In the last chapter, I hinted that Nagisa was the teacher of Sabo, Ace, and Luffy, which will change a few things. Don't worry though, the ASL Trio will still be the Trio that we know and love. Well, maybe. I might take inspiration from the Live Action for Luffy (GOATed show, it's so good!), but will overall keep Luffy the same. And since I revealed that, here's a few fun facts about the beta version of this fanfic.
Number 1: Originally, Nagisa was going to have his own bounty before he met Izuku, due to dealing with a corrupt Marine base on his own, which would be the reason why he stopped teaching the trio after five years (Which would also have led to a funny chase from Garp). But I decided to have it be for a different reason, which we'll see later. Though I will say that it's not a real dramatic reason, so don't expect a major reveal.
Number 2: Makoto was originally gonna be in this world for 8 years instead of 3, and he would've spawned where Kuina and Zoro were, and thus save Kuina when she fell, which would've had Kuina on the adventure with Zoro. But a) I didn't know how to write Kuina into the story in a way that actually makes use of her, and b) writing Makoto to have spawned in the Grand Line instead of the East Blue gives a better motivation for the crew to go back.
Number 3: There were some characters that I originally considered for joining the crew later down the line. These include Misaka Mikoto, Mob, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Ayano Aishi. I discarded them because I didn't know enough about Misaka, I didn't know how to write Mob to join the crew without it being repetitive, and the crew already has enough swordsmen (as you'll see in the future). And yes, I did consider Ayano Aishi, despite the problems surrounding her game, but I decided to replace her with a much better heroine, who I think will be more appreciated. And is in this chapter, so don't touch that dial.
And to wrap up this author's note, I will once again respond to Kenji Apex: I'm glad that you enjoyed the chapter and the battle, and yeah, there will be Marines who are quite arrogant due to the story that I'm trying to write. Yes, some of the heavy hitters of the crew will be obtaining Haki, and a lot of Otherworlders will be getting Haki. How? Who? It'll be explained later, and it will be revealed later.
As for your suggestions: Team Rwby might potentially be featured in a spin-off story. I don't know Genshin Impact, so Klee won't be included, even if she sounds fun. I love Kenshin, but the story will have enough swordsmen, both in the main story and the spin-off. Halkegenia Online sounds cool, but I won't be including characters from other fanfictions. I like Sakura more than the casual fan, but I won't be including her. I don't know Hololive enough. Summer is in the same situation as Team Rwby. I like Nagumo, but he won't be a good fit for the crew based on the future of the story. I like Maple, so she might be in a spin-off. And for the record, while I will consider some future suggestions as potential candidates for the main story, most suggestions will mainly be considered as potential candidates for spin-off stories.
Alright, this AN is already a page long on Google Docs, let's get into the chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the series used in this. All series are owned by their own respective owners, such as Eiichiro Oda, Yusei Matsui, Kohei Horikoshi, and etc.
"Hard to port!" Makoto called. Izuku pulled on the rudder, causing the ship to turn slightly.
"We've been sailing for about a week now," Nagisa said as he climbed down from the mast. "You have an ETA?"
"Uh, I'm pretty sure that we're almost there. The island we're coming up on is Fruit Grove Island."
"Fruit Grove Island? That sounds familiar," Nagisa hummed.
"It was mentioned on one of Ridley's maps," Makoto said as he pulled said map out. He spread the map on a barrel top and showed it off as the other two came over to look. "The dude was a scumbag, but he's got plenty of maps for us to use."
"Ah, I have heard of Fruit Grove Island. It's famous for its exotic fruits. From fruit that we know and enjoy, to fruit unique to this world," Nagisa said.
"Sounds great!" Izuku said.
"And on top of that, according to this map, there's a pretty valuable treasure chest here," Makoto said.
"Treasure, eh?" Nagisa hummed. Izuku looked up at the older men with childish stars in his eyes.
"Uh…"
"Sure, we can look for it," Nagisa said, amused. Izuku smiled sheepishly.
Izuku's eyes gleamed with excitement as he scanned the map, his imagination running wild with visions of untold riches and adventure. He might be a Hero, but surely it's fine for him to be a kid every now and then, right? Nagisa smirked, watching the young man's child-like enthusiasm cover the crew. He couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement at Izuku's infectious energy.
They didn't know just what was waiting for them at the island. For on the island, someone was examining the trio's bounty posters. They smirked as they took a bite from a lemon, spraying a small amount of juice.
"7 million, 1 thousand beris? That sounds like fun. It'd pay for my bills for a good amount of time," they said as they leaned back in their chair.
"Don't underestimate them," a deep, smooth voice said. "7 million isn't too much, all things considered, but anyone who immediately started with 5 million isn't likely to be a normal kid."
"I'll still kick his ass!"
A day later, the trio eventually landed on a sandy beach. Izuku pulled the boat up the shore as Nagisa tied the boat to a nearby boulder. Makoto Naegi examined the map with wide eyes, his gaze scanning the intricate lines and delicate script that marked their path. The paper was slightly worn, evidence of its past journeys, yet it still held the allure of undiscovered secrets. As he traced his fingers along the faded ink, Makoto couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation coursing through his veins. This was their chance for adventure, a glimmering opportunity to uncover the mysteries of Fruit Grove Island. As a guy who spent most of his life as a boring average guy, and the recent part of his life completely miserable, he couldn't deny that he'd enjoy a fun adventure.
