CHAPTER 40
"Room and Shambles." Law said.
Law was able to teleport Naruto back to them, Naruto however, was unconscious.
"Looks like that form took a toll on him." Usopp said.
"It was his first time using it in battle. I don't even think he knows what he can do with it yet. He still needs practice." Hinata confirmed, standing to her feet and holding her arm.
"Hey Hinata… are you sure you should be standing? Arlong looked like he did a number on you." Nami said, concerned.
Hinata looked at Nami and smiled.
"I'll be okay! I'm a ninja after all. I've been through much much worse." Hinata said.
Nami smiled and nodded.
Franky plopped back up on the island half and looked at the damage.
"An entire island split in two, and four of our guys are out of commission at the moment." Franky said, "Pink one, can you heal these guys?"
Sakura looked at what she had to work with.
"Naruto is just exhausted he needs plenty of rest. Chopper seems to be in the same state, that monster form takes a lot out of him it looks like. Sanji and Kakashi sensei will be the hardest cases, but it's doable!" Sakura said.
Franky smiled.
"AWWWWWW SUUUUUUPEERRRRRRR!" Franky yelled.
"TONE IT DOWN A LITTLE WE'RE FRESH OUT OF A FIGHT!" Usopp yelled.
Law walked over.
"Oi… I'm a doctor myself… if there's anything I can do to help just let me kn-." Law stopped and passed out.
Sakura and these others watched shocked.
"Tsk. I had a feeling that would happen. He was already badly hurt when we got here." Nami said.
"Looks like it's just Usopp-san, Nami-san, Sakura-san, Sasuke-san, Hinata-san, Franky-san, and myself still up and about. I must say that was some tough battle. If not for Naruto-san's incredible move we could've died…. Well… not that I could've died since I'm already dead… yo ho ho ho ho ho!" Brook joked.
"IS THIS REALLY THE TIME FOR JOKES!?" Sakura snapped, "But the skeleton is right. There's just seven of us, counting myself. We still don't know where Luffy, Hancock, Zoro, Hancock, or Robin are. I'm more worried about them honestly. They're the ones that went after Psycho right?"
"Yeah, Robin had to make that decision with Psycho! And Luffy went to Marineford to confront Psycho about it!" Usopp informed.
Sakura sighed.
"What a big mess…" Sakura said.
"So what now? Do we go after Straw Hat and Hancock? I can't even think about Luffy fighting that freak." Franky said.
"I think that's best. Naruto is out cold as well as our main fighters for the most part…" Nami said.
"No." Sasuke interrupted.
Everyone looked at Sasuke, who was looking down into the water.
"What do you mean no? Luffy is our captain! We need to at least be there to back him up! We couldn't last time there was a battle at that navy base." Nami said.
Sasuke slowly looked back.
"I understand Luffy's position. But we aren't ready to go there and fight that man yet. Fighting one of his generals with all of us knocked four of our top guys out of action. What will we do if we, by some miracle, beat Psycho, then Cyclone joins the fight? And we don't even know half of what either of them can do yet, only speculations." Sasuke explained.
Nami calmed down.
"Oh… right. That's why Luffy ran off alone in the first place…" Nami said.
"Besides…" Sasuke continued.
Nami looked up.
"Sakura. Reach into Kakashi's pocket. There should be a piece of paper in there." Sasuke said, looking down at the water.
"A piece of paper?" Sakura asked before looking down at Kakashi's unconscious body and reached into his pocket where she found a piece of paper, "Oh! There really is a piece of paper in here."
"Take it out and read it." Sasuke said.
"I'll protect them… go train…" Sakura read slowly, "What does it mean?"
Sasuke turned around.
"Whoever wrote that knows our current situation. Luffy and Hancock going to Marineford to get Robin and Zoro back and us needing to get stronger. The question is… who wrote that note?" Sasuke said.
Everyone gulped and started to sweat.
"Maybe it was Sabo? He was going to leave Drum but maybe he didn't!" Usopp suggested.
"Maybe… but do you really think Sabo would let Luffy and Naruto fight like that without jumping in? They really wanted to hurt each other." Nami said.
"I agree…" Sakura said.
"True words, no way Sabo would let them fight like that!" Franky joined.
"This sure is quite the pickle…" Brook said.
Sasuke shook his head.
