LW: And once again we return to this little collection of side content, this time, for a movie! Enjoy, though it is best if you've read up to Chapter 16 of RKMM Book 2, to understand everything going on, if you don't, that's fine I can't stop you, but it's free advice.
Drop in the Ocean - Film Z
Somewhere in the New World.
CLANG
SHING
SPLASH
"I don't think I'm very good at this" Shirahoshi whines as she's helped out of the fish tank, Artemis retrieving her trident along the way.
"For someone self-taught, you're very good, you just need a little refinement, something that requires fighting other people rather than just practising techniques and stances" Kaos compliments her, Hebi currently in a trident-like glaive form "Though maybe we should get you a weapon made of steel, even just for practising" he hums.
"That's why you're training me isn't it? Because no other weapon seems to hold up against the Abyssal Leech?" Shirahoshi asks meekly.
"It's an excuse to train you yes, but I would have at least tried to help even if everyone could assist you" Kaos chuckles "Though Zoro does want to help train you against swords, as they're a lot more common on land than spears and tridents, unlike under the sea"
"Oh hon, I think he's been wanting any excuse to train someone" Alvida teases, munching away at her stack of ribs, as dark purple clouds float down from the upper levels of the Sunny, hanging in the air like a fog.
"Oh my stomach, I think the milk is bad" Chopper whines, flopping face-first onto the deck.
"That, is a swirly brow problem" Zoro shrugs, continuing to drink as the reindeer complains on the floor "Hm, booze tastes odd, hey Shimmer, you done smacking around the princess for today? Come taste this, see if it's off or just dry sake"
"You do know my job isn't to detect poison, dumbass?"
"I think I have a charm for that" Artemis muses, before coughing as the clouds get thicker.
"But you did copy the poison fruit, also where are these clouds coming from?" Luffy grumbles.
"Ok little Pop Greens, we're in the New World now, we could be in a lot of battles so I need as many of you battle ready as possible. Don't worry about the bugs, good ol' Ussop has you covered" Usopp monologues as he sprays his plants with insecticide.
"Usopp! Stop spraying poison everywhere, you're killing my crew!" Luffy shouts/complains.
"It's fine Luffy, what I'm spraying is an insecticide, meaning that unless you're a bug, you should be fine!" Ussop yells back down.
"Oh…. then continue" Luffy shrugs.
"My tongue's a little numb and my throat's burning, but I'm sure I'll get used to it" Zoro nods, before returning to day drinking.
"The milk's all bitter now, but besides that it's fine, this must be a mature flavour" Chopper theorises, taking another sip.
"I'm mature, give me a taste" Luffy begs, spitting out the bitter milk after getting a mouthful.
"Should we tell them pesticides are harmful to humans also?" Robin asks, having come down to check on Shirahoshi's progress.
"Probably not, well maybe tell Usopp given he's the one spraying it everywhere" Kaos hums.
"Goda damn idiots. Can you turn down the stupid for 5 minutes?" Nami screams from a higher level, burying her face in her book "Is it too much to ask for some peace?"
"Probably, this ship is never boring though" Valentina chuckles, putting away her own scrolls and heading to check on the others "Need anything?"
"Nah, I can practically hear Sanji's approach, I'll be fine" Nami waves her off, the ninja grins before leaping onto the main deck.
"Hey guys, I miss anything fun?" Val asks with a grin.
"No, just Ussop trying to kill us, so nothing new" Kaos shrugs, Shirahoshi looking between him and the higher level where Ussop was in concern, before shrugging "By the way, Shirahoshi needs more training than just me, so can you make her a spear, sturdy but nothing too fancy?"
"I can try, and I'm sure Vic could help, it could be a fun joint project" she chuckles "Just a single tip, her current weapon has 3? Oh, we could make her a giant fork!" the blond cackles
"Yes, a blade catching technique with the multiple prongs is something she can figure out later, for now just making sure the basics are ironed out is enough"
"Oh, is this…. Snow?" Shirahoshi gasps, as grey flecks fall from the sky and begin to gather all over the deck of the Sunny.
"It's not snow, it's not cold enough, nor would freshly fallen snow look this, dirty" Vivi corrects.
"It's not snow, it's ash" Victor states "Volcanic ash if I'm not mistaken" the bomber hums to himself.
'That storm looks bad, hopefully we'll be able to avoid it with minimal issues' Nami thinks, eyes switching between the clouds and the log pose.
"Oh dear, that ash is just sticking to your fur Chopper, you'll need to take a bath with myself and Medusa later" Robin hums, trying to clean the little reindeer as best she could. Meanwhile, Medusa's hair now looked more silvery with the ash flecks in it, though her face was scrunched up in disgust from trying to eat the 'snow' Mama Hoshi was shouting about.
"A Bath?"
"Together?"
Before either pervert was able even to think of the next step, a shiver ran up both their spines. Slowly turning, 3 sets of eyes glinted maliciously, making it clear that even the thought of sharing the bath with Robin would be punished…. Heavily.
"Can I add my name to the bath rota, we shouldn't crowd it after all?" Brook requests, getting a nod of approval from Artemis and a laugh from Alvida.
"So, got a reading on where the Ashcloud came from?" Franky asks curiously.
"Not exactly. The needle that had been pointing in the direction the ash is coming from, is spinning and shaking erratically as if it's lost…. It's just lost" Nami answers, frowning at yet another Grand Line Mystery.
"Wait, you're telling me the island is gone or something, how could that even be possible, especially as fast as this?"
"I don't know, maybe the Volcano was strong enough to destroy the island, or at least scramble its magnetic signature? There are plenty of things in this world that can destroy an island, but at the speed it seemed to, it worries me, whatever that was" Nami admits, biting her lip and wringing her hands "Which is why all we can do is avoid that island like Amber Lead"
"Then you might want to keep a lid on it, you know the second Luffy hears about a mysterious, dangerous thing he'll stop at nothing to get us caught in the middle of it" Ussop stage whispers.
"I'm aware, but you forget I'm the navigator, I run this ship, and that includes protecting us from our Captain's own special brand of stupid" the cat burglar reminds him, with a wink.
"That needle is flipping out, let's go there!" Luffy shouts as Nami forgot something rather important…. She's not the only one on the crew with a New World Pose. Much like in Loguetown before them, Kaos had acquired a New World pose before they left Fishman island, mostly as a spare in case of Luffy-related incidents, but also for his own curiosity.
"GOD DAMN IT KAOS!" Navigator and sniper bellow, getting an eyebrow raise and a shrug from the researcher, just before Luffy bounces over shouting that he knows where they were going next, because that was just how he was.
Nami sighs, but nowhere there was no talking him out of it, went to get Val so they could actually make their way to the island, even if it was just a crater it was still a destination and they could go to the next island right from there.
A little later
"20 degrees port"
"Got it boss"
"Guys, there's a guy adrift in the waters right in front of us!" Luffy shouts, setting everyone on high alert as they scramble to their stations, opening the docking station on the side of the Sunny to get better access and retrieval.
"He's drifting away" Chopper frets, getting even more concerned when Kaya attempts to reel him in, and slumps to the floor, her syrup tendrils losing stability and solidity in the process. In the end all they could do was throw a grapple to attach to the drifting man's oversized prosthetic arm, and pull him into the docking area.
"What's this thing made from?" Usopp asks, not seeing anything special about the metal.
"Is he even still alive Chopper?" Sanji adds, having helped Franky heave the man onto the Sunny proper rather than leave him half in, half out of the water.
"He's alive, his heart rate and breathing are lower than normal but all things considered he should probably make a full recovery, though I can't be sure of that until he regains consciousness" the reindeer summarises.
"You're a trouble magnet Luffy, and we haven't even gotten to the damn volcano yet" Nami groans "You find an old man covered in scars and old battle wounds, and an oversized metal arm…"
"Made of Seastone, meaning it was designed specifically to fight Devil fruit users" Kaos grimaces as he and Robin examine the arm.
"So that's why I couldn't pull him in, the seastone drained my energy, and in doing so, my syrup's cohesion" Kaya hums, examining his left side, away from the seastone battle arm.
"With a weapon like that, he's probably our enemy, like we need more of those around" Nami mutters.
"Then just toss him back like a fish, that huge metal arm of his might actually deal with the problem for us" Zoro suggests, getting gasps of horror from both medics and Vivi at his suggestion to 'just kill the guy'
"No way, I won't let you do that, he's my patient" Chopper declares passionately.
"Fine, your problem if he wakes up and kills us all" Zoro shrugs and walks off, leaving a conflicted, and then resolute reindeer in his wake.
"Ok then. Franky, can you grab his right side, I'll take his left" Kaos suggests, throwing the lavender-haired man's arm over his shoulder and heaving, while Franky had the prosthetic to deal with, mostly on account of NOT being a Devil fruit eater, but either way the 2 managed to carry the man up to the med bay, so Chopper and Kaya could continue monitoring him and ensure his recovery.
With a wheeze and a cough, the man comes to a little later, getting Kaya's attention who rushes over, Chopper on her heels, while Luffy watches from the doorway.