"Okay, so we landed on the island, now let's see if we can find the town," Nagisa said. "It'd do us some good to check the place out before treasure hunting."
As they made their way inland, the crew found themselves enveloped by the lush foliage of Fruit Grove Island. Towering trees with canopies that stretched towards the heavens cast a dappled shade upon the forest floor. Sunlight filtered through the intricate web of leaves, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow. The air was heavy with the scent of blooming flowers, their fragrance mingling with the earthy aroma of rich soil. But what truly made them look amazing was all the fruit. Izuku couldn't even count how many there were, or even how many types there were.
"Wow, there is a lot of fruit here!" Izuku said as he looked around.
"And they're all such a vibrant color," Nagisa said. He jumped up to a tree and hit a branch, knocking three apples down. He landed to catch his as Izuku caught the second one easily. The third bounced off Makoto's head into his hand, creating a small bump.
"Ow."
"Sorry," Nagisa chuckled as he took a bite.
"Sweet!" Izuku said after taking a bite himself. "It's juicy and fresh!"
"Makes me wish we still had taste buds," Daigoro said in his head.
'Ah-'
"Don't worry, we're all fine," Nana said after hitting Daigori's head.
"You think we'd have to pay for this?" Makoto said as he crunched into his apple as well. He made a noise of appreciation.
"It should be fine. They won't care about 3 apples anyways," Nagisa said.
"Mm... Still feel like we should pay," Izuku said.
"I can collect your payment then!" A voice suddenly said. The three immediately snapped to attention and spun around. Someone was standing on a branch further down the path, their facial features obscured by a shadow caused by light shining down through the leaves.
'A school uniform?' Makoto thought, spotting the sailor suit they were wearing.
"Oh, are you the caretaker of this grove?" Nagisa asked. The figure smirked before crouching down and jumping high into the air.
"Nah! But I am the one who's gonna kick all your asses!" they said as they fell towards the trio. They grabbed something from their neck and it suddenly expanded into a strange weapon.
'A scissor?' Nagisa thought as they all jumped back to avoid the swing, his grip pulling on Makoto's collar. Indeed, the figure was carrying a large red half of a scissor. The figure, now revealed to be a girl with a red highlight in her bangs, held the scissor towards them.
"Come on!" she said before focusing on Izuku, who tensed slightly.
"I'll take you down!" she said as she shot forwards. "For the record, the name's Ryuko Matoi! Remember the name of the gal who kicked your ass!"
"Woah!" Izuku bent backwards to avoid the swing before righting himself and spinning around to block the next swing with his iron soles. "Let's calm down!"
"Nah! Fired up is more fun!" Ryuko grinned as she spun and hurled Izuku back.
The clash of metal reverberated through the air as Izuku's iron soles met Ryuko's Scissor Blade again, blocking the attack. Sparks flew, illuminating their determined expressions. The sheer force of their collision sent shockwaves rippling through the surrounding foliage, causing leaves to shudder and flutter to the ground like confetti in the aftermath of a triumphant celebration.
"I won't say it again!" Izuku shouted, his voice infused with unwavering resolve. "Back down!"
"You're gonna have to make me!" Ryuko said as she and Izuku kicked each other away. Ryuko landed and moved to attack again, only for her head to snap back as Nagisa suddenly appeared and kicked her chin. She swung wildly, only for Nagisa to disappear and reappear behind her to kick the back of her head. She grunted and swung back at him, only for Nagisa to again use Shave, this time appearing in front of Izuku.
"A surprise attack?" Ryuko grunted.
"Don't cry foul play now. You challenge the entire crew, so we are all your opponents," Nagisa pointed out.
"Fine by me!" Ryuko said. "In that case, I can go after any one of you!"
"... Let me guess," Makoto drawled. Ryuko shot towards him. "I knew it."
Makoto immediately pulled out his pistols and fired shots towards Ryuko's feet, only for the Scissor Blade user to jump over the shots and fall, slashing the pistols into pieces as she landed. Ryuko grinned at his stunned expression before swinging the blunt side of her weapon at Makoto, only for Nagisa's foot to intercept it before he pushed off it with Shave to reappear a distance away, Makoto in his grip again.
"Hrk!" Makoto gagged.
"Sorry, don't throw up!"
"Black Whip: Pinpoint Focus!" Izuku shouted as he thrusted his hand forwards. Black Whip shot towards Ryuko like a rope dart, prompting the girl to deflect the attack with her blade.
"Not bad! But if you want to fight using projectiles, then I'll do this!" Ryuko said as she jumped up and swung her weapon. The shockwave knocked some fruits down, and another one sent them flying towards him.
"Black Whip: Black Net!" Izuku said as he fired another shot of Black Whip, one that managed to catch most of the fruit to be set down.
