Chapter 12
The Straw-Hat Shinobi could do nothing but stare in shock at the man who sat in front of them.
"Did… did… did… Arlong say "Psycho"?" Nami asked.
Usopp's face screamed fear.
FLASHBACK
As Usopp and Chopper walked through town a, man with black spiked hair with red highlights, walked by them. As he crossed paths with Usopp it was like time froze and Usopp stood completely still, choking on his words. When the man had gotten a decent distance away Usopp came to his senses and looked back towards the man. Chopper looked up at Usopp and the man who walked by.
END OF FLASH BACK
"I walked right past him in Nanohana!" Usopp yelled to himself.
"AHHH HA HA HA HA HA!" Arlong laughed, "I sure did, you know him?"
That question did more than just stun Nami, the entire crew were shaken by seeing him, but it wasn't fear. Psycho continued to stare for a moment until he finally spoke.
"So." Psycho started.
The entire crew cringed.
"You're the ones responsible for Crocodile's failure and the deaths of two of my men in the sand village hm?" Psycho asked.
Everyone knew the question was rhetorical, but Luffy answered anyway.
"YEAH YOU'D BETTER BELIEVE WE WERE THE ONES WHO DID IT! NOW WHO'S THE LEADER HERE? YOU? YOU? OR MAYBE YOU?! YOU LOOK TOUGH!" Luffy yelled, pointing at different men.
Psycho stood up slowly and slowly looked towards the rubber man.
"Oh Luffy. You should really learn to keep that big mouth of yours shut. It'll get you into trouble." Psycho threatened.
Luffy winced and Naruto walked by his side.
"You attack Luffy and you're attacking me." Naruto said.
"How do you know Luffy?" Nami asked.
Psycho looked into the crowd behind Naruto and Luffy and squinted.
"Brook? Robin?" Psycho asked.
Both Straw-Hat members shook at the mention of their names, they looked up at the man.
"My my. How could I not have known you two were sailing with Straw-Hat Luffy?" Psycho said.
Luffy and the straw hats all wore shocked faces.
"How the hell does he know Robin? Let alone Brook? Isn't he at least 90 years old now? This guy doesn't look a day over 25." Zoro said to himself.
"So. You ended up eating the revive revive fruit as I suggested I see." Psycho said.
Brook looked down.
"Y… yes… I did." Brook said.
"And Nico Robin." Psycho started.
Zoro walked in front of Robin and lifted his sword out of its holster with his thumb. Psycho squinted in annoyance.
"Don't speak to her like you know her." Zoro said.
Nami and Sanji both looked at Zoro, Sasuke as well.
"But I do know her, Mr. Swordsman. Nico Robin and I go way back, actu-." Zoro interrupted Psycho.
"I said you can't speak to her." Zoro said with authority.
In the blink of an eye Psycho appeared in front of Zoro and put his hand on Zoro's shoulder to lean down in his ear.
"If you interrupt me again, you're going to wish you didn't." Psycho whispered.
Zoro's eyes filled with shock with how quick this man was. Psycho pushed Zoro to the side to continue speaking to Robin.
"Robin. How have you been?" Psycho asked.
Robin was too scared to speak.
"A little intimidated? I understand. Don't worry, I won't hurt you or your friends if you all make the right decisions here." Psycho said. Naruto and Luffy clenched their fists.
"I was actually going to have Kuro try to locate you. You're still into world history and archeology correct?" Psycho asked.
Robin nodded her head slowly.
"Good. You see there's a library that I was intending on visiting again for the first time in a while and I'd love for you to go with me. There's plenty of knowledge for you to dig into, stuff you've never even heard of before." Psycho explained.
Robin's eyes widened at the mention of such a place.
"Re… re… really?" Robin asked.
"Oh, of course. I really think you'll enjoy it. I'm going to be leaving in two days. You'll have the rest of today and all day tomorrow to make up your mind." Psycho said, heading back to his seat. He walked right by Naruto and Luffy in the process.
"Just let me know what you want to do. You'll know where to find me when the time comes." Psycho said, sitting back down.