"Don't strain yourself, nice and easy" the blond says soothingly as he sits up slowly, noticing the IV in his arm curiously, or at least that's what they assumed given nobody removed the man's shades, mostly out of courtesy.
"We found you adrift about half an hour ago, fished you up and got to work patching your injuries. Do you remember what happened?" Chopper asks.
"Yeah, I remember" he grunts tiredly "Anyway, thanks for the treatment, I probably needed it. Looks like I washed up in the right place hey Doc" he chuckles lowly.
"It's Chopper, and this is Kaya"
"Doctor's Chopper and Kaya, I'm very grateful for your assistance, and I'm clearly in skilled hands" he gives a smile and Kaya blushes while Chopper flails around as he often does when complimented "And you must be the Captain, young man" he continues, turning his attention to Luffy.
"You can tell that easily?" Luffy asks in surprise.
"Yeah, I've worked with a lot of boys your age, you could even say I'm good at spotting talent, or maybe just potential" the smirk looked familiar, maybe it was the smile combined with the hair, purple's a lot rarer than you think even in the Grand Line.
"Neat. So, you want us to drop you off at the next island or something. We don't have a spare ship so that's honestly the best we can do" Luffy admits.
"It'll be fine, I have a Vivre card, my crew will be here soon, your doctors patching me up means that at the very least Ain won't bitch at me for 5 hours about not taking care of myself… only 2 hours"
"That sounds right, Zelena gave Shanks a really long lecture when he lost his arm. Speaking of, your one is really cool" Luffy gushes, going off on a tangent as he often did.
"Yeah, can I get one? Where would you even go for something like that?" Chopper wonders aloud.
"Sorry kiddo, this one's one of a kind. Got it when I lost my arm in a pirate attack, these crazy scientists with the navy cooked it up. It gets the job done, even if it took a while to get used to where my arm ends these days. It's called the Battle Smasher, the claw's made of Seastone, so I can neutralise Devil fruit users" the man explains as he hefts his arm up to eye level, and flexing the fingers/claws "The palm's got an explosive charge to blow them to bits. Even a logia wouldn't be able to stand up to that kind of ordinance, not while weakened by the Seastone" he grins proudly, then with a chuckle continues "But I wouldn't recommend a weapon as heavy duty, and just plain heavy as this for a little guy like you Dr. Chopper. Also you need a special device to put it on or take it off, so it's a pain in the ass if you fall in the sea, practically makes me a Devil fruit user myself with none of the benefits"
"So, that means you're with the Navy I guess" Luffy hums, given the man said it was Marine scientists who made his Battle Arm.
"No, I was a long time ago, but not anymore, I got too old and quit. I'm doing something else these days" the man answers cryptically.
"Oh, what's that?"
"Let's just say I'm fighting to fulfil a mission I imposed on myself" he chuckles.
"Fighting against who?"
"Cool your jets, kid, we're having a conversation not an interrogation"
"Sorry, it's just that if you were working for the marines, things might get messy for the both of us. I don't understand politics and stuff, but I know that much" Luffy admits, peaking the man's curiosity.
"Oh, and why would things be messy between you and the marines?"
"Well cause we're pirates of course" Luffy grins, chuckling to himself.
Zephyr's jaw clenches as he stands "Pirates. Of course you are" he mutters, before his arm clamps down on Luffy's head and throws him like a baseball through the door and into the dining area.
"We probably should have seen that coming" Kaos sighs, following the sounds of destruction alongside Zoro, Sanji, and Franky.
"Seastone battle arm looks cool, hurts like a bitch" Luffy groans from the floor.
"Stand up!" Zephyr bellows as he stomps out of the Medbay "Before I kill you, you will look me in the eye and tell me why you became a criminal"
"Cause I'm gonna be King of the Pirates that's why" Luffy smirks even from the ground, meanwhile, Zepher's eyes bulge and his anger grows.
"King of the Pirates? Don't make me laugh boy!" he shouts as he slams down where Luffy was lying, only to miss.
"You really do have a knack for antagonising everyone we meet don't you Lu?" Kaos hums, dragging him back with his tail, meanwhile Hebi expands to a spiked bat/kanebo-style weapon.
"Medusa's boy, would have been worth coming out of retirement to train you, shame you took after your daddy rather than her, so all you've got coming for you is death" Zepher scowls, the Battle Smasher easily blocking the strike, allowing him to slam his haki coated fist into the researcher's gut, throwing him back into Sanji just before he had to block Zoro's attack, pushing back the swordsman long enough to slap a now attacking Luffy out of the air with his prosthetic and continue the 4 on one fight with relative ease.
"This isn't going how I expected it to" Franky grunts as his Strong Right is stopped cold when it collides with Zepher's Battle Smasher "And it's not like the small space is doing either side any favours"
"Open areas would probably just let him use the explosive palm attacks with less chance of getting caught in his own blasts" Kaos notes, managing to get in a strike to the liver, and was backhanded by the Seastone fist for his troubles.
BANG!
And to make matters worse, the Sunny was being rammed. Terrific.
"Go check that out, double dipping means that seastone is even worse for you than the others!" Franky shouts as he opens up Heavy Left, as given the damage Zepher was already doing, they were going to have to replace everything anyway.
"Hopefully that might answer a few questions, as he's not talking anymore" Kaos hums, before slipping out through the door just as a blue haired girl and very conspicuous ninja drop onto the deck of the Sunny.
"I am Ain, Vice Admiral of the Neo Marines" the woman helpfully introduces herself, completely unprompted "As you can see, you are completely surrounded. Do not resist as it will not end well for you"
"Yeah, that's not happening, we're not going to back down just because you asked us to, idiots!" Alvida sneers before leaping at the duo, who dodge rather easily.
"Mosa Mosa Dance" the ninja cries, flailing around erratically, but the consequences of which was the grass growing into vines and ensnaring a few of the Straw Hats on deck.
"Great, just what we needed, Devil fruit bullshit on top of everything else" Nami groans, her grip on her climatact increasing due to stress.
"2 Devil fruits, though what the girl has, I'm not actually sure" Kaos corrects as he joins them just to the side of the ship lawn, and therefore at least passively out of the ninja man's range, though in doing so it makes them Ain's targets.
"Sorry Franky. Ground Secco!" Vivi shouts, slapping her hand against the deck, gritting her teeth as she focuses her fruit on only drying out the grass and now damaging the rest of the ship.
"Damn brat, you're ruining my dance!" ninja screams, then yelps as he has to dodge a Wind enhanced knowing knife to the face courtesy of Valentina "Ain! Deal with her!"
"My orders come from Master Z, but tactical advice is always at least taken under consideration" Ain hums, before diverting course from trying to gut Nami, and losing one of her knives to Kaos' haki-enhanced tail, to zeroing in on the princess.
Return Return
Vivi shrieks before she vanishes into the bundle that was her clothes, the shock at once more seeing someone 'vanish' a crewmate giving the others momentary pause, just enough for her to get back into Nami's personal space and strike her with a Return Return as well. It was at this point Robin managed to unfreeze and pin her limbs with multiple blooms.
"That's enough, what did you do to Vivi and Nami?" Robin commands, but Ain just smiles, as her hand brushes against one of the blooms.
"Return Return. That's what I can do, little girl" Ain hums as the pink aura envelops Robin, her blooms popping due to her concentration being lost as the effect kicks in. She backflips to avoid a claw strike to the skull, a scowl flickers across her face as she sees the reflection-coated limb, deducing it wouldn't be worth the risk to use it unless the opportunity struck, luckily her backpedal allowed her to retrieve her knives and re-engage the fight that way.
"That's enough" Kaos hisses, claws meeting knives as he backs Ain into a corner, Victor and Valentina handling the Grow Ninja readily enough for now "You're going to reverse what you did, or we'll just toss you overboard" he threatens as his hand clasps around her throat.
'And…. there' Ain thinks as she catches his tail with a haki-coated hand, allowing a wide grin to cross her face as she watches the realisation fill his eyes "Return Return" she chants, as well as giving a swift kick to the diaphragm to put enough distance between the 2 of them "I must say I didn't expect to be able to tag 4 of you with my Return return fruit's power, but losing 12 years probably did quite a number on all but one of you. You're about 18 aren't you Nico Robin, the only 1 of my targets today to remain in double digits" she muses aloud.
"SMASH BUSTER!" was heard above them, just as the main area of the Sunny exploded in a fireball, Franky, Sanji, and Zoro being launched onto the main deck, while Luffy remained pinned in Zepher's claws.
"King of the Pirates? You can't even defend your own ship. Either way, it's curtains for you brats. But before I kill you, at least tell me your name, this close I know you seem familiar to me, but I can't quite place it"
"Monkey D. Luffy" Luffy wheezes, as Zepher's grip tightens…. And then stops.