"What a nice guy!" Ryuko mocked as she shot up next to Izuku, swinging towards him. Izuku quickly activated Gauntlet and blocked the blow. She grunted in surprise as Izuku pushed back with more strength than she expected.
'What the- I'm starting to think that this guy is more than just 5 million beris!' Ryuko thought.
"Think about this logically! I'm clearly as strong as you, and there's 3-!"
"2 and a half!" Makoto called.
"You're not just-" Izuku began. Ryuko suddenly headbutted him, stunning the hero before she kicked him into the trunk of a tree, knocking the breath out of him.
"Action speaks louder than words, buddy. Come on!" Ryuko jumped into the air. Izuku looked up with a grunt.
'Alright, I'll have to subdue her!' he thought as he kicked off the tree to jump towards her too.
"Detroit Smash!" he yelled as he punched with Gauntlet. Ryuko blocked the attack with her blade, only for Black Whip to unravel and wrap around the Scissor Blade instead.
"What the-"
"Hah!" Izuku yelled as he twisted mid-air and swung Ryuko into another tree, causing it to shake. He swung her into another tree before yanking her in.
"Detroit!" Ryuko immediately put up her Scissor Blade to guard.
"SMASH!" Izuku yelled as he slammed his Gauntlet into her weapon. He quickly followed up with a kick around the blade that landed across Ryuko's face, sending her flying into another tree, creating a small dust cloud that eventually settled to show her face down on the ground. She pushed herself up and wiped some blood from her mouth, grinning wildly.
"That was a good kick! Now we're getting serious!" Ryuko said as she charged with her Scissor Blade. Izuku reactivated his Gauntlet, and the two yelled as they charged towards each other.
CLAP!
Ryuko choked and collapsed, skidding slightly across the ground. Izuku skidded to a stop and looked down on the unconscious Ryuko before looking up at Nagisa, who still had his hands in a clapping position.
"Did you both forget she challenged the crew?" he asked. Izuku scratched his cheek and chuckled awkwardly.
"Ugh..." Ryuko mumbled a couple minutes later. She looked up and blinked. She was sitting on the ground, tied tightly by some rope.
"What the heck?! Who tied me up?!" she yelled.
"We did," Nagisa said.
"You're still here?!"
"Well, we wanted to ask why you attacked us," Makoto said. Ryuko blinked.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"What do you mean?"
"Are you kidding me? The three of you have bounties on your heads," Ryuko said.
"What?!" Izuku gasped.
"Well now!" Nagisa hummed.
"Why?!" Makoto exclaimed.
"I don't suppose you have bounty posters for us to see?" Nagisa asked. Ryuko gave him a look before sighing.
"Can you untie me?" she said. She stood up a bit later, Black Whip wrapped around her waist and her ropes undone. She rummaged through her pocket before pulling out three sheets of paper and handing them to the trio. Nagisa unrolled them and handed them out.
"Well now," he said as he looked at his poster. It was a side shot of him with a focused look in his eyes. Likely Ridley, judging from the bloodlust he could see in them.
'Well, this is the look that made Akari like me in the first place,' he thought. '2 million, hm? Rather small bounty, all things considered. And, Slipstream?'
"Seriously?!" Makoto exclaimed as he looked at his poster. "Herbivore?! And a bounty of only 1,000 beris?! If I was gonna have a bounty, I would want it to be at least in the standard hundred thousands!"
"It is strange that they labeled you with only a thousand when 100,000 beris is the minimum for having an official wanted poster," Nagisa said. "Especially since the point is to try fighting the Pirate Era."
"And Herbivore...?" Makoto complained. He looked over at Izuku. "Can you believe this? Midoriya? You good?"
Izuku was still staring at his bounty poster with an agape jaw. He seemed to have been turned into a statue, unable to look away. The poster was clear as day. Izuku "Black Whip" Midoriya, for 5 million beris, or 5 million yen, if Shiota-sensei's words were to go by. It had a picture of him using Black Whip to carry some rubble. What made it worse was that it was a picture of him trying to help rebuild the town of Raiser Island.
'I have a bounty. I have a bounty. I have a bounty. I have a bounty. I-'
"Yes! You have a bounty! We get it!" the Third interjected.
"Don't be mean to him," Nana scolded. "You know why he's acting like this."
"It's not gonna change anything!"
"And why is it only Daigoro's Quirk?!" En complained.
"In your face!" Daigoro bragged.
"Uh, Shiota-sensei?" Izuku said weakly.
"Yes, Midoriya-kun?"
"Uh, how do we, get the bounty canceled?"
"By dying, being arrested, or becoming one of the Warlords."
"Uh... How do I become a Warlord?" Izuku said desperately. Nagisa gave him a look.
"By becoming a pirate of great renown so that the government hires you to be their personal lap dog in exchange for your treasure."
"Basically, you have to increase your bounty," Makoto said.
"Aaaaaah...!"
"Look on the bright side, Midoriya-kun. It's only 5 million beris. A pretty low price all things considered. Most struggle to reach the millions at all," Nagisa said. Izuku was still, before slowly turning around with a guilty look.
"Is it bad that I wish that it was higher, if I had to have a bounty?"