"Anyway… we don't have to worry. If this person can tell us to go train and that they'll protect Luffy and Hancock in what they're about to do then I give them my support. In the meantime,… we need to get out of the dark as soon as possible." Sasuke said.
"What do you mean, Sasuke-san?" Brook asked.
"We've got an information man right down there and I intend to use him while he can still breathe." Sasuke answered.
Sasuke used his rinnegan to teleport Arlong to them, who slammed down on the ground, still unable to move. Sasuke walked over to the fishman and kicked him.
"Hey! You still alive?" Sasuke asked.
Usopp and Nami shook in their shoes. Hinata walked over to Sasuke for potential back up, as did Franky and Brook. Arlong shuttered a little and then coughed. Sasuke grabbed his sword.
"Don't bother… I can't move… whatever that attack was… it was the last one." Arlong answered weakly.
"Then looks like we don't have much time. Where are Zoro and Robin? Are they at Marineford?" Sasuke asked.
Arlong smiled.
"Heh heh heh… that would be ideal wouldn't it… considering all Psycho said about that library and such?" Arlong teased.
Sasuke pulled out his sword and put it to Arlong's throat.
"I suggest you stop joking now. And tell us what we need to know." Sasuke demanded.
"Threatening someone with death when he's already dying? HA! Fool." Arlong sneered.
Sasuke clenched his teeth.
"You really are a bunch of amateurs… amateurs who have gotten lucky far too many times… if it wasn't for his faith in you you'd be dead already!" Arlong yelled.
Everyone became shocked.
"Who's faith in us?! Talk!" Sasuke yelled.
"As a reward… for beating me… I'll tell you where they are…" Arlong said.
Everyone payed close attention.
"The truth is… Psycho sees Robin as the biggest threat in your little posse… and he lied about taking her to the… legendary library… the swordsman following was just luck!" Arlong spit.
Everyone kept listening.
"Right now… they're going through hell… as slaves for the World Nobles… being beaten and tortured by those damn celestial dragons… at the… HOLY LAND OF MARIE JOIS! HA HA! That's where they are!" Arlong yelled.
Everyone became shocked again.
"Holy land… of Marie Jois?" Sasuke asked.
Arlong barely looked up at the remaining Straw Hats and smiled.
"Ask your friends… they can tell you everything they know about that place and why… you'd be fools to go there! AH HA HA HA!" Arlong laughed.
Sasuke looked at the Straw Hats and back down at Arlong.
"And even if you did manage to get them back… you couldn't POSSIBLY think you stand even a ghost of a chance against Psycho and Cyclone do you?" Arlong asked, "I'll tell you… another secret… those two men are god like… abilities that surpass your ninjutsu and devil fruit abilities… your captain doesn't have any idea what he's dealing with… DEATH is far more dangerous than it seems from the outside looking in… PSYCHO AND CYCLONE ARE FAR MORE DANGEROUS THAN THEY SEEM! WHY DO YOU THINK SOMEONE LIKE ME, A FISHMAN WHO HATES HUMANS, JOINED THEM? YOU'LL NEVER BEAT THEM! EVER! AHHHH HA HA HA HA! I'LL SAVE YOUR FRIEND A SEAT IN HELL! I'LL SAVE ALLLL OF YOU A SEAT IN HE-." Arlong was cut off by Sasuke piercing his chest.
Arlong smiled and coughed up blood, before succumbing to his wounds. Sasuke stood up. Everyone looked at him.
"Sakura… focus on getting them patched up. Everyone else take it easy. We're going to rest here for the day." Sasuke ordered.
Sakura gulped and nodded.
"What are we going to do? Sasuke?" Franky asked.
Sasuke looked down and then back up.
"We're going to Marie Jois to save them when everyone is better!" Sasuke said.
ON TOP OF THE RED LINE – OUTSIDE MARIE JOIS
A certain swordsman was walking ON TOP of the Red Line, the halfway point around the Grand Line.
"Hm? How in the hell did I end up here? I could've sworn I was following Robin…" Zoro said.
Zoro looked forwards at the giant gate that led to the entrance of the Holy Land and stared at it.
"I wonder if anybody in there can give me some directions." Zoro said, walking towards the entrance gates.
Two guards crossed their swords.
"Hault! Are you a government official or a commoner looking for pass into the New World? If you are the latter you'll have to wait for your papers to be approved by the Gorosei and rent a boat." The guard said.