"Monkey, so you must be Garp's Grandson. Interesting" Z chuckles, before tossing Luffy across the ship until he collides with the mast "We're done here. Ain, Binz, let's go, we can sink the ship with a barrage when we get back to the ship" he orders, getting a nod from Ain and the now-named Binz, who leap back to the battleship they arrived on "I AM Z LEADER OF THE NEO-MARINES! DO YOU HEAR ME?" he bellows, drawing all eyes to him "I'm gonna destroy every last pirate in this damn world, let's see you survive this, Pirate King!" he taunts as his ships bombard the Sunny while his flagship makes a hasty retreat.
"Shit, we need to go, now! Valentina shouts, rushing to the helm, Sunny herself priming the cannons to provide return fire, just in case. Meanwhile, Robin had to play the voice of reason, well she considered doing so, but it was a lot easier to just let Artemis slap Luffy AND Alvida with the blunt end of her glaive, to get them to remember the ship needs to leave and they need to survive in order to kick Z's ass at a later date.
"This is it Sunny. Emergency escape system: Coup De Burst!" Franky shouts as he pulls the lever, Sunny shooting off into the distance out of harm's way, for now at least, giving the Straw Hats time to lick their wounds and see what the damage was, once they found somewhere to make port.
"So we got a plant guy and an age girl?" Luffy repeats.
"That's the jist of it, the ninja guy could make plants grow and the girl said her powers reverse things by 12 years" Usopp nods.
"Then it didn't work on Psycho, he's at least 11" Sanji argues.
"No, that's basically what he looked like at 9, he's always been tall for his age, even Ace and Sabo were surprised when they found out" Luffy chuckles.
"You know you don't need to carry me everywhere Alvida, I'm 6, not 2" Vivi grumbles as her wife cuddles her like a toy.
"But you're so cute, I just need to hold you close and cuddle you. Luffy, hug little Vivi, she's so cute and wriggly" the smooth woman chuckles, as the princess pouts.
"It's nice that now the immediate danger has passed you haven't fallen into a deep depression" Robin notes, Medusa staring at her in confusion, as she looked similar to but different enough from Mama that it was odd "Also, if we ever needed proof whatever made you enhanced all your qualities…."
"Don't remind me Mom" Artemis sighs, knowing Robin was about to point out she was the bustier of the 2 right now.
"I've also stopped lactating, so there is that" Robin admits, getting a momentary look of disappointment from her 2 lovers, easier to notice given Shirahoshi was holding Kaos on her lap, while about the size of Madame Shyarly, before they refocused on other things.
"I want to apologize everyone, if I hadn't tried to help Z…" Chopper begins, only to be interrupted.
"Nope, not happening, don't apologize for sticking to your principles" Zoro scolds "You're a Doctor, just because I see a threat from that Z guy doesn't mean you did, you saw an injured man and needed to help him. Don't ever feel bad for helping people, even if it bites us in the ass, because we'll deal with it when it comes, and come out on top regardless"
"Zoro's right little bro, don't let one bad call force you to change yourself, you're the Doc, you're always gonna want to help people, nothing wrong with that" Franky adds comfortingly.
"Who the Hell even was that Z guy, or these Neo-Marines?" Sanji asks irritably.
"He seemed like a nice guy, right until Luffy let slip we were pirates" Kaya responds.
"He knew my mom, from back when they were both in the marines" Kaos adds.
"He knew Grandpa too, even just by reputation" Luffy agrees, given Z called them 'Medusa's boy' and 'Garp's Grandson' respectively.
"Doesn't narrow it down much, besides his retirement being within the last 20 years" Brook hums.
"Which also means these Neo-Marines haven't been around for any longer than that" Val adds
"5" Victor states flatly "That's how long they've been active, 5 years, taking out every New World pirate they've come across, at least based on what information Ywach and the Sternritters had on them. Though even they didn't know who was at the top of the organization"
"They've been doing this for 5 years and not pissed off any of the Yonko yet? How?" Ussop asks in a mix of fear and confusion.
"They probably have, but if the ship is blown to bits, nobody is there to point the finger. Probably assume it was other pirates trying to be a bigshot" Alvida suggests, resting her chin on Vivi's head, in turn pressing the girl's head further into her cleavage.
"Either way, we need to deal with them, and fix our crewmates" Luffy declares.
"Very true, while it is nice to have less weight on, most of my body, I don't want this to come at the expense of my family being reduced to children" Robin hums.
"We should probably be glad out of everyone Ain managed to whammy, it wasn't Franky" Kaos thinks aloud, getting a few nods from the crew, the cyborg most of all.
"Yeah, sure I've been a cyborg more than 12 years, but almost everything you see here, it was done in the last 2, while we were all on our own" Franky hums.
"There was also the fact it's non-magical, which I was worried would also affect Vivi, but somehow didn't" Artemis adds, getting a muffled hum from said princess.
"Yeah, turning Vivi back 12 years should have restored her leg, but it didn't, though it seems that her prosthetic is more integrated with her thigh region than it was prior, somehow" Kaya summarises.
"I'm putting it on the medical report as 'Devil fruit bullshit' and it annoys me greatly that I even have that as an option" Chopper admits with a groan, glaring at Kaos and Luffy who were the reason that option existed on his reports.
"I'm not apologising" Kaos smirks, using his tail to pull Medusa to himself, and both cuddle up to Shirahoshi, to the princess's embarrassment and low key amusement.
The dock owner turned out to be a wealth of information on Z, as a lot of pirate ships had been showing up on this island recently battered to shit, their crew was equally beaten and most if not all claiming to have been done by Z or the Neo Marines. He also directed them towards the next island over to resupply and gather more up-to-date information, though they were more than welcome to rest the Sunny with him and his family until all this was over, as the other island was connected to their one via a Sea Train.
"I'm sorry I make travel so difficult" Shirahoshi frets, clinging to Kaos like a security blanket/ anxiety snek, the mermaid planning to use her Size gauntlet to hide in Robin's fanny pack while on land due to her not being old enough to properly walk with her fish tail.
"It's ok hon, barely an inconvenience" Robin assures her "Besides, you could ride in my cleavage if you really wanted to" she purrs.
"Stop flirting on the train, we have bigger things to worry about!" Vivi shouts, even as she shamelessly curls up on Luffy's lap, the rubber boy chuckling as he hugs her close, Alvida resting her head on his shoulder and running her fingers through the princess's sky-blue, shoulder-length hair.
"Now remember, we're just here for clothes and information, so anyone conspicuous or likely to start a fight needs to stay away" Nami states aloud.
"That's most of us I'm afraid" Brook hums.
"Guess you're coming with us Hoshi" Zoro chuckles, to which the mermaid nods "We violent, conspicuous types can take some time off in the hot springs while we rest up for the big fight"
"That sounds rather nice, I must try to be more violent and conspicuous in future" Robin mutters, the others unsure if she was being serious or not, though Medusa poking her cheeks to tell her she was being silly at least kept the mood light.
"Please don't, you and Kaos already act too alike, I really want to be able to tell you apart in more ways than body shape" Ussop groans, getting nods from Kaya and Nami, and an eye roll from Artemis.
Hot springs
"This was probably one of the dumbest plans you people had, why did you guys even get in the water, you're Devil fruit users?" Sanji asks, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Well when it's only our lower half, the sensation is pleasant, in a long day, get some rest kind of way" Brook answers with an almost Kizaru-esque slowness to his voice.
"I kind of got manhandled into this position, not that I'm complaining" Kaos mutters, his answer muffled by Shirahoshi's apparently attempt to shove his and Medusa's heads between her boobs, the white-haired toddler not having the issues her father did of just splashing around in the water though, so was treating it more like 'bathtime with Mama Hoshi'
"Things are finally quiet for a change Eros, learn to relax" Zoro sighs as he leans back in the spring "We can't DO anything until we get some intel, which Usopp, Victor, Chopper and the girls are doing their best to acquire, well most of them"
"I can hear you, mosshead" Alvida snipes, before joining Luffy, her towel just barely covering her curves "I could try and distract you from Z, even just for a little while"
"Thanks, but we both know you'd rather hit something that screw, especially when Vivi's not here to join us" Luffy sighs, his bluntness causing a few of the guys to choke on their spit, Sanji's section of the spring to bubble, and Medusa to look confused before returning to Mama Hoshi's boob pillows for a nap.
"You ever heard of the phrase TMI? We don't need to know about your sex life, Luffy" Sanji facepalms.
"On an unrelated note, I bet Vivi and Sunny are happy the princess can fit through doorways again" Kaos cackles, as Vivi's oversized rump had deflated to the normal, flat, 'boyish' butt of a kid that age.
"You have no idea" Luffy chuckles, then sighs "I NEED to take out Z"
"Yeah, not a chance, especially with that Seastone arm of his. One touch and you'll be a wet noodle, leave the bastard to me, Mosshead, Franky, Hell even Ussop could get a lucky hit and break the damn thing, so it's literal dead weight" Sanji argues.
"No, it has to be me. If I can't avoid the arm, I'll just have to smash it to bits!" Luffy declares.
"Well I'll be, seems you're as energetic as ever Straw Hat. I've been soaking a while, so I'm a bit light-headed." The entire crew paused and looked above them, a shiver of fear running through them as the man who spoke was instantly recognizable, Former Admiral Aokiji, or as he's known currently. Kuzan.
