It was dawn. The pirates were coming, and the four of them were up at the top of the slope. They looked out at the ocean, speaking not a word as they waited for the fight that was to come. As they did, Usopp, Nami, and Zoro were still stunned by what they saw not too long ago.

-Flashback-

"Haki?" Zoro asked.

"Yeah. That's what it's called." Luffy said with a grin.

"So that's how you survived both attacks Luffy?" Zoro asked as Nami remembered the cannonball while Usopp looked lost as to what they were talking about.

"Exactly."

"Okay. So...what is it?"

"It's...well...hmm." Luffy said as he had his hand to his chin again in thought. "It's a mystery power." he answered, causing the three others to fall over.

"Is that all you can say?!" Zoro roared at Luffy. Luffy thought for a moment before grinning.

"You know, rather than tell you, I'll show you." he said as he took off his hat and gently placed it on the ground before looking them all straight in the eye and said "Hit me."

"Huh?" they all asked, thinking they heard wrong.

"Hit you?" Nami asked.

"Yeah. As hard as you all can. Don't hold back."

"Are you crazy or something?" Usopp asked, now sure that Luffy had lost his mind.

"It's okay. Just do it." Luffy said as he stood completely still with his arms at his sides.

"Alright." Zoro said as he pulled his arm back before punching Luffy in the head, knowing it wouldn't hurt him. They watched as Luffy's body stayed put, but his head flew back as his neck stretched out.

"GYAAAAAAAH!" Usopp screamed, freaking out at seeing Luffy's rubber powers for the first time. "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU?!" he screamed again as Luffy's head came flying back before stopping where his head was before the punch.

"I'm a rubber man." Luffy said before they told Usopp that he ate a Devil fruit.

"No way. Those things exist?" Usopp asked, still shocked at seeing what he saw.

"Yep." he answered before looking at Zoro again. "Hit me again."

"Really?" Zoro asked, now getting bored.

"Yes." Luffy said with a grin. Zoro sighed but pulled his arm back again and threw the punch. His fist hit Luffy in the face like last time, only Luffy's head didn't budge as Zoro drew his fist back, waving his hand before seeing where he hit had turned black on Luffy's forehead.

"What is that?" Nami asked pointing at Luffy's head as Usopp rubbed his eyes.

"This," Luffy said as he pointed at the blackened part of his head. "This is Armament Haki." he declared as the black faded from his head.

"Armament...Haki?" Usopp asked.

"Haki is basically pure willpower." he said as he held up a fist and turned it black. "With training, you can unlock two of the three forms of haki. This black stuff is Armament Haki. It acts like a suit of armor around your self." he said as he hand turned back to normal. "And it even lets your attacks hurt those who are Logia types."

"N-no way." Nami said wide eyed as Usopp's jaw practically hit the ground.

"Huh? So that's how you're still alive after those attacks?" Zoro said in a slightly impressed tone.

"Yeah." Luffy continued. "And with enough training, you can even infuse that power into your swords Zoro." This caused Zoro to grin as Luffy looked to Usopp. "And even in things like your slingshot attacks.

"Really?" Usopp asked excitedly with stars in his eyes. "That's so cool!"

"Wait a minute." Nami interrupted. "You said that there were three forms of this haki stuff right?"

"Yeah. There are two more." Luffy said as he held up two fingers. "Another one is called Observation Haki."

"How does that work?" Usopp asked.

"Simple." Luffy said as he turned his back to them all and closed his eyes. "Your turn Nami. Attack me however you like."

"What?" she asked.

"Trust me Nami." Luffy said. All of them stared at him before Nami sighed and got out her staff.

"Fine." she said as she got ready to attack.

"A strike to my legs." Luffy said moments before Nami swung at his legs as he jumped to avoid the hit.

"What?" she said as she looked at Luffy.

"He...predicted her attack?" Usopp gasped as Zoro stared in surprise. Nami raised her staff to attack again.

"A strike to the top of my head." he said before he turned slightly so that her staff hit the ground. Again they all stared at him before she brought her staff up again. "A strike to my back." he said before doing a backflip to avoid the staff strike a third time.

"No way..." Nami said as she stared at Luffy, who looked back and grinned.

"From what I've learned, everyone emits a 'voice' while they live. Observation Haki allows one to hear this voice and know what they're planning to do next. Usually, those who give off a killing instinct can be read more easily. But with enough training, you can hear the voice of anyone. That's what Observation Haki is."

"So basically, you could read our minds a moment before we strike. Is that it?" Zoro asked.