Zoro became confused.
"Hm? Nah I hate the government and the world nobles. I just want directions." Zoro said.
"AHHHHHH HE SAID IT SO CASUALLY!" The guards said, pointing their weapons at Zoro, "Come with us!"
Zoro smiled and grabbed his swords. In a couple quick slashes he cut the guards down.
"Hmph. Wonder what that was all about." Zoro said, pushing open the gates to Marie Jois.
MARINEFORD
Luffy, in Gear fourth Bounce man form, stared down the man who's caused so much trouble in only a couple of days. Psycho Uchiha, the mastermind behind the assault on the sand village and Vivi's life, the leader of the criminal organization DEATH, almost killed Naruto and Luffy and attacked their friends. Luffy was filled with intense rage, he hadn't felt like this looking at someone in a long time. Luffy looked over at Robin who was on her knees a little bloody and very bruised from the beatdown she suffered at the hands of Blackbeard.
"Robin… are you okay?" Luffy asked, still bouncing.
Robin stared at Luffy and up at Psycho who was also staring at Luffy, his arms at his sides. Robin looked back to Luffy.
"Yes… I'm fine.. Luffy…" Robin answered.
Luffy looked back up at Psycho.
"So… you're here. Straw Hat Luffy. What are you going to do now?" Psycho asked.
"I'm going to get Robin back!" Luffy yelled.
Psycho crossed his arms and smiled.
"Did you at any point in time ask Robin how she felt? What she wanted to do?" Psycho asked.
Luffy became confused.
"Shame on you, Luffy." Psycho said, "All she wants to do is learn a little more about the world. She is your archeologist right? Let the woman learn." Psycho said.
Luffy looked down at Robin.
"Robin!..." Luffy said.
Robin looked down and to the side.
"Luffy… I'm so sorry… I didn't mean for this to happen! I just wanted to go to the library. I didn't know you'd come chasing after me." Robin confessed.
"You're my friend! I'd chase you to the ends of the earth!" Luffy said.
Hancock looked over at Luffy. Tears formed in Robin's eyes.
"Especially if you meet up with a man like this! Look at what he's done to everyone! Done to us!" Luffy yelled.
Psycho uncrossed his arms.
"Look around you! Dead marines and destruction! He's using you!" Luffy said.
"Using her how?" Psycho asked.
Luffy winced.
"I… I don't know! You're trying to turn her against us!" Luffy yelled.
Psycho chuckled.
"The last thing I'm doing is trying to use her for any nefarious purpose straw hat… there truly is a library I wish to take her to that no one other than Cyclone and myself have been in. If you don't believe me then there's nothing to talk about with you. How about we do this the old-fashioned way?" Psycho offered.
Luffy became confused again.
"Robin! On your feet." Psycho commanded.
Robin looked up at Psycho and slowly got to her feet.
"Make a decision right now. Stay with me or go with him. If you go with him, you can kiss your library trip goodbye. If you stay with me, you'll get your library trip and return to your friends. You have my word." Psycho offered.
"Robin! Don't trust him!" Luffy said.
Robin looked back and forth between them. Psycho and Luffy continued to stare at each other while Robin thought about it.
"Which answer…" Robin asked.
Psycho and Luffy both looked at her.
"Prevents the fight you two are about to have!" Robin yelled.
Psycho was surprised as well as Luffy.
"Robin…" Psycho said softly.
"That, depends on him." Psycho answered, "I won't lift a finger if he doesn't. I've got more important matters to focus on anyway."
Robin nodded and looked at Luffy, still bouncing.
"Luffy… you have no idea what this man is capable of… I'm going to come back with you… I don't want you to get hurt! Damn the library!" Robin said to herself.
Cyclone looked up slowly, his eye black and green with words running across it. He looked over at Psycho and nodded.
"So, you've decided to go with him, Nico Robin?" Psycho asked.
Robin choked.
"How did…" Robin was interrupted.
"I have to say I'm surprised… I wasn't expecting that answer from you. You must really care for that man's safety. Unfortunately, … I have to say you can't go back with him." Psycho said.
Luffy, Robin, and Hancock were shocked.
"YOU JUST SAID!" Hancock started.