"Hey Special K, why didn't you warn us about the Admiral?" Zoro shouts.
"Water makes me lightheaded and sleepy" Kaos hums, rolling over to he's at least able to see past Shirahoshi's chest "Hey Icicle dick, how's life outside the Navy treating you?"
Luffy blinks "Oh yeah, Jinbe said you quit when Akainu became Fleet Admiral" he mutters with a facepalm, the others very slightly unclenched at the news, that at the very least they weren't about to be arrested.
"Yeah I did, now give me a second to step out, I've soaked too long, and my brain is all fuzzy again, through not as bad as Borsalino's" Kuzan groans as he heaves himself out of the water, revealing the rather serious burn scars on his right shoulder and up the side of his neck, as well as how his left leg had been removed at around mid-thigh, though he quickly formed a prosthetic using his ice.
"Given about 4 of us are Devil fruit users… we should probably do the same" Alvida hums, the group deciding to take this talk elsewhere, aka somewhere dry.
"So what happened to the leg?" Luffy asks bluntly.
"You're a very nosy kid, anyone ever mentioned that before now?" Kuzan retorts "But if you must know, it's the cost of fighting a man as ruthless and determined as Sakazuki. He didn't remove my leg, but the damage was too severe NOT to amputate"
"Hm, I think Vivi's injuries were around the same level, though I doubt her workaround would work with your ice powers" Alvida hums.
"What's the workaround, just curious" Kuzan asks.
"Wood style, it basically functions as her actual leg rather than a peg leg due to actually being able to use said style according to Val" Luffy answers.
Kuzan snorts "To think something that rare, was hidden in the Nefertari bloodline all this time" he mutters to himself.
"So, why are you here?" Kaos asks, mostly to prevent any more distractions.
The ice logia smirks "I'm here looking for someone, a real beast of a man, though it's clear you've run across him yourselves, unless that new look is on purpose"
"No, Ain managed to tag a few of us" Kaos admits
"She's good, but Z is better, always has. Nobody can deny that about him, the old man has always been strong, he'd probably give Luffy's grandpa a run for his money. And much like myself, he was an Admiral before he quit too, funny how that works out"
Later
"The World Government's running the show, but the time we live in is still called the 'Great Pirate Era' as hundreds of you set out into the sea, looking for One Piece. But is it the One Piece that gave birth to these pirates, or did you, create the One Piece? Is the Dreamer or the Dream the source of itself?" Kuzan wonders aloud as the group wander towards the pier "When you set out to fulfil your dreams you step on other people's dreams in the process, and sometimes, even destroy people's lives. Does that mean we should crush their dreams in return? Is that even possible" he asks more openly "For Former Marine Admiral Zepher, he's a man seeking to find the answer to that question. If One Piece were to disappear, so would all the pirates, or so he believes. A crude conclusion, but there is at least some logic behind it, though a belief doesn't really have to be logical" he sighs deeply, looking out into the sea "I may not be a marine anymore, but I do want to know what fate has in store for Z. And, as for what i do with myself, I can't say, I'm not fully sure just yet" he chuckles before his eyes wander to each of the assembled Straw Hats, then turns to leave " But I'm glad I ran into you guys, because I know you'll follow your dreams, even if it means running straight for and butting heads with Z all over again, stubborn as your old man that's for sure. I've seen his answer, and now it's time to see yours. Good Luck, Straw Hat. Because Z is on this very island right now" he says as he walks away.
"So, have a plan yet?" Kaos asks carrying Medusa while Shirahoshi is carried on Zoro's back.
"Find Z, kick his ass"
"So the same plan as before, just on purpose this time. Make sense" Brook nods, as the group settles down and waits for the others to return, which takes a couple of hours.
"Hey guys, they're back" Sanji shouts, being the first to see them.
"Looks like they brought company too" Zoro notes, as the marines chasing them came into view from the dip in the road.
"It seems us not being there had no effect at all on the end result, should have just let the whole crew go along" Alvida laughs, until she's got a lap full of toddler, as Kaos follows Luffy into the street.
'This body is weak, helpless, but no Devil fruit can hamper THIS' the 9 year old double dipper thinks, before in near perfect synchronicity, both brothers unleash a wave of Conqueror's haki, red and purple forming an unavoidable wave and knocks every marine out cold, with the sole exception of their commander.
"Conquerors, damn it, it wasn't just Nico Robin, but all of them" the man coughs, as Luffy approaches the currently kneeling man.
"Hey, where's Z?" Luffy asks, but more demands the information from the marine.
"Other side of the island, at the sand dunes. Our forces are launching an attack on him as we speak" the man reveals, not seeing any reason to keep it a secret, especially as like he said, the attack was already underway.
KABOOM!
"That, was way too convenient, any chance that eruption was Z's doing?" Artemis asks.
"Yep, and now we have a target. Let's move!" Luffy orders.
Other side of the island, a little later.
"And so the Dyna stones awaken the sleeping beast that is the volcano, a fitting tribute for the destruction of the 2nd Endpoint" Z monologues to his forces "The Grand Reboot. Once we destroy the 3rd and final Endpoint at long last our dream will become reality, and once we rid the seas of all pirates, we will usher in a new age where Peace and Justice will triumph over Chao-"
"Gum Gum Rifle!"
"Well will you look at that, the brats are back" Z chuckles after blocking Luffy's attack with his Buster Arm.
"Z! You better fix my family right now!" Luffy demands.
"Ain. Binz, deal with them" Z orders with a nod of his head.
"I'll handle the girl with the knives, you take the ninja" Zoro huffs as he unsheathes his swords and rushes Ain.
"Idiot, fine!" Sanji scowls, before leaping at Binz who flails around while shrieking Mosa, not that it did anything without any plants for him to enhance and control.
"On the one hand, less fighting for me, on the other, they're moving too fast for me to support" Ussop sighs "I suppose I could try take out some of their goons"
"Now that's not how pirates act boy! You don't ask for shit, you take it. If you want to fix your friends that badly, you'll have to beat it out of us!" Z taunts, laughing as he does.
"Luffy, don't do this"
"It's the only way. If I want to fix this, I need to beat him one on one" Luffy scowls before running straight for Z who grins before the clashes begin, all the while the volcano destroys the island around them. "That arm is awesome, but I won't let it stop me" he declares before activating Gear 2nd.
"Using your powers to accelerate your blood flow and in turn the rest of you, impressive technique, but is that enough to take me on, will it even last long enough to attempt?" Z laughs, able to deduce Luffy's technique at only a glance, then begins to unload with his Buster Arm, Luffy manages to dodge most of the shots due to Gear 2nd and his Observation haki, letting him get close enough to punch him, flesh met flesh, and armament haki flared.
"You say you're going to be King of the Pirates, boy?"
"I will, I will find the One Piece!" Luffy snarls
"That's what they all say, and yet it's been 20 years and all that's happened is death and destruction. Show me that conviction, are you that willing to risk your life, throw everything you have aside for your dreams?"
"Of course!"
"Does that include the lives of your crew?" Z cries before unleashing another gattling barrage from his mecha arm, Luffy outrunning the bullets for now but it was hit or miss at times "Will you sacrifice your crew to become Pirate King!? Will you step over their corpses on your way to the crown!" he bellows, as he charges up a much more powerful blast, catching Luffy off guard, and only barely managing to dodge due to Gear 2nd's speed boost.
From there it once more became a back and forth, Luffy's strikes either hitting the Smasher or haki blackened flesh, while Z's missed by a hair most of the time. "It's over, if you can't get over your fear of my Smasher, you'll never land a blow on me. You know that right kid?"
"Oh Piss off! I faced worse!"
"Fear and uncertainty dull your edge, hiding it slows you down. SMASH TORNADO!" Z declares before firing into the ground, the shockwave causing a dust cloud as well as sending Luffy flying into the air, ensuring it was impossible for him to dodge the next barrage… not that it mattered.
"I'm made of rubber, bullets don't work on me" Luffy scowls as he bounces the bullets back at Z.
"All bullets?" Z asks, before pulling out a revolver and shooting Luffy in the shoulder, the pain, and shock at a bullet actually piercing him, meant it took several seconds before the other effect kicked in, his shoulder and arm both getting numb and difficult to move "How you like that seastone bullet? It's a difficult material to work with, so not a lot of people would use it like this, ensures you always have a trump card simply by rarity"
"Fuck, I'd hoped to never see these again after Kaos shot Blackbeard" Luffy grunts as he tries to stand up again, but the power of the sea was draining him of all his energy, and fast.
"The pirates of the New World see my arm coming, but not a little bullet, especially when it's a cocky little punk like yourself" Z scoffs, then picks up Luffy's hat from the sand "This straw hat has seen enough fights, I think I'll bury it when I put an end to your kind," he says as he walks away.
"Give that back!" Luffy shouts, pulling himself to his feet "Shanks gave me that hat, I swore I'd protect it until I could give it back to him" he cries as he charges Z who pauses hearing the new information.