"That's it." Luffy grinned.

"No way. With that kind of power, you can be invicible!" Usopp shouted.

"Not really." Luffy said "Even if you can see it coming, what's the point if you can't do anything to stop or evade it?"

"Hmm. Good point." Zoro said.

"So...what's the third one Luffy?" Usopp asked.

"I'll show you when the pirates get here." Luffy said as he looked back to the ocean, ending the conversation.

-Flashback Ends-

'The power to know what your opponent will do beforehand.' Zoro thought. 'And the power to create a suit of armor around one's self. Both with your will alone.' Zoro looked at Luffy before finishing his thoughts. 'Who exactly is this guy that I'm following as Captain?'

()()()()

"Where are they?" Luffy asked as dawn had come with no pirates in sight.

"They should've been here by now." Zoro said in slight annoyance. Everything was quiet until Nami put a hand to her ear.

"I hear shouting coming from the north." she said.

"The north?" Usopp asked before his eyes widened. "Wait a minute! The northern shore!" he shouted.

"Wait. So we're at the wrong shore?" Zoro asked.

"Well they had their secret meeting here, so I thought they would attack from here as well!" Usopp yelled. "This oil trap is worthless now!"

"So all we gotta do is get to the north shore huh?" Luffy asked before Nami screamed in panic.

"Our boats are there! They'll get my treasure!" she screamed.

"Let's go guys. Which way Usopp?" Luffy asked.

"It's identical to this shore. Just run north and you'll be there in three minutes!" he shouted.

"Alright. Shave." Luffy said before he disappeared right before their eyes.

"Huh?" the three said before they blinked and ran off towards the shore. At least, Usopp did. Nami slipped in the oil, but grabbed Zoro's ankle to get herself up the slope, leaving Zoro to slide to the bottom.

"Sorry Zoro!" she shouted as she ran off.

"I'm gonna get that bitch for this!" Zoro grumbled in a dark tone.

()()()()

At the northern shore, the Black Cat Pirates had arrived and were ready to head up the slope to attack the village. While they were going over the plan, Luffy had arrived at the top and sat on the ground, crossing his arms and legs, waiting for his friends to arrive.

"So that was North huh?" Luffy said to himself. He remembered how he got mixed up last time and used his Haki to find the black cats. He looked down at them, remembering them and their scum of a Captain. He was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard footsteps behind him. He smiled without turning his head. "Looks like you're second Usopp."

"Whoa. You got here pretty fast." Usopp said as he caught his breath. "You vanished just like that." Luffy just smiled.

"Hey look!" shouted one of the black cats at the shore, getting both their attention. "Who are those two?"

"AHH! They saw us!" Usopp yelled, looking at them all in fear. Luffy just sat there picking his nose with his pinky.

"So?" he asked. Usopp just stared before losing it completely.

"SO?! SO THEY'RE HERE TO ATTACK THE VILLAGE AND KILL KAYA! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN EVERYTHING?!" Usopp yelled.

"If we beat them, they won't get there. Right?" Luffy asked.

"W-well yeah." Usopp said before he looked back down at them and got scared again. "But that's a lot of pirates down there!" he screamed as he pointed at them. While they were talking, one of the pirates noticed their boats and took a look, finding a bag of treasure in it.

"Captain Jango! There's treasure here!" the pirate yelled, getting everyone's attention. "It's probably worth five, maybe ten million berris."

"What?! That much?!" Jango screamed. As the black cats looked at the boat, Usopp got an idea.

"Yeah. That's my treasure!" he shouted at them. "I'll give it to you all if you'll leave this island for good!" he said before he was looking at the sky as Luffy used his arm to knock Usopp off his feet. "Huh?" was all he muttered before his head hit the ground.

"Usopp." Luffy said in calm voice as Usopp sat back up and rubbed the back of his head. He looked at Luffy who's eyes were shadowed by his hat. "That treasure is Nami's. She needs it for something very important." he said. Usopp looked at him as Luffy's head slowly turned. "Also, doing something like that with her treasure," he said before looking at him with a terror filled expression and sweat on his face. "Is guaranteed to get you an ass whooping."

"YOU GOT THAT RIGHT?!" Nami screeched as she came out of nowhere and smashed her staff against the back of Usopp's head, shoving his face into the ground. "I heard every word Usopp! What's the big idea trying to give away my treasure you asshole!" she screamed out.

"I-I'm sorry." Usopp muttered as he looked up at her, now wondering who was more terrifying. Her, or Kuro's men?"