"It is when I'm only a thousand!" Makoto said as he held his poster up. "According to this, I'm literally worth 8 newspapers!"
"Eh?! That little?!"
"This is ridiculous!" Makoto exclaimed, waving his wanted poster in frustration. "I'm worth nothing! A thousand berries? I might as well be an afterthought! If I have to have a bounty, I'd rather not be portrayed as a wimp, even though I am..."
Nagisa chuckled, patting Makoto on the back. "Don't mind!"
"Your pity only stings since you're literally worth 2 thousands of me."
"What the hell is with these guys?" Ryuko muttered as she watched the trio.
"It is strange that a criminal with a bounty of 5 million is so distraught, considering that most bounties are prizes," a smooth deep voice said. A part of Ryuko's uniform shifted, opening to reveal a yellow eye.
"Uh, are her clothes talking?" Yoichi said. Izuku looked at Ryuko, seeing the yellow eye, and stared in surprise. He wasn't the only one.
"Uh, Matoi, right? Why is your uniform talking?" Makoto asked.
"It's what?" Nagisa said dumbly.
"You can hear Senketsu?" Ryuko said in surprise.
"Why do you have a talking uniform?"
"Uh... Something something, Kamui."
"That explains nothing."
"Well I don't owe you anything!" Ryuko snapped.
"Ah- Fair," Makoto scratched his head.
"Okay, what's going on here?" Nagisa interjected. "What are you guys talking about? What's this about a talking uniform?"
"You can't hear it?"
"No!"
"I can't hear it either," Izuku said.
"That's... weird..." Makoto trailed off.
"Well, whatever," Ryuko said as she grabbed her Scissor Blade, which had been stabbed into the ground. She spun it around and shrunk it down, hooking it to the string around her neck.
"I lost this time, but I'll come back to kick your asses! Especially yours, Black Whip!" she threatened before stomping away. Izuku looked at his crewmates, who shrugged. Ryuko suddenly stopped before looking back at Izuku.
"Good fight!" she said. Izuku blinked.
"Uh... Yeah! Good fight!" he said with a thumbs up. Ryuko smirked before continuing to stomp away. Makoto and Nagisa exchanged looks before looking back towards Ryuko.
"Strange kid," Makoto said.
The trio eventually made it out of the grove, and came across the town, which was filled with cozy looking houses made of wood and leaves. It was a staple tropical village. Izuku and Makoto looked around, impressed as Nagisa led them down the street.
"This looks like a nice place to settle down," Makoto said.
"This world is quite large, with many beautiful islands and kingdoms. Maybe one day we can check more of them out," Nagisa said. "But for now, we need to restock on supplies, and then we can start with our little treasure hunt with our little treasure map."
The crew walked through the bustling streets of the tropical village, their eyes taking in the sights and sounds of the lively marketplace. Colorful awnings provided shade as sunlight filtered through, casting vibrant patterns on the cobblestone path beneath their feet. The air was filled with the delightful aroma of exotic fruits and spices, a tantalizing symphony that danced around their senses.
The streets were a tapestry of vibrant colors, as merchants displayed their wares with pride and enthusiasm. Fruits of all shapes and sizes adorned the stalls, their brilliant hues beckoning to passersby. The scent of ripe mangoes mingled with the aroma of freshly caught fish, creating a symphony of fragrances that hung in the air like delicate petals on a summer breeze.
"We should definitely buy some fruit," Izuku said.
"You and Naegi-kun take care of that. Grab some vegetables and meat if you can. I'll go buy some water. And alcohol."
"Shiota-sensei, don't you think you drink too much?"
"Yes."
"No, not really," Nagisa shrugged.
"You do."
"Give it a rest, Nana!"
"It's only a bottle every few days, Midoriya. The alcohol here is less potent anyways," Makoto said.
"Okay, if you say so," Izuku scratched his head. The trio split, but they stopped to look around.
"You guys feel that?" Makoto asked.
"Like we're being watched?" Nagisa said.
"Is that what it is?"
"Yeah, my Danger Sense is warning me of something, but I'm not sure what."
"Hm. Be careful," Nagisa warned before walking off. Izuku and Makoto walked off together. The trio didn't see emerald eyes staring after them.
"Hello!" Nagisa said as he walked into a tavern.
"Welcome!" the bartender said. "How can I help you?"
"Two barrels of water, and a couple bottles of sake," Nagisa ordered. He looked at the contents of the shelves behind the bar. "And two dozen cans of fruit juice."
"What kind do you want?"
"Surprise me," Nagisa said. The bartender went to gather the supplies as Nagisa pulled out his wallet.
"So, what brings you to Fruit Grove Island?" the bartender asked.
"Just gathering supplies. Heard of a treasure chest here, though. Might take a look," Nagisa said.
"Hm, I'd advise against it," the bartender said as he put some bottles on the bar and tied them together and put some cans of juice in a burlap sack.
"How come?"
"The Blaze Pirates are here, and they're searching for the treasure as well. And the treasure is said to be behind some ruins, guarded by ancient traps."
"Sounds serious."