"So, it was Red Haired Shanks that made you a pirate? Piling Sin on top of Sin, guess I'll be visiting him later too, in fact given how much of a pain in the ass you're becoming, maybe he'll skip the formalities and be someone I deal with before Newgate" Z thinks aloud
"Give it back to me!" Luffy cries, rushing straight for him only to get grabbed and clamped by Z's Smasher.
"Don't worry, he and all the others will be following you soon enough. After the Grand Reboot, you'll all reunite in HELL! If the Yonko think I'm beneath their notice that's their loss, arrogant bastards won't know what hit them, until it's too late to even try to stop me" Z gloats
"Don't you even think about laying a hand on Shanks!"
BOOM
With the kid dealt with, Z leaves to regroup with his men, Ain and Binz already having disengaged from their minor scuffles with Zoro and Sanji. And not a moment too soon as the volcano was setting off landslides just as he was reaching the ship.
The 4 pirates escape was much less impressive, and probably only an accidental rescue by Kuzan, flash-freezing the entire flow before it could destroy even more of the island, ensured they were able to reach the sea train, at which point Artemis collapsed from exhaustion due to using her magic to keep the conductor from leaving without them.
"So, everyone in agreement, this is probably what happened to that other island we were going to go check out before running into Z?" Usopp asks as they watch the island completely meltdown from the safety of a fleeing Seatrain, and getting nods of agreement in response.
"It also explains why we found him so soon after the ash bloom, he'd just destroyed the island and been swept away by the current" Brook theorizes.
"Is Luffy going to be ok?" Vivi asks as Chopper and Kaya patch him up as best they can in the back of a train.
"I think so, much more likely now we've got the bullet out of his arm. Z sure has a lot of seastone if he can waste it making bullets" Chopper hums.
"Especially given how unimportant he says we are, at least I had good reason to double tap Blackbeard with Seastone bullets" Kaos huffs, Medusa crawling onto his lap to distract him.
"Wasteful or not, we did manage to get the info we were searching for, Z's after the End Points, and clearly, plans to blow them skyhigh" Nami pipes in, pacing in their cabin.
"Didn't think they were real, but if they are, do you think the legends are too?" Valentina wonders aloud "About the creatures held back by the End Points, an ancient seal that spans the New World"
"Probably a load of crap, but these things are dangerous, and no good can come from Z destroying them" Zoro argues.
A proper patch job was done once they returned to the Sunny, Franky and Victor having done well repairing the girl while the others had been on their fact finding mission, and now they just needed a heading, and for Luffy to wake up, though even then, he wandered out into the rain and stared into the water, eyes focused on nothing. Alvida and Vivi stood under an umbrella working up the courage to talk to him, when someone else got their first.
"Didn't think I'd see you in this position again?" Kuzan spoke idly, getting everyone's attention, fear from the group that hadn't seen him earlier and mild confusion from those who had.
"Didn't you leave already?" Luffy sighs "Everyone relax, he's on our side, for now at least"
"Of course I am, I don't want the New World to get broken to bits" Kuzan groans "So how about we have that talk you wanted earlier"
"Now's as good a time as ever"
"So, Z or Zepher, or whatever is a former Admiral, and this is his 'justice' or some crap?" Nami repeats.
"Close enough, he stole some Dyna Stones a little while back, and he plans to use them to destroy the 3 End Points" Kuzan explains.
"Dynastones!" Robin gasps.
"I, don't know what those are, but it's clear they're very bad. Does anyone want to explain what they are?" Brook asks politely.
"They're a type of natural, explosive mineral, which reacts violently when exposed to oxygen. It's rumoured their power rivals the Ancient Weapons" Robin summarises, ignoring Shirahoshi's wince, for now at least "Naturally, their severe danger means they're not exactly well known to civilians, nor can they be obtained or possessed by them"
"Like Dance powder, but for much bigger reasons" Vivi nods, taking her place by Luffy's side to try raise his spirits.
"Indeed. The marines have them locked down, well usually, but apparently, Z has them now? That's quite distressing" Robin grimaces.
"Precisely. He plans to use them to destabilize the New World by destroying the 3 End Points, and he's already taken out 2 of them" Kuzan agrees.
"Wait a minute! What are the Endpoints and why does he want to blow them up?" Usopp asks, now really confused.
"They're supposedly a series of undersea magma chambers in the New World, but they're supposed to just be legends. Did you completely ignore mine and Valentina's conversation on the way here?" Nami asks with a grumpy pout.
"Um, yes?" Usopp winces, more so when he gets kicked in the shin by the 8 year old redhead.
"So, are they real, Kuzan, and what happens if they're destroyed?"
The Iceman sighs before nodding "They're real. Firs Island, Secon Island. If the pirates of the New World knew what was going on, they probably laugh in my face, not because they've never heard the stories, but because even if the have, nobody believes they're true"
"Because they can't be" Robin argues "The Government did the research and concluded the Endpoints were just fantasy."
"Yes, because the Government has never lied before, about things they shouldn't for potentially stupid reasons" Kaos grumbles, making Robin sigh as she knows he's right.
"Correct. The research was real, the report that was made public, not so much. The news was so dire, the World government used every means they had available to suppress it. If pirates learned of the truth, they could throw the world into chaos. It's why they kept it a secret, between the government and high-ranked marines"
"One of which being Z" Artemis correctly deduces "Explains why he's doing something that would be insane and stupid in the eyes of everyone else…. Ironically similar to locating the One Piece, only with more explosions"
"Correct. Z's already hit 2 of the Endpoints with Dynastone explosions, and if he gets the 3rd, the magma channels will become active, and, at least based on the true reports, they will unleash a wave of devastation across all the islands of the New World. Z believes that will burn every pirate to a crisp, and I don't doubt that"
"Every pirate, and everyone else living on this half of the Grand Line" Vivi retorts, fists clenched and shifting into sand.
"He can't just involve innocent people in his revenge, that's just cruel" Chopper squeaks.
"I agree entirely, but it seems pretty hypocritical coming from pirates. If it weren't for your kind terrorising the citizens of this world, Z wouldn't have a reason to do this" Kuzan argues
"Oh fuck your high horse, like everything in this world is the pirates' fault." Kaos snarls as he approaches, while most notably Shirahoshi and Vivi scowl at the former admiral "We've cleared up more of your Goda damn messes than we've caused. Yeah, some pirates are scum, like Blackbeard, World, and Crocodile but not all of us are burning villages to the ground laughing maniacally, some of us just want to see and learn about this godforsaken world! Hell since we left we've dealt with Captain Morgan in Shell Town, A certain cat with piss-poor plans in Syrup Village, and one of the most personal for us was Arlong in Cocoyashi Village, seriously it took you guys 10 painful fucking years Nami's hometown had to suffer through to find your fucking asses with him running around! Wapol after running away from another pirate out of Drum Island, Alabasta, Croc was one of YOUR War Dogs and you let him tear a country apart, Water 7 was a World Government Black Ops mission where CP9 aimed Robin's trauma at us and her daughter to get her to comply, and that mess resulted in Spandam pushing the big red button YOU gave him by fucking mistake no less, which is why there's no Enies Lobby anymore, Moriah was Self Defence, he took our shadows and we punched him until he gave them back and that fatass onion giant was hunting more than just Pirate shadows given that place was equal opportunity hellhole one of his victims by Chopper and Vivi's account an innocent maid, and then we get to Sabaody. Where you guys tried to kill us, because Luffy punched a guy who wanted a mermaid as a pet who probably shot someone's fiance to take as his wife without her consent probably a few hours before then. A type of crime your boys in White and Blue slapped on me!" he finishes listing off, about midway through his body melted into a puddle of silver, then reformed, not as a child, but as Bitter Justice, Kuzan about shoulder high to someone the others just now realised…. Looked a bit like Zepher.
"That wasn't what I expected from Kaos" Kaya whispers.
"Think the return fruit messed with his emotions?" Usopp wonders aloud
"Or the seal thing that was in the report, he said it was put in him around this age" Chopper theorizes.
"You left the Marines too Aokiji, you saw there was something wrong with them, just like Z did, he's just gone off the deep end because he's finally found the end of his rope" Justice hisses.
Kuzan grimaces but doesn't argue "Correct, Z's reached his limit and is now consumed by revenge, to the point where yes, everyone living on this side of the Grand Line is 'acceptable losses' up to and including himself"
"Because the Neo marines are a suicide cult" Alvida grunts, remembering how casually they threw their lives away while trying to kill Panz Fry a couple of days ago "they don't care about their own lives, as long as the pirates are also dead"
"And I don't really care, Z has my hat and I'm not stopping until I get it back!" Luffy declares as he finally stands up.
"You….. really need to sort your priorities out" Nami groans.
"No, he's got his all figured out" Justice chuckles.
"The hat is his treasure, it's a symbol of his determination" Vivi summarises.
"And I promised Shanks I would bring it back to him one day, when I became a great pirate. I won't break that promise, no matter the cost" Luffy finishes, haki flaring in his clenched fists.