"Hey." Jango called, gaining their attention. "What nonsense are you spouting? We're pirates, so we'll take your treasure AND attack the village. GET EM!" At his words, the Black Cat Pirates stormed up the hill, ready to kill Luffy, Nami, and Usopp before attacking the village. Nami and Usopp freaked, while Luffy just sat there watching.

"Luffy. Do something!" Nami yelled.

"Why? You guys can take them." he said without looking at her.

"Are you crazy?!" she and Usopp yelled. They began to shake him by his vest and yell out reasons why they couldn't as he kept the same expression on his face. While they did that, the black cat's were halfway up the hill.

"Better hurry. They're getting closer." Luffy said, making them both look back at the approaching pirates.

"Shit!" Usopp yelled as he reached into his bag of tricks and pulled out some kaltrops. Nami saw this and helped him throw them down the path, leaving them everywhere for the pirates to step on. They watched them all howl in pain before they realized that a lot were thrown behind them as well, trapping them there. Usopp turned back to them and starting shooting lead stars at them all, knocking them back one at a time.

"Nami." Luffy said. "If any of them get close, you take them out and cover Usopp. Got it?"

"You're nuts if you think I can-"

"Got it?!" he said as he looked up at her with a serious expression, leaving no room for arguement.

"Fine." Nami grumbled as she pulled out her staff and stood next to Usopp, reluctantly ready to fight. As good a shot Usopp was, their numbers were too great as some managed to get close. When they did though, Nami fought them off as best she could with her staff. They were almost outnumbered until...

"USOPP! NAMI! DUCK!" Luffy yelled out. They looked back before freaking and ducking, letting an enraged Zoro swat the entire crew away like flies, all the way back down the hill. Everyone looked up to see an oil covered Zoro breathing hard. He finally caught his breath before glaring down at Nami.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't cut you to pieces!" he growled out at her.

"Hey, it's not my fault. I tripped, you fell." she said.

"BULLSHIT!"

"Hey Zoro. What took you so long?" Luffy asked, getting a death glare from his first mate.

"Not now Luffy." he growled out.

"This is nuts!" one of the pirates said as they were all picking themselves up from Zoro's attack.

"No one said anything about monsters being in this village!"

"What do we do Captain Jango?!"

While they were all asking Jango what to do, Luffy and his friends were chatting at the top of the hill.

"Why didn't you fight Luffy?" Nami demanded. "You could've used that Haki or whatever and taken them all out with no problem."

"She's right." Usopp said. "All you did was sit there and pick your nose." They both glared at Luffy while Zoro remained silent as Luffy looked at them all.

"Nami," Luffy said as he looked her in the eye. "You want to go to the Grand Line for certain reasons. Right?" he asked, keeping her reason for money to himself.

"Y-yeah." she said before Luffy looked at Usopp.

"Usopp. This is your village, and you want to protect it. Correct?"

"Of course I do." he answered back.

"Well to do that, you both need to get stronger." he said in a calm voice. "I'm strong, but that doesn't mean you need to count of me to do everything." Both of them just looked at him as his words sank in before he continued. "No matter how good you guys are at using tricks or deception, sometimes fighting is the only answer, no matter how much you try to avoid it."

"He's right." Zoro said, gaining there attention. "Whether fighting for your ambitions, your home, or for some other reason, without strength there's nothing you can do." he said as he unsheathed his white blade. "And the only way to do that is either through training or fighting others." Both just let their words sink in before they sighed and turned back to the pirates down the hill.

"Hey, what's he doing down there?" Usopp asked, noticing Jango swinging a ring back and forth in front of everyone else.

"It's Hypnosis." Nami said. "He's trying to hypnotize them all." While the ring swung, Luffy pulled his hat over his eyes, remembering that he went all out last time he stared at the ring. If that happened now, he doubted that the island would still be left after he was done.

"One...Two...JANGO!" Jango said. A moment later, all the pirates gave out a loud battle cry, ignoring their wounds from earlier as one smashed the side of the cliff with his bare hands.

"W-what the fuck?!" Zoro yelled.

"He...smashed the side of the cliff!" Nami gasped.

"And now all of them are that strong." Usopp muttered in horror.

"Hmm. Maybe I'll help this once." Luffy said as Jango ordered them all to attack again. As they charged up the hill, Luffy stood up, his hat covering his eyes as a grin appeared on his face. "You guys asked about that third form of Haki right?"