"It's dangerous, both because of the competition, and because of the obstacles," the bartender warned as he put the barrels on the bar, also attached to each other with rope. Nagisa slung the drinks over his shoulders and grinned at the bartender.
"Sounds like a good learning opportunity for my crewmates."
"It's your business," the bartender shrugged as Nagisa walked out. The former assassin hummed in thought.
"Another crew searching for the treasure, and an ancient obstacle course probably out of Indiana Jones? This could be good training for Midoriya-kun and Naegi-kun," Nagisa decided.
"Thank you!" Izuku nodded as he paid. The shopkeeper smiled kindly at him as he carried the large amount of meat over his shoulder and walked away. Makoto met up with him carrying two large sacks over his own shoulders.
"That's a lot of meat," Makoto said.
"Is that bad?"
"Nope. Meat is important to get stronger. Make sure to eat a lot in the future," Makoto advised.
"Hai," Izuku nodded.
"I bought some salt too. We'll make some jerky out of the meat. It's a good thing Shiota talked us into taking some of Ridley's hoard," Makoto continued to talk as the duo walked down the path. Izuku stopped and looked around again. His gaze swept across the bustling marketplace, his emerald eyes capturing every vivid detail with an almost unnatural precision.
"You feel someone watching again?" Makoto asked.
"Yeah. It's weird," the younger of the two said.
"Do you think we should do something? I'm not a real fighter, so..."
"No, there's too many civilians here. If they confront us, it'd be better for both sides if it's when we're alone," Izuku said.
"If we're gonna get ambushed, I want an arsenal upgrade," Makoto said. "I don't know how to fight, and I'm definitely not strong enough to make up for that. I need to get a gun."
"There was a weapon stall down the street that we passed a while ago. We can check it out," Izuku said.
"Sounds good," Makoto nodded. The two began walking, but stopped as a few people walked in front of them. Makoto looked behind him to see more people blocking them from behind.
"So much for solitary confrontation," Makoto said as he put the bags down.
Izuku scanned the crowd, his senses on high alert as he observed the people surrounding them. The air was thick with anticipation, a palpable tension that hung over the marketplace like a storm cloud ready to unleash its fury. The chatter of the villagers grew hushed as they watched the brewing confrontation between the newcomers and their unknown adversaries.
"Seems like we've attracted some unwanted attention," Izuku murmured, his voice barely audible above the bustling noise of the marketplace.
"Our captain overheard that you punks have a treasure map," one of the goons said as he stepped forwards. "Hand it over, and you'll walk free."
"Okay, okay," Izuku said as he held a hand up placatingly. He looked over at Makoto, who raised a hand slowly. He made sure their adversaries saw him reach into his coat and pull out a rolled up sheet of paper.
"One treasure map, coming up," he said as he walked cautiously to the man. The air was tense as Makoto became closer and closer. But just as he was about to hand the map over, a red blur suddenly shot between them and impaled the ground. The man jumped back while Makoto was sent tumbling back into Izuku.
"Ow."
"Hey!" The group looked up to see a familiar looking girl sneering down at them from on top of a food stall.
"Oh no," Makoto groaned.
"Those two are my bounty!" Ryuko said before jumping down near her Scissor Blade. She pulled it out and spun it around before pointing it towards the man and his crew.
"Don't mess with my stuff," she said.
"If that's how you want to play," the man growled. He pulled out his sword and yelled as he ran forwards and swung the weapon down. A clang and a spray of sparks accompanied the two blades colliding. Ryuko grinned before headbutting the man with enough force to knock him off his feet.
A spark of pain shot through Izuku's head. Recognizing it as Danger Sense, he spun around and knocked a sword away with Vast Hybrid Gauntlet and countered with an uppercut that sent the pirate flying into the air.
"Oklahoma Smash!" Izuku said as he grabbed the pirate and spun around before hurling him into another pirate.
"Teyah!" Ryuko yelled as she slammed the man with another headbutt before kicking him hard enough to send him flying down the street. She spun and kicked another pirate towards Izuku. The hero noticed and did a flip kick that sent the pirate into the air.
Makoto watched this go on from the side before going over to a stand. "Hey, four cans of juice please."
"Damn brats!" the man cursed as he and the other beaten up pirates ran away. "You'll pay for this!"
"Heh!" Ryuko scoffed as she watched them run. She turned the greenhead and held her Scissor Blade towards him. "Well, since we're done with them, how about a rematch?"
"I mean, I guess we can have one, but not here," Izuku said as he looked around at the marketplace.
"How about we stick to having matches only once a day?" Makoto suggested.
"Yeah, that sounds better," Izuku said immediately.
"Pff. Whatever. If I didn't kick your ass earlier, I'd say you're a wimp."
"Hey, you lost!"
"Because of interference!"
"You challenged the crew!"
"Well if I just challenged you, I would've kicked your ass!"
Makoto watched the two argue with a deadpan expression.
'Are they the next coming of Mondo and Taka?' he wondered.
"Alright you two, let's calm down," Makoto tried, but the two were caught up in their little discussion. Makoto scratched his head as he tried to think about what to do.
"What's going on here?" Makoto turned in relief to see Nagisa with his supplies.