"Well in that case, best get ready for another fight, who's fighting who?" Victor asks, having come down from the Sunny to check on the commotion.
"Kaos with me, Vivi with Valentina on plant guy, and time girl… Zoro and Vic" Luffy suggests, surprising almost everyone.
"That, should work" Nami hums "I suppose the rest of us have to handle his minions?"
"Yep"
"Great, I'm going for a nap" Justice nods before melting back into kid Kaos.
Kuzan watches in silence and confusion. These kids… were actually choosing to run straight for Z a 3rd time, despite the dangers and being completely outmatched? Maybe he underestimated them after all.
"We ready to set sail Franky?" Valentina shouts as she was closest to the Sunny.
"You bet, Sunny's ready to go, I made the repairs good, and Super!" Franky confirms with a grin.
"In that case, you pirates might need this" Kuzan finally finds his voice, placing an Eternal Pose in Nami's hands "This will lead you to the last Endpoint, and with it, Z"
"Why are you giving US an Eternal Pose?" Nami asks in confusion and suspicion, not helped by the fact she didn't even know if Piriodo was a real island or not, getting Dead End Race vibes from the gift "Why are you helping us"
" Because even with the marines on their way there, we need all the help we can get with what's at stake. It's the final Endpoint after all, Z takes it out the New World goes Kaboom" Kuzan explains rather bluntly "If you lose we're all dead, but even if you win, you'll still be surrounded by the strongest marines the world has to offer, so it's not like you can just walk away smiling and laughing. It'll be fun to see if you make a difference at all, and I wish you the best"
"Saving the World ain't really my style, but if it's what we need to do to fix the others then call me a SUPER Hero." Franky shouts.
"Plus, we live here too, so saving the world is inherently self-serving," Robin adds with a chuckle.
"Are you forgetting something?" the old dock worker calls out with a grin "I promised you weapons, and now you're dressed up and your ship's repaired, feel free to take everything you need"
"The old man was telling me and Franky about them while you were gone. A lot of the pirates Z beat up gave up when they washed up here, leaving all their stuff behind" Victor explains as the others suit up.
"Meaning we can carry these to the End of the Road, and they can help us beat Z, in spirit at least" Chopper laughs as he finds a cool sword.
"Exactly!" Franky agrees, flashing the reindeer 2 thumbs up "Beat Z with the combined dreams of all the pirates he crushed!"
"Let's do this then!" Luffy cries, before leading the crew back to the Sunny, now primed and ready for battle.
On the way
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
CRASH
"For God's sake, we're about to go into a fight for our lives, can none of you… take…. This …. Seriously?" Nami asks, trailing off as she looks down and her brain stalls trying to figure out what she's looking at.
What she's looking at is that Shirahoshi had just run face-first into the Sunny's mast while screaming, that part was understandable, it was the long, serpentine, salmon-pink tail that went from the mast to the doorway that made her question what she was seeing. Luckily her screaming meant Nami wasn't the only witness.
"The fuck?"
"Why does Shirahoshi have a snake tail?"
"Could she always do that?"
"Awesome!"
Owie" Shirahoshi whines as she pulls herself away from the sail, rubbing her face as Robin and Kaos rush over to check on her, the medical staff aka Chopper and Kaya right on their heels.
"So…. how the fuck?" Alvida asks, deciding not to beat around the bush with this one.
"I was meditating, trying to see if there was anything else about Abisaruhiru that might come in handy for the upcoming fight, and well, this happened" Shirahoshi points to her overall form, and now she was turned to them, the Straw hats noticed the needle like fangs peeking out of her lips, and jet black slit pupils in her eyes, meaning more than just below the belt had been changed in this transformation.
"I didn't think that trident of yours would function like an Asuchi, but it would seem I was wrong" Victor chuckles, while a blushing Shirahoshi with a little effort, curls up her tail, forming a seat for her human half in a way that almost resembled Hancock and Salone, just all one unit, so a little more like Kaos and Sandersonia in their hybrid forms.
"No offence, but does she have time to learn to move in an entirely new form on the way to a big fight?" Ussop asks, sceptically.
"No, but these marine goons are weak. What little training she could get, will probably be enough with back up to handle anyone besides Z, Ain and Binz, all of whom will be preoccupied by their own battles" Kaos argues "Guess I have something new to teach you princess, how to move as a lamia" the teen sized 9 year old winks, making the princess giggle, though that toothy grin did bring something to the forefront of her mind, how all this happened.
Mindscape, about 5 minutes ago
"Oh, I'm here again, please don't have Leviathan too" Shirahoshi grimaces as she moves through the destroyed Shell Tower, and into the palace itself, mostly due to not knowing how or why she ended up here again, as she didn't even have the Abisaruhiru on hand the last time. Though she did recognize a familiar prescience, so decided to swim towards that. Which was how she ended up in the Throne room, with an unnatural level of darkness filling the shadows. "Hello? I know you're here, this is kind of my place so whatever you are, isn't supposed to be here" Shirahoshi calls, trying to sound brave, though her nerves were probably noticeable in her body language.
"So, I was right, your power has returned to this world" a deep, sibilant voice echoes through the room "Choosing Poseidon as a mate, my vessel makes such interesting choices"
"Who are you? What are you doing in my head?" Shirahoshi shouts, Abisaruhiru manifesting in her hands, though the oppressive weight of Calypso's prescience nearly made her drop it in shock.
"Still new, still green, but determined, and with a warrior's heart. It seems you made the right choice, old friend" the sibilant voice almost purrs.
"You know that's not how it works" Calypso's voice echoes, Shirahoshi catching a glimpse of the ancient mermaid's head lure in the corner of her eye "But that doesn't mean I disagree, my descendent has had little chance to show herself, but the fact she could even find my blade, awaken the echo, she will do nicely. But that's not why she's here, not yet at least, she's here, because of you"
"Zesesese! Correct. I see your heart little fish, and I know it's filled with light, for my vessel and my sleeping mate. So why not give you a little boon, as a thanks for the creature you are on the path to becoming oh so soon" Something moves in the gloom, massive taloned hands slam on either side of Shirahoshi, causing her to squeak and Calypso to hiss defensively, not that the Outer God took any notice. From the shadows popped a reptilian head about the same size of that of a Neptunian, the largest variant of Sea King, with 3 large purple eyes, void black, comma-like shapes floating around in the orbs, all 3 focused purely on the mermaid princess. Opening it's maw ever so slightly, which due to his size still exposed massive serrated teeth, he exhales, blowing a fog of sakura pink and silver dust which flowed over and was absorbed into the relatively tiny mermaid "Survive long enough little one and using my gift will be as easy as breathing. I look forward to seeing what you become, that my faith isn't missssplaced" he laughs before fading away, not a trace remained, even the shadows had returned to normal, though Shirahoshi felt exhausted and drained by his 'visit'.
Back on the deck
"The island is in sight, but we're staring down a Neo-Marine blockade" Artemis shouts from the Crow's nest.
"Then we blast through. Ussop man the Goan Cannon!" Luffy orders as the Neo-Marines become aware of the Sunny's prescience and start firing at her, which lead to cannons turning and some firing on their own, as well as the ones directed by the Straw Hats that didn't have long-range options for attacks.
"Target locked, and fire!" Ussop cries as he unleashes Sunny's laser cannon, taking out the ship in a massive fireball explosion, and giving them the opening needed to get to Periodo relatively unhindered.
"Don't let them get to Master Z" bellows a Neo-Marine as the Sunny makes land and the entire crew disembark.
"Let's find Z and his lieutenants, and TAKE. THEM. DOWN!" Luffy declares, leading the charge, all of them taking out any Neo-Marines that got in their way, eyes on the prize.
"Where'd everyone run off to?" Zoro wonders as he wanders into a clearing with odd rock formations.
"Idiot, I know Luffy said fan out but you do remember this is a team operation?" Victor sighs as he catches up.
"Not my fault if you get lost" the swordsman shrugs "You gonna contribute anything to this fight, because I don't think that dragon form of yours will be much good against someone like the Age chick?"
"There is a lot more in my toolbox than just Teostra, that was just the most useful one given we were trying to stop the Noah crushing us" the bomber man explains, then both step back as the tower beside them reverted to magma.
"Return Return. I won't allow you to reach Master Z, your opponent is me" Ain declares from the top of another structure.
"Like this. Outshine the Sun! Kaiser der Sterne!" Victor shouts, a hammer-shaped rather similarly to a tower appearing in his hand, the ports beginning to exude an ash-like material that floated in the air.
"Yeah, that'll do it" Zoro smirks as he goes straight for the bandana and full serious mode "No offense Miss, but this is going to be a painful experience"
"I have no doubt you can defeat me if you pirates have even the basic understanding of teamwork, but I don't have to win, I just have to buy time for Master Z to accomplish his mission, and if I die in the process, I have no regrets" Ain admits.
"Sounds real noble when you say it like that, a brave soldier willing to die for their commander's dream" Zoro scoffs.