The Straw-Hat Shinobi all stared in awe at how calm this man was acting. Could this really be the Psycho Uchiha who everyone was so afraid of? The most wanted man in the world?
"Do you think we're a damn joke?" Naruto asked, head down.
"What the hell do you take us for?" Luffy asked.
Psycho opened his eyes and looked at the young men.
"YOU'RE JUST GOING TO WALK PAST US AND HAVE A CONVERSATION?!" Naruto asked.
"YOU THINK WE'RE SO WEAK THAT YOU'D JUST TALK TO OUR CREW MEMBER LIKE THAT? THERE'S NO WAY SHE'D GO ANYWHERE WITH YOU! GET UP SO I CAN KICK YOUR ASS!" Luffy yelled.
Psycho sighed and stood up from his chair again.
"I haven't seen my dear friend in quite some time… is it that wrong for me to speak to her? It had nothing to do with how strong you think you might be, and I do remember asking her to make a decision." Psycho said, "I'm also going to ignore that comment about kicking my ass. We all know that won't happen."
Members in the background started laughing.
"KICK THE BOSSES ASS?"
"DON'T MAKE US LAUGH!"
"YOU'RE GONNA PAY TALKING TO THE BOSS WITH THAT LANGUAGE!"
Psycho sat back down and looked at the boys again.
"Don't make a decision here that you'll regret young men." Psycho said.
Naruto and Luffy shivered and bit their bottom lips.
"I'll also ignore what you did to the door, I'll have my men take care of it. That was rather ru-."
Psycho was interrupted by Luffy trying to use his gum gum pistol.
"Rude." Psycho finished.
"Tsk." Luffy sounded, with an angry face.
"Are you sure this is what you want? The next move you make determines where we stand." Psycho warned.
Luffy responded by launching the rest of himself at Psycho.
"GUM GUM WHIP!" Luffy yelled.
Psycho jumped over Luffy's stretched leg and waited for him to zoom closer. When Luffy was finally in range Psycho used Luffy's momentum against him and punched him in the face, sending him flying into the wall next to his friends. Naruto looked back surprised.
"Pay attention." Psycho said, standing directly in front of Naruto.
Psycho threw a left hook, then a right hook, grabbed the back of Naruto's head and kneed him in his gut then held his right hand on Naruto's stomach and blasted a ball of energy that launched Naruto in front of the Straw-Hat Shinobi.
"What kind of attack was that?" Sasuke asked himself.
"What in the hell is this guy?" Zoro thought.
Sasuke and Zoro both looked back at Kakashi for their cue, to which Kakashi nodded. As they both got ready to draw their swords they were stopped by Cyclone.
"This fight is between Psycho and those two. Unless you think you're tough enough to beat me." Cyclone said.
Sasuke and Zoro stared at him, anger in their eyes. Zoro tried to cut him but was intercepted by Cyclone's own blade. Sasuke took advantage of Cyclone being pre occupied and ran into Arlong Park to help.
ZEEEEEERRRRRROOOOOPPPP
Sasuke tried to take advantage of Cyclone being pre occupied and run into Arlong Park, but Cyclone gabbed his leg and slammed him down on the ground, then ducked and swept Zoro off his feet and axe kicked his stomach.
"GUAHHH!" Zoro said in pain, coughing up mucus.
Sasuke looked up at Cyclone.
"How the hell did he do that? I could've sworn I had made it past him! Next thing I know he grabs me." Sasuke thought.
"I'm sure you would like to know, but I don't have time to explain it to you. Just shut up and watch the fight." Cyclone said.
Robin and Sakura ran over to Zoro's aid.
Inside the park Luffy and Naruto had gotten to their feet.
"Luffy, it looks like one on one we won't win. We'll have to attack him both at once!" Naruto said.
"Yeah!" Luffy agreed.
The boys got into fight stance and charged Psycho, who stood with his arms crossed.
"Gum Gum Gatling!" Luffy yelled.
Luffy began throwing his rapid punches while Naruto threw punches as well, Psycho slipped, dodged, and evaded every punch the pair threw at him with no trouble. Luffy ended up stopping and started throwing regular combos with Naruto which Psycho dodged even easier.