"Ah, we ran into some trouble," he said sheepishly.
"Do tell." Makoto quickly recounted the recent events, and Nagisa looked over at Ryuko with a raised brow.
"Come on, let's just have a real match, mano-a-womano!" she egged Izuku on.
"Aaaahh..." Izuku groaned. Something in him was telling him to fight, but his U.A. training told him not to do it when so many citizens were around. Yet for some reason, these two voices were just as loud as each other. Combined with Ryuko's nudging, and he was starting to inch towards fighting. Fortunately for him, Nagisa solved the issue for him. Unfortunately for him...
"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Ryuko and Izuku yelped as slender fingers gripped their ears with the strength of a vice, yanking hard and pulling them along.
"Honestly, you two squabble like babies over a lollipop," Nagisa scolded as he dragged them along. Makoto shook his head as he watched them go.
"Ah, kids," he said. He bent over to pick up a rope and grunted as he struggled to pull the supplies after them.
"Alright. Young Matoi, I do appreciate you helping my crewmates out. But next time, don't pick a fight where people could be bothered," Nagisa scolded lightly.
"Tch!"
"Understand?" Nagisa said firmly. Ryuko grimaced.
"Yes sir..."
"Midoriya-kun, you're strong, and you have all the reason to be confident. So be confident. When the situation calls for assertion, assert yourself," Nagisa advised.
"Yes sensei..."
"To think that it was possible to make you behave. I thought it fantasy," Ryuko's uniform said.
"Shut it, Senketsu," she grumbled.
"So did you get any news?" Makoto asked Nagisa as he gave him a juice can. Nagisa cracked it open as Makoto gave other cans to Izuku and Ryuko. Ryuko looked between Makoto and the can before taking it. Makoto turned back to Nagisa as he began explaining the situation in the town.
"So long story short, there is another pirate band in town looking for the treasure, which is hidden behind ancient traps," Nagisa said.
"I see. Do you think we should just leave?" Makoto asked.
"Nah. This should be good training for Midoriya-kun. In fact, I was originally going to have you go with him-"
"Yeah I'll pass."
"But perhaps, Ryuko-san would like to go with him instead?" Nagisa finished. Ryuko blinked and frowned.
"Eh? Why would I?" she said.
"Well, it'd be a rematch that proves your might and brains, and it wouldn't disturb anyone around you," Nagisa said. "It'd be a race to get to the treasure. Winner gets to keep the treasure."
"I hear most treasure chests tend to have 9 to 10 million beris," Makoto added. Ryuko hummed as she put a hand on her chin.
"Alright, now that's convincing," she said. "Alright, I'll take this kid on."
"We're the same age!"
"But when I get the treasure, I'll take him too! 15 million beris is a good paycheck," Ryuko said.
"Deal."
"Shiota-sensei, why-?"
"It's good to practice your adaptability and flexibility," Nagisa said. "An ancient obstacle course will help develop that. And competition is fuel for the fire."
Izuku couldn't find a reason to argue. Especially since part of him did want to take up the challenge against Ryuko. The two agreed, and Makoto handed Nagisa the map.
"You both can look and try to memorize this map. First one back to the harbor by sunrise tomorrow with the treasure wins," Nagisa said as he held it up for the both to see.
"I'm going to win," Ryuko smirked at Izuku.
"I won't go down easy!"
The golden hues of the setting sun bathed Fruit Grove Island in a warm, ethereal glow as Izuku and Ryuko stood at the starting point of their challenge. Nagisa and Makoto stood ahead of them, between them and the forest. The two teens got into a running position.
"Start!" Makoto said. The two rocketed past him, nearly knocking him over.
The air crackled with anticipation as Izuku and Ryuko raced through the dense forest of Fruit Grove Island. Sunlight filtered through the canopy of towering trees, casting dancing shadows upon the vibrant foliage below. The earth beneath their feet seemed to pulse with energy, propelling them forward with each determined step. Izuku's heart pounded in his chest, a mix of exhilaration and determination in his veins.
'The map showed that the treasure is somewhere in the middle of the island, likely located at the base of the mountain. I'll cut through the forest floor to avoid messing with the trees,' he thought. His thoughts were cut off as Ryuko suddenly jumped on his shoulders and used him as a springboard to launch herself into the trees. Izuku was left sprawled on the ground, staring up in surprise.
"Screw it," he said as he got up and used Black Whip to chase after her by slinging into the branches.
"Let's see if you can keep up!" Ryuko taunted as she ran along a branch and leapt to another tree. Izuku's heart pounded in his chest as he propelled himself forward, traversing the dense forest floor with the agility and grace of a seasoned parkour expert. He swung and yanked himself about with Black Whip while Ryuko simply hurled herself forwards like a monkey.
"You're fast! But I'm faster!" Ryuko taunted.
"But as far as mobility goes, I'm the superior!" Izuku shot back.
"Hah! Sure, nerd!"
As the scent of earthy moss and vibrant blossoms filled their nostrils, invigorating their senses with each breath, Izuku and Ryuko continued their race through the dense forest. As the sunset, dropping them in darkness, Izuku and Ryuko landed on the leafy floor, panting slightly.