"Shame that dream is the death of everyone on this side of the Grand Line. Guess you really can make genocide looks good if you hide it behind pretty words" Victor sneers, the Incediary bubbling in his veins.
"I refuse to be lectured to by pirates, you will not live to see tomorrow!" Ain screams as the battle commences.
"Word of advice, ninja to ninja, the trick is to NOT stand out, not draw all the eyes on you, idiot," Valentina says as her twin kunai clash against Binz' tonto, then leaps back to avoid a sandy spear from Vivi's fist.
"You filthy pirates shouldn't be allowed to live, I condemn thee, Master Z condemns thee!" Binz shrieks and pulls faces, luckily without any plants nearby he was just being an idiot.
"Whatever, I'd probably care more if you weren't about to annihilate so many innocent lives in your bullheaded desires to kill all you don't like!" Vivi frowns, unleashing her monofilament wires from the rings hidden within her sand.
"I'd ask if now is the best time for a lunch break" Kaos begins, but see's the sheer number of bodies dropped by Luffy in the time it took for him to catch up after losing sight of him "But you clearly worked up an appetite. Also Z is just over that hill, everyone else's fighting is really doing a good job of clearing up the interference"
"Alright, then let's kick his ass!" Luffy cheers, swallowing the last of the meat and ready for Round 3.
"Gaia's Hammer!" Alvida cries as she slams her hammer down, the energy flowing into the ground and launching over a dozen Neo marines sky high "There's no end to these bastards"
"There has to be, even IF WE HAVE TO END §THEM ALLL§!" Shirahoshi hisses, the bloodlust of her new form flaring up as she slices through a Neo-Marine like he was made of paper that tried to sneak attack Nami.
"Let's call that Plan B, simply because there's no way we can kill everyone here in the time it takes for the Marines to show up" Artemis argues, using Gepo to practically fly around slicing up Neo Marines with her Blood Oak glaive.
"Should we be worried about Shirahoshi?" Ussop asks, but keeps firing.
"It's her first adventure with our crazy asses. We're all fighting Suicidal idiots trying to end the world, she's allowed be extra violent about it" Nami argues
Clang
Clang
Clang
"Return Return!" Ain cries, forming energy balls with her powers, only for them to be blocked by the ash-cloud and as it reacted caused it to essentially implode, as the energy reverted the exploding particles to non-existence.
"Ah, so that's what you meant" Zoro nods approvingly.
"Even in a kid body, Kaos is fiddling with powers, he realised her abilities affect all things, as time does, so putting something between me and her, means I at least can't be deaged, and if she went for full contact…." the bomberman trails off
"...Boom" the swordsman laughs
"Sonic Release: Helm Splitter" Valentino shrieks, unleashing a shockwave that sends Binz flying, while Vivi just leaps at and through his plants, draining them of their moisture and destroying them by the time she'd reformed on the other side.
"This guy was a lot more intimidating on the ship" Vivi hums, to disassembling to dodge some more vines he sent her way.
"Yeah, probably because he knows he's going to die if Z wins, and just doesn't care anymore. Meanwhile, we have every reason to go all out. Cursed Seal of the Sky!" Valentina chants as her hands clasp together, the Tomoe on her back rotating until the tails interlock, her eyes and ears hidden by the brim of her hat, before yellow energy exudes from her core, then as bat wings burst from her back, the wind picks up, and a blood red glare meets Binz' fearful gaze.
"Taste the chill from the depths of Hel. Soul Solid!" Brook hums as he lunges, freezing whole swaths of Neo-Marines with a few swings and thrusts.
Not wanting to be outdone, Robin pulls out the big guns "Giganto Mano: Stomp!" she smirks as the giant bloomed legs step on, slam, and kick anyone within range of her attack.
"Finally made it huh, both of you it seems" Z notes, a little amused seeing Luffy and Kaos, setting the bottle down and getting to his feet.
"Yeah sorry we're late, had to fight our way through a hell of a lot of your guys to get here, plus this is probably the centre of the island" Kaos hums, finding Luffy's hat in seconds, as well as the dozen or so Dynastone containers littered across the crater, one of which hat the previously mentioned straw hat sitting on top of it.
"Indeed. I'm sorry to inform you boys, but the charges set to destroy the final Endpoint have already been set, you're too late to stop me now" Z chuckles.
"I don't care about your explosions, you wanna die so badly go right ahead, I'm here to get my hat back, maybe kick your ass for taking it in the first place, that's all" Luffy states bluntly.
"Lot of trouble for a ratty old hat, doesn't look worth the trouble, why don't you tell me why it's so important?" Z asks, amusing himself as he's already won in his eyes.
"It's my promise, to become King of the Pirates!"
"Zehehe, it's sentiment like that, which makes it so I can't just kill all you pirates, I have to destroy every sea in which you roam" Z laughs bitterly.
"That's basically all of them, you will kill everyone but the people who actually deserve to be wiped off the face of the earth if you do that" Kaos argues, though it was more sarcastic than he probably could have been.
"True, but the New World is practically a pirate playground, it's not the Marines who rule this sea, but you pirate scum. So it's time to start over, burn it all down, and with it, every dream you bastards ever had. With THIS arm, I'll seek out all the Evils of this world, and CRUSH it" Z growls before beginning the fight with a swing of his Smasher, the brothers leaping away to avoid the ground pound.
"Let's do this!" Luffy cries, rushing headfirst and starting to pound on Z's metal arm, going for fast jabs to minimise exposure to the Seastone, though luckily the entire arm wasn't made of the material, so he was a matter of luck as well as aim.
"Gonna need more reach and flexibility" Kaos sighs, melting into Saria who slams a kick into the 'elbow' of Z's prosthetic.
"You need to do better than that to knock me down Missy" Zephyr laughs, watching a girl barely out of her teens, purplette scowl, bouncing on the balls of her feet as a snake coils around her shoulders.
"I don't care if you are Black Arm Zepher, I'll still kick your ass and be better, I'll be a hero to the people, a Protector, just like you taught me. I'm going to WIN!" she cries, drawing a dagger which as she pumps haki into it, expands into a longsword "Borsalino, get off your ass and help me!"
"I'm already out Medusa, you gotta win this for both of us" a tired drawl groans somewhere behind her.
"It's not a Ring out fight dumbass, if you're still conscious you're still in!" she cries, then leaps at him, Zephyr dodging the slash and blocking her heel with his forearm, haki flaring off both of them, and smiling as he manages to push him back.
"You might just make it, already a Lieutenant from what I've been hearing, that's my girl!" Zephyr laughs, before reminding the young marine she still had a lot of work to go, burying his fist into her chest, just below her bust, where the ribs ended, knocking the air out of her and killing the force behind the kick to the neck she tried to take him out with.
"You got some moves kid, but not enough to take me down" Z grunts, swinging her away and causing Saria to somersault through the air, before using her tail to springboard right back at him, Hebi wrapped around her right fist like a knuckle duster "This will be your final resting place, the end is nigh!" he declares, using his Smasher and enhanced his left arm with Haki to block and divert Luffy and Saria's kicks and punches.
"Pacifistas!" Franky bellows as stark white Kuma bots appear over the hill, their lasers targeting the nearest Dynastones almost as much as the pirates "We gotta take them out or Luffy stopping Z might not even matter"
"Yeah, if they just set off the stones from this far away, then it's all for nothing" Sanji grits his teeth, before with a flourish, activates Diable Jambe, both legs auto igniting "Hell Memories!" he cries, shooting forward and with a single kick turns several Kumas into a raging firestorm.
"That's how you do it. Franky-Radical Beam!" Franky joins in, firing his laser into the hoard.
"Red Dragon Firestorm!" Artemis chants, before blowing out a sea of deep crimson flare
"Mosa Mosa" Binz yells, unleashing more and more vines as he leaps around the battlefield.
"Sonic Release: Sky Slicer!" Valentina cries, her wings blazing with the violet energy of the elemental attack, before dive bombing and shredding any plants she comes across.
"How are you doing that? No human should be able to move at that speed?" Binz yells in confusion.
"Technically correct, the Curse Mark strengthens my durability enough that I can use sonic release on my body, rather than just swords and kunai. Not that it really matters, as I'm just here to clear a path" Valentina grins, showing off her vampire fangs.
"What?!" Binz cries, as he feels wires ensnare his limbs, stopping his Mosa dance in its tracks.
"This is for trying to destroy the New World…. And giving me the chance to test out a new technique. Suna Suna Comet!" Vivi yells, reforming right above Binz, the last thing to do so being her right arm, which was massively amped up and even clawed, before it clenched into a fist and was dropped right on the highly visible ninja's weird face.
"Return Return!" Ain says as she leaps and bounces across the field, everything her hands touch reverting to lava, but despite her best efforts this didn't even slow her opponents down, Victor manifesting blazing red wings, and firing explosions at the bubbling magma, while Zoro either dodged or sliced the rising spouts, both on her in moments, and to her annoyance her knives couldn't block the hammer swings, meaning she was mostly dodging both of their attacks, as while she could block the swords, it left her open to counter attacks. Even when she switched to guns to fire her Return bubbles they were either sliced apart by haki-infused sword slices, or detonated prematurely by Victor's explosive ash cloud.