"He… he… he's dodging everything they throw! That's two people in there!" Usopp said.
"Tsk. So, this is the power of the DEATH leader huh?" Sanji asked.
Psycho continued to evade attacks until he decided to get on the offensive. He caught Luffy's fist and elbowed Naruto's head down wards and pulled Luffy's fist towards the ground and threw an upwards elbow at Luffy's face. While Naaruto fell Psycho kicked him into the air and side kicked Luffy in the body to send him flying into the wall again. While Naruto continued to go air born Psycho jumped into the sky and caught Naruto by the throat and threw him back towards the ground head first, Eneru didn't let him hit the ground though, catching him by Naruto hitting his stomach on his golden rod, then got rammed into a wall by Arlong.
"HEY THEY JUMPED IN!" Sanji yelled, "Come on Franky!"
Sanji and Franky attempted to jump over the wall, but Cyclone jumped in front of them and punched Franky back towards the ground and back handed Sanji, both men hit the ground hard.
"Mind your business. Remember, you're spectators." Cyclone said.
Sanji and Franky struggled to move.
"This guy hits hard…" Sanji thought.
Psycho landed back on the ground softly.
"Do you understand my power now? You boys don't stand a chance against me. It doesn't matter what you do." Psycho said, "The goals I set out to achieve by forming this group will not go unaccomplished. I won't let you or your friends interfere with my plans." Psycho said.
Luffy and Naruto slowly moved and rised to their feet. Bruised and a little bloody. Their friends watched from outside.
"Naruto…" Sakura said.
"Luffy…" Zoro said, "I have to get in there to help him…"
"Then move me." Cyclone said, looking back at Zoro.
Zoro grabbed his swords.
"ZORO NO." Luffy said.
Zoro became shocked. Sasuke grabbed his swords.
"SASUKE YOU DON'T INTERFERE EITHER!" Naruto said.
Sasuke also became shocked.
"What do you mean don't interfere?" Sasuke asked, "This isn't the time to play hero! You both need help with him and that's what we can give you!" Sasuke yelled.
"Don't help us. We got this." Naruto said, turning bijuu mode and charging Psycho again.
Luffy activated gear 2 and charged Psycho as well. Both threw insanely fast attacks that almost couldn't be seen with the human eyes. As Psycho continued to dodge even those, he threw counter punches as well, doing more damage to the pair than they were doing to him, if they were doing any at all. Psycho hurricane kicked both into their friends but disappeared to end up behind them and caught them both. Psycho looked back at the group.
"Are you sure you don't want to help? What can these two weaklings possibly do to me?" Psycho said.
As Psycho asked that question Luffy threw his left leg as high as he could and slammed it back down, causing a huge explosion of concrete and smoke. Psycho had back flipped out of it and before he could settle Luffy shot in front of him, hardened his left arm and attempted to punch Psycho who blocked it. Naruto suddenly appeared under Psycho and attempted to punch him, but Psycho dodged it and before he knew it a clone shot out of the air and attempted to rasengan him.
BOOOOOOOOMMMM!
Another explosion of concrete and smoke filled the small arena. When the smoke cleared, Luffy was being used as a shield for Psycho, he had taken the rasengan full on.
"Oh, shoot! Luffy I'm-!" Naruto was punched by another Psycho, who seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Naruto back flipped and landed. When he looked up there were two Psychos. The one who used Luffy as a shield threw the rubber man at Naruto.
"Is that?!" Kakashi asked.
Psycho put two fingers by his mouth and released the shadow clone.
"Great he can use jutsus too?" Naruto asked.
"Of course, I can you fool. I am from the ninja world, same as you." Psycho said.
Luffy had woken up and Naruto set him down.
"You alright?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah I'm fine, it looks bad but physical attacks don't work on me!" Luffy said.
Nami smiled at the thought of that. Psycho could think he was hurting Luffy but he wasn't.
"Oh, that's right… physical attacks don't work on you." Psycho said, "Well, since you're both getting serious, I guess I should too."
Psycho squatted with his left arm on his knee and his right hand on the ground. A position the Straw-Hats knew well.
"HEY! LUFFY! IS HE ABOUT TO-?" Zoro stopped.