"Heh! What's the matter? Getting tired?" Ryuko panted slightly.
"Just getting started!" Izuku said as he shot forwards.
"Fair enough!" Ryuko ran after him.
As the increasing light of the rising moon cast long shadows upon the forest floor, Izuku and Ryuko continued their exhilarating race through the dense thicket. The rhythmic pounding of their footsteps echoed like a primal heartbeat, reverberating through the ancient trees that stood tall and proud, their branches reaching towards the heavens in an intricate tapestry of verdant leaves.
"Your blood is pumping faster than it would normally. You're having fun, aren't you?" Senketsu said amusingly as Ryuko leapfrogged across branches after her green haired opponent, who was somehow managing to run across branches as if he was running on solid ground.
"I can appreciate someone worth a damn!" she said.
"You having fun, Izuku?" Nana said.
'I guess. I... don't want to lose for some reason.' As Izuku and Ryuko pushed themselves through the dense forest, their breaths came in ragged gasps, each inhale filling their lungs with the heady scent of damp earth and fragrant blossoms. The crackling energy in the air seemed to heighten their senses, amplifying every rustle of leaves, every distant chirp of a hidden bird.
Finally, they managed to leave the seemingly endless forest and ended up on an open field with grass being up to their waist. The two took a moment to catch their breaths.
"Hey! There's the mountain!" Ryuko said.
"The ruins should be there, and the treasure inside," Izuku said.
"Come on! This race isn't over yet!" Ryuko said. Despite her challenge, the two were clearly tired, and jogged through the grass instead of sprinting.
"You tired yet?" Ryuko grinned over at Izuku.
"Not even!" he denied. Something in his head suddenly throbbed, making him pause. Ryuko saw him stop and came to a stop as well.
"What's with you?" she grunted. Izuku narrowed his eyes and looked around.
"Something's wrong."
"Huh?" Ryuko and Izuku looked around, Ryuko pulling out her Scissor Blade off the string around her neck and making it bigger.
As Izuku and Ryuko stood there, their eyes darting across the vast open field, a palpable tension hung in the air like a heavy fog. The grass beneath them swayed gently in the breeze, their tall blades tickling their legs with each rustle. The light of the moon shone down on them, filling the area with a blue light. Ryuko's eyes slide from side to side, scanning the area.
"What are we waiting for?" she said cautiously.
"I don't know. But-" Izuku suddenly looked to the side as a figure burst up and fired something at them. "Look out!"
"Hiyah!" Ryuko yelled as she slashed the net with a swing of her weapon. Someone else rose up and fired a thick cord at her, which wrapped around her wrist. Someone else jumped up and fired another cord which wrapped around her body. "What the hell?!"
"Matoi-san!" Izuku called as he ran towards her. Someone else rose up and fired several cords at him, prompting him to stop and fire Black Whip back. Black Whip collided with the cords, stopping them. But Danger Sense flared again, alerting him to someone behind him firing another cord, which wrapped around his torso. It began squeezing even his broken arm, making him grit his teeth in pain. More people rose up and bound the two in thick cords until they fell over.
"Who the hell are you guys?!" Ryuko barked. Someone emerged from the grass as well, walking up to them and looking down at them. She was a pirate, and a pretty stereotypical one, with blazing orange hair, a pirate hat, a long coat, even an eyepatch and a hook. She grinned crookedly at them.
"Name's Cap'n Blaze. Y'all are searching for my booty. And y'all are going to help me find it."
"You sure it was a good idea to send Midoriya with that Matoi girl?" Makoto asked. Nagisa looked up from where he was practicing his form with his knives. The two men were waiting on their ship, their supplies locked away below deck.
"Why not? He's a big kid. And that Matoi girl seems nice enough," he shrugged.
"Well, she might play a little rough with the kid."
"He can handle himself."
"Still, he's a bit, uh..."
"He can handle himself," Nagisa repeated.
"If you're sure," Makoto sighed. The duo fell into silence as Nagisa finished up his reps before going into the ship. He emerged with two bottles of sake and gave one to Makoto before taking a sip. Makoto looked at his drink.
"Is it okay to drink right now?"
"Who knows? I see no reason why not at the moment."
"Fair," Makoto said as he took a drink. The drink burned his throat, making him grimace slightly. His crewmate looked him over with stoic eyes.
"Are you okay, Naegi-kun?" Nagisa asked.
"Yeah, just still not used to drinking-"
"I wasn't talking about the drink."
"Huh?"
"We haven't had time to properly talk, between the rebuilding of the town, and sailing," Nagisa said as he walked over and sat down next to his crewmate. "But, are you okay? I know that the child's death had an effect on you."
"Oh, that. Y-yeah. I'm... not entirely okay, but I'll be fine."
"If you're not entirely okay, then you won't be fine," Nagisa said.
"..." Makoto was silent. He drank again and sighed.
"I was just running inside that building while you guys fought for your lives and ours. She was right there. Right in front of me. I couldn't save her. Worst part is, I know a few guys who probably would've saved her. I hate not being able to do anything. I hate being weak. I hate being an average guy." Makoto's tone was bitter, but resigned.