Finally she was just a little too close, and Zoro shredded her guns just as Victor managed to land a blow to centre mass with his hammer, sending her flying back into one of the stone pillars, cracking it and knocking her out cold.
RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP!
"God fucking damn it!"
Valentina couldn't help it, she cackled as the moment Ain was knocked out, and her Return Return fruit wore off, the first thing to happen was Vivi's skirt losing the will to live and being torn to pieces why her rapidly expanding ass.
Meanwhile further in the field, Nami regained her teen years and her curves, Robin once more became the tallest and bustiest of the Nico girls once again, and while still in her Saria form, Kaos had returned to his original age, in fact, all aspects of him had a fun way to show it off.
"Just give up, my Justice is Absolute, it won't waver, not even an inch!" Z declares as he once more blasts the duo away with another Smash Buster
"I've heard that all before, all it does is piss me off. Demon Art: Entrapment" Saria chants, grinning as Lily's vines, not being Devil fruit related were unaffected by Seastone, then using him as a counterweight, Saria threw herself as high as Lily's vines would allow, form changing as she did.
"Let's Even the playing field, Zehahaha! Earth Tremor Deux!" Kaos cackles, eyes blazing and pupils contracted into silver slits as both hands are aglow with Tremor bubbles, Z quickly raises the Smasher to block the attack… which was the entire point.
Reality rippled, and several Dynastone were set off and exploded all around them… but the important part, was even as it felt like his hands were broken, Kaos was still grinning like a madman, because the broken pieces of Z's Smasher arm, lay all across the battlefield, Z equal parts shocked…. As impressed.
"You'd have made a great marine boy, both of you would, showed those pansies back at Firs and Secon island a thing or two, shame you became a pirate" Z chuckles as the final casing fell, revealing that the Smasher was an add on, and Z also had a regular prosthetic arm "And yet you keep fighting, despite everything, despite the fact that even if you win here, and don't die either when the Dyna Stones detonate or when the Marines come flooding in, you pirates will always be despised, always be feared. You're no heroes, I can see that in your eyes"
"We never said we were" Luffy pants "I've never said I was a hero, I keep telling people I'm not one yet they keep calling me one" he growls irritably "I'm here because I want to, I'm here because I want my hat back, and because I don't want you to kill everyone in the New World! I don't care what people think of me, I just know I can't be King if I can't beat a psycho like you!"
"Ignorance, naivety, or ceaseless arrogance you really think you can break down a wall if you keep banging your head against it" Z sighs tiredly.
"I'd have gone with stubbornness, but ignorance works too I guess" Kaos nods as Hebi spins in his long fingers.
"Doing what you want, not matter what others think, must be nice? Well since this is my last day on earth, guess I'll do the same" Zephyr laughs, both arms shimmering with jet black haki, and both Luffy and Kaos grimace before knowing the fight wasn't over yet, even if the Smasher and it's Seastone were dealt with. Luffy hakis up his arms much like Zephyr, while Kaos coats his arms and legs in Reflect Armour, the silver material cracking as he lets haki flow through it, making black vein like structures form along its length.
Zephyr clearly had experience and skill on his side as he landed blow after blow on the 2 boys, but unlike the last Old Marine who beat the shit out of them, Kaos and Luffy knew how to fight back these days, meaning when they did manage to get in a hit, it hurt, Luffy mostly got gut checks on Zepher, while Kaos aimed for his limbs, trying to do anything to lower his combat effectiveness, and it was slowly wearing him down, shame it was also wearing them down as well. Finally, Luffy got a lucky punch to Zepher's jaw, knocking his glasses off, and surprisingly causing the Ex-marine to smile, he might actually be enjoying this last dance.
"You can't win, even 2 on 1, I'll drag you both to Hell with me" Zepher pants, catching Kaos' tail as it wraps around his arm, pulling the taller man in to give him a punch that undoubtedly cracks his sternum.
"You'd be surprised what we can survive" Kaos taunts, blood leaking from his clenched teeth.
"I won't lose, I'll never stop fighting. For I am the man who'll be KING OF THE PIRATES!" Luffy declares, haki flowing off him like a waterfall.
"Zehehehe, then let me crown you properly your highness!" Zepher laughs, before unleashing a flurry of punches, alternating between Luffy's stomach and his face, but the rubber boy just wouldn't drop. In fact he started to retaliate, matching Z blow for blow, before both were on the verge of dropping… and Zepher finally fell, landing on his back as Luffy barely clung to the vertical.
Pulling himself up properly, Luffy stumbles over to Zepher, who lay panting on the ground.
"I'm so old, I wanna get up, wanna end this fight properly, but my body, it just won't listen to me" Zepher pants, vision drifting in and out of focus "It's a damn shame, every time I find some joy in this world, it always seems to get away from me" he mutters, chuckling humorlessly.
Luffy hums and leaves to retrieve his hat, while Kaos watches Zepher push himself at least into a seated position.
"When a man has a big dream, anything that's in his way, gets trampled and left behind. Now take your hat, and take my life, I'm finished" Z states, almost matter of factly.
"Yeah, Luffy's not that kind of pirate, and I don't really feel like killing you Zepher" Kaos laughs, a pang fluttering in the old man's heart.
"He's right, I don't want your life, just the hat. Honestly the fight was kind of fun, maybe next time Kaos won't butt in and I can really see how strong I am" Luffy flashes a wide grin as he slaps his hat back on his head.
"No, but it was fun, wasn't it?" Zepher smiles despite himself, then his eyes widen as Kaos heaves him to his feet, just as Ain and Binz arrive.
"Mom's not here to get you up off your ass, so it might as well be me" he winks, then slinks away, getting tackle hugged by Shirahoshi while Luffy is fretted over by Vivi and Alvida, until Chopper and Kaya get all 3 of them to move so they can check on the brothers.
"Yeah, she'd have done that" Zepher mutters, before turning to his last 2 loyal students "Ain, Binz, I want to apologise for the suffering you've endured for one old man's dream" he apologises, his tone regretful
"Suffered? We only wish to help you Master Z" Ain responds, her expression a mix of distressed and concerned.
"Everyone all lined up in a row, talk about convenience" everyone looks up to see Kizaru standing at the edge of the crater, his usual half smile gracing his features, as many more marines follow on his heels "I suppose it's a shame Straw Hat, Mirror Demon, and Master Z are all so close to death, but you were going to die anyway, I'm just going to speed up the counter.
"Damn it, we almost had a win there" Nami groans.
"You're back Borsalino, and with all my old friends, well, most of them" Zephyer muses, beginning to march his way in Kizaru's direction, to the surprise of all present "I did what I wanted until the end, but I still have to pay the price to all the men I walked over to get here" he acknowledges with a deep sigh "Because otherwise, I won't be able to face the ones who went before me. You won, Straw Hat Luffy, and that means you earned the right to continue your little adventure. I don't know where I'm going after this, but I'll keep an eye on your progress, from the Great Beyond. Get out of here, let Old Man Zepher take care of this"
"No way!"
"Don't even think about it!"
"MASTER!"
WOOOOOSH
Before anyone could stop him, a massive wall of ice erupted between Zepher, the Straw Hats, Ain and Binz.
"Kuzan, thanks for giving your old teacher a place to die. Goodbye, and goodluck finding your own justice" Zepher mutters, catching the Ice logia out the corner of his eye and nodding, leaving as his old master begins tossing around marines, even as high as Vice Admiral rank like they were trainees, his punches brutal in speed and force, his haki blazing at a level it hadn't in years. His heart soared, he had his moment of freedom, and he was at peace.
"Goodbye, Master Zepher. Tell Medusa, I'm sorry" Kizaru prayed, before unleashing his strongest attack Yasakani Sacred Jewel, peppering the Ex-marine with a deluge of laserfire, each beam blasting a hole clean through.
"That's more like it Borsalino. Now look closely boys, because Master's got one last lesson to teach you zygotes!" Zepher grins through the pain and powers through, charging straight for his former pupils.
Sunny
The air was sombre as the Straw Hats sailed away, explosions and flashes of light still visible on Periodo, Zepher continuing to fight, still ABLE to fight after all this, with such terrible odds. They knew, he knew, that he was dead, he just wasn't making it easy on the marines, not 'giving them' the win.
?
"§The sea carries us carefully,through the dark of night and light of day,to the world that's just and peaceful, so that we never lose our way.§" Tsukoyomi sings to herself, her mind adrift, and her soul pained. Her companion is for once silent, letting her mourn even if she no longer remembers the reason. The reports had come in, Periodo island and the End point had been secured, the Dynastones retrieved, and Rouge Marine Z taken down with extreme prejudice. "Goodbye, Master Zepher" she whispers, blood running down her cheeks.
END
LW: And that was Film Z. I hope you all enjoyed, and that I'll see you again in 2 weeks, when we begin the Punk Hazard arc.
Goodbye!