"Now's not the time Luffy!" Nami screamed at Luffy. Zoro was getting his other swords out but stopped when Luffy held up his hand.

"I got this Zoro." he said as the pirates were nearly upon them. They were a few feet away before Luffy looked up at them all. And then, before anyone knew what had happened, Luffy had let out a controlled blast of Haki at all the pirates. Time seemed to slow down as all the pirates, besides Jango, stumbled and fell, everyone of them unconcious. Luffy just smirked while the others felt their breath catch in their throats as they stared at Luffy wided eyed.

"Oi...Luffy." Zoro managed to say.

"What...was that?" Nami said as Usopp's jaw hit the ground.

"That," Luffy said. "Is Conqueror's Haki."

"Conqueror's Haki?" they all asked.

"It's very rare and said that only one in a million can use it." Luffy explained. "It's basically my willpower against theirs. Since my will was stronger, that happened." he said as he pointed his finger down at the unconcious pirates.

"No way!" Usopp said as he, Nami, and Zoro stared at the scene before them.

"That's...impressive." Zoro said. Nami was stunned speechless as she glanced back and forth between Luffy and the pirates.

'No way. Maybe...' she thought before shaking her head. 'No! I almost have enough. I won't risk their lives. Besides...they're still pirates.'

"This...can't be happening." Jango gasped out. "How did this happen?!" he screamed. "If Captain Kuro sees this, he'll kill us all! He began to sweat before he heard two voices coming from the ship and got an idea. "Since it's come down to this...NYANBAN BROTHERS!" he shouted. At his words, two figures lept from the ship and landed right behind Jango.

"Sham here Captain Jango." said a skinny man with a hunch and green hair.

"Buchi here. What's going on Captain?" said a fat man with a large bell around his neck. Both of them had clawed gloves and cat like features.

"Those kids up there are keeping us from our job." Jango said as he pointed at the four on the hill. "Deal with them."

"W-what?" Sham said as he shook in fear. "But we're just the watchmen."

"No way we can take them on." Buchi said as he coward next to Sham.

"SHUT UP AND ATTACK ALREADY!" Jango ordered.

"What's wrong with those two?" Nami asked.

"They look ready to piss themselves." Zoro said as he walked forward a bit. "So who deals with who?"

"You can have them all to yourself Zoro." Usopp smiled as he waved a bit.

"Yeah, have at em Zoro." Nami said smiling as much as Usopp. Zoro just grunted as Sham came running towards him, waving his claws in the air. He was sounding like a scared kid trying to act tough to a bully as he got closer. Zoro just watched with a bored expression as Sham got closer.

"Keep your guard up Zoro." Luffy said as he watched everything happening in front of him.

"Alright." Zoro said as went for his other swords, but blocked as Sham's cowardly farce faded and attacked him.

"Zoro!" Nami and Usopp shouted as Sham jumped back away from Zoro. Zoro noticed he was missing two of his blades, which were on Sham's back. Sham took his swords and tossed them down the hill. Zoro went to attack Sham, slicing his side before running for his swords, only for Sham to jump onto his back and hold him to the ground for Buchi to jump into the air and stomp his head into the ground. Zoro managed to evade in time before using his one sword to block Sham and Buchi's relentless attack.

"He'll be a scratching post soon." Usopp said as he loaded his slingshot and aimed at the brothers, but was stopped by Luffy.

"Those two will kill you if you do that." he said. "If you want to help, get Zoro his swords."

"I'll get them." Nami said as she made her way past the Zoro and the Nyanban brothers and ran for his swords, not noticing Jango walking up the hill with his ring out. Jango stepped on the blade just as Nami grabbed the blade. She looked up just in time to see the ring coming towards her, but stop just as it pierced the fabric of her shirt on her shoulder.

"That was too close." came Luffy's voice. Nami looked up to see that Luffy had grabbed Jango's arm, preventing Jango from hurting her.

"Hey! Let go you bastard!" Jango yelled as he tried pulling away from Luffy before he turned blue and gasped. Nami just stared before she heard Sham and Buchi gasp in horror. She, Zoro, and Usopp all looked at where they were looking, while Luffy didn't budge as he knew who was there. "C-C-Captain Kuro!" Jango managed to squeek out.

"It's past the appointed time to attack." Kuro said in a calm voice from on top of the hill. "Yet, everyone is unconscious or being held off by children. He adjusted his glasses before bellowing out "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!"

Sorry. I guess the fight is next chapter. I apologize and hope you'll all bear with me here.