"An average guy? Weren't you the Ultimate Hope in your world?"
"It's just a fancy title at the end of the day. I was put into a killing game, by the Mastermind behind the Tragedy. I happened to win against her, so they called me Ultimate Hope."
"A killing game?"
"I said before that guys who have Talents are called Ultimates. Ultimates were seen as the people who would change the future, lead the world to a better place. The Mastermind behind the Tragedy, she knew that. So she put us into a sick game where she wiped our memories and gave us motives to kill each other. It would hammer the message home. That there is no Hope. Only Despair. We got down to only six of us before we could confront her. She was called the Ultimate Despair, and when I managed to overcome her, I was called Ultimate Hope."
"So in the end, it's not your ability, but your feat, that got you the title."
"Yep. And the funny thing is, people put so much value and attention on titles, when in the end, they're just words. They called me Ultimate Hope, but all I did after beating the Mastermind was boost the Future Foundation's cred."
"I assume the Future Foundation is the name of an organization meant to deal with the Tragedy?"
"Yep. They say that they want to end Despair and fight for Hope, but the funny thing is that two statements that sound so similar end up meaning completely different things. It was obvious that they had a different idea of Hope than me. It wasn't actually Hope, but the absence of Despair. But I couldn't do anything. I thought I could at first. I thought, that I was actually able to make a difference. That I could help. But when I helped the people they didn't want me to, when I tried to fight for my version of Hope, they immediately called for my arrest. Before I came to this world, I was on trial. One of them punched me. I don't think it was going to end well."
"Hm."
"Ha..." Makoto sighed. "... But, even despite being frustrated about being unable to change things, I can't blame them. Munakata, Sakakura, they all just wanted to end the Tragedy. All these years trying to get back to my world, and I can't help but think that maybe, my win against the Mastermind was just Luck. Maybe I'm just naive. I probably am to think that being nice can change the world. If I'm the only one to believe in my Hope, maybe I'm just an idiot."
"I don't know. I think you're quite wise. Like you said, there's a difference between destroying Despair and fighting for Hope. Just because an orange is a fruit, doesn't mean all fruits are oranges," Nagisa said. Makoto looked at him.
"Let's think about it," the blue-haired man continued. "Either fight to replace Despair with Hope, or fight to get rid of Despair. One gives you something great, the other leaves you with nothing. One sounds better to me."
"I don't think it's that simple."
"Why not? The funny thing is, many people are called naive for thinking that there could be good in bad. But in my eyes, the inability to see good in bad is true naivety. After all, if you can only see good and bad as separate, then you only see the world in black and white, no?"
"I... guess that's true."
"Why did you save the people they didn't want you to save?"
"I... just thought that maybe, once upon a time, before the Mastermind, they had Hope too. I mean, you can't fall to Despair, unless you're falling from something."
"You saw good in people. You believe that they could be saved. That things can be better than how it is already. That sounds like Hope to me. Sounds like something actually worth fighting for. Ironically, maybe those who really believe in Hope are the ones who are able to see the world in shades of grey."
"Hm. That's an interesting thought." Makoto and Nagisa fell to silence as they finished their drinks. Makoto looked at his reflection in the green glass.
"... Shiota?"
"Hm?"
"Have you ever killed someone?"
"... I have."
"A mercenary? Soldier? No wait, an assassin?"
"Bingo. How did you guess?"
"Gut feeling."
"Are you concerned?"
"No. Like you said. I see the world in gray. I trust that you had limits."
"That's what separates assassins from mindless killers."
"Then, can you, teach me?"
"Hm? You want me to teach you how to be an assassin?"
"Not, that, specifically. But... I do want to be able to fight for what I believe," Makoto said sheepishly. Nagisa smiled warmly.
"In that case," he said as he stood up. He held his hand to Makoto. "Why don't we go after Midoriya-kun and young Matoi after all?"
"You know what?" Makoto accepted the hand and let himself be pulled to his feet. "I'll regret it later, but let's do it."
"Excellent."
"But, I do want to replace my guns."
"Wise."
And that is the end of that chapter. Ryuko Matoi is the next Otherworlder, and (spoiler alert) the next one to join the crew. Only one left before the core five, a mirror to the Strawhats, is complete. Admittedly, I am a bit worried about how I'm handling these characters. An advantage to having Nagisa be much older than how he was in AssClass is that I have an excuse. I've been trying to make him be a mix of how he was in AssClass and Korosensei, which is one of the reasons why I had the last part be how it is. The other reason is that Nagisa and Makoto are going to be best friends, and you can't stop me.
As for Ryuko, it's been a while since I properly watched Kill la Kill, or read the manga, so I don't have the best handle on her personality. I'm trying to make her the competitive yet empathetic type, where she loves competing but is a good sport about it. We haven't seen her with a rival that she can bounce off of in a friendly way, but I think this is how she would act.
The hardest part is definitely Deku. It's hard for me to write him in a scenario like this where heroism isn't his main focus, without him being completely OOC. I love writing characters, but it can be quite tricky at times. But that's all for now. As per the usual, leave a review! Azure out!