Luffy's eyes filled with shock as Psycho's body released steam and shone a pretty pink.
"Gear 2… is that what you call this?" Psycho asked.
Luffy couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Huh? Luffy? What's wrong?" Naruto asked.
Psycho reached his arm back and it stretched out through the wall.
"HE'S A RUBBER PERSON TOO?!" Usopp yelled.
Luffy and Naruto stood inside staring in dis belief. Psycho looked up and squeezed the fist of his extended arm and it caught on fire.
"LUFFY GET OUT THE WAY! THIS MOVE IS!" Zoro tried to yell.
Psycho suddenly sprinted towards with Luffy with great speed.
"Gum gum…" Psycho said softly.
Luffy fell out the way of Psycho's attack.
"RED HAWK!" Psycho yelled as his flame fist came into contact and exploded on his target.
Psycho looked up to see Naruto flying through the air.
"NARUTOOOOOO!" Sakura yelled, just finishing up with Sanji.
Sakura attempted to run into the park, but Cyclone stood in her way.
"Where do you think you're going?" Cyclone asked.
Sakura stared up at the man in fear.
"I won't tell you again to stay out of it. If any of you attempt to run past me again I'll have to use force." Cyclone said turning back around.
Naruto hit the ground with a giant burn mark on his chest with blood running down his chest and face.
"Naruto!" Sakura yelled again, "Please get up! You're going to be okay! When this is all over I'll get in there and treat you! Just keep holding on!"
The more Sakura yelled, the more annoyed Cyclone got. Eventually, he got tired of it and turned around. Sakura looked at him slowly as he choked her and lifted her up off her feet.
"HEYYYYY! YOU BASTARD! LET HER GO!" Sanji yelled.
"Sakura!" Robin yelled out.
Robin crossed her arms and a bunch of arms came out of Cyclone's back and grabbed Cyclone's hands to try and pry them off Sakura's neck.
"Interesting ability you've got there, but I've seen a technique like it before." Cyclone said, grabbing a kunai out of his pocket and stabbing one of the hands.
"AHHHH!" Robin yelled.
Zoro looked back at Robin who was holding her bloody hand. And looked back at Cyclone. Sanji stood up with his hands in his pockets. While Cyclone continued to choke Sakura, Sasuke charged him.
"Let her go!" Sasuke yelled.
"No. That infernal yelling she keeps doing is getting annoying." Cyclone answered.
Zoro put on his head band, held out his swords, and spoke to himself as he spun them around rapidly.
"Three sword style: 1,000 worlds!"
SLICE!
Blood flew through the air as Zoro had zoomed past Cyclone and ended up inside the park. When he looked back his eyes opened in horror.
Sakura slowly fell to the ground with an X cut into her body. Sanji and Sasuke stared with their mouths open slightly, eyes wide.
"Probably shouldn't have thought so loud Roronoa Zoro. You would've had me if I didn't hear you." Cyclone said.
"DAMN YOU!" Sanji yelled as he charged Cyclone and jumped into the air, "JAMBEL CONCASSE SPIN!"
Sanji turned into a wheel of fire as he tried to kick Cyclone, who put his hands up to block it, Sasuke charged a chidori and ran towards Cyclone at the same time.
BOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!
Heat filled the area and lighting could be heard. Cyclone had caught Sasuke's hand and Sanji's leg.
"Impressive attacks. But, usless." Cyclone said.
Cyclone broke Sasuke's wrist so bad his bone popped out and let him fall to the ground in pain. Fearing the same would happen, Sanji landed on the ground and attempted to snatch his leg away, but Cyclone pulled him in and clotheslined him, when Sanji hit the ground Cyclone stood over him with his hand over Sanji's leg.
"Let's see how much moving you do now." Cyclone said.
Cyclone's hand formed a blue beam and he shot it at Sanji's leg, burning it.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!" Sanji screamed in pain. Zoro attempted to cut Cyclone again with oni giri but Cyclone grabbed his sword and both men threw a slash. When they both holstered their swords, Zoro's chest wound opened back up. Blood flew everywhere.
"AHHH GUUUAHHHHH!" Zoro groaned before dropping down.