"I'm aware of what I said, but I'm afraid I've made up my mind on this. The answer was going to be her coming with me regardless of what decision she made, Luffy." Psycho said.
Luffy growled.
"I can understand your anger as well. Things just don't go the way you want them to sometimes. The truth is… I've failed far too much to let my redemption with Robin slide so easily." Psycho said.
Robin made a surprised face.
"Redemption… with me?" Robin said.
Cyclone continued to read his book.
"WHY DO YOU CARE ABOUT ROBIN SO MUCH!?" Luffy asked, "FIRST AT THE PARK YOU WALKED UP TO HER AND ASKED HER ABOUT THE LIBRARY AND NOW YOU'RE SAYING SHE CAN'T GO BACK WITH US!" Luffy yelled.
Psycho turned to Luffy and closed his eyes and opened them.
"It's like I said just a moment ago. I've failed too much to let her slip away from me. I've let too many good people die when I should've saved them. Noland, Newgate, Ace, Olivia just to name a few." Psycho said.
Robin, Luffy, and Hancock were absolutely shocked at the names he spoke.
"Olivia… my mom!? And… Noland!?" Robin said to herself.
"Ace!?" Luffy said to himself.
"What do you know about Ace!?" Luffy yelled.
Psycho sat on a stone.
"Ace and I were good friends on Whitebeard's ship… it's unfortunate he died the way he did at the hands of such trash." Psycho said, pointing towards Akainu, who was unconscious.
"When I first saw you… in my home village!" Luffy said, remembering seeing Psycho with Shanks.
"Ah yes… when you ate the gum gum fruit for the first time? Yeah… I was with Shanks at that point in time. But did you forget? I'm old enough to have traveled with both of those men in their primes. In fact, I had left Whitebeard's crew just a few years before I joined Shanks. Neither of them knew I worked with the other of course. And because I was good friends with Newgate he allowed be on his ship every now and then. That's were I met Ace and Thatch. Good men." Psycho explained.
Luffy, Robin, and Hancock were still surprised. After a moment Luffy became angry.
"WELL WHY WERE YOU JUMPING SHIPS AND NOT BEING LOYAL TO THEIR CREWS!?" Luffy asked.
Psycho cleared his throat.
"Reconnaissance…" Psycho answered.
Luffy winced.
"It's not that hard to figure out. I joined them to scout their territories and get a glimpse of their power. Because unbeknownst to them… they were playing a roll in a major plan of mine. A plan I intend to put into motion soon." Psycho answered.
"What plan?" Luffy asked.
"DEATH is planning on defeating the remaining emperors and claiming their land. Kaido, Big mom, and Shanks are all our next targets. You'd be surprised how much each Emperor knew about the other." Psycho said.
The three were even more shocked now.
"DEATH IS REALLY GOING TO ATTACK THE EMPERORS!?" Hancock yelled.
Psycho looked at Hancock.
"Precisely. And then the final phase of my ultimate plan can be enacted even after that!" Psycho yelled, "But…"
Everyone looked at Psycho.
"Two of the six people to ever have been called emperor have been taken care of. Whitebeard was murdered by Teach, who in turn was murdered by me, Kaido, Big mom, Shanks and one more man remain…" Psycho was staring hard at Luffy at this point.
"What man is left?" Robin asked nervously.
Psycho stood up and pointed at Luffy.
"Luffy." Psycho said.
Luffy gulped.
"I remember when you were called the fifth emperor of the sea by Morgans. You must have forgotten." Psycho said.
"I NEVER ASKED FOR THAT! I DON'T WANT TO BE AN EMPEROR I WANT TO BEAT THEM!" Luffy yelled.
Psycho crossed his arms.
"You may not WANT to be an emperor, but your actions certainly make you one. My goal is to beat all the emperors and take what they own and so long as you have that title I'm going to need your head." Psycho said.
Luffy grew angry.
"Is that why you said Robin couldn't back with me then?" Luffy asked.
Psycho smiled.
"I'm going to let you in on a secret Straw Hat Luffy. Robin! You listen up too." Psycho said, "You heard what I said about failing your mom right?"
Robin nodded slowly.
"Your mother and I did know each other as you've probably been able to figure out. And She was one of the reasons I picked you up that night your island I was destroyed. She wanted me to protect you and keep you under my eye as a good friend of hers. She wanted me to do those things… because, I'm your father.