past the buildings. Past the aura's that don't matter.

Running Local Diagnostic!

'I see him.'

The blue aura I'm looking for. It's still holding the gun.

'OBSERVATION HAKI' Identified!

"Jack!" Hack angrily asserts. "We are still on a mission! Do not-"

"That motherfucker just killed my bird."

A/N 2: Are you mad? Goood. Goooood. Give in to your anger. This was the plan since the beginning. Going all the way back to Baterilla. I'll try to get the next chapter out quick.