"AHHHHH I'm tired of watching this!" Franky tried to run in this time, but Cyclone jumped up and caught the punch Franky tried to hit him with and held on to it while he drop kicked Franky as hard as he could, breaking off the arm and sending Franky into a tree.
Usopp tried to shoot an exploding star but Cyclone flicked it out the way and teleported behind Usopp.
"Pitiful." Cyclone said before throwing Usopp against the park wall, leaving Usopp's body print.
Brook had seen enough and engaged in a sword fight with Cyclone. Cyclone was the younger one, but his experience proved too much for Brook. He knocked Brook down and kicked his head away from his body. Then stuck his sword in front of Brook's severed neck to keep the revive revive fruit from connecting Brook's head back on to his body.
Nami and Kakashi witnessed the entire thing.
"He's… he's… a monster." Nami said.
Kakashi stared at the carnage. All this damage, only one man did.
Back inside the park Luffy tried to charge Psycho.
"Water style: Water prison jutsu!" Psycho yelled.
Water came from out the pool and trapped Luffy in it, who lost strength rapidly.
"Oh, that's right. Devil fruit users can't swim. How unfortunate." Psycho said, "Shadow clone jutsu."
A clone appeared next to Psycho and both stretched both arms back a great length.
"You and Naruto really tried to put up a decent fight, but to what avail? Your own friends couldn't get in here to save you. Do you see how useless you really are without them?" Psycho asked.
Luffy continued to lose strength and consciousness.
"Goodbye. Straw-Hat Luffy." Psycho said.
The Psycho clones both launched their arms at Luffy and yelled.
"GUM GUM BAZOOKA!"
Luffy's body flew in the air as well. Blood pouring from his head and coming out of his mouth.
Psycho walked up to the bodies while everyone but Zoro, Franky, and Usopp watched, as they were unconscious.
"Now do you understand? Do you see the difference in our power? This is the power of a man who has a dream he hopes to fulfill. A dream I've never given up on. Do you know what the main difference is between us is? Look at your rag tag group, what could any of you possibly have done here today? You barely know each other but expect to work like a well-oiled machine. Pure nonsense. There's history behind my team. History and training to work the way we do. I almost feel bad that you came all this way to be done like this…" Psycho said, "But I'll be nice. If you leave now, I'll let you live, but if you ever return to this island, consider yourselves dead.
Naruto and Luffy slowly started to move.
Kakashi, Nami, Sanji, and Sasuke all stared with amazement and sorrow.
Naruto and Luffy stood with their arms crossed, bloody and broken, bruises filled their bodies. Psycho was impressed.
"How….. can….. we call ourselves…. Allies….If we're not willing to fight together regardless… of how long we've known…. Each other." Naruto said.
"I'll…. Lose….one… hundred fights… with my brother… if that's what… it took to fight better next time…" Luffy added.
"Wise words young men. You'll die here with honor and my respect, I think you can pass into the afterlife happy men.
Sasuke and Kakashi attempted to run for them but it was too late.
"Double… Sunday." Psycho said, launching a pink V-shaped beam out of his hand.
SPLAT SPLAT!
Naruto and Luffy were hit directly in their chests by the pink beams. The slowly fell and fell until they finally hit the ground and didn't move.
Psycho put his arm down.
"It's done." Psycho said, going to sit back down.
The villains and heros all looked at the two men on the ground, dying. Cyclone looked back at the men he had fought and disappeared next to Psycho, reading his book. Kakashi and Nami slowly walked in.
"Take them and leave this place. You're lucky I'm letting you go alive after what you all did in the sand, but I don't think you'll get involved anymore, if you're smart." Psycho said.
Kakashi grabbed Naruto and Luffy and Nami grabbed Sakura and Sanji. Robin used her powers to lift Franky and Brook.
"Robin!" Psycho yelled out.
Robin stopped and got shivered.
"My offer is still on the table. Remember, two days." Psycho said.
Robin looked back at the man while his subordinates laughed and partied. And almost got ready to run off until Psycho called her again.
"And could you do me a favor? I know Hancock is down there. Could you send her up to me? She's late